Update 4

Last week, I sat down and stared at my postcards for hours. While I loved the photographs, I realized they were missing something—intentional design and the distinct creative flair I try to bring to all my work. After some thought, I made the tough decision to scrap everything and start from the beginning.

I began by selecting the photographs I truly loved and created word maps to clarify what I wanted each postcard to express. Then came the most meaningful part: reflecting on the story behind each image—the road trips, the moments, and the memories tied to each shot.

Originally, I set out to capture summer in Rexburg. But as I revisited my work, I realized something about myself: I’m rarely in Rexburg during the summer. It’s the perfect season for road trips, with long weekends and snow-free highways. While I did enjoy concerts, hot tub parties, and BBQs at Porter Park, I ultimately decided to shift the focus of my project. I wanted it to be more personal—something that truly reflected me.

So I focused on photographing places within a ten-hour drive of Rexburg, making them ideal for student-friendly summer getaways. As a full-time student who also works, I wasn’t able to visit every favorite destination, but I still captured 20 photographs using my Canon EOS RP. Each image highlights a location worth exploring and offers a glimpse into the kind of summer adventure students can realistically enjoy.

My next step was to make the postcards feel more like me. To do that, I headed to a thrift store for inspiration. I found a piece of old lace, photographed it, and then transformed it in Photoshop before layering it onto one of my Teton postcards. I used random string I found in my apartment to create a checkered bow and experimented with some of my favorite font styles. For one of my Montana postcards, I spent hours on my iPad designing star elements—the most memorable part of that trip was the stargazing, and I wanted the design to reflect that.

I approached each postcard as a blend of things I love. In Lightroom, I edited the photographs to match the mood I wanted to convey. Some have a vintage look, while others are bold and bright to contrast with the surrounding design elements.

Overall, while it felt like starting from scratch, I was also completely re-energized. It was so rewarding to revisit the trips I’ve taken this semester and to reflect on all the beautiful places I’ve had the privilege to see.