Monthly Archives: February 2009

and there’s more | jay reilly

It isn’t often that you find anyone in any business that openly shares the secrets of their trade. Little things that take a second to explain, but took years of trial, error and mistakes to learn a more efficient and creative way.  I know in my current day career most people are skeptical of giving too many tricks or shortcuts away in fear of losing their uniqueness leading to the loss of job security. However, there are a few people in the business world that have learned the rewards (not only financial, but also emotional) attached to sharing knowledge.  I have been overwhelmed with the kindness of other photographers to share their techniques, business practices, pricing, marketing and client interaction.

Jay Reilly is a man of such nature. I learned so much in his wedding workshop. Not only does his work speak for itself, timelessly beautiful and full of story, but his demeanor is calm, reflective and just plain ol kind.

Take his workshop. Hire him for a personal session. Hire him for advertising shoots. He deserves it. He has earned it. You won’t be disappointed. You will be speechless.

20090213_reillyworkshop_wedding0015cc

combined-01

20090213_reillyworkshop_wedding0055cc1

combined-03

20090213_reillyworkshop_wedding0044

20090213_reillyworkshop_wedding0034cc

20090213_reillyworkshop_wedding0028cc

20090213_reillyworkshop_wedding0037cc

20090213_reillyworkshop_wedding0049cc

20090213_reillyworkshop_wedding0174cc

20090213_reillyworkshop_wedding0190cc

20090213_reillyworkshop_wedding0208cc

20090213_reillyworkshop_wedding0204cc

combined-04

combined-02

MY FIRST SLIDESHOW CLICK HERE OR ON PICTURE

picture-2

View full post »

jay reilly | sneakpeak

Yesterday I had the true and sincere pleasure of meeting one of my favorite photographers in person, Jay Reilly.  I attended one of his many workshops, weddings (be sure to check them all out, he has a great range). So affordable (way under priced in my opinion) and informative.

When I post up the completed images (after WPPI), I’ll go on and on and on about my obsession with Jay. Really, he has a fresh perspective and a kind soul.

Just a lil sneak peak.(I’ll add model names on next post).

20090213_reillyworkshop_wedding0075cc

20090213_reillyworkshop_wedding0143-edit

20090213_reillyworkshop_wedding0223cc

View full post »

day trippin’ | the salton sea

Lost shoes, “beer and burgers” (‘restaurant’ that specializes in mexican food/pizza/fried aspargus), dead salt crystallized fish, in n out, homemade cookies, great people, nonstop laughs, sharing, experimenting, mentoring, falling in quick sand, shootsacs galore, equality for all (canon and nikon), strobes, more food, unknown smells…

These words are a lame attempt to summarize a day on the “town”, with fellow bschool photographers.

Tuesday, I carpooled out to “California’s Crown Jewel of Avian Biodiversity” (according to the .gov website), The Salton Sea with 3 other photographers, Jenny Smith, Heidi Ryder, and Kevin Wynn.  I’m sure I talked their heads off all the way out and all the way back.  But, as is the nature of the bschool, these 3 were up for answering my mundane questions and chatting about the one of the things we all love, photography. Once we arrived, we met about 2 dozen other bschoolers and continued the day gabbing, posing, experiment and shooting.

Personally, I spent the day trying not to “shoot” people. Weird, right? I know a weakness of mine lies in landscapes and inanimate objects, so i forced myself to avoid putting live things (hence the dead fish) on camera.

Many thanks to [b]ecker for creating an environment that breeds “pay it forward” (i’m totally cheesy, i know) & Joe Photo for spear heading these outings.

Here are a few shots from the day:

untitled-5

dsc_3272

dsc_3296

untitled-3

dsc_3245

untitled-4

dsc_3361

untitled-6

dsc_3550

dsc_3471

untitled-21

dsc_3401

dsc_3542

untitled-1

dsc_3424

dsc_3495

dsc_3517

dsc_3502

dsc_3433

ok 2 people, but they are silhouette (matthew saville with camera)

dsc_3561

dsc_3566

dsc_3249

Here are some of the other photographers that joined us out there, besides the 4 in our car (previously mentioned), so you can see their perspectives:

greg shaw

matthew saville

paige green

becker

meg perotti

alfred bertulfo

heather kincaid

joe photo

hanssie trainor

more to come…

View full post »

no pain | no branding

***WARNING LONG POST

As I laid in the remote field, surrounded by bushes of thorns and creatures of the unknown, I thought to myself  “What is she going to make me do? Will I do it correctly or will she think I’m a total amateur (which i am)?” Meanwhile, in this desolate and remote area, the unusual spotting of a jogger enabled my fear factor to intensify… “you know there are snakes in there” the man says and continues on jogging away. I am once again left with her. Alone. Having to follow her lead. As we ease into it, I am then told to climb up on a stump of wood with barb wire. Seriously, “you know I have a cashmere dress on” (I say to myself). “What am I doing here? I’m a grown woman.”

