REWIND // 2006

It was the summer of 2006 when we took our first family vaca to the Florida Keys (Key West). The beaches were beautiful, the sand felt like plush carpet under my feet - and I wanted to go parasailing so badly! I was sixteen and not really too much of a daredevil. No one wanted to join me on my venture so on the ground I stayed. I think it was during this particular trip when I realized tourist areas weren't really my thing. As much as I enjoyed the beach and Duval street - it was just a tourist trap as far as I was concerned.

We'd been recommended to go to a particular restaurant down there called, Blue Heaven. Here we go to another local attraction. We sit down, open our menus and realize nothing on the menu suits us (nothing against the food there, I'm sure it is quite delicious), nothing about that place suited our personalities. It just was another attraction. My dad made the decision to leave and find some place else to eat. Yes! No more walking along the path with trails of bright lights reading "tourists enter here!" We ended up finding some trailer of a diner with a porch decked in rocking chairs that served your food through a window. Not very classy, but very much SoFlo (South Florida). A locally owned diner serving fish, chicken, shrimp, and other food I don't recall.

One thing about my parents that I will always admire is their sincerity in getting to know people, getting to know people for no other reason other than having a genuine interest in others. Having a conversation with another human being because it's a part of humanity. Not feeling so above or beneath a persons [self proclaimed] status to just talk. It was during this trip, during this lunch hour at the diner, when I became aware of this fact about my parents; it became the highlight of my trip. They talked with the server (who was also one of the owners) for at least an hour. We sat on that porch for what seemed like hours eating and talking to the server and later the cook (the place was very small and not very busy so they had the time). I'm sure in reality we were only there for an hour or two but it doesn't matter. The fact that we gained an experience - a true experience of what it is like to be one of the locals. Something we couldn't have ever experienced at Blue Heaven or any other tourist attraction. It opened my eyes and helped me to appreciate life and culture in an entirely different way. This was the beginning of my new outlook on travel. And so it begins...

Wanderlust // iDream iTravel Giveaway!

What does travel mean to you? For me it means education. Expanding my horizons and being exposed to different cultures, ideas, and environments! As a photographer I am a very visual person and literally being able to see people, places, and things that I don't normally see is fascinating and a wonderful learning experience!

'iDream iTravel' created a short video asking individuals around the most popular cities in Europe that same question, "what does travel mean to you?" iDream iTravel in conjunction with hotel.info are sponsoring an amazing competition which will give the winner 10 nights in the top European cities and €2013 to spend (a little over $2,700!!!).

 

Watch the video and ENTER HERE

idream itravel - sponsored by hotel.de / hotel.info

Mixtape Monday

Happy Monday! I hope everyone has a wonderful week...The start to this week was very sultry neo-soul.

♫ Listen here...

1. Lesson Learned - Alicia Keys [feat. John Mayer]
2. Playing Possum - Maxwell
3. Awooga - Calvin Harris
4. Unthinkable - Alicia Keys
5. You - Raheem DeVaughn
6. Whenever, Wherever, Whatever - Maxwell
7. Halfcrazy - Musiq Soulchild
8. My All - Mariah Carey

Wanderlust // Montreal, Quebec

There's just something about being immersed in a new culture that makes me feel...I don't know...whole. Loving to travel and having an appreciation for culture really helps to makes me who I am - I'm not sure that I could truly function properly without being exposed to new locations and people.

My cousin and I have wanted to try snow boarding for the longest now (101 in 1001) and finally decided to do it. We took a weekend trip to Montreal (Canada) (101 in 1001) - a beautiful, old, very rich in French culture city! Snow, cobble stone streets, intricate architecture, and extremely delicious crepes and pastries - magnifique!

Mixtape Monday

It's not even Monday, but wth, It's my first one. Only eight tracks this time. You'll find my taste is pretty eclectic - I'll mix in a little bit of everything...from classical French symphonies to rap.

♫ Listen here...

1. Suit & Tie - Justin Timberlake
2. The Orchard - Ra Ra Riot
3. I Wonder - Kanye West
4. The Thrill - Miguel
5. School - Calvin Harris (favorite)
6. Numb - Rihanna
7. Don't Look Back - Miguel
8. Makeda - Les Nubians

Portrait Shoot :: Marissa

I am so privileged to be able to work with such amazing people! Marissa and I went to school together years ago and hadn't seen or talked to each other in probably 8 or 9 years, but it felt like two old friends catching up after just a few months of not seeing each other. Crazy right? loL

Destination: London

Is anyone watching the Olympics? I'm excited to watch the track & field and swimming competitions! I left London about 3 or 4 days before the games started, but that didn't stop me from having the most amazing experience!

