Andrea's Photoshoot

Andrea Photoshoot, a set on Flickr.

I've been blogging a long time, since I was in high school and you don't really need to know how many years ago that was. But it was a long time ago and I started on on LiveJournal. It was used more as a way to stay in touch with friends and gripe about teaching angst stuff.

As I got older and blogged on other forums I was able to find a group of people who I could relate to, and although we never met in person, we were extremely close due to the personal things we shared. We gave advice and general support.

Then when I started this photo blog, I also started working with another blogger, Kerri, and she opened up my world to even MORE BLOGGERS! From which  I met, Andrea who has one of my most favorite blogs of all time.

She is a wonderful and honest person whom I was so excited to meet in person while we made glittered shoes. She's' become a really good friend and I was deeply honored she asked me to do portraits of her.

We decided to do Union Station in Los Angeles, which is GORGEOUS! Who knew such a gem was tucked away in Downtown Los Angeles. My biggest challenge with this shoot was I don't work with flash.

So I made due with a tripod and timed shots which allowed the shutter to remain open for an extended period of time to expose the shot.

Andrea was such a good sport with sitting EXTREMELY still for the timed shots. Also, she's a natural in front of the camera and is so photogenic!

I am very proud of these shots and again, thank you for the opportunity to work with you, Drea. 

I'm Where I Need to Be...

Last night in class we watched a short video about Paula Scher and it spoke to my very soul. I had goosebumps throughout the whole video because it reaffirmed everything I was doing and it reassured me that yes, this is exactly where I needed to be and this is exactly what I'm going for. 

Paula Scher is an amazing designer who has carved out her own iconic style in the past 35 years. I can only hope that one day I would be featured and remembered as to having my own iconic style. 

If you have time, please check out this video below... 

http://vimeo.com/hillmancurtis/artist-series-paulascher

Maternity Photoshoot

baby shoes , originally uploaded by Lannys Photos.

This is from a maternity photo shoot I had done this past week with my friend Kerri and her husband.

It was my first time doing a maternity shoot and it was so much fun to be able to work with them!

I look forward to doing more photo shoots with more mommies-to-be!

Skyline Engagement Photo

Skyline Flyer in Santa Cruz, originally uploaded by Lannys Photos.

Here's a peek from the engagement photo shoot I took in June. Loved how it came out.

Whirlwind...Where Have I Been?

Changes can come slowly, or it can hit you all at once and you feel as though your legs have been swept from under you and your breath is knocked clear out of you body.

These past three weeks I've experienced the drastic and swift change.

My grandmother, our family's matriarch, the glue, core, foundation and soul of our family passed away a little over two weeks ago. The week of my return to work after this devastating loss, I parted from my toxic, abusive and hostile work place after a series of events had built up, with last week being the final straw.

And here I am, sitting here soaking in all this. I am a bag of mixed emotions. I feel sad and wounded from the loss of my grandma, disappointment about the people at my workplace and excitement for my future.

I am going to go back to school to pursue a BFA in Graphic Design. My lifelong dream goal has been to be a Creative Director, and this year, I decided I needed to follow that dream.

So with one gigantic swoop from the universe, I had no other place to turn, but onward towards this goal. I can really do this. I'm scared because it's a leap, but I'm ready to TRY.  I feel braver to take on other matters.

A part of my soul may have died, but a spirit has been reflamed and I am going after this with all I have.

Which then brings me to my next revelation, suddenly, for the first time in 11  years, I am actually going to get to enjoy a summer vacation. I've been working since I was 16. Now, I have the opportunity to have 6 glorious weeks of enjoying my summer. What a wonderful gift.

Sure, I may not have enough money to eat out anymore and enjoy other luxuries, but I feel free. Free to meditate and read, explore areas around me, run at the beach, learn how to surf, cook and just create with no worry. I can go back to the Bay Area for one week to spend more time with family and friends. I can tackle projects I've put on the "Some day" list.

And very importantly, I am going to tackle photography projects. I will finally update this blog with photos from NYC and Boston, engagement photos of my friends and photos I will be taking everyday on these 6 weeks.

I may have failed at 365 days, but maybe I can tackle 42 days.

Don't worry, I have plans on how to make income. I've got it all worked out, and if one thing doesn't, something else will.

Everything will work out.

"Sometimes starting over is how you really get started!" - The Daily Love

day 13: reflections

Taken while shopping for clothes for COACHELLA!

day 12: swift

12, originally uploaded by Lannys Photos.

So here's the sky on my way home. It was a long day, I had no where else to go but home to decompress and the sun was setting.

I can't promise that there won't be more sky pictures.

And that's that.