StainColored Thoughts Photography: Final Portfolio and thoughts on my Film Photography Class

My film photography class

So my class ended on December 12th and I must say this was one of the best classes that I EVER had in my life. I'm not sure where to even begin. Learning about the Darkroom is an intimidating experience at first but one you have been in there a few times, it just becomes a part of you. I found it so relaxing to not only develop my film but also to make my prints. There is something about film in general that makes the experience of taking photographs much more intimate.

StainColored Thoughts Photography: Selfies with a film/digital camera

This past Friday while everyone was off from work I was enjoying myself with a STAYCATION. A staycation is being at work with no distractions. So I pretty much had my office to myself and was able to get some work done. Afterwards when my shift was over, I proceeded to take my camera equipment to a room I found perfect for photography and began to setup for one of my assignments for my film photography class. This particular assignment I was excited about but also dreaded. I have to take self portraits.

One of my portraits required me being naked from the shoulders up, so I did what I had to do with that one....LOL I wrapped a scarf around my midsection and got to shooting. Other pics I had to show myself as an alternative person. So I think I did okay with that. Yet the really time consuming issue was switching back and forth of the camera bodies on my tripod. Setting up my shots with a wired trigger and taking test shots with my digital camera and marking areas on the ground and the wall behind me to make sure I had the shot just the way I would like it. Holy smokes......

So while listening to Netflix's The Mist and Stranger than Us shows I was alternating between taking pics with my Digital camera and my Film camera to gauge how I was taking the pictures and hoping the film version would turn out alright. I worked on this project from 4pm to 9pm. This was just part 1 of the project. I still have to take other pictures showing me in action......that will be interesting.

StainColoredThoughts Photography: Happy 35th Birthday to my sister

So today my lil sister is 35 years old. She has accomplished so much. She is an entrepreneur, homeowner, and a college graduate who will by the end of this year attain her Masters in Business. So she wanted to celebrate her birthday with a photo shoot that we had this past Sunday. Originally we were scheduled to shoot in our parent's neighborhood but as soon as we made it to our location, it started to rain. She had to run back home to grab her second outfit so I suggested we go out to Forest Park's World Pavilion and shoot there instead.

StainColoredThoughts Photography: Jacqueline Loggin's Surprise 50th Birthday Bash

This past weekend I went to one of the most epic parties EVER!! What I am refering to is the celebration of my favorite cousin's who not only turned 50th (and doesn't look it all) but also got turnted up with family and friends (around 120 attended) who love her dearly.

StainColoredThoughts Photography: Hangin with Partyfovl at Eat.Drink.Chill

Last Sunday during Labor Day weekend I had the pleasure of taking photos of two of my friends while they were spinning on their turntables. Individually they are known as DJ Epic & SpontaneousMixx. Together they go by PartyFovl. They have their own unique way of mixing but they blend so masterfully well. The event they were providing music for was a social event called EAT.DRINK.CHILL. Think grown and sexy crowds coming together to party and mingle under one roof throughout the year at various locations.

My week is looking pretty good

This has been one interesting week so far and it's only Tuesday!

Sunday was game night at a friend's house and it was a blast!!! We played 3 different games (Aggrivation, UNO, and Creationary). The food was great! I mean who passes up Sausage and Pepperoni pizza from Walmart and of course I always bring a gift to game night so I brought my favorite bottle of wine (Marco Negri) that is also a favorite to everyone else.

Dipping my toes back in.....

Good afternoon to all,

It's been a while since I've been back to actually do a blog and trying to get myself back into the way I used to be about blogging. My mind has been clogged up with so much mess so I'm trying to learn new ways in regards to make my mind relax and not stress out so much. I'm trying to get back into loving me and learning more about what I can do and become.

StainColoredThoughts Photography: Wedding styled session

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of being invited to a Wedding styled session by a friend who I met in a Graphic Design class earlier this year. Corri who is a fantastic photographer and the owner of Biesemeyer Visual Artistry asked if I was interested and I definitely jumped at the opportunity to be a part of the project.

