La Vie Par Mes Yeux

The Brilliance of Experience

2011-09-09T18:54:00.000-05:00

There are two people in existence that know what this photo means and that is a huge part of why I love it.

My boss and I are constantly working, building upon our past experiences, and continually pushing to be better. This fact is a huge part of why I love working with him. He always has a constructive critique of my performance during a shoot. Our recap meetings usually turn into mini classes: we discuss what we have achieved and what we can work on even more. I take every single suggestion to heart and improve my shooting in the best way I can, therefore constantly improving my technique. We make a perfect team.

I don't want to go into the specifics and dilute the beauty of the mystery, I'll leave that up to him. Maybe, one day, he'll write a book about it or something. All I can tell you is that this guy is brilliant; and, I'm thoroughly amazed at how many things he has to teach. They're really only things you can learn from the 20+ years of experience that he has and shooting with him is a HUGE help to understanding them. Well, I guess that's about it for now...

Here's to another week of 2nd shooter amazing-ness!

Ciao!

Making connections never hurts..

2011-09-02T09:30:00.000-05:00

Those of you who have followed me for a while, may have thought I forgot about my Moroccan obsession, but as I will show you today, I certainly have not! I also have not forgotten about my love for travel, culture, and life outside of the U.S..

A couple of weeks ago, I received an email from a photographer, one of whom I had never heard. The subject of the message was something like "Scouting Talented Photographer Assistant." So, surprised, I opened the email, and saw that it was sent to my "colum.edu" email and thought "OK, so he found me on the Columbia site, it's safe," and I read. There were no real details. I googled him - I saw where he had worked and that his work is commercial... If you know me, you know commercial is not my favorite, but as Yassine said, it's all about experience and connections. So, so somewhat reluctantly, I set up a meeting. At that meeting I found that, not only is he a commercial photographer, he is a wedding photographer as well and oh! how my attitude changed (a complete 180 degrees, you might say)! It may have also helped that he is a total advocate of a "no stress" policy and is super pleasant to be around... just maybe that had something to do with the change of heart... Oh! and possibly the mention of working in a country that has been on my list to visit for quite some time...

In the future, I will share more about him and my work with him, but for now, I will say this: God really does know the desires of our hearts and, as long as those desires are in line with what is right, He will honor them and give them to you.

Now, bringing all of that back to Morocco, I'm not really sure how the two relate, yet, other than travel because hopefully, I shall be doing some of that with weddings here and internationally so....stay tuned.... :)

Until later, here are a few images that are inspiring me to be a better photographer:

All photos found on Pinterest

Henna in Morocco - ourlaboroflove.com

Paris - Unsure by whom, though it may be Avedon

Bride In Morocco -ourlaboroflove.com

Avedon

Josie + JT | Baptism

2011-08-05T02:40:00.001-05:00

The day of Josie and JT's Baptism was a a scorcher! They were troopers though, calm and cool through it all. It was an honor, and pleasure, to be part of such an important day for the Corrao Family.

While photographing the actual baptism ceremony, I found myself paying more attention than usual to the artistic quality of my photos. John has been one of my supporters from the very beginning of my career and he is always telling me to just do what I do, and not to hold back on creativity. So I found it really easy to let go of the pressures of photographing something so important and just take photos from my point of view.

Of course, I made sure to get the essentials first!

You probably remember Josie and JT from this post, when I photographed them at home with their family. They have grown quite a bit and they're still just as adorable!

After the baptism we headed back to the Corrao house to have a little party and get some photos with the extended family and friends.

John told me that he really wanted a full family portrait. He explained that his famliy had not had ANY photos of all of them since childhood! Of course, having them all together, we just HAD to capture a bit of Corrao family history, right?! Absolutely! and I love that I was able to meet that need for them.

Although, we didn't get little Analiese in there, I did get quite a few of her content with the hose, filling the pool! Hopefully, there well be another chance to get another full family photo, soon!

Oh, and let's not forget the best part of the day - CAKE! Heehee - just kidding! But, for reals, that cake was, quite possibly, the best I've ever had!

Thank you again, Corraos, for everything - especially, sticking it out the scorching heat! You guys are awesome!

For me..but also for you.

2011-07-17T01:42:00.001-05:00

Sometimes, I just need to shoot and edit images that are just for me. When my niece Taylor is around, those are the times. Taylor has had my camera in her face from the moment she was born. She has been my perpetual project and it seems that she will be surpassing my record for Bullis baby with the most baby pictures and she's only two. This is confirmed by my Lightroom collection that's at 535 and there are even negatives that I haven't scanned in yet.

So, today, here are some pictures for me, but also for you, because I like to share.

*See these photos and more on H|Photography's Facebook Page!*

The Paetzolds and Pavliks

2011-07-08T14:11:00.000-05:00

A couple weekends ago I packed up my camera gear and made a trek to Yorkville, IL to see some of my cousins. I don't get to see my cousins very often, but when I do, it's a guaranteed blast! My cousins, Andy and Megan are no strangers to this blog, either! (You may remember them from a family shoot I did for their son, Sam's, first birthday! (Also here on Facebook))

Back in December when I launched my Christmas promo, Megan was one of the first of my clients to jump on the deal, along with Sam's godmother, Erica, and her family! So it was a double family shoot, four parents, and four kids!! I was so excited to see all of them again!

We decided schedule the shoot around the warmer months, We chose May and the infamous Illinois weather pushed us into June, and even threatened to rainout our rain date shoot with hail and pouring rain. But, the clouds parted and we had a great session with lovely changing light and even some powerful clouds for a background. Best of all, we had the fading sun to cast a gorgeous warmth over everyone! I just loved it!

Thank you, Paetzolds and Pavliks, for sticking out the weather with me!! I had one of the most enjoyable shoots ever! You all are just awesome!

Here are some of my favorite photos of the day. Be sure to checkout more on Facebook and leave comments as well!

CS Brides

2011-06-26T22:52:00.000-05:00

So I'm sure I've mentioned, more than once, that there are things in the works for H|Photography. Lots of things... One of which, was Elise Hofer, Editor of Chicago Social Brides, contacting me weeks ago about using one of my images in their Fall/Winter Issue. The photo would supplement an article about Kitchen Chicago. They thought my images, from the Oprah Bride Tasting with Pure Kitchen Catering, showed off the space rather well. Well, I've been published!! I am a newcomer at such things and I am very excited!! As I'm sure you can tell by the many, many, exclamation points... :) Anyway, below is a screen capture of the article, but if you visit CSBrides and flip to page 96 you can read the full article.

Yet ANOTHER project

2011-06-16T17:51:00.000-05:00

In one of my summer classes - History of the American Working Class - we are making a music video to benefit the Congress Hotel maids who have been striking for almost 8 years because they are making little over $8 as non-union workers, while the union maids at other hotels are making almost $15. Quite an injustice!

We are using all of our talents to Produce, direct, film, photograph, and publicize this music video, and when it is finished, we will be sending it to the president.

To quote my teacher, we are making history!

Here are a couple behind the scenes photos which I took when our class went to the Congress to talk with the strikers and learn more about them. Eventually, I will post the actual video.

Sneak Peek! Language Stars Chicago

2011-06-09T18:00:00.000-05:00

I did a recent project with Language Stars Chicago, an immersion learning center which has locations all across Chicagoland. I had a ton of fun photographing the kids and their teachers!

More about all this to come, but for now, here are a few pictures!

What to say when you have nothing to say...

2011-06-02T17:42:00.000-05:00

If you follow my Facebook fan page, you probably already know that I didn't know what to blog about today. I've been pretty involved with summer school and the holiday, this past monday, that I didn't have time to prepare anything for my weekly post.

So, I guess, I'm technically winging it, because I promised myself that, as long as I had time away from school projects, I would blog every Thursday, no exceptions! And here I am, blogging and therefore behaving.

Something very random happened to me today. I headed over to our campus Starbucks to pick up a "Grande Raspberry Passion Tea." Usually, I hit Dunkin Donuts for coffee, but today I wanted to be awake for class, rather than jittery. Anyway, as soon as I walked in I saw a teammate from my a junior high soccer team behind the counter. I guess that's not that random, considering we're only 45 mins from our hometown, but still a little crazy.

I remember her for always having the coolest hairstyles. One time, her mom did her hair with mini fishtail ponytails forming what looked like a crown or a headband. I always wished I could have my hair done the same way... I even tried a couple times, but my hair was always too frizzy for all that intricate stuff. She was so cool, and she was a really good soccer player too.

Surprisingly, she remembered me too, mostly because of my name (I always knew it would come in handy for something....), and we had a bit of a chat. I had seen her around campus so I knew she went to Columbia, and found out that she is a Marketing Communications major, similar to what Yassine does. Funny - I'm surrounded by Photographers and Marketers... Everywhere I turn, there's one or the other!

So, that's my post of the day - Moral of the story, when you don't know what to say, head to Starbucks! You'll be sure to find something! How's that for logic? ha!

Now I'm left dreaming about fun hair styles...

Check these images I found on Pintrest from Hair Romance!

Corrao Family

2011-05-26T17:20:00.005-05:00

So, blog friends, remember when I talked about Lee Denim Day? The fundraiser which allows employees to wear jeans to work after donating $5 to breast cancer research... In that post, I also mentioned that I was raffling off an hour photo session for one lucky giver. Well, that lucky giver was none other than John Corrao, a friend who has been really supportive of my photography career since the beginning - how fitting! I was really astonished that of all the names, his was chosen, but I was really excited as well, because he has a really adorable little girl, Annaliese, who I was eager to photograph and, at that time, his wife, Lisa, was pregnant with twins!

After winning, John decided to hold off scheduling a date until their twins were born and due to various sicknesses from this looong winter Chicago afforded us, we finally scheduled! I was so excited to meet all three little ones, who I had only seen pictures of thus far. Oh my, it was definitely worth the wait! The twins, Josie and JT, are some of the most adorable little peanuts! And Analiese is just the biggest little helper! As we got used to eachother, we learned that JT really dislikes the hearing the shutter click of the camera, but his older sisters like to ham it up! All in all, we had a really great time, and I am just going to stop rambling and let you see that!

Thanks again, Corraos, for a lovely Saturday morning!! (and the coffee and Boston creme doughnuts, too! Yummy!)

Finally a Final

2011-05-19T23:23:00.000-05:00

So as I mentioned in the last post, I just went through finals, at it was a whirlwind! The whole thing went by so fast, I can't believe I'm done!

So here's my final Studio 2 project. I focused mostly on bridal and honeymoon type items this go round - "Something Blue" was a theme as well as hints of ballet. I will miss this class and my teacher Bill First, dearly. We had a great time learning lighting! Hope to see everyone again soon!

Finals! and a Commercial Ad

2011-04-28T19:49:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone! Hope you're all well!

So sorry I missed our "date" last week, but I was immersed in the study of photojournalism during the Vietnam war, as well as, research on James Nachtwey. Sadly, I completely forgot it was Thursday!

Well, I am about to start working on finals, so I may be MIA for a couple weeks, but I'll try my best not to be.

My final projects include LOTS of photography work and quite a bit of studying: A Nutrition Final, PJ project on a Chicago Neighborhood, another Vintage Still Life shoot for Studio, a paper on James Nachtwey, and a paper on Photojournalists during the Vietnam War - PHEW! Man! it is going to be a LONG couple of weeks, but I'll push through!

Keep me in your prayers!

Here's a project that was due last night, in Studio 2 - Copying a Commercial Ad -

LOTS of Photoshop, that's all I'm going to say....

What do y'all think?

Bare Truths: Baffled

2011-04-14T19:47:00.000-05:00

I just received 120 multi-colored tulips, a dozen long stemmed red roses, and 3 mini bunches of yellow roses and pink Peruvian lilies, and all the delivery man said was that they were, "from the Lord."

I am baffled. I have been walking around, shaking my head, and racking my brain, trying to figure out who would send them, who would send so many, who could afford so many? I have no idea who, what, where, when, or most importantly, WHY? I can't figure out what I did do to deserve such a beautiful act of kindness? Why me?

I really don't feel like I did anything to deserve it. Actually, I think I've done more stupid, selfish, and arrogant things in the past week than I have done good! Still, somehow I was blessed. I don't understand it.

Whoever it was, Thank You for listening to the voice of God! I am truly blessed beyond belief and I hope I am able to bless you in someway sometime soon.

