...A Time for Beauty...: January 2012

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

Friday, January 13, 2012

January so far...

Well, I've decided to start a REAL blog. One I can keep up to date. One that features my passions, struggles, and experiences...one about me and my love for creating.

Here is a little bit about me!

My name is Danielle Lacey

I was born 23 years ago

I am married to Jesse James Lacey, aka, the best husband ever!

Dogs are definitely better than cats.

I live and breathe Painting and
Fashion/Beauty Photography.

I lose my keys or my phone almost everyday.

My desk is always a mess.

I love scary movies, but hate to be scared.

Tim Burton is my favorite.

Wino Forever.

One of my favorite photographers is Alena Nikiforova. This woman is a genius with color and imagination. Her images are flawless works of art that

To love is to live is such a true statement, and this year, I plan on living more truly to that.

Anyway, let me catch you up!

Last weekend was my weekend of photo shoots! :)

It was busy, but so worth it...

Friday I shot with Diana Fatyga. A model who is currently living in Krakow, Poland studying medicine! She modeled my 1940's flapper dress that I have been dying to shoot! I just loved how they turned out, and she was such a pleasure to work with! :) Make-up and hair was done by the talented Skylar Nunes!

The idea was to do a shoot all centered around this vintage dress I've had since last summer! I have been dying to shoot with it, but wanted to make sure I didn't rush the idea. I have been really developing and practicing my lighting skills and knew the perfect location to go for this shoot! Thanks to Sky and Diana for making this all come together! Thoughts welcome!!

20's Vintage

Saturday morning I had a fun shoot planned with Emi Marie! I had shot with Emi prior to this shoot, and we hit it off! She is full of so much life and personality, it's hard not to love her! Also, she takes a wicked picture! ;) Thanks to Danae, for being my assistant for the day! I wouldn't be able to do it without you! Enjoy and please leave thoughts and ideas...
Dance Beautifully

Shorty after I finished up with Emi's shoot, I had two hours to get ready for the next with Sasha, aka Sashee Smilee. We were going for two looks, harsh and soft. The two looks ended up being so different! I usually stick to pale colors and blues when I am in the editing process, but I tried to get out of my comfort zone with this one and get bold! What do you think?

Again, special thanks to Danae! :) Always a life saver...

A Romantic Edge

Sunday I had an early morning shoot with Christina Nicole, who is a pleasure to work with as well! We spent a lot of time in the car because our 6 am shoot, didn't start off like we had hoped. We ended up getting to Woodward Park at 8am. I wanted to see what the light did as it was rising, but I just missed it! :/ We decided to just make the best of it, and found a little secluded area right near the huge pond in the front entrance...and these are the shots we created! Thanks to Christina for standing in 40 degree weather, at 8 am while couples are walking their dogs probably just wanting to giver her a jacket...she's a trooper. :) Enjoy and let me know what you think!
Oh, it's only January...

The last shoot that I had for the day was with miss Brittany Ann Maye. If you ever need a good laugh, she is the girl to call. We laughed so much during the shirt, being silly and playing with fake diamonds. What a fun Sunday right? This is probably my favorite shoot to date, I loved the props and the concept, and Brittany pulled it off so well...I couldn't have asked for a better model...thoughts welcome! Enjoy!

Diamonds of the faux persuasion.

Man, for my first blog post, I went a little nuts. My new weekend if filled with shoots as well, so stay tuned! Thanks for stoping by! Have a wonderful night...

DL