LET'S NETWORK & MY MID-YEAR ROUNDUP!!!

Hey Readers-

I know it's been awhile! This season has been magical (to say the least).
Hope you all have been very well !!!

The weather couldn't be any more beautiful, here in the midwest, and I've tried to take special advantage of it, by spending as much time outside (shooting) as I possibly can. Although, I do wish we were having more thunderstorms. I think we have had only 2, which seems very odd for summertime?

I wanted to do a mid-year roundup post, today, though, and mention my social networks, so that in case you are cruising by or one of my readers, you'd be able find me on not only one, but all of them.

So, in no particular order, I'll lay them out :)

My Website
Twitter
Flickr
Facebook
Myspace
Deviant Art
JPG Mag

Sooo, if you are on any of those, and we are not yet acquainted, please feel free to add me. :)

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In other news, I am going to be starting back up with my 'Artist Spotlight' feature within the next few weeks, which I am very excited about. If you know of an artist that deserves to be spotlighted, please message me so I can be introduced to their work, if I've not yet heard about or seen their work :)

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Lastly, since I want to keep this blog post short, and sweet, the latest book, "In Her Own Image" from the Female Self Portrait Artist Support Group, on FLICKR, is about to be made available for purchase to the public. I've received my copy - (I went with a softcover), and it's just beautifully done. The book will be available through BLURB. It will be available at THIS LINK when it's been made public. For now, you can page through their first book: "She Took Her Own Picture" which has been available to the public for some time. All proceeds from the second book, "In Her Own Image" (as mentioned in a previous post) go to an international women's charity, who go by the name "Madre".

And that's IT ... for now :p

I'll leave you with a simple, (more candid than usual portrait of myself), taken just a few days ago, while I had the lovely opportunity to take an afternoon off, and go play with my first camera - a vintage film Pentax, in a neighboring, GIGANTIC wheat field.

Thanks soo much for viewing!
Best always-
Ash | Bottle Bell

...A little Inspiration...

"I have loved to the point of madness,
That which is called madness,
That which to me,
Is the only sensible way to love..."

-(F. Sagan)

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“Today you are You. That is truer than true. There is no one alive who is You-er than You...” -(Dr. Seuss)

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"Remember, failure is an event, NOT a person..." -Dick Innes

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Please watch this video, and BE INSPIRED:

The book I am published within: "In Her Own Image" is FINALLY HERE!!!

Hello All!!

I know it's been an eternity since I posted on the blog.
So it's about time!

I've been sitting on this exciting news for a while now, and am so excited to finally be able to share and promote this excitement-

Please find below a few pictures of the front and back of "In Her Own Image", A masterpiece work, which features 316 pages of beautiful imagery by 87 self portrait artists (including myself). 4 of my own finest self portraits as well as biography are in this tome.



A few excerpts from the book...

About the Book:

"In Her Own Image" is the second publication by the Female Self Portrait Artists' Support Group, a collective of both professional and amateur female photographers from around the globe."


About the Photographers:

"We come from different parts of the world, and many walks of life. We range in age, ethnicity, culture, and creed. What we share is a passion for self portraiture, and a commitment to supporting and furthering each others photography in a constructive environment."

This book will be available in both softcover & hardcover with dust jacket, and available for purchase to the public within days, and will be available through Blurb.com. I will keep you posted the moment it's available for public purchase, and with prices for both here in the USA, and abroad. :) Thanks for viewing.

Ashley | Bottle Bell

Announcement: Art Giveaway WINNERS!!!

Hello Friends-

Hope you are all very well!

Over the last few weeks, I've been very busy. The Art of Photography show opened in San Diego with my piece on exhibit, and from what I hear, was a great success, with over 1,500 people showing up to the reception alone! I also turned 25! Yes...a quarter of a century old. I had a fantastic and memorable Birthday celebration.

Anyway... This post is really all about the art giveaway!
Firstly, I'd like to sincerely thank everyone who entered the giveaway. I look forward to getting to know all of you better, and am very thankful to each of you for taking the time to both introduce yourself, and for subscribing. :)

The winners were drawn at random, and if you didn't win this time, don't worry... I plan on holding these giveaways a few times a year.