Unveiled: Day in the Life of Alaina Moore

2011-04-09T14:53:00.000-05:00

As promised, here is my second post of the week!

The beautiful, theatrical, Alaina Moore agreed to let me follow her around for 5days. This was a Photojournalistic induced stalking - Steve Liss's way of making us better photojournalists. After having seen the results, I am very grateful for having this assignment. It's still not finished, though. Steve still wants to go over it and make it more cohesive, so here is just a small snippet - a couple of favorites :

Unveiled: Accessories

2011-04-07T20:08:00.000-05:00

Today I wanted to share with you the project I spent all of last weekend working on - my Studio 2 Midterm. I wanted to create a diverse set of images which didn't look too staged and definitely didn't look over-lit and studio-ish.

I have a small confession, though... I am not the most confident person in the studio. I prefer to use natural light along with found objects/scenarios and studio is, pretty much, the direct opposite of all of that. Studio is more about creation than capture. So, you might be wondering, why in the world would she take studio classes then? Oh, I was wondering the same thing at first too, believe me, but then I learned; it's because I need to become more diversified in the type of work I am able to do, as well as to be prepared for anything a client could/would ask for...(Ok, but really, it's because it's required in the Columbia Photography BA program...but the other fluff definitely helps motivation!)

In order to make the work I had to do with studio lighting more enjoyable, I decided that I would recreate scenes which gave the feeling of natural light, more specifically window light. I would make images using the idea that I was capturing a bride's special day. I would make images that a bride and her mom could look back on and be proud to display. In the end, while I was only fabricating this scenario, I was doing the job I love to do! Oh, and I did it with a vintage twist! *LOVE*

Beginning this project was a challenge. I started in the studio itself, driving myself absolutely nuts with a lack of "homey" stuff to create mood. I was trying to do too many things at once, and I lost so much time trying to figure out how to create a window light feel while incorporating a faux window in the shot. Well, I quickly learned that faux never looks real, especially when it's in full focus.

So, I was stumped, stuck, frustrated, lost, and distraught. I went home hating the pictures I had taken; I didn't know what to do; and it wasn't until I was forced, through a series of events and a nude workshop, to bring lights home and figure it out. This is what I came up with:

I am really happy with the outcome, but what do you think? Did I accomplish what I had set out to?

Inspiration for these images: Well, as you may have guessed, weddings(of course!) I read a myriad of Wedding blogs, and I surf Pintrest(a new fav inspiration website) I was also inspired, very heavily by my absolute favorite eye candy catalog, Anthropologie, as well as, Free People. Who doesn't love an Anthroplolgie catalog, or a Free People catalog, for that matter?!?!

P.S. Please stop back on Saturday for a sneak peak of the "Day in the Life" Photojournalism series that I have been working on!! I'm really excited to finally be sharing it!

Lovelies

2011-03-27T17:05:00.000-05:00

Since I have not shown an image of my own in a long while, I figured I'd show you one of my most recent candid captures.


Marisa DeMarini

Marisa is a very dear college friend. Isn't she just gorgeously classic?

This shot is studio lit, but I didn't set up the lights. I just happened to be along on a photoshoot where my subject for a photojournalism project, Alaina, was styling Marisa. When I saw this light falling on Marisa I just had to take the shot! I even love that she closed her eyes at the very second I clicked the shutter. Everything just seemed to fall in place. Have you ever had one of those days, when things just work out beautifully? They're rare times, but when they come they're so refreshing!

Happy Sunday! :)

Favorite Things : Evernote

2011-03-24T09:00:00.001-05:00

These are a few of my Favorite things : Evernote

My Evernote Dock

Evernote gets me through so many binds. I can't imagine my life without it. Long gone are the days of random Word files floating around on my desktop. Now, I just create a new note from scratch, a screen capture, a copy and paste, or a ink note doodle and I can keep track of all my ideas, assignments, class notes, and inspirations.
My Favorite Feature(s): all of the source info is recorded when I copy and paste, which is AMAZING when using Evernote to do research for a paper, or project! Oh! Everything is synced up with Evernote's online server too, so when I need to access my "notebooks" everything is all in one place. Through their website, the dock, or the app on my android phone, I always have my notes with me! Ah! I love it!

I totally created an AWESOME(ly long) study guide on Evernote on my PC, synced up, and carried it around on my phone studying in every spare minute!

Another Favorite? I did say "few" but this post is pretty wordy already. There is something new that keeps me inspired, but I'll share that one another time ;)

SO What about you? Do you have any favorites to share? I'd love to hear about the things that make your life easier! Maybe they'll help me too!?

Inspirations

2011-03-17T17:54:00.000-05:00

I've been really inspired by vintage objects lately. As I had mentioned earlier in the semester, I would really love to do my Studio2 final on a vintage theme. So, I've really been paying attention to what runs across my Facebook and Twitter feeds - all that's vintage, or even just creative is really standing out!

Here are somethings that have caught my eye lately -

Feathers!!!

The "Flapper"esque cap on the left is one of my favorites, both for the cap and the photo, Love!

Love the micro tulle veils! They remind me of my mothers wedding, I would really love to have brides whose style was like this! And I would find so many uses for these veils as props fo various photoshoots! I also really enjoy the innocence of the poses - young brides!

Twigs and Honey
I really enjoy that even the poses and styling complement the hair pretties.
( Photography by Elizabeth Messina)

Below: some bridal hair clips. I really love the dupioni silk roses, which almost seem re-purposed, and the combination with the feathers and the birdcage veil. These are my favorites on the BRYDFERTH site.

BRYDFERTH
(Love the idea to photograph with books as a background!)

Here's a slightly more affordable version, no modeled shots though, which is unfortunate. Also, unfortunate that it's black, because I'm more into the creams and blush colors for vintage.

Anthropologie

These are some shots which I just thought were very angelic and dreamy. I love the hair piece which looks like it's made of some sheer fabric, lace and pearls - Classic!

Green Wedding Shoes
(White Swan inspired shoot. Photography by Jessica Claire(but of course!))

So, there it is - a growing love for all things vintage, dreamy, soft and innocent.

Sprinkles Cupcakes, Lust, and Wednesday Afternoons..

2011-03-10T12:09:00.011-06:00

Wednesday is a great day for me, well at least it becomes a great day when I get OUT of photo history. It's a day when I have a three hour block between classes of free time which I never have a clue what to do with. Last week, Karen and I started hanging out during that time slot. Ice skating was where we started, which I mentioned last week, this week was Karen's birthday. From the moment she told me that her birthday was this week, I new that I wanted to treat her to cupcakes. She wanted to go ice skating but, thankfully *wink wink*, it rained. So we hopped on the red line, got off at Chicago Ave, and headed to 50 E Walton St.. Sprinkles, and their gluten free red velvet, was just waiting for Karen and an Irish Chocolate(the flavor of the month, photo to the right) for me....mmmmm....mm. Amazing, fluffy, puffs of of deliciousness, with butter-cream frosting on top! YUM! It was Karen's first time and I doubt it will be her last, if only they had a couple more of their 20+ daily flavors that were gluten free for her.

Here's a bit about the sprinkles concept: (Watch the video below) Sprinkles was the very first cupcake bakery. They started in California and are now in 9 cities! I've talked about them on my blog before, more so in lust than anything else.. after all, they do tweet like 5 times a day talking about various ways to get free cupcakes. They also send out reminders to watch Cupcake Wars, which I never miss, on Tuesday nights! And I am officially, in a stalker-ish-craving-every-day-lust, with them... Thankfully, I don't have the time to catch the red line everyday! Follow Sprinkles on Twitter, Facebook, and watch Cupcake Wars! Believe me, you will not be disappointed, that is, unless there isn't a Sprinkles near you yet :(

p.s. I was thinking about themes and I'm almost afraid to start a theme because there's that, "what if I don't have anything to say on a theme this week," thought.. But, I'm also thinking that I can always build on a theme through out the week if one is set in place and people will then have something to look forward to each week. Still torn though. What do you think? Would you like to see a continuous theme each Thursday?

Hello March!

2011-03-03T11:46:00.012-06:00

Wow, so it's officially March and all for about 3 days now and I am ready for spring! Man, am I ever! But neither Chicago, nor I could let go of the cold before I had the chance to go ice skating. I'm so glad I have a friend who loves to skate, because I probably wouldn't have gotten to go this year if I didn't.

I got out of class yesterday and had about 3 hours of down time before Studio2. At a loss for what to do, I remembered that Karen lives really close to school. Maybe we could hang out or something, before our class started. So I sent out a text and before I knew it, I was at Millennium Park skating with Karen in the amongst the buildings. Ah, life was good, and turned even better when she told me how many calories we were burning! 710 in 2hrs, man, that's good stuff!

Another awesome Wednesday occurrence - I got back the 4x5 transparency film I shot Monday morning in the studio and it's lovely! Oh, is it lovely! I think I'll go tape it up to my window and shoot some photos of it - that's how excited I am about it! Anyway, yeah, I'll post whatever I shoot so you can see it too! :)

I really do love the glow and vibrancy of transparency film - not enough to buy more of the expensive stuff- but if ever I have the chance to shoot it, for me, I think I'll do it. Hopefully, I'll have a friend with a lab by that time and super cheap, or free, processing, but I would so shoot transparency for fun.

While shooting that assignment, I actually realized a real appreciation for 4x5 instant film, or instant film in general! That stuff is a lifesaver! *Thank you, Karen!* And I love how it feels, so instant, no printing, no real processing, so final.. A very fine art approach to art, I suppose, but it's imperfections and slight color casts are just understood, and accepted, and that's a really great thing. It's like there is no room for perfection in the medium itself, but yet most of us, in studio anyway, use it to perfect our scene before we create a transparency or negative. Kinda interesting, I guess..

So back to spring - I'm eager because spring means playing outside, shooting outside, showing off cute outfits instead of coats, bright colors, sunglasses, cute hair rather than hat-head, Easter, and Easter family photoshoots!, and kid shoots, and warm photojournalism assignments, and of course, sunlight! I could go on, and on, but I think you get the picture!

Here are some cute spring "teasers" of my niece, Taylor - Look at the light on the floor in the shot on the right, isn't it awesome! LOVE!

All Images in this post taken with the Htc G2 Android.

Blogging, Conversations, and Conversational Blogging

2011-02-26T12:18:00.001-06:00

I love when I can go to a blog and feel like I know the person through reading their posts. People like that just make it look SO easy. Take J* or Kara Layne - they're gorgeous, they are awesome story tellers and conversations makers, and I feel like I know a lot about them - even the quirky things like how much J* adores her puppy, Polo, and Kara's love affair with Sprinkles cupcakes (shh.. don't tell her hubby ;)), actually, she is who got me started on them! I now subscribe to Sprinkles' tweets and receive tempting things like, "the first 50 people to say "blue suede shoes" receive a free peanut butter banana cupcake," 4 to 5 times a day... *Thanks, Kara* ;)

Well, anyway, it all comes down to sincerity. That's their advantage. That, and a genuine connection to their readers. Kara says, "blogging should be a conversation," and J* says, we should "KIR - Keep It Real." These are things I strive for, things I can only wish came naturally to me because, sadly, they don't I mean, not in blogging anyway. I've always been one to second guess myself. I write things and then read them over, and over, just to make sure I don't sound silly, or uneducated, or vain, or a suck up. I am a bit insecure, I suppose. Just waiting for someone to dislike me because my excitement got the best of me and I over did it. But this is me, I am a newbie, and I am a young photographer, but none of that means I am an amateur, by any means. Does it?

There's a John Mayer song that asks, "would you want me when I'm not myself?"(and it's probably taken out of context, but still), that's how I feel. It's all or nothing(or in this case really boring "update" posts). It's hard for me to think that anyone would want to read something that is not from my heart, but I'll let you be the judge. When you read things on this blog, I want you to know that I am truly, genuinely, saying them, with all my heart. And I am going to try making things more personal. I've tried this a few times before but somehow everything shifts back to business and my "professional," updating self. And, I'll admit, I am worried that people won't take me seriously, but I hope you will and you'll back me up on this. I promise to keep it PG( or maybe PG-13, let's face it, I am a wedding photographer...) and you just let me know if I'm getting out of hand. Deal?

I hope so!

Hugs!
- Hadassah

Dear Mr Blog..

