A trip to the prairie!

Little know fact that i spent a few months in Canada over 10 years ago.........and i'm about to see my sister who lives there.  I haven't seen her in 3 years! I'm too excited to go up and see her!  I definitely plan on taking a lot of photos of her family...to bring home with me their faces, their life, their surroundings. :) 

I'm almost done packing...so if you don't see me...I'm gone til October 8th! :)

Have a super week! :)

Photography is...

a tool!  to SERVE my customers and clients!

The following is a wedding where I helped my fellow friend & team-mate in growing photography businesses....Catoe. :)  She needed a 2nd photographer to help her out...and i took it and ran with it.  I also invited a newly found friend to join us at 3rd. :) 

This was their 35th year renewal of vows.....................and there are many reasons to celebrate that...for more reasons that one.  When someone struggles with any type of cancer or illness - having something uniquely special to celebrate and remember...is touching! :) 

I have found that for me, itz not about what I can get out of these ceremonies of love & commitment...it is really about capturing the entire day and MORE for them to enjoy for years to come.  I have found that I do not choose my clients - my clients choose me.

Here are a few highlights that i wanted to share!

They were so happy....dancing....laughing....she was TRULY surprised by a wonderful new ring that he gave her while they exchanged the rings. :)  IT was shock, amazement and much laffing!  It was sooooooooo great.  I just can't tell you!  We gave them many hugs before we left...knowing they were tired, had partied their hearts out...and were on their way to their next journey. :)

enjoy

2 weddings to never forget!!!!!!!! by Rarmai Photography

Wedding 1.........a last minute ordeal...they booked me less than 2 weeks before their wedding...and all the rain we've had moved EVERYTHING around! We ended up indoors at the church offices...which turned into a very LOVELY evening...all around...and it ended with a tearful celebration via web with the bride's parents in Bolivia!
To see their album - go here: David & Patti

Wedding 2.............a lovely couple...with a rockin bridal party and lots and LOTS of homemade decorations!  The weather outside was kinda gloomy - but the ceremony went along inside without a hitch.  We were at the Wildwood Inn in Denton...and we all had fun w/ the photographs. :)  The bride had her very own requests for us to do - and we got all of them!  I love when people get involved in creating their own memories..itz AWESOME! :) 
To see their album - go here:  Chris & Michaela

For fun!

This was just for fun Saturday...as I'm working on a new concept....this is not the concept, but a nice side-product of what you can do in less than an hour with a model...with limited props & things. I used a pink tutu that i borrowed as the "prop" and make some lovely images out of them. I'm actually amazed at these two and how awesome they came out. :) ESPECIALLY the top one. Lightroom is awesome.

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the GIFT of photography........

This post can go 2 ways....so i'm going to go there!

I haven't seen my sister for THREE years. This has been a hard time for me...as I have felt personal connection be lost...#1 long distance phone costs, #2 flight costs and so much more. I have not been able to connect the way i have wanted for some time. I saw her THREE years ago in the summer of 2006.

Today, I booked a flight to see her for a week. I'm TOO excited about this. There are so many levels of fun-ness brewing in me. I get to see her, help her, spend time w/ her, love her and her family. ...and most of all........TAKE PICTURES.

So, I have been giving the GIFT of photography...as a way to capture those moments in time that no one else cares to. You will noticed 50 years ago that SOMEONE, yes SOMEONE took a photo of your family so you could see what your family looked like, where they lived over 50 years ago. If no one would have taken that picture, how could u have known?

My goal is to take so many photos while i am there...of my lovely sister...of us together...of the kids...both as a unit & individually...both in action & rest. OMG, i can just see the results in my mind. My GIFT of photography as a GIFT to them. A gift to my family that I can send for Christmas cards. A GIFT that you can't take back or return to the store. Someone has got to do it...and that someone should be you! If this is your calling, don't wait til you have the "right" equipment! USE WHAT YOU HAVE. :)

Then go print stuff at www.pephoto.com which has amazing quality for cheap. Print yourself a slew of 4x6's! HELLO! get creative! Make collages...hang them on your walls. There is nothing like seeing the faces of family when you are separate by 6 hours....by 16 hours...and 32 hours...

I have a spread out family and this year I have ached to see them all & spend time with them.
I'm too excited.

More to come.........
and I leave on my journey Sept 30th and stay til Oct. 8th. :)

peace.

Photographing Sentimental Objects!

I photographed sentimental objects that were from my great-grandmother's remaining items from when she passed away. I still have a whole bunch to go, but itz been fun to know that great-grandma had her own unique style and that through the years...she came to be known as "red lips" . ahahah!!!!

