TGIF! And some portraits

Happy Friday All,
Well haven't I been a busy bee. This photography thing has really taken off, I have been busy busy busy. I think that this could become a business. We will see. Here are some portrait photos I took yesterday. I have a lot more so these might not even be the best, but I think they are worth a peak. I really want to find a baby to photograph.
This weekend is the big trip to Turning Stone Casino to see if that is where we will be having our wedding!!!! Scary thought. We still have a year :) I need to start making arrangements for our engagement photos…. EIK…. Of course I want them to be super artistic and special but in my neck of the woods there aren't many resources.
I am going to head out. Sorry I have been so busy that I haven't been able to make the rounds to say hi this week. Between the camera and editing I have been non-stop!

Big Weekend Smooches,
Steph

Dark Days

I just wanted to give everyone a little taste of what NY has been looking like lately. I LOOOVVEEEE it. Although I am not a huge Twilight fan I can imagine that the Cullen's uprooted their home in "Washington" to come live in the Adirondacks. I can't remember the last time we have seen sun. Seriously we haven't had a day that hasn't had rain forecasted in FOREVER! I just wish I could spend more time in it, I get so inspired, but alas the working 9-5 gets in the way.

I love how the clouds slink over the sun so it casts gray/blue rays everywhere. I am not surprised I don't like the sun, yellow happens to be my least favorite color and I don't like bright yellow light being cast on anything. Although, I do enjoy a brown yellow, or an orange. Everyone calls be strange but I know there are more people like that out there.

So it has been about a month and I believe I am addicted to photography. I get butterflies when I take pictures! I have another photo shoot tomorrow with a nice young lady. These are preliminary shots to see if we will be moving forward with any themed shots. I think she will do very well. Actually we are going to sneak it in between thunderstorms. I could never be so fortunate but I hope the sky stays overcast during the shoot so I don't have to deal with the fun. Although since we haven't had any sun here I haven't gotten the opportunity to use it to my advantage for really backlit artistic shots.

I NEED YOUR HELP!!!! I am trying to think of some objects to take still lifes of (you know thing people would like and potentially want to buy) I have such a sometimes odd style that I don't always know things people like to hang in their house. Any suggestions? What would you like to hang in your house? All ideas are appreciated.

Alright happen Wednesday!

Smoooochhess,
Steph

Well Slap Me and Call Me Tuesday

I hope everyone had a fun and safe holiday weekend. I fear the break wasn't nearly long enough; I could have used another day! I really wish it were Wednesday but hey beggars can't be choosers at least it isn't Monday anymore.

So if you haven't noticed at the top of my screen I have FLICKR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For right now I am just using it for my photography. You know trying to get some input. I PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE beg you to stop over and let me know what you think. I am very new to Flickr and well… don't have many friend (picture the lonely kid in the corner… that is me).

This weekend I was lucky enough to get over the Yaddo Gardens in Saratoga Spring, NY where I live. If you look through my Flickr pictures you will see where Emily is wearing a silk green dress, those are the gardens. This place is so special that there is a HUUUUGGGGEEE stone mansion that invites the best of the best artists from around the world to live there (painters, authors, musicians, etc..) and practice and refine their crafts. This mansion is closed to the public but is has all its original fixtures and décor. It is secluded and beautiful, something that could only be described by Shakespeare. In fact, on the grounds there are cabins and in one of those cabins is where the great Edgar Allen Poe wrote The Raven. I wish I had a telephoto lens to capture the beauty of the building. Here is one of the pictures from the shoot in the garden.

I have to say I am very bummed out :( My Etsy stores have dried up…. I am sure on part of me not putting in any new items, but I can't unless things sell. I am so torn... Do I put my entire Plumes Ami shop on sale and hope things sell or do I wait for Christmas to roll around. Really my funds are dried up and I can't afford to buy much more to create more art :(. Plus, I think I made a huge ambitious mistake and bit off more than I can chew. I will probably give everything a little more time to see if there is any turn around if I add some new items. Yes, it is discouraging but even more so frustrating because I spent most of my resources and efforts building some that is flopping. The only solace I have is that the economy everywhere has crashed and I am not the only one in the boat.

