photography | Life on a Camera Strap

mod movement in West Texas

Posted on May 17, 2013 by mod Posted in mod Leave a comment

As you know, at mod we love taking part in our community and making a difference in our world as best we can. You’ve heard about our mod movement: a campaign of love, and you have seen what we have been able to do in Africa and are doing now in West Texas. We whole-heatedly believe that there is no greater joy than giving. With that said, we wanted to highlight another SUPER COOL organization that we feel should get a lot of spotlight!

We recently came across an organization appropriately named 100 Cameras Photogs – you will LOVE this group! This incredible charity, whose slogan is “Give Photography. Change a Community,” seeks to empower children to “create tangible change in their communities by teaching them to capture their lives through photography”. The photographs they take are sold and 100% of the purchases go to funding solutions to “local problems in the areas of education, lifeline supplies and health care needs”. Too cool, right?!

So far, this group has worked on 4 projects: South Sudan, New York City, Cuba, and India. They are currently working on organizing their fifth project, and would love your help! mod supports 100 Cameras and the passion they have for photography and the youth of our world. As photo-loving people are, creative understates this organizations idea to raise money for the needs of communities in such an artful and powerful way. Keep shining 100 Cameras!

South Sudan project photo shown above from 100 Cameras.

Through the Lens: Starr Petronella of Urban Flair Photography

Posted on May 1, 2013 by mod Posted in Featured Photographer 1 Comment

At mod, we are all about photography, so it’s no surprise most of our fans and customers ARE photographers! Since photographers are busy focusing on other people, we like to turn the spotlight around with a monthly feature here on our blog. The first of each month we focus on a photographer and what makes them click! This month we have a very special spotlight on Starr Petronella of Urban Flair Photography.

If you would like to be featured for “Through the Lens,” email us at madison@modstraps.com!

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Name: Starr Petronella

Company Name: Urban Flair Photography

Website: www.urbanflairphoto.com

Tell us how you got into photography: My mom was the first person to introduce me to picture taking with an old 35mm. She would take video at the family functions and she passed me the film camera. I’ve been hooked since, yet really started to pursue it as a career after my husband believed in me enough to buy me my first digital camera, a Canon 30D.

Define your photography style: I find beauty in all things decayed, broken, full of texture and falling apart. When I find an environment that gets me excited I love to put a client into it. I let the environment and lighting provide the impact of the images instead of many Photoshop actions.

Describe your favorite photo: My most favorite portrait was taken in an old abandoned paint factory. I did a photo shoot with a drag queen from Ru Paul’s Drag Race, Phoenix. There was this old metal box with 3 walls and was about 20 feet high and an open front. I put her in the box wearing a huge red tulle dress and used a strobe to create the only light source coming from above. It felt as though she were an individual trapped in a box, with some unknown force looking down upon her. She was truly a “Phoenix in a Box”.

Tell us your most memorable photography story: First off I feel the need to preface that I am a HUGE Urban Explorer. So a few summers back, on a hot Georgia summer day with the heat index over 100, a friend of mine and I went to find an old Abandoned Mental Hospital. We drove over 2 hours to the location in hopes we would find a way to get inside. After surveying the location and tucking our car in a church parking lot, we decided we were going to find a way in. We tried many entrances and finally, by pulling the door just so, we were able to get into the first building (no breaking and entering people, it was unlocked). It was almost as if the Urban Explorer Heavens opened up. I know that sounds so ridiculous, but the adrenaline rush and excitement of being somewhere that you probably shouldn’t be, and also not knowing what rests within this huge building, is just indescribable.

That day my friend and I were able to explore and daydream about all the patients and people who used to inhabit the building, all the while photographing the vacant rooms, decaying halls and relics left behind. My friend and I spent all day on the property and were even able to get into one more hospital building.

By the time we left we were one stinky, sweaty, elated, over-ecstatic mess. It was just like we went to the Urban Explorers Disney for the first time and we were just living off the high. It truly was a day I will always cherish.

I took some of my favorite photos to date at this location. I did go back 2 more times, but it wasn’t quite the same as the first. However, the last time I went I had a run in with the cops….but that is another story for another day. (Haha)

Are you an Early bird or Night owl? I am DEFINITELY a Night Owl, but once you have a child in Elementary school you are forced to switch around your schedule. Let’s just say for now I am a Night Owl in Early Bird’s clothing.

Who is your favorite photographer? There are many truly amazing photographers out there, but at the moment I am truly inspired by Sue Bryce and Kirsty Mitchell.

What’s the one camera/camera accessories that you can’t live without? I just purchased the Canon 5d Markiii, so that would have to be it.

mod movement 2: West Texas

Posted on April 26, 2013 by mod Posted in Bloggers, News, Uncategorized Leave a comment

s_t01_0RTXYQ9S Just over a week ago, bombs lit the streets of Boston as thousands of runners and spectators were physically, emotionally and mentally wounded, scarred, bruised and beaten down. Three innocent lives were taken. We mourn the losses, the wounds, and the broken hearts, and we are so grateful that the Nation has come together to help provide relief in this time of grief and loss.

Two days following the terror in Boston, a massive tragedy struck West Texas. A local fertilizer plant exploded, leaving 5 times the amount of casualties as Boston and over 200 people injured. This small town was left in shambles and the people devastated. The blast was so large that it also damaged 150 buildings, including three of West’s four schools, and over 75 homes. In fact, it was so powerful that it set off seismographs, registering as a 2.1 magnitude tremor. Not only were the city and schools demolished, but many people are now left without work.

With the hype of Boston, West Texas got a little lost in the shuffle. As fellow Texans, we want to help come to the aide of people in our state needing help, which is why we chose to pair up with Willie Nelson and many other generous peoples to focus our second mod movement on West. Willie will be donating proceeds from an upcoming concert to the town’s volunteer fire squad, and we at mod will be donating 10% of our sales from the month of May to this deserving cause.

s_t15_66943994 We urge all of you to spread the word and partner with us in love to help this town and its suffering people. Every small gift helps – and this month, so will every small purchase from mod. Thank you for being a part of the mod movement of love. We wouldn’t be able to bless the lives of others without you.

“Give freely to the world these gifts of love and compassion. Do not concern yourself with how much you receive in return, just know in your heart it will be returned.”
? Steve Maraboli

All photo credits can be found here: The Atlantic