Nov
24
2014
Behind the Scenes on Kim & Jo’s beauty shoot
On Sunday we wrapped up the last of the beauty shoots for 2014 with Jo and Kim and their two beautiful little puppies who joined in at the end of the shoots!
Here is a behind the scenes look at what we got up to- thanks to Brigette for snapping these.
Bookings are now available for 2015, and gift vouchers are available this Christmas! <3
Nov
20
2014Here are some of the images I shot a few weeks ago for the new ‘Tiki Time’ collection by Honey L’Amour. You can pick up any of these pieces here !
Sep
20
2014Check out another video I made recently, below. This one is a short clip about Waihi Beach. Enjoy! 
Aug
20
2014Hi Everyone,
I recently enjoyed a short holiday in Vanuatu and decided to film my week away. I will be making more videos in the future, but in the meantime I am still working away on my Hamilton project which I am hoping to finish at the end of September.
Enjoy!
Linda : )
May
10
2014Hi everyone!
just a quick update to say that I have a few projects moving along nicely and I have recently got myself an Instagram account which has been a fun thing to work on in the meantime. If you are on Instagram and would like to follow me you can find me here: http://www.instagram.com/lindaradosinska
more updates soon!
Feb
22
2014Hi Everyone,
I have used the last few months as a bit of a break from photography, but now I am back and getting stuck into things again. You may have noticed that the website has had a re-design and looks quite different. Hopefully the changes have made the site a bit nicer to look at, and easier to navigate around. As always, let me know if you have any questions, suggestions or comments.
New work will be up shortly.
Thanks!
Linda
Sep
17
2013Super duper excited to introduce the amazing Emma G from the band Static Era who has written the most fantastic blog post for us all this week. Keep reading for more on wardrobe malfunctions, pokemon and housecats!! Thanks so much Emma for taking the time to write this for us!! Be sure to check them out as they head out on tour this October!! <3
You can find Static Era online here or on Facebook here.
A few weeks ago, Linda asked me to write a blog, and – truth be told – I’ve been kind of putting it off. Not just because I’ve never written a blog before (well, not really), but also because I have absolutely NO idea what to write about! So I put out a call on my Facebook page, and asked what people wanted to know about me. I was posed with several questions, but before I get into those, let me tell you a bit about myself…
When I was seven years old, my mom asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I decided I wanted to do four things with my life: 1. Sing 2. Teach 3. Counsel (my mom is a counsellor) and 4. Be a mother. Seventeen years later, and it seems all I need to do now is have children, and my bucket list is pretty much done, though success is a funny – and often fickle – thing.
I often ask myself what it is that makes people content. Craving fame and fortune as a motive for doing music, while it would be nice, is actually not why I do it. The whole reason why I got into music in the first place is because, believe it or not, I love to sing! It’s one of the few things I can do in life that truly makes me feel heard – makes me feel important – and gives me an opportunity to be completely REAL. Which is also why I got into writing music – not to necessarily write a “hit song” filled with vapid lyrics about Friday nights or what it’s like to be one of the “beautiful people”, but to connect with people through music. One of the biggest compliments I’ve ever received was after this quiet solo gig in Wellington – at a place called The Garden Club. I’d just finished a two hour set, and as I walked off the stage, this woman came up to me with tears in her eyes and thanked me – saying she really felt she knew who I was, and how I had pretty much sang her life story. That was awesome. To connect with someone that strongly through lyrics and melody – priceless. So if I were to crave any “fame and glory”, it would be for that kind of feeling. That, and perhaps to encourage people to grow a brain, educate themselves, and help make the world a better place. 
Anyway, I digress… My bucket list. As far as music goes – it’s an ongoing journey, such as life, I guess. I now sing in a hard rock band called “Static Era”, and we’re doing pretty well, I think! Radio and television play – which is also an interesting one. To have friends tell you that you’re on their telly screen, or to hear a radio announcer introduce your song… it’s kind of surreal. As a band, it’s hard to really pinpoint what “success” is – is it a number one hit? Is it touring the world and having no time off? Is it having airplay? Is it having your name splashed across the tabloids? I actually have no idea – but I guess it’s that whole “enjoy the journey, not the destination” thing really… which I like. Life is rad – it’s a rollercoaster, but I definitely enjoy it.
