Brittany App : Reflections

wedding faire this sunday in slo-town

2012-01-26T11:47:00.000-08:00

Ladies and Gentlemen! The 17th Annual Central Coast Wedding & Special Events Faire approaches. This Sunday, January 29th, from 12-4pm at the Embassy Suites in San Luis Obispo, CA. Booth #42 is where you will find me.... come say hi for a chance to win a FREE engagement portrait session. And receive 15% off ANY of my services booked at the Faire. Yep yep. We can't wait to see you! xx

(view the Facebook event page here)

turning of the clock

2011-12-31T15:48:00.000-08:00

When one year ends and another begins, it's hard to know what to say. There's so much to say. And everybody's sayin' something. It's a forced restart, of sorts. Or just a really good excuse to pause, review, assess, adjust, glance back, and look forward. Something I feel that we all should be doing, ALL the time...

2011 was a year of complete rebirth. All that was before became something completely different. I said farewell to an addiction, circumnavigated the globe, rode with my sweet Mitra to the land of doggy-heaven, got lice in the Amazon, lost my dreadlocks, discovered a fresh identity, a stronger, more loving, wide open, identity. I returned to California, the land of my birth, and became a house sitter. returned to London. connected stronger than ever before. I constantly examined the concept of home. I travelled by car, by train, plane, foot, ship.... hiked mountains, found love, grew braver, happier, more honest, more alive.

I photographed rock stars in California, starvation in South Africa, the meeting of the waters in Brazil, drum circles and orphans in Ghana, fireworks in London. Babies and families and love and life.... everywhere. 2011 felt kind of like a dream.

"Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake." - Henry David Thoreau.

So I shall continue to dream, awake, into 2012. And I shall dream BIG. and true. bigger than ever before. I have no idea what's on the horizon, and I'm thrilled. Poised eager to embrace it all with pure love. Cheers to you, my comrades, to our future, and to our now.

"You must be the change you want to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi

this is where i shall winter

2011-12-24T14:37:00.000-08:00

So I just had a clear thought. Which I know, sounds kinda like, "really, B, so what kind of thoughts have you been having lately, exactly?". I know. But apparently a clear thought is a thing of treasure at this juncture in my life. So I shall embrace it. And ruminate upon it fully.

This thought of which I speak... this clear thought... is the realization that this time warp I've been caught inside is a direct result of nothing other than solid, 100% immersion, in my HEAD. yowza. I'm not sure the last time I've spent this much time...... in there. mm hmm. And I think it might be a good idea to take a break. Get inside someone else's head for a minute. Or an hour. Or days. Might be a nice break. Some might even say re-juvinating. But me, knowing me, I will likely continue to trudge it out... just to see what happens.

I've been collecting all the images necessary for a complete re-design and re-build of my website. This entails hours, days... countless.... looking through old images. re-Living my life. thousands of images at a time. thousands of Memories. flashing by. And I've been photographing six of the "Nine Sisters" - ancient peaks that have surrounded me my entire life. I've been exploring them like never before. exploring my Home. with intensity. ...why has it taken me this long? So, deep inside of the places and the people that have made me... this is where I shall winter. This is where I shall live. Thank .you. for a magical life. x

musings manifested

2011-11-28T22:14:00.001-08:00

There's been a lot going on lately. On a lot of levels. I think, quite possibly, I'm about to explode. Or maybe I just did. Or perhaps it's both. And to this impending explosion, if it is thus, as if you are baking a batch of cookies, add family, pounding heartbeats, and a dark blue, toyota tacoma pick-up truck. Stir it well, for ten full days on the road, with the help and the company of someone dear to you. Radio silence.

Flash forward. back. "So, Brittany, what's next? What's the plan? What's the next great adventure?"... and I pause... "I don't know." ...more pause... "What do you mean by that exactly?"

"Well, most people have some sort of 5 year plan or 10 year plan, or just a general course they'd like to aim their life towards... you know... so, what's yours? Any big trips on the horizon?" ... and I pause ... "I don't know." ...insert self-disbelief... and answer... "Keep on keepin on, right here in the plan I'm in, I suppose. Keep on bettering the good that is already all around me. Keep on moving towards the ideal. The ideal - which in my eyes, is a continuation of 'this'. Cause 'this' is feeling pretty damn good right now." .yeah... that was my outside voice.... and I realize... within nanoseconds of the words escaping my mouth... I'm almost positive that I made no sense whatsoever to my darling uncle, asker of the queries, and managed merely to come off sounding like the looney & liberal, tattooed, bald, mostly-non-meat-eating hippy dippy niece that i am. which is perfect. because none of it makes any sense to me either. I cannot believe that THIS is my life. my real life... srsly? what do i want? what is my plan? ummmmmm.... seriously? I'm in it. I feel like I'm right the hell in it, anyway. living it. one day at a time. I want this. and all. and so i start to rattle... desires... to spend more time in Africa. to breathe deeply. to help my friend with his non-profit. go on another extended cycling trip. continue to raise funds and awareness. visit London. hell, stay in London. I'm ready for another Semester at Sea. I want to finish my book. build a new website. make more art. photograph life. communicate. love. deeply. BE. "...so, you're gonna keep gypsy'ing, then?" he says.

But really, I don't know. I don't know what is next.... I have no freaking clue.... And it feels amazing. AMAZING. Because in this absence of knowledge is complete freedom. Freedom to say YES. a resounding yes. to ANY thing. at any time. The gates are open. The time is here. Life - accelerated.

And then, see, in this situation, when some thing, some one, some force, or some of all of it comes along and slaps me across the ass - which is bound to happen, as it may have just done - I am keen and open. Open to receive it, with all it's intensity. With all it's madness. With all it's love. I am open. strong. grateful. and thrilled at what lies ahead in this beautiful twisted creation called life. Syncronicity. Rainbows. And that one time at band camp.....

the day before 11:11:11

2011-11-11T22:14:00.001-08:00

81 seconds of pure awesome.... straight to your brain tube...

Deadman's Party

2011-10-12T21:24:00.000-07:00

Ladies & Gentlemen! Mark your calendars for an evening of Fun & Art & Halloweeney Perversions... It's Deadman's Party, and it promises to be a bomb-diggity Group Art Show. Downtown SLO. Last Friday. October 28th. Tiger Lily Salon & Spa. 670 Higuera St, Ste D.

Expect to be titillated by the likes of: the "Dead Booth" (this is the Deadman Party incarnation of my "Live Photo Booth" - I'll let your imagination run with that for a moment...). Jaw Dropping Art. Cool People. Costumes. A glimpse at the inside of my Head. No, I'm serious. You'll have to come to find out what the hell that means. You know you wanna.... Just Do It!

crawl inside my [refrigerator] box.
(see you there?) yes please. thank you. i love this plan.
(oh yeah, and it's free. so, there's that)

blissmantra

2011-09-27T19:02:00.000-07:00

OhmyGodthereisSOmuchgoingonrightnow!
And yet I stand quietly, somehow, in the eye of my storm.
fruit drops, and rots, and the bees take over.
not unlike my loves, memories and lovers.

I roarrr like a train in the night.
clankity clank. clack.
broken.
charging.
forward.

work. bam! a calendar! ... 2012 approaches
hey Brittany, you're in a calendar... an Adventure Cycling Association calendar... a self portrait... you friggin GO, girl!
and a magazine.
For Photographers. About Photographers.
And guess who they wrote about? They wrote about YOU.
Today happened. Today really really happened.
And actually, here, have your own calendar while we're at it...
The New Rock 107.3 Ladies of the Central Coast.
Shoot the whole thing. awesome. k. thanks.

Reminisce. bliss. longing.
London, weddings, San Francisco, sex, freedom, soul flutters...

You're homeless. At home. In home.
You. Are. Home.
Everything and anything you need, is here, in you, and you're finally starting to see it...

You are the silence and the storm.
You are the heartbeat.
You are in pain and alive by it.
You are curious. You are brave.
You are beginning the next great adventure....
the adventure... to BE.

meowr!

2011-08-09T20:17:00.000-07:00

Kid Rock. Lady Antebellum. Steve Miller Band. Boyz II Men. Tracey Lawrence. Chicago. The Fab Four. Clint Black. Selena Gomez. Big Time Rush. Counting Crows. Rick Springfield. Jason Aldean. George Thorogood. Maroon 5. Train. Gavin DeGraw. Sugarland..... aka the month of July, 2011. Seriously? I love my job. I am immensely grateful for it every day... and I am reminded every July of the physical exertion necessary to photograph events known to us locals as The Santa Barbara County Fair and The California Mid State Fair. I photograph them. In their entirety. 12 hours a day, every day, for the collective span of approximately 3 weeks. My hard drives are full. The terabytes are multiplying. And life is grand.

The decent from this whirlwind is... you guessed it... a month of editing.... ahh yesss.... many days in pajamas, groovin to new music, selecting, sorting, editing, exporting, printing, delivering.... thousands of images. Mmmmmmm..... I can smell the coffee now.

I have felt many reasons lately, gentle reminders from the Universe, it seems, to never take for granted the loves in my life. All of them. First and foremost, the people. You amazing brilliant shining stars of light that I am priviledged to know. Life would not be life without you. And I thank you, from the depths of my heart - for being YOU. Secondly - for the love of my work. This profession that consistently reassures me of the positive, unites people, and remains rewarding beyond measure. And thirdly - for it all. For every day that I wake, every breath that I breathe, and every smile that I participate in. Let us never let go of the positive, and let us never cease to grow and love and offer assistance to those who need us. Onward, my darlings! xx

a much needed update

2011-07-10T10:36:00.000-07:00

There's been a lot going on... and I guess it's only fair to devote a blog post towards just that. A much needed update. Where to START is tricky. and a long list gets boring quick. sooo... I think rambling poetically is maybe the best plan.

There was that one time at band camp..... no wait.... start over.... there was that one time I drove down to Irvine to see my Semester at Sea buddies, and to film an audition video for The Amazing Race. You can watch it right up there (look up!). For this video, I acquired a muchly-wanted GoPro camera - currently my favorite tool in the box. And now Daniel and I are officially just waiting for a phone call - we'll know by mid-August if they like us. how freaking cool would THAT be?! (I've also finally built myself a YouTube channel - called what? - TheBrittanyApp - subscribe if you dare)

Tiddly bits... I now own the bicycle that I pedaled across the United States. she's rad. I'm a vegetarian. Which is still a new adventure and still bizarre to hear myself say. I'm getting a new tattoo. it's big. I went kayaking with Jesus the other day. he rocks. I'm training for Tough Mudder. kind of. I'm still bald. real bald. And just totally diggin on this funky journey called life.

Garrett is living in the mountains of Montana - editing all the footage from our bicycle trip. I just yesterday completed edits of all the stills. holy smokes. this is one well-documented ride. I am also beginning to post some of the until-now hidden stories from the trip - you can keep up with it all on our website...

I have been, and will continue to be, house-sitting. Some might call it homeless. But if that's the case, I am officially the most comfortable homeless person I know. Brittany App. Professional House Sitter. I dig it. Sometimes there's a diabetic cat who needs insulin shots. Apparently I can do that. Sometimes there's a rooftop patio upon which I can practice my sweet hulahooping skills that aren't too sweet yet. Yes please. Sometimes a kayak. or a hot tub. But most always and most importantly there's animals - and i LOVE it - these angels are helping heal the Mitra-sized hole in my life - one hairball at a time. God I miss her so much.

So, yes, ladies and gentlemen, to answer many a query, I am currently residing on the Central Coast of California. I am totally available for photo shoots. And I will travel anywhere. ANYWHERE. So please, hit me up! If you need photos, there IS an App for that. The Fairs begin soon, and there's some exciting destination weddings approaching this summer - one in Idaho and one in London! whooooopeee!

And in a more newsy department of news, I will be featured in the September issue of Photographer's Forum Magazine. I am honored and immensely excited, as this will be the first time being featured in a photography magazine. There's a showing of my work up in the Paso Robles City Hall for the month of July, featuring photographs from my most recent Semester at Sea - and dedicated to the children of our planet. And to top things off, I'll be the featured speaker at the Paso Chamber's Women In Business luncheon next month.... life is rad.

Onward and upward, my friends. Let's do this whole thing together....

"Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors. Together let us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths, and encourage the arts and commerce." - John F. Kennedy

rain

2011-06-04T20:09:00.000-07:00

It's raining. quiet. and i sit. In someone else's kitchen. With someone's else's cats. My bags are packed... and tomorrow i move out. again. House-sitting is the name of this game - and the universe says that it's a game I shall play for a while. And I can - totally - dig it.

It's been about five weeks since walking off that ship, and home still isn't really feeling like home. So much that was familiar is gone. And Death Cab for Cutie lyrics cycle through my head, over and over and over... "if you feel like a tourist in the city you were born, then it's time to go..."

