Ali Bastek: Creative Arizona Photography, Video, and Animation

Madigan - Gilbert, Arizona Portraits

2015-12-02T09:00:00.000-08:00

Before taking her photos, I had met Madigan a few times. She was always super sweet and calm. So, I was a little taken aback when she started whipping out a handful of these poses! Madigan pulls off the big grin, grimacing pout, and contemplative gaze all perfectly. Thanks, Madigan!

Bonnie & Adam - Phoenix, Arizona Engagement Photos

2015-11-30T09:00:00.000-08:00

Hello, there! I've taken quite the break from sharing my work on my blog. Over the summer I was working at a youth camp as tech director, but not in a wifi friendly place! Being a little behind seemed to keep me away even more as I've worked on a lot of video editing, but I'm very ready to share some more now.

This fall my friend, Bonnie, asked me to take her engagement photos. Bonnie, Adam, and I all drove up north planning to shoot in Flagstaff. Yet it seemed some trees off the side of the road were calling Bonnie's name, so we had to pull off the freeway, winding up along some hiking trails. I had a fun day getting a nice change in weather (I was freezing. I have no "chill" tolerance.) and being silly with my friend!

Karla - Gilbert, Arizona Maternity Portraits

2015-07-13T09:00:00.000-07:00

Karla and I first met in 8th grade when we both switched to a new junior high school. Her sweet personality and good sense of humor made her a great friend, so when she asked me to take her maternity photos I knew we would have a fun shoot! We kept running into bunnies everywhere, managed to dodge a Carpenter bee, and Karla looked adorable, which equals success to me. Congratulations, Karla!

Carson - Scottsdale, Arizona Senior Prom Portraits

2015-07-08T09:00:00.000-07:00

My cousin Carson has graduated high school! But before he did that we took some pictures for his senior prom. While I've been working at a youth camp this summer, I met a counselor who ran on the track team with Carson. I think my cousin is funny and nice, but I had to interrogate this counselor anyways just to be sure. Well, of course, he checks out. Congratulations on graduating, Carson!

ASU Service Learning for Community Development

2015-07-06T09:00:00.000-07:00

This past semester I started taking non-profit classes at ASU. One of these classes was Service Learning for Community Development, which really means partnering with local non-profits to provide services to our cities! I documented most of the events we participated in and put together a video to help showcase the work ASU students are doing. Take a look below!

Discover how ASU Sun Devils engage with their community. In courses like NLM 435: Service Learning for Community Development ASU students are able to collaborate with local nonprofits, apply development theories, and provide services to youth and adults in their area.

To learn more, check out: https://publicservice.asu.edu/

Filmed by Ali Bastek and Kari Osep
Edited by Ali Bastek

Girls in Tech

2015-06-16T09:00:00.000-07:00

Girls in Tech (GIT) is a global non-profit focused on the engagement, education and empowerment of influential women in technology and entrepreneurship. This past April, GIT brought their catalyst conference to Phoenix, along with some inspiring speakers and sponsors, to show us what women in tech can do and how we can encourage them to get involved. The night ended with a party at The Croft, where Tania Katan performed a piece of spoken word poetry. Take a look behind to learn more about GIT and how to get involved!

Shot and Edited by Ali Bastek

Audio by Lucky 20 Pictures

It Was Never a Dress - Axosoft

2015-06-15T09:00:00.000-07:00

You may have seen the campaign "It Was Never a Dress" all over the internet already. Did you know it started right here in Arizona? Well, it did! Axosoft, a local Scottsdale company, created the exciting, perspective-shifting campaign when they sponsored the Girls in Tech Phoenix event. Interview Forward was there to capture how it all started and lucky for me they brought me along! Watch the video below to learn how Curator of Code, Tania Katan, came up with the idea!

Powered by Interview Forward
Shot and Edited by Ali Bastek
Audio by Lucky 20 Pictures

Are you wondering, "What is Girls in Tech?" "What happened at this event?" "How can I get involved?" If so, then stay tuned for the next blog post!

Kari Senior Portraits - Phoenix, AZ

2015-06-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

Kari has graduated from ASU Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, woo! She loves the buildings and murals in Downtown Phoenix, so we took a little adventure to some of her favorite walls near campus. I had to stick her in front of some plants though because I love blooms. Congratulations, Kari! Thanks for making my first semester at ASU a little more enjoyable with your friendship! See you on the news soon...!

Garett Senior Portraits - Paradise Valley, Arizona

2015-06-11T09:00:00.000-07:00

Garett graduated from high school this past May and also made me jealous of his hair. But he's growing it out for Locks of Love, which is a much more worthy cause than my vanity! Good luck in your future, Garett!

