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July 01, 2009  This Winter was HARSH. I know some of the Pacific Northwest veterans, and perhaps even inhabitants of states such as Minnesota or Wisconsin laugh at me, but it was HARSH. For many reasons: like the two week arctic blast in December, or the tough times, or the lack of thunderstorms. So unlike a couple very silly people who detest temperatures above 60 farenheit (seriously!) I AM FREAKIN ECSTATIC ABOUT OUR 94 DEGREE "HEAT WAVE" THIS WEEK. Like, BRING IT ON AND DEAL WITH IT, PORTLAND. I honestly love feeling the heat on my skin, sweating a little bit (hey, it can be hot!) and being able to wear a tiny tank top and short shorts. Oh... and no longer being the whitest Puerto Rican I know. There's finally color in my skin. Thank you Sun. It's like a little bit of my Island is back with me. mmm. Posted by starmagn at 11:14 PM | Comments (3)  June 27, 2009
Peonies + sunshine + camera = lovely combination of the greatest things on Earth. HEARTS!
Posted by starmagn at 10:00 PM | Comments (7) June 26, 2009  Thank you, thank you Mr. Gene Roddenberry, for creating a future world where humans have conquered all their petty differences in order to unite as an entity and explore the vast unknown universe. Thank you for Star Trek, for your peaceful and progressive vision. Along with Star Wars, I still escape to your world whenever I need to calm myself, whenever I feel like I am losing faith in humanity. Good will ALWAYS triumph. I know, I TRULY know this in my heart, that someday we will be out there, past this tiny solar system, spreading a message of peace and awesomeness. I dream of it every night. Thank you, sir. We miss you down here. JJ Abrams - I LOVE you and I want to MARRY YOU. Thank you for reviving the franchise! {yes, it took me forever to watch it, so what} Posted by starmagn at 02:51 AM | Comments (0)
My brother Pedro first visited me in Portland back in September 2008. Upon arrival he quickly realized how close I lived to Washington and Canada so we ditched all Portland plans and drove up to Seattle and Canada. He never really saw Portland. This time he came with the intention of seeing what Portland was all about... I took him to the coast and to some waterfalls east of the city. Yeah. Didn't see much of Portland this time either! ^_^ No matters, all sorts of fun was had.
I hope you visit me again! Andmaybe this time I'll show you around Portland :P
Posted by starmagn at 02:11 AM | Comments (2) June 25, 2009
Back in 2004 I began Today, I count Sarah as one of my dearest dearest dearest friends. We finally met in real life back in September 2008 when I journeyed into the Great Country of Canada via Chiliwack, BC. I am pleased to feature Sarah's latest photographic project: A quirky fashion shoot inspired by Alice in Wonderland and Marie Antoinette. I am SO proud of Sarah and her achievements and ask that you You can view this Alice in Wonderland set on her Flickr. Can't wait to see you again, Sarah, and have some crazy photoshoots with crazy wild dresses on the streets of Chiliwack! Posted by starmagn at 04:23 PM | Comments (2)  Yes, I am RE-TOTALLY-BUILDING my portfolio AND blog... which means I am moving it ALL to amynietophotography.com. Which means that in a few weeks you might have to change your subscription address. Which reminds that this blog is a hassle to actually subscribe to. So while this blog is still going on you can subscribe by adding the following link to your rss reader of choice: A hassle, I know. BUT I CAN'T WAIT TO SWITCH TO WORDPRESS AND HAVE A BRAND NEW SPANKING WEBSITE ONCE I FREAKIN FIGURE OUT THIS SIMPLE CSS CODE. GRRR. Posted by starmagn at 03:24 PM | Comments (2)
