May 2010 « Diana Lupu Photography

Archive for May, 2010

05.31.10

Hand in hand, we walked the grounds stopping at every memorial site to read the descriptions. From WWII to Vietnam’s memorial, to honest Abe’s, the sites were never-ending. Last year Adi and I took our first trip to visit Washington D.C. and made sure to learn as much as we possibly can about this great country. As we stood in front of a field of 4,000 gold stars honoring the more than 400,000 who died serving, we both became silent. There weren’t any words that we could have said to express the gratitude we felt in that very moment.

I’d never felt more humbled to be living in this great nation with such great men and women willing to give up everything they know and love in order to serve a country they believe in. A country they respect so much, they are willing to lay down their lives to protect her. On this day that honors all of those soldiers and veterans, I just wanted to take a few moments to express my deep gratitude. It is because of them that we wave those red, white, and blue flags with pride and it is because of them that we are united in freedom.

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05.28.10

The search for a wedding gown can be one of the most exciting experience a girl will ever have. As I walked into the studio surrounded by the most beautiful gowns my eyes have ever seen, I felt the tiny hairs on the back of my neck stand up. As the designer graciously gave us the grand tour, I became a bit emotional. Hold back the tears Dee, pull yourself together. Before you think I’m the strangest human being on planet earth, let me explain.

Jorge Manuel is a young, brilliant Miami-based designer who is fairly new to the fashion scene. Though he comes from an architectural background that strongly influences his designs, his true passion is creating masterpiece couture wedding gowns. When I contacted Jorge to be a part of our stylized wedding photoshoot, I didn’t think I’d ever hear back. I was shocked to see how quickly he instantly agreed, emphasizing how much he supports art. I drove down to his studio and was beyond nervous to meet such an inspiring designer. The warmth, kindness, and generosity that I was greeted with completely blew me away. As we walked through the studio and I listened to Jorge speak with such enthusiasm and passion about his designs and inspirations, I could not help but start to feel emotional. In one year, Jorge has put out numerous collections, he’s been published in bridal magazines, shown at New York Fashion week, and has had success beyond his own expectations. And through everything, he has maintained the most humble and gracious attitude I’ve ever seen. God knows if I could design gowns like him, I’d be naming my own planets and thinking they all revolved around my craft.

His gowns are beautifully crafted with perfect pleats, origami and pinwheel details, amazingly structured corsets and bodices, and so much more. Each dress is hand sewn and created with thought and precision beyond belief. I really can’t rave enough about his modern yet timeless designs and if any of you want to stand out in a glam wedding gown that will be the talk of the town, definitely purchase a Jorge Manuel gown. These dresses are to-die-for… I just can’t say enough about his collections! Jorge, thank you with all my heart for opening your doors to an unknown girl with a dream. For supporting me and showing me such love and kindness. For sharing a piece of your insanely talented mind and giving us the grand tour of your gorgeous studio. It’s people like you who make me want to do what I do and people like you who inspire me to never give up. You are beautiful inside and out and you will rock the industry to pieces. Here’s just a peak at the beyond beautiful dress that Jorge provided for our shoot and do check out his entire collections here. And look out for the new one coming out in June…it is out of this world!

Here’s a gorgeous shot from Weddings Unveiled of one of Jorge’s creations. I drooled all over his floor when I saw this…

Posted in Fabulous Friday Find, Photography, Weddings | 4 Comments »

05.27.10

It’s a rather bittersweet moment when things are over. Yesterday as we wrapped up the big photoshoot we’ve been working on, I sat back and took it all in. The set up, the location, the people…I just could not have been more grateful for the way everything came together. The idea of doing something different, something you’ve never done before, can be extremely frightening and intimidating. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t debate calling off the whole thing the night before. But I’m so glad and completely blown away by the love and encouragement that I witnessed yesterday. In an industry that isn’t often inviting and open to sharing and helping, a few photographers came together and proved differently. And had a blast doing it. I met a group of people during this process that I felt honored and humbled to work with. I saw such talent and passion that I walked away with great peers and wonderful friendships. I can’t wait to fill you all in on the full details and introduce some of the most amazing talents out there to you. I’ve been pretty busy catching up on the life I’ve neglected for the past couple of weeks but I’ll leave you with this beautiful little sneak peak that was yesterday.

