RAWR! I'M 4
HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY TO CALEB LANDON
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HAPPY 6TH BIRTHDAY
EMERALD ELAINE!
MISS EEVEE
GOTTA CATCH EM' ALL!
EMERALD EVERYTHING
PHOTOS BY CELISSE ELAINE
EMERALD BACKDROP BY CELISSE AND EMERALD ELAINE
EEVEE BACKDROP BY CELISSE ELAINE
EMERALD GEM PURSE BY ASHLEY LONGSHORE ART
Emerald and Caleb Behind the Scenes
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Disney's Alice in Wonderland continues to be a favorite in every era of my life. The film is so witty and clever, that it continually draws me in for more. There is a song called "The Garden/All in the Golden Afternoon" that plays while Alice gets lost in a bed of flowers. This is the Garden of Time. A time where we appreciate nature and beauty around us. A time to embrace happiness, romance, and the simple pleasures in life because just like nature, our time will eventually run out.
Every first Monday in May, the Met Gala hosts an annual haute couture fundraising festival held for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute in Manhattan. The 2024 Met Gala theme this year was The Garden of Time: Sleeping Beauties, Reawakening Fashion. The theme was interpreted various ways, but I envisioned my own garden and their life cycle. The plant life cycle starts with a bulb and/or seed, then grows, blooms, and dies only to repeat it back again the following year. It is the circle of life. This year I sketched and designed my first digital fashion collection focusing on four various flowers: the daffodil, the sweet pea, the red rose, and the sunflower.
Look one is Daffy, the daffodil flower. Daffodils are a vivid yellow color and symbolize rebirth, new beginnings, hope, joy, and good luck. The flower has a trumpet-shape central corona that is eye catching and bold. I wanted to emphasize the shape of the flower with a tight waist and top portion with the petals falling and dangling below. This look needed to be a showstopper. The custom fitted tube top portion is made of stretch dandelion satin and the bottom petals are made of premium ivory 100% silk double face duchesse satin. Each petal is detailed and fully shaped.
Look two is the Cupani violet sweet pea. This flower represents loyalty and pride. With so may variations, there is a reason the Cupani stands out from the rest. The two-tone sweet pea inspired a fun two-piece ensemble. The top is a 3D blossomed sweet pea made with a crisp iridescent country blue fabric, fuchsia silk shantung, and a silk 4-ply crepe magenta haze. The back portion zips up and is similar to a tube top. For the short bottoms, a digital sweet pea print pattern was created from a photograph taken in my garden. I then designed a pattern from the photograph and brought it to life. The ribbon belt is made from jade stretch polyester.
Look three is a red rose prism ensemble inspired from the enchanted rose from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. As the story is told, petals slowly fall off to act as the Beast's hourglass during the spell by having petals fall to let him know how much time he has remaining. He must find true love and earn their love in return before the last petal falls. The red rose symbolizes passion and love. The enchanted rose sheer jumpsuit includes a red and aubergine luxury abstract metallic brocade for the 3D red rose. The jumpsuit portion fabric is a metallic teal and sparkling fuchsia geometric burnout and underneath is a jade stretch polyester leotard. The look is literally a multi-colored geometric life-size enchanted rose.
Look four is the sunflower. Sunflowers symbolize joy, positivity, and hope during difficult times. They also inspire resilience and perseverance. For the sunflower look, I used a silk faille peacock blue for the base of the hourglass shaped dress that was inspired by Disney's Aladdin when Princess Jasmine was stuck inside the glass hourglass. Under the sunflower heads on the dress, the sunflower roots come down like sand falling and crossing over each other. For the stems and heart, a metallic emerald and olivine feathers fabric was used. For the sunflower petals and bottom trim, a stretch dandelion satin was used. The sunflower head was also made with the dandelion satin with an overlay of the tan floral cotton blend eyelet. As Hellen Keller stated, “Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. It's what sunflowers do.”
The ideal customer is someone who may attend the Met Gala or any fun floral themed events and/or photoshoots. These four looks are spunky and fun and I look forward to bringing these pieces to life in the mere future.
<3 Celisse Elaine
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PERENNIAL: An everlasting odyssey of femininity
American River College 22nd Annual
Spring/Summer 2024 Fashion Show
Took my daughter Emerald Diaz to her first fashion show! She had a blast watching and taking photographs with my iPhone. She brought Tails from Sonic the Hedgehog to watch as well! =)
Photography by Celisse Elaine
Models:
Eden, Kaitlyn, Julia, Vivi, Sky, Stalin, Jackie, Teryn, Madison, Nessa, Reena, Lexi, Dayanara, Grecia, Li, Emily, Kyndal, Alexandria, Alyssa, Tessa, Allison, Lacey, Housachi, Anaca, Liyea, Emma, Esther, Victoria, Olga, Dasha
Designers:
Gigi Linguist- Flora
Elizabeth Scherbina- Modest Woman
Loretta Walker- Flutter and Flare
Pa Vue- Vibrant Feathers
Zainab Heilman- Etherea
Jen Macclanahan- A Sustainably Minded Nod to Mod
Guest- Gerry GOS Simpson
Professors:
Dr. Dyanne Marte
Anne Dieu
Zoha Afshar
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Le Mystère
Le Mystère, which is "The Mystery" in French, is Celisse Elaine very first Spring 2024 collection. This whimsical six look editorial collection is inspired and reimagined of Hanna-Barbera’s Scooby Doo characters. By staying current in trends, this Women's collection includes: sheer tops, short shorts, knots, belts, and fringe! The colors are also similar to Pantone's 2024 color trends. These six looks are for anyone who likes retro, having fun, and dressing according to color or theme! There is no age range or demographic.
LOOK DETAILS:
Look 1: Scrappy- beige stretch velour jumpsuit with a turquoise satin belt and turquoise fringe at the ankles.
Look 2: Velma- burgundy silk shantung V-neck shorts jumper, cotton floral long bell bottom sleeves with pumpkin iridescent organza lining the neck like a vintage ruff.
Look 3: Daphne- bloom luxe polyester crepe dress, green silk charmeuse ribbon and backing.
Look 4: Shaggy- green silk charmeuse top, brown polyester satin pants with burgundy chevron fringe.
Look 5: Scooby Doo- brown polyester sweetheart neckline pants jumper, turquoise satin and sequin belt, turquoise sequined ballet shoes, turquoise neck bow tie.
Look 6: Fred- viscose georgette sheer collared cover up top, tan midriff crop top, beige stretch velour cinched on sides.
Concept Board by Celisse Elaine.
Fabric sourced from Mood Fabrics.
Photography by Celisse Elaine, Art By Color
Flat Technical Sketches by Celisse Elaine.
3D Colored Croquis by Celisse Elaine.
Music composed by David Mook & Ben Raleigh, Hanna-Barbera's Scooby Doo Intro Instrumental.
BEHIND THE SCENES, THE PROCESS:
STAY TUNED, A SCOOBY-DOO THEMED PHOTO SHOOT WITH ONE OF A KIND FASHION PIECES UNDERWAY!
INTERESTED IN MODELING ONE OF THE SIX CHARACTERS? SEND A MESSAGE!
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COMEDIAN
LANCE WOODS
MAYOR OF COUGARVILLE
INTERNATIONAL SEX SYMBOL
What a fun backstage impromptu photoshoot for my good friend Lance Woods! I have known Lance since Samuel Jackman Middle School days. It is such a joy catching up, watching the development of his skits, and capturing his photograph. The last time I photographed Lance was in 2015! Check him out! @Sirlancewoods
Before(2015)& After(2023)
Lance Woods
See more from Lance Woods & Friends 2015
Comedian Lance Woods at the Punchline in Sacramento, CA. @Sirlancewoods
Photography and Direction by Celisse Elaine @Celisseelaine
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HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY CALEB!
You are three! I had such a blast conducting your King Caleb photoshoot. Keep thriving and getting stronger, smarter and more handsome by the day. Thank you for being you Caleb Landon. I love you so much!
