Corazon de Vida Orphanage Trip

Please watch this video of my trip with Corazon de Vida to an orphanage in Tijuana



Corazon de Vida Orphanage Trip

A BOY, HIS HEART & AN IMAGE

I was recently asked to be one of the speakers at a career day at Lockwood Elementary here in L.A.  I immediately said yes as I remembered how much fun I had with these students when I volunteered before.  Besides my friend Richard Ayoub who adopted this school a few decades ago,  can be a pretty convincing guy.

Onto my little story of "A Boy, His Heart & an Image." A moment that I won't soon forget. Richard suggested that we bring visuals, an easy thing for a photographer to do of course. I gathered images that reflected the different types of photographers.   Family, Pet, Landscape, Product, Celebrity, Humanitarian, Sports and Photojournalist photographers.  I had a wide spectrum of images of different photography specialties. 

When I asked the 4th grade class, of about 30 students, what they thought a photojournalist was, here are the answers I received from two eager kids.  A boy said "someone who puts photos in a journal?" I can see how he'd come to that conclusion.  I replied "good answer, anyone else?" A girl quickly raised her hand, yes they still do that in classrooms, it was nice to see.

In a soft voice she replied, "they write stories about pictures they take?" The smile on my face let her know she was right on target.  I took a few images out to show some examples of photojournalism and shared the stories behind the pictures.  There were several questions the students had about one particular photo, and that image seemed to resonate deeply with a boy in the front row.  

This is the image they were oooing and ahhhhing about. 

 Some wanted to know what that was in the front.  I said " It's a helmet sitting on a rifle.  They do this at Memorial and Veterans day ceremonies, to honor those soldiers who never made it home from the war.  Soldiers who died fighting for our country."  "What's in the back" asked one curious student.    I went on to tell the class, in the back of the image is   was a solider in his medal decorated uniform.  He was honoring those fallen soldiers by standing at attention.

One boy spoke right up with enthusiasm and pride, I'm going to be a Marine someday. I smiled at him with all his brimming excitement.  He reminded me of the kids along the parade routes when I was a youngster, who would try to mimic the march of  the soldiers, walking in unison to a military band song. 

When my time was up in the classroom, as I gathered my many visuals aids, that proud little boy with the dream of being a Marine, asked me something I will never forget. He said in a mere whisper "Excuse me Ms. Debra? Could I have that picture?"  With uncertainty of how I would respond but hope filling his big brown eyes, he pointed to the image of the soldier standing behind the helmet and rifle.

I almost told him that I needed it for two more classes.  However the look on his face was so precious, so invested in what this image represented to his young life, that I quickly responded "Of course you can."  He took the picture and again starred at it with such intensity, and a big grin on his face.  At that moment, my heart filled with so much emotion I thought I would cry.   

I nodded my head saying silently, "This is why I am a photographer, why I created Debra Snell Photography.."  For someone to connect so strongly to an image that I have captured, makes me feel that my meager attempt to visualize a moment was successful.  And so ends my story of "A Boy, His Heart & an Image."

"HOLLYWOOD HAIR GUY" AND HIS DREAM TEAM

When I received a call from my Client & Friend Dean Banowetz, most of you probably know him as "The Hollywood Hair Guy", that he wanted to do a photo shoot with his dream team, Meagan Herrera and Cory Rotenberg, I was THRILLED.  I Love shoots that are just plain FUN!! To say Dean and the ladies are Fun is an understatement.

They are pretty much ready for ANY Hair challenge and have stealth solutions for every split end or freezy frenzy.  They work so well together, they are like a secret mission team working every angle of your beauty disaster.  

In real life they are each over flowing with personality. But don't get me wrong, Dean will crack the whip to get the job done.  Watching them working together is like watching a well choreographed dance. They are in "their" zone and seem to know exactly what the other is thinking, as they are crafting their  masterpiece.

Oh don't get me wrong, there are many moments of  laughter during the process of primping. Dean has more one liners than a stand up comic who is on a roll.  Which is the reason I really look forward to capturing any moment with this magic man.

And now a special recognition for Dean and his Team.  A feature article in "Hot World Class Beauty" magazine. Check it out now!