Posted in Photography, Weddings | No Comments »

05.24.10

On this bright and sunny Monday, I’m feeling annoyingly chipper. I feel ready to begin the week productively and get things done with an extra hop in my step. I’ve been looking forward to this week and dreading it at the same time for a while now and well, there’s just no turning back. It will be a week full of exciting discoveries, trials, and challenges and I’m ready to take a leap of faith. I will finally be able to share what I’ve been working on for the past month with you loveys and I just can’t wait! So fingers crossed and here’s to a very happy Monday for everyone!!

I wanted to share a few photos with you guys of inspiration boards that I came across over the weekend that I just loved! Oh, if only I could have 10 more weddings with the same man…I’d do it in a heartbeat. And I’d wear a different dress each time. Diva style. I’m currently on the lookout to create my own large inspiration board in my office (from scratch!!) so be on the lookout for pictures of my attempt! It may end up just being filed under a “tried-that-and-now-I’m-off-to-HomeGoods-instead” file.

Inspiration Wedding #1: Marigold & Grey makes me happy.Inspiration Wedding #2: Modern Barn. Call me crazy but I’ve always felt like getting married in a barn would be the most romantic thing ever. Well, a barn with A/C, anyway. :)

Inspiration Wedding #3: Cinco De Mayo. Fun colors, a donkey, and a mariachi band? Yes, please!

Inspiration Wedding #4: Cherry Blossoms. Just in time for spring.

Inspiration Wedding #5: Last but not least…A Black Tie Barbecue. The idea of mixing up formal with a laid back style of a bbq is my kinda event. *all images via Postcards and Pretties*

Posted in Personal, Photography | 3 Comments »

05.21.10

It’s a big world out there. So big in fact, that sometimes it boggles my mind when I see someone twice without looking for them. Over and over again, I’m amazed at how small our big world really is. A few weeks ago I heard about a pretty ingenious idea for a business that made me want to kick myself for not thinking it myself. However, I had no information on this idea whatsoever and had no idea where in the world it was located or how I could find it. Then, this morning as I was going through my daily blog reads, there it was. The ingenious business…location, pictures, website, everything I needed, right there on Cupcakes and Cashmere. Small world. I clicked so fast on the link, my mouse feared for its life. I can’t explain how excited I got to see how well this brand was executed…how perfect the idea was…and how completely well thought and carried out everything was.

Drybar is a hip salon in the Brentwood area of California (crossing my fingers they’ll expand across the country to South Florida) that offers only blowouts. For $35 bucks. Wash included. And mimosa’s with croissants. I mean seriously? How simple yet completely brilliant is that?! After spending a few moments reading every section in their website, I made my way to the “about us” part and went ah-ha! that explains it. In an economy like this, it’s tricky and downright risky to open up a business. I know I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I truly believe that branding and working with professionals who are experts in their field is essential to success. I’ve seen so many business owners who are graphic designers, architects, interior designers, marketing experts, and financial advisors all rolled up into one human. And when business wasn’t booming, they sit in wonder, scratching their multi-faceted lil heads. It’s just not enough to have an idea…you really do need experts to see it through. And Drybar got that. So head on over to their website, kick yourself for not thinking of this idea first (I did), and if you’re in the Brentwood area, for goodness sake, get a blowout at Drybar. For me. =) Happy Friday everyone!!!

The fabulous decor taken from Drybar’s blog. Interior done by the brilliant architect, Lacina Heitler.

Fabulous hairdryer chandelier taken from Cupcakes and Cashmere blog.

