Rachel Levin

I've known Rachel for a few years now. She's a personal image consultant, makes people's closets actually suit their needs and goals, knows everyone there is to know in fashion and apparel, and is LOVELY to spend time with, to boot.

We've been on shopping trips and had photoshoots together, all while giggling our butts off.

Rachel, thanks for your work and your love for your clients. Thanks especially for informing me that I've been wearing my clothes two sizes too big for years. What a world of difference...


Here are a few of my favorite images we've made together. 

Rachel Levin-44.jpg

For more info on Rachel, her upcoming workshops, and her services - sign up for her newsletter: The Mode.

Things To Do When You Are Brain-Splittingly Bored

Have a 5-minute conversation with a stranger

Do jumping jacks

Meditate

Sit outside in a well-populated area and tally people’s attributes; what colors are people wearing? How many people are wearing headphones? How many people are smiling?

Start a spontaneous, public dance party. If there’s no music make your own.

Cook a recipe you’ve never tried. Be vegan today.

Turn off all your devices with screens. Discover something in your space that’s more captivating than digital information.

Arrange small objects in a pattern that pleases you.

Give a friend advice (if they want it).

Practice whistling.

Communicate without speaking for an hour. No devices!

Spend an hour in a library.

Dye your hair. Get a piercing. Design a tattoo. (if you like it enough, go get tattooed)

Make a new friend but don’t exchange names. After 10 minutes ask for the 1st letter of their first name, then see if you can guess it in 3 tries (this is particularly fun on planes, trains, busses, etc.)

Stretch. Do yoga.

Write a song. Record it on someone’s voicemail or sing it live if they pick up.

Invent 3 questions more interesting than “How are you?” Ask 3 people all 3.

Give 10 people hugs (with their consent).

Hang out with someone under 10. Let them be the boss.

Ask someone on a date. Be totally fine with any answer.

Do math in your head. No paper or calculators.

Write/read poetry.

Eavesdrop (respectfully).

Eat something purple.

Pick up trash on the ground and take care of it.

Find a rooftop and howl at the sky. Feel that you’re simultaneously tiny and expansively loud.

Research the #1 hit songs from your birthday every year you’ve been alive. Listen to them all.

Doodle.

Take a walk and don’t step on any cracks.

Make up nonsense lyrics to a favorite song.

Call someone you love and ask how you can make their day better. Do what they say.

Use public transportation but get off at a totally unfamiliar stop or station. Explore.

Take 10 deep breaths.

Braid someone’s hair.

Ask the next person you see what they’re most excited about today. Celebrate whatever that is.

Discover that being bored is boring.

-LB

Sophie

 

Last week I met a woman named Sophie, and she mesmerized me. Her brain is sharp, her eyes piercing, yet soft. We decided to make images together. We found a raw space called The Woods Cooperative, and I brought along Aaron, who threw some incredible light around for us.

Sophie knows her body like no other person I've photographed. She moves incredibly, and comes off elegant and strong at once. We didn't have a particular goal in mind, but we danced effortlessly and made images for an hour and a half. Below are my favorites. 

(click on images to enlarge)

Sacred Space

Some of you know, and some don't - Neil and I got engaged on New Year's Eve : ] 
We've been together for almost 2 years, and living together for over 1. Conversations about marriage have been a part of our relationship since the beginning, and at midnight on 1/1/17 he shocked the hell out of me with a gorgeous ring and a request to get married. 
I said yes. Duh.

Discovering engagement is exciting. I feel we're connected in a new way - an elevated way. More adult. More mature. I know it doesn't mean anything inherently, but I can sense a shift.

Recently I've begun incorporating Lydia Time into my calendar. That means for 1 hour every day, I do whatever I want. Whatever comes to me, strikes me, inspires me. Some days it's drinking tea on the couch. Some days it's meditating. Some days it's cooking. Some days it's napping. Some days it's conversations on the phone with people I love. Sometimes it's all the above.

This morning, during Lydia time, Neil encouraged me to create a little "sacred Lydia space" in our home, so I made this: 

I sat for a few moments on the couch with my coffee, enjoying the new spot. 
Then I got up and made portraits of him.