Introducing Molly Carr Fine Art Photography

Well hello there! For those of you who have continued following along during my prolonged absence here in this little space on the internet - thank you! If you follow me on Instagram you may already know, but for those of you who don't I'm excited to share that I have officially started my own photography business - Molly Carr Fine Art Photography. This has been a longtime dream of mine and I couldn't be more excited, hopeful, and terrified. My hope is to continue Dreams in HD in more of an inspirational capacity, but in the meantime, I will continue to be blogging about all things travel, photography, and weddings at www.mollycarrphotography.com. Thank you for your support!

Miguel Vallinas‘ Roots

Spring is officially here, and what better than to celebrate with photos of dreamy spring flowers from Miguel Vallinas? His latest collection of work, entitled 'Roots', shows a series of flower heads and explores the development of personal identity. The photographer explains, "Roots searches once more in human nature for what we believe we are, what others think we are, what we really are and what we would like to be." Everything from the fashion choices to the bouquets to the model's poses feels intentionally styled to be uncomplicated yet beautiful—a way of reminding us to return to our roots and embrace the simple pleasures in life.

Grace Oda's Splash

Around this time every year I start to get an itch for the sun. If you're one of the lucky ones heading on a tropical vacation {such as my friend Sara who heads to the Maldives in a few days}, I'm envious! But for those of you who, like me, are going to be landlocked for the foreseeable future, photographer Grace Oda's collection of partially submerged ocean shots is almost as good as the real thing. I particularly love the photos shot during that magical time before sunset. After a day in the heat, nothing feels better than jumping into the crystal clear sea, glistening with the golden glow of late afternoon, and floating on your back while staring up at the sky. Pure serenity.

Dreams in HD Photography

La Vie En Rose

Happy Friday! I don't know about you - but this week has felt like it has dragged on, and on, and on. This weekend we're planning on taking full advantage of the spring-like weather by heading to our favorite town of Nashville, IN for an afternoon of sunshine, antiquing, and brewery hopping.

In other news, I recently opened up a print shop on Etsy! Dreams in HD Photography features images from my travels. I fell in love with traveling on my first trip abroad nearly ten years ago - visiting my sister in Germany. Since then it has become a full-fledged addiction, and I never leave without my camera. Seeing the world through my viewfinder allows me to notice the little things...the way the light reflects off a gold dome, the tiny drops of dew on freshly cut roses, a couple strolling hand-in-hand in the Tuileries. Because those seemingly insignificant moments really are what life's all about, don't you think?

Art :: Karen Rosetzsky's "Young Love"

I recently came across Karen Rosetzsky’s photography exhibit aptly titled “Young Love” while staying at the Hoxton Hotel in Amsterdam. Every so often a work of art just sticks with you, and Karen’s work did just that for me. Every time I walked by her images at the hotel I felt almost magnetically pulled toward them. The emotion in the photos is so palpable that it almost feels as though you are not only the viewer but the subject. 

Art :: Yellow Korner

Romina Ressia - Bubble Gum

While in Paris exploring Le Marais we stumbled upon the coolest contemporary photography shop inside of a quiet little courtyard named Yellow Korner. After returning home I did a little more research, and found out that there are actually dozens of Yellow Korner galleries worldwide. I loved their beautifully curated limited edition photographs and was surprised at what a good price point they were. We picked up this photograph {I love how much it resembles an Edward Hopper oil painting}, and I've rounded up some of my other favorites below.

Art :: Overgrowth

Overgrowth is an ongoing artistic collaboration between photographer Parker Fitzgerald and floral designer Riley Messina.  Aren't the anonymous portraits just beautiful?  They remind me of Kari Herer's work, one of my favorite Etsy artists.  Have a wonderful weekend friends!

