Posted on June 12, 2011
Hubby and I had a fantastic time today meeting with a couple of ladies from Ohio Blogging Association the Wild Goose Creative. I was the lucky winner–I got to talk to them about the importance of photography in blogging [they were already doing it, but we all can stand to learn more, right? 
]. After talking theory we got to the fun part–hands on learning. After all, what fun would it be to take a photography class and not practice? And what is there better to practice on than each other?
First in the hot seat was Rachel of Hounds in the Kitchen [blog about food, gardening, and cooking], while we explored using natural light, setting right depth of field, ISO and shutter speed. I LOVED taking a few practice shots, while explaining the technicalities, and leading ladies out of shooting into Auto mode into the queen of it all–the Manual Mode!
I caught THE perfect moment of Rachel.
Don’t you love it? So much color and personality. And I love the intensity in her eyes! Read more
Posted on May 27, 2011
I recently got an issue of Express catalog in the mail. The moment I glanced at the cover I was nearly scared. The model’s make up was horrifying. There was so much pink on her eyelids and cheeks that it made her look like a vampire. All she needed is a couple of fangs on the sides and she would be set.
As I flipped through the catalog it looks like bad make up was the theme of it, rather than cute clothes. I scanned the the two images you see here, and it seems that scanning softened the look a bit, but in print the pink is overwhelming!
I know that modeling world is VERY far from the reality, but do the make up artists, or whoever directs the looks of the shoot, really think that someone is wearing that kind of make up out in public? I guess there might be a lost soul or two out there that would actually do it, but my advice to women and girls out there–DON’T! It looks scary. It looks unnatural. I wish that marketing agencies understood that they are trying to reach REAL people, so their models should look REAL too. Don’t you agree?
Here is another advice: If you are planning to have a professional shoot done, especially with me , wear make up that accentuates your beauty rather than takes away from it. You want images to be ageless and classic. Think Grace Kelly, think Audrey Hempburn. Their images are still an inspiration.
I personally LOVE photographing REAL women. They are BEAUTIFUL!
Posted on May 23, 2011
Not everyone believes in it, but I think that it is totally possible [and plausible] to be in love only once in your life. And who needs more than that after all, if we could manage it, right?!
I come from a family who is just that way–we chose one person and spend our entire lives loving him/her. My parents were married for over 50 years before my Dad passed on.
My hubby is certainly that once in a lifetime love for me. I had never loved anyone before him, and surely don’t plan to after [I pray to God there is no 'after']. See, even though “soul mates” idea is quite ambiguous, I do believe that once we are with the person we love we can develop such a deep connection that it can be classified as such. It is certainly true for me.
Hubby and I have been married for over 8 years now. We had heard our share of: “Wait until [fill in the blank], and then you won’t feel so much in love anymore.” Well, I am happy to report that I am actually more in love now than when I first “fell” in love. Certainly the romantic notion of being in love for the first time has changed, but the love we share now is deep, vast, tried and true. We love each other for who we truly are–no hiding places, no secrets. We have become so intertwined that neither one of us can imagine our life without the other.
Have you ever seen the movie “The Notebook”. The sweetest moment for me is at the very end, when both of the characters fall asleep and drift off from this world together. You might find it weird, but both, my love and I, can only dream of the same thing. See, I simply cannot imagine one day without him. The longest we have been apart was 3-4 days when he took the cycling trek to California, when we lived in Washington. Imagine how hard it was for me to even pretend to be normal. Yes, I was functional, but to be normal I have to have him around me.
He is my inspiration–for life and artistically; he is my muse; he is the wind in my sails. There are times when he can’t figure out how or why he inspires me, but it is quiet simple for me–it is just because HE IS. I don’t want to change him–I love him for everything he already has become. All I want to do is love him and be loved by him. That’s it. No music, no fanfares. Him being in my life, loving me, being caring and gentle giant that he is, is really more than enough to stay, live and be inspired.
He is my ONCE IN A LIFETIME LOVE.
Posted on May 19, 2011
Seems like it has been an eternity since my last post, and it has been. I just can’t believe that the time got away from me. I am still adjusting to life in Ohio a bit, but mostly I feel sane again.
My creative juices have not died, in fact, I will be recharging them tomorrow. I am shooting an engagement session of an amazingly handsome couple in Columbus, OH tomorrow. I can’t wait to share some sneak peaks with you next week.
I am also planning to do a very special shoot that I will blog about soon. It will be a model shoot, but my models will be every day beautiful people, like you. There will be an audition, so everyone local, who wants to have a few gorgeous shots done by me, can take part in this wonderful visual feast.
There will also be an amazing mini-session deal coming up very soon.
As for now, here is an image from a wedding I shot with an amazing photographer friend of mine, Jenica.