ENCOURAGEMENT: This goes to show you that at anytime...anyplace...you can use your gift as a photographer to document things that most others don't have a desire to.

As I was on my trip - i realized just how much ppl don't like their photos taken...but let me ask you this...how do you want your children's children's children remembered? How will they know where they came from? Have you looked at your grandparents photos when they were in high school? SOMEONE had to take the photo. That someone is YOU! I had SO much fun learning about my grandparents & looking at their photos. I took PHOTOS of their photos so i could bring them home with me!!!! I also took secret video with my point & shoot so that i could bring them home on a video for more LIVE re-living. :) You can see them on my facebook.

Anyways - hope you all have a wonderful WONDERFUL week....

Yet ANOTHER fabulous wedding on 8/15!!!!

I was EXCITED to work with Joy on this one. She has been a great friend & fellow photographer. I brought along my friend Catoe who did a very successful photo booth down the hallway during the reception. I believe all turned out wonderful...We all got different photos...and I know we HAD to have all gotten complimentary photos. :)

Here are some highlights...but most of the preview photos will be on my smugmug...

we are waiting for the "big reveal" when the bride & groom return from their honeymoon!

Why not me?

Why not you?

What i've learned so far...is that you can teach at any level....there is always someone to learn from...AND someone to teach. You may find yourself gathering around friends with like-minded passions...and you discover you sharpen each other, you help each other...you GROW. :)

I've been thankful to have a handful of ppl that help me to grow as an artist.

I'm looking forward to the future...

Tomorrow...i'm going to help a friend do a wedding...first time to work with her!!! Course, i've been "working" with her for months now as friends. Sharpening, enhancing...sharing. Itz been wonderful. I hope to help her do a GREAT job! YEA!!!! We already had fun at the bridal shoot. :)

So, where I volunteer my time...is Space Studio...and we were discussing having our Space Commander Hal do a workshop....but also maybe ME doing a short-topic speak/teach thing. I think we all have something to say where we have come from...what we have experienced. The joys, the frustrations...and ALL that is our dream!!!

We'll see...details will be TBA....

meanwhile.......i'm going to be EXCITED to see my family next week.
:)

Until next time,
peace!

I believe in INNOVATION

I believe in INNOVATION.

I'm sure most ppl will tell you"whatever photo you can think of has already been done"...well i choose to just toss that aside and as i'm on this journey of creativity and photography...i'm going to FOCUS on these images that pop into my head...that is DEFinitely from DIVINE inspiration. I don't care about copying magazines or ideas from others. I know there are awesome "cookie cutter" ways we capture things...and to keep myself on the path...i'm going to aim to continue to be myselfAND innovate new things!I'm going to follow through w/ trying new things...yet still maintaining ME.I'm too excited about this mini-revelation...that God is every so slightly...giving me the innovations I desire.The creator IS creativity. :)

Examples of what i have been given so far:

Gorgeous Wedding!!!! on 8/8

Ah! there was ART and LOVE in the mix this entire weekend!!!

My Team and I shot a wedding on Lovers Lane...AND...out at Winfrey Point at White Rock Lake! I tried some new ideas...and overall had a great time watching the families join, celebrate and have fun. I was truly blessed to be given that opportunity...it was amazing.

Course, after I left the wedding...I went straight to finish out my weekend with nite 2 of my art show ATOMIC PINK! It was a blast and I had to say i crashed til about 11am today. :)

Here are some favs from the wedding so far....

we decided...to do some quick bridals....near the pipe organ...VERRRRY kewl.
there were also a lot of stained glass windows around...so we stole a few moments here.
and definitely stole a few MORE moments w/ the happy couple for their lovey dovey shots! YEA!
i'm very proud of this one...it was that sweet time of nite! oh yea...w/ a street lamp lighting up the green grass...and that time right at nite when your shutter is low...and the colors are bright...i did NO photoshop or lightroom on these. This is just practice makes more perfect.
we were only allowed to be in the balcony or at the rear of the church during the ceremony...so me & my hubby did the best we could! but i love this shot...the newly married couple, followed closely by the flower girl. :)

ATOMIC PINK!!!!

So, my artwork was graciously hung in LIFE in deep ellum.
along with 30+ other artists that have done amazing work!!!!

The LIVE interactive artist event starts this Friday, August 7th at 8pm-til midnite.
I will be doing FREE photography in my "booth" space towards the back. I hope you can make it out and come see us!!!! Tickets have been reduced to $8 a nite.

August 8th - we have day #2 of the event!!!! Lots and lots of live art, live music and MORE photography from very talented ladies!!!! :)

You will not be disappointed.
Come support your local artists...and make a difference in your community!