Though it is tough to view all the items in this sketchbook page, I think it conveys a very peaceful environment. Which is where I would like to be right now. The neighbor is drilling something in his backyard, my sinus is on full Annoyance-set-to-kill mode and my body and mind are just... not aligned with each other AT ALL. I feel very unease, anxious, worried, restless and annoyed. This has been going on for weeks and, if my darkening eyebags are to tell, it's taking a toll on me. I just need something to HAPPEN. I know good things don't happen overnight, but I NEED SOMETHING TO HAPPEN. And right now, NOTHING is happening. Le sigh. (As always, click image above to view bigger) Posted by starmagn at 03:05 PM | Comments (3) June 20, 2009 So in the past two days I've had the pleasure of being *loved* by two of my favorite blog/artists in the blogosphere!   This morning I had the nicest surprise! EZ of Creature Comforts featured my blog in one of her blog roundups. Squeee! I've been following her writings and great eye for design for a while, one of my favorites style and design outlets out there. Her photography has the most wonderful simplicity I've ever seen. Ladies, thank you thank you! *HEARTS!!!!* To conclude this entry, I must share a small video of my friends Kjell and Kim's Polychromatic150 show at Albina Press on SE. Kjell and Kim own and operate Plywerk, a service that offers a totally awesome alternative to traditional framing. A total of 150 photos mounted on bamboo plywood represented the color spectrum in a wonderful array of places, flowers, people, objects and more. Four different artists contributed to this fantastic show. And yes, the girl in the super ugly olive shirt is me. That's my work uniform. Ugh. I'm off to bed, for this weekend I have an awesome person visiting me: MY BROTHER. hip hip horay! Posted by starmagn at 03:10 AM | Comments (6) June 18, 2009
After nearly a year since my arrival to this grand City of Roses (and peonies), I FINALLY made my way to one of the weekly farmer's market that we have during the Good Months of the Year (Yeah, In Caps). Once again, Linnea, was my partner in photographic crime, and we set out bright and early to beat the rush (she arrived before I did because I just can't seem to wake up at 7 am, come on). We had a grand time. If you come to visit me, I will totally take you to the Market. Yet another thing that makes me glad I moved all the way out here ^_^ By the way, Linnea has some awesome pictures up on her blog. Check 'em outz!
Seriously, everytime I pass by a college building of any sort, I get this strange urge to go back to school. It needs to stop BECAUSE I AM NEVER GOING BACK TO SCHOOL EVER NEVER AGAIN.
Posted by starmagn at 03:46 PM | Comments (13) June 16, 2009  Ahhh if only I didn't have the blackest thumb in the Known Universe I would have the prettiest prettiest garden. But I don't because I am currently killing my succulents. Yeah. Exactly. Inspired by these AMAZING beauties here, here and here (and of course, by my obsession with ban.do) I set out to figure out how to make those fabric rosebuds. I'm assuming they just wrapped the fabric around like a tutsy roll (great comparison, amy). So I did just that...and couldn't stop... at 1AM, knowing full well I would regret this the next morning at work. But look at them! They're so cute! I turned the brown one on the bottom into a hair clip. This one is different from the rest, I simply cut several circles of varying sizes, sewed the middle, pulled the thread and scrunched it up. Then I "burned" the edges with a lighter so they would curl up. Which is not a good thing to do on your bed in an old 1920s house. yeah. No. Anyways, SUPER CUTEZZZZZZZZ!!!! Posted by starmagn at 12:22 AM | Comments (5) June 14, 2009
So, today I joined Twitter. I hesitated for a long time. But I gave in. I can hear the four hoursemen of the Apocalypse galloping near me. This will be the end of me, I tell ya! Posted by starmagn at 11:38 PM | Comments (2) June 11, 2009  These are just a few of my favorite things (to send to clients)! ^_^ I am OBSESSED with the paper lace I bought from this wonderful seller, A Bohemian Market, at etsy. I highly recommend :)
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Roomie E brought me a humongous cupcake just because today. I admit giving cupcakes do not require special events or elaborate excuses, but "just becauses" are seriously the best kind. :) We should all totally bring back Random Acts of Kindness and Awesomeness. :) Posted by starmagn at 02:51 AM | Comments (1) June 03, 2009
