Amy Nieto Photography + Design

At times I feel this unquenchable desire to learn more and more about the human condition, about each and every one of my friends, about strangers. I want to know all the stories that make up the 90 year old residents that I serve meals to every day at my day job.

While I am not the brilliant, curious anthropologist I always wanted to be, I am quite happy I am able to map out the stories of human kind with my camera. Map them out, connect them and create a chart to guide our future in the right direction.

Also, I have been shooting with film non stop for the past month. My computer's failing CPU thanks me.

This session marked the first time I ever stepped into Downtown Vancouver, WA. Quaint and adorable, as were Sarah, Trevor and baby Charlotte. :)

Baby Charlotte loved entertaining us with her patented "Touchdown!" pose. I was very amused!

I really love this shot.

Red shoes on kids = Instant win.

Nowadays, January might guarantee me 5 days of Sun. MIGHT. Last January was my first in the Pacific Northwest. A dreaded anxiety built up the months leading to January for I didn't know how horrible a PNW Winter truly was. While it wasn't the end-of-days scenario many painted for me, I must admit it wasn't easy.

But I made it through and was able to find some comfort and beauty in my old neighborhood of Mt. Tabor, and in friends, as always. As much as I despise this Season, Winter lighting is BREATHTAKING. Something about it...

I photographed this family of three (plus dog, Charlie) in NE Portland last October. What a wonderful afternoon it was. Definitely one of my favorite sessions from the Fall. :)

My childhood was nowhere near this awesome.

Those shoes...

Ella and I composed a few songs. She's got excellent vocals. I'm more the mysterious toy xylophone player.

I have to admit, I've become a dog-liker thanks to some of my clients' own canines. Not that I used to hate dogs, but I never felt any attachment to them (I've never owned a pet... well, except a parakeet or two that I never quite fed.... yeah).

We made sure to incorporate the "first born", Marley, in our photo shoot.

I absolutely adore that photo on the right. ADORE IT.

BUBBLES! SUMMER!

Tools of the trade.

Papa arrived from his flight and joined in on the fun!

Healthy boy! Up to this day, I still drink my glass of hot chocolate milk every night. Go me!

Except Gabriela. She didn't need any. She totally made my job a WHOLE LOT EASIER. Thank you, Gabriela! Much luck in your graduating high school year** and I hope you get to attend my alma mater, SCAD! :) {Also, I used a mix of film and digital for this shoot. Photo above is film, oh how I missed you)

Euri was awesome and a total sport, as we searched for neat spots in and around The Ace Hotel in Downtown Portland.

Ice cream + darling family + gorgeous sunny morning = TOTAL WIN.

Love my job :) :) :) Such great benefits.

Hearts, y'all!

A sweet and close-knit wedding I photographed on October 10, 2009 in Seattle, WA.

Twins!!

Little Ella is such a darling girl.

I photographed this family of three sisters, the three husbands, five kids and one grandma last year. I heart them.

Secret Agent Levi on the run!

Proof that internet dating DOES work! They have been married for 12 years now. :)

Those cheeks!!!!

Little Harper wore a pink coat, so did I :) We're colorful gals.

Okay, I'm gonna go ahead and have an ice-cream, snuggle up in bed and pass out. Blogging is exhausting! :P

Heartsies, have a great weekend y'all!

Yeah.

I greatly apologize :( It shall be ready soon soon soon!

I am a 27 year old woman with the attention span of a 5 year old who FLIPS OUT at the mere mention of BUBBLES, or BIRTHDAY CAKE, or GOING OUTSIDE or WATER SLIDE. Don't even get me started on ice-cream.

Anyways, See? Attention span, very short. I have partnered up with Grasshopper to bring you awesome photographic deals. Grasshopper is a charming store on NE Alberta Street and 18th Avenue with a really great selection of clothing, toys, books, and all sorts of things for kids. They stock several local and sustainable lines. Owner Kara Larson also designs her own clothing line for women and it is dreamy.

Here's the deal: Throughout October 31st, with the purchase of $100 or more at the store, you will get a certificate for a free portrait session with me! Yay!! It's pretty good deal if I may say so. My work is featured on the walls of the store.

Just a month left for this promotion, so I suggest you get some Holiday shopping done early and add a free portrait session to your bag!

Now, if you'll excuse me, I am going to stuff myself with some Private Selection Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice-cream. AAAWWW YEAH.

Pacific Ocean, you FAIL at pleasing Amy's little Caribbean heart. Oh well.

Anyways, on to the mini previews!



Most adorable baby girl I have photographed in a while.

"B" is for Beckett!

I AM SO EXCITED I CAN BARELY SLEEP!!!! Oh... that's right, I haven't slept in, oh, I don't know, 2 months??

This little corner of my place brings me happiness. The light shining through the window is always PERFECT. And the flowers I picked up from the Farmer's Market are delightful and so happy. The pink dahlia reminds me so much of the peonies that bloomed in the Spring.

When did I become such a flower-loving sap? Goodness. I have plans of decorating the One Bare Wall with a collage of all sorts of flowers. Flower photos, prints, actual flowers, dried flowers. All in an effort to bring some happiness into the upcoming gloom.

Either that or I'll just super mega enlarge a picture of a beach from back home and plop it up there. That should do the trick.

Hearts! Have a great week!

I am finally blogging this. Because I am WAY behind.

Nicolle on the left is such a rad lady!

My duty was to snap Polaroids of our guests. It was too much fun!

Recognize the straws? :)

Yes, it was as delicious as it looks. Baked by my homie, Summer Gibson.

We had Abby selling her photo prints and Alyson debuting her new letterpress line, Postal Press. The talent in that room was radiating!






Little things that brighten up my day, any time.

I encourage you all to visit our Flickr group to view images taken by guests and vendors alike. I know Summer is ending and these images may make you sad, but don't be sad! Be happy you lived through another Summer, hopefully a beautiful one for you, your family and friends. Be happy the Holidays are coming up soon and hopefully we will all spend it with those who make our lives worth the rain and gloom.

Let's make plans for next Summer! Me? I would like to take up on Sarah Sovereign's offer and road trip Canada with her! And make it back in time to attend Abby's next Summer Social!

There is rain (and hopefully thunder, I miss it so) visiting Portland this weekend and it will give me the best opportunity to stay in, have an unhealthy amount of Chip Ahoy cookies and finish all the work that needs to be done. Mmmmmm rain. The problem with rain is that it makes me sleepy. And my bed is dangerously close to this computer.

Oh well. It'll be a nice weekend. Enjoy yours!

So I photographed this super cute family with the cutest boy ever. Who is a Sea Captain and a baseball player and a gardener and an architect for Winnie the Pooh and and and. He is very imaginative and eloquent at 2.5 years of age. I really dig that in kids. It gives me great hope that textspeak will die in a few years. HOPEFULLY.

I have not opened my blog feeds in more than a month, so I greatly apologize if I have not paid a visit to your blog. :( I suck.

Oh well. Here is to managing a photo business along with a full time day job, YUPPIEEEEE.

Luckily, I couldn't have asked for a more down-to-earth, fun, laid back, helpful bridal party. They were awesome.

This is just a little preview because I need to like, I dunno, organize my tiny studio for Thursday's dinner. About 20 people will come over. To my studio. 400 sq ft.

My mom is going INSANE. :P

Why should you be excited? Because fun goodies will happen! Like, prizes! Raffles! Free portrait sessions (gasp!)! Free prints! Whole lotta funness!

And it shall all happen sooooooooooooooooon!

Hearts!

{Also, if you follow ANY Portland blog you may have realized temperatures are in the triple digits. You may have realized almost EVERYBODY is whining and crying about it. It's making me sick. I guess having lived in Vegas through two summer taught me to NEVER complain about the heat. YOU try living in 120 degree weather}

Posted by starmagn at 05:58 PM | Comments (3)

July 28, 2009

Eyes I cannot escape

I have a confession to make. For the past two and a half years, I have had the same wallpaper on my computer screen. I am sure this may come off as a shock to you. Rest assured, it is not due to laziness (sorry you just lost a bet).

Do you have any image, be it a photograph or painting or even a song, that refuses to let you go? An image that stands some sort of test of time, the more you see it the more you understand - or understand less, perhaps. I'd love to know all about it :)

Posted by starmagn at 02:34 AM | Comments (3)

July 26, 2009

Emotions that words cannot describe....

The Summer Social was a most wonderful, invigorating, inspiring, fun evening. Fantastic, talented people that I am honored to call friends. Soothing warm weather that, while it reminds me of my old home in the Caribbean, solidifies Portland as my new HOME. Scenes like the one above fill my heart with happiness, like lavender in a delicate satin satchel.

HEARTS!!!!!

Posted by starmagn at 03:43 AM | Comments (6)

July 14, 2009

Summer Social!

Oh I am SOOOO EXCITED about the Summer Social organized by the one and only Abby Powell-Thompson of abbytryagain fame! Please please please join us for an evening full of homemade ice cream, pastries, wonderful arts and crafts, cute decorations and a Polaroid booth managed by yours truly! HORAYZ!!!!!

Posted by starmagn at 01:00 AM | Comments (3)

July 05, 2009

The PDX Click Chicks

Yes, the PDX Click Chicks is the name of a fun group of professional wedding and portrait photographers in the Portland area founded by super adorable photographer Missy Cochran, whom I met at the WPPI convention in Las Vegas a few months ago. We gather every month and talk business, present a workshop or tutorial, munch on cookies and occasionally photograph willing subjects, like Melissa Tomeoni's husband Josh. Melissa instructed on possible ways to pose subjects and how to approach them before the photoshoot. I think we were supposed to focus on Josh... but i kept getting distracted by other stuff. Like Megan's and Mel's pigsy-tails. It's tough.

What a fun group! Cheers!

Posted by starmagn at 11:59 PM | Comments (2)

July 03, 2009

Portland Saturday Market

Not to be confused with the Farmer's Market, the Portland Saturday Market is an awesome open-air arts and crafts market that runs throughout the whole weekend during the Good Months of the Year in Downtown. If I am not mistaken, it has been the longest running in the Nation. I hadn't been since last August, just days after moving here, so I'm glad I had company this time. :)

Posted by starmagn at 02:56 AM | Comments (5)

June 27, 2009

Peonies and sunshine

Peonies + sunshine + camera = lovely combination of the greatest things on Earth. HEARTS!

I'm seriously obsessed with these. :)

Posted by starmagn at 10:00 PM | Comments (9)

June 26, 2009

My brother's visit to Portland!

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...

Posted by starmagn at 02:11 AM | Comments (2)

June 25, 2009

Sarah Sovereign is HOTAWESOME.

Back in 2004 I began stalking reading a witty little blog written by some Canadian chick called Sarah Sovereign. This Canadian chick, I soon realized, was funny, a great photographer and had some affinity for pirates. The stalking reading became a friendship when one day in December 2005, after FINALLY adding each other on MSN, we confessed our love for Gil Grissom, the dashing investigator from CSI (Las Vegas).

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)

New site and new blog SOOOOOOON

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.

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)

June 20, 2009

*blushing*

So in the past two days I've had the pleasure of being *loved* by two of my favorite blog/artists in the blogosphere!

I met Amy Olson at Crafty Wonderland last Fall and it helped to cement my scientifically backed theory that Amys are AWESOME (except for maybe Amy Fisher). Amy's jewelry is simply stunning, so delicate, modern and dainty. She is a sweetheart, too. There is a 20% sale on some of her items, so I suggest you head on to her etsy shop and own one (or three!) of her pieces. :) Thanks Amy!


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

Portland Farmer's Market

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).

Hearts!

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 11, 2009

When the dog bites...

These are just a few of my favorite things (to send to clients)! ^_^

Posted by starmagn at 04:31 PM | Comments (5)

May 28, 2009

Lauren + Evan's Savannah, GA Wedding - April 18, 2009 {PART II}

Continuing coverage of Lauren and Evan's Savannah, GA wedding, we now focus to the PARTY. Where the GOOD things happen. ^_^

Hearts!

Posted by starmagn at 12:54 AM | Comments (11)

Lauren + Evan's Savannah, GA Wedding - April 18, 2009 {PART I}

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!

Posted by starmagn at 12:25 AM | Comments (1)

May 27, 2009

Sara and Mike's Wedding - Forest Grove, Oregon

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!

Why does Winter make everything look so creepy? This is the elementary school.

Posted by starmagn at 07:24 PM | Comments (1)

Sheep and Sauvie Island!

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.

Hearts!

Posted by starmagn at 02:24 AM | Comments (3)

May 19, 2009

A lazy Sunday afternoon

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!

Posted by starmagn at 04:03 AM | Comments (4)

May 11, 2009

SELL! SELL! SELL!

If you recall- and Jesus H Christ I have no idea why I'm actually typing out this post when it clearly just belongs in my head - and why must I always write these darn long essays at midnight when I have to be at work early the next day? Ugh, seriously- I flew back to Vegas this past February to attend a conference geared towards wedding and portrait photographers. Seeing as I was a total newbie into the business, I was pretty excited about improving my (non-existent) skills marketing, good business practices and all sorts of good stuff (not to mention I'd be sharing lectures with my friend and kinda mentor Hilary Helton). We both have very simple goals in life; hers is mostly to provide comfort and security to her family (two of her three wonderful kids are teenagers, yikes). She comes from the Modern School of Self-taught Photographers, whereas I spent 4 years cuddling with large-format cameras in a fancy Southern art school (mmm Cambo 4x5 mmm). Our styles of photography are fairly simple, devoid of any bells and whistles; we provide a canvas for your life's story.

*** Seriously, I LOVED ALGEBRA. It was my HOMEY.

Posted by starmagn at 01:29 AM | Comments (8)

April 20, 2009

lauren + evan = love

Lauren + Evan - Savannah, GA - April 18th, 2009
Lovely wedding, lovely couple, lovely day.
Hearts.
Click on image to view bigger.
Quote is from Winnie the Pooh. :)

Posted by starmagn at 08:43 PM | Comments (2)

April 09, 2009

27: The Photo Story

Maybe he remembers my voice? Or perhaps the click click click of my camera from months ago? :)

This is me practicing some still life from the Martha Stewart School of Perfect Photo Styling.

