What's new???

Wow, has it been a while again? Two words... writer's block. Or another pair of words would be, been busy. :)

I have been working on putting some shoots together. Because I'm still "new" to the business, I'm still trying to expand my portfolio. There are different types of shoots that I haven't done yet and so I'm trying to gather people to help me fill the void. I'm also trying to expand by offering more within my shoots. What am I talking about? I would like to offer professional hair styling and makeup with my shoots. I think these services are great to include because not only does it enhance the photo, but it makes the subject feel more beautiful, therefore making them shine more.

If there is anyone who would like to be a part of my little projects by being a model, or providing services like hair and makeup, please send me an email at veronica@veronicahudleydesigns.com. Even if you're not professionally doing hair and makeup yet, but love to play around with it, email me. I would certainlly support you in building your skills and portfolio.

On a side note, I would like to wish everyone attending WPPI in Vegas a great time. When I officially started doing photography last year, I just missed the last WPPI convention. I promised that I would attend the next one. I was all set to go, sort of, but things changed. I'm super sad that I can't attend, but hopefully I'll be more prepared to go next year. In the meantime, I'll just attend the WPPI Road Shows and numerous other workshops... hopefully. :)

Enjoy your 3 or 4 day weekend!!! I know I will :)

Knew...new...nude???

Man it's been a little while since I did my last post...what was it, a week ago? Sorry all... there's just so much on my plate right now, with a side of writer's block. :)

Anyhow... who knew February would be such a busy month. I finally have my first event to photograph and I have new sessions that I'm doing (which includes being half nude). :)

This past weekend I photographed two of my cousins for a practice boudoir session. This was my very first time dabbling in boudoir. I was nervous because for one thing they would be half naked...and for another they are my cousins. Awkward... But I have to say... it was a good session. I had my friend there, so she got to dabble in boudoir photography also. We were both worried about lighting because we're natural light photographers, but everything seemed to work out.

After this session, I realized that boudoir photography makes women feel special. It's funny because with hair and makeup done (by themselves or professionally) and the sexiest lingerie on, it seems like they are more confident wearing the smallest amount of clothing then when I photograph them in regular clothes. But seeing and hearing their reaction after they see their photos, that's the icing on the cake. :)

Here's a video of my recent session: (I have no idea if this will play directly on my blog since this is my first time uploading a video. So if it doesn't, please click or copy the link below. It'll take you directly to the video.)

http://animoto.com/play/HaSjLdxzpHNJt8hVrC1hQA?utm_content=main_link

Have a great night! :)

The power of a black and white photo

Over the holidays I was asked to photograph a baptism. I was super excited because it was my first "event". The family is super nice and sweet. And the little baby girl... she's something.

She was actually my first "newborn" to photograph, although she was a month old at the time. She's sooo cute! Cute chubby cheeks and little pouty lips :) I swear, this little girl is always very aware of me. She knows I'm there to take photos of her. :) At the time of the baptism, it was my third time seeing her. The look in her eyes when she saw me... it was like "I know why you're here. I'm ready for my close up!" :)

Anyhow, that day was her day. She looked so cute in her baptism dress. Like a teeny tiny version of a wedding or prom dress :) AND she had a little tiara to top it off. Soooo adorable :)

The baptism took place in St. Anthony's Church in Manteca (I believe..). This baptism was special and a bit different to me. I was expecting more babies and families to be there being baptized also. However, at this church, the day baptisms usually take place are on Sundays. This family requested a Saturday baptism. Very cool!

I was very nervous when it came to photographing the ceremony. I know each church has rules about photographing inside the church. Plus, at the other baptisms I've been to, the priest always asks people to not photograph during the ceremony. I was afraid this priest was going to request that. Luckily, he said it was okay with him. Click, click, click I went :)

One of my most favorite images I captured during the ceremony is the one below. In color, this photo is still a great photo. But making it in black and white... it brought a whole new feeling to it. In my opinion, making a photo black and white doesn't work for all images. I mean, it may look nice, but one should use it when there is a powerful picture. (So sorry if I hurt anyone's feelings...)

