September 30, 2008
‘Ello mates! Thanks for stopping by. Like the comfy cushy chairs in the back of the coffee shop, I welcome regulars! I thoroughly encourage blog stalking as it is a frequent activity of mine. Please peruse around and check out my photography, album designs, and other products that I design for photographers.
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February 8, 2010
It can be incredibly intimidating to approach an actress sometimes. When she walked down the stairs of the studio she was strategically dressed… her pants shimmering, her jacket ruffled up around her neck. Her hair fell perfectly in place… bangs whisping over her eyelashes, long dark locks waving back and forth along her shoulders. Her makeup was artistically painted on to accentuate her cheeks, eyes, and lips. The entourage of stylists surrounded her meticulously placing every details of her being. Last minute makeup, a cloud of hairspray, a tug at this or that misplaced ruffle. It’s hard to believe that just moments before she had walked through the front door with a warm and beaming smile holding garment bags and greeting the studio staff as any normal client would do before a shoot.
There was something so very enticing about her eyes. The way they are able to stare down the camera… is almost indescribable. Her eyes lock into the lens like they own it. It is so different than shooting a bride or lifestyle shoot.
And like a light switch… it all turns off between poses. She stands up to be readjusted by the entourage once again while we move equipment and reevaluate camera settings, and in the distance you can hear her laugh. See her smile so casually. Just a normal person… beneath all the glamour.
I had the opportunity to speak with Sherin more after the shoot and found out what a truly passionate actress she is. She absolutely loves what she does and loves the thrill of invoking emotion in people through her work by telling stories that would otherwise never be told.
This week Sherin is heading to Beirut to shoot a French/Lebanese film that she is starring in called “Adeem,” directed by award winning international director Adel Sirhan. Co-starring with Sherin is French-Lebanese actress Carmen Leboss who was in the award winning film “West Beirut,” which won at the Cannes Film Festival in the 90’s. Later this spring Sherin will be co-starring in a psychological thriller (my favorite type of movie) here in the United States.
In addition to filming, Sherin is the official spokesperson and “face” of “The Green Earth Library,” which is an environmental initiative to educate people about conservation efforts around the world. She will be hosting “The Green Earth Show,” which is part of this initiative.
The more I talked with Sherin, the more I realized what a truly small world it is. I grew up in Maadi, Egypt and to my surprise, found out that Sherin is of Egyptian and Italian decent and had recently taken a trip to Maadi. Not only do I love Egypt but I also fancy all things Italian! In fact, one of the goals on my ever-growing to-do list is to learn to speak Italian because it is such a beautiful language. In my chats with Sherin I learned that she speaks Arabic, French, and conversational Italian. What a coincidence and inspiration to get my own ball rolling!
I am so grateful for the opportunity I had a few weeks ago with Studio Capture to photograph Sherin. Here are a few of my favorite shots that I got that day…
Photography: Studio Capture
February 7, 2010
A little inspiration from the event I photographed last weekend for A Fare Extraordinaire…
Featured Vendors:
Event Planning & Catering: A Fare Extraordinaire
Event Planning: Belle of the Ball
Tablescaping & Florals: Events in Bloom
Decor Photography: Amy Vogel
Queso Photo Booth: Brooke Schwab Photography
Caricature Artist: David Foster
February 5, 2010
After the lunch plates were cleared. After the centerpieces were exchanged for a much grander evening bouquet of flowers, crystal, and glowing fire. After the sun set. After the lights dimmed. After the candles were lit and began twinkling through the shimmering candle holders. Round two of this extraordinary, marathon reception continued…
How they had room for more food after such a delectable lunch… I have no idea. I certainly did not, but boy do I wish I had! A traditional Mexican buffet with an A Fare Extraordinaire twist was presented for the guests continued grazing pleasure. Complete with sweet potato chips, corn and blue chips, three selections of salsa, chicken and beef tostadas, bacon wrapped shrimp, and several other yummy selections, there’s no wonder they just kept eating!
And what extraordinary event is complete without a mouth-watering dessert bar? My favorite was the chocolate and toffee covered frozen bananas. Even the presentation of them was jaw-dropping. They were placed in a woven basket on top of a banana leaf. There was dry ice in the bottom of the basket so the entire basket smoked like frosty goodness! I couldn’t pass them up, and insisted on trying them before they left the catering tent!
Indeed, my speculations were confirmed. Photographing nothing but spectacular details for an over-the-top event planning company is my dream job!
Click here to see part 1 of this event.
Featured Vendors:
Event Planning & Catering: A Fare Extraordinaire
Event Planning: Belle of the Ball
Tablescaping & Florals: Events in Bloom
Decor Photography: Amy Vogel
Queso Photo Booth: Brooke Schwab Photography
Caricature Artist: David Foster
February 5, 2010
I am probably the most laid back, easy going, emotionally neutral person you could ever meet. Trust me. That’s how the best of my friends describe me. It takes quite an extraordinary event to let my emotions get the better of me. Last Saturday morning I slept in, woke up, did my morning routine in preparation for my day… and then out of the blue… panic struck. While hunting through a variety of lenses in search for the perfect selection for my shoot that afternoon, a random piece of semi-frosted something fell out of or off of the mirror of my Mark III. Eeek! I don’t know where that came from. I don’t know where it goes. I’m afraid to put it back in case something else falls out! Bah! I don’t have time for this! Normally, this minor incident would not have rattled me. However, there was an issue with my backup camera. And an issue with my available memory cards. A few spare batteries I thought were charged but weren’t. There was the issue of my nervousness driving while not knowing exactly where I’m going. And while worrying, I missed my exit, of course. Panic!!
