Robyn | Portraits

Happy Birthday, Robyn! This strong yogi came to me with a gift certificate for a photoshoot from her sweet friend. The desire to encourage the women around us and show them how strong and beautiful they are should be something that we never try to suppress or hide. The whole point of this shoot was to have fun and make some beautiful images of an amazing lady. I think we accomplished that!

Fun Fact: Robyn strained her ankle a few days before and had been wearing a boot to keep it steady as it healed. We did the entire shoot sans boot, because she's just that tough. She also ran a half marathon two days later. Don't try to stop a woman who has her mind made up! 

Back in July . . .

Back on July 4th, a friend and I bought a million smoke bombs and decided to practice using them for the first time. Several mild burns later, lots of laughter, and plenty of music, this was what we came up with together. Thanks to the lovely Kerri for being willing to play with fire!

My First Wedding (as a second)!

Things I learned shooting my first wedding:

1. I need to actually start working out. My body is so sore and tired. Working for almost 12 hours, using my whole body and my whole mind is exhausting. Camera equipment is heavy and my photography requires lots of emotion. Plus social interaction! The backs of my knees hurt, my back hurts, and my shoulders are screaming. 
2. Be assertive. This wedding, I was a second shooter/basically the photographer's shadow. I know how to take pictures, but the flow of a wedding, handling the bride and groom, the bridal party, and everything else is totally different. In order to keep everyone on time, behind the scenes, the photographer really runs the show.
3. Hydrate. I tried my best to drink as much water as I could, but it wasn't until the end of the day that I finally finished my water bottle. Not good. My mom would be so mad at me.
4. I can TOTALLY do this! Before being able to second shoot a wedding, I was extreeemeeely nervous that I wouldn't be able to handle a wedding day. That I would hate it, I wouldn't know how to direct people, when to be where, that I would just totally screw it up, etc. I now feel prepared to be, and also validated, as a photographer. Yay for amazing mentors and friends!
5. I will NEVER be one of those photographers who wears heels all day. No.Way.In.The.World.

Can't wait to show you the pictures!

<3

New Year's Goal, Singular

Present.

Last year I decided to choose one word to represent my new year, rather than a slew of resolutions that would inevitably get lost on my desk. Last year, my word was grow. This year, present.

Looking back at 2015, I see that I did grow, a lot. I went from student to full-fledged adult. I grew from a photographer with no business to an entrepreneur. I'm still scared to do a lot of things, and learning so much, but I truly feel that I grew into the Grow and I want to do the same for a second year. 

This year I want to be present. Anyone who has talked to me for more than ten minutes knows my intense desire to do things "in the future." I want to go back to Argentina, I need to visit family abroad, I must pay off those student loans because right now they make life horrible . . . I'm tired of listing these things off for people and I know they are tired of hearing me mutter on and on. I want to enjoy my time here and now. Yes of course, I'll work towards my goals, but I am going to enjoy where I am and those I am with, now. 

Thanks for sticking with me. If you could pick one word to describe your new year, what would you choose?

It's Time!

Finally, after months of work and no work, of effort and laziness, of dreaming and doing, I've gotten this website and my photography business (kind of) together. Everything I read and see reminds me that being a photographer means that I must be ever evolving in my field and always learning my craft. This is just step five of the innumerable steps on my journey to document the beauty around me. I am so. excited. 

Here is the deal. I do senior portraits, events like baby showers or wedding showers, maternity photos, engagements, and eventually weddings. I'm also a travel photographer, but that's only when I get to travel. I've put a hold on my nature and macro photo endeavors for now, since I'm currently stoked about the fun and happiness I can capture of the wonderful people around me. 

Here, you can expect to see galleries of recent shoots, a basic list of the types of photo packages you can select to save your memories; things like that! To get to know me a bit better, scoot on over to the "About Me" page and read the minutes away. 

If you have any questions, ideas, or want to book a shoot, let me know. Whether it is a surprise proposal or a photo shoot with your favorite vintage car, we can do it! I can't wait to hear from you. 

<3 Elena