Diary

The beauty of a woman when she is pregnant reminds me of flowers in bloom. They are beautiful as a bud and like a flower in bloom she becomes more beautiful than before. This is the third time I have photographed this beautiful woman over the years and I have gotten to know her and the things that make her feel beautiful. I knew she loved flowers and all the wonderful colors they come in. It seemed perfect to wrap her in cheese cloth and lay her in a bed of flowers (inspired by my most favorite artist, Kirsty Mitchell). I wish I had counted how many flowers I had in all those bags, but I was working very quickly so my mommy-to-be wouldn't pass out on me. The green gown was a purchase I made in Dallas at a vintage shop and the headpiece I picked up at Michaels and just stuck the flowers in the twigs.Twelve years ago I started photographing pregnant women. This was my favorite part of photography ... over families, weddings, children, and documentaries. I enjoyed the peace and softness of the moment, sharing the feeling with these ladies as they started down a new journey of motherhood and making them feel beautiful.

Nikki and Kim are the owners of a unique boutique in Tulsa, Oklahoma named Mocha Butterfly. When Nikki asked me to photograph her and Kim I was so excited, you can image why, look how beautiful they both are! We had just a short 30-40 minutes to capture a series of portraits. Considering this time constraint we had such a blast...it's amazing when one person starts to giggle it causes that energy to flow and before you know it everyone is giggling, then sometimes you're giggling and you don't even remember why.After our photoshoot I was happy to spend some extra time getting to know Nikki even more. Thank you ladies for asking me to capture your beauty :)https://www.facebook.com/TheMOCHAButterflyMakeup by: Ashlee Bivins https://www.facebook.com/ashlee.bivins?fref=tsLoveLoveLove. Lana

Personal projects are a time to learn and grow. The theme this past summer was "Wild n' Raw" and for me the art of photographing nudes in nature. I wanted to mix the body form with nature. I was excited to incorporate fabric and flowers as well.We started shooting early in the morning and continued until about 2:00pm that afternoon. The sun was beating down and it was hot. As a photographer you learn that mid-day is always the worst time to photograph outside, but I did it anyway. No lights, not flash, nothing, but metering the skin for exposures. We kept hair and makeup to a minimum because I wanted a more natural appearance. A few of the images have been cropped for the web, but full images can be viewed in my studio soon.This particular weekend was filled with experimenting with light, nature, mood, fabrics, locations, and just enjoying being in nature and letting the creative energy happen. On location with two designers, three photographers, three models, 80 acres of land to play on, sunshine, and a fun weekend filled with memories that I will cherish. Thank you to all that helped and made it so wonderful."Nude Art! From Wikipedia: The nude figure is mainly a tradition in Western art, and has been used to express ideals of male and female beauty and other human qualities. It was a central preoccupation of Ancient Greek art, and after a semi-dormant period in the Middle Ages returned to a central position in Western art with the Renaissance. Athletes, dancers, and warriors are depicted to express human energy and life, and nudes in various poses may express basic or complex emotions such as pathos.[1] In one sense, a nude is a work of fine art that has as its primary subject the unclothed human body,[2] forming a subject genre of art, in the same way as landscapes and still life. Unclothed figures often also play a part in other types of art, such as history painting, including allegorical and religious art, portraiture, or the decorative arts. Judgements of taste in art are not entirely subjective, but include criteria of skill and craftsmanship in the creation of objects, communication of complex and non-trivial messages, and creativity."Hair and makeup: John Emory; fabric assistance Raegan Medeirous;And special thank you to my beautiful model and muse, you are amazing!LoveLoveLove. Lana

This beautiful young lady was looking for a one-year anniversary gift for her husband and she gave me the honor of photographing her. I remember her saying she was nervous, but from my perspective I didn't see it. She was so graceful and elegant in front of the camera and her personality was just as beautiful.

