Accesories

Ah the importance of Accesorizing...

I was doing a Prom Portrait Shoot with this beautiful young lady. She had picked out these lovely earrings but in the rush of things forgot to put them on until halfway through the shoot.

The best portrait just so happened to be before she put them on. So naturally she was upset that she didn't have them on in the image she chose. So I did what every photographer should do to make thier clients squeal with joy. I photoshopped one in ;)

Here is the After and Before....

She is a Very happy with the difference :) 

Happy Wednesday!!

Selfies and Making up for lost time...

Someone once asked me what's up with all the Selfies as the young kids call them...

Well Here's my story I've always Loved the camera. Ever since I could remember I always managed to get my hands on one, And that goes back to those film 110 cameras with the detachable bulb flash. (umm Yeah I was very young ;) . I would always take tons of photos with my friends...I have buckets of photos and albums to prove it.

Any way for a long LONG time I didn't take photos. I would hide from the camera at all cost. If I did manage to get a picture developed I would cringe. I Just wasn't happy with myself at all.  It took a lot of things to recover from that...A car accident that could have very well taken my life or my legs for that matter made me rethink life a little.  After a couple of months in a wheel chair and lots of Physical Therapy, I knew it was time for a change. I started counting calories and I loss a considerable amount of weight. Those things mattered but what helped me most, Is the people that helped me to realize my self worth. A special friend that helped me to look in the mirror and see what others saw in me. That's when I really started taking care of myself. I was really and truly able to express myself and be who I AM. When I was able to Accept, Respect, and Love myself that's when the REAL changes happened.

I was studying Photography Professionally which meant a lot of practicing. I had a friend who always liked to turn the camera on me and say "NOPE it's YOUR turn."  I started seeing myself through the lens, and all of a sudden I wasn't cringing anymore. Praise the LORD for that! I started looking forward to being Photographed.

Around that same time someone introdced me to the iPhone. Everyone had one and I was told it was the best thing ever. My boss said go get one and you will be fully reimbursed!! How Exciting!! I started with a 3GS (didn't have the forward camera)...BUT oh how happy I was to have a camera with me at ALL times to never miss a moment. (I was able to get a lot of work done on it too ;)  At that point I had never used the term SELFIE and had just started experminenting with trying to take my own picture.  When I look at those photos I chuckle.  Not great pictures but Hey, atleast I was happy with Myself. Learning to love my self with my Loud lipstick and crazy hair...None of which would have been acceptable working at the Court House by the way ;)  Image Below..My first selfies

My iPhone had died from over use (jiji) and I was forced (not) to get a new one that had the front Camera.  So let's just say I know how to manipulate that lens to make Myself look and feel great and I am not ashamed to say it!! Technology keeps getting better and so do my Selfies :)

So When someone asks me...Why so many selfies? Well I'm making up for all that time inbetween when I didn't take pictures. When all I had was a flip phone. When I wasn't so happy with myself.

The images below they were selfies too. You might ask...why I am laughing? Someone was trying to tell me that I shouldn't be taking so many pictures of myself. I was thinking but I AM allowed to be happy with myself..happiness comes from within and we shouldn't depend on others to make us HAPPY!!

 I am forever grateful to those that with just a few words were able to change the way I saw myself and help me to regain my self confidence. Now I pay it forward. I do my best to help those around me see themselves and Love what they see :)  I know I DO!! I've come a long way BABY!!!

Normally I would Never post this many...but just so you can get a general Idea..I take a few and then pick the one I like best....I LOVE my new color and style.  Muuaaahhh!!!! ;)

Happy Thursday!!!

Ssshh...It's a Surprise

A few weeks ago I did a little session that was on the down low. It very hush hush and had to be rescheduled more than once ;) in order to keep it a secret.

It was a Father's Day Surprise for her Hubby.  I've been Dying to share but had to wait till after he recieved his framed Prints.

Here are just a couple from the session...This May not be everybody's style but I have a thing for GLAMOUR.

I am in Love with this Image.....So If you LOVE Glamour as Much as I do, go ahead call and schedule your appointment today ;)

Happy Thursday!!!

The Eye of the Beholder...

Everyone has eyes and everyone sees the same thing Differently....

I have recently been approached by many wanting to know and learn about Photography. I am NOT a teacher by any means and I don't pretend that I am an expert.  However, I am a Trained Professional and that should count for something :) I am really proud of the work I do.

I had someone tell me that they have approached many photographers and was basically turned away not wanting them to "copy" their work.  Well here's a little something I learned in school. Ask 10 Photographers how to do the Same thing and you WILL get 10 different answers.  It's simple, you have to know your equipment and develop a style that is your own.  Really...It's whatever works for YOU!  I don't have a problem helping others find their own way. I also don't feel threatened because the truth is that everyone's style comes from what they SEE. In helping a friend who is very eager to learn, I stumbled across a site that said it well.

3. Information does not equal ability

The important realization out of this perhaps overly self-centered and egotistical perspective is that information is not the equivalent to ability. What you share is the information on how to compose a shot, to take a photo, and to post-edit that photo properly. What you can never share is your ability to compose a shot, to take a photo, and to post-edit that photo properly. So don't worry; you're not giving away, and never will be able to give away, what makes your photography special and what makes you unique as a photographer. ~ JFotography

So go ahead ask me anything I will share what I know :)

With that said..I was invited into a Catholic Church to do some first communion photos. While touring I took a couple of shots. When I showed these to the person giving me the tour, her comment confirms what I just said.

"I have walked by that 1000 times and I never saw it like that"

 My Point?? You can never give away what YOU see with your eyes so why not help others, see what they can with their eyes...

Happy Thursday!! 

The Future...

