My thoughts out loud.

I picked up my first digital camera a few years back, and my first film camera not too long ago. My love for photography grew more and more as my eyes opened to a different kind of view. Now that I have been shooting more of my personal photographs in black and white film, I have better understood myself at each click and every photo developed.

For those who know or may not know, my husband and I do commercial paid photoshoots as well. Little to none of it truly reflects our personal photography, but allows us to breathe and live photography whether it be “work” or every other minute of our day.

In the beginning, you couldn’t tell the difference between my commercial and personal photography. I have attempted a few times to try something different by ‘making’ a personal photoshoot happen, but in the end I was not fulfilled.

Since I began shooting in film, my focus has been my family and I. I have never felt so content with my photos until I saw my first film print. My eyes began to see everything in black and white, and this was not like doing a pre-planned photoshoot…instead I was shooting who I loved the most and each photo meant so much more.

The point of shooting my family is not for planned recognition or as props for interesting photos. In the end it is not how people see it, whether people love it, or if my name becomes known for it. I do not overly think about what I am about to take. I just keep my cameras near me at all times. Shooting, especially with children is the most honest photo you can get. Their reactions, expressions, and movements are real. They do not like to be posed, but to be open in their environment and that is just how I want to capture it.

The reason for this particularly long blog of thoughts, is to express myself in words. Incase my photos have not said enough, I wanted to allow you (the viewer/reader) into my world and my eyes. I have realized who and what I love to shoot the most (for my personal photographs) and this is what I am proud to show the world. Welcome to my personal photography, and welcome to our family album.

- Grace Mendoza
http://www.gracemendoza.com

As you may know, my husband and I are both photographers. Our lives revolve around photography, so our children are used to the cameras by now. Tristen and Avery are the most noticeable in the photo because that is exactly how they are in our daily lives – the centre of attention. On this day we were leaving the cottage, after a few days of relaxation out of the city. Last year we were at the cottage as a family of three, and this year we’ve added a fourth. Soon, our boys will be on the boat, fishing on their own. Can’t wait.

- Grace Mendoza
http://www.gracemendoza.com

At the time this photo was taken, my husband Chris and Tristen were fishing, while Avery and I spent some alone time inside the cottage. It was a long day of nothing. We relaxed, and enjoyed the great outdoors as a family. Everything felt perfect, and this was the best way I could express that feeling through a photo.

- Grace Mendoza
http://www.gracemendoza.com

There’s not much to say about the laundromat, other than we do laundry just like anyone else. The boys keep me company, and Tristen likes to help when he can. It hit me just how big Avery has become when he could sit on his own in the basket with Tristen. This is another moment when I realized that they’re only young for so long, and I appreciate even the simplest moments we share together.

- Grace Mendoza
http://www.gracemendoza.com

Meet Pooh Bear. Pooh Bear has been in our family since Tristen was born. This is Tristen’s security blanket/toy. When Tristen was a baby, it was the same size as him. He found much comfort with Pooh. It became normal to us to have Pooh around and in almost every picture. Now, at 3 years old he is not as attached 24/7 as he once was…but he still refers to Pooh Bear as his “best friend”. Our youngest – Avery, also has two toy blankets named Blue Bear and Moo Cow. I have a feeling they will be another addition to our family and our photos. They are no Pooh Bear, but it does its job just the same.

- Grace Mendoza
http://www.gracemendoza.com

My name is Grace Mendoza. I am the mother of two, and the wife of a loving and talented husband. I came a long way from the day I first met Chris. We simply met as a model and photographer, and the rest of it is history. My style of shooting has changed since I picked up my first camera. I went from vibrant colours, to shooting black and white film. Now, my primary subject is my own family. You will rarely see my face or just barely notice me in the background of my photos. The focus of my family/self portraits is our children, and documenting places we’ve been and the things that we do in the most realistic way captured. These may not be your typical family portraits, but this is how I view our lives now and this is how I want it to be remembered.

I am spontaneous and do not like to pre-plan a shoot. I enjoy not knowing what could happen, and pre-planning would just ruin that excitement, for me atleast. The locations and environments in which my photos are taken are all real and not recreated sets. This is it for my introduction, so I hope you enjoy reading/viewing my blogs and feel free to visit my personal website at http://www.gracemendoza.com.

- Grace Mendoza
http://www.gracemendoza.com