Rules for a Kawaii Life

I remember a wise woman once told me that her only rule about working out was she had to go to the gym and touch the wall. Knowing that getting herself there was 99% of the battle. I am not a gym person, I do better if I find a home routine that works for me. So my equivalent of "touching the wall" is simply to "suit up". Putting on work out cloths and shoes is often all it takes to get me going and so far so good.

 A new rule I'm implementing is no more buying bread. I can have it if I'm eating out, but I am not bringing it into my home. I did find some excellent lowfat tortillas at TJ's that combine corn & flour, making for a healthy substitute. I used one here to make a tasty quesdilla with sliced rotisserie chicken, avocado hummus and salsa. Goes great with some mango greek yogurt.

Even a simple geranium bloom can brighten your space. I promised myself to bring more flowers into my home and you don't have to be Martha Stewart to afford it either. If you don't have them growing in your garden, you can pick up fresh blooms fairly cheaply at your local farmer's market or even Trader Joe's.

 Once a week, usually on the weekend, I like to band the computer and TV for most of the day. For as long as possible I keep the world at bay, curling up with Mr. Finch, a good book and plenty of Joe.

Finally, don't forget to stop and smell the cactus. I truly believe gardening is good for the soul and whether you have just a window sill garden or a full back yard. There is a special kind of beauty in the process and having growing things around you.

 

all photos & content © Lara Rossignol

Inspire Me

I am working on another shoot for Lesley Evers, a west coast based designer who launched her line just 4 years ago. Her business has expanded from a few spring and summer dresses to include fall and resort lines. Like this lovely Camille dress available in mid November.

I will be shooting a mix of fall and spring this time and I have pulled just a bit of inspiration to guide me and the other talents involved. All sitting on one of Lesley's own unique textile designs.

I love movement and catching that moment "inbetween"... running, jumping, turning. There is just a touch of awkwardness in these images that I love. Be sure to check out her Summer Sale going on now, even her sale items are on sale!

top & bottom photos & content © Lara Rossignol

Styling: Christa Leveto, H&M: Faith Brooks. Model: Grace Boven from Factor Women

When I Grow Up...

...I want to be Lillian Bassman
 

Portrait of Lillian & Interview by Renée Jacobs

I first posted about this amazing photographer just over a year ago, her haunting black & white fashion images are a true source of inspiration. Over the weekend I read a wonderful interview with the 93 year old icon in Focus Magazine. It was fascinating to read about her early beginnings in a field so dominated by men at the time she began. I also found it striking that she manipulated a lot her final images in the darkroom as we do with Photoshop today. So ahead of her time.

"I had a desire, and this is without knowing photography, to soften the image, to eliminate what I thought was unimportant in the image."

"I was in car riding parrallel to her and we were driving 25 or 30mph, then 50!"

 "Eventually when you get it to the point where you want it, there's a real sense of excitment. I still love to photograph"

Lillian is known for her b/w but I discovered this stunning color image of Suzy Parker via this incredible photostream. It is an amazingly comprehensive collection of vintage fashion images. Sets are sorted by models, designers and photographers, including a fantastic archive of Lillian's work. I think the key to staying young is to never stop learning. I love that Lillian is now dabbling in digital and working with her images on a computer, "...learning how to retouch and play." 

I mentioned this book of Lillian's work before and it is worth the small splurge. You can also collect Lillian's original work, she is represented by the Staley ♦ Wise Gallery.

 I found Focus through the Zinio iPad app , it also available for download for either your iPad or iPhone via iTunes, or look for it at Boarders or Barnes & Noble. I got it mainly for the article on Lillian but found lots of other interesting articles and plenty of beautiful images. 

first photo © Renée Jacobs all other photos © Lillian Bassman & content © Lara Rossignol

Reading Arbus

If I had to pick one photographer who has influenced me above all others it would have to be Diane Arbus. Not only because of her legacy of haunting images but because of her passion for taking them. I learned the most about this legendary icon when I read this excellent biography by Patricia Bosworth.

Forget that it inspired the horrible film Fur, which was as ridiculous in it's casting of Nicole Kidman as Arbus as it was in butchering her story. The book is very detailed and what impressed me most when I read it was that Diane took her camera with her everywhere. I read this before I started shooting digital and to be honest at that time it never occurred to me take pictures unless I was being paid. She inspired me to redefine my passion and begin shooting again for myself.

To my surprise and delight a Pie reader sent me this book (thanks Jeffery!) about a cache of lost Arbus photos. I can't wait to finish my current read so I can dive into it. I actually have my own story about some unusual Arbus images I got a chance to see. Years ago I photographed writer/director Nora Ephron who owns a rare set of unpublished images by Arbus shot at a Mafia wedding. Nora's ex-husband, famed journalist Carl Bernstein got her the go ahead to attend the wedding and take the pictures. Apparently, it had not occurred to her that she would not be able to publish the photos till he later reminded her of the sensitive subject matter. I have to wonder if Ephron ever plans to show these or sell them, since I would think enough time has passed that there could be little objection from the subjects. I can only imagine the sensation they would cause in the art world.

top left photo by Allan Arbus all others by Diane Arbus

Spring Forward

Finding inspiration for a spring fashion shoot while the thermometer dips to freezing is just a click away. After previewing the beautiful cloths I will be shooting for Lesley Evers, I have been picturing the look and feel I want. To share this with the rest of my crew, I put together a montage to inspire us all.

FYI: Check out their incredible sale with 50-70% off!

 content © Lara Rossignol

Lost & Found: The Amazing Vivian Maier

Yes, this is a special bonus Friday post! Thanks to my friend Brenda, I learned this remarkable story of undiscovered talent, now discovered. Maybe the ultimate Lost & Found, Vivian Maier was a prolific and extremly talented photographer whose work was only discovered after her death in 2009.

A nanny by trade, she walked the Chicago streets in her off hours documenting the world around her, with an uncanny eye. Often taking self-portraits and these were important clues for John Maloof, who picked up a plastic tub of Vivian's negatives at a storage locker auction. He had no actual info on the creator of these remarkable images.

John quickly realized he had something special and decided to track down and buy the other tubs sold at the auction, which not only including thousands of negatives but unprocessed rolls of film as well. It was also in one of these that he finally found a name to go with the face he'd seen in the numerous reflective surfaces Vivian used to photograph herself.

This excellent piece by Chicago Tonight tells much of the story... so far. You can also follow John's blog of Vivian's work and there is also a book and documentary in the works, go to Kickstarter to find out more and even contribute if you're so inspired. 

Update: A book of her work, edited by John was released last year and I was lucky enough to receive one as a gift. Beautifully printed, I highly recommend it. 

Now, have an inspired weekend!

all photos © Vivian Maier & courtesy of John Maloof