The Tower Bridge - London, England

The Weather is quite "Lovely"

I have so much to write and talk about, yet so little free time to type. My stay in Ireland is over and now I've moved on to Great Britain's, London! Mom and I flew in from Dublin and are staying with a fav. cousin of ours, Sony, while we're here :). We just got in this afternoon so we will start our journey of exploring the city tomorrow (after we have crumpets and tea of course). I can't wait! Don't be surprised if I come home with a wanna-be British accent loL

xoxo

Portraits in Practice

The other week I had the pleasure of working with a dear friend of mine, Lachelle James, who is leaving for New York City in a few days for an amazing internship with a top fashion designer! I wanted to hang out with her and have her style a "just for fun" photo shoot before she left. We had a lot of fun and enjoyed catching up before she departs! I wish her the best during her internship, I can't wait to visit!!! :-D

Destination: Ireland

I'm havin' great craic (Irish term for "fun") out here in Ireland! Lots of touring, laughing, talking, and picture taking. Tomorrow we attend the 1st of the three day convention, "Safeguard Your Heart" and I couldn't be happier. The weather here has been sunny for the past few days, I can't believe it. It is so beautiful here. Cool, calm, peaceful, and so green, I could definitely picture myself living here. Everyone I've met thus far is extremely peaceful and nice and the scenery here is breath taking!

Destination: Ireland

The countdown starts now! Just three more days until I'm jet setting off to the land of green (which is just my first stop). I can't wait to make great new memories! 

C.R.U.S.H.

Alright, so what do I find attractive? Physically speaking...a great upper body! A dude that has muscles and clearly works out, but isn't so big and muscular that that is all you see - a big chest and huge arms. Most of the guys I've liked and dated have been slim, but actively work out so in my opinion they have nice "medium sized" muscular arms, a strong upper body and of course a nice pack ;-) (abs).

I like guys and don't discriminate, but the last time I found a white guy attractive physically AND liked their conversation...? I think I was 11 or 12. So I was a little shocked when he walked through the door and immediately, I wanted to know who he was. A 6'2, dirty blonde, bluish/hazel eyed, slim, yet muscular white guy. Thinking to myself, "hmmm he's cute." His roomate and my friend introduces everyone in the room one by one. He says "Hello. Nice to meet you all." WHAT?! Woah, woah! Wait a minute. WAIT. A. MINUTE. You're British?!...I'm smitten. loL!

I've been told I'm a flirt and a heart breaker (I don't think that's the case, but if you happen to be the one who's heart I broke let me just say I sincerely apologize and it was completely unintentional). I have no intentions to do anything with this guy, but for real he's a cutie! I strike up conversation immediately because, I'm going to London in the next few weeks and it's common ground convo. DUH! I ask, he answers. He asks, I answer. I could listen to him all day.

We all head out to eat dinner. Our initial group of 8 quickly turns into 4 after some decide to go somewhere else for dinner. Oh well. It is he, two friends, and myself. We go somewhere good a cheap lol. Unfortunately (but not so unfortunate) we have to wait for about 30 - 45 min. before we're seated. We're all practically starving! But this does give everyone time to get to know each other a little better. "How old are you guys?" we all answer 22. "Ahh man, you guys are making me feel young." "Well, how old are you," I ask. "How old do you think I am?" We all guess, between 20 and 24. "18."

Haha! Come on, stop it. Seriously? "You look like you're at least 22." I guess it's because of his height. Could also be the first impression he set. He seems quite mature. The pure fact of knowing he is 4 years younger than I am would usually immediately put my wanting to explore things to an abrupt halt! Why didn't it happen this time? Let me just clarify, I have no intention of exploring anything with anyone right now. But I found myself continuing to "slightly" look for him this weekend while we were at the conference. Weird.

I'm assuming this is what you would call a crush? loL. I am too old to be talking about crushes I think. But like I said, he's a cutie, has a lovely voice and yes has that upper body that I find attractive. Oh well, the conference is over and I enjoyed the weekend. Maybe our paths will cross again sometime, but if not, it was very nice meeting him.

xoxo,
Nina

BRAND NEW PROMO VIDEO!

