The Beginning of Stiz

As promised I am finally posting our engagement photos. Yes, a little late, but better late than never, right? I'm just going to keep telling myself that... For our engagement photo shoot, Chrissy was all on her own and she did a fantastic job. I'll admit it was rather odd being on the other side of the lens but I tried to just go with the flow and let Chrissy do her thing. It was a great experience and I'm so glad we were able to do it. Now I'm really excited about my bridal portraits.

For the venue for our engagement shots, what better place than NC State campus. While we didn't meet there, we both attended NC State and probably passed each other without even knowing it. The campus symbolized a special time in both our lives and we were very happy to be able to do our photos there.

I had so many favorites (SO many). These are the first good photos taken of us and I just gobbled them up! I'm afraid I can't post all of them but I will show you a few of my favorites. If you would like to view the reaminder, please visit our Couples and Engagements portfolio on our website. 

To me one of the most unique things about NC State campus is the Free Expression Tunnel. I mean really, how many other universities out there encourage graffiti? I think it's fantastic and always enjoy seeing what is new in there. Unfortunately while we were there it appeared UNC was blueing out the tunnel (one of the drawbacks to allowing graffiti) but we were able to find a small area where there wasn't quite as much blue...

Our photo shoot wouldn't be complete if we didn't have our dogs! It was fantastic to be able to get some great shots of the 5 of us by the bell tower.

I love the sequence we did with the brick wall. 

This is my favorite on the brick wall though. I love the energy of the photo.

I could keep going but I think I'll leave you with just one more. I believe I loaded about 20 photos on the website so feel free to check out more! 

It is fantastic to finally have engagement photos of Steven and I. We've been engaged for about a year and 3 months at this point and still have about 6 more to go. It's been great and I'm looking forward to finally being Mr. and Ms. Stiz.* Thanks again Chrissy for braving the cold and the wind to do our engagement photos!

 

*Ok, let me explain the Stiz. A lot of the friends we visit often are married and have the same last name so most often we just refer to them as the Smiths, for example. But with Steven and I, who will never have the same last name, they were faced with having to say our first names when referring to us (I know, terrible isn't it). So our friends came up with Stiz (combination of Steven and Liz) as our designated name. In other words, we are the Stiz's not Steven and Liz. I think it's hilarious and I love it and so I have adopted it as my own. 

-Liz DiNatale

www.oakcityphotographync.com

oakcityphotographync@gmail.com

Feb 26th Photo Friday

Yes! I did it! I remembered again! After my failure last week, I was determined to remember this week's submission. The challenge was Self Portrait...I've never done a self portrait...I always kinda felt vain taking photos of myself. But, duty calls (duty Chrissy, not dooty).

When I asked myself, what a good self portrait would be, I pondered the things that brought me to be who I am today and the things that influence me on a daily basis. I didn't think it would be an appropriate self portrait if I didn't show example of those things as well. So here is what I came up with...

This is me surrounded by the things that influence me daily. My 3 terrific pups, my awesome cat, my fiance, Steven and my hobbies, photography and cycling (those are my cycling glasses I'm wearing). Yes, there are tons more things that influence me but these were the easiest things to represent. Yes, my family has had a huge part in making me who I am today but I didn't have any printed pictures of my family (this is something I need to remedy). Thanks to everyone who's helped me grow as a person or who has dealt with me on my  continuing journey (it couldn't have always been easy). I can only hope as I age and mature (like a fine wine? No? Maybe?) that who I become will do justice to those that influenced me.

And on that note, thanks for reading!

Yep, I still haven't uploaded the engagement photos, I'M SORRY! I've been painting a master bathroom! I'll try to this weekend..promise...

-Liz DiNatale

www.Oakcityphotographync.com

oakcityphotographync@gmail.com

Feb19th Friday Photo Challenge

Well that didn't last long. I failed, and rather early on. I forgot to submit my Photo Friday challenge photo. **kicks self** BUT since you all may enjoy it, I'll post it on here ANYWAYS. Ha! Bet you're happy....maybe....

In any case, this would have been my post for the Photo Friday Challenge of  Nature. When I think of nature I try to remove the human element and imagine what was there before us and what will survive without us. There is nothing more carnal nature than the ocean. It's unforgiving and brutal, yet plentiful and nurturing. Combine that with the sun, the reason life goes on (though I guess that's not entirely true since they found itty bitty organisms in dark caves that never get sunlight...but work with me here) and you've got a picture perfect image of Nature.

So if you haven't guessed what my picture is yet...reread that paragraph...or just look at the pretty picture.

This is the sunrise at Carolina Beach, North Carolina. Sometime nearing fall I believe (because it was 6am when I got this and not 5am). It is moments like this, when you are gazing on something this simple, pure and magnificent, that you just feel...tiny.

I'd be concerned my watermark is working on this photo but it's already all over my facebook for the world to steal and enjoy so why bother copy writing it now?


This Friday's challenge is Self Portrait. Yikes, this should be interesting. I swear I'll remember to post on time. Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!

