Renee & Rob: Helping out with a Wedding

I got to help out my good friend Barrett Bailey on a wedding session he had back in the beginning of January. I haven't had the chance to work on a wedding for a year now, so it was good getting the practice I need for the one I booked for later this year. As joyful as weddings are, there was a seed of grief planted that day in my artistic soul. The knowledge of Barrett moving is daunting; to think I'm going to have to say good-bye to this wonderful, creative man right before he leaves plane-bound to Arizona.

I'm confident Barrett will not be good but GREAT over there and I wish him much business and support. But, out of the many photographers that I know, Barrett was the only one who would not only seek me out but be eager to take pictures with me - and I with him. Its either bad timing or my residence is out of range for most people, but none of these were a factor for Bear to simply get up and meet me for photoventures almost all the time (of course it also helps he lives just a few streets down from me!) It's just going to be hard not having a creative friend at just a phone call away anymore. It's hard to think before Bear, I only did solo work. Now, I don't think the transition will be as easy.

Barrett used my 5D Mark II while I danced behind him taking pictures with his T2i. What nostalgia! It made me miss my stolen T1i so much :(

Equipment Used:
Canon EOS Rebel T2i
Canon EF 24mm f/1.4 II USM
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM

Thank you for letting me tag along Bear and much luck to where ever you venture! Enjoy.

Barrett at work!

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This was our photographer in training. She followed us around with her point and shoot camera all day while she took tips and notes because she was completely fascinated by our purpose there. I hope she takes that passion for photos far into her life!

At The Barn

I played an awful lot with the sun with this set. I love light.

My best friend Gemma and I decided it's been too long since we've seen each other and arranged a get together. We hardly get to see each other as much as before since I live so far from her and she works 24/7, but it's always refreshing when we do manage to meet. Since Gemma bought her own horse after many years of saving money, we almost always spend our girl time at the barn her horse, Jewel, is currently staying in. When I first met Gemma's horse, I told her (as did her parents) that she was meant to be with this horse. Gemma's name means 'gem', and coincidentally the horse's name is Jewel. What do you think? It's been a while since I've gone outside and shot anything since my laptop broke. And although now I have a desktop computer, it feels like my motivation to save my 365 - that I'm already 2 weeks late of - died with my 15" Toshiba laptop. I'm pretty sure that I'm just going to start it all over again. Round 2, here we go. I don't think it helps that I'm a huge procrastinator and lazy, but I'm working on it. These last few days have been stressful enough, and I'm starting to doubt this New Year (doubt is never good). So, I'm going to do spontaneous things for the remaining days of this year to lift my spirits. I refuse to start this coming year with a frown or regret. Thank you for stopping by again. Have a wonderful night!

5/365

This is actually an old photo, I broke my own rules regarding my 365 already. But, what's art if you can't break some rules, amirite? Poorly taken, but one of my recent favorite pictures of him and I. My love for this man is indisputably the strongest and purest feeling I've ever felt, and it grows stronger everyday. Good news is I can now accomplish my 6th day in the planned fashion I wish for, and have plenty of time to edit! Not to mention be back on track with the pictures. One step at a time for me. But now to tackle the really hard part of today: What will I shoot?! I'll see you in a few, thank you for your patience! Toodles!

4/365: Embrace

Inspired by the work of Jason Seeley To feel safe in ones' arms I've wanted to try this concept out for a while now so I'm glad I finally got to! It took me a day of editing just because my computer is on a frenzy. Between crashes I managed to edit this to where I'm content with it. I just can't keep on this one, maybe when my computer gets better. Because at this rate I'll be editing it for another week. Well, I'm off to now edit todays' picture. Oh, joy. Goodnight, see you in a few.

Victoria & Daniel

I had the honor of photographing the engagement of my good and long friend Victoria with her newly-wed Husband, Daniel Rising. These two love birds are about as infatuated as amore can be. Shooting with the both of them reminded me of old love, talking to each other as if they've been together for 40 years. It was such a lovely, fun 'Save the Date' shoot; they had no problem at all being themselves together. It's like I didn't exist when I was behind the camera. I love seeing a couple so interested and fascinated by each other. I reminds me of my relationship. Love always comes to me in a warm feeling, so I'm happy I can finally photograph it now. Thank you for stopping by, and sweet dreams.

I find I edit a lot of my work while listening to Disney's UP soundtrack.

New Things

After three and a half years, I was able to save enough money to get the Canon EOS 5D Mark II!! *trumpets and chimes* I'm so excited. The Rebel T1i did wonders for me, but the possibilities the 5D will give me is like jumping into a bottomless pit. I got it about a month ago, I meant to post an update here on my blog, but my computer was sick, and it's a long, boring story. I'll just leave at this where I'm overwhelmed to finally have this camera and to be out and about putting it to good use. I got to see Gemma a few days ago, and meet her horse Jewel! We've been planning this meet for a while, but always had something in the way. So, I'm so happy I got to meet her new (and huge) baby horse. The owner had put her in the arena with another horse named Muse, and they became best friends instantly. Gemma tired grooming her and she was anxious to get back to the pasture with her new found friend. It was good to be around horses again, and I'm speaking for both of us when I say that. All of Gemma's hard work is slowly paying off and I'm so proud of her. Well, this was our day, finishing it off with a walk down a local trail. I'm glad Gemma came and picked me up. I am always surrounded by horses and beautiful, Floridian wilderness whenever she does. All these pictures are proving to be great practice too. I'm so happy to be editing regularly once more. I hope this time it can last.

I didn't do a very good job with this one. I added scratches to make it a little more creepy, but I could edit it any longer. Just looking at the spider made cringe and sent chills down my spine. Arachnophobia, what are you going to do?

Reharmonizing Kinship

I slept over my friend Dalila's house this weekend and what a weekend it was! I've been friends with this girl since she was 8, and every year we get older together it seems like our minds just get younger. There was no sleeping whatsoever (not much of a /sleep/ over) but we got all of the stuff we planned to do and more, including this mini-shoot. I can't believe Dalila has been in my life for more than 10 years. She is so special to me. The only two other people who matches me this perfectly are my lover and my sister. I can't begin to express how much this sleep over has moved my life to aspire great ideas. My mind is racing and filled with them now that I've spent some much needed and awaited time with my best friend. I can't wait for the next time (we're planning to do it again this following weekend~). There's not many pictures, unfortunately. I was paying all of my attention to the amount of SHIT we did till 7 in the morning and I didn't even think to pick up the camera and record all of our activities. I'm highly disappointed with the ISO problems the D70s has been giving me, but these will suffice. And at 6.1MP, I never really cared for megapixels until now. As Dalila feeds me with more inspiration, I cannot wait for Upgrade Day more than ever. Not to mention, I'm getting underwater casing for the 5D MK II I'm supposed to be getting really soon. I feel like I'm just going to live in her house and play in her pool until it gets cold. I've missed this girl and her house for a long time now. Well, I hope you enjoy them as much as I treasure them. Ciao!