Y'all know me. If you don't, well, my name is Amy and I'm a very simple kind of girl. Super girly things like fashion and shoes are not on top of my to-do/priority list. Camera gear is. A new bike is. While, I guess I have a colorful sense of style, I just really don't pay that much attention to fashion at all. Don't even get me started on shoes. I have six pairs of shoes and that's it. I am Tomboy Amy at heart. All of that disappears when it comes to gowns. Especially dramatic, fashion-forward, cutting-edge, extravagant, exquisite, decadent gowns like the one featured above. OH MY! Excessive ruffles and pleats. THAT gets me going like nothing else. During my Fashion Photography course in college I bought several types of fabric to create flowing, draped gowns to be worn by dancers for a project I was planning on doing (which I never did). I drew maybe a dozen designs, quickly realizing I kinda wished I had majored in Fashion (for a good two years I WAS surrounded by fabric and 120 film rolls. Chaotic college years). Who are some of your favorite fashion designers? What is your general opinion on fashion/fashion industry? Posted by starmagn at 03:43 AM | Comments (8) May 28, 2009 Continuing coverage of Lauren and Evan's Savannah, GA wedding, we now focus to the PARTY. Where the GOOD things happen. ^_^
Thanks for reading!! Hearts! Posted by starmagn at 12:54 AM | Comments (11)
Lauren and Evan got married in my dear Savannah, GA last month, during a wonderful weekend surrounded by fun friends and family. I am so honored they picked me, all the way across the USA, to capture this joyous occasion. Awesome!
More to come! Posted by starmagn at 12:25 AM | Comments (1) May 27, 2009
About three months ago (I know, I'm slow) I photographed Sara and Mike's intimate wedding ceremony in their old elementary school in Forest Grove, OR. They're a fun and simple couple and I love how that was evident in their union. To be honest with you, these are my fave types of wedding. Small, yet brimming with love, laughter, joy. Congrats to you both, Sara and Mike! Hearts!
Posted by starmagn at 07:24 PM | Comments (1)
I can almost always count on Linnea to be my co-pilot in photographic adventures. A wonderful afternoon sun welcomed me as I left my morning shift at work, and even though I've been sick for the past 5 days, I realized I needed to be outdoors. Pollen be damned! I called Linnea up and little did I know she had just purchased her very first 50mm prime lens and was desperate to burn it away! So with the combined power of our super nifty 50mm f1.8 lenses we headed to Sauvie Island, at around 7:30pm, an hour before sundown, when the Pacific Northwest personally thanks you for being patient throughout the Winter and shares with you her amazing beauty.
OH, on our way back, while still in the island, I encountered for the first time ever a deer in its natural habitat. It friggin' hopped OUT OF NOWHERE, across the road, and out to the meadow. While I was full of glee from seeing a deer for the first time, I WAS SCARED AS CRAP because that thing HOPPED OUT OF NOWHERE AND COULD'VE EASILY HIT MY CAR WHOSE LEASE WILL BE UP IN LESS THAN A MONTH AND OMG IF THAT HAD HAPPENED I WOULD'VE KILLED THAT DEER WITH MY BARE HANDS. But it was still adorable. Hoppity hop. How was y'alls weekend? Oh yeah, I would like to holla at all the men and women throughout our history who have had the balls of steel to join the Armed Services and fought for this insane country. Like, seriously. War must be HARD. Hearts! Posted by starmagn at 02:24 AM | Comments (3) May 22, 2009
Took a nice walk under the warmth last Saturday around noon. Everything is green and ready for Summer. What an absolutely WONDERFUL feeling. I don't think I've anticipated Summer as much as I am doing now. I wonder if the owners of the house light up those lanterns. The outdoor gathering thing is still kicking, I see.
