New Business Cards

Beto designed my new business card!

More Studio Work

I had set up my lights, camera and backdrop paper. I was taking some macro shots when kitty jumped up (tearing the paper) and started rubbing his nose on my lens, rolling around on the white backdrop paper and finally settling down to warm himself by basking in the warmth of the studio lights.

Merry Christmas!

Pasta

Beto is home from the paper and I am making dinner, a seafood extravaganza with scallops and talapia, angel hair pasta, garlic, vegetables and white wine. Beto is watching a bootleg DVD of Snakes on a Plane, his Fishmas pollyanna gift. I have decided I can't put myself through an hour and a half of watching various types of snakes attacking helpless airline passengers so I am eating my dinner in the dinning room, occasionally turning up my little radio to drown out the cries, screams and snake hisses.

Alantis

This is the lost bar all prettied up for Christmas. This is the local bar.

Snow

This is our street a day after the storm. You may notice that it is not ploughed, it's not easy to get anywhere at this point by car but walking in the snow is sometimes enjoyable.

A White Fishmas

Beto and I trecked out to the 7th Annual Fishtown Fishmas party last night as the snow was too deep to drive. There was the cut throat pollyanna that lasted half the night and home made fancy cocktails. There was home made Fishmas Ale honoring the late and great Cole the Dog, with a label designed by Beto.

Wednesday in New York

Tuesday Evening in New York

Tuesday afternoon I felt the need for a change of scenery, I knew that Beto wanted some time alone in order to finish some illustrations. I searched online for events in New York City, and found a free tasting/book release happening at Louise 649, a hole in the wall bar in the Lower East Side.

Madeline Scherb, author of A Taste of Heaven was in town to talk about her experiences traveling to the different monasteries she sought out in writing her book. She spoke about the different cheeses, candies, beers and liquors crafted at the monasteries.

During the tasting, I met a couple really Italian ladies. As the evening wound down one of them invited me to join them for a dinner party they were about to attend. I joined her and had an amazing experience in SOHO as guest at their home cooked italian dinner. Honestly one of the best dinners I have had in my life.

When all was over with I realized I had missed the last of the trains heading back to Philadelphia. Beto told me about a wonderful, modern (and reasonable) little hotel in midtown called the Pod Hotel which is where I stayed.

In the Studio

Recently I have been working with models to build my portfolio, specifically the portrait section of my website. My goal has been to gain some confidence, technique and ease in directing people in front of the camera. It has been a really good experience for me.

Christmas Cheer

Beto and I picked out and decorated our Christmas tree.

Thanksgiving

Beto and I made four pies (two spinach, one apple and one pumpkin) to bring to the Kennedy's house for Thanksgiving. Wonderful dinner, wonderful time!

In the Studio with Beto

Updated Website

I have updated my website with my new studio work. I am also not feeling well.

I am trying to to work on the computer but it is surprising that even simple tasks like that can tire a person so quickly when they are sick. Go check out the changes!

www.oliviavaughnphotograhy.com

New soft boxes and cats

Late on Tuesday evening, Beto and I took a trip out to Calumet Photo Supply http://www.calumetphoto.com/. We picked up a soft box lighting kit with two lamps/stands. These lights are great. They are sturdy and light up the area very well, together the two lights make a 1,000 watt kit. We also hung a roll of white butcher paper to create a nice backdrop for product and still life photography. I switched out one of the 500 watt bulbs with a dimmer, 60 watt bulb and am using it as a desk lamp which works quite nicely. Turns out, Eddie Murphy loves the new photo studio, jumping up on the table without even being coaxed. I think its the warmth of the studio lights that he likes as well as being the center of our attention.

Beto's Illustration in Today's Paper

This is Beto's latest illustration, appearing in today's paper. It appears in the Inquirer's Business section with the article, "Only the Balanced Survive".

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/Only_the_balanced_survive.html

New Software

Recently I purchased the Adobe Creative Suite (CS4). I actually got a pretty good deal on the new package on eBay. I have just started using it today, previously I had been using Bet's computer or trial versions. The photo above is one I have taken in order to sell a red Timbuk2 computer bag on eBay. I took the photo using the self timer on my camera, then I moved it to PhotoShop, where I used the pen tool to cut out the image and place it on a white background.

First Friday

http://vimeo.com/7322136

Beto and I spent our first friday at 2424 Studios. We went to take a look at the latest exhibit, "Titan and the Fireflies", an exhibit created by Jason Hackenwerth made entirely of balloons. It was really beautiful.

Eddie Murphy as the lumber jack and Space Ghost and an elf

Beto and I went to target where I spotted some cat outfits and couldn't resist. We got home and put the lumber jack style jacket on Murphy who didn't seem to mind a bit. In fact, hours later he is still wearing it. I think it keeps him warm and he likes it. We put the elf outfit on Prince's cat, Space Ghost and he didn't like it one bit. He got crazed and tore it off.

PicSean Photocontest

I entered the PicSean photocontest, with a picture I called Delaware Moon. To see it and vote, click the link.

http://apps.facebook.com/picsean/show_photos.php?page=1

Updated Website

oliviavaughnphotography.com

I gave my website a new look last night.

Halloween

Beto and I decided to spend the first part of the evening at home to watch the World Series.
We did go to a couple Halloween parties together later on. The best part was seeing everybody's costumes. Johnny Brenda's was a hot spot for some good ones. There was the "black taco", the Burger King, and a giant "box wine"character. Beto was Dom Deluise. He looked great. Prince, Beto and I pulled into target right before the party, trying to find and Andy Warhol wig for Prince and Beto found his track suite. That coupled with some gold chains, a white barrette and some stuffing around his tummy made for a great likeness.

iPhoto with Murphy Cat

Home from work on a cold afternoon, Murphy Cat and me are under the covers surfing the web.