Dancing Like there's No Tomorrow!

Ashley is always so fun to work with! I had so much fun with this shoot! I loveeeee the colors! As she was posing, I kept stopping and just soaking it in! It was a beautiful contrast!

It was beautiful, perfect. wonderful. It was NYC.

So as some of you know, I had this burning desire to travel. And boy do I have a long list. My first real 'Wanderlust Mission' (is what I like to call 'em) was San Diego by my self for 2 days. It was really scary going somewhere alone that far from home, but I learned a lot about myself. Things that built me into who I am right now. (I strongly suggest at some point in your life do something that scares the day lights out of you. You learn something new about yourself. Even if its just the fact that you survived.) I digress.. So New York was so great. I fell in love with that city. I was so sad to leave. But things I won't miss are the subways. What a problem those are. I mean, they are a fabulous alternative to walking, for sure. But if you go to the wrong entrance, you're going to go to the wrong place! (You have to be very careful and pay attention!) One thing I did learn about myself is I definitely knew New York more than I thought. We would be walking about the city and I would know historical facts about a decorated light post, or movies this building has been in, or this was built for this purpose. I shocked myself a lot through out that week! We got to go see a lot of very cool tourist things, but also the very hidden things in New York. Everyone knows of the very famous movie from the 60's, "Breakfast at Tiffany's"; well after searching the internet I found the address to Holly Golightly's (played by Audrey Hepburn)apartment on the upper east side. I was so happy! She is my favorite actress, so to stand where she once was, was absolutely wonderful and dream fulfilling. Opportunities like this one was what my trip was enthused with. Below are just a few (of many) pictures from my trip. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed my trip to the 'Big Apple'! (While sitting in a cafe, I found out why it's called 'The Big Apple'. It's because in the late 1920s and early 1930s, an old saying in show business was "There are many apples on the tree, but only one Big Apple." New York City being the premier place to perform was referred to as the Big Apple. The more ya know!)

My very first breathe of New York air, was cigarette smoke. All the years of day dreaming of visiting this beautiful city and the very first breathe of New York air outside the airport is cigarette smoke. The epitome of the city. Everyone smokes. Everyone walks; everywhere. The city really does never sleep. It's like if you were to buy a ticket to an action movie and you walk into the movie theater right at the big fighting scene. That's New York. 

It's like you're expected to know who all the characters are and why their fighting.

In this case it was what subway to get off on, what "upper east side" is, and where the nearest  drug store is.

And trust me. One wrong subway stop and you're miles away from where you need to be. (Scary!)

My very first full New York day was rain. Rain. Rain and more rain. On the news they were saying at least 2-3 inches of it. Now try to go sight seeing in that kind of weather! Luckily we had planned on taking a Water Taxi to all our tourist stops along the Hudson River. So we we'rent walking in it ALL day! 

Yes they are barefoot. But I guess at this point their choices were walk around with wet shoes and socks all day or own it and walk barefoot. (They chose the latter.)

This was breathe taking. This is one of the Twin Towers Memorial. A huge gaping hole of where the buildings once were. Such a tragedy not only for the families who lost loved ones that day, but our country. I was so happy with the beautiful layout of the Memorial. Such a beautiful way to remember everyone who lost their lives that tragic day.

Lucky I had some old boots to keep my feet dry! (for most of the day at least..) But look at all that water! Im not even standing in a puddle. This is how it was everywhere you walked! 

Out in the distance you can see The Statue of Liberty. Luckily we had that Water Taxi to take us closer! (We we'rent able to go to Ellis Island because of the damage of Hurricane Sandy in November.)

And there she is! Beautiful, isn't she?

This was by one of the many memorials of the fallen soldiers throughout the city. An anonymous donation to the memorial.

So for years I have had a picture of the Brooklyn Bridge hanging in my room. Staring at it for years has made me love this bridge so much more. As I'm walking on the bridge, I kept thinking to myself, "Becca. You're here. You're in New York City. You made it."

It was such a great experience to be able to walk on the very bridge I have grown up staring at pictures of.

Such a beautiful day.

This is very common. On almost every corner, someone is selling something or putting on a show, or playing music. This I couldn't pass up. He lugged a piano across town to play on a random street corner. If that's not dedication to your dreams, I don't know what is.

Washington Square Park

One of the many many subway "take away shows" we saw that week. Whether it was a set up of a complete band or just a small town girl singing with her guitar sitting on a cardboard box; they were everywhere. One subway ride, an older homeless man entered and began to sing us a song. It was actually really impressive. But most people didn't give him the time of day. I now believe that story of the famous violinist who set up in a subway and started to play and no one payed any attention to him.

Beautiful sunsets in New York. When the sun peaks through all the sky scrapers and buildings, it's beautiful to see.

Now that I'm back home in California, it's back to day dreaming of the beautiful city.

What's next you ask?

San Francisco. Canada. Chicago. Boston. England. Greece. Scotland.

The list goes on and on.

California's Beautiful Secrets

Today was so much fun! Courtney is amazing! Is she not? I got to shoot at one of my favorite spots I recently found. It's a secret place! (Not really.. I just like to think it is!) People ask me all the time how I find such cool places. I'm telling you, behind a warehouse, an empty lot on the side of the road, an abandoned building; all these places are unconventional and can be an eye sore. But when I look at it, photos come flooding into my head. And it's not something I have learned to control yet. So when I'm not working, or shooting, it's a bit distracting trying to do some school work, etc. But I found this jewel of a place on a Thursday night after work. See? You just have to make time for miniature adventures throughout your week. Even if it's just a walk down the block. 

I decided to edit the shoot in all black and white because I haven't done darkroom in so long and I miss printing in black and white. Trust me. This is no comparison to dark room magic. (There is nothing cooler than having total control of your shoots/projects from the very idea of it all the way to printing it yourself.) 

I miss dark room. Anyone have one and wouldn't mind me paying you a visit? ;)

Tim Burton Inspired Makeup Shoot!

So today was a lot of fun! I have been dreaming of doing a shoot that is unconventional to what I usually do, and do something a bit dark in its nature. Alex suggested a Tim Burton themed shoot! I was so happy they were up for the challenge! Danielle, who is crazy good at makeup, did both of their makeup! (And what a great job she did!!!) Thank you Alex and Danielle for a lovely shoot! It turned out so perfect for the theme! :)