But I can't tell. I can't tell if it's time to go. And I can't tell if everything feels strange because I have finally stopped moving, or if there's something more... Maybe I'm still in transit. Maybe I will always be in transit. Perpetual motion. moving. forward. always. San Francisco whispers to me a bit louder than she used to. And I hear her. She's been whispering for some time now. So I'm listening. and remaining patient. remaining here. sitting. being. loving. playing. creating. soaking up this beautiful confusing life.

I want to grow and stretch in ways that I haven't even dreamt of... I want stimulation. ever present. banging on my door. from all angles. all. the. time. And I want to create. bigger. better. louder. MORE. I want... to EXPLODE.

"The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes 'Awww!'" - Jack Kerouac

Photo : shot in May by the amazing Troie Moss of Independent Expression Photography

.....home

2011-05-16T22:06:00.000-07:00

April 27. 7:30 AM. Union Station.

Homebound. coming off a whirlwind. exhausted. rejuvinated. full of love. In loving there is losing. In losing there is sorrow. A sorrow that i wouldn't trade for the world. A sorrow that reminds me, with it's endless tears, of my overwhelming capacity to love.

And now I sit alone. On a train bound for a place called home. But this word, home, has become relative. I return stripped. Solo. Open.

No dog. No cat. No lover. No home. No dreads. Identity lost? No, not exactly. Identity shifted. Restart. Push the restart button. Button pushed.

Elyse has rejuvinated by soul. My spirit. As she always does. She has massaged me gently back into life as I knew it before.
And it all feels so orderly here. Here in these United States. And we are rolling. This train steams north to San Luis Obispo... exhibit A : The doors on this train stay closed. Not open and rumbling through the night, as in India, heavy warm filthy air on my face. Fences line these tracks. Horns blow. A man in a suit takes my ticket and greets me in a language I understand. The train is smooth. quiet.

I have no idea what just happened. again. I built a life, expanded it upon expansion, and then watched it vanish. A community, within six hours, gone. Finished. Life will now, forever, be different. In such a way that I feel blessed. To be living this life, really living it. Over and over and over again. Build. Love. Grow. Laugh. Break. Shift.

And how to assimilate what I've seen? I don't know. How to implement positive change in the world with the knowledge and experience I've now gathered. I don't know.

I will remain open. I will listen. I will love. I will stay true. To self. To others. To everything. "Stay true to yourself and love will come". She said it, and I have listened.

What's hiding in the future? I don't know. Maybe a trailer. Body puppetry. The Amazing Race. Gar's film. Sex. Vegetables. Time with family. Sleep. Fetish. Farmers Markets. Camera. Bald. African Dance.

But facing life back home with a Mitra-sized hole in it... terrifies me. My gaze can no longer be averted. She's off running with the big dogs... and I will sit alone. Day dreaming.
I find my mind wandering... amidst the Pacific. Thoughts are lapping up on the shore. gently. quietly. A silent tidal wave awaits. In the deep. I can feel it. In the dark waters of my Pacific. waiting. Her time will come. And I may or may not be ready...

"The road finally gave me back, but I'm not sure I'll unpack, cause I'm not sure if I live here anymore..." - Bright Eyes

May 7. 11pm. San Luis Obispo

"Every dreamer knows that it is entirely possible to be homesick for a place you've never been to, perhaps more homesick than for familiar ground. " - Judith Thurman

Alone. House-sitting. Dog-watching. Squatting. Content. Confused. I no longer understand the concept of home. It feels now, like it's nowhere, and anywhere, at the same time. The people that were here, and there... some of them have gone. some of them have broken. some have babies. life averted. So I suppose that things change. And I suppose that so do I. But it's all very strange. This feeling of ungrounded. Undirected. Unattached. That's it. Unattached. completely and utterly unattached.

saigon scramble

2011-03-26T07:47:00.000-07:00

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Walking alone. Seated alone. In a street-side coffee shop. The same coffee shop I enjoyed with my darling Brooke three years ago. Today is exactly what I need. Exactly perfect. Exactly alone. Thinking about this great big world. Trying to process all that has happened, all that is happening, and all that will continue...

And wishing, as I always do, that I had words fit for the occasion. I guess what I'm reminded of time and time again, is that, for as big as this world is, and for as different as we all seem to assume that we are... when it comes down to it, we are astronomically more the same than different. Every culture has their music, their religion, their history. And everybody's gotta get where they're going, somehow. Or we end up sitting still. Saigon swarms with mopeds and motorcycles. India's streets pulse with auto-rickshaws, puttering taxi cabs, oxen and bicycles. Buses are everywhere - from the banks of the Amazon to the townships in South Africa. And the trains rumble, like veins, pumping the people to the outermost reaches of our world's limbs. They rumble while we sleep... as we sleep... the world over. And when we wake, we eat, we drink. We laugh. We love. What we eat is different - the need to eat is the same.

A vegetarian will find culinary heaven in India, where lentils and curry, naan and spices, are all slopped up with your fingers - but only the fingers of your right - as the left, yes, is still used for the nasty. Spoons become fingers become chopsticks become spoons again. Coffee and beer. Everywhere. Served differently. Tastes differently. Enjoyed differently. Together. And for some reason my mind wanders to Italy. and Diego. And that morning I said goodbye. And his shot of espresso. And the kiss I wanted to hold on to, forever. There's been so many of those.... kisses never last long enough. And another thread is woven. The kiss. What a beautiful thing. And my mind flashes to Texas, to a man who touched me the way I've always dreamt of being touched. To a man who is always there, in the back of my mind, smiling.

Wandering mind becomes wandering feet. To the Saigon Zoo. And then to the pub. In an Irish pub I find, without fail, comfort. I've been dreamy today. I've been here. and there. and everywhere. Everywhere I've ever travelled is flashing in front of my mind. The solitude of this day has stimulated file retrieval. As if today was a day to pull the memory box out from under the bed, blow the dust off the cover, and sit. Sit with the lions. cry with the elephants. shackled. caged. screaming for freedom.

I fed a giraffe - felt his face - felt him wonder - felt his tongue as it touched my hand - his enormous tongue. And then the snakes - feeding time - rabbits - jaws disconnected. mouth open wide. strangle hold. strangle. squeeze. suffocate. I've never seen anything like it. The elephants were shackled, and swaying, overwhelmed with sadness... and in an instant I understand the phrase "like a caged elephant". Has he always lived this way? Tied up and begging for sugarcane? Or did he once know freedom, making this sad existence 100 times the worse... I wonder...

And then the lions - moaning and mentally ill. I sat with them. Our eyes connected. I felt at one with them - if only for a moment. Like our hearts were beating the same beats. Like they could feel my empathy. my sympathy. my sadness. my desire to hug their manes and break the locks that bound them behind bars. his cry carried with it more sadness than any sound i've ever heard, anywhere. There's no doubt he has known freedom, and now he can only gaze at it. I'd be crying too.

From my post inside this cozy Irish pub, I am transported to the Chesire Cheese in London town. I'm sitting in a nook, chatting with my darling Jim. I'm hungover. It's 2008. At this point I have no idea of the love affair fiercely developing with this city. In this city. Of this city. It will be hard to ever let go. And I'll know soon enough. And then I'm back in Saigon. Goat cheese pizza. Biere Larue. writing. thinking. distilling. Today's been a good day, in such a weird way. comfortable/uncomfortable. alone/connected. past/present. Vietnam has been vastly different for me this time around. As was India... healing. freeing. welcoming.

And I am transported to the Merrimaker. And the nights I spent, drunk, with friends and acquaintances - shooting pool - singing karaoke - wearing ridiculous costumes because we could. And Michael. His beautiful face. The dark kisses on Santa Maria. the stumbling, the laughter, 9th street. A home of happy. A happy so comfortable that it had to break. A break so big that life has never been the same. And a life of no regrets. Forward momentum. Constant. Love - shifting, expanding, embracing.

Make them think, Brittany. They are waiting. They are hungry. Make them think. What do you want them to think about? What do YOU want to think about? I want to know more about you... about YOU. about intimacy. I want to learn... I want to learn it all.

new worlds

2011-02-23T13:19:00.000-08:00

Cape Town. South Africa... Full moon. U2. Hands on the bars that caged Nelson Mandela. Sunset on Table Mountain. Friends. Mixing cement. Building homes. Feeding malnourished children. Townships. Mama Nomde. Sisters. Brothers. Family. Unity. LOVE.

I suppose I want to write about how hard it is to write about all of this... the struggle I find, every night, in finding the words. Words adequate.

But more importantly, and with words I hope to be adequate, I want to comment on the intense growth and discovery that occurs through connection with others. To quote Anais Nin... "Each friend represents a world in us, a world not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born." New worlds. Blossoming all around us. Every day. Every hour. Every moment. These new people, these connections, serve as a catalyst to intense discovery of self. New worlds within us that we, until this point, were completely unaware of. And how freaking beautiful is that!? Are you kidding me!? I am the luckiest woman alive. If nothing else, it feels that way, to me, every single day. I am falling in love with these people. These people with whom I will circumnavigate the globe. These people who love with as open a heart as I. And I find it hard to write, again, because the time spent writing could be precious time spent in conversation. Like a sponge, I want it all. I want to soak in every whisper, devour every smile, sleep in every hug for eternity. I want to observe, absorb, and appreciate, every difference, every similarity, everything. I am open. Awake. More than I've ever been. More prepared for this life than I imagined. Tuned in. Fired up. Eager. Excited.

So now, when I should be sleeping, or at the very least consumed by her desire, I am alive. My mind will not rest. I try to imagine life back home after all of this. And although I can see it... it all feels like a dream. Like all of this is part of the same dream. Like all of life has become one big friggin' dream - in it's most beautiful immersed disconnected nebulous manifestation. As if wandering has become my home. As if life "at home" is a continuation of the wandering, and nothing more. But everything more. At the same time. What about these people? These new worlds? Where will we go? I will miss. This. Them. Us. Everything. As I have been doing, for as long as I can remember.

South Africa. Like an epic game of twister for the mind. Right hand red. Left foot blue. Left hand Black. Colored. White. African. What are you? Who are you? Who are WE? We, my friends, we are ONE. All of us. The color of the skin we wear has little, if any, to do with our hopes, our dreams, our emotions - our needs - as humans. As fellow adventurers in this journey called life. As brothers and sisters, sharing the same home, the same life, breathing the same energy. Every day. Colorblind should be our mantra. Our charge. Our goal. Our everything. It should be Our New World.

And now I will allow sleep to consume me... fully. I will leave you with love. We head east towards Mauritius. Through pirate infested waters. Strong with the power of New Worlds. United. Growing. Stretching. Learning. Loving... Dragonfly, over and out.

for the love of dog

2011-02-13T07:16:00.000-08:00

2.4.11 : Wake up. This is not a dream... I've had easier moments in my life than the moment in which I heard of my girl's last and final sleep. And from half a world away, I can feel her.
Everything that happens from this point on. is alone. without her. There are no words for the aching coursing through my body. For everything, through everything... she has been there. Every love. Every heartache. Every hangover. Every journey. drive. thought. breath. She's been there. My constant. My companion.
I am numb. Lying here, numb, except for the pounding in my head. All that is less important has faded to non-existence. to darkness. to tears.

2.7.11 : Ghana. land. water. canoes. houses on stilts. Life utterly different from my own. And Mitra... sent a hug today, in the form of one thousand dragonflies. It hit me like a flood. Mom! Mom! I'm here!! everywhere. hugging me. screaming... she's alright. she has made it safely to the other side, the all side, inside, outside, upside down. and all around me. Doggie heaven is nice, she says.

2.9.11 : The days are like a roller coaster. The water onboard is in short supply. It's been turned off. And the people are being forced to think. To think about our most precious commodity. To think about our vulnerability. To think about our privilege. To think. About water. Our minute and temporary discomfort brings me great pleasure. I've begun in my life to take note that people don't necessarily think about a crisis until it effects them on a personal level. It is our nature as humans. But when the water is off, everyone is talking, about water. Everyone is talking about WATER. As we should be. All.The.Time.

Africa. Her power intense. Her history eternal. Everything is different here. And the unchangeable marks me as an outsider. My white flesh screams like a beacon. A screaming money beacon. A source of unending funds. But I am not. I am not. My appearance, my peers, and my camera speak louder, however, than my words. And I am drowned by expectations. Being outside of the inside is uncomfortable.

I visited an orphanage today. Red dirt stained my feet. Potholes in the roads. Bribes paid to police officers for carriage of white people. The children, their smiles, their laughter, their love, overwhelming. Sweat. dripping down my legs. heat-rash. sunburn. Africa.
Yesterday I dug a shit-hole. Pick axe & shovel. aching arms. sweating brow. burnt shoulders. Habitat for Humanity. service. service projects. NGOs, and charities in general. I am hungry. I am sponge. Our Executive Dean suggested today that the love I gave to Mitra is now available to be showered elsewhere. And maybe that is how my little goddess of sunshine and friendship will live on... as love, poured out, on others.

"Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little." - William Sloane Coffin

all the way

2011-02-02T08:50:00.000-08:00

Warp speed. All of life... at warp speed. This is my mantra. All the way, all the time. no.holding.back. I'm diving in. speeding forward. stepping up. completely immersed. drowning. in confidence. intent. and love.

Life at sea is indescribable. Days melt together. Ideas feed ideas, minds meld. I eat my meals outside, surrounded on all sides by endless blue, soaking up the precious rays of the equatorial sun, recharging. I am hungry for hugs, and have begun finding solace in the new friends that will hug me back, with the intensity I crave.

The reality of it all is still soaking in... Orientation in Nassau. Two whirlwind days in Dominica. rainforests. waterfalls. Carib Indian communities. On-ship time. meetings. production. Freedom in Creation. deadlines. friendships. sailing 900 miles up the Amazon. time-lapse experiment. prehistoric bugs. Manaus. the meeting of the waters. hot. humid. sticky. Tupana village. repainting a school. rebuilding a bridge. sweat. song. tears. fumbling with Portuguese. peek-a-boo with babies. a tapir named Romeo. and our hammock nest. And add to the stew, the epic battle between Brazil and Brittany's digestive system, now on it's sixth day, with no end in sight.

I love this job. With all of me. And I haven't yet effectively figured out how to translate it all to words. But I will. You'll see. I might just get good at this whole "writing about my Semester at Sea experience" thing. But for now, I plead for your patience... because it turns out there's a lot going on out here. In and out. And my journal seems to understand more of it than I do. The words will come. And I will make the time to share them more often. yes. In the meantime, I've been nominated as the captain of our synchronized swim team for tomorrow's Sea Olympics, and co-teacher of African Dance for the remainder of the semester. And that, my friends, is pretty freaking cool.

Photo : Young boy, Tupana Village, Amazonas, Brazil. January 2011

transit & transition

2011-01-19T06:22:00.000-08:00

1.8.11 : It's a pretty big country from up here... Another journey is beginning, with the other barely done, and the lateral relationship of the two is immediately apparent to me. Land becomes sea. The power of my legs becomes the power of industrial fuel. Freedom becomes schedule. National becomes International. I will fly as far today as it took me three months to pedal. And my pre-conceived notion that somehow I'd be capable of keeping my eyes from the window of this jet-plane is preposterous. How can I not gaze admirably at a country whose earth I now know so intimately?

1.9.11 : Something vaguely resembling sleep may or may not have happened on the hard musky floor of the Ft. Lauderdale airport last night. Through the rumbles of luggage carts and the clanging open of security gates, I drifted in and out of consciousness. Warmed by my sleeping bag, punched in the hips by the unforgiving ground, serenaded by unbelievable squeals from a group of French travelers. Saving money at the cost of rest. Eyelids heavy, coffee strong. This caffeine-fueled tornado of human will soon be catapulted far from home, to a home at sea. As bizarre as it is to hear myself say, 'I rode a bicycle across the country for Water'... now that very substance, whose fresh counterpart is so unattainable for millions, will be my home for four months. Bobbing me along, weaving a web, country to country, people to people.

1.16.11 : I have no shame in admitting that I have already cried. On multiple occasions. But the tears, this time, are out of love and compassion. Out of openness. Out of a knowledge that this will, once again, change my life. And I am thrilled. For the people. The community. The relationships. And I am Open. Open to all of it. Open to whatever direction the universe decides to point me. I cannot wait. Even in this moment of still, this precious moment of still, the forward momentum of my soul is unstoppable. And I will embrace and caress it fully.

Photo : Carib Indian Village, Touna Aute, Dominica, January 2011

cycling for water

2010-10-09T17:02:00.000-07:00

Wha hoooo! I am currently cycling across the country with my dear friend Garrett Russell to raise money for WaterAid International. All blogging and photos about the journey are happening at www.CyclingForWater.com - please direct all your blog devouring attention there for the time being. Big love, ya'll!

august 12th...

2010-08-06T23:10:00.001-07:00

august 19th...

2010-08-06T23:08:00.000-07:00

zoo to you!

2010-07-19T14:17:00.001-07:00

I just spent four fun days photographing the entirety of the Santa Barbara County Fair.... (whew!)... and I want to pause for a minute amongst the editing to share with you the awesomess that is Zoo To You. Meet Spike and Niles, my new homies. : )

farewell fundraising fiesta!

2010-07-13T12:27:00.000-07:00

"Hasta La Vista!" - A Farewell Fundraising Fiesta for Brittany App & Garrett Russell - is officially on the books! August 12th, 6-10pm, at Level 4 in Paso Robles.

This will be an evening in the North County NOT to be missed. Prepare yourself for a super fun Live Auction (with host Pepper Daniels from KJUG), the Live Photo Booth from App's Photography, Drink Specials, Live Music from KLOCKWYZE, Fun, and Friends... and all for a great cause. 50% of proceeds from the evening will go directly to WaterAid, and the remaining 50% will fund our journey...

Please visit our official event page on facebook... here. And invite all your friends to come too. Come on out and send us off in style!

** Please consider a donation to the Live Auction. Your donation could be a bottle of wine, a piece of art, an overnight stay, a random item from your garage that others might find hilarious, a gift certificate, or something super elaborate or super random... anything is accepted and appreciated and will be auctioned off with love. Please drop off all donations for the Live Auction at Level 4 Restaurant & Lounge, 1216 Park St, in Paso Robles, any day of the week, between the hours of 4-10pm. Attach your business card to the item or a short blurb about yourself or your business, and the item's $ worth, so that we may talk you up during the auction. : ) Thank you, and cheers! **

Any questions? Call Brittany at 805-704-3996 or email her at brittany@appsphotography.com

And a huge THANK YOU already to: Level 4 Restaurant & Lounge, Pepper Daniels, American General Media Radio, 98.1 KJUG, 93.3 KZOZ, KIQO 104.5, The Krush 92.5, KLOCKWYZE, Picking Daisies, Jim & Linda App

a website & a movie trailer!

2010-06-25T08:59:00.000-07:00

It has been a crazy week, but well worth it, as I am proud to announce to you that we now have a real live website for our cycling journey! Weeeee haawwww!! Check it out - www.CyclingforWater.com

Massive thanks are due to the folks at iii Design for making the website possible, and to the lovely Andrea Bowers for her diligent work on the project. Now everything you could ever want to know about what we're doing or how to help, is all in one place. Ahhhhh.... feels so good.

Also (because a totally awesome website apparently is not enough), Garrett just completed production of our official movie trailer, and it's friggin' amazing. Please please please.... take three minutes to watch it... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsHG571Znrs ... and then share it with all your friends via email, facebook, twitter, or any means you can think of. We'd love for the whole wide world to know what we're up to, because the greater the reach, the greater the possibility for change. Big love to you all, and thank you for all your support thus far. We couldn't do it without you. xx

Ethan

2010-06-15T23:42:00.000-07:00

My baby brother just graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and I am soooooo stinkin' proud.
Congratulations, Ethan, on your accomplishment and on your life - one lived full of honesty, love, and the pursuit of dreams. You and Katie are pure goodness. And I love you both more than I could ever express in words. Hip hip hooray! and Cheers, to the next chapter! xx

make it stop!

2010-06-08T13:05:00.000-07:00

I'm sad. And I'm angry. And I must acknowledge immediately that I cannot take credit for this photo.... The copyright belongs to Win McNamee of Getty Images. I encourage you to take a moment to read the National Geographic news article that this image came from. You might cry. I did. And I still am. The really sad part about this disaster? It's everyone's fault. Mine included. If a catastrophe of such humungous proportion does not cause us to re-evaluate our life-styles, than I don't know what will.

I, for one, will be making some immediate changes. They'll be small, and will easily integrate into my life. And they will be worth the extra time it takes. Because... this oil spill is shit. And it's bound to happen again, and again, and again, as long as we continue to rely so heavily on the stuff.

I will drive less, and bike more. I will use canvas bags EVERY time I shop. I will buy from farmer's markets. I will no longer be purchasing plastic bottled beverages. Ever. In fact, I will say NO to plastic whenever humanly possible. I will wear layers instead of turning on the heater. As much of my clothing as is possible will come from used clothing stores. And this, my friends, will only be the beginning.... Visit www.endoil.org for a breakdown of how and where we use so much damn oil.

Sometimes I'm sad to be an American. Because, honestly, we don't need most of what we use... and folks elsewhere don't have most of what they need. Let's turn this stereotype around, be smarter about how we live, and stop killing our Mother Earth. She takes good care of us, it's only fair that we return the favor....

paso robles city hall

2010-06-08T10:37:00.000-07:00

Soooo.... Paso Robles City Hall (upstairs from the City Library) has a space in their entryway to display work from local artists. And guess who's schtuff is up this month? Whee haw! I am honored to have images hanging from the walls in the building that keeps the city spinning, and I owe a big thank-you to Don Rader, the Administrative Assistant at the Library, for inviting me to display my work, and to all the folks in City Hall for having me.

This set of work is a collection of textures from around the world. All are printed and framed at 16x16 inches. The set of nine images is available for sale with a price tag of $1500, with a percentage of the proceeds going directly to WaterAid in connection with my upcoming cycling fundraiser.

My work will be up for the entire month of June. (and July too! but between you and me, I haven't decided if I'll switch it out, or keep the textures up for another month). Please feel free to stop by and take a look. City Hall is open from 8-5, Monday through Friday, and they're more than happy to have ya. Cheers!

a reason to live...

2010-06-06T23:01:00.000-07:00

The art show "A Reason to Live", held at Coalition on Friday night, was an absolute feast for the eyes. We had a great crowd, stellar art, and a whole heck of a lot of fun in the photo booth. And I'd like to take a moment and reiterate, if I haven't said it already, just how honored I am to have been included in a show with a group of such amazingly talented folks. (below) From top to bottom, left to right, may I introduce to you... Lisa Harrison, Joshua Jesse, Brittany App, Steve Taggard, Miss Becky, Gary Ellsworth (aka Sawdust), and Matt Cantrell. Ya'll rock my world. Thank you to everyone who did anything to help make this show possible. Lisa & Gary & all the folks at Coalition deserve an extra massive thanks for all their hard work... and Michael for helping me run the Live Photo Booth. Big love and gratitude. xx

this friday

2010-06-02T09:56:00.000-07:00

I am thrilled to be a part of what is bound to be an incredible evening of art and fun in downtown San Luis Obispo... please mark your calendars to come out this Friday night - from 6:30 to 9:30 pm at Coalition, 947 Monterey St, SLO. Our show will be a bizarre detour from most of what you will find in the "Art After Dark" scene... and we're pumped.

Beautiful/Decay Magazine has written about the show here, and the New Times is planning a write-up (due out tomorrow)... but don't rely on these sources alone - come out and experience the magic for yourself. Why? Well, because it's free (always good), I'll be hosting the Live Photo Booth (always fun), and you'll be supporting some incredible local artists (instant karma). I'll have some photographs up on display that I've never shown anyone, anywhere. And that's pretty huge. Oh, and much of the art will be for sale - mine included. 20% of the profit from any of my art sales will go directly to WaterAid. So.... come play... Cheerio! See you beautiful people there. xx

paso robles magazine

2010-05-29T22:04:00.000-07:00

My life is full of angels... I'm convinced of that now. This angel goes by the name of Millie. Millie Drum, to be exact. And when she's not busy tending to her angelical duties, she's a warm smile, and a whole-hearted journalist for Paso Robles Magazine... and I had the pleasure of meeting with her and talking about my bike trip, the reasons behind it, and the unquenchable fire in my belly to do something BIG. The article and photos can be found in the June 2010 Issue of Paso Robles Magazine, scheduled to hit every mailbox in Paso Robles, Templeton, Shandon, Bradley, and San Miguel... today... how friggin cool is that!? Angels, I tell you. Angels everywhere.

For more information about the ride, stay tuned in here, or become a fan on our facebook page - www.facebook.com/water.pressure. To make a donation to WaterAid that will change lives forever, visit our fundraising page here. Big love to all of you. I don't know what we would all do without angels...

gh sports - love

2010-05-26T20:36:00.000-07:00

MAJOR love going out to GH Sports of San Luis Obispo for hooking me up with a complete wardrobe of cycling gear for my upcoming trip... Thanks to their generous sponsorship of our ride, I now have a super sexy cycling wardrobe. rrarr!

Check this out - at their location (in San Luis Obispo!), GH Sports develops, designs, and manufactures the GH label of multi-sport technical apparel. Yeah. Total awesomeness. Talk about local business - GH is as local as they come, baby. And Ken Hammond, Manager Extraordinaire, is a true gentleman indeed. I cannot thank him enough for the generosity and support of my upcoming cycling adventure - please go visit them next time you need any fitness wear for running, cycling, or swimming. You'll be supporting an incredible local business, and you will be blown away by the quality of their wares. You can find them at 144 Hind Lane, Suite 110, in SLO-town. Lovin you big, GH!

super charged

2010-05-21T23:30:00.000-07:00

Super busy. Super happy. Super charged...