Also this is my current To-Do list (plus a myriad of things I'm forgetting): Not included here is REDESIGN WEBSITE NOW. or WATCH STAR TREK. Because it frustrates me that I'm not doing those! GRRR I NEED MY STAR TREK!!!! This is never-ending and all of these items require like at least an hour and I really don't have a lot of time in my hands. The internet is frustrating. Happy weekend! {also, if you're on Facebook please join me as I celebrate SLOW JAM FRIDAYS. Just post a link to your favorite Slow jam... preferably from the 90s....complete with music video shot with soft filters. AWW YEAH} Posted by starmagn at 03:34 AM | Comments (5) May 20, 2009 
I've been figuring out ways to decorate my room with what I already have. A good percentage of my life is STILL in boxes. This past weekend I took down the bed sheet that served as a curtain for months and months on our dining room and made it into an actual curtain. That felt so good. Ahhh the process, the process. I share with y'all Sketchbook Page #3, featuring the color green (or grass green, as I call it) and bright whites contrasted with dark blacks...and a wonderful mustard-colored Winter coat for good measure :) I've been thinking more and more about outdoor gatherings. I hope to host my own this Summer. I have never hosted anything. Holy crap. Disaster! As always, click on image to view bigger. Hearts! Posted by starmagn at 11:38 PM | Comments (2) May 19, 2009
I looked at my cell phone calendar on Friday morning before finally getting out of bed (late, of course), and I realized that between April 22nd and May 15th I only had two days off, one of which was spent sneezing my entrails away. My dear manager has finally given me weekends off, and what a great weekend to have off! Highs of friggin' 85!!! WOOOOOOO!!! My 80 degree weather is (kinda) here! Sunday was a lazy kind of day (though I spent a great amount of it editing and editing). It was PERFECT. My sweet roommate E rolled out of her room, I took a quick glance in and saw the heavenly light shining through. I HAD to capture it. I simply love how her room is what a lazy Sunday afternoon should look like. Bright, bed unmade, boots right next to the bed, thinking of squeezing fresh orange juice and maybe plotting a quick run around the neighborhood. Effortlessly styled. Things are still a little shaky down here in the Amy Nieto Division, but my golly, scenes like this elevate my spirits. How was your weekend? Did you accomplish all your goals? I did, surprisingly (edit, work out, convert old sheets into curtains for the dining room, clean the bathroom, and cook). Hearts.
Posted by starmagn at 04:03 AM | Comments (4) May 16, 2009  Which I only do like once every two months and when I do it seems like I rather be photographing, when I should be, you know, making sure I don't burn my food! I'm special like that. I cooked this yummylicious and super simple pasta primavera recipe my friend Linnea had cooked for me last week. I am having delusions of grandeur and am currently plotting a Puerto Rican dinner for friends sometime this Summer. Also, the very-close-to-the-equator Caribbean in me is STILL fascinated at how it can be bright as day at 8 o'clock in the EVENING, despite having lived in the States for 7 years. Seriously. I think it's AWESOME. You Americans better not take this for granted.
