Random picture of the day - Sunday :: Smell the rain...

“Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.”

Ashley Smith My search for a random picture of the day took me to this session (take a peek at that post if you haven't done that yet) - she is beautiful, the settings and the weather were perfect and there are a ton more of images that I love from this session. One of these days when I get a moment I should go ahead and create a slideshow of them. The rain drops in the sunshine make the moment magic. :)

Random picture of the day - Saturday :: Life is but a breath...

Today, I was reminded once again how fragile life is... My thoughts are with you and your family, my dear friend. xoxo

“Never allow anyone to rain on your parade and thus cast a pall of gloom and defeat on the entire day. Remember that no talent, no self-denial, no brains, no character, are required to set up in the fault-finding business. Nothing external can have any power over you unless you permit it. Your time is too precious to be sacrificed in wasted days combating the menial forces of hate, jealously, and envy. Guard your fragile life carefully. Only God can shape a flower, but any foolish child can pull it to pieces.”
~Og Mandino

A step back in time :: my first couple session :: Elena Wilken :: Portland Or. Photographer

Well, this post is a step back in time, in a couple of ways. This was my first couple session, at the beginning of this year. Such a fun session! And I had even more fun in the post processing. I haven't done a lot of textures and vintage up to that point (and since then, for that matter. To be honest I don't know what keeps me back, because I truly love it... maybe just the thought of what I think customers would expect from me and what sells. But they expect whatever they see you produce, in the first place. Well, this is a whole another story and post in itself...).

There are a couple of vendors out there that I really love, who create awesome tools for photographers. And Nichole V is one of them. Check out her beautiful photography. If you are a photographer, I guarantee you'll love her awesome textures (I used some of them in the post processing of these images) and actions. What I love about her stuff is that is does not put you in a box. All her actions give you a start in the post processing and give you free reign in the creative process. You are able to tweak the different adjustment layers to your liking while starting with a very solid base.

These images made me think so much of old times, with hand color tinted black and white photos and rock solid, "I'm here for you forever" kind of love :) With a bit of an urban flavor, here's a step back in time...

Keep your eyes on the blog. As I am planning to work more with couples over the next year, I would like to kick start the year with a few personal concept sessions. I will be posting more details about a call for models over the next month and a half.

Thank you for stopping by and have an awesome week! :)