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I Have Moved!!!

2008-04-08T05:42:00.000-07:00

Not literally, but the new and improved blog has moved to here:
http://www.arunab.com/blog/

Gifts at the Front Door (Besides 3 Feet of Snow)

2008-02-29T10:38:00.001-08:00

Look what came in the mail the other day. My new business cards and my new 50mm lens. I combined the 2 to make a fine picture below. Yeay for crossing things off lists. Look for the new website, pricing guide AND SPECIAL RATES for sessions in the next couple of weeks!

PS: on a side note I would like spring to come earlier this year. thank you.

Caribbean - Part 2 Sunsets

2008-02-25T17:25:00.000-08:00

Here are some sunsets, sunshine pictures from our trip. The colors were INSANE. When we were in Anguilla on East Shoal Bay it stormed for about 10mins right before sunset, it was BEAUTIFUL with amazing clouds in the sky. I don't think these capture the layers upon layers of colors. But once I pulled them up on my computer the pictures were really close to getting that feeling of awe. OH! and there was a rainbow the span of the island too!

Caribbean!! - Part 1

2008-02-23T15:09:00.000-08:00

So warm, so blue, so lovely. We got in late Thursday night and were greeted with ice in the Jetway. So sad to be back, but it's wonderful to look at some favorite photos and reminisce..ahhh...sigh.

Monkey Business

2008-02-06T12:16:00.000-08:00

My first attempts at REALLY understanding my flash and to control it manually. I didn't have anyone around..so I used my little wooden monkey. I did this is a dark hallway and started shooting away while changing various setting. Bouncing the flash off different walls. I added a little vintage post-processing.

This test is with one flash....next time I am going to test it out with using some workshop lamps from Home Depot! Cheap way to learn basics of lighting. I wish the monkey's smile was all the same darkness...it looks like I got too much light on one area in the second picture. I guess I should have compensated by bouncing the light from the right instead.

Beautiful Mother

2008-01-31T07:05:00.000-08:00

This is Julie, she is such a beautiful soon-to-be mom. Her belly isn't showing too much at the moment so we are going to try again in a couple of months. It was such a fun shoot to not just shoot her anticipation, but to shoot fun stuff surrounding the new baby. here are some favorites!

Education

2008-01-29T09:35:00.000-08:00

These days are getting me down, grey and colorless. My mom gave me lovely tall plant yesterday, it's made my little office area much more cheery. I am hoping that I won't kill it, I can actually see the water level on this thing so I know if it gets too low...I must water immediately.

Anyway my goal this year is to go to 2 workshops on technique. One down! I registered for one today with the lovely support of my lovely husband. Buying a house, building a new business, and paying taxes at the same time is stressful. So thankyou to Mr.B for supporting my dream. I hope I can do the same for you soon.

So in June I will be attending The Secret Workshop yeay for me and yeay for learning more about lighting.

Also on a side note. I am looking for a red headed female model, any takers? If you know of anyone who is a lovely soul and would like to take some pictures and is red headed in the Detroit area I would love their information or have them contact me:
arunaorama@gmail.com, danka!

My Addiction / Inspiration

2008-01-23T13:16:00.001-08:00

Since realizing that this creative outlet is oozing out of me(meaning I want to do this so badly I can hardly contain myself)..I have had an addiction. An addiction to learning and being inspired by other photographers. Today I thought I would just list blogs that I visit everyday. There are sooo many wonderful photographers out there that capture moments beautifully and I want to do the same for people, being able to capture things precious to them and freeze that moment,that preciousness; forever. Melodramatic perhaps...but definitely on point.

Here is where I would professionally love to be someday:

Laura Novak
Jennifer Skog
Anne Ruthmann
Jessica Claire
Michelle Moore
Jonathan Canlas
Sheye Rosemeyer

Martin Luther King Day with Tiki Barber

2008-01-22T09:59:00.000-08:00

I had the great opportunity (thanks hubby) to take some photos of Tiki Barber speaking at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business MLK day address. Tiki is such an inspiring athlete and person. I found myself stopping and listening to him speak instead of taking pictures. He is joining efforts with Stephen Ross to develop affordable housing throughout the nation. You can find out more information about this amazing effort here.
You can also find out more about his recent book
Tiki: My Life in the Game and Beyond.