It's been a wild few days. And I'm cramming so much into each day that yesterday already feels like last week. I'm traveling at warp speed.

So now sit at my desk, staring at six images from the most recent battle of "Photography Wars". Trying to whittle it down to three. And although I cannot show you these photos yet, I'm pretty sure I'm allowed to say that the shoot was epic. Think aerial dancers, colorful fabric, huge oak trees, and pure awesomeness. Some folks have asked me how this whole "Photography Wars" thing is working exactly, so I'll try to explain a bit here. Six photographers, six months, six shoots. All the final images from all our shoots will be printed in September in the Autumn Arts Issue of the New Times... at which point you, the public, will vote on the winning images/photographer. There are six battles in total, two of which are homework assignments, and two of which are now complete. And I'm having a seriously good time.

Also on my plate right now is preparation for two art shows. The image above is part of a series of brand new work that I'm super excited to put out into the world. Five images from this series will be on display at Coalition in SLO on the evening of Friday June 4th as part of a group show. I will also have photographs up at the Paso Robles City Hall for the entire month of June (and quite possibly July). So, yeah. I'm a busy buzzing little bee. And I'm loving it. Thank you to all of you for your continued love and support....

...reaching 31

2010-05-19T09:55:00.000-07:00

The transition to 31 has quite possibly been the weirdest one yet... and I'm not convinced that I like it yet, either. Now I'll warn you, being the eternal optimist that I am, that amidst this minute rant of a blog post, there's also an acute awareness of reason. Yes, I am aware that I am growing. Yes, apparently the universe decided that I needed to learn patience, and when the universe is done with me, I'll know it well. But still, it has all just been very strange....

This group of lovelies help me ring in another year of life in the best way I can possibly imagine. Beer. A park. And a playground. All to ourselves. We were kings of our castle! And I'm still sore from riding that damn bouncy horse... beautiful indeed.

So, I guess the circumstances surrounding the great birthday fiasco of 2010 that have given it a hint of a strange aftertaste should at least be alluded to here... 1 romantic dinner - complete with 1 naughty oyster - equalling 36 hours of aftermath. 1 new iPhone (yeah!) complete with 1 surprise verbal attack from 1 past acquaintance who also happened to be shopping in the store, at the exact same time as me. Weird. And 1 plethora of work - complete with a camera shutter that's on it's last leg. So now I digest. I will not dwell on the bad stuff, because, well, there's no point, and the good stuff is mixed in there in equal or greater proportion. Now I will learn how to use that darn iPhone, I will forget about Hans, I will start saving for a new camera, and I will choose to say no to oysters. Onward, and upward! Once this hurricane passes, 31 is gonna be a great year. I can feel it...

chuggin away...

2010-05-10T22:56:00.000-07:00

The late hours seem to offer me the most productive editing time... so I sit here wediting, with occasional facebook breaks, of course, and tonight I am inclined to share with you a quote that I happily stumbled upon.

"A sad soul can kill you quicker, far quicker, than a germ." - John Steinbeck.

Everyone who knows me knows me as the eternal optimist, and so when I come across a bit of wisdom such as this... it reminds me to feed my soul with joy, every single day. Peace.

Photo : Mama Dee, October 2009

mz may

2010-05-10T12:27:00.000-07:00

I feel like I don't spend enough time talking about the super dooper oober sexy KZOZ Rock Girls. So, I shall address this issue, and I shall address it now.

Every month I photograph a local lady for 93.3 KZOZ - our local rock radio station. Ladies submit an application on the station's website, and one lovely lady is chosen each month to become the KZOZ Rock Girl. A new photo of this chosen Rock Girl is then placed on kzoz.com every single day. Yeah, I know, it's kinda crazy. But it's true. The photo shoots are always massive, and massively fun, and the end result is 31 sexy images for you to feast your eyes upon - all online at kzoz.com

And that's the gist of it, really. This is Danielle - she's rocking the spot as the fabulous Mz. May - and doing a swell job, I must say. But you should really go check her out for yourself - don't take my word for it...

Photo : Danielle, KZOZ Mz May, 2010

cash money - for good

2010-05-08T22:17:00.000-07:00

I feel that it's time to update ya'll on how well the fundraising is going for WaterAid. The total amount raised thus far is an incredible $1,724! Amazing. Thank you to every single one of you that has made a donation. Every dollar helps, and with WaterAid's projects providing safe water, sanitation, and hygiene education at approximately $30 a head, we've already changed the lives of over 57 people. And this, my friends, is huge. 57 lives, changed forever, thanks to YOU...

You can always find out more about the incredible things WaterAid is doing on their website. And you can keep up with the progress as we prep for our bicycle journey here, or on our official facebook page. In fact, if you have a minute, I would love love love it if you could help us spread the word by visiting our facebook page, and "suggesting" it to all your friends. The more folks that know about what we're up to, the better... and with a fundraising goal of $20,000 we need all the friends we can get. Thank you all for your continued support - we love you!

Photo : XLNT CA$H, Morro Bay, CA, March 2010

avalanche of awesomeness

2010-05-06T11:42:00.000-07:00

There is SO much going on right now! I don't really even know where to begin.... yikes! Okay - let's start by thanking all the lovely folks that came out to the Tiger Rose Tattoos & Music Festival. $54 was raised for WaterAid through print sales and donations, and I think that's pure awesomeness...

Then let's talk about all the amazing support that came from American General Media Radio yesterday. I arose bright and early, and had the honor of being on 98.1 KJUG with Tom Keffury (listen to the full interview here), then Q104.5 with Adam Montiel (listen here), and then over to 93.3 KZOZ with Jeff & Jeremy in the Morning (listen here). $1724 has been raised thus far for WaterAid, with our goal resting at $20,000. Please consider a donation to this incredible charity.. donations can be made here. I feel so lucky and so loved for all the support that our community is offering up for my cycling trip. And I thank all of you at AGM from the bottom of my heart. Once again. Pure awesomeness.

This portrait above is from a recent photo shoot with two of my favorite clients in the world. Kellie & Breanne - lighting up my life with their free-spirits and love of all things silly. You girls rock!

Photo : Breanne, Paso Robles, CA, April 2010

tattoos & music & photos

2010-04-30T15:18:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to remind you that this weekend, and this weekend only... I will be selling limited edition prints at the Tiger Rose Tattoos & Music Festival in Santa Maria. The event is taking place at the Santa Maria Fairpark, and the doors will be open from 11-11 on Saturday, and 11-6 on Sunday. I'll be hosting a booth with the lovely and talented Fedora El Morro, photographing the show for Skin Deep Magazine, and possibly helping MC some of the tattoo contests. So come on out for a super fun weekend, with lots of live music, and great art. All my prints are limited edition, numbered, signed, and ready to go... and are priced at only $10! Plus, $1 from each print sale will go direct to WaterAid in support of my upcoming cross-country cycling trip. Come on out, wherever you are.... I'll be looking for you. : )

beautiful/decay magazine

2010-04-28T21:21:00.000-07:00

There's a first time for everything... and today was the day for a big first time for a very excited Brittany. Today I was published in a super cool design/art blog - the blog of Beautiful/Decay Magazine. You can check out the post in it's entirety here. So then I realized that what I'm doing now is blogging about a blog. Which is kind of funny. And then I decided it would be fun to say the word "blog" as many times as possible in one blog post. Okay okay, that's it, I promise... I hope your Wednesday is treating you beautifully. Peace. Blog. xx

Photo : Angel Michael, London, June 2009

skin deep magazine - embodiment

2010-04-27T11:19:00.000-07:00

Back in February I had the pleasure of photographing Embodiment, a body-painting event held at Native in San Luis Obispo, CA. My article and photographs from the event are published in the May 2010 Issue of Skin Deep Magazine. You can order a copy of the mag from their website at skindeep.co.uk . A huge thank you to everyone who participated in this magical event... it was an honor to be a part of it all.

Photos : tearsheets, Skin Deep Magazine, May 2010, Issue 184

limited edition prints!

2010-04-26T12:53:00.000-07:00

I sit here on this fine Monday morning, sippin' on a hot cup of coffee and prepping prints for this weekend's show... and I can't help but give you a little sneak peek of what I'm up to. This weekend - May 1st & 2nd - I will have a booth at the Tiger Rose Tattoos & Music Festival at the Santa Maria Fairpark. I'll be sharing the booth with the lovely and talented Fedora El Morro, and we will be selling a humungous assortment of limited edition photographic prints. This is the first time EVER that I will have signed, limited edition prints for sale. All the prints are numbered (in sets of 50), signed, and available for a super affordable $10 bucks each. $1 from each print sale will go direct to WaterAid in connection with my cycling trip in the fall.

Sooo.... I think you should come on out! Why? For some live music, sunshine, world-class people-watching, tattoos, and super affordable art! Oh, and I'll be photographing the festival for Skin Deep Magazine - so if you see me running around with my camera, work it for me, baby! I'll keep my eyes peeled for ya... Saturday 11-11 & Sunday 11-6.

Photos : sneak peek - Limited Edition Prints, all signed & numbered, all available this weekend at the Santa Maria Fairpark, CA.

semester at sea

2010-04-20T23:26:00.000-07:00

Today I got one of those phone calls that makes the heart all giddy...
I have been hired as the Staff Photographer for the Spring 2011 Voyage of Semester at Sea. Hold on... aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! ...okay, sorry... that's better. Where was I? Right. Semester at Sea. It's hard to know where to begin when speaking about how much I adore this program. Visit their website here for all the yummy details about this incredible study abroad opportunity for University Students.

I originally sailed in the Fall of 2008, and it was a life-changing experience. Semester at Sea is the catalyst for all the fundraising work I'm doing now - the half-marathon, the coast-to-coast cycling journey... all of it. And I am so honored to be hired back again for another run at the coolest job in the Universe. We will sail from January 12 to April 24, and visit 11 countries : Bahamas, Dominica, Brazil, Ghana, South Africa, Mauritius, India, Singapore, Viet Nam, China, Japan, Hawaii, eventually landing in San Diego, CA. The ship you see will be my home, and my vessel of transport for another circumnavigation of the globe.... and I am SO excited!

Photo : The MV Explorer, docked in Malaysia, Fall 2008

when it just feels right...

2010-04-18T13:20:00.000-07:00

I think this is my new favorite image. I can't stop looking at it. I think it's due in large part to the fact that Colleen is so freakin' adorable. Yeah. But there's something else there - the simplicity of the image - the gaze - the hand-rolled cigarette - the cold foggy day... I'm not sure what it is, but I'm mesmerized.

This photograph comes from the most recent "recess" - an experiment in which I forced myself to let go of all reason, and just shoot, for the pure joy of it. I owe a huge thank you to all my friends who participated... they really went the extra mile and made it what it was... so I thank you, immensely.

Life feels incredible right now. I'm not sure if I've mentioned it, so if I have, please forgive me, but I am finally convinced that I'm doing the right thing. Which is an incredible feeling to behold. The right thing, at the right time, for the right reasons. Amazing. It's like the universe is coming together to support... me... and I can't even begin to describe how grateful I am. Every day, preparations for the bicycle journey move forward, and every day, people show me love and support in new ways. I am truly happy to be alive.

Photo : Colleen, Morro Bay, CA, March 2010

photography waarrrrrs!

2010-04-12T22:29:00.000-07:00

I'm officially super pumped...

The New Times, our local kick-ass weekly paper, is hosting "Photography Wars", and I am one of the the chosen six. Six warriors. Six months. Six challenges. Our final images will be printed in the Autumn Arts Issue on September 18th, and you, the public, will decide which of us reigns supreme. How freakin cool is that!? Like I said, I'm super pumped, incredibly honored... AND I'm dressed like a feisty little Viking... which kind of rocks. grr!

Here's a link to the New Times article, and some great photos of the chosen six, by the endlessly talented Steve E. Miller. Game on peoples! rrraaarrrrr!

first bike tour ever...

2010-04-11T12:39:00.000-07:00

So as it turns out... I really really love cycling. How cool is that? I am home - safe and sound - from my first bike tour ever. George and friends invited me along on what turned out to be a brilliant 4-day adventure through painted fields of wildflowers, bumpy washboard roads, twisty turvy mountains, and the most killer downhill ever. Seriously. Gorgeous.

I packed my camera along, and tested out the whole "photograph the adventure as I adventure" idea, and it seemed to work out pretty well. We averaged about 40 miles a day... and there wasn't a ton of time to chill, or to shoot, but I'll get more efficient with practice, I'm sure, as will my butt... which happens to be the one part of my body that seems most affected by it all, to no surprise, really. There were a few items I packed and didn't use, and a few that I've made mental notes to acquire before the big ride... so all in all, the trip was a total success. Test run complete. I'm even more excited now with the idea of spending three months on a bicycle, and crossing the entirety of the United States of America. And for a cause that is HUGE in our world right now - access to clean water. National Geographic Magazine has dedicated the entire April issue to water - and one of the articles highlights WaterAid's work - check it out here. Everything is aligning so beautifully, and I can truly say that I feel like I'm on a magical path... the right thing, at the right time, for the right reasons. Thank you to all of you for your love and support in this mission.

