Summer time is here and you know what that means! Yep, I'm looking for my 2014 H.S. Senior Reps! I'm looking for 3 girls and 3 boys who will graduate next year. Each rep will receive a free session by me, plus 48 senior rep cards with their photos on them. The reps hand them out to their friends and get photo credit for each senior who commissions me to do their photos.
Please message me for details. I'm especially interested in students who are unique and have varied interests.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
BLOG: THE OFFICAL CHARITY OF CHOICE FOR BREAKAWAY PHOTOGRAPHY. "THE ROSE"
I only have a few minutes to write tonight but I finally feel like I can let the cat out of the bag! I've been discussing a rather large charity project with The Rose and today we actually started the ball rolling. If you are not familiar with The Rose, it's a non profit organization who's mission is to reduce deaths from breast cancer by providing screening, diagnostics and access to treatment for ALL WOMEN, REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY . I know a lot of you have heard of this organization, but did you know that they take patients with insurance as well as those who don't have insurance? It takes 3 insured women to visit The Rose to enable them to offer low cost testing for just one uninsured patient. Notice that I am using the word patient and not woman. Breast cancer does not discriminate. It effects both men and women, young and old, Black, Latino, White, Asian and every other culture in the world. The key to survival is early detection and that is where The Rose comes in.
As a business owner, I wanted a way to give back to the community, and since 95% of my business is photographing women, I started thinking about which charities would be a good fit. My friend Bobbye Gillispie is involved with Bikers Against Breast Cancer which is a fundraising organization affiliated with The Rose. Bobbye was instrumental in introducing me to Karen Campbell at The Rose. I have to tell you, I loved Karen the minute I met her. She's a spitfire with a heart of gold.
I spoke with Karen about some ideas I had about helping to get their very important message out to even more women in the Houston area. I wanted to feature a few breast cancer survivors and tell their stories through my photographs and blog. I quickly realized that this project would be greatly enhanced by the addition of video so I called on one of the best in the business, Mr. Dale Samuelson of Sweetwater Video Productions. Dale graciously agreed to join us and after a few planning sessions we started our screen testing today at The Rose's galleria location. We got some great footage from some of the bravest, most loving and appreciative women I've met. I can't wait to get things into a format that I can start sharing with you.
If you would like to help me get the ball rolling a little faster, please visit The Rose's facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TheRoseBreastHealth?fref=ts
Be sure to hit the LIKE button and follow all the wonderful things this organization does to help women live longer, more productive lives.
AND STAY TUNED TO THIS BLOG TO SEE HOW OUR ULTIMATE PROJECT UNFOLDS AND GET TO KNOW SOME OF THESE INCREDIBLE WOMEN!
PLEASE SHARE, SHARE, SHARE THIS BLOG WITH YOUR FRIENDS... This message can save lives. Maybe even yours...
As a business owner, I wanted a way to give back to the community, and since 95% of my business is photographing women, I started thinking about which charities would be a good fit. My friend Bobbye Gillispie is involved with Bikers Against Breast Cancer which is a fundraising organization affiliated with The Rose. Bobbye was instrumental in introducing me to Karen Campbell at The Rose. I have to tell you, I loved Karen the minute I met her. She's a spitfire with a heart of gold.
I spoke with Karen about some ideas I had about helping to get their very important message out to even more women in the Houston area. I wanted to feature a few breast cancer survivors and tell their stories through my photographs and blog. I quickly realized that this project would be greatly enhanced by the addition of video so I called on one of the best in the business, Mr. Dale Samuelson of Sweetwater Video Productions. Dale graciously agreed to join us and after a few planning sessions we started our screen testing today at The Rose's galleria location. We got some great footage from some of the bravest, most loving and appreciative women I've met. I can't wait to get things into a format that I can start sharing with you.
If you would like to help me get the ball rolling a little faster, please visit The Rose's facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TheRoseBreastHealth?fref=ts
Be sure to hit the LIKE button and follow all the wonderful things this organization does to help women live longer, more productive lives.
AND STAY TUNED TO THIS BLOG TO SEE HOW OUR ULTIMATE PROJECT UNFOLDS AND GET TO KNOW SOME OF THESE INCREDIBLE WOMEN!
PLEASE SHARE, SHARE, SHARE THIS BLOG WITH YOUR FRIENDS... This message can save lives. Maybe even yours...
