Some times I take for granted little things. Like being able to take a decent picture.
Last weekend my family went on an adventure to the National Cherry Blossom Fesitval. I took a few shots of my family by the trees, and handing the camera over to my husband to get a shot of me. Same settings I just used, same location I just shot, but he didnt see the full picture. The light was harsh, it was around 830 am and the sun was blaring straight on us. With my experiance, I knew enough to use my body to block the light so the picture would be soft and airy. My husband is not a photographer and has no interest in knowing anything about photography. This is what we came up with.
I look terrible, I know. the light is way too harsh and over emphasizes my features. It can blow our your whites, and make your darks too dark. This is why we must always be aware of the light. Where is it coming from, how bright is it shining, which direction is it flowing from. Light can make or destroy an image.
Here is an example of how light can create different moods, or effects to our pictures. Both shots were taken within 12 inches of each other. both against the same green wall, both about the same distance from the wall. The difference is, shadow. A shadow was cast from the fence, onto the wall behind this flower. It makes the background appear black and makes the flower stand out more. By moving over a couple of inches, and finding new light it creates a completely different feel to your pictures.
Take time to look at the light, see how it is landing on your subject. Move around to see where the best light is coming from, it could be as little as an inch away. and dont be afraid to take several shots from different angles and points of view.
This Christmas has probably been one of the best Christmas's I have had in a long while! And its not even over yet. It started with a trip home to Michigan at Thanksgiving to see our family. Spending the first full family Christmas together since my mom passed away, was more than a blessing. My dad and his girlfriend Vickie really made it a nice Christmas for all of us.
While at home we took time to visit Hines drive. Its the best Christmas light show in America! (yes im very biased) This has been a family tradition for my family since it first opened. I really missed not being able to see it at all last year. It was a very special treat for me!
I also had the opportunity to work with a good friend of mine, Stephanie Tavener to get some promotional shots for her Bowtique. She makes the most beautiful bows, and tutus, and little girl accessories. She worked very hard to get all the models and product lined up, so when I arrived I just had to do my thing and capture these little beauties.
But I think the cherry of top of it all for me, was Santa. I had the great pleasure of meeting and working with Santa Claus. It was like a dream come true for me. I love Santa! I have always loved Santa. But working with him, and witnessing first hand the joy he brings to children of all ages! Its almost indescribable. There was more than one occasion, I had to take a deep breath to stop my eyes from tearing up. This man, this magical man brings smiles and joy and love to all he comes across. The Santa sessions were only a very small part of it. Of course children light up when they see the big man! It was fantastic seeing him connect with each child individually. The true joy I got however was watching older children, in their 40s 50s or even higher. The children that were out shopping and had their head stuck in lists of things to buy, and stuck in the hustle and bustle of it all. Seeing them stop, look, and their face changes. Stopping to hug Santa in the middle of our quaint little downtown. Everything leaving their mind, except the magic that is before them. Stopping to smile, and chat with Santa about the north pole and other such things. I had the priveledge to witness children and thier parents running across the street to just have a second of the big mans time. And in between all this magic, that I had the priveledge to witness first hand. Santa shared stories of his work. Just the day before he had a 12 hour day, spending time with and feeding a meal to our homeless veterens. If I recall there were close to 300 homeless Vets bused in from all over Virginia. He spoke to me about it, with a gentleness in his voice, and deep concern in his heart. These poor men and woman who fought for our country, for our freedom, for the good of all of us, who are treated like nothing. To be honored to serve witness to such things. It has been the biggest blessing of all.
Some of you may remember my friend Payden, and his lovely family from an old post,Prayers for Payden. I had the joy of getting together with him and his family during my last trip to Michigan. He is his happy loving self.
Full of curiosity.
Loves blues clues, his thinking chair, and his handy dandy notebook.
Full of smiles, and laughter
2 loving brothers
one big happy family.
big brother Kenley
Baby brother Ryland. Future football player.
This family brings joy and laughter to my heart.
Thank you Emily for allowing me to be a part of your world.
I think the greatest compliment a photographer can get is a returning client. It means so much to me, to be chosen to capture moments of your lives, and your childrens lives. I love watching your children grow and change. Capturing those important milestones that you can treasure for years to come, it so important to me.
Adia at age 3 months and her 2 year pictures!
Alayna at around 6 months, and her 2 year pictures!
Dennis newborn, and his first birthday pictures!
Nathan newborn, and 1st birthday pictures!
I treasure these times. I love looking back and seeing how much they have grown and changed. I also love looking back and seeing how much I have grown as an artist. Thank you so much for entrusting me with your memories!
After a lot of careful thought and consideration, I have decided to close the facebook page.