They Say BE what you want your children to be...That they Learn by example.  I Say that's not ALWAYS the case...but In HIS case it might be exactly that..

He is always taking Photos any chance he gets...He offers to take pictures with the disposable camera, with my phone and as of late he keeps questioning what My Camera does and when he can use it.  He is only 8 and handing him expensive equipment makes me a little nervous, but knowing that If I don't let him try he won't learn makes it easier.  I am going to teach him and little by little he will learn. He already has a good eye and great angles. I know this from the images he's already taken.  I am overwhelmingly happy that he is interested. I am looking forward to this time of teaching.

Last week in my office having a face off...Enjoy ;) I'd say he's learning fast....

The Aldrich Mansion Wedding..

I was invited to 2nd Shoot a Wedding with Audrey of Souvenir Images..

I didn't shoot ANY weddings last year at all, and I must say I really did miss it. I am passionate about weddings. For me shooting a wedding is almost like stepping into someone else's fairytale...yes I am a hopeless romantic but it's so much more than that. It is like stepping into the book and everything else just falls off. They are a lot of hard work, crazy busy, and tiring, but at the end of the day when you look at your images, you just know it's all worth it.

During this Wedding, we started at the NYLO hotel where the Wedding party was getting ready.  Then we headed to the Aldrich Mansion. It's an amazing property.  First to the Cathedral for the ceremony and then the Mansion for the reception.

Here are just a few of my Favorites of the Day....

Congratulations to the Happy Couple Mr. & Mrs. Roda 

If you wish to see more of my images from this wedding you can find them at www.facebook.com/violetfotos.Photography

In about about a week or so ;) 

Pin Up Collaboration

Some Days I just amaze my self at how daring I am :)

I was contacted By Audrey of Souvenir Images.  She asked if I'd be willing to help out with Make up on a 1940's Pin up shoot she was putting together.  I'm no make up artist but I do pride myself on my own applications of glamour, and I've gotten a few compliments here and there ;)

I am a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant so I definitely know my make up...1940's though Hmm... I have to say I had to watch a couple of tutorials in order to really know what I was doing.  Lately, I have been working on losing fear and stepping out of My comfort zone.  So I was just a bit hesitant. But Hey, when she told me I could also be be one of the Models it gave me the push I needed and said YES!!!  The Bonus?  I got to shoot the models too!!  Wow! Who knew I could be so Multi-Talented ;)

I am super excited to Present to You The Pin-Up dolls 

Thank You So Much Audrey for letting me join in on this Project! Feel Free to Leave comments on how I did with the Make-up.

The image Below is a Self Portrait...Because I realized that My Hair and Makeup was totally awesome and glamorous and I like instant gratification ;)

I do it all in the name of Glamour <3

Not a Baby Anymore..

Can I just say WOW!! Where did the time go?  As I watch her go I still can't believe how grown she is.  She is my baby girl except...she just isn't a baby anymore. She's turning 15 this year.  She is oh so special to me. She has turned into a wonderful young lady.

I wish you a bright future and great choices in Life...

You hold my heart Baby Girl and no matter how grown you are you will always be my baby <3.  

The Fighter...

Sometimes what you see is not always what you get.

What's that saying? Don't judge a book by its cover...nope that's right you shouldn't. Here's Why.

Meet Igdalia

If you just meet her casually you'd never know she's a fighter...But she IS. She is one of the nicest people I have met in a long time.  I am so happy to have met her. She is just a big boost of positive energy. All that aside she really is a Fighter in training. She trains at Rivera Athletic Center right here in Milford. 

Here are a few with the Gloves ON ;)












































I Wish You the Very Best in ALL of your fights!

HEELLOO 2013!!!

Welcoming the New Year

One of My Resolutions for the New Year, was to let my creativity flow. I have achieved that, with the first work of the New Year that you are about to see. The entire look was created right in my studio, made with anything that was on hand.  I have to say I am super proud of this work.  It sure did knock the socks off of ME ;)  It was a challenge, but I enjoyed every second of it.  This is the Year I will explore all the possibilities and do my best to exceed my own expectations.

There were so many images that I loved, that I'm pretty sure I'm posting more than I usually do. Enjoy!!

 I had enough time to choose different light settings. I used them to explore and then I did a few different editing techniques to continue exploring possiblities.

What I Love about these last ones is that I feel like I could have pulled them out of a fashion magazine :) A girl has to set the bar high and then do her best to reach for it right ;)

A special thanks to My Awesome Friend and Fashion Diva Ms Yadian Reyes for doing all the crazy things I ask her to do in order to get the shot I'm looking for. Forever Grateful.

Happy New Year!! 2013

As I take a moment to reflect on 2012 I have to admit was a tough year for me. Not all things turned out as I planned them at the end of last year, but life is is life and you can only live it one day at a time.  We can make plans and set our goals but in the end GOD is in control.

I have set many goals for 2013. It's a year if milestones for me. I'm excited to enter into a different time in my life!  I'm looking forward to keeping up with all the changes.  Taking better care of myself, and letting the creativity flow.  One of the hardest things I face is having lots of ideas trapped in my head and not bringing them out. Maybe it's not enough motivation maybe it's fear, but this year I'm determined to do what it takes to explore the many possibilities.

I decided that it was time for changes in the upcoming year so I began with myself.  I have a wonderful friend who also is an amazing hairstylist.  She was able to take my idea and work it so that I am completely happy with my new look. And that my friends gives me the motivation to knock the socks off of 2013!!

I am starting the year off with Great Goals, A new look and Great Motivation!  A creative shoot in the works for JANUARY! Plans for a new website and more!

I look forward to serving you and you creative photography needs!


Here's a peek at my new look! Please excuse the quality of the below photo...I'ts a selfie taken with my iPhone ;)