StainColoredThoughts Photography: First Solo and Couple Session

A few weeks ago I had the nervous pleasure of taking on my first Solo/Couple Session. A friend of mine requested some pics to use for her upcoming birthday and also wanted to get in some couple shots with her husband. Originally I had suggested using Forest Park but then realized Lafayette Park would be a better destination for many reasons. First, with this being my first session I didn't want to be overwhelmed and Lord knows going to Forest Park on a Saturday is already insane by itself. You fighting for parking spaces and other venues that might already be going on as well. Not to mention did I say it's a big ass park? Lafayette Park is a beautiful medium size park (compared to Forest Park it might be considered small). So I went a week in advance and cased out the place. I went walking around to find out where I think it would be great to take shots. I took my phone with me to take pictures of the various areas so I would be able to go over them later on and then also put together a Pinterest folder of various poses to look them over.

Two Festivals, One Weekend: St. Louis County Greekfest and St. Louis African Arts Festival 2017

During Memorial Day weekend, there were 2 Festivals. The Greek Festival and the St. Louis African Arts Festival. My mother and I went to the Greeks Art Festival on Friday and went through and picked up some Greek desserts and various Greek main dishes. We checked out the vendors as well but unfortunately had gotten there so early that we found out the entertainment would not start until 6pm. So we ate some food there and then went back home to put the rest of the food in the fridge.

Vintage Market Days Saint Louis - Chesterfield Mall - Spring 2017

So this past Saturday I went to one of my favorite events, the Vintage Market Days of St. Louis. This event happens around twice a year and even though they have moved the days around (used to be Friday, Saturday, & Sundays) I wanted to make sure to make it since this Saturday would be the last day.

The Magic House

Received a free ticket for admission from a classmate!

Yesterday I went to The Magic House for a homework assignment in my Graphic Design I class. We are to design a 4 page 5x7 postcard mock up. So I decided to pick up some brochures to check out their present designs. While there I decided to take a stroll around the place since my last visit was when I was a girl scout in elementary school. I still have my button that has my picture taken with my hair sticking out like crazy with the Static Electricity Ball.

R.I.P. Amanda Sheputis

You ever have a feeling that something isn't quite right when you wake up. On my birthday I had that feeling. I thought I should be happy for the most part and I was but not as excited. I went to work and did my usual thing.  After work, I went out and honestly at this point don't even remember what I did. What I do recall is that evening was going to an art exhibit down in the Delmar Loop. Around 8:30 pm I left and decided to go to the Central West End to stop by Sub Zero to have some sushi and collect my birthday Vodka bottle. As I was leaving Sub Zero I was still having the same nagging feeling from earlier but slightly became more intensified.

Photography: Beyonce's maternity photo shoot with Awol Erizku

Beyonce maternity photo shoot. Photo by Awol Erizku

Ok, so here is my two cents on the Beyonce shoot. I'm seeing opinions range from it looks tacky to being unique. Some people are criticizing the photographer and his vision. In my opinion about photography and why I enjoy it is because there isn't a right or wrong way to YOUR vision. People can have an opinion about your work, but overall as long as YOU and your client are pleased with the work, that is all that matters.

The beauty of Photography is that you can choose your own path. You want to be strict and follow the guidelines? Do it. You want to be adventurous and try something different? Do it. As long as in the end you are doing YOU.

Happy Birthday Momma!!!

My mom yesterday trying on a Mardi Gras mask at Pier One Imports

What can I say about my mom that I haven't already said before? I was going back and looking at my shoutout to her last year. Nothing has changed. She is still amazing. She is still the best cook I know. I love to hear her laugh. She always has my back. I'm thankful she is still here and I'm grateful that she is my mother.  Happy Birthday and I love you.

2017 - What will this year bring?

Happy belated New Years to you all. 2016 will be remembered in epic proportions for many reasons. A lot more bad than good in my humble opinion, which weighs a lot for me.

This year I have things on my mind that I want to tackle. I don't want to call them resolutions because if I fail them, then I'll feel like a failure in general for not sticking to them.