2011-02-24T09:00:00.002-06:00

Dear Mr. Blog,

I know we haven't been the best of friends lately.... I've neglected you and I've called you names. I understand you only want to help...but you can really be a pain in the butt sometimes.

Well, you'll have to forgive me. You see, I have become slightly uptight and you've started to intimidate me. After all, you have never made this any easier on me, never given me the words to say. You put all my flaws on view. Critiquing me, silently. All the while screaming in my ear rules here, and rules there. Tiny threads, invisible ropes that bind my fun. Imaginary guests, turned intruders. Choking, suffocating creativity.

Not to worry, though, I still like you. I hope you can forgive me. Can we can be friends again? I'll try to ignore those darn rules, try to compromise a bit and just maybe I'll even begin to love you. Let's leave all the craziness, the peer pressure and rules behind. Let's start again.

Yours,

Hadassah

My Turn

2011-02-17T09:00:00.001-06:00

I guess it's my turn now. My turn to talk about being featured. My turn to say how honored I am to have worked with such an awesome client (and I SO am!). But I don't want to make it about me. I really just want to thank God for all the opportunities He has sent me lately, in business and in school. I am really blessed and I thank God for each and every person he places into my life "for such a time as this."

Of course, I have already shared, extensively, about the opportunity I had to shoot a Pure Kitchen Catering tasting for an Oprah Bride. As a result, many, many things are in the works for H|Photography, and I'm ecstatic!

First in a, hopefully, long line of new, exciting things happening -
As of February 14, 2011, My images are highlighted as those which showcase the PKC experience on the Elizabeth Anne Designs blog. Pure Kitchen is a New Featured Vendor on Elizabeth Anne Designs a nationwide blog that talks about the ins and outs of wedding planning and design.

Here's a screen grab of the feature, but click here and check it out yourself!

The feature talks all about Pure Kitchen's mission, their chef, and their food and also provides all their info. If you're in Chicago and there is an upcoming wedding or event you need catered - believe me- call them! Their food is amazing!

Again, this is the first of many new things going on and I will do my best to keep you posted, so keep an eye out!

Ps. I was extra touched by the name of this blog(my mom's name and middle name) and the date on which it was relaunched (what would have been my mom's 63rd birthday). Just thought that was extra special and though I'd share ;)

Blizzard

2011-02-08T19:53:00.005-06:00

I am attempting a post from my new TMobile G2, Android, phone, so please forgive any errors, as this is just a test.

Last week much of the midwest (well, now that i think about it, much of the country) was plagued with crazy thundersnow. In Chicago, we actually experienced a blizzard, complete with 50mph winds and more than 18inches of snow which, with drifting, accumulated in some areas to around 3ft!

I, along with my Pj class, was assigned to shoot snow features for the Columbia Chronicle, our school paper. Unfortunately, with school closures and the time period of the storm, the school decided not to feature the storm. Nevertheless, I decided that I will, so here are a couple of the images I submitted:
And an extra:

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And life resumes its order...

2011-01-28T15:40:00.001-06:00

..or at least that's how the saying goes...We'll see about that!

I began school Monday afternoon. In some ways I was excited, but in others I was a bit worried, as any student is on the first day of a new semester. I was mostly wondering if schedules would work, if teachers would be cool, and if there would be many friends in the classes I had chosen.
Well, yes, to all of the above!

This 1st semester, of Junior year, I am taking :

Studio II, with my favorite teacher at Columbia, and it seems like this will be a rockin' class!
Photojournalism I - with Steve Liss, former staff photographer at TIME, with an awesome 43 covers, over the time he worked there! *Wow*
Photo History II- with Carol Elhers, a Chicago gallery owner
Nutrition - with Dr. Anthony Sikora, a private practice chiropractor and RN at Mercy Hospital
Honors: Vietnam War Literature - well, this class is interesting, a history class and literature class combined, both teachers are nice and qualified - Mine, the literature teacher, is pretty cool and he was a Marine, so yeah, qualified.

So, if I haven't mentioned this before, Columbia only employs working industry professionals. I will forever sing Columbia's praises for this, because frankly, it is what makes it such an awesome school. This fact is one which really pushed me into studying here, not to mention the film into digital background(a whole 3-4 semesters) which they require and the positions which many of the college's grads hold (Sr Vice President of CNN, Oscar Winning Cinematographer(for Avatar), and a pulitzer prize winning photographer, just to name a few, thanks Forbes..)
No matter the annoying, hoity toity, holier than thou treatment we often get from the staff, especially in the photo dept, I am very proud that I chose Columbia.

Also, I am very optimistic about this semester and all of its potential. With the excitement of the Gonzalez Gorman tasting still fresh in my mind, I have already started thinking about my Studio final. This is a huge step for me, because I don't like to get ahead of myself with school, but as the idea continues to formulate, you all will hear more. For now, all I will say is, "vintage!"

I received the WPPI preview edition of Rangefinder, yesterday, and I'm just itching to go! Of course, that's not possible with school, but it is definitely a goal of mine in the near future. I would so love to really become active in the Chicago wedding photographer network, but so far have not been brave enough to attend a PUG (Pictage User Group) meeting or any events here. Eventually, I know I'll work up the guts, I am just afraid that because of my age and not yet knowing any Chicago wedding photogs that I'll be shunned, or something. Totally my imagination, I'm sure, but still..

Updates: I am still working on images from the tasting for the Oprah bride. I am so pleased with the turn out of all the images and the amount of positive feedback I have received. I cannot tell you how awesome and inspiring that whole experience was for me. It was amazing! These are some more artistic, "for me" images from the tasting, below:

Anyway, thanks for sticking with me this week and reading! Hopefully, my babbling made some sense :)

Gonzalez Gorman Tasting Part 2

2011-01-19T14:02:00.015-06:00

So, here it is - Part 2 of the Gonzalez Gorman tasting. Of course, all tastings are about the food(ahem, and the wine)! Both of which were of plenty Sunday afternoon. So today, my post may be image heavy, but I had just so many favorite food images! And what are photoblogs for anyway, right?

When it comes to food, Pure Kitchen Catering does it right! Completely ecofriendly, using only local, fresh, in-season ingredients - their food is pure bliss! Believe me, because after I shot it, I got to eat it. OH My! I was stopped in my tracks, more than once, just to "ooh" and "ahh" at the flavors! I could tell, above all, Chef Derrick is really passionate about his food.

Even the Pinot Nior is organic!

Each dish was almost sculptural: little pieces of art, and they were even more delicious than they looked!

As I said earlier, there was a lot of laughing.

Isn't Elena gorgeous and just glowing!
And planning..

So this concludes the Gonzalez Gorman Tasting. I cannot thank everyone enough! Pure Kitchen Catering, Art of Imagination, CaterBid, Heather Ever Present, Kitchen Chicago and most of all Elena and Tom for giving us the opportunity to get together and create something beautiful for you! You all are an amazing group! Thanks so much for a wonderfully inspiring Sunday afternoon!

Gonzalez Gorman Tasting Part 1

2011-01-17T20:48:00.017-06:00

So remember in my last post I showed my new event cards, and said I'd explain later? Well, here it is! Yesterday, I had the great privilege to photograph a tasting for Elena and Thomas, hosted by Pure Kitchen Catering. I was invited to be the photographer by one of my good friends from college, Kyren, who works for Joshua at Pure Kitchen. I'm forever grateful to her, because she believes in me so much and refers me for job after job - LOVE YOU, Kyren!!

Anyway, back to the tasting! The gorgeous Elena is an Oprah bride, how fab is that?! So, I needless to say, I was very excited to be the photographer on hand! Elena and Tom's wedding is in June, so they came out to Kitchen Chicago to be wowed by Pure Kitchen. And let me tell you, I heard a lot of wow's! Everyone enjoying great food, lots of laughs in the air - This was my favorite type of shoot! I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

When I imported the images later that night, I continued to be overwhelmed by beauty, as I had all day long. Of course, with all the wonderful imagery of which I was bestowed yesterday, I had to break up my posts -I had just too many favorites! So I'll share my second round of favorites on Wednesday, along with a link to the remaining images! Hope you'll stay tuned!

Today's post is all about design and details!
When I arrived at Kitchen Chicago, I met the lovely Deborah Weisenhaus of Art of Imagination, the designer who put together the amazing decor.
I was so impressed by the simple and elegant table scape and warm lighting - she brought us the warmth of summer while snow was falling out the window.

The bar was stocked with summery drinks too! and Oh, the colors!

and Oh, the colors!

Come back Wednesday for installment number 2: The Food! I can hardly wait!

More...

2011-01-16T00:29:00.002-06:00

...on this later!

Bare Truths: Embracing the Process

2011-01-12T09:00:00.012-06:00

Totally appreciated Julia's post, on Justin and Mary's blog Monday afternoon. So much so, that I commented( yes, sadly, i too am a blog lurker...*blush*).

My comment:

I often have those grey days.. mostly because I am still a student and I have so much more to learn, I look back at all the work I've done and try to compare them to the work of people like J&M and continue to fall short. Thanks for reminding me that better days!! are yet to come, this too shall pass, and letting me know I'm not the only one (i need that reminder, often). Congrats on the feature! You deserve it!

This is something I need to work on this year. I need to have more confidence in myself and my capabilities. Jessica Strickland started the work in her comment on my last Bare Truths post. Her reassurance was received at one of the most pivotal moments in my year. It was mid-semester and I was at that mid-sem breaking point, where I feel like all my professors think my work is safe and insignificant... yeah.. What I appreciated most about Jess's comment was that she leveled with me and told me that she has been there. This is the point where I think blogs (and the teachers!!!) these days are lacking.

Maybe I am just one to talk because I admit I don't read blogs as often as I used to, but so often, I feel like I read about this "great wedding" and that "amazing shoot", and about the "OMG! I've been featured in [Insert High End Wedding Magazine Here]!" While I love to hear these stories because they confirm that these photographers I follow are actually recognized for the talent that even I can see they have, there are those days where, forgive me, but I totally hate reading them because they make me feel inferior. They almost alienate those of us who aren't there yet, who aren't important enough yet. Though I guess that happens mostly on those "grey days" that Julia was talking about, still, I'd like to know that these people I follow are still just as human as I am.

I believe that, while our blogs are about(and should be about) our successes, they should also be about our doubts and failures because, after all, we are only human.

So, I guess I've stumbled upon another 2011 resolution... Embracing the process.

I began to understand this concept during the CreativeLive Jasmine Star workshop this summer. I've only learned more and more about it in the months since, and I am now beginning to embrace the process of becoming great. I know I have a long way to go, but I am seeing progress, like that of my last post, and that is probably the most encouraging thing that I could ever have done. Just in the re-examination and re-edit of the Felty's photos, I noticed at least 8 errors, 7 errors of which I have already improved and only within a year's time! The last one, aperture control, will resolve itself with practice and growth of my artistic aesthetic. All this is a major encouragement to me, because I know that I'm on my way to being pretty good at what I do.

Revamp and Re-Release: Lisa and Ivan

2011-01-09T15:05:00.011-06:00

This week I realized that one of my wedding couples just had their 1st year anniversary! Shout out to Lisa and Ivan Felty, Happy Anniversary! So I decided to try something new. I don't usually go back and re-edit images, because I feel like they mark a certain period in my life. Well, I decided that this particular set of images, Lisa and Ivan's wedding, had really been done a disservice, because, as a student, I was not exactly an expert editor at the time of their wedding.

So many things have changed since January 1st of 2009, one major thing being the release of Lightroom3 - my Godsend. Lisa and Ivan's wedding was set in low light, a beautiful characteristic for a romantic ambiance, but not exactly a budding wedding photographer's best friend. I left the wedding with some great images, many of which suffered from high ISO noise. I edited the best I could, but I have to say that my editing was pretty lack luster with the lowly tools Lightroom 2.6 offered. So I decided to give their images a second look, after all, Lightroom 3 has an awesome noise reduction tool, built right in!

This weekend I've been putting in long hours to revamp these images, and I must say, they are so much clearer, cleaner, sharper, 100% better color corrected... I could go ON and ON... Let's just say, "Thank God for Advanced Color and Digital 2 at Columbia! " I have "digital chops" as my Dig2 professor, Peter Thompson, would say. :) Man, even after the boot camp he put us through, I still think he's one AWESOME teacher for all the wisdom he imparted to us this semester. *Thanks, Peter!*

Now that I have rambled on, here some of the new photos:

Can you see the difference between the photos above and the photos posted on H|Photography's Facebook page?

