Gypsy Child

I recently have been so inspired by the people around me, and the people I have yet to meet. Social media such as "Instagram" and "Tumblr" are huge windows for me to find inspiration. And lately, I've been inspired by the in between moments. The moments that go unnoticed. This is a shoot all about the in between moments that I usually just skip when I edit. Its those images, I have found, speak to me. Like if you saw this image before editing, it wouldn't look like much other than a blurry photo. But add a little gypsy magic and viola! You end up with an amazing shoot and inspiration.

Models: Megan Thomas, Catherine Walder, Brittany Walder 

I'm in the PAPERS!

Hello loves! Guess what! Today is Friday! And even better news?! I'm in the Newspaper! Well, The Independent Newspaper! (Its a locally run Newspaper!) I'm so excited about this! In this post, I've included the article written by Vickie Wagstaff so everyone can read all about the start of my project, "The Natural Beauty Project". I wanted to do something not only for the girls who are up and coming in our generation, but any age! I really wanted to exemplify that we, as women, are beautiful and perfect on our own. And we don't need makeup to feel pretty! You're beautiful all on your own; just let it show! And you can't do that with pounds of makeup covering your beautiful face and the magic beneath it!

If you received your Independent Newspaper this morning, check it out! I'm on the front page!!!

 No Time for Toddlers in Tiaras

 Local photographer emphasizing natural beauty

By Vickie Wagstaff

I have a confession to make.

I have never watched an episode of Honey Boo Boo – the commercials are enough to send me out of the room.

However, the other day – in a moment of sheer boredom – I watched an episode of “Toddlers and Tiaras” (the title says it all), and “Cheer Perfection” (a behind the scenes look at competition cheer leading).

It was like watching a train wreck and I am embarrassed to say that I couldn't take my eyes off the TV.

The girls on both shows we’re beautiful – without the makeup.

The physical ability displayed on “Cheer Perfection” was inspiring.

However in those two hours I saw more bare skin and more makeup on adolescent girls than I have ever displayed or wore myself in my 50+ years.

Call me old fashion if you like, but I ask you; what message are we sending our young girls?

Who says that to be valued you must have a perfect tan, perfect teeth, perfect hair and a perfect body?

This was a topic for discussion around the dinner table the other night at the McKenzie home in Buena Park; where it touched the heart of local photographer, blogist and student, Becca McKenzie.

Becca shared with me a video she had seen of a mid-west news woman that was bullied because of her weight.

That people could be so cruel of a physical trait was something that spurred Becca to action.

“There is so much ugliness in the world; I wanted to do something real – something honest,” McKenzie said.

Using her skills she started a campaign to do natural beauty portraits – meaning no makeup – inviting anyone who desired, to come forward and have their portrait taken at no cost.

 “Women deserve to be told how beautiful they are.  It is who you are on the inside that matters most because it shines through and is reflected in your entire body.”

Becca strives to find true beauty in all of her photo shoots, whether that is demonstrated by a look or a feeling conveyed through the images she captures.

 “I hope you all feel beautiful today,” states McKenzie.

“Look in the mirror and see what you're Heavenly Father sees. He sees a beautiful, intelligent, successful woman who has the potential to make a difference in this world.”

Now that is the type of messages we should be sending to young girls and women everywhere.

Follow Becca on her blog at www.rebeccamckenziephotography.blogspot.com.

Portraits are free and can be done by contacting Becca at beccamkz@gmail.com. 

Thank you Thank you Thank you, Vickie!!!! 

Lost at Seaside

Ill start out with a backstory of this shoot so it makes sense.. haha! So years and years ago, I joined a yet another social media (how many are there!?) called Tumblr. I LOVE Tumblr. And not for the same reasons as most of the emotional teenage love struck girls that  are on that website. I joined because it would expose me to a lot of different art and inspiration. The best thing I ever did was join. This is where I find nearly all of my inspiration. Now, I have come across this, whats called a GIF, (pronounced "Jiff" I finally found out..) of this girl standing on a beach a couple years back. And it has shown up on my feed only a few times, so its exciting I found it for this post! (Click here to view.) Well, I instantly fell in love with this GIF. And it has become a burned image in my head. I just love the stillness and yet the chaos in one small image; its breathe taking. Well, this is where this shoot with Alex comes in. I told him to wear dark colors and thick jackets. We met at 6 a.m. when the moon was still out. So we got to one of my favorite beaches, (I like to think is a secret) and we got to shoot in the light in between the moon fading away and just before the sun is up. The following images are all film. I used a camera from the 1970's; my favorite camera by far. Oh, and some cheap film from Walmart. I was most happy with the results. The lighting, the model, the film, the theme; everything was perfect. Now I give you, "Lost at Seaside".

This one has to be one of my favorites. Even though he is not in focus, it creates this feeling of uneasiness and yet the stillness I was yearning to create.

Just as the sun is coming up.. 

"An Unusual Affinity: The Project" by Mike Lee

So I have noticed, I surround myself with artists. Which is not a bad idea at all! In fact its quite fun to always be in the artsy mood and share ideas with my friends and even family members. Well, Mike Lee, who is actually my sister's husband's brother, (confusing, I know) is currently attending Brigham Young University - Idaho. He is just finishing up his Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts in Illustration. He'll be done in December! He came to me a couple months ago asking me to participate in his final project for his Bachelors! I was so excited to be apart of this special project! I photographed a couple of our friends who do different genres of art. A Painter, a Singer/Song Writer, two Piano wizards and me, the Photographer! Below is my portrait he created from the pictures we took. He used Photoshop and oils to create this image. I was astonished by what he pulled together in this portrait. He brought me and the camera to life with all the different colors in my eyes and the lens. I love that about this piece. He created something that is totally unique and totally fits my personality and my work. To see more and keep up with his creations, his website is http://mikeleeillustration.com/