This has been a strange couple of months for me and I can't seem to figure out why. Maybe it is all of the transitions I have been through. Maybe because there have been times where my soul has been broken and I have had to get back up. I think this year in general has really tested my will and my full value of self will only be recognized when I see how I put all the pieces back together. I think I am becoming a new person. What a funny thing… the transition from child to adult.


I hope everyone had a fun and safe holiday weekend. I fear the break wasn't nearly long enough; I could have used another day! I really wish it were Wednesday but hey beggars can't be choosers at least it isn't Monday anymore.

So if you haven't noticed at the top of my screen I have FLICKR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For right now I am just using it for my photography. You know trying to get some input. I PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE beg you to stop over and let me know what you think. I am very new to Flickr and well… don't have many friend (picture the lonely kid in the corner… that is me).

This weekend I was lucky enough to get over the Yaddo Gardens in Saratoga Spring, NY where I live. If you look through my Flickr pictures you will see where Emily is wearing a silk green dress, those are the gardens. This place is so special that there is a HUUUUGGGGEEE stone mansion that invites the best of the best artists from around the world to live there (painters, authors, musicians, etc..) and practice and refine their crafts. This mansion is closed to the public but is has all its original fixtures and décor. It is secluded and beautiful, something that could only be described by Shakespeare. In fact, on the grounds there are cabins and in one of those cabins is where the great Edgar Allen Poe wrote The Raven. I wish I had a telephoto lens to capture the beauty of the building. Here is one of the pictures from the shoot in the garden.

I have to say I am very bummed out L My Etsy stores have dried up…. I am sure on part of me not putting in any new items, but I can't unless things sell. I am so torn... Do I put my entire Plumes Ami shop on sale and hope things sell or do I wait for Christmas to roll around. Really my funds are dried up and I can't afford to buy much more to create more artL. Plus, I think I made a huge ambitious mistake and bit off more than I can chew. I will probably give everything a little more time to see if there is any turn around if I add some new items. Yes, it is discouraging but even more so frustrating because I spent most of my resources and efforts building some that is flopping. The only solace I have is that the economy everywhere has crashed and I am not the only one in the boat.

This has been a strange couple of months for me and I can't seem to figure out why. Maybe it is all of the transitions I have been through. Maybe because there have been times where my soul has been broken and I have had to get back up. I think this year in general has really tested my will and my full value of self will only be recognized when I see how I put all the pieces back together. I think I am becoming a new person. What a funny thing… the transition from child to adult.

Big Smooches To All Of You,
Steph

Thank you Rod Serling

"You're traveling through another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind; a journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of imagination. That's the signpost up ahead - your next stop, the Twilight Zone!"

Ahh that is right folks! Last night at 12midnight (just like a do every 4th of July weekend) I started to watch the Twilight Zone marathon on Sci Fi. Seriously, this time every year it feels like Christmas. I have the chance to relive my favorite episodes and a chance to watch the ones I had missed. In all honesty the Twilight Zone captured the true essence of thrill. They didn't need blood and gore they used your mind. After all it is a dimension of the mind.

So every year without fail I sit and I watch all I can while trying to not 'waste time' Luckily here in NY we have been having non-stop rain for months so I don't think outdoor activities will be at an all time high. Not only do I love the rain but it embodies the perfect atmosphere for watching the ever chilling series that good ol' Rod Serling started so many moons ago. So while I drink my Mimosa I would like to tip my hat to Rod Serling and thank him for allowing me to capture bits of my childhood and freeze them forever…. In the Twilight Zone.

On a separate note, HAPPY 4th of July. I will probably be scarce over the weekend as I try not to be on the computer too much since I am on it all week. But I hope everyone drive safe and smart, enjoys family and friends, and has fun celebrating our independence!

Oh and one last thing before I go. I made an out home lighting studio last night and photographed cupcakes. Here is a sneak peek! I will post them next week!

