Working on things right now. Networking and trying to get shooting again.

Calm Early Morning

I love waking up before everyone in the house and doing what I need or want. It's calm quiet and relaxing. This morning I just keep thinking I need to switch my camera bag out to try the new one, but I want to be quiet. Think I will wait and enjoy my time.

Thoughts

 I'd like to open a gallery where people can come see my photographs. I'd find people that love my work. I'd love to open it in an odd building like an old fire house of theater. I see so many building that need some love, they just sit and waste away. I'd love to make them into something beautiful. Or open a graphic design/ photography studio in one. My first studio I had to walk away from I won't get into details, but it never would have gone far anyway. At least here there is a much bigger fan base I could build. But how to get started....

I Am Back

 Hi there strangers. I know I have been gone for a long time. Life has gotten in the way as well as my mental health. I have a 5-year-old now and I am living in Chicago. I know big changes. Well, I am here and will be trying to get back to it. Writing has always helped me, so I hope to be chatting with you all again. I am looking to get started again doing what I love. Love and luck.

Exciting News here in the Apelila household!

Buying a house yes I know it's a big step but so worth it. Now if you know me you know I will be crafty and post about it. Happy Shooting

Updates

Sorry it has been a while since the last post been busy with personal and business. I will be setting up a schedule as I am trying to set up a Ne chapter of sorts a group of photographers. I will post more later. Happy shooting.

I Believe

Good Evening.. Tonight I am thinking about what kind of photography do I like to do. I have really thought and I believe it is more fine art photography or architectural photography that feeds my passion. I really do love to photograph people but in a candid setting so I may have to try more street photography.

I just changed my prices and can't wait because I really look forward to going to FotoChaos this coming April I hope to learn so much. I will be trying to attend more workshops, webnars, and other learning groups. I also want to obtain a membership with PPA. So I am off to go look at insurance for the studio and other info to try and get ready. I think mini sessions for the holidays are going to be soon so check back or find me on facebook or on my website. Happy shooting :)

April

Studio Up-date

 This is one shooting wall behind the girls.

 This is the entrance to the studio as you can see the display cabinet on the right is now red with blue.

 This is the larger shooting wall.

 The smaller wall again just needs some more paint the yellowish spot is where I moved the cabinet.

 A view from the larger shooting wall to the left of the green cabinet will be the desk.

 Another view from the larger wall. The corner area is where the desk will be.

 A view from the smaller wall to the larger wall.

 A view from the doorway.

 My screen that I like but don't know what to do with yet.

 A view from the windows to the doorway.

 Some damage I will have to fix.

 The cabinet by the desk area. I bought the crate sitting there, the lights were left behind, and the bright green items you see are the shelves that go into the cabinet.

 My business card holder says Aloha and Hawaii on it and looks like leaves.

 My grumpy daughter was not happy this day.

Here you can see the red and blue a little better. I am looking forward to get it all finished. I keep saying soon but as we all know it takes time. Well I am off for now so Happy shooting :)

April

Studio Helpers

 Tabby gave my son a skunk hair doo...lol Glad it washes out.

 They were ready to paint.

 Paint attack...lol

 Mike and Tabby helped to paint.

 Mike taking a photo of the wooden box we found it will make a great prop.

 Studio doors that I am thinking will be stained Emerald green.

 I loved the color of this paint my daughter and I picked up for the magazine rack turned out sweet.

 The bright green my daughter also picked out for the cabinet shelves.

 My son textured the top half of the wall for me.

 This is how a Photographer lights a room when there are no lights installed yet....lol

The large cabinet ended up being two screwed together and like magic the small one fit in the old door way. Now I do not need to have one built in, though it is no longer green but now a med to dark grey. The larger cabinet is grey outside and green inside I will have to get pictures up soon.

