This Kentucky Girl goes to...

Jay's home (and guesthouse) in Seoul, Korea

2012-02-06T09:00:00.003+09:00

Jay opened up a guesthouse near Hapjeong right before Christmas. Since opening the guesthouse, he not only works there, but lives there as well. Despite being in the middle of Korea, it felt very much like a western home. However, the Korean touches were still very much apparent through the slippers at the front door, drying racks scattered throughout, and the oriental art that Jay is collecting slowly and hanging up on the walls. There for less than an hour, it was obvious what a good host he is as he helped out his guests on their way out or invited them out to lunch with him. Shameless plug: stay here if you're visiting Seoul for a weekend!

Sangsu Station in Seoul, Korea

2012-02-05T09:00:00.003+09:00

Check out Charlie's narrative and more pictures at SeoulSuburban.com!

Jyoung-Ah's home in Seoul, Korea

2012-01-30T08:42:00.002+09:00

Jyoung-Ah is a voice actress from Texas, y'all. If you read nothing else, read this: her southern hospitality rivals any girl from Kentucky. She made me this huge plate of delicious (and I mean DELICIOUS) pasta, poured some wine, then coffee while we chatted (bonded) over everything from Top Chef to working with women. I left feeling like we have hung out much more than the mere two times we actually have. I hope this girl from Texas knows how to play some Hold 'Em because she's definitely invited to our next game, homemade pasta, wine, and coffee included! Thanks Jyoung-Ah for a really great shoot (the first image is my favorite) and a really lovely afternoon!

Gongdeok Station in Seoul, Korea

2012-01-29T09:00:00.000+09:00

Check out Charlie's narrative and more pictures at SeoulSuburban.com!

sculptor Jason Mehl's studio in Seoul, Korea

2012-01-25T09:00:00.001+09:00

I went to Jason Mehl's studio a few months ago to photograph him in his studio for an article about the Expat Art community in Seoul, Korea. I told him I was going to be experimenting with some videos in the future, and he was very open to letting me film him in his studio so I could practice later.

Later was today. It's not perfect, but I'm pretty pleased with this practice! Feedback is much appreciated (if you have any) good and bad. I'd like to keep videos in the series short. I'm told I should get in front of the camera a bit- which I'm going to try to do, even though I'm MUCH MUCH more comfortable behind the lens!

Here are some of the stills that I took for the article:

Steve and Johanne's home in Dongtan, Korea

2012-01-23T09:00:00.024+09:00

Can I just start this post by saying how much I love this first image? Mostly (obviously) because of Jo and how she is surveying the grilling going on. Jo and I met a couple of years ago at a magazine launch party. My Holga camera caught her eye, and we've been in touch ever since. Steve, also known as QiRanger to his blog followers, and I are both members of the Nanoomi network as well. Through my visit, I realized I've never had a loft apartment in Korea and I'm kinda jealous of theirs. I miss having a huge open window looking out over Korea. And Jo was obviously trying to seduce me with her drool worthy box of vintage cameras. We bonded. I now feel less weird for taking on average three different cameras with me on every trip! I could also totally relate to her when she admitted she wasn't used to being in front of the camera. She looks great though, and both her and Steve were the perfect hosts as they let me sneak into their routines when they're home.

If you're thirsting for more, take a video tour of their apartment that Steve made for his blog! For more of Steve's videos, head to qiranger.com, and for Jo's fabulous photography, head to johannemiller.com. Thanks Steve and Jo for opening up your clean home to me, for the delicious lunch, and lovely conversation!

Daehung Station in Seoul, Korea

2012-01-22T09:00:00.000+09:00

Check out Charlie's narrative and more pictures at SeoulSuburban.com!

Juliet's home in Seoul, Korea

2012-01-16T10:42:00.002+09:00

Juliet and I met modeling for a runway show this past Fall. (Doesn't that sound fancy?) Since then, I've realized those into the arts (Juliet is into theater and painting) are way more inclined to agree to opening up their home for a photo project. For that, I am SO thankful. My favorite parts of her apartment were the purple couch and upside down LOVE pillow, the artwork she has salvaged from the side of the road in Haebongcheon, and her slightly-tipsy-from-the-night-before friend, Joseph, who seemed to appear out of nowhere wrapped up in a pink blanket and not much else on. (He. was. hilarious.)

