Studio with a little sumthin sumthin

This week we learned all about studio lighting with a little Ambient light (daylight) thrown in. We were paired in to small groups first & then combined in to a bigger group. We also had to come up with a theme. Our small group came up with bullies & then for our big group we chose to beat up the nerds, so we thought...
Flash a little strobe; add a bit of daylight & just a schosh of sass & this is what you get.






P.S. Don’t be a bully, they’re not cool!!

Fun with Fish Eyes

Last week I rented a Sigma 8mm Fish eye lens from my school. Here are some of my favorites. They are so much fun!

Studio Round 3 & 4

I am having so much fun learning lighting & playing around in Studio. We learned about Reflection & Refraction on shiny metal & glass & we also started working with contemporary portraitures. I just can't believe this is my last week in Studio!! I am excited to move on but don’t you worry studio, I’m sure I’ll be seeing you again...

NAMASTÉ…

Yesterday was the first day since being in Montana that I was able to turn off my head, quiet the voices & just be. I had the pleasure of being taught Reiki I by Reiki Master Neil Chaput.
REIKI is a gentle, non-invasive healing method based on ancient practices of the laying-on of hands, which was systematized in Japan at the beginning of the 20th Century. In the Eastern view the body is regarded as a dynamic energy system & like many other healing modalities Reiki aims to restore the unimpeded flow of energy which is blocked or disturbed in some form by illness. Thus the natural healing processes of the body are activated & a state of deep relaxation is achieved in which healing on both physical & emotional levels can take place.
To feel the energy from others, learn about all the Chakras & to be a channel for energy to pass through was amazing. I have also been doing Self Reiki & feel much more balanced. I was so moved by it that I have signed up to learn Reiki II where I will learn more positions & be able to send Reiki distances. I would be more than happy to exchange Reiki with you if you are open to its possibilities.



“I honor the place in you in which the entire universe dwells. I honor the place in you which is of love, of truth, of light, & of peace. When you are in that place in you, & I am in that place in me, WE are one. “

"Real" men have beards!

Midterm Mission: Complete a slide show using 20 to 30 images that must show the viewer a theme.





What a great way to get me out on the streets, get comfortable with talking to strangers & try to develop some style. I had a lot of fun on the midterm & can definitely see this being a life long project. Overall everyone was pleased. There were some 'snapshot' photos but some other great photos that could stand on their own. I would say Midterm MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!


Song by "The Beards"

Today...This Moment!

You know that moment in life where you have an ‘Ah Ha’ moment? Some see it or hear it & just brush it off to the side & then there are a few of us who are open to it when it smacks us right in the face. Those of us that think, I must do something about it. We must take our life in to our own hands & embrace this new moment. Dare to live the life we want, to do the things that are often times scary & courageous. Changing the agreements you have made with yourself from when you were being molded by family, friends, religion, media, etc. is not that easy. Sometimes we crawl back to what we know; we go back to our habits & comfort zones.

Well I was beaten by this moment not so long ago & I knew that this is it. It is do or die time. So I ripped off the band aid & started on this new path. The path I like to think of as ‘Today…This Moment’. I must admit through the years there are still times I go back to my old habits but then I push on. I am at piece with the woman I am & the woman I am becoming. I remind myself that it is ok to focus on me, I can be free, be free from approval, need to belong, need to be someone or something for others. It might be a lonely road sometimes but I know that it is where I can be the happiest & most fulfilled.

If I keep putting one foot in yesterday & one foot in tomorrow I am only wasting away today. What I know for certain is I cannot think of past nor future, I cannot focus on things unknown. So I remember to take it day by day & to live in this moment, this moment I own.

U.S.A. U.S.A.

4th of July is one of my favorite times of year. I just find fireworks to be about the next best thing to Reese's Peanut Butter Cups & Slurpee’s. This was actually the first time I have been able to capture fireworks & I must say I did better than I thought. I know I am proud to be an AMERICAN!!

Stu Stu Studio...

Last week we got started on studio lighting. I had dabled in a few studio shoots before but was more for fun then a learning experience. So needless to say I was excited to learn all about the studio lights & see how much I really like it. Well...I LOVE IT!!! Being in the studio is so fun! We are so lucky to have the coolest studio space in RMSP history. Exposed brick, photographs everywhere for inspiration, scrims, fans, booms & tons of lights & gadgets to play with. I truly feel so lucky to be learning from these amazing photographers.

The first 2 studio assignments we had to complete where 'Product Photography' The first one was to learn about 3 dimensional objects & 1 light & the second one was a semi reflective object & adding in a 2nd light. Here are my shots, I really like them & love the CONTROL that you create in studio.

Memory or Metaphor?

One thing I know for certain is how much I love photography that creates EMOTION, photography that moves you & ignites a fire within. I am so inspired when a photograph can bring tears to my eyes or a photograph so bold & strong that it actually drives fear in to you.

We were asked to create a photograph of a memory or a metaphor this past week & I decided to take on the bold challenge of creating both. In critique it seemed to get the point across. I actually created a photograph that made people FEEL. Some of the class was sad, some felt the loss & most of us felt the longing for a touch, touch from someone we love. Always remember that life is short, be nice, be thankful, tell your family & friends how much you love them & know that it’s never goodbye, it’s see you later.

Thank You for all your support & love.
~Always & Forever~