As for the rest of my bucket list, I also teach music and singing (both at Te Wananga o Aotearoa and Claire Baxter School of Dance), and work as a youth coordinator too! It’s awesome – being able to give back to the community, and (hopefully – if I’m doing my job right), helping to shape a positive future. Not many people know, but I was actually born with a condition called hydrocephalus (which literally means “water on the brain”), and have had 23 operations as a result. I think this actually made me want to do more with my life – because I was (if you want to get all spiritual on it) literally given a second chance… and third and fourth haha. So it means a lot to me to be able to put these second chances to good use! And actually HELP PEOPLE, cos feck knows I’ve received a shit load of help myself. I’m a big fan of the pay it forward concept, so if I can save the world one person at a time, that’s more than okay by me.
I’m really not sure what else to write in a blog. I was told to just write something inspiring, but I don’t really see myself as inspiring… so have no idea how I can be inspirational, without stealing some sort of cheesy Hallmark quote. Man, I’m cheesy enough on my Facebook and Twitter… hahaha! So, I shall revert to my good old question and answer technique…
Q. If you had to be an animal, what would you be and why?
A. Hands down, I would be a housecat. I currently have a REALLY bad case of wanting to do everything all at once. As my friends Anna and Vipal would say; “I want to do ALL the things”. I want to teach music, teach singing, save the children, go to the gym, have a band, go for walks, do solo gigs, do duo gigs, have a social life, read all the books…. I’m terrible at NOT doing stuff. Which cats are really good at. I’m not going to lie, I’m slightly jealous of my cat.
Q. What’s your favourite Pokemon?
A. Pikachu. Because he’s the only one I know. 
Q. Which singers inspire you?
A. My first REAL inspiration was Gwen Stefani actually!! And she totally still is. She’s RAD!!! Her song “Just A Girl” – my first taste of feminism, I guess… haha. I even tried to write a song like her “Just a Girl” about how stupid it is that women are supposed to be feminine, and what that means. I think I was 8. And I think I still remember most of the lyrics… Haha. I was also really into the Spice Girls (decided I was going to be just like Scary Spice and – what do you know? I’m loud, black with curly hair, and a pierced tongue… you could say I’m scary! These days, my idols also include Pink (she’s just amazing), Beyonce (one of the most successful musicians – and she actually has a message to her music, which I love. The worst (for me) is the idea of being an influential chick who spouts on about men all the time. Especially about bending over backwards for them – seriously woman. You’re gonna hurt yourself. Learn to walk straight and beside a man, not behind him!!!) Also LOVE Lzzy Hale (Halestorm) and Cristina Scabbia (Lacuna Coil).
Q. What was your first professional gig?
A. Would have been in 2000 I think at Hamilton’s “Carols by Candlelight”. I had written and released a song called “Look Around” on a Waikato and Bay of Plenty compilation album. It was an RnB / hip hop track about how we need to wake up and see what we’re doing to the world – and MAKE A CHANGE!!! – and featured Marcus from the Native Sons. I remember I wore a pink boob tube and a long black skirt with splits up the side and big stomping boots. Haha. Such an awesome gig.
Q. When was the time you did your best ever?
A. I actually have no idea! I like to think that each gig I do, I get better and better. I think one of my most enjoyable gigs was at the Auckland Council’s
“Music in Parks” gig last year (2012) with I Am Giant and Rival State. I made the mistake of having a V before the show (thanks to The Rock roadies! Hahaha) and was literally bouncing on stage. Such an awesome day!
Q. The one thing that went wrong while live but you kept going
A. Losing my voice!!! I had been sick for a few weeks, and my voice was really dodgy. Halfway through a gig, I started losing my voice, and was FREAKING out!! But with the right diaphragmatic technique, pineapple juice (which is AMAZING for the voice, by the way), and a shot of jager…. I managed to last the night!
