aesthetics & thoughts

Some Pack Film Favorites

2011-01-23T21:55:00.000-08:00

I used to shoot a lot of pack film, but last year, I was on a SX-70 kick! Hoping to bring it back into full stride this year. The first image is at Seatac Airport, shot with a Land 103 with expired ID-UV Film. It is a double exposure. The second is one of my all time favorites, shot back in Japan in 2007. I used a Colorpack II with 669 Film. The last three are all from 2010 in Japan, shot with a Land 103 using the Chocolate Film. The past few packs of Chocolate Film I've bought through Impossible Project have been a bust, but I am still a BIG supporter of buying film through them.

I was looking through some older shots, and I remembered that Fuji pack film exists. Doi, silly me. I really love their black & white film. I plan on buying a bundle of that and their FP 100C for my trip to SCOTLAND! I AM SO EXCITED!

I AM ALSO TRIPLE EXCITED THAT MY FRIENDS, STEFANIE & CHARLIE ARE COMING WITH JENNIE AND I! Okay, enough all caps for one post. I am looking forward to seeing some other friends in Europe as well as meeting new ones. I am overwhelmed with how much of a blessing it is to have an opportunity to illustrate and take photos for a children's book. My good friend Jennie is the author. Lots and lots of excitement! We will be making our trip in the middle of March. :)

Katie & David

2011-01-08T14:20:00.000-08:00

It was such a blessing to shoot Katie & David's wedding in Chattanooga, TN in November! Katie has such a huge heart for people and it was great to be a part of such a beautiful wedding. Congratulations!

Hans & Brittany's Wedding 10.09.10

2010-11-08T23:25:00.001-08:00

I have been really bad about keeping up with this blog. But here I am! This was from Brittany & Hans' wedding in Selah, WA. A very sweet couple and warm families.

It has been a busy few months for me. I just got back from shooting a wedding in Tennessee that my boyfriend was a groomsmen in and this weekend, I am shooting a wedding down in Portland!

In other news, my friend Jennie received a grant to write a book for children that I will be doing the photography & illustrations for! The best part about this is that WE'RE GOING TO SCOTLAND! We will be gone for a week in April, and this will most likely fall a day after I shoot my friend Erik & Jessi's wedding (which I am super excited about!).

Yay!

Aaron & Kit's Wedding 10.02.10

2010-11-08T23:06:00.001-08:00

Aaron & Kit's wedding in Pioneer Square was so much fun! We also got to shoot a lot of Polaroids!! Here is a link to some more from the wedding:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kitaaronwedding/sets/72157625149601601/detail/

Andrea & Jeremy Get Married!

2010-09-17T18:05:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of shooting a beautifulllll wedding up in Bellingham last month. It was such a warm & sunny day! Congratualtions, Andrea & Jeremy!

More from the wedding: http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreaandjeremyswedding/

Andrea & Jeremy

2010-08-24T17:23:00.001-07:00

Andrea & Jeremy's wedding was super cute! Just a few that a like so far.

Some ATZ Polaroid portraits.

2010-07-02T03:44:00.000-07:00

Babes. All over the place. In front of my camera.

Japan

2010-05-06T01:24:00.001-07:00

The last time I went to Japan before this trip last month was in 2007. I came home depressed and generally bummed out about Japan. I came home last week feeling the same way. I don't know exactly why that happens but it's been a lingering thought of mine. I can't completely wrap my head around it. It's a lot to do with their culture and how they raise you. What is respectable, what isn't, how society put such a heavy burden on kids, etc. I've been going through this weird Japanese-American identity crisis for the past 6 years or so. Having citizenship in both Japan & the US, I've thought about it a lot. Where can I draw the line? It's probably something I'll wrestle with for a long time.

Martha

2010-04-29T22:02:00.001-07:00

Martha. Seattle, WA. April 2010.

Polaroids

2010-04-14T02:15:00.001-07:00

2010-03-09T14:27:00.000-08:00

& Portland March 20-22 for Stefanie's 26th birthday.

I plan on going to Portland every month, though. Haha.

I've been really productive on my day off so far. I got one of the axels for my car fixed, oil change, scheduled a tour at Pratt Institute for their MLIS program when I'm in NYC, requested my transcripts from NCA & applied as a volunteer for King County Library. It's 2pm and I'm getting ready to go see my best friend who is home from NYC right now. Staying busy. As usual.

The Fall of Troy

2010-02-27T20:43:00.001-08:00

RIP The Fall of Troy 2002-2010.