Seriously, I love Martha Stewart. If you only knew how many tear sheets did I save from two years' worth of MS Weddings hoarding. Unhealthy.

It's stupid and I can't wait to switch over to Wordpress and turn this into a pretty pretty blog. Like Unruly Things's new look! Darling.

So yes, thank you all, I really appreciate it. HEARTS.

OH OH. Also, please refer to this picture. Look at the white strips running along the windows. Those are weather strips because THIS HOUSE IS SUPER COLD. It's prob 53 inside right now. *sigh* I can't wait to live in a place with energy-efficient windows that will keep my little butt warm during Winter.

Whatevs.

Yes, they were DELISH.

Posted by starmagn at 05:35 PM | Comments (4)

March 28, 2009

Conclusion of What You've Been Waiting For.

Continuing my award-winning coverage of The Previous Weekend That Was, I shall talk about The Museum Shoot. You see, I have the best client in the whole world, Anne West and her cute family, which I've photographed several times. She organized a Family Day Event at the Portland Art Museum to celebrate the La volupte du gout: French Painting in the Age of Madame de Pompadour current exhibition. Tea parties were served, paintings were done, ballet lessons were learned, and all sorts of fun was had. They did not expect about 1,800 people to attend!

Anne and her team arranged a scene loosely based on the style of the paintings. The families would dress up in costumes and snap a picture. And that was my job :). The doors opened at 1:00PM and in just five minutes I was surrounded by dozens of parents and kids awaiting to be photographed. Holy moly. Didn't even have time to adjust the lighting with the built-frame {That up there is a VERY ROUGH EDIT, for I will need to work on them quite heavily due to the frame and little space I had to shoot}.

This went on for three hours, non-stop. I had half a sandwich in my stomach from HOURS before, I'm so glad to have made it through with high energies! Everybody had so much fun. Anne did a spectacular job out of organizing the whole event. Much thanks to all the awesome docents who helped me out (I had FIVE of them!).

After the event was done and I packed my rented equipment into my car I was so happy I felt like going for a run around downtown. Thankfully I remembered that half-sandwich in my stomach + running = Fainting. So, no running. But I did have a delicious Vietnamese meal with Linnea and Lesley. The L Girls.

And that concludes the weekend of March 22nd. This weekend of March 28th is ISOLATION WEEKEND SO THAT I CAN GET WORK DONE. Even though I've already had THREE INVITATIONS to socialize. TEMPTATIONS, TEMPTATIONS!

Posted by starmagn at 05:02 PM | Comments (1)

March 23, 2009

I.AM.AWESOME.

I.Am.Awesome.

Posted by starmagn at 03:53 AM | Comments (6)

March 08, 2009

YAY Wedding!

YAY WEDDING! YAY SWEET COUPLES! YAY JUMPING SHOTS! YAY DST! YAY GETTING OUT OF THIS ANNOYING FUNK! YAYZ!

*amy crashes to her bed*
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YAYZ.

Posted by starmagn at 02:57 AM | Comments (3)

February 23, 2009

Genesis & Matthew

While in Vegas, I spent time with my two little sweeties, Genesis and Matthew. Mmmm softies! Miss them already.

Posted by starmagn at 01:43 AM | Comments (0)

February 20, 2009

{re} experimenting with film part 3 - Oak's Park!

Here are the images I snapped from our adventure at Oak's Amusement Park. I rented the Nikon F5 again, more great results, yay! Mmm I can't help feeling such a wave of happiness from these images. It also makes me wish all my long time friend were here too. :( I have made it a crusade to make my friends visit me in the Summer so that we can go berry-picking.

Debbie {lou}!


Ann


Whitney's fabulous shoes!


Laughter!


This is what it's all about.

Posted by starmagn at 06:44 PM | Comments (3)

February 15, 2009

WPPI - Vegas

So the reason I am back in glitzy, ditzy Vegas is to attend the Wedding and Portrait Photographer's International Convention and Trade Show. Unfortunately, I could only afford the one day Business Institute Workshop, which I am so glad I attended yesterday with my good friend Hilary Helton.

I've been in the business for 6 months since moving to Portland. It feels as if this has been a trial period for me wherein I was allowed to make a few mistakes, meet lots of clients, figure out how I want to shape this one-gal studio. With the slow Winter season nearing its end, I am ready (and a bit scared) to, as the cliche goes, take this to the next level. We learned so so so so so so many good things about how to market, sell, treat your clients/peers. Oh my, information overload! We met sweet photographers and had a delicious lunch catered by the MGM staff. Hilary and I both concluded photographers Laura Novak and Tony Hewitt were our fave speakers of the workshop. I'd like to share two images that made me gasp out loud.

Laura Novak was totally awesome, she has an art education background as me, and in such a short time (she's 30) has established a successful portrait and wedding studio in Wilmington, Delaware. One of her studio photographers, Becca, is in charge of the High School Senior sessions, and they are AMAZING. Laura shared with us a little tip: with every session that is booked with her studio she mails the client a yummy-looking camera-shaped cookie. Come on. How awesome is that. Her lecture was geared towards establishing and maintaining relationships with your clients, peers, vendors, the such. Please visit her website, her personality (and those of her staff) are very apparent in the work.

Hailing from Australia, with an accent a bit tough to decipher to my ears, Tony Hewitt concluded the workshop with an inspiring non-photo related lecture. A good move, for his words reminded us that what we heard, learned, digested that day is worthless if we break the human connection, to be anything other than real. The image above captivated me. Tony Hewitt is a man after my sheep-loving heart. Though sadly, the image I saw at the lecture was in color and, of course, about 10 feet tall. Lovely. Visit his website to view more of his illustrative landscapes of wonderful Australia.

I can't wait to go home Thursday and turn the way I do business downside up, without ever losing track of what I love to do and who I am.

Yay!

Posted by starmagn at 09:33 PM | Comments (2)

February 13, 2009

The Ladies of Fernhill have done it again.

{Photo by esoule}

Last October I gathered a group of super talented Flickr and blog ladies who shared a common passion: Photography. Surrounded by lush greenery, we created gorgeous imagery and lasting friendships. Last Saturday, the Sun shone as bright as it can in the Portland Winter, and Miss Elizabeth Soule guided us to Oak's Amusement Park in the Sellwood neighborhood of Portland. Alyson and Afton brought balloons, Anne once again graced us with her hardcore land polaroid cameras, and I dressed in all sequins, like so:

{Photo by moxie}


What a fantastic balloon - model: Lisa {Photo by kelly}


{Photo by unruly things}


I still stand by the fact we were vacationing in the French Riviera. {Photo by indierocket}

Please, please, please head on to our Flickr group to view the rest of the images. I can guarantee your dull winter days will brighten up with color, balloons and cute shoes! ahhhh life is wonderful, isn't it? These simple little things gives us hope that not all is lost. ^_^

Posted by starmagn at 06:54 PM | Comments (2)

February 05, 2009

Sunday in Mississippi

These are images from my Sunday with Le Alyson Magnifique. They're just pretty images of comforting lighting.

That's Alyson in black and white.


Two ladies at Pix


It snowed briefly that morning. A decent thin layer of white. I can take that. 13 inches? Not so much.


Pretty window display at Ink & Peat


Alyson browsing through cute letterpress greeting cards at Lark Press

It sure was a fun little trip to the Mississippi neighborhood and surrounding stores. :) :) :) Thanks Alyson!

Posted by starmagn at 11:26 PM | Comments (1)

The Bloom

Forsyth Park, Savannah, GA February 26, 2006

Right this very instant pink magnolias are blooming all over my dear Savannah, Georgia. Pink magnolias were the only glimpse of happiness during the February mid-terms for about five years.

Oh be still my heart.

Posted by starmagn at 02:54 PM | Comments (1)

January 29, 2009

{re}experimenting with film pt. 2

More fun with film. This time, with my favorite family in all of Portland: The Wests. *hearts!* {I have forgotten to mention all these film images have not been altered in any way whatsoever. This is exactly how the photo lab, Quickstop Photo, scanned them in}

Darling Elena


Such a beautiful child


Little Eloise too her very first steps earlier that morning! And I was able to capture that milestone, YAY!!!!!!


Little footsies that will soon roam the grounds


whopeeeee

Posted by starmagn at 05:40 PM | Comments (1)

{re}experimenting with film

My roommate's dog, Balboa, and I rarely ever see eye to eye. But we've learned to co-exist in this house.

Last weekend I rented out a Nikon F5 35mm camera to reacquaint my senses to the sensibility of film. With a little bit of inspiration from my good friend and photographer, Hilary, who has recently "reversed" to film, I decided it is time I revisit my roots. Sunday was a cold, windy, but radiantly Sunny day in Portland, with the Winter Sun hanging ever so lowly in the Sky through out its daily journey. Perfect for taking portraits of pretty people. :) Behold.... Amy and Film (more to come!!).

Yuki modeled for me and my roommate, who is a makeup artist, way up on Mt Tabor in the freeeeeezing, windy hours of the morning. VERY COLD.


We finally made it back to our house. Isn't she so pretty?


Laurelhurst Park, SE Portland. Ahhhh.

Linnea!

Posted by starmagn at 04:57 PM | Comments (3)

Mike + Steven + Little Soren

Under even gray clouds, threatening us with possible rain, Papa Mike, Papa Steven, Little Soren and I set out to capture some sweet family moments. We began at their super cute house, ending our shoot at the Park before it got too dark. Little Soren had just woken up, from what I believe was a really nice nap, so his moods weren't all that chipper. But oh how cute he was!

Yes, he was HUGGING the tree. Adorable.

Hee hee.




His hair is absolutely gorgeous! It kicks your maternal instincts and all you want to do is cradle him in your arms, while you softly stroke his hair as he falls blissfully into sleep. Can I have hair like that, please?

Posted by starmagn at 03:55 PM | Comments (0)

January 25, 2009

I want to do a photo swap.

So it snowed today. I forced myself to quench my hatred towards it and instead take pretty pictures of my figurines. Then I made a little badge. :)

Posted by starmagn at 11:04 PM | Comments (10)

January 13, 2009

Walk through Mt Tabor neighborhood, SE Portland, OR

The Sun came out today finally! So I did what any other respectable person does in situations like these. I went for a walk (and Fred Meyer visit, god how I love that place). The light at 3PM was HEAVENLY.

Click below to view images from this walk. mmm.

Posted by starmagn at 11:06 PM | Comments (5)

December 31, 2008

Goose Hollow

As I mentioned previously, I have been enjoying the company of two silly kitties in the Moose and Chuck Variety Hour here in Downtown Portland. Today I decided to walk around and do some errands. Sunlight shone through a delicate but stubborn layer of clouds but it was all I needed. The Blue Sky came out in FULL force yesterday afternoon for about two hours before being engulfed in the rain. Funnily enough, the lack of Sunshine has not affected me (rather, the snow did grrr).

Posted by starmagn at 03:36 AM | Comments (0)

December 15, 2008

ice cream? I'm THERE.

On Saturday morning I photographed the Clauds at their beautiful home in Vancouver, WA. The Dad opened the door and his little two year old girl came up and HUGGED me. Like... seriously. The cutest thing EVER! The older brother was a bit shy at first, but soon enough was talking all about things like how he earned his train set. After the session ended, he invited me several times to have ice cream with him and the family for lunch. Said there were plenty of seats in the car.

Posted by starmagn at 12:56 AM | Comments (1)

December 08, 2008

I want to be a baby again.

MMMMMMMMM softie!!!!!!! I photographed this little sweetie's mom and dad about 2 months ago knowing full well their baby would be a cute one. I was totally right. She had just woken up, so I'm predicting lots of crying shots, but that's cool. mmmmmm!

Posted by starmagn at 03:27 PM | Comments (4)

December 06, 2008

I continue to view life in 50mm

My $70 50mm f/1.8 Canon lens may just be my favorite lens ever (of course, I have not used the L f/1.2). More views of my life through a 50mm lens. Above is my super fantabulous roommate. She is awesome. Also, that is some serious wallpaper action. Like. Holy moly.

The sunset in Portland today. Magnifico.

Posted by starmagn at 10:10 PM | Comments (3)

November 30, 2008

The Fog Clears

It's 2:56 pm on a calm but steady Sunday afternoon and only just now the fog cleared to reveal the Sun still warming us. If you know me, then you know I love fog. Nevermind it blocks the light, I find it fascinating, ominous and absolutely cinematic.

Little moments of Sunlight, I'm guessing they will carry my through the Winter.

Posted by starmagn at 06:03 PM | Comments (3)

November 20, 2008

A 50mm View of My Life

View from my mattress. I finally have a mattress. A REAL mattress. No boxspring or frame, but a simple mattress on the floor will do wonders for my sanity.

5 Things to be grateful for:
01. My busy email inbox.
02. Past clients booking more sessions
03. Listening to Broken Social Scene on a near-rainy Portland afternoon, on my way to work.
04. Being recognized for my good ethics at work
05. To live in a town full of so many wonderful people.

Things are working out tremendously. I make a little prayer at night for the safety and health of my loved ones. I want them to experience all these great things with me, even form far away. Oftentimes I wonder if something bad will happen to me, because how else can I be so lucky?

Posted by starmagn at 02:39 AM | Comments (2)

November 19, 2008

The Wests are in love.

I have to admit, pretty much all my portrait subjects I've had since I moved here have been wonderful. But every now and then you come across a family whose love is simply amazing. Such is the case with The Wests, whom I met at the Alberta Street Fair and booked a session with me for a few weeks after. Papa Jeff couldn't be at the first session so we photographed again with him onboard. If it were up to me, I would be their daily photographer.

Little Eloise. "uppie!" "owie" were her favorite phrases. She also runs in a really cute manner!




