Inspiration!

This past week, I spent 3 days in Raleigh, NC at the Touch of Color Photography Studio, attending an "Almost Alone with David Williams" seminar and let me tell you - I am SO INSPIRED!!!!

David Williams is a world-renowned Australian wedding and portrait photographer, and for 3 days, a small group of 13 of us were shown hundreds of prints, ideas and ways to photograph brides, grooms (who, BTW "are not the ultimate bride's accessory" as David Williams likes to say), groups, children and young adults.

We had a chance to go to a church and see David take photos of groups with various lighting. Also, before class and at lunchtime, we had a chance to photograph each other if we wished.

I am an avid note taker and in 3 days, I filled up an ENTIRE legal notepad. THAT'S how much information he gave and how much I plan on transcribe, study and apply to my work from this point forward.

Here are some images I took, taking some of David's suggestions into action - these were some of the other attendees of this course.


the fabulous, funny David Williams


Aaron, who let me try his kick-ass 85mm f 1.2 lens - which totally rocks!


the BEAUTIFUL Denise, who flew all the way down from New York to take the course!


my friend Jason Miczek - a rockin' photographer!


Neil, Raleigh-area photographer who does it all!


sweet Amber, who has a GORGEOUS pair of green eyes


and yours truly, photograph taken by Jason

CHARLOTTE'S LATIN ROCK SCENE FEATURED ON NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO!!!!!!!!

CarlotanRock and Charlotte's growing Latin Rock movement went NATIONAL just a few minutes ago with a report on "All Things Considered" on NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO!!!!!!

TO HEAR THE INTERVIEW! (click on "Listen Now" icon!)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94411657

Today Wednesday, September 17th, Charlotte’s Latin Rock movement made its NATIONAL debut on National Public Radio as the popular show “All Things Considered” with a report focusing on the Charlotte’s Latin Rock movement - fueled by independent acts such as Eva Fina, Bakalao Stars, Dorian Gris, Baco, Sin Recursos, among others- as well as Carlotan Rock, the region’s only annual music festival dedicated to Latin Rock.

“All Things Considered” airs in Charlotte on WFAE 90.7 FM and Felix's report aired at 5:45pm.

In its 5^th year of production, Carlotan Rock 2008 was held on Friday August 1^st at Skandalos, and National Public Radio reporter Felix Contreras, based in Washington DC, came to interview various Latin Rock bands including Eva Fina and Bakalao Stars, local Latin Rock journalists Courtney DeVores and Mark Kemp, as well as Carlotan Rock Production founders Juan Miguel Marin, Herman Marin and Tony Arreaza.

Charlotte listeners can tune into 90.7FM on their radio dial, or listen on the Internet http://www.wfae.org/wfae/index.cfm and click on “Listen Live” on the upper right hand corner of the home page.

For all others, check your local listing for “All Things Considered” by visiting www.npr.org

Click here to read and hear several NPRs interview about CarlotanRock and the Latin Rock movement in Charlotte!

Catherine & Greg - The Wedding!

A few month's back I took Catherine & Greg's engagement photos and yesterday I had the pleasure of photographing their wonderful wedding day. Small world factoid - Minister Heather Casselberry, who married Catherine & Greg at the charming St. Ann's Church was the person who married my husband and I almost three years ago!

I wanted to post some of my favorite shots thus far. More to come later!

Best of Charlotte Photos!

Here we go!
Be sure to pick up this week's issue of Creative Loafing - this is the Best of Charlotte Issue - the year's biggest and best issue. Below are my photos for the cover section and for each of the 6 categories that readers and staff vote on each year:

here's the cover for the Best of Charlotte section:


and here are the 6 categories:

Creative Loafing - Best of Charlotte!

For now, i'll just post a link, but I am THRILLED to share and post my Best of Charlotte Issue Cover Shot and Section Shots.
This was my 4th year shooting the "theme" shots and winner shots - and in year's past, we've used models and all sorts of locations and props.
This year, however, we did not have a theme and along with Carlton Hargro, Editor Extraordinaire of Creative Loafing, we decided to do a more abstract (except for the BOC cover) collage of items that represent each category.
For the time being, here's a link to see my work:
http://charlottehappenings.creativeloafing.com/gbase/BestOf/BestOfAwards?Section=oid%3A154176
I will be posting the section covers here later tonight. Feedback is always welcomed!
-Catalina

Juan's Beach Volleyball Birthday Extravaganza

Family and friends recently joined us to celebrate my husband Juan's birthday with an awesome beach volleyball tournament.

8 teams of 3 played numerous games. There was food - TONS of it --
plenty of shade for the spectators, perfect weather and good times were had by all.

The winning team took home some cool iTunes music certificates!


getting ready for the festivities!


brackets! how organized!


our version of professional line markers....caution tape :)


GAME ON!!!


there were plenty of corn hole games played!


the adorable and very-photographed Sebastian


the gorgeous and recently blogged-about Emilia


prize for the winning team


and the winners!


pictured from top to bottom are Boomer, Flex and another dog who stopped by the party!

Emilia's 1yr Birthday Party!

Here we have Emilia, the beautiful birthday girl, daughter of our friends Denise and Marcus. While Emilia and her friends enjoyed some awesome pool time, the adults chatted and enjoyed some awesome cupcakes.

Emilia, 1 year old


gifts for the birthday girl!


Emilia's friend Maisie



Emilia's friend Kate, with mom and dad Jennifer & Dustin



Emilia's friend Kyrie



Mr. Rubber Ducky



birthday cake!



yummy cupcake!



Emilia's friend Alara with dad, Tulu



Emilia's friend Ian

CarlotanRock 2008

I love telling people that my husband Juan is a graphic designer by day, and rock star by night.

Five years ago, Juan, along with his brother Herman and good friend Tony, the dynamic trio launched Carlotan Rock Productions, a company whose goal is to bring awesome live Latin music to Charlotte - and so, for the past 5 years, they have done just that through numerous concerts, including the annual Carlotan Rock Festival.

The event was a COMPLETE success, with a jammed-pack audience dancing and listening to 6 talented regional Latin Rock bands!!!



Juan designed the CarlotanRock 2008 logo, and matching t-shirts and posters are available for $15 and $10 respectively.

The 5th Annual Carlotan Rock Festival took place this past Friday, August 1st at Skandalo's and the event featured 6 local bands, including Juan's band, Eva Fina.

One of the evening's highlights was having NPR's (National Public Radio) Felix Contreras drive down from DC to document Carlotan Rock for a segment on All Things Considered - a NATIONALLY BROADCAST show. Once I have that date, I will blog all about it :)

Can you say "WOW"??!!!!!!!!!!


from left to right - Tony (Eva Fina), Razpa guitar player, Felix Contreras and my husband Juan Marin (Eva Fina)


the evening's schedule


Juan (Eva Fina) getting ready - they were the first act of the night


Eva Fina shoes. Notice Juan's golden shoes - I blogged about them a few days ago :)



from Charlotte - Eva Fina


my rock-star husband Juan


pictured here is Sin Recursos' bass player. The way he moved and jammed, you would have never believed he had fallen ill and had been hospitalized just 2 days prior to the event! Amazing, amazing guy!


from Charlotte - Dorian Gris


from Chapel Hill - Razpa


from Winston-Salem - Baco



and last, but not least, the always entertaining and always wardrobe-changing crazy Ska/Rock band from Charlotte - Bakalao Stars

Thank you to everyone who came out to support the ever-growing Latin Rock movement in the Carolinas.

Please keep attending Carlotan Rock's shows, tell your friends and let's all together help grow this awesome musical movement!