Aeogae Station in Seoul, Korea

2012-01-15T09:00:00.000+09:00

Check out Charlie's narrative and more pictures at SeoulSuburban.com!

Jane's home in Seoul, Korea

2012-01-09T09:00:00.003+09:00

Jane is a super talented performance artist and a trained vocal actress. She opened up her lovely (and very spacious!) home for this project two months ago. I was most impressed by her paintings (if I remember correctly- all self portraits) hung up throughout her apartment. Seriously, all I wanted to do when I left her apartment was go home and break out my own dusty set of paint and brushes.

I was also struck by this American diner menu on her refrigerator. What everyone (I should say expats) puts on their fridges has become one of my favorite things about this project. Most of the time it's what reminds us of home. (Me very much included) I think it's another small window into each person, and their experience of living abroad, and sometimes missing home.

Jane was brave enough to let me photograph her bedroom. I got some really great shots, that my computer unfortunately did not want me to keep. It's on its last leg (my computer) and I've been cramming a lot of projects on it at once. I cannot thank Jane enough for this photo shoot, and I feel terrible that my computer & my ambitious uploading lost the second (my favorite) portion of the shoot.

Jamsil Station in Seoul, Korea

2012-01-08T09:00:00.000+09:00

Check out Charlie's narrative and more pictures at SeoulSuburban.com!

Rick, Joo-Young, and Baby J's home in Anyang, Korea

2012-01-02T09:00:00.016+09:00

Rick is my oldest friend in Korea. They invited us (me and Andrew, whom they are laughing at in the picture above) over for dinner. I warned them I was going to take advantage and; photograph them, and their home for this project. It wasn't long before Christmas, and Rick went ALL OUT on the decorations. Despite being in Anyang, a suburb of Seoul, Korea it felt very much like any suburb in America. Cooking is his new thing and it suits him perfectly because the chicken was Ah-mazing. Joo was incredibly sweet to indulge us in a visit while she was 8 months pregnant. (THANK YOU!) Baby J was adorably feisty- don't let her innocent looks fool you! We had a great time, and I can only hope all of my shoots are this successful.

Jongno3ga Station in Seoul, Korea

2012-01-01T09:00:00.001+09:00

Check out Charlie's narrative and more pictures at SeoulSuburban.com!

the expat apartment project: Mary

2011-12-25T17:50:00.000+09:00

Since we get off early during our summer camp session... I didn't think it was a big deal to trek down to a suburb of Osan to photograph Mary in her apartment. (I had a book. And even though I often think Line 1 is the absolute worst... it does make for some good people watching.) Mary's apartment is super chic- and she has been the only one to truly pile clothes on her bed and try on outfits for a night out. Unfortunately I was unaware of how quickly my camera sensor was dying. We took a TON of shots, but these are the only ones I could save.

the expat apartment project: Evan & Kate

2011-12-25T17:48:00.000+09:00

Evan and Kate are friends with Monica, who is friends with Gwen, who is my friend. Part of me doesn't want to stop this project for the sheer fun of meeting new (very open & friendly) expats in Korea. Evan and Kate's apartment overlooks a fairly big park right outside. They insist they spend a lot of time looking out the window at everyone below. I joined them. And it is indeed fairly entertaining.

Their dog was my favorite part of their apartment. I tried to steal him, but he was more interested in his snack than coming with me... You can read more about Evan & Kate on their blog: Plate Full of Onions. (I love. the title. btw)

the expat apartment project: Monica

2011-12-25T17:47:00.000+09:00

Another friend of a friend, Monica graciously opened her doors to me and had coffee ready! We were just chatting when she hopped up on her counter for a seat. I told her not to move while I snapped a few. Even though her face is hidden, I almost like the one of her drinking coffee out of a jar more than her smiling- just because it is so natural.

I love love love this one of her buried in her bed watching tv.