Sweetheart Elena. DARLING baby.


Playing and running and tickling!


Ahhh I love my job.

Posted by starmagn at 02:45 AM | Comments (0)

November 11, 2008

So, I am a foot freak.

So... apparently, I have a foot fetish. I seem to point my camera towards my subject's feet a little too often. What up with that? Do I need to receive medical attention now? Hmm? Hmm?

Anyways, enjoy my fetish!

Posted by starmagn at 04:59 PM | Comments (2)

Double the cuteness (and tulle!)

A pair of 1.5 year old twin girls.
Two pink tutus.
Two pairs of to die for black shoes.
Two sweet little smiles.

Posted by starmagn at 02:38 AM | Comments (2)

October 22, 2008

The Fall.

You can take the girl out of Puerto Rico, but you can't take the Puerto Rican out of her. Me wearing {5 year old} flip flops on a cold day. Yeah. Smart.

This is my very first full-fledged, blazin' colors, pumpkin patchin' Fall in the States. Previously, I lived in Georgia, Vegas and, of course, Puerto Rico where the Fall and winter blend together and you never notice there should be a difference of seasons.

At times I feel like a traitor to my country of origin, a vendepatria, but... my goodness, this is what I've always wanted. The Fall. The colors. A residential street, possibly on a hill, lined with gigantic (at least to my then kiddie height) trees, creating a canopy of green and yellow and orange and brown, falling down to a sea of its own reflection. I've had this vision in my head for as long as I can remember.

I've always wanted to be an American girl. So as I walk around the streets of Portland, temporarily painted in Maple leaves, I do so with a little silent happiness knowing that I'm finally here. That I finally made it.

Ahhhh. Fall last forever, don't let the gloom in!

Somewhere on SE 60th

SE 55th.

Posted by starmagn at 04:23 AM | Comments (3)

October 20, 2008

Knitting the love....

Super cute photo by {linnea paulina}

Ohhh, love. Love of the squiggly, butterflies in your heart kind. I know you are hiding from me. You'll appear some day. In the meantime, I shall cherish the love I feel from my friends, my best friends from high school, my new friends in Vegas and Portland. The love of my mama, who most of the times drives me insane, but I wouldn't change her for the world. The love I feel when I photograph a wonderful family, whose happiness radiates even in the wallpapers of their house.

The love I feel as I realize I'm in the right spot in life.

It's awesome.




Now, all I need is a job so I can pay next month's rent and I shall be fine!! Please, cell phone, ring!

Posted by starmagn at 02:52 AM | Comments (3)

October 15, 2008

New prints on Etsy shop!

New prints on my Etsy shop! Uuu look at that chrysanthemum, so lovely. My bathroom stall advice photo is now available as a 4x6 postcard. Cheer a friend up!

Posted by starmagn at 12:53 AM | Comments (0)

October 14, 2008

The Ladies of Fernhill, Forest Grove, OR, Oct 11, 2008.

{Roll Call: (Row by row)

Whitney / Christine/Christina? / Leslie / Chelsea / Amy (me) / Afton / Debbie / Cori / Abby / Nicolle / Elisabeth / Anne / Alyson / McCall }

A group of 14 very talented photographers got together one beautiful Saturday afternoon in the Autumn of 2008 on a farm that seemed to only belong in dreams, to form friendships and create wonderful images.

This is the result. Thank you all for showing up, for sharing your cameras, your experiences, your laughter. I'm grateful I met all of you. Here's to another fun meeting!!!

Visit our Flickr Group to view more stunning images form all these artists (half of them still have rolls upon rolls of film yet to be developed, so check again in the next few days).

The Ladies of Fernhill love boots. And jumping.


Ann Suckow. Girl's got strong arms and talented eyes.


I had never seen corn fields up close in my entire life. Needless to say, I WAS FLIPPIN' OUT!!!


Laughter, Polaroids, Friendships, Vegan cupcakes. Mission Accomplished.


My vintage yellow coat caused quite a bit of sensation. Photo by {sacredlotus}


My homegirl Alyson. Amazing portrait by {revivify}, aka Whitney, whose parents own the magical land where we photographed and were cool to let us wreak havoc around. Thank you!

Posted by starmagn at 02:55 AM | Comments (5)

October 13, 2008

Amy's Wish List of Very Expensive Things, not surprisingly.

The Holidays are upon us. And I'm broke. I have been sending out home-made Xmas postcards the past few years because I have far too many friends and family and there ain't no way in heck I'm spending that much money on y'all. Sorry.

So in the spirit of wanting, here is my wish list. First part details photo equipment I actually DO need for my business. The remaining items are things I may or may not need. Depending on the mood. Right now, I NEED THEM ALL.

I also realized that if I had never quit my job in Vegas and never had moved to Portland, I could've been able to afford a few of these items. Like the boots. Or the monitor calibrator. Yeah, but nooooooooo, I decided to be Bohemian and move to Portland where I currently have no job. AWESOME.

So yeah here is my wish list.

Things I, surprisingly, actually DO need.
Do I actually need to explain why I need a second camera body? No.
$1400.

I want this baby SO bad. Currently, I shoot most of my portraits with a cheaper F1.8 and while the quality is quite surprising for the price (under $100) the AF is a bit slow. And when you're photographing over-active kids, AF is your friend. So... I want this one. NOW. $350

If I have a second camera body, might as well get the second flash unit. $407. Funny-looking flash diffuser. $40

A bigger camera bag suitable for traveling, especially through the Atlanta airport, where some really burly men work. $142

More lenses. A girl can't have too many of these. $1033

A few more of these. At the moment, I need to bring my laptop with me if I have back to back photoshoots. My two 4GBs and two 1Gbs are just not doing it. At all. $50ish

I rarely ever use tripods. But you just never know when you might need one. Like, having a black friend. $100ish (the tripod, not the black friend).

Well, while I'm listing all these fun goodies I might as well just mention that I need a new computer with RIDICULOUS AMOUNTS OF GIGAS. Like. RIDICULOUS. 350 GB will do just fine. $1500

Once I have my nifty iMac thingamajing, a monitor calibrator would reduce my stress by 90%. $70.

Pretty please? okthxbai. $1800 and your newborn.

A cell phone with email capabilities (and Google Maps, of course) and a Portland 503 number, because I can only laugh so long at clients who FREAK out upon finding out my cell number is from Puerto Rico before it gets tiring. $I have no idea.

Oh, and more photo clients.

Things that would pretty cool to have


Like, a dresser. My undies are currently stashed in a Fred Meyer's plastic shopping bag. The probably smell of asparagus and Milano cookies right now. Luckily, PLENTY of very affordable vintage/thrift shops here in Portland.$no more than 70

A bed. I currently sleep on my housemate's futon mattress and it hurts a bit when I sleep on my side. I don't care what size it is. I'll take a Twin. I DONT CARE.

Socks. Nothing special. I just kinda need more than three pairs.

I NEED THIS. My Morning Jacket latest album. Airborne Toxic Event debut album. Once. Simply Once.

You . ON MY FEET RIGHT NOW. $188.

Rainy Season in the Pacific Northwest has begun and though I already scored a pretty pink umbrella at a vintage shop for only $9, what I REALLY want is a Orla Kiely umbrella (first two on the right, third is Kate Spade). I mean...wouldn't that umbrella brighten up any gloomy Portland Winter day? Yes, it would. And those raincoats are absolutely darling, as well. $60 - up.

I love paper and I love cutting it even more. I'd like to have a GOOD, solid rotary paper cutter. Oh yes. Close to a $100.

I don't care if election season is almost over, this is what America needs. $4.49 Nerdcredits.

HA! Things I will take a long time to acquire/never acquire. Keep dreaming, silly girl.

Mamiya RZ67 Medium Format Camera. My favorite camera of all time. I miss it so so so so much. Maybe one day, my love, we shall be reunited. $2000+ (body ONLY) (let's not even talk about the lenses)

Luke Skywalker for president. You may question why Picard/Riker '08 isn't on this list seeing as neither one actually exist in the realm of this reality...

A boyfriend. I'm actually quite surprised it's taken me a lengthy 26 years to finally start feeling the weight of being a depressingly single woman. A 26 year old single woman who has been single 24.7 out of 26.5 years of her life. Yeah. You go ahead and tell me it's great being single when everybody you meet is happily paired off. Go ahead. Yeah. Beautiful photo by {manda}

Posted by starmagn at 11:52 PM | Comments (1)

Amy's Wish List of Very Expensive Things, not surprisingly.

The Holidays are upon us. And I'm broke. I have been sending out home-made Xmas postcards the past few years because I have far too many friends and family and there ain't no way in heck I'm spending that much money on y'all. Sorry.

So in the spirit of wanting, here is my wish list. First part details photo equipment I actually DO need for my business. The remaining items are things I may or may not need. Depending on the mood. Right now, I NEED THEM ALL.

I also realized that if I had never quit my job in Vegas and never had moved to Portland, I could've been able to afford a few of these items. Like the boots. Or the monitor calibrator. Yeah, but nooooooooo, I decided to be Bohemian and move to Portland where I currently have no job. AWESOME.

So yeah here is my wish list.

Things I, surprisingly, actually DO need.
Do I actually need to explain why I need a second camera body? No.
$1400.

I want this baby SO bad. Currently, I shoot most of my portraits with a cheaper F1.8 and while the quality is quite surprising for the price (under $100) the AF is a bit slow. And when you're photographing over-active kids, AF is your friend. So... I want this one. NOW. $350

If I have a second camera body, might as well get the second flash unit. $407. Funny-looking flash diffuser. $40

A bigger camera bag suitable for traveling, especially through the Atlanta airport, where some really burly men work. $142

More lenses. A girl can't have too many of these. $1033

A few more of these. At the moment, I need to bring my laptop with me if I have back to back photoshoots. My two 4GBs and two 1Gbs are just not doing it. At all. $50ish

I rarely ever use tripods. But you just never know when you might need one. Like, having a black friend. $100ish (the tripod, not the black friend).

Well, while I'm listing all these fun goodies I might as well just mention that I need a new computer with RIDICULOUS AMOUNTS OF GIGAS. Like. RIDICULOUS. 350 GB will do just fine. $1500

Once I have my nifty iMac thingamajing, a monitor calibrator would reduce my stress by 90%. $70.

Pretty please? okthxbai. $1800 and your newborn.

A cell phone with email capabilities (and Google Maps, of course) and a Portland 503 number, because I can only laugh so long at clients who FREAK out upon finding out my cell number is from Puerto Rico before it gets tiring. $I have no idea.

Oh, and more photo clients.

Things that would pretty cool to have


Like, a dresser. My undies are currently stashed in a Fred Meyer's plastic shopping bag. The probably smell of asparagus and Milano cookies right now. Luckily, PLENTY of very affordable vintage/thrift shops here in Portland.$no more than 70

A bed. I currently sleep on my housemate's futon mattress and it hurts a bit when I sleep on my side. I don't care what size it is. I'll take a Twin. I DONT CARE.

Socks. Nothing special. I just kinda need more than three pairs.

I NEED THIS. My Morning Jacket latest album. Airborne Toxic Event debut album. Once. Simply Once.

You . ON MY FEET RIGHT NOW. $188.

Rainy Season in the Pacific Northwest has begun and though I already scored a pretty pink umbrella at a vintage shop for only $9, what I REALLY want is a Orla Kiely umbrella (first two on the right, third is Kate Spade). I mean...wouldn't that umbrella brighten up any gloomy Portland Winter day? Yes, it would. And those raincoats are absolutely darling, as well. $60 - up.

I love paper and I love cutting it even more. I'd like to have a GOOD, solid rotary paper cutter. Oh yes. Close to a $100.

I don't care if election season is almost over, this is what America needs. $4.49 Nerdcredits.

HA! Things I will take a long time to acquire/never acquire. Keep dreaming, silly girl.

Mamiya RZ67 Medium Format Camera. My favorite camera of all time. I miss it so so so so much. Maybe one day, my love, we shall be reunited. $2000+ (body ONLY) (let's not even talk about the lenses)

Luke Skywalker for president. You may question why Picard/Riker '08 isn't on this list seeing as neither one actually exist in the realm of this reality...

A boyfriend. I'm actually quite surprised it's taken me a lengthy 26 years to finally start feeling the weight of being a depressingly single woman. A 26 year old single woman who has been single 24.7 out of 26.5 years of her life. Yeah. You go ahead and tell me it's great being single when everybody you meet is happily paired off. Go ahead. Yeah. Beautiful photo by {manda}

Posted by starmagn at 11:52 PM | Comments (1)

October 07, 2008

Love...shine like a burning star...

I want to be in love. The kind of love that is actually okay to happen and not the kind of love where I long for someone far, far away and every time I think of the distance and the pointlessnes of it all I am forcefully dropped back into reality.

You know, unrequited love, the story of my life.

No, I want THIS kind of love (maybe not the baby part...). The kind of love that shines like a billion stars in photo. The kind of love that laughs because it is so wonderful.

This girl is absolutely beautiful. She is due in two weeks and look at how pretty her belly is! Her husband is a riot. Had so much fun photographing them.

Though, I have to admit I still have reservations about photographing adults. It's like everybody is self-conscious, even myself. Kids are a delight, just allow them to roam wild and you'll capture the most honest and purest of emotions. Oh well, it's all practice!

Posted by starmagn at 02:50 AM | Comments (0)

September 25, 2008

"uppie!"

What parenting is like and what love is like. It was very early on Monday, after a very odd weekend wherein I couldn't explain why I felt the way I did, that I photographed Anne and her two little girls. This home is FULL OF LOVE. The six month old cutie pie was on the floor, surrounded by toys with a genuine look of wonderment on her face. Her older sister pretended to be shy, as many kids do. But she warmed up, a love brighter and warmer than her soft red hair. I shot over 8 gigs, and stayed more than the scheduled hour.

It's great to know families like this (papa was at work) exist. I know the girls will grow up to be amazing human beings.

love!!!