Words I love to live by..

2011-01-05T12:36:00.006-06:00

Earlier this week, I took a look at my "favorite quotes" section of my facebook account and realized there are so many quotes which I love but have often forgot.

For example:
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear. -Ambrose Redmoon

or:
The important thing is this: To be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become. - Charles DuBois

These are words which I would live by and think about at the time of discovery, but as easily as they appeared they slip away, as if just a fleeting thought. Upon learning this of myself, honestly, I was disappointed. There were so many time where I could have used these quotes for encouragement and inspiration, but having forgotten them was as if I had never known them in the first place.

On the same topic, I was reading blogs and articles this morning posted by fellow photographers.
Adobe Lightroom posted this article on Facebook : Artists and Photographers: 20 Best Pieces of Advice in 2010

There, as I read through, I was inspired by the iPhone photographer, Aik Beng Chia, and his words. He mentioned a quote by Sion Fullana, which said, “Look around you and fall in love with tiny details.” Chia says that he lives by this saying when shooting and automatically I related to him. The photo that was posted as his example in the article was of the silhouette of a girl in pig tails, holding a bunch of balloons, floating off into the sky and a man on the ground walking right past her, looking at Chia and his iPhone, as if she wasn't even there... I feel like Chia is saying that the detail of the man not noticing the girl, probably because she wasn't there in the first place(he traced her in, using Sketchbookmobile), is what made the photo.

I could be completely wrong on this, but I still feel as if I know what Chia meant. Fullana's quote is a mantras of mine as well I mean, in photography, I look for the details which most people overlook. They may look directly at the same things as I do, but miss seeing what I see. Maybe that's because often I see with the eye of a 50mm f/1.8 and most non-photographers aren't sure what that's like, but detail (and lack thereof, actually) is what I live for when I create.

I guess the difference between Fullana's quote and the earlier two is that I've gotten the revelation of this one and the others' are still just warm and fuzzy to me. I haven't gotten their full meaning yet, and maybe that's why they are so easy to forget.

Well anyway, Happy Wednesday!

Siebert Family Session

2010-12-29T23:05:00.009-06:00

I had a great time shooting with the Sieberts, all the laughs with the grown ups and sweetness of Dylan and Austin were just wonderful! (Remember Austin from his hospital shoot, here?) I have the best time when I'm working with families! Especially, families with little ones!

Thanks again, Sieberts, so glad we could get a couple shots in between the laughs!

PS. There are only 3 days left to catch the $50 off promo! Be sure to snap up a booking, before their all gone!

..and have a cup of cheer..

2010-12-26T10:46:00.004-06:00

Hoping you all had a wonderful Christmas and are only just now coming out of your food comas!

My holiday was great and am walking away warmer(with a new Columbia OmniTek coat!) and more prepared(8G SanDisk CF) than ever ;)

Thanks to all my siblings for being great and sharing in the prep and clean up this year! You all made it a HECK of a lot easier to enjoy the day!
Jeremy, your pot roast was exactly like moms! My goodness was it awesome and a welcome throwback to the good days!
Hope, your efforts to unite are always lovely and well received.
Jen, Thank you for taking charge and planning everything, mother hen. I'm not sure what would have happened if you hadn't!

To all the non-family blog readers, thanks for baring with me and reading faithfully! I'm blogging today because I'd like to offer you one last cup of Christmas cheer

I have Extended the $50 off H|Photography Christmas Promotion until January 1st

I encourage all of my local readers and clients to please take advantage of this unique deal, and remind your friends to as well, because it will not be back around until next year!

Have a blessed and joyeux holiday!

~Hadassah :)

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T17:36:00.000-06:00

Christmas is coming...

2010-12-15T16:53:00.007-06:00

...and the geese are getting fat...please put a penny in the old man's hat?

Hmm, how about I do one better and give you ALL another $50 off deal? That sounds much better than pennies if you ask me and much more in the Christmas spirit!

Here are the details - click on the image to enlarge -

Please remember that H|Photography Gift Certificates are also available for that special someone!! After all, photography is the gift that keeps on giving!

Also, I am an all weather photographer - Snow and cold don't bother me, if they don't bother you! Plus they make for sweet rosy cheek portraits, not to mention the perfect winter backdrop for Christmas and New Years photos!

Artist Statement - Rough Draft - Feedback??

2010-12-11T13:43:00.005-06:00

Artist Statement:

I have always been interested in light; the colors it creates and shadows it casts. This project, 6:40, is based on light; specifically, the light that wakes us up in the morning. The images shows the effect sunlight has when it pokes through the clouds and above buildings, while dancing beams in soft pastel blues and blazon reds. It shows a journey of the moment 6:40AM exactly, over the course of November. As the days pass, light subtly changes; leaves fall from the trees; interior yellows fade to blue; cold shadows turn warm. So does life go on, not a moment more or less, still so much goes unnoticed.

The sand of life is ever running through our fingers, it is up to us to stop and savor it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What I'm wondering is what type of picture this paints in your minds? If I am getting the point across, or not?

The project is very conceptual, and scientific, but I don't want to get into so much detail about the scientific portion that viewers get lost in the concept and forget to SEE. Yet, I am torn on writing specific details and more conceptual prose. Maybe I should interject myself more "I did this or that" or "I learned this or that."

Please let me know what your opinion and any pointers you may have. Thanks.

Thanks

2010-12-03T16:57:00.007-06:00

Thank you! to all who participated in the Thanksgiving promo! I feel really accomplished that I even tried that! I've been pretty chicken to do anything like that before now. I've been doing my best to grow this year, so I felt it was time.

For those of you who did not get to book a session and/or purchase a gift session for a loved one, don't fret! I've got one more promo coming up this month and plenty of spots to fill up! So if that's you, just stay tuned!

Also, please remember that these sessions do not have to occur within this month, only the booking needs to be done before the promo's end date. In other words, you can book up six months in advance!

A question that arose about the gift session certificates was: Do the gift certificates have expiration dates?

The answer: Yes, the receiver of the gift session must book within six months of the purchase date. Again, these sessions may be booked in advance, up to six months.

My pricing file is available to anyone who is interested, please just send me an email(Hadassah[dot]Bullis[at]gmail[dot]com) and I will send it over to you. I will have a place for it on my website (which is merrily moving along, btw!!) soon!

Anyway, thanks again! and Please get the word out to your friends, and family, to watch for the next promo!! It's a good one!

Thanksgiving is upon us...

2010-11-25T09:09:00.009-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone! I hope you take this day to relax, enjoy family, and be thankful for the things that matter most like turkey, coffee, pie.. *cough,* I mean, life and health! Hee hee!

So now that we have the formalities out of the way, how about a little Thanksgiving/Black Friday deal?!?! Click the thumbnail below to view larger:

Be Sure to Like H|Photography on Facebook
For more information and booking email me at: Hadassah[dot]Bullis[at]gmail[dot]com

Check, check ,123....

2010-11-24T00:57:00.010-06:00

Whoa! It's almost been a month since I've last posted and I really don't have much of an excuse. I realize I'm breaking the laws of blogging by not writing more often, but to be honest, I really don't feel like many are reading...

Anyway, regardless, I am stopping by to say that it's finally winter! I'm so excited! The air is cold and thin. The sky has gotten bluer and when you look outside you just KNOW it's cold. I love thistime of year. As much as it pains me, winter has always been my favorite season. I think it's because the world becomes quieter, even with the hustle and bustle of shoppers and all the busy-ness, something about winter seems to make everything calm.

I'm officially on Thanksgiving break, and some part of me feels like I'll be getting some things done in these next 4 days, then another part feels like I'll be taking it easy.. I guess we'll have to see. Only 3weeks left of school, so it would be in my best interest to get things done. (The photo here is from my final project - 6:40 - barely edited)

Here are somethings which are making me happy at the moment that I'd like to share with you all:

The Swingin' Christmas Station on Pandora
Giada and her love for Chocolate
Modern Holiday cards on Minted(notice Jessica Strickland's Photography on many of the cards :))

A non-link happiness:

50s movies on Netflix
Miles Davis
John Coltrane
Bing Crosby
Vintage fonts and designs
Sketch and Handwriting
My Bamboo Tablet Stylus
August Rush
Christmas Commercials

Also, I've been designing my own Holiday Cards to send out to clients, I wanted to keep a hand-drawn feel to them. So I copied a doodle I did in Photo History class.. Hopefully, when they're finished everyone will enjoy the artwork as much as I do. Along with the cards, I have been working on coupons and gift certificates specifically for the holiday season.

Which reminds me, would anyone be interested in holiday discounts on photo sessions? Please let me know! I've got a black Friday weekend promo in the works!

Curry Family : Naperville, IL

2010-10-30T10:11:00.010-05:00

I had a great time with the Curry Family! We laughed probably the entire shoot, had so much fun! We had a few tears from Gabriela and Miyah, but mostly laughs and sneaky smiles. I was impressed at how well they did, Tami! As for the rest of the family, you all did SO wonderfully! I don't think you guys gave me even one bad shot which made it so hard to narrow down all the choices, and I have SO many favorites! Thanks for braving that cold October morning with me, I hope you had as much fun as I did! And I hope to work with you all again soon!

Bare Truths: Learning from Every Experience

2010-10-21T19:19:00.003-05:00

The wedding I last posted was shot with my most favorite wedding photographer, fromIndianapolis, Jessica Strickland and her studio manager, Erika Duncan. I was, technically speaking, shadowing Jessica: watching what she does and learning from her experience. Though, I admit, I was a bundle of nerves on my way to the Sheraton in downtown Indy, I was greeted by two of the sweetest photographers I've ever worked with. On top of that, Jess really treated me like one of her crew, which I really appreciated. She allowed me to take whatever photos I wanted and be as creative as I felt appropriate, and that in itself really helped with my nervousness throughout the day. I really had a great time shooting with Jess and Erika and I wish I could do it every weekend! Ok, maybe my limbs could only handle every two weeks, but I'd still do it weekly if I could!

...if only I lived in Indy...

When I got back to the house after the wedding, completely wiped but high on adrenaline, I started uploading the photos from my cards (something I'm usually too exhausted to do the night of). As I skimmed over the first few, I realized that there were some blurry shots, some pointless shots, some almost tourist "saw a wedding on the side of the road" shots and I couldn't help but start in with negativity and questioning, "what happened?"

Maybe I was just too nervous, getting into it.. and I went to bed while the rest of my images imported into Lightroom.

Over the next couple of weeks I did a cull of my images, trying to save as many as possible from my overly critical eye. But still, something seemed to be wrong with most of them. Something was off.

When it comes to times and events like this, I think my problem is in looking for the unacceptable in my photos. Whether it is because I feel like I'm not going to measure up to an instructors standards, or a fellow shooter's, somehow I'm always afraid of a lack of approval, and ultimately, I pin everything on myself. "I didn't do this," or, "I forgot to check THAT.." and I end up discouraging myself and feeling defeated.

After I had seen Jessica's blog on the wedding, I'm even more disappointed in myself. This time, it is more so because I've learned quite a bit since then. I've learned a little more about being a second/third shooter, after having watched Jasmine Star's CreativeLIVE workshop this summer. As I looked at Jess's shots, I thought, well, I tried to recreate her shots. Maybe I was thinking, I could commit them to memory through shooting them myself, and really I cheated myself. I know now that I should have be gotten different angles, shooting things Jess couldn't see from her angle. I felt like I didn't allow myself to experiment enough that day. I do remember thinking about it, but I don't think I new what it meant. I am not used to being able to think creatively for those types of events. I often lose my ideas to the overwhelming idea that I need to get what's important first and then I never get around to making photos for myself. I feel like I am still struggling with understanding how to be an individual artist rather than one who mimics other artists. But anyway, I know now, given another chance, I would do much better at second shooting. So, if anyone is reading who would like to give me that chance, feel free to email me. :) But until I get that chance again, I'll be working on securing my own events and making myself a better photographer.

So, counting now every experience, good or bad, as a learning experience, I'm signing off.

Lee Denim Day Gala for Breast Cancer Awareness

2010-10-08T08:53:00.004-05:00

I'm super excited this morning because I will be participating in my first charity gala and the cause is near and dear to my heart - Breast Cancer Awareness.

