Hello! Enough depressing shit about work, it's Friday! Well, actually sometimes I have to work on the weekends too just to get everything done, but that doesn't matter. I go slower at the weekends, I feel it's my right.


I love the new system on SG right now (if you haven't heard about it you obviously live under a shell on a remote beach somewhere). The following set was sitting on my hard-drive for a good seven+ months doing nothing. The likelihood was that we'd never be able to submit it for one reason or another, but now you CAN see it, and if enough of you like it then we may even still get paid for it.

For sets like this one, though, the pay has never mattered to me. I shoot sets like this one not for work or to pay my bills but because the idea and the girl(s) involved inspire me. Of course, I would love for all shoots to be that way, but reality isn't that kind.

Have I talked it up enough? I hope so. Take a look at Punk Love. Featuring Malloreigh and Starla. They are two of my favourite girls and have been for years, to see them finally do a set together the result was bound to be beautiful.













Let me tell you a couple of stories about this one...

Just a day or two before we shot this Malloreigh was hit by a car while riding her bike. She was lucky in a sense and escaped with a black eye and some serious scrapes. A week or so after she left for her jaunt to NZ and Oz. We missed her here in Van but she's back now. Just a couple of weeks after this I had my own bike accident, if you remember back to last September around the 25th.

We photographed this out by the airport. There is some beautiful marshland around there and lots of people go there to watch the planes flying overhead. It's quite a magical place on the tail end of summer. It really is how it looks in the photos.

There are, unfortunately, a LOT of BC mosquitoes that I am allergic too, but all for a good cause, right?

While we were shooting a storm was coming in off the horizon. You can see it towards the tale end of the set. I adore late summer storms. There is something so raw and powerful about them.

I think Starla and Malloreigh look so amazing together, and ever since they spoke of shooting together I was excited to be the one to help capture that. Starla is now off in LA, and we miss her here too. Maybe she'll come back one day? Who knows...

Please be sure to take a look at the set and leave a note if you like it or want to tell Mall or Starla how amazing they are. I am very proud of this one, and I'm glad we could finally share it with everyone.

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I don't really have any other news because I am still spending most of every day stuck behind the computer. I have a very special visitor coming to stay next week that I'm extremely excited about. You'll find out soon enough.

Tonight is also the start of Season 4 of Battlestar Galactica I am SO excited that I am going over to Matthew's brother's house JUST so I can watch the teevee (which we don't have here). Seriously, I can't tell you how much I love that show. It's the best Science Fiction show ever, and that is quite some claim.

Edit: I am watching it right now and it's SO GOOD. Go watch it. Get the DVDs. Seriously.

Okay, til next week... have a glorious weekend!!





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Oh and be sure to watch my videos if you haven't! They're worth it I promise.

http://suicidegirls.com/girls/Cherry/videos/

In 2007 I sent around 2500 emails from cherry@suicidegirls.com and cherryvega@gmail.com alone. I'm not even counting PMs on here, flickr, myspace, facebook or any of my personal email accounts. That is about 7 emails a day. This is pretty mind blowing considering:

a. I am really bad at replying to emails and I reckon at least 1/3 of people that write to me don't get a reply on their first attempts or ever.

b. I'm supposed to be a photographer and I don't think many people realise how much of the time we have to physically communicate with people.

c. I had a break from shooting for almost half of the year.

I suppose this shows in a way just how much of our jobs is spent answering emails. This of course doesn't count the time sorting through and reading emails (and not replying to a third. Ooops), reading PMs on websites etc. I could go on for hours.

I am also pretty sure I wrote twice that many emails in 2006 considering I photographed and travelled a lot more in that year. Not to mention from June 2007 I had moved out of the UK and no longer got 20+ emails a day about shooting sets and another 20+ emails a day about other work and nothing much at all.

All this and I really hate writing work emails. I can't explain. Having said that, I'd send an email before ever picking up the phone to talk to someone. Lame, hunh?

Okay, so I am really incredibly boring lately because I haven't been doing much except working pretty solidly. It feels like I've been physically glued to photoshop for a few weeks.

Be sure to watch my videos if you haven't already.

http://suicidegirls.com/girls/Cherry/videos/

I get so obsessed with things. It seems each month there is something new (and creative) that I'm obsessed with. How do I define being obsessed? Well, it's all I can think about before going to sleep at night and it often keeps me awake. I have tons more video ideas.




It's spring here now, so here is a rather boring (and obvious) photo of a blossom. It's REALLY huge. It was the size of my face and I am not kidding.

Despite the fact that it was so sunny and warm out today last week it snowed, I think I told you that in my last entry, though.

