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. 

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.

day 11: just keep running

Instead of going to the gym I chose to drive down to the beach to run. It was such a beautiful day and I was able to finish my run as the sun was setting.

This was the beach that made me fall in love with Orange County and it is still beautiful to me.

Running outside is always more challenging with the wind blowing against you, but it's a challenge I welcome.

Now that the sun is setting later, I will be making more of an effort to run down by the beach and breathe with nature.

Day 9: Santa Monica

9, originally uploaded by Lannys Photos.

Spent the day in Santa Monica. It was an overcast and COLD morning, but by 3pm the clouds finally broke away and the sun came through and it warmed up.

The pier was packed with families and couples eating boardwalk food and playing games. I haven't had a chance to upload the other photos, but I did snap this with my iPhone. I ate a veggie dog from the original Hot Dog On The Stick stand.

Hot Dog on The Stick holds a special place in my heart. Whenever my cousins and I all went to the mall, my oldest cousin always bought us lemonade to sip on. I miss those times. We were sisters.

day 8: surprise

I need to get a filter so that when I shoot the sky and ground, there would be a balance. Post processed this in photoshop to balance out the light. It looks so majestic and I usually don't favor photoshop, but I can live with this.

This was cropped down. I took this at a farm off the 5 fwy.

It's been a rough few days getting this project off the ground. My pictures have been disappointing to me and they haven't been that great. But I suppose it's like when you start training for a half marathon, the first few miles are always the worst, but as training goes on, it gets easier. I just need to get back into the groove of it and I'm glad I'm taking pictures again, even if I'm forcing myself. Practice. Practice. Practice. Then... you practice some more.

So, keep going. Keep shooting. Grimace when you post so-so pictures, but know that it will get better.

Day 7

Sky

And the sky opened, and there was hope.

What is it about clouds that I adore so much?

day six: dead christmas trees

OC has very random plots of land in every city for faming. This is behind the Christmas tree farm where they chop up the wood for bonfires and firewood.

I think I'll try to work on getting more of the small farms photographed.

day 4: bill cunningham

Tonight I escaped to a world of a man whom many of us may never have heard of him until recently, his name is Bill Cunningham.


Bill Cunningham is responsible for photographing (only in colored film!) and laying out the photos of street style for the New York Times Style section on Sunday. A man who is well into his 80's (?!?!?!) but has more spunk and charmisma than any 20 something I've ever met.



After enjoying a dinner and catching up, my friend Erin and I headed to the theater to watch the documentary of Bill Cunningham; I already want to head right back into the theater and watch it again.


This was one of the most enjoyable biographies I have ever seen. I have never smiled and laugh so much watching a person in action. My emotions went from highs of the highs, to sinking low while holding back tears.


Bill's life is extraordinarily simple and so fulfilling. Coming from a background of middle class Americans who were Catholic (a part of Bill that is sensitive and meaningful to him), Bill chose to dive into the world of fashion, even when his family frowned upon it. On the verge of designing a major line of hats for the fashionable elite, he received a draft, and showing his character, he answered to the call of duty and walked away from the life of potential money and fame.


After serving our country, Bill came back and continued designing and immersing himself into the world of fashion. But it was when he received his first camera as a gift did Bill truly shine. Being there from the beginning of personal street fashion, and capturing every moment, he has become a legend. A title he laughs off. He has captured the essence of the street, bringing the world fashion that was unpretentious and unattainable.


In the film, we follow Bill through several weeks of his daily life and some parts can bring tears to your eyes as it did to mine. He was modest in his appearance, the same colored pants, street sweeper's blue jacket, a hat and a rain pancho he'd tape up if it ripped. He ate simple breakfast sandwiches and unknown diners and drank his cup of coffee. He was the man of the streets.


But then we also see the other side of Bill. The man who is welcomed into the upper society of New York city with open arms and kisses. He does all this with the sweetest smile you would ever see. His toothy grin was all the same with whomever he photographed, because to him, it is always about the clothes.


He is far from a paparazzi, he is an artist who captures true genuine style. While other photographers are busy chasing celebrities with their "free dresses," he's on the sideline photographing attendees or street people who chose to dress in their own unique way.


His work ethics and moral code are so rare to find these days, and perhaps that's why I felt tears welling up because genuineness and true passion are so hard to come by these days. He truly loves his work and it is in everything he does.



He in particular, but never too pushy to the point of being unlikeable. I'm sure those who work with him sometimes felt like shaking him for being unwavering in some choices, but respected him enough to not do so. How could you, when the man gives you that toothy grin?


Very few people know about Bill, even though he has captured their photos for the past 20+ years. All anyone can really recall is his habits, his Schwin bike and his tiny apartment in the legendary Carnige Hall.


When doing fashion shows, Bill wasn't part of the fancy photographers who were lost in the sea of lenses at the end of the runway, he was on the side, capturing what was truly important, the essence of fashion with one question in mind, "Was it wearable for regular people?" If the answer was no, then it was no good to Bill. For he was the man of the people, an advocate for personal fashion, not models or celebrities.


As I've mentioned before, I couldn't help but continue smiling throughout this film. It was upbeat, and funny, because Bill is a funny guy who leaves everyone he's talked to with a smile on their face. Only two parts did he break away from that smile. One was when Paris awarded him with a prestigious art & design award pinned to his workmen's jacket and the other when asking about his religion.