-Mom
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HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY EMERALD!!!
Emerald loves Miles "Tails" Prower. "Miles Prower" is a play on term for "miles per hour," a unit of measurement for speed with power. Tails and Emerald are both bright, energetic and curious.
Emerald you are five years old now. Five is such a strong number! Humans have five primary senses, there are five elements of nature, five toes on a foot and five fingers on a hand. There are five olympic rings in a symbol, five vowels in the alphabet and also five lunar phases.
Thank you for helping with our beautiful sunflower patch in the backyard. I am so proud of you and how well you transitioned into school this year. I am excited to experience being five again through your eyes.
Love,
Mom
Photography by Celisse Elaine
Inspiration from Sega Genesis Sonic the Hedgehog- Miles "Tails" Prower character
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SWEET 16
Oh, to be sixteen again. Such a pleasure capturing photographs for Meriyah's Sweet 16 event. I have known Meriyah since she was young and have watched her grow into a smart, beautiful young lady. I was in awe of the light pink/mauve color combinations and the details each vendor created. The guests had a great time coming together and I am happy to have captured it. Some of my favorite shots include the mirrored women's powder room and the black and white car photos.
XO, CE
Photography by Celisse Elaine
Balloon set ups and dessert cart balloons by Dreas Balloons
Cake by Freeport Bakery
Cart Desserts by A Sprinkle of Kin
Food by Vallejo's Restaurant
360 Photo Booth by Prominent 360 Views
Maternity Silhouette
Ready, Set, VoguePregnancy Glow
Yoga
Like Mama, Like SonReading is fundamental
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MIKES ARCADE RENTALS
Vintage video arcade games, need I say more? Had the pleasure of creating video game advertisements for Mikes Arcade Rentals. While creating these ideas and concepts, the nostalgic feelings of playing video games with my siblings got brought back to life. My favorite consoles were Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo. We would also visit pizza parlors and arcades where they had the arcade style games and I always thought they were fun to play! As a family, we watched The Simpsons all the time. I kept thinking about the introduction to the show and how the advertisement definitely needed clouds and chalkboard displayed with a neat blurb. Marge needed blue hair, yellow tinted skin and a neck piece. NBA Jam reminded me of my late brother and his love of basketball and obsession with The Chicago Bulls dream team staring Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. PacMan was also a fun game to play and a lot of diners and arcades had PacMan. I love the color concepts and simplicities of the game. Needless to say, I really enjoyed myself during this project. It was nice being able to incorporate ideas from my fashion and advertisement courses as well. Special shout out to my softball childhood friend Laiza for coming through with the beats for the videos and for creating a beautiful jingle. It was truly a group project.
XOXO, CE
The Simpsons
The Simpsons
NBA JAM
NBA JAM
Ms. Pac Man
MIKE'S ARCADE RENTALS
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY AND EDITED BY CELISSE ELAINE
MUSIC COMPOSED BY ENTRIGUE & BROKENIRISART
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COCOMELON
HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY ELIANA!
PHOTOGRAPHED, DIRECTED AND DESIGNED BY CELISSE ELAINE
BEHIND THE SCENES!!!
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By: Celisse Elaine
Composed by Celisse Elaine for Alice + Olivia
Happy 2nd Birthday Caleb Landon!
ULTIMATE POWER!
Photos and Direction by Celisse Elaine
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HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY EMERALD!
PRESENTING, QUEEN EMERALD!
PHOTOS, DIRECTION AND DIY BY CELISSE ELAINE
MODEL: EMERALD ELAINE
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GFUNKY THE BOSS
INTERVIEW:
Celisse Elaine: What is Gfunky boxing and what is the inspiration behind it?
GFunky: Gfunky boxing is a YouTube channel I created to talk with other fans that are passionate about the sport of boxing. Those who love the sport and also those who know as much about the sport as I do. Boxing is not as popular as it used to be, so it can be challenging at times to find boxing conversation at work and/or with friends.
CE: That’s great, to have an open dialogue with others who also share the same interest for the love of boxing.
It was fun doing the photo shoot with you. What made you reach out and want to create a small video clip for your channel?
GF: I am rebuilding my channel and seeking a new audience. Trying to veer away from drama and negative subscribers. I wanted to reach out to other boxing fans out there. Asked you since you do our family photos and are creative with videos.
CE: I’m happy to hear that you’re trying to gear more of a positive audience. It’s always my pleasure to capture your family photos. Thank you for trusting in my ability to creatively showcase your style with the Gfunky Boxing project.
GF: I always have stuff floating around in my head about what I can do differently. I figured reaching out to you would be a good idea since I knew that it would be easy working with you due to your creativity and for always being open to new ideas. I also knew how you worked from past photo shoots with my children and I am always down to support friends and family businesses.
CE: Okay, I appreciate the love. Why The Godfather references and song?
GF: I chose The Godfather references and song because I am a big mafia movie fan. The Godfather series, specifically the first one, is considered to be one of the best mob movies ever made. Plus the song is really cool.
CE: The Godfather is a classic. It was fun creating a mixed theme of The Godfather and boxing. It was also my first time incorporating slo-mo videos, photographs and live recordings into one and I think our collaboration kicked it out of the park!
How long have you played the guitar?
GF: I played guitar on and off for about twenty years or so. I wish I had more time to play it though, but I just don’t. Music has always been a love of mine for a really long time.
CE: You play the guitar very well and must make time to play it more often!
I must say, I enjoyed working with you and I am excited to share our project with the world! Thanks for doing this small interview/introduction with me.
CHECK OUT AND SUBSCRIBE TO GFUNKY BOXING ON YOUTUBE!
Director of Photography & Edited by Celisse Elaine
Music composed by GFUNKY
Additional music by Tessa Ying
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milk bath maternity
Photography and Direction by Celisse Elaine
Model: Amisha Patti
See more maternity shoots here!
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Be Mine, Valentine
Everlasting Love
Take your breath away!
Maleficent on Love
Heartbreaker, you got the best of me!
Emerald Elaine Diaz & Caleb Landon Diaz- 2022
By, Celisse Elaine
Past Valentines:
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Happy Holidays 2021
The Diaz Family
Gingerbread Houses & Princess Castles...
State Capitol Christmas Tree, thank you Bonifacio!
ANDDDD we're off to Cinderella's Ball, AKA Marv's Holiday Work Party
Holiday Pavillon's Pegasus
DIY Crafts
COOKIES
GRINCHMAS
LOVE YOU Uncle Jimmy
Santa BABY
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HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY CALEB!
MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO!
IT'S CATBUS!!!
"Everybody, try laughing. Then whatever scares you will go away!" - Tatsuo Kusakabe
"That's wonderful. Good for you! I've always wanted to have a haunted house. It's been a lifelong dream!"
-Tatsuo Kusakabe
pose son, pose!
Caleb, you're ONE! This year has been so fulfilling seeing you grow into a strong and smart young boy. At one, you have eight teeth, love bananas, spaghetti (anything tomato based), veggie/fruit pouches, dried yogurt bites, Nutri-grain bars and bites of sweets. You're a climber and days away from walking and chasing sister around! A true mama's boy with style.
I wanted to do a special theme for your birthday shoot and thought of My Neighbor Totoro since you have probably watched it about 100x already. =) Your sister Emerald was introduced to Totoro by Aunt Brittany when she was young and has loved it ever since. It's a Japanese animated fantasy film. Of course, Emerald had to assign characters to each of us. Dad is the big Gray Totoro, Emerald is the blue Totoro, Caleb is the white Totoro and Mom is Catbus!
Happy viewing & check out the film if you haven't already!
Love,
Mom, Dad & Emerald
Behind the Scenes!
Emerald testing the lighting out =)
Peekaboo Brother!
Catbus!
It's Brother, the white Totoro!
Big thank you to Gravitate On for the glow in the dark personalized hand sized patch of the Chibi Totoro!
