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Swami’s Beach: Senior Portrait

by stacie
21 August 2015

Do you know this place?Â I believe it is named for the meditation garden overlooking the beach… but I could be wrong.Â Go fact check on Wiki and let me know.

This beach is full of stuff to do.Â Lots of surfers in the water, mostly long boarders (if you care).Â Many people walking the rocks and when the tide is low, I’m sure there are people combing the tide pools. Â We came for the cliffs and the water’s edge.Â We came for a beauty to match, or at least come near, my niece’s.Â Who is nearly 18.Â Which means we just celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary.Â Unreal.

Day in the Life: Leaving the Mid Mod Nest

by stacie
11 June 201511 June 2015

I have often day dreamed about visiting friends who live in far away places. Jet setting to visit a new local and enjoy the company of my good friends. My “Those I Love” personal project was born from these dreams.
I have been lucky enough to reconnect with several friends lately, one of which I didn’t photograph! We met after the sun went down, that is my excuse… and really, I get shy about asking for a photo. I am keenly aware that people aren’t super happy to be in front of the camera… especially when the idea is sprung on them. So I leave my camera in its bag, and kick myself later that I didn’t get even one photo of my friend (who lives in Mexico City).
But a few months ago I reached out to our good friends in the Bay Area who had mentioned wanting photographs in their Eichler home. A day in the life. Their son is about to leave the nest so we made it happen.
While there I felt like I was photographing my own family. Being a bit intrusive, but no one seemed to mind. It helps that I’ve been photographing them since we met 8 years ago. Being able to focus on their family and their dynamic the entire weekend was such a blessing and so much fun. I really feel like I created an important body of work… if only for them.Â Here is a link to their whole session, if you care to see.

www.stacieannsmith.com #DayInALife #documentaryPhotography #eichler #MidCenturyModern #BayAreaHome

One of the main features of an Eichler home are the mahogany paneled walls throughout, along with floor to ceiling windows allowing for amazing light.

Expression and gesture.

Eichler homes more often than not boast an atrium that can be seen from every common space in the house. So many windows. The cats love the atrium.

The orange exterior door leads to the atrium. If you haven’t walked through an Eichler, you need to. They are pretty amazing. Just stay away from any with stucco… a stucco exterior is not original would probably not hold the original details inside.

I joined in on family dinner. William suggested I get it from above. He’s a pretty great photographer and I can’t wait to see what he does in the next few years.

My Reflective Lens: Monthly Self Portrait Project

by stacie
22 April 201522 April 2015

#selfportrait #myreflectivelens www.staciannsmith.com stacie ann smith photography #denverArt #denverfamilyphotographer #denverphotographer

“Open” as seen on My Reflective Lens

Each month I try to produce at least one self portrait. Along the way, I am sharing these images with a group of very talented photographers around the country and world who also create self portraits. Some for the first time. We have a facebook group and are also sharing on our website called My Reflective Lens.
I sometimes feel like self portraiture just seems natural, since I am home by myself with my thoughts and can create without the help of anyone. Other times I feel like self portraits are narcissistic and stupid. I have to push past the latter thought, since I really feel like this work has helped me create more purposefully. It may seem weird to photograph oneself… but I really do, in my heart, think it is a natural way to create and communicate through art.
Photograph yourself beyond the selfie, get past the duck face. If only so your family and friends can see you; the creator of so much beauty with a lens. Get in the shot.

Newborn Portrait: Into Loving Arms

by stacie
30 March 201530 March 2015

I had the chance to photograph this new baby boy a few weeks ago. His grandma and grandpa were there to greet him.Â So many awaiting this little one with open arms.Â Welcome little guy!

I wanted to present the photographs in slideshow form, since I have never done that before. As many of you know, I love music. Music and imagery are two of my very favorite things. I could probably spend hours choosing music to pair with a video. Thanks to Mr. Google, my search was cut short when I came across this simple, but beautiful, piano piece.

Tell me what you think. Too sentimental? Perfect? What’s the word on the video? Does it take forever to load?

Hello blog. Hello new year.

by stacie
1 January 2015

I have taken quite a bit of time away from my blog. I’ve ignored you, poor baby. I’ve been too busy with the Holiday rush and life to make any updates. Often I wonder if anyone even reads blogs anymore. Do you? Let me know… otherwise I’ll just assume I’m talking to air, which is cool too.

This month I’m offering a Photo 101 Course. I figure this time of year is a great time to learn something new, become better at a skill. It’s when we all resolve to be better.Â See, I’m resolving to not ignore my blog.

If you’d like to become a better picture taker, I’ve got you covered.Â We’ll spend a good part of a Saturday together and you will finally sort out what the heck an f-stop is and how to see light and photograph your kids without pulling out your hair.Â It’ll be great.Â I’m only allowing 8 participants to keep things small and intimate and personal.Â You can even tell me what you struggle with or what you love to photograph when you register.Â That way, this class will be catered to you.Â Besides, hangin with me for a few hours on a Saturday is exactly what you want to do, right?