3.26.2014

we are photogirls

we are photogirls oonaballoona laurence king

A younger oona wanted this book.

we are photogirls oonaballoona laurence king

As a teenager, I loved to decorate my room. To the point of set dressing. Sometimes it was filled with oversized umbrellas, sometimes ‪papier-mâché‬d comic strips, sometimes sometimes porcelain clowns (that one was actually a bit scary), but always it was a mess of clothing and books and art supplies and makeup and CDs and teenage paraphernalia. Whenever I had to clean it (which was often, as my creativity stalled with too much jumble) I had to draw a map of my lands with numbered areas so that the task seemed less daunting.

(We're talking about a normal sized room, mind you. The circles were quite small, but STUFFED.)

we are photogirls oonaballoona laurence king

I'd come downstairs, dressed for the day, possibly in lace pants, possibly in a DIY'ed drawn and sliced mickey mouse t-shirt, possibly with stars and lightning bolts painted on my face, always to the delight of my mom, who once decreed she couldn't wait to see what I'd show up at the breakfast table in.

we are photogirls oonaballoona laurence king

At school, I'd lug four or five bags of various size and heavy weight to each class, needing dance supplies, art supplies, a costume change or two for rehearsal, music books for choir, a makeup kit (I was the unofficial makeup artist for our high school dance troop). And snacks. There was usually no time for lunch. But when I could grab a minute in the cafeteria, I plopped myself down at a table for eight, right in the middle of the lunchroom, with seven friends of every hue, shape and interest. Shy, outgoing, super smart, kinda ditzy, we were a multicolored table sitting directly on the dividing line of lunchroom racial obligation. Everyone was beautiful at our table, because everyone is beautiful.

we are photogirls oonaballoona laurence king

Sometimes after school on a friday, if there wasn't rehearsal or voice lessons or ballet, I'd go to the mall with my Nan. And always on the weekends. We'd stroll through the levels and she'd spend her social security check on me, clapping at the whacked out combinations I'd come up with, never allowing herself anything even when I'd find the perfect yella top for her.

we are photogirls oonaballoona laurence king

My hair, which needed no help, was assisted nevertheless by all manner of hair product. My mom still winces at my senior picture, which includes a ninety degree L shaped part that could have served as a raceway in Tron. The most important picture of my life up to that point, and the one time she was disappointed in my arrival at the breakfast table.

we are photogirls oonaballoona laurence king

I loved my teenage life. Really. I have nothing bad to say about it, not one thing. But the girl I just described to you would have loved to have this book. This is the missing book that would have added a camera around her neck, and one more heavy, happy bag on her shoulders.  

we are photogirls oonaballoona laurence king

It was written for the girls out there who are creative, daring, timid, loud, wild eyed, soft spoken...for the girl who wants to be a photographer, an artist, a model, an art director, a stylist, who wants to see the beauty in everything, who wants to be confident in her beauty, in her size, in her shape, in her skin, in her style. Who, yes, just wants to have FUN. If you have a girl in your life, she will want this book. She will totally want to be a photogirl, and you will totally be happy with that desire.

When the king contacted me and wondered if DIY Fashion Shoot Book: We Are Photogirls, geared towards a younger set, would be up my alley....I THINK THAT ANSWER IS A YES.

Maybe you don't need to be a girl. Because this woman is putting her name in this one.

this book was provided to me by Laurence King in exchange for an honest review. diving into its pages was a truly gleeful experience. heads up, the link to the tome is amazon affiliat-o.

44 comments:

  1. What a gorgeous sentiment. Everyone IS beautiful. Good work L King!

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  2. Loved hearing an upbeat teenage tale for a change. Your mom and nan clearly believed in and celebrated you, which is really what a girl needs.

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  3. I can't comment on the contents but it has to be one of the most beautiful books I've ever seen...precious!

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  4. Wow what a beautiful blog post! I was always the shy kid at the table ful of creative people. The book looks briliant, would love to read it.

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    1. thankya. and i was shy too, it was a weird mix of able to wear the craziest thing i could find, but unable to speak to people!

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  5. Wow what a beautiful blog post! I was always the shy kid at the table ful of creative people. The book looks briliant, would love to read it.

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  6. what a wonderful blog post! the best book review ever and I now really wish I'd known you in high school!

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  7. Oh you can't tease us like that! I want to see your senior picture SO BAD!!!!!

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  8. This was just beautiful! Wonderfully put. :)

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  9. I love this little snipit into your younger self. And yes, I too would LOVE to see that senior picture!