BIG SMOOCHES,
Steph

Rain Days=Trash the Dress

I am sure that many of you have heard about trashing the dress. Of course it normally pertains to wedding dresses but I decided to mix it up. At first I didn't like the idea of some one ruining a dress just to ruin something but after I looked at some pictures I realized they might ruin the dress but they are making beautiful memories and photographs. Honestly I learned to love the juxtaposition between a beautiful/proper dress and opposite actions.

Again here is Emily. She is my favorite muse, although, I am looking for new models to give Emily a break. If any one is familiar with NY we have been getting non-stop rain. Yesterday (the day of the shoot) we had storm watches/warning/advisories, we also had flooding and the list goes on. She stood out in the rain and I think we got some amazing shots. Take a peek.

Some of them might appear a tad blurry. They aren't in 'real life' these are 3rd generation saves!

We are suppose to get the same weather tonight and tonight is ghost hunters… so I am very okay with this!

Comments are always welcomed!

Happy mid-week. I don't know about all of you have I am excited for my Friday off!

Please scroll down to see all of the pictures.

SMOOOCHES,
Steph

Run, Don't Walk, From The……..SLOB

You thought the blob was scary?!?!! Well, you haven't met the slob­­­­­­- me. I am sure most of you have noticed that there hasn't been much art coming from me lately. Yes, I have been busy with vacation, weddings, and photography but I am afraid I have committed a serious offense. I would go as far as saying I committed a crime against humanity. This is my art table.(insert terrible horror scream).

I haven't produced art because I can't seem to get to my art table. Sadly, it has been this way since I feel ill 3 months back. I just haven't cleaned it. Sure there has been time, but… cleaning is no fun! But I miss my painting and in order to paint I need my table back.

In all fairness, I use everything that is on that table and I just don't have the proper storage. In fact, that desk is SQUISHED in the corner of my living room. It is the pits. Not the kind of location that breeds creative thoughts. We have been looking for a new place but can't seem to find anything in our price range (especially during track season). We live right next to Saratoga Race Tack (horse racing).

To make matters worse all of my sewing supplies are 30 mins away so every time I want to sew I have to drive. There is just no room. Trust me it gets worse, our eat in kitchen houses Adam's desk and computer so there is no eating table! We can't even have people over for dinner.

Well well well, people tell me that even if I had a mansion there wouldn't be enough room for all of my 'stuff'. But, I know that everyone here knows that art supplies takes up a lot of space. So next time you see me… Don't walk, run as fast as you can in the opposite direction, for if I touch you, you might become a slob.

Happy Tuesday

Smooches
Steph

As For Friday

WOW....
Excuse me if I seem out of it. This morning has been rough. I normally get up at 7:40am to get ready for work. I haven't been sleeping great lately so last night I must have fallen into a REALLY deep sleep. This morning I heard an alarm go off, since I am the only one that works on Friday I figured it was my alarm and struggled to get up and go take a shower. I am standing in the shower thinking about how exhausted I am and that this week of little sleep really did me in. I get out and do my make-up and my hair, I get dressed and have breakfast. Then I sit down at the computer to check my email and I realize it is only 7:20am!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had gotten up a whole hour early and it was ADADADADAMMMMM who set his alarm and failed to tell me he was getting up early today to work on his mom's car. Honestly I could have killed him. Now I am EXHAUUUUSSTED to the 10th degree, and the exhaustion is accompanied by a MASSIVE headache!



To make matters more difficult we have to take a 5 hour trip tonight to NJ for my brother's wedding tomorrow. UGH!!!!!!!!!! So I told Adam that I am going to have to get some sleep in the car or I will just be ugly.

I wasn't going to post these picture but....here they are... I took these around town the other day. I put antiquing filters on them, but I am a little disappointed. When I was enhancing them they didn't look AS contrived but once I saved them they seemed a little vintage overdone. OHHHH TWELLL..




