g.j. spiller photography blog

los angeles lifestyle portrait photography | loretta

g.j. spiller photography — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 06:46:00 +0000

LORETTA is an up and coming R&B/POP songwriter/singer. she is fun, sweet, down-to-earth, beautiful, and of course, sings like a songbird. we collaborated with HEIDI from DARLING DEVIL'S MAKEUP STUDIO, who provided the hair and makeup for all the different looks. we had a lot of fun photographing LORETTA in all her different looks, as she prepares to perform and tour GERMANY. it was a joy and inspiration to work together.

i'm also thankful we didn't get bit by a snake climbing the hill for our third look, trudging through the meadow. us "city girls" survived without a scratch or a tumble! i thought for sure me and my NIKON would be rolling down this hill. LORETTA continued to look fierce in her heels throughout the day. it would have made CARRIE BRADSHAW from SEX IN THE CITY proud! HEIDI created LORETTA's various looks to express her many different sides of her persona.

to view more fab images from our session, view the slideshow here or scroll below this post!

thank you to LORETTA, HEIDI, and VANESSA, my assistant, who made this two day project fun-filled and productive.

here are a few faves....

GJ Spiller Photography || Los Angeles-based Wedding and Lifestyle Portrait Photographers || Photography for fun, modern couples and families

life. love. memories. your love story.

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just like her

g.j. spiller photography — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 03:43:34 +0000

my mom just told me that she's making me her "project". she called it "propositions". she proposed that she wanted to help me improve my health and help assist me in alleviating stress, and that she had a plan for that. she had a worrisome feeling about me, lately, but quickly turned that worry into an action plan. she told me of her other "plans" (with my consent, ofcourse) to help us make our life a little bit easier, a little less stressful. at the same time, she gave me money for dinner and parking, and to remember to pack the leftover beef stew for lunch. all this while she laid in her hospital bed, awaiting her liver transplant surgery. midnight, saturday, she received a call from UCLA MEDICAL CENTER that she was on the list as a backup for a liver that they received. twelve hours later, she received word that she moved up the list as a primary recipient. it amazes me that she is still taking care of all of us.

every nurse and doctor that walks in is greeted by my mom with a smile. she has a way about her. i always am impressed with my mom, using all the hospital lingo and remembering all the names of the doctors and nurses that come to visit her. her mind is sharp. her will and faith are strong.

i want to be just like...her.

i'm hoping that typing this blog post will ease my mind, help me relax a bit, as we wait to hear if the liver is a good match for my mom. i am having flashbacks of my dad in the hospital and trying to not let those memories stress me out. i am praying hard.

that is all for now.

los angeles lifestyle photography | loretta {sneak peek}

g.j. spiller photography — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 17:06:51 +0000

i just wanted to leak a sneak peek to this project i've been in collaboration with one of my fave makeup artists, HEIDI, from DARLING DEVILS MAKEUP STUDIO. we shot about three looks yesterday with up and coming, pop/r&b singer, LORETTA, and had a blast doing it. so much fun when you get to work with positive, passionate artists. view their websites to check out their artistry!

more later...stay tuned!

GJ Spiller Photography || Los Angeles-based Wedding and Lifestyle Portrait Photographers || Photography for fun, modern couples and families

life. love. memories. your love story.

info@gjspillerphotography.com

626.376.9501

site: www.gjspillerphotography.com

subscribe to our blog!

