Friday, December 10, 2010

Painting the Train....

It was a nice little project just waiting for a good day :)

The day finally came around the Thanksgiving holiday we were having our favorite cousin Suley over.
We booked solid the events of the day, since we don't get to see her that often we try to cram as many things into the day as we can.

This time it was Painting the Train, Cranium and then a Movie We had a fabulous time and I was even able to take some pics :)

Enjoy......btw I'm not in the pictures but....I painted the christmas trees, a zebra, and a violet house ;)









































Painting can get a little messy which is why it took such a long time to start the project but now after now how much fun it can actually be we will be sure to do it more often :) 

Happy Friday!!!

Monday, December 6, 2010

Digital Point n Shoot...

I am a Canon Girl all the way baby!!!

That's my answer to the question I'm often asked.

My friends and family always ask me what camera they should buy...Truth is I don't have a point n shoot camera...

I gave mine away when I bought my Professional Camera, not realizing at the time that I should always have a camera in my pocket for those fleeting moments that I want to just pull my camera out of my pocket.  Don't get me wrong I LOVE my camera but the reality is I can't always carry it around in my pocket and I always use it to work but I think it's time to get something that I can also have when I'm at Play.  Realisticly unless I am just going to shoot, I can't take my camera to the beach :)

So I did a little research and I thought I would share it.  The Powershot G12 comes very highly recommended. (It's on My wish list)




Features






Option two is also highly recommended and with a lower price tag.




Features



I hope that this can be of help to someone...Maybe a Santa that might be looking for something to get for a special someone.

All of this information can be found at www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras and soooo much more.

Happy Monday!!!
:)

Friday, December 3, 2010

The Holiday Photo Booth.....


I was blessed to be contacted by Anne Ruthmann last month to help out with her yearly event 
The Free Holiday Photo Booth....

Her studio is at Western Ave Studios in Lowell, A great place for you to look around at all the other artists as well. Open Studios is the first Saturday of the month from 12-5.  In December for those who want unique gifts they are open for the first two weekends of the month. Feel free to come on by this Saturday and Sunday from 12-5.  You can find directions here http://www.westernavenuestudios.com

I was honored to be of assistance. The Photobooth is a ton of fun. You get to pick out some props and be just plain silly in front of the camera. I was able to bring my kids in for some fun of our very own.  
And here's the proof!






All Photos Courtesy of Anne Ruthmann Photography......

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

Monday, November 29, 2010

Gratitude Journal

Wow...Where oh where would I start.  I am eternally grateful to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for carrying me through those moments in life when I thought I couldn't go on.

Life has been a roller coaster with many times up and many times down, but through it all I have Praised HIS name.

If you didn't know I had alot of losses last year. A Major Tragedy caused the loss of two family members, and all the other losses that followed were minor compared to that, But let's just say the domino effect left us in a bit of a transition and it is taken a while to readjust.

I Started this year off in a nice little apartment. EMPTY....Since all of My Belongings were stuck in a storage in Sunny Florida.  God saw me through those difficult times and I feel like it had to do with the gratefulness that I felt in my heart. Every night when I filled that air mattress one more time I Praised the Lord for that wonderful King size fluffy bed that I owned!  I had faith that the day would come that I would have it with me again.  And I did, Thankfully...I mean there were a few losses, some things didn't come back, others broke, but My bed made it back to New England safely! Oh and the JOY I felt when I Gave HIM the Glory!!!! I am able to appreciate my bed that much more now whenever I get in it.

So even though the year is coming to an end and we are still in a little bit of transition trying to find a home where I can finally unpack the boxes I packed up last year.  I would Say that I have alot to be thankful for this year.

I am thankful for the Air we breathe
I am thankful for the Love of My children
I am thankful for the hard work of My Husband
I am thankful for the roof over our head
I am thankful for the food on the table
I am thankful for the clothes we are able to wear and the shoes on our feet
I am thankful for little old honda that I drive
I am thankful for My Camera that STILL makes great Photos
I am thankful that GOD made Nature Beautiful!
I am thankful that I am able to decorate and put up a christmas tree this year.
I am extremely thankful that I can walk. (life was really scary when I couldn't)
I am thankful for the great LOVE and Understanding of my friends.
I am thankful for the Word and Promises of God........
And the list could go on and on.