In 2006, my sister,Hope, started promoting Lee Denim Day for Breast Cancer Awareness at Robert Bosch Corp. The Idea was that if one were to donate $5 to the cause they could wear jeans to work on the second Friday of October(Breast Cancer Awareness Month). Over the years, the event has grown to include a full week of activities, raffles, ect.

This year, I decided to get involved with my freelancing company, H|Photography. Many companies have donated gifts and services over the years to help promote the cause, over the years, but this year it was especially hard to find sponsors. As I talked to Hope about the event this year, and her troubles finding donations, I decided that as a business owner/ photographer, I had something to give. Not only am I going to Bosch today to support my sister's lunch gala while photographing the event, I am also raffling off a one hour portrait session in their Grand Prize Raffle!

Their theme this year is the idea that Breast Cancer affects, not only the carrier, but those they love as well. Having lost my mother in 2005 to Breast Cancer,I have first hand experience of this. Being a pastor and a missionary, my mother's death affected many across the nation and even across the world.

Someone in one of my classes, naively, stated "if I had to get cancer, I would wanna get breast cancer, because it's one of the easier cancers." Let me tell you right now, if she had sat down and thought about it, I'm sure she could have thought of several friends who have been affected by breast cancer and all of them would have told her, "There is no "Easy" cancer." Thank God for people like my sister who are willing to take time out of their busy lives to raise that awareness.

It's not just about wearing pink ribbons, lighting the skyline pink, and walking in a 5k race, it's about telling people that while it's not an easy fight, we can beat it.

So, today is Oct 8, and I am Photographing for a cause. Please take just a minute out of your day and Visit my sister's Lee Denim Day Team Page and think about donating to the cause, too! Breast Cancer never effects only one, help us find a cure.

Follow the action on Facebook!

Ami+Neal - Indianapolis Wedding

2010-10-07T14:16:00.010-05:00

Ami and Neal's wedding was amazing! Not only was it my first Indian wedding, ever, but I had the honor of shooting for Jessica Strickland Photography. This experience cannot be matched. It was my first time third shooting I had the most awesome time! Jessica and Erika, thanks for letting me hang out! It was a blast! And, Ami and Neal, you are an amazing couple! Thank you for the honor of being a part of your big day!

While the events had been going on all day, first on my agenda was the Baraat, or the groom's processional entrance. All of the groom's family led him to the ceremony while singing and dancing- it was really a site to see!

Of course, with Jessica catching the most important moments, I took on the role of capturing the children of the group and some overall ambiance.

Then it was on to the ceremony -

And was it a Ceremony! It even included ICE CREAM!

After the ceremony, Erika and I headed up to the Panoramic Ballroom to catch cocktail hour : It had amazing views of Indy

and the guests were so cheerful and talkative! It was great!

Such a gorgeous couple, are they not!?

So, since it had been a long time since I had posted a good, picture filled, blog, I decided to make this one nice and hearty! Plus, there were so many images from this wedding it was hard to choose my favorites! Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed it!

To see Jessica Strickland's Shots from this wedding, visit her blog here : Jessica Strickland Photography : Ami+Neal

Back to School!

2010-09-18T15:29:00.002-05:00

Hey guys, so I started school last week and on top of having limited wireless connection I've been trying to get my schedule down, so there's not been time to blog :( I am slightly disappointed in myself, because I said I was going to write frequently, but I'm excited because I have a couple of posts lined up for the week

Stay tuned!! It'll have been worth the wait!

On the school front, I'm excited to be a 2nd Semester Sophomore! Oooh, I'll be a junior next semester!! Yaaay!!

My semester includes LOTS of photo - Advanced Color, Digital 2 AND History of Photo 1839-1920! It's a lot of info to comprehend, but I'm enjoying it so far! I also have Culture Race and Media, which is proving to be an interesting class about how the media effects everyday life, and College Math... aye! but surprisingly, it's turning out to be a great class, despite the numbers involved.

Well, like I said, stay tuned! Photos are coming soon!

Untitled 4x5

2010-09-03T20:41:00.000-05:00

Having been in summer school for about 8weeks, earlier this summer, I was really been out of the loop shoot wise. Most of the shooting I've done in those 8wks was with a view camera. Which I love that I've learned how to use, but am not in love with.

On that note, I will share with you my final project which, at the moment, is untitled, but I like the idea of calling it "Natural" or maybe "Organic" but I haven't decided. Feel free to suggest!

The concept was to break all the rules of the camera, while using the tilts and swings to throw everything else out of focus and focus on one specific point, the subject. The subject in this case being child body parts, ie. the chin, the arm, the hand, the elbow, ect.

I feel that I was able to execute my idea while achieving a certain organic feel. I also really appreciate the classic quality of the black and white film that I chose which was a very convenient choice, and cheap too, I'm not gonna lie.

Dad Update: Dad's been doing really well - he had another heart procedure today and tho it was "a pain" to "roto-root" this last blocked artery and insert the stint, his body did VERY well! SO well, in fact, that they were able to go back and "fix" the artery which closed a couple days ago, during his first stint surgery - EXACTLY what we prayed for! God is good, all the time, "and He loves ME!" as my dad would gladly chime in! :) So, all's well, and Dad's coming home tomorrow - I'm sure he can't wait to sleep in his own bed and without IV's in both arms! :)

Waking up too early and sweating too much..

2010-08-31T14:34:00.007-05:00

I'm sitting here dripping sweat. I know, TMI, right? But it's the reality of the situation. It's like 84 degrees in the house today and it's hard to get things done. Hard to concentrate. A lot of the summer has been like this with our annoying AC going in and out, but oh well! Thank God, summer is almost over!

Today, for as long as I can, I will try to edit. This has been difficult for me lately with a new computer and all the file transferring I've been doing in prep. for my fall semester. If only I could bring myself to clear my portable HD, now that it's backed up to my desktop external... I don't think I can do it...I've never lost important files, but I don't want to start now!

I've also been having trouble edit, because I've grown tired of all the music I own. I need new music in the exciting, calm, and easy-to-be-productive-to genres. Man, is it hard to find new, awesome, easy to listen to, artists these days! If anyone has suggestions, I'd be very grateful!

In the works: Once I get back into the groove, I have a couple photo events I'd like to post, from school film to a wedding, so stay tuned!!

Dad Update: He is in stint surgery now. He's getting along fine, and has a group of his pastor friends are in the chapel praying - he's got a pretty nice support system! :)

Munchkin Update: The twins woke me up @ 6:47AM this morning - all the lights were on - and they were yelling about a huge, furry, centipede that was in the kitchen, and a small one that was in the office. "Dassie, come kill it!" "You kill it, I was sleeping.." "We don't want to kill it, it's huge and scary and gross!" "OK, I'll kill it." (Thinking maybe I'd get to go back to sleep then) I went downstairs and it was gone. "Why are all the lights on?" I asked. "Well, I read on the computer that they like dark places.." said Chairty(Age 10).. "Oh I see, well, put on your gym shoes and stomp it if you see it" "But we like our gym shoes and that's gross" "I'm going back to sleep and you better not wake me up again, just stomp on it!" "But there's another one, kill it!" " OK, I'll kill it."
Needless to say, I didn't get to go back to sleep, I had already talked too much which made me too awake..

Oh yeah, and Faith lost a tooth today while eating a caramel apple :) If I were a tooth, I think that'd be a pretty good way to go! You?

Well, I'm bouncing all over the place, subject wise. I hope you'll forgive me - signing off and on to editing!

Hadassah :)

My weekend...

2010-08-30T12:17:00.011-05:00

Well, J*s CreativeLIVE course is over and I'm slightly lost. Not sure what I should do right now, but I know I should be doing something. I think it's safe to say that making lists and goals is a good bet, but the CreativeLive course wasn't the only thing that occupied my weekend.

Yesterday, my dad went into the ER, and if you know my dad, you know that it's impossible to get him to do anything medical. My family is very faith based. We pray. God is our Dr. That is just how we work. Well, sometimes my dad needs to be reminded that God created Doctors and gave them the ability to help us, even if it's only so they can tell us what to pray for. Well, of course, my pops, not wanting to even go in, wanted to keep all of this on the DL as to not worry Esther or my little sisters. I know my writing this and posting it on the interweb is not exactly the DL, but y'all can keep a secret, right?

Well, anyway, continuing on with the story.. My brother, Jeremy, took my dad into the ER yesterday after church, to get checked out. They ran some tests and found high tropinin levels, which could be due to hypertension. Stress. My, oh my, big surprise! Not exactly, my dad takes care of everyone and everything. He's a pastor, it's in his job description! Anyway, he's was kept overnight so they could continue to monitor his heart and they did an angiogram this morning to check for a blockage. Some not-so-minor blockages were found, but he has one of the most qualified cardiologists going in and placing stints in the morning. So far, God is taking care of it, like He always does and will continue to do. HE is so good to us!

So, I'm sure you can understand that while I have all kinds of to-do list making thoughts and a desire to get things done, I'm also distracted by thoughts of my dad. What I can do to help him. What I can do to ease my little sisters' minds and fears. And also a bit of laughter at the fact that he's set up with his laptop and cell phone controlling his home computer remotely, so that he can continue to work.. My dad is ridiculous!

Anyway, prayers are much appreciated. Not only for my dad, but for the peace of the family, esp. my little sisters who are too young to really understand what's happening.

Thanks for your prayers!
Hadassah :)

J* and the CreativeLIVE Experience

2010-08-26T12:34:00.007-05:00

So for a couple of weeks I've been looking forward to watching a Wedding Photography course on CreativeLIVE. It's finally here, I'm learning TONS and I'm so excited about it!

Now before I go too far, I want to clarify what CreativeLive is for those of you who may not be familiar. CreativeLIVE is a site that brings industry expertise to students of the inter-web. Using UStream, the people of CreativeLive put together online courses for people who just genuinely WANT TO LEARN. Whatever it may be, painting, studio lighting, or in my case, Shooting a Wedding, CreativeLive probably has a course available, LIVE, for you to watch FREE. Think of that guy who teaches how to paint forests on PBS, it's like that but WAY more intense and educating!

Ok, so now that you have the back story let's have chat.

Jasmine Star AKA J* is an amazing, driven, fashionista, wedding photographer from Orange, CA, and to make a long story short, didn't have childhood dreams of being a photographer like a lot of us. She literally had a FULL ride to UCLA LAW school...oh my, I cringe at the thought! but really, so did she!... She dropped out of Law school and decided within 6 months after planning her own wedding that she wanted to capture life's miracles as a wedding photographer. Had never really shot, but she did it. Picked up and became a wedding photographer and was shooting 40 weddings in her second year as a photographer!

I mean HOLY MOLY! 40 weddings in a year!? What a crazy inspiration!

So she's on CreativeLIVE sharing her story. her insight. her expertise. and shooting a wedding LIVE tomorrow afternoon. Again, HOLY MOLY!

During yesterday's class, J* was talking about branding and using all of our social media and blogging as an extension of our brand. She said that we should use blogging as a place to connect with potential clients. That they should feel like they know us, and I agree.

I used to blog about everything. What I was feeling. How my relationships were doing. If I was happy, sad. Blogging was my escape from reality, while coping with reality at the same time. It was the same for her and she used that to her advantage - people felt like they knew her, so it was easy for them to contact her and trust her with their big day. "KIR" she said, "Keep It REAL!" So I've decided to try. Try to blog with continuity. Blog for myself. Blog for my business. I hope you'll join me.

Here are a couple links to the CreativeLIVE courses -
CreativeLIVE
B&H Insights

Vega DeVille - Age 2 - Chinatown

2010-08-19T17:36:00.008-05:00

So remember Sam? Well, back in May when I did Sam's 1st birthday shoot, for my cousins Megan and Andy, I was approached by Laura, another cousin, to do a shoot for her daughter, Vega. Vega turned 2 this year and Laura wanted to have a photoshoot to document it. Of course, I was happy to oblige! Though Laura is my cousin, I had not yet met Vega but I knew as soon as I saw her that we were going have a fun shoot!

We decided on Chicago's Chinatown and this is what we got:

One of my favorite shoots, yet! Thanks, Laura and Vega, you girls are awesome!