I got pretty intimate with her bed to take these photos. My wide-angle lens is pretty fantastic, but I would have liked to get a little bit wider so the whole yoga mat and her shelves fit in the frame.

the expat apartment project: Ben & Christina

2011-12-25T17:43:00.000+09:00

Ben & Christina volunteered for the project after our mutual friend, Gwen put us in touch. I'm so glad she did, because not only were they both so much fun to photograph, I had a really great time chatting, and Ben makes an amazing cup of coffee:

While Ben graciously made coffee, Christina read in their beautiful bedroom. As she predicted, Christina roped Ben into her art project:

It was impressive how peaceful it was out on their balcony.

I know, I know Ben is not in focus, but how fun is Christina laughing:"We do headstands together..." they suggested when I asked if there was anything else they do in their apartment. Of course, I had to get a shot of that! Unfortunately, my camera started acting up again and this was the best (if slightly soft) image I got. So, just in case you haven't gathered from these images,
Ben & Christina are awesome and I hope to hang out with them again soon.
And after seeing their fabulous apartment, I'm seriously contemplating moving into their neighborhood come August.

the expat apartment project: Anthony

2011-12-25T17:40:00.000+09:00

aka Tony. my project partner in crime: I must have been testing the light or something when I took this shot, and despite it being soft and Tony lookin' like a ghost it's my favorite. Even though this was an accidental shot, homeboy always moved on me.

You would think he'd know better...
but noooo...

I'm not usually down to have so much of the bed taking up space like in this shot, but something about it is cool. Maybe it's how ridiculously long his legs look...

I was hoping for this angle below to work out, but something about it just isn't for me. It feels too "clinical" I'm not sure if that makes sense- but it's the only word I can come up with right now after an intense dance class & a long day.

Shout out to Ting, his lovely girlfriend (and my friend) for providing me lunch after a day spent in the rain hauling camera gear around town. That was so lovely of her.

the expat apartment project: Heather

2011-12-25T17:38:00.000+09:00

Oh hello brand new (to me) wide angle lens!

This was one of the first shots I took of Heather, and I love it:

I thought I was going to love this image of her the most- but I put the focus on her face/the book, which now was stupid because I wasn't thinking of her feet, which ended up being soft. I also don't like that you can't see her face at all. First one wins. -for me at least.

the expat apartment project: Gwen

2011-12-25T17:35:00.001+09:00

This first image is probably my favorite. I got a new wider lens two days after shooting Gwen, and with the angles in her apartment I would have been able to do more with my new lens...
Gwen was going to do some yoga for me, but then she started telling me about this nose cleaner... and was brave enough to let me get some photos of her using it:

again, my new lens would have been great to use in her narrow entryway/kitchen area, but this angle helps a little to see the tube/process a little bit more.

the expat apartment project: Rasheeda

2011-12-25T17:35:00.000+09:00

I had to include the ones of Rasheeda looking at me and smiling. So cute.
Not sure which is my favorite, probably the ones of her doing her nails.

the expat apartment project: Marius

2011-12-25T17:34:00.000+09:00

Obviously there is a trend with us expats. on our beds. with a computer or a book. When your bed takes up the majority of your apartment- most activities revolve around it. on it. next to it. You get the idea.

This shot was totally accidental, but for some reason I love it. It might be my favorite. Maybe it's the shirt, or the second I caught him not paying attention to me at all, or maybe the hand... Whatever it is, I like it:

I also like the canned tomatoes, soap, gin, blender... all on one shelf. My shelves are oh so much the same. (minus the gin, plus a bottle of Carlos Rossi. probably.)

the expat apartment project: Leila

2011-12-25T17:30:00.000+09:00

I shot Leila's apartment right after Lori's. So, I was losing a lot of light. fast. I LOVE Leila's big window (similar to Lori's) but some of the reflections (like the ones of me in the shot) simply didn't work. Leila was a little nervous to be in front of the camera, and I teased her that I would have two posts for her. One post would feature the shots of her smiling, looking straight into the camera like she was posing at Disney World and one would feature the more natural shots that I was going for. (My reflection in the cheesy shots saved you Leila!)

