Good morning

This is what it feels like on a good morning at home. I probably didn't leave Cronulla that day, or have my phone ring (much), or check my emails too often. It's not to say I laid in bed (or on the sand) all day and drunk too much tea (or wine) and watched movies and laughed til I cried...no I didn't do that, but I did wake up slow and some days that is all you need for it to be a good day. 

Photos: Rachel Kara in Cronulla with Canon AE-1 and Kodak Portra 400 

Kinfolk Gathering Sydney

1. Wabi-sabi (侘寂 ^? ) represents a comprehensive Japanese world view or aesthetic centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection. The aesthetic is sometimes described as one of beauty that is "imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete".

Was absolutely over the moon excited to be asked to photograph the second Kinfolk Gathering of 2014, a messy meal. Based on the concept of wabi sabi we entered in to a breezy, warm, light filled, textured, top floor space that had you wanting to take your shoes off from the get go - have a glass of wine, find a cushion, a new friend and really settle in...so that's exactly what everyone did. 

Thank you to the most beautiful hosts for ushering us into this kind of space and pace on a Saturday afternoon. For themes sake I'm sorry to say, it was perfect. 

HOST// Natalie Hayllar Eat Read Love / Jaclyn Carlson Blog Society / STYLING & BLOOMS // Lisa Madigan / FOOD // Marios Kitchen / VENUE // The Stables Retail Concept /  VIDEO // David Child / Kat Parker / GIFTS // Aesop / WINE // Cake Wines TABLEWARE // Ode Ceramics

Photos: Rachel Kara

Never forget

I never want to forget nights like this. A distinct youthfulness took charge as we walked aimlessly to the ocean, beers in hand (still novelty for me), laughing at everything and nothing all at once. It makes me feel dizzy with happiness. Cheap coastal motels with big views, terrible artworks, weird cleaning product smells, crisp sheets, individually wrapped Arnotts biccies devoured upon arrival. A thrice recommended Vietnamese restaurant was packed in this small town on a Friday night but takeaway eaten in the room went down better than we could have ever planned.

 Photos: Rachel Kara & Alex Tracey

the warmest colour

I found this collection a couple of weeks ago. It was a night where I could see a too busy week ahead, no creative projects, just demands and expectations and schedules and things that when laid out in front of me on a calendar in one big block make my heart a little panicky. I always come out more than fine the other end...it's just the prospect, the imagining, the guessing of chaotically briefed jobs with unknown clients that do it to me. So I went looking for joy in photos and unintentionally found myself plucking at any bit of yellow I could find. Once I started looking, it was everywhere! The juice cart, the womens electric yellow outfits walking through that light around the Time & Life building, the cabs (of course), our meal, my drink, the flowers of the night we watched jazz in the park as the sun set, the rich and almost dirty yellow walls of Navy in Soho, The Halal Guys, the flesh of a peach, Nathans, traffic lights, the subway and a joyful progression of a golden sunset over the river. 

My heart is happy now. 

Photos: Rachel Kara in New York City with Nikkormat FT2 and Kodak Portra 400