Posted by starmagn at 03:40 AM | Comments (1)

September 21, 2008

Why, yes I do.

Upon meeting little Liam today at our photoshoot, he asked me in his 4 year old voice, Do you like Red Robbins? That's all it took to clear my head of all the worries and sadness that permeated throughout the day. I truly love doing this.

Posted by starmagn at 12:46 AM | Comments (0)

September 19, 2008

ETSY SHOP! OMGZZZZ

OMGZ ETSY SHOP!!!!!!! After years and years I finally have opened an Etsy shop. I simply cannot believe it. Though my craft ware will not be featured in this shop, my photography will. And I'm pretty excited :)

OMGZ!!! <--- evidence that I'm flippin out.

amynietophotography.etsy.com

:) :) :) :)

Posted by starmagn at 09:06 PM | Comments (1)

August 12, 2008

Little Ivan

Yes, I'm in Portland and it is AWESOME! Haven't had time to blog or edit pictures from the trip. Priorities come first, such as editing Little Ivan Alexander's pictures. Such a cute baby! Shot these just before leaving, I had never photographed babies. Another experience I truly enjoyed.

Ahhh Portland. In so many ways it reminds me of my darling Savannah. I have met many a great people. Visited lots of cute shops. Gone to three art fairs already. I have THREE family photo shoots this weekend (two were booked before I even got to Portland). And I've only been here a week.

So awesome. But now, I must head to bed, for tomorrow I'm gonna have to forgo any plans of playing tourist and catch up with all 2000 photos I have backed up before this weekend hits. No, I haven't even started looking for a job...except I dropped an app at Anthropologie. Y'all know how much I love that store.

Okay, soon soon I shall blog a bit more... maybe in like ten years. If you're lucky!

Posted by starmagn at 02:28 AM | Comments (0)

July 29, 2008

Little Cuties

That up there is baby Matthew, the most chill baby ever. Such a little darling. These are the family portraits I shot two weeks ago, with my friend Minnie and her two babies.

Little feet, little feet that will jump across the world, little feet that will ride a bike around the neighborhood, little feet that run to catch a ball, little feet that dance to her song alone in her room, little feet that will tip toe to kiss a boy, little feet that will carry her through a wonderful life


There's Miss Director with the camera


tee hee hee cutie. I believe they were looking at a plane passing by

Oh I will miss them so much :(

Posted by starmagn at 04:38 AM | Comments (3)

July 18, 2008

Grand baby steps..

Hello, all. I am managing a blog entry in the midst of the chaos that is The Last Three Weeks Before I Relocate to Portland. Sixteen days left and I have not packed a single thing, still working at the restaurant and until just a few hours ago I was working on crafty things for a craft fair next Friday. But I'm not going to participate, just don't have the time. Thankfully I hadn't really applied for it.

Two weeks ago I photographed my very first family portrait. I was so nervous, having never really dealt with families. A darling lady I met at the aforementioned art fair a few months ago asked me to photograph her family, because being a photographer herself she has thousands of pictures of her kids... but none of her in them. So we went to a park on the south side of Vegas (Hicksville, I call it, because it's still mildly undeveloped) and spent an hour shooting her sweet family. To be honest... I quite enjoyed it! The pictures turned out great and she was happy with the results. The photograph above is of 14 year old Shae. She is a sweet girl and I just love love love that portrait.

The family


Hilary Helton, the Photographer/mama/lady with great a decorating eye (her office is AWESOME)


Soon enough, the shyness disappeared.

Last Tuesday I photographed my friend Minnie and her two adorable kids. Now let me tell y'all something. When I think of leaving Vegas for Portland nothing nothing nothing at all makes me sad about it... except saying goodbye to this little girl. Just thinking about it makes me shed a little tear. I'm gonna miss little Genesis so much. She is such a smart three year old. So imaginative, energetic, shy (at first) and unbearably cute. Not that I have any plans to have kids at all, but if I do, I hope I get to raise her the way Minnie is doing. I like me some disciplined smart kids.

During our shoot on Tuesday, Genesis grabbed her mama's Canon 20D (the same model as my camera) and in no more than 10 minutes was already directing us where to sit, how to sit, where to stand, when the camera was ready, so on and so on. Three years old. Oh lordy. Her photographs actually turned out great!!!! I think I may have a partner in crime!

This is one of her shots. And yes, that's my bra.


I had asked her to jump for a photo... but instead she told me to jump. So I obliged.

I haven't finished editing the pictures from that session. I did snap like 600 shots of her, her lil baby brother (who is totally chill, and I adore him!), the mama and the grandma.

So definitely I will market this new area of my photography. I have to learn to loosen up around kids.

YAY FOR TAKING OVER THE WORLD ALL THE WAY FROM MY FUTURE HEADQUARTERS IN PORTLAND!!!!

Posted by starmagn at 05:02 PM | Comments (3)

June 09, 2008

Quick Photographic Quickies

Am leaving in less than a day, back to my normal life. Before I leave, I share some quickies with you.

I came to Puerto Rico to photograph my friend Laurie's wedding on Saturday. Laurie married Andy, who also went to high school with us, but they didn't hook up til 3-4 years after graduation. Nobody quite saw that one coming, so I gotta give it to them for the surprise factor. Good job, guys.

The wedding was fantabulous, everybody had fun, I met up with old classmates, cried towards the end, ate empanadillitas and just... I dunno, it was just all so wonderful. They are both so happy, it's ridiculous. Even more ridiculous is how GOOOOOORGEOUS Laurie looked. Like.. for reals, it must be illegal to be that beautiful.

These are Laura O(x), Laurie, Me (with sexy disheveled hair) and Mariela. We all live at least 500 miles apart from each other, Boston, Philly, Puerto Rico and Vegas (soon to be Portland). These girls own little parts of my heart and it hurts that I can't see them every day, that we are so far away, walking through paths that we just don't know when or where they might converge again. But I am glad they are in my life, as all the rest of my friends who I've known since kindergarten, since middle school, since our pointless biology class in 10th grade, since SCAD, since Vegas. Such is life, though.

I went to the beach today with my little (16 years old) cousin and mami. Combate is like Ghetto Capital of the World. I came to Puerto Rico for the cute surfer guys I grew up drooling for. Yeah, didn't see them. Highly disappointed. Did find this funky old school bus slash greasy food eatery on the way to Combate. Crazy little joint.

Allrighty then, off to Vegas, I go and edit ALL 1200 WEDDING PICTURES!

Oh lord, this will take forever.

Posted by starmagn at 01:36 AM | Comments (2)

June 03, 2008

You can't stop New York.

I have finally edited all the photographs I took in New York City early May. Had a funtastic time with my brother, auntie and dear cousin, who was performing her thesis play that week. Awesome times. Miss her already!

Please go to my Flickr page to view all pictures!!

Posted by starmagn at 04:31 AM | Comments (2)

May 15, 2008

i love ny tramps

I really, really do. Love this picture so much. Still going through all 034978983278923 photographs.

Posted by starmagn at 05:08 PM | Comments (0)

March 25, 2008

Writing stories of love and loss in black and white

There are stories to be found anywhere and everywhere time leaves its photographic footprints behind. Last Friday, after two FANTASTIC days at work, I hit up a corner junk shop in the mid-century downtown Las Vegas where I had found this awesomeness a few months ago, but not before stopping at The Attic, a vintage shop where prices are jacked up but the clothing is pretty fun, and spotting a little table with a stack of old photographs. I looked through all of them, writing stories with chalk on the walls of my brain. This marvelous lady above caught my attention, her clear blue eyes drew me into her face, mostly into her life, for a good few minutes.

At the Thrift Store (I believe this was its name, that's what the awning had written on) I scored triple the amount of photographs for only $0.25 each! And everything was on sale!

They might be sisters, maybe cousins, maybe long-time friends, but they are united in a beauty we will never see again.

Not content with just paper ephemera (also picked up plenty of paper stuff, which I shall photograph tomorrow when I'm not hurrying to feed myself), I just had to give a new home to these whimsy Cafe au Lait cups/mugs (any one know the correct term?). How fantastic are they!!

Oh thrifting, I heart you. Sure, I love buying for cute underwear at Forever 21, or super expensive professional camera equipment at Amazon, or pretty much anything at Target, but there is something that makes your heart flutter when you come across that "great find", that can hardly be described. I know all you fellow thrifters feel the same way. And you probably express it more eloquently. So... what do you love about "thrifting"?

Posted by starmagn at 02:52 AM | Comments (3)

March 08, 2008

A collection of wisdom

Just like any regular Jane out there, I collect things and like to photograph them. I collect fortune cookie slips, as so many others do. Some are amused by them. Me? I think they are mystical. Perhaps I am placing importance on them, but they always, always, seem to address the issues roaming abouts my head during a specific time of my life. Strange. Odds are I'm just imagining things. Nevertheless, I heart them lots, and whether an ancient bearded Chinese man (smoking a pipe, of course) is channeling me through these computerized pieces of paper or not, I derive some sort of wisdom with every cookie.

I hope to continue photographing my growing collections of pointless ephemera that inhabit my life. I share my fortune cookie slips collection with you. Please view. Eat. Learn.

(click below, view slideshow, please make sure not to click outside the images, for the slideshow will restart and you might cry.)

Also, does anyone remember that episode of Beverly Hills 90210 where the gang plays a little game (that apparently moves the story forward) in which they have to add the words "in bed" at the end of the fortune, and Brenda reads hers and it somehow reflects a negative aspect of her relationship (if they even ever called it like such) with Dylan, and she uncomfortably looks at him across the table, possibly regretting whoring her ass with him while the others laugh and read their saucy fortunes out loud? Like. omg... that was INTENSE DRAMA......... in bed.

Posted by starmagn at 02:48 AM | Comments (5)

March 07, 2008

My Dear Forsyth Park...

My last year in college was a tumultuous one. A bitter break up, a sack full of expectations and insecurities climbing my pores. Nothing ever worked, all my projects were silently laughed at during critiques, I was burned out, like I'd never been before. Six continuous years in school will do that to you. During that Spring my only fleeting happiness came from riding my Huffy Beach Cruiser (I miss you, Bikey) through the paths of Forsyth Park back in Savannah (which I leaned much later you were not supposed to cross the park, but ride around it).

So one day, the 26th of February of 2006, I took out a Mamiya RZ67 medium format camera, my most favorite camera of all absolute time, out of the school's photo equipment "cave" and walked to Forsyth to try and capture the little, little living things that made me smile. No fine art, no deadlines, no pretentiousness, no expectations, no critique, no nothing. Just Forsyth, the Mamiya and me.

I developed the five Kodak rolls, but never got to see what was in them, due to lack of time.

Till now. After two years, I finally took the negatives to a professional photo lab here in Vegas and asked the technicians to scan them. Three days later I was back and when handed the small 4x6 contact sheet of all the images, I couldn't hold it and shed a little tear or two (how emo of me, I know). I had Forsyth back with me, the calm and serenity of that one day.

Wanna know the sad thing about it all? I lived in Savannah for almost five years, and I never, EVER, EVER spent relaxing time at Forysth. I was either rushing to class, photographing or shooting a film at the park (or even selling beverages at the graduation concert). It wasn't until a month before I left, that I brought a book with me, Robert Capa's Slightly out of Focus (amazing memoirs from an incredible photographer) and laid down in the grass, with seven melting Crunch mini-bars in my beach bag, Godfrey and his friends playing soccer out in the field, and a conversation with a rather handsome boy with a penchant for pizzas from the Precinct Deli on Bull st.

So my dear Forsyth Park, you always only saw me in passing, and I regret my lack of attention, but these images are for you and for all you gave me. I miss the greenery, so so so bad.

Click on the image below to view the slide show. And yes, I am a shallow DOF whore. So sue me.

Also, do not click outside the images, it will only restart the slideshow. I am still researching proper scripts to display pictures. Bear with me, please.

Posted by starmagn at 11:12 PM | Comments (3)

February 26, 2008

Remnants.

Rain made a few explicit nightly visits to Vegas last week. After all the commotion and the promises, and the lies, and the secrets were revealed there was an odd sense of calm, a few clouds weren't strong enough to hold the light in, and the valley was lit in half nostalgia, half expectation. Like the seconds before opening your mailbox, or the seconds that pass between you and someone impossible as you quietly stare at this very scene of nature, six feet apart, thinking "yeah fat chance of us ever happening". And you're back to square one... knowing perfectly well it's where you've always been.

Work with me here, guys, I'm trying to be poetic, but the exhaustion this weekend brought on to me has drained my brain of any words past four letters. Scrabble is hard when you're tired, I've noticed.

Anyways, the purpose of this post is to present to you some lovely images that I have fallen in love with. Shot yesterday, after a challenging day at work, enjoying the sunshine that zig-zagged through the clouds before the late February moon marched in.

I am going to do product photography (see how I almost typed want to do?), so I am getting a little bit more elaborate with how I want these images to look like. Though, the images below probably aren't the best examples, but they're still pretty and that's the point of showing them. Okay? Good.

Please click to view bigger!



So yes, the Kodak Duaflex is my new baby, purchased to capture Through the Viewfinder images.

Today, a most wonderful thing happened. Not life-altering by any means, but images of peaceful moments came back to me. I will share with y'all shortly. I can't believe I never printed these pictures until now.

I haven't been this in love with photography since...2004.

I'm unbearably happy.

^_^

Also, I need photo partners! Come up here y'all!

Posted by starmagn at 01:08 AM | Comments (4)

February 19, 2008

I'll say it...

I want to go back. I want to go back to Savannah.* I've been musing the idea (and a billion others, as usual) for weeks now. Glimpses and smells and emotions from my five-year stay in the Hostess City of the South creep up my heart ever so often, stopping me in my tracks and causing a sudden shortness of breath.

There are certain things in life I hold dearly, certain values, characteristics, so on. I like charm. I like to be greeted warmly as I walk into a store. I like the rain (can't say the same for the overcast days that preceed it, though). I like to care. I like people that care. I like being laid-back. I like sweet tea. Oh how I learned to love sweet tea. I moved to Vegas knowing full well I would not find these things because Vegas is what it is and that's allright.