Many times when I have been a little on the fearful side, the Lord has brought me to Isaiah 41:10

Do Not fear, for I am with you 
Do Not be discouraged,  for I AM your GOD;
I will Strengthen you and Help you,
I will Hold you up with my righteous right hand. 


I was able to Make Thanksgving Dinner at my own table this year and for that too I am grateful.  So I leave you with some images of my turkey :)


















The meal was Turkey with stuffing and Traditional Puerto Rican pasteles and Arroz con gandules.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Changes.....

SO...some people don't like change. Other's a little and well...me I have mixed feelings but....


Sometimes....things have to change.


I am in the process of working on Some changes...Both on the Home and Work front....I'm going to take some time to really enjoy the holidays this year...I can't believe that the year is almost at it's end. However I am expecting to have the changes completed by the time my birthday rolls around in Mid January.


I ask that you bear with me while I try some different things and find the right fit =)


Just so your comfortable with the changes I promise not to change things here as much as I change my Hair color!!!


The current color is RED VIOLET =) 


I assure you some things are worth waiting for ;) 


Thanking you in advance for your patience.






Saturday, November 20, 2010

Autumn Days....

So the Autumn is my favorite time of year...I know some people think I'm crazy...Who likes the fall more than summer or spring? ME! YES I do!!!

I am especially mesmerized by all the lovely foliage This year, because I missed it soooo much last year....and I am a little more attentive this Year.



I have given it some thought...but yeah, well, MARY it's the cycle of life....Tomorrow is never Promised, not even for the trees......


So I had to carry these guys along with me to get all these images but it was a ton of fun.....besides they are an extension of ME =)

Have A Blessed DAY!!!

Friday, November 19, 2010

Anupama & Niraj

I had the pleasure of Photographing this lovely couple.  It's moments like these...folks that makes me LOVE what I do......


The Love radiates from them here....This is my favorite of the night!

Best Wishes Anupama and Niraj!!!

=)

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Montage Please....

I'm finding that one of the best way a client can get the most out of their Photo Session is by ordering a uniquely customized Montage.


Montages are generally 16X20 which allows for the images to be large enough to really be enjoyed....  They can be for a specific occasion or simply just because. It's a great Senior Portrait option.

However, they can also be made in a 10X20 like the one below =) This was my niece's 18th Birthday Present...She is Ecstatic!!!

Schedule your Session Today, and you too can order your very own completely customizable Montage.


Happy Thursday!!! =) 

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Insta.gram

The iPhone is one the greatest tools that has ever come through my hands....

I LooOOOVE it!!!
It helps me to be productive while on the GO! It does all sorts of things...If you can think of it they will make an APP for that......However, being a photographer I have always been skeptical about the quality of a tiny phone camera, but the iPhone does a really good job Most of the time.......You know for the day to day images and moments that you have to pull your camera out of your pocket for YEAH those =)

I recently discovered an APP that allows me to share more of the images I take with my iPhone or any image I have saved on my iPhone.  You can find out about it at http://instagr.am/ and OH MY LORD it's FREE!!! =)

Who doesn't like FREE? I know alot of people that like free....LOL!

So I thought I would share it. I love the way the filters make my ordinary images...EXTRODINARY!!!

Or in the words of one my Friends...."WOW" Thanks Evelyn for your encouragement!

I like wow =) it's very pleasing......

Early morning walk to take my son to the bus...It truly was a beautiful morning.....

Sometimes I am just driving along...and I see something like this and I just HAVE to stop and take a picture =)
Love the leaves......and yes I'm the girl that put up an autumn tree up and brought real leaves from outside to put on the tree =) but Really...I am NOT crazy I just Love Autumn!!


Enjoy the Wow I was able to share =) 

Happy Wednesday!!!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Ok, So I've been Real Busy lately......

I have been kinda busy lately and neglecting my blog.......Yes I will admit it :-/

But, I have been busy taking more pictures, editing, and working some other stuff out =)

I promise I'm on it this week....

Anne Ruthmann gave me a really good Idea...get a few done and then just schedule them to post when I am busy doing OTHER things ;)

Thanks ANNE!!!