I am so freakin' excited to show this off! The amazing Javier Fick was my videographer and a joy to work with! I've been a fan of his work ever since I'd met him, well over a year ago now, so it was a dream to finally get together to shoot this video with him!

Nina Grace Photography - Senior Portrait Session from Javier Fick on Vimeo.

Long Time No See...

Geez! It's been soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo long since I've last posted. I'm sorry ya'll, but a LOT has happened (good and bad) and I just couldn't bring myself to talk about anything to anyone. I'd rather not dwell on the negative part of the past, so I won't! I just want you guys to look forward to a lot of new posts and good times coming soon!

xoxo
Nina!

What do you do when you feel like you're loosing the one you love?

Omgosh, my heart felt the biggest drop in the history of my life this past weekend. I thought I lost my best friend. The most wonderful person that I can stand to be around all the time, I thought they'd gone from me. It was the most terrible feeling. I couldn't sleep, I didn't eat, and I had a very sad and unnerving day.

What do you do when you feel like you're loosing the one you love? What can you do, anything? Do you fight or do you let it go? Do you support their decision to make them happy even if it hurts you in the process? Should you even care? Maybe you tell yourself you are taking things waayyy out of proportion and things are not really as they seem. Maybe you put on a smile thinking, "if I just act this way things may turn around for the better." Or maybe, you have a serious, deep, heartfelt, loving conversation with that person you love - bearing all of your feelings and making yourself so completely vulnerable in front of that person -   and figure out why things are headed in the direction they are.

Possibly you'll hear and learn that it isn't you. Possibly you'll understand that they are trying to grow up in world that is filled with so much pressure, stress, and anxiety and they just want to protect you from the difficulties and hardships they are facing. Maybe you will understand that you are not loosing the one you love, but growing in your friendship. Growing in trust and love. No one tells you about the ins and outs of a friend ship, the nitty gritty, dirty and slimy part. They tell you, "it's hard!" or "don't do it, you might get hurt!" (or for those who have gotten burned, they say, "you WILL get hurt!") but they don't tell you why you it's hard or why you may or may not get hurt in the process of growing in a relationship. I can't tell you either. It's an ever evolving story for me. I'm always learning and growing. I hope to continue to grow and learn with the one I love.

                             The path that leads to a place that you will just have to see for yourself

Spring Break + New Room Ideas!

Everyone knows spring break is right around the corner, or if you're like me and live in St.Pete spring break has already passed and you've missed your "week long break" opportunity to redecorate your room lol. Oh well. Sooooo...I've been thinking and I think I want to paint one of my walls or just part of my wall with chalk board paint! While I'm at it maybe I'll paint this little night stand of mine too..? Who knows! I've been wanting to paint my room and dressers for the past year now and I have yet to ride over to Home Depot and buy paint or brushes - I've been scared. I've been scared and scared away from voluntarily going to Home Depot, Lowes, or any other warehouse type facility for that matter! My dad is a Home Depot junkie and when I was a kid we'd stay in that place for hours it seemed like, going through those dreaded dusty aisles looking for that particular screw, paint color, light bulb, or worse....plants in the garden area! (cue scary killer movie music!)

So now at nearly 22 years old I haven't stepped foot in home and garden improvement store in almost....hmmm maybe 3 or 4 years? Something along those lines. I think I can bite the bullet and go get some paint though. It's time and I really want to change my room around a little now. So like I said I've been thinking about the chalkboard wall. What do you think, yay or nay? I've been pinning ideas on pintrest of what may work for me. I don't want to cover an entire wall black because I only get one large window worth of natural light to my room and I don't want to over cast that with black walls, but I do think it would be kind of cool to just write some reminders to myself on my wall. I already have a mini white board, why not add to it. Tell me what you think, have you been seeing this new trend of chalk board walls? Do you like it, not like it, never even thought about it? 

seeing the entire wall like this doesn't look so bad.

Fixed At Zero!

 

Any of you know this song and/or this band? VersaEmerge! It's always exciting for me to watch this video because 1) I like the song and 2) I know Sierra Kusterbeck! We went to middle school and part of high school together (we were both interested in musical theater) and the first time I saw this video last year I was pretty much blown away because I remember her leaving high school to join a band. Little did I know she would make it this far! Shout out to Sierra!!