Emerald and Mom creating Caleb's "ONE"
Maleficent and Prince Phil(l)ip Battle
There's nothing like executing a sequel to a previous themed shoot. My daughter, Emerald, loves Disney's Sleeping Beauty so much that the show must go on. Capturing only Aurora for her 3rd birthday shoot was not enough. For her birthday she was the protagonist from the movie and then for Halloween, the antagonist. Emerald has assigned our characters from the start. Emerald is Maleficent, daddy is the dragon, Caleb is Prince Phillip and mommy is the piggies (The Goons). I wanted to become a Goon for Halloween, but my options were very limited and basic. Instead, I am dressing up as one of the 3 good fairies, Fauna (green). My sister Alexandra will be Merryweather (blue) and my sister Brittany will be Flora (red). The Prince Phillip nickname stuck with us and the entire time my mom thought we meant the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, husband of Queen Elizabeth II. As a result, Caleb is paying homage to the late Duke of Edinburgh fashion wise, while also portraying the battle of Disney's Prince Phillip with his shield and sword! What a combo.
BEHIND THE SCENES
DIY PAPER MACHE MALEFICENT SCEPTER
The Dragon's Eye is a magical scepter that was once owned and wielded by the evil fairy Maleficent. It possesses great magical power that she used for her evil purposes.
DIY ROSE THORN BUSHES
Special thanks to our neighbor Pauline on gifting us 3 of her tall bamboo stalks to dry and paint for the photo shoot. I wanted to create a 3D effect of being inside a rose thorn bushes like in Disney's Sleeping Beauty during the Prince Phillip and Maleficent the Dragon battle.
DRESS REHEARSALS
DIY GOOD FAIRY WANDS: FLORA, FAUNA AND MERRYWEATHER
Photos, Direction and Staging by Celisse Elaine
Models:
Emerald Elaine as Maleficent
Caleb Landon as Prince Phillip and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Marvin Diaz as the Maleficent Dragon
Celisse Diaz as Fauna
Alexandra Velasquez as Merryweather
Brittany Velasquez as Flora
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TOY STORY
To Infinity, and BEYOND!
The CLAWWWWWWWWW
The claw is our master. The claw chooses who will go and who will stay.
Not a flying TOY!
Yee-haw!
There's a snake in my boot!
I am Mrs. Nesbit!
3 peas in a pod!
Happy Halloween 2021!
Photos, Direction and Staging by Celisse Elaine.
Models: Emerald Elaine Diaz & Caleb Landon Diaz
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SLEEPING BEAUTY MALEFICENT DRAGON
,
This blog is dedicated to our Daughter Emerald Elaine Diaz who is now THREE YEARS OLD! My buggy who now wants to be called Emerald Elaine.
Three is a magic number according to Schoolhouse Rock and powerful and perfect per the Omne trium perfectum. In photography, the rule of thirds is always best, there’s 3 sides to a perfect triangle, the 3 primary colors of blue, yellow and red of color theory, the 3 little pigs, a 3 ring circus, the 3 stooges, 3 French hens, 3 Billy goats gruff, Goldilocks and the 3 bears, 3 feet in a yard and the Trinity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
You love snacks, pouches, bananas, strawberries, yogurt and cinnamon for breakfast. Some other favorites include daddies pancakes, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, licorice, anything chocolate or sweet, cucumbers, watermelon, edamame, macaroni and cheese and we cannot forget our Dutch bros on Friday’s for smoothies. You also love all smell good stuff. Tons of lipglosses, perfumes and especially soap! You can’t seem to get enough of that sniffing and collecting. I sense a soap photo shoot in the mere future.
Emerald, you’re a huge Disney fan! At the moment one of your favorites is Sleeping Beauty. According to you, you’re Aurora and Maleficent, dad is the dragon, Caleb is Prince Phillip and mom is Maleficent’s piggies. Thanks Emerald. 😭 Your favorite part is the ending when Maleficent turns into an evil dragon. Come to find out, you seem to love villains best in most movies. Very interesting. Lol. Ursula the octopus, the crocodile in Peter Pan (tick tock), Monstro the whale in Peter Pan, Maleficent in Sleeping Beauty and the Evil Queen in Snow White.
At the moment, coincidently your favorite color is Emerald Green. You also like pink and baby blue. For your photo shoot, I wanted to focus on Sleeping Beauty and the colors pink and blue for the dress like in the movie. “Make it pink, make it blue.” The fairies Fauna, Merryweather and Flora debated which color was best throughout the movie. Since you’re turning three, I figured that pink and blue mixed together creates purple would be best with the theme. Emerald, we love you and can’t wait to enjoy your third year with you. Stay chic, smart and fabulous.
Love,
Mom, Dad and Caleb-y
PREGNANCY DURING
the
COVID-19 PANDEMIC
As midnight struck on New Years Eve for the upcoming 2020 year, we had no idea the type of whirlwind rollercoaster we were about to jump onto. The first half of January was smooth sailing, and then on January 26th the world got news of Kobe Bryant’s helicopter crash. Not a huge basketball fan, but I did feel saddened by the news and was in complete shock. The sorrow prepared me for the phone call that I received about 30 minutes later that my own older brother Jimmy had passed away as well. Unbelievable is an understatement. This is when 2020 started to show its true colors.
As in everything in life, we must feel the lowest of lows, in order to feel the highest of highs. I believe that when a family member leaves us, a new member joins. In March we found out we were blessed with our second child on the way. In conjunction with the news, the COVID-19 aka Coronavirus global pandemic hit. The Coronavirus is a man made infectious airborne virus stemming from Wuhan, China. Most people infected with this virus experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease; diabetes, chronic respiratory disease and cancer are more than likely to develop serious illness. No cure or vaccine is to be heard of yet. Some recommended precautions is to social distance about 6 feet from others, the frequent washing of hands, not touching our faces as well as the facial mask coverings of the nose and mouth to help flatten the curve. The virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Data is still being tracked on the virus impact on pregnant women. Some studies have shown that pregnant women with COVID-19 are more likely to be hospitalized and are at increased risk for intensive care unit admission and may be at an increased risk for other adverse outcomes, such as preterm birth.
I have been distancing myself from others during this time due to my pregnancy. As a mother, my job is to protect my child and myself. For humanity, I am playing my part and keeping my family and me safe during this crisis as well as others around me. Kaiser does not allow my husband or daughter to attend medical appointments with me during this time. When the baby is delivered, only my husband will be allowed in the room and we are to have no visitors, including my daughter. I am doing my due diligence.
Due to America’s inability to flatten the curve, mandatory quarantined stay at home orders came into play and in some locations lasted up to 3-4 months or more. Workers started being sent home to telework, unemployment rates rose; many small businesses plunged while other businesses in the food and delivery service started to boom. Food ordering and delivery became only a click and confirm away. Toilet paper, Lysol wipes, gloves, masks, meats, eggs and milk were flying off supermarket shelves faster than they could restock again. Advanced technology came in handy with our ability to communicate with loved ones during this time such as Face Time, Skype and Zoom. A massive baby boom hit and divorce rates began to skyrocket. Protests and social injustices were on the rise and politics started to divide the entire nation. What a time to be alive.
Even through the world’s chaos, I find the calm. I am thankful and blessed for being able to telework during this pregnancy. Not having to commute, figure out maternity wear in the morning, bypassing the first trimester nausea, figuring out childcare and not having to deal with others negativity during the precious moments of growing a human. The cards were played out in my favor. It was my time to bunker down, focus on home life and reset. My multitasking skills have come in handy. Juggling two part-time jobs, being a wife, mother, making sure the house stays tidy and food stays on the table. Down time does not exist and when it does, I am usually getting my mid-day 1 ½ hour nap in on a good day. Having the extra time at home with my daughter and husband has been such a blessing. The quality time we are spending together before baby brother gets here is irreplaceable.