Monday, June 10, 2013
BLOG: WHAT IF ALL YOUR MAKEUP DISAPPEARED!!??
EEK!! What a thought!
So, I'm feeling a bit rushed as I'm getting ready for a client today and I have this very fleeting and insane thought like, "geez, wouldn't it be nice not to have to put makeup on every day?" Then came the proverbial smack in the head as I pondered what that would truly mean. So let me ask you...
HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF YOU WOKE UP ONE DAY AND ALL THE MAKEUP HAD DISAPPEARED FROM THE FACE OF THE EARTH?
Not just yours, but every other woman's. Feeling scared? Having a panic attack? Or feeling freed from the pressures of society to look a certain way, act a certain way and BE a certain way? I imagine that there would be many, many men trying to pull their trembling girlfriends and wives out from under their beds. Just the fact that they are trying to get them out should mean something!
Years ago, I had a friend who swore to me that her husband of 14 years had NEVER seen her without makeup on. That conversation went something like this...
ME: Seriously, he's never seen you without makeup?
HER: No, never
ME: Never, ever?
HER: NO
ME: How is that even possible?
HER: I sleep on my back with makeup on and rise early. I shower and have fresh makeup on by the time he gets out of bed.
ME: Doesn't he like you without makeup?
HER: I dunno... he's never seen me without makeup on.
ME: (trying to wrap my head around this) How about when you're working in the yard? Swimming? Giving birth to your TWO children? How about.... you know... hubba hubba... ?
HER: No, NO, NOOO and especially NO!!
I finally gave up. She had truly convinced me that she was serious. I think at that point I was so in shock that I didn't ask the fundamental question....
WHY?
Why are we fearful to go out in public with no makeup on? Because people will think we are ugly? Because people will think we are not taking care of ourselves? Because people will think we are sick? Do we wear makeup as a shield? And if so... what do we feel shielded from?
I've gone through many stages of makeup 'weardom' in my life. I've been in the stage when I wouldn't go to the grocery store without makeup. I've been in the stage when I didn't want a boyfriend to see me with no makeup on. Now, I'm in a rather hybrid stage where I am okay going to the grocery store or for a walk or to the pool with no makeup on. I still wear it when doing business or when socializing but I think this topic could use some discussion...
C'mon Ladies... (or men, for that matter). What are your thoughts on this topic?
www.facebook.com/breakawayphoto
So, I'm feeling a bit rushed as I'm getting ready for a client today and I have this very fleeting and insane thought like, "geez, wouldn't it be nice not to have to put makeup on every day?" Then came the proverbial smack in the head as I pondered what that would truly mean. So let me ask you...
HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF YOU WOKE UP ONE DAY AND ALL THE MAKEUP HAD DISAPPEARED FROM THE FACE OF THE EARTH?
Not just yours, but every other woman's. Feeling scared? Having a panic attack? Or feeling freed from the pressures of society to look a certain way, act a certain way and BE a certain way? I imagine that there would be many, many men trying to pull their trembling girlfriends and wives out from under their beds. Just the fact that they are trying to get them out should mean something!
Years ago, I had a friend who swore to me that her husband of 14 years had NEVER seen her without makeup on. That conversation went something like this...
ME: Seriously, he's never seen you without makeup?
HER: No, never
ME: Never, ever?
HER: NO
ME: How is that even possible?
HER: I sleep on my back with makeup on and rise early. I shower and have fresh makeup on by the time he gets out of bed.
ME: Doesn't he like you without makeup?
HER: I dunno... he's never seen me without makeup on.
ME: (trying to wrap my head around this) How about when you're working in the yard? Swimming? Giving birth to your TWO children? How about.... you know... hubba hubba... ?
HER: No, NO, NOOO and especially NO!!
I finally gave up. She had truly convinced me that she was serious. I think at that point I was so in shock that I didn't ask the fundamental question....
WHY?
Why are we fearful to go out in public with no makeup on? Because people will think we are ugly? Because people will think we are not taking care of ourselves? Because people will think we are sick? Do we wear makeup as a shield? And if so... what do we feel shielded from?