It was a lot of good times. Going to high school with them, to seeing them get signed to Lujo, then to Equal Vision, seeing my point-and-shoot promo of them land in AP Magazine a couple times, taking thousands of photos at tons of shows, seeing them perform in several states, different festivals, being stuck on the freeway in a snow storm, Tim peeing on my tripod, Thomas hitting himself in the face with the mic, seeing all the guys play in their briefs on Halloween, the forums, all the t-shirt designs, Livejournal community posts, last-minute shows, "Thomas, why am I not on the guest list" calls standing in front of El Corazon, "Let's bet on how many songs it takes for Andrew to take off his shirt", "Timmmayyy", numerous close calls on getting trampled by a guitar or bass... it was all good times.

CameraLuv

2010-02-18T23:56:00.001-08:00

I woke up dreading the day because I had to go get my blood drawn for work on my day off. I was scared of having my blood taken, since it was my first time. Kind of funny because my of my legs are covered in tattoos. It wasn't too bad. My job has this preventative medicine program where they take a blood sample and it tells us where our health is at and what we can do to be healthy, etc. The program is free but if we don't enroll, we have to pay an extra $60 a month on our health insurance, so of course I did it.

OH. To get to the point of my post: I woke up and checked my email and saw that I was featured on cameraluv.com! I love getting emails and I also love when people enjoy my photography. So it brightened up my day. Also, it was an exceptionally beautiful day.

http://www.cameraluv.com/aya-sato-photography/

Winter always makes me go stir crazy. I can only stay in Seattle for so long before I need to go somewhere, anywhere. Usually, I end up in Portland. I have Japan to look forward to in April!

I've been beginning to think about travel plans lately. I would really like to go to Europe soon. Soon, like within the next 2 years. Spain, Italy, Scotland & England are at the top of my list.

If only someone would hire me for a destination wedding...

Nicholas Hance McElroy

2010-02-17T00:47:00.001-08:00

Originally uploaded by Nich Hance

Nicholas Hance captures beautiful, beautiful photographs. I've just been going back and forth through his Flickr stream and cannot get enough.

2010, Whatcha got?

2010-02-14T01:29:00.001-08:00

Martha
Originally uploaded by ayatsato

News!

April 22nd-26th I am going to Japan for my cousin's wedding. I haven't seen Toshiya for over... 7 years? I have three cousins. He is a little bit older than younger brother, but when I was in Japan in 2007, I didn't get to see him because he was working. As far as I am aware, he still works at a bread factory. I saw my two other cousins when I went back to visit back in 07. But I'm really excited to see my family again.

June 23rd-28th I will be going to NYC. For two very important things. One is for my best friend's birthday. Secondly, I am pretty sure I will be looking at Pratt Institute for my Masters in Art History & Library Science. It's something that I've been tossing around in my brain. I will be hitting the books soon to study for the GRE this summer. I hope to take the test this summer, apply in the winter and wait to see if I can get into their 2011 program. It's all really up in the air, because I am not confident I will score well enough on my GREs to get into Pratt. I haven't done any algebra since 2003... And I never took my SATs because I went to art school and got in with my portfolio. And who knows what other requirements I maybe missing.

Booking for weddings this year has begun and it's time to get a computer. I can't edit fast enough on my 6 year old PC! I'm looking into getting the 27" iMac. Should be a terrific upgrade.

Yosigo

2010-02-06T01:19:00.001-08:00

Originally uploaded by Yosigo

I've been following this guy's Flickr for a while. He has some beautiful landscape work. Absolutely love it. Really wonderful sense for space and a really nice palette of colors.

Soon...

2010-02-03T23:08:00.001-08:00

Shannon & I went to Portland over the weekend. I will report back soon with photos of our meals.

Shannon Adsero

2010-01-22T02:09:00.001-08:00

I had a great shoot with my good friend, Shannon on Sunday. We went to the Olympic Peninsula and explored a bit. It was nice to spend time in the woods.

2010-01-17T01:07:00.000-08:00

I am hoping to whip up more of these knot birds in the near future.

I also got a link up on my site for weddings. Yay! http://ayatsato.com/photography/weddings/

Phew.

2010-01-12T14:39:00.001-08:00

Artistic TZ Film//Sonar SX-70

Well, on Sunday night, my little car was broken into. They tried to steal it but had failed to so they took a number of things from my trunk. External hard drive, D70, iBook...

Now I'm in the process of gathering what I can and pick up where I can. Photographs, designs, animations, videos... Five years worth of memories.

I have such wonderful and supportive friends. I have a shoot on Thursday and a friend of mine is letting me shoot with his camera. A Canon! I've also made plans to have a shoot with my dear friend, Shannon Adsero on Sunday on the Olympic Peninsula. Rebuilding my portfolio for the new decade!