Q. What do you want to teach others?
A. To be themselves – and be proud of it. Embrace your awesomeness and embrace your suckiness! That’s who you are and it’s AWESOME!!! I also want to encourage people to challenge themselves – step outside their comfort zone and experience the new, the weird, and the scary. I always find that’s where the cool shit happens. Oh! And to think!! Don’t regurgitate information – read between the lies – I mean, lines – and do your research, think for yourself – be your own person!
Q. Ever had wardrobe malfunctions?
A. Just once!! Thank God. And it was only a bit of boob. Which is ok – cos boobs are cool. But it was mega embarrassing at the time!
Q. Where do you draw your strength from?
A. These days? Music. If I’m having a shit day, there’s nothing better than cranking up some of my favourite tunes and losing myself in positivity, in inspiration and in other peoples strength. Also, never underestimate the awesomeness of people. Just the other week, I was having a self-doubting day, and one of my students out of the blue opened up to me and thanked me for being his strength. That helped me a lot. The appreciation, and the reminder that I’m strong. I’m also a very spiritual person, and have always had a firm belief that I’m here for a reason – so remembering that gives me a great sense of strength. And definitely my mom, my best friend and my boyfriend. They are, without a doubt, my rocks J
Q. If you feel fear how do you deal with it?
A. Stare evil in the eyes and kick its balls. That’s a Krav Maga quote – and I LOVE it!!! There’s no other way to live. If I’m scared, I take a deep breath, have faith that the universe will guide me, and jump.
Q. Who has been a significant role model you have looked up to in your life?
A. I find role models a strange concept. I have heaps, but for different reasons. I guess the main one would be my mother - an incredibly strong, resilient, intelligent and talented woman. Musically? Pink / Gwen Stefani / Cristina Scabbia / Lzzy Hale. Outlook on life-wise? Helen Clark. That woman is bad ass.
Q. What are your setbacks and breakthroughs?
A. My setbacks are kind of the same as my breakthroughs. I like that whole “take the road less travelled” approach. Being of darker complexion, I’ve always been pigeonholed into being a jazz, blues or RnB singer, and, granted, while I started off that way, I found homage in rock music. This does mean, however, that people find it weird, but I like that. I like to bite back at stereotypes. Kind of a “fuck you, I’ma do what I like, cos I can – and you’re wrong” thing… it works for me. Haha. Another interesting judgement was getting told I’ll never make it because I’m not blonde and size 2. Again; watch me.
Q. What are you most proud of?
A. My life. I’m here. I’m breathing. I’ve got great friends and an amazing family. I have (several) worthwhile and well-respected jobs that are helping the community. And I’m happy! The only possible thing at the moment that could be missing is a Dodge Charger, or Charger… but even that would get dirty after a couple of weeks.
So that’s it from me! I hope you enjoyed this scintillating piece of literature! If you want to know more, or have any more questions, hit me up on www.facebook.com/staticera or ask the lovely Linda to get in touch!
Peace!
Sep
05
2013I wrote an article for UnknownPhotographer.net sometime last year, but the website and project has since disappeared from the internet, so I thought it would be fun to share an excerpt from the article here on my blog, as I think there are lots of important things that we (myself included) could all do with being reminded of. So here are the top 10 lessons that I took away from my largest project to date, Exit Through the Thrift Shop.
1. If you are just starting out with photography, it’s really important to try to shoot everyday. Henri Cartier-Bresson said ‘your first 10,000 photographs are your worst’ and he was absolutely right. Work through your bad patch as quickly as you can so you can start producing your great work. The other important thing to start doing straight away is sharing your work. The point of creating anything is to share it with others. If you make a habit of sharing your work from the very beginning, you will have fewer mental barriers standing in the way of your creativity later on. Both of these things were instrumental to the speed at which I was able to progress and improve my photography.
2. Use your initiative. Don’t be lazy, everything you need is available to you right now via the internet. 99% of what I know about photography I learnt from Zack Arias and I have never even met the guy. If you need a particular type of experience or skill, weave your needs into your personal work; that’s what it’s there for. You don’t need to wait for a client or lecturer to swoop into your life and spoon-feed you an assignment brief. You can give these opportunities to yourself, they are available to you right now. “A lot of people never use their initiative because no one told them to” - Banksy.
