A Day at the Office

Recently I went to work with my Mom for the day.  A little too old for Take your Daughter to Work Day, you say?  Well, yes, maybe :)

I went with her and took head shots of her coworkers for the outside of their cubes next to their nameplates and for their wall in the lobby, plus there was a Thanksgiving Potluck that day. SCORE!



For some of them, it had been years since their photo was done.



For others, it was just in good fun.





Whatever the circumstance, it was sure a lot of fun to spend the day with such a great group.





I hope I get to photograph these folks again soon.

LadyD Has a Facebook Page

I did a corporate shoot last week and someone asked if I had a Facebook page.  I hadn't really thought it over too much, but I went ahead and opened one up.

There are multiple LadyD Photography websites - how could there not be, it's so "catchy" ;) - so here is the official Link to my Facebook Page.

The link is also available in my Google+ Profile under linked pages.  If you'd like to drop me a note, check me out over on Facebook or leave a comment here and I'll be sure and get back to you!

Happy Monday, Everyone!

Practice Session: On Camera Flash with Molly

I have added another momentous piece of equipment to my arsenal - a speedlite.  More commonly known as a big, honkin' flash that attaches to the top of your camera.

I bought one for my Mom for her birthday and of course we had to break them out on someone.  Enter my cousin, Molly.  She was free on Saturday afternoon for a little while, so we invited her over for a little sesh.

She was a great subject and didn't mind being photographed.  I mean, she's BEAUTIFUL so there's not much to nit pick about, right?

I also had some really cool software I'd been wanting to try, but needed some true portraits to give it a workout... How about some purple eyes?

I love this photo because the smile is as genuine as it gets.


Molly also has a really cool tattoo of an owl on her forearm.  I had to get a shot of it.  I also got to work out the new lens I posted about recently.  See that blurred out Molly in the background?  Yep - my fancy lens at work :)

I hope you all had a splendid Thanksgiving and were as fortunate as I was to spend it with friends and family.  With a little one, it makes the Holidays far more enjoyable!

Take care,

LadyD

A Day in the City - Part 2 of 2

After the surprise proposal and our trip to photograph the Golden Gate Bridge, my lovely Mom and I drove across the Golden Gate, ventured through downtown San


We landed in the main parking lot and met up with a group of photographers I join from time to time to get out and shoot.  This time, we were planning to shoot the night skyline of downtown San Francisco from the middle of the bay on Treasure Island.

As the sun made it's way closer to the horizon, the city was illuminated from behind.  What a wonderful spectacle.

We had some hot coffee thanks to the little cafe' and good company thanks to the group. There were about 20 photographers there, all with very similar angles on the City.  I thought - what is going to make my shot different from theirs? What will make mine stand out?




Aha!  Black and Whites ~  while some of the shots look equally as great in color, they also lended themselves quite well to monochromatic processing.











This was my favorite shot of the day, both in black and white and color.





If you enjoy my posts, I'd like to ask you consider subscribing by email - there's a little box in the top right - or leaving me a comment, just so I know you're there.  (Let's be honest, it will boost my ego and encourage me to keep shooting and continue updating my blog with regularity).

This blog started out being just for me, but the feedback has been pretty positive from those around me, so I *might* just be considering starting myself a little side business... Just for fun!   In addition, if there is a particular shot you like, please send me a message.  I'll be happy to have it printed for display in your home or business.

A Day in the City - Part 1 of 2

I realized recently that I have lived in the San Francisco Bay Area my entire life, but I've never been to any of the vista points surrounding the bridge.  Since I got my camera in June, it's been on my photographic "bucket list", and this weekend, I crossed it off.

I went with my Mom, which was a wonderful experience.  We started off our day with a surprise proposal (see my previous post about that).  Then, we cut loose from our responsibilities for a day and headed for The City. (An important rule: if you live in the Bay Area, you're not allowed to call it 'Frisco.  It's tacky.  Just call it The City.)





The weather was amazing, so everyone and their brother decided to join us at the vista points.  So much so that it made parking a nightmare.  Even the Marin County Fire Department was there to liberate a little boy who locked his parents out of the car.