Welcome to the Future.

2010-01-06T02:12:00.000-08:00

It's already 2010, huh? 2009 flew by incredibly fast.

A couple of highlights of 2009 included multiple trips to THE CABIN, shooting Ashley & Sam's wedding:

the Polaroid I took of Kyle Johnson on Lens Blog of the NY Times, getting to see My Bloody Valentine & Sunny Day Real Estate, all the trips to Portland, having an amazing group of people that I've become close to at Mars Hill Church, leg tattoos, purchasing my professor's Hasselblad, three group art shows, and a trip to NYC.

There are a billion other great things of 2009. There were definitely some lows but it was a really amazing year in retrospective. From 2000-2009, my favorite years were 2004, 2007, and 2009. Looking back at my Livejournal in those years are the best. I'm not the best blogger. I'd say I just like to journal. I like to keep a record of things; mostly in photographic form.

I'm 23!

2009-08-28T00:10:00.001-07:00

It's interesting how much I've grown over the year, but somethings just don't change. I still stay up way too late, sleep too little, and take a ton of Polaroids.

Love.

2009-07-10T00:29:00.001-07:00

So many old faces & a few new ones! All great to photgraph, of course.

The set is above is from our cabin extravaganza weekend from a few weeks back.

It's been a whirlwind of events that have unfolded before our very own eyes.

The good ones always stick through, fortunately. I've been so blessed to have friends that have been with me consistently over the past 7 years & I'm blessed to have new friends that have made my life blossom into so much more. Times are strange right now, but I've got to keep my chin up and keep on moving forwards.

Fire.

2009-06-10T03:06:00.001-07:00

Kyle, Emily, Stefanie, Nick & I took a trip to the cabin last Tuesday.

Some of us are going back this Thursday + Portland friends! I feel super burnt out. I am not sure if it was the 2 weddings in a row, or just not being home 2 weekends in a row, but man. I do not want to shoot another digital photo for a while. I've burned through about 60 Polaroid shots over the span of 2 weeks.

I was thinking about this a few days ago. I would easily spend about $250 on film (multiple times a year) but I can't seem to bring myself to buy an iPod. Seriously? It's a mystery what goes on in my brain. I've been using my brother's shuffle and it's been working out so far, but there are definitely days where I want to listen to that one album I don't have on the shuffle.

Also, I got 2 libraries asking if I want an interview. Half tempted to just go interview. I wish I could just work at the library full time. It's really rough working at a paint store when you're tired. Working at the library tired was never a big problem. I don't know what the point of this post was. It's 3am, and I should get my 3 hours of sleep.

New friends.

2009-06-04T01:59:00.001-07:00

It's already half way through the year and it's been a really great year so far. I've met so many new faces. I think I am making up for living in Cleveland and not meeting anyone for a year. Ever since I bought film for the wedding, I have been shooting non-stop. One of my goals for the year was to start shooting black & white packfilm again. And I am so glad that I did. The Fuji FP-3000 rules. I can't wait to get a lens for my Hasselblad so I can shoot with it. Ahhhhh! Okay, I think it's time to rest. Get ready for a lot of Polaroids, soon.

2009-06-04T01:40:00.000-07:00

Here's a Polaroid from the wedding I shot! I hope that someday when I get married, I will have a good friend take my wedding photos in all Polaroids...

Fuck it! Part II

2009-06-01T02:48:00.000-07:00

On Friday, The New York Times blogged one of my Polaroids of KJ. That gives me some sort of street cred, right?

That was a sign of a good day to come. I went up to Custer, which is about 20 minutes north of Bellingham for my friends Ashley & Sam's wedding rehearsal. The wedding site blew my mind & I met so many great people. Friends helping friends out, bringing the wedding together is what it's all about. Shooting the wedding on Saturday went smoothly and well, the wedding ruled, of course! I will post photos soon!

Things rolling around in my head recently are topics in; moving, upgrading my technology, "getting in on it", sharing a brain, cabin time, Portland, Vancouver BC, NYC, snail mail, wishing I had a cat, ways to manifest more fun out of Seattle, and snacks.

Fuck it!

2009-05-26T20:09:00.001-07:00

I just want to hang out with my friends and have cook-outs all summer.

Updates updates. I should perhaps post more often...

Got a full-time job at a paint store, parted ways with Jesse, bought a Hasselblad, bought a shit ton of film, hangin/snackin with my friends in Wallingford pretty much every day, taking it slow, bought a ticket to NYC for October, art show in September & November, interning still for JesusBranded, designing coffee bags for Dan at Neptune, making up new jams in my head, and taking lots of photossss.

