Saturday Morning (Afternoon) Laundry

It's a wonderful Saturday afternoon at my parents house. What to do? Well, i did my nails (see picture above), laundry and i'm planning to help my mom make dinner after she's done skyping (yes she can use skype) with her cousin in Germany.  All this while watching the Giants kick some MAJOR Dodger booty. It's a nice relaxing afternoon thus far. 

I've also spent this afternoon thinking about what on earth to do with life. Do you ever feel like your brain isn't being stimulated? You don't have enough hobbies? Since I've graduated from college I've been struggling with not feeling... useful? useful probably isn't the right word, but I guess I just miss learning and stimulating my brain on a daily basis, learning new things and being interested in new topics or ideas. This has led me to think about what i'm interested and what I would want to do on the creative side of things.

I read Angel Babies, Paint and Cookies and Lola's Bohemian Rain on a daily basis. I know Hannah and Alexa and they are both extremely creative people. They both create such amazing pieces of art and it's really inspiring to see it all play out. Reading their blogs makes me want to paint. It's something that I was always interested in, but I never thought I had the talent. Painting seems so relaxing and therapeutic.

Music has always been a big thing in my life, I'm sure it is in yours too. When I was younger I played the piano and I've been wanting to pick it up again. Sometimes I beat myself up about giving it up. When I was younger I didn't want to practice or put time into it. I wish my parents forced me to do it. I would be so grateful for it now. 

Working out is another "hobby" that I need to keep up with. It's SO hard to get back into a routine when you get sick or go on vacation. After a recent sickness I find myself being lazy and wanting to watch movies all day. I just need to get up and motivate myself. It's so much easier when you have a friend to work out with. 

That's about where I am with ideas. Of course I want to continue with photography, that's a given. I have a few project ideas on that front, but I want to do more. Any ideas? What do you do to stimulate your brain? Any good hobbies I could try?

Our Thoughts are Forming the World

Photo by Lola Rain

Feeling lack of inspiration, I’ve been given the advice to find my “blog voice” and topics. I’ve been really focused on my photography, and when I have no new photos to blog about, I don’t blog. It’s a struggle for me because I’ve always felt like I wasn’t the strongest writer. My spelling is atrocious and my grammar is questionable, but I’ve come to the realization that I’m not getting graded for my work. Sure, people are going to judge what I write about or how I write it, but at the end of the day I give myself a grade.  I’m judging myself! This brings me to the something I’ve been thinking a lot about lately…

We are what we think. We attract things to ourselves by the way that we think. If I think I’m a bad writer, I’m going to be a bad writer. Another example,  If you think you aren’t going to find parking in a busy area, guess what, you won’t. If you have a positive attitude about parking and one the  drive over there, guess what, you’ll find the parking spot you want. I told my friend Ryan to so this last week and guess what, he got the parking he wanted!

I’m slowly becoming a firm believer that you are what you think.  You attack positive or negative energy towards you by the way that you think. If you believe that you are going to become an artist, broker, fashion designer or a millionaire, it will happen. It could happen in 10 minutes or 5 years. You just have to believe it. This leads me to finding out what I want. I guess you could say that I’m not really sure yet.  It’s hard to focus on positive thoughts when you don’t know what you are striving for. As of this moment, I’m still trying to figure that out so I can start walking down the right path.  I know that I want to start on more photo projects and take more mini vacations, but I want to think more long term.

What are you goals? What keeps you positive?

2010 Recap

So, it’s the end of the year and that means it’s time to look back at 2010! What I accomplished and how I felt about the year over all. I’ll be honest. I had the WORST New Years Eve to date, so I was a little scared that 2010 was going to suck. Thankfully, it turned around. So, here’s a nifty list of what I did in 2010:

1.   I Graduated from College: This is pretty big. When I started making this list I didn’t even realize how amazing this was. I’m a college graduate! That’s something to be very proud of. Not only did I graduate, but I also have a full time job that I’m very thankful for. To anyone else out there that graduated this year, congratulations!!


My parents and I at Graduation

2.   I Moved Out: Yes, I graduated from college and moved out of my parent’s house. All this happened in a matter of two months or so.  I love my parent’s, but I couldn’t be happier living with my boyfriend. I love being able to decorate my own way, not worry about coming home late, watching the TV as loud as I want. It’s the little things that count.

3.   I Traveled to the East Coast: Once for vacation and again for a wedding. All I have to say is Lola Rain. She has always been an inspiration to me and we are always creating things together. Visiting Lola was one of the highlights of my year.