Some of the notebooks and folders I keep all my notes in from the various tutorials and workshops I have watched and learned from…
3. Incorporating something you enjoy or are passionate about into your photography work is the sure-fire way of a) sticking with it when you run into obstacles, b) having the desire to produce work that is to the very best of your ability, c) having the energy and motivation to keep working on it day after day until it’s finished, d) give you an eye for all the tiny little details that will set your work apart from anyone else doing anything similar. Your passion for the subject matter will spill-over into the photographs you produce and you will (hopefully) produce something really special.
4. Just because you don’t feel ‘ready’ to start on a challenging idea you have right now, doesn’t mean you should write it off altogether. Give your yourself some time and headspace and let the idea just settle in your mind. Test the water a bit and make some initial inquiries about things until you are satisfied that the logistics of the project can be managed. Don’t commit to anything unless you feel 100% ready for it because if you have any real doubts, it will eat away into your enthusiasm and you will procrastinate and never get it done. I can’t really explain the science behind it, but I think the well-worn Henry Ford quote ‘whether you think you can or think you can’t, you are right’ is absolutely correct. The belief that you can do it is essential, and it if you haven’t got it right now, you just need to be patient, and let your mind work through the potential issues until it is satisfied that there aren’t any insurmountable obstacles left standing in the way.
5. Try not to become overwhelmed with all the little details and just work through the issues one at a time. All the pieces will fall together throughout the duration of the project and you will get what you need when you need it. Figure out a way to do the hardest bits first and then work through the rest as you go along. You don’t need to know how you are going to do every single little thing before you can even get started.
6. Focus. If there is something you really want to achieve, and it requires a lot of work, be prepared to cut just about everything else out of your life while you work on it. You can do something, but you can’t do everything. I spent every second I could working on this project, hit the pause button on everything else I was working on and I still had to take some unpaid leave off work just to get everything done in time.
7. Keep it simple, realistic and manageable. Don’t plan on shooting with a million lights, if you only really know how to work with one. Don’t make things so complicated and difficult for yourself that it will become a barrier for you and you won’t even make a start on it. ‘The smallest action is better than the greatest intention’.
Most of the images in this project were lit using just one light, and in order to replicate the implied lighting in the stencils, I had to be creative at times to achieve that look.
London Calling (c)2011 Linda Radosinska. All Rights Reserved.
8. It’s going to get messy. Working on anything challenging is really going to take it out of you. You will inevitably find yourself under a lot of stress, and at times it will get the best of you. There will be moments when you will hold your head in your hands and wonder what the effing crap you were thinking and times when you have to squint your eyes just to see your monitor through the haze of your uncontrollable sobbing. The key is to get it out of your system, so you can pull yourself together and get back to work. Things will get messy, but the only thing that matters is that you finish. No one cares about how you got there, just that you got there in the end.
One of my models having to paint the peace sign up on the wall on the day of the shoot, after the artist who was meant to do it flaked out at the last minute.
9. “Comparison is the thief of joy” - Teddy Roosevelt. I think it’s a really bad idea to spend an unhealthy amount of time obsessing over other people’s work. Sure it’s great to admire other photographers, maybe even get a bit of inspiration from them, but not at the expense of the confidence you need to go after your own goals. A good indicator that you need to step away from the computer is that you spend so much time looking at other people’s work that you start to lose faith in your own ability to create great work yourself.
10. Get help. You simply can’t do this sort of thing on your own. Call in any favours you are owed and don’t be afraid to ask everyone you know to help you. When the time comes, you will be grateful for every little piece of the puzzle they will bring to the project. I was surprised and truly humbled by the amount of generosity and support I received from the people around me.
Five people helped to create this image, and countless more to make the whole project come to life- check out the ‘Thanks’ page to see how many!
Umbrella Girl - Behind the Scenes Outtake ©2011 Linda Radosinska. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Sep
03
2013Just as I was starting to get into photography I had joined a photography page on Facebook.. it was kind of a mean page, but a famous photographer I really liked had joined it so I thought I’d be in good company if I did the same. Someone in the group shared the video above and I was so inspired by this 9 minute video, that I tried to learn as much as I could from the photographer who made it. I owe a lot to Zack, for teaching me so much about photography and light, which gave me the ability to get to where I am today.