Jen

www.rarmai.com

www.artlovemagic.com

FREE gazing of artwork starting 2nite at 7pm!!! at LIFE in Deep Ellum.

If you can't make next weekends HUGE, live, interactive event...join us tonite for the opening of the gallery!from 7-10pm you can gaze wonderfully at all the art that is on display there RIGHT NOW!....for freeeee!!!!

WHERE: LIFE in Deep Ellum, 2803 Taylor St.(on corner of Malcolm X and Taylor)

DIRECTIONS FROM highway 75 (coming south)
take Hwy 75 Southexit "Downtown - Good Latimer"
take a left on LIVE OAKthe right on GOOD-LATIMER
take a left on Main OR Commerce
then a RIGHT on Malcolm X.
When you get to TAYLOR, it is RIGHT THERE. (on the right)

Hope that helps you!!!!!hope to see you.Remember, you can go see the art starting TONITE...and for FREE all this weekend and next week at LIFE/Mokah Coffee Bar. So from 7/31 to 8/6/09 you can view for FREE. Please go see!!!!You won't be disappointed!!!!!peace.

for more info or to answer the question WHAT IS THIS?
www.artlovemagic.com

and here is my you tube video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcKS_lPDPRU

Wedding Bells!!!!!!! :)

so as you know...i've been in business since about June of 2007....and what i've found is that my faith has only gotten stronger...for when you are doing what you love...that doesn't mean u still don't have to do things u hate...

u know like, accounting, marketing, "sales"...all that crap that i hate...but itz the things i have to do in order for my business to succeed!along with prayer and active FAITH.

well, God's been working wonders lately for me...so i have requests that i will make known to God! *smile*Not only do i enjoy doing what i love, but getting paid for it really helps me to help so many others. The more i learn...the more i earn...and the more i give of myself to you, my clients and future clients. :)

Dear God, I need about 4 weddings booked before December 31, 2009. :) Thank you!

God knows why...and that is all that counts! amen!

Much love to you and photographic creative fun!

Jen

the journey of Atomic Pink....

really, this has been SUCH a journey...to be around and start to get to know SO many creative ppl in the DFW metroplex...itz amazing...and now...you can see artwork inspired by my hair & photograph by Hal Samples.

to the graphic artists and their work...their flyers...and more....

and to the wonderful videotaping interview...by Daniel Perez...to help me make a video for my family that is out of state...and whom i'd LOVE to share this experience with. After all, i came from them...and here is my gift back to them. :)

The youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcKS_lPDPRU

ENJOY.

It has been a blast to be a small part of something pretty large growing in DFW....the rise of Deep Ellum and the ARTS community. With Art Love Magic and many other passionate community-based groups forming and moving forward...I have no doubts...that DE will be a place to BE once again...and be creative, be accepted & encouraged to create. :)

For me, this journey started this early early spring...volunteering for the "Underground" show at the Southside on Lamar...and even before that as an assistant to my great friend Amanda at her first showing with ALM. :) They saw my hair, asked what it was called...and thus ATOMIC PINK was born. No, i didn't make this up - if you look up atomic pink haircolor - you too, will see. :)

I hope that you can all come out & see...

the show is August 7 & 8th - from 8pm to midnite.

all info is available at http://www.artlovemagic.com/

for directions - i would google/yahoo them, but also maybe do a test drive down there. Deep Ellum can be a lil confusing to get to!!!!

OH, and don't forget to check out the mural art painted by Frank Campagna

on good-latimer & main street!

We ROCKED the house!!!!

I have to say this past Saturday....was one of the coolest days of my life! YEA!

I set up one solo light in the corner and used a corner of Space...and a quaint couch as my "backdrop"...

This weekend held a LOT of firsts for me...#1, never used one light before #2, never had this huge an event w/ VENDORS before. #3...never modeled clothing before #4 never multi-tasked so much more in my life w/ GREAT results! OMG. It was amazing. We had great vendors...great fashion lines...and great people showed up to give their clothing to Mina4...and left us a lil happier, a lil lighter & very dancey! (thanks to the dj)

Here are some of our highlights.

Come join us next time!

here are some of the few fashions that are from Adora's! :)

lovely photographer friends....aren't they cute, all takin pictures & such! haha!!!!

modeling, fierce i tell ya! fierce!

There are so much more at www.rarmai.smugmug.com

enjoy! :)

This coming SATURDAY!!!!!

So, it is almosth here! We have been prepping & planning a huge event for all the women of DFW. It is a day of shopping, giving, pampering and more. It doesn't cost you more than your time and shopping doesn't always take $ to have a good time. We are going to have a BLAST up at Space Studio this Saturday - July 18th 10am to 230pm.