The photo below... I think it's powerful in black and white because there is no color to distract you from the look in the lady's face while she's smiling at her niece. She looks so happy, so proud and so in the moment :) Not posed, not staged, just in the moment. I also love how the flames in the candles showed up. :)

Hope you have a great night! :)

Studio V: Shining on Charmaine

This Studio V post is shining on Charmaine. She's one of my many cousins and she's the best! She came out to the shoot all ready in her first outfit, then busted out with a suitcase of clothes, accessories, and shoes. Girl was ready to rock. Oh! And she still uses a caboodle, like the ones from back in the day. You know, the plastic pink ones? LOL!!! Oh Charmaine, I'm not making fun of you. I LOVE that you still use it! :)

Oh, and I MUST mention that she just recently graduated from Sac State with a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology. Congrats...again! Love you! Hope you enjoy these photos :)

Introducing a new session...

Finally, I am very excited to introduce a new line to the Veronica Hudley Designs family. A little session I like to call Studio V.

Studio V is a fashion type session where only you are being photographed. The spotlight will shine on you and only you. :)

Studio V offers a Simple Session as well as a Glamorous Session. More details (along with packages) will be posted on the website (will be up tonight) :)

Any questions or comments can be emailed to info@veronicahudleydesigns.com

Thank you all :)

Full moon = wonderful things?

Wherever you may live, did you happen to notice the moon last night, as well as tonight? Last night's moon had a nice yellow-orangeish glow around it.

It's these times when I wish I had my camera with me...with a really nice zoom lens (*hint hint). Luckily, I had my phone with me and took the above photo. It's not the best photo, but at least you can see the glow. Very nice :) Sometimes I want to just sit on the sidewalk and look up at the moon and stars. Maybe when summer comes...

As for tonight's moon, WOW!!! I was on the way home from work, passing the first exit to go home and BAM! I saw the moon. The big rig next to me was kind of blocking it, but I saw it. It was humongous! It was orangeish and low in the sky. I sooo wanted to pull over to take a picture. Actually, I wanted to take a photo while I was driving...but I know better. Plus it would've came out blurry. Ha! :)

Anyhow... by the time I got to take the photo, the moon moved high up in the sky and turned white.

Love when the moon is full. Looks like a giant cookie in the night sky. :)

So what does the full moon bring? For me, it's bringing me loads of emails, texts and Facebook messages. Looks like the year is starting out nicely for me. I found several people to do some modeling for me (for something new), getting excited for the weddings that I have booked, and I found an old friend who's also in the business. As many other women who applied for the SOAR! Scholarship found out, we don't really need to win the scholarship to succeed. To my fellow applicants, I hope and know you will find success. If it hasn't happened yet, give it a little time. It'll fall in your lap as it did with me two nights ago.

As for me, I hope things pull through. You'll all be there to see if it's a success, or if I need to go back to the drawing board.

Good night all! Enjoy the night skies :)

My first meeting, feeling hurt and some wishful thinking

Today is my very first meeting with some clients...for my first wedding :) I'm a little nervous, but its okay because the clients are my cousin and his fiancee. :)

I believe I have everything ready. Sample shot list, package details, sample albums... even have some wedding mags ready. This meeting should be fine :)

Feeling hurt.... my last post I wrote about entering a photography scholarship. Well, results haven't been announced yet (tomorrow), but I can't help but feel hurt. The reason is because MeRa Koh posted a blog the other day. She mentioned that because of what happened last year, she decided to inform the winners beforehand so that the other applicants can have some time to recoup before the results are announced. Well...I never got a call or email. :( Sounds like I didn't make it this year. Yes, I'm hurting. I'm disappointed in myself because I feel like my video wasn't good enough, or that I didn't offer more information about myself. I can't help but feel horrible. (Btw...I'm not mad at MeRa and her team. In fact, I am greatful for the opportunity and the experience. I don't even know her and she's already helped me by allowing me to take a risk and step out of my comfort zone. So thank you MeRa and everyone on your team.)

However, I am happy for the three women who did get the call. I'm excited that I will be able to follow them on their journey and learn from what they're doing. It sucks that I won't get the free camera gear and everything else that came along with it, but I'm happy that I can still "tag along" in their journey and still be a part of the SOAR community.

My "feeling hurt" leads to my wishful thinking. Just because I didn't get the call or email doesn't necessarily mean I didn't win. Why? Because in a portion of the application, it asks for my spouse's cell phone number. Why would she want our spouse's cell phone number? So my wishful thinking leads to...what if she called my husband to let him know I won??? I hardly doubt that, but it could happen. I don't think he's capable of holding some exciting information like that, but I'm sure if he really had to he would. So what if I did actually win? I would be the most happy and thankful girl in the world. And if I didn't really win....well, at least I tried my hardest!

Enjoy your Sunday!

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