© Dina Marie Originals - a blog with a purpose....

stairs.

“The vision must be followed by the venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps - we must step up the stairs.”

It doesn't feel good being behind.

Life sometimes gets the best of us.  Making the time to update has not been a strong point of mine for awhile now.  I am hoping to start posting here more.  This was one of my favorite sessions this summer so far.....

Back on Board... My Kid and My Cat

I have disappeared for awhile folks and I must say, my FAMILY has been my priority.  Circumstances in our lives sometimes lead to a shift in communication habits.  I have been working on some personal and business projects that have not allowed me to be nearly as prolific as I have always been.  I am jumping back on board!  Here is a shot taken with a very old film camera passed down to me from my Grandpa. I I finally had this roll developed after forgetting abiout it for a year. Boy, we are spoiled in this digital age!  Here is Robby (then 14) and our "momma kitty" Callie....
 

Interviewed

Fellow photographer Tammy interviewed me for her blog.  She was so kind and professional.  What a gal. Here is the link... Famous for a day ;-)

Dina Marie's Interview With Tammy Labuda

New Fine Art Collections Available !

Click on image to see more

Weddings

I have grown very fond of weddings as of late....  don't forget to check out the "wedding" section within my galleries.  Here is a recent one to share.

"To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish to death do us part".- Book of Common Prayer

2009 - a late welcome...

Well, I can't say I am the best blogger (obviously).  Please forgive me!  

2008 was filled with a lot of growth.  In fact, there has been so much growth I am ashamed to admit it was tough keeping up with it all. This year, we are dedicated to better time management and service!  

We'd like to thank all of our clients for your business and patience with us.  

I continue to be amazed at the opportunity and blessings to do what I do.  I love my job so much.  

I am booking into late February now with select newborn sessions available before that time.  Please feel free to contact me for further information.

In closing, here are a few from a session last night!  Soon all, Dina Marie

Dubai Princess

We are honored every year to have a sweet visitor in our neighborhood from Dubai. She was sweet enough to let me "play" today......

The best kind of mess

“Of course if you like your kids, if you love them from the moment they begin, you yourself begin all over again, in them, with them, and so there is something more to the world again.”
- William Saroyan

My job was validated ONCE AGAIN during a recent proof session as I ordered this one in a 16x20 with their order! I love it when parents really "see" their child. :)

this little sweetie.......was caugt in her "moment"

"Our time is the single most important gift to give our children!" - Lee-Anne-Robert

Balance

"There's no secret to balance. You just have to feel the waves." - Frank Herbert

Life is hard. The more women I talk to , the more I realize.... we are all just trying to keep the perfect balance for our families, husband, etc.

Focus on BALANCE this week. It can be achieved.

Remember Ciara?

It's been awhile since I have blogged about any of the sweet children from the Jonathan Jaques Children's Cancer Project a few years back. Click here for a reminder: Ciara's Billboard To view in person, you can still see it on Atlantic Blvd in Long Beach !

I received this letter today from her parents and what a welcome surprise to SEE her! Take a look below:

"Hi Dina,

Sorry we haven't sent you some current pictures of Ciara since you photographed her for Jonathan Jaques Children's Cancer Center. Your photograph of her is still on the billboard near Long Beach Memorial Hospital as their "Bubbleologist". It is so hard for people to believe it is her because she has so much hair now. Your photographs of Ciara catch her beautiful outgoing spirit, even though she was still going through treatments back then. Ciara has been cancer and chemo free since March of 2007 and she continues to amaze us with her maturity. It's as if it were just a bad dream what she went through. I have attached a few current pictures of Ciara for you.

Take care and thank you so very much again.

Sincerely,

Phillip & Ila Orpilla

© Dina Marie Original Canvas

These have really been doing well this year... It's such a beautiful way to display your family artwork. This is a Gallery Wrapped Canvas which required no framing. The image is wrapped around the edges.

Call and get your special price quote today :-)

Goodness to all, Dina Marie

the reason for less blogging lately....

Robby 15, Nicholas 13 and Eva Marie 7.
Enough said. ;-)

"The soul is healed by being with children." -Fyodor Dostoyevsky, novelist (1821-1881)T

a multi-tasking mother is beautiful.

I was delighted during a recent proof session. I told her how much I loved this photo and she told me it was one of her husbands favorite shots from the entire session! I was so happy it was ordered. Sometimes people miss the "in between moments" and those are the moments usually treasured most in the end.

"My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it". - Mark Twain :)

life feels beautiful today.

period.

ok, so I am not the best blogger BUT...

..... For all those who take the time to look, I am a seriously dedicated photographer that thinks, breathes, dreams & lives this stuff. Aside from my family, this is what I live for. I take my work in like it's oxygen. What I create is vital to me. I am truly passionate about each session. I can not imagine doing anything else for my career. And with this, I am posting an image today that means so much to me. I don't articulate the details of my life a lot but things get "complicated " at times and this image TODAY speaks to me. It validates to me that it's fine to FEEL. It's o.k. to have trying days that make you pull back. I love the feeling here. She is feeling in the moment and the emotions are truly HERS. There is a light, an angel, a sparkle behind her showing us she is not alone. We are not alone in our feelings. Sometimes it is hard for me to know others that can only "see" happy shots of children. Sometimes, the emotive shots speak to my soul. So with this said, I am sharing my polaroid for the day.....

As always, thanks for stopping by all.... xo dina

Honored...

SEVERAL months ago I had the pleasure of photographing Tina Cockburn's little girls for my Study Of A Girl project. She is an AWESOME friend, photographer and mommy! She has a huge heart and a love for the adoption program that touched me so much. Here is a link to her site and some shots from her session. Thank you Tina! xo
Tina's Website

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workshop weekend

What a fulfilling weekend we had. More personally than professionally, I grew. Denver Photographer Cheryl Jacobs Nicolai was in town and held a very small seminar including a few other well respected peers.

I feel enlightened, reflective, recharged and open. She is a unique and multi talented instructor. Her vision and input was invaluable. We grumbled when she made us "push our boundaries" but it was so necessary to see our personal exercises as our own assignments. Being open to change is just as important as maintaining our style.

I learned that slowing down and simplifying in my photography is very important for me personally.

John Erskine learned the most valuable lesson of his life when he was only fourteen years old. His piano teacher asked him "How many times a week do you practice, and how long do you practice each time?"

He told her that he tried to practice once daily for an hour or more.

"Don't do that," she responded. "When you grow up, time won't come in long stretches. Practice in minutes, whenever you can find them - five or ten minutes before school, after lunch between chores. Spread your practice throughout the day, and music will become part of your life"..

Erskine became a concert pianist who performed with the New York Philharmonic, and later a President for Julliard school of music and the director of the Metropolitan Opera Association. - by Author John C. Maxwell

Thank you Cheryl for "stirring us up" and showing us ways to see things in a different light (no pun intended ;-)

You can check out her work at Cheryls Website

She is also an amazing vocalist. Here is her band website too as I just uploaded her entire album! Reckless Red