Flower power

Today I stood in the lobby of my apartment building, still sweating from my workout, hair pulled back in a wavy mess more resembling a nest than anything, when my fiance surprised me with flowers. It was at that moment I felt blessed....not solely on account of my extraordinary, constantly thoughtful, enormously loving partner in life, but for a lifetime of receiving flowers. My father set the bar relatively high when it comes to lavishing his daughter with trinkets of love and floral gestures. But today I was struck by the power a flower has to make a girl, even swathed in her sweaty gym clothes, feel like a lady.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

xo Lola Rain

Fast Pace

Lately, I've been moving through life pretty fast. Between school, work, family, friends, graduating and stepping into the real world, I have a lot on my plate. Where is the pause button?!

~Cupcake

Authentic Souls

My passion for photography originates in the overwhelming longing and admiration I feel for that which is authentic in life. It's quite difficult to experience this in an adult as their authenticity has been buried under layers of years and fears. What we get from other people is mostly a facade, especially when you put a camera in front of them. There is a certain anxiety most of us seem to feel as we hear that shutter open and close....what imperfection could be immortalized? What might I show that I'd rather keep a secret?

The rarity of authenticity is what drives my passion to uncover the truth, the beauty of life and the sacredness of all that is real. It's difficult to capture this in adults, although it's possible when they are lost in something they feel passionate about. But it's utterly palpable in children, which is why they are some of my favorite subjects. Their emotions are incredibly raw, their comfort in themselves is extraordinary and their energy is magnetic. They embody authenticity.

~Lola Rain

Public Figures

There's something uniquely fascinating about watching public figures in action. Not necessarily when they are "on," but the moments behind the scenes. I have never felt a line separating myself from those who live in the public eye so I don't experience a physical or psychological reaction to their presence. To me, they are only human beings and the fascinating part is simply observing how these individuals live in the space of "famous." It seems we have a skewed interpretation of what that means thanks to our media obsessed culture. But it's not the scandal or secrets I myself look to extract from my observations, it's the things that make us all the same that I am drawn toward.

~Lola Rain

Little Monsters

Lady Gaga calls her fans her Monsters. Now, this has nothing to do with Lady Gaga, I just LOVE her, but these two are little Monsters in training. Straight away little Gianni ran straight for the only puddle in the playground and began to stomp it in. His sister couldn't wait for the opportunity to join in. They both ended up in the soaking wet and couldn't have been happier. Oh the joy of children.

~Cupcake