Some time ago, I started a locked gallery. Only current clients, and friends and family can view your photos. The reason I started this, was some of my hard work was being stolen. There are alot of people in this industry, that think they have the right to take your hard work and claim it as their own. Its a non stop battle, that I am tired of fighting. There is one person in particular who has taken it upon themselves to keep setting up fake accounts to keep stalking my page.
For the safety of your treasured family photos, and your childrens photos, they will no longer be public sneak peaks. When you book a session with me, I will give you the link to your gallery, but it will remain locked.
I realize I may lose contact with some of you, because Facebook was your way of keeping track of me. please feel free to subscribe to this blog. I will not be closing the blog, and will make my announcements of future specials on here. You can also join our mailing list, by emailing me at RiveraArtistry@yahoo.com asking to subscribe.
I hope you will all stay by me, through this transition. I know that no one likes change, but I promise, this is for the best.
It has been a busy summer, from start to finish. Its been fun, joyous, educational, and always adventurous.
Visited and drove through 13 states, shot photo sessions in 3 of those states, swam in both US oceans, and took lots of pictures along the way. Most of my personal photos, and recent sessions are in the locked gallery, but I decided to share some of my wonderful summer with you.
June, 2012
The road to Michigan and back.
Last day of school arrived, and my daughter and I packed our bags and drove to Michigan. We planned out the week to spend with my best friend, my dad. We had alot of plans, that got cancelled because of the overwhelming heat wave they were having. So instead, we went to his baseball game and cheered him on! We took several dips in his pool, played with sparklers, ate good food, and had 15 or so photo sessions. My daughter usually doesn't go with me on that many sessions, but she was a fantastic assistant! She made me really proud! The weekend came, and my husband arrived to celebrate my daughters 7th birthday! The cake made my Southgate bakery, was DELICIOUS, and beautiful!! Best cake I have ever bought! We brought my younger sister home with us.
July 2012
California here we come!
we set out on our cross country drive. 3 days there, 3 days back. why drive? well my husband wont fly. But honestly why not take the adventure if you have the chance. there are so many great places across our home land to experience. There is a country song called "fly over states" by Jason Aldean that explains it perfectly. "they'd understand why God made those fly over states"
Farm land, the great wide open prairie, mountains of every shade in the rainbow, route 66, and beyond.
In California, we visited the place we got married.
We sat and told our daughter of our great love story. We reminisced on our wedding day and all the feelings and emotions that we experienced. At one point, my husband asked me to stay at the top of the stairs. He walked down to the spot he stood on our wedding day, then had me walk down the stairs towards him. Reenacting the steps we took almost 9 years ago.
We spent time with family and friends, and took more pictures. The greatest thing we did on this trip, is just spend time with the 2 most amazing people that have ever lived. I call them Grandma and Grandpa.
They have been there for us in more ways than I can count. Always willing to lend her expertise and experience to us, Grandma has given advice that is more than priceless. They have supported and loved my husband through everything in his life. And accepted me into their family from day one. I could sit at her proverbial feet all day and night and just listen to her talk. Her stories about her own life experiences, has given me knowledge to deal with my own. Its been the highlight of our entire summer, just spending time with them.
After the trip home, we spent time exploring local Virginia and DC spots. We took my younger sister to DC for her first ever visit. She stood at the feet of Abraham Lincoln.
We also visited the Smithsonian museum of natural history, and I took her to my favorite park here in town. We went and saw a movie together, just her and I. We laughed so hard, people thought we were drunk, and we were completely sober! I just had the pleasure of spending real time with her, and being my silly self.
August 2012
Local Virginia Adventures.
By now we had taken my sister home, only to pick up my nieces. I love my nieces like they are my own children. I couldn't love them more, if I had birthed them myself. They lived with me for a period of time, and I was a second mother to them, through what I imagine was a difficult time in their young lives. My husband is a father figure to them, and they even call him UNCLE DADDY. The relationship I have with them, is much stronger, than your average aunt relationship. Having them here with me, is like having my world complete, if even for a short time.
On our adventure with the girls, we went up to the Shenandoah National Mountains, and they girls saw a mountain with their name sake. They insisted on a photo shoot or two, which I happily obliged. We went for a dip in the river, and took them to the Kids museum in Norfolk. Uncle daddy took the girls on a coast guard ship, and my oldest niece had fun playing with the horn and sirens, while the younger two used the captains binoculars to see out into the open seas. We spent time on the beach, and playing in the waves. Watched fireworks over the ocean, had ice cream and watch a fire juggler perform. I love making memories, and I love sharing memories with those I love. Its been a busy summer, and its not quite over yet. I haven't spent much time at home, or working, but I have spent alot of time exploring and having adventures. Life is good, and I am so blessed to have had the experiences I have had this summer. I will surely remember it forever!
