GOALS

October 2, 2010. 

That was my very first session after I made the decision to make a go at this photography thing.  My little friend Gary, helped me decide that I really did want to do portrait type sessions, and not just parties and weddings every now and then. 

Since the decision, I have made a Facebook fan page, and it currently has jumped to 214 likes from just 176 two days ago!  I actually realized that people were not seeing my posts from LasSana Photography aka Lena Messana Photography on my wall like I originally thought.  So I have to make a post from my actual site for it to pop up so people can become fans!  Thank you Jessica of AJ NICK PHOTOGRPAHY” for helping me realize that, and for showing others my page!  Us photographers have to work together, not against each other!  (Something Jasmine* taught me).  Now, I am working hard a few nights a week to put the site out there. 

I have a few goals that I have set in place as well during this time, that by the end of 2011 I hope to have accomplished.  Posting them here makes it seem real.  Now I have something to prove, if it is only for myself. 

*Set up a Facebook fan page – CHECK!

*Set up a price list – CHECK!

*Switch from Nikon to Canon – CHECK! (Although I kept my D40x and the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 yummy lens)

*Get a logo – CHECK!  (Thank you Mike!!!!)

*Set up a website – still working on this one.  It is so hard to choose which way to go!

*Obtain new lenses:

 -50mm f/1.4 – COMING SOON!

 -24-70MM F/2.8L

 -I would also like to have a wide lens… undecided at this point.

*UPGRADE to Full Frame with the 5D MarkII  (Hopefully by Christmas), keeping my lovely 7D as my backup and hanging with family camera. 

And there ya’ll have it!  The only thing that was not on the agenda was the business name.  I am not sure if everyone saw the change!  I am trying to find a way to incorporate that into my Facebook page, as it is telling me Lena Messana Photography is it!  So if LasSana Photography pops up…that would be me! J

And for those of you that did not get to see this adorable little one – here is a sneak peek! 

Reach for the Stars!

It is so hard to believe that my vacation has come, and gone.  It was two years of planning, and now it is over. :( My family went to Kissimmee, FL.  This year, we rented a house instead of just a villa.  It had 6 bedrooms!  I seriously could get used to that!  But at the prospect of cleaning a house like that on a daily basis would probably blow my mind!  I do not know how people do it.  (Get a maid!!)

I feel like I have been away for so long, as it has been a little bit in between blogs.  I have been super busy, so I really need to figure out a way to make sure that I blog a few times a week.  

This post is special to me.  It revolves around a very special woman, Florence, who I have known for many, many years (That would be a whopping 31 years!) .  We went to P.S. 97 (The Forest Park School) together.  From first grade we have stayed in touch!  Since 2004, Florence has been through hell and back.  She has beat Cancer, more than one time.  I will not get into the full synopsis, but she is one strong cookie.  To help kick off my fundraising for her team, Reach for the Stars - I had put out a photography sale.  Half price Half sessions, with 2/3 of the proceeds going to ACS.  I was able to send $100 to the American Cancer Society, thanks to Yajaira C. and the Leach family for participating in this event!  I hope that next year, even more people will take advantage of this special sale, because the proceeds go to great cause, and you will have pictures to last a lifetime!  And even though Relay is over, it is not too late to donate!  

You can do that here:  http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY11EA?px=4218551&pg=personal&fr_id=29438

I will also be doing this for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in August/September of this year!  Look out for this awesome event!

To kick off this event, I did a photo shoot with Florence and her children.  

Flo, you are a special person.  Even though I don't hang around as often as I would like, know you hold an extra special place in my heart!  Love you bunches! xoxo

New name/logo coming soon!! :)

And the WINNER is???!!!

May is still not officially over in my book!  I still have two sessions left to finish editing.  One a party, that should be quick, if I ever can find the time to get to it!  I go on vacation at the end of this month, so anything that is hanging out, I must have done!  I am glad I warned everyone that it is a little busy right now...so it will take a little longer than my usual time.