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  10. I suspect that the book's author got teary-eyed reading your sensitive, thoughtful, insightful review of his work. I know I did. Oh, what a delight it would be to be girlfriends with you! Thank you. By the way, I, too, wold like to see that senior portrait.

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    1. thankyou ann, if the gals didn't get teary reading it, they WOULD if i posted that pic. but they would be tears of terror.

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  11. This post just made me so happy and made my little grinch heart grow. Thanks for such a wonderful post.

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  12. OMG I would have died for this book as a teen! Of course I'd still love it now, but I'm just sayin', my Vogue reading-midwest trapped-13 year old self would have loved this!

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  13. I'm sad I couldn't be your best friend in high school. Can we make up for it by me being your best friend now?

    Also: POST SENIOR PORTRAIT STAT.

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  14. I could have read on forever...absolutely beautiful post...thank you!!!!

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  15. Wonderful book, love love it. Every teen aged girl should get a copy. I so enjoy hearing about your high school style, I have been missing how creative and expressive I was in those days too! (i have a horrifying self cut hair do for my senior photo as well). High school was when I really learned how to sew with a machine!

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  16. This post is wonderful. Girls are such little treasures, and there are times we want to make cookie cutters out of them. Perfect little girls, with perfectly pink rooms trimmed in lace. How blessed you were to have your artistry embraced by your mom, and have friends who craved to have you use your talents on them. I hope this book sells out. I will have to purchase copies for the two treasures in my life. They believe anything is possible. Their imaginations are off the charts. And I want them to embrace every moment of that! Thank you!!

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    1. oh, i know they'll adore it! sounds like they have the same amazing women i was lucky to have :)

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  17. This looks like such a wonderful read! I might just have to get one for myself!
    There are few things in the world that I love more than Fashion (and photography, and being creative).
    This was such a beautiful post. Such a great idea/book!

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  18. Oona you have totally described me growing up -the colorful, artful, crazy, over the top, bridging the gap with the cool kids, the geeky kids, the tough kids, the fashionistas etc. I loved my growing up and I always seem to have a voice to help those who for whatever reason could not help themselves. And oh God did God prepare me for my life. I am still creative, artsy, crazy and over the top as a computer design engineer - colorful and flowery. And yes I still sew and craft and create. And yes I take the lead because I know if I don't give my currently geeky team a voice they will not be well represented. There is nothing about me or my life that I dislike - I only wish like you that I could of had that book when I was 10 because then I would have understood - Cynthia you are ok, just continue to be you. Thanks Oona this was a wonderful post.

    Cynthia

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  19. This book looks great, but what I really enjoyed was that each page inspired your walk down memory lane.

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  20. I absolutely adore your posts, but this one is especially great because you took me back to that shy, awkward girl wishing this book was around to help me understand that being different was ok!

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  21. that book looks it was written for you.

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  22. Beautiful post. I loved the description of your teenage self, especially the point about all colors represented at the lunch table. I would have admired you so much when I was a shy but eccentric teenager. I still admire you.

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  23. Wow, such a terrific blog post!! I dreamt of that kind of teenage life, but mine was pretty much the opposite - hey, we all make choices that we have to live with and learn from, non? Hind-sight makes everyone a genius! *LOL*
    Truely a fantastic post, a fantastic attitude, and a very uplifting and inspiring message to us all.

    *HUGS*

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  24. This book looks fab, I might have to buy it for my teenage daughters (one a photographer, the other America's Next Top Model Season 85)…..and then I can borrow it for ideas ;) I wish I'd been in your crew at school….I was Allie Sheedy's character in The Breakfast Club (I wish, even a a mouse she had way more style and charisma than I ever had) in oversized elasticated greyness…..I'm making up for it now and overjoyed my kids aren't hiding in the corner like I did.

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  25. Great review, Oona! This one was fun to read :)

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  26. What a sweet post. I think I would enjoy this book now (At age 25). I think this post just inspired me to move beyond standing against a wall with my wireless remote in hand. Great read, thanks for sharing :)

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    1. yes!! we spend so much time on our garments, they deserve extra photo attention, no?

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  27. I wish I had went to school with you, it would have been fun.

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  28. What a funky fun book all them colours are totally up your alley. yay

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  29. You are such a gorgeous person - and a perfect choice for a contributor to such a project :) MWAH!! I love your spirit!! :)

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i thankya truly for taking the time to comment, i love a good conversation-- and hope you know my thanks are always implied, if not always written!