Also yeay for the Giants (Tiki's Old team) and little Eli Manning...I'm not a huge football follower, Mr.B is so I do end up watching alot of games. Usually I'm the one rooting for either the Seahawks or the underdog....once I proclaim an allegiance my competitiveness comes out. Ever since I found out that there were 2 Mannings in the NFL and not just the great Payton I've had a soft spot for his underdog brother. I'm soooo happy that they are going to the Super Bowl.

Okay back on topic here are some of pics from the day.

Weekend Fun

2008-01-21T08:06:00.001-08:00

here is some fun quick weekend pics that I thought were cute.

Actionable Items

2008-01-14T09:13:00.000-08:00

So today instead of following my usual ritual of going to 15 sites of photographers I admire I went to 5 and then started working on a Business Plan. I love photography. Is wedding photography what I want to do? I love the emotion, experience, pure joy that comes from the day. But I want the control of being artistic as well, and weddings don't allow for time to do that to the fullest potential I want. Is that a trade-off I want. Either way I will see where this road leads me, I have to. I probably don't have enough experience to know what I am talking about BUT I won't find out until I try. So in the next month or so there will be some change happening on this site: a new website, rates, calenders...you know legitimate business things :) to actual start trying what I have been dreamign about. Exciting, yes...but nerve racking as well, I feel like I can do this... I feel like it will be a good thing... but I'm such a perfectionist I want it to be just right. The images, the client experience, the albums, the website, the work-life balance. I have to take it one step at a time so this morning I start with my Plan of Action 2008.

This picture reminds me of how I am feeling right at this moment...it's me hiking in Peru during our honeymoon. It had rained off and on during the hike that day and we were approaching our campsite for the night. And the clouds were clearing but it looked really ominous, but beautiful. That's how my stomach feels before I start do something I'm not completely sure or in control of. Kinda churning...almost about to clear, but I need to take the next steps before the churning nervousness moves out and is replaced by excitement.

(photo taken by mr.b)

Nipa & Alex Winter Wedding

2008-01-11T13:35:00.000-08:00

This second-shooting experience was much better than the first. Crystal Toole was awesome and let me have a lot of creative freedom to just practice and try interesting shots. Nipa and Alex were so kind and are a wonderful couple, I was smiling throughout their whole ceremony, you can tell they will have a marriage filled with joy. Here are some of my favorite images from the wedding.

Sunshine!!!!

2008-01-10T06:53:00.000-08:00

The lack of posts can be attributed to the sunshine that I recently got to enjoy in the sunshine state. UGH so wonderful, 83 degrees and sunny every day. It was so needed, I got rid of my cold finally. I helped my sweet sis move down to Florida for work and beforehand we spend 3 days on the beach being lazy. We actually did a bunch of stuff. The highlights were the sunsets, the sailing trip to see the dolphins, the Salvidor Dali museum and getting lost to find Ybor City (Tampa is so hard to get in and out of why?). I didn't take that many pictures cause I just wanted to relax and enjoy myself, but here are some highlights!

Ready to Leave the Snow

The Beach Off the Hotel Bar

Sailing for Dolpins! They Were so Beautiful, I got water-eyed.

Watching the Last Sunset of our Trip.

Worth It!

2008-01-01T17:33:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!!!! This was the scene this morning outside today.So beautiful, it snowed all last night and I tried to get some more neat night shots, but I decided to wait. I am expletively happy with these...so beautiful. I debated going outside or staying and waiting another day to take pics...but after seeing these I'm sooooo glad I did! It was insanely worth it. I tried so hard to capture the mood and feeling of what it was like outside today in the winteryness.