Also Movember on its way I will he holding a Snap a Stache event on the 4th and on the 3rd there will be a craft fair in the building my studio in located. I will post more photos soon. Happy Shooting :)

April

New Studio

I found a downtown location for my studio. It is located in my old middle school with hardwood floors and french door. I am having work done now so I hope to be up and running by Dec. I also will be renting some studio time to other photographer as well. I will post photos so you can see the progress.
Happy Shooting.

April

Still Here

I am still here I know it has been a while since I last posted. My depression got me down pretty bad. I wasn't aware it had such a grasp on me until I broke down enough to scare me. I can't say that I am better but I can say I am more aware and taking each day as a step to become me again. Tomorrow is my 35th birthday and the day that I hope to take the steps needed to be a healthy new me. I know it won't happen all at once but I WILL get there.

On a much happier note I got a call for a senior session that I did and was pretty proud of, as well as a call on an engagement session yet to be booked that may lead to a wedding (crossing fingers here).
  I also meet a new person that gave me a great idea for a project. How we met: My daughter and I were going to Wally World to get a few things and passed by a homeless guy on the side of the road playing his guitar. It was 104 degrees out he was red in face. I told my daughter that we are going to buy some water and a sandwich for him because it is too hot to be out side like that.
   When we got back outside he was gone it broke my heart I looked all down the highway to find him. It wasn't until I was ready to give up that there he was by a pond. I parked my car and we walked over to him and I said "I seen you out there playing your guitar what were you playing?" He told me and we started to talk I told him I got him some water and a sandwich. He then said "I am grateful because I didn't make enough today to buy anything to eat and the water I do have is hot enough to make coffee with."
  I found out that he had just gotten here from out of town. This guy rode a bike that was packed with his belongings, he owned land in another state that his daughter lived on, but he chose to travel doing odd jobs. The man as slept outside, lived in a motel that took all his pay so decided to leave and go to another town. I was told of the different places he has been and seen. I got his name and I told him mine. I told him I could understand I too had been homeless before a short while but I experienced it. I know what it is to struggle as well and I told him "I don't have much my self but I like to try and do something for others." I told him of the shelter we have here in town that I once even had to stay at and they try to help people down on their luck to get back on their feet. I was told he might check it out. I left telling him that maybe we will see each other around.

Now from that experience I figured a photography project that I want to do that also would work for a contest I want to enter through Blue Earth. I will tell you all more once I have it set up as for now much planning to take place. Happy Shooting.

April

Time To Cut Big Mama Loose

     I am scared to say that it is time to cut big mama loose (big mama being me :P). I have been wanting this for some time but as my health gets worse , pain kicks in daily, and I just want to live longer and be there for my kids.
     I am at my biggest at 250 yes I said it 250. I went to the doctor for some pain in my arm the other day when the nurse weighed me I wanted to cry. I look in the mirror and what I see is not me, I was smaller at nine months pregnant. So it is time to kick big mama out and bring out the new healthy me.

   This is an older photo of me but I will post up news ones as I continue my journey.  I realized I have not taken photos of me in a long time.
    While at the doctor I asked about weight loss. The first step we are taking to blood work to see if I am diabetic, hypoglycemic, and check my thyroids as I have been nothing but tired, weak, and depressed. My doctor did say that the depression could come from being diabetic also that exercise will help with depression. I will be seeing a nutritionist soon too. So for now hard work and Happy Shooting :)

April

Why is Photography Costly

   Photography takes more than just buying an expensive camera and setting it to auto and clicking away. Ansel Adams said "The single most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it."  So true the camera does not make the photograph the photographer does. Shooting professional photography is a skill acquired through years of experience. Professional photographers are professionals. No different than a mechanic, dentist, doctor, or electrician.

 

   We photographers have to know our lighting, framing, composition, shutter speed, aperture, iso, and much more. After we are done shooting the work goes on. We have to keep our business running while providing a product and make a living.

   That is where our prices come in, many people ask why is professional photography so costly. I will explain...in short the cost of shooting a wedding, cost of providing a product, cost of running a business, cost of tax and profit I too have to pay the taxman, and cost of living because I am trying to make a living.

