biscuit's space | The blog of photographer Katherine Carver

Feb 6

Collage: Biscuit and Victory

“Eventually I discovered for myself the utterly simple prescription for creativity: Be intensely yourself. Don’t try to be outstanding; don’t try to be a success; don’t try to do pictures for others to look at – just please yourself.” ~Ralph Steiner

Below is a small photo collage of our fur babies, Biscuit and Victory! I am so grateful that I consistently photographed Biscuit and continue to photograph Victory,both my muse. It is really nice to flip through our photo albums and our digital images. We are so grateful for Biscuit and Victory — they make life so much sweeter!

Happy Thursday!

Feb 5

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Interview with Serena Hodson, Photographer

Interview with Serena Hodson

Recently, I had the great pleasure of interviewing Serena Hodson, a photographer living in Brisbane, Australia. A selection of Serena Hodson’s work is displayed below. Please visit Serena Hodson’s website to view more of her work!

KATHERINE CARVER: What were your beginnings as a photographer and when did you realize it would become your chosen form of expression?

SERENA HODSON: Strangely, I have never had a passion to become a photographer. It all happened one day when I was going away on a holiday and decided to buy a DSLR. I enjoyed taking photographs of my dogs so much, and it grew from there.

KATHERINE CARVER: Did you study photography formally?

SERENA HODSON: No, I am completely self-taught, but I am trained in Graphic Design.

KATHERINE CARVER: How do you describe your style?

SERENA HODSON: That’s a tricky one to answer, I’m not trying to emulate an established style or consciously create a defined style of my own. I basically follow my creative intuition and shoot the ideas that interest me. I have an offbeat sense of humor and I’m obsessed with my animals – so that dictates my subject matter. But with a background as a graphic designer, my visual style has evolved over time and be influenced by so many things, and it’s hard for me to put a label on it.

KATHERINE CARVER: What was the impetus that inspired you to begin photographing dogs?

SERENA HODSON: Rocco (my Bullmastiff) was definitely my muse. He started this all for me. This boy had a heart of gold and was always there for me. He had the patience of a saint and I learned so much photographing him.

KATHERINE CARVER: How have your own dog(s) influenced your work?

SERENA HODSON: They haven’t so much influenced my work they are my work. Their personalities are what inspire me. The joy they bring me I want other people to feel as well which is why I create what I do.

KATHERINE CARVER: Where do you show/exhibit your work?

SERENA HODSON: I have exhibited in Canada, Brussels, Germany and I am currently exhibiting work in Paris. Looking to exhibit work this year in Australia and hopefully New York.

KATHERINE CARVER: What does “being creative” mean to you?

SERENA HODSON: Sometimes it does mean being misunderstood. But for me it’s a means of self-expression, having passion and a way of life.

KATHERINE CARVER: What is the most challenging aspect of being a photographer?

SERENA HODSON: Marketing and advertising. All I want to do is shoot concepts and hang with my dogs. I procrastinate on the growth part. But luckily I have a manager (i.e.: Partner) who tries to keep me on on track.

KATHERINE CARVER: What inspires you to keep going and what keeps you motivated?

SERENA HODSON: My dogs. They are my pride and joy. I cannot think of a more happier day than working with them on a shoot. So much comedy and they constantly make me laugh. What keeps me motivated is my following. I adore making people happy. We live in such a fast paced society that sometimes life makes it hard to smile. If just one of my images brightened someones day, than I have achieved something pretty special.

KATHERINE CARVER: What kind of patterns, rituals, and routines do you have while making photographs?

SERENA HODSON: I have a journal I write my ideas in and sometimes sketch them. I find and make the props and work from there. I never look at a shoot straight away. I like to give it a day or so because sometimes as soon as I download a series of images and start looking through them, I might be fixated with one image, while missing the “actual image.”

KATHERINE CARVER: Looking back on your accomplishments, to date, what are you the most proud of?

SERENA HODSON: Probably been given the chance to exhibit in so many countries. I want my work to be recognized as art.

KATHERINE CARVER: What are you working on now?

SERENA HODSON: I am working with my publisher on my coffee table book. Very exciting!

KATHERINE CARVER: What artists inspire your work?

SERENA HODSON: My dogs. They are living pieces of art that inspire me everyday in my work but also how to be a better person.

KATHERINE CARVER: What advice do you have for aspiring photographers?

SERENA HODSON: My advice first and foremost is to have a passion for what you do. Photograph things you really care about and interests you, not things you feel you ought to. Photograph them in the way you feel is right and not the way you think you ought to. Be open to criticism and remember not everyone will love what you do. My favorite quote is, “To avoid criticism say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.” There will always be haters but never let them stop you.

KATHERINE CARVER: How can people view your work?

SERENA HODSON: The best place is to follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Serenah-Photography/100482606687398; and www.serenahphotography.com.au.

All images are courtesy of Serena Hodson.

You can read additional interviews here.