By being born in 2020, I know that our son will be strong willed and exceptional. It was important for me to document this historical time so that he can later look back and see how his growth and my growth worked side by side during this COVID-19 pandemic. As a photographer, it was interesting this time around while taking my maternity photos with a two-year old. Posing and staying still is simply not Emerald’s thing as you can see from our family photos. =) The majority of the photos were taking by me on my tripod. It was important to document the last few weeks of my pregnancy with different themes, colors and locations. I also did not feel comfortable hosting a baby shower this time around due to the virus, but instead just did a virtual type of Amazon registry for small items. I thought about a drive-thru type of shower, but it is impossible to keep Emerald still in the front yard for more than a few minutes without her wanting to run into the street. My family wants to thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts for the generous gifts that we have received. We are excited to meet our little bundle of joy in a few weeks.
Enjoy the photos!
xoxo
Celisse Elaine
31 WEEKS
32 WEEKS
33 WEEKS
34 WEEKS
35 WEEKS - Halloween
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Día de los Muertos
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a celebration of life and death. Día de los Muertos originated in ancient Mesoamerica (Mexico and northern Central America) where indigenous groups, including Aztec, Maya and Toltec, had specific times when they commemorated their loved ones who had passed away. Certain months were dedicated to remembering the departed, based on whether the deceased was an adult or a child. After the arrival of the Spanish, this ritual of commemorating the dead was intertwined with two Spanish holidays: All Saints Day (Nov. 1) and All Soul’s Day (Nov. 2). Día de los Muertos is often celebrated on Nov. 1 as a day to remember children who have passed away, and on Nov. 2 to honor adults. Día de los Muertos is an opportunity to remember and celebrate the lives of departed loved ones. Like any other celebration, Día de los Muertos is filled with music and dancing. The ofrenda is often the most recognized symbol of Día de los Muertos. This temporary altar is a way for families to honor their loved ones and provide them what they need on their journey. They place down pictures of the deceased, along with items that belonged to them and objects that serve as a reminder of their lives. Every ofrenda also includes the four elements: water, wind, earth and fire. Water is left in a pitcher so the spirits can quench their thirst. Papel picado, or traditional paper banners, represent the wind. Earth is represented by food, especially bread. Candles are often left in the form of a cross to represent the cardinal directions, so the spirits can find their way. Flowers, butterflies and skulls are typically used as symbols.
I love to photograph various types of art and especially the sugar skulls. Here are some of my favorite shots over the years thus far!
2nd Model: Marisela Alcala
Photography by Celisse Elaine
BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S
BY
CELISSE ELAINE
Today marks the 59th anniversary of the release of Breakfast at Tiffany's! Breakfast at Tiffany's is a 1961 American romantic comedy film directed by Blake Edwards, written by George Axelrod, adapted from Truman Capote's 1958 novella of the same name. This theatrical film was released by Paramount Pictures on October 5, 1961, grossing about $14 million on a $2.5 million budget. At the 34th Academy Awards, the film won Best Original Score and Best Original Song for "Moon River."
The central theme of Breakfast at Tiffany's that we can all learn from, is that "nothing bad can ever happen to you." Always remain positive and do your best and good things will come. The main character played by Audrey Hepburn is Holly Golightly who is a very sassy women in her words and lifestyle. Whom is also a major fashion icon who went through various life breakdowns. With her sass, she knew it was just a way of life to get what you want and to not get "stuck in a cage." She has a strong need for security, safety and seeking a new home throughout the film.
I had a fun time conducting a themed shoot for Breakfast at Tiffany's with Korrina Smith modeling/channeling Holly Golightly played by Audrey Hepburn. I gathered a few of my favorite quotes from the movie as well as a few from Audrey Hepburn and put my own little twist on it.
I hope you enjoy my story!
Fifth Avenue, NYC
Tiffany & Co.
Some of my favorite flicks of me and the historic Fifth Avenue's Tiffany & Co. in NYC.
Where is my breakfast?!!?
Photos and direction by Celisse Elaine
Model: Korrina Smith as Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn).
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HELLO KITTY WATERMELON
This blog is dedicated to our Daughter Emerald Elaine Diaz who is now the BIG TWO YEARS OLD!
Mommy & Daddy could not be anymore proud of the young lady you have become so far. Thank you for being so kind, loving and wise. You are truly a blessing and always keeping us on our toes.
WE LOVE YOU so much daughter!
Have you ever heard of a Sanrio club? My cousin and I actually created one growing up with us two being the only members. We would put a little bit of cash each week into a pot and once enough money was saved, we would purchase a souvenir from the Sanrio store and raffle off who gets the grand prize out of the two. Sounds fairly simple, but it made our world.
Now that I am older and the Sanrio store has vanished from our local mall, my sister Brittany introduced Emerald to Hello Kitty starting off with a car seat and stroller duo. Now nearing two years old, Emerald loves that kitty from London. She has pajamas, stuffed animals and books of Hello Kitty. As I pondered what to do for her upcoming second birthday themed shoot, I thought about mixing two of her favorite things; Hello Kitty and Watermelon. This girl LOVES her some watermelon. She will scream for a bite, eat a whole bowl and even compete with her dad with who can eat it faster. I brainstormed some ideas online and thought to create a unique and fun filled theme! I introduce to you Kawaii, HELLO KITTY WATERMELON!
Hello Kitty also known as Kitty White, is a fictional character produced by the Japanese company Sanrio, created by Yuko Shimizu and currently designed by Yuko Yamaguchi. Hello Kitty and her twin sister were born on November 1st. They are both 3rd-grade students who live in the suburbs of London. She is as tall as five apples, and as heavy as three. She lives with her parents and her twin sister Mimmy who is her best friend. Her hobbies include baking cookies, playing the piano and making new friends. As she always says, "you can never have too many friends!" She is known by her big red bow near her right ear, her distinctive whiskers and notably, no mouth.
Photos & Direction by Celisse Elaine
Special LOVE & thanks to some of the props used:
Grandpa Velasquez/Smokey's workshop for the beautiful watermelon handmade blanket
Cookie_Dabbler for the detailed Watermelon Hello Kitty Cookies
Watermelon bows from Kind Ribbon
Watermelon Cake by Burnt Gingerbread Yum
Watermelon Hello Kitty backpack from Aunt Brittany by Loungefly
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Purple Heart Plant
"Tradescantia Pallida"
Guitarist: Carlinhos Patriolino
Tradescantia pallida is a species of spiderwort more commonly known as Purple Heart, purple secretia, purple queen, wandering jew or walking jew. It is native to the Gulf Coast region of eastern Mexico. This plant is widely used as an ornamental plant in gardens, borders, ground cover or as a hanging plant. In colder climates where it cannot survive the winter season, it can also be used indoors as a houseplant. The deep purple hue may also turn more greenish when indoors.
The purple foliage with hardy perennial long trailing stems and rambling vines grow like a weed. The stems grow long and form 3 petal fuchsia blossoms. Start with a few strands and watch it thrive outdoors in the heat with indirect sunlight or up to 2-3 hours of direct sunlight. Some say the sun helps with color development. Plants growing in the shade may tend to get more green than purple so it's best to have at least a few hours of sun. Make sure to keep the soil moist during the hot summer days watering at least every other day. Purple Hearts are easily propagated by cuttings and the stems are visibly segmented and then the roots will frequently grow from the joints. Also, by pinching the plants it promotes more compact growth. Sometimes the stems may get very long and twiggy. You can keep them long or prune them during the fall/summer months and repot in other places or within the same pot to get it thicker.
During the winter months the tops may get killed by moderate frosts, but will often sprout back from roots. I bring most of my plants into my sunroom or garage during the really cold winter days/nights if possible. If not, covering them with a sheet during frosty nights may help. Once the heat and sun makes it way again, bring them back outside for the new season and start the cycle all over again.
Good luck with your planting venture! May the purple foliage bless you. If interested if purchasing any plants, E-mail Me
xoxo
Celisse Elaine
Photos by Celisse Elaine
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HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR
I enjoy learning and photographing Chinese/Lunar New Year traditions, celebrations and animal zodiac signs. The bright colors keep me in awe as well as the formality and symbolism. In my series, I hope to bring inspiration and love to others.