    What I make pays for :props, backdrops, backdrop stands, lighting equipment, software, printer, laptop, marketing, wireless triggers, boxes, packaging, external data storage, mileage, and gas on my auto, office supplies, product samples,accounting fees, and that is not all.

    What is left over after the taxman gets his share and expenses are paid, compensates me for the time I spend editing, shooting, preparing galleries, cleaning/maintaining/ carrying equipment, searching for new props, answering emails/phone calls, driving, designing cards, and so much more. So are your memories worth it? 

Happy Shooting :)

April

Photography & Coffee

I have since started a group on Facebook called Photography & Coffee as a sort of support group for photography minded people. I was talking to a fellow photographer that said she could not talk to the photographers in her area because they were rude and would undercut her. I feel for her I once tried to talk to a few fellow photographers when I was starting out and I was treated poorly. So a place to chat with other photographers where there is no negative and only supportive people was needed. So born is the group :) and so far good things have been happening. I am happy about it. As for my photo it is my daughter on a chilly day with no not coffee but a blizzard type drink...lol I will take the coffee. Happy Shooting. :)

April

Easter and Family History

I know a few days late but here it is my favorite image from this Easter. This is my beautiful Grandmother and I couldn't resist this photo opp. I am working on a genealogy so I started asking questions this Easter. I hope that I can pull it off because I'd like to print it in a book with photos as well. Well Happy Shooting.

April

The Great Wall Of Hubcaps

I drive by this salvage yard almost everyday and it has this fence where they hang up hubcaps. I have told myself over and over that I am going to stop and ask for permission to photograph this wall of hubcaps. Well today is the day! The sun is right and weather warm so I am hoping to get some great shots. I will post the finished shots tomorrow so you all can see. Also don't forget that you can comment on them posts. Happy shooting :)

April

Lights Camera Action

This is a quick test shot I took of my daughter with my first light set up. I have to get used to this. I am so used to natural lighting that working with a set up might take some practice. I am not so sure if I like my shoot through umbrellas that came with the kit though or it might be the bulbs I have in the set up. I will keep messing around until I find something I like. I am thinking about going to the hobby store to get some colored cellophane to try with my background light. 

On a good note I did finally turn in my first assignment for school, now to wait. I am not sure if I should be nervous or calm about hearing back on my first assignment. I also finally got my domain name so I am easier to find :) I also found my 52 weeks list I lost so I will have to get caught up. Time to go make a new tutu. Happy shooting.

April

Words

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. ~Albert Schweitzer

 I found this quote today on fb and I really liked it so I thought that I would share. I also wanted to share one of my favorite photos. When I was out looking for some areas to do an engagement session I found this amazing staircase it was outside a building leading to the top. I do like some nice staircases. So if your out and about and find some really nice places to photograph feel free to share them. I love networking wonderful areas to photograph. Now if I could just find an old red barn I would be happy. I know another photographer that finds old abandoned boats that he has photographed and the work is amazing. I will have to ask if I can link him on my website so people can see his work. 

I did change websites so if you have not checked out the new one please do and feel free to let me know what you think. www.apelilaphotography.biz.

Corn Rows

Today I picked up an afghan it was green with hearts. I thought it would work in a photo somehow, but Koa seems to like it a lot. My light kit is on it's way I look forward to putting it to use. Well for now I am cutting this short due to needing to get some rest. Happy Shooting.

April

Old buildings a love

Okay the other day a friend called and said you wanna drive around shooting some photo's? I took the opportunity to go out and find some thing to shoot. Our little road trip ended up with a trip to some towns around ours and this photo is of an old building in one town we went to. I love old buildings, one with dates are my favorite and the ones with molding and decorations. The one in this photo had fruit on it. What I like to see is when people put them to use and not let them crumble to the ground. Though I have to admit that I do like to photograph abandoned buildings. So if you know of any buildings you think are worth looking at for photos contact me :) Happy Shooting.

April