And then I pulled into the most beautiful estate property… behind the doors of a magical gate that mysteriously opened as I approached it. Greeted by security and guided to my designated parking area, all the sudden everything was okay. I grabbed my camera gear and walked up the most beautiful driveway I’ve ever seen, passing lagoon blue ponds on either side. The house was gorgeous. And the party was… in the garage??? Oh yes, my friends. This was no ordinary garage. Shimmering stone walls. Shiny marble floors. And an event setup that was no less than extraordinary…
And what they sipped and nibbled on was even more enticing…
And after that they toasted… with very expensive champagne.
And grazed on the inviting candy bar…
…and slipped in front of the Queso Photo Booth for a personalized favor…
…while awaiting their turn with the caricature artist.
All in all… not a bad Saturday afternoon. But wait! ….the evening events are still to come!
Featured Vendors:
Event Planning & Catering: A Fare Extraordinaire
Event Planning: Belle of the Ball
Tablescaping & Florals: Events in Bloom
Decor Photography: Amy Vogel
Queso Photo Booth: Brooke Schwab Photography
Caricature Artist: David Foster
February 3, 2010
It’s durable. It’s practical. It’s utilitarian. It has lots and lots of pockets for all of the camera gear we so dearly love to bring with us everywhere. It even has removable dividers so (when we actually do leave our gear at home) it doubles as a super fashionable handbag or laptop bag. And best of all… it’s pretty! Bravo Kelly Moore!
Visit the official Kelly Moore Photographer’s Bag site to see all of the wonderful features, styles, and colors.
My favorite? The Turquoise Croc. It might have to be my next splurge…. a business expense, of course!
February 1, 2010
The other day I came across the new Fossil Life Style blog that recently launched in December. It features designer spotlights, trends, favorite Fossil products, and inspirational finds that contribute to creating design concepts for the brand. Fossil is probably my most favorite brand in the whole world! In fact, I collected quite the assortment of things from there this past year including the Jackson Messenger Bag, Blackburn Handbag, and Maribelle Bomber Jacket… all of which accompany me around town on a daily basis. Super smiles! Being a photographer I can’t help but take pictures of my favorite finds and post them to my blog as I did with all of these items. I was incredibly ecstatic to receive an email yesterday from a concept designer at Fossil saying that she was interested in featuring my website and Fossil product shots on their new Fossil Life Style blog! So exciting!
Click here to see the post!
Bookmark the Fossil Life Style blog
Click below to see posts on my recent favorite Fossil finds…
January 31, 2010
Guest books are one of my favorite design projects. Most of my clients at Studio Capture end up ordering a disk of their session images or prints to scatter around their wedding reception, but most don’t really do much more with their engagement portraits. I tend to prefer a couple’s engagement portraits to their wedding portraits because they are more natural. That’s what they look like from day to day… not dressed up in an expensive once in a lifetime gown or tux. I wish all of my couples would have guest books made! It’s such a unique way to display engagement portraits in a coffee table type album; plus, they can flip through all of their friends and family’s messages and wedding wishes. Some clients have even told me that they continue to use their guest book in their new homes when people come over to visit them. What a fun idea! Put it on the entryway table and have people sign it or leave messages at gatherings they host!
Here are a few of my favorite spreads from Tony and Julia’s guest book that I just finished for Studio Capture.
Click here to see their entire guest book design.
Photography: Studio Capture
Guest Book Design: Amy Vogel
January 28, 2010
I love the Petroleum Club of Houston as a wedding venue. There are so many rich colors, patterns, textures, and angles that make portraits really pop. Not to mention the view from the ballroom is absolutely gorgeous at sunset. In my opinion the best time to plan for a bride and groom’s first dance is when the sunset beams through the panoramic windows onto the golden chandeliers that line the room. It is an unbelievable sight! Here’s a few of my favorite spreads from Ben and Feibi’s album that I just finished for Studio Capture. They are going to give a copy to the Petroleum Club for a sample to show prospective brides.
Featured Vendors:
Photography: Studio Capture
Album Design: Amy Vogel
Ceremony Location: Petroleum Club of Houston
Reception Location: Petroleum Club of Houston
January 27, 2010
Featured Vendors
Photography: Studio Capture
Board Design: Amy Vogel
Ceremony Location: Petroleum Club of Houston
Reception Location: Petroleum Club of Houston
Colors: Purple, Lilac, White
January 26, 2010
Yesterday I joined my Studio Capture posse, David Bley and James Tongol, for a portrait shoot with actress Sherin Solara.
The first dilemma of the day: location scouting. Houston gave us a beautiful day yesterday. We just had to find the perfect places to take advantage of the weather. All morning was spent driving around downtown scouting locations. Parks, warehouses, fields, rooftops. Of course after finding the perfect field of overgrown, tall wheat-looking grass, rolling around in it playfully testing our shots, and giving it the thumbs up, we were kicked out by a neighboring production cast preparing to film a Chevy commercial. Arrg. No worries. We found another few locations.
Second dilemma of the day: getting my beast of a spotlight into my Volvo. Unsuccessful. Luckily the boys had a Tahoe that could handle it. Added bonus: James, David, and Nathan finally got a grand tour of my place.
Third dilemma of the day: how to fit the camera equipment, spotlight, ladder, and red leather chair from the studio into the Tahoe. Lots of loading, unloading, rearranging, swearing, and imaginary lubrication… and eventually it all fit like a glove. Then we only had to worry about redoing that process at each of our 3 locations.
Fourth dilemma of the day: desired available lighting. Sure, it was a beautiful day; however, when a woman says she only needs 20 minutes to prep she really means 45 minutes (I am totally guilty of this as well!)… and there goes the sun!
Some behind the scenes shots I took while prepping for the shoot. Actual shoot pictures to come!