Photo : Wildflowers, Carrisa Plains, CA, April 2010

panniers, wildflowers, and the great beyond...

2010-04-05T00:10:00.000-07:00

My amazing friend Milos has toured... and he has toured a lot. And now, he has somehow gotten even more amazing than he ever was. Yeah. I know. I didn't think it was possible either... but he did. He went and loaned me these panniers. And they're about to get a Brittany-test-run. (I only just learned what panniers were too, so for those who are like "wha?"... panniers are those cool side bags all strappity-strapped to my bike). Yep. Milos rocks. And his name is Milos... I mean, c'mon.

So, yeah. I'm excited. And nervous. And only slightly worried about the rain. And I'll probably be a bit tired since I'm still up blogging at midnight like a dork. But no worries, I'll be hitting the sack in a just a moment... but not before I tell you the plan... tomorrow I set out on epic bike tour numero uno. First bike tour ever. I will ride 160 miles over four days with my new cycling buddies (and these lovely panniers from Milos)... and my bum will most likely learn first-hand what it's like to be really really sore. So I'll see ya'll on the flip-side of a wee little wander through the California Valley. Wildflowers, here we come!

Photo : The rig, Santa Margarita, April 2010

recess!

2010-04-02T19:32:00.000-07:00

There's been a lot of fun happening in my crazy little photographer world... and for that I am truly grateful. In a wee lull of craziness last month, I developed a little experiment (to keep me from falling prey to the evil black-hole of boredom), and I called this experiment "recess". The idea was to get out and PLAY, with my friends, and with the camera... purely for the sake of playing, and laughing, and for the love of dressing up. Luckily I have the most incredible and free-spirited friends in the world... and an idea such as recess brought out their beauty in a way I cannot even begin to describe...

I think recess tapped ever so lightly on a hidden door inside all of us. A door that leads to pure joy. A door that we all forget to open often enough, and in fact, a door that should probably just be open for visitors any time...

In short, recess kicked ass. It was a rollicking success, and I will be planning more of them in the future, there is no doubt. To all you lovelies out there... keep on keeping on... life is yummy. Kisses!

Photo : Danielle's shoes, Recess, Morro Bay, CA, March 2010

wildflowers

2010-03-28T12:48:00.000-07:00

If you're into wildflowers, I would highly recommend a drive out toward Carrisa Plains on the 58. About 18 miles out of Santa Margarita, turn left on Shell Creek Rd, and you're eyes will most likely pop right out of your head. Trust me. And if you have a bicycle and/or a camera, take it. And ride. And shoot. Freaking gorgeous, and totally temporary... so go, and go soon.

I'm thoroughly enjoying all the training for my cross-country trip in the fall. Other than my years enjoying dance as a form of exercise, I never knew that working out could be so fun. Life is busy, but it's so yummy right now. And for that I am truly grateful. Cheerio, my peeps!

Photo : Wildflowers, Santa Margarita, CA, March 2010

best bike zone - rockin' the house...

2010-03-24T10:02:00.000-07:00

So, yesterday I headed up to Paso Robles, CA... to visit the lovely folks at Best Bike Zone. A friend of my father's had connected me with them (thank you Annie!), and Steve, the owner of the shop, said he'd be happy to help me out with what he could. Turn's out... Steve and his crew are friggin' amazing!! They tuned up my bike, adjusted the seat and handlebars, hooked me up with new pedals, taught me about tire sizes, the benefits of cycling shoes, the fun of stealth camping, and on and on... I owe Steve and Steven, and the entire crew at Best Bike Zone my utmost appreciation. And I'm not the only one... my dog Mitra is now in love with them as well - I think the two hours we spent at Best Bike Zone were a huge slice of heaven for her. So, if you're in the SLO County area... and you need anything bike... go hit them up. You won't be disappointed. BestBikeZone.com or 712 Paso Robles St, Paso Robles, CA.

It's folks like these that are making the upcoming bicycle journey possible. If you'd like to know more details about my coast-to-coast cycling trip for WaterAid, please visit our facebook fan page here, or make a donation to WaterAid here.

Photos : Steven Anzel pimping my ride, Best Bike Zone, March 2010. Steve Fleury, CEO & President of Best Bike Zone, smiling as he does, March 2010.

getting it out there...

2010-03-19T08:58:00.000-07:00

I've tried to be more diligent this year about entering photo contests. Throughout my professional career as a photographer, it's something that I have always want to do, but it takes a good amount of time, and oftentimes costs a decent chunk of money. And that darn time factor is what has stopped me in the past. But I'm not letting it stop me any more! Oh no no no... this photographer will now put her photographs out there.. into the world... as often as possible... and then she'll impatiently wait and see what happens.

I entered this image into the New Times' annual "Winning Images" contest a few months back, and guess what? It won. A Judges Award. How cool is that? So, with this charge of confidence, and a magnetic relationship with this image that I cannot deny, I have now submitted it, along with two other portraits, to PDN's annual "Faces Portrait Photography Contest". I have some stiff competition, and PDN is a highly respected magazine in the photography world, but my fingers are crossed. And I am now waiting impatiently. If you'd like, you can vote for this image in the "People's Choice" category of the contest here. As of this glorious Friday morning, I have just reached the top 40 out of over 4000 entries, in the "People's Choice" category. Wha hoo! Keep those votes coming! xx

Photo : Young boy in Saramandaia, El Salvador, Brazil, 2008

a bicycle!

2010-03-14T23:30:00.000-07:00

Wha hoo! I have a bike!! A huge thank you goes out to George & Liz of San Luis Obispo, California, for the loan of this amazing little 1984 Miyata 610. She's an absolute beauty, and I'll go ahead and admit that I'm already completely twitterpated...

George is a member of the SLO County Bicycle Coalition, and emailed me with the offer of borrowing this awesome bike for the cross-country ride. These two lovely people are absolute rays of sunshine... and have now made the ride possible. Thank you, again, and again, George & Liz... Big love to you both!

In the fall of 2010, I will be biking across the United States of America (with my lovely friend Garrett) to raise money for WaterAid. Our goal is $20,000. Donations can be made here - http://www.firstgiving.com/brittanyapp - and we would LOVE LOVE LOVE it if you could help us spread the word. Peace, love, and bicycles.

Photos : The bike! San Luis Obispo, CA, March 2010

bringing back rad

2010-03-12T10:35:00.000-08:00

So, to be honest, I feel like "rad" is a word that just doesn't get used often enough. You know what I'm sayin? My house-mate and I are trying to bring it back by using when ever and if ever it applies... it's pretty rad. And it weirds people out a bit. But, aren't the 80's coming back in the fashion world as well? Why not bring back the lingo with it? That's what I'm sayin...

So, yeah, how does this all tie in with photography anyway? Well, these are the "Rad Girls". I'm not kidding. And they kick a lot of ass. You can find them online at www.radgirls.tv . I had the express pleasure of photographing them for KZOZ's monthly rock girl back in February... only this time it was triple-dose of rock girl. Which was, yeah, I'm gonna say it again... Rad.

Photo : Rad Girls, February 2010, SLO, CA

the big one

2010-03-04T20:55:00.000-08:00

Okay, so... here it is. The next big thing. And it's BIG, trust me... and as of a last night I now have a trusty companion, which makes all of this even more awesome, if that's even possible.

Okay okay, what? Right. Sorry.
In the fall of this year, I plan to ride a bicycle across the United States of America. I have never attempted a feat like this before. I am not a world-class cyclist. And, in fact, I don't even own a bicycle yet... (minor detail, right?)

I will follow the Southern Tier – a route established by the Adventure Cycling Association – covering 3,159 miles between San Diego, California and St. Augustine, Florida. I will give myself three months to complete the journey – averaging 37 miles a day.

I will camp in the open and stay with folks along the way to keep costs at a minimum. I will eat a lot of oatmeal. I will write. And I will shoot. And I will blog – daily. I will ride to raise awareness about global water issues, and to raise money for WaterAid. My fundraising goal is $20,000. But secretly I'd love to raise even more...

My trusty companion? The one and only Garrett Russell, dear friend & independent filmmaker extraordinaire. We'll be an unstoppable team, and I cannot express how truly excited I am about his company. (And now there will be video happening... seriously... this all just keeps getting more and more amazing). Oh - and this is the project I submitted to National Geographic for their annual photojournalism grant. So keep those fingers crossed for me...

We are currently looking for sponsors, so if you or anyone you know might be able to help out with equipment or cash donations, please take a gander at one of the pages I've set up for informational purposes (otherwise I'll ramble on incessantly here). I've started a facebook fan page here , and the fund-raising for WaterAid is happening here . Please spread the word to anyone and everyone you know... every single person is going to make a difference in this massive effort. Ya hoo!

Photo : Dat's me in Amsterdam, May 2009

for the love of march

2010-03-02T19:30:00.000-08:00

It always feels like I've just blogged. And then I get on here, and some how, sha-blammo! ...another week has gone by. I mean, geez... I thought I was really turning a new leaf. Keeping up on things. Blogging often, etc. Apparently I still have some work to do in this department. So I will now put a swift and steady effort (as I do with the crazy land of face space) towards blogging more. and more. and more. Until you're just flat-out sick of me. Well, okay... hopefully we don't get to that point, but, you know what I'm sayin. More.

Welcome March! To be honest, I am incredibly relieved that March is here. I'm not sure what the hell was going on with February, but some craziness was to be had, for sure. And it felt like a tidal wave. Totally unexpected. And totally out of control. So I welcome beautiful March. I'm so glad she's here. And speaking of she, Mz March is smokin' - she's the latest KZOZ Rock Girl, and you can see a new photo of her, every day, all month long at www.kzoz.com Ahhhh... I do love me some green....

Photo : Amber, San Luis Obispo, CA, Feb 2010

nat geo grant

2010-02-21T19:51:00.000-08:00

Wowzers - I am applying for a grant from National Geographic Magazine. This is exciting stuff. And totally tedious. It's been most of a full time job for the entire past week, but I think I'm actually almost there. For real. I have triple checked all the images, triple proofed the bio and proposal, filled out the application form, and then, just for good measure, I checked it all, all over again. Because if I get one little thing wrong - bam! - I'm out - just like that.

But how exciting, right? National Geographic!? Dream of dreams?

These images are just two of thirty that I will submit as my Digital Image Portfolio. It was a wild process going through almost all the images I've created in my life, and pondering, wondering, scrutinizing... if I were an NG editor, would this impress me? Would I want to know more about this shooter? Is she worth my time? Oh man, I hope so! Dream of dreams, here I come...

Photos : Ballykine Castle, Ireland, 2003. Merchant, Chennai, India, 2008.

embodiment

2010-02-16T21:59:00.000-08:00

"Embodiment - A Human Canvas Event."
I have had the express pleasure of photographing this brilliant series of events for the past three weeks at Native Lounge in San Luis Obispo, and the finale approaches on this coming Thursday night. Not only will it be a show not to be missed, but I am stepping out of my comfort zone behind the camera, and entering the terrifying world of modeling. Yes. Indeed. I will be strutting my stuff in front of many many people, dawning little more than a bikini and body paint. Wowzers.

This thing has been so freaking photogenic that I can't even whittle it down to one photo! Check it out...

Seriously awesome, folks. If you're in the area, I highly recommend your attendance. Details...
Thursday, February 18th, doors at 8pm.
Native Lounge, SLO.
Tickets are $15 at the door.

Nekkid in public, here I come!

Photos : Embodiment, February 2010, SLO, CA

a successful run for the toilet...

2010-02-12T18:05:00.000-08:00

On Sunday, February 7th I ran my first half-marathon up in beautiful San Francisco. How did it feel? Umm... holy crap, dude... 13.1 miles is a loooong way. But, here's the thing! Thanks to your help, $2600 was raised for WaterAid over the last few weeks... and although my legs were in a lot of pain, my heart is indescribably happy.

Check out these stats...
- 884 million people in the world do not have access to safe water. This is roughly one in eight of the world's population. (WHO/UNICEF)
- 2.5 billion people in the world do not have access to adequate sanitation; this is almost two fifths of the world's population. (WHO/UNICEF)
- 1.4 million children die every year as a result of diseases caused by unclean water and poor sanitation. This amounts to around 4,000 deaths a day or one every 20 seconds. (WHO)

"WaterAid projects provide safe water, sanitation and hygiene education and cost just $30 per head. In fact, the integrated approach of providing water, sanitation and hygiene reduces the number of deaths caused by diarrheal diseases by an average of 65% (WHO) and for every $1 invested in water and sanitation, $8 is returned (UNDP)!"

