Strong, Beautiful & Brave-Surviving Breast Cancer

"Never let a stumble in the road be the end of the journey".

The month of October recognizes breast cancer in a big way. So many of us have loved ones that have been effected by a form of cancer one way or another and we are reminded of it a lot more than once a year. 

Tonia is a friend I've met since living here in the Albany area. I never knew her pre-cancer. She is an amazing, lovely person with such a beautiful, positive spirit and I wanted to capture that image to celebrate her recovery. She was diagnosed just a little over a year ago, 9 days after her 41st birthday. Like most that receive the news, she was devastated but knew she had to remain positive for her daughter. Thankfully they caught it in the early stages and she has been in the clear for almost a year now. Tonia credits her faith for carrying her through the storm and reminds herself to live life to the fullest and not to sweat the small stuff. I think we all should live that way no matter what. Don't you?

Special thanks to the makeup artist, Heather for her awesome skills!

Here are some of my favorite shots!

 

Feeling Inspired By One Of My Best Friends

This is my beautiful friend Gail. I know she's going to probably love/hate/cry, probably hate me more for this because she is the type of person that would never, ever draw attention to herself  or be the center of attention and she probably would never describe herself the way I'm about to. In fact being in front of the camera was very uncomfortable for her at first until I got her to relax a little and then we just had a blast. But I've been wanting to do a blog post about her ever since we did her photo session almost a year ago last winter.

I first met Gail when both our husbands worked together at the same grocery company in Michigan almost 14 years ago. Ever since, even though most of the time miles would separate us, she has become one of my most treasured friends. She is technically old enough to be my mother (not that age has anything to do with this, I often find that I click better with those older in age than I am) but she really is more like a sister and I appreciate her wisdom as I go through the things she already has. We've cried together, laughed even harder, eaten everything in sight, shopped til we couldn't any more, crafted together, exercised together, traveled together and have talked and talked and talked for hours. She always makes time for me and is always willing to help me with anything.

Recently I was lucky enough to have her close again when our husbands crossed paths once more in their careers in Central PA.

I was always knew this about her but was happily reminded again of what an amazing woman she is. She is talented in so many ways! Give this woman a hammer and a nail and she could build you a house! Don't tell this girl from Kansas her place is in the kitchen, although she's amazing there as well. Her craft room is filled with all the things necessary to make you the most beautiful quilt you've ever seen! Need to spruce up an old antique or just some old furniture that needs a little love? This girl can paint for days! She definitely has the patience and  passion to work with her hands. I'm convinced she's capable of building, painting, cooking, creating anything. But what strikes me more about her is her heart. Faithful. Loving. Giving. Kind. Caring. Soft. Open. Willing. Strong. Warm. Passionate. Loyal. The list could go on. I know the most important people on earth are her husband, her son and his family, and all of her extended family and friends. She would do anything for any of them. I'm lucky to have met her and to have her in my life. She is a HUGE inspiration! And the most down to earth person I know. Count your blessings if you ever have the privilege of crossing her path because your life will be richer as a result.

The following images are my favorites from our session together. Be sure to click on the images to see them larger.

 

Fashiony Shoot at The Abandoned Methodist Church

If you're a photographer in the Chicago area, then you most likely know of this "playground" in Gary, IN. Known as The Abandoned City Methodist Church. These images were taken while I was back visiting (we moved from IL to PA) and hanging out with a couple of my crazy photographer friends Piotr and Jeremy. I really love a fashion forward image and tried to go for that kind of look with what I had to work with. The props....all found at the location. We did not bring any extra props. Just our lovely model Jessica and what she brought for clothes. How cool is that?!!!! Well, I guess someone must have brought them in at some point. Over the years we've seen things come and go as there have been many movies, videos and photo shoots go on at this location. I miss it so much. I miss what a larger city has to provide as far as, well everything. 

I saw this torn up chair off to the side and dragged it over to use. I love it!

So many images are shot with this big window in the background
but to me this view never gets old.

I think this might be one of my favorites!

I thought this was fun for a little more pin-up'y style. 

I totally love the natural light coming in here. 

Um, yeah...I totally had to find a way to use this lamp shade!

I wish I could drag this couch to every shoot I do!

As the boys shot, I couldn't just stand around and watch. I had to make
the most of my visit!

Toward the end of our shoot I saw these doors and had to get
a quick shot. I think it turned out cool!

Just a few of the outtakes with the boys. 

Who know's what was being said here, I'm pretty sure what ever
it was, it was inappropriate. 

Piotr just had to make sure I noticed him while Jeremy takes his turn.

Cute laugh! We're always having a good time together!

Piotr taking his turn.

Again, Piotr trying to steal the show so I just went along with it! ;oP

creativeLIVE & Lara Jade Workshop {fashion 101}

Here is my submission for the creativeLIVE & Lara Jade Workshop in NYC. All I ask is that you don't laugh at me but WITH me!!! :oD Hope to see you in the Big Apple! You can also visit my Facebook Fashion/Beauty  page to see some of my work. Thanks!

Cupcakes & Cookies

Awhile back I got together with Hope Adela Pasztor to collaborate on a 

photo shoot contest where the winner would receive a free photo shoot

 by yours truly and styling and makeup by Hope. Since Hope works at the amazing

Atomic Warehouse, we decided it would be the perfect place to do our shoot for our

winner Michelle. Michelle's entry was posted on my main Facebook page and read 

"Hi! My ideal shoot would be posing as a pin-up girl in a kitchen

setting because, I'm a baker and I adore pin-up!"

This was Michelle's first photo shoot and she did such an awesome job

in front of the camera. I think we captured her personality perfectly!

Be sure to stop by my pages and give me a "LIKE", you never

know when I'll throw out another contest. My fashion FB page can be found

here. Also be sure to stop by

and visit Hope at Pink Champagne Fashion where you'll find all kinds of

vintage goodies as well as Atomic Warehouse. 

  

Blogging and WPPI Fashion Show

BLOGGING, BLOGGING, BLOGGING, BLOGGING........


Please forgive me for I have not blogged in a VERY long time!!!! It's horrible.

Anyway, I guess what I really have on my mind right now is WPPI. It's finally time for me to get that off my chest before another 3 months goes by. What is that for those of you that don't know? Wedding & Portrait Photographers International. Every year there is a big convention in Vegas where photographers gather to learn from the best of the best and get all the info about the latest and greatest in product.

This was my first year attending. It's a great time to learn about what others are doing in their business, meet new friends, network, meet mentors, all that good stuff. It really is a must if you are serious about your photography craft.

I had two main agendas while there. Find a website solution and learn more about wedding albums. Both, a success.

One main event that was a highlight for me....don't get me wrong, there where many highlights on this trip but this was pretty exciting....for me.

Nigel Barker.....need I say more?!!!! If you don't know who he is, and you may not if you're not a photographer, don't watch much reality T.V.  or not much into fashion. But I must admit I have a guilty pleasure in watching some episodes of America's Next Top Model for so many aspects that have to do with both photography and fashion but mostly photography for me.

Nigel is a fashion photographer and judge on the show. He's also a spokes person for Sony as he shoots with Sony cameras.

One evening of WPPI Nigel hosted a fashion show along with informing all of us photogs what was going on in the Sony world. Now I shoot with Canon but am very tempted by the Sony NEX-5.

This experience was a great one and I hope to go back again next year to continue the WPPI adventure as there is not enough time in just a few days to see everyone or everything that you want to. And I'm only talking about one little corner of the Vegas world!

Please enjoy some of the images from the plane and the fashion show!

Ms. DJ