Goodbye and HELLO!

My new site and blog are up and ready for your viewing pleasure!

From this point forward, you can see my work and latest blog posts at www.catalinaphotography.com

Thanks and see you on my new site!

Life's too short. You've gotta laugh and have fun!

We've been doing a lot of thinking lately. A LOT. About where we are, where we want to go and where we see our lives from 1, 3, 5, even 10 years down the road....I can assure you that my husband and I are dreaming BIG and are excited about 2009!
(no, no babies just yet).

In the coming days, you will see a brand-spaking new website, a new blog and a whole new identity for Catalina Photography.
I can't wait to share it with you!

I leave you with 3 photos taken by my brother-in law, Herman, on a recent visit to see him and his girlfriend Mariana in Washington, DC.

I think I take life too seriously sometimes, so the reason I love these images is because my husband and I are laughing and being completely goofy.

Life's too short. You've gotta laugh and have fun!



Thanks to http://epaperpress.com/psphoto/ for the 35mm film border used in this image.

My 100th Post! - Bakalao Stars Cover Shot

How very appropriate, and what a fun 100th post on my blog!!!!

I recently had another cover shot for Creative Loafing, this time featuring the ska/funskters from Bakalao Stars. They sing in both Spanish and English, and were part of CarlotanRock 2008, but no matter what language they sing in, they are an AWESOME, band - true entertainers who have a blast on stage, wear different costumes and give off a very catchy energy that keeps the audience dancing and laughing the entire time they're on stage.

Here are my favorite shots from my session with Bakalo Stars.
The image chosen for Creative Loafing's cover is the last one on this post.









THE Creative Loafing cover shot - ta da!!!!!

Jason - Portrait

Several posts ago I published 2 photos of some cool amps owned by custom music and sound designer extraordinaire Jason Hausman. Now, it's time to post my most favorite Jason portrait. For his coming-soon new website (current site - www.hotsake.tv), Jason wanted to go for a dark, mysterious look. We are both pretty stoked with the results.

I thank once more Zack Arias and his one-light DVD, which helped me in achieving this look.
Zack, I hope you are seeing this! Thank you!
Welcome back from Dubai!
Can't wait to see more of your photos and hear about the trip!

Jamison's 6 month portrait

I recently photographed Jamison for his 6-month portrait. What a cutie!!!!!!!!!

It's been absolutely wonderful to watch Jamison grow.

Isabella

Here's a portrait of my niece Isabella (15 mos), taken during our recent trip to Florida.
Although at first shy, she eventually warmed up to me.
Seriously, she is THE most attentive and pensive child I have ever met. Isabella is also incredibly observant - she will stare at you very intently and you can see the wheels turning - she is thinking and analyzing - as young as she is, she seems like a grownup.
She's something else. Up until this trip, I had only seen Isabella in photos, so it was wonderful to finally meet her in person.

Tiky - Maternity Portrait

Tiky is very special to me.
She was the one who introduced me to my husband, Juan.

Tiky and her husband Scott are expecting a baby in just a few weeks!

Amps

Tonight I shot the uber talented sound designer/engineer Jason Hausman, for headshots that will go on his fabulous new website.

In addition to shots of him, I went bananas shooting all the instruments in his shop as well - full on shots and detail (macro) shots - personally my favorite kind of photography!

While I have still got some editing to do, I wanted to post these 2 images of 2 amps that Jason owns.

Florida!

Juan and I recently went to Florida to spend a weekend with my mom, dad and Meme. I had not seen my family since Christmas, and we scored a sweet deal on airline tickets. Off we went to the warm, sunny weather for 3 great and relaxing days. You might see some familiar images here and that's because we had lunch at the same arepera, Doña Arepa, as we did on our last trip to Florida.
That restaurant totally ROCKS. We need an arepera here in Charlotte.....

It's funny how different my parents are, especially when it comes to being photographed. You'd figure after all this time that both parents would be comfortable with a camera pointed at them, right?

Hardly!

Dad is as natural as can be. Being a photographer himself, he is super comfortable in front of the camera. So comfortable, in fact, that he doesn't even realize he is being photographed.