Now you may ask yourself, why would I hang out with someone for more than 2 minutes that jeopardized my physical welfare. And, then you will double ask yourself, why would I compensate this person for it. Well, Truth be told. I’m exaggerating a bit so you’d read my blog.

Really now…In the wild backwoods Ladera Ranch, California on this day, I truthfully had one of the best days of my recent years. Here, I had the pleasure to meet Carlie Renee of Gabriel.Ryan.Photographers.

Carlie is one completely and totally awesome chick. I don’t know how else to describe her. I have to admit I was a little nervous to meet her at first. I’m a tiny bit older and not quite as gorgeous (Yes Carlie, you are fantastically beautiful inside and out) and I was enlisting her help to build my branding.

From the moment I arrived at her house, I felt welcomed and loved (totally in a platonic friendly girls way… I’m starting to sound like a stalker). For doing my make-up, for helping with clothing options to ultimately making me feel completely at ease in front of the camera. ..For all these reasons and for the sheer talent of Gabriel & Carlie, I can completely understand their recent success in photography.

If you are a photographer, a bride, a business owner or just you, I highly suggest that you contact Gabriel.Ryan (if I’m not available of course, haha) to capture impeccably beautiful images of you… for promotion, for your husband or wife, for your mom or dad, for your family or for just lil ol you.  Have Carlie do your make up (if you’re a girl).  She’s pretty spectacular at it and I’ve seen some amazing make-up done in the film industry. Plus, she’s great to sit around and chat with, able to warm you up for your photo session. If you’re anything like me, you can’t stand being on the “wrong” side of the camera. Well, fret no more, I’ve found your answer.

p.s.  The biggest disappoint of the day, my fake eyelashes had to eventually come off and Carlie doesn’t live close enough to come over every day to put them on.

p.s.s. Oh yeah. I met Gabriel for about 2 seconds and without hesitation, I can completely understand why they are husband and wife.

p.s.s.s  Photographers, I have to say it’s so important to have photos of yourself  because:   (1) brand yourself (besides creating spectacular photos (2) Clients need to see you. They are intrigued to see who you are and aesthitic presentation is so important, like it or not.  (3) Support other photographers in their financial status & portfolios.  (4) you’ll learn a lot about your clients being on the otherside of the camera. (5) you’ll learn a lot from watching another photographer in action.

OK. sorry this is so long, but I could go on and on. Now for some my photos, taken by Carlie… (go to her blog to see the rest)

3265460819_cf779aa37b_o

3265463599_f9e7933eeb_o

3265460697_1fc1a91a56_o

3265460765_0cfc6fcd67_o

3265460679_11bc780178_o

3265460643_92d0e39404_o

View full post »

homage vovó

today my brother and i spent the day talking about childhood, current life, dreams, aspirations, family, all that brotherly/sisterly grown up stuff. the irony in this is that what seems just like a few years ago, the interaction would have gone down slightly different. he may have stolen one of my french fries or kicked me under the table or i may have faked cried to get him in trouble. but, now being all grown up and stuff, we talked the talk of big people.

coming up in conversation were the similar traits that run through our genes… the obsession our family has with electronics, languages, travel. we came to the conclusion that it was large in part due to my english born father who had one of the few 50lb  video camera in the 70′s and my brasilian mother who traveled the world (and still does) as a flight attendant, speaking a few languages of her own.

but what i neglected to recognise in that moment, was my 88 year old grandmother emailing her family in the background. really we  are mix of all of these people (obviously). however, my grandmother (my mom’s mom) is one of the silent but powerful forces of our molding.  she came to this country in her 30′s with my mother, both lacking a native english tongue.  as usual, she refused to fear the unknown, quickly adapting to her U.S. home. while her husband was working, she’d take secret trips to manhattan from long island to understand her new world. she cooked a whole thanksgiving turkey dinner from a recipe she had to translate teaspoon for teaspoon, for a holiday that had no word in portuguese.

7th of february 1921, julia was born. today she is 88. she ate at Mimi’s twice today and we enjoyed her company for hours.

she is an incredible artist, linguist (even able to write esperanto, among 3-4 other languages), cook, emailer, gardener, maker of capirihna, mother, grandmother, sister and all around human being.

Querida vovó. Eu espero que você tenha um dia ótimo no dia do seu aniversário. Um beijo. Eu amo a vovó. Em boca fechada nao entra mosca

dsc_3207

View full post »

f i n d   m e
a r c h i v e s