I've been meaning to gear up my brain for doing more illustrations again. Somewhere in between getting my job and taking photos, I lost my concentration. I gotta focus! So many projects are floating around in my head right now. I have this great installation piece I want to someday pursue, but for now I want to focus on combining my photography and illustration.

I'm such a mess lately, I feel like if I don't do everything RIGHT NOW, I'm going to forget about it or lose interest. I need to sort everything out & make lists.

4th month being home.

2009-03-18T15:25:00.000-07:00

I've been back in Washington for close to four months now. I am still unemployed, after several attempts at applying at really crappy jobs, mediocre jobs, and dream jobs. I've had little luck with only 3 interviews over the past few months. However, I have been having a TON of fun. Adventures, mini road trips, attending Mars Hill, going to shows, snacking, starting a band, drawing, nerding out and spending quality time with boy pictured above. He's the best, and I have the dumbest smile on my face right now. So, despite being jobless, broke, and living with my parents, I am pretty happy.

Here is the latest version of my resume. Someone out there has got to want to hire me.

Running In Circles.

2009-02-16T03:04:00.000-08:00

I've spent well over thousands and thousands of dollars on Polaroid film over the past 6 years that I have been shooting. Never in my 6 years have I been so excited for one type of film. This is Artistic TZ film, made for SX-70's. The results are beautiful. Are you seeing these colors?! Seriously. Sometimes, I feel completely ridiculous that I invest so much of my time and money into Polaroids. But usually, I feel complete. This is what I absolutely love to do. It brings me joy that I cannot explain. Whether it be instant 600 film, 779, Image, or any of the pack film, I love it, I want to shoot it all the time, every day, of my family, friends, and travels.

I love photography, in general. But I am not a technical shooter. I have no formal knowledge of studio lighting or fancy equipment. It makes me feel incompetent sometimes when a photographer speaks to me about all the gear they have. My digital set up consists of a Nikon D70 that I bought off of Craigslist that has gone through hell, but I mean, I bought the body for $170. I probably wouldn't have been able to afford a DSLR, otherwise. I have 2 lenses. A kit lens from the Nikon N75 and a 1.8 50mm. Both are low end lenses.

I don't give a shit though, really. I've always enjoyed making the most out of what I have. Story of my life. The first couple of photos I got published in Alternative Press Magazine were shot with Nikon Coolpix 3700. Isn't that hilarious? I showed photos for my BFA show. Which is funny because I majored in Graphic Design and Multimedia. But anyways, the Polaroids I had up in my BFA Thesis show were all shot in Japan with a Colorpack II. Which is this goofy looking plastic toy camera. But I love those shots.

If I could afford it, I would buy nice equipment and learn how to use strobes, etc. There is so much room for me to grow in photography. I just wish I had the opportunity to become familiar with it. Because I know I can do it. I know I have the eye for it.

And as much as I love graphic design, I don't think anyone wants to hire me or take the time to invest in me for my design and illustration work. I guess I am not as confident in my skills as a designer, due to lack of experience. I also have little web skills, which doesn't help my case at all. Print design is dying, and employers are looking for an all-in-one designer. I don't know. Maybe I don't know enough people in the industry to find what I'm looking for. But that's also the case with photography work. Then again, most photography work requires that you have studio photography experience... Which basically means that I'm a fine artist. That really doesn't comfort me at all.

There has got to be something out there for me. God. Where is my perfect job?

I should just go to cosmetology school, do hair & makeup on shoots, and work my way into doing fashion photography that way. That is so backwards but I'm into hair & makeup. It would be ideal to do hair, makeup, and the photography all by myself. That would rule.

So many things running through my head at 4am. I pray to God that the best path be revealed to me.

Now that I'm home;

2009-01-29T07:17:00.001-08:00

Bellevue, WA

Portland, OR

Forks, WA

Portland, OR

While looking for a job, I have just been hanging out, taking photos, and traveling the Pacific Northwest. 2009 has been treating me well so far. I just hope that 2009 comes bearing a solid job so I can pay off my student loans.

Moving back home.

2008-11-25T21:00:00.000-08:00

After over a year of living in Cleveland, I am moving back to Washington.

Back to looking for a job!! That is my least favorite part about moving.

Candid

2008-06-13T15:27:00.000-07:00

Candid shots are so much better. Updates, updates... I went to Chicago and NYC in the winter, I went to Seattle in February and did 5 sets of promos for bands, moved to Cleveland - I will be here for roughly 1 year and a half, and I got a job in real estate (I know).