4.   I Went to My First Wedding: My friends Alex and Alexa got married in Vermont in October. It was, of course, the wedding of the century. It was so peaceful and personal. I cried like a baby during the ceremony and the entire trip was a blast. This was my first trip to the beautiful state of Vermont. And my first airplane trip with my boyfriend.  This leading into anther first from the trip…

5.   I Saw Snow for the First Time!!!! Thank you Vermont for my First Snow. Yes, this is true, I’m lame. Never been to Tahoe in the winter, therefore had never seen snow before.  Snow Fall is magical.

6.   I was “ALMOST” killed in McDonald’s. Ok, I’m over exaggerating, but since this incident I’ve never ever gone back to that McDonalds.  It is right around the corner from my office. I was on my lunch break and wanted somewhere quiet to read my book (I think I was reading “New Moon” and it was a sign for me to stop reading that awful book).  This McDonald’s is two stories. Upper level seating only. It is very long and narrow. I’m sitting upstairs, reading my book, DIDN’T EVEN ORDER ANYTHING, and suddenly I hear from downstairs, “He has a gun, he has a gun!!! Put your hands up!!!!” followed by a bunch of shuffling. I’m a little shaken up and I couldn’t see what the hell was happening below me. I build up enough courage to walk down the stairs and the place is SWARMING with police officers. There were undercover police, at least five cop cars outside and a bunch of officers in uniform. I think it turned out to be the bum that is always sitting outside. Naturally, I run back to my office and told everyone. That was the highlight of that week.

7.   I Attended My First Baby Shower: This was followed by a second baby shower only a month later. My friend Serena broke my baby shower cherry. It was by far the most fun baby shower I’ve ever been to (well because it was my first). It was an old family friends and I got to see some familiar faces. The food was amazing and the games were so much fun. My mom and I drank a ton of wine and had a blast. This baby shower was followed by my friend Rachel’s baby shower. I’ve know Rachel since we attended good old St. Cecilia. I also got to see a lot of people I haven’t seen in a long time at this shower  and had a great time catching up. This also leads into my first friend that had a baby. Serena’s baby girl Gia is the best baby ever! I can’t wait to meet Rachel’s baby boy Bentley.

8.   I Stuck with My Man though his…. “Vacation”: Let’s just say that my boyfriend was sent away for a few months the end of last year and the beginning of this year. We stuck together though it. It was hard, but well worth it. I wouldn’t have done it any other way.

9.   I got a Netflix Account: Dear Netflix, you have made my life 3,000 times better. Mainly because I get to watch movies like, “The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia” which is the craziest white trash movie you will EVER watch. Seriously. This shit will change your life. Thank you Netflix Instant for giving me movies when I want them. And Thank you Brenda for that great movie suggestion!

10. I Baked, and Baked, and Baked some more: That’s right. No wonder I put on the pounds in 2010. I baked cupcakes like nobody’s business! Martha Stewart, I love you.

Ginger and Molasses Cupcakes

Maragrita Cupcakes

DAL Themed Cupcakes for November Birthdays

World Series Themed Cupcakes!!

11. The San Francisco Giants Won The World Series: That’s right people. You heard it here first! The Giants won the series and no one thought they could do it. A Big Congratulations to my team! You did it! Now, let’s get them Niners on the same track, the Warriors would be nice too. The highlight of this win? Seeing Steve Perry (Journey) at the parade!!!

Stever Perry!!

Huff Daddy and the Rally Thong

12. Portraits: Photography wise, this was a year of portraits for me. I’ve really tried to get behind the lens as often as possible and plan out projects. I really love taking photographs of people and really getting to know my subject. Here are some of my favorites that weren't in my Top 10 post...

Victoria

Erik and Cynthia

Cecilia Elena

even a self portrait!

Wow! I feel like I accomplished a lot this year. At first I thought this list was short, like I hadn’t done anything, but I did a lot! I’m finally done with college and moved out. This year was a big transitional year for me. I went from college student to adult in a matter of months. I’ll say,  I like adult hood a lot better than college life. I’m a lot freer to do what I want and it’s a lot less stressful. Thank You 2010 for being a great year!

Five Favorite Posts of 2010

I really enjoy making lists, can you tell? I made a Top 10 Portrait List and you will soon get a “resolution” list as well as a 2010 recap list. So, look forward to seeing more lists from me in the future.  Speaking of lists, here are my five favorite blog posts in 2010. I started blogging in August, so it’s not a whole years worth to choose from, but still a decent amount. Anyways, here it goes:

5.  Symmetry: I really love this photo of the Brooklyn Bridge. I took this back in 2009 and the symmetry still resides in my mind. This was my first trip to New York! The photo is a great way to remember the experience. Speaking of New York, I’ll be leaving for the big apple in a week!! Time to start making lists of what to bring and all the things I want to accomplish/see on the trip.

