Thanks to Anne Ruthmann for posting this to the Photo Lovecat blog. Failure doesn't have to mean complete defeat, it may lead to your ultimate success. Read the original post here.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Remembering September 11, 2001
I remember 9/11 pretty vividly. I was busily packing up my stuff that week, getting ready to move to San Diego for my first quarter at UC San Diego. I had woken up around 10:30, and I walked out of my bedroom to find my mom and grandma glued to the television. At that point I had no idea what was going on, and I asked what was wrong. "Two planes crashed into the Twin Towers," my mom said. I don't think I could even fathom what that meant. I watched as the towers smoldered on CNN and I couldn't believe my eyes.
I had only ever seen photos of the World Trade Center. I remember my parents telling me about how they had seen the towers when they went some time in the 1980's. My first trip to NYC was post-9/11 in 2004. I went again in 2007 and was able to visit Ground Zero and the 9/11 memorial museum, where I took this:
May peace be with all those who were affected by 9/11. We will never forget...
I found this poem on [b]ecker's blog, which I'd like to share too:
"Do it Anyway":
People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful you will win some false friends and true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, some could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway.
I had only ever seen photos of the World Trade Center. I remember my parents telling me about how they had seen the towers when they went some time in the 1980's. My first trip to NYC was post-9/11 in 2004. I went again in 2007 and was able to visit Ground Zero and the 9/11 memorial museum, where I took this:
May peace be with all those who were affected by 9/11. We will never forget...
I found this poem on [b]ecker's blog, which I'd like to share too:
"Do it Anyway":
People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful you will win some false friends and true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, some could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Mission Meet the Parents: Success!
I'm back from Dallas, and the meeting was quite successful. Good food, good conversation, good times, how could it be anything but a success? Although, I must say that I had a slight feeling of nervousness having our parents meet for the very first time. However, I think I was definitely more nervous when I "officially" met them last year in Savannah.
We've been dating for what will be three years two weeks from today, and since we've been in a long-distance relationship for most of it, a casual Sunday brunch bringing our two families together wasn't exactly an easy option. Since he proposed in March, having our parents meet has been a major priority, but the execution has been a little bumpy. Between my mom pursuing her Master's in Nursing Education, my sister finishing up her senior year of high school, and my dad losing his job and eventually finding a new one eight months later, not to mention all of his family's obligations, coordination was a challenge. But, we made it happen, even at six months later!
While we were out exploring Dallas, and introducing my parents to my soon-to-be home base, I busted out the camera. We visited the Dallas World Aquarium, which is also one of the locations we had our engagement photos shot, by the awesome Travis Hoehne. We also walked around my fiance's office, which had some great shade to shoot in, escaping the hot Texas sun. My future in-laws were very gracious and allowed me to snap a couple photos of them, as did my sister and parents.
My future in-laws
My parents
Little sis
My handsome fiance and I, courtesy of my sister.
Mission Accomplished!
We've been dating for what will be three years two weeks from today, and since we've been in a long-distance relationship for most of it, a casual Sunday brunch bringing our two families together wasn't exactly an easy option. Since he proposed in March, having our parents meet has been a major priority, but the execution has been a little bumpy. Between my mom pursuing her Master's in Nursing Education, my sister finishing up her senior year of high school, and my dad losing his job and eventually finding a new one eight months later, not to mention all of his family's obligations, coordination was a challenge. But, we made it happen, even at six months later!
While we were out exploring Dallas, and introducing my parents to my soon-to-be home base, I busted out the camera. We visited the Dallas World Aquarium, which is also one of the locations we had our engagement photos shot, by the awesome Travis Hoehne. We also walked around my fiance's office, which had some great shade to shoot in, escaping the hot Texas sun. My future in-laws were very gracious and allowed me to snap a couple photos of them, as did my sister and parents.
My future in-laws
My parents
Little sis
My handsome fiance and I, courtesy of my sister.
Mission Accomplished!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Friends are the best!
I will be out of state for the weekend, for the big parent meeting. My parents are meeting my fiance's parents for the first time on Friday. See, in the midst of starting up my photography business, I'm also working full-time and planning a wedding. Everything has unfolded at the same time, but I had to answer the call of my photography, it just felt right. The right time.
To say the least, it's been an interesting ride thus far as a bride-to-be and aspiring photographer, considering that I'm seeing perspectives from both sides of the camera. I have a much deeper appreciation and admiration for wedding and portrait photographers. It's not a mere matter of pointing and shooting. You have to add in lighting, composition, and a ton of people skills. And that's just the photography aspect; it doesn't even touch the business side.
And so I leave you with a post of an impromptu photo shoot that I had with my friend Hana. She's the one who took my photos for my new header. Our other friends were great sports in allowing us to go full-on paparazzi on them. Here they are SOOC...
Our friend, Elana.
Hana
Love this one of Hana
Our friend, Vanessa.
Our friend, Laura.
To say the least, it's been an interesting ride thus far as a bride-to-be and aspiring photographer, considering that I'm seeing perspectives from both sides of the camera. I have a much deeper appreciation and admiration for wedding and portrait photographers. It's not a mere matter of pointing and shooting. You have to add in lighting, composition, and a ton of people skills. And that's just the photography aspect; it doesn't even touch the business side.
And so I leave you with a post of an impromptu photo shoot that I had with my friend Hana. She's the one who took my photos for my new header. Our other friends were great sports in allowing us to go full-on paparazzi on them. Here they are SOOC...
