Captivate

Captivate
November 2008

This is one of my best friends, Alyssa. She is also one of my favorite people to take photos of. The reason being, she's also a big fan of America's Next Top Model {haha} --which makes her a complete diva. This is her "captivate with the eyes" look. I think she did a pretty good job. :)

I took this during lunch today, at school, while it was snowing. Thanks, Lyss, for braving the blizzard for my art! :)

To Write Love on Her Arms

To Write Love on Her Arms
November 2008

Today is the 2nd Annual To Write Love on Her Arms Day. For those of you not familiar with TWLOHA, it is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people (specifically young adults) struggling with addiction, depression, self-injury, and suicide. the money they raise goes directly to rehabs and help centers.

I've been thinking a lot about this organization the past week. It's not an explicitly Christian movement (although they do mention God's active redemption etc. in their vision statement), but it has a lot of really solid goals. I've begun to feel convicted of how little I'm involved in the world. I choose to minister in my little bubble where I feel comfortable. I think my struggle is also a greater reflection of the body of Christ as a whole. What is the church doing to reach out to these young adults who are so lost? Who knows, there could be tons of church sponsored ministries that I don't know about--and that's where I've failed. Or there might only be a handful across the country.

TWLOHA has only been around for a few years, but they have already grown so much and brought so much support and awareness for these people that are suffering. Shouldn't the church be making such an impact? And we even have the love of Jesus to share! I'm hoping to get involved with ministries at Geneva that reach out to teens in the community (Young Life maybe?) and I challenge you to join me in this challenge of breaking outside the covenant community to bring the love of Jesus to those who need it the most.

St. Pauls

Here are a few photos I just found of the Catholic Church mentioned below.
Stunning, huh?
I love Pittsburgh.

Candles

Candles
August 2008

I am officially not a fan of being busy anymore. *Hopefully* I can get back on track with my blogging soon. I need some ideas for new shots...thoughts? Any places to recommend?

This shot was taken at St. Paul's Catholic Church downtown As cool as these candles look, what they represent makes me very sad. :(

On a happier note, two of my photographs are going to be auctioned off at the RTCS Anniversary Dinner this Friday night. I chose "Stockholm" and "Bat and Ball" to be printed and framed...they look great! It's so crazy to think that a photograph I took could be hanging up in a stranger's house someday!

Rose Petals

Rose Petals
June 2008

Yeah...you guessed it....another picture from the rose garden in Charlotte. :) I took this just outside the parking lot/building. I thought it looked awesome with the petals scattered all over the sidewalk. As of now, this shot has no editing done on it. I haven't decided if I want to play around with it a little or just leave it in the raw. We'll see. :)

Pumpkin Chai

Pumpkin Chai
September 2008

This photo represents what I want most in the world right now....

Pumpkin Chai

yum. :)

Fenced In

Fenced In
June 2008

This is another shot I took at the Rose Garden in Charlotte, NC. It was actually a somewhat scary fence, considering it was surrounding a rose garden. I think it's even more intimidating from this angle. I don't really have any profound thoughts on this photo, so I'm going to rely on others' interpretations...

"What does this picture make you think of?"

Alena: "Fish scales."
Nate: "A fence of pain."
Mr. Wirebaugh: "A backstop."
Christine: "A bow and arrow."
Mr. Wirebaugh Take 2: "Despairing, oppressive feelings of being trapped, while playing backgammon."
Andy Brown/Joe: "A chain link fence."
Mrs. Boelcke: "The Holocaust."
Mike: "A net."
Jon: "Remnants of a nuclear war."

The Tree

The Tree
May 2008

I'm not even sure I could count how many pictures this tree has been in over the past few years. It's one of the most picturesque things on our school grounds--especially in springtime. I love the color of the blossoms. So vibrant. Although, I may have tweaked the color saturation just a tad... :) It's better this way.

