project 52 – Self Portrait

A group of local photographer friends are doing the 52 on Friday project. This is a lot like the 365 project that I’m already doing (a picture a day), except this one is a picture a week (yay!) and includes a theme to follow for each week. Since I’ll already be taking pictures every day and because this is another cool thing to challenge myself with, I jumped at the chance. I’m also anxious to see how we all apply this concept in different ways. Everyone’s mind works in different ways, and photo interpretations are never the same. In photography, I try to make a photo different and create something that I’ve never done. If possible, something I’ve never seen.

The Week 1 assignment is to take a self portrait and fill out this survey thing. Here goes.

1. What is the first thing you see in the mornings?
My phone’s alarm clock. I’m not a morning person so this isn’t a very fun encounter. After that, my white ceiling and the vivid orange and blue walls of my bedroom.

2. Three words that describe your personality.
Quirky, straight, and encouraging.

3. One thing you wish you could do, but can’t.
Oh man this question is too hard. The first thing that comes to mind is draw. Lacking in this ability is hard for me because I love art and creative things so much. I do create nice stick figures though. And I have reasonably neat handwriting. If this question asked for a 2nd and 3rd thing to wish for, my reply would be dancing and composing/playing music.

4. First song that pops into your head………NOW!!!
This song is playing right now in my house: Chris Bathgate – Serpentine. So good…makes my heart melt.

5. What got you started in photography?  /  6. What do you love most about photography?

I’m not quite sure when the moment was that it clicked, but I know why I chose to pursue photography. I love telling a good story–but I’m not much of a writer, speaker, or artist–so I use photography as my medium to this. My photography is also fueled by the impact a photo can make and the genuine appreciation from someone after a snapshot from their life is documented in a real way. I aim to capture emotion (which is what I love about photography) because emotion is the language of a picture where words don’t fit. I do wedding photography because love of the most pure and genuine emotion. Love it.

7. What do you hope to learn/accomplish from this project?
I hope to become a better photography and storyteller. Also deepen relationships with some of the great people that I’ve been blessed to meet through Help Portrait.

Week 1 – Self Portrait

This is my contemplative side. Normally my go-to face is more like this.

My first idea for a self portrait was to do a upside down picture of me doing a cartwheel. Why upside down? Because that’s how I’ve been thinking lately–looking for the weird way to do things. This was the result. Not my favorite, which is why I didn’t use it, but it was a good learning experience. :-)

Until next time,

~ Jon

P.S. Check out Mark Gregory’s self portrait here!

Perspectives

Lately I’ve been on this kick of creating pictures with weird angles. Part of my 365 project is to explore new ideas, be as non-generic as possible (although admittedly I don’t love my cellphone pictures), and push photography boundaries that I’ve become all too familiar with.

Pushing boundaries and challenging yourself is a very prevelent theme in my life. If you ask me advice about most anything, pushing yourself will likely be hinted at. It’s an essential part of life and seems to me to be essential to avoiding the daily drag. But… I digress. On to my original point. ;)

A few weeks ago, I met up with my friend Ellis to test out some lenses and make some fab photos. Oh, and because he’s a cool guy. :)

Some of the angles worked better than others, but I thought that this was a pretty good start.

Part 2 of this coming next week. Stay tuned.

~ Jon

Caitlin + Ryan Married!

Caitlin and Ryan are now married! I’ve known these two for what seems like forever and it’s crazy to see them all gown up and married. ;) I’d like to say that I played a small part in getting them together, but realistically they probably wouldn’t have been able to stay apart either way. Caitlin and Ryan are so in love with God and so in love with each other. It’s truly great to be a part of the lives of such a loving and genuine couple.

They’re also super cute. :) Here are the photos…

Shout out to Ashel Parsons as 2nd photographer and Justin Harris as ceremony video guy. :) Also Dell-icious Cakes and Aramark catering.

~ Jon

Help Portrait

Help Portrait started with an idea brought to light by a Nashville photographer, Jeremy Cowart. Help Portrait is the simple idea of taking a portrait of someone, printing it, and giving it to them. The purpose of this project is to build self-worth in people and to show them that they are worth spending time on and worth making a great portrait for.

The Searcy chapter of Help Portrait was sparked by a tweet to a few photographers that I’ve come to know in town. Since then, so many people have stepped up to make this project happen. It truly has been a blessing. First putting out an idea, receiving so much support by people willing to give their time and talents.

I love this group and have nothing but good to say. It’s truly been a blessing and an honor working with such incredible people.

This first year’s Help Portrait: Searcy wasn’t exactly a smashing success by terms of number of people coming in the door, but it was most definitely a success. The families that did come through were blessed in ways we don’t know. Here’s a behind the scenes perspective:

Here’s the main photographer group. Love them.

This guy is the boss.  :)

We had quite a bit of downtime, so since we already had everything set up… you know. :)

~ Jon

365 Project

The 365 project has been popularized for a few years now. The 365 project is taking a picture every day for 365 days. I’ve followed a few other people’s progression through a full year of taking pictures daily, and it’s really a good challenge to do for personal photography growth. This project is rather daunting. Doing anything regularly for so long and sticking with something is quite tough. New Years resolutions, diet plans, goals, they’re all difficult but doable.

After deciding not to do this project for a few years, I’ve decided to try it out. I’m not going to be too religious about it, but I am giving myself a few rules:

• I plan to finish this by New Years, 2012, which gives me
• 20 vacation days (1.6 days off per month)
• One picture a week has to involve planning. This is open for interpretation, but increases the challenge to make something awesome and not just get by.

What to expect:

• Lots of Canon 5D 50mm pictures. (favorite camera/lens combo)
• A few camera phone pictures. (“the best camera is the one you have with you” – chase jarvis)
• Mostly people pictures. (people pictures are the reason I do photography. :))
• Behind the scenes type pictures.
• Etc. :-)

I will probably recap my 365 project on the blog monthly or bi-monthly, but I won’t be posting here daily. I don’t want my blog to be overrun with this project. :)

You can keep up with this project on twitter @jonyoder or through liking my Jon Yoder Photographer facebook page.

Here is day 1: December 10th, 2011.

Help Portrait behind the scenes. More on this tomorrow. Mark Gregory is the holiday-hat-adorned photographer, with the talented and awesome Cheryl and Maggie behind. Here’s the runner up photo.

 ~ Jon