PS: Photogs, I edited this with the new Lightroom 3 and I'm blown away at it's new grain handling capabilities!!! Many of these shots were shot at ISO1600 and above - I can't even tell!! LOVE Lightroom!!

"Pick-me-up/kick-my-butt"

2010-06-21T22:41:00.006-05:00

So the day after I finished my Spring Semester I was booked for a family shoot. Needless to say, I was burnt out from all of my finals and I was NOT in the mood to go out and get back on the horse, but I put my feelings aside and pressed on. I got in the car with my older sister and I drove to the boondocks.. Well, not really, I mean, Yorkville DOES have a Super Target now. Anyway, that's all besides the point. The point was that I went on and shot, no matter how I felt.

I guess it helped that this particular "pick-me-up/kick-my-butt" shoot was for my awesome cousins, Andy and Megan, along with their kids, Lilia and Sam! And you know what? We had a blast! I got some of(what I think are) my best photos, to date, and, on top of it all, we got to celebrate Sam's 1st birthday after we finished! Yes, that's right, I got some amazing Oreo pudding and Gummy Worm cupcakes to reward myself for waking up and pushing past my fears.

Here are a few photos from our shoot :

Vanda+ Angelo : Married

2010-06-18T16:49:00.012-05:00

So, Busy as usual BUT, happily, busy with stuff.

I have recently completed editing photos from a wedding of the sweetest couple I've photographed, yet! Angelo and Vanda, you guys are the best!! Thank you for allowing me(and Hope) to be a part of your big day and being your true selves in front of my lens! I truly enjoyed every moment.

Here are a few of my favorites.

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Bare Truths: Rules, What Rules?

2010-06-07T15:42:00.004-05:00

I started out in this game completely organic. It was neither something I felt needed, nor required, boundaries. The rectangular frame was merely a box in which to house my creativity. Never did I imagine that it would become something which would slight me in one way or another.

I've been editing my heart out lately - trying to plow through events and projects. I've stumbled upon a few weaknesses, a few frequent weaknesses, which I'm happy to have noticed, but unsure how to fix. Composition/framing was not something that I really paid attention to until I got into college. I mean, a photography major should know how to frame a shot, right? But oddly, I cannot remember once hearing a teacher deliver a composition lecture, and now that I'm earning a living through photography, I realize that "um, duh, framing is a big deal!!" I mean, it's not like I am horrible at it or anything. I mean, I know the rules of thirds and whatnot, but what are the rules for composition? Are there specific guidelines I'm supposed to be following?

And corrections - color, exposure, black and white points? I know how to deal with such things, in a very textbook manner, but is it mandatory that I always edit "by the book?"

Often, I feel that a picture can do without an absolute black point. And maybe, every once in a while I'd prefer a few blown highlights... What if I want majorly low contrast? Is that such a horrible thought? A photo which has low saturation and high vibrance, coupled with low contrast and no absolute blacks. Can't we just call it vintage and leave it alone? Teachers say "no!", but what are your thoughts?

What do you think of the rules? Are they meant to be followed? Broken? What ARE they, anyway? What happened to creative license?

Austin - March 26, 2010 - 9lbs 14oz - Birth Day!

2010-04-11T14:21:00.010-05:00

Here is a baby shoot I have not shared yet, with my blog followers!

Austin is, my sister, Hope's boyfriend's nephew(ha! long description!). As a gift to Rob's brother, Todd, and sister-in-law, Jenny, Hope and Rob offered my photographic services. I thought it was a pretty cool, and rare, opportunity to be able to do a newborn shoot while baby and momma were still in the Hospital. In fact, I got to shoot on Austin's Birth Day!

Needless to say, it was a pretty awesome experience and Austin was an awesome little model for me - He slept, he was alert, he even yawned for me! Well, ok, I'll show you! Thanks Jenny and Todd for allowing me to intrude on you so soon after the birth. I hope you think it was worth it!

Introducing Baby Austin(or "Little Fella" as big brother, Dylan, calls him):

Jakey - 3 months - March 21, 2010

2010-03-29T00:12:00.006-05:00

As Promised, here is little Jakey - Thanks Joe, Jenny, Little Joey and Jakey for a great shoot! Have fun in Florida!

Spring Break

2010-03-27T02:29:00.007-05:00

So I've been on spring break all week and taking more of a mental break than anything else. I've needed it. I've been so burnt out creatively lately, going nutty over every single photo assignment. So I've been spending my days either playing Super Mario Bros. on Wii, watching my brother's wife, Hana, and Yassine play, working out, or shopping... I've also been thinking a bit about some of the projects I have coming up as well as shooting.

I've had two baby shoots within a week's time and have another baby shoot shortly.
Here are my favorites from the first-

and a sneak peek of the second-

I've also booked a wedding for early April and all the jobs mentioned are paid so, thank God, I'm surviving financially. I'd really like an assisting/second shooter job, right about now, but all in God's time.

I've been getting better at work flow, so hopefully, I'll be posting more often. There are no promises tho seeing as Midterms and Finals are coming soon and are quite close together. So Anyway, ciao for now. :)

ps. H|Photography has reached 141 fans on Facebook!! Thank you to those of you who follow, I really appreciate your support!

breaking point

2010-03-08T18:34:00.003-06:00

missing travel. no, the constant nomadic back and forth between my house and my sister's does NOT count. i miss airplanes, and airports, and having an 18hr excuse to look like crap in public, authentic food everyday, people who are naturally hospitable, and being surrounded by inspiration daily. i miss culture.

aye. college.

all i'm saying is that spring break is going to have to do a lot of rockin'.

east coast, anyone?

What I've been up to:

2010-03-04T12:04:00.003-06:00

Studio Assignments

3 lights

and

4x5 View Camera w/ a Fuji back.

Typical

2010-02-27T02:28:00.007-06:00

It seems to me that I've become a once-per-month blogger. It's so funny that pretty much every blog I write starts out with how bad I am at keeping up, yet I still try.. Ha! You'd think that maybe one of these days I'd just get over it already, but I guess today wasn't that day. How typical of me.

So anyway, since my last post I've been introduced to the studio, reintroduced to Photoshop, and officially became an adult. Yes, I turned 21 and I don't feel much different, for the record. Also, typical.

I remember long ago, in my teens when I could NOT wait to turn 21. It was this HUGE deal. Now that I am I feel like, while there are a few things I can do now that I couldn't (ie. have a horizontal drivers license, like everyone else...), nothing has really changed. I feel like being a Sophomore has changed me more than becoming an adult. Is that weird? I mean, having been through two semesters of photo, I feel like I can tell the Freshmen how to check the temp of the water in the development sinks and final fix prints with confidence. It's so silly, but I realize that I am helping those kids more and more every time I am in the darkroom. Even through my own struggles getting reintroduced to b&w development, I feel like there is something that I can offer to my peers in terms of experience. And even though, sometimes I feel like I shouldn't be intruding into their learning experience, it's a really nice feeling knowing that I have the ability. Is that cocky? Maybe, but it's also humbling because it just reminds me of how I felt walking up to the fix and wash the first time and it is SO typical of my maternal instincts to kick right in, telling them what to do.

I am learning SO much this semester, it's great! I've been really busy, keeping up with everything, so glad that I'm only taking 4 classes! I cannot even imagine what it would be like to have 5 with the two shooting classes! Omgoodness! that's not a pretty thought. Studio is proving to be really interesting and hard, but rewarding. I know I will be able to do SO much with it once I am out of it, I have the best teacher too!! Bill First. He's tough, but awesome, and so nice. I can def say I'll be taking him for view camera and for studio 2! the hardest part about Studio right now is probably the printing. Traditional black and white printing is such a hassle, esp in the winter! But, oh well. I think I'm going to get back in there the next few weeks and try split filtering again. I know I do MUCH better with that than regular.

My other classes, aren't really all that exciting. Well, digital is cool, but very basic. I love that I can shoot digital in there tho, instead of film and scanning. At this point, it's a HUGE relief for homework and financial purposes. They teach a lot of really useful stuff tho, saving and printing formats, as well as photoshop techniques. I do find myself saying, "I can do this so much easier/better in Lightroom" a LOT, tho haha! Needless to say, I hate Adobe Bridge.

I'm going to try to get up some albums of homework photos soon. Scanning negatives and prints can be so time consuming, but there is a lot of film work that needs to be digital. There are also a few digital files that I can share, but we haven't really done anything too interesting photo wise in that class yet.

Horrible blogger

2010-01-20T19:46:00.005-06:00

Well, everyone, I guess you can say that I am a horrible blogger and I apologize to my followers for not keeping up.

I really have no other excuse than being incredibly busy and when I'm not incredibly busy, I'm incredibly tired...

Ah, the life of a college student...

Well, I'm back for an update! Can't say that I'll be back often, but we all can hope, can't we?

So many things have been going on in my life lately! Between school and shooting, last semester was a crazy four months, but I'm happy to say I came out on top, with straight A's to show for it! As I continue on in my study of photography I am upholding my Dean's List status, and hoping it will pay off in the long run. I have a feeling it will, but even if it didn't for some reason, it sure does feel good NOW!!

Yassine, is also keeping up with a 4.0 GPA in his MBA: Marketing Management program! I am so proud of him.

We, together, are doing very well and while we have faced a few hurdles we are pushing through and pressing on.

As I said, last semester went well, even though I didn't love it. I really only liked one of my teachers and he was a writing professor. It was not my favorite class; but, he was definitely a very good instructor. So Columbia students, take Steven Teref if you get the chance! :) My final in his class was a 15pg paper about photographic integrity. I learned a lot while researching it, but I'm glad I got through it alive!! (Steven, and my sister, helped a lot with that.)

My photo classes were on foundations of color. There was a lot of shooting and a LOT of printing, but I'm glad I now can see color casts and know how to fix them! :) My final for that class was on Fashion and Architecture. That was a hard one, but I rocked it out! Ultimately, I felt fulfilled and accomplished at the end of that whole shooting, printing, editing, and bookmaking process! See photos from my final - Here with password- hphotoblog.

As soon as the semester ended I got a call to shoot a wedding. Since last summer, I have been really busy, both shooting and editing weddings, as well as other shoots. I am gaining confidence in myself as a photographer and in my skills. I just think I need a faster long range lens - say a Nikkor 70-200mm F/2.8, hehe.... I wish! But really, I'm thankful, to God and my amazing family, for not only helping me succeed in business, but for believing in me to do so! God is SO good.

Anyway, as you can tell, I'm keeping uber busy! I have also just begun working on my official "H|Photography" website! So, hopefully, in the near future I will be posting a link for a site, complete with photo gallery!

Well, that is all for now. Thanks to all of you who have patience enough to follow my blog!!

Hopefully, I'll talk to you all soon!

Moroccan Hearts

2009-08-19T10:31:00.000-05:00

So, I've come to the realization that it may not be clear to many people why I went to Morocco in December.

Well, starting from the very beginning, my sister dated a Moroccan who introduced me to the idea of Morocco, it's beauty, the idea of going there, marrying a Moroccan(his brother) and living there. He often told me that I'd be treated like a princess there, and I was young and I am a complete romantic, so though he and my sister didn't stay together, this exotic idea really stuck with me. I liked it. I researched and fell in love with Morocco, Moroccans, Moroccan music, and even stuff that was close to it. I began browsing myspace for Moroccan friends, and came up with quite a few.Somehow my name even started coming up when people browsed Moroccans on myspace. It became what I called "the country of my heart", I was considered by my Moroccan friends as Moroccan, and it became my dream to journey to Morocco.

I also realized that many of you have likely seen pictures of me there with a native, looking, well umm, a bit friendly and I haven't explained why or who he is. Well, that Moroccan boy's name is Yassine.

Yassine and I met on myspace. We met in June of 2007 and became really fast friends. We had a lot in common and talked just about everyday. I really couldn't plan my days without having time to talk to him. I guess you could say I was addicted. He made me laugh. He made me smile. He made me happy. He was So sweet and respectful and I was pretty much in awe.

At the time we met I was in a relationship that had lasted about a year(long distance relationship). The guy and I had tried to meet, but nothing seemed to be working. He was very defeatist about the whole thing and needless to say, it wasn't going to work out. Meanwhile, during all of my relationship drama, I was determined not to let the wonderfulness of the boy, named Yassine, go to waste. So I thought of girls I could set him up with, but not just any girl, I had to know she was as great. So of course, a best friend was my first choice, but somehow they never really clicked, which was a bit disappointing.

