Shooting from the Heart

New for you: something blue ~ something green

This morning I had a light bulb moment when deep in the thought of how can Debbie Friedrich Photography help brides and grooms stay within their wedding budgets AND at the same time help our planet!?  Then it hit me!  

I am offering a $200 savings on all my wedding packages for couples who choose to receive only a CD of all their wedding images and not receive the proofs presented in a proof book.  I'm calling this promotion:

something blue ~ something green

Nurturing the soul

I had a pretty hectic week last week. Sometimes when that happens and there's just so much to do in so little time my life gets all topsy-turvey.  One method of relaxation and regrouping that works for me is meditating.  Most days I'm so busy that I've even put that off until the very end of the day!  I like to call it my "BT MEDS" (bed time meditations).  For me, it really works.  I sleep very peacefully and often dream that I'm back in Hawaii walking the north shores and over-looking the turquoise ocean.  (I'm totally sighing right now)

Another thing I do to relax and regroup is just stop, take a deep breath, grab my camera and really look at the beauty and color that surrounds me.  I look with my eyes and shoot from my heart. Yesterday I went on a private photo excursion to a place I call Midas Garden.  I was walking along and saw this outreaching calla lilly plant.  I LOVE calla lillies by the way.

I rarely will photograph a plant like this because it's just not how I see it.  I see it more like this:

I was so intrigued with the simplicity and the swirls of this flower

I loved the way the lilly was folded so gracefully into itself.  I loved the way the grooved lines flowed around this flower.

Before I knew it, I was totally enthralled with all the beauty from this gift of the garden.  I was relaxed and present.  And wondering "just how many angles can I shoot this flower!?"   

I will be opening my on-line art boutique at Etsy within the next few weeks.  I know I have been talking about it for a long time now.  I guess I was just afraid that people would think that I wasn't going to be photographing people any more!  I LOVE photographing people and their love for each other, their life events and the families (even the four-legged ones!).  

I am an artist.  I shoot from my heart.  ALL living things.  I'm going to be brave now and try this new venture.  My store name on Etsy is zenatona  ... art from mother nature to nurture your soul. 

You can follow zenatona on twitter and see some of the art that will be in my Etsy store on flickr.

Wow, I wasn't even planning on talking about this right now, it just kind of flowed.  Just like I hope my photography career continues to do ... flow.

A sweet Valentine's special, from the Heart

Ahh, love is in the air today and I want to capture it!  

What did you do to show your Valentine you love them today?  Whether you made a gift, planned a picnic, reserved a romantic dinner, went on an excursion or even Proposed I would love to hear about it!  

For the next 2 weeks I will be taking in your Valentine's Day stories and on February 28th myself and two other associates will chose the story that tugs at our heartstrings the most!  In return, the winner will receive a FREE portrait session valued at $275 from Debbie Friedrich Photography.

Please email your Valentine's Day story to debbie@debbiefriedrich.com and put "Valentine's Day Contest" as the subject.   I can't wait to hear from you! Have a wonderful Valentine's Day!  

(to be fair on my travels, this contest is limited to SoCal residents)

Valentines

Of course I love Valentine's Day!  I'm ALL about everything from the heart! It's not just for people in love or even in like, it's for everyone.  It's a great day to send anyone special a reminder that they are loved!  

So don't worry if you don't "have a Valentine" - because I know that you are loved.

Happy Valentine's Day!!

New art: jolliepops!

I came across this jovial, tropical flower while I was trekking around Kualoa Ranch. It was actually on the ground and I almost stepped on it.  I LOVED the variations of all the pinks and was amazed by it's intricate ... petals?  

I don't know what kind of flower it is but I do know that it makes me happy.  I had a hard time naming this one - I just couldn't find the right word that matched the feeling of this image.  I would grab anyone that walked by my "creative space" and ask "how does this make you feel? "  I got everything from "shy", "passion", "happy", "ocean", "firecracker", "makes me smile" and a "what is it!?"  I love the "what is its" because it pulls the viewer in for a closer look!   Then it hit me: it's jolly, happy and it pops ... jolliepops!

I hope it makes you smile too!

Happy Birthday Arna!

I have been so blessed to have met Arna over 7 years ago. She became my mentor and then my dearest friend.  Arna's guidance and support was so influential to the success and flow of my photography business in Hawaii.  I am forever grateful to her for always sharing her knowledge and wisdom on ... everything!

Everyone who knows Arna loves her, everyone who meets her and has the opportunity to get to know her walks away saying "I just love that woman!"  

From her extraordinary photography  to her awe-inspiring fine art , Arna Johnson, my friend, is one of my very favorite people and artist!

Happy Birthday Friend ... sending you much love.  

Miss you!

I spy with my creative eye ...

turquoise eyes on a dragonfly!

I made this into a gift for my dear friend Anna.  She loves dragonflies!

Happy Anniversary Jacque & Mitch!

Happy Birthday Zach!

Zachary is my nephew and he amazes me constantly.  

Behind those gorgeous eyes and blond locks, is a very intelligent, 

athletic young man with a heart of gold!