Aug
29
2013I started out with a really long blog post about this, but really I don’t think there’s any need to ramble on.. so here is the abridged version of my blog post on my experience speaking at the Pechakucha night earlier in the month.
Public speaking is hard and lots of people avoid it like the plague. I’m lucky in that I’ve had some experience in this area, so I at least know that I can do it if I need to. That doesn’t mean I don’t get super nervous, or filled with doubt and worries that try to talk me out of it. One thing I have learnt from my experiences in doing things that really push me out of my comfort zone is that just because you don’t feel ready/good about it/it doesn’t feel easy, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it.
I came across this awesome blog post from a dancing blog I subscribe to and number 15 is a real doozy (highly recommend the rest too!)..
“15. You will never feel 100% ready. – Nobody ever feels 100% ready when an opportunity arises. Dancers have to be willing to take risks. From letting go of the ballet barre to balance, to moving around the world to dance with a new company, from trusting a new partner to trying a new form of dance, dancers must have a flexible mind and attitude as well as body. The greatest opportunities in life force us to grow beyond our comfort zones, which means you won’t feel totally comfortable or ready for it.”
Of course, this applies to anything. Even if you put in all the work and preparation that you can, when it comes to the moment of truth, you will still feel like you are not ready, like you need more time, like you haven’t done enough.. the list goes on. All excuses- which ultimately stem from a fear of the unknown. You will never know how something is going to turn out, ever. All you can do is all the work and preparation you can beforehand, and then take the plunge and just do it. I encountered this lesson with my Banksy project as well.. I remember thinking the exact same things before the first day of shoots (and even as we went through the days of shooting), but even if I had spent a whole year in pre production getting things ready (instead of 5 weeks!) I know I would still have not felt ready. The moral of the story is that you do all the work + preparation you can, and then you just have get on with it.
Thank you to everyone who came out to show your support on the night, it really meant a lot to me- and we even made it into the Sunday Star Times!
Aug
27
2013
A couple of weeks ago I was approached by a local newspaper who wanted to write a piece on my involvement in the PechaKucha night earlier in the month. I sent them the answers to their questions but when it came time to actually print the article they said they ‘ran out of room’….. SO, rather than let all the time I spent on this go to waste, I decided I would post the full interview here on my blog for you all to read. So here it is..
1) How old are you?
28
2) Where are you based?
Hamilton
3) What is your profession? Are you a student or are you working?
I have a Bachelor of Management Studies from Waikato, and I am a fine art portrait photographer.
4) Are you a freelance photographer? What kind of photography do you do?
Yes. I shoot fine art beauty portraits, which are all about celebrating and empowering women. They involve a full makeover with a professional hair and make up artist, followed by a photo shoot, which is a lot of fun and a very glamorous experience. My personal work does vary from project to project, but would generally still fit in the fine art portrait genre.
5) How long have you been doing photography and how did you get into it?
I first got into photography in 2010, after being given a Canon SLR as a Christmas gift from my partner.
6) Did you take any classes for that?
No, not exactly- what I know is the result of self-study: watching a lot of tutorials online, reading articles, books and lots of practise.
7) You are a musician too. Do you sing or play an instrument?
Yes, I sing and play guitar.
8) How long have you been doing this and how did you get into it?
When I was in my last year at high school, I took handful of lessons and taught myself the rest.
9) You are one of the guest speakers at the Pechakucha Night. What made you interested to take part in this event?
I wanted to speak at Pechakucha primarily because I wanted to share my Banksy project, ‘Exit Through the Thrift Shop’. It was a very important project for me, and I got quite a lot of exposure internationally but I didn’t really have a platform to share the work on a local level (aside from the exhibition I put on myself).
10) What will be your aim, when you speak at the event?
To share the ‘Exit’ project, talk about my work, and hopefully to gain some interest and support for future projects. I am going to take the opportunity to network with people who may be able to support or collaborate with me in the future.
11) What are you going to share with the audience?
