~*~

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Cyan

I've been meeting such lovely people in Portland lately, here's one of them!

Meet Cyan.

You can find her on instagram: @femaledreamboat

Shot with Canon AE-1 on 35mm // Mamiya C330 on 120mm

Both color Lomography film.

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St. John's, Portland Snow Week

This past week the weather blessed us with the most snow Portland has seen in many moons. It was absolutely magical the first day all the snow fell. Sledding in the streets with strangers, running through the park and meeting a majority of our neighbors (partially because we all pushed each other's cars out of the snow), I'd say it was a successful snow day. But now it has officially been a week of snow days and I'm tired of being stuck in St. John's. When does summer start?

Before the crowds made it to Cathedral Park there were two ambitious snow boarders who took over the staircase.

There was so much snow on the ground it was easier for some people to cross country ski through the roads.

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If any of you reading this blog live in Portland, I hope you stayed save during this snow week!

xo

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Music Monday

One of my favorite bands that I have absolutely loved since middle school is The XX. They recently came out with a new album and it is 200% magic. Have a listen on this lovely Monday. 

{Also they are coming to Portland fairly soon and if someone wants to donate tickets to me that would be amazing}

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Winter Inspiration

Winter is in full force here in Portland and I have been struggling a little to stay inspired. For a majority of my life I lived in a continuous summer setting, somewhere that if the temperature dropped below 50 it was considered freezing. Now that the average temperature is actually freezing, going outside to get inspiration in winter is much more difficult! I am almost certain I'm not the only one experiencing this. I've decided to make a little list of things that have helped me stay inspired this winter, I hope some of these things help you too!

Tarot Readings are amazing. Every time I use my cards I feel a little burst of inspiration. I use the Wild Unknown deck, which is already so beautiful and inspiring in itself that every time I use them they boost my creativity. 

Going on a walk in the cold. I know this one doesn't seem appealing, especially when there is a foot of snow on the ground, but getting a little fresh air every day can work wonders! One thing that also keeps me going on my brisk winter walks is bringing my camera. I find that I will forget how cold it is and end up shooting half a roll of film. Winter really is beautiful!

Reading a good book. I'm a sucker for good books, I have a few books I can read quickly that I absolutely love and always inspire me, '1984', 'Animal Farm' and any Harry Potter book. Plus snuggling up next to some candles with a good book just always sounds amazing. 

Going to a coffee shop and chatting with random people. This might just be a Portland thing, but people in the winter are so much more chatty! Or maybe I've just become more outgoing? Either way I love going to coffee shops, getting a warm drink and making new friends. Even if we don't stay in contact, having an interesting conversation with people you might not usually talk to can boost you inspiration!

Spending time to breath. When I'm busy, which is usually in the summer, I can forget to take time to breath. Winter is the best time to step away, breath and rejuvenate. 

I hope this little list will help you step away from the winter blues and get inspired! If you have any tips on how you stay inspired throughout the winter please comment your ideas below!

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Until next time.

xoxo

You can find The Wild Unknown tarot deck, '1984' & 'Animal Farm' here!

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Cosmic Stylist

The past couple of months I have stepped away from shooting with my digital camera and finally used it again the other day. I am now realizing how much I missed it. It's nice to switch things up, it made me appreciate this medium again.

Also Morgan is absolutely amazing, you can see more of her work on instagram @cosmicstylist 

xoxo

Model: Morgan Roberts

MUA: Morgan -- @cosmicstylist

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Disquietude I 

Part of an ongoing series of manually distressed 35mm negative images with minor digital manipulations. Each image is created and distressed based off of my personal experience struggling with anxiety and depression.

In 'Disquietude I' the film negatives were soaked in whiskey prior to being exposed creating a disruptive environment, the break in the middle serves as an uncomfortable break in the image. This break represents society’s uneasiness with mental health and the ways in which our society tries to distance itself from the fact that anxiety and depression exist.

The headdress represents the inner mind and the sharp negative thoughts that coincide with panic and anxiety, while the eyes represent society’s judgement towards the mental health community.

  Disquietude II

Shot on distressed 35mm film with minor digital manipulations. The second piece in my 'Disquietude II’ captures what if feels like to experience an anxiety while living in our world today. At the top of the image, the mind is clouded and can hardly make itself seen or heard. In the middle the figure appears to be trying to break free, attempting to pull itself from anxiety’s grip. Finally at the bottom the figure appears serene, being represented the way society expects them to be.

In my ‘Disquietude’ series, each image has been distressed manually. This technique of distressing film prior to the exposure of the film also serves as another level of symbolism. Before the development of the film negatives, the outcome the distress is unknown. This forces me to allow the medium to take over parts of my work, and to accept the result of the technique. This is much like anxiety in that at times if feels as though you can only control bits and pieces of your life during periods of panic and distress.

Model: Kaylin R.

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In The Forest with 120mm Film

This is my first ever medium format roll of film and I am so happy with it. 

I'm excited to have the ability to blow up my images into large prints.

Also these images are beautiful. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

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When the leaves are changing color and the weather is beautiful it is best to take advantage of the situation and shoot in the trees.

Model: Kaylin

Location: Portland, OR

Shot with: Canon AE-1 with Lomography 400 35mm film 

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Changes

This year will be my first full round of seasons in the past 13 or so years. It is breathtaking to see the trees suddenly shift colors, to feel the breeze become cooler and watch the world around me transform into an autumn wonderland. I had forgotten the beauty of seasonal transitions and how each season brings it's own excitement. 

With this change in the weather I'm doing lots of changing myself. When Kekoa (my boyfriend) and I moved to Portland it was decided that I would no longer work jobs that didn't keep my inspired or challenge me. Although it's been hard financially for myself, everything else has been amazing. Landing a job as a shop girl at Starflower has been a heaven sent. Working in florals have forced me to challenge my thoughts on composition, brought me closer to nature and has given me a creative outlet in 3D design. It has taught me so much about patience and letting your medium do it's thing instead of trying to force your vision to come to life. Though the most important thing I have learned in the past few weeks has been impermanence. Just like the flowers, nothing is permanent in life, we should all enjoy things while they last instead of trying to make them last forever.

My shift in consciousness about the things happening around me has helped me enjoy life a little more. I am excited for life now more than ever and it's constant changing, just like the seasons.

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Emma Johnstone

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blooming from the heart

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Styled by Starflower PDX // Jill Mason

Photographed by Tien Austin

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rare: photo of myself 

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spring time

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Chicago skate parks

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catching handfuls of ladybugs in Indiana

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drifting on a dream

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Leilani on film

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www.tienaustin.com