A couple of weeks ago, I hurt my back and went to the Chiropractor. Any of you who know what it's like to have your face smashed into that tissue paper in the slot of a chiropractor's table can understand why I choose not to wear makeup that day. I was just going there to get my spine wined and dined and then straight home. Well, wouldn't you know... as I arrived and was getting out of my car I see my scuba instructor exiting. My first thought was, Oh Lord... I don't have makeup on!! I got out of the car, greeted him and nervously said something like, "Oh great, I run into someone I know when I have no makeup on". His response was, "That's okay... I've seen you in the pool!" LOL I didn't quite know how to take that, but it did make me feel better. I like a guy who can handle a girl without her shield.
I've gone through many stages of makeup 'weardom' in my life. I've been in the stage when I wouldn't go to the grocery store without makeup. I've been in the stage when I didn't want a boyfriend to see me with no makeup on. Now, I'm in a rather hybrid stage where I am okay going to the grocery store or for a walk or to the pool with no makeup on. I still wear it when doing business or when socializing but I think this topic could use some discussion...
C'mon Ladies... (or men, for that matter). What are your thoughts on this topic?
www.facebook.com/breakawayphoto
Thursday, June 6, 2013
BLOG: OH THE CRAZY THINGS I DO! :o)
So, what is the craziest thing you do professionally?
For me... I thought it would be cool to take my Canon 7d underwater! And guess what! It IS COOL! Doing these underwater sessions allows me to truly embrace the nonconformist that I really am. :o)
I love to be different. I have always danced to the beat of my own drum. (much to my mother's consternation) There is nothing more thrilling than getting home after an underwater session and getting those images loaded up into my editing software. There are so many cool ways to process these kinds of images. No holds barred! Right up my alley.But what kind of client would want their photos taken underwater, you might ask. Well, let's see...
OTHER CREATIVE PEOPLE WHO CELEBRATE THEIR OWN INDIVIDUALITY!
Like High School Seniors. Cody was the first senior in the HISTORY of Dulles High School to have underwater senior portraits! How cool is that!!??
Creative brides....
Musicians...
So don't be shy! If you are looking for a way to Break away from the ordinary... Call Breakaway Photography!
832-236-5479
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
BLOG: TO SMILE OR NOT TO SMILE....
Sometimes my favorite images from a session are not the ones where the little ones are looking directly into the camera with a big smile. There's something rather refreshing about these brothers just sitting together and 'being' together. Even though they aren't even looking at each other, you can feel a connection between the two of them. These are the photos I love. So next time you get your camera phone out to take a few snaps of the kiddos, try to not coax the big cheesy smiles out. Capture the connection. :o)
Thursday, May 30, 2013
WHEN DO LITTLE GIRLS STOP BELIEVING?
I have been working in the photographic industry in one form or another for about 31 years now. Over that period of time, I've photographed literally thousands of women. Now that I have begun to specialize in Modern Glamour Photography, I begin every session with two questions.
1) What do you consider to be your best features?
and
2) What most concerns you about being photographed today?
90% of the time, the answer to the first question is "My eyes". The other 10% is a mixture of "My hair and my smile".
The answers I get to the second question are a mixture of things mostly connected to size of one or the other of their body parts, ie. my enormous butt, my big stomach, my flabby arms, my thunder thighs, my old hands, my saggy breasts, and other various things like wrinkles, freckles and age spots. The list goes on and on.
You know... I get it. I'm a woman too and I truly understand each and every one of those answers and I truly respect the honesty in which my clients give them to me. Women often times see themselves much differently than others see them. I take these admissions very seriously in my work because I know ahead of time, which areas of her to feature and which areas to creatively camouflage. I've learned that no matter how much you or I like a photo of another woman, if SHE doesn't like it, it's a bad photo. Trust me, I have exactly the same issues as each one of you. But it makes me wonder. When did little girls stop believing that they were beautiful?
If you ask a four year old girl which parts of her are beautiful you will get answers like, "my eyes, my hair, my tummy, my legs, my hands, my mouth, my elbows, my feet, my nose, my fingers, my toenails, my EVERYTHING!"