Posted in Fabulous Friday Find | 1 Comment »

05.20.10

In my pretend world, I make fabulous dishes in my heels without ever getting a single crumb on my Anthropology dress. I never skip a meal and juggling my dream career and grocery shopping is all in a day’s work. I serve dinner on fine china and over Mozart tunes and homemade creme brulee, Adi and I discuss the events for the day. Oh yea, and in my pretend world, I can sew and walk on a tight rope too. We all know that if there was a polar opposite of a polar opposite, that would be my real world in comparison to my pretend one. Half the time Adi and I make up recipes based on what we have in the fridge,…which could end up being something like cheese on a bagel with salsa and cereal for desert, and the other half we split between eating out and mooching off our moms. Our moms actually have stacks of to-go boxes for when Adi and I “drop by and visit”. I know, so sad. But I justify this by reminding myself that they’re so much better at it and I really hate letting talent like that go to waste.

Well Adi and I have made a pact to try our best and make dinner more often. Don’t think this is a first for us. We’ve made this pact many times before and have eaten our words, no pun intended. So after a busy day of school and work, we set out for the grocery store last night, and picked up four things to make the most epic meal ever: avocado, tomatoes, onions, and multi-grain tortilla chips. We got home, chopped it all up, and enjoyed it so much, we decided to make it again tonight. That’s two nights in a row of cooking dinner in our real world. Booyah.

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05.19.10

I’ve never really had a problem with sleep. Actually, the only problem has been sleeping too much. But not being able to fall asleep? Unheard of! But for the past week or so, I’ve been lying in bed wide awake, thinking about all the things I need do, all the reasons why I haven’t done them, and how to make them happen. It’s as if my mind is racing at 500 mph and my thoughts can’t keep up. Last night, Adi and I listened to a fantastic speech by one of the greatest photographers in the world, Gerry Ghionis, and at the end, I didn’t know whether I wanted to take out a loan to invest in camera gear or quit photography forever. He’s just THAT good. I get really excited when I see artists so passionate and confident in their work. And I don’t care how little my resources are, I instantly want to book a workshop with them and write a book. It gets pretty crazy up in my head. So as I was rambling on and on about how amazing and talented some photographers are in comparison to me and how I don’t know if I could ever be that good, Adi reminded me to slow down, wait, and learn. Really learn. Just because I’ve shot a few weddings and know my camera settings, doesn’t mean there isn’t one million more things I could learn. And though there will always be someone who knows more or is better at what they do, all we can do is challenge ourselves to be the best we can be. And then he asked me if I had a late cup of coffee with extra espresso shots.

So as he drifted off to sleep, I made a pact with the ceiling staring down at me that I would never stop learning. About the business, my camera, lenses, lighting, people, relationships, anything and everything related or not. Because what better way is there to grow and become better than by learning? Here’s an image of Jerry’s that took my breath away and reminds me to really slow down and wait. Wait for my moment and hopefully get my 7 hours of sleep back.

Posted in Personal, Photography | 6 Comments »

05.18.10

As I head out for a wonderful, full day of school (I’m not bitter at all), I just wanted to leave any of you who may be interested with this information that was kindly passed down to me. Yesterday (too late now) and today (not too late) Escalate will be having a full day of live broadcasts of top photographers giving insider tips on how to run a photography business. Registration is FREE and so I definitely suggest grabbing a big bowl of popcorn or milk and cookies if you’re like me, sitting back, and jotting down notes from amazing speakers like Jessica Claire and Jerry Ghionis. If any of you decide to record it, I’m willing to give you my shoe collection in exchange for a copy. Oh, and if any of you recorded Jasmine Star’s speech from yesterday, I’ll trade you my house for it. However, the husband comes with me. Happy Tuesday everyone!!

By the way, don’t forget to account for the time difference if you’re over on the East coast since the conference is held in California.

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05.17.10

I believe there are some people you are just magnetically attracted to… those that have a certain something about them that just draw you in. It’s as if the aura that surrounds them is just a tad more powerful. Some people claim that they can visibly see this aura around other people. While I’m not gifted in that department, Amy has such a strong presence about her that you can’t help but see a visible, fabulous aura around her. I remember when I first saw her stroll in the classroom…confident, beautiful, and sweet. She was one of those girls that you just had to get to know… a girl you could see yourself shop with, have coffee with, laugh with, and tackle the heavy topics surrounding politics and religion with. And that’s exactly who she is…someone who can do all that with such kindness, intelligence, and love in her heart, you can’t help but be completely and utterly drawn into her. You also can’t help but know that she will be successful with everything she touches.