It's seemingly the time when I repeat myself so I'm leaving this here...

It's been a strange weekend. Yesterday it was snowing, hailing and raining down something rotten. It's back to being sunny again today. How does a city go from around 10C to -1C in just a few hours? I'll never understand. Vancouver is a bit strange like that. I'm guessing being at the base of the mountains and right on top of the sea would have something to do with it.

How English, talking about the weather.

It's been a busy week. I found it sort of stressful, I suppose.

Okay, something more interesting. Last night I made this...


(you can also see it bigger here)

This little film is made from over 1000 photos. It took me a couple of hours one lazy Sunday afternoon to shoot and 8-9 hours one cold and rainy night to edit.

Here are just 15 of those 1000+ photos:

Enjoy it...

http://suicidegirls.com/groups/Videographers+SG

Edit: Check out my new SG group! http://suicidegirls.com/groups/Videographers+SG

I made cookies earlier and finished just before a beautiful sunset. They're quite delicious...



Recipe:
for about 15 cookies.

1 1/3 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup non-hydrogenated margarine
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup demerara sugar
1 egg (or for vegan alternative use 1tblspoon corn starch 1/8 cup canola oil and 1/8 cup rice milk)
3/4 teaspoon almond extract
cinnamon sugar for finishing

1. cream sugar and margarine

2. add egg or egg replacer and flavouring.

3. slowly and gently add flour and baking soda.

4. roll into tablespoon sized balls, coat in cinnamon sugar and place on baking tray 2in apart. flatten slightly.

5. bake for 10 mins at 350F or 180C (gm 5)


I have to go to the dentist again which is a real pain in the bum because it's rather expensive here. It's likely to cost everything I've earned this month. I'm gutted. I am hoping I'll be able to set up some sort of payment plan for it. We still owe money for my medical bills from my bike accident too. I really hate money. It doesn't really get me down like it used to. It's just a little stressful. I just remind myself there are people that love me and that I have a place to live and food in my cupboards. I've had it much worse than this before, and others have it worse than that still.

More photos...


I'd really like to live in this building.



puddles, giant ones.



I love it when the sky conspires with the structures like this.


And because naked women are more interesting to a lot of you pervs...

http://suicidegirls.com/girls/Joseph/photos/fantasy+chopsticks/





Joseph is such a sweet human being. I shot this set the same day as her best friend's set which was sadly rejected last June. I really adored that set and both those girls too. It seems to have been over-looked by many members.

These photos are from that day, also. Courtesy of Joseph herself.


mmmm tea.



We were caught in a really terrible rain storm just before those shoots and I'm surprised none of us caught some kind of illness.

This next photo was also taken by Joseph the first time I met her.

I am hideously addicted to making little films. This next one I shot today on my Canon 20D. It's a digital SLR and it doesn't take video! It's all still frames edited together. Thank you imovie!

I hope you like it, it makes me so happy to watch. I just wanted to make something that would cheer people up on miserable days. The next time you're feeling blue, come watch my little film...

Okay, two entries in a day. I think I'm allowed on Cherry Day, right? Right!

I shot Sheila's set last summer when I first got to Vancouver. I was introduced to her by the charming miss Redmess and fell for her personality almost instantly. She is so fun and laid back. Not to mention a stunner. I have tons of photos of her from the few days I spent with them both! For now, just one that sums their friendship up:



Swooon.

So, go take a look at her set, I really love the atmosphere in it even if it took a long while to make it to the front page. It makes me so nostalgic for the summers here.

http://suicidegirls.com/girls/Sheila/photos/Southern+Belle/






Okay, and MY set. Thank you so much. I am seriously more overwhelmed than I even was on my last sets. I have a couple of messages and emails calling out the "travesty" of the low comments. But, as I tell all the girls I shoot: comment count shouldn't be important to you - it really is the quality of comments that is important to me. I'm seriously not the skinniest or hottest girl on here physically and I'm okay with that. I think I have a fairly pretty face and I try to make up for it in my own ways by being creative. So, thanks for your concern, but I don't mind!

made a special video for today. Take a look if you like...


Shooting sets on Film.

Basically what I said in the part I sped up (because I hate the way I sound on camera! ARGH):

I use a Contax G2 rangefinder and Kodak Portra 400NC for natural colours and open shadows. I always bump up the contrast and colour after scanning. Actually, it was a lot more nerdy and rubbish than this which is why I skip to the end. Caddy isn't an SG just yet, but watch out because I am convinced she will be soon.