I still have so much more learning to do technically with understanding the electronic mode of photography. I am nervous that since I messed with the setting so much that is has messed the settings up because now I am having issues getting crisp shots. MAN I wish we had dslr classes. So here are my purposely antiqued photos that I named "Vintage Saratoga"



In my time of photography (and with that I include my video photography) I MUCH perfer to capture subjects that have souls. I love finding out who a person is through their eyes. I like the story that they tell me without speaking. I like that interaction that I just can't seem to get when photographing nature. If I could I would photograph people all day. I know this is unrealistic so I will enjoy what I can get right now :)







HAPPPPY Weekend,

Smooches,
Steph

Stephanie Mannuci Photography

Stephanie Mannuci Photography

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I know it doesn't hurt to have such a beautiful subject but I am very pleased with the way these turned out! I took them in overcast weather (PEEERFECT picture taking weather that is)
I didn't use a flash because I really don't like flashes and the artificial look. I like raw natural live color and beauty.
This is Adam's sister Emily and she is a wonderful person inside and out (I am sure you can see that.) She has so many dimensions that she really becomes the perfect subject. She lets you in and allows you to see what is behind those baby blues. I can't wait to take more pictures with her!

She has a good heart and she was very patient with me. Not everyone likes to get their picture taken! I didn't have to twist her arm too hard once I told her she could have the photos.

I really wanted to capture the lush greens in juxtaposition to her pale hair and skin

Now I am totally changing topics since I just need to write this to write it. I like to share my thoughts and feelings as much as I can. I want people to understand my art and to do that I think it is nice to let people see who you are as a person. More important to see that not everything is perfect and beautiful all the time. I know some time ago I wrote about my love for imperfection. I should have wrote more about coming to terms with imperfection. So I guess this is what I am doing now.

"Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

If I could live by one quote I would love to live by this one. Lately (and by that I mean the last year) I have been struggling with this and big time. I hold everything to such a high standard, including myself but I fail to recognize that nothing is perfect. Also I fail to realize that I can't change and control everything. Honestly it has caused a huge upheaval and I can't seem to come to terms with acceptance. I am not even sure how to accept and the more I reflect I am not sure if I have ever just accepted anything. I wish to be at easy but I always feel as though I am in a constant battle......I want to be at ease, I want to taste serenity, if only once.







I would like to say I am slowly working on it. But I don't know where to start. I find it very hard to understand life right now, I know it is such a beautiful thing and there are some aspects about it I love, I love creating and sharing my creations with others. I love talking with people who share in similar interests. But in all the beauty inner turmoil always finds me. Really I am tired of being Debbie Downer. There is so much I enjoy and want to share but certain outside influences never allow me to fully blossom. I am held back from what I know I can achieve and I become bitter. I am in a situation that won't last forever but a situation that keeps me from pursuing my arts. A situation that is necessary and a situation I must give acceptance. This is strange because I never let anything beat me.....but I feel if I don't accept it I will be beating myself in the end.

I wish everyone a WONDERFUL Wednesday. I know Ghost Hunters are on tonight and Adam will be home so in all honestly it doesn't get much sweeter than that!

Please leave any comments you would like to about the photos. I love to hear feedback! No really please critique

Smooooochhhess,

Steph

Tuesday Suprise

OKay folks this is my big surprise... I FINALLLLLLLLYYYYYYY broke down and bought a real D-SLR. I can't tell you how over the moon I am about this little guy.

Adam and I call her the baby. HEHE we are silly. We actually totally personified the camera and since it hangs around my neck 24/7 we thought it was only proper to treat it like a baby.

I still have a TON to learn since the only other camera a used besides a point and shoot was an old film 35-mm for a short period of time. Well I have a college concentration in video editing and photography but this is considerably different

I am still getting hung up about how to get the right amount of light when I am shooting in the dark (and I don't want to use the flash.) I am finding that to be the most challenging.

Adam's sister and I did a photo shoot yesterday and I have to say the pictures came out Great! well at least I think so. I believe there is pleasing composition and good use of the 3rds rule. I have a bunch more but I will save them for another time when I unveil her portfolio. Of course just for fun but you never know, I might become a pro photog yet!

Happy Tuesday everyone! Please be prepared to see a lot more pictures than art as now I am trying my hand at this new wonderful amazing medium!

Alllllll suggestions are always welcomed and appreciated!

Smmochesssss,

Steph