This began as an idea merely from my friend starting her fashion business...and from there...we had sat on this for a few months...and now, here it is! Space has been gracious enough to help us have a nice space to rent with character and need! It is a wonderful loft space around downtown in Deep Ellum.

Deep Ellum? WOW, hadn't heard that in a while eh? Well, mostly because it had been giving a bad name...and businesses had closed. Well, there are some places re-opening down there along with a new sushi place...and TREES is now re-opening too. It used to be a heartbeat of music/art/and everything else creative in DFW. I went to many concerts myself down there back in the day.

Now here we are, back into the community of Deep Ellum about to have our event. I have to tell you itz exciting, and definitely a dream come true.

I will be doing some photography there - but was hoping to pass off some knowlege and time to other photographers to have fun...and learn some things hands-on! We will plan on doing some event photography as well as a photo booth for the fashion side!

We hope to have at least 2-3 announced "fashion shows" meaning we will have a lil informal catwalk with music & everything! Itz going to be SO fun...and the best times I have ever had are around ppl that like to do the things I do!

Well, please invite all the ladies you know...feel free to pass this around....

our registration site (the event is free) is shopadora.eventbrite.com

otherwise, jsut show up at the door and get ready to GIVE, have some fun and leave feeling empowered & uniquely blessed!

Much love to ya

Jen S.

Summer fun!!!!

I have some great friends that love to model for me...some new, some older friends...meaning...i've known them longer, not they are OLDER ! hahahaah I've always wanted to do some kind of water shoot...and last thursday...we were able to throw something together!!! So, here are some of the results. I'm loving this learning curve i'm getting...and very soon, we are going to try night-shooting w/ strobes, etc. :) ENJOY!

Use what you have....

If you are anything like me...*human*...you sometimes see others doing very well..and wonder what and why you are not up on the same levels!

So you study, you read, you practice...but sometimes it boils down to equipment.

To be real honest, I get frustrated when I read certain blogs and watch certain videos put in front of me for education. Mostly because everyone is already WAY ahead of where I am. Not so much in talent or eye...as in EQUIPMENT.

But herez the deal, some of us just can't go out and spend money on an L lens...or much less a 5D or 1D. (if you are canon folks)....If you've done the research...you know those things cost almost a used car or new car! lol!

However...wherever you are...there are a few things you can learn and still get great pictures. Just don't feel bad or sad when you can't "copy" the pictures you see from certain photographers. Understand that 800 ISO on a less professional camera....is WAY different than 800ISO on others. Your grain that shows up on your pictures will differ on the scale of professional cams to hobby cams.

I've personally just come to terms with how to use the equipment i have to still get amazing pictures...because a great photographer can work with what they have and still get AWESOME shots. Not everyone is going to be "technically" correct...but thatz not the point is it. My teachers always said..."itz how YOU want it, not about the technicality".

SIDE NOTE: This is also another reason why I don't use RAW right now either. For what i'm doing, i really don't need to. I'm sure there are awesome benefits to it, but not EVERY picture i've ever taken digitally could possibly be RAW. Itz just not a priority for me! One day, maybe it will become necessary - but I hate when ppl make is a "moral imperative" and make you think you HAVE to use it or you SUCK! Not true, make your own decision about it. :)

My style is not your style...your style is not my style.
Figure out YOUR style...and be yourself!

until next time.

Wedding!

Well this wedding came up on me via an internet site. It was a total match from the start! We met up briefly at a starbux & discussed what they wanted and it was a "we like your style, do what u want" kind of thing! I was too excited to hear that.

Here are some teasers that I put through lightroom tonite...nothing too fancy - just some fav images so far. I'm sure there are more of course...but u know how it goes...:):):):) Everything went pretty quick...so i felt i was really lucky to get ANYTHING! hahaah!!!! :) We got some really fun AND funny ones. Love it!

another shoot in the works! :)

I have to say...i'm 100% done with all my *pending* projects....

I finished the Carr/Cooper wedding photos...and am uploading them NOW onto my store. I figure getting them up allows the family/friends to see that day all over again...and I was so sorry that i was late!!!!! But now, tonite - i'm almost done!

Meanwhile, today...

had me some creative fun with a concept that i like to call "fishnets". :)

Chrystine is someone i've only worked with twice now - i love the fact that when u talk to her about modeling or ideas - she has those things that can help bring your vision to life.

So here we go:

This was SO fun. and there are so many more i haven't even finished yet!

The last one is a mask i flipped upside down...and asked her to close her eyes...the shimmer of the powder on her eyes looked interesting...and NOW when i look at it? I totally get a "transformer" feel!!! do you? :):):):)
Happy shooting!