In the words of Arsène Bessette ( a Canadian writer), "Art must be free. Where there is no freedom, there is no Art..." I subscribe to that notion, and can't wait to hold these from time to time in support of that message, though I may be taking it's meaning in it's most literal interpretation. ;)

The winners are as follows:

*Hayley (hayhayhollywood)
*Blake
*Garret
*Jeanette V (Messenger Bird)

Congrats to all of the winners!

If you see your name listed above, please send your address to:
info@bottlebellphotography.com so that I can get your new artwork to you!!!

And, for those of you wondering what artwork you've won?....I've decided to keep it a suprise! :)

Again, Thank you to all who entered, and I look forward to receiving your addresses.
Until next time-
Ashley, Bottle Bell Photography

April Roundup, Announcements, and Summer Casting Updates...

Hello Readers-
Spring is here! Finally, right??
I feel like it's been so long since I've posted, though I've been busy every moment.
I wanted to take the time to cover about a million things, so here I go.......

Exhibitions:

*I've just wrapped up my first solo exhibition at Corazon Boutique & Gallery, in Minneapolis. My 12 week tour was immensely successful, and I'd like to thank both the owner Susan Zdon, and buyer/manager, Hilary Brasel for allowing me to show at both locations.

*Also... I am very honored and excited to officially announce I've been chosen to be featured in the upcoming "Art of Photography Show" in San Diego, California. The selection process was extremely exclusive. There were only 102 artists chosen out of over 12,200 entrants, from 46 countries! I was beaming when I found out I was to be included in their show. The opening reception is on April 25th from 6-9 p.m., at the Lyceum Theatre Gallery in San Diego. Though I will not be able to make the reception, I hope some of my lovely California friends will drop in on the show, and let me know how it looks. ;)

Modeling/Casting Updates:

Now that it's Spring, not only do I get to be warmer, and turn 25 years old, but I also get to start working on NEW COLLECTIONS with NEW MODELS! I am currently casting for 2 Conceptual, Fine Art Collections, and will be shooting now, and throughout the Spring and Summer. If you live in Minnesota, or Wisconsin (or surrounding), and are interested in working with me on a TFP* basis, please email me your headshot, or drop me a line at: info@bottlebellphotography.com
You must be willing to travel to one of my two locations... In Minnesota, I shoot about 50 miles West of Mpls. on a 12 acre private estate. If you live in Wisconsin, I shoot in St. Croix Falls. All of my work is on location, and Conceptual.

Makeup Artists:

A call to Makeup Artists! This one is simple - I need your rates, and best (1-2) portfolio photo(s)! I am looking to work exclusively with one - two GREAT makeup artists this Spring/Summer on all of my shoots. This does not need to be on a TFP* basis. You, of course, will be paid for your work. If you are a makeup artist, and are looking for unique pictures for your portfolio, drop me a line at: info@bottlebellphotography.com

Art Giveaway:

This one is fun. I've decided I will be giving away a few select pieces of my artwork (all are beautifully matted) to those who read my blog. FREE! To qualify, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post with your name, and subscribe to my blog via the "subscribe to this blog" button on the right hand side of the page. Absolutely anyone is eligible as long as you leave a comment and subscribe to the right. (Friends, Family, Strangers, High School Buddies, Myspacers, Facebookers, Flickr Contacts, Professional Contacts, Fellow Artists... Anyone.) I will be picking a few winners at random in the coming weeks. It's my way of saying thank you for reading the blog, and introducing yourself. :) Of Note, as well: You don't need a blogger acct. to post a comment. You can post just by using your name. :)

Publications:

And last, but not at all least, I am being published and featured in a 5 page spread by a local (MPLS) magazine. Because I do not yet know the particulars, I will leave it at that for now, but am very excited about the spread, and will post more (including which mag) when I know the details.

That's it!
Pheew.

Thank you for reading!
Ashley | Bottle Bell

PS... Please find below one of my latest self portraits, for an upcoming self portrait exhibiton. :)

Artist Spotlight - Michelle Black

Greetings Everyone!

