...A Time for Beauty...

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Fashion Shoot Woot!

Sooo, it's been too long. I need to get better at blogging! ha

I thought I'd share with you the shoot I recently had for KK&Co, a brand new clothing store located in Old Town Clovis! I was so excited to finally get the opportunity to shoot something fashion related! (Besides the shoots I style and come up with) I was telling my mom the other day "it's like a legitimate shoot! My work could go up in their boutique!" hah Even though it was a collaboration of sorts, and unpaid, I feel so blessed that Kim and Katrina wanted ME to be a part of it! Also, thanks to H. Lee! He was the other photographer and Kim's husband at the shoot, and insisted I take his photos and edit them! To him, he is just starting, but I really believe he has a natural talent for this kind of photography and was flattered by his love for my work!I think our "styles" are very similar, and our photos complimented each other well! I learned so much already, and only want to improve!

Let me know what you think!

DL Photography

Photography By H. Lee Barretto

DL Photography

Photography By H. Lee Barretto

DL Photography

Photography By H. Lee Barretto

DL Photography

Photography By H. Lee Barretto

DL Photography

Photography By H. Lee Barretto

Much love

Dani

Monday, February 6, 2012

Creativity...

Recently I was asked by a friend, and freaking amazing photographer Adam Allen,

"How do you stay so creative?"

So many emotions and fears ran through me when he asked me if I would meet up with him to be interviewed for his blog! I was seriously so excited and nervous, and even practiced with my mom! Ha!

Unfortunately, the weekend came and I was asked to come into work. I had to cancel with Adam, and wasn't able to answer his question.

HOWEVER!

More and more people are asking me this same question! It's truly a humbling experience when someone tells me they admire, or are inspired by, my work! I have such an unexpected amount of support that I felt I should answer this question fully and truthfully for all of you that showed an interest!

So I saved it for my blog. :)

So here goes nothing!

And, please, bare with me, I may sound like an "artiest."

How do I stay creative?

ONE. I force myself to leave fear out of the equation.

You'd be surprised what the fear of failure can do to your mind. It hinders and limits it. I try to let my mind go...just start at a corner, and go. Doesn't matter if your line isn't straight, or if the circle looks like an oval...the good thing about art is, YOU CAN'T FAIL!

I open my mind to the possibilities, rather than closing it because of the obstacles.

TWO. I try to not only find the beauty in the things that inspire me, but also recognize the feeling I get from it.

A big problem with today is that a lot of people lack feeling...because of fear.

It's like if I were a dancer, people aren't going to be impacted if I don't have that passion in my movement right?
And in regards to my art, it is kind of the same concept.
When I paint it is like slow motion, and I've recently had a moment of clarity when I realized I can "feel color." I found myself stepping back staring at my canvas and having an emotional connection with what was unraveling on it. It's really a hard thing to explain.
If anything just remember, it's okay to feel.
THREE. I take the good and the bad in stride.
Initially, it was hard for me to take constructive criticism, I'll admit...BUT! I realized there will ALWAYS be someone that does not agree, but to appreciate those people just as much as someone that praises me. In other words, for me, I let the BAD in with the GOOD to motivate, and kick me in the ass a little. That alone definitely keeps me creative because I'm constantly learning and wanting to get better to, in a sense, prove them wrong.

If you open your mind, forget fear, and remain willing to learn, staying creative will come easy to you.
I hope this answers your question Adam, and all of you interested in knowing! I truly believe everyone can draw, paint, and create...it's just a matter of opening your mind and heart to the idea that IT IS POSSIBLE.

Have a fabulous night!
Danielle

Sunday, January 29, 2012

My friend...

So. It's been a while, and I'm sorry.

I have just been super busy and haven't had much time to sit down and let you know what I've been up to! That's changing now! :)

My friend Danae is such an amazing person. She's loving, giving, considerate, funny, and above all such a great friend to me. She is always willing to help me with my shoots, or just keep me company, and I pay her with coffee! She is also a great listener, and I'm lucky to have her as one of my best friends...

I have had shoot's with this lovely lady before, but she was always my test doll. We never had a shoot FOR HER! And I thought, what the heck!? She's so good to me, the least I can do is make her feel beautiful for a day! So we did! I did her hair and makeup, and even though I should really leave it to the professionals ha ha, it came out so naturally beautiful! We shot in an alley in Old Town Clovis after the sun went down! My goal was just to make her feel like a superstar! She's such a classic beauty, it wasn't hard...

Here are my favorite shots of her. Hope you enjoy. :)

Danae

All the best,

Dani

Monday, January 23, 2012

Rain, or no rain...either way's fine...

