Friday, February 29, 2008

Away until Sunday

I will be away this whole weekend @ Awareness Weekend.. Working with H.S students ! Until then all emails will be answered on Monday.
-L

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Twigs and Honey

So while reading Brooklyn Bride's Wedding blog a couple of days ago, I came across this unique seller on Etsy named Myra of Twigs & Honey.
Myra makes these unique Victorian vintage style hairpieces, they were written about in Brooklyn Bride's blog because of the fact they would make really amazing hairpieces for brides to be.. ( Hint Hint future brides I am photographing )
Each piece has lace, a flower, pearls, beads attached to a gold comb.. What I like about her pieces is that she puts and pulls together really interesting color combinations out of assorted feathers that she pairs up with these hairpieces.

I can not tell you how thrilled I was when I came across her store on Etsy, to find pieces that each have unique personalities. I have taken some pictures of the piece I bought ( and plan on wearing out) happily sent them to her and in addition to this she posted a great blog piece about the photographs I took
Here is a snippet if we she said "

"Laura Ryan Photography

I, like so many out there, am a self described pack rat. Every snippet of ribbon, length of thread, button, and broken sand dollar, I hoard because someday, I'll need it (right?). Well, as for my hair pieces, I develop these little attachments to each one and always wonder, "Did they arrive to the customer okay?" OR "I wonder what adventure it will be taken on?" Recently, I was fortunate to have a wonderfully talented photographer purchase a piece from my Etsy shop. This particular piece happened to be a personal favorite of mine and I was so tickled to see photos of its arrival to Laura Ryan Photography. Laura just so happens to be this amazing photographer (any interested brides - check her out!) and was so kind to snap a handful of photos and send them my way. I am so happy that this piece found its way into the talented hands of Laura! I know she'll take care of my hearted piece and did I mention, Laura is super sweet to boot?! Well, after seeing the twigs & honey piece so nicely cared for already, I feel the grip on my trinkets and odds and ends slightly loosening. Perhaps I shouldn't be so attached after all? I do believe that all the pieces are going to develop wonderful stories with each person who takes one home! Memories, really, to last a lifetime. Thank you Laura Ryan Photography!I am thrilled to say she will be making a piece for a future photoshoot for me!
The full written page can be seen here:
Check it out here
: Twigs and Honey
& Myra's Etsy shop
Thanks Myra.. I can't wait to wear your pieces out and I look forward to your new creations.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

*I was tagged by " A Bride in the Making"

What is your occupation? Awesome Photographer by nights and weekends, art teacher by day!!
What color are your socks right now? Black as usual

What are you listening to right now? Eighties by Killing Joke :)

What was the last thing that you ate? Pancakes and turkey bacon my Husband made for me
Can you drive a stick shift? Sure can!! I had to, it was a "forced" learning experience

If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Violet

Last person you spoke to on the phone? My sister

Do you like the person who sent this to you? Oh yes! Even though I was married last year, I still love reading Brides blogs :) ! Wedding Planning is a process, a long one sometimes and I I think " A Bride in the Making " is a great blog for any bride to read!
Favorite drink? Chai Lattes

What is your favorite sport to watch? I don't watch sports.. maybe tennis for like a minute
Have you ever dyed your hair? Of course every couple of months, different shades of red
Pets? I love my llapso apso - Lobo

Favorite food? Mexican Food !

Last movie you watched? Sunshine - a really great cinematic film about the sun dying and team of scientists / astronauts sending a bomb into it to renite it. I am telling you you won't be wasting time watching this one, the director of Trainspotting directed this amazing flick.

Favorite Day of the Year? Hmmm... I would say Xmas, Its a happy time of year.

What do you do to vent anger? Exercise and video games

What was your favorite toy as a child? Haha I had all these old cameras I used to play with, also toy ones. I used to pretend I was a fashion photographer. I was 9 years old lol omg and Polaroid cameras!!! Loved them, ugh I am so upset they are going to stop production of Polaroid film :(

Which is your favorite, fall or spring? Love, Love Fall..

Hugs or kisses? Hugs!

What kind of pie? Apple Please

Living arrangements? I live in a 3 bedroom apt in Amityville on the second floor with my Husband in a 120 year old Victorian. I wish it was ours to keep.

When was the last time you cried? One of those Purina Dog chow commercials, it was about this owner leaving this dog behind they show the poor dog in a cage all lonely. :(

What is on the floor of your closet? Shoes and more shoes

Favorite smell? Grilled Cheese

What inspires you? Fellow photographer blogs, other photographers and my husband who pushes me to follow my goals

What are you afraid of? Planes ( but I still go on them )

Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? I don't eat hamburgers, only turkey burgers or boca

Favorite Car? Vintage classic cars

Favorite cat breed? Not a fan of cats

Favorite day of the week? Saturday

How many countries have you been to? 7 Countries -- Spain, Holland, Italy, England, France, Belgium, Mexico, Some Carribean areas ( Ireland in July)

I TAG:


Posted by Laura Ryan Photography

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Kansas City - Missouri

Well I spent a lovely 3 nights 4 days in Kansas City, MO for a visual arts conference. I had a really great time and met alot of really interesting people from all over the world. Sharing ideas about the visual arts all weekend long.