I find myself easily pulled towards magnets of depth. People who are much more than what they appear or let on. Without a doubt, I knew certain things about Amy…things that were apparent. But as our friendship grew, so did my knowledge of her deep love for life and even deeper heart for others. She knows where she came from and though life seems a bit easier for those who have that “it” checklist, it wasn’t always this way for Amy. But she learned, grew, and became better with each obstacle life threw her way. She looks at the bright side of things and more often than not, ends up encouraging people without even realizing it. And over our mutual love for chai lattes, cupcakes, and The Phillies (well this one’s more hers than mine), I’ve gotten to know a side of the girl who had a fabulous aura around her that surpassed all my expectations. Amy, you’re absolutely, positively, naturally…. beautiful. Inside and out.

We started the day shooting in Amy’s building and then had a blast walking around Delray Beach and finding perfect nooks with gorgeous light!

Yes, Amy’s eyes really are that blue. Yes, life really isn’t that fair.

Just a little walk away and we discovered a heavenly patch of pretty sunlight.

Amy’s purse deserved a few shots in the spotlight. I contemplated trading my camera in for it.

We found this great little area by the beach and soon discovered Amy’s aura attracted hundreds of pinching flies…

New outfit in tow, and off to the railroad tracks we went! I love this shot that just sort of happened as I was making Amy laugh so hard she began to reach for her stomach. Ok so that’s not completely accurate… True story: during our walk to the railroad tracks, I broke my flipflop. Not just casually or gracefully, it looked as if a car had ran over it….twice. And all that, because I managed to step wrong on a straight sidewalk with no cracks or bumps in sight. So I managed to take all these shots with only one flipflop on. Needless to say, I have tons of shots where Amy is laughing. Hard. At me.

But she was back to being fierce in no time at all…

I adore this set…As we walked back to wrap up, Amy had a brilliant idea to use dogs as props. So we found these two gems…

But this guy was our favorite.

Posted in Just Because, Photography | 7 Comments »

05.14.10

I’m not sure if knowing that “ctrl c” means “copy” makes you computer savy, but I consider myself right up there with the Bill Gates team. Ask Adi though, and you’ll get a very opposite reaction. But you see, me calling him every time I can’t open a word document, or get stuck posting a slideshow on here, or not being sure where the downloads folder is located, is all part of my scheme to make him feel important and necessary. After all, he IS a computer programmer and so if I let him think that I know everything there is to know about computers, he’ll feel left out and I would never want that.

In all seriousness though, because Adi is my knight and shinning armor when it comes to figuring anything at all on this godforsaken machine that keeps advancing as I keep de-vancing, I’ve developed a strange fascination with really well designed websites. And even though my husband comes home to show me fabulous websites with flash, and really cool graphics about CARS, I still have come to appreciate a good site, regardless of the content. I’m not as fancyshmancy as Adi so when I come across a website or blog that is branded really well and looks different from all the other sites out there, I bookmark it immediately. And then when Adi gets home, I show off as he sits there trying to look impressed (he’s not) only to proceed to show me his flashier sites. About cars. Great. Well since it’s hard to impress a computer programmer, I thought I’d share a site with you that has impressed me. I absolutely love this blog and when I first came across it, I was instantly drawn to her branding. Her name is Elizabeth Messina and she has developed a blog-site called Kiss the Groom, that provides plenty of eye candy for me to look at in the form of photos. She has separate sections for a “kissing tree”, “kiss and tell”, and “little kisses” feature where she sometimes shows photos, features poems, or real life love stories that people share with her. Other times, a simple phrase that she will write plants a garden of lovely thoughts in my head. I find her to be refreshing, true to herself, and an absolute romantic. And of course, extremely talented. Be sure to check her out here. Happy Friday to all!!! Is this not the most darling idea in the whole wide world? beats cars that’s for sure….

Posted in Fabulous Friday Find, Photography | 5 Comments »