Friday, October 28, 2011

Definitely Blessed

It's been too many days since I've posted something. Even though I'm down to working one day a week, I've still managed to stay busy. I was commissioned to do artwork on some pumpkins (pictured below) for a charity event, Ryan was hired to play music at said event, and I had a large face painting gig at a Bat Mitzvah. Oh, and- best part, how could I forget- I got a new job! Hopefully to start next week, I will be working in KidZone at the YMCA. I love kids and I am so excited to start coming up with awesome crafts for them. All of this came in perfect timing since working one day a week left me lacking in funds. Amazing example of how remaining calm and patient pays off! Hopefully taking photos this weekend for my next post.







Monday, October 17, 2011

Nostalgia

“A leader leads by example, whether he intends to or not.”

Ryan brought home a pomegranate that was given to him... I love pomegranates. I knew I loved them, but I had no idea that only the action of cracking it open would bring on so many memories of my Grandma. As soon as we opened it, I remembered eating them with her. I remembered how she would remind me over and over not to get it on my clothes because it would stain. Then last night, like when I was younger, I eagerly tried to split it open and splattered the juices on my shirt. Now, I remember how patient she was with it and how I wanted to be patient too. She wouldn't crack it open and immediately start eating like most would. She would carefully pick off every juicy seed and put them together in one bowl. She would wash all of the seeds, maybe even let them get cold in the refrigerator for a bit. Then, once each one was exactly how she wanted it she would sit down and enjoy them slowly without the hassle of peeling.

I have learned so much from my Grandma. Patience is probably one of the best traits she could have taught me and she might not even know she did. The pomegranate Ryan brought home was the reminder I needed. Stay patient. Even if life is rough right now, just stay patient and in time everything will get worked out.

These images are for her. I don't get to see her everyday and I don't get to enjoy a pomegranate every day, but I can now look at these photos and remember what she taught me simply by the way she ate her pomegranate.




Wednesday, October 12, 2011

I've been told I act like a child...

Yes, pretty often I hear that I act like a child and I am totally okay with that. I love kids and I have a ton of fun hanging out with them. Especially this cutie, Kyra! Definitely makes for some awesome child portraits. Here are just a few of my favs from a shoot with her. ♥






Monday, October 10, 2011

It's that time...

Family portraits for holiday cards or an awesome christmas gift to Mom & Dad!

I strongly believe that family portraits are important to have in the home. As life changes quickly all around us, it is refreshing to have that permanent reminder of your family at a specific time in your lives.

Let's get creative together! If you have any ideas for a fun way to represent your family, I'd love to hear from you. You can contact me by email or phone to discuss theme and pricing.

Email: erika_howard@hotmail.com
Phone: (714)595-5622







Sunday, October 9, 2011

Identity Crisis

Sometimes my attitude changes depending on who I am with. In some cases, that is okay. Others times it's quite unnecessary. I don't want to hide something about myself or my lifestyle depending on who I am talking to. Yet, I know I do it anyway. Are you the same person around all of your friends? The same person around your family and your friends? Or the same person around your "school" friends and the people you go to church with?

I did an interesting photo shoot with Ryan for my final project last semester. I'd like to continue with this theme; change some things that I think didn't work here, get more models, use their own struggles with this to guide the way the images turn out.

Let me know what you guys think. Not just about this, but about everything I post. I love getting critiqued. It helps me grow.





Friday, October 7, 2011

All Day I Dream About Photography...

Well, not just photography. It is the number one thing I want to be doing constantly, but other than that I also have drawing/painting, jewelry making, face painting, scrap booking- I feel the need to do all of these things. So much that I almost don't start because the feeling is overwhelming. Still, I think about them all constantly and I want to immerse myself in all of these crafts. I am working fewer hours (much, much fewer) so to keep myself from going insane with all this new free time, I need to do just that. So, here I am trying to sort out my crafts.

I took some photos around my aunt and uncle's farm about a year ago for my photo class. The assignment was to use a wide-angle lens. I do own a Canon 10-22mm lens, but since I prefer portraiture the lens hasn't gotten much use. The location was great for the assignment. And, it was the day after it rained so the clouds were perfect.