Lucy - Chandler, Arizona Senior Portraits

2015-04-03T14:35:00.001-07:00

Lucy is my gorgeous (inside and out) younger cousin who is graduating high school this year! While I was going through her pictures I kept remembering how she used to ask me to play Polly Pocket and now she's model-walking in front of my camera... What?! It's always a privilege to capture people's milestones, but shooting Lucy's senior portraits reminded me how special these occasions truly are. Not only do senior portraits capture who you are now, but they're a reminder to you and your family of all your growth, which is very impactful!

The Siren and the Sailor - Korbe Canida

2015-03-03T08:00:00.000-08:00

Korbe Canida's music video for her song, "The Siren and the Sailor", has been out for about a month now. She premiered it at The Rogue Bar in Scottsdale back in January and I must have been so excited about the whole thing that I forgot to share it here!

My friend, Bonnie, who directed and edited the project, brought me along to help film. It felt like a fairly easy job, like, stick Korbe in nature and you've automatically got a pretty shot. So, I had a lot of fun. Plus, they let me do my thing and pick up a bunch of nature b-roll, score! Take a look and enjoy Korbe's gorgeous song!

The Pure Nectar - Handlettering

2015-02-24T08:00:00.000-08:00

In the past year, I've discovered that I love the poet, Rumi! He seems to often reference nature, especially flowers, in his observations on life, and that somehow feels magical to me. One of my professors called Rumi's words timeless and I agree. When I'm having a bad day or feeling overwhelmed, I read some Rumi poems to brighten my spirits. So, here is a little tribute to Rumi, using one of my favorite lines from a poem.

Bailee & Josh - Sedona, Arizona Engagement Photography

2015-02-03T08:00:00.000-08:00

Bailee and Josh are engaged! As one of my oldest friends, Bailee has been around to laugh at my jr. high track portrait, which documented my very intense farmer's tan. Too bad I can't laugh at her now since she's looks as cute as ever in these pictures and there is no farmer's tan in sight!

Since Sedona is a special place to Bailee and Josh, it was fun and easy to capture their engagement photos in a place that is both beautiful and meaningful.

Amber & Dustin Get Married! - Mesa, Arizona Wedding Photography

2015-01-30T08:00:00.000-08:00

Amber and Dustin got married! If you're a Doctor Who fan, then you'll appreciate the Tardis blue throughout this wedding. Personally, I appreciate the golden hour lighting, the dressing room with a large, open window, and the guests who weren't afraid to dance. It all made Amber and Dustin's wedding a fun one to shoot!

To see more head over to Bonnie's Pinterest. You can even check out other Let's Toast! weddings.

Play Hockey Like A Girl

2014-11-20T13:13:00.001-08:00

Last week, Take the Lead and the Arizona Coyotes presented "Play Hockey Like A Girl", a discussion led by some amazing panelists highlighting opportunities for women in sports leadership. I was asked to edit a video, which alone was so much fun, but I also went to the event. Hearing the panelists share their stories was fascinating and I hope you all get to make it to a Take the Lead event sometime soon!

Check out this video, produced by Interview Forward (edited by me!), to hear insight from the panelists and to know what to expect from future discussions hosted by Take the Lead!

Take The Lead, a non-profit organization that strives for leadership parity, and the Arizona Coyotes hosted Play Hockey Like A Girl, a discussion highlighting opportunities for women in sports leadership.

Produced by Interview Forward
Edited by Ali Bastek

Bonnie - Phoenix Portrait Photography

2014-11-17T08:00:00.000-08:00

When Autumn shows up here in the desert of Arizona, the colors might not change, but the weather does. Really, this just means you can be outside for more than a few minutes and you're not covered in sweat. And we get pretty excited for that! To show her joy for the cooler temperatures, Bonnie dressed up in her cute, fall clothes for some portraits. Maybe Phoenix doesn't have golden, falling leaves, but we've got pink bougainvillea year round and it's one of my favorite photo backdrops!

Devil's Bridge - Video Journal

2014-11-10T08:00:00.000-08:00

If you stopped by last week, you saw that my brother, cousin, and I took a trip to Sedona for a day.

While traveling up north, we originally had our minds set on Oak Creek, however, since it was closed we were redirected to Devil's Bridge. Now, I'm not sure what happened, but we thought we were told the hike was less than a mile. We pretty quickly realized after the first trail marker that the hike was actually multiple miles. That was okay, we just had to mentally prepare ourselves after this new bit of information!

