Finding My Way Back

It’s been quite a while since I’ve posted something substantial.  My last post was 23 days ago and that was to explain how unmotivated I’ve been.

It’s been a rough and stressful couple of months, I had to pack and prepare for a complete move to a new place by mid May.  Not only was I stressed, but my poor cat Harpo had totally stressed out and hid for about three full days before I saw him again. He’s now at his usual place,sleeping at me feet as I write this.                                                   I finally finished unpacking last week and simply wore myself out.  I rarely left the house during the Memorial Day weekend, but this week I feel like I’m back to normal with a busy shooting schedule and my normal work week.

I’m going to try and catch you up on what’s been happening in my world.

April was an incredibly busy month with packing, portraits, events and a two-day festival, Fort Rock.

It began with me being hired to shoot Stars on Ice at Germain Arena, and I was thrilled to meet a few of the Olympic Champions.  My day began at 10am and ended around 11pm; but what an opportunity! It started with me up on a twelve foot ladder on the ice to take the promotional tour shots……this is one of my images from that adventure. I have a fear of heights and being on a ladder just totally freaks me out, let alone being on one where there is slippery ice involved.  However, I did it and I really didn’t even think much about it as I was working my camera. Amazing what you can do when you are concentrating on your craft.

Promo-2

I also photographed the dress rehearsal, warmups, the merchandise area and the entire show later in the evening.  What a wonderful day spent with incredible people.

Next, I had two mini-sessions with two beautiful ladies.  These ladies are such a pleasure to work with and they both enjoyed their “modeling” session.

Lastly at the end of April I was once again at the annual Fort Rock Festival with radio station 93xfm where I was fortunate enough to once again photograph their meet & greets and work with one of my favorite photographers Ron Dukeshire. Ron is my right and left hand partner at Fort Rock he handles the bands as I am busy in the tent with the station crew and the fans for the meet & greets.  When time allowed, I also photographed a few of the bands including  Sunday night’s headliner Soundgarden with the late Chris Cornell; RIPSound Garden-16

May is Prom season and this year was no different for me.  I worked with a cute couple I had met at Fort Rock and truly enjoyed the time I spent with them.

Prom-6

I also photographed Disney on Ice for Germain, but due to copyright restrictions I am unable to post any of them.

The last day of the month found me at Germain Arena for Brit Floyd, an incredible Pink Floyd Tribute band with an amazing light/laser show.Brit Floyd-21

All of this was accomplished while, packing my home up, moving to a new place, unpacking and editing the work to meet my dead-lines, however I have found my way back.

 

 

An Attitude of Gratitude

I’ve taken an attitude of gratitude in my life personally and professionally that surpasses anything I have ever experienced.  I have a lot of folks to thank for where I am today and extremely grateful they are in my realm of success, first and foremost I have a faith in God who I believe guides my every direction.  I know I am heading on a path of complete success and it’s going to be a fun ride and I plan on taking as many of those who have gotten me to where I am with me on this adventure.

As I have stated in my past posts, I’ve been a photographer for most of my life, my first camera was a Kodak Instamatic then I graduated to a “Pocket Camera” and the best was the Yaschica my father gave me; I had graduated, so thank you daddy for that incredible gift and for the gift of understanding what it means to be a photographer.

My first camera and my father
My first camera and my father

I am also grateful for those photographers I encounter daily and get to work with I thank you for your inspiration and friendship, you guys are amazing and each of us bring something unique to our world.  I am so grateful for my friends who I have practiced on and allowed me to practice on their children and have enjoyed the photos I’ve taken, you guys totally rock and I look forward to future shoots!

GevaTommy-192014 01 05_Lidia Headshots_0170_edited-1 (Medium)

I am also grateful for my future clients who see my work and want to be included in my portfolio, without you I know I would not be as busy as I am! Thank you.

I am really thankful for the clients I have and the venues I’ve been granted access to, thank you for giving me the opportunity to work with you.  I have been blessed to shoot some incredible acts and bands, without you guys that would never have been possible.

Johnny Winter
Johnny Winter at Sunsplash Cape Coral Blues Festival
Don Felder @ Germain
Don Felder @ Germain
Nonpoint @ Dixie Road House for 93X
Nonpoint @ Dixie Road House for 93X

All of us have gotten to where we are by a lot of hard work, massive amounts of criticism, hours of editing and the love of the craft and pure creativity.  Take a moment and think who was your inspiration, and if you can, thank them.

From Babies to Rock Stars

 

The wonderful thing about being a photographer is how life and work changes from week to week and sometimes from day to day. I can be in the park with a mom and baby, or a soon to be graduating senior as I was this past week and overnight it can change where I am in an arena photographing a rock star.

Mom & Baby
Mom & Baby

The question I ask myself most often is how did I get here? It’s not been easy and it’s taken a lot of Work, determination, and time. I enjoy the diversity of change and I enjoy meeting people and working with some incredible clients. I keep honing my skills and improving my art and of course marketing my work. I am passionate and so incredibly happy to be able to create so many wonderful memories for each of my clients.   I also love that I get to see those musicians that I enjoy listening to from behind the lens. I hope I never wake up from this dream.

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