{2012~ Inspiration Shoot}

My final post for 2012 is the culmination of a truly amazing year for me as an artist and as a business owner; and finding the balance between both. I feel the growth I experienced in each area this year has taught me so much. I am always so grateful to all my clients who allow me into their lives and trust me to capture their true essence with images that I hope they will cherish for years to come. I consider what I do such a blessing and a gift. 

At the beginning of 2012 I had set the goal to do at least one 'Inspiration Shoot' for myself that I could invest in creatively.  

I had envisioned doing a shoot with horses for some time and after talking with Amanda over a year ago about working together we were both determined to make it happen!  So began the journey to work together creatively to make dream of ours possible.  

Amanda is passionate about horses and has been riding for years at The Acres and they were gracious enough to allow us to shoot at their beautiful property in Moorpark CA. 

This shoot was also very special because I shot in both Digital and Film for the first time. You can view some of the Film images for our day {here}. 

The day could not have been more beautiful or memorable while shooting at sunset with Amanda's  two beautiful babies Lestor and Rosie and I am so happy to share these! 

~Enjoy!~

{My Journey ~ 1st Film Photo Shoot}

I feel like this post is a bit surreal for me. I have been on an amazingly inspired journey this year with my love and passion for photography. I never in a million years would have conceived that I would be going back to film as it is to some; an outdated medium, but I feel like this is right where I need to be. For me going back to film is going back to my roots, where I started from, and in the most raw since what I feel in love about photography. As I set out to start my business I had no idea I would end up spending more time behind a computer than behind a camera. Silly huh? But such is life and I am by no means complaining, I love what I do and feel blessed to do it; but in an artistic since it is just different when your true desire is to be creating in camera vs on computer:)

So my awaking began completely by accident when I pre ordered a copy of Elizabeth Messana's book "The Luminous Portrait" a stunning read which at the time I purchased purely for the idea of creating better portraits. To my surprise and utter disbelief the entire book was about Elizabeth's love and devotion to film, and so my journey began. I was baffled, intrigued, and totally lost. 

Thereafter I purchased Jonathan Canlas book "Film is not Dead" for further convincing that what was in my heart was not just craziness and this was worth following.   

So with these and many other revelations, my heart was set on pursing film and I searched the internet for equipment only to feel more overwhelmed and unsure, plus the fact I am very "old school" and rarely by from the internet!! haha

So I waited. I asked other photog friends for advise on acquiring equipment locally and from their decided to just be patient and keep waiting: unsure about where and when and how, but trusting that God willing my time would come. 

Several months later I got a random phone call from my photo mentor and friend who was hanging at a local camera shop in Little Italy and called to see if I had picked up a medium format film camera yet? (My heart was set on a Contax or Mamyia 645) He went on to tell me that they had a Mamyia 645 their for sale with 4 lenses, 3 film roll holder backs, a Polaroid back and more owned by a guy who worked their for years and in stellar condition. 

And so my journey begins.... {Smile} 

This session was an Inspiration Shoot which I had been dreaming about for a year now! My dear sweet friend Amanda and I had spoken about this and attempted to work together to make this happen several times to no avail but I believe the timing could not have been more perfect! I was thrilled that it lined up for this to be my first run with my film camera!!  I bounced back and forth between both digital and film for this shoot and all the while Amanda smiled, posed beautifully, and kept the horses in check! 

These are the best shots of the 3 rolls that I shot ~two color and one black and white. They are completely straight from the camera raw and untouched and I love them. {Smile} 

I want to say a special thank you to Amanda for her friendship, help, and support in making this dream a reality. 

Thank you to Brother Joe Ramirez for being at the right place at the right time and being an integral part in my photographic journey and always inspiring me to use my gifts for God.

To my Mom and Dad who always let me run wild with their camera while I was growing up. Shooting pics in and around the neighborhood of flowers and my dog mostly and of course on family vacations shooting countless pictures when it cost money to develop each shot. Your support and encouragement has now developed into a full fledged passion which I am living out.  

Lastly, I want to thank my husband. He is my hero, my best friend, and a constant source of strength and encouragement to me. He has always empowered me to pursue my dreams and supported me in every way imaginable (including financially, camera equipment is not cheap! hehe) and for that I am forever grateful. 

~Enjoy~

{How To Be An Everyday Philanthropist~ April}

April~ Use Your Talents

"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, 'I used everything you gave me.' " ~ Erma Bombeck

This is the April edition of a year long goal to practically live out a philanthropic way of life. I am accomplishing this with the help and instruction of  Nicole Bouchard Boles book~ "How to Be an Everyday Philanthropist" The book is a great read in and of itself and oddly enough the beginning of this chapter highlighted a story of a man; Mario Betto, who styles hair for a living and has 'turned that skill into a force for good'. The book goes on to say; "His philosophy is simple: If people don't feel good about themselves, they won't be able to face life's challenges with confidence." So Mario start a nonprofit called Hairstylists for Humanity offering free haircuts to the homeless and other low income people.

I was blown away by this and thus my very own amazing stylist for years, the lovely the endlessly talented Martha Ramirez was recuited (very willingly) to use her amazing gift to bless my friend Regina with a brand new look!! This is a glimpse into how easy it can be to give back and use your talent to make a difference, even if it's one hair cut and color at a time :) 

Martha has worked as a stylist in top salon's in Europe and currently works in and around the San Diego Area while being a devoted wife and mother, she is my kind of girl<3 She can be reached @ hairdone4u2@yahoo.co.uk

Martha hard at work...

Martha complets the cut by blow drying and styling Regina's new look! 

As a side note, Martha introduced me to this stuff and it is amazing, totally changes the texture of corse and over processed hair. 

The Adorable Miss G with Mama:) 

Regina opted for a side swept bang to complete her look!

Ta Da! Fantastic new look in an afternoon and fresh new hair always makes you feel like a new person!

Special thanks to Regina and Martha for being a part of this installment!!