Then the bright, sunny sky began piling up with dark, gray clouds. Oh how pretty we thought! Once it started raining and we found ourselves trying to walk up slippery rocks we felt a tad bit different :) We made it though! I had fun with Tim and Sam, plus getting rained on is always refreshing when you live in Phoenix. I hope you enjoy!

Our day trip to Sedona did not turn out as planned. But how can your day be anything other than fun when you're hanging out with your goofy brother and cousin surrounded by beautiful landscape?

Shot and edited by Ali Bastek
Music by Sam Miller

Devil's Bridge - Sedona Personal Photography

2014-11-03T08:00:00.000-08:00

Awhile ago my brother, cousin, and I wanted a change of scenery, so we headed up to Sedona. The day, of course, did not turn out as planned, but we had lots of fun. Here is a little sneak peek of our trip. Come back next week for the full story and a video journal of our adventure!

Mystic Dreamer Pt II

2014-10-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

While breathing in her surroundings, the Mystic Dreamer imagines her soul rising up with the incense, among the clouds and the endless blue. Up here it's light and free, a change from the disruptive, but unavoidable sadness below. This dreamer is ready to carry the light into the dark places of the world, where it is needed, as she flows into the mystic.

P.S. What musician inspired the last line of this photo story?

Mystic Dreamer Pt I

2014-10-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

The Mystic Dreamer welcomes what cannot be seen with the eye. Yet, what is said to be intangible springs to life around her. She feels peace and clarity in the renewing breeze. Oneness beats down on her grateful skin in a sunny ray. Joy fills her soul as the desert blossoms with life. And the fragrance of purity dances to the stars on the delicate, smokey tendrils of incense.

Part II next week... Stop by!

P.S. Can you see the Nirvana inspired line?? :P

Katelyn & Josh Get Married! - Chandler, Arizona Wedding Photography

2014-09-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

Katelyn and Josh got married this summer! They were surrounded by friends and family, which means lots of interaction for sweet, candid photos.

I love snapping candids! To me they capture little, personal moments that really convey character. Candids can catch who you are in that exact moment. They're one of my favorite kinds of memories.

My friend Bonnie and I shot the wedding together (you can check out more pictures on her Pinterest), and we really wanted a fun way to present the images to Josh and Katelyn. Since the wedding had a Japanese theme we wanted to incorporate that into the gift. Check out the gift below, complete with a Japanese Doll flash-drive!

Womanity 2014

2014-09-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

Back in April, I was introduced to the group Woman As Hero, a student-led organization at ASU, when I was commissioned to make a video collaboration. They were hosting an event called Womanity (their second year in a row!) and wanted to capture the day.

I love listening to interviews because I get to hear so many stories and different points of view. And this project was wonderful to work on since I got to do just that and everyone had something interesting to say! They were all such thoughtful women and men, whose voices should be heard. Take a look at the collaboration below and make sure to check out all the collaborators as well!

Shot and cut by Ali Bastek

Womanity 2014 hosted this spring by Woman as Hero, an ASU student organization.
Learn more about Woman as Hero on their page.

Featuring keynote speakers Gloria Feldt, Soraya Chemaly, and Courtney Martin.
With special video guest Zenobia Mertel of Interview Forward.

Music: "Sky" by Apache Tomcat (link to their music!)

Lynx Lake - Prescott Personal Photography

2014-09-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

Lynx Lake is for pretend picnics, filming with friends, being recorded by others for filming with friends, and for taking sneaky pictures of friends!

I should say. . . usually we're not quite that interesting to be recorded by noisy lake-goers, but when one of us is dressed up as "The Creature of the Green Lagoon" (not black- that's his cousin) people are a little more intrigued.

Nephelae: Desert Nymph Portraits - Arizona Narrative Photography

2014-08-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

As the nymphs of cloud and rain, the Nephelae can pour life back into the landscape. With her strong, summer storms the Desert Nephelae nourishes the earth, but knows she must use her yearly rations wisely. While her sister nymphs deliver many pleas for the weary creatures they protect, she knows she must conserve her share of treasured, stormy weather. When she finally answers the thirst of desert wildlife, the Nephelae spills her cloudy pitchers and watches as her rains bring new life to the land.

Noodle Doodles

2014-08-18T08:00:00.000-07:00

There are days I practice taking pictures with only myself as the subject. Then there are days when I'm stuck in the back row of a plane, while my cousins are living it up together in the front row, so I doodle to entertain myself. How are these connected? Because both times I saved my creations for some off chance they inspired me to do more later. And what do you know! I became inspired recently to combine the two!