Also known as the Spring Festival, Lunar New Year welcomes Spring, new harvest, beginnings and fresh starts. Make sure to clean up the house as much as possible before the new year starts. Sweeping and throwing out the garbages isn't allowed before the 5th to make sure the good luck was not washed away! Let's see how many days I can go before cleaning with a 16 month year old running around.
My daughter, Emerald, was born in 2018 and is "Year of the Dog."
In 2019 I started my Twelve year animal zodiac Lunar New Year series with her.
Starting with "Year of the Pig" and will conclude 12 years later with "Year of the Dog."
YEAR OF THE RAT 2020
Recent years of the Rat are: 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020.
First of all zodiac animals, Yang, Beginning of a new day
Clever, quick thinkers, successful, content with living a quiet and peaceful life.
Optimistic, energetic, likable by all, sensitive to other's emotions, but are stubborn with your opinion.
Personality is kind, but their words may seem impolite and rude.
Most compatible: Ox, Dragon, Monkey
Least compatible: Horse, Goat, Rabbit
For the "Year of the Rat" themed photoshoot, I incorporated the traditional Chinese/Lunar New Year colors of red and gold. I also wanted to incorporate Rat props, Chinese red envelope, a jacket from Shanghai China and Emerald's Little Tikes Cozy Coupe car.
YEAR OF THE PIG 2019
mixed with Pantone's Color of the Year 2019-Living Coral
Recent years of the Pig are: 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019
Twelfth of all zodiac signs, Yin, Symbol of Wealth
Beautiful personality, blessed with good fortune, realistic
Energetic, enthusiastic
Most compatible: Tiger, Rabbit, Goat
Least compatible: Snake, Monkey
For the "Year of the Pig" themed photoshoot, I combined classic pig objects (Piggy bank, Piglet from Disney's Winnie the Pooh and Pippo from Sanrio with Pantone's Color of the 2019 Year (Living Coral).
(EACH FOLLOWING YEAR, THIS SECTION WILL BE UPDATED WITH THE CURRENT ANIMAL ZODIAC OF THAT YEAR)
Here are a few useful links to gather more information about a particular animal zodiac not yet mentioned and the calendar of events.
Background on Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year Calendar of Events
Chinatown in San Francisco and Locke Historic District, are Chinese landmarks that I have had the privilege to photograph.
Chinatown, SF, CA
So many photographic moments happen in San Francisco. This tiny, yet big city is so diverse and full of cultural. On this occasion it was 2012, the year of the dragon which is my husbands year.
One of my favorite photographs taken as a Sacramento resident and San Francisco explorer.
Locke Historic District, CA
Locke became historical on 8/2/1970, by the Sacramento County Historical Society, because of its unique status as the only town in the United States built exclusively by the Chinese for the Chinese.
My family and I enjoy visiting Locke. We have gone for years and always enjoyed grabbing dinner at Locke Garden and walking around checking out the town and its hidden treasures. Every visit, I spot something new. The historic district is located in the Sacramento-San Joaquin delta. This drive is relaxing and right next to the river. We plan to take Emerald to Locke for the first time sometime this year.
THE doors
are very interesting in Locke.
Photography and verbiage by Celisse Elaine Photography
CONTEMPLATING ON HOLIDAY PHOTOS? LOOK NO FURTHER!
10 REASONS TO BOOK A HOLIDAY SHOOT
with Celisse Elaine
#1...
It is gorgeous outside!Foliage is everywhere this time of year!
#2...
Shades of Red, Red, Red! Need I say more?
#3...
Yes, Yes, Yes, because GREEN I adore!
#4...
Forget the standard and create your own rules. Color block and mix match, whatever you choose!
#5...
It's the time of year for fashionista patterns and color combinations!
#6...
Let's not forget fun Christmas card themes!
#7...
Whimsical tree branches are all over Sacramento this time of year!
#8...
A legitimate reason to take photos near a Christmas Tree!
#9...
Where wrapping yourself in garland can be cool!
#10...
Or better yet, Christmas lights!
So what are you waiting for?! Book a session now with Celisse Elaine!
Photos by Celisse Elaine Photograpy
THE ADDAMS FAMILY
duh, duh, duh, duhhhh...
They're creepy and they're kooky
Mysterious and spooky
They're all together ooky
The Addams family
Their house is a museum
Where people come to see 'em
They really are a scream
The Addams family
Neat
Sweet
Petite
So get a witches shawl on
A broomstick you can crawl on
We're gonna pay a call on
The Addams family
THING
WEDNESDAY ADDAMS
"I'll stop wearing black when they make a darker color." -Wednesday Addams
May I have the salt?...
NOW!!!
MORTICIA ADDAMS
"Normal is an illusion. What is normal for the spider is chaos for the fly." -Morticia Addams
Sic Gorgiamus Allos Subjectatos Nunc
Photography by Celisse Elaine
Models: Marisela Alcala and Isamar Ballesteros
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CHERRY TREE BLOSSOMING SEASON
SACRAMENTO,CA
Ahh, Spring!!! The blossoming of cherry blossoms and warmer weather always brings a smile upon my face. Cherry blossoms, aka Sakura, are Japan's national flower which symbolize clouds, spring time, renewal and the fleeting nature of life. The pastel pink hue always outshines other trees and when I see them, I know that I have to act quickly to photograph.
In the Sacramento area, cherry blossoms are very time sensitive and their beauty peaks typically for two weeks during the end of March. Depending on the weather and rainfall, the blossoms then start to fall. Cherry blossoms remind us that life is short and to pay attention. They are a sight to see and perfect for capturing photos. This 2019 year, I was thrilled to photograph a friend's family Maternity session at McKinley Park in Sacramento, CA while they were in bloom. It was the golden hour and the lighting was perfect. I couldn't have asked for a better session.
Cherry: The Last Spring
“Look at the cherry blossoms! Their color and scent fall with them, Are gone forever, Yet mindless The spring comes again. " Ikkyu
“What a strange thing!
to be alive
beneath cherry blossoms.”
― Kobayashi Issa, Poems
“Come see the cherry trees of a water constellation and the round key of the rapid universe, come touch the fire of instantaneous blue, come before its petals are consumed." Pablo Neruda
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TALE AS OLD AS TIME...
for beauty is found within...
For who could ever learn to love a beast...
Be Our Guest!
There may be something there that was not there before...
You don't have time to be timid. You must be bold darling!
I wan't much more than this provincial life.
The rose she had offered was truly an enchanted rose, which would bloom until his 21st year. If he could learn to love another, and earn her love in return by the time the last petal fell, then the spell would be broken. If not, he would be doomed to remain a beast for all time.
“I want adventure in the great wide somewhere! I want it more than I can tell!”– Belle
I just finished the most amazing story...
Fun shot of Celisse Elaine (30 weeks pregnant) & Belle Latefa (BTS)
Inspiration and quotes from Disney's Beauty and the Beast
Photos by Celisse Elaine Photography
SEE NO EVIL
HEAR NO EVIL
SPEAK NO EVIL
Look at this stuff, isn’t it neat? Wouldn't you think my collection is complete? Special thanks to Disney’s animated version of “The Little Mermaid” for permanently engraving images into my creative system as a child for me to depict in adulthood. Ariel, the memaid, encounters a male human named Prince Eric who was washed upon shore due to a shipwreck. She lures and serenades him while he is half unconscious. Right before gaining full consciousness, she withdraws and hops back into the sea leaving him on an endless voyage seeking that beautiful voice.
After Ariel makes a deal with Ursula, the sea witch, she looses her voice, gains a pair of legs and is sent to land for three days. During those three days, she must obtain a kiss of true love from Eric before the sun sets on the third day in order to stay human; otherwise, Ariel will turn back into a mermaid and will be bond to Ursula forever. During those three days, Ariel encounters multiple obstacles and Ursula deceitfully portrays Ariel's voice and appearance to gain Eric’s true love to be vindictive and evil. One cannot just go off a voice and apperance and call it true. Where is the depth? Where is the understanding? How did everything come to be? Eric was deceived by mischief.