Posted by starmagn at 11:08 PM | Comments (5) May 11, 2009  So as not to be too emo in this blog, I'll share another page from my sketchbook. This is one of my faves :) Click on image to view bigger Posted by starmagn at 04:07 AM | Comments (1) 
The Business Workshop featured several renowned photographers who talked about setting your brand apart from the rest, how to create direct-mail campaigns, genius ways on selling prints by the millions, how to pamper your clients, etc, etc. I left the conference feeling optimistic and ready to take Portland by storm with my new fancy marketing skillzzzz!.... It hasn't happend yet (granted, I do have a day job that is supposed to be part-time but we all know that's not how it goes. And granted, I do EVERYTHING in my life by myself, laundry, errands, cooking. And granted, I do have time-management issues - but none of that is the point right now). It's been dead slow (have you noticed?) and am struggling with structuring the pricing of my services so I can be a pro like all those gals and guys at the conference. But something a friend and previous client told me made me stop altogether. She hired me earlier in the Fall 08 for a fun shoot with her boyfriend not only because A) she loved my work, but B) also because my pricing at the time was accessible to her (it was in my super newbie phase). It was very tough for her to find a photographer whose work and rates matched what she needed. She appreciated their photography, but just couldn't shell out $500. Immediately I felt defensive about why we photographers MUST charge what we charge, because guess what? The Conference taught me that we must search for the higher end clients who CAN afford $1000+ on a family session because they're the ONLY ones who appreciate the value and time that we provide with our services. Wait, how did I let myself believe this, even for 5 minutes? So not true. Yes, photographers - and clients, alike - must be aware of all the expenses that go into that $200 session fee + $300+ Hi-Res disc CD fee (this website offers a pretty realistic breakdown). I can't charge $100 for session and CD, it is nowhere near cost-effective for me. That's a no-brainer. Don't forget freelancers must reserve approximately 30% off every money we receive, ideally, to be put into a No-Surprises-At-Tax-Time savings account. The Conference taught us we should not be ashamed to upsell. Is this reason enough for me to charge hundreds, upon hundreds, and even thousands of dollars for my service? I grew up poor, in the projects of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. We could never have even thought we could afford something like this. Accessibility for the lower-classes has been a very sensitive subject for me throughout my upbringing. I wanted my photography to be accessible to those families who love photography, candid memories of their little kiddies, or to a couple who understands the value that wedding picture will have in 50 years - PRICELESS. Yet, I let myself believe that's not the income bracket I'm supposed to be gunning my energy. What's wrong with NOT demanding a mininum of $500 in prints collections alone? What's wrong with NOT upselling like a car-salesman on crack? What's wrong with providing a service for PEOPLE LIKE ME? Am I, college-educated photographer, really that damn exclusive? I may get laughed at for taking this stance, accused I'm selling myself short. That's fine. While it may work great for others, I just have no desire in charging $7000+ for a wedding, no matter how many pretty custom albums I offer in a package. In my last course in college, a lady came to our class to sort of "audition" for us with the hopes of attaining a teaching position with the program. After she was done, our professor asked each of us our opinion of her audition. A few students expressed she needed to travel more, in response to the body of work she presented, which featured photographic "portraits" of her Southern rural town. I inwardly rolled my eyes. Another student finally expressed what I felt: So what if she hasn't traveled (not that we knew anything about her life, really); is the vision of a woman or man who has lived in the same town for his/her entire lifespan less relevant than that of the constant world-traveler? The answer? Not at all. My own answer shocked me, as I've always been of the thought of "OMG how can someone live in the same town for over 50 years?!??!". This late-night essay by no means is meant to offend photographers who have higher pricing structures. It is what you do. I'm just trying to figure out how to do what I love, to make people smile, to make them laugh, to make them love, in an accessible manner..... all while being able to friggin pay off my student loans. Seriously, $100,000* just to cuddle with large-format cameras?!? (mmm Cambo 4x5, though mmmm) Crazy. Thanks for reading, though.
** WAS smart. I took math again in my Junior year in college and I couldn't even solve for x= a + b. Wasn't I like a freakin math genius in high school? Didn't I participate in our nerdy regional math competitions? What the heck happened, Amy!!! I miss solving for f!. *** Seriously, I LOVED ALGEBRA. It was my HOMEY. Posted by starmagn at 01:29 AM | Comments (8) May 07, 2009  Yes, I own heart-shaped iced trays. You gotta problem with dat? No? Good, LET'S DRINK!
Posted by starmagn at 02:42 PM | Comments (3) May 06, 2009  In a VERY annoying funk. I'll be back whenever life stops throwing random crap at me. SRSLY. I'm doing allright... just.... annoyed and frustrated. I need my 80 degree weather NOW.
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