Totally amazing, right? So, that $2600 that we raised is going to make an immediate difference in the lives of approximately 87 people. I cannot thank you all enough for your support. You rock my world. xx

Photo : that's me, after the race, Feb 2010, San Francisco, CA

olivia arrives

2010-02-09T20:37:00.000-08:00

Olivia Jo arrived into this world on Saturday February 6th around 12:30 in the afternoon. And now she's snoozing in my arms... helpin me bloggity blog blog, learning nice and early how to be a computer nerd like her "aunty Biff". Well, technically, I'm more of an adopted aunt, but, eh, technicalities...

Stephanie & Joe are the proud parents of this amazing bundle of love... and I have crazy amounts of respect for them both. Saturday was a very looooong day, and they both powered through it like champions. I was there to help out - I think may have earned the title of "auxiliary mid-wife support crew" - and I also got to photograph the event - which is a privilege i cannot describe. I love you three, so very much...

Photo : Stephanie & Olivia, 10 mins old, February 2010.

musical milkshake : glastonbury '09

2010-02-03T22:04:00.000-08:00

Glastonbury 2009 was intense. And intensely amazing. And somehow, I was there... trodding through the mud, smiling in the rain, and feeding my appetite for audio with live music from the world over. My 6-page article and photos from Glastonbury can be found in the February 2010 Issue of Skin Deep Magazine. Wha hoo!

Photo : Tear Sheet, Feb 2010 Issue, Skin Deep Magazine

slightly overwhelming...

2010-01-26T16:15:00.000-08:00

So, as of late, I've begun to feel slightly overwhelmed with the size of this here internet. I mean, really, people, it's getting a bit out of control. How does one sift through all the garbage to get to all the useful, wonderful, inspiring stuff that's out there? And how does one even keep track of all the places they're displaying their own mug on this monster? So as some sort of silly experiment, I will attempt to list all the places I live on the world-wide interweb of magnitude. And then we'll talk...

http://www.appsphotography.com/
http://www.brittanyapp.com/
http://www.myspace.com/appsphotography
http://www.facebook.com/people/Brittany-App/643994844
http://www.firstgiving.com/runningforthetoilet
http://brittanyapp.blogspot.com/
http://ideas.veer.com/members/0540456
http://twitter.com/brittanyapp
http://voice123.com/brittanyapp
http://www.modelmayhem.com/1528133
http://www.modelmayhem.com/1532701
http://www.weddingwire.com/appsphotography
http://www.linkedin.com/in/brittanyapp

Oh my God - is that it? I mean, excluding all the random links and directory sites that we somehow end up on... only thirteen online profiles that I'm supposed to keep up to date? Ah hahahahaaaa! Is anyone else with me, or is this just getting crazy!?

Okay, wow - now that I've gotten whatever that was out of my system... If you're also chillin on one of the networking sites above, and for some reason we're not yet connected, give me a shout - let's be buds. Peace.

Photo : the belly of the beautiful Stephanie, January 2010.

a blustery day

2010-01-18T13:17:00.001-08:00

It's a blustery day in the neighborhood... and I am bundled up inside, watching the trees sway and the drips drop. Pitter patter. spitter spatter.

I'm working on my book today. And things are coming along beautifully. I have selected and edited the illustrative images that will be spattered throughout - giving eyeballs a much needed break from the portraits of all of YOU beautiful people. It's amazing to see this coming together. The image above is one of the chosen illustrative images of London. A bit creepy, I'll admit, but alluring in way that I cannot ignore. So into the book it goes. Viola! A few interviews to wrap up, a cover design, the forward/s, and loads of proof-reading, and this creation is officially on it's way to existence.... wha hoo!

Photo : London, UK, January 2008

perhaps contraption

2010-01-13T15:45:00.000-08:00

Band photos are fun... especially when they're weird wacky what-the-hell-is-going-on-here kind of band photos. This is Perhaps Contraption. And they are brilliantly bizzare "Dada-fuelled-Avant-Rock-quirk-mongers". Chew on that for a while... and when the saliva generated after minutes of chewing leaves you thirsty for more, check them out here www.perhapscontraption.co.uk

They're based in London, and if you are too, I would highly recommend a look-see. Peace, love, and avant-rock.

Photo : Perhaps Contraption, London, UK, June 2009

london : the project

2010-01-04T17:47:00.000-08:00

So my mind is all a flitter flutter with swarms of lovely thoughts. The energy is good, and I am grabbing hold of it. I am at peace... and it is a lovely feeling indeed.

I have started work again on my project of projects; and London is her name. Well, it's her name for now, at least. In the late spring and into the summer of '09, I spent about four months living in London and working on a documentary portrait project... glimpsing into the lives of the creative underbelly of the city. Above is one of the images from this project. The photographs and interviews are now beginning to take book form as I design the initial mock-up of the book itself - and this has me all tingly inside. There's something incredibly magical about watching a project come together - especially one that is so dear to my heart.

I will keep you updated here as things progress with the book... I plan to spend some copious amounts of time on it in the coming weeks, so there should be loads of goodness to share.

Now back to the spinach salad... mmm.

Photo : Wolfgang, London, Spring 2009

running for the toilet

2009-12-31T08:54:00.000-08:00

Originally I was going to make a new years resolution for 2010 to not make any resolutions. That way, I figured, I'd be breaking it immediately, and wouldn't have to deal with the disappointment of another failed resolution amidst an otherwise glorious 2010. But there's just too much good energy right now, and not taking advantage of it seems foolish. So I digress...

I am currently training for a half-marathon. I've been at it for about nine weeks now... and the race is scheduled for Feb 7th of 2010 in San Francisco. This crazy idea was brought on by a desire to help in some way with the extreme poverty and lack of sanitation I experienced in many parts of our world. I have a fancy, clean, flushing toilet, and I take it for granted. I think a lot of us do. BUTT - there are 2.5 billion people that do not have somewhere safe, private or hygienic to go to the toilet. And I think that stinks. So - I'm running for the toilet! (you gotta admit - it has a nice ring to it...)

So I got super high-tech, and set up a fundraising website here - www.firstgiving.com/runningforthetoilet - Donating through the website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts. I know times are tight - so even your smallest contribution or words of encouragement help my cause.

Okay - enough rambling from me for the moment. I wish you all a glorious and prosperous birthing of a New Year. May it be a wondrous one for all of humanity!

Photo : Brittany, (photo by Michael), Burning Man, Nevada, September 2009

family

2009-12-22T09:57:00.000-08:00

It is the eve of the eve of Christmas eve... the year of 2009 is wrapping itself up, and many of us are undoubtably scrambling to get all the last minute preparations together for the daze of the holidaze. Take a deep breath. And exhale.

I had the pleasure of photographing a plethora of beautiful families this year in the lead-up to the season. So November and December were busy months indeed, and for this I am incredibly grateful. Above is a photo from a family portrait session at Castoro Cellars Winery in Paso Robles. Fall colors! Ah! I'm in heaven... And anytime I get the chance to be part of a leaf fight, I'm all over it.

Here's to wishing you a season of love and laughter, and fresh beginnings in 2010. I am reminded by my higher self (especially right now) that we are not human doings. We are human beings. Let's all take the time to BE...

Photo : Logan, Paso Robles, Ca, December 2009

the live photo booth - is live!

2009-12-09T23:33:00.000-08:00

A brand spanking new service is available from App's Photography, and it's got me all giddy and excited inside. It's the "live photo booth", and you can read all about it on my website at www.AppsPhotography.com.

Coming up on January 31st is the 15th Annual Wedding and Special Events Faire, at the Embassy Suites in San Luis Obispo. I will be there showcasing this aforementioned brand new "live photo booth". And I'm quite excited. Come on by and say hi!

Photo : The Live Photo Booth, November 2009

the man burns

2009-11-04T10:30:00.000-08:00

Burning Man... ah yes, Burning Man. Some go. Some have heard of it. Some have no idea. Probably because it is infinitely difficult to describe. It's a city, in the middle of the Nevada desert, that rises from nothingness, and converts back to the same, every year. And it is possibly the most fascinating city on earth...

This was the first year that I attended the event with my real camera, as I like to call it. Conditions out there don't warrant the carrying of fancy equipment unless you are really really ready for it. So the camera lived in a ziplock bag, inside a beanie, inside another bag, until each moment that I was ready to shoot. Cause dust storms are no good for the Nikon...

The image above is of my dear friend Christo, frolicking towards the temple on the sunrise following the burn. The lovely Michael is the one who magically seems to be getting kicked in the head... an appropriate metaphor, I suppose, for how we all felt a few hours later. Oi. Lovely indeed.

Photo : Temple Sunrise, Black Rock City, Nevada, September 2009

justin & lauren

2009-10-05T12:12:00.000-07:00

It is the greatest honor in the world to photograph a best friend's wedding. And Justin's friendship has been a warm fuzzy place in my heart since the fifth grade, days when we both used to wear horribly dorky spectacles. Yeah, that's right. You know it. And now he's married, to an amazing woman, and I couldn't be happier.

Their wedding was held in Chapel Hill, North Carolina on a steamy August afternoon... and worth every drop of sweat that we all sacrificed to be there. I love you two! Here's a cheers to what I know will be a lifetime of love and laughter...

Photo : Justin & Lauren, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, August 2009

oi

2009-10-02T21:23:00.000-07:00

Okay okay okay.... sooooo, okay. Wow. I have not been a very good blogger lately. Not very good at all. But here it is. And here we are. And this is the beautiful Courtney. A favorite shot of mine from her recent shoot at Montana de Oro State Park. I have been busier the past three months than I can ever recall being in my life... So, I thank you, to everyone who has dealt with this in one way or another. It has been a crazy ride indeed.

More photos, and more bloggage soon... there's an aweful lot to share.

Photo : Courtney, September 2009, Montana de Oro

back in california and rockin...

2009-08-05T17:38:00.001-07:00

Okay, so... umm... I am indeed back in California. And somehow the entirety of a month has already passed. I'm a bit unsure how that happened in such a blur... hmm mmm. It could have been the four-day doggie-retrieval marathon to Colorado. Or the four successive days of shooting the Santa Barbara County Fair. Or the twelve long hot succesive days of shooting the California Mid State Fair. But the verdict is still out on all of the above - so I won't jump to any conclusions just yet. All is know is this. I am here. And I've been shooting - heaps.

London is fondly in my thoughts every day it seems... and I have some work to do in finishing up the amazing project I was working on while there. (that might be the understatement of the year). So expect some updates here, on all of that, in the near future.

Above you see the one and only - KISS. Indeed. One of many cool concerts I have photographed in the past few weeks. Good times have been had.

So I will end by apologizing for the lack of recent blog posts, and continue on to say that I am ready for you, California, and whatever it is that you have to throw in my direction over the next few months. yee haw!

Photo : KISS, Paso Robles, CA, July 2009

public transportusration

2009-06-19T14:57:00.000-07:00

I honestly loved public transportation... until today. I honestly did. And then today happened, and five, almost consecutive, bus dilemmas later my opinion had gone from optimistic to completely frustrated. So I shall vent, I thought, as I am doing now. But really, that's all I have to say, it seems... Sometimes the buses really, really suck.

But this is London. And the ability to not only survive, but to thrive, without a car, is one of the bits I love about this city. So the occasional frustration, I suppose, is unavoidable...

I cannot believe that I fly back to my beloved California is just over two weeks. I cannot believe that four months has almost passed. I cannot believe all the beautiful things that have happened, and all the friendships that have been made. It's all completely surreal.

There are a few more shoots, and a couple interviews to wrap up for the project, and I will begin the digestive stage...

Onward, with a grateful heart...

Photo : Lynch the Hangman, Leytonstone, London, May 2009

vrrroooooom...

2009-06-01T17:42:00.000-07:00

I suppose that thing they say about time flying is true... it's not something that I can see happening, but... sneaky sneaky... it happens none-the-less.

I've reached time-warp speed. The days and weeks are flitting past in a blur. And departure is eminent. July 5th. Holy shit. What a day that will be.

I fly off to Berlin on Wednesday for a week of adventuring. And have only just returned from a week of giggles and aimless wandering in Amsterdam. And London has become a home. A home that I love dearly. A home that cannot be. But that always will. Duality. A theme that's becoming quite prominent in my life.

There's a couple weeks left to finish up the project. And I'm cramming in the shoots like it's nobody's business. And nobody is a busy guy...

Living. Loving. Laughing.
Onward...

Photo: Danny Darwin, Opportunist, Canary Wharf, London, May 2009

the beauty of strangers

2009-05-17T08:48:00.000-07:00

This city is glorious indeed, and all-consuming... I can't believe it's now been weeks since a post. Please accept my sincere, although tardy, apologies. The last week has been a blur of brilliant music, sandy bonfires, poi, cheap wine, pirate ships, and fetish parties. And all in the name of research, I tell you!

And this is Wendy, who not only invited me to her flat and treated me like a queen, but opened herself up to me in such an honest and beautiful way... She's an artist, trainer, and community mental health worker. Her biggest worry in life? "That I'll get stuck and not progress in what I do." And her greatest hope? "That I achieve everything I want in this life".