Our friend, Elana.
Hana
Love this one of Hana
Our friend, Vanessa.
Our friend, Laura.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
[b] yourself, [b] inspired, [b] connected
The [b] school is coming! October 1st! Check out the video above, you won't want to miss out!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Sylvia + Pat
Yesterday I had my first engagement shoot. My friend Sylvia and her fiance Pat were nice enough to agree to model for me on my first attempt with an engagement session. I learned a lot from the afternoon, just from playing with the light, their positioning, and the rapport and connection that needs to happen between photographer and clients.
Sylvia and I met at my first "real-world" job and trained me on everything I know about the marketing systems. She had just started dating Pat when I met her. She sat in the cubicle across from me, and in our downtime, we'd chat, take trips to Yumi Yogurt, and make the usual run to Kinko's during convention season. She has since left the company to go back to school, but we've stayed in contact and give her the updates on company happenings.
We ended up going to the San Jose Municipal Rose Garden, which is a beautiful location with lush green gardens and roses of every variety. Sylvia and Pat were such good sports, putting up with me directing them, telling them to turn their heads, and basically having a camera in their faces for a good hour and a half. I got some good shots, but I know I have a long way to go though. Practice practice practice!
I stood on a park bench to get this one. I like the angle!
Again, standing on a bench, trying not to make Sylvia laugh.
This was my first play on using shadows.
I like the sunflare quality of this one.
Sylvia and I met at my first "real-world" job and trained me on everything I know about the marketing systems. She had just started dating Pat when I met her. She sat in the cubicle across from me, and in our downtime, we'd chat, take trips to Yumi Yogurt, and make the usual run to Kinko's during convention season. She has since left the company to go back to school, but we've stayed in contact and give her the updates on company happenings.
We ended up going to the San Jose Municipal Rose Garden, which is a beautiful location with lush green gardens and roses of every variety. Sylvia and Pat were such good sports, putting up with me directing them, telling them to turn their heads, and basically having a camera in their faces for a good hour and a half. I got some good shots, but I know I have a long way to go though. Practice practice practice!
I stood on a park bench to get this one. I like the angle!
Again, standing on a bench, trying not to make Sylvia laugh.
This was my first play on using shadows.
I like the sunflare quality of this one.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Sunny Sunday
My first "official" photoshoot was yesterday. Considering all the circumstances it all went very well.
I was excited and I was a nervous wreck. First of all, I had to drive into San Francisco and into the Nob Hill neighborhood (read: lots of fancy condos and no parking). I'm generally a nervous driver in San Francisco, especially when it involves hills or vague directions.
The day started off smoothly. I left right when I wanted to and made the smooth drive up Highway 880. I crossed the Bay Bridge without any problems. I entered the city and carefully followed the directions that Google Maps populated for me. Then I hit Taylor Street. On a map, everything in SF looks flat. I know there are some major hills, but I don't know which ones they are by memory. So it turns out that Taylor Street is one of those hills, and I had the unfortunate luck to have to stop at the top of the 45 degree angle hill. Thank goodness I don't drive a stick shift, I think I would have passed out from the nerves. When the light changed from a red to a flashing yellow (it's not safe enough for a direct green!) I wasn't sure how to handle it. There was a car behind me and I didn't exactly have enough room to roll back. So I gunned it (so to speak) and my car lurched slightly and the tires screeched, but I made it over! Phwew!
I navigated through the streets and found my destination. My next challenge: parking. My clients had kindly arranged for parking in the garage of their buildings. However, the parking spot was situated in the corner spot between a handful of BMW's, Mercedes-Benzes, and a Jaguar. Expensive cars and a tight spot. Great. Luckily, I was directed into the spot and was able to relax a little easier.
Little J was so fun to photograph. She just turned three last week and had plenty to say in her three-year-old talk. After warming up to me a little bit, she was a total ham. Check out some of my favorites:
This kid session was so much fun!
I was excited and I was a nervous wreck. First of all, I had to drive into San Francisco and into the Nob Hill neighborhood (read: lots of fancy condos and no parking). I'm generally a nervous driver in San Francisco, especially when it involves hills or vague directions.
The day started off smoothly. I left right when I wanted to and made the smooth drive up Highway 880. I crossed the Bay Bridge without any problems. I entered the city and carefully followed the directions that Google Maps populated for me. Then I hit Taylor Street. On a map, everything in SF looks flat. I know there are some major hills, but I don't know which ones they are by memory. So it turns out that Taylor Street is one of those hills, and I had the unfortunate luck to have to stop at the top of the 45 degree angle hill. Thank goodness I don't drive a stick shift, I think I would have passed out from the nerves. When the light changed from a red to a flashing yellow (it's not safe enough for a direct green!) I wasn't sure how to handle it. There was a car behind me and I didn't exactly have enough room to roll back. So I gunned it (so to speak) and my car lurched slightly and the tires screeched, but I made it over! Phwew!
I navigated through the streets and found my destination. My next challenge: parking. My clients had kindly arranged for parking in the garage of their buildings. However, the parking spot was situated in the corner spot between a handful of BMW's, Mercedes-Benzes, and a Jaguar. Expensive cars and a tight spot. Great. Luckily, I was directed into the spot and was able to relax a little easier.
Little J was so fun to photograph. She just turned three last week and had plenty to say in her three-year-old talk. After warming up to me a little bit, she was a total ham. Check out some of my favorites:
This kid session was so much fun!
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