It’s funny what you can accomplish when you don’t spend the time over thinking every decision.  We went with the first thing that came to mind and created the image below. 15 minutes was not enough time to sit an ponder life’s emotions, so we just used what was in front of us, and made it work.

I had so much fun editing this photo, listening to my iPod and using the new skills I learned at Brooke’s workshop.  I would tell you what the theme was (if you saw the workshop online, you would know), but it would be interesting to see what you think when you see this image.

Bella Butterfly

Not only was the workshop amazing, but I had the opportunity to spend quality time with Brooke and my classmates outside of the classroom.  We ate (all vegan by the way), we laughed, and we shot!!  One night after dinner, we all grabbed our cameras, and got a chance to create with Brooke… side by side.  The image below was taken in the hallway of our hotel room.  I saw the luggage cart downstairs in the lobby (which incidentally, i had to steal when the front desk wasn’t looking) and started thinking of how when I was a little girl, I dreamed of traveling the world.  We dumped out my suit case, and Brooke more that happily crawled inside.

I was shooting with my 50mm lens, so I had to use the technique she showed us on taking mutliple images to expand the canvas.  The textures were from her “Textures of India” package that you can download for free from her website – Brookeshaden.com.

Brooke, you said to only post images I am proud of, and I couldn’t be more proud of this image.  Not only because I am in love with the theme, but I love that you are in it.  Every time I look at it, I will remember the amazing time I had with you, Aidan, Patricia, Julie, Victoria and Stacy in Seattle.  I feel like this is my first step towards my fine art photography career.  I can’t thank you enough for sharing your talent, sharing your time, and for just being you.

If you haven’t caught her workshop live last week, you can still purchase it at CreativeLive.com - It’s worth every penny!

Model:  Brooke Shaden

So here I go… getting in front of the camera (bleeehhhh) to submit my video in hopes that I get selected to attend the workshop in person.  The mere thought of having the opportunity to take part of this workshop brings tears to my eyes.  I need this.. in my life.. and now is the time.

Feel free to comment on my blog post below =)  And thank you in advance for your support!

So I decided to go with a bohemian inspired headboard I made on the cheap!  Supplies were 9 18×21 inch quilt squares I picked up at Joanne’s Fabrics for $1.50 each, thin quilting batting, and 5 foam core boards, command damage free hanging strips and my stapler.

Super easy project… First I cut the foam boards in half to make the squares, then I cut the batting to size, and wrapped the fabric around the board and stapled in place. Next, I attached the hanging strip to the back and stuck them to the wall.  Can’t get much easier than that!  Plus, I had a blast doing it.

A few simple steps and about an hours time, I had my very first upholstered headboard, for under $30 =)

To expand the images full size, click in the top right hand corner.

As I road up the mountain, Grey Street blasting, I instantly felt a smile on my face.  It started to rain, but the bright colors of the trees all around me still made everything look so bright.  I had to wait a while for the perfect time to run out to the middle of the road to grab this shot, but I LOVE empty roads… and I loved today.

For those of you who follow creativeLive, you know what an opportunity this is!  For those of you who don’t… it’s like the SuperBowl of photography workshops.  I feel so blessed to be one of the chosen few who get to attend, and don’t even have words for how excited I am!!!  And to top it all off… i will get to check off #53 on my list.

• Makeup and lighting by Julie Perez
• Talent by Braxton Perez

It also happened to be a solar eclipse that we ran outside to catch.  All  I got was blinded by the sun when I tried to snap a shot, so all I saw were little green dots for about the next twenty minutes.  But since we were outside now…  I grabbed a few more of my model =)  Thanks Brax!!! I had a great time =)

• Makeup by Nicole Fraser :: www.perfectkissandmakeupartist.com

• Makeup by Nicole Fraser :: www.perfectkissandmakeupartist.com

• Makeup by Elaine Lopez :: www.makeupbyelainelopez.blogspot.com

• Makeup by Eileen Canez :: eileencanez@yahoo.com