Blue Monday.

I came across an interesting article on the internet early this morning and it, quite frankly, just made me giggle... I am not superstitions so the spookyness of Friday the 13th doesn't spook me. But maybe since the Friday did not get to me, Monday decided to come after and bite me hard in the tush.

Let me explain.

Of all the days, today - Monday - I woke up later than usual. Felt sicker than before. You see where I'm headed here? I bit my tongue last night as I effortlessly ate french fries as if I had never eaten a meal before in record setting time. So today, the entire half of my right tongue is swollen. Then, I was due for a trip to the orthodontist - ouch. Focus Mary, Focus...

And some punk made me cry last night so I woke up with the worst swollen eyes in a while. Yikes! Trust me, today I was not a pretty picture. 

For most of the morning I could barely hold my eyes open to see... Then comes lunch time and my chicken sand which is missing most of its chicken. Sigh. It's a good thing there are bigger problems in this world. I can overlook this. 

Blue Monday, you may have attacked me but guess what... I'm still standing!!!! Take that gloomy Monday....


I'm jumping in my bed and cuddling the rest of the day away. Oohh, here's the article I mentioned: http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/blue-monday-monday-january-called-depressing-day-year-experts-dispute-formula-article-1.1007019  In it they discuss how the third Monday of the year is typically the gloomiest and most depressing day of the year. Umm, yeah today was the 3rd Monday... grrrr!

What would make my day so much better? A full dose of Drop Dead Diva so I can fall in love again with the ever handsome Grayson. ::googly eyes::

How was your day?!

Night! 
:)

Anatomy of the Website.

HTTP://MARISOLIZAGUIRRE.COM

If you noticed, the Blog got a fresh make-over a few weeks ago. With the blog's new look I remembered it has been almost a year ago when I decided to completely re-design my website and provide it with a very much needed facelift. It was meant to be a weekend project that essentially turned into a month long full of late night creativity. But my goal was accomplished. I am very proud of my website on so many levels. Thus, I wanted to share with you my insight on creating my virtual space...

Let me preface - I am not a graphic designer. I do not know too much HTML. I do not know technical design aspects. What I do know, though, is what I like. 

When I began the re-design process, I wanted the entire site to feel inviting, welcoming, cozy and be a reflection of who I am - my personality. I wanted you to go online and gather a sense of who I am as a photographer and what type of images I enjoy creating. I also wanted it to be fully informational.

Did I achieve my goal? I like to think so but, friends, I'll let you be the judge of that. 

Anyway, I wanted to explain the components of my website, why I chose to do things a certain way and, hopefully, encourage you to share the site with all your family and friends ;)

In terms of software, remember I do not know HTML. Okay, I lie. Sorry! I do know a little about computers, html and all that geeky stuff. But, but it is definitely not my forte. So a few years ago when I was looking for software to use to create my site I came across a program called SHOWIT. When I read up on it and after downloading the program, I realized it was exactly what I had always dreamt of! Personally, I think it is the best and its purposes serve my need plus creativity. The possibilities are truly endless. 

Word of advice, it does cost a pretty penny but, like I just said, it's pretty :) It is definitely a wise investment if you like to create your own site and have lots of fun and freedom doing so. Another plus, it comes with it's own hosting - made my job so much easier. Total perk :)

Okay, so let's move forward with my website... 

On my landing page, also commonly referred to a splash page, I decided to use recent favorites. I noticed I change the image every 4 or 5 months... at least that was the pattern since last year. The landing page is the very first page my clients see when they type in the url (http://marisolizaguirre.com). I created it to appear and then automatically disappear while introducing the home page. <-- Took me a while!


The landing page (above) automatically takes you into the home page of the site. No need to click. I sketched this out on a piece of paper and from here I built my website. I wanted the look to be a mixture of classy, romantic, feminine and whimsical. It has the same color scheme that my office, blog, packaging and everything else I use for my photography uses. When you visit the website, my virtual home, I wanted it to feel as if you were coming in to my office and meeting with me in person. I wanted it to be ME :)


For the About Me section, I wanted to write to you - the reader. I don't favor writing in 3rd person... I am talking to you and I want you to know it. ::wink::


I also have a page where I discuss the Philosophy of my Photography. Although I am a philosopher, I don't go into my world views and/or existential angst discussions... ha! Instead, I want my potential clients to know what my photography is about, my style, and why it is so.