I was doing a little bit of research on Payless shoes and ran across an image of Sierra holding a shoe, turns out she is helping promote a new line at payless called, Brash. Pretty awesome! Check out the link. The shoes are kinda hot and the videos of Sierra and the rest of VersaEmerge in Paris are very cool.

Keep Saint Petersburg Local :: Launch Party!

So I'm pretty much in love with this non-profit, Keep Saint Petersburg Local! It was a couple of years ago when I visited Asheville, NC that I realized I always visit the local downtown areas....in every city other than my own! I'd buy from the local community or just go exploring downtown, but I didn't know what my own downtown looked like and hardly ever shopped local here in St.Pete. I saw this sign in the window of a shop and snapped a picture. For some reason it really touched me and from that moment I decided I was going to establish relationships with people from my own community, shopping local and having a love for the creativity and business here in St. Pete.

Here we are two years later and I know pretty much every local shop in downtown and most of St.Pete for that matter! I've collaborated with quite a few independent business owners and constantly buying from places like The Trunk Stylists or Gold & Maiden! loL....I love this city and apparently I'm not the only one.

The other night Keep Saint Petersburg Local hosted their launch party which introduced me to a butt load of new local businesses and creative artists like myself! It was pretty awesome, plus the party was hosted in the gorgeous Nova 535 venue which is (independently owned) artistic, funky, and modern! I'm def. going to reach out to a few new people (now that I know about them, thanks to K.S.L.) and businesses to help spread the wealth of knowledge, love and exposure. A big thank you goes out to all of the staff behind K.S.L. especially Olga B. and Sheri K. - they are great!

Senioritis Hope :: High School vs. College

Library at USF

I've burnt my brain out learning everything I possibly could this month. My brain took a 15 minute power nap and it's back at it jamming in more and more info! It's cRaZy! All the info from my classes, all the info from my internship, all the info from photography workshops, all the info I continue to learn from the bible, plus the little things I learn everyday ("you learn something new everyday" right?).

I was sitting in my school's library today, pretty much ALL day...[blah]...and at some point I looked out the window and saw probably about 75 students. They looked a little young, but not too young so I figured these were high school kids taking a campus tour. Nothing out of the ordinary. I reflected on a time (about three years ago actually) when I was in that cluster of kids, just happy to be outside of the 4 walls I was used to known as GIBBS HIGH SCHOOL. As much as I loved high school, I couldn't stand it just as much and even though I dwell on the good times a lot and vicariously live through my brother (being in his Junior year), I know I would never opt to go back to that place!

Even still; though I wouldn't go back to high school if I had the choice I could see it all over those students' faces that they had no idea what college life was going to be like. NO IDEA! I realize I've been in school for 3 and 1/2 years now and I think I've mentioned it just once here on my blog. That's not cool. This blog is about my life and school is definitely (unfortunately still) apart of my life. I'm gonna school some of you youngin's out there (youngin's, yes, that's young-ings for the people who don't understand how to read slang loL). Junior and Senior year can be some of the best, most exciting years of your life; they're also a couple of the most important years. You know what I'm sayin? ---------> insert new weekly reminiscent post here <---------- dang! just tryin to make it through those last couple of years was tough because of all the fun things I wanted (and had the capability) to do outweighing all of the work that needed to be done! Is it tough for ya'll too?  

ANNOUNCING PHOTOGRAPHERS TUTORING SESSION

Wanna know how excited I am? I am SO excited! Excited to announce that I am now offering digital photography tutoring sessions! Every tutoring session will be different depending on you - but, this more of an introduction to digital photography session where we'll cover the fundamentals of using aperture, shutter speed, and ISO; how to find and use natural (available) light, and I'll even tell you what the heck "the rule of thirds" is! loL. And of course we'll discuss any other questions you may have! I will soon have a link of information listing all topics that will be covered during your personal session along with other important information so keep a look out for that coming very soon!

Last week I held my first official tutoring session with the sweet Natalya :) she is definitely not a beginner in photography, but wanted to learn a few more tips and tricks to help enhance her already gorgeous photos. It was a really cool experience for me and I was extremely happy to know I was able to help her learn a few new things. We pretty much had an entire session full of hands on shooting with Q&A and a brief Photoshop tutorial afterwards. It's funny because I looked at my 101 in 1001 days list last night to see if I've accomplished any new goals that I'd forgotten about and to my surprise I had! Hosting a photography mentoring session was on my list of things to accomplish! Very cool, right? loL!