Fall is in the Air

I am in love with Fall: the colors, the smells, the crispness in the air. The reds of fall are especially gorgeous. Jewel-toned, rich and deep.

365 Project: Day 99

I love photo shoot days. Its amazing how happy I am with a camera in my hand. I had a photo shoot today for Modern Cowgirl's spring collection. I've done a shoot with these two ladies before and I always have such a blast with them. Its so great to be able to work and laugh hysterically at the same time. 

I wish I could do this type of work all the time. Editorial fashion photography is one of my favorite things to do. I really just love photographing people in general. I enjoy my fine art work, but its just not the same. There is something about the entire photo shoot process that makes me all excited. From location scouting and shopping for props, to hair and make up, the shoot itself and getting that first look at the images on my screen...I love it all. In the past I have thought about getting more into the production side of photo shoots. Maybe as a producer or a stylist. That part of the process is so much fun for me. But then I would miss out on the fun of shooting. I think I'll just stick to producing my own shoots for now.

Today was a good day.

365 Project: Day 83

BIG sunglasses. I can't live without them. My eyes are super sensitive to the sun. I can't even go outside without my shades or I'm blinded, eyes watering, squinting, and overall looking quite unattractive, I'm sure. The sun gives me a headache. Probably because my facial muscles are all tensed up and contorted from trying to keep the blinding light out of my eyes. At one time I probably had 10 different pairs of sunglasses, all equally huge and crazy colored. Most of them have since either broken or been lost somewhere along my journey. I'm down to 4 pairs. I know there is one pair that was left behind in Vegas, but I think that pair really belonged in Vegas. Hopefully there is a really stylish hotel maid running around in my awesome shades.

I get a lot of comments and non-complements about my different sunglasses. Either people love them or they think they're ridiculous. You know, when someone says, "I love your sunglasses. I could never wear those, but you can pull them off." That's a non-complement. Why not just say nothing?

I've always made bold fashion choices. Ever since I was little I dressed myself in these crazy get ups. There are pictures of me as a kid wearing so much jewelry that I'm surprised I'm standing upright. I had a favorite dress too. It was all one piece and had a white top with a little embroidered rainbow patch on the chest. The skirt was knee length, and vertically striped in rainbow colors. It was really brightly colored and I loved it. Even now, I still love it.

During my teen years, shopping was like a battle. My parents were still paying for my clothes and, with complete disregard for my style and taste, mom refused to buy me anything she thought was ugly. Unfortunately, she thought at least half the clothes I wanted were exactly that. So, I was forced to find a happy medium, or have no clothes. I remember her throwing away a pair of vintage bellbottom jeans that I bought at a thrift store because she thought they were hideous.

Things haven't changed much. My clothing choices have toned down a little as I've gotten older, or at least I think so. I still love bright colors, I still wear huge jewelry. The best part is, I still genuinely don't care what anyone else thinks about what I'm wearing. So, here's to being bold, being yourself and wearing ridiculously huge sunglasses every single day.

365 Project: Day 79

This is one of the seven books that I'm reading right now. Well, there's not really much to read in this book, its mostly pictures, but it still counts. Richard Avedon is one of my favorite photographers. Hell, I'd even venture to say that he may be my favorite photographer. When I saw this book sitting on the shelf at the library, I had to take it home with me. There is a lot of truth in his images. The way he captures people seems to show them for who they are in that moment. I love all the black and white portraits that he shot on a clean white background. The white background allows the person to become the focus of the image without any distractions. The intensity is incredible.

He was able photograph so many amazing people and document many important time periods of the 1900s. I love his images from during the Civil Rights Movement. In 1963 he photographed William Casby, a man who was born into slavery.  Its one of my favorite of Avedon's portraits. The tone of Casby's skin is so rich. The expression on his face shows how hard his life must have been. He's worn.

Avedon photographed Napalm victims in Vietnam in 1971. One of his subjects is a woman who was terribly scarred and disfigured. She is looking into the camera with the only eye she has left. She has so much intensity and sadness. It makes me cry every time I see it. My heart goes out to her. I can't imagine what she's been through, not only physically, but emotionally and mentally. You can't survive something like that without it permanently damaging you inside and out.