Summer Repose

Summer Repose

August 2008

1. Kudos to my friend, Alena, who named this photo. :)
2. It makes me miss the lazy days of summer.
3. Those are my legs/feet.
4. Obviously, I took this shot myself. It took me a few tries before I got the focus in the place I wanted it.
5. I love how green the grass is.
6. Isn't my skirt awesome looking? :)

Graffiti

Graffiti
October 2008

You know, I've always been a busy person, but I'm getting to the point that I'm frustrated because I have so little time to do things for pleasure. Like blogging, for example. *sigh* Maybe someday I'll have time to sit around and blog all I want...

This picture perfectly captures the concept of irony for me. This graffiti is on a wall at Geneva College (the Christian college I'll be attending next year.) Also, keep in mind that is only part of the wall. It also says things like "Try Jesus" and "Serve & Protect."

"Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." -- 2 Tim. 2:22

It amused me that someone who vandalized a wall was trying to urge people to "flee the evil desires of youth." Ha. :)

The Cross

The Cross
July 2007

I have multiple things to say pertaining to this photo:

1. I took it in Sweden, which automatically makes it awesome. :)

2. Story time: I bought this really awesome cross necklace from a Chinese woman at a Kiosk in the mall the other day. I love the reminder it is to me of the church's responsibility to bring the gospel to the whole world. I was wearing it tonight at work and a customer told me she really liked it. She then asked if I was Christian and if I went to church. I said yes and that I go to Providence Presbyterian. Her response: "That's awesome! Keep up the faith, sister." Seriously. It made my night. I love the body of Christ.

3. Tomorrow is the start of 31 days of prayer for global missions {sponsored by Mission to the World.} I'm going to commit to it and I challenge you to do it with me! Here is the link to the calendar.

Tomorrow's prayer focus is on China! :)

Pumpkins

Pumpkins

September 2008

Basically everyone remotely involved with RTCS never wants to hear the word "pumpkin" ever again. The soccer team picked somewhere around 350 pumpkins last weekend to sell as a fundraiser. Most of the pumpkins are lined up along the back of the school building...so obviously I had to snag some shots during study hall. :)

p.s. Have I mentioned that I love fall?? :)

See You at the Pole

See You at the Pool
September 2008

I'm back!! Ah! It feels like I haven't blogged in 6 years! I've missed it. I have been so insanely busy though. I'm actually completely free tomorrow night {other than the season 5 premier of The Office :)}, so I'm hoping to work on several posts and time them out for the next week.

Today was See You at the Pole! For those of you who are unfamiliar with it, here's what their website says:

See You at the Pole™ is a great place to connect with God, connect with other believers, and connect with your campus in the name of Christ.

SYATP connects believers together at the beginning of the school year, so you can stand strong together throughout the year.

See You at the Pole™ is all about prayer. It's about you coming together and laying aside all the labels and groups for one day, to simply connect with God in prayer and connect with fellow Christians in unity around the flag pole—whether jocks, preps, geeks, Methodists, Baptists, Catholics, sophomores, or seniors.

So are you ready to connect? Are you ready to say, Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening?

Join your generation Wednesday, September 24, at 7 a.m., GATHER at your school flagpole. PRAY for your school, friends, families, and world. CONNECT. Listen as He speaks to you.

It's a really awesome ministry and is definitely something I look forward to every year. How amazing is it to think that thousands of other students across the country are all lifting up their voices as one?? Ah. I love the church.

p.s. I love the natural morning mist in this shot.

Idea

Idea
September 2008

I took this picture of my best friend, Jessie, while we were having coffee at Starbucks today. You can probably tell just from this picture why we're friends. I'm pretty sure she completes me. :) We love just meeting for coffee and discussing what we learned at school that day, the books we're reading, new music, random ideas, you name it. Lots of awesome nerdiness occurs in our relationship. :) Right before I took this, she was reading me a quote about literature from her journal. She's studying English Literature and Writing at Pitt and she keeps an awesome blog. Check it out.

I decided to play around with some of Alice's editing features today. I was mostly testing out different filters--black&white, sepia, warm tones, cool tones, etc. I think the 2nd version is my favorite. Thoughts?