A little while ago, I hit 100 likers on my Facebook Photography page. (Just in case you don't already like it... :) http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lena-Messana-Photography/116656341727525)

That 100th liker was the winner of a free HALF SESSION!  It turned out to be Liza.  I went to High School with her, and we were cheerleaders together!  What a better way to celebrate #100 than to take Liza out with her beautiful daughters, Liana and Olivia.  It was a very overcast day, with some mist.  We decided to go out and do it anyhow, just as long as it wasn't raining.  :)  We stayed by the Forest Park Bandshell, and got some shots done!  I won't lie...  I was messing with my new camera for the first time in crazy overcast weather.  :D  

These girls are seriously gorge!  ALL THREE!   

Stay tuned!  I want to do something with my 200th liker...  so keep em coming! :)

Beach Bound

Who would have known that my first time at the beach this year would be with my little friend Gary?!  OK, so I did know that since February, but who's gonna know that?  (OK internet, so now ya know!  lol)

The week prior, we kept watching the weather.  It had been raining, and raining.  It felt like it would never stop! We had an eye on that Sunday though...  and it said rain!  I told Gary's mom not to worry.  My day is open.   So was theirs.   With clouds, it won't be a problem shooting at all - so if I see that spot open in the radar, be ready for my call!  9am came, and I was hopeful!  It looked like we would have some time in the afternoon!  We were excited.  Then 12pm came.  I messaged Jackie, and told her... 3pm!  We are IN!  :)  They came and got me, and we were OFF!  Got to the beach, and if I tell you we had the PERFECT weather for the precise time we were there...  It most certainly could not have been planned better.

Since then, we agreed I must add weather forecaster to my job description!  :)

Communions

May was super busy with Communions!  I am finally done with the last one, so I figure create one blog post for all.

Taking pictures of First Communicants has been tricky, to say the least.  I want to get the most I can, within what the child will allow.  Not all the girls below were so cooperative, and if they were, not for long!  Most 8 year olds do not want to be bothered with pictures for long anyway.  LOL.  My other worry is for each one is - how can I make this set look different than the last?  I do some of my favorite basic stuff, and then use the scenery and the light I am given to try and make each shoot different.





                                                                     alyssa

                                                              lauren


                                                                  alexa

brianna

               
                                                                     kiera

Arizona

I only wish I could get my butt to Arizona right now!  Hopefully in October.  Them be the plans internet.  You see, one of my bestest friends in the world, Robin, moved there right after she got married, I mean literally, car was packed on the wedding day!  Since then, I have only been able to see her twice.  Since that last time, she had Dominick.  You can find them here: http://wheredreamsreallydocometrue.blogspot.com/  That time was not too long ago!  He is so cute!  OH, I could just eat him up!   They came to visit and stayed with Jaime, her younger sister.  And Eddie, their older brother came down from Canada!  It was so great to see everyone in one room since I last did at the baby shower.  I walked in...  saw him and was like - It's all about Dominick!  lol.  Never mind my long time friends.  (Sorry guys, but I am sure you understand!)  Since her trip, Robin has found out she has another turkey coming soon!  :)  Dominick will be a big brother around Thanksgiving!

Yummy mush!

Always the busy bee!!

 Loving his faces!!!

 Chatting about the ball (I think)

And his silly face...oh the faccia!

On the Catwalk

The time is finally here!  Time to finally see Bon Jovi at Nassau Coliseum.  I heard he is taking a break from touring/recording for a bit after this tour is done.  I hope the break isn't too long. 

My daughter and I get there early to make sure we park where we would like to, but also to stop off at the McDonalds and eat something quickly.  I was meeting Antonia - Tyler's mom before the show started for a bit.  I got to hang out with her a bit.  Then we went into the arena.  We walked around the entire area, and decided to use the bathroom before going to our seats.  As we are standing there I hear - HEY LADY!  My friend Justina who I was also going to try and meet up with - but never heard back from her, and I figured she was driving.  YAY!  (Justina just moved back from Oregon... so it has been a little bit since I have seen her)  Short lived reunions, but still great!  On to our seats... Now it is time to find out exactly how the seats were set up!  And as I had hoped, towards the middle of the catwalk, NO SEAT IN FRONT OF ME!  I couldn't have been happier!  Well, except for when Bon Jovi was singing and came directly to my camera for a moment!  Amazing!  http://youtu.be/_tQTEcQaS90  He did 3 songs on the catwalk.  Such a memorable night!