Welcome to my first "Artist Spotlight" here on the blog. (Please see previous post for details if you've not yet read about this fledgeling feature). Today I am 'spotlighting' the young and multi-talented Michelle Black! To lay out this post with some preliminary detail, you will first find below a Self Portrait of this wonderful artist, followed by a one on one interview (Q&A), and finally selected works chosen by Michelle that she feels best represent her style, and vision as a Photographer. Without further delay, lets begin!

The Artist, Michelle Black...

Q: What is your full name?
A: Michelle Black, aka “Photo-Obsessed” (heehee)

Q: Where are you/your business located?
A: The small area of Eastern Ohio that some people (excluding myself) like to call ‘The Bridge’… Cambridge, Ohio.

Q: How would you describe your work? What kind of Photographer are you?
A: I can only describe my work as emotion based, somewhat impromptu, and very much ‘in the moment’. When I am working with people, I like to design a basic conceptual outline based on a current feeling or emotion I want to evoke, then observe and capture how my subjects react to their surroundings. Right now I am photographing a variety of subjects anywhere from Children to Musicians. I like to experiment with impromptu shots, and with giving an edgier look to classic portraits. I also focus on building my personal collection in between working with clients to help me keep a fresh perspective on the world around me. I do a lot of location scouting and am inspired by unusual settings; I have done Photostudies concerning abandoned structures, unsuspecting Landscapes/Waterscapes, and cities at night.

Q: If you had to describe yourself in 3 words, which would they be?
A: Empathetic, Spiritual, Passionate.

Q: What is your single greatest inspiration as a Photographer/Artist?
A: There really isn’t a way to for me to pinpoint anything particular, but to break it down into categories, makes it a bit more clear. My son inspires me to keep moving, on a daily basis, and teaches me so many things; Life experiences are next in line I’d say; loss, love, lessons learned. That’s a lot of ‘L’s! When it comes to people in general, I am inspired by the natural energy of a person’s spirit. It is truly amazing to me how differently people express themselves in front of the camera. I have never worked with any two people that express themselves the same way. As I mentioned before, I am also largely inspired by unusual settings and how they evoke emotion within myself; I think there is a distinct connectedness between the energy of a particular environment and how it can be moving to a person’s spirit, which to me is, directly, and sometimes immediately, inspirational.

Q: What motivates you to keep on creating?
A: My drive to create is centered largely upon an acute passion to learn more about myself, about others, and the world around me - to continue growing, and to hopefully inspire others to do the same when they look at my work. There is a beautiful cycle in the world of art; when I look at others' work, I feel a passion to create again, and from what I express through photographs, others have the opportunity to view it and become inspired, also. I think this is the essence of creating; sharing ideas as a means to grow and inspire others to grow in turn.

Q: What was the first camera you ever owned/started taking pictures on?
A: I started out with a generic point and shoot film camera, photographing my son constantly after he was born. I got a Minolta Maxxum 5 with a 28-200 lens a couple of years later, along with a Nikon digital point and shoot… and my passion really took off. I loved the freedom I found with shooting digital – being able to see immediate results. It really helped me to focus on finding my voice in the way I composed shots and in using different viewpoints to create different feelings.

Q: When did you first know you wanted to pursue Photography as a Career?
A: Strangely enough...after I started working in a salon in 2004, I decided that the environment wasn’t exactly for me. I realized how passionate I had become at that point in my life when it came to picking up my camera(s). I began assisting a local Portrait Photographer, and helped with basic studio work, digital processing, and basic film development for about a year. However... I was often stuck in the back building frames and realized that what I really wanted to be doing was framing MY OWN work... hehe! I took the plunge, quit my job, and here I am, 3 years later as a Freelance Photographer. I know there is a lot of persistence involved in achieving the goals I have set for myself, especially in this area of the hemisphere :)

Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A: Ahhhh! In five years... I would like to see myself shooting 3-4 child sessions per week, along with a more regular flow of freelance work, possibly in the editorial field, as well as more creative work with musicians. I have quite a few goals that are related to Photography - one being: writing royalty free music for photographers to use on websites, and another to grow my current Photographer’s Resources business... (creating more design elements for marketing and image processing). I would LIKE to be too busy to do it on my own and have an extra hand in things – hiring an employee or two. We’ll see what happens! I am very excited to see what the future holds...