Cafe

Cafe
June 2008

This is a shot of the wall paper in a cafe that I went to with my dear friend, Annie, in Charlotte, NC. It was such a fun & quirky place--I loved the way it was decorated. I definitely have a soft spot in my heart for cafes {considering I work in one!} I especially love small, privately owned ones, like the Beaver Falls Coffee & Tea Company {just off my future college campus.} I just love meeting friends for coffee ({like you!} or sitting by myself with a good book {especially in the dead of winter.} There's just something oddly calming about the scent of freshly brewed coffee. :)

p.s. My drink of choice is a Hazelnut Mocha, if you were wondering. :)

This is Art

This is Art
May 2008

I wanted to share a brief conversation my friend, Alena, and I had during art class this week:

{While sketching a still life of bottles/jars/boxes}
Jamie: "So we have to sketch all of these?!"
Alena: "Just sketch what you see from the angle you're at."
Jamie: "Well what if I choose not to see those bottles?"
Alena: "That is called art."

I thought her response was absolutely hilarious and in a way, very true. An artist can choose to see what he or she wants to see. An artist creates. With photography however, you are slightly more limited. You can't completely create something from scratch--you are capturing something as it is. However, you can choose to view it in a different way than most would or alter its color and texture. Anyway, long explanation just to say: I strive to create art by capturing what is already there.

The shoes in the above photo belong to Alena. She is a wonderful artist {can you tell from the doodling?} and is actually working on a logo for Pilgrim! Yay! I can't wait to show it to everyone! :)

Bowling

Bowling
September 2008

I heart bowling. And I'm actually pretty good at it. The end. :)

Speed Limit

Speed Limit
September 2008

I've gotten several requests for some black&white shots...so here you are! I love b&w, but I honestly haven't done many shots I really like. I feel like I haven't found many suitable locations or objects yet. Hopefully my black & white muse will visit me soon. :)

The contrast of the modern sign vs. rustic fence really struck me in this picture. It makes it interesting. :)

p.s.

I'm officially accepted to Geneva College. :)

Stairway to Heaven

Stairway to Heaven
July 2007

I was inspired by my friend, Grant's photo blog, Indie. Lens, and decided to show off my own Stairway to Heaven photo. I took this in Sweden at this awesome waterfall we visited. My friend, Eric, is the one coming down the seemingly never-ending stairs here. I had actually forgotten about this picture until today...but I really like it! Great angle, if I do say so myself. :)

I'm not a huge Led Zeppelin fan, but I do love this song. I mean who doesn't? I especially like it though because my Dad has always played and sung this song to me since I was little. Ha. Some parents sing "Rock-a-by-Baby"...but not the Stuarts. :)

"There's a lady who's sure
all that glitters is gold,
and she's buying a
stairway to heaven.."

Monarch

Landing
September 2008

Ok. Picture me running in circles in a field, with Alice around my neck, in the middle of gym class. That pretty much sums up how I got this picture. I basically chased the thing down until it finally landed. Hey, nobody ever said the life of a photographer was easy.

Monarch

2006

I also took this shot at school during Field Biology class my sophomore year. Honestly, that class is really what sparked my interest in photography--as funny as that sounds. We spent a lot of time outside and I always took my camera. When I happened to get shots like this one, my love for the art grew exponentially. This is another one I took with my old Nikon. That little camera really is impressive--it's the main reason I decided to stick with Nikon. I'm glad I have Alice though. :)

Stockholm, Sweden

Stockholm
July 2007

This is the first of many pictures I'll be posting over the next few months from my trip to Sweden last summer. I went with a group of students from my church to serve another church in the city of Tranas, Sweden. We spent a week in Tranas doing all sorts of different odd jobs around the church {weeding, babysitting, cooking, cleaning, building score boards, etc.} We were able to spend a day as tourists in Stockholm before we came home.

Stockholm is such a beautiful city. It is surrounded by water and full of intricate architecture, beautifully colored buildings, brick roads, boutiques, and lots of bicycles! I completely fell in love with it. This photo captures the European charm of the entire city. It's my favorite photo from our day there {and possibly the entire trip!}

My Project

I thought it would be beneficial to take a little time to explain my actual senior project and what it's going to entail. Everything I explain below is subject to change, but you'll get the main ideas.
The senior project has two basic components--the physical project and the 5 "disciplines."

