San Francisco...Portrait City

My best friend Danielle, now living in New York, has talked about how much she misses San Francisco. At the time a New Yorker myself, and a "there's no place better than New York" New Yorker at that, I always thought "whatever they just painted the bridge orange right?" After visiting though and experiencing firsthand the wonderful culture, great scenery, amazing food and the general vibe, I see that San Francisco really is a great city!

The first part of my trip I was there on business (for real life), my mind filled with thoughts of Smart Grids and Intellectual Property. With the jet lag and long days preparing for the seminar I was planning, I'm surprised I had the wherewithal to fit in a bit of photography, let alone keep my eyes open. I won't bore you with the pictures I took of attorney panels, and engaged attendees fervently taking notes, but instead I will bore you with some portrait shots I got of my friends while visiting. :)

This is my friend CJ. Best friends since middle school, CJ moved to San Francisco years ago, and I took the weekend, after the seminar was over, to go visit. She allowed me to use our friendship to my advantage, and keep her out in the cold, tears streaming down her face til I got this shot. What a great sport, and um...worth it! The moon provided the perfect backdrop for CJ's new HOT hairstyle and beautiful skin tone. I gotta say I was pretty pleased.

Next up was Ginny. I just met Ginny, but she is one of those infectious (in a good way...not a go to the Dr. to get rid of it kind of way) people you instantly connect with, which I think came through in the shots I took. We left CJ to revel in her new sectional sofa and headed just steps away to the water (yes...steps). It was a beautiful day just before dusk and during the course of our conversation I just kept clicking away. With no posing (seriously!) Ginny made a wonderful subject allowing me to catch these shots in the midst of our conversation. Just beautiful when it all comes together like it did that day.

Later that evening we were heading down a hill that was a bit muddy from the day's earlier rain. Yes in a creative fever I forced everyone to climb this hill so I could get a few shots. And yes...yes I did fall up the hill...literally onto my face (luckily camera was safe!) just a few moments earlier. We were all hysterically laughing as CJ's sister Alicia screamed for her life, but when CJ reached for her hand to help her down I grabbed my camera and caught this:

There was something beautiful about their afros against the night sky, and the connection that has blossomed between the two, who I remember from our younger days never being close. My cheesy, idealistic moment was interrupted by Alicia's screams of terror as she slipped her way down the hill, but at least it will always live on in that shot.

Since this blog is about photography AND modeling I should probably mention I met Tyra Banks and she asked me to be on America's Next Top Model. Um...yeah right, but I seriously did meet Tyra! She was perfectly pleasant and sweet as can be! I wonder if all those diva stories we've heard have anything to do with paparazzi shoving cameras into her face or the general lack of privacy she faces on a regular basis. I know when I have paparazzi around I become a bit of a diva myself...

All in all San Francisco was a great time. Even the karaoke bar they dragged me to, where I suffered through renditions of Bohemian Rhapsody and an obscure medley from Rent, but then a surprisingly amazing Billie Jean. I guess sometimes you have to suffer through the bad singing and falling up hills to get that made it all worthwhile moment.

Danielle I get it...

until next time! ;)

--Sona

Welcome!

When I first started thinking about writing a blog, I wasn't sure what to write. To be completely honest, i'm still not exactly sure, but I'm thinking the subject matter will involve photography (duh!) and modeling. Feedback is always welcomed and if there's something you're interested in hearing me discuss let me know!

I figured my first post should be a little bit about me so here goes: I'm an Aries...you may not care about that, but Blogger gave me an option to share my astrological sign on my profile so I thought it might be important. Let's see...I currently live in Charlotte, NC, although I'm originally from New York and still consider myself a New Yorker at heart - as do the people I honk or yell at from my rolled down car window.

I have an awesome husband who I've known for the majority of my life, and wanted to marry even as a young girl when he used to take me home from school. He of course didn't know I was alive being all three years older and cooler than me. But he finally figured it out and realized how amazing I am (yes I'm being facetious), and we have been happily married for over a year now. Since we've known each other since I was 8, it seems like a lot longer - but in a good way. He has been incredibly supportive of my modeling and photographic endeavors, and i'm so happy to have him in my life! OK enough gushing for one post...

So that brings me to my aforementioned endeavors. I have been modeling for about 5 years, and am currently signed with Directions USA in Greensboro, NC.

I have done everything from runway to print to fit sessions and really enjoyed it! It was never a make or break career move for me, since I'm not trying to be the next Naomi, Tyra or Gisele. I just figured if I could get into it and make some money doing it why not? So enough about my fake life...

In real life I work for a law firm in Business Development, which I also enjoy. My real life consists of work, hanging with the hubby, and continuing to enjoy (and sometimes not) homeownership. I consider modeling fake life because where else would you have people do your hair and makeup tell you you're fabulous and make you feel like the center of everyone's world only to boot you out to the harsh realities of real life once the job is done?

So let's get to the main point: my photography. I have always had an interest in photography, dating back to high school, but have developed more of a love for it over the years. I sneak tips from photographers on shoots in fake life, and take advice from my godfather and uncle who are both photographers. Although i have an affinity for photographing models, I am just as excited about portraits, especially families and children, and nature shots as well, all evidenced on my website.

Having been on the other side of the camera gives me a unique perspective as a photographer because I know what my subjects are going through! Sometimes it can be nerves, or an unexplainable quivering of the lip (is that just me?), or discomfort etc. Whatever it may be, rest assured I've felt it too and will try my best to help you relax and have a good time. Anyone can tell you that I'm a big goof that likes to laugh and have fun, so shooting with me will always be a great time! Come see for yourself...

until next time! ;)

--Sona