Art :: Gray Malin Colors Your Dreams

Gray Malin does it again, this time with his fantastical "Dream" series.  The photographer explains, "Touched by a story I read about a Scottish sheep farmer, this series is born from the desire to inspire others to stand out from the crowd and foster a sense of individuality.  Traveling to rural Australia, I worked with a family of third generation farmers who professionally misted each sheep with a vegetable-based, rinse-able dye to give them a bright colored hue.  Through the transformation of these otherwise white creatures into a rainbow of color, I hope to spark an idea; that we are all individuals and should not be afraid to bare our true colors, dare to dream and shine for all to see.  20% of the proceeds from the series will benefit Make-A-Wish Foundation to help inspire those who dream their ultimate dreams."  So inspirational! 

Travel :: The Battery - Charleston, SC

Last week I blogged about the hotel we stayed at in Charleston {see post here}, but today I'm excited to share with you a few of the many, many photos I snapped of the stunning Charleston Battery.  The Battery stretches along the shore of Charleston and is littered with some of the most beautiful Antebellum homes you will ever lay eyes on.  Three story porches.  Ornate scroll-work.  French windows and doors.  Regal facades and {from what I saw through windows} even more regal interiors.  All with million dollar views of the water and surrounded by formal gardens, perfectly trimmed shrubs, and palm trees.  It's safe to say that I am absolutely head over heels with charming Charleston!

Giveaway :: Dreams in HD Photography + The Short and Sweet of It

For those of you who didn't know I recently opened an Etsy shop, Dreams in HD Photography, selling prints from my travels.  And today I'm excited to announce that I've partnered with one of my favorite blogs, The Short and Sweet of It, and will be giving away an 8x10 print of your choice.  Visit their blog to enter!  XOXO

My Life :: Autumn Snapshots

Asides from these past few days, so far it has been the most gorgeous autumn in the Midwest that I can recall.  Sunny days, crisp clean air, and foliage slowly changing from vibrant greens to golden yellows and fire reds.  I've been taking full advantage of the weather - hikes with Yoda, visits to the farmer's market, dinners al fresco with Ryan - knowing all too well before we know it winter will be here.  And of course, I've been trying to capture as much of the season as I can with my trusty Nikon D5200.  So today I simply wanted to share some recent snaps in hopes that it inspires you to head outside and soak in all the beauty autumn has to offer!

Art :: Kylli Sparre's Dream World

On this moody, rainy day what better than to take a step into photographer Kylli Sparre's enchanting dream world?  As told by My Modern Met, "Photographer Kylli Sparre draws upon her background in dance to create elegant narratives that feel like scenes right out of a dream. The artist uses image manipulation to merge graceful figures with surreal backgrounds. The intriguing compositions are filled with a powerful energy that radiates with emotion.

Through her rich imagination, Sparre produces enchanting moments where feminine forms are the delicate central focus of the mind-bending scenes. Sparre has such a wide range of distinctly fantastic work that it's impossible to know what to expect next from the talented artist. Each composition will take viewers on a journey into a world of imagination.

"I never realized that I am inspired by dance until people started telling me that. So it is unconscious. Now I see that it influences the way I see the lines of a body and the movement [that] I am drawn to," says Sparre. 'It took me years to finally find what truly inspires me. The feeling I get, when a picture turns out the way I imagine… I get so much energy and I love to be alive!'"

Images via My Modern Met

Announcement + Giveaway :: Dreams in HD Photography!

Serenity in a Crowd

I'm beyond excited to announce the opening of my Etsy shop - Dreams in HD Photography!  I wanted to thank you, dear readers, in giving me the courage and inspiration to pursue this long-time dream of mine.  Your beyond sweet comments complimenting my photography and pushing me to sell my photographs helped make me believe that perhaps people {other than my parents - thanks guys!} actually like my work.  So thank you for motivating me to make my dream a reality!

Art :: Floral Solitude

It's Monday, and I don't know about you but I could definitely use a few moments of peace and quiet.  And how perfect are Australian-based photographer Jessica Tremp's images of women doing just that - savoring a perfect moment of solitude.  The project is "catching someone in a reverie, their thoughts clashing, colliding, blossoming, and bursting into consciousness," explains Tremp.  Cheers to a peaceful Monday!

