If you've been following my blog, you know that I teach photography at both the university and high school levels.  During the semester, I try to schedule a few mock shoots so that students can observe first hand how to direct, pose, and carry on a session.  There is no right way of having a session and I make sure to tell the students that everything depends on their style.  However, I believe that having them observe how I shoot, take control, and allow myself to focus on my models/clients, they can learn a little and apply it to their own sessions.  

Enter Jorge.  Jorge is an event planner and one of the best I know here in Chihuahua.  He is incredibly detailed and his candid nature makes it easy to know what you are going to get.  Jorge was kind enough to model for us and help me to teach the university students a little about posing, studio lighting, and how to use a reflector.  Thank you Jorge!

Facebook is a fantastic machine.  It has allowed us to connect on such an incredible level.  Connect with family and friends.  Connect with collegues and past classmates.  Connect with complete strangers we admire and those who we'd love to get to know.  It's these connections that sometimes lead to great discoveries and relationships.  And I absotelutely love it.

Over a year ago, I created a photography group.  The main reason was because I wanted to find more photographer friends.  People who would never tire talking about aperture and lighting.  Connect with people who just get me.  On a photography level.  And we could learn, grow, and connect.  That was the sole reason.  

This year, I made it my goal to begin organizing group shoots.  So we could connect face to face.  Learn and really be a community.  

Each and every Group Shoot we've had I have met so many great people.  Have been able to connect with new members, members who I've only seen through FB, and members I personally know.   However, what is greater is that all those who attend connect with each other as well!  It feels all pay-it-forward-ish.   And I love it.  

So if you're interested in being a part of the group, please go to the

GROUP PAGE

and ask to join.  It's a public group and everyone is welcome.  From novice to advanced to professional, everyone is welcome.  

Here are some photos from May Group Shoot we had in LA.  I never got around to posting them :).  

Models: Elahyna, Rosey, Desmon, & Cynthia

I'm not sure exactly when my friend Mayra, of Mayra Ariza Photography, and I decided we HAD to shoot a men's fashion styled session.  

You see, as wedding photographers, most of the day's emphasis is on the bride and all of the details that go into the big day.  As portrait photographers, most of the clients we get are women.  Men, not so much.

So we wanted to challenge ourselves.  Take ourselves out of the comfort zone and do something different.  That's when the Burberry/Winter men's fashion styled shoot was born.  All we needed, were models. 

We photographed at the Riverside Historic Court House and in the hallway of another building around the corner.  Mayra and I took turns with each of the guys to flex our skills in posing, positioning, directing, and angles.  It was a challenging shoot to say the least.  I can pose a woman like it's going out of style, but men, that's a whole different game.  It was great practice!  As luck would have it, the foggy weather proved to be helpful in creating some moody photos.  

First up, Derrick!  Who brought a hat and his car to the shoot.  He gave us lots to work with.  I chose to process his photos with a little desaturated contrast.  Make them more grey like his clothes.  

Second up, Joe!  For some reason, I feel that Joe's set is more powerful in black in white.  I don't usually like to use black and white when people have colored eyes, but the lighting I experimented with just pops out more in black and white.  So, black and white it was.    

I wish both the these dudes the best in their modeling and acting career!  They were such an awesome duo and the four of us got along famously.  They worked hard in helping us with posing and really brought their A game.  If you ever need a model, make sure to contact these two!  

You can find Derrick HERE.

You can find Joe HERE.

When I switched my major in college, my parents would tell me to keep public relations as my main focus and photography as a back up.  They said it like it was going out of style.  They asked me to weigh the options.  They didn't want me to be another starving artist.  Luckily, they saw potential and supported me when I didn't listen and began my photographic journey.

Oh how I would have slapped my 20 year old self!  I should have switched my major long before 20!  Photography is a craft that I aim to grow and get better with every day that passes.  Since then I have been struggling, I've been the starving artist, and yet, I am fulfilled.  Like I will be after Thanksgiving.  

I continue to push through.  I've had doubts.  After one wedding, I came home devastated thinking that I hadn't done as much as I wanted.  That I didn't get enough.  That what I got was crappy.  And that my client would hate me.  But I have also had fulfilled days.  Days like yesterday.  Days like today.  Where everything seems to fall right back into place.  

So don't worry if you aren't where you want to be, because neither am I.  Don't worry if you're struggling, because there will always be hurdles.  And don't ever be afraid to jump and run after your dreams.  If you haven't got dreams, then what's the point in living?

Dream big.  Aim high.  and live fulfilled.  Even on bad days.

This is Sunny.  She's a beautiful model I had the pleasure of photographing.  

Yes, this is the same beautiful Romanian model I shot a few months back at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.  You can see the images

here

.  She was going to leave in 10 days and well, I couldn't pass up another opportunity to photographer her again!  This time, a whole new theme, location, and vibe.  She is an amazing model and has done lots of print and commercial work in her home country so naturally we had a smooth shoot.  

Aside from being a great model, she is a fantastic stylist!  She styled both shoots based on simple ideas I described to her.  I said, "let's do an autumn theme."  And the above is what she brought.  I love a model that is a great stylist!  I mean, just look at that green coat!  Gorgeous!

Alexandra is sadly back in Romania :(.  And it's a huge big sad face! Maybe I'll have to go to Romania and photograph her there... either way I miss her because we became friends in the short time she was here.  

And.. this just goes to show that photographs are irreplaceable.  She is a friend, not just a model and I have these photographs of her to remember her by.  Which in turn give me a happy face.

Chelsea is a make up and hair stylist with

Fuse Hair & Beauty

,  that is usually running around on the weekends preparing brides for their big day.  But she wanted to do something different.  Something fun, colorful, and really stretch her skills.  She contacted me and we set a date.  

I couldn't be happier with the results!  The girls had never modeled before and it just goes to show how with some fun make up and wardrobe, a model can be born!  They were naturals!  We had a fun time and can't wait to do more of these shoots in the future!

Happy Friday! 

A little fall preview and will show more soon! 

Kristen and I were in the marching band together.  Four years of sweating out in the field during the 3-5pm practices.  On the field when we competed, sometimes next to each other in our formations.  See, we both played flute and we were on the same team.  Then graduation happened and as usual, every disperses into the life that they are to lead.  Some take us on curved paths, some in circles, and some in jagged straight lines.  And some bring us back to our home town.  Were we are able to be on a different team: model + photographer.  But we're still a team.   Life is so uncanny in how it always brings people back together.  Even if for a only a fashion photo shoot.   

Kristen:  thank you for allowing me to photograph you and for allowing Elle to make you up!  I had a ton of fun!  

Had to share one from today's little fashion shoot!  More to come soon!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

full post of alex and make up artist rachel at the disney concert hall in los angeles.  we had such a great time getting to know each other and doing what all three of us love.  rachel: you're awesome!  and so glad we did the orange lips and two different looks one day and one night... so perfect!  alex:  you are a natural! so professional and amazing at wardrobe styling.  we'll be shooting again soon ladies!

happy week!