Feb 4

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Victory: Photography Project — Part 4

“You can always find hope in a dog’s eyes.” ~Unknown

I have recently begun a weekly photography project with my muse, Victory! I will continue to share this project on the blog! I have also been documenting Victory’s milestones so to speak each month — you can read these here! I think that it is fun to document all of Victory’s changes, while preserving fleeting moments and memories.

Victory loves being in our bed and she loves to sit with us and eat her dinner on the sofa! The third place that Victory loves to be in our house is in her ‘hut!’ When we adopted Victory in October 2013, she was used to having access to her crate, her safe place. Thus, Doug and I purchased a fabric type crate, her ‘hut,’ and she loves it! Even a few friends we know have seen Victory’s ‘hut’ and decided to get one for their furry family members — Victory is such a trend setter!

Victory is spending less time in her ‘hut.’ She does, however, like having her own “safe place” in the house, in her ‘hut.’ The front is always unzipped and open so she can come and go as she pleases. Also, the top of her crate is unzipped and open — her sun roof! We put Biscuit’s Eco Nap Mat at the bottom of her ‘hut’ for comfort along with a few blankets, including the light blue blanket from Victory’s foster Mom. We also keep her water dish and a few of her toys, including shoe laces in her ‘hut!’ I wash her blankets that say in her ‘hut’ weekly!

So, it seemed fitting to capture a few photographs documenting this time that Victory likes to spend in her little ‘hut!’ She loves to nap and lay down in her ‘hut!’ In time, we are sure that she will not need her ‘hut’ as much! Victory is also getting used to my camera and she is just as patient as our beloved Biscuit. Enjoy!

Happy Tuesday!

Feb 3

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Two Year Blogiversary!

Today is the two-year Blogiversary of www.biscuitsspace.com the blog for Katherine Carver Photography! It is difficult to believe that two years have already passed by so quickly! Here is a post to the one year Blogiversary! Also, here is the first post on the blog. The blog has come a long way since I began the blog two year ago! To commemorate each year of the blog, I am working on making blog books, a book compiling all the blog posts for each year — 2012 and 2013, a total of 509 blog posts! The blog, to me, is an online journal, something that we can always refer back to capturing memories and snippets in time.

If it were not for our beloved Biscuit, I am not sure I would have ever started blogging. Biscuit was such a blessing and gift to us. Biscuit permanently changed our lives in so many ways and Biscuit sent us our precious little Victory. Of course, the blog could not be possible without my inspiration — our precious fur babies, Biscuit and Victory — my muse and the stars of the blog, shown below!

Thank you to all of you who read and subscribe to this blog! I have enjoyed sharing my journey along with sharing my photography, our fur babies, and parts of my life with you. I greatly appreciate your support, and I hope that you continue to enjoy reading the blog!

Thank you so very much for your support!

Jan 31

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Around Here This Week

This week has flown by really quickly! We are looking forward to the weekend!

-This week Doug was away on travel for work and it was just me and little Victory! While I was at the gym the other night, Victory managed to get hold of a full bag of chicken flavored Greenies Pill Pockets and she chewed through the bag and she ate all but two pill pockets! She is a smart and stealthy sheltie girl! So far, she is doing ok! Evidently, Victory is getting more confident, and we are not going to keep any food within her reach!

-This week Victory started to make motions that she is interested in playing! She is coming out of her shell more and more and we are seeing more of her personality shine through each day!

-Victory is going to meet some furry friends for the first time this weekend in the City!

-This week we ordered Victory’s Valentine’s gift! Hopefully, she will like it! Also, check out these neat scratch off Valentine’s if you are in need of some Valentine’s!

-I love these new Lululemon tops and yoga pants that Doug got me! I love Lululemon and I remember the times that Biscuit came with us to the Lululemon stores in Nova Scotia and in Maryland, including the dressing room — he never liked to be left out! (P.S. — here are the best, most comfortable undies ever from Lululemon — I think I have almost every color/pattern!)

-I hope to make some more progress on my photography project — lots of editing work to complete!

-Also, we’re planning more rest. Doug and I have made a conscious effort to make more time for rest, which has been really helpful.

-Most of all, I am so happy that Doug is coming home today! We have ‘date night’ tonight — hope to try a new restaurant, something different! We are also almost done with getting caught up on the Son’s of Anarchy! Victory will have watched every episode with us! When it gets warmer and after some training, Victory will be able to join us for ‘date night’!

-Also, I’m still practicing trust, my word for the year.

Happy Friday!

Jan 30

My Ideal Commissions

I think that it is important to identify your ideal commission in order to attract these types of commissions! During college I wrote down my ideal characteristics for a life partner. I shared the list I created, entitled, ‘Guy Criteria,’ with my Dad, and he thought that the criteria was too high and together we narrowed down the list a bit! (I still have this list at home!) I never wavered from my list, and Doug appeared right after finishing law school and taking the bar exam! Of course, Doug met every characteristic and much, much more than I could have envisioned as a college student! However, had I not made that list, I may not have known or recognized that Doug was ‘the one.’ The funny thing was, I knew right away, and I vividly remember telling my Dad at a Starbucks in Maryland on one of my parents’ visits that Doug was ‘the one!’