Art :: Current Favorites

Cycles Gladiator by Georges Massias // Topanga Hat Wearing Surfer by Annie Seaton // Flora in Peach II by Yao Cheng // Twilight I by Caroline Gold // Black Sketch by Henri Matisse // Beach Colors 2 by John Bucklin // NY by Anna Bond // St. Paul's Cathedral, London by 45wall design // Seated Female Portrait by J.E. Michaelski // Flight of the Ocean by Sharon Rowan // Happy Story by Melaine Severin // Rural Midwest by robin ott design // desert diptych by Annie Clark // Vintage Books by That Girl Studio

When I moved into my first apartment I went on an art buying spree.  Not that I could afford the real thing of course, but I purchased prints from local art fairs, Etsy, and painted a few pieces of my own.  At this point most of our walls are covered, but I still find myself itching to buy a couple new pieces.  I rounded up some of my current favorites including great print options from Minted and Art.com {both of which offer custom framing options} as well as a few gorgeous originals from Serena & Lily's awesome art collection.  I tend to gravitate towards vintage portraits and colorful abstracts when looking at original pieces, and photography and bright prints when shopping on a budget.  Where do you like to find art?

Inspiration :: An "Up" Themed Anniversary Shoot

Brace yourselves...because if you're anything like me you will need a box of tissues after reading this post {only happy tears, don't you fret!}  Even though Nina and Gramps were first featured on Style Me Pretty six months ago, their "Up" themed anniversary shoot is just too sweet not to share again.  Looking through the heartwarming photos brings tears to my eyes, both because the love that Nina and Gramps share is so palpable you can almost touch it, but also because seeing the couple together makes me miss my own Grandfather.  He and my Grandmother lived their own real-life fairy tale, and I will always aspire to have a love as deep and boundless as they had for one another.

Event designer {and granddaughter of the adorable couple} Lauren Wells explains…Meet Nina & Gramps: they have been married 61 years, have never taken their rings off, remain the best of friends, and have just one picture from their wedding day – their photographer stood them up!

On a personal level, us grandkids (they are my husband’s grandparents) thought an anniversary shoot would be the perfect holiday present for them, and that they would cherish photos of the two of them. On a professional level, I thought it would make for a perfect styled shoot, so I used the movie UP as inspiration. (Gramps is always wearing a bow tie, anyways!)

Caroline from Wildfolk managed to bring the balloon colors to life in her flowers, and Nina cried when she got handed her beautiful bouquet. Working with Cambria is always a dream, and these photos are pure magic – us grandkids cannot wait to see Nina & Gramps’ faces when they open these photos on Christmas morning!

Art :: Annie Leibovitz for Vogue

Sometimes we just need to get away, and what better than to be transported into one of Annie Leibovitz's visual fairy tales for Vogue?  Whether it's Kirsten Dunst as the ill-fated French Queen Marie Antoinette, model Natalia Vodianova portraying 'Alice in Wonderland' alongside a slew of high fashion designers {Karl Lagerfeld and Tom Ford?  Sign me up!}, or Andrew Garfield and a model that could easily be a young Grace Coddington channeling 'Hansel and Gretel,' her images are nothing short of magical.  I hope you enjoy getting lost in the images as much as I do!

Images via {1} {2} {3} {4} {5} {6} {7} {8} {9} {10} {11} {12}

Art :: Abstract Landscapes

It's hard to believe, but these abstract images are actually ariel shots of streams flowing down Icelandic volcanoes. Photographer Andre Ermolaev has truly captured some of the more stunning images of nature's beauty, alive with motion and color, that I have seen in quite some time. Ermolaev explains, "Iceland is a wonderful country; I would even say that it is a true paradise for all the photo shooting-lovers. But what has become a real discovery for me is the bird’s eye view of the rivers flowing along the black volcanic sand.  It is an inexpressible combination of colors, lines, and patterns. The photo represents the mouth of the river falling into the ocean.  A little bit upstream there is a yellow-colored brook flowing into the river, but yellow currents fail to mix with the main water flow.  One can estimate the scale judging by the car tracks that are clearly seen on the black sand. This is just a river, just a volcano, just our planet."  Mind-blowing!

{Images via MyModernMet}