4. Orange October: This is one of two favorite San Francisco Giants related posts. Now, keep in mind we were still in the playoffs when all these shenanigans were going on. The cupcakes, the pumpkins, the pride… I think the support really made the World Series win possible.

3. Serena and Gia: This is something I’ve very proud of. This was my first time photographing Serena and my first maternity shoot. Everything turned out even better than I could have imagined. Thanks Serena!

2. Lola Rain, the Model: Now, you know that I love Lola Rain, so of COURSE she is going be somewhere in my top list. I love Lola Rain as an artist and as a model, but her modeling skills really inspire me to take amazing photographs. Her expression and ease around the camera make a picture a photo.

1. 2010 San Francisco Giants World Series Parade:  This is hands down my favorite post of the year. This is one moment that I will never forget. The thrill and pride that one city can have for a team is unbelievable. Maybe I’m bias, but I believe that San Francisco has the best fans in the country, maybe the world. :)

Are these your favorite Natalie Schlegel Photography Posts?!

Lola Rain, the Model

Awhile back I wrote a post tilted Lola Rain, The Artist. Not only is Lola Rain an amazing artist, but she is also one of my favorite models.  I believe this is because she knows what it’s like to be behind the camera. In theory, this makes it easier for her to understand angels and depth, but she’s also just a natural at it. She’s graceful and alive. There are so many ways to read into her emotions. I ask you to look at each photo individually and see if you can understand what I mean and see what I feel.

Lola the Lonely Prom Queen

Lola and the Carnation



Run Lola, Run!

 

Lola the princess, looking for an escape from castle grounds.

 

Lola and the Four Flowers



Lola and the Mystery.



Lola Rain, The Artist

Oh Lola Rain! How I love thee! I don’t really know where to start because I feel like I have so much to say! I met Lola Rain about two years ago. We were both working in the same office (I’m still working there) and we could sense the need for a creative outlet from one another. We bonded over photography and began to model for one another. We would take day trips to Maine County and just photograph all day long. I wouldn’t be the same photographer without her. She really pushed me to get started and inspired me to start my own blog/business (I’m still working on the business part). Lola Moved 3,000 miles away from me but we still collaborate and inspire each other. The good thing about Lola moving away? Well, home girl has got it together! She got married and started her own photography business! Check out her blog, Etsy, Flickr account and become her fan on Facebook! Thanks for everything Lola Rain!

Here is some of Lola Rain's work...

Roads Not Taken

I've always loved this photo. It makes me feel like Lola Rain is ready to runaway. She's out of breathe, mid thought contemplating her next move, only you can't see her expression so you have to read her body language. What do you see?

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Merrill

Congratulations Alex and Alexa!! I could not be happier for these two! Also could not be happier that I made it out to this magical wedding. I wasn’t allowed to us my flash during the ceremony (the real photographer scolded me for it) so the pictures are a little dark. I’ll say that the ceremony was very emotional. The Ceremony started with The Frames “Falling Slowly” and I INSTANTLY wept like a baby. I happen to know the connection they have with this song. From there on out it was all tears and hyperventilating for me. The vows were perfect and SOO Alex and Alexa. The ceremony was short and sweet and Alexa walked down the aisle to a Led Zeppelin song! How great is that?

After the Ceremony there was a cocktail hour when they went off to take phone and then off to the reception! I’d like to think I got a good photo of the two of them arriving to the reception.

The night way perfect! Great food and great company! Once again, Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Merrill! And thank you for having me and max!

Here Comes the Bride!

All Dressed in white! As I mentioned before, I was lucky enough to travel to Vermont for my friend’s wedding.  One of my tasks? Help the Bride get ready and take a few getting ready photos. I only managed taking a few photos before the professional photographer came in. Here are a few of Alexa’s beautiful dress!

My favorite is probably the last one. Alexa's new niece Lila was the BEST flower girl. Ceremony pictures coming tomorrow! Oh, and did I mention that the Bride also has a blog? Check it out here!

Cold as Ice

Lola and I love our alleyway's! This is one of many shots taken with Lola in the Financial District, San Francisco. Enjoy :)

The Tree Has Eyes

 It has eyes!! Lola has a thing for trees. I feel like in this photograph you can see the connection. Don’t you agree?

Introducing Lola Rain

Run Lola, Run!

Who is Lola Rain? How did our Universes collide? Well, by fate really. Lola Rain and I were introduced through family. We worked together in at an Investment Firm for a few years and slowly found out that we shared the same hobby, Photography! Lola and I went on several adventures together, many of which resulted in amazing photographs, this being one of them. Now, Lola has moved to the East Coast and left me without a photography buddy. :)

Lola Rain is pretty serious about her photography. She’s been doing it longer then I have and she really knows her stuff. She has a website, blog and an Etsy site! Show Lola some love.