This was the very last frame I took. It is my favorite.
I think I fooled her into thinking I wasn't paying any attention to her.

the expat apartment project: Lori

2011-12-25T17:25:00.000+09:00

Although it's been almost a year since I lived just one floor below Lori, her apartment was just as inviting as it was many months ago when we would watch bad television or eat late night cheese ramen together. I don't exactly miss Bucheon, but I do miss living one floor below this girl:

Now that you've seen where she lives, and what she does there...
you can read more about Lori here.

the expat apartment project: Richard & Emily

2011-12-25T17:23:00.000+09:00

"You HAVE to try this apple beer while you're here!" Emily insisted. after not only did they open their home for me to photograph, but Richard waited to start cooking for me to get there. the beer, & shoot went so well, I was late for my own dinner!

They did their own thing, while I trailed around behind with my camera. I like this one of Emily doing the laundry quite a bit. It's very 1950s housewife, even though Richard was cooking the entire time I was over.

North Korean soju bottle on top of all those dvds.

They say they don't normally eat off of a marble slab,
but I'm not so sure I believe them...

the expat apartment project: Ashley

2011-12-25T17:22:00.000+09:00

I was a little restricted with my 35 mm lens.
(The lens I really want is pricey. to say the least.)
I tried to make do:

I always like seeing what people put up on their walls.
Ashley painted this super cool Buddha, but I apparently couldn't get the light quite right in the picture(s) I took. Sorry Ashley!

the expat apartment project: Claire

2011-12-25T17:20:00.000+09:00

I love Claire's apartment. I always have. It has more of a retro softness to it than the usual Korean officetel hardness that is the norm for English teachers. It doesn't hurt that she spends her time at home cuddling her cat and knitting. Which made this photo shoot super easy:

This is why I usually shoot without a flash:

I'm so annoyed at myself that I cut off part of this lomo lens:

But suuuuper pleased with this shot. (I saved the best for last) Claire and Mikey are getting married in August (yes, he's seen the dress already so stop freaking out over me posting it) and she just LIT UP when she pulled out her dress to show me.

the expat apartment project: Simon & Martina

2011-12-25T17:17:00.000+09:00

Yep, the Simon & Martina of www.eatyourkimchi.com!

after photographing them, I kinda wished I would have shown up to their apartment while they were taping each other, but I think this works:

complete with Spudgie play-time:

it was the night before Martina's birthday party, so following my rules of doing what they would normally, I caught them concocting some birthday shots:

I thought Martina's photobooth sticker-ed eye-shadow case was very cutesy.

the expat apartment project: Leigh

2011-12-25T17:15:00.000+09:00

"You should get a shot of this!" Leigh jumped up to answer the door. It's not the best, and the lighting in her kitchen area (around 9 pm) definitely didn't help,
but I still like Leigh in her kitchen, mixing a drink & sneaking into her stash of cigarettes.

but not as much as I like the bathroom shots. Not many expats are lucky enough
to have a bathtub. So of course, I made Leigh climb into hers.
and didn't mind at all when she started laughing:

the expat apartment project: Matt

2011-12-25T17:13:00.000+09:00

this one above is probably my favorite. probably.

the expat apartment project: Andrew

2011-12-25T17:12:00.000+09:00

the expat apartment project: Casey

2011-12-25T17:11:00.000+09:00

Some turned out a little soft, but I just loved
Casey-the-cat's poses so much, I had to throw them up on the blog.
She must've been a cat model in one of her previous lives:

as much as Casey disagrees, this one is my favorite:

the expat apartment project: Kaylan

2011-12-25T17:10:00.000+09:00

After a motorcycle lesson, we had some time to kill so decided to grab some dinner. Which meant stopping by Kaylan's apartment. Which meant me talking him into being photographed for the expat apartment project.
Kaylan: You want me to be natural? Should I take off my shirt? Because that's what I do when I'm home by myself.
me: Then take it off.

the expat apartment project: Aaron

2011-12-25T17:09:00.000+09:00

because I liked the wallpaper...

ok... I kinda loved the wallpaper.

Aaron lives in a dorm-like building. Living in "officetel" #3 myself, I was super intrigued by the shared kitchen space (complete with free rice) and the love motel-esque vacant check-in. I couldn't decide which images were my favorite, so I thought I would throw them all up here for now.

the expat apartment project: Jamie

2011-12-25T17:08:00.000+09:00

the expat apartment project: Charles, Angelique, Jay-O, James

2011-12-25T17:06:00.000+09:00