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happy valentine's day

g.j. spiller photography — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 03:40:59 +0000

i'm not gonna lie. our relationship has been tested these past couple months. tested in ways we've never been tested. this has been a period in our history that the vows we took on our wedding day seemed more relevant and real than the day we proclaimed and professed them five years ago. "better or worse," "richer or poorer," "in sickness and in health," were phrases that are not just poetic but words that we have revisited. it became our mantra, a reminder of what we "signed up for". so we stuck with it because that's how we roll.

photographing weddings, to us, is such a blessing. we get to relive the excitement, the anticipation, the joy. we get to revisit our vows and see ourselves in the couples that choose us to photograph them on their special day. we totally get everything that they are going through. marriage is work. we never say it's easy breezy all the way. we're not perfect nor pose to be perfect. some days you have to say to yourself, how can i better myself, improve my actions, so that i can be a better partner in this relationship? and that's sometimes hard to do.

this valentine's day i reflect on our commitment, and where we have come and where we are going. i take inventory on the fact that our joyful, happy moments outweigh the tough, trying times. i am comforted to think i have j. in my corner, in everything i do, every new endeavor i want to pursue, and every new karaoke song i want to belt out. today i also think about the couples, individuals, and families we have met along the way and pray that they continue to live life passionately, love without apologies and regret, and endure the bumps in the road and the curveballs life gives you.

happy valentine's day!

this is one of our early portraits together. we look so young ;)

the above picture was taken by a friend at one of my birthday dinners. she caught the moment. i had just read a card that j. bought me and it was the perfect card!

GJ Spiller Photography || Los Angeles-based Wedding and Lifestyle Portrait Photographers || Photography for fun, modern couples and families

life. love. memories. your love story.

info@gjspillerphotography.com

626.376.9501

site: www.gjspillerphotography.com

subscribe to our blog!

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movie review | the vow

g.j. spiller photography — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 03:12:00 +0000

j. and i watched THE VOW this weekend. just a preface: i normally don't care for romantic movies (comedy or drama) and NICHOLAS SPARKS' books. it's more of j.'s thing. however, i was intrigued by this "inspired by true events" movie and wanted to see what it was about.

it's about a couple who gets into a car accident and the wife loses her memory -- five years worth of memory. she doesn't remember being married, doesn't remember what her life is like, and what's even worse, her husband is a complete stranger. the husband spends most of the movie trying to help his wife rediscover their connection--essentially, make her fall in love with him again. you'll have to see the movie to see if he, in fact, does.

the movie is about how moments define you. how our memories and moments, even the small, insignificant ones, define who we are. i started thinking about my relationship with j. we've known each other for almost seventeen years. how all of our choices brought us to each other---away from each other--and back. it's our memories that connect us, the memories that we made together, that define our relationship. without those memories, there is no "us." the good. the bad. and the comical.

i joked with j. that if one of us ever had a memory lapse, not to worry. i have years and years of journals, photos, video, and blog posts to refer to. when writing in my journal or blogging, i always feel a sense of not wanting to forget how i feel at THIS very moment. there's value in reflection and documenting our good, the bad, and the comical.

i give this movie 4 Gs (out of 4)! if you like romantic dramas, you'll love this movie, and.. CHANNING TATUM is easy on the eyes. just sayin'.

hearts for you | jewelry designer

g.j. spiller photography — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:00:00 +0000

i love accessories. from hats to scarves to jewelry. it makes the outfit and are an expression of who you are. i often suggest to my clients when picking out outfits for their engagement photos or family portraits, to include accessories that make them feel fabulous or express their style. it really adds interest and "pop" to images. i also love unique, handmade pieces!

i love purchasing jewelry from HEARTS FOR YOU. the jewelry is diverse in that there are handmade pieces that are for the casual and whimsical, flirty and fabulous, to elegant and simple. my absolute favorite piece right now is a multi-colored crystal copper bracelet that i've been wearing right now. it matches practically all my casual and work outfits and it's just fun to wear! she is now selling some pieces online and there is free shipping for the month of FEBRUARY. i have to warn you, though, shopping on ETSY is very addicting. you should see my wish list!

here are some new pieces i photographed...

psssst....VALENTINE'S DAY is coming....feel free to forward this post to someone..er..um...might need a hint for some ideas...

GJ Spiller Photography || Los Angeles-based Wedding and Lifestyle Portrait Photographers || Photography for fun, modern couples and families

life. love. memories. your love story.

info@gjspillerphotography.com

626.376.9501

site: www.gjspillerphotography.com

subscribe to our blog!

like our FACEBOOK page!