After I graduated SCAD in August '06, I had decided to forgo my plans of New York City and instead cultivate the seeds for a life in Savannah. A charming, pleasant, relaxing life in Savannah, where in years from then I would have a little boutique full of handmade arts and crafts from all across the world, sort of like an extension of my Mutation Craft Fair. I had the name, I had the logo, I had all the ideas (minus the supreme business skills, but that can be acquired). Somewhere down the road, I became restless, feeling the need to jump** somewhere again (I've been moving all my life, it's like in my blood).

But now that I've jumped, I long to go back and...settle down. Expand my photography business and complement it with my Star Magnolia, maybe even continue Mutation. Work from my own little studio home somewhere in Ardsley Park, perhaps.

Sadly, I know it's not the right time. There's money to be made here in Vegas, and I guess that's why I moved. At least we have crazyawesome mountains here. And desert bunnies. And coyotes. Saw a dead one on the street today. Sad.

In a failed attempt to end this ridiculous quarter-life drama, I share with you glimpses of my past, a past seen through the speeding eyes of a girl riding a bike all around the Victorian streets of Savannah, Georgia .

One of my favorite streets, Habersham.

Ohhhh that purple house, so cute.

Jones Street/ The Gingerbread house on Bull Street (by the library).

Loove that entry way on the right.

Turquoise house on left was probably my fave in all Savannah. My friend lived on the apt on the right (I think). Pretty garden.

I lived in this apartment right before leaving Savannah (well, before I became a bum at Ness and Brandon's apartment). Three very bright bedrooms, a cute kitchen, separate dining room, living room AND my own 14x20 studio!!! all for $1100. A steal. I miss it so.

Um, can you say friggin' adorable?!

Clayton's Place. Clayton's Place fooled us with the promise of "Coming Soon". It never did. At least not by the time I left. Oftentimes I'd ride around (Barnard and Duffy) and imagine my boutique in this location. Oh yes. Bright, cute and with potential to be awesome.

*Now, imagine those words yelled by a drunken, over-medicated Jack at the end of Lost Season 3. Oh yeah, oceanic 6!

**Yeah, wouldn't it be nice to teletransport ANYWHERE in the world like in that new Hayden Christensen movie? Of course, I'd teleport myself into Hayden Christensen's BED...but hey...

Posted by starmagn at 03:45 AM | Comments (3)

February 11, 2008

A wanderlust portfolio.

Hello there! First things first, the temperature in Vegas has been oh so delightful this past week. It is such a delight to walk outside the restaurant for a few minutes as I wait the patio tables. So fresh, so crisp, so... NOT humid at all. If Vegas can boast one great thing, is it's weather (for the grand exception of the month July, *shudder*). Once Spring or Fall rolls along, you never feel guilty for staying home on a lovely Saturday afternoon, 'cause you know the next will be just as nice.

That is exactly how I felt this first great weekend of 2008, because I became a hermit as I redesigned, rather extravagantly, my professional portfolio. Gone are the distracting bold colors and patterns. Instead, this new design reflects my current school of sophistication. Besides, my images are obnoxiously bright and colorful enough. They speak a thousands loud songs by themselves.

So please, I invite you to hop on to my little corner of the world and provide me with any suggestions, glitches, whatevers before I complete the DESIGN section of the 'folio.

Secondly, I'd like to share with y'all this most fantabulous video my good friend Jo sent my way, a friend in need of a sign, of inspiration, of excitement. So many of my friends, including yours truly, are riding this unstable wave of utter confusion. Quarter-life crisis, they call it, those other friends who discuss life's issues around the watercooler or over Grey's Anatomy while sitting in the sofa with their spouse. Those friends who seem to have it all figured out.

We don't have it all figured out because we have so many darn options, and the notion of chilling in bed seems more appealing than thinking, that we don't exactly know where the times will take us next. So we appear to be in limbo. We ain't. We're here. We're just different.

Wouldn't it be marvelous to pack two pairs of jeans, four or five t-shirts, good shoes, deodorant, toothbrush, underwear, a jacket, a journal, a camera, a wallet with ID, passport, some money and whatever other essentials you might need and just...GO. Where? Who knows. But just GO. I'm still fuming about my car having died before embarking on my super road trip from good ol Georgia to exciting Vegas last summer, leaving me no option but to fly out here. Ugh. I wanted to see Graceland!

When 2008 began (and I'm sorry I'm babbling by this point), I said this would be my JUST DO IT year. The emoness and insecurity of 2007 are buried and I learned from them. To my surprise, I've already DONE IT. There are photographic opportunities happening in the next few months, am improving my health and beauty (yay for laser hair removal and learning how to put eyeliner on!), my kindred spirit Sarita from Canada and I are starting an Earth-shattering zine (we're also musing the idea of a road trip. I say, begone with musing! Let's do it!). And who knows... maybe this will be the year of Star Magnolia, who knows.

About 8-ish months ago, my ex-roommate and I moved away from Savannah, Georgia to our respective destinations. We took baby steps. Scary and relieving baby steps. This year, we will run. Hopefully, won't trip along the way, we're kinda clumsy like that. And hopefully there will be lots of cupcakes along the way, too mmmm cupcakes.

But yeah, this is to my Tamara, to my Janice, to my Sarita, to my Jo, to my Rafa, to my Gregory Harold, to my Agmar, to my Siegfried (love how I've mentioned two ex-boyfriends of mine), to my Heather, to my Tuberculosis Brennan... heck, I dunno, who else is lost and confused and so happy to not fall prey to life's monotony? lol Well join me as I raise my... bottle of Arrowhead water (where's my damn whisky at) in honor of our respective quarter-life crisis and all the stories we shall tell to our grandchildren (or nephews for those of us who cringe at the thought of children).

ROCK ON.

WOw I just wasted like an hour or so of my life writing this and watching hilarious Picard YTNMDs.

Thirty minutes after originally writing this entry on my blog, I found a fortune cookie slip from a few days ago (I keep ALL of them). The message written is: You will take a pleasant journey to a place far away". Well look at that, huh.

Posted by starmagn at 11:39 PM | Comments (4)

January 25, 2008

Food orgy

So y'all know I love food. Food and cupcakes. MMM and alcohol, of course. So in the spirit of... Friday, I shall post pictures of yummy foods I've either cooked or someone else has.

This is my new favorite breakfast. I don't really eat eggs or pancakes, so I've made this delicious yogurt + fruits + walnuts + banana chips + healthy cereal orgy. It's YUMMYLICIOUS.


I love avocados. It saddens me that American won't even really know what TRUE avocados look like. Puerto Rican avocados... oh man. Those things are HUGE. Not those silly dark things you see at the grocery store. Oh no. Ours are huge and green on the outside and absolutely delicious. In the meantime I eat from the American selection 'cause they're still yummy to my tummy.


More avocados, mmmm.

I don't remember what I put on this lasagna. But it was DELISH.

I love heirloom tomatos. So juicy, so weird looking.

I also love corn. A LOT. A LOT.

From Back in the Day Bakery in Savannah, Georgia. Ridiculously remarkable.


Dang, I'm hungry now. :P

Posted by starmagn at 09:22 PM | Comments (1)

December 22, 2007

La magia.

Dicen que la magia no existe. Los cuentos de hadas son producto de una mente sin proposito, sin real imaginacion, sin raices en la tierra.

Pero se equivocan; la magia aun existe. Existe en el cine. En los 112 minutos de Pan's Labyrinth, perfectamente dirigida por Guillermo del Toro.

No logro recordar cuando fue la ultima vez que una pelicula me conmovio tanto. Siento como si aquel pequeno hechizo que guio mis pies en un verano lejano hacia el lugar donde estoy hoy dia, ha regresado.

La magia del cine ha regresado.

Maldito Movable Type, aniquila mis acentos. grrr.

Posted by starmagn at 11:52 PM | Comments (0)

October 14, 2007

I spent $1500 on a professional camera for this...

To snap silly self-portraits. Go me.

:P

Regardless, I love love my puffy, hideously beautiful 80's prom dress.

This is me fake-sewing. It's very much like sewing. Except when it's not (notice the price tag still on the dress).

I love backlit photographs, so I took advantage of the glow of my dress. I look mysterious and dangerous and slightly hungry. mmm ice cream. Oh also, my necklace!!

Steve Nick's Gypsy comes to mind when I look at this photograph below (I love my Stevie).

Yeap, $1500 very well spent, I must say. Cheerioh.

Posted by starmagn at 11:51 PM | Comments (4)

September 07, 2007

Amy Nieto Photography promo postcards!

Finally got around to creating promo postcards for my photography. Two designs, first one focuses on wedding photography (and will be the first ones to go on print) and the second shows my affinity for pretty things. Though for my product photography, I rely exclusively (for the moment) on natural (available) light. Little me would love to have a small strobe kit, but must start simple at first. So I might not print that postcard just yet. The postcards will actually have rounded corners, that's why I included the gray outline.

Suggestions? What say you about the design? About the pictures chosen? Do they convey my own Amy Nieto style of art and photography? So on and so on.

Posted by starmagn at 10:45 AM | Comments (2)

June 16, 2007

Holy crap. Did I just... figure it all out?

Boredom brings awesomness. Clippings from Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, Domino, and a Swedish rug company catalog. Just trying to Amyfy this bedroom.

You know what I really want to do? Other than be at the beach and get silly drunk with my friends. Or be at an awesome concert. Or making out with a sweet, sweet boy. Probably at said concert.

No no. Y'all know that I co-founded and co-organized the Mutation Craft Fair for about two years back in Savannah. It was, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the best experiences in my entire life. We met so many wonderful people and we are grateful they were a part of my life, even if for just a few hours. The energy emitting from their lovely selves and from their talent is enough to power ten solar systems. Ten solar systems of crafty HOTAWESOMENESS.

Well, I really, really liked organizing this event with Meghan and later Elizabeth. Personally, I found a profound joy in helping these artists create bridges of their own, to get their work across, to meet other fellow crafters, to shop for unique gifts and to immerse themselves in such a nurturing artistic community. It was great to watch back (whenever I wasn't running around making sure everything was running swimmingly) at this constant... weaving of creativity, of kind words, of suggestions, of positive thoughts, of happiness, laughter, wonderment. As if we were all part of an eternal knitting of this Universe.

Or crocheting. Or spinning. Or whatever your choice of craft is.

Despite the numbing stress that comes from organizing an event with just a few pair of hands, I would do it again in a second.

I know my fancy schmancy BFA is in photography, I honestly have no real desires to be a famous fashion photographer (though very deep down inside I wish I had the balls to be a war photographer), or to.. I don't know. Shoot wedding after wedding. Then shoot a set of perfumes. It's all fine and dandy, but not where my real passion lies. (and I do LOOOOOVE to take pictures of beautiful, frilly, tulle-heavy gowns in very poetic settings, ahhhh love)

I think my real passion comes in... spreading the word about these fantastic people and their art. Art in general, actually. It hurts to see how America continues to be ignorant about the human necessity for art, especially among our young. I know we need our sciences (I was a science-oriented girl way before I became an artist), but... if we direct our limited educational budget to our children's left side of the brain, what would become of the human culture in a century or two? Technological advances will progress at an amazing rate... but, I fear we'd become drones and zombies (please zombie-enthusiasts, put down your shovels and ray-guns, the time will come for you to zap zombies back to the dark ages. Just not now. Not like this. Thank you).

I'm rambling, I know. But see how I get worked up talking about this issue? I don't do this with photography. Or anything else. Maybe cupcakes. And Star Wars. But that's it. I'm unsure where would I start with this, seeing as I just relocated here. But I will definitely make my rounds around the small arts district and make my desires known. I am dead sure I'm not alone in this. Dunno, maybe work at a non-profit that promotes the arts. Do anything in it. From the actual photography, to recruiting artists, or sponsors, to being their art director... or gosh, anything. It's my one little contribution to this world (other than my sexy latin moves).

Now, don't go thinking I want to be a grade school teacher. F that. I cannot deal with other people's kids. I just want them to be artistic. lol.

But yeah. That's what I want to do.

See, Amy, that wasn't so hard.

More pics:

Love that dress. And the shoes. And the rug.


Oh my look at that picture with the model in the green dress. And the armoire in the bottom left. And the couch. Can I have million dollars? Thank you.

Posted by starmagn at 11:54 PM | Comments (2)

June 15, 2007

Cooking and self-portraits

Yeap. Amy Nieto cooked all that. Has she ever cooked a potato salad before? Don't be silly, of course not! Or baked vegetables? Did she even know what a yellow squash is? No, no. Cooking is one of those activities, along with fashion and make-up (see post below), I've taken an interest in since I hit... adulthood. Or something. The lemon-peppered baked chicken was exquisite! mmmm I spent the last month staying at a fantastic chef's apartment and I got the cooking bug from him. So here's to more strange recipes!

This is me getting a beer from what appears to be a celestial fridge. How awesome would that be. Kinda like how in Star Trek you have the food replicators... but in this case, God hands you beers. Miller, even. That's my idea of heaven.

For sometime now I've been wanting to snap daily self-portraits, you know, like how all the emo kids are doing it. As I attempted with last year's short-lived 12 Hour Project, I like photographs that seem to collect things, as if you were cataloguing life, hoping to find some sort of pattern in the fabric of yourself.

love this cardigan - 6/13/07


This one y'all already saw - 6/12/07

Posted by starmagn at 01:36 AM | Comments (0)

May 22, 2007

LE PORTFOLIO!!!!!

Allright, so I finished in three days what took me an entire year to even push myself to do. Le Amy Nieto Photography Portfolio is finally ready!

I am working on the PRODUCTS and INTERIORS portfolio, because that's what seems to be my main focus right now.

Please stop by the site. Tell me what you like, what you don't like, what images need to be taken out. Any feedback is highly appreciated (oh and yes, I know the images are taking a little bit longer to upload, am working on fixing that). Click on the image above (or visit amynieto.com).