My physical project:
I will be having a gallery showing of my work at The Sewickley Gallery & Frame Shop this upcoming April. I will be responsible for advertising & planning the show, as well as refreshments, decorations, etc. Over the next 7 months, I will work with Mrs. Ingram on preparing and perfecting images for the show. I'm hoping to be able to sell my photos and other products (cards/calendars/etc.) throughout the year as well. I'm really excited about this and I hope I will see all of you there! (I will know the official date for the show very soon...)

The Disciplines:
1. Math- I will work with Mrs. Ingram on preparing a budget for my "business." We will plan out all of my finances and I'll be making some sort of spreadsheet to hand in to our math teacher.
2. Science- I'm going to be reading a book on photography and studying the physics and science behind it. I will learn about aperture, exposure, lighting, you name it (all with Mrs. Ingram's assisstance of course.) I'm hoping to teach a class on the science of photography to the Chemistry class at our school.
3. History- I will be reading and researching the life and work of Dorothea Lang, a well known photographer during the Great Depression. I will write a paper summarizing her life and analyzing her work & the effect it had on society.
4. Biblical Ethics- I will be writing a paper addressing the issue of photography as an art form from a Biblical perspective. This one should be interesting... ;)
5. Literature- I will focus on photojournalism, specifically during a time of war. I will study the way photos can add to, change, or effect the way people read an article. I will {most likely} give a presentation to a literature class on the topic.

These disciplines are spread through out the year and I will be working with one of my teachers on each of them. I will have all the exact details ironed out once I propose my ideas to the staff and meet with them each personally.

I'm sure I'll be giving you updates on my project, and not just posting pictures, throughout the year. I'd love for any suggestions or input...I have to write my proposal speech this weekend and any response would be helpful! :)

ps. I'm writing this from the computer lab at my school and I just noticed that my photo, "Orange," is the desktop background on a computer across the room. That makes me happy. :)

Silver Ring

Silver Ring
2006

First off, I really love this ring. I think I just love words and writing and it makes me happy to have a ring with writing on it. If that makes any sense. I got this ring a few years ago at an Abstinence program called The Silver Ring Thing. It's a pretty solid ministry that was started at Christ Church at Grove Farm and has spread across the country. The basic idea is to make a commitment to remain pure until marriage and to use the silver ring as a reminder of your commitment. It's also been a pretty good conversation starter and witnessing tool.

If you haven't figured this out already, my ring is placed directly on top of the verse printed on it-- 1 Thess. 4:3-4.

"For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from ual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor..."

Reasons I really like this picture:
1. Obviously, what it represents and means.
2. The "artistic blur" and special focus on the specific verses.
3. The fact that the verse is highlighted.
4. That it's my Bible and my ring. It makes it very personal.
5. That you can see the title of the chapter: "Please God."

This is also the first really good picture I took. I did it with my old camera {impressive, no?} The fact that it turned out so well and was rather thought provoking inspired me to continue pursuing my discovered interest in photography. I'm pretty sure this will always be one of my favorite photos ever.

Meet the Stuart Kids

Jamie Lynn, 17

John James, 15

Jared Martin, 12

Jillian Lee, 8

Aren't we lovely? :) The picture of me was taken by my good friend, Christine {with Alice}, on the first day of our senior year! Yay! Normally I prefer to be behind the camera instead of in front of it, but I absolutely love that picture. I took the portraits of my sibs this past spring to give to my mom for Mother's Day. I'm pretty sure they all enjoyed themselves during their personal photo shoots {I know I did.} I really tried to capture each of their personalities in the photos I took. For example, I took some of John with his guitar, Jillian smelling fresh flowers, and Jared up in a tree. We all had fun coming up with creative poses. The above pictures are my personal favorites and the ones displayed in our family room. :)

The Dandelions

The Dandelions
May 2008

I love dandelions--at all stages of their existence. I'm not really sure what it is about them that I love so much. Maybe it's the rich golden color. Maybe it's blowing the seeds into the spring air. Maybe it's because they remind me of myself--a helpless weed that God chose to create and love. Maybe. :)

Keuka Lake

Keuka Lake
July 2007

I visited Keuka Lake, in New York, last summer with some family friends. It's absolutely beautiful there! This was my favorite picture from the trip. I just love sunsets over water. :)

Eek!

