Alice In Wonderland

So I was called to photo shoot a birthday party of a Brazilian Decorator's grand daughter in Newark, NJ. I did not get a chance to meet anyone before hand but arrived early to get situated. As I crossed under a tunnel of balloons soon the magical world of Alice in her wonderland came alive. The Tables dressed in blue and white had big playing cards spread out and also on back of the chairs. The main table had all the characters and the beauty of the cake just stunned me. For a minute I felt like I was inside Alice's wonderland going through the motions of excitement and amazement, not really amazed at the beautiful decoration but amazed to discover that several different party decorators ( which children's party is a big thing in Brazilian communities) worked collectively since 6 am to make this party absolutely fabulous for little precious Amanda. In a world where I here of so much competitiveness and foul play, here are a group of people that came together despite it all to work as one and to make something beautiful. It was an honor meeting this kind and warm hearted family and congrats to everyone who helped decorate it.

The Oscars? Sure felt like it.

I had the pleasure of not only being invited to the first Divine Premiere of the company Divine Decor ( http://www.divinedecor.net/). but also was honored with an Award from my very contribution to their company last year. I have always loved events and I began first just with invitations and one fine day, I got a call from a Brazilian guy name Flavio Murillo and he invited me to attend a Brazilian Bridal Expo he was hosting. And we began to talk and talk and talk and I felt like I knew him for a very long time. Our thoughts on business were intact and I saw that I had found a visionary. This generous soul then invited me to represent and be part of his Divine Decor team in my local town in South River, NJ. So I had the opportunity to work on two events, making flower arrangements, something I never did and also to participate in the Fall Bridal Expo last year. Flavio who allows us to hitch hike on his vision and on his dream is a genuine person with an immense heart and a faith in God because we know without God his company would not be where it is at. Flavio my friend,my brother in Christ, thank you so much for allowing me to be a small part of all of this and last night was absolutely DIVINE.

Baby Week

So last I got a chance to shoot three newborns, one a cute 4 day boy name Andrew who with his 10 lbs and head full of hair was so graceful to photograph. I loved how firm he was to hold, not like typical newborns. The other babies were Julia Hadassa and Julia ( over a month old) who do not only have the same names but also live in the same building. They look like they will BFF's but one prefers pink and the other lilac. Photographing newborns is challenging because hum they sleep all the time and really do not change poses or even facial expressions that much and they don't stand up or sit up for that matter! lol but it is still such a wonderful experience, makes you all warm and fuzzy and no it does not make me wanna have more babies, only perhaps a girl- just kidding, too late for that, I closed up shop two years ago and now I just enjoy other peoples babies. And what is even more fulfilling is that I photographed all moms for their maternity shots and then to see the actual babies makes me feel very close to God. Here are the best shots.

Expecting Yasmin

This photo shoot was very special to me, not only was it pretty much unplanned and very creative, it was of a good friend of mine who shall be the mother of Yasmin next month. Since she lives in Brazil, we wanted to get winter shots but we ended up leaving to shoot a bit late, at 4.pm and the sun was running away from us. So after the park visit, I literally drove after the sunset, up the hill to try and get some more natural light. I am absolutely pleased with the result and I love the photos of the baby shoes in the snow and tress. Carol, the mom to be is a beautiful young Brazilian who can not wait to see her little Yasmim next month.

Edna

I have known Edna for a few years now but on a hi and bye basis, always shy and quiet she would accompany her cousin to my mom's salon. Once I started shooting professionally, I always heard hey say great things about me and my work and it has been such encouragement that has kept me going and wishing to strive more and more. I would like to say thank you Edna for encouraging me indirectly and for all of those that have been watching me trying to grown in this profession. I had the pleasure of doing her photoshoot for her 34th birthday. Here are some shots.

Maria Eduarda

I have never met such a sincere child in my whole life such as Maria Eduarda or as I call her Duda. She is so smart and matures, it is scary because not like my boys, she speaks in clear correct sentences. The other day she asked for an orange, I cut it fast and she said you did not cut it right like my mother does! I was like wow, imagine this preschooler at school. Her honesty remind me of how children pay such attention to what we growns ups and how they expect us to know things and do things the right way! I had a blast in her fall photoshoot and in getting her pictures ready for her big tea party birthday.

Driving like the Flinstones?

So I have or shall I say had a bad habit of letting my car run out of gas and drive it for miles and miles, like did 16 once after it was under the empty line and thought, it will never die on me! I was so wrong and today it finally did. I was late for an important appointment and had to drive 12 miles and I got there just fine but oh boy, I pulled out and drove two blocks and it was like SEE YA SISTER! Service Engine light and all, it died right in front of a traffic light right after a hill. Another 10 feet would have been the intersection. I was not that far from the highway but knew I could not leave the car there so no help nearby, I had to call the cops. Thank God, I got a police officer that was a gentlemen, he drove me to the nearby gas station and to top it off I get there and can not find my debit card. Guess what? It was back at the car so the officer convinced the Gas Station dude to let me go back and I would return. What a fiasco! I was so embarrassed and I felt like I let myself down. Hello? This is the gas age and you can not use your feel like the Flintstones to get where you want!!! So to end the day well, I am posting all these pictures of feet that I love. Something about feet that makes me warm and fuzzy, weird huh- Have a great week!

The boys

In going through my folders, I found a few shots of the boys that I really love and I sure like Fall more than winter! Winter drags and it is depressing at times, less sunlight and harsh cold, Sadly enough will be in low twenties this month- arrrrrrrrgggggggg, hopefully old man winter will leave us soon enough. Here are the fall shots.

Me and my boys by Paula Leme

What do you do when your favorite Brazilian Photographer is in town? You get your pictures done! Although it was such a short time I had the privilege of meeting a photographer I so admire Paula Leme. As a gift to myself, I gathered my boys, picked random clothes and borrowed some and drove down to Newark, NJ to get these fall shots in and they sure met my expectations. You can check out her work at http://www.paulaleme.com/.

Happy First Day

My wishes to all my friends, family and clients is peace. Peace in your hearts during tough times, during fun times. In the Bible it is stated that the peace that Jesus gives is one that exceeds all knowledge, meaning that it is above all things, no problem too tough, no crisis too rough but trust in Him that can helps us do all things. Resolutions I have many but one thing I pray for is peace and also wisdom to face the new challenges and victories of this year to come.