Recently I have been toying with a new side project, another tumblr blog named My Boyfriend’s a Photographer, “an exploration love and the perception of beauty through a lens”, in which I post photographs of women taken by their lovers.

This poses interesting questions when studying each of the images. How does knowing that the loving look each woman shines back at us is meant for the person behind the lens alter the way we see these images? Do they take on an inherent feeling of intimacy and therefore have more of an impact on the viewer than mere portraits of these women would? Does placing these photographs under such a particular context force the viewer to perceive the images in a certain way?

The initial concept for this project was born from a recent conversation, in which a young photographer expressed his distaste for a certain type of work often produced by fellow photographers - the series of the nude or semi-nude girlfriend that doesn’t admit it is such, and instead is titled something pretentious and overly artistic under the guise that the protagonist in each image has little to do with the subject matter the image is exploring.

I found this an interesting notion, and sought to find these types of series and images. However in the searching for photographs taken by lovers of their lovers (not an easy task I may add), I began to see a certain beauty within them. What was a wry, if not cynical stance on these images begun to develop into appreciation. I feel as though I occupy a privileged position when I look at intimate portraits, as I, the viewer, essentially come between the image maker and the image.

Take this image, a portrait by Brighton-based photographer Sam Hiscox of his girlfriend. What was initially a portrait of a young, attractive girl is transformed with the knowledge that she looks not at the cold glass of the lens with those doe eyes, but through it, to the eyes of the man she loves. I believe this added context accentuates the pre-existing beauty of this image and creates something even more powerful.

Although simply a work in progress for now, I hope to have a good set of thought and emotion provoking images up soon. For now, you can see what’s already up there at:

Http://www.myboyfriendsaphotographer.tumblr.com

Yes, I am still not cured of my two-finger ring obsession. How awesome is this gun-silhouette aluminum ring?

And this golden beauty…

I just think this one will look nice with my Vivienne Westwood Mayfair ring

Plus I love these VW couple rings.

She is my Manic Pixie Dream Girl.

nna

Although it may be beginning to cool down, the high street really is heating up.I’m surprised every day with what retailers have put together for this season.

After spending an afternoon counting down minutes until I can shoot off and pack for my weekend getaway to Florence tomorrow I began to peruse the enviable wardrobe shown on blog Karla’s Closet. Karla is a big fan of Zara, and her looks are so great I begin to question why I’ve not visited the fashion store in years. One look at the website and I question myself all over again, as they’re currently stocking a fantastic collection of basics for an autumn/winter wardrobe, which is further highlighted by great styling. I love the simple, yet effective looks they’ve put together, my favourite being the chunky-knit sleeveless shift dress in chocolate brown wool, paired with long black over-knee socks and cute loafers.

Those familiar to me will know I am a fierce advocate of the sandal/wedge with socks, and I loved the below combination of faux suede shift dress, rolled white socks and chunky brown sandals. I am definitely buying a pair.

This dress is perfect for work, and I really like the equestrian themed print. I’d put a thin cotton long-sleeved top underneath and team it with a chunkier belt, my brand new ASOS woollen shoe-boots, socks or woollen tights and a light brown cashmere cardigan.

I just loved the look of this outfit, black shirt, skinny black belt and solid black suede pumps with black socks, broken up by the teal/grey skirt. I am certainly investing in a similar pair of shoes immediately.

Here’s me thinking i’ve hung up my socks both long and short, ready for the onset of bleak autumnal winds and rain, but now i’ve realised i’m not ready to let them go just yet, and instead Zara, you’ve made me invest even further in them. For that, I’m not sure I should thank you. My bank balance certainly won’t.

These are from the Lula Magazine Blog.

Such a lovely magazine, current, fashionable, yet feminine and preserving a sense of child-like girlish naivete. Ribbons, Bows, lace and soft lighting and delicacy. i love the added touch of a different necklace on the spine of the amgazine each month.

I love Sally Mann’s photography

The juxtaposition of youth and innocence with the ominous darkness that encroaches on the compositions, and the coquettishness and precociousness of the little girls. Even just aesthetically, the colours are how I imagine it looks inside William Faulkner’s head.