And I am reminded on a daily basis, through people like Wendy, and from the invasive energy of this place, to let myself live... really LIVE. Abraham Lincoln gets the quote of the day, "And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."

Photo : Wendy Haslam, Stoke Newington, London, April 2009

attempts at illumination

2009-04-21T05:20:00.000-07:00

Well - here it is - my best attempt to put into words this montrous brainchild of a project. For those back home, this explains a bit of what I'm up to, for those here in London, I hope that this explains a bit of what I'm up to. : ) Right...

It's a personal photography project (basically meaning "no budget, all passion") about creative people in London, what I like to refer to as London's creative underbelly. And I am attempting to approach the project from as many angles as possible, which thus far has included street photography, scheduled shoots, and as many live gigs as I can wrap my head around. Sooooo... if you are a creative, of any type, and are interested in participating, I would love to hear from you! Put me on your mailing list, invite me to your gig, or your gallery showing, or let's get silly and run around the city in a crazy costume! Anything goes...

And I ask this... for each participant to think a bit about where your ideal photograph would happen. A place that would really capture the true essence of YOU. I'm up for challenges, and interested in getting as involved in the London Arts scene as possible...

I have until late June to shoot, and then I'm headed back home to California, to finalize all the images and begin searching for a publisher, as I hope for this project to culminate in a coffee-table-ish book.

Your involvement would include a short photo shoot, a short interview (addressing the ideas of worry and hope), and the signing of a model release form. And I will happily email you a copy of the final image as a thank-you for your time...

Right. I think that about sums it up. Please get in contact if you are interested or just curious. brittany@appsphotography.com
And to my lovelies back home - I love you and miss you like a crazy fire in my belly. Mmm Hmm.
Cheers, and thank you all mightily for your time...

Photos : the lovely Katie, Hyde Park, London, March 2009

taking shape...

2009-04-14T17:20:00.000-07:00

His name is Alan. He is a Fetish Gothic and Rubberwear Designer... and he shared with me ten minutes of his time on the streets in Camden Town. His biggest worry in life? "Getting old and not fulfulling things I should have done before I got old. Travel, driving, the motorbike, computer... simple things. But things to do before you die." His greatest hope? "To reap the rewards of doing the honest thing... I believe that what goes around comes around."

And to Alan I am grateful. For his honesty. His openness. His willingess to talk to a stranger on the street...

And so the project goes. And I am alive by it.
I am documenting, on as personal a level as I can, what I refer to as the "creative underbelly" of this energetically charged and brilliantly international city. A city that pulses with life, unstoppable. A city that swells from eight to twelve million inhabitants every day. A city that overwhelms, comforts, and challenges me... and I am ALIVE by it.

Photo : Alan, Camden Town, London, March 2009

the project...

2009-04-03T08:40:00.000-07:00

The project has begun... and has already re-created itself a couple times over since the original concept came into being. But this is the nature of the creative process - at least the one that's going on in my head - try, and try again, until it clicks. Until you see a spark. And finally the sparks are flying...

I am living in London for four months. I am walking her streets, and photographing her people, one beautiful face at a time. To those who have participated in the project thus far, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. To those who are supporting my endeavor through words of encouragement, through a random smile on the street, through the positive energy, I am eternally grateful. And to my friends and family - the best a woman could ever ask for - I thank you, and love you and miss you terribly...

Please check back often for updates - as I will be posting new images frequently, and beginning to illuminate on the idea behind this book, as the illuminations find their way into words in my busy little head...
Onward! The streets of London are calling...

Photo : Jay, Covent Garden, London, March 2009

twinkle

2009-03-24T10:47:00.000-07:00

Ahhh... this is the lovely Christo, amidst a wondrous gig with Perhaps Contraption, his crazy wacky wild rock band freak show. The music scene here in London is incomparable. Countless little pubs occupy the streets of this city, all with miniature back rooms devoted to life as small music venues for our hungry ears. Fabulous!

I've been getting settled here, slowly, it feels. Although I can't really tell anymore. I have cooked a fried egg sandwhich in my kitchen, which officially claims the home as mine, apparently? At least in my head it does... I spent Friday night pulling ass muscles at the Ministry of Sound, yesterday wandering aimlessly on Portobello Road, and today hooping in the sunshine in Hyde Park. Wandering, searching, interviewing, and photographing... the people that make up the creative underbelly of this irresistable city.

Photo : Perhaps Contraption, Camden, London, March 2009

london landing

2009-03-17T05:49:00.001-07:00

The actual physical landing was good. Smooth. Easy. Like we all hope for when occupying a small seat on a monstrous aircraft, whipping through the fog to land on an unseen strip of concrete in a foriegn country. A strip of concrete we can only hope and trust is actually there. And to my luck, well, it was.

The mental and emotional landing, however, has taken longer than expected. But then, I'm notoriously good at being hard on myself. I have a phone, a home, and fabulous flatmates, and I've just about worked out the easiest way to get home each night from Central London. So we're getting there... And today marks the two week anniversary of my physical landing.

The beach is still as the beach always was. A magical little oasis in the middle of a bustling city. And it is momentous to be back - in a city with which I am so enamored. I am about to start work on a photography book, a book my mind has been storming about for quite some time now, and it keeps me up at night - the storming, the visuals, the possibilites. Absolutely grand, darling.

More soon... when the internet begins streaming into my new place. Ahh, what a wonderful day that will be.

Photo : Sandy Andy, South Bank, London, March 2009

new identities...

2009-02-26T10:14:00.000-08:00

Whee haw! New business cards are officially in production...

And here's what that means... Photographer & Voice Talent. Two businesses, two websites, two services, one human, one card. Duality. Awesome.

If you haven't had a chance to visit my voice website, and you are interested, the address is www.BrittanyApp.com Turn your speakers up, and enjoy...

Today is Thursday. I fly to London on Monday, and will be exisiting and creating in the land of fog until early July. This stark fact has me incredibly excited, and ever-so-slightly stressed out. But today I will attack that monstrous to-do list, like it's nobody's business. Yeah, that's right. Packing, moving stuff into the over-crowded storage unit, editing shoots, etc, etc. Mmmmm... smell the productivity. Delicious.

Amidst all the craziness, however, life is grand. All my work for the Fall 2008 Semester at Sea has been completed, www.AppsPhotography.com has recieved an exciting update (with more to come), new cards are in production, I voiced my first TV spot yesterday, and I have the most amazing friends and family in the universe. Yeah, life is grand...

Photos: New business card, February 2009

skin deep

2009-02-06T14:28:00.000-08:00

Check out the current copy of Skin Deep Magazine if you get a chance... I have seven page feature in this month's (Feb 2009) edition. The feature highlights one of my favorite artists, Roman, and his shop, Artistic Element Tattoo, in Yucaipa, CA.

I have a handful of features lined up with the magazine in the coming months, so keep your eyes peeled. Although the magazine can be tough to find in Cali, you can always get a copy online at www.skindeep.co.uk

Photo: Skin Deep Magazine, UK, February 2009

umm... wow

2009-02-04T22:56:00.000-08:00

...time really does fly, doesn't it?
Well, okay, fly? I don't know. But it sure does manage to flit past at warp speed sometimes.

So, what have I been up to? Been asking myself that alot lately. And the answer I've come up with is this. I've been back in the states since Christmas. Which was crazy. And then there was New Years. Which was hilarious. And then I went into hiding - to digest - and edit - and email - and finalize the Voyage Book. And then... well... I came out of hiding and started shooting KZOZ Rock Girls again, and some engagement portraits, and headshots, and whatnot. The beauty you see here is Mz. February - you can find her whole shoot online at www.kzoz.com

And then, blammo! Just last night I realized, in one of those semi-freak-out moments, that I'm leaving in three and a half weeks. Ahhhh! What!? How is that possible? Okay, it's cool Brittany, calm down lady...

So, yes. I head to the land of London-town on the 2nd of March. And I'm buzzing about it. I'll be gone for four months - existing, creating, playing, writing. And I'm thrilled. And totally freaking out. And crossing things off that glaring to-do list one item at a time...

Some massive website updates are on the horizon... so keep your eyes peeled. Lots of new work going up soon, including all the images from my Semester at Sea, and a ton of fresh work from the bustling and crazy year that was 2008.

Oh yeah, and I'm madly in love with him. And he knows who he is...

“Life is all about timing... the unreachable becomes reachable, the unavailable become available, the unattainable... attainable. Have the patience, wait it out It's all about timing.” - Stacey Charter

Photo: Rudy Marie, KZOZ Rock Girl, Mz. February, 2009

i blinked...

2009-01-07T16:16:00.000-08:00

...and it was over.

And now I'm home. Resting my head in the chilly sunshine of a California winter. But home is not what I remember. Everything is different. Everything.

I am slowly beginning to upack the emotional baggage that I seem to have accumulated since August. I'm still not quite sure what just happened. And then I find myself awake until 2am researching volunteer opportunities in developing countries.

The opportunity I was presented with through Semester at Sea was absolutely life-changing. Exactly what that means, and how it will come to fruition in my life, I am not yet sure. But I do know this: there is a whole lot of good that I can do in this world, and I am willing, and able, and ready.

Thank you for taking the time to join me on this journey through my blog. Looking back I wish I could have posted entries more regularly, but in looking back I also realize that there's just never enough time.

Onward, and upward...

Photo: Fall 2008 SAS family, MV Explorer, November 2008

light speed

2008-12-17T21:36:00.000-08:00

Costa Rica was a blur. Literally. And I'm not just saying that to pay homage to the selected image, either, it really was. Partly due to it's position as the last port on a long list of adventures, and party due to it's own inherent personality.

Mellow. Beautiful. Seductive. Warm.
and playful. Costa Rica was playful. and I was playful in her.

And I was exhausted. The months of travel were catching up, and my first recognizable desires for home were brewing inside me. The timing was excellent. Home lay await on the horizon.

Photo : Zip-lining, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, December 2008

a hawaiian thanksgiving

2008-12-07T14:16:00.000-08:00

Being thankful was not difficult in Hawaii. After nine days at sea, we had only one day in Honolulu, but it was one magnificent day.

I spent my precious few hours riding passenger in the car of one of my favorite people in the world, around the island to North Shore, wandering along the beaches and (quite possibly) staring at the surfers. Rraaarr! The evening was spent feasting on Hawaiian barbeque for what might earn status as my most unique Thanksgiving dinner yet. Jeff and Jenn - you rock my world. Thank you for a perfect day.

I'm only beginning to digest all that has happened in the last four months. We lay anchored in Costa Rica today, and will be here through Tuesday, and then we're headed to Miami on the home strech. Really!? We have moved our clocks forward ten times since Japan. Days and nights blur together into one overwhelming emotional whirlwind. What has just happened? Exhale. Exist. Absorb. Enjoy, Brittany, enjoy.

"Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each." - Henry David Thoreau

Photo: Honolulu Sunset, November 2008

reflection

2008-11-23T03:24:00.000-08:00

Japan was exquisite. We conveniently landed during the most brilliant fall colors I've ever seen.

I did an independent trip to Hiroshima, Kyoto and Tokyo with a couple of my staff buddies from the ship. We visited the peace memorial park, soaked in the sights of Kyoto's countless temples, ate delicious Japanese food, sang some ridiculous karaoke, slept in a capsule hotel, experienced the suffocating nature of a Tokyo subway at rush hour, and wandered aimlessly through endless neon.

The people were warm, cheerful, and gracious. Gracious enough to help us whenever we appeared hopelessly lost, which was actually quite often... I thoroughly enjoyed Japan.

Slide shows are up at www.semesteratsea.org for all ports visited through China. And the Japan show will join them soon. We're at sea for a few more days, scheduled to land in Honolulu for Thanksgiving, and then another long stretch at sea enroute to Costa Rica. I'm loving this...

Photo : The Golden Pavilion, Kyoto, Japan, November 2008

busy busy

2008-11-19T00:12:00.000-08:00

China. Was massive.
And crowded. And busy.

I spent four days co-leading an overland trip to Beijing and found myself presented with endless opportunities to exercise my patience amidst large elbowing crowds of tourists. Not my favorite pasttime, but sometimes necessary to see what there is to see.

We visited the Great Wall, Tienemen Square, the Forbidden City (along with approximately 80,000 other people), the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven, and the bustling Silk Market, and we ate Chinese food like it was nobody's business.

Our group of sixty students was hosted by UIBE, the University of International Business & Economics, in Beijing, and our hosts were absolutely fabulous, tending to our every need with maticulous attention.

After a couple days spent in bed digesting all that delicious Chinese food, Japan was looming on the horizon... life is whizzing by at warp speed.

Photo : The Great Wall, Beijing, China, November 2008

Vietnam

2008-11-13T00:08:00.000-08:00

Vietnam was a tough port for me. I found myself overly sensitive to the ghosts of the past that seemed to be whispering to me from every direction.

On day one I participated in a service project to an orphanage for children who are, to this day, still being born severely deformed due to the after effects of agent orange. I was not prepared for the overwhelming sadness and guilt I felt in their presence.

