5 on 5 - january

January 5, 2017

We decided to do one more round of 5 on 5 to make it a full 12 month cycle. I've loved having the opportunity to take part in this no pressure photo project with like-minded photo friends (and one sister). Here's to 2017!

- - - - - - - - - -

I'm in Toronto visiting my hometown family and it is utterly freezing (I love it). I'm staying warm by looking at photos of the last few weeks leading in to the holidays. We kept Christmas very quiet - it was just my small family of three, simple food, walks and drives into the city to look at the view, searching for sustenance at the Ferry Building in the early morning, taking the dog for a romp on the beach, and taking the time to breathe and look around and set work and stress aside for a week or so.

Canon 5D Mark II. Parking Garage, SF 12/18/2016

Canon 5D Mark II. Fort Scott, SF 12/18/2016 — Canon 5D Mark II. Fort Scott, SF 12/18/2016

I also used the "Best Nine" algorithm to see my most-liked Instagram photos of 2016. Although I may have chosen different personal favourites, these felt like a good round-up of the year - a little bit of family, a lot of being outside, the dog, and a certain ballpark birthday.

I'm not sure what 2017 will hold. I have personal and professional plans but I have deliberately been keeping my head down for the past few weeks and haven't declared any resolutions for the New Year (not that I ever do). But my intent is to keep picking up my camera and use it to tell stories. Join me?

- - - - - - - - - -

Please visit my amazing sister Lianne at A Glimmer And A Spark next for her 5 on 5 post, then click on to the next person in our blog roll (and so on...). Happy New Year, and thanks for following along with us for the last 12 months!

cheers,
kim

10 on 10 - december

December 10, 2016

It's December, somehow. Looking back on 2016, I see that despite my best intentions this is only the third 10 on 10 I've managed this year. But I'm determined to end on a high note, so let's have a look at some random photos from my family's recent trip to New York City.

My daughter had never been to NYC, so we surprised her with a Thanksgiving trip and it was everything I'd hoped it would be.

It was freezing cold (I'm Canadian - I like the cold),

... we walked and took the subway everywhere,

... we ate good food, we knocked items off our to-do list (although there is SO much we missed),

... we looked at amazing art,

... spent time with dear friends,

... and most uplifting of all, my daughter was on board for all of it.

Even though walking the Highline might have been our coldest experience, she didn't complain once. Although bribery in the form of bagels, donuts and hot cocoa might have come into play.

And when we were just too tired to walk any further, we'd come back to our compact but cozy hotel to take a breather and warm our cold feet.

We love to travel, but always drag out feet when it comes to packing and preparing for a trip. But then we arrive, experience everything our destination has to offer and by the time we head back to the airport we are desperate to stay longer. Although as my husband commented, it was a good thing it was time to go home otherwise we would have gone broke.

Time to plan our next trip....

- - - - - - - - - -

Thanks for joining us on our final 10 on 10 of 2016! Next up is Leilani of 7th Sister Photography - click to see her lovely work and then click through to the next person til you've been right around the loop!

cheers,
kim

5 on 5 - december

December 5, 2016

December 5, 2016 - it's the final 5 on 5 of the year! I've loved having the opportunity to take part in this no pressure photo project with like-minded photo friends. It has gently forced me to actually shoulder my camera as I head out the door and take photos just for me, just for fun. Thanks for joining us this year.

- - - - - - - - - -

I am a December baby so it seems appropriate to end the year with a birthday post, of sorts.

I have been making a concerted effort this year to focus my attention on choosing carefully my path forward, both professionally and personally. After reading about "essentialism" earlier this year, I've begun to embrace Greg McKeown's ideas for extreme criteria when setting boundaries and making choices - basically, if it's not hell yes then it's no. It's a way of being more selective so that your life is filled with work and experiences that bring you joy.

*(Firefly Institute Photo Camp, November 2016)*

As I enter a new decade, this is an idea that resonates deeply for me. No more wasting time waffling over what to do and how to accomplish it. I'm surrounded by accomplished, amazing people - creatives, photographers, business experts - and there's no excuse for not tapping into their skill and experience to help me move forward.

I want to feel focused and productive but with plenty of room to breathe, making time to feel connected with my family and friends and actively pursuing the things that keep me sane.