Ok...so maybe I was getting my hair done and getting my picture taken tooo... I'm alllowed....Right!?

A special Thanks to Yadian Reyes who always keeps my Hair looking fabulous and always manages to capture a great Photo of ME.....

Have a Blessed Day!

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

The Dream Giver.....

I have recently started reading this book by Bruce Wilkinson. It's titled The Dream Giver. It's part of a book club of sorts.  The women's church group....Women of Wisdom are reading it and I have joined in.

I don't know yet what everyone else's response is to the book, only a few comments on Facebook here and there.  There will be a meeting to discuss the book, that should be fun.

I find it amazing that I feel like this book is speaking directly to ME... The book is about a person named Ordinary who lives in Familiar is given a dream and decides to pursue it.  Oh but to pursue our dreams we Must Step out of our Comfort Zone.

I got through the first half on the first day I couldn't seem to put it down. It has inspired me in all sorts of ways.  I mean I DO have Big DREAMS myself.  This book is a stepping stone to help me get there. I encourage you to go out and buy it as soon as you can. Because Everybody has a dream....even if you don't know what it is yet......


Be Blessed!!!!

Thursday, October 28, 2010

The Art Of Photography



I am amazed everyday that goes by at what my camera can capture. I really feel that what I do best is Portrait and Wedding Photography and that is what I have focused my business on. However, Every so often when I am not really working but just out with the family and my camera of course (Never leave home without it ;)  I capture natural beauty that is God's Creation..

Who knew that a simple Log on the edge of a lake could look like THIS. It's in those moments that I appreciate looking at things differently.  I am not a Fine Art Photographer, I can only someday aspire to be one, but I do Consider my Photography a form of ART.

A photograph is life distilled and preserved for eternity. An expressive face, a fleeting moment in nature, an abstract shape ~ these are the fundamentals of photography. A photograph conveys, in a way no words can, a sense of the mystery and beauty of life, nature, and the achievements of mankind. 


I will continue to grow my business in Portrait and Wedding Photography, but if I come across that fleeting moment in nature I will enjoy capturing that too =)


May The Lord Bless Your Day!!!

Saturday, October 23, 2010

The Perfect Pumpkin....

I Love Autumn It's my favorite time a year.  We don't celebrate halloween but we do celebrate the Harvest.  I Love My Children they are my life.  I love taking them out to pick out a nice pumpkin or two even if I have to explain all the way home why they can't carve them into Jack -O- Lantern's.......
Everyone has their beliefs but it's my responsibility as a parent to teach them mine.

This was a very nice sunny day that we enjoyed as a family....





























I Love The Orange and Blue hues......

Happy Saturday!!!

Monday, October 18, 2010

Tougas Farm....


Finally a free SATURDAY and all of us at the same time....Woo Hooo!!!!  
The plan was to take a break away from the edits and all the hard work I have endured in the last couple of months....but well I just can't take a break from Photography it's my passion and my Life.  So we went apple picking :)  and I created more memories to edit.  I think I should own a nice little point and shoot for my days off, because who wouldn't want memories like these =)










































































We had a really Good time, ate lots of apples, enjoyed the sunshine and the fresh air =)

Happy Monday!!

Friday, October 8, 2010

He asked what we've been up to..........

My Brother called, he always does as most siblings do....when he called he mentioned that his daughter and I were spending a lot of time together lately. After he asked what we have been up to.....that's when I realized it....

He was right...I don't know when it happened really, that we started spending more and more time together, we just did. I mean she's really fun to have around, you might remember her from my previous post MEET ERIKA.  I mean we have sooo much in common...that her mom has actually told her she's my daughter not hers (kidding of course).

So I was thinking, we ARE doing lots of things lately......Like searching for jobs, studying the driving manual (she's almost ready for her permit), watching Grey's Anatomy, making and eating pies & cakes, she's learning Photoshop in school, and learning to play with my camera at home, she's babysitting my kids when I have to work and we take time to facebook in between it all!!! Best of all she likes listening about Photography and giving her opinion on my work. 

So this week she came home needing a picture for her school Photoshop Project...we went outside to take just one picture....

Let's just say...I can't just take one... So here are a few from our mini ~ Session



























I think she is strikingly beautiful.....but I might be a little biased.  ;) 









































I wanted to make this last image very Edgy So I added a lot of grain. I think she's gonna Love it!