Here was a man who was selfless when it came to this world. He never created a family or had relationships because his love and life was in all this. A world in which he lived in a tiny studio with walls of file cabinets filled with every negative he's taken. A man who never asked for more, nor accepted anything from anyone. He believed in being free, and to him, "Once they pay you, they own you."


I don't know why I want to laugh and cry for or with Bill. Bill is an example of what it truly means to live a simple life. So many of us say we want that, but we are far from even being this close. Possessions and accessories hold little value to Bill, and that is admirable. And perhaps I want to cry because the level of genuineness that exudes from him is something that is so hard to come by these days.


Please watch this wonderful movie about a man, his camera and bicycle and how he's captured New York City, one roll of film at a time.

day 3: B I N G O

Jimmy and I spent the day together and it was so nice to transition from one activity to the next. We started with a quick breakfast at home the headed to a trail in Laguna Beach and after we went to one of my favorite flea markets, the Irvine Vintage Flea Market. 


We browsed around to see what I could find and after seeing the perfect small shelf I could use for all my wooden stamps, I found this table of vintage BINGO cards. The sliding cards on the right hand side are the first I've ever seen of this kind and I had to get one immediately. To see a few more pics of the market, check out my flickr. 


The day progressed to lunch, tapioca, a mountain of my laundry and reading in the sun. I love easy weekends. What did you do for your weekend?

day 2: night life

This strip of street is located in a small city that is close to mine. It is a completely different environment, even if it's so close.

It is notorious for crimes such as prostitution & drug trafficking. Really scary consider we're about a few miles apart.

day 1: cloud maker

Took a detour from my usual route home today to drive up PCH. The sun was setting and I got to see my favorite Cloud Maker.

Scared of Flash? No Worries.. I Am Too

I've always hated my flash on my cameras. The ideal flash would be one that is not right above the camera and held in a different spot that could flash a more appealing light on the subject. I cannot afford a separate flash, nor do I have money for large strobe lights (ONE DAY). But then my dear friend Andrea linked me to an amazing device that could make the flash on my DSLR look good!

Here's the link: http://photojojo.com/store/awesomeness/pop-up-flash-bounce/

I will be receiving it next week and will do some test shots with them to show you how it looks. For now, I'm just imagining all the possibilities. I hope it doesn't disappoint.

I should also practice more with strobe and detached flash, but that's for another day. ;)

Engagement Photos: Ky & Michelle

So the friends who have asked me to their engagement photos are named Ky & Michelle. I met Ky about 5 years ago. We were on the same team for senior class for Advertising. The class was divided into separate teams which were to act like agencies and we created a campaign for a client. The winning campaign would score the account, just like real life. It was one of my favorite classes in college, and I always love a little competition especially when it comes to marketing/advertising.

There were 6 of us on the team and we each brought different talents to the table, a designer, coordinator, researcher, and so forth. With many many many late nights and hard work, our team pulled away with a strong win. The presenters of the group were Ky and me. We grew closer from this experience by continuously working on our presentation with the goal of not using any cue cards.

Our friendship progressed to that of a brother and sister. We are both only children and that created an instant bond.

After our project, we winded down and celebrated over ramen in Japan Town and this was when I first heard about Michelle.

I still remember how  we were cramped to a small table that barely sat two with our oversized bowls of ramen with the afternoon sun shining through. He started by saying, "Well sis, there's this girl...." and the rest has been history.

I've had the pleasure of seeing their relationship grow for these past five years and being their photographer is something that I am honored to do. Our mutual excitement for this photo shoot is encouraging because they are involved and that makes photographing them 100xs easier.

The first round of discussing this project was Ky telling me he wanted it based on a song by Bruno Mars. He sent me the link:







After listening to this song a few times, images started coming to mind. This song is so fun and easy going that I knew this was going to be a very fun shoot. The images that came to my mind was a carnival of some sort with lots of rides and games. I started thinking of locations that were around the Bay Area and thought of Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Known for their rides and games right on the beach front, I thought this place would have plenty of photo opportunities.

When I presented them with this idea, they loved it right away. Turns out, this is where he had officially asked Michelle to be his girlfriend. How amazing when everything falls into place.

I then started gathering images as my inspiration board and have been using Pinterest to do so. Here's my board so far:
http://pinterest.com/lannysmusings/engagement-photos-ky-and-michelle/

I am excited to gather all the materials for this. We will need a few more props going into this, such as a board with the date and sayings. Considering this will be used for photos and a short stop motion video with the song as the theme music, I want to make it as fun as possible.

With about a month to go before the shoot, I will probably pop over to Santa Monica boardwalk to take some photos for practice.

If you can share any stop motion videos you like and think I would be inspired by, it would help a lot! 

Are you looking forward to any photo projects?

(Thanks for bearing through such a long post with no pictures!)

Stop Motion Engagement Photos...

My friends have asked me to do their engagement photos and want to do a short stop motion video with a few scenes.

This would be my first stop motion video so obviously I Google'd and found this great site on how to do it. Can't wait to get it started. May need to do some practice ones.

Here's the link:
http://content.photojojo.com/tutorials/stop-motion-digital-camera/

A Redesign Is In Order...

I stopped Project 365 after realizing I wasn't doing anything inspiring and I wasn't inspired enough to do it. Now, after a few months to breathe and take a step back, I'm ready to really get back into photography. Work on my skills and grow. Work on expanding and take that next step to shoot for people.

My goal is to do more design and photography, so this blog will be going into that general direction where I combine the love of photography and design into one. A collision of loves.

I'll keep you posted and start rolling out projects. Until then, keep shooting.