It's going to be really interesting to look back at this place that we are renting and see all the beautiful season that I have captured here. It makes me a little bit happier about being here. oh! that quirky person is my lovely sister in pj's :)

Lessons Learned

2007-12-27T16:14:00.001-08:00

So I went with my wonderful friend Jen to a wedding, I asked the bride if she minded that I take photos during the ceremony. she was fine with it. I don't know what I was thinking I don't recommend this approach. why?

.....................................................................................

1. The hired photographer had basically the same equipment as me just more of it. So I turned into one of "those-amateur-friend" at the wedding people. Well at least i felt that way. it made me a little sickly, i don't know why.

2. upon feeling that way I basically hid while i took shots, not very conducive for creativity. I'll have to post a "hiding shot" later..its so obvious I was near the floor crouching between chairs.

3. It took away some quality relaxing time with one of my favorite people that I don't get to see very often. Jen.I'm kinda sad about that.

so for those reasons this approach, the - "I'm a guest, but trying to get some photography practice" I do not recommend. I'm sure someone could have told me that.
But the best lessons are always the ones you learn yourself, the hard way. anyway I did get a few nice shots that I liked. so this coming weekend hopefully because
I am an "official" second shooter, not a wanna-be; I feel more confident. wish me luck!

New LENSSSSSSS!!!

2007-12-13T16:36:00.001-08:00

I've been so insanely busy so even though I got 2 new lenses...yes you read correctly 2!!! I'm so excited that my super busy butt can only walk over to the tree and take some sweet photos of the tree. I love the new lenses. Although the 24-70mm feels like its more then I can handle, I got the swing of it pretty quickly!!!!

Oh and HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!!!

Christmas Tree Hunt

2007-12-09T20:56:00.000-08:00

yeay time for the tree. It still doesn't feel like Christmas though.
I got some pretty neat shots today. I LOVE the one where the binder (thing that wraps the rope around the christmas tree) is sucking the last of the tree in and you can see Nat's head through the hole..so cool! I didn't even realize he was back there I love it.

Come Back Here

2007-12-04T07:05:00.000-08:00

Trying to do a shoot with my nephew...I was trying to see what it would be like shooting a family.I learned one thing..kids like to run away from cameras or at least my little sneaky nephew did. So there's a lot of behind the head shots, running through tree shots. He's still really sweet though :)

Hallway Window

2007-11-28T16:58:00.000-08:00

This was the view out of the hallway window at the top of the stairs a couple of weeks ago. It was beautiful. Last week the leaves all fell like someone had switched off the light and poof down they went. I got so engrossed in taking these shots that I stepped backwards and almost fell down the stairs...nice I know...The camera (with rented lens) banged into the hallway wall and took a chunck of dry wall out, yup. I should have taken a picture of that I was a little shaken up so I forgot to. Well enjoy this beautiful tree that I almost rolled down the stairs for :)

Night Time Snowfall + One Light

2007-11-25T20:56:00.001-08:00

I'm not a flashy kind of girl so I love natural light...or I should say working with the light that is available. Mr.B said it was snowing out, I looked and it was lovely big flakey kind of snow. I'm so sick at the moment, but I had to go out there. I am in LOVE with these captures they make me feel lonely but peaceful.

Sweet Family

2007-11-19T17:54:00.001-08:00

This is my brother's sweet family. They think that I am doing them a nice favor...
what they don't know is that I am using them for their cuteness :)

Stacks & Stacks

2007-11-16T14:50:00.000-08:00

Therese works for a publisher and loves books so we went inside on the horribly chilly day. It was good to figure out creative ways to get some good shots in terrible lighting and cramped space :) yeah..bad idea for a shoot...but good for learning!
I was kinda feeling bad about it last night cause I thought it might have been a waste of time..but it turned out really good. Good pics make me happy...here are some favorite pics.
Here's a link to the flickR slideshow: Therese Shoot
Enjoy!

Therese and The Train

2007-11-16T10:27:00.000-08:00

Here's a great test shoot with Therese, the pictures turned out so nice. I was FREEZING out so thank you soo much Therese for being patient. It started hailing / snowing near the end so we only got like half an hour in. But it was a great test for the 85mm, 1.8. UGH decisions, decisions...which lens to get first...50mm or 85mm.