THE VISION COURSE| a fun way to improve your photography

g.j. spiller photography — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:34:18 +0000

i often get questions from clients, friends, and family, "how do i improve my photography?" "how do i master my camera?" or "how can i improve my eye in photography?"

the first thing i usually say is SHOOT SHOOT...then SHOOT some more. however, being focused on one aspect at a time will help you improve your technique, skill, and develop your style. it's your vision that defines your style.

so i have created a photography course which will have monthly themes and a focus on a technique or art element to help challenge you to become more of a visionary when you photograph. creating an image has to do more about the photographer, the person behind the camera, than it has to do with the camera it self. so it doesn't matter that you do not have a fancy schmancy digital camera. iPhones to point and shoots to digitial SLRs are welcome.

this is what you need to do:

1. SUBSCRIBE to my blog for monthly coursework

2. sign on my group's FLICKR page: VISION COURSE

3. invite fellow photog phreaks to join in on the fun!

now...go out there and SHOOT!

this image is a necklace from the HEARTS FOR YOU collection. this represents "love" because the jewelry is designed around the symbol of the heart. in addition, this jewelry designer's story is that she recently started following her love of being creative and following that passion through her jewelry. her work is a labor of love. it shows in her handmade pieces. more on her work that later.

GJ Spiller Photography || Los Angeles-based Wedding and Lifestyle Portrait Photographers || Photography for fun, modern couples and families

life. love. memories. your love story.

info@gjspillerphotography.com

626.376.9501

site: www.gjspillerphotography.com

subscribe to our blog!

like our FACEBOOK page!

out from my cave...and the end? of the JOEY COURSE | FINAL

g.j. spiller photography — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 08:21:48 +0000

i took a break from my usual life, i call the grind, the rat race, the rollercoaster aka my crazy life. i gave myself a "real" vacation. first real one in four and a half years. a lot of list writing, meditating, juice fasting (more on that at a later post), reflecting, preparing, and praying. i've had quite an epiphany while i was hibernating in my cave. i've been up to a lot of interesting things. at least "interesting" to me, that is. that is NOT to say that i have forgotten about the JOEY COURSE. in fact, i have been thinking about the end of the course for the last two weeks. in light of the new and improved, up and coming "g", a stronger, yet gentler (and hopefully wiser) caretaker of myself, i gave myself a little slack in posting the last and final assignment of the COURSE.

as i blogged in the last assignment, ASSIGNMENT #10, endings are really new beginnings. the end of a movie or book is really the "real" end. life goes on. it's a continuum. a cycle. the credits roll, but the characters continue to live on. CINDERELLA finally finds out PRINCE CHARMING does not ever replace the toilet roll or put the cap on the toothpaste. CARRIE in SEX IN THE CITY continues to shop and be fabulous, and her fellow comrades go through midlife crisis. life goes on. so i thought the final assignment be followed by answering three simple questions.

FINAL: read all your past journal entries (in JOEY's case, past blog entries) from beginning of course to end. walk down memory lane by revisiting past assignments. reflect on your words and actions, as well as reactions. then answer the next questions.

how have you grown over the course? (ideas: what has changed? what has stayed the same? what are your beliefs, perceptions, etc.? how is this affected the way you view yourself as an artist or following your passion?)
what are the obstacles you need to overcome or manage in order to reach your goals or follow your passion?
what are your next steps? (ideas: what is your action plan? how will you be accountable? who is your tribe? how will you reach the goals you set out for yourself? how will you reach your goal by the deadline date you set for yourself?)

one of the things on my list of priorities is to spend more time with my security dog, POPO. he's been working over time and he deserves more attention than he usually gets. when i'm emailing, editing hundreds of images, blogging, or just plain social networking, he's always patiently waiting for that belly rub or walk. that's right, more rubbing and walking, and less typing and staring at my monitor. it's time that i do "more" by doing less.

