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The Uncommon Life

Instagram Challenge: HOLIDAY FUN

December 5, 2014

Instagram Challenge | Holiday Fun | #UGInstaFun | UncommonGoods

The next Instagram Challenge theme is HOLIDAY FUN! More than any other time of the year, I find great inspiration during the holiday season. In between the hectic days, I always make sure to pause and marvel at the little details that make this month so special. From the beautiful hanging lights and crafty decorations, to new takes on traditional recipes and DIY Secret Santa gifts, it’s easy to see all of the creativity and love that surrounds us during this time of the year. As cliché as it may sound, the holidays truly teach us the meaning behind the adage, “it’s the thought that counts.” Whether it’s hosting a holiday toy drive, or decorating the first Christmas tree in your new home, we want to see what this holiday season means to you! When sharing your photos, be sure to use the hashtag #UGInstafun for a chance to win a $50 gift card! Visit here to see all of the festive entries we’ve received so far.

From all of us at UncommonGoods, we wish you and your loved ones a happy holiday season!

 

 

Congrats to @shutterbugjj for winning our Thanksgiving Instagram Challenge with this holiday portrait of her unconditional love!

Instagram Challenge | Thanksgiving | #UGInstaFun | UncommonGoods

 

The Uncommon Life

Instagram Challenge: THANKSGIVING

November 20, 2014

Instagram Challenge | Thanksgiving | #UGInstaFun | UncommonGoods

The next Instagram Challenge theme is THANKSGIVING! The fourth Thursday of November may be one of the most hectic days of the year, but it’s also one of the happiest. Between the family reunions, parades, football games, cooking marathons, and eating marathons, this holiday remains so special because of its emphasis on sharing love and gratitude. Whether it’s your sacred sweet potato casserole, or your little ones gathering to watch The National Dog Show, we want to see the new memories you’re capturing this holiday season! When sharing your photos (not while feasting, of course), be sure to use the hashtag #UGInstafun for a chance to win a $50 gift card! Visit here to see all of the creative entries we’ve received so far.

From all of us at UncommonGoods, we wish you and your loved ones a Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Congrats to @penelope_piglet for winning our Furry Friends Instagram Challenge with this adorable shot of the doughnut queen!

Instagram Challenge Winner | Furry Friends | #UGInstaFun | UncommonGoods

 

The Uncommon Life

Instagram Challenge: FURRY FRIENDS

November 6, 2014

 

Instagram Challenge | Furry Friends | #UGInstaFun | UncommonGoods

The next Instagram Challenge theme is FURRY FRIENDS! It’s said that taking a break to gush over cute animals not only makes us happier, but also makes us more productive. We are totally on board with this theory! In fact, we love this idea so much that we think it’s time for Instagram to be infiltrated with a happiness overload. Whether it’s the pet you cuddle with all winter, or the deer that roam through your backyard, we want to see your cutest animals shots!  When sharing your photos, be sure to use the hashtag #UGInstafun for a chance to win a $50 gift card! Visit here to see all of the creative entries we’ve received so far!

 

Instagram Challenge | Furry Friends | #UGInstaFun | UncommonGoods

 

Congrats to @citybee for winning our Halloween Instagram Challenge with this shot of mini Michael moonwalking out of preschool!

Instagram Challenge | Halloween | #UGInstaFun | UncommonGoods

The Uncommon Life

Instagram Challenge: Halloween

October 12, 2014

 

Instagram Challenge | Halloween | #UGInstaFun | UncommonGoods

The next Instagram Challenge theme is HALLOWEEN! What we cherish most about this beloved holiday is that it celebrates imagination. October 31 is the only day where we can collectively leap out of our comfort zones and let our creative juices flow. Whether it’s candy-filled scary movie marathons, or the DIY costume you’ve been working on for weeks, we want to see what you love about Halloween! When sharing your photos, be sure to use the hashtag #UGInstafun for a chance to win a $50 gift card! Visit here to see all of the creative entries we’ve received so far!

 

Congrats to @bossthefrenchbulldog for winning our Autumn Instagram Challenge with this adorable shot that we can’t stop looking at.

Instagram Challenge Winner | Autumn | #UGInstaFun | UncommonGoods

 

The Uncommon Life

Instagram Challenge: Autumn

September 24, 2014

Instagram Challenge | Autumn | #UGInstaFun | UncommonGoods

The next Instagram Challenge theme is AUTUMN! Nothing triggers my nostalgia quite like autumn. Maybe it’s because the leaves are on the brink of change, or because Halloween season is upon us, but there is an uncanny energy accompanying the first days of this season. That familiar cold bite in the air makes me pine for beautiful fallen leaves, cozy scarves, and all things pumpkin flavored! We want to see what this special season means to you! When sharing your photos, be sure to use the hashtag #UGInstafun for a chance to win a $50 gift card! Visit here to see all of the creative entries we’ve received so far.

 

Congrats to @gran0lachic for winning our Bicycle Instagram Challenge with this lovely snapshot!

Instagram Challenge Winner | Bicycles | #UGInstaFun | UncommonGoods

Design

What Does Photography Mean to These 3 Photographers?

September 18, 2014

Photography Challenge | UncommonGoods

We’re excited to say that the eight semifinalists are chosen for our very first Photography Challenge! Cast in your votes and comment on the photos you think deserves to win $500 and should be added into our uncommon assortment! Keep in mind that you’re able to vote for more than one photo.  The four top voted photographs will be judged by our four wonderful guest judges, and they will decide on the grand prize winner!

Because this is a new type of contest for us, we wanted to get inside the heads of our guest judges and speak about the exciting world of photography. The guest judging panel are three professional photographers and our art buyer: Ashley Davis, Mark Weinberg, Emily Dryden, and Katy Loeb. We decided to throw a few questions at them and, and with no surprise, they threw some amazing responses right back! Check out the Q+A below and let us know what photography means to you in the comments section.