So proud of Dean, Meagan and Cory they all deserve this wonderful honor. Debra Snell Photography says  "Wigs off to you" team.  You are one CLASS ACT!. Cheers to you Martini Man.

FATHER & SON ~~SENSATIONALLY SIZEMORE

I had a wonderful time on a recent photo shoot that involved a Father & Son.  Let me just say when clients have a good time in their Photo Session, so does Debra Snell Photography. This shoot was particularly special. The last time I photographed Young Gunnar Sizemore, he was only 5 and new to the acting world. 

As you can see by this image Gunnar has grown and so too has his acting resume.  A true chip off the old block, considering his dad Kevin Sizemore is a veteran actor.  I love this two shot because it reveals how close they are, and how closely Gunnar has studied his Daddy.  Usually when shooting head shots the idea is to get a few different looks and moods.

Happy...

Serious...

Mischevious is always good...

 Casual...

Business like...

Sexy...Oh hold on there, Gunnar you have a many years before this look. 

 We'll let Dad take this one.

Wow nice job dad.  As you can see we had two successful photo sessions.  By the looks of how easy it was for the Father & Son Sizemore team to embrace many characters, I think it's safe to say we will see much more of them on screen.  Oh, by the way this is an "all in the family" team.  Mom, Gina Lombardi, is a Personal Trainer and Fitness Coach for many in the entertainment industry, plus an TV Host and author. 

I think our next shoot should be a family portrait session don't you....Stay tuned.  In the meantime you can check out this "talented trio" in the links below.  Bye for now! Debra Snell Photography

	http://www.imdb.me/kevinsizemore https://twitter.com/#!/kevinsizemore

 http://www.imdb.me/gunnarsizemore

 

 http://ginalombardi.com/

WHEN LIFE IS FRAGILE, LIVING BECOMES THE PRIORITY

It’s never more urgent to document a life, then when we are told that life is unsure.  I want to share with you the precious story of a daughters need to freeze a moment in time   A story that many of you will no doubt identify with, on a deep emotional level. A story I was given permission to share.

 I was approached by a woman that I know named Daisy, who said she wanted to have professional pictures of her mother taken,  As quickly as those words came out of her mouth, tears began to fill her eyes. She told me that her mom, who is known as MaMa Ding, was recently diagnosed with cancer. Daisy wanted to take pictures before Mama Ding lost her hair. I quickly answered yes! 

This soon turned into a family shoot with Daisy, Mama Ding and Daisys 11-year-old daughter Hannah, You see, Mama Ding is Daisys best friend and the woman who helped raise Hannah when they moved to L.A. from the Philippines 7 years ago. 

  A few days later, Daisy asked to move the photo shoot up to this weekend, because Mama Ding was loosing her hair already.  Mama Ding, Daisy and Hannah showed up to the shoot , Mama Ding sporting a smart looking wig.I wanted to capture these 3 generations of one family, in whatever way they responded to each other.  It was clear from the start how close they are. 

Some observations:

~To remember a smile, a laugh, how someone’s hand feels in your palm, or the gentle caress of fingers as a few hairs are brushed from your face by another. 

~The security of resting your head on the shoulders of a loved one, a person who knows all of your strengths and insecurities and loves you still.  

~A distinct fragrance that reminds you of someone special who has brought you so much wisdom and strength.

~The fragile smile, that masks the tornado of emotions inside, that you display to be strong for others.

 

These were the moments that I discovered while watching a mother, daughter and granddaughter thru my lens. I am so humbled to have witnessed their love and tenderness.  And so I am reminded that we shouldn’t waste time talking about what we will do tomorrow, we should do it today! Celebrate life while you can and capture the moments that will be lasting memories.Do it yourself or find a professional, but just do it!

On this day, these special women smiled,whispered,laughed and connected with each other in a way that inspird me to write to you..  

 No one really knows the time we have, sometimes not even doctors.  But Daisy knew she didn't want to wait to have this experience with the woman who gave her life. I think this was about more than just getting a portrait of Mama Ding. It was a chance to honor a woman, a matriarch, a best friend and grandmother in a way that would last  forever in their hearts. 

 Words can not explain how I feel about having been a small part of this day.  Thanks you Daisy.

This may be my most memorable photo shoot ever! This indeliable image just has to be repeated.

 Bless you Mama Ding, Daisy and Hannah