A personal photography project called ‘Exit Through the Thrift Shop’ which I released last year.
12) Have you done this or anything similar before?
No, I haven’t spoken at a PK event before, but I would like to do more of this sort of thing in the future.
13) Will you be focussing on photography, music or both?
Photography.
14) What is your main focus? Photography or music and why?
They are both very important to me and complement each other. Working on one gives me a break and some headspace to consider the other from a different mindset. I also think it’s important to have a couple of different things you spend your time on so if you become overwhelmed, discouraged, bored or frustrated with one, you can shift your focus to the other without losing too much momentum.
15) Have you had any albums or songs released?
I played in an Auckland band (now defunct) that released an EP. Hopefully I will be able to release some new music soon.
16) What made you interested in the media arts field?
I’m quite a visual person, and have been involved in miscellaneous artistic endeavors all my life, so it was just a natural progression I think.
17) Did it start off as a hobby?
I suppose it did. Most things tend to, for me at least.
18) How do you manage photography and being a musician above everything else?- in other words how do you find time to do these?
It is difficult. Not only with regards to time but it can also be a huge strain financially and emotionally. I find that breaking work up into project form is a good way of managing multiple pursuits. I guess if there is something you really want to do, you have to make a decision to really commit to it, but also be willing to make the necessary personal sacrifices (time, money etc) to make it happen. Choosing what to commit to on that sort of level is a challenge in itself, but once you have the specifics of what you want to do, it’s important to be really organized and set goals for yourself so you can prioritise and remained focused and efficient enough to actually achieve something worthwhile in the time you have to spend on your project. Having a supportive partner and family also plays a significant role in the ultimate success of whatever you set out to achieve.
19) Do you know about the lineup for the night’s event. Are you excited to meet different people in the same field such as artists etc?
Yes, definitely. I think that being surrounded and inspired by so many unique topics and interesting people is one of the many fantastic aspects of the PK nights.
20) Will you do a similar event in future?
Yes, definitely.
21) Also, what are your future plans?
The beauty portrait sessions are my main focus at the moment because I feel that they are a really important thing to be able to offer people. Being photographed like this is a real confidence booster for women and because I shoot with great respect and empathy, their images reveal to them how beautiful they really are. I have lots of new services I will be introducing shortly, including special couture shoots for clients etc which is really exciting. In a few months time I will start applying for funding grants, fundraising and building relationships with businesses that I would like support from. After this I can begin work on my next big personal project which is going to be released in book form alongside another exhibition. I have a lot of personal projects I want to shoot, the biggest challenge is finding the funds to produce it all.
Aug
22
2013Last year I attended a writing workshop run by the Waikato Children’s Literature Association inc in Hamilton. I came home super inspired and even went to the trouble of writing a whole blog post about my experience- which I never got around to posting.. until now!! Better late than never I suppose, so here it is..
Last Saturday I had the pleasure of attending a workshop set up by the Waikato Children’s Literature Assocition Inc in Hamilton. It was a day-long event where 3 prominent New Zealand ‘picture book’ writers spoke for an hour or so each about their backgrounds, creative processes and how they get a book from inspiration to publication.
Because the Alejandra project involves a writing component, I thought it would be beneficial to head along to soak up their thoughts and wisdom so that I could apply it to my own writing for this project. I often get asked where I find my inspiration for my photography work, and the truth is, I find it absolutely everywhere (the more unexpected the source, the better) which is why I think it’s really important to look for encouragement, inspiration and creative strategies in cross-disciplinary waters. I like to soak up as much as I can from everything around me, but I try to spend as little time as possible looking at the work of other photographers. Unless I am researching different techniques and how to use/do them, I steer clear of the work of other photographers because I think it inevitably leads to direct comparison (often) resulting in discouragement and self doubt. I like to be inspired by films, people, music, books, poems, art work and nature, and although viewing photographs does move me, it is seldom to create more work of my own.