Liz DiNatale
www.oakcityphotographync.com
oakcityphotographync@gmail.com

Feb 12th Photo Friday Contest

As promised I've (Liz) continued this Photo Contest thing. Let's see how long I can keep it going! Feb 12th's photo challenge word was Lightness. I had planned on using a picture of Masi where she was jumping for a ball and edit it to look like she was floating in the air. But when I went home to visit the dogs at lunch yesterday Cleo was warming herself in the sun that was shining through the patio doors and I thought "She's absorbing the lightness!".  I thought it would be a neat picture to play with exposure, highlights and contrast. She is always a willing subject if she doesn't actually have to get up or do anything.

Here's the photo that resulted.

This is one of my favorites of her now. This may be hanging in the house somewhere soon.

I know I promised our engagement photos soon but I've been forgetting to post them. Soon, I promise. Maybe this weekend. I'm afraid after my engagement photos are posted we won't have any more photo shoots to share! Well until my bridal portraits. In other words, if you know of anyone (including yourself of course) who wants some family photos, is getting engaged and needs a wedding photographer, wants to capture some precious moments with their pet or with their spouse, tell them to look us up!

Thanks for reading! We hope you have a great rest of the week and enjoy the beautiful weekend!

Bring on the baby photos!

Hi everyone - it's Chrissy. Yes, I do exist; I'm not some figment of Liz's imagination. I thought I'd try my hand at this blog posting thing and give you all a taste of what I've been up to.

As you saw, Liz was able to capture some of the larger (yet tender and beautiful) moments of my pregnancy. Photographing a big belly and hormonal mommy-to-be must have been a challenge for Liz, but she did a great job and it was interesting for me to be on the other side of the lens. I felt rather clueless and in need of direction - thank goodness I was able to rely on Liz to put together the perfect shots. Not only was she able to manage me, a flopping around baby inside, and a scruffy hubby... she tamed the wild beasts and snagged some great family photos. You don't have to wait until the holiday season to capture those tender moments with your family. You and your loved ones are changing daily... growing up, growing as a family, experiencing the world in new ways each day. Contact us today to seal those moments in photographs.

A few weekends ago, we turned the tables and put Liz on the other side of the camera for her engagement photo session. What a fun time! We look forward to sharing some of our favorite shots and hearing your feedback. It helps to have such willing and good-looking subjects (Liz's pups always cooperate!) Oh, and Steven and Liz were great, too. :-D Be on the lookout for a post soon!

Being a Mommy is a whole new and exciting experience for me. Since I've been holed up indoors (due to doctor's recovery instructions AND the lovely weather), I've found myself behind the camera almost daily documenting my daughter's every blink and yawn and poo-face. (Slight exaggeration...) But I've found beauty in the simplest moments... and those moments make you wonder...

What do babies dream about?


Would they have chosen that outfit if they had a choice?


What are they thinking when they stare at you with those big baby eyes?


And is there anything more beautiful than the innocence of a baby's loving gaze?


Photographing an infant can be a challenge but the results are well worth it! It keeps me on my toes, juggling my lenses, inventing new poses, and capturing beauty in the tiniest of features.

~ Chrissy

Photo Friday Contest

I (Liz) have decided it would be entertaining and challenging to participate in a weekly photo contest. Just something to challenge my eye and to help me think outside the norm. So after a grueling 30 seconds of googling, I decided on Photo Friday since it seemed the most straight forward and easy to upload. Every Friday they post a new challenge and you have a week to post your submission. This week the challenge was Surfaces.

Surfaces...that's a pretty generic thing. But hey, a varying depth of field can make anything interesting. What? I don't have a prime? Crap. (on a side note, yes I know you don't need a prime to get that effect it's just a lot nicer with a prime). So with my trusty 28-135mm lens I went through the house in search of an interesting surface. After taking photos of several different things at varying angles I happened upon our shiny mantle (that I had just dusted)! This is where I took my contest submission and here is how it turned out.  

 

I love how the shiny white paint reflects the angel figurine. I'm looking forward to this weeks challenge. Hopefully it won't take me nearly a week to post it!

In other news: Chrissy (my esteemed colleague) braved the cold weather last weekend and took Steven and my engagement photos. They are beautiful! I'm in the process of editing a few of my many favorites to post on the website, on here and to FINALLY send out our save the dates. 

Everyone stay warm!

-Liz DiNatale

oakcityphotographync@gmail.com

www.oakcityphotographync.com

A New Genre

We embarked on a new genre of photography in late 2009. Since we began Shades of Red, we were focused on Lifestyle and Wedding Photography. But with new situations comes new experiences and we're always eager to learn! In late 2009, Chrissy and Zack were blessed with an adorable baby girl. I guess you can call her a Chistmas present! Near the end of November, Chrissy allowed me to do their holiday and pregnancy photos. We had the whole clan together, pups included, and strolled around a neighborhood park. Here are a couple of my favorites...

I love the colors of autumn behind them. Fall is one of the most photogenic seasons. See more examples of Family portraits at our website!

After our stroll, we met back at their lovely home for a few more intimate photos. I loved so many of these; it was very hard to decide on which ones to share. After consulting with Chrissy we decided on a select few. Here are a couple examples, for the remainding, please visit our website.

I just love that little hat!

I am eager to post a few photos of Baby D, the camera just loves her! Thanks for checking in!



-Liz DiNatale Shades of Red Photography
www.oakcityphotographync.com