To answer some opinions so far:

Hahahaha. Really? You think I was "that" uncomfortable with my body? I have no idea why you think that. If I was uncomfortable with how I am or I didn't like this set I would never have sent it in, believe me.

Really? Sorry about that. Tried to make it as clear as possible. It's a girl walking around taking photos!

I'm not sure about the babies... but you asked so nicely!

Erm... yeah, I dunno. I heard that Saturdays were kind of pants for set views. Maybe they just wanted to finish photographers week off with the longest running photographer after Missy and Sean? BAM! (hahahah)

Besides, there are a lot of photographers that are hotter than me that deserved the other spots. I'm cool with it.

(four years this month as a photographer! in case you missed that previously, everyone)

They really are the best little plastic cameras!

Nope, not dirty lenses. The idea for the set was to reflect the lo-fi quality that comes from a Holga. It is a plastic camera with plastic lenses and the quality is never 100% and the photos are always a little soft.

That's a good question, and I completely agree. I'm English though. Haha.

You get the award for cleaverest comment. Maybe!

Okay, you win.

Anonymous comments:

Hahahaha. Not really, I was undressing at 5.30pm just behind a main street in Scotland's capital. I assume this is referring to the fact I leave some clothes on. Oh well check out my other sets!

Set Tags

They were all really good until just now then I simultaneously get:

"boring"
"ugly"
"really bad"

etc. etc. Now on my other sets I've got fat and chubby etc. I can see that, it's cool. I'm not a skinny girl for sure. But ugly? Really? I think yer a bit jealous.

I also got

"quit your day job"

That could go both ways, but even though photography is my day job I'm going to stay positive and guess this person thinks I should quit whatever else I do to do photography. So thanks!

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I'll update this as I get more questions etc. I really appreciate how many of you are... well, appreciating this set.

Favourite pictures from my set are:









http://suicidegirls.com/girls/Cherry/photos/Holgagraphy/

Erm... at a loss for words!

I made a special video for today. Take a look if you like...


Shooting sets on Film.

I guess I am a bit of a nerd. Thanks for all the comments.

I slept in today for a change. I love Saturdays.

Last night was really strange. I have just realised that I completely forgot about a party I was supposed to go to. That is so rubbish.

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Edit: I really am blown away by the kindness of people on here and the sweet comments you leave. I suppose I was a bit worried because I'm not in my best physical shape in the set. Whatever, I guess it doesn't matter!

To answer some opinions so far:

Really? Sorry about that. Tried to make it as clear as possible. It's a girl walking around taking photos!

I'm not sure about the babies... but you asked so nicely!

Erm... yeah, I dunno. I heard that Saturdays were kind of pants for set views. Maybe they just wanted to finish photographers week off with the longest running photographer after Missy and Sean? BAM! (hahahah)

Besides, there are a lot of photographers that are hotter than me that deserved the other spots. I'm cool with it.

(four years this month as a photographer! in case you missed that previously, everyone)

They really are the best little plastic cameras!

Nope, not dirty lenses. The idea for the set was to reflect the lo-fi quality that comes from a Holga. It is a plastic camera with plastic lenses and the quality is never 100% and the photos are always a little soft.

That's a good question, and I completely agree. I'm English though. Haha.

You get the award for cleaverest comment. Maybe!

Anonymous comments:

Hahahaha. Not really, I was undressing at 5.30pm just behind a main street in Scotland's capital. I assume this is referring to the fact I leave some clothes on. Oh well check out my other sets!

Set Tags

They were all really good until just now then I simultaneously get:

"boring"
"ugly"
"really bad"

etc. etc. Now on my other sets I've got fat and chubby etc. I can see that, it's cool. I'm not a skinny girl for sure. But ugly? Really? I think yer a bit jealous.

I also got

"quit your day job"

That could go both ways, but even though photography is my day job I'm going to stay positive and guess this person thinks I should quit whatever else I do to do photography. So thanks!

------

I'll update this as I get more questions etc. I really appreciate how many of you are... well, appreciating this set.

This is a really messy journal entry.

I keep getting asked if I am going to be "featured" in this week's sets of SG photographers. All I can say is make sure you check out the site on Saturday. I know that not very many of you come by the site at the weekends, but it might be in your interest. If you can't get that hint, you'll never get any hints. Haha.

A Polaroid I took this week downtown:



There are many beautiful street murals in this city.

I am so fucking grumpy when I am hungry. Really, you don't want to know me when I'm like this. The smallest things piss me off.

On the plus side I just got back from hanging out and shooting a set for one of the sweetest most lovely girls I have met in a long time!

Did you see this? I know lots of you did but I bet some of you didn't!