Happy Halloween from Voulez Vous! Dress (designed and created) and Beetlejuice makeup by Raegan Medeiros. I had a BLAST photographing these two! They won an 80's custom party too :)

This was a personal project inspired by the very large magnolia tree in my back yard. As I would quietly sit and reflect the sweet magnolia would fill the air in spring. I would close my eyes and take a deep breathe wishing I could preserve that smell for hours. As I opened my eyes again I noticed all the beautiful colors of leaves laying around my yard...there were so many. I picked a few up to examine their beauty, torn, tattered, full of insect holes, but they were still so beautiful and I wanted to preserveand remember those colors forever. I imaged a dress made of these leaves and began collecting bags of them. I'm not a dress maker, but I do know how to use a hot glue gun :). I decided I would need cotton fabric as well, so I could glue the leaves to the fabric. I would take three leaves at a time and glue them together and as the skirt began to grow I would fill in the blank spots with more leaves. This was a "prototype" as my son called it, so I did not preserve the leaves, but will create a new new skirt next spring. I worked two nights for a total of 8 hours to finish the skirt before the photoshoot.Arriving for the shoot I did not have the top or the headpiece made and didn't have time to see that part of my vision come to life. So, compromise was in order. Thanks to John Emery for his last minute artistic eye he wrapped a piece of fabric and leather rope around Kresta for that natural feel I wanted. The sun was setting and I was feeling a bit rushed because I really did not want to use strobes for this image. So, I cranked up my ISO and started to shoot.In the rush of things I had forgotten the hoop for the skirt. I was so bummed, but OK, the show must go on. During editing, I decided to play a bit and add some magic. I added the clouds, a few textures, and some extra leaves :) This is how I imagined that skirt to look, full, colorful, and elegantly worn. :) I am so excited and looking forward to next summer when I can create a long-lasting couture gown to show in the studio.Thank you John Emery and Kresta for your patience and support!LoveLoveLove. Lana

Iskralin is an amazing artist. She designs rooms, windows and much more. I met her while working with Colors Of Etnika and when I saw what she has done and her creativeness I ask her to help design some sets for the studio. As she was walking around the studio the wreath caught her eye and she ask if she could put it in her hair and, of course, my response was "YES!" As we started the photosession she also noticed all the greenery I had in the corner and pulled it into the set. Seeing her design a look like this inspired me to grab my tulle fabric and place it over the lense for a soft ethereal look and I underexposed a bit to add to the drama. In post I added a bit of texture and some grain.I am really excited and looking forward to seeing what she has designed for the sets in the studio!

Colors Of Etnika is a brand with passion for artisan- inspired fashion dedicated to empowering artisans, providing economic opportunities and paying a fair price for their crafts! Our vision is to improve the quality of life of those involved in the process! Shop Fair, Give Fair and make a difference at home and around the world! Handmade Jewelry, Ethnic decor, handbags & Art.http://www.colorsofetnika.com/index.php?option=com_hikashop&view=product&layout=listing&Itemid=70It was so much fun getting to work with you Karla. Thank you for trusting in me to capture your vision for your beautiful fashions.

I met this beautiful lady last winter and was so excited when I was able to photograph her. We did a location shoot on a farm about an hour out of town. While she was getting ready in hair, makeup, and wardrobe we had a chance to visit. As I listened to her I saw more beauty than you see by just looking at her. As we talked, then walked around she was picking up bits of trash along the dirt road. She had nowhere to put the trash, but made a pile to pick up when we were finished. I don't ever remember ever seeing this happen before, only people throwing from their cars as they fly down the highway or sitting in a parking lot. I was even more interested in getting to know this lovely person.Alani! I am grateful for people like you!

These images were taken this summer when I attended a workshop called AfterDark Education where fine art photographer Brooke Shaden was teaching. I have been following Brooke's work for a few years and since dreamed of being able to photograph with her. I also enjoyed being able to play in post production to create a fine art image that gives interest lighting and textures.Thank you to the wonderful model Jane Love. :)