I made these two images at the Michelle Bates’ workshop in May, the same day I made my award winning self-portrait : )  I seriously can’t wait until it rains again in Portland so I can continue some similar work!  Holgas and ee-motions!  I just can’t get enough.

There are a lot of feux-creative people running around with Holgas, Diana’s and iPhone feuxlaroids.  The author Hugh MacLeod says, “A fancy tool just gives the second-rater one more pillar to hide behind [...] which is why there are so many crappy photographers with state-of-the-art digital cameras.”

I say the same can be said for low-fidelity photography, that by using a Holga or posting your feuxlaroids to Facebook, you’re photography is inherently more creative and meaningful because of the medium.  Forget the message and the reality of life,  your photos are empty and so are you.  I mean that in the nicest possible way though, stop feuxin’ around and go create something!  Quit hiding behind pillars!

Holga Blog Photography Magazine notified me yesterday that I won third place in their annual self-portrait contest with the above photo.  I’m really competitive and I thought for sure I’d get first.  The guy that got first was the only one of the entrants I thought had a shot.  Uhg…  I hate losing more than anything and well, third place is still losing twice.

On the bright side, Holga Blog selected my image because it was “awesome” and made them smile.  Short of changing the world, what more could you ask for from your image?  Illicit an emotion from the viewer (that’s not nostalgia, Thank God!).

I do get some free SWAG from Four Corner Store, so if you need me this week you can find me anxiously waiting by the mail slot.

To view the other winners and some other entrants you can visit the Holga Blog’s post here.

I mentioned a few posts back my excitement and anticipation for this trash-the-dress.  Jessica and Michael were the first couple to select my “Holga Only” trash-the-dress package.  Those of you that followed the old blog know I’m a fan of the little plastic cameras, (The self-portrait on my “about” page was shot with a Holga).

My homegirl from my Vallarta days, San Pancho-based photographer Jillian Mitchell, helped out and I couldn’t have done it without her.  While I shot and kept the creative side going, Jill loaded and unloaded endless rolls of film, tallied shots, and kept track of the five Holgas in use.  (among other things!)

So check out the freakin’ Holgas below already!  They rock!  You can check out my first post of Jessica and Michael’s wedding photos, here. (18 Photos Total)

Settle the applause please.  Yes, the new blog is finally here!  Looks good, no?

You know what else looks good?  Me, in the above photo doing what I do best: working hard for my art.

Create what I want to create, say what I want to say, and live life the way I dream.

A wise man once put it like this:  Haters gonna hate.

Nate’s just gonna create.  (read more below)

No first post would be complete without a few heart-felt and genuine thank yous to the people who have been most supportive of my journey, dreams, and efforts over the last three years.

Obviously, my family, my mom and dad, and my two baby sisters.  I’m a Cordova first and a Broshot second.  I love you guys more than anything and I’m so glad we’ve grown to be as close as we are through the years.

BO, Reedee, and RJ.  Without booze, brainstorming, and a lot of snow, License To Still in name would not exist.

Thank you Elizabeth Lloyd for taking me under your wing for a hot minute, and by hot minute I mean two years in Mexico.  Daily I ask myself, “What would Beth do?”  Not always photographically related!  You’re a true mentor and role model!

Ed Fladung, yes, yes, yes.  You came in at a time of great need and turned this whole mess into something tangible and beautiful.

And lastly, Andrea, I really can’t thank you enough.  You asked the right questions and helped me look inward to realize a vision.

You guys are the best!