Popularly known as the 1+1=2 formula, if you see or hear no evil, then one will speak no evil. By seeing and hearing no evil, means one should not judge something as evil automatically. Instead, one should inquire and understand in order to develop a more accurate understanding. Speaking no evil means our words should be considerate of others and not lack empathy. Never communicate to hurt, but instead communicate to understand. Always keep a pure mind and do not look upon nor gawk anything evil. By digesting evil, it creates an endless cycle and by being able to acknowldge and break the cycle, one frees themselves from a pit of eternal misunderstanding.
{Behind The Scenes Footage}
"I must be a mermaid... I have no fear of debts and a great fear of shallow living." - Writer Anais Nin
"The secret of the power in their song; it is the sound of the subversive, luring us from the orderly conscious world down to the depth of the world of dreams, and the harder we try to ignore that singing, the more we desperately want to hear it." - Meri Lao, Seduction and the Secret Power of Woman
"Supremely beautiful, forever combing her hair, just beyond reach of men, mermaids have beckoned the adventurous to the unknown and the promise of forbidden fruits." - Beatrice Phillpotts, Mermaids
"Water has always been a feminine symbol - it is natural that the water spirits should most often be symbolized as female." - Manly P. Hall, The Secret Teachings of All Ages
Photos, Direction and Writings by Celisse Elaine Photography
Modeling: Diane Westfall
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Photographing Silhouettes:
What is a Silhouette?
- dark shape/outline of someone or something visible against a lighter background. Especially in dim light where the object is usually black.
Silhouette photography has always been a favorite of mine. Silhouettes convey drama, mystery, emotion and mood all within a photo. It leaves viewers with a running imagination by accentuating curves, lines and shapes.
What is the difference between a Silhouette & Shadow?
Silhouettes are images of a subject, depicting their outlines across a light source. Shadows form when the subjects obstructs flow of light and subjects outline falls on a solid surface.
A few famous movies where a silhouette was present:
- Opening credits for James Bond films
- Psycho- famous gruesome shower scene
- E.T.- flying the bicycle in front of the white full moon
- Disney's Peter Pan while flying in front of the Big Ben Wall Clock Tower
- Disney's Fantasia as the orchestra plays their instruments with rainbow accents in the background
ALWAYS SHOOT IN MANUAL
- Set your aperture (f-stop) for 8.0 or higher for two reasons: 1) You want a large depth of field, so that all of the details are in focus; 2) To reduce the amount of chromatic aberration that often comes with shooting into the sun.
- Increase your shutter speed.
- Keep your ISO as low as possible.
Landscapes/Photography: Low Key Lighting
- Best time is early in the day or late at night when the sun is low in the sky (rising or setting)
- Chose a strong subject
- Turn off the flash
- Get settings/light correct
- Frame the image
- Make silhouette shapes distinct & uncluttered
- Manual mode preference
- Patience
- Post processing final edits.
All photo rights Celisse Elaine Photography
Want to book a silhouette shoot?
Contact- [email protected]
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MYSTICAL BOUDOIR
by Celisse Elaine
Boudoir /ˈbo͞oˌdwär/ Photography:
- Intimate, romantic and sometimes erotic images of subjects in an ornate bedroom or private dressing room environment dating back to the 1920's.
- Pose partially clothed or in lingerie.
Surprise your Valentine with the most special gift, YOU!
Capture timeless candid and posed photographs for that special person in your life.
GREAT gifts from the Brides to Be for the groom before the big day!
Don't forget anniversaries, birthdays, weight loss and servicemen overseas.
The ideas are endless and YOU set the rules!
Boudoir Silhouette Series 2015
A boudoir client generally has never posed in intimate apparel on camera, let alone "looking sexy". Scheduling a shoot is often the toughest, yet most rewarding decision anyone could make. It's a great confidence booster and a gift for oneself! Being a woman is empowering and one should accentuate their curves and celebrate being sexy.
BOOK YOUR BOUDOIR SHOOT TODAY!
Direction and Photography by Celisse Elaine
- Much love to Apple for the Unicorn Emoji. I wouldn't be as mystical without you.
- Special shout out to my unicorns! You know who you are.
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“There is a shade of red for every woman.” – Audrey Hepburn
“Red of course, is the color of the interior of our bodies. In a way it’s inside out, red.” – Anish Kapoor
My thoughts...
Red is the color of blood, the first color we come into contact with when we are born. Red is a very powerful and bold color that not everyone can pull off. To me, red is love, boldness and associated with the root chakra. It is noted that the root chakra is the base of our alignment and in order to be completely balanced per se, one must start with the root. When I thought of models, my good friend Sabrina stood out. She loves the color red and I felt as if she would be the perfect candidate. With so many changes going on in her life over the past year, she has embarked on a new journey by being been forced into change and has also learned the true definition of courage.
Sabrina and I met and played softball during our adolescent years. We were both pitchers, very competitive and played late into our teens. She was the fast pitcher, I was the junk. She was the power hitter, I had the wheels. We were pretty much a team within a team. When I took Sabrina's photos three years ago for the Express Yourself photography series, she was in a different stage of her life. Fast forward three years and here she is doing another themed shoot in her 30's feeling more confident than ever.
During the creative process of the monochromatic series, Sabrina and I collaborated on ideas and themes. Originally she was scheduled to shoot during the summer, but the timing never worked out. December quickly approached and the color red couldn't have come at a better time. We went for two looks. The first was a Red Flower child embellished with a DIY poinsettia brassiere that Sabrina made and an afro which was filled with sparkly red Christmas holly. We wanted an outdoor shot with a red smoke filled sky. This was the first time using a smoke bomb and boy I tell you, it was not easy! I have a hard time already opening champagne bottles, let alone a smoke bomb. After multiple attempts, Sabrina finally ignited the smoke bomb. Once the smoke filled the entire backyard sky, I realized the camera lens couldn't see a thing! I grabbed a few fun shots and am grateful to have captured some behind the scenes video. The benefits of having not one, but two cameras!
For the other look, we aimed at a more hip vibe. At first, Sabrina mentioned channeling Lil' Kim and then we put our own twist to it. I created a DIY red balloon background that morning and grabbed two of my favorite red chairs along with a red light. We had fun with this look and showed a few of our dancing moves in the video posted. I forgot to mention, we both love to dance and absolutely love music. It was only appropriate to incorporate some music from Sabrina's red playlist into her shoot.
Sabrina brought it and killed it! I am so proud of her. As a photographer I aim to bring out the best in others. Going through the photos with Sabrina after the shoot and seeing the smile it brought upon her face, brought me a sense of calmness knowing that I did my job and am forever grateful.
XOXO
Celisse Elaine
Here are a few questions that I gave Sabrina to answer verbatim...
CE: What made you choose the color "red" for the monochromatic photography series?
SR: Because it's bold in your face. You can't help BUT notice red. The color red is so bad, they charge you extra car insurance!! Red is naturally powerful. Like... your blood is naturally red. Your heart is naturally red. You naturally turn red when you feel some sort of emotion like blushing or anger. Red represents love, rage, passion and relief. Nothing says I love you like red roses. You can get so mad, all you see is red. Passion like how vampires want your blood (red) or how when you really want something, you'll put in blood (red) sweat and tears. Red, it doesn't get any hotter.
CE: What do you think of automatically when it comes to the color red?
SR: Roses, blood, lips, hearts, anger, love
CE: How did you feel prior to the shoot?
SR: Nervous. I honestly didn't feel worthy enough to represent such a powerful color like red. Red always makes a statement. I wanted to lose weight. I wanted some high-end RED items that I really couldn't afford. Once I realized those things weren't going to happen, I felt defeated and didn't think I would do Red or Celisse Elaine Photography justice. LOL. But then I had to think back on what red really represents. Red is the color of passion, red is the color of love. So... if I just PUT LOVE and PASSION into what I do have and what I can do... then I'm cool.