Q: What is your favorite subject to photograph? (Personally or Professionally).
A: My favorite subjects are: a) children and b) musicians. Children radiate with so much natural, uninhibited energy that is just waiting to be captured. I like working with musicians as well, because they already have a knack for expressing themselves, so it is interesting to see how they react in front of the camera - how they want to be portrayed and/or described, etc. I really like to show people for who they really are, and these subjects are just oozing with that natural element of wanting to self-express.

Q: Who is your favorite Photographer/Artist?
A: This is such a hard question for me to answer because there are so many incredible artists out there, and not just Photographers either! Aside from Photography, I am also into textured paintings, mixed media work, and illustration. I am VERY inspired by Andrew Wyeth, and the strong moods he creates in the simplest scenarios. I admire artists who can create an honest, very ‘raw’ atmosphere in their work. I am taking a growing interest in street and Candid Photography as of late. Sooo…. To stop beating around the bush and answer your question, my favorite artists (currently) are: Yelena Yemchuk, Lilya Corneli, Snjezana Josipovic, Pete Revonkorpi, Agata Dudek, Andrew Wyeth, Paul Klee, and Pablo Picasso. :) And, my favorite author is: Edgar Allen Poe.

Q: Hobbies and Free Time - How do you fill them?
A: I am a closet musician. I play piano, keyboard, and sing. I can also play the flute and guitar. I started writing piano pieces on my own around the age of 8. When I have any extra time, I devote it to continuing on with my music projects. I also write poetry, and have done so since about age 10. I have notebooks (upon notebooks) full of the stuff! ;p

Q: Name one thing most people don't know about you. (Either personal or professional).
A: I have struggled most of my life with occasional bouts of sleep paralysis (“night terrors”) and intense, sometimes grotesque nightmares. My dreams are VERY vivid, and although not always nightmares, there is almost always something very intricate and detailed going on..., and I experience regular ‘waking visions’... but don’t talk about any of it openly. I just observe their significance, and reflect upon their meanings...

Q: What is your favorite piece you've ever taken? Why?
A: My favorite pieces are candids of my son, in his natural element. There is nothing greater or more moving than being able to discern my memories of him.

Q: And lastly...What advice would you give Photographers, or someone just starting out?

A: Just don’t put the camera down! Look through the viewfinder whenever you get the chance! Write down your ideas… Generate a business plan and outline your goals for the next five years... (and how you plan to get there). Work with models! A realistic schedule is to set up a session with one model per week. This gets you used to working with people. Use other peoples' work to help inspire you in the beginning. Learn all the basic functions of your camera and if you need to take a class or two to understand lighting and other technical issues, go for it! Something I still don’t do enough of is collaborate with other photographers and attend "go-to’s". Gathering groups of people with the same passion as your own can be a great way to inspire one another. AND, last but not least... BE PERSISTENT! Get on a schedule for marketing yourself... as well as practicing… and stick to it! :)

To learn more about Michelle Black, you may visit her:

Website

Blog

Flickr Gallery

Selected Works by Michelle Black...

New Feature...Starting Tomorrow!

Hello Everyone!

It's been so long since I've had a moment to blog. So much has happened in the last few months, and I will announce those things in due time... But, for now, I have another exciting announcement about a new and ongoing feature I've decided to add to the blog.

The new feature will be called "Artist Spotlight", and will focus on the careers and work of fellow Photographer's and Artist's who's work I feel exemplifies vision and creativity in the field.

Each "Artist Spotlight" post will consist of an interview between myself and one amazing artist, as well as feature selected works from that artist that best represents their style, vision, and genre of work.

Stay Tuned, because the feature promises to be fun, and very visually pleasing. It starts tomorrow...

Best to you all!

Ashley | Bottle Bell