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Baby Boom......


Is it me or are there A Lot of babies being born lately??? It might just be me but I've had a few expectant mom's come before my camera this year.  I have been debating about when to open a Maternity Portfolio on my website www.violetfotos.com, but after this shoot I am convinced, I'm ready.

I must say that I LOVE this type of Photography Session. As I may have mentioned in a previous post I loved being with child all three times ;)  Having a baby is one of the most wonderful experiences in this world and certainly worthy of  documenting.  I take great pride in capturing these images to be cherished not just by the couple but by the unborn child still in the womb.  One day their child will be showing these images to their own children. 
I had the opportunity to have these first time parents-to-be in front of my camera to document some of those precious quiet moments that will soon be just a memory.....






Congrats to the Mom and Dad to be. I look forward to meeting the baby real soon :)

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Opportunities.....

It was one of those opportunities that don't just happen by accident.  Lou Goodman e-mailed ME!  He wasn't looking for a Photographer, but I jumped at the opportunity and let him know what I had to offer.  He liked my attitude and agreed to meet with me.  Boy was I excited to rub shoulders with such a seasoned Photographer :)  I heard from him that same week and let me know I could shoot with him at his next event, and it was being held at the CHARTER OAKS Country Club.

It was quite an experience.  I was SUPER excited to see the wedding colors, everyone knows I love the color VIOLET it is my name after all ;)

They say that every instructor has a different Style. That is why I audited my wedding class in school several times with different wedding Photographers. I knew then I wanted to concentrate on wedding and Portrait Photography. I am in the process of developing my very own style and the way that I am doing this is by working with and learning from the Best Wedding Photographers out there.  To name a few, Felix Rust, Jenn Hudson, Lara Woolfson, Louise Michaud, and now I can say I shot a wedding with Lou Goodman ;)  Thanks to all of them.


Here are some of the images from the Wedding and keep in mind that identities can not be revealed yet, that'll have to be a whole other blog post ;)

Congratulations to the happy couple.  I wish You a Long and Happy Marriage :)

Friday, September 24, 2010

Capturing and Preserving.....

It's those moments...You know, the ones that once they pass you just can't get them back...
So we document them. In such a way that we will never forget.  So they may be cherished forever.  So that they can be passed on long after we are gone. 
That's what I do. I Capture and Preserve those moments in time that we call memories.  Important times in other peoples lives.....In my own life too....
Sometimes people say things to give their opinions, to be spiteful, or to offer constructive criticism.  I've been told Sooo many things.  Some Positive Some Negative.  I'll take the good and learn from the bad.  One person offered in reference to my images, "It seems like you shoot with your Heart".  Another asked "Are you a Photographer or a sappy writer?" in reference to my Blog.  Some people don't even consider Photography WORK at all.  So Here's what I have to say......
I am a Hopeless Romantic! So therefore,  I love capturing emotion and I enjoy writing about the emotion that comes through in my imagery.  I am a passionate person and although I love what I do, IT IS work.  I always thank God for having given me the ability to make people happy through my Photography.  I received this note Today,  it reinforces my feelings ;)  It's like God's way of saying, "Good Job, Keep It up" 


Love the new pictures and the story on your blog...they just keep getting better, you got some great ones of Rick, and I've rarely seen a photo that really reflects who he is...I will treasure these pictures always...thanks again

Just because my post would be incomplete without a PHOTO.....here's a sneak peek from my last session.......





Happy FRIDAY!!!








Thursday, September 23, 2010

Kathryn & Richard

There is No Distance......
There is No Time.......
There is No Circumstance.....That could keep them apart.


Kathryn and Rick will attest "In Love, the smallest distance is too great, and the greatest distance can be bridged"

He Proposed on their 5th year anniversary presenting her with a Swarovski Crystal kitten with the ring around it's neck. Their Journey to marriage has been unique and wonderful......and NOW a different Journey has begun as Husband and Wife.
Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Leichter...It was a Pleasure to capture all the special moments on your special Day. May you enjoy your Happily Ever After ;)
This moment was captured by Deb Davis whom I had the pleasure of having as an assistant. Thanks Deb for all your help :)