New Hasselblad

Photos © 2011 Ash Adams

Last Christmas, things were lean for the Adams' (I was in grad school, we were living in NYC, etc), and so we were budgeted to a $30 maximum for gifts. (I bought Brian a sweater from Urban Outfitters that he loves and still uses, he bought me several moleskins that I'm still using and loving.) So this year, without letting each other know that we were doing so, we both went big. (It has, after all, been a very big year for us as a couple!) In my opinion, Brian won the spend-off. He bought me one of the most amazing gifts I've ever received: my very own Hasselblad.

It should be noted that before I met Brian, I had about 10 years of photography experience under my belt, including classes throughout high school and college and participation in a couple of shows here and there. But as far as medium format was concerned, I had only ever worked with my Holga (a present from my sister in 2006). So for the past several years during our relationship, I've ventured away from my 35mm ways and have been seeing square images everywhere. In these moments, if I was feeling desperate enough, I'd grab Brian's Hasselblad and take the frame. (If you know Brian, you know that he always carries his Hasselblad, so to steal it even for a second usually gave me pause.) And so, a show I've been working on has been creeping toward completion. So. Slowly.

I say this to reiterate how perfect Brian's gift to me is: to me, it is a an act of supportive encouragement and a gift of freedom. I am now free to shoot as much as I like, whenever I like. And I have been. Oh, I have!

My apologies for the many many photos in this post; Brian and I have just returned from a vacationing week in Florida, so I had plenty of time to shoot it up! Happy holidays, everyone! More Hasselblad photos to come!