Like this. I must have walked in Sausalito hundreds of times over the years and have probably taken photos of the boats reflecting in the water dozens of times. But it brings me deep peace, especially when it's a walk on my birthday with my visiting parents - two of the most inspirational people I know.

And time, even, to take a tongue-in-cheek photo with the appropriate number on the boat lockers where I have taken many previous birthday photos in my years since moving to California.

Looking askance at that number, I know that it IS just a number. I've been reinventing myself and my career for many years and that won't stop just because I've reached some sort of banner age.

I'm ready, are you ready? We got this.

- - - - - - - - - -

Please visit the lovely Stephanie Smith (S.L. Smith Photography) next for her final 5 on 5 post of the year, then click on to the next person in our blog roll (and so on...) to see where we've all been and what we've seen.

cheers,
kim

5 on 5 - november

November 5, 2016

Five photos on the fifth of the month - a no pressure photo project with like-minded photo friends (and a sister). No rules and no themes, just tell a story with some favourite photos from the previous month, and link to the next person in line.

- - - - - - - - - -

Life can get out of control sometimes. Too busy and not enough breathing space. When that happens, I begin to notice that the types of images I'm drawn to making have some element of that space lacking in my daily life at any given moment. I turn my camera away from people and focus on small vignettes with a simple focal point or maybe some delicious light.

I've realized that as much as I love to interact with and photograph people, it's simple scenes and objects of daily life that fill my camera in between shoots. Or when weeks go by without any photography at all.

I photograph things that I want to pick up and whose texture I can almost see and smell.

And light ALWAYS draws my eye.

At a recent portrait shoot, while I waited for the makeup artist to do her magic, I got up close and personal with her tools of the trade.

And again, light.

The holiday season approaches and I've been filled with the need to slow.... down. To not get caught up in the chaos and madness. So I plan to take some time every day to see small visual stories around me. Maybe I'll capture them and maybe I won't, but I'm hoping that keeping my eye on space and balance will reflect in my daily walk through life too.

- - - - - - - - - -

Please visit the lovely Janice of Shine Photo & Design next for her autumnal 5 on 5 story (with a sleeping chipmunk no less!!), then click on to the next person in our blog roll (and so on...) to see where we've all been and what we've seen.

cheers,
kim

5 on 5 - september

September 5, 2016

- - - - - - - - - -

Continuing from my Viewfinders post last week, I picked out a few more photos from a road trip with my husband a few weeks ago for this 5 on 5. It was just us, which is a rare thing - our daughter was at camp, we even left the dog behind with friends.

It was quiet. There were trees, and light, and water. And a marmot (although he evaded my camera).

We walked. We found quiet places where sometimes we raised our cameras and sometimes we didn't.

We followed paths (me) and broke trail (him).

Whenever I could, shoes and socks came off and my feet were in the water. I became fond of these two rocks getting cozy. (Tell me you see the faces??)

We mostly camped, but treated ourselves to a cozy cabin for the last two nights.

There is some melancholy now that we are back and immersed in work and school and the fact that it's officially September. But there are always weekends and opportunities to jump in the car and GO when we most need it, so it's a sweet melancholy.

Happy September! I wish you soft landings as we shift from summer to autumn schedules. I'll be dreaming of trees.

- - - - - - - - - -

Please visit the lovely Janice of Shine Photo+Design's 5 on 5 this month and then click on to the next person in our blog roll (and so on, and so on....) to see where we've been and what we've seen.

cheers,
kim

10 on 10 - july

July 10, 2016

Can you take too many pictures of the beach? At the beach? Your family on the beach? Your dog digging holes at the beach? I think not. This month's 10 on 10 photo project (10 photos on the 10th of the month) is all about the load-up-the-van get-out-of-town roadtrip.

This summer, we are staying close(ish) to home - no traveling overseas, just road trips, some camping, and beach visits for a few days here and there in between projects. Which is okay by us. And cheaper.

When we don't have a lot of time we just head up - or in this case, down - the Northern California coast for a few days. It's usually possible to find beaches with very few people on them. We stop for 10 minutes or a couple of hours, as the whim takes us.

This tirp we had some sun, and lots of fog.  Which makes the Northern California coastline even more beautiful.

This trip we had some sun and lots of fog. Didn't matter ... still beautiful in colour or black and white.

Dog inquires why we are posing for photos instead of playing.