The Hyster

2007-11-15T08:20:00.000-08:00

I LOVE how these pictures came out...of course I have always had a slight obsession with closeups. But rusty equipment is so fun to take pictures of...the textures are great. Here is my Ode to Hyster.

Elizabeth Shoot

2007-11-14T13:17:00.000-08:00

here is one of my favorite chicas elizabeth. We had both took
our cameras to an abandoned looking building (it wasnt..oops).
I dragged her over to this trash bin that looked great with her
shirt so I could take some shots..Thanks Elizabeth!
Her shoes were fabulous as well.
this new lens is really great on close up detail type shots...
but I'm not sure how I feel about it in regards to people.
Maybe it work better on little tykes instead of adults.

New Lens Test!

2007-11-13T11:06:00.000-08:00

So I am renting a couple of lenses to figure out which ones I like best.
The first one came today!!! 50mm 1.4, is it swweet. This is so much nicer
then the out of box lens. sigh... I am in love. Here are some pink girly
pictures of j's room.

Friday Night Lights

2007-11-13T07:30:00.000-08:00

I was backup a bunch of photos today and I found this from earlier in the fall.
It's such a neat shot...I love that it actually came out.

Last Raking

2007-11-11T10:51:00.000-08:00

I wish I could set up photo shoots everyday...so why not i say.
wanting to shoot families, weddings, and kids I got 2 out of the 3 everyday.
So here is the fall raking. Really glamorous I know...but you take
what you can get when you have the craving to tell stories. So here the story
our the front yard clean up :)

SQUIRREL ATTACK!

QUICK-LEAF SAND

RAKING AS FAST AS YOU CAN

STUCK LEAVES

First Snow!

2007-11-08T13:43:00.001-08:00

I actually missed the snow when I was in Seattle...
I think it only snowed twice while we were there.
It was sweet to see little flakes in November already.
Who knows how long my loving attitude will last and
the cold Michigan blizzardness will get to me.

Liam Yuk Berries

2007-11-05T11:29:00.000-08:00

This was the first time that I have gotten to take pics of my nephew with the new camera. UGH! so cute. It was a spontaneous vist so the light isnt great...direct sunlight. BUT I couldn't resist shooting either way. This was his little trip around the "Yuk-Berry-Tree" as he calls it.

PhotoShoot!

2007-11-05T09:32:00.000-08:00

I have to torture my poor sister. How does someone ask people if they can shoot them?
So I have decided to just shoot my family :) That's easy right. I have to figure out where to put ads up for free sessions. I just want to shoot shoot shoot...practice practice practice. And get a few new lens. Right now the lens I have are alright...but I want razor sharp ones. enjoy my sweet sis and her sweet shoes!

Halloweeny Continued

2007-11-01T12:53:00.000-07:00

These guys are so cute.

Apple Picking

2007-10-29T09:13:00.000-07:00

The joys of apple picking. Steve took the last
shot of me about to climb a tree.

Halloweeny

2007-10-28T08:50:00.001-07:00

Bright Halloween Fun.

Up-Close and Personal

2007-10-26T06:20:00.000-07:00

It's a Seattle day in Michigan. Sigh.
Here's something to bring some color into the gray.

Inca Stone

2007-10-25T10:28:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Inca stone-work on the honeymoon to Peru.
It's amazing to think that you hands are touching
something that someones hands hundreds of years ago
created. Amazing.

Peru People

2007-10-24T09:19:00.000-07:00

These people are so beautiful. Their hands, faces, and smiles...so wonderful.

Suddenly Fall

2007-10-23T12:11:00.000-07:00

I missed the colors in Michigan, it's a redeeming thought that
I guess I need it at the moment. The backyard is wonderfully bright.
Someone moved this chair over to this the tree. I saw it yesterday and today
I made myself go out in the crispness to take shots. It was lovely light.