So, feeling really let down by the rain, I NEEDED to shoot something on Saturday! So me and my sister, FINALLY, had our mini shoot! :) She is so beautiful isn't she? And I'm pretty sure Mack think's we are the same person. (For those who don't know Mack is my Aussie...aka the best dog ever.)

Here are the shots! Let me know what you think!

Oh the joy of a new outfit..

Today, was a tricky day. I set my weekend around the rain, and then it doesn't rain. hah Just my luck. But instead of completely cancelling we decided to inprovise anyway. :) With the help of Kelli Torrence with Jennifer's makeup, we created some amazing shots! Hope you like! :)

Thanks to Jennifer for sticking it out in the rain ;) hah, ok, the rain isn't real, but hey it's a cool effect and helps the idea we were going for today!

Have a wonderful day :)

Dani

Friday, January 20, 2012

Dun dun dun...

Rain rain go away, come again another...wait...this could actually work to my benefit! :)

Yes. It's raining.

Doesn't matter that I had three separate shoots planned, and that mother nature decided to throw a curve ball in my face. Well I'm taking you on MN!

So in the last two days I have reorganized my concepts, and with the willingness to bribe my models, I got two of them to agree to shoot IN the rain. I don't want to give too much away, but I am feeling good about what we collaboratively came up with in spite of the rain obstacle...AND...I'm excited to see how it all plays out. (Don't worry, I'll be under my porch awning)

Come rain or shine right?

...or at least when going after your dreams...

Aside from my momentary dilemma turned fantastic idea, HA ok I totally got a little ahead of myself...coming back down to earth...

...But really, aside from that, I did want to stop and take a moment to THANK EVERYONE who has shown me so much support over the last year. So many people have gone out of their way to keep pushing me, or to just say a few kind words...and that means the world to me. Thanks to all the people who support my artwork as well as my photography, I truly love what I do, and do what I love...and at the risk of turning this into a cliche, I couldn't do it without you. ;)

ANYWHO!

JUST FOR FUN!

I have a feeling I'll be bored this weekend now that I will have more free time, so I thought I'd share with you the ridiculous websites I'll be on....

Neave.com

Probably playing Tetris, but I find myself have too much fun playing with the colorful bouncing balls...

Polyvore

Just window shopping...promise.

...AND PROBABLY Facebook, and Pinterest. :) I have high hopes for this weekend...

Have a great Friday.

Love,

Dani

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

My motto...

So, me and my sister did not get a chance to shoot yesterday

:(...but I am hoping soon! Today, I just thought I would share my goals for the new year.

This year,

It won't JUST be a pretty picture.

That is my motto.

I want to pursue this passion of mine, Fashion/Beauty Photography, and yes, I also want it to consume me. I don't want to JUST shoot. I don't want to settle. I want the pictures I take to push me, teach me, and make me proud. I loved every shoot I have ever had the pleasure of doing, but this year will be something different. I am going to dedicate myself to this...

It won't JUST be a pretty picture.

Anyway, stay tuned for the weekend shoot's coming up with Carly, Amber and Jennifer!

Much love, Dani

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Another weekend of shoots!

Now, although I have my last shoot tomorrow with my lovely sister, Erin, I just couldn't wait to share my recent shoots from this weekend! I have had a blast working with new girls and old friends this weekend, and am pretty excited to share the final products! Let me know what you think! :)
Saturday.
I woke up early, for a shoot with miss Britany Baker, who is so naturally beautiful, I decided to keep the photos simple and elegant, without a lot of editing. They didn't need much anyway! We took a stroll through Woodward Park, my favorite place to shoot apparently...with Danae as my right hand gal, moving my equipment around is so much easier! I swear that girl is so good to me... :)

Beautiful day for a shoot.

During the evening I met up with an old friend, Amanda, to take some candid and photos of her and her family! I met her 2 year old daughter Ada Marie. She is such a doll! Smart too! She knew that I was taking her picture and was always trying to hide her face, or look down at the ground..ha ha ha...needless to say, she was such a playful spirit and a joy to photograph! I hope you enjoy... :)

Family Photos

Sunday.

Sunday I have another early morning shoot with Jennifer Ann!I have worked with Jennifer before, twice! I think she is one of my favorite girls to photograph! ;) We always seem to work together well, I hope the photos are proof of that! When she came to my house, I had the pleasure of meeting her husband, Brandon...who is seriously such a nice guy! What I wanted to do with this shoot was to contrast the wardrobe with the location. I hope you think they complimented each other as much as I do!

Beauty and Contrast

Stay tuned for tomorrow's shoot! I will be posting on Tuesday!

Much Love,

Dani