Sorry I've been such a blog posting slacker! It's been totally crazy re-adjusting to school life + work! I promise to post a few pictures over the next two days to make up for what I missed. :)

The Playground

The Playground
August 2008

Well, I survived my first day of school as a senior! It was rather uneventful actually. I have 3 study halls in a row {with lunch in the middle} on Wednesdays. Today, to fill up some of that time, Christine and I went outside to recess with the 1st-3rd graders. Of course I made Christine push them on the swings while I took pictures. :)

I took this picture of my cousins {from 2 different sides of the family}, Grant & Carson. They both started first grade and this was their first time having recess. I just thought they were adorable--watching the s on the swings. And they both look so stylin' with their new clothes on. :)

I played up on the cloudy day effect and reduced the color saturation in the photo. It almost gives it a vintage feel--which I love.

Stay tuned for more pictures of the lovely students at RTCS!

Back to School!

School's Out
June 2008

We had our annual "Back-to-School Night" this evening. Very exciting!! It's such a strange and foreign feeling to be so ready and excited to go back, but I am. I'm pumped to have a fantastic senior year. I'm also completely happy about all of my classes this year: AP World Literature, AP European History, Christian Apologetics, Advanced French, Art, Choir, Music Theory, Music Ensemble, Elementary Music Teacher's Aid, Chapel Planning, Senior Project, College Prep., Yearbook, Newspaper, and Gym. Oh man! That sounds like a lot when you actually type it out...eek! Most of the elective classes only meet about once a week though...so I guess it's not too bad. I'm so thankful for all of the musical experience I'm going to get this year. It looks like I'll be spending somewhere around 9 periods a week in the Music room! Yes!! Plus, the fact that I've managed to scrape by with absolutely no science or math classes fills me with joy. :) I really can't wait to start my senior year. I know the Lord has great things planned for me and I'm so excited to see what they are!

I posted this picture today mostly out of irony. I took it on the last day of last school year. The locker room is always a disaster on the last day. This trash can was just randomly sitting in the middle of the room. Decorating my locker is one of my favorite things about the first week--and taking it all down is my least favorite part of the last week. I'm pretty sure this year I'll probably sob the whole time. :)

First Birthday

Birthday Boy
August 2008

Yesterday our family celebrated my cousin Braeden's 1st birthday. Isn't he completely adorable?
They got him his own personal cake and watching him eat it was priceless. But even more hilarious was watching him later--all sugared up. :)

Are you sure this is ok, Mom?

Washing it down with some milk.

And...he's had enough.

Hippie Love

Hippie Love
August 2008

My friends constantly tease me about being a hippie--and I'm completely at peace with that {pun definitely intended.} Sure, I love weird music, tie-dye, my long curly hair, worn out jeans, and hemp jewelry. I found a quote in a magazine that I think describes me really well: "bohemian-modern, with an eclectic flea-market vibe." I'm also pretty sure that my artsy tendencies show through in my work as an aspiring photographer.

When most people think of hippies, they think back to the 60s and 70s--Vietnam, free love, Greenwich Village, peace signs, long hair, etc. From a Christian's stand point, most of these things have negative connotations. The so-called "hippies" of the 60s took Biblical principles and ran with them in a sinful direction. Peace and love are 2 of the top 9 signs that the Holy Spirit is working in a person's life (Gal. 5:22.) What would our world would be like if the Church took as strong a stand for these things as the residents of Greenwich Village did?

So do I consider myself a "hippie"? Am I all about peace & love? You bet. But the kind that only Jesus can bring. :)

Orange

Orange
March 2007

This is one of the flowers I received during my school's production of The Music Man. Our dining room table was seriously covered in vases--I had dozens and dozens of flowers. I especially loved the vibrant and unique color of this one. It stood out to me among the "crowd"of bouquets.

