My iPhone is my new diary. I love the idea of a diary. I don’t know how many diaries I started as a kid and I never finished. They all started hopefully… with the intention I would write about my life. The first few pages would be filled with my newest crush, my bratty sister and all makings of that teenage angst. Then the diary entries would be less and less filled until it consisted of blank pages. I wasn’t a writer and never had the patience to sit and write. I was too busy swooning over a boy!

A few years back did my 365 project. I took a picture a day for a year and I really never stopped. I seem to take a picture every day still. One – I am a photographer and I can’t help but take pictures, Two – I have my iPhone with me all the time (as it seems most of the world around me does!).   I realized that this diary is something I can keep up. Not because I had to, but because I wanted to.  I record my life through pictures not words. I look back at all my little images and it brings me back to locations, emotions and people in my life. For me, an image is more powerful than words and a perfect way to preserve my memories.  So…..

Dear iPhone, look what I have been up to.

]]> http://agirlandacameraphotography.com/blog/2012/01/dear-iphone/feed/ 0 http://agirlandacameraphotography.com/blog/2012/01/curls/ http://agirlandacameraphotography.com/blog/2012/01/curls/#comments Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:14:20 +0000 Jennifer http://agirlandacameraphotography.com/blog/?p=5468

Photographing a photographer is a little intimidating, but when working with the  talented and sweet Jamie of Jaime Lauren Photography  those feelings went away pretty quickly.  It was great to shoot someone so passionate about photography and her business as I am. We geeked out on photo gear, her bag of very awesome cameras, and photographers we admired. We definitely had to stop chatting and get back to work or we might have missed this beautiful yummy light.

“Dwell in possibility”- Emily Dickinson

I am a big fan of “the list” ! There is nothing more satisfying than crossing off or checking an accomplished task.  With the New Year here everyone has their resolutions. Sure I could make a resolution to use that gym membership I have been paying for, or maybe not eat chocolate every day… things I should be doing and say every year.

This year I am making my Top Ten Shoot list. These are shoots I have been thinking about and never end up doing. Some are personal, and some for my portfolio.  I want to push myself creatively and I want to dwell in the possibilities.  Just take a simple concept and shoot it “outside the box”. The list might not be completed in 2012 but that’s okay. I  will be posting the shoots as I do them.  So excited to share them and see what I an check off!   Here is to a creative and Happy New Year!

Jennifer and Robert’s wedding took place at Fairyland by Lake Merritt in Oakland. It was a magical place I went to as a kid and I remember it fondly. It was fun to come back and experience the magic in a whole new way – by photographing a wedding!  Such a fun backdrop to such a sweet day!

Barbados is pretty much one of the best places on earth. The air is warm, the water is hypnotic with shades of blues and greens, and you just can’t help but feel happy here.  It might be the rum punch but I am pretty sure it’s this island.  Chrissie and Dave felt the same way when they came here and knew it was the place to celebrate their wedding. Which was good for us, because we got to go and capture it.  The Crane Resort was a perfect place to celebrate.  We were in awe of this backdrop against which we were able to capture the day and this inspiring couple. Truly an amazing experience.  I will forever have this wedding and Barbados in my heart!

As I frantically searched the internet for it, my heart was pounding. I was so mad and – let’s face it – I get a little obsessed!  There it was… my image, one of my most beloved images had been used in a blog and not just one blog, but it was used 446 more times according to the Google image search!  The kicker?  The photo credit was not mine, or there was no photo credit used at all.  Then I started writing everyone who used it.  I was sick.  This was my image and no one knew I took it!

My image was used from Bloggers to Tumblrs to Pinteresters.  It seemed to make it around the world from China to Chicago, France and Japan.  People changed it and converted it into horrible colors. They wrote about how thankful they were for their new jobs, their family, friends, and their lives.  Then it hit me… it was actually staring me in the face.

I’M THANKFUL FOR TODAY

Really?!  I thought, “Are you actually going to write 446 different people about this picture?” As I clicked from one site to the other I began kinda smiling – That’s my image!  One of my most beloved images inspired so many people and was used 446 times!  Who knows how many readers saw my image and were inspired.  I had to let go and be grateful. Grateful I have a love and a passion for this art and it is my job. I have the means to travel (NY where the image was taken) with amazing friends. Not to mention my boyfriend Jeff who brings me down to earth when I can’t see anything else (Thank you – you were right).

I will chalk this up to experience and just be Thankful for Today!

Since I was on an island on Halloween this shoot didn’t get posted in time.  I had to pleasure to collaborate with some talent people for this shoot. It was a fall wedding inspired shoot with a little Halloween thrown in. It was a lot of fun and even the rain didn’t stop us.

Photography: A Girl and A Camera Photography

Floral: The Petal Company

Coordination/Styling: LVL Wedding and Events

Hair and Make up: The Make Up Dolls

Cake Pops:  Sweet Lauren Cakes

Jewelry:  Fig and Faun

Paper Goods: The Card Lady

Rentals: Blueprint Studio

Dress: Starlet

Model : Sammy Sierra

Jessica was like a kid on Christmas morning. Excitement was in the air of  The Citizen Hotel. The room was busy with bridesmaids helping Jessica prepare for this amazing day, this day that Jessica gets to marry her very best friend Danny.  She was just glowing.  The wedding was beautiful- vintage details, amazing bouquets by Visual Impact Designs and those Badgley Mischka shoes (LOVE!).

  Danny and Jessica are perfect together. They are so sweet and kind you just want to be around them. It was a great day and I am so happy for them- Congratulation! They really bring a smile to my face.

The Citizen Hotel

Visual Impact Designs

Sweet Cakes by Rebecca

Chris Pizzo Design