Yva, my lovely assistant made her debut on the website a few weeks ago...



I also decided to throw in a page about my policies... very important. It's good to have your target audience informed.


The calendar on the website is highly important for me. I thought it was a great component to add to the website. That way you are aware of my availability. This is one of my favorite pages... I think it's cool :)


I also have a Client's section where you are able to view your wedding album design and approve it or note any changes we need to make. You can also link out to the proofing galleries where the actual images are stored for online viewing... more on this towards the end.


As for the Gallery portion of the website, I opted of having a specific gallery for each category of photographs I capture...

Weddings. {I included Bridal and Wedding Images here.}



Life.  {I included Newborns, Children, Families and Portraits here.}


Boudoir. {Solely boudoir.}


Then I also included a few featured collections... What I mean by that was that I thought it was imperative that my potential clients see what an entire collection looks like. What do I mean? Websites usually hold snippets of sessions and weddings for very obvious and practical reasons. But I wanted my future brides to catch a glimpse of a collection in its entirety... Engagement Session, Bridal Session and the Wedding. 

Here's Candace and Billy... one of the featured collections. The gallery begins with some of their engagement photos...


 ... and some of Candace's bridal photos....


... and, of course, wedding day images.


There is also a F.A.Q.'s section on the website. I came up with these questions on my own and I consider this page a work in progress. I have more questions and answers I want to include. If you have any suggestions, please feel free to share! I'd love your input :)


The Love Letters section is basically just a page with testimonials... nice comments from my past and current clients. Their form of appreciation... an appreciation I am forever thankful for.


The contact page has all the necessary information for you to get a hold of me :) There is also a contact form you can use for quicker messaging.


Taking a few steps back... the Album Shoppe has all the current Wedding Album Designs for my clients to review as previously mentioned.


Here's an example of a wedding book proofing gallery...


As for music, I searched for weeks for a perfect song I could include. While some photographers do not like music on their websites, understandably so, I like having a tune to accompany the viewing experience. But, you can easily turn the music off by clicking on the speaker sounds at the bottom right hand corner. I also set the volume really low so that you're not frightened if you forget you have your speakers on... just looking out for ya'! 

Here's the tricky but extremely important part... having music on your website can step on toes... copyright toes, that is. No matter how much I wanted to include music from some of my favorite artists I opted against it for the mere and simple fact that I did not have a license to use their music. Thankfully, however, there are options - plenty. 

I used Triple Scoop Music which has a great selection of music for photographers and other creative individuals to license and properly use by purchasing a license. Here, I found the perfect song to accompany the personality of my website, my brand, my photography and me. I chose a beautiful song called God Is by Faith Rivera. I immediately fell in love with the tune the moment I previewed it. It tugged at my heart on so many levels. In my opinion, it reflected my photography and myself in its beautifully written lyrics.


Where I am GOD IS
Where I stand GOD IS standing strong
Where I breathe GOD IS breathing life
In & out & through me…as me

Where I sing GOD IS
Where I dance Joy lifts my feet
Where I live Beauty's flowing free
In & out & through me…as me

Where I doubt GOD IS the faith in me
Where I cry GOD IS the comfort there
Where I seek GOD IS the answer
Here, now, forever & ever & ever…

Where I speak Truth is
Where I work Love is my career
Where I play GOD IS playing boldly
In & out & through me…as me

Where I am 
Where I stand 
Where I play
Where I work & breathe & move & be

Where I sing
Where I dance
Wherever I go
Where I pray & take & give & live

GOD IS…GOD IS…GOD IS…GOD IS

God Is by Faith Rivera

I don't have a studio and, instead, photograph out in the world - where I am happiest. I absolutely love my job and my most important aspect is photographing humanity in its natural element - the world. When I began this journey of building a business, I knew I wanted to photograph the world; it's beautiful and God created such a beautiful place, studio if you will, for me to use. Why would I not want to be out and about?! Thus, when I heard this song it was perfect for me and my brand. This song defines me who I am as a person, not just solely as a photographer. Plus, how could I go wrong with... "Where I work Love is my career..."

And, while the following is not on the SHOWIT platform, I figured I'd share with you my Online Proofing Gallery that I use for my client's images. I use Zenfolio and I am quite happy with it. It is simple and basic but gets the job done. This is what the gallery looks like... still keeping with the color scheme I am literally obsessed with. It, too, matches my office :) I have been using both Showit and Zenfolio for two years going on three... I think I am definitely a fan.