THANK YOU MILLIONS!

Posted by starmagn at 10:40 PM | Comments (1)

May 19, 2007

Threading the world together

Ahh I love complaining how penniless I am, but then spend my hard earned money on vintage awesomeness. Somebody needs to hide my wallet away. Anyways. VINTAGE THREADS! CRAZY JEWELRY FINDS! EMPTY WALLETS! YAYYYYYY!!

Posted by starmagn at 05:31 PM | Comments (1)

May 18, 2007

Three is the magic number

All things lovely and pink

All things blue and marigold

Posted by starmagn at 02:58 AM | Comments (1)

May 10, 2007

Enjoying the quiet time

Lovely flowers Ness and I picked. Abbey's cat Rhonan. Yummy cake from the Bakery.

I feel it's been so long since I last posted. Still here in Savannah, anxiously waiting my departure date for Vegas. The longer I stay here, the more I spend on... beads, and unnecessary pretty things. Like so:

Horay for fantastic (slightly expensive) vintage beads!


Baby ribbon, Jasper stone and glass beads


This is me at the Gryphon, awaiting my Frenchman Sandwich, mmmm

I've spent the last week and a half at Brandon and Ness and Abbey's apartment, having lotsa fun and great food, while I finish my freelance assignment. Am getting really anxious to leave, to the point I can barely sleep at night. But I am enjoying this quiet time, away from the drama that was my previous apartment and the high intensity stress that awaits me in Vegas. But I am oh so excited.

Posted by starmagn at 12:35 AM | Comments (0)

April 28, 2007

The 12 Hour Project... a year later.

Do y'all remember a year ago I posted a photo project where I documented my surroundings at the top of the hour, every hour, for 12 hours straight on certain days? No? Me neither, 'cause I haven't done it since April 8 of last year. After that date, life became...a mess, simply put (cannot believe it's been a year now since my disastruous Personal Vision class...).

Anyways, on the 10th of this month I woke up with the desire to carry the 12Hr once again. So here it is (it's not exactly 12 hours, but I tried). Click below the picture to see the rest.

11:00 AM


12:00 pm


1:00 pm mmmmm cupcakes


2:00 pm maybe I was doing my Dubya impersonation


3:00 pm


4:00 pm


5:00 pm


6:00 pm


7:00 pm (hey, it might work!)

Posted by starmagn at 12:38 AM | Comments (0)

April 09, 2007

Cynthia and Johnny's wedding! (looots of pix)

So, FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY finished editing all pictures from Cynthia and Johnny's fantasmicawesomelistic wedding! Cynthia and Johnny are two of my old high school friends and I have no idea how to contain my happiness for them. It was also about time they tied the knot, seeing as they finally hooked up about 7 years ago.

This is them back in 2001:

And just for kicks this is Johnathan and I back in Senior Year doing some rather scandalous things in the halls of our Catholic school (no we never dated... it was Valentine's and he had given me a rose...so...he sat on top of me and thats how I got some Johnny lovin):

Okay, enough posting embarassing high school photographs. ON TO THE WEDDING PICTURES! Clickie below!

This was an hour before the ceremony. Undressed and looking at childhood photo albums. That's how we Ricans roll.


Bridesmaids (Viviana, Mariola and Ivonette), Cynthia and mama Cuchi in the super mega pimpin' Excursion limousine. FUN!


My favorite picture. love love love


Too cute for words!


"No voy a llorar! No voy a llorar!"


The rings. Very simple but also beautiful.


Cynthia and her papa, Rafael.


Cynthia's niece was a flower girl


Happy little bride!


The ring. :D


Get a freakin' room!


Thats' it! GAME OVER!


Ivonette, Mariola, Cynthia, Meraly (maid of honor) and Viviana


Wow so formal...


It's a don't ask, don't tell kinda wedding.


Nayuan (Ivonette's husband), Ivonette and Lolita!!


Cynthia and her parents (btw her mama sewed her dress)


Johnny;s family


A German toast


Ha, I love this photo so bad


I love me a good X rated wedding in front of a dozen kids and about three 90 year olds who, sadly for them, cannot remember the good ol days when they used to play this kinda game all the time, 'cause you know... there wasn't any TV back then...or Internet... or World of Warcraft.


Both Melissa and her fiancee (Steven? Forgot his name) coincidentally caught the boucquet and the...leg elasticky thing (thinking in English is HARD). They're actually tying the knot later this year.


I don't think the man lasted more than 15 minutes with all that tuxedo and tie crap.


Mmmmm cake mmmm


Orlando and Viviana perriando


Lolitaaaa!


Apparently, during a two-hour period at the reception this is all I seem to remember doing... DRINKING (me and Liliana). Cause everybody loves a drunken professional photographer. Good job, Amy.


I also Thumbed-up a whole lot during this hazy period.


Jackie, Cynthia and Lolita in their Miami pose!


Viviana and her little Alejandra. lovelovelovelovelove


Yeah people got rowdy. Asereje?


The night ended with some quality drunken kareoke (well what other kind is there?). PAMPASSSSSSSS lol

It was a fun fun fun fun wedding. Thank you Cynthia and Johnathan for hiring me and ordering all those yummy empanadillas exclusively for my fancy and for...you know, NOT keeping the alcohol away from me. I LOVE YOU BOTH LOTS!!!!!

MORE PICTURES HERE AT THEIR FLICKR PAGE!

What? Me, Amy? Get married? Nahhh... my biological clock is not ticking at all... Nope. Not at all. I mean I'm only 25...Why would I want to wake up next to a handsome, caring man every single day of my life. Or not come back to an empty bed every night. Or.. you know, travel together and have babies and buy a charming early 19th century house somewhere in the Pacific Northwest with wooden floors and wonderful morning light... or.. *sniff* do all those really cute things married couples do. Why would I want any of these things?..naahhh, Amy's biological clock NOT TICKING AT FUCKIN ALL. .....*wahhhhhhh cries uncontrollably* *proceeds to watch a romantic comedy featuring hugh Grant as an adorable mumbling regular joe* *sniffs*

Posted by starmagn at 10:47 PM | Comments (1)

April 04, 2007

Just two more...

I had eyed this pretty lotus bowl at Pier Imports months ago, and now I finally bought two at 30%. Tell me, do I need to be spending money on things for the apartment, when I'm TRYING TO THROW EVERYTHING AWAY?!?! No hay quien me entienda.

Yes, now you see why there is no conceivably way I am leaving this beautiful 50s table behind. It's such a great backdrop for small pictures.

Posted by starmagn at 07:15 PM | Comments (0)

March 18, 2007

The Wedding

That is me in all my PHOTOGRAPHIC HOTNESS yesterday at Cynthia and Jonathan's wedding, which was oh so much fun. Worried that I might've needed longer black pants to maneuver about, I decided to buy to wear this lovely pink floral dress. Luckily it is long enough for me to kneel and crouch on the floor without... you know, showing the unsuspecting masses my dignity. Or whatever's left of it.

Wore some really awesome jewelry that I "reconstructed". But what with me being the wedding's official (eventually drunken) photographer I never photographed my entire wardrobe, including the necklace and earrings, so here they are:

The wooden heart is from JC Penney's and I added all the other knicknacks and chains and stuff.

Posted by starmagn at 07:37 PM | Comments (0)

March 13, 2007

I AM HOME.

That is me, basking in the late Cabo Rojo sunlight of relaxation and chilaxing. So yes, I am BACK HOME IN PUERTO RICO FOR THREE AWESOME WEEKS OF ..... AWESOMENESS AND DEBAUCHERY. And whole lots of massive eating. Of course, there is also a grand wedding coming up in just a few days, which I am photographing. My good friend Cynthia, the bride, already promised me dozens of empanadillitas to keep me happy as I snap away. So excited, already feel myself shedding a tear.

My grandma has the most random pieces of home decor in her living room. I don't know where she gets them from, seriously. But it has always been something I look forward to each year when I go back home.

But yeah MORE PICTURES under the cut!

That's my grandma! She loves drinking Medallas. :D


My mami

My family throughout the years...

Posted by starmagn at 01:55 AM | Comments (2)

January 28, 2007

Pretty magnolias

Yay! They're blooming! Apart from Spring and Summer time back in Puerto Rico, this is my favorite time of the year: late January and early February when all pink magnolias get a head start on the floral madness that is spring. It's like they want to steal the spotlight by being the first flowers to bloom. Either way, I heart them!

And what am I doing right at this instant? Oh I don't know, how about sewing pretty bags for...STAR MAGNOLIA!

Yeah I'm a little hyper/tired at the moment. Ignore my sudden outburst of randomness. :D

Posted by starmagn at 05:20 PM | Comments (0)

January 27, 2007

More happy pictures

la la la I love my seafoam green wall!

Lovin' these plastic beads I bought on eBay.


Mami send me these awesome suede strings.

Early morning Gryphon Tea Room lighting (this is where I work, love the orange chairs!)

I made honey buiscuits!!!! mmm

Posted by starmagn at 05:08 PM | Comments (1)

January 19, 2007

Things that make me happy.

I am photographing things that make me happy. It's that simple. As are these things that brighten up any sad, gloomy day (as it has been for the past two weeks here in Sav).

Above: Yummy cupcake from Back in the Day Bakery.

Below: My bloody fantastic "camera" bag!

Posted by starmagn at 12:59 AM | Comments (1)

January 07, 2007

This is the kind of photography I like taking...

Apparently this is POSTING EXTRAVAGANZA 2007!!!one!!! FINALLY got around to painting the rather dull wall in my studio. It looks gooooorgeous! Can't wait to fully decorate it. Somehow I think this wall needs something...canary yellow! :D Also, any suggestions on what I can do with the ugly plywood covering what I'm sure was a lovely chimney? Add mini shelves? Or... dunno... help?

oink oink! From Target.


In a few days I'll expand more on the story of this ballerina :D

Posted by starmagn at 11:35 PM | Comments (3)

December 15, 2006

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth, my two fron--- *smack* STFU kid!

You know the drill. Leave a comment with your address (it won't actually post) and you get this luuurvely postcard in the mail, completely free but brimming with love and holiday awesomeness. :D

By the way. I'm back on the game, bitches. No more crying, no more breakdowns, no more post-college confusion. Star Magnolia: 2007, F yeah!

Posted by starmagn at 09:26 PM | Comments (4)

September 03, 2006

Okay this was supposed to be posted on the 24th.....

OMGZ!111one!!!
I JUST FINISHED COLLEGE ALTOGETHER.
FOREVER.
FOR-BLOODY-EVER!!

There are no words to describe how I feel right now. This is not only my achievement, but my family's, my mother's suffering and struggle throughout the years to get us where we are right now.

My life starts right now. Now I'm gonna have to work for a living. Shit. lol

In other unrelated news, man it sucks to be Pluto, huh. Poor thing, always trailing behind Uranus.

*drum roll* I am beyond comedic greatness.

Oh and OMG, what the F was up with that Jeff dude last night on Project Runway? Ugh, I hate people with attitudes.

I feel like walking into the street dancing to Otis Redding's Try a little tenderness. Mostly I feel like finding me a damn cute boy to go ut tonight. But of course, that won't happen.

Okay enough rambling!!

Posted by starmagn at 10:15 PM | Comments (1)

July 30, 2006

Life routes

Cute little illustration/photo collage made for my Digital I course. Really lurrrve how this turned out, especially since I got to play with Illustrator.

I've had some ideas in my head for a while on illustrations involving photographs, my bike routes and solid color shapes, mostly inspired by French artists Antoine et Manuel's exciting work. Check out their illustrations made for the Parisian subways. And for the Centre Choregraphique National De Tours. SO EXQUISITE!!

Posted by starmagn at 10:51 PM | Comments (2)

July 28, 2006

Now that I've decided to stay...

click to make bigger

...I wonder how will I use my photography. Would I be able to make money out of it (without resorting to weddings, which I realized I cannot do)? Could I do some product photography from here in Savannah? How will I market my fine-art then?

So many questions. Often I wonder if these studio shots are even good enough to draw attention from potential employers.

Maybe I should shut up and concentrate on the now? What say you?

Posted by starmagn at 01:52 AM | Comments (0)

July 19, 2006

Creation...

Illustrator is teh rawk. I've only had a handful dealings with the program in the past, so I'm always secretly wishing I could possess any illustrating skills (hopefully that will change soon).

This is a preliminary design for an assignment. The text inside the dove needs to be reworked, of course. It was fun doing this, though!

I am currently in the middle of midterms, my toy shoot is coming along quite nicely and work is basically a bitch, but oh well. Still pondering what to do post-August 24th.

Okay, off to homework I go!

Posted by starmagn at 10:36 PM | Comments (0)

July 07, 2006

Grab my things and take me home

Man, despite the fact I had a four hour long power nap of mythical epic proportions, I am still sleepy as heck. It might be the rain splish-splashing against my window... or maybe I'm just one heck of a lazy ass. Been meaning to post this for a while, but really, do y'all need to read YET another issue of mine regarding my future? And the answer is MOST DEFINITELY YES because y'all like to be tortured like that.

Basically, I'm not so sure about moving to NYC this Fall as I had anticipated. I came into some money recently to jump start my career (whatever that means) and I figured (well, actually my Mom did in a panic fit after finding out rats inhabited my cousin's apt in Williamsburg, Brooklyn) that at least a third or half of that money would go into all the expenses attributed to relocating into a new city, it's like a down payment that I'll never get back, and that's money I'll never come across again.

Now... hear me out here, what if instead of moving there right away, I stay here in SAV for a little while longer, invest a portion of my savings into my Star Magnolia shindig, research and educate myself in the world of business ownership, put all that knowledge into developing my Little Bright shop (or Mutation in a Box). That, of course, is more logical and productive. And that's where it gets hazy because I have no idea where would that lead (my DeloRean still hasn't arrived).