His images from the East Louisiana State Mental Hospital are disturbing to say the least. He documented people who are lost, childlike, afraid, confused, distraught and locked up in a facility because society and their families don't know what else to do with them. The patients all look abandoned. They all seem so alone, each in their own little worlds. The hospital is all tile. Its stark and cold. Avedon's own sister passed away in a mental institution.

Avedon also photographed fashion. Ah...Avedon's fashion portfolio is amazing. In the 50s he created a series with Dovima wearing Dior and posing with elephants. Brilliant.

I can't say enough about his work. If you haven't seen it, you are missing out. It is incredible. Avedon inspires me.

Modern Cowgirl

When Shana Gibson from Modern Cowgirl asked me if I was available for a photo shoot I was so thrilled! Of course I was! Clothes, jewelry, fashion, editorial, this is the sort of stuff I live for! 

Major thanks to Shana from Modern Cowgirl and Endion our beautiful model! 

Diane Von Furstenberg

My first love in photography is fashion.  If I could only photograph one subject for the rest of my life I would choose fashion, no doubt.

Diane Von Furstenberg creates the most beautiful, feminine clothes for women.  She has lived an incredible life and is such a great role model.  If you ever have a chance to read her autobiography, I highly suggest that you do.

I just got a look at her Spring 2009 collection and I love it!  These are just a few of my favorites:

The ad campaigns for DVF are photographed by an artist/writer named Francois-Marie Banier.  His work is so inspirational to me.  He combines photography with writing, drawing and painting to create the most interesting images.  A Russian model named Natalia Vodianova (of course she is breath taking) is the muse for these artistic advertisements. 

I love how he uses big swipes of color over the images.  It creates a whole new life for black and white photographs. To see more of his work you can visit his website.

Quote for the day:

"Creativity is a type of learning process where the teacher and pupil are located in the same individual."

--Arthur Koestler

I Have a New Book

Reading is one of my favorite past times.  But since I left Boston, the time I once spent reading while zipping from place to place on the train has been replaced with endless miles of traffic.  (Ugh!)  Since I don't condone reading while driving, I haven't had the time to devote to really sitting down, relaxing and reading a good book.  So, I've taken up the habit of half-reading five or six books at a time.  I only get through the first couple of chapters of most of them.  Then they take up residence on my night stand.  I look at them longingly when I tuck myself in at night, but I'm always too exhausted to pick one up and actually finish it.

This Christmas I received a book store gift card.  Immediately my mind was filled with thoughts of spending hours perusing the store, which I love to do, and buying stacks magazines instead of just flipping through them while standing next to the rack.  

So, gift card in hand, I took a trip down to the book store and picked up a copy of Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen's book: Influence.  The book was cleverly printed with your choice of Olsen twin on the cover.  When I checked out the clerk made sure to ask me if I chose the cover with the twin I wanted (I chose Ashley). 

I have followed both of their careers for quite some time now.  These two women never cease to amaze me.  They have accomplished so much in their short lives.  I can only dream to be half as motivated and ambitious as they are.  I mean, when do they have time to sleep?  

I haven't finished the book yet (note the first paragraph) but I am fascinated by the lives of the people they chose to interview.  There is such an eclectic group of people with amazing stories and experiences to share.  I am drawn to fashion and art and even more so to the people who create it.  I think this book is going to be a really great edition to my bedside table.  I think one day I'll finish it.  Maybe.

Fairy Tales

Alice in Wonderland just happens to be one of my all time favorite children's books.  It has fantasy, adventure, imagination, interesting characters, and, my favorite part, a rebellious young lady who's curiosity seems to get her into trouble everywhere she goes. 

When you think about it, the entire story is completely crazy!  I can't imagine what Lewis Carroll was thinking when he came up with this twisted tale.  

Tim Burton is directing a new Alice in Wonderland movie that is due out in 2010.  There is no better person to direct this wacky story than Tim Burton.  I think it is going to be amazing and I really hope that I'm not disappointed.

Daniel Pla.Estilismo created these awesome Alice in Wonderland inspired images for a Spanish magazine called Ragazza.

I love the rich jewel tones and how the story is interpreted through simple props.  Not to mention the gorgeous clothes!  The pink dress (above) by Paule Ka is especially lovely.