Polaroid Love.

2007-10-05T21:59:00.000-07:00

I've mostly been shooting Polaroids now.

And I update my Flickr on a regular basis.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/imhungryforart/

I'm in Cleveland. I'm on a three month vacation.
I'm planning on going to NYC, Boston, and Chicago.
I will be coming back to Washington in January and
I hope to find a job when I return.

Art school.

2007-07-27T16:36:00.000-07:00

I have 2 more weeks of college left!
With that being said, I have a Graduation Show
coming up as well! Here is a flyer I made for it:

Yay! I'm really excited for my shows.
I'm going to have a lot of work up, both old & new.

Japan

2007-05-13T20:37:00.000-07:00

Polaroids from Japan.

Spring!

2007-04-02T22:45:00.000-07:00

Reidar

-I've been busy shooting a lot for bands lately.
-I helped Red Museum lay out their album artwork.
-The Fall of Troy are opening for Deftones!! I'm
proud of them. Their new album comes out May 1st.
-I'm going to Japan April 12th-29th to visit my family!
-I have 4 more months until I graduate!! Yay.
-I'm working with Portfolio VU now. Freelance design!
-Sling & Stones (one of the brands that is a part of
the company I intern for) got into Nordstroms!! I'm
shooting for Addison Crescent this Friday. Busy busy busy.
-Good Society (another brand at Stripes39) is going into
Urban Outfitters this fall!! A lot of exciting things are
happening at Stripes right now. I love interning there.

So yeah, I've been really busy. Spring always dumps a ton
of work on me but going to Japan will be really nice. I'll
get to shoot a ton of film & digital. And sleep. ^_^

Art show!

2007-02-25T06:56:00.000-08:00

Fruits.

2007-02-20T05:12:00.000-08:00

I got hit by a car when I was crossing the street on Sunday. I guess I was airborn after impact. I do remember being in the air. And I do remember landing on my left side. There were a bunch of witnesses. Thankfully and suprisingly, I didn't get hurt. My body is just sore. However, there was impact on my D70, which I got in November. I fixed it the best I could, but the shutter release button is still giving me problems. I have to press down on it with the right amount of pressure. But at least it works! Well, thank God I am in one piece. Everything will be alright. There were no tickets issued and no one is sueing anyone. I just want to move on with my life. Life is too short to worry about things like this.

I'm meeting with the photo agent today. I need something to pay the bills, ahhh. I don't want to apply at Kit's Camera yet. I don't want to work in the mall again. Looks like there are some page openings at couple of the Sno-Isle Libraries. I will probably apply again. Mill Creek Library should hire me!! I have close to two years of paging experience!! I like books! And people! What more do they need?! Haha.

Exciting.

2007-02-17T03:31:00.000-08:00

James | Northwest College of Art

A photography agent wants to meet with me on Tuesday. Neat!

Oregon Coast.

2007-02-09T18:48:00.000-08:00

I love the Oregon Coast! Arcadia Beach has a lot of memories.
Life is busy. A lot of projects inside & outside of school.

I graduate in 6 more months! That is crazy!! I'm so excited!

Bostonnnnn is still calling my name.

Hand-Eye

2007-01-23T00:56:00.000-08:00

I need to start drawing again.
I have been putting it off for too long.
My hand skills are becoming rusty.

I started reading "The Mind & Work of Paul Klee".
I've had it for over a year, and I'm just now starting
it. How silly! I still haven't read the natural history
of the palette, which I hear is really good! Oh man.
There are so many books I want to read/finish reading.

In a nutshell.

2007-01-21T23:20:00.000-08:00

I took this photo on Friday.
I feel like this represents my life right at this particular moment.

Portland.

2007-01-20T16:10:00.000-08:00

I really want to try the SX-70 Blend.
http://www.sx70blend.com/

Pairs.

2007-01-16T05:12:00.000-08:00

Polaroid SX-70 Model 2 | 600 film
Portland, Oregon
January 2007

Top cities I want to move to:
03. San Francisco
02. Portland
01. Boston

I want to publish a book of my Polaroids. I think my collection is going to hit 500 soon. I lost count after 400! Starving for Polaroids...

MFA

2007-01-13T10:02:00.000-08:00

Dynamic Media Institute at MassArt.

Dear Boston,
I like your schools.
Please accept my 2 BFAs that I'll get in August from NCA.

Love,
Aya.

Seattle

2007-01-12T18:58:00.000-08:00

I love Seattle at night.