Sometimes the photos are imperfect, but the fact that she is still happy to not only road trip with her parents but immerse herself in what is around her? Makes me incredibly happy.

The dog doing what he does.

Proof that I'm on this road trip too, while on our way to the campsite.

Saturated with sand, sea and sky, we headed to our campsite where our 12 year old led us in some unconventional yoga to loosen up before nightfall.

Marshmallows were roasted, drinks were made, meatballs were heated on the camp stove for dinner and our neighbour played his harp as accompaniment. So much better than a boombox.

We are back home already and dreaming of where the road will take us next.

- - - - - - - - - -

Thanks for joining us on our 10 on 10 this month! Next up is Maite Pons - click to see her delicious photography and then click through to the next person til you've been right around the loop!

cheers,
kim

5 on 5 - july

July 5, 2016

Five photos on the fifth of the month - a no pressure photo project with like-minded photo friends. No rules and no themes, just tell a story with some favourite photos from the previous month, and link to the next person in line.

- - - - - - - - - -

I have been shooting almost exclusively for events/work functions lately and haven't been shooting just for myself much. My personal folders of photos are sadly empty. Or at least that's what I thought while poking through those folders and realizing that even when I'm shooting for work, I often am grabbing moments for myself. Capturing food or details or light that catch my eye.

I don't remember what this was called but it was delicious.

Thankfully, summer has arrived and with that comes roadtrips and camping and time to dream. Next month, I can guarantee you will be seeing some non-work summer photos! See you then!

- - - - - - - - - -

Please check out Maureen of Cottage 960's 5 on 5 this month and then click on to the next person in our blog roll (and so on, and so on....).

cheers,
kim

culinary getaways: raspberry galette video

June 16, 2016

I met the lovely and talented Sherry Page of Culinary Getaways a couple of years ago through my friend and video partner Melissa McArdle of Reverie Daydream.

Sherry has a long love affair with food, starting with her early life in Georgia gardening and cooking with her grandmother. In 2005, she started Culinary Getaways which "...introduces guests to the riches of the Northern California Wine Country, Paris, Provence, the French Riviera, Savannah and Tuscany through unique, carefully-crafted, food and wine experiences". Now does that sound like a slice of heaven?? She is an avid chef and having tasted the raspberry galette in this video that we produced together, I can vouch for her prowess.

I have made Sherry's recipe with gluten free flour and it was equally delicious.

Enjoy!

video by kim thompson steel
recipe and food preparation by sherry page, culinary getaways
food styling by melissa mcardle, reverie daydream

5 on 5 - june

June 5, 2016

- - - - - - - - - -

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love to shoot fine details - whether it's food or flowers or ceramics or art pieces. After re-launching my website last year, I've been very focused on seeking out photography (and video) projects that allow me to shoot what I love. One of my new clients (and a budding friend!) is a floral designer and creates unbelievably beautiful arrangements and installations. This week I accompanied her to the San Francisco Flower Mart to pick up the supplies she needed for her latest creation.

Sara and I lost each other a number of times in the rows of flowers and greenery and ceramic paraphernalia and to-die-for aromas. Luckily she was having as much fun as me since she too is pursuing her passion!

Sara Marshall of Sara Florals. You would be happy too, surrounded by all that lovely.
Stay tuned for more on our collaboration!

- - - - - - - - - -

Please check out Janice of SHINE Photo + Design's 5 on 5 this month and then click on to the next person in our blog roll (and so on, and so on....).

Thanks for joining us this month!

cheers,
kim

5 on 5 - april

April 5, 2016

- - - - -

This past month had an abundance of chaos. Despite my best intentions, I didn't always have my camera with me except for when I needed it for work. Any photos outside of work itself were captured on the way somewhere....

... or during a shoot for a restaurant pop-up, where I grabbed a moment for myself....

... or at the beautiful co-working space where I am a member ...

... or right in my own backyard, where my beloved calla lilies finally emerged almost a month later than usual.

It feels appropriate to finish on a welcome sign of spring ... a time for fresh starts. Here's to scented air, no spring allergies, and an abundance of time to mosey without chaos.

- - - - - - - - - -

Please check out the glorious light in my talented friend Stephanie Smith's 5 on 5 for this month and then click on to the next person in our blogroll. Thanks for joining us!

cheers.