I ate at alot of really cool BBQ restaurants and ate TONS of cookies. ( I put on 3 pounds eating foods and desserts I would never eat here in NY because well I am always watching the scale.. I was not watching it this past weekend...hey I was sort of on a break lol .. anyway it will come off)
Days when I had free time, was wandering around Kansas City. I am a wanderer and when I wander I bring my camera and probably look crazy most of the time to viewers. Well because I love taking photos of the little details. The snow footsteps, my cookies, architecture and rosettes, my amazing hotel room with the great view of the city and the WW I memorial. I also headed out to the Nelson Museum saw a great exhibit on the history of photography which I will talk about later in this entry and lots of abs. expressionist art.

Kansas City is not like a city you could compare to NYC, I read about how it has just been revitalized in the last ten years, they are making more accomodations for tourists to go and visit the area. At times I felt it was very empty, well also its the middle of the winter! Anyway this is what my days looked like:

View from the hotel

The WW 1 Memorial that was always there to look out outside my hotel room

I was painting the sky line here from my hotel room with watercolors and ink for a conference assignment on Kansas City -

My visit to the Nelson Art Museum in Kansas City
A lovely expressionistic Franz Kline



Of course I had to hang out in the photography wing for like an hour.. They had some really nice early, early Daguerretypes, Salt Prints, Albumen Prints (Reddish colored prints) from the 19th Century. I want to go in this direction this year with some experimentation with the "Albumen look."

This is a pristine example of a early sharp Daguerretype. Dagurretypes are always sharp, unless the sitter would move for the 3-5 min exposures. lol
This little girl you can tell her hands moved but look at the rest of her, sharp sharp!!!

Albumen Print (Reddish Hues)

After I was with everyone in my conference group we all agreed we didn't want to spend $85 + on a Steak house, we settled for this amazingly mouthwatering Mexican restaurant that has the best guacomole I have ever tasted. ( OH yeah it was pouring rain when we left)

I then wandered a found a photobooth in this restaurant called a " Street Car Named Desire"
(post photo booth photos later) Yes, there are still black and white photobooths left in America!

My hotel at the Westin was across the street from Union Station, which was built in 1914. The architecture was amazing in there, look for yourself:


The emptyness I was feeling about this place can be summarized here:


People riding segways in here for $5 a piece ( I didn't get that one)

COOKIES:

There is one Amtrak station in there, the rest of the area holds some really nice restaurants and stores. More empty restaurants, this one is reminiscent of Edward Hopper


It snowed one day there (something we are not used to anymore in NY)

My last night there I saw a freight train, it was interesting a full of colors something I had never seen before I snapped this photo:

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Valentine's Day Contest - Free Destination Wedding Giveaway !!!

Happy Valentine's Day !!!!


Are you ready for the big announcement? Getting married in 2009? Still looking for a photographer for your destination wedding?

2007 was a great year for Laura Ryan Photography, 2008 -2009 season will be even better! There is no way Laura Ryan Photography would be in existence today without the support of you, the clients!
I thought this would be a great time to branch out to new locations outside of the tri -state NY area.

And that is where you all come in!

To celebrate my great year I want to give back. And so, I announce a contest :
The Prize:

Complete Coverage for One Destination wedding for 2009 (Destination Wedding - does not have to be a destination for you, Just for us! ) Wedding day coverage by Laura Ryan Photography & Monica Z Photography , all digital files on a disc, my favorite photos posted on my blog and amazing service from the start of your wedding to the end! - you just pay for travel costs. ) Applies to any weddings any where outside the tri state area, the wedding does not have to be a destination wedding for you but for us)*


E-mail me with the following answers:

Wedding Date

Full name

Location

Reception Site

Wedding website ( if you have one)

Photos of you and your Fiance

What do you envision your wedding day to be like?

Why do you want me to photograph your wedding?

How did you both meet each other?

Winner will be picked on April 15, 2008.



Please e-mail your answers or questions @ lauraryancontest@gmail.com
* ( Destination wedding - applies to any weddings anywhere outside the tri state area - NY, NJ & Ct excluded) -

Leaving for Missouri on Feb. 15, 2008

If you do email this weekend, all emails will be most likely returned on Tuesday the 19th.

Going to Kansas City, MO tomorrow, by myself for a conference. .
I am not sure what to expect really, I guess it will be freezing cold.
Well my camera will be in my bag at all times, I hope to shoot some nice shots.

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Check out my Blog this Valentine's Day

A Big Announcement is going to be made!

-L


Image courtesy of the History Channel

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Etsy.com

Since the wedding season won't start up again until the end of March I have had some free time on my hands and found this great site called Etsy.com
This site is a artists/craft maker / small business owners dream.. I found some of the coolest things on this site. I finally made my first purchase yesterday, I bought some Valentine's day

cookies and Cranberry scones for my family from Bubbleberrybaking on Etsy.com
They just looked amazing! In addition to just homebaked goods. They have cute crafts, hats, artwork and handbags you think of it they got it. I found a blog that focuses on the Etsy new wave of craftmaking for bridal planning here :
http://etsywedding.blogspot.com/

One word of advice this site is addicting
-L