So, somewhere between the ages of about 4 and 14, our little girls stop believing that they are beautiful human beings. Why? Do we stop telling them that they are pretty? Do they see so many pencil thin models adorning the covers of the fashion magazines that they try to impossibly measure up? Are they just lacking in a totally different area in their lives like love, acceptance, trust, praise, emotional support or family stability? I don't know the answers. I'm sure it's a combination of things. All I know is, we need to cherish our girls and tell them they are beautiful inside and out. Teach them to celebrate their uniqueness and individuality. Teach them to accept themselves and the best way to do this is to learn to love yourself as an adult woman, learn to celebrate your own uniqueness, learn to accept what you PERCEIVE to be your own faults. Because in doing so, your daughters will learn to do the same.
Now go kiss your little ones and tell them they are beautiful. :o)
www.facebook.com/breakawayphoto
1) What do you consider to be your best features?
and
2) What most concerns you about being photographed today?
90% of the time, the answer to the first question is "My eyes". The other 10% is a mixture of "My hair and my smile".
The answers I get to the second question are a mixture of things mostly connected to size of one or the other of their body parts, ie. my enormous butt, my big stomach, my flabby arms, my thunder thighs, my old hands, my saggy breasts, and other various things like wrinkles, freckles and age spots. The list goes on and on.
You know... I get it. I'm a woman too and I truly understand each and every one of those answers and I truly respect the honesty in which my clients give them to me. Women often times see themselves much differently than others see them. I take these admissions very seriously in my work because I know ahead of time, which areas of her to feature and which areas to creatively camouflage. I've learned that no matter how much you or I like a photo of another woman, if SHE doesn't like it, it's a bad photo. Trust me, I have exactly the same issues as each one of you. But it makes me wonder. When did little girls stop believing that they were beautiful?
If you ask a four year old girl which parts of her are beautiful you will get answers like, "my eyes, my hair, my tummy, my legs, my hands, my mouth, my elbows, my feet, my nose, my fingers, my toenails, my EVERYTHING!"
So, somewhere between the ages of about 4 and 14, our little girls stop believing that they are beautiful human beings. Why? Do we stop telling them that they are pretty? Do they see so many pencil thin models adorning the covers of the fashion magazines that they try to impossibly measure up? Are they just lacking in a totally different area in their lives like love, acceptance, trust, praise, emotional support or family stability? I don't know the answers. I'm sure it's a combination of things. All I know is, we need to cherish our girls and tell them they are beautiful inside and out. Teach them to celebrate their uniqueness and individuality. Teach them to accept themselves and the best way to do this is to learn to love yourself as an adult woman, learn to celebrate your own uniqueness, learn to accept what you PERCEIVE to be your own faults. Because in doing so, your daughters will learn to do the same.
Now go kiss your little ones and tell them they are beautiful. :o)
www.facebook.com/breakawayphoto
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
WHAT IS GLAMOUR?
glam·our
[glam-er]
noun
1.
the quality of fascinating, alluring, or attracting, especially by a combination of charm and good looks.
NOTE that nowhere in that definition do you find the words SEXY or scantily clad. In my mind, the word GLAMOUR makes me think of photos of 1940's old Hollywood actresses. You know the ones... black and white, hair perfectly styled, smiles that were hidden from their lips but definitely noticeable in their eyes... They were fully clothed, often times with their frocks blowing gently in the wind and they all had an air of attitude to them. They knew they were beautiful. We couldn't get enough of those starlets. Why? Not because they were overtly 'sexy', but because we could not stop staring into their eyes. There was mystery there. We could wonder as to their thoughts in any given photo.
In the early 1990's Glamour Photography took a turn. Women of all ages flocked to the local chain studio to be overly made up, overly dressed up and photographed from the chest up in one of about 5 different poses. You remember... hands on collar, one hand on hat, hands clasped under chin, hands on cheeks and if the photographer was feeling really creative, you got one hand on your collar with the other on your hat! Thank goodness this 1990's phenomenon went as quickly as it came. It was bittersweet for me as I had crafted a very successful business from this genre and no matter how I tried to keep it going, it just slowly died.
Fast forward to 2013 and I, Rustie Salazar of Breakaway Photography, do hereby declare, that Glamour Photography is NOT dead! It just needs a MAKEOVER!
I could tell you a hundred ways in which this genre has changed in the past 20 years, but I'd really rather show you! Check out my facebook page at www.facebook.com/breakawayphoto to see current makeovers and photo shoots and give me a call. I would LOVE to show you what MODERN Glamour Photography is all about!
Breakaway Photography 832-236-5479 CALL NOW!
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