Alley Art Arun
Tucked away in alleyways, art work graffiti and Arun.
Tucked away in alleyways are art and Arun. The grunginess reminded me of the streets of New York City, 5 Pointz and Queens. Check out just a few of the spots hidden around this gem in Los Angeles.
Heartthrob over here...ladies, he's single.
Portrait Diaries: Light
Today's shoot was all about light: natural daylight, starry LED lights and light from my other new camera toy. This isn't my first time photographing the beautiful Nastassia, and I am sure it won't be the last. Below are just a few of my favorites.
I will forever be infatuated by light. Today's shoot was all about the use of light: natural daylight, starry LED lights and light from my other new camera toy when I lost the sun. This isn't my first time photographing the beautiful Nastassia, and I am sure it won't be the last. Below are just a few of my favorites.
And, remember the Bokeh Kit that I mentioned in my previous blogpost? Nastassia hails from New Orleans so I had to use the fleur-de-lis for this Southern Belle.
See her entire gallery under "people" by clicking here, or scroll through it below.
A Moment of Blurry Vision
Have you ever felt empty inside? You're not feeling sad, happy, excited, or any basic emotion. Your vision, unable to focus on what is before. You blankly stare at something insignificant and your foreground becomes the background because this time your mind is controlling a blurry gaze. You could break free of this trance if you had to and gain back the focus, but when you let the mind free, the meter moves further away from center and everything is unclear.
Tonight's post will be short and sweet because it's really just about gazing at sweet nothings.
Have you ever felt empty inside? You're not feeling sad, happy, excited, or any basic emotion. Your vision, unable to focus on what is before. You blankly stare at something insignificant and your foreground becomes the background because this time your mind is controlling a blurry gaze. You could break free of this trance if you had to and gain back the focus, but when you let the mind free, the meter moves further away from center and everything is unclear.
That's what has been happening to me these last two days. (I hope medically speaking, this doesn't mean I'm dying or that I have a brain tumor that I am unaware of.) I'm not even making it up because I specifically explained my problem to a coworker today. I've been having trouble focusing on what's before me. It is as if my mind wants me to wander away. It feels like when you're about to begin a daydream, but the difference is that the thoughts are blank. My mind is idle.
Playing with the "heart" from my new Bokeh Masters Kit.
Ironically, my latest camera toy also arrived in the mail today, and its sole purpose is to create cute photo effects with the purposefully out-of-focus parts of a photograph (aka what's beyond the depth of field). You must all be thinking, HUH? But, let the photographs demonstrate.
I thought tonight would be the perfect night to share what are In My Visions and the feeling that I can't describe properly. It's when my mind decides to take over the ability to focus, or lack there of.
My toy comes with several shapes, but I only tested out the heart and the star. I can control what it focuses on and the filter distorts the background. It's most effective with lights. It's magical, it's adorable and I can't wait to try it when I take portraits, too!
Halloween is in the air, and I just made the spooky somewhat romantic and magical. Got to love photography. But, that's all folks! Just follow your heart, go with your vision-- even when it gets blurry. I'm not sure what this all means for me today, but I'll eventually find out on one of my tomorrows.
Just a coincidence that a photo of traffic lights created a heart-shaped "L"
Love,
Laura
Kamri, The Gallery and My Inspirations
Today my work was featured in a gallery where I met some of the most inspirational people.
I thank my parents, my family and friends. Thank you to everyone who came to the gallery today and thank you to all who have inspired me, influenced me, and supported my photography.
Kamri
Today my work was featured in a gallery where I met some of the most inspirational people. And by inspirational, I mean this young and beautiful girl, Kamri Carter.
"Mom...According to Us" shared artwork that ranged from paintings to poetry, photographs and more. 100% of all art proceeds from this gallery went to #StephsGirls. Stephanie Lee is survived by her two beautiful daughters, Kamri and Marchelle. Although the gallery was for them, I realized that it was a beautiful experience that was very much for me, too. I thank Kamri and her family for giving me the chance to explore my work and to share my love and compassion for flowers, nature, and anything that catches my attention. This was a beautiful chance to share what are in my visions.
The Gallery
But before I continue...here's a look at today's gallery. If the title cannot be clear enough, the gallery was all about our definition of "Mom." Vicky Jordan of PureWorks put together such an amazing and well curated gallery.
My work:
Moms are constant gardeners as they shower us with unconditional love.
No matter what season, they nurture us so that we bloom into our best selves-- in the heat of summer and in the dead of winter. These photographs were taken during all four seasons of New York City: Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. "Love" is the flower that is never out of season.
The turnout was amazing and I am truly grateful for every single person who stopped by-- from all walks of my life. Even though my mom is overseas and she couldn't be here today, I was blessed with all the people who did come through. For that, I thank you all!
My Inspirations
My parents have been an inspiration to me and are truly the biggest supporters. It was after I selected my photos that I realized how often I photograph flowers. Interestingly enough, three out of the five photographs I submitted were taken in my very own backyard.
To others, it is a modestly sized garden, but to me, it was always very large and filled with dreams. I grew up playing in it and occasionally watering the plants. I have summer BBQs there and not to forget...I feed my blood to all the mosquitoes that I can't fend off there, too! My father tends the garden and he is a huge reason why I grew up surrounded by beautiful green grass and flowers that bloom from Spring through the end of Summer.
When I got home today, and right before the sun completely set, I lit a little something to remind myself of how far I've come and to continue to spark my dreams. This garden is not much, but really it is all I need. My father always says that he's sorry he couldn't give me more, but I don't need more. My parents have given me everything that I could have ever imagined and that is already all the more that I need.
I thank my parents, my family and friends. Thank you to everyone who came to the gallery today and thank you to all who have inspired me, influenced me, and supported my photography.
<3,
Laura
Travel Diaries: Saint Maarten - Entry One
Beyond the sun's shine, I felt the ocean's breathe
pulsating through the turquoise sea,
sending ripples over white sand below my feet.
Beyond the sun's shine, I felt the ocean's breathe
pulsating through the turquoise sea,
sending ripples over white sand below my feet.
With my mind at peace,
waters waved at me knee-deep.
And every breeze whispered for me to never leave.
And what if?
What if I were just like them?
Neither here nor there, but never to leave.
What if I just laid in the waters, floating to places that only currents can take me.
But, they do depart from this island.
Not even the water stay forever.
Some wash ashore and sink beneath sand.
Some choose the sky and vanish with sunshine,
Others, like me, sail away together back into the depths of the sea.
I prefer to be the sun. Another visitor of this vision that I seek.
I'll rise again tomorrow so that I can see earth, wind and sky where I choose, casting smiles on me.
Love,
Laura
Check out my full vision of St. Maarten by clicking here.