I like Savannah a lot and in a few years this place is gonna be really cool. Dunno, what do you guys think (because y'all hold the key to my future, of course).

Posted by starmagn at 12:46 AM | Comments (3)

July 01, 2006

Have your Lame Arse Posse call my Elite Latino Posse

Things that make me happy...
01) Cupcakes from Back in the Day Bakery, I cannot stress enough how wonderful all their baked good are. Cheryl and the gang are also a delight!

02) Silky flower on Broughton Street's sidewalk. It was sooo pretty, but have no idea what is called.

03) Johnny Rockets and their cute servers who are incredibly skilled at flirting while painting a smiley with glasses on a cardboard tray thingie. Here's to you, chicos. :D

04) Creating mad words like ELITE LATINO POSSE on Scrabble (with the magic invisible chip). HUNDRED DOLLAR BILL, Y'ALL!

05) Sweet Jacie gave me this gooorgeous pink rose for graduation. :D

06) Oh sweet Jesus, I love tostones! That's fried plaintains for the rest of y'all. So good, so crunchy, oh so nostalgic. *sigh*

Posted by starmagn at 09:00 PM | Comments (1)

June 18, 2006

Los Cangris

So finally here it is, my little project of fuzziness and ridiculous amounts of love and platinum. It is titled, Los Cangris and it features a whimsical cast from a turn-of-the-century circus travelling act. Yes, these are all my toys, but they have all taken alternate identities for the sake of this project. Each one has it own little story that will be further developed this Summer quarter in my Personal Vision 2 class. Settings and silly situations shot in studio will also be added.

I'm really excited about this (finally!), but my toy collection is all you see here. I want to feature more handmade little creatures, but I would require your assitance in this. Anyone willing to donate or provide me a discount on one of your creations, will receive countless of free prints and all sorts of stuff (and of course you are free to use the photos in an of your promotional material). Many of you make the cutest, craziest thing and I would loooooove to include them in my project (I take very good care of my stuff!!).

Clickie below for the other Cangris portraits!

Posted by starmagn at 11:37 PM | Comments (0)

June 01, 2006

Resolution of Brightness

I won't elaborate on it because right now there'e one last project that needs to be finished for class, but I am, once again, SO IN LOVE WITH PHOTOGRAPHY. All the panic and tears I went through this quarter were not in vain. My resolution is stronger than ever, and I believe, so are my skills. The way my work is progressing has lead me to think that I will favor the fine Art route instead of the commercial. I am more happy with myself when I produce all these conceptual and silly shoots. Both my main critiques went rather well, and I am very proud of the work displayed.

So yeah. I'm happy.

My brother arrives today and my mami and my aunt will be here tomorrow.

And on Saturday...SHOWTIME, BITCHES!!!

(It won't be till Sunday or Monday when y'all get to see all the pictures. Will be so busy these next few days with family and graduation and LOTS OF EATING! Because God knows, five milano double chocolate cookies, Haagen Dasz coffee ice cream and a banana DOES NOT equal a full dinner.)

Posted by starmagn at 11:35 AM | Comments (0)

May 17, 2006

"And whenever I think of the early 90s your face comes up with a vengeance like it was yesterday"

Those up there are things that make me happy: Making necklaces with friends, lilies blooming at Forsyth Park, Crazy Cat (the local neighborhood schizophrenic cat) and Mpatrizio's ultra-adorable stickers I got in the mail the other day.

Feeling slightly miserable. Not really, just confused and...defeated? Today's photography critique of last week's studio flowers went a bit better than expected. Some of my fellow classmates gave some good advice on how to expand this project as best as I could in the next two weeks.

But something else is nagging me. Something far more serious. In the process of rebuilding my portfolio site for my Digi Web class, I am slowly realizing I really have no strong images. Now, before you start accusing me of being silly and whatnot, seriously, look at my photography. Yes, I like them all as they were my children and I enjoy looking at them.

But that's me. I'm not my future employer. No decent photographer/magazine/studio house/whatever will hire me based on these. If anything, they scream, and very loudly, "amateur".

I spent four years practicing filmmaking, only to realize it really isn't my thing at all. And for the last two years I have immersed myself in photography. This time, only to realize the quality of my work is fairly unresolved and questionable for a six-year Senior.

Lately, I've been wondering (and reluctantly accepting) if the commercial photography world is the right track for me. Heck, if there's any right track laid out for me. Maybe I should devote the majority of my time and effort into the indie craft scene, which I'm actually very passionate about (and I do know my stuff is good). I often dream of opening up my little "Mutation in a box" kinda shop, and I'd be so happy doing so. As for photography, I'd do it as a hobby, or more in the fine-art league.

But is that what I studied six years for?

Life is full surprises, some that you half expect and others can throw you off-balance if you don't react quick enough.

I dunno. *sigh* All I do know is that I am shipping my bony ass to New York City soon, and we shall see what that does to my creativity in general.

Posted by starmagn at 09:54 PM | Comments (2)

May 12, 2006

Flower Shots

In the pursuit of my much desired college graduation ceremony, I am working on remedying my horrible Personal Vision current grade by creating a project that will give me a D or, God willing, a C in this class. So I decided to shoot flowers, strung together by thread and other things.

These are just some test shots (and yet another excuse to spend money on flowers) so they still aren't constructed as they will be at the end. Here's hoping, here's hoping. (Clickie below for more)

Posted by starmagn at 08:56 PM | Comments (3)

No me sueltes hoy...

Screw everything I've said and whined about not graduating this quarter. Because I WILL graduate this June, no matter what. I shall rock the graduation ceremonies so hard, y'all will feel the rockingness in your respective locations and then y'all will be like, OMFG someone is rockin' it hard, rockin' it like a hurricane. Oh yes, indeed.

A second chance of sorts has fallen upon me, after realizing I can't withdraw from the class because I'll end up owing the college $2400 which would have to be paid immediately attached to my firstborn's diaper. So I have to take it like a man and stay in the class and do what best I can in the remaining 3 weeks.

To celebrate this newfound strength I bought the cutest set of stickers in the whole wide world, created by none other than Marilyn Patrizio. I suggest y'all celebrate with me and buy her stickers, they're only $2.00 at her Etsy shop!

Posted by starmagn at 01:04 PM | Comments (0)

May 05, 2006

"That's heavy Doc"

Yesterday at my Digi for the Web class I began this layout for one of our assignments. I have no idea what to do with this. Maybe I'll do a page full of the wonderment that is moi, Mademoiselle Amy Nieto.

I have another self portrait shoot in a few hours and I'll be doing it all on my own. I am shit scared that something, anything might go wrong and I will lose it. Really, I feel this horrible tension in my chest that will not go away till May 31st.

I'm really afraid of what might happen to me in the next few weeks. I have never, ever felt this stressed, or been this behind on my school work. I have a bloody 3.50, I don't lag on school.

Worst.Quarter.Ever.

Rest assured, this will not happen this Sumemr quarter. I will have everything ready for my Star Wars/Mara Jade shoot.

Posted by starmagn at 10:56 AM | Comments (0)

May 03, 2006

I'm too young to be this tired

So far the best critique I've had in a while was yesterday's Photoshop Layout for our Digital for the Web course. This is my layout for my online photography portfolio. Because I'm girly like that I wanted to add a very eccentric, ornate flare to the site, but keeping it professional and clean. So this is the result. For reasons I am too lazy to explore, Amynieto.com has been down for a while. Need to work on that.

You know, after talking to many people in the past few days (and boring them to death with my issues) one of the reasons I may be so lost and confused with photography right now is that... I've not yet realized what my style is, what kind of commercial photography I would want to do for the next five years.

And I've been realizing... you know, I bloody love Martha Stewart Weddings. I adore that soft lighting they use for their product shots. They make it seem like everything was shot on a beautiful Sunday morning right next to these gigantic glass windows on a magestic Southern home.

Anthropologie rocks my world with their catalogs (why haven't you sent me any, anthroplogie? Is it because I never order? I mean, really, have you looked at your prices?). Their photography is so elegant, simple yet very professional and captivating. The settings are so textured, so well-traveled. I love it.

I can't do this glossy, high-contrast, urbanite, polished fashion photography. It just ain't my thing, as much as I admire and respect it.

I guess that's my answer there, too.

Posted by starmagn at 06:22 PM | Comments (1)

May 01, 2006

Go-go girl

My eyebags right now are probably sagging as much as an 80 year old woman's breasts.

And with that image, I bid you farewell.

I kid, I kid. Yesterday's photo shoot went rather well, and it was quite the hoot shooting with Le Room*e at Elizabeth's lovely garden patio where her incredibly fat but gorgeous cat, Mimi, glared intensely at us from inside the apartment. Unfortunately, that morning my makeup artist informed me that she got called to fill in for another co-worker to do the makeup for a wedding. But she gave me tips on how to achieve the 60s look and I jotted down the notes as frightened drops of sweat fell down the paper (not really). So I spent about $40 (40.11 to be exact) at Kroger's makeup section, which only includes Maybelline and Covergirl, and that my friends, is the suck. Still.

I think I did rather decently with the makeup. The hair? That's a complete different story...altogether (ahh I love Airplane references).

Anyways, this photo shoot represents my dream of becoming a model, clashed with my love of 60s pop imagery.

Enjoy (clickie below)!

Proof that, yes, there was make up on my face.

Posted by starmagn at 08:32 AM | Comments (1)

April 28, 2006

And I saw her face, now I'm a believer

Okay, so like, I'm totally going bankrupt this quarter what with all my visits to Civies to buy cool dresses for my photo shoots. This sexy little number is for "Amy the 60s Mod Model" photo shoot this Sunday. My hair and make up will all be done in 60s style. And I'm excited :D

So tomorrow my ex-roommate Jessica and I will hang out ceremoneusly and quite sexily (because we're two hot bitches) after being apart for oh so long (since May after she graduated and went back to Joisey). So, I believe some massive, scandalous havoc shall be wreaked in the haunted town of Savannah, Georgia (really, we're actually one the most haunted towns in America... wtf).

Posted by starmagn at 11:50 PM | Comments (0)

Steady going nowhere

These are the rest from last Wednesday's Amy Homemaker photo shoot at the Back in the Day Bakery (thanks to Tony for helping out!). The series of 10 (or so) images will represent ten aspects that together make up the person that I am today. Fears, dreams, memories, current situations and anything that is characteristically me. They also will dabble a bit into fashion photography.

I have NEVER done self portraits, so this will also prove to be a challenge as I step into these roles, even though they maight be based on reality.

Clickie below to see more!

Posted by starmagn at 07:42 PM | Comments (1)

April 26, 2006

Freefall out into nothing, gonna leave this world for a while.

First image from today's self portrait shoot. This one is supposed to represent the Susie Homemaker in me. Still trying to find the perfect shot that fits that description.

In the shot, I am also pondering whether or not I have the passion for photography.

I know I have the talent. Not so sure if I have the ardent passion needed to succeed in this field. I never quite had the passion for film. And look how that ended. I don't want to graduate this June knowing that I went through six years of college studying things that I'm not fiercely passionate about.

Sometimes it seems I am not passionate about anything at all, or maybe my passion lies with so many things that it's hard to pinpoint one that trumps the other. And that really frustrates and depresses me.

*sigh* My insecurities just never seem to end.

Posted by starmagn at 11:19 PM | Comments (0)

Freefall out into nothing, gonna leave this world for a while.

First image from today's self portrait shoot. This one is supposed to represent the Susie Homemaker in me. Still trying to find the perfect shot that fits that description.

In the shot, I am also pondering whether or not I have the passion for photography.

I know I have the talent. Not so sure if I have the ardent passion needed to succeed in this field. I never had the passion for film.

Sometimes it seems I am not passionate about anything at all. And that really frustrates and depresses me.

*sigh* My insecurities just never seem to end.

Posted by starmagn at 11:19 PM | Comments (1)

April 23, 2006

The 12 Hour Photo Project 4/08 - kiss the rain?

The 12 Hour Photo Project (Part Se7en)- 4/08/06

YAY MUTATION! Finally, months of planning and stressing led to this wonderful event. It was very successful and most of all, damn fun.

So on to the pictures! (clickie below)

Lovely apple shirt bought at Gadzooks

Intranerd is addictive

Sarah's soaps

Cutting the very unsuccessful (but very expensive to print) Mutation full-color zine. *sigh* You learn your lesson.

Yay crowds!

The Raffle items

Raffle P.I.M.P.

Ahh the nasty storm. Chatham county had a strong storm + tornado warning in effect during the afternoon. Now, I am terrified of tornadoes. Send me as many hurricanes as you've got, I can handle them. But a tornado... man, that shit must be scary. So it rained very violently, and even the ceiling leaked (and some vendors left right after that). Luckily, the mayhem lasted for less than an hour, but by then nobody was coming in and some of the vendors got rained on.

Bye bye for today!

Posted by starmagn at 10:19 PM | Comments (0)

The 12 Hour Photo Project 4/02

The 12 Hour Photo Project (Part six)- 4/02/06

Part six of the 12 Hour Project. The Crafting Marathon 2006 continued on till the night until a strange visit to Walmart got us confused as store employees.

Unto the pictures (click below)!

Failing to understand the mechanics behind Daylight Savings Time, I stared at my clock for a good five minutes wondering why the hell it's 12pm instead of 11 am. Fall back, Spring Forwards means bollocks to me.

Mutation postcards!

Honestly, this is one of the sexiest celebrity pictures I've seen in a while (second to, of course, any and all pictures of Brad Pitt in any sort of situation). Oh Hayden. Take me to Canada with you.

Here we go again.



Someone please help me.

I have no idea what happened to 9PM.

My Roomate needed some cardboard boxes for a piece of furniture she had to build for class. We went to Walmart and some of the employees told us to go ahead and take any boxes we'd like. So we hit the toilet paper section and wreaked havoc. Luckily they were restocking, so most of the boxes were empty. We spent a good hour breaking dozens of boxes. One lady even asked us if we were employees. Shoot, we might've as well gotten paid, we did the employees a huge ass favor!

