Success!!!

I think I finally decided on a logo that is more fitting to my style of photography. I wanted something a little more elegant and with a vintage, feminine feel. My other logo's seemed too childish and almost contradicted my work. Maybe I'm crazy, but that's how I felt! I even sat trying to draw up my own logo to scan into the computer last night, because truth be told, I do love the pea pod graphic. But it just wasn't happening! Maybe down the road I'll throw a pea pod graphic into a whole line of logos that go with my work! I'm so excited to crack down and really build up this business. It truly is my passion. I'm hoping to use the slow winter months to work on paperwork, and marketing. I wish I had a studio so I could keep shooting! One day, right?!

I will reach my goal, there is no question in my mind. It may take me a while, but I will get there, and it will be worth it! I've been doing this for years already, and I'm not about to give up now! I'm just getting started!

Don't you hate when...

Don't you just hate it when you have so many things to do that you freeze up and get nothing done!? That's where I am stuck right now! I have a million things running through my mind for what I need to accomplish for my business, but I don't know where to start! So much to do and so little time!

I'm trying to fine tune my logo, and color scheme so I can get packaging into the works for when things are delivered to my wonderful clients.

I need to make up templates for my price lists, cards, newsletters, business cards, and more!

Then I'm stuck in that vicious cycle where I need new equipment in order to shoot clients better, but in order to do that, I need more clients! It never ends!

I'm also trying to get together a mailing list, I would love to be able to send things digitally and through the mail to people to keep them informed on my life, and new things in the business! I always have deals going on, and who doesn't love a good deal?!

I'm going to try to update this blog much more frequently than in the past. It's a great way for people to stay involved at their own leisure.

To any potential clients reading my blog, HELLO! Hope you are at least mildly entertained by my life, and more impressed by my work! Hopefully you like it enough to suggest me to friends! I love to meet people, and talk.. I'm italian after all.. get me talking and I wont stop till there's some awesome food in front of my face!

That's all for now.. Mason is screaming for his MOMOMOM!

Save the Ecology Center, I Beg You!

I spent the best years of my life walking around the Holtsville Ecology Center with my grandmother who has now since passed... Kimo and Sasha the mountain lions were always my favorite! While they are no longer here either, it doesnt change the fact that this place is s

o very important to me. As you know, I have a child of my own, and when I found out I was pregnant, Michael and I were still living in California. I couldn't wait to move home to be with family and I'm not kidding when I say that the main thing I wanted to do once I had my son was take him to the Ecology Center. I was seriously only 14 weeks pregnant and wanted so badly to buy a stroller so I knew I would have it and be able to walk around there with him to see the animals. I envisioned it in my head many times. Sounds crazy, but cut me some slack.. I was pregnant and emotional on top of my already highly sentimental personality. He's been to see the animals a few times over this summer, but this should not be all that he has of this place... his childhood should be here... we can't let this place get closed. I want my son to be around these animals and learn compassion. I want to hear him giggle as the goats slobber all over his hands as he feeds them. Please don't let this place close. If you have a spare minute or two, PLEASE head over to the link below and sign the virtual petition to keep this place open! Or if you live on the Island, go there and sign the petition in person. I have done both. It is crucial.. they are slated to close this coming December!!!  If you can vote PLEASE vote for an amendment which will include them in the budget! Go there and throw some spare change in the donation box... ANYTHING! This isn't solely a selfish request, these animals have no where else to go.. they can't be released into the wild, and many are injured and can't just be given to a zoo. They need us!

https://www.change.org/petitions/brookhaven-town-save-the-ecology-center

They need over 2300 more signatures.. Please help!

C & J Couples Shoot

Today, I got to shoot an amazing young couple at the beach. Who doesn't love the beach?! And you can never go wrong with some love birds thrown into the mix! We got to the beach with plenty of time to play with the sun, and I brought my reflector along to try out some new things. This is where it would be SO helpful if I had an assistant or apprentice! The wind kept blowing the reflector off of the tripod I was balancing it against...and as it is, getting it in just the right spot by balancing it is impossible!!!