this is not a cupcake review

g.j. spiller photography — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:42:44 +0000

holiday hangover. ugh. back to the grind. back to work. back to reality and sticking to the action plan. i have a love-hate relationship with food. there are certain foods i love but hate the way it makes me feel at the end of the day. i notice that i enjoy my husband, j's cooking, lately. we've been eating in more often, and i now, most food outside my house do not taste as yummy. food is neither enemy or friend, reward or a coping tool. it's just. food. i have watched a couple documentaries and have been reading a book on reversing diabetes, and i'm convinced whole food eating and limiting red meat is the way to go with me! change your mindset, change your attitude, change your reality, change your life (and apparently, your tastebuds).

since we dropped our cable, i've been noticing i have more quality "me" time. i've changed my perception about doing certain things, including the vision for myself in the near future. "me" time is in order. not only am i changing my perception about food, but i am changing the focus from others and focus on "me". this is not a new vision or goal. i'm just getting better at being more focused on my SELF. it takes lots of practice and making better choices over and over again. it's been a continued theme for the last few years, and i am going to be more extreme this year. i'm changing my vision for my business and work. i'm changing my vision about my health and the way i take care of myself. i'm changing my vision about my relationships. this is the year of PRIORITY. and the #1 priority is ME.

everyday i am:

exercising/moving consciously, with intention
preparing my food and consciously eating better most of the time
writing at least 750 words daily
logging in my food and exercise in both FitBit and My Fitness Pal
thinking of systems and ways i can work smarter, not harder, and truly be present and joyful in my own personal life
consciously using positive words, actions, in order to be a person i respect
choosing to surround myself around positive people or engage in positive thoughts

why? i want to...

be healthier and live a better quality of life.
not have complications of diabetes.
be a mother. a healthy one.
be a better spouse. a more positive, happier one.
go shopping for a new wardrobe.
fit into all my cute shoes and clothing i already own!
feel a sense of accomplishment and gain more confidence in doing more activities.
just be happier in the "doing".

why do you want to change? how will you change? what is your action plan?

here is a not-so-cute pic of me. hopefully in three months, i can post a better one!

The JOEY COURSE | assignment #10 DEAR FUTURE ME

g.j. spiller photography — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 21:43:59 +0000

we're nearing the end of the JOEY COURSE. it is appropriate that the end of our course land at the beginning of a new year. that's what all "endings" are. just a new beginning, a new chapter.

DEAR FUTURE ME

NEW YEAR resolutions fail because you forget why you wanted to change in the first place. i like to call them "goals" instead because they, in my mind, are attached to action. once you achieve your goal, you feel a sense of accomplishment, and joy. it's a feeling you want to repeat over and over again.

sign up on FUTURE ME. Use an email address that is reliable.
when you get the email verification, add the email address to your address book so it won't land in the junk folder.
write an email to your future self. write your intentions for the year and why you want to change. or give your future self some good advice, based on what you have learned in the JOEY COURSE. make it long or short, whatever you want.
set the date to next year (i set mine for 12/31/2012).
make a commitment to email yourself once a month, every first of the month, for a year.

you'll receive emails from your future self, every month next year. it'll be an unexpected surprise and you might gain perspective from hearing from your past self. you might even see growth and positive change, if you continue with the assignments and lessons in the JOEY COURSE. it helps getting validation from your own self.

here's my personal goals for 2012. wow...now it's official. i wrote it in EVERNOTE which is an app that archives your notes, images, even speech on your computer, tablet, and mobile phone. think of it as a notepad full of your ideas all in one central place, accessible and shareable wherever you are. it's a fun application which i use to jot ideas, record reminders, and save images that inspire me. this is a screen shot of the list i made last night...

clearly, i got a lot to accomplish this year. this is just my 'personal' list. you should see my business goals! 2012 is the year of priority and productivity.