And here they are. Unfortunately, we lost one of them on the way back (we put them in the cabin of her truck). We will sorely miss our fallen hero.

Posted by starmagn at 09:42 PM | Comments (0)

The 12 Hour Photo Project 4/01

The 12 Hour Photo Project (Part Fif)- 4/01/06

Part five of the 12 Hour Project. This day found me crafting, Mutation meeting and drivin' round with le Room*e.

Unto the pictures (click below)!

Mmm morning is not fun.

Room*e choosing fabrics for her cushion cover at Joanns


Inside of Romm*e's car

Tee hee hee

BUST magazines for Mutation

Meghan!



Loot from Michaels to put on my Mutation table

Mutation article published in the South Magazine, yay!

Sewing like a mofo





I bought this US Presidents placemat at Walmart because, at the moment, I thought it was the most brilliant purchase I've ever done. Maybe not. But Harry S. Truman looks suspiciously a lot like Conan O'Brien.

Because I got tired of sewing.

Posted by starmagn at 09:11 PM | Comments (0)

April 22, 2006

Me and my 17 other personalities (down to 16, 'cause Angelica got knocked up)

I don't really want to directly blame Mutation for depriving me of two weeks that I could've used to plan and develop photo shoots for my very important Personal Vision class, but dammit, I am really really behind on these. I just don't know what to do for my 10-picture project.

First I had thought of sewing dresses (and I did finish one) and using experienced dancers to dance while the fabric of the dress flowed in unison with her movements. I haven't been able to find a damn dancer.

But, I saw these two vintage crazy (and somewhat ugly conceptually) dresses (pictured here) at Civvies and thought how cool would they looked if I shot them at Back in the Day Bakery. I tried them on, and one of the girls asked me if I was using them for self portraits, to which I replied no, 'cause really, I ain't no model. But, that kinda got me thinking. What if... what if I channel all the different personas that make up who I am and photograph that, without losing the fashion editorial edge I want to have in my portfolio?

Yes, it has been done before, but *I* haven't done that, and nobody else has the same 17 personalities as I do. Imagine me as Susie Homemaker (the maternal/matriarchal Amy in me) wearing the blue polka dot dress, holding a cupcake at the equally vintage setting of the Bakery. I think that would look cool.

Or, to represent my fear of male rejection, me sitting down at a school party, face front to the camera, while the frilly, pretty girls beside get asked to dance by attractive boys, all while wearing the ugly 80's magenta prom dress pictured here.

And I just emailed my friends from high school to see if any of them still has our school uniform (which I'm sure at least one does). I have a whole lot other scenarios in my head, which surprisingly enough, have been there for years now, but I've never been able to photograph them.

So yeah. That was along rant. That's my plan. I'm just really brainstorming this idea. Sorry I dumped it all on y'all!

Posted by starmagn at 09:33 PM | Comments (2)

April 19, 2006

Freedom looks like too many choices

Hello, my lovely blog readers. I must come forward and apologize for the disappointing lack of craft-related entries that have been inconspicuously missing in the past two-four months or so. Unfortunately (or rather the opposite) I really haven't had much time to spare on crafts. I am a photography major at my college and I soon will be graduating this August, meaning all my time and inspiration (and ridiculous amounts of money) have been devoted exclusively to photography and towards my portfolio, which needs to be one bad ass mofo, so that I can snatch me a really good job with some fashion photographer.

I have finally decided to ship my bony little ass to New York City once my final quarter is done for, sometime in early September. In the next weeks I shall be applying to photographers in the area for either a paid assistant job or internship (and if so, I will def have to look for a second job).

But do not despair, I am much too passionate about the indie crafts to completely abandon it. I just need to focus on the now, and right now my photography portfolio demands my sweet attention. It's been 13 years since I have dreamt of living in the Big Apple. I may end up hating it, may end up living there till I die, but I must live it at least once. I owe it to myself. I am hoping I will be inspired by this gigantic city and all it offers. I hope the cold doesn't kill me. I hope I don't get lost within myself.

But whatever I may end up doing I will update right here and post all my quirky crazy stories. In the meantime, I shall continue my sexy photographic adventures, but of course, always taking the time to doodle the Next Great Star Magnolia Bag.

In New York I lost it all to you and your vices
Still I'm staying on to figure out my mid life crisis
I hit an iceberg in my life
But you know I'm still afloat
You lose your balance, lose your wife
In the queue for the lifeboat

You got to put the women and children first
But you've got an unquenchable thirst for New York
U2, New York

Posted by starmagn at 08:56 PM | Comments (0)

March 25, 2006

Headlinin' the World Tour with these awesome covers!

Rockin out to You're so Vain

Rockin' it out to Usher's Yeah! WHAT!!

Rockin' it Rush style:
Today's tom sawyer,
He gets high on you,
And the energy you trade,
He gets right on to the friction of the day.

Posted by starmagn at 11:18 PM | Comments (0)

The 12 Hour Photo Project 3/25 - Till the day I die I'm-a touch the sky

The 12 Hour Photo Project (Part Four)- 3/25/06

Today was Hilton Head Island day, Part Two of Amy's Wreakin' Havoc World Tour. Rockin' the South, y'all! I was too tired by 7pm so it's basically a 10 hours, but who the freak cares, right?

Unto the images, baby! (Clickie)

Here I come Tamaldge Bridge!
Yeah I was pretty lost by the time I got to Hilton Head, I pretty much just drove and drove. At one point I really needed to pull out the good ol' map!
Stopped by Longhorn to have lunch. Yummy bread.
On my way back to SAV. U-Haul means only one thing to me right now: The fateful moment when I finally get to move out of Sav and into [insert Amy's next destination here] sometime this year or next.
Ummmm, yeah. I guess this is 4 pm for me. You should never point and drive. It does not work.
Fabric searchin' at Hancock's.
The day's purchases, plus the Rock Top Chicken on my stomach.
Staring at my alarm clock after listening to the most idiotic commercial on the radio (yes, look at all my earrings!).

Posted by starmagn at 09:02 PM | Comments (0)

March 24, 2006

The 12 Hour Photo Project 3/24 - or I smell like Dodge Neon

The 12 Hour Photo Project (Part Tres)- 3/24/06

In order to forever remember this eventful day (in which I wreaked havoc in the city of Savannah by renting a car), I decided to pursue the 12 Hour Project once more. I really really enjoy doing these, for me it reinforces the value of "documentary/journalistic" photography: with each image we are brought back to one specific second (or nth of a second) in life, real, unadultered, raw life, the essence of all that we are as human beings. With each image I cannot help but give thanks to our God above for allowing me to live just one more second, just one more image, so that I can saviour all of these beautiful, quirky, funny things that at times I may take for granted, but that remind me just how truly lucky I am to be experiencing all of it.

But enough introspective crap, unto the 12 Hour Photo Project 3/24: Wreakin' Havoc in the Coastal Empire set!

You can sorta see my other fabulous necklace!

The Dodge Neon. It runs a'ight.
Dolphin Tour headquarters.
I found the back of the sign more interesting than its ad.
Awesome little restaurant by Tybee Beach. These little balls hung from all over the ceiling.
Coastal house by the Lighthouse. Have always wanted to take a picture of this little swing bench.
This is Meghan's Gypsy, who has had some surgeries over the past few weeks because of an infection he caught. One of the very few dogs I truly like. Hope you get better Gypsy!

Who the heck told me to venture into Abercorn on a Friday at 6pm?!?

Napping. Funny how the grain and lighting capture the haziness when you awake a little too suddenly from your much deserved sleep.

Posted by starmagn at 11:56 PM | Comments (0)

March 21, 2006

12 Hour Photo Project 3/12

The 12 Hour Photo Project (Part Deux)- 3/12

Easy: Photographed my surroundings at the top of the hour, every hour for 12 consecutive hours on Friday, March 12, 2006. Didn't quite finish it because life happened. And this is the result. Enjoy.

Clickie for the rest...

(Yes, skipped 10AM because I was in a Hostess meeting and I don't think my manager would've liked seeing me pay more attention to my little camera than her.)

(That's Bard on my MSN screen)

Posted by starmagn at 01:45 AM | Comments (2)

The 12 Hour Photo Project 3/10

The 12 Hour Photo Project - 3/10

Easy: Photographed my surroundings at the top of the hour, every hour for 12 consecutive hours on Friday, March 10, 2006. And this is the result. Enjoy.

Clickie for the rest...

Posted by starmagn at 01:27 AM | Comments (0)

March 09, 2006

Old dusty tiles

So tired. Finally had some time for myself... and for Project Runway! GO CHLOE! :D

Above shots: SCAD Security restroom. For some reason it reminds me of old 1940s movies. Dunno.

Began posting fliers for Mutation around town. Very excited.

Apparently, I speak in very short short sentences.

Tree with gorgeous bell-like flowers in which a thousand giant mutant bees attacked me at once when I stepped over to look at the discarded old chairs (center bottom).

Posted by starmagn at 12:43 AM | Comments (0)

March 03, 2006

Shining through

I don't understand about complementary colors
And what they say
Side by side they both get bright
Together they both get gray

But he's been pretty much yellow
And I've been kinda blue
But all I can see is
Red, red, red, red, red now
What am I gonna do

I don't understand about
Diamonds and why men buy them
What's so impressive about a diamond
Except the mining

And it's dangerous work
Trying to get to you too
And I think if I didn't have to
Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill myself doing it
Maybe I wouldn't think so much of you

I've been watching all the time
And I still can't find the tack
And I wanna know is it okay
Is it just fine
Or is it my fault
Is it my lack

I don't understand about
The weather outside
Or the harmony in a tune
Or why somebody lied

There's solace a bit for submitting
To the fitfully cryptically true
What's happened has happened
What's coming is already on its way
With a role for me to play

I don't understand
I'll never understand
But I'll try to understand
There's nothing else I can do

--Fiona

Posted by starmagn at 11:45 PM | Comments (0)

March 01, 2006

Adrienne Lily

Yeah, ignore that last entry. I want to continue photography. :P

The lovely half Spanish girl you see above is Adrienne and holy cow she looks gorgeous! Must thank Lindsay Nix for the wonderful job she did with makeup and hair. I'm really really pleased (even though there's some skin-retouching I need to do).

I am falling on sleep on the keyboard. There images from other shoots I have done in the past two weeks, But I also haven't gotten decent sleep in those last two weeks. So I'm napping.

Clickie for more images.

Enjoy!

Posted by starmagn at 05:00 PM | Comments (0)

February 23, 2006

The Dandy Lions

HORAY FOR DANDELIONS! God I love these so much, they make me happy! This is a solitary one on our pseudo-yard. It's so purdy I wanna eat it! Fry it and eat it!

Hopefully it'll still be alive by Saturday so I can photograph it with the medium format. :D

Posted by starmagn at 05:27 PM | Comments (0)

February 17, 2006

ABSOLUTE HOTNESS

You cannot compare to my powerful, piercing hotness. Don't even try taking me down.

Anyways these are from our Fashion Photo class group shoot today at some random spot in Highway 80. I had lotsa fun (as you can see) and for some reason I am incredibly happy today! Maybe it has something to do with my triumphant return to SCAD RADIO, WOOO! And no, the flaming yellow coat is not mine, unfortunately. It belongs to a fashion student and that is her creation (along with the gorgeous yellow dress the model is wearing in the picture below).

Don't I look even hotter fidgeting my awesome Mamiya RZ 6x7? (And by my I mean the school's Mamiya. And by fidgeting I pretty much mean WHY THE HELL ISN'T IT WORKING AND CAN I PRESS THIS PRETTY BUTTON HERE EVEN THOUGH IT BLATANTLY SAYS DO NOT TOUCH??)

Move on Margaret Bourke-White, Cindy Sherman and Annie Liebowitz. There's a new bitch in town and she can rock the world with that Mamiya!

Sheer photographic hotness, people. Sheer hotness.

Posted by starmagn at 10:49 PM | Comments (3)

February 14, 2006

All these feelings become true

Courtney. She is awesome and has an infectious laugh. Plus she does a mean Hammer dance.

Shot dark, blue and moody at Bergen's elevator. The most desolate and desperate thoughts invade my head when I ride this elevator. Something about seeing the rest of the world thru the glass. This transparent sheet separates me from my future, from the success I may achieve, but am dreading to face.

Ding. Wake up, your treacherous feet guide you to what is yours. Curse them. And curse the reflections of your disheveled hair, pimpled skin, sunken eyes and absent smile as you walk past the mirrored walls.

Curse it all. It may be all you have left in that little empty bag of yours.

Posted by starmagn at 01:20 AM | Comments (2)

February 05, 2006

Swing away

This is Halli and she is uber awesome. She modeled for a quick fashion shoot I did last Friday. Hopefully, my professor will ignore the fact that the image is blurry (slow shutter speed) and give me a decent grade. Or the fact that they are the only two pictures I will be bringing tomorrow, out of at least three different sets I am overdue.

And that brings me to the next point at hand and something I need to finally admit.

I cannot craft while I am at school. Simple as that. Spring Tote Bag is still waiting to be completed and other pieces of fabrics are just laying there. I do not have any enthusiasm to work on these once I come back from class (and from riding to a million places along the way). I'm just too tired. And quite frankly, I don't care. Well, I do, but I'm doing my best to not get anxious or frustrated because I'm not being able to fill up my online store. Not to mention the hectic stress that is Mutation is coming up pretty soon.

I am graduating in about 7 months. Maybe after I get outta here and find a job somewhere (like, oh I dunno, NYC) Star MAgnolia can become a mighty superweapon. But right now, I will just do things as my body demands. Luckily, my letterpress goods are quick and easy to make, so those will definitely still be popping here and there.

I have a photo shoot based on Star Wars in the next couple weeks. Sorry Star Magnolia, but you'll understand if I spend more quality time on my actual photography portfolio (that will eventually lead me to some good money) than on you.

Still love you, though.

Posted by starmagn at 05:08 PM | Comments (0)