I think that same idea rings true with identifying your idea commission, which is similar to attracting your ideal partner in life. My ideal commissions are not a specific group of people, but people who have a few things in common, as outlined below. I think we do our best work when it is for people we genuinely care about. I have spent a great deal of time identifying the characteristics of my ideal commission, client, described further below.

1. Wants to work with me in particular

I want to do commissions for clients who cannot imagine having anyone else complete their commission. Each photographer is different; each photographer produces different work; and each photographer uses different printing methods, i.e., papers and printers to produce their work.

2. Wants something different

I want to work with clients who are looking for something different — clients who desire layered images and who want images printed on high quality, fine art archival papers.

3. Truly values photography and has a discerning eye

I want to work with clients who truly care about preserving memories via photographs. I want to do commissions for clients who are particular, have a discerning eye, and have high standards. I want to work with clients who truly value photography and will not settle for any photographer, and have done their research to help ensure a good match between the client and photographer.

4. Follows along on the blog

I want to work with clients who already follows the blog and therefore get to know me personally. I consistently invest much thought and effort into my blog in order to keep people coming back for more!

5. Trusts me

Trust in any type of relationship is vital for success. Thus, it is imperative that clients who commission work trusts me and my ability to deliver a deliverable that exceeds clients’ expectations. I also want to work with clients who are looking to work with the ‘right’ photographer as well. I know when I work with other artists, I only work with those artists whom I trust and I know will do a wonderful job. I have interviewed some artists who I have worked with on this blog. Therefore, it is important that clients’ trust me to ensure a good working relationship, which is vital for a wonderful client experience.

You can learn more about my Commissions here.

Jan 29

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Gratitude and Making Art

“May what I do flow from me like a river, no forcing and no holding back, the way it is with children.” ~Rilke

I have a theory that there is a connection between gratitude and creativity, making art. I believe that if you have more gratitude, it is easier to make art — especially if you are in the middle of a large project, which requires a lot of perseverance and patience.

As creators we are constantly looking for what is next. Our next body of work, project or goal, and how we are going to get there. With this forward-looking perspective, we often focus on what we are lacking. However, the mindset focused on improvement can really push us forward with our creative work but every so often we need to center ourselves. We need to come back to who we are and what we do and think about what we are grateful for.

Thus, if you can focus on giving thanks; the positive; being thankful for where you are at; and showing gratitude it will enable you to continue your creative work more easily instead of focusing on the gaps and what is missing. Gratitude – whether we feel it or receive it – gives birth to creative ideas.

Happy Wednesday!

Jan 28

The Diagram of Dogs

Can you find the Shetland Sheepdog (the breed of Victory and Biscuit) in the image below? (Hint check the herding dogs and collies!)

Pop Chart Lab, a Brooklyn-based company whose goal is to “render all of human experience into chart form,” is bringing their unique infographic style to the world of dogs with their newest poster: The Diagram of Dogs. This poster features 181 different dog breeds!

You can see a larger version of the image below here — after clicking on the link, then click on the image and hover around for a closer look!

Happy Tuesday!

Jan 27

Victory: Photography Project — Part 3

“Dogs have a way of finding the people who need them, filling an emptiness we don’t even know we have.” ~Thom Jones

I have recently begun a weekly photography project with my muse, Victory! I will continue to share this project on the blog! I have also been documenting Victory’s milestones so to speak each month — you can read these here! I think that it is fun to document all of Victory’s changes, while preserving fleeting moments and memories.

Since Victory loves being in our bed so much, I captured a few images of her getting ready to take a nap! She loves to be between the pillows up against the headboard! Each night, she takes turns on each of our pillows during the night! Victory looks very beautiful and she got a bath recently and she is looking fluffy and clean! Victory’s sheltie furs are really starting to come in — her coat is going to be gorgeous! She is our little golden rod!

Happy Monday!

Jan 24

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Not “There” Yet

“Do your thing. Do it unapologetically. Don’t be discouraged by criticism. You probably already know what they’re going to say. Pay no mind to the fear of failure. It’s far more valuable than success. Take ownership, take chances, and have fun. And no matter what, don’t ever stop doing your thing.” ~Aster Roth.

Often we think to ourselves or we have have heard others say, “I’m not there yet.”

Here is the thing to remember about a phrase like that, the thing that you have to understand and remember: The “there” in “not there yet” is not a real destination. And if you put off doing anything until you get “there,” you will spend you entire life waiting to arrive.

The fact of the matter is that nobody is going to tell you that you have “arrived.” I recently saw a card that put it very poignantly, “Do you know what all great professional athletes, writers, and actors have in common? None of them started out that way.”

Ultimately, each person has to make that choice for themselves that is his/her time.

Do the thing that you do not think you can do. This is how you will get to “there.”

Happy Friday and stay warm this weekend — it is super cold here!