Here is a before shot with no reflector and no editing to the left, and an edited shot with the reflector used on the right! I'm pleased with the results, but they would have been better if I was able to clone myself! At least for when I have shoots needing the reflector!

I playfully told this couple that now that I've shot them, they can never break up. Everyone I've ever shot has ended up getting married, which is true. I just love putting the pressure on! She already had a ring, but to be clear she isn't engaged. She was so nervous about people watching during the shoot, but I worked my magic and made those worries fizzle away. It was funny that at one point I brought them down to the water to do some shots and there was a lady who immediately asked if they were getting married, and then proceeded to call her husband over from the other side of the beach, to have him watch! I think that the audience made them work the camera even more!

This was SUCH a fun shoot! I love when couples aren't afraid to get down and dirty! Especially because I'm more than ready to get down and dirty with them, and this was no exception. I rolled up my pants and waded into the water, and the waves definitely hit high and one point and soaked me from my thighs down! After the shoot they even brought me to get dinner, very sweet!

Michael and the Shark

Since we have gotten back to Long Island, Michael has been obsessed with fishing, and he has finally found friends that share his love of fishing and on top of it have an immense amount of knowledge on the subject. Mike loves to pick peoples brains, so this is a win win all around for him! Today he woke up early to meet with his work buddies and go out on their boat to fish for shark! I'm so jealous.. i've always wanted to see sharks in the wild. As it is, the number one thing on my bucket list is to go cage diving with great whites. Any way, HE GOT ONE! It was a Mako, and decent size too.. nothing crazy but would definitely kill you if it wanted too! They also saw a basking shark while they were out on their adventure.. which was BIGGER THAN THE BOAT! I won't link the youtube video because there is a lot of strong language!

Smithspoint, Mason, and Diesel

Today, Hubster and I took to the beach to meet up with our friend Joey. We were going to all ride on the beach and go fishing, but plans changed and we just hung out on the beach instead. Joey brought his dog Diesel with him, and you know I can't resist taking pictures! I had lots of fun with this awesome pit bull!

Then while the guys messed around in the water with Diesel, I hung out with Mason, and played with him in the sand. Leave it to Mason to not want to sit on the towel. We even had a lady bug come join the fun for a little while. This is going to be a little bit picture heavy, hope you don't mind! 

This picture cracks me up!

The Emporium Friends and Family Night!

I'm so so so excited to announce that Michael has gotten a job where people FINALLY appreciate how hard he works, he has fun working there, and has made some genuinely AWESOME friends! That's right people.. he works at The Emporium.. and if you haven't heard of it, take a few moments to watch this video and bask in all of its glory. The place is AMAZING. I hope that one night he can take a night off and my parents can watch Mase and we can go all out and have a fantastic night!

Anyways, Mike was working the family and friends night, but I went out to check out the place my husband has been hanging out at building and working at constantly! Upon walking in I was instantly floored, the place is amazing! So I called a few friends and had them meet me because I couldn't keep this place to myself, others had to witness it so I could talk about it with SOMEONE, haha! My darling husband was working the Shark Bar.. yes thats right.. the bar has a huge tank with black tip reef sharks in it... it's epic!

So if you live and long island and need a place to party... COME HERE! 

Daddy got Mason a what?

Michael came home from his fishing trip today, super excited because he, "got Mason a fish!" Oh great! He cleaned off the fish and left it in the bucket for Mason to discover.. and that was cute at first.. until Mason decided he should squeeze it.. and chew on its head... please join me in my grossed outness as I share pictures and video... Oh my husband... There were scales ALL over me and Mason... This is what I have to look forward to as the mother of a boy isn't it? 

Mason Walks!!!

So I started working this week, and today was my first long day away from him. Nothing crazy, only about 6 hours, but for Mason that must feel like an eternity! I could tell how badly he missed me when I walked in the door and he saw me and WALKED across the room to me!!! His first REAL steps!!! I was so excited that I was his motivation! He couldn't get to me fast enough. Gosh I love him!