A few months ago, I realized a couple things:

I didn't shoot enough (or ANY) personal projects
I wanted to get out of film photography what I love about digital: the storytelling aspect

After being inspired by my friend Anna Zajac's 20 Images project (she's awesome; go follow her!), I realized I needed to do something similar with film. I love film … the light, the colors, the way that it makes me slow down. BUT I haven't totally given up my security blanket of digital because, well, because digital photography seems safer to me for some reason. It seems much easier to take a ton of photos, look back and make sure you have enough good ones than to give yourself 16 chances (or one roll) to nail each frame. I'm not sure that "easier" is entirely true but it's what I've been telling myself.

I knew that to get over this and learn to use film the way it's meant to be used I needed to truly challenge myself. I love pretty pictures but I also love storytelling. I want to make sure I can tell a story in 32 frames … or 16 … or however many rolls of film I have. Two rolls of film seemed like a good place to start, thus Project Two Roll was born. I want to photograph passionate people creating, performing, living in front of my camera. I want to tell their story in 32 frames, with no security blanket to be seen!

I asked the lovely Heather of Fair Rarity Flowers to be my first subject and to create a floral arrangement (she chose a gorgeous, Valentine's Day-inspired bridal bouquet!) in front of my camera. I photographed her as she worked--and let me tell you, she is talented!--and attempted to get it all. Here's my first try at Project Two Roll ...

(Shot on Fuji 400h | Developed/Scanned by Richard Photo Lab)

Don't you wish you could carry that bouquet around all day?? I love the reds and pinks and all the draping. It's seriously gorgeous.

*Many thanks to Suzanne of Suzuran Photography for letting us use her bright, cheery studio for our shoot.

**I'm looking for new subjects for this little personal project of mine. If you'd like to collaborate on a creative, film, storytelling shoot, please e-mail me at lane@lanebaldwinphotography.com.

Rachel and Pat lived 10 minutes from each other in Cleveland but had to go all the way to Louisville, Ky., to meet. They were both attending the Kentucky Derby with mutual friends, and they said they don't know that they ever would have met back home. Crazy how life works sometimes, right?

These two are the real deal. I was crossing my fingers that they would book as soon as they left our first meeting! Rachel and Pat are so nice and funny and enjoy each other's company no matter what they're doing. Rachel was sweet enough to e-mail me after their engagement session thanking me for such a great time and giving them a date night. This girl is so selfless. Really, they made the session so fun for me and that is why I love this job. I get to work with unbelievable people that I would probably never get the chance to meet otherwise. Life is definitely full of beautiful surprises!

We started the evening at Huntington Beach in Bay Village. The light was bouncing in all kinds of pretty ways.