We were fortunate enough to find a parking space up Conzelman Road a ways and got some great shots from there.



On our way back down the road, someone pulled out of a space at Battery Spencer so we swooped right on in.  The history of the Battery was amazing.  It was a fully functional and armed guard station with anti-aircraft guns boasting barrels with a 12" diameter up until 1943 when it was decommissioned.  What a perfect place to visit on Veteran's Day.





Seeing the architecture left behind after over 100 years was pretty interesting.  As I was walking through the Battery where our soldiers once stood protecting our Port, I couldn't help but look around at all the families and children that were running about.  I'd be willing to bet those who served here had no earthly idea that this place would be filled with the laughter of Children one day.









Once we were through the battery itself, we walked out onto a hilltop. There she stood, spanning the bay.  She was breathtaking in both her enormity and the sheer beauty of the day we had to spend with her.



The bridge was more beautiful than I expected.  It was the most distinctive color of orange.  I wonder why they picked that color? 







I can now fully understand why so many people were there with us, and why so many of them came from foreign countries to see such a spectacle.


I hope to bring my son here someday and teach him the importance of this international monument, as well as the Battery that once stood guard of Her.

Later on this same day, we traveled across this bridge and across the Bay Bridge to Treasure Island to photograph the night skyline. Photos from that session will be following soon.

A Surprise Proposal

If you know my Husband and I, you also know that he has been very involved in softball for the past 10 years or so.  We have met a lot of great people over the years, but some of them really stick out as class acts.  One of the most genuine people we have the privilege to know put out an All Points Bulletin on Tuesday asking for our help.

He asked that we all show up on Sunday, 11/11 to play (or attend, in my case) a softball game that had been staged for the sole intent and purpose of proposing to his Fiancee.  We had an indoor softball complex, and, in cahoots with the owner of the complex, a lighted scoreboard, an umpire and spectators.  All of the normal things you would expect at a softball game.  As you can imagine, there were far more spectators than usual!  In the first inning, each team would score 11 runs, making the scoreboard read

11 - 1 - 11, their anniversary date.

At that point, he ran off the field, as the rest of the players took a knee (I wish I had a shot of that).  When he got to his Bride-to-Be, he whispered in her ear what I can only assume was an explanation of what was going on.

Classically, he was down on one knee when he put the ring on her finger.

 He was so happy to have pulled it all off!

She knew something was going on, but couldn't quite put her finger on it.

Of course, she said YES! I was in the perfect spot to capture their special moment, and I'm so glad that I was!

What a splendid moment to have been a part of.  It reminded all of us that love still exists in it's purest form, that creativity can still be found, and that things like this don't just happen in movies.  

A very special thank you to such a wonderful couple for including us in their special day, and to the folks over at Universal Sports Academy for making it possible - rain or shine.  It made the whole world a little brighter - and sparklier!

A New One

Hello, world!

Just a quick post - today I purchased a new lens (thanks, Hubby!).  It's a 50mm AF-S 1.8, which means it's the perfect portraiture lens.  You can expect to see a lot of Practice Sessions in the coming weeks.  I am currently planning a day trip to the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco skyline, so be on the look out!

A California Afternoon

My husband and I celebrated the 13th anniversary of our 1st date recently, so we decided a "date day" was in order.  My lovely in-laws took care of Peanut and we had ourselves a regular old afternoon together.

Our quiet time took us to the Benicia Waterfront for the afternoon. Way back when, Benicia used to be the state capital of California - who knew!

They have a lovely pier and there were all sorts of people there fishing. We are having a bit of an Indian Summer here and temperatures were in the mid-70's on Sunday.  I feel somewhat guilty enjoying this beautiful weather in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.  I understand another 'Nor Easter is on it's way to those poor folks.

Meanwhile, back in California, we are really enjoying this beautiful weather.



Take time today, wherever you are, to say a prayer or send good thoughts to our fellow citizens who have been affected by these storms and be grateful for all of the sunshine in your life, even if it's just a friend's smile rather than the actual sun. :)

'Til next time...