CE: How did you feel after the shoot?
SR: Amazed. Shocked. More self-assured? Like, wow. I am sexy. Wow. I can take a picture looking like a model and wow that's me, I did that! I feel like I understand photography and the importance of recording EVERYTHING!! I'm more confident and feel more in tuned with the inner, no filter me. So many beautiful, effortless, honest pictures were captured. I'm so ready to show more and unleash more.
CE: Was the red monochromatic photoshoot what you expected?
SR: NOT AT ALL! Man, you couldn't make this stuff up! Everything just naturally fell into place. Like nothing went wrong, if anything everything went right. Completely exceeded my expectations. Like I said, I didn't see this beautiful, amazing project coming. It was creative, it was bold, it was unique, it was authentic. I'm very basic, so I was like expecting to show up camera ready, "be on time" lol, knock these shots out, the end. I couldn't have been more wrong.
View all photos: http://celisseelaine.com/red
Photography, Video, Direction and Styling by Celisse Elaine
Modeling, Makeup and Styling by Sabrina Robb
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Photography and Direction by Celisse Elaine Photography
Modeling & Makeup by Marisela Alcala
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PURPLE MONOCHROMATIC
...
ONCE UPON A DREAM
3 card spread-
Mind - Body - Spirit
Photography, direction and props by Celisse Elaine
Modeling & MUA by Alexandra Velasquez
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DIY: Papier-Mâché
Humpty Dumpty & Easter Eggs
Papier-Mâché: pāpər məˈSHā
- A malleable mixture of paper and glue, and water, that becomes hard when dry.
- Originates from China; the inventors of paper itself.
Artists aren’t really people.
And I’m actually 40% Papier-Mâché.
– Steven Morrissey
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall;
All the king’s horses and all the king’s men,
Couldn’t put Humpty together again.
Nursery rhymes were a huge part of my childhood. One of my all-time favorite characters is good ol’ Humpty Dumpty. Humpty Dumpty has a rounded bottom and plump mid-section making Humpty well balanced. Humpty is known for relaxing and minding its own business, when others would come and bother causing imbalance leading to the great fall and cracked egg. The fall that Humpty took was only fatal due to ascending to such heights and others desiring to push or pull him down so that they could enjoy the view at the top instead. Morale of the story is, be balanced and mindful to yourself and others.
I decided to create my own Humpty Dumpty while preparing the Papier-Mâché Easter Eggs. Gathering Spring items and incorporating new ideas for props, adds elements of surprise for the children during the Easter Mini photo shoots. While brainstorming for the minis this year, I recalled grade school and how Papier-Mâché brought me joy. Papier-Mâché is fun for all age groups and it lets the imagination run free. Both Humpty and the Easter Eggs have the same foundation of a balloon covered with newspaper/glue/water. Humpty's creation included: fabric, buttons, shoes, arms, facial expressions and accessories. I alternated between a Crown and a Mad Hatter Hat. I also left a piece of the top of the egg opened leaving the impression that the egg has a small crack. Meaning, we all have imperfections and may tend to fall at times, but at the end of the day it is all about getting up and trying again.
See below for behind the scenes photos of the process of making Humpty Dumpty and the enlarged Papier Mache eggs for this Easter season!
Enjoy!
SUPPLIES AND STEPS FOR Papier-Mâché EGGS
Supplies
- Elmer’s glue- about 5+ large bottles (depending on quantity of eggs desired)
- Water & Large Bowl
- A ton of newspaper à cut into 1-2 inch strips
- Paper trimmer/cutter/scissors
- Acrylic Paint à various colors per your liking & white for base
- A bag of balloons à size depends on desired egg size
- Sponges cut into desired patterns/shapes (optional)
- Paint Brushes & Paint Palette
- Painters tape (optional)
- Modge Podge (optional for shine)
- Tissue paper in contrasting colors (optional)
Steps
- Find a clear area & set down newspaper as a table cloth to avoid spills.
- Blow up the balloons to the size/shape desired (oval/egg like).
- Mix 1 bottle of glue with 1/3 cup warm water.
- Cut or tear multiple strips of newspaper into 1-2 ½ inches wide.
- Dip each strip into the glue and rub off any excess glue on the side of bowl.
- Cover the balloon with strips of newspaper while trying to keep them as smooth as possible taking off any excess liquid with fingers.
- Let each layer dry overnight. Allow 24 hours between layers. (3 coats=3 separate nights)
- Pop the balloon underneath once the form/structure has hardened.
- Use white acrylic paint to primer the bottom color layer so you cannot see the newspaper.
- Can add modge podge if desired to make the egg shiny and tissue paper for fun designs.
- Can add fabric, buttons, gloves, shoes and paint for facial expressions on Humpty Dumpty! Can use glue gun, hot glue, glue spray or whatever the imagination can think of!
Styling, crafting & photography by Celisse Elaine
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BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY:
Creating Timeless
Black and White Photos
{ Master ways to capture timeless black and white photographs for
portraits, weddings and landscapes
using texture, contrasting colors and patterns. }
PORTRAITS:
Photograph their souls
“When you photograph people in color,
you photograph their clothes.
But when you photograph people in black and white,
you photograph their souls.”
– Ted Grant
Texture, Patterns & Contrast
Compare the backdrop shade to the subject's skin tone, attire and accessories.
If the background is dark, subjects should wear lighter shades of clothing and vice versa.
Capture texture on the subjects hands, face and eyes.
AVOID WEARING:
Solid black or solid white
Busy patterns or prints that distract the eye
Matching colors and prints
{ TEXTURES }
{ PATTERNS }
{ CONTRAST }
WEDDING:
Getting Ready Photos
Getting ready photos rendered in black and white are my personal favorite! A black and white photo creates a timeless classical feel within each image. The dressing room is full of contrasting colors, leaving the black and white images uniform and appealing to the eye. I always suggest black and white wedding getting ready photos to my clients.
LANDSCAPES:
Visualize beyond color
Black and white photography captures timeless and classical moments. Seek contrast and a wide range of grays within the shot from solid white to solid black. Look beyond color and visualize repetitive shapes, textures, tones, shadows, lines and patterns which create depth and drama.
“Black and white photography is truly quite a
‘departure from reality,’ and the transition
from one aspect of visual magic to another
was not as complete as many imagine.”
-Ansel Adams
“Black and white are the colors of photography.
To me they symbolize the alternatives of hope and despair
to which mankind is forever subjected.”
– Robert Frank
Thanks for checking out the blog! Stay tuned for future articles.
XO
Celisse Elaine
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Discover the Importance
of How and When to Photograph Magical
Landscapes and Portraits
During the
Twilight and Golden Hour
Golden Hour
a period shortly after sunrise or before sunset which daylight is redder and softer than when the sun is higher in the sky.
Twilight Hour
a time period between the night and day. The Sun is below the horizon and the light is visible illuminating upper layers of the atmosphere creating a blue hue.
To obtain the best lighting for photography, Google "sunrise and sunset times" with desired location. The best times to photograph landscapes and portraits in order to get a softer/warmer feel, are during the Golden and Twilight Hour. The Golden and Twilight Hour, also known as the Magic Hour, occurs when the sun is near the horizon and sunlight travels through a greater depth of the atmosphere, reducing the intensity of direct light and the illumination comes from indirect light from the sky. Lens flares also add illuminating touches to photographs and occur when light is scattered or flared from a camera lens when directed at the sun. Flares add nice touches to photographs creating dimension within a photo when the Sun is low in the sky. A cloud filled sky may also act as a natural filter, but if no clouds are present and the sun directly hits the subject outside of the Magic Hour time slot, it may create hard light and shadows which results in overexposure of the photo. Timing and the Sun both play a huge factor while traveling. Being on the open road and capturing the light throughout the day is truly magical! Below, you will see some of my favorite photographs captured during sunrise and sunset. I want to differentiate how the same image can vary in such a short time span according per time of day.
