Ending February

I seemed to be waiting on a winter that didn't come this year. I am a bit disappointed since I do love the snow. But, at least my morning commutes were safe.

I have been student teaching Art Education at B Elementary for 5 weeks now. It is a new location that has brought me new challenges, but I am loving it. I'll try to talk more about this later.

Ohh yes. As if THIS is what the it's like everyday. LOL

Every weekend I have been trying to take and edit some photographs. I've been staging scenes and using myself as a model to explore some new ideas. I'm really enjoying this new direction of imagery. I believe these ideas have been in my head for some time, and are finally being realized.
 View and critique an image from this weekend's shoot on my Flickr!

And, tomorrow I have (almost definite) plans to do a little outdoor ballet test shoot with my dear friend Elissa! I'm calling it a test shoot, because well I have never shot a ballerina, I have some ideas but I won't demand perfection from myself on the first try. Luckily, she seems as excited as I am so I don't think she'll mind if we set up a few different days to get together and shoot some photos!

Andrew Atroshenko

I have to say it...

HOW ABOUT THAT OCTOBER SNOW STORM?!
It was crazier than I expected. I drove in it for a bit, literally dodging falling branches from trees. Then we lost electricity at my apartment from 8pm Saturday until sometime early evening Monday. I had been making some samples of photo-settings for ceramic jewelry, and then the after the lights went out, candle light was not enough for my perfectionist eyes. I did get a few variations completed though, so all was not lost.
I did get a few pictures from my window with my tilansdia and the snow falling in the background, maybe I'll upload them to help document the weekend.

We also took a good amount of pictures at my Grandparent's 50th anniversary party. Now, my job is to edit them and organize them in a photo book, and order the book from a decent online provider. Being the photographer of the family means "working" at every gathering. I felt like I was doing a wedding photo shoot....but I'm glad I'll be the key orchestrator in creating this memory book for my family. I'm sure it will be something to cherish in years to come.
Andddd, I can add this as another service offered to my website :)

An Update of This Week.

Busy week.
A lot has happened.

I won 3rd place in a juried show at Kutztown University titled: Peace, Love and Kutztown. This was nice for me, and I'll get a small gift certificate useable at the different vendors at school.
This is the photograph (yep, I've posted it before):

Fields and Wires 1

I taught my first lesson at LN Elementary school. It went really well, and my cooperating teacher was very enthusiastic about the results. Little moments of success in the classroom help me to feel that I am headed in the right direction, which is important for me. Of course there are things that need improvement, but when is there nothing that can be improved??

 

found via google

 I have become obsessed with Pinterest....

I'm beginning a new photography project based on portraits. I'm nervous and excited about this. I think I want to use dramatic studio lighting... so that means I need to cart around dramatic studio lights. Always annoying.. but usually worth it :) If anyone is interested in modeling/sitting for portraits, do let me know!
I'm also doing a lot of work in ceramics. I'm becoming addicted to making coffee mugs... at least they will be perfect Christmas gifts.

Irving Penn Quote

Sensitive people faced with the prospect of a camera portrait put on a face they think is one they would like to show the world. ...Very often what lies behind the facade is rare and more wonderful than the subject knows or dares to believe

- Irving Penn

Images, As Promised :)

Here are some of the images from my recent shoot with Alyssa, and recent engagement shoot with Lisa and Josh!

((Technical difficulties...tomorrow, maybe you'll see them?!))

Josh and Lisa.

Lisa and Josh.

Alyssa and Gunnar.

Gunnar and Alyssa.

Billie and Alyssa.

Billie, Alyssa and Gunnar.

Billie, Alyssa and Gunnar.

People!

I have had two opportunities to photograph people so far this month. I did a type of environmental portraiture/pet photo shoot with my friend Alyss and her horses. And I had an engagement session with a couple at the same location where I will photograph their wedding in September.
I haven't photographed people in awhile, so it has been very refreshing to get back into it. I'm currently away from my main computer, but I will post some samples of the two shoots soon!

And, as always, you can view those images and many more on my website: ashleeferraina.weebly.com

In other news, it's midterms week. So I'm very busy. Lesson plans (for elementary, middle and high school!), artist presentations (presenting myself), papers, papers, creating assessments, arts and crafts projects......stressful and tiring. But, once it's all finished I (hope) I'll feel very accomplished.

You can also see sample lesson plans, full lesson plans...anything art ed. related, on my other blog: resourcearted.blogspot.com

(I have both sites linked over my sidebar always!)

And now, for optical stimulation, I'll post some various images of "inspiration" I've been loving on the internet

Billy Buttons! I love these flowers and want them everywhere I go!

Some Pennsylvania Landscapes

A few from my shoots this weekend.