Kyle Mewburn was the first author to speak. He had a less than supportive creative environment that he grew up in, but had the good fortune of having a great teacher at school who gifted him a pivotal paperback on his last day before heading off to high school. His story was one of the most inspiring accounts of rejection, perseverance and self belief that I have ever heard. He studied advertising and journalism before deciding to become a writer. His first book only sold 50 copies, and his second took a year of full time writing to complete. His third book took a year and a half, followed by his fourth book which was a historial novel which took 2 years of full time writing to finish. He then wrote 20-30 stories over 18 months, all of which were rejected by publishers, but instead of throwing in the towel and giving up because he did not meet any publishing success, he considers the time between 1998 and 2008 a ‘full time apprenticeship’. I wonder how many people would have the tenacity to hang on after such a long hard slog with no guarantee of success on the other side…
I left the workshop with my very own signed copy of ‘Melu’, one of Kyle’s awesome books- to serve as a reminder of how important it is to hang on and keep going even if you don’t achieve any great successes with your early efforts. Check out Kyle’s website here.
Dawn McMillan was the second author to speak, and had the following advice for aspiring writers:
- You need to have lots of discipline to do it
- It’s essential to make the time to write- write at night if necessary, and create a good space for you to do so.
- Personal experiences make great stories
- Keep all your work- put it away and save it, even if you don’t like it right now
- Never give up
- Thoroughly research the publishers you’d like to work with and their guidelines
Check out Dawn’s website here.
Mark Sommerset was the last speaker. He and his wife Rowan work as a creative duo (Mark writes, and Rowan illustrates) on Waiheke Island (NZ), self publishing their absolutely beautiful books through their publishing company Dream Boat Publishers.
Mark and Rowan walked away from a lucrative graphic design business to begin their publishing careers and having published 6 books in the 8 or so years they have been operating, they are about to begin production on the very first children’s story Mark ever wrote, a truly profound story called The Cherry Tree. I was incredibly moved by the short description of the story and am dying to see the finished version- I am sure it is going to be a huge success for them both. Just to give you an idea of how much work goes into writing a children’s picture book- Mark mentioned that he spent approximately 1000 hours at the computer working on their book ‘Cork in the Bottle’!! Be sure to also check out the visual feast that is their blog!
All in all, it was such a worthwhile workshop, full of wonderful stories, inspiring people and their amazing work. Special thanks to Anne Southall for inviting me to come along and for my awesome souvenir!
Aug
15
2013
These two images were taken in 2010. It was my very first shoot using off camera lighting, and I was photographing a model named Shana who I had found online and was also just starting out and building her portfolio. I had been watching some tutorials online about how to use off camera flash, and since I was just wanting to try it out, I decided not to buy any new gear and just hire a location lighting kit from Wintec.
We met up in town that night and just walked around to a few locations I had picked out earlier in the day and even though I didn’t really know what I was doing, and most of it was just trial and error (probably more error than trial!) I look back so fondly on this shoot and some of these images are still my favourites.
If you’re wanting to try something out, you can find alternatives to all the easiest ways of doing things if you just use your imagination a little bit. If you need to learn something new, the internet is full of information. If you need some assistance, there are always people out there who are also starting out and are willing to give you their time. If you don’t have the money to buy the equipment you need, you can always borrow it.
If I hadn’t pushed myself to work through my doubt and organise the shoot in spite of not feeling like I knew what I was doing, who knows how long it would have taken me to get to the point where I could shoot the Banksy project. If you want to do something, just get on with it.
Aug
13
2013
Lorraine came to the studio without having any idea of what was about to take place because her amazing daughter Emma had arranged for her lovely Mum to come in for a portrait session as part of whole day of awesome stuff she had planned for her. Considering the fact that it was a complete surprise, and she had no time to prepare herself for being photographed, Lorraine was a fantastic person to photograph and she looked absolutely amazing!!
Aug
08
2013I am super excited to announce that I will be speaking at the next PechaKucha event as part of the Spark International Festival of Media, Arts and Design. PechaKucha is a really cool concept which originates from Japan- it basically means to ‘chit-chat’. So at a PK evening, there are a variety of speakers, who each give a short talk on whatever topic they choose. It’s always nice and snappy as each presenter is only allowed 20 seconds per slide, and each presentation is only allowed 20 slides. All in all, it’s always a great night full of entertaining talks and inspiring stories from awesome people. If you’d like to come along this August to hear me and a whole lot of other people talking about a whole host of topics, you’ll find all the information you need in the posters above.