Having just gotten out of a long distance relationship, that was the LAST thing I wanted to get myself back into. It was crushing to feel like I has wasted a year, but everything happens for a reason, right? So, Yassine and I, were best friends by now. Still talking everyday, telling eachother EVERYTHING, and of course, as I'm sure all of you can forsee at this point, we started "dating." The online way, of course, so basically just saying we were boyfriend/girlfriend (not the term I prefer, but oh well)..

To make a long, sappy, love story short... I was happy, genuinely happy. I was at peace and everyone who knew of Yassine was still cautious, but peaceful too. And best of all he was patient and often reminded me, "I'm ready to wait for the rest of my life just to hug you." Now, if you ask me, THAT is a man to keep and I did precisely that.

About a year and a half of patient/impatient at times/ chatting and waiting past before I was able to go to Morocco and meet him in person. I took my sister, Hope, with me as my body/emotionguard, just in case (LOL, and all around travel companion. We arrived in Morocco and everything was as I imagined. Hope approved not long after she met him. His family treated us as their own and we had an awesome 10 day trip. Actually, "awesome" is a bit of an understatement, I didn't want to leave(of course..)..

It has been 8 months since we said goodbye at the Casablanca Airport and TODAY our wait for "together again" comes to an end! Yassine will be here @ 12:40pm Chi time, 6:40pm Casa time and he will be here and staying for 2 years! I'm so excited. This has been a dream of his since forever and I'm so glad that I'm here living it with him. I can't wait to see him!

Wedding: Grimwood

2009-08-17T01:40:00.006-05:00

A long awaited post, thank you for your patience, Don and Kittie. Here are a few favorite people shots from the Grimwood wedding.

Today: July 31,2009

2009-07-31T02:32:00.005-05:00

Today, I will embark on an entirely new excursion. A journey not unplanned, not spontaneous, but uncharted. A trail not yet blazed will be today.

I will be shooting my first, ever....(wait for it)..... WEDDING!! OMGoodness! Excited and a bit frightened, but not a scared frightened, just an unfamiliar kind of frightened. Anyway, I have been assured over and over that I will be fine, and I'm choosing to believe that. I pray that the Lord open my eyes to every detail, large and small, which needs to be captured and that He will guide my hand and my mind to every correct setting. The bride as requested the most "stress free" day possible, so I will be doing my best to keep it that way, and I am sure He will too :)

I've studied many wedblog posts, sought much advice, and am feeling really good. So, alongside my D700, I've stocked my shootsac with Sb-800, 17-210mm f/3.5, 50mm f/1.8, an old school 28mm f/2.8, three 4G CFs, extra batteries, chargers, granola bars and water bottle. I will now embark on my journey. Won't you wait for my return?

Why, of course, my friends, I always return! Even if I am usually a bit late... ;)

Taylor - 3 months

2009-07-23T21:08:00.003-05:00

I'm still alive and kickin'!

This is my newest niece Taylor Elizabeth at 3 months :)

Joey!

2009-07-10T01:27:00.005-05:00

Say "Hello" to Joey! This little guy's mom and dad are friends of me and my family.They're really great people to be around, super fun and loving. It seems like yesterday that I was singing at Joe and Jennie's wedding and now I'm taking pictures of their little boy! Oh my, how time flies! I'm so glad I was able to do this session for them. Thank you Joe, Jennie, and little Joey, for a great shoot! I can't wait to do it again with the newest Cirafici boy!

Inspiration: James Nachtwey

2009-06-29T11:02:00.006-05:00

Foundations of Photography I
Hadassah Bullis
Doug McGoldrick
May 12, 2009

Wrong Place, Right Time : A War Photographer’s Life

He is a self taught photographer who seems to always get the shot. He is a humanitarian and soldier of journalism. He is my choice for great living photographer and his name is James Nachtwey. I chose Nachtwey because, not only does his work continue to capture the attention of millions, it shares truth with those millions. This truth is that which cannot be expressed adequately in words. It is only great photographers who have the ability to share these truths, without fluff, because only a truly great picture can explain itself.

Born in 1948, James Nachtwey was raised in Massachusetts and became not only a great photographer, but a humanitarian as well. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1970 with a degree in Art History and Political Science. It seemed that at this point in his life he knew he wanted to influence change.

According to his website, JamesNachtwey.com, “Images from the Vietnam War and the American Civil Rights movement had a powerful effect on him and were instrumental in his decision to become a photographer.” He “[taught] himself photography” while working as “an apprentice news film editor and a truck driver.”(Nachtwey)

Starting in 1976, Nachtwey’s start as a photographer was at a paper in New Mexico, but it wasn’t long before Nachtwey decided he had a need to expand his horizons. He then “moved to New York to begin a career as a freelance magazine photographer” in 1980. Nachtwey’s move to New York treated him well. He “immediately began to get work” and noticed that through photography, he could show “peoples’ authentic emotions.” (War Photographer) His goal was to be a war photographer from the start, focusing on conflicts and their effect on civilization. He now continues in the practice of expelling political lies, just as did the photographers in Vietnam, and “attempts to get the audience deeper into reality, to get them to be concerned with something bigger than themselves.” (War Photographer) Reflecting on the start of his career he says, in the 2001 documentary, War Photographer, “When I finally decided what to do with my life, I decided that’s what I’d do. I’d follow in that tradition.”

It was this humble beginning that started Nachtwey’s thriving thirty year (and still thriving) career in photojournalism. He began photographing on contract with TIME in 1984 and shoots for them to this day with a photo agency called “VII,” which he helped found in 2001. In War Photographer, a Christian Frei documentary on Nachtwey, Nachtwey explains that he used the lens to discover the world, as well as himself. “I had to develop a personal vision to express my own feelings,” he said. I believe this is why Nachtwey’s photography is so capturing. Work that is created when an artist is personally affected is the most meaningful, to both the audience and the artist.

Nachtwey has worked on many essays over the years in as many as twenty-five countries around the world, including: “El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Lebanon, the West Bank and Gaza, Israel, Indonesia, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, the Philippines, South Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Rwanda, South Africa, Russia, Bosnia, Chechnya, Kosovo, Romania, Brazil and the United States.”

The hardest assignment Nachtwey has had to recover from was the genocide in Rwanda. He said, “They massacred thousands with very primitive weapons,” and that what he saw “was very difficult to get over.” He admits that, "Every minute I was there, I wanted to flee. I did not want to see this. Would I cut and run, or would I deal with the responsibility of being there with a camera?" (War Photographer) Still, Nachtwey continues to seek out these stories saying that his photography “is a form of communication, as opposed to art, and provides a grim satisfaction,” because “over the years the real sense of purpose has become stronger.”(War Photographer)
Nachtwey’s humanity and his work’s ability to captivate an audience is what had earned him multiple awards such as: “the Common Wealth Award, Martin Luther King Award, Dr. Jean Mayer Global Citizenship Award, Henry Luce Award, Robert Capa Gold Medal (five times), the World Press Photo Award (twice), Magazine Photographer of the Year (seven times), the International Center of Photography Infinity Award (three times), the Leica Award (twice), the Bayeaux Award for War Correspondents (twice), the Alfred Eisenstaedt Award, the Canon Photo essayist Award and the W. Eugene Smith Memorial Grant in Humanistic Photography.”(Nachtwey) He has received “an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from the Massachusetts College of Arts,” and also, “is a fellow of the Royal Photographic Society.”

A statement which I felt was really telling of Nachtwey’s character and personal conviction is this: “Why be photograph war? Is it possible to put an end to a form of human behavior which has existed for through out history by means of photography the proportions of that notion seems ridiculously out of balance; yet, that very idea has motivated me. For me, the strength of photography lies within the ability to evoke human emotion. If war is the attempt to negate humanity then photography can be the opposite of war, and if used well can be a powerful ingredient in the antidote war. In a way, if and individual assumes the risk by placing himself in a war in order to communicate the rest of the world what’s happening he’s negotiating for peace.”(War Photographer)

I noticed while watching the documentary that Nachtwey moves slowly while documenting his subjects, shooting primarily film, he makes every frame count. I also noticed that he doesn’t shy away from getting in the middle of things while still he somehow manages to stay out of the way. His friend, a cameraman for Reuters named Des Wright, said, “When it becomes up close and personal, that’s Jim.”(War Photographer) Wright also told a story of an instance when he and Nachtwey were in Jakarta covering the student uprisings there in 1998. Nachtwey had called to alert him of a story in progress. He followed some men who were murdering an Amborgese man. They were killing for no other reason than race and Nachtwey got on his knees and begged them not to finish the deed. Unfortunately, they wouldn’t pay any mind to him but this only goes to show that Nachtwey is not just trying to get the photo; what he is doing is trying to promote peace with his photos.

While in the field, Nachtwey’s personal work ethic is to become personally involved with his subjects, if he can. He shares in the film that “in a war, the codes of civil behavior are suspended,” feeling as though he should justify his actions. He goes on to say that he keeps “open his heart” to the people he photographs, trying to understand their situation. He stays with them and moves slowly so they know his intentions are not to intrude, but to “give them a voice” by sharing their story with the world.

Nachtwey, again justifying his work, explains “the worst thing is to feel that as a photographer I am benefiting from someone else’s tragedy. This idea haunts me. It’s something I have to reckon with everyday because I know that if I ever allow genuine compassion to be overtaken by personal ambition I will have sold my soul. The only way I can justify my role is to have respect for the other person’s predicament. The extent to which I do that is to the extent that I become accepted by the other, and to that extent I can accept myself.” (War Photographer)

Nachtwey, though this documentary, was able to clarify questions which have been swirling in my head for quite some time. I was never sure if conflict photographers had heart. I thought there would have to be a few who are compassionate and who struggle with epitomizing their subjects’ pain by making a career out of their misfortune. I have learned through my research on Nachtwey that there is humanity associated with photojournalism.

I am not sure if I could ever take pictures like Nachtwey; and, I am not sure I could control my emotions as he does. I am sure, though, that I would like to be able to inspire change, in one form or another.

"I have been a witness, and these pictures are
my testimony. The events I have recorded should
not be forgotten and must not be repeated."
-James Nachtwey-

Flip Mino Camcorder

2009-06-25T16:46:00.003-05:00

"found my new fav way to waste time...."

Flip Mino Camcorder with Personalized Design - Available only at www.theflip.com. Check out this unique Flip Mino design. The Flip Mino camcorder combines remarkable video quality in a pocket-sized package. Now personalizable - create your

View >>

** The wasting time I previously mentioned was referring to designing Flip camcorders. This is actually a camcorder I helped my sister to design. The design, "Hope," has been posted and is available for purchase. For every twenty Flip MinoHD recorders Flip sells, one will be donated to charity.

Going forward

2009-06-15T17:22:00.006-05:00

Thursday, I watched (and documented) my oldest niece graduate junior high.

Friday, I shot the second annual "Unity in the Community" softball game for the Wood Dale Baseball Association.

Saturday, I edited, shopped and babysat.

Yesterday, I launched an H|Photography fan site on Facebook. I will be adding to is as often as I can. The Java based uploader on Facebook isn't very friendly with me, but I make it work when I can.

Today, I woke up earlier than normal to babysit and for some odd reason I was in a really good, take charge, productive mood(which never happens at 8:30am). I decided that I needed to get some things done. I started out checking Facebook, as usual, and got excited to see that I was gaining fans on my "page", ok, yeah, I admit, I got a little hyper about it(I love 'likes' and comments on my pics). Then I was vacuuming(love the dyson) and making beef stew that would cook all day. (Mmm, yeah, mom made me a "Susie Homemaker" type.) But to be honest, I didn't want to make dinner, or clean. I wanted to continue editing. I wanted to crank out another album or two for my fan page. I can't remember being more motivated to get editing done and I SO am. So anyway, continuing with my day... I decided that I need to set up a website, with the help of Ben(my brother the IT man of the house), and figure out pricing for the sale of photos, as well as services. Technically, this would become the foundation for my business and I'm getting really excited about it.

I've realized that this is my time to move forward. To pursue everything possible and gain experience. I am looking for an assisting job and hoping for some shadowing opportunities next month, or so. I am also lining up a few clients for later in the summer! As I said, moving forward and SO excited!!