 

Photography Challenge | Guest Judge | UncommonGoods

Ashley Davis | Photographer  

“I love that I can get behind my lens, take a photograph, and turn it into something magical for people to love and want to have for their own.”

If money was no object, what type of photography project would you like to organize?
I work with physically and mentally disabled children, so I would love to run a program where we’d be able to purchase a few cameras for these kids and teach them the beauty of photography. Although these children have faced a lot of adversity in their young lives, they mostly have such an incredible outlook on life and I know that would show through in their artwork.

Which website should every photographer know about?
CreativeMarket.com. It is run by creatives, for creatives. Whether you want to sell your stock images on the site for a little extra cash, or browse and purchase their immense photography resources such as overlays, presets, WordPress and website templates, and fonts – they have got what you need!

What do you love about photography?
I love that I can get behind my lens, take a photograph, and turn it into something magical for people to love and want to have for their own. What I love about photography in general is that there is the freedom to express oneself in so many different ways, and that there is such a broad definition of “photography” these days and the genres continue to expand. I am constantly finding new artists that I am falling in love with, and although the market is somewhat saturated, I don’t see that as a necessarily bad thing, but as a blessing that there is more talent to find and an occasion to rise to the challenge of standing out among the crowd of many as one of the greats.

 

Photography Challenge | Guest Judge | UncommonGoods

Mark Weinberg | Photographer

What makes a powerful photo? “Light.”

Who is your all-time favorite photographer?
I don’t have one. Here are a few: Michael Kenna for his ability to capture ordinary environments in a surreal way, Edward Burtynsky for his ability to find patterns in both man-made as well as natural environments, Henri Cartier-Bresson for his ability to capture a moment on film.

 If money was no object, what type of photography project would you like to organize?
I would love to do a large scale documentation of the US Postal System. Both the buildings and the employees. The architecture in post offices ranges from some of the most beautiful structures every completed in the USA to some of the most utilitarian. I’d love to interview employees and photograph them as well. I’d love hear what everyday life is like as well as the craziest thing they have ever seen in the mail.

What makes a powerful photo?
Light.

Photography Challenge | Guest Judge | UncommonGoods

 Emily Dryden | Photographer at UncommonGoods

   “[Images] should be able to draw the viewer into a different world or into a new story or emotion.”

What makes a powerful photo?
A powerful image is one that can keep you engaged the longest. The image should be able to draw the viewer into a different world or into a new story or emotion.

Which website should every photographer know about?
Aphotoeditor.com is a great website to discover new work and the learn about the business.

If you were able to take a photo of anything or anyone anywhere– what would you decide on?
I would like to shoot David Lynch have coffee in an old diner.

katy
Katy Loeb | Art Buyer for UncommonGoods

“[Photography] plays with memory, reality, and technology in a way that other mediums do not.”

What’s your favorite photograph?
This is a tough question! One of my very favorites would have to be Carrie Mae Weems’s series The Kitchen Table (1990), in which the artist records a fraction of the many activities, conversations, and emotions that make their way across her kitchen table.  Weems captures the complexity and nostalgia of such an ordinary space with reverence.

 What type of photographs are you hoping to add into your assortment?
My goal is to bring in a range of photography that will be both aesthetically pleasing in a home, but also evoke strong emotions from a viewer. I’m always attracted to works that could be conversation starters!

What does photography mean to you?
Photography, I believe, is perhaps the most nuanced form of visual art.  It plays with memory, reality, and technology in a way that other mediums do not. In that vein, photography for me has the power to evoke more powerful emotions and ideas than most other art forms.

Be sure to cast in your votes here for your favorite photographs that made it as semifinalists! The deadline for voting is at 11:59pm on September 23, 2014. The top 4 voted photos will move onto the next round and the guest judges will decide on one grand prize winner.  The winner will earn $500 and have a chance to be added into our assortment!

Photography Voting | UncommonGoods

The Uncommon Life

Instagram Challenge: Bicycles

September 11, 2014

Instagram Challenge | Bicycles | #UGInstaFun | UncommonGoods

The next Instagram Challenge theme is Bicycles! I think it’s safe to say we’re all a big fan of anything that benefits our world and the people who we share it with. Biking is not only healthy for people and the planet, but it’s also a fun way to get around! There’s nothing better than pedaling around on a beautiful day while the wind whips through your hair. Whether you bike to work every morning or cruise along the beach on the weekends, we want to see your best bicycle shots. When sharing your photos, be sure to use the hashtag #UGInstaFun for a chance to win a $50 gift card! Visit here to see all of the creative entries we’ve received so far.


 

The Uncommon Life

Instagram Challenge: ACTIVE FUN

August 14, 2014

ActiveFun_SquareThe next Instagram Challenge theme is ACTIVE FUN.  These days, it may take a bit of convincing to get offline, step out, and jump around — but I think most of us can agree once we’re moving, it can often be the highlight of our day.  Not only does it implement long term health, but positive vibes tend to shadow us while experiencing a form of exercise that we enjoy. Some of us need that heavy adrenaline rush, while others need to find the serenity in their daily yoga class.  Whether it’s taking a stroll around your neighborhood block or skydiving in an exotic country, show us how you move!  When sharing your photos, be sure to use the hashtag #UGInstafun for a chance to win a $50 gift card! Visit here to see all of the energetic entries we’ve received so far. #WhatKeepsYouMoving? 

 

Congrats to @toyker for winning our WANDERLUST Instagram Challenge with this beautiful Georgetown, Malaysia shot!

Instagram Challenge Winner | Wanderlust