See you there!
Aug
06
2013
Just thought I’d better let you know that there is a bit of a giveaway happening over on my Facebook page which you can find by clicking here or just click on the image and another window will open up. Check out the image above to see how you can enter and what you can win!!
23-08-13 Update:
Congratulations to Rebecca & Lorna on getting 114 votes and winning the competition!!
Aug
04
2013Hey Guys,
Super stoked to have my good friend Mallory from Mallory Xavier doing a guest blog post for you all today. In it she explains a bit more about what goes into creating her awesome designs and has some great thoughts on compromise and advice for anyone wanting to achieve their goals. You can see all her fantastic designs here and like her on Facebook here.
Take it away Mallory..
I am Mallory and I am the designer of Mallory Xavier – New Zealand Made Toddler Couture. I am currently in the process of sewing the pieces for my Spring/Summer 2013 collection ‘honeysuckle,’ which will be released early September. This week I am on a strict deadline to get everything complete for Saturday’s photo shoot with Linda. So between jobs on my ‘to do’ list I am going to do a little writing on my design process, and how it has changed between my first collection and this one.
My collections have always started with a fabric. The first Spring/Summer collections fabric was shell pink rayon that was not actually used in the final collection. This collection the fabric that sparked the design process is pink and white gingham that has been used to make the girls skirts and headbands. That initial fabric sets the tone. From there I draw and edit and look at images online, in books and in the world. The first Mallory Xavier collection was called ‘Berry.’ The name was decided due to the tones of the fabrics used. This years Spring/Summer collection is called ‘Honeysuckle’ and is based on the colour and shapes of the honeysuckle flowers. After designing I will begin sewing and after a few weeks will have a collection ready to have photographed.
The design process I used for this collection was quite different to that of my last. I have included a full boys range in this collection which was scary for me. I found that boys wear took a lot longer to design, because they needed to be special – something that couldn’t be purchased in any old store. I began thinking that there was not a lot of scope for boys wear but I have changed my mind. I just don’t think that boys are given many options and so boyswear is an exciting new venture for me.
A challenge that I have met is that my designs tend to naturally be architectural, and this time I wanted to embrace a softness that I’d never used before. It is hard for me to step out of my comfort zone with design, but I think it is extremely important. Gail Sheehy said “Growth demands a temporary surrender of security.” I think that’s true. A temporary surrender of security and a hell-of-a-lot-of work! Back when I was studying at Wintec I was extremely hesitant to accept critique, and to adapt designs for anyone else. While studying I could do that – I was making one off pieces for specific briefs, and being marked and judged on my personal interpretation of that brief. Now I am designing and sewing for a living, all critiques are important. When designing for others, the important thing that sticks out is ‘saleability.’ My first line was a demonstration of my taste. I didn’t design for saleability – I was still being stubborn. And though the garments did sell, the ones that sold quickly were not the ones I expected to. This year saleability has been in my mind throughout my entire design process. It is why I made my boys shirts white and not pink (like I was initially intending on doing), and why the garments this year are softer in design and much more easy and comfortable to wear.
Starting any business is a challenge. The last two years have been an emotional roller coaster. Because my new collection has not been seen yet I am both terrified and excited. I think that a willingness to adapt, learn and ask for help are the things that have kept me going. My design process will continue to adapt and refresh and I think that it is a good thing. I believe that so long as I am being challenged in the creation of my work, then my work can remain fresh.
Aug
01
2013I am so excited to announce the new promotion I am running for the month of August. Basically the idea behind it is that everything is a bit more fun and exciting when you can share it with someone- so if you book yourself in for a beauty portrait session in August (to be shot August, or September 2013) you can bring along one other person (maybe your best friend, daughter, sister or mother) and they get to have a full make over and portrait session on the house! You can even bring your husband along if you’d like to do a couples shoot, but they don’t have to take us up on the make over offer! Please email me if you have any questions and checkout the pricelist to see what goodies are available to purchase once your images are ready!