Rewind: School's Out.

2009-06-09T00:14:00.005-05:00

I've been out of school now for almost 4 weeks. Every day has been a different experience and every tomorrow is basically unplanned. This is what Summer should be right? Relaxation. Rejuvenation. Spontaneity. Boredom.

Yep, you read right, boredom. It is mixed into a healthy portion of aimless web surfing and sleep. But yeah, needless to say, I have plenty of time to think and waste time. I've been wondering today: maybe if I really go all out on the laziness, it'll just go away when it's time to go back to school. I wonder if it'll be the solution to procrastination. Probably not, but hey, it was worth the thought.

Anyway, I've been doing a lot of Facebooking. Some picture editing(I'm determined to catch up, tho it's likely impossible with over 10,000 pics). Oh, that reminds me. I never filled you in on school.

Well, ok, so school was great. I didn't really have as hard of a time with it as I had thought I would. All of my teachers were pretty cool, or at least reasonable. My favorite class ended up being Darkroom I, go figure. My teacher, Mary Rachel Fanning, had to be the most personable and relatable teachers of the semester. of course, while both she and Doug McGoldrick, my Foundations of Photo I teacher, were really fun teachers, there was just an air about Mary Rachel's class that I couldn't get over and I know I made at least one life long friendship in that class.

Moving along, English and French were my "push Hadassah's buttons" classes. Good teachers, but they were classes I really stressed about and dreaded, but ended up really liking in the end.

New Millennium Studies. Now that was a class about life, I guess. It was hard, somewhat pointless at times, and frustrating, but one thing I really liked about it was it's ability to really get me thinking about my ethics in the scope of my career.

As the last week of school approached, I did all I could to be prepared. Other than my photo final, James Nachtwey paper, and my final New Millennium studies presentation, I was pretty much set. Somehow, I pulled off those last few things and I was immediately off to Nashville to celebrate Diamond's graduation.

Wow, long post, but I think you're caught up now.

Here's another shoot from Nashville. I call it- Freedom: Diamond Tucker.

2009-06-09T00:08:00.001-05:00

Testing testing 1,2,3... Just verified my blog for mobile posting. Yay! Now maybe i'll actually blog. We'll see. Anyway, just a test, more to come.

Congratulations, Diamond - Freedom Vertigo

2009-05-27T14:48:00.006-05:00

Man, it's been a while and a half! Instead of filling you all in on what's been up, just yet, I'll just give you a taste of the last event I documented

and a link to more : http://public.fotki.com/hadassahintisar/spring-and-summer-09/diamondsgraduation/

I'll have to come back later and explain why I've been MIA. I kinda wish Facebook could update my blog, but oh well.

P.S. I'm out of school on summer holiday!! Yay!

Trio Together Again!!

2009-03-26T20:13:00.005-05:00

I first met Diamond when I was 15. She was 14. We met under very unfortunate circumstances, being that she had come up with her father and mother for my mother's memorial service. Our parents had been friends for like 15yrs so naturally they'd come up from Tulsa to be with us for that.

I was totally caught off guard having a black family in my house, not that I have ANY issues with black people, don't get me wrong. It wasn't even her parents that I was thrown by, just her, this black girl who was my age and I was expected to be friends with her. I just wasn't used to it. I hadn't had any black friends before, so I was really puzzled. I didn't know how to handle it. I know now that skin color shouldn't play a part in the friend making process, I knew then too but, likely BECAUSE of this friendship, I've grown more used to diversity.

Anyway, I wasn't sure if we'd have anything in common, so like any teenaged girl I called in back-up. I called my friend Chrissy and was like, "I need you to come over and help me, our parents are leaving us here alone together, this is really awkward," or something to that effect... (my goodness! was I a baby..)

Chrissy came over and we all went into my room and talked, somehow we started talking about Everwood(a tv show that was on the CW when it was the WB) and that was it! We automatically clicked after that and got along perfectly. Someone mentioned, very likely Diamond, herself, that we should dress similarly and do our make up and have a photoshoot. Thus we began our annual/semi-annual photoshoot tradition.

Diamond became one of my Closest friends and we've pulled each other through a LOT of crap. About twice a year since then, she comes to visit me, we meet up with Chrissy, we HAVE to do at least one photoshoot of some sort.

This is the product* of one of our photoshoots this year:

Lesson of the day: Don't judge on the outward appearance, but on the heart.

** Fotki seems to be having issues with pixelation on their wigets - If the pics above are not clear, please visit FOTKI.COM to view our shoot.

Spring Break

2009-03-24T10:41:00.003-05:00

This week I'm home for most of the week. So I decided it would be a good time to post lots of pics.

I'll post here, mostly, I think, but probably wont include many words. I have already posted on facebook. Feel free to add me.

But yeah, I'm just kinda chillin. Don't want to do too much, but there are things I need to do(ie. clean my room, scan in my prints, edit, some homework..) so really it's just a slow paced week.

I will be going to Galena tomorrow, tho. I'm excited about that. Hoping to use a few rolls of film and tons of space on my CF. Anyway, that's my update, so far.

True to form..

2009-03-07T09:16:00.008-06:00

I've not been blogging very often, so I have a lot to fill y'all in on.

Firstly, I turned 20!! Feb 21st :)
My family is pretty darn amazing. They threw me a surprise party. They invited people I had not seen in years and people who I'd never had expected to see.. My best friend from like grade school to junior high, Krista, was there. People I made my first actually memorable trip to China with, as well as those who came on my most recent trip. Hope's work friends. Archie. Not to mention, ALL of my siblings (Holy Crap) - all that AND they broadcast it to Morocco for my boyfriend, Yassine, it was pretty sweet. I don't know if those of you who were there read my blog, but if so, thank you so very much(!) for coming. It was pretty much the most special birthday I've had so far.

The party was photography themed, of course, being that it was my Gradbirthuation(?) If you didn't get that, it was my birthday and high school graduation combined. So my pictures were printed and hanging everywhere. They were even atop my cupcakes.
As I mentioned, Archie, who is one of my photo inspirations, was there, which was pretty cool and totally unexpected. He actually provided these pics - no one else took any that I know of - if you have some you'd like to share, feel free to email me @ lambofgod777@gmail.com.

As my dad proceeded to give me every camera he has ever owned, I noticed a trend. I was getting very impatient to open the final gift, the NIKON D700!! Heck yeah! and let me tell you, this is one awesome camera. I've been carrying it everywhere and have taken over 400 pics so far. I will totally be taking more, but I still have to use the N2020 for school. They are definitely fighting for my undivided attention, and as yet, the D700 is winning which is not helping for school.. I'm bad, I know..

Other than pushing myself to take film shots, school is going really well.. I have yet to scan the latest prints. I will soon, tho.

Well, there's the Update for now.. Hope you all are doing well!

Ps. If you haven't seen me on your blog lately, I'm just really busy. I'll get to them soon, and probably comment lots all at once ;)

All provided Photos were taken by Archie FlorCruz.

My First Print

2009-02-15T20:13:00.000-06:00

A scan of my first print.

Valentine's Day

2009-02-14T14:46:00.004-06:00

Means a lot of things to me.

But this year, I'm focusing on the happiness it brings and the memories it brings. Memories of love, in Morocco, esp.

So, Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

Share it with your loved ones, and love them lots. Love them over the top. Enough that there's leftovers until next year.

Above all, feel loved. So many people love you. You may not realize it, but it's true. There are even people you may not know personally who love you. Just soak it all in, roll around in it, enjoy it, you deserve it!

Developing and Printing

2009-02-11T23:32:00.003-06:00

All I can say is YAY! I've developed on my own, now 3 rolls!

I was kind of intimidated at first, but I've overcome all that..
And tonight, hehe, test strips, contact sheets and mmmm, my favorite, prints! :)

I now know why Sebastian and Otto have their love for film - seeing your photo appear while agitating, now that is a feeling all photographers should feel.
I'm still a little intimidated by printing, but I know I'll get better with practice.

Anyway, another two weeks down!

Oh, btw, I have a sweet hook up at Calumet Photo.. Steve Martin, y'all! A really nice guy I know from work who got me a sweet deal on Ilford fiber based paper. Steve, you rock!

Alrighty, peeps, I need to sleep - today was loooong - I just wanted to update.

I'll be back later this weekend with my print. :D

"I Survived My First Week Of College"

2009-01-29T22:58:00.006-06:00

Is there bumper sticker that says that???? I guess it would have to be more significant than just a week tho, right? Oooh, maybe there's one that says "My Professors Don't Hate Me...Yet"

Anyway, I did survive the week. BUT the real test will be surviving the weekend with the homework I've seemed to pile up in the last two days.. I told my dad about my 98pg reading assignment due on Tuesday and he goes "Welcome to College!" THANKS!(in the most sarcastic tone possible) My goodness! and that's only ONE of Two assignments for that class, and only 1 of my 5 classes... I have at least one assignment in each of the others. Can we say, "Hadassah is not used to this"? Altogether now, "Hadassah is NOT used to this." What a far cry from assigning myself projects and not having deadlines. BUT I will get through it, I'm determined, I just need to find myself a good assignment planner. I have no idea where tho. Any suggestions?

I also have mastered the bus routes between Hope's place and the campus, ok, maybe not mastered, but I've not gotten lost even once!! (I'm proud of myself!) Ooh, and I made two friends already! :) Needless to say, I've gotten a lot more out of this week than I expected!

On my way to Hope's tonight - on Cullerton between State and Wabash, under the "L" - I think this is beautiful.

Oh, PS. My Photo 1 teachers seem to be really cool. I figured out winding reels in like three tries, got my supply list and have my first assignment: shoot a roll of tri-x by next week. I have to buy a supply of that stuff because I'll be shooting about 2 rolls a week. I'll also need to stock up on paper. I'm excited tho! We develop next week!! :)

Class!

2009-01-26T01:06:00.006-06:00

So, hope your weekend has been relaxing! Thank you all for your comments!

Guess what - My first week of classes starts tomorrow!!! AH! :)

I'm excited and kind of nervous, but everyone keeps telling me I'll be fine. I know I will.

So my class schedule is kinda cool - somehow I got it worked out really well.

Monday I have English and French

Tuesday - New Millennium Studies and Foundations of Photography

Wednesday - English, French and Darkroom I

Thursday - New Millennium Studies

Friday - No classes, but I work all day!

Crazy! :) But, at the moment, I'm thinking it's really good. I can't wait to see how it pans out!

Chill

2009-01-22T09:34:00.006-06:00

Ok, I'm a lot more relaxed now... I so needed to vent in that last post, but I'm cool now and I've decided to get over it.

The blog world has gotten so huge it really is too much to expect a response from everyone.

That said, I've decided that I'll start posting on Am3 more often as opposed to here. I feel like I have more to offer with images lately than inspiration to write. It's also easier to manage comments and responses there. So, please, when you get the chance, visit me over at http://www.hadassahintisar.aminus3.com

Pet Peeve: Non Responses

2009-01-20T13:32:00.004-06:00

No, I'm not trying to call anyone out. I know we're all very busy people, but I have noticed that this is becoming a trend with the blog world, lately. I myself have even started getting into the habit of not responding to blog comments. I think a lot of us just get so many comments it's hard to reply to all of them, but how do we counter it?

There are a few blogs I've commented on where I don't even feel welcome. The photographers have a ton of clients and a huge fan base, but I think they only send out a thank you once a year, if that. And on top of it, It's not even remotely personalized so you don't even know if they read your individual comment...

Am I the only person who feels like this?

God Help me if I ever fall prey to this habit in full! and if I haven't responded to your comments here, or at least said hello on your blog in return, please forgive me. I must have just forgotten for a moment how rude it is...
I know that when I get a "thank you" email I'm pretty happy, and usually it makes me want to comment more on their pages. Even if they consistent, I still feel a lot better than not getting acknowledged at all.

Another thing I've fallen habit to is not commenting at all... I think that's the worst fault of all, but sometimes I wonder if the author really wants to know what I think..

Insecurity, is that my problem? or maybe it's laziness. Or, is it that I don't feel it's appreciated.

Whatever it is, please, forgive me - I'm going to try to get better at this(blogging and commenting). With school starting next week I can't promise consistency, BUT I can promise that I'll respond better to comments :)

Thank you for all your continuous support and for listening to me vent - ;)

*Hugs*
Hadassah