There you have it... the anatomy of my website. I worked very hard to create it. I hope that is serves its purpose fully. What do you think? http://marisolizaguirre.com 

**If you're a photographer and need help with your Showit website, I'd be happy to help or at least chat with you :)

Happy Sunday!

01.07.2012 in Black and White.

I spent the first saturday of 2012 enjoying the sunlight and the company of my beloved mother. For the first time in a very long time, I had no previous plans to adhere to, no work and nothing else to do other than have fun. So what is a girl to do you ask? Shop :)

This is what a drive on a beautiful Saturday afternoon looks like... monochromatically.



I took these images from the passenger seat of my car trough the window as my mom and I shopped. Some are blurry, some are over-exposed while others are under-exposed but all straight from the camera. In each one I saw something... I was wearing my glasses ;)

Happy Day!

**Lovely song... "City Lights" by Brett Bixby.

Vision.

My eyes are straining. 

Let me preface...

Beginning in middle school my vision began to weaken and the need to wear glasses arose. No biggie. But at every new optometrist visit my prescriptions kept increasing dramatically. Yikes. Eventually I graduate to contact lenses and felt a little bit of normal. Except for when I had to take them off and wake up without them. That was my least favorite part of contact lenses. Every morning, I could not fully see until I had them on... total drain. 

But it was a routine, my routine.

Eventually I became a candidate for lasik eye surgery and felt brand-spanking-new when the eye mask came off the next day. Granted, I had the worst, really *the worst* bruising IN my eyes for about two months. Talk about being blue...

But seeing, seeing was amazing. So sharp I could see a haw pick a needle from miles afar. 

Okay, so maybe I couldn't see the needle but my point is that my vision was as sharp as tack.

Umm... but now I am back to wearing glasses. And lately, over the past two months I have been filled with frustration because I feel as if I am literally losing the power in my little, itty bitty eyes. I have resorted to wearing glasses full time and am so bummed out. 

The straining to see clearly leaves me frustrated, annoyed and anxious. 

Can you imagine if all my images came out like this... 

{The gorgeous Christina.}

I like the look but not for an entire collection ;) Ha! I think it's safe to say I will be wearing my glasses at all weddings from now on... ha ha! 

P.S. I was not wearing my glasses when I typed tonight's post... oopsie ;)

Good night!

***Did I just blog about my vision... umm, yes I did. Yikes!

Year in Review... 2011.

The end of 2011 marked the end of my second wedding season.

I survived, yay!!!

2011 has been {____insert a multitude of descriptive adjectives here_____}. The best of 2011 is that the year made me stronger, much stronger. I have learned an immense amount of knowledge on various subjects, photography and life included. 

Another year and I am wiser. Thanks be to God. 

I have so many wonderful memories from 2011 and the romantic weddings I was blessed to be a part of. Jennifer & Rodger, Itzel & Nathan, Jenny & John, Virginia & Omar, Brycee & David, Leslie & Rick, Cinthya & Orlando, and Christina & Marco... Thank you! Thank you for allowing me to share with you on such amazing days. I wish you all the blessings in the world as you embark on your lives together as husbands and wives. Be blessed!

2011 was a year full of love...


2011 was a year for growth...

2011 was a year to teach me...
  1. Speak up.
  2. Dream big.
  3. Say no.
In my personal life, 2011 was a year that pushed me further than before. I fell, deeply, and picked myself back up. I am ready to do it all over again, as many times as necessary until I reach the end of my journey. 

Afraid to be
Afraid to see
Life around me
Keeps moving slowly
Where am I?

I am here
Non-complacent
I am here 
Come and get me

Stay with me
See only me
Say you'll have me
Say we'll be.
2011 © Marisol Izaguirre
08/29/2011

In 2012 I will shine. Brightly :)


What I look forward to...
Being humble. Being free. Being happy. Being me. 

"Just hold me close... don't patronize me..." - Bon Iver

I have no regrets. 

Xoxo,
Marisol 

Adieu.

I bid farewell to 2011 alone, with glasses and a mouth full of metal braces.

Surprisingly enough, I am quite happy.
No more tears. The world is mine to conquer, watch me.


Stay tuned for year end recap posts on the blog in the next few days. It's been a year full of angst but with lots of excitement and tons of blessings.