And then we have mom. As soon as I raise the camera, here's what she does:



So it's good practice for me to work different angles and try to capture images of my mom when she's not focused on the camera being in my hands.



a lovely portrait of mom and dad



Speaking of cameras being in my hands, Juan took my camera and took this portrait of yours truly. I recently got some feedback about my blog and that there isn't an image of me anywhere....here you go!



Meme is my incredible 89-year old grandmother. Juan and I had the chance to spend an afternoon with her, catching up on life and having the pleasure of hearing her tell stories from her past. Meme is the greatest. I love you!


And last, but not least, is a photo of the 3 Sagy generations.
Can't deny we're related now can you?!!!

Creative Loafing Cover

I shot the cover for this week's Creative Loafing here in Charlotte, NC.
My editor liked my Battle of the Hoods cover from 2008 and asked me to create something similar for the 2009 Battle of the Hoods.

I went for a Fight Club, more grungy feel and had a chance to work with new off-camera lighting techniques, inspired by the AMAZING Zack Arias. He truly is a great photographer, a master of the white background portrait and teacher of great one light photography techniques.

I shot these series of portraits with 1 Alien Bee and a 20 degree honeycomb grid.

This first image was the one chosen for this week's cover.



These next 2 are other images I shot for the cover.





And this image was the inside cover shot for 2009 Battle of the Hoods.



There's still time to pick up your very own copy of this week's Creative Loafing!

Bahia Portrait

I took this portrait in Bahia, Ecuador.
I really like his curly hair and the composition of the image.
I hope it leaves you asking questions about who he is.....why is he looking down....how is he feeling in this moment....



if you find yourself wondering, tell me.
that means I've done my job.
thanks.
peace.

Charlotte Observer Photos

My photos recently appeared in a Charlotte Observer article about a play called Living Out, which deals with Latino nannies and the families for whom they work.

My husband and I are actually off to see the play this evening - here's a little bit about it, and below are screenshots of 2 of my images that published both online and in the actual paper.

Living Out is playing at the Great Aunt Stella Theater through March 7th.

Rafaela's Senior Portraits

I now have a more complete collection of Rafaela's Senior Portraits, and wanted to post some of my favorite images here.

If you or someone you know is looking for some cool and fun senior portraits, call me at 704-293-5683 or shoot me an email! catalina@catalinaphotography.com

WPPI 2009!

Hello!
I have recently returned from the 2009 WPPI - Wedding & Portrait Photographer's International convention in Las Vegas, Nevada!

This was my first trip to Las Vegas and to WPPI and I have to say I have returned pleasantly saturated, inspired and looking forward to shooting TONS this year and striving to constantly improve my work.

During my time at the WPPI, I had the honor and pleasure of meeting and attending lectures by Yervant, Jerry Ghionis, Bambi Cantrell, Michele Celentano, Tamara Lackey, Jesh de Rox, Joe Bussink, Skip Cohen (only THE organizer of WPPI and Rangefinder President!!), Jeff & Julia Woods, Laura Novak, Mitche Graf, the Sallees, Jim Garner, and Ecuadorian photographer Roberto Falck, who attended the same high school as my husband back in Quito, Ecuador - small world!!

I also had the chance to reunite with the fabulous David Williams, whose "Almost Alone" workshop I completed in Raleigh last September.

I also had the pleasure of meeting many fellow wedding and portrait photographers as well as a large number of vendors for both albums and online proofing galleries.

Needless to say my mind is swimming in many different ideas and ways to market my work and grow my business.

On Saturday, during one of the many platforms I was listening to, a lady sitting next to me left rather quickly, and when she told me she was leaving because she had a shoot at the "boneyard," my curious self asked her what that was - and she quickly proceeded to explain AND she told me that there was an extra spot - so i tagged along! Off we went, driving through Las Vegas, to the "boneyard," which is a VERY cool place where all the old flashy Las Vegas hotel & casino signs go to rest. This place is also known as the Neon Museum.

We had 1 hour to photograph several brides & grooms all over the place.
I was in HEAVEN!!!!

Here are some of my favs from the Neon Museum.

My Rock Star Husband Juan

no words needed here. he's hot. he's cool. he's my fabulous husband Juan.

Married - Ashley & Jonathan - and the FunkyFotoBooth!!!

during the reception, we decided to have some fun and take some cool, photo-booth style shots of the guests....can you tell they had a blast?!!!