Hands

Hands
August 2008

The hands in this picture belong to my friends, Forrest {David} Williams and Alex DeVore. The Williams family was in Pittsburgh this week to move David into Geneva College (woo!) Alex found out about my love for photography and requested a photo shoot...and of course, I embraced the opportunity. :) I'll probably be posting one or two more pictures of them in the next week or so.

I've decided that I really like taking picture of hands. I seem to gravitate toward them unintentionally (see The Challenge.)

Reflection

Reflection
May 2008

This is one of those pictures where every way you turn it, it still looks cool.

We were outside for youth group one evening, and I noticed the sunlight was providing perfect reflections in the puddles from an earlier storm. My friend, Nate, graciously agreed to be my . :) My favorite thing about this picture is that the clouds are also reflected. It makes his reflection look like he's standing on top of the world or something.

The Close of Autumn

The Close of Autumn

Fall 2006

You'll most likely figure this out for yourself after awhile, but fall is by far my favorite season. Pittsburgh is just absolutely stunning--I just love the colors and the cool weather. Therefore, expect to see many more fall pictures over the next few months. :)

The title of this picture comes from a song by one of my favorite bands, Caedmon's Call.

"The Close of Autumn"
When I'm cold and alone all I want is my freedom
And a sudden gust of gravity.
I stop wailing and kicking
Just to let this water cover me, cover me.
Only if I rest my arms, rest my mind
You'll overcome me and swell up around me.
With my fighting so vain, with my vanity so fought
I'm rolling over.

(Chorus)
'Cause in just the same way
That the stream becomes swollen
Swollen with cold up over the ground
When my heart draws close to the close of autumn
Your love, your love abounds

All the time I'm thinking
Wondering how would it be
To breathe in deep.
I guess I need to be careful
When I ask for a drink.
(Just might get what I ask for.)
And I know just what you'd say to me,
That's why I don't ask you.
I'm like a bullheaded boy these days,
Crying my toy's gone...
You're shiny and new.
(repeat chorus)
Guess I'll drop my anger here
Before I float away
And the chains around me
An awful lot of talking
I don't leave you much to say
You didn't ever leave me
And my greatest fear
Was you'd leave me here
A long time back my feet
Could touch the bottom

I personally, as well as this picture, can really relate to this song. So often I have to get to the point of feeling completely overwhelmed, swollen, and tired of fighting before I allow myself to simply be covered in Christ's abounding love. I see myself as the withering plant in the picture. It is surrounded by the evidence of God's love and care, but it continues to wither. At the same time, it can't possibly heal itself. It can only be made new when God sends the sunshine and rain to nourish it. It is the same with us, as Christians. We can only be healed and nourished by the means of grace and the Holy Spirit working in our lives.

I am blessed to attend a school & church that are located on beautiful "rolling hills" of Western Pennsylvania. We have amazing trails through the woods behind our building. I took "The Close of Autumn" on the edge of, what we like to call at RTCS, "The Frolic Place" (pictured in the above two pictures.) This is one of my favorite places ever--especially during the peak of fall. As you can see, the hills and trees and sky are just spectacular. I also find something overwhelmingly peaceful about this place. It's a small bit of God's vast creation pristinely preserved, in the midst of busy Robinson Township, for us to enjoy! I've spent a lot of time in these woods and naturally took a lot of pictures too. So now if I refer to the RTCS woods or The Frolic Place you'll have a better idea of what in the world I'm talking about! :)

p.s. If you attend Providence or RTCS and haven't made the hike through the woods....do it! (And invite me!}

The Call

The Call
October 2007

One of my favorite things about photography is the ability to alter the audience's perception of the object. By getting down on his level, I was able to make this plastic soldier look like a bit more than just a toy {although, the Heiple kids probably thought I was crazy for taking pictures of their toys.}

I just love his body position and the fact that he's on the phone/radio. It brings so much more mystery and open interpretation to the picture. Who is he calling? Why? Is someone attacking? Did his tank break down? Or does he just need a sandwich or something? Personally, I'd go with something more dramatic, like: he has just discovered a traitorous soldier's plans to murder their lieutenant and he's calling his base to warn him of the impending danger. But that's just me. :)