Great Reno Hot Air Balloon Race
Reno, NV
It was a goal to view the Great Reno Hot Air Ballon Race, so waking up early in the AM in order to capture amazing photographs for the Super Glow segment at 5AM and the Dawn Patrol at 5:30AM was on the itinerary. Here are some of the images captured during the show from the beginning until Mass Ascension. This annual race occurs every September and has been one of my favorite adventures because spectators can get close to the balloons and conductors.
Bluff International Balloon Festival
Bluff, UT
It was my 29th birthday in Bluff, Utah while viewing the annual Bluff International Balloon Festival early that morning. Watching the balloonists come together and prepare their balloons before liftoff early in the AM amongst the desert rock landscape was amazing. The lighting was magical and I captured Twilight and Golden Hour photos. It was a memorable birthday full of balloons in the vast open desert sky!
Bluff International Balloon Festival
Key West, FL
While vacationing at Key West, FL, one of my favorite moments was capturing the Key West, FL sunrise. While lodging near the dock that read “90 Miles to Cuba," I set the alarm 30 minutes prior to sunrise in order to capture that special once in a lifetime moment. Early that morning, the tripod was set on the dock awaiting the Sun to show it's true colors. Soon enough, an orange beam of light flared an impression upon the water and peeked through the canvas looking clouds filling the morning sky. Needless to say, it was one of the most beautiful moments experienced and captured.
SUNRISE
SUNSET
Trona Pinnacles
Trona, San Bernardino County, CA
Being that Death Valley estimates around 129 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer months, visiting around my 31st birthday in January seemed do-able. Encountering an off road gem on accident was one of the greatest pit stops imagined. The Trona Pinnacles is an unusual geological feature in the California Desert National Conservation Area that consists of more than 500 tufa spires which are large rock formations that remind me of the planet Mars. The Pinnacles are recognizable in hit movies including Battlestar Galactica, Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, Disney’s Dinosaur, The Gate II, Lost in Space and Planet of the Apes. Rihanna also recently conducted a music video called Sledgehammer on location. Arriving around Golden Hour, the views and energy felt was breathtaking. Pink skies soared the sky during Twilight and the stars started to shimmer closer to nightfall.
Death Valley National Park
U.S. National Park Service/CA/NV
While driving into Death Valley National Park prior to sunrise, white noise filled the air and there was no signs of life within miles. Suddenly a never before seen hot pink sunrise filled the sky reminding me of the berries color in Trix cereal. On the continued drive in, the pink hues continued to fill the sky. After exploring the magnificent park, it ended at Dante’s View point which is 5,476 feet high around the Twilight hour. Suddenly purple and pink hues illuminated the park and the salt flats in the canyon below began to sparkle.
Grand Canyon National Park
U.S. National Park Service, AZ
The Grand Canyon has always been a favorite due to its unique combinations of geologic color and erosional forms that decorate the canyon which is 277 river miles long, 18 miles wide and a mile deep. The canyon overwhelms our senses through its immense size and you must visit to truly experience firsthand this Natural Wonder of the World. Being there makes me feel the size of an ant and constantly wondering how it came to be. Photographers are quick to snap every moment, but photographing the canyon during the day can be a waste of time. The photos are overexposured and the true colors of the canyon do not show quite yet. It is around the Golden and Twilight Hour that the pink, orange and purple hues begin to peek. If you look closely, you can also see the Colorado River inside of the canyon for scaling purposes.
Bodega Bay, CA
Bodega Bay has been a family favorite for years. Every visit to Bodega requires a stop for Fish & Chips at The Boat House and then relaxing on one of the cliff beaches to view and capture sunset. As the sun sets on the wakes, orange and pink hues tend to fill the sky. While on the ocean coast, photos are more pleasing during the Twilight and Golden hour. As a frequent visitor, it's rare to see my camera out at any other time during the day due to overexposure.
WHAT ABOUT PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY?!
The same rules apply for portrait photography, however, most families like to shoot early in the AM since children tend to cooperate better in the AM hours. When this occurs, I book family photo shoots around 9/10 AM since the sunlight is still low and there is minimal light and/or shadows upon the subject's face. I also seek shaded areas where the sunlight is not overbearing. When scheduling a shoot for a client, it's important to discuss the time of day for the shoot and the advantages and disadvantages. If evening appointments are do-able, I highly recommend it to clients due to the variety of hues around the Golden and Twilight hour.
Engagement and maternity photos are fun to capture in the evening. If shooting a wedding, don't forget that some of the best captured photographs occur during the Golden and Twilight hour. Usually this magical time is right before and/or during dinner so make sure to let clients know ahead of time that you will be snagging them outside to capture a few photos! Happy shooting!
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Discover chic and unique ways to fashionably color coordinate your wardrobe for photos and décor per Sir Isaac Newton's theory of the color wheel.
"Click Above"
Developed in 1666 by Sir Isaac Newton & was the basis for color theory.
In 1666, Sir Isaac Newton was the first to understand the rainbow and how it refracts white light with a prism creating the colors red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet. AKA- “ROY G BIV.” Prisms cause light of different colors to refract differently leaving the prism at various angles creating a rainbow. The spinning of a circular color wheel tricks the human eye to see the color white, where all light is stemmed from. Light is responsible for color which reminds us how rainbows are created by the reflection, refraction and dispersion of light in water droplets falling from the sky on a rainy day.
Twelve hues:
Red, Red-Orange, Orange, Yellow-Orange, Yellow, Yellow-Green,
Green, Blue-Green, Blue, Blue-Purple, Purple, Red-Purple
Primary Colors: Red, Yellow, Blue
Secondary Colors: Green, Orange, Violet
Hue: color in its purest form
Tint: shade of a variety of color
Tone: mixture of a color with gray or by both tinting and shading
Shade: darkening of a color
Warm Colors: hues or reds, oranges, yellow
Complements warmer skin tones
Gold jewelry
Cool Colors: derived from shades of blue; greens, violets, light pink
Complements pale skin
Silver jewelry
Neutral Colors: black, beige, taupe, olive
Complements all skin tones
Silver or gold jewelry
Planning clothing combinations for an upcoming photo shoot?
Things to consider:
- Photos may be displayed and framed at homes, so envisioning home color decor colors are important.
- Think about what statement you would like to make and if you would rather have bright, dark or neutral colors.
- Textures are always great!
- Dress for the season and consider location background colors.
- Make sure everyone is comfortable in their outfit and feels good.
- Consider the amount of people in a group and dress accordingly per gender and age.
- Accessorize!
- Men-tie/bow tie, handkerchief, belt, shirt (tucked in vs untucked), ironed, buttoned fully or not.
- Women-hats, jewelry, scarves, belts, clips, headbands.
- Shoes- if they get dirty easily and if an outdoor shoot, plan accordingly and bring extra shoes for walking (flats/flip flops).
- Have fun, take risks and be unique!
Things to avoid:
- Being too matchy, matchy, but rather complement each other.
- Limit patterns within a large group. Everyone wearing the same pattern distracts the image.
- Since these photos will be timeless kept safe memories, try not to wear characters on clothing and avoid large logos.
- Avoid all blacks or all white clothing when with a large group. The subjects tend to blend into each other.
Colors directly opposite each other on the color wheel. Usually high contrast and bold look.
Start with a primary color as a base for the look and complement with accessories.
Harmonious color schemes that use three or more adjacent colors on the color wheel.
One color should dominate while the others support.
A color combination of just one color for the subject, attire, makeup, props and/or background.
Dimensional look where you choose one color and two adjacent tertiary colors of its complement.
One color dominates, second color supports and third color is an accent.
Evenly spaced out on wheel. Combine every fourth color on the basic color wheel.
Color schemes that use two complementary pairs.
Color Blocking
Contrasting blocks or panels of solid, typically bright colors.
Other fun combinations
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