On days two, three and four I floated down the Mekong Delta with 17 students, learning about the life of the people who live quietly off the land and water. We slept in a house on stilts, swam in the warm brown water of Mekong, and ate like kings.

On day five I walked quietly through the War Remnants Museum, and cried, again. The people were kind. Yet there was a looming sadness in the air. Not everyone sensed it. I found it unavoidable.

"He who does not know history is destined to repeat it."

Photo: Mekong Delta, Vietnam, November 2008

life lessons & a break

2008-10-27T23:55:00.000-07:00

Malaysia was a port of discovery for me in a very personal way. In the other ports thus far, I have learned a great deal about the country, the people, the way of life... but in Malaysia I learned about myself. Apparently there were some valuable lessons that I needed to learn, and I learned them graciously - and came out stronger for it.

We docked in Penang, and I spent all five days on the island, opting not to venture too far, and in such, giving myself as much time to wander as possible. I participated in a home stay in a traditional Malay village for two days, spent some time hinking through a national park, at ate more delicious Malyasian food than I ever thought possible. The port was nice break between what looks to be two very intense experiences - with India behind us, and Vietnam on the horizon.

The slide show from India has been posted on www.semesteratsea.org and I am working on finishing up the show from Malaysia over the next couple days...

Also in the works is a marketing piece that I created for Semester at Sea, to be placed on www.studyabroad.com . I haven't been able to find it on the website yet, but keep your eyes and ears out for it, as I not only produced the show, but I did the voice-overs for it as well. Talk about careers conveniently coinciding.

I send my love to you all... and thank you immensely for your interest in this journey. Without the support and love of people like you, nothing would be possible.

Photo: Fisherman, Penang, Malaysia, Oct. 2008

on the streets of India...

2008-10-21T11:23:00.000-07:00

I still don't know what to say about India. I've been trying to sort through the hurricane of emotions, and there's still no sense to it all. It's going to take a while to digest. My senses were bombarded, my emotions tossed up a hillside only to tumble down uncontrollably over and over again. I have never experienced anything like it.

And the people. The people were lovely. Despite their visible poverty, they sparkled. Their eyes glistened with love, real love, for each other, for nature, and for us. Complete strangers, yet part of the universe. Part of the one-ness. Part of the love.

And then there was the pain. There was all of it. India was raw, and we were in it. All in five days, I fed starving children on the street with lunchbox leftovers that would have otherwise been tossed in the garbage without a thought, I taught classrooms of giggling schoolchildren how to make paper hand puppets, I walked amidst the lively and colorful street markets, I rode in auto-rickshaws through unimaginable traffic, saw cows sleeping in shops while people slept on the street, and learned, at "the Art of Living", how to focuse on my breath and meditate.

India is a place you can smell from the sea... and learn to love deeply within only a handful of days. I have a great love and compassion for this country. Nothing has ever compared to what I've now seen on the streets of India.

Photo : Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu, India, Oct. 2008

thank you Aristotle

2008-10-11T13:18:00.000-07:00

"What we have to learn to do we learn by doing."
- Aristotle

I took some time for myself today, which I'm finding is hard to do on this ship. And I've realized something. I really love people. That may sound silly, cause, I mean, duh... right? But really. I really LOVE people. And I can see it in my images - now more than ever. And I'm learning how to love differently. By being here. By doing this.

Now, I don't want all my blog entries to get all sappy on ya, cause I'm still just little ol me - but things are strange, there's no doubt. Strange, indeed, but in a really wonderful way. Check it out. I ate pizza today for lunch, and a cheeseburger for dinner. Doesn't seem all that strange, right? But it translates to a choice - a choice to completely avoid the redundancy of the dining hall for a day. No potatoes and pasta for me today. Oh no. I'll take a cheeseburger, even if it means I have to pay for it.

Okay. enough about the cheese burger... (as glorious as it was).
This photo is from a township visit in Walvis Bay, Namibia. It was an indescribable afternoon. Thankfully I'm a photographer, and someone wise once said that each picture is "worth a thousand words", cause apparently I'm fresh out.

Big love.

Photo : Township, Walvis Bay, Namibia, Sept 2008

at sea

2008-10-11T02:19:00.000-07:00

The Habitat for Humanity slide show has been posted at www.SemesteratSea.org , and as it turns out, they liked it so much that I've been asked to rework it for use as a marketing piece on StudyAbroad.com - pretty cool, eh?

Today, we're at sea. We've been at sea for ten days, and I'm only just barely starting to freak out. Hard to believe, really. The time moves by like a blizzard on this ship. Two more long days, and my feet will touch ground in India. That's crazy.

Photo : Habitat for Humanity, Khayelitsha Township, Cape Town, South Africa, Sept 2008

habitat for humanity

2008-10-06T11:36:00.000-07:00

I participated in a Habitat for Humanity workday while in Cape Town, and it has changed my life...

Millard Fuller, the founder of Habitat, believed that, "We have the know-how in the world to house everyone. We have the resources in the world to house everyone. All that's missing is the will to do it."

We worked in one of Cape Town's many sprawling townships, side by side with the future owners of the home. Side by side with local builders, local volunteers, and Semester at Sea students. The families welcomed us - into their homes and into their lives - for a day. For a brief but powerful glimpse. Lives led differently than anything I have ever known. Entire families living in small one bedroom shacks. And the joy... was overwhelming, the love apparent... everywhere.

We hand mixed concrete. We moved countless cinder blocks. We laughed. We sweat. And in one day, we saw a formation become a home. I have found the will to do it...

Photo: Khayelitsha Township, Cape Town, South Africa, Sept. 2008

namibia

2008-10-03T16:07:00.000-07:00

Time has become quite elusive. Wasn't I just in Brazil!? What is going on?

Seven days in Cape Town flew by, and we are now at sea... twelve long lovely days until our arrival in India. Unbelievable. But first, before talk of Cape Town, I must remember Namibia! Yes. Hot, dry, windy, terrifying, gentle Namibia. My sunburn got a sunburn. I hiked the dunes, I ran out of water, I camped under the Milky Way, I wandered through township taverns, homes, and lives completely foreign to my own, I made friends in the markets, and braided yarn into my hair... I existed. For five days. In a place utterly unfamiliar. And it was beautiful.

The slideshow is up at www.semesteratsea.org

Photo : Sossusvlei, Namibia, September 2008

dunes on the horizon

2008-09-18T15:06:00.000-07:00

I'm rushing to pack, and sleep... for tomorrow I camp on the dunes in Namibia! but I find myself in one of those strangely surreal moments... did I just say, "tomorrow I camp on the dunes in Namibia"!? yeah. I think I did. Incredible...

A slide show from Brazil has been posted on the Semester at Sea website, so check it out, with your speakers on, when you have a moment - it will give you a better idea of what I've been up to than I have time to describe in this blog. www.semesteratsea.org

Big love and big waves to you all!

Photo : Beu Machado Kindergarten, Salvador, Brazil, September 2008

today

2008-09-17T07:48:00.000-07:00

Okay, one more bundle of thoughts... (and one more image that I really want to share, I'll be honest).

The days are flying by. No journal. No blog. I haven't visited the gym. I haven't taken a yoga class. My dear dad wonders what I'm up to...

Today I blog. Today I am writing. Today I slept in. Today I will try to get a grasp on all that is happening to me. Today I breathe...

Photo : Saramandaia, Salvador, Brazil, September 2008

observing joy & contrast

2008-09-17T06:16:00.000-07:00

Brazil was amazing...

I danced in the cobblestone streets of Pelhourinho. I played with giggling children at the Beu Machado Kindergarten. I wandered through the impoverished community of Saramandaia. I laughed. I cried. I discovered a place in my heart for Brazil and her people - a country of stark contrasts. I suppose it's possible that I'll feel this way about all the countries I am about to visit, but there's a significant desire within me to run away to Brazil and join the circus.

My first day in the port city of Salvador was truly one of the most incredible days of my life. We visited Saramandaia, a community that, until recently, was so wraught with drug-related violence that no outsider, let alone a group of Americans, could have survived a visit. A social project started by four local young men, "Arte Consciente", works with the street kids, teaching them circus arts, drumming, and graffiti art, and has reshaped the entire community. The evening was filled with music and dancing at a welcome reception - and a moment in which I found myself on stage dancing Capoeira in front of 250 people - or should I say "trying" to dance Capoeira? : )

Photo : Saramandaia, Salvador, Brazil, September 2008

the beginning

2008-09-04T19:35:00.000-07:00

Oh my God.

This trip will change me. It's going to change the way I see the world. And ultimately the way I see myself. And I have a feeling that everything will be different. Very different.

We have been so busy. Since walking out the front door of my house for the last time ever, there hasn't been much time to process it all. Occasionally I find myself standing on the deck of the ship, staring into an endless ocean, and I realize, completely, that I am involved in something grand. Something beyond my comprehension. And then my moment of Zen, as quickly as it landed, is whisked from fingertips, and I'm off and running.

One of my duties will be to post slide shows to the Semester at Sea website on a regular basis throughout the voyage. I am creating these slideshows, start to finish - the photographs, the music, the audio, the mix down - and the sense of validation I feel is indescribable. The embarkation slide show is up already, and can be found at www.SemesteratSea.org

I cross my fingers that, as we all get more adjusted to the crazy schedule of ship life, the blogs will become more frequent. We land in Salvador, Brazil on Sunday. And I think I'm ready...

Photo : Embarkation, Bahamas, Fall 2008 Semester at Sea, August 2008

diana & joe

2008-08-14T21:56:00.000-07:00

Love them! Diana & Joe were married on June 21st at the picturesque Hummingbird House in Templeton, CA... and, yes, she wore an (oh my GOD!) RED dress. Unbelievable! I have known Diana for years through dance, and it was an honor to photograph this incredible day... thank you both - you rock my world!

I also want to take a moment to take care of a bit of business. Amidst making all the last minute preparations before departure, I have been getting phone calls and emails about shoots this fall for which I am regretfully unavailable. I knew it would be hard to put the business on hold for such an extended period of time (4 months) - but this is really hard! So here's the scoop - I will be back just before Christmas, and am currently booking shoots for January of '09. I will be available the whole month, and would LOVE to create just the images you are looking for... so please keep me in mind, and feel free to contact me anytime to book an appointment for January. I will be available via email here: brittany@appsphotography.com throughout the entire Semester at Sea voyage, so please do not hesitate to say hello!

Okay - that's it for now... back to packing! Cheers...

Photo : Diana & Joe, June 2008

boo-yah!

2008-08-12T23:26:00.000-07:00

Right... that's Fergie. She (and her kick ass background dancers) totally rocked the house in Paso a couple weeks back.

And while we're on the topic of totally rockin the house - check this out... www.BrittanyApp.com is officially live! A voice website designed to blow all other voice websites out of the water. Boo-yah baby! That's right - lots of juicy goodness for your eyes and ears - take a gander when you have a moment. Website design by the amazing Michael VandenBerg at www.id-vs-ego.com

Big love...

Photo : Fergie, July 2008

whirly gigs

2008-08-11T18:21:00.000-07:00

My stomach hasn't felt right for days...
I think I'm getting nervous. But, shhhhh... don't tell anybody.

I'm not exactly sure how it'll all go down... there is so much to do before departure, but all I can do is one day at a time as they say... so I keep pluggin along. Edit, pack, email, pack, shoot, edit, bbq, pack. Lah de dah... I have purchased my flights. Check that off the list. I have begun filling the storage unit. Cool. My dog is officially wondering what the hell is going on. I'm not sleeping too well at night. Meh. I love my family. They totally rock my world. And coffee. Coffee rocks my world too. Maybe that's the stomach issue...

Photo : Santa Barbara County Fair, July 2008

holly & chris

2008-08-07T22:56:00.000-07:00

Weddings! I have had the pleasure of shooting so many amazing weddings this summer. Holly & Chris were the first... with a ceremony at Dinosaur Caves Park in Shell Beach, and a fabulous reception at the Monday Club in San Luis Obispo.

Holly and I danced together at Cuesta back in the day, and I've known them both for years, so it was my absolute pleasure and privilege to photograph their big day. Thank you guys... I love you both.

Photo : Holly & Chris, May 2008

skin deep cover

2008-08-06T23:11:00.000-07:00

Yippee! The beautiful Jessica is gracing the cover of the August '08 edition of UK-based Skin Deep Magazine. Isn't she cute!?

The photo shoot was a few months ago... Jessica was one of our KZOZ Rock Girls. The mag loved her photos and decided to use her as a cover girl. Her tattoos are done by Sawdust, not only one of the friendliest guys I've ever met, but an amazing local tattoo artist as well.

I've been working with Skin Deep Magazine for a few years - shooting and writing features on Tattoo Expos in California (and even one in Brighton, England when I was there in January). So cool to be working with a great international mag and a killer group of people.

And everything falls together.
I love it when that happens...

Photo : Jessica, Skin Deep Magazine, August 2008