Category Archives: Fotografias

These Three

By nopasanada | Published: September 27, 2011

“While we try to teach our children all about life,
Our children teach us what life is all about.”
~Angela Schwindt

I was never really into having children before I met Amy. I liked them enough but I didn’t have that now constant “YOU SHOULD HAVE A BABY” voice in my head as I do now*. Then, inevitably, I suppose, a love and adoration developed for Noah. And subsequently over the years for Ezra and now Ike. I make time to see them whenever I’m in Washington. I curse my way to their home because of traffic and then I am there. They are there. Just like that everything is perfection and legos and wooden apple pies that I should blow on because IT’S HOT! I find myself surrounded by love and hugs and a cuddly baby boy. They are sweet and charming and unfortunately you don’t get to see all of it from online. Amy can weave a story so you get them in pieces but oh, how much you miss from real life. Because how they are is perfection ten-fold. I will consider myself beyond lucky and perfectly blessed to end up with just one child who is exactly like them. Oh how I hope and pray.

*A story for another time. Promise.

Also posted in On Happiness, The District Of Columbia | 3 Comments

Portraiture

By nopasanada | Published: July 31, 2011

“A great photograph is a full expression of what one feels about what is being photographed in the deepest sense, and is, thereby, a true expression of what one feels about life in its entirety.”  ~Ansel Adams

This is Sherice.

This is Sadye.

Now follow along: Sherice is a colleague/friend. Sadye is my cousin. Sherice’s cousin is also Sadye’s cousin. Sherice’s cousin is my cousin. Sherice and Sadye aren’t cousins and neither are Sherice and I. And this is why they call it “SMALLbany”. Everywhere you go you are either related to someone or know them or hell, your parents know them. Once my mother’s secretary caught me at the mall when I wasn’t supposed to be at the mall and she totally told my mother and now I work with her – my mother and her secretary – and I cannot let that shit go.

But I digress.

I have fallen in love. Well, back in love. With my 50 mm (f/1.4 for interested parties). I fell back in love so hard and I’m in the type of love that makes you feel like time has stopped when you’re together.

You guys? I think my 50 mm and I are going to go all the way!

 

Posted in Fotografias | 4 Comments

Taking flight

By nopasanada | Published: July 27, 2011

“Weekends don’t count unless you spend them doing something completely pointless.”  ~Bill Watterson

There’s something about the freedom of the self-timer. Freedom from looking and being precise. You hit one button and then another and whatever happens, happens. You rush to the perfect spot and just do the damn thing. And so with my camera, a self-timer and an incredibly sturdy twin bed, I jumped. And jumped and jumped some more.

You know what? There was a sense of freedom with each jump feeling myself higher and higher though trying to keep my head from bashing into a ceiling fan. Regardless, fun? Have you had any lately?

Also posted in On Happiness | 6 Comments

Au naturale

By nopasanada | Published: July 25, 2011

“Let the world know you as you are, not as you think you should be, because sooner or later, if you are posing, you will forget the pose, and then where are you?”  ~Fanny Brice

After a trip to the beach. Far too hot for makeup or anything for that matter.

It takes on average of 30 minutes and just as many shots for me to find the perfect self portrait. Even then I stand there critiquing myself. I list off the things I dislike as opposed to the things that I do like. The things that others like. So, I’ll say this: That hair. Oh, that hair. There’s so much of it and it gets all over the place and gets bigger with each hour. And I love it.

 

Posted in Fotografias | 7 Comments

A bit of joy

By nopasanada | Published: July 10, 2011

“A good snapshot stops a moment from running away.”  ~Eudora Welty

The last few days have been less than stellar but starting on this tomorrow has given me this renewed sense of joy.

Superhero Photo E-Course

My creative and colorful side often gets stifled under the weight of Very Serious Work. Which is a shame but for the first time in months I’ll be busting out my DSLR. It’s currently covered in cobwebs. It rarely happens where I am genuinely looking forward to something without trepidation or having anxiety wrapped around my shoulders.

That lack of wonderfulness has not been without that moment of clarity that comes from a dire (in my world) situation and think that’s what making me a little bit joyful right now. That moment of realizing that things are bad and that I have the ability to make it better.

Also posted in Grace in Small Things | 3 Comments