inspired by ... part I

So i want to share some people with you ... not that they're my own secret people or anything but people who inspire me photographically & to be the best that i can. People who support me, who i can turn to for advice & well putting it mildly give a whole new meaning to the word talent. 

Part I is dedicated to an incredible talented artist ... she's one of those ladies who can rock all photographic genres. In the beginning i knew her solely for her portraits, amazing surreal (sometimes self) portraits. I can't even begin to understand how she sees the things she does, it astounds me when i see new work appearing. Her ideas would seem so out there on paper, but she puts them together in a way that everything works like it's meant to be. Ok yes you've guessed who this fabulous lady is ... the exceptionally talented Elle Moss Photography. 

I admit it, I'm going to town on the adjectives, delving deep into the depths of my vocabulary to come up with new words worthy of such a wonderful lady. & maybe i am gushing a little but i can't help myself. You see the thing about Elle isn't just that she knows how to take pretty pictures but the time she's willing to put back into helping others. I am incredible lucky to have gotten to know the lady behind Elle Moss over the past couple of years, through Etsy & the internet. She has become someone i can turn to for advice with my photography, pushing me to achieve my dreams. 

& her photography doesn't stop at portraits, the whimsical & dream like feel continues into other genres such as her portrayal of nature & her incredible still life's. It's no surprise that her work has been featured in a large number of publications, exhibitions across the globe & is displayed in the homes of various celebrities. Her dreamy, whimsical, breath taking photography & her own fabulous self inspire me daily in my quest (yes i said quest) to sell my fine art full time. She is where i home to be one day & i thank her for being someone i can turn to for help through my own photographic journey. 

You can view more work by Elle Moss Photography in her Etsy shops:

Elle Moss 

Alice B. Gardens

it's the simple things in life that make me happy ...

my new imac (it's so purdy) ...

curry (it's totally my favourite food right now) ...

loving this shop for jacob ...

cute as a button ...

it's snowing outside my window!

the nelou & laura show + week 25 = "pattern"

So we finally got caught up & then my computer crashed ... so yet again we are behind but i promise we will be back on track faster than you can say jack robinson ... so here we have week 25 (almost half way) & pattern ... enjoy!

me . nelou

happy friday ...

so my computerS (yes plural i now have a pretty shiny new imac) are back up & running after a very stressful couple of weeks. That means i will be back to blogging next week with lots of exciting stuff including portraits, some more b&w ... & other random stuff! Anyways me & Mrs Duck here just stopped by to wish you all a happy friday & a wonderful weekend!

why we back up ...

So this really wasn't my plan for today's blog ... it involved lost of pretty pictures & talk of exploration & experimentation & well the fun stuff. Last night my beloved lifeline ... ummm i mean laptop crashed! Yes i am not a happy wee bunny ... but keeping my fingers crossed it will survive (right now it's "reparing permissions"). & i can't lie it is something of a traumatic experience ...

But i am not freaking out ... why you ask? Because (drum roll please)... i back up my work onto external hard drives & my time capsule! Not only do i back up my work but i back up my actions & my templates & anything that if i loose not only could it cause me to break down like a hormonal teenager but financially it could hurt me. Yes having to purchase a new computer is not something that was on my list of things to do this week but the hurt is a whole lot less knowing that my photos of my son are safe, & years worth of sweat & tears (yes you know you've been there too) are good to go. I don't have to go explaining to clients that the shoot they paid for is down the drain.

& whilst i don't get to leave you with something pretty & shiny ... like a cupcake, or my sons gorgeous smile ... i do get to sleep tonight knowing that whilst my computer my die tomorrow i still have what really matters.

ps. send happy thoughts the way of my computer & hope that tomorrow there will be something gorgeous for me to share with you!

experimenting in the frost ...

This coming week is going to be all about "experimentation" & exploring photography (amongst other things). A little down time has given me the opportunity to explore & have some fun & step outside of my photographic box. Yesterday morning i was able to take a walk in the gorgeous frost & these are the results of my walk ... i love the mix of abstract & light & i'm indulging my current b&w obsession! 

happy friday ...

"A great photograph is one that fully expresses what one feels, in the deepest sense, about what is being photographed."
~ Ansel Adams

Have a wonderful weekend everyone! xx

raining umbrellas ...

A wonderful photographer i know (she really is wonderful i promise) ... also runs an online creative e-course. & i figured i would share it with you ... because it's january & i know we all get the post christmas blues, maybe a little inspirational slump. So anyways take a look at it ... it's all kinds of fun, not to mention you meet some great artists. 

So if you're interested in learning more about this course ... head over to Simply Hue & click on the Raining Umbrellas creative e-course tab (don't you just love the name) & sign up. Plus this coming session is over 25% off. 

all things pretty ...

this is an original illustration by my incredible talented friend ella ... we went to school together & she was amazing back then, well a "couple" of years later you know she only got better! I love how soft & feminine & beautiful her bows are. Check out her blog & her website for more gorgeousness & go like her on facebook because we all need more updates on her pretty!

play time ...

The one advantage to have some down time is that i'm getting to play around with old work, images that whilst i love composition wise i'm not totally happy with the edit. In the past year i have grown tremendously (& yes yes i do believe modest is such an over rated quality) & my style i feel is really coming into it's own. I'm finding much more of myself in my work & i love it. So i'm going back over old work, experimenting, trying new things & walking away happier because of it. Do you ever do that, revisit your old work? Anyway i wanted to share a few of those with you from my trip to Provence in July of 2010. & hopefully soon you'll see some of these available for sale on etsy or possible my society 6 shop which i really must tell you all about later this week ... don't let me forget! 

it's the simple things in life that make me happy ...

my camera collection ...

this blog ...

i want this print & tee & hoodie & everything ...

running ...

snuggles with jacob!

the nelou & laura show + week 24 = "new beginnings"

So it's the first week in January & we're back on schedule (big pat on the back for us) ... this weeks theme was "new beginnings". 

nelou . me

*photo credit: Lynn Timmons 

So i leave you with 2 things ... 

1. can you guess the book in my photo?

2. suggestions for themes in the weeks to come!

hopes & dreams for 2012 ...

I'm not big on resolutions ... in fact i hate them! Why wait until the 1st day of the year to make a change like that, do it now, this moment & follow through. So instead i want to share with you the hopes & dreams of some incredible inspirational people! 

"My dreams and plans for 2012 is to spend the majority of my time working on my painting collection, to build a body of work so I am able, hopefully, by mid year to get an agent and have a gallery show."

     ~ Ella Woolner

{blog}

"2012 to me is a year of opportunities. A year that will bring me to new heights in my carreer. On Jan 1st, I sat down and made my list of achievements for myself and my business in 2012 and my biggest goal on my list is to "Stay true to my style and what I wish to evoke from my art". The rest will follow."

     ~ Eva Ricci

{website}

"For 2012 I hope I can still work with what I love the most, photography. My dream is to become a full time wedding photographer in North Carolina. I hope I can see my family in Brazil more often, get a dog, enjoy more warm days and spend some time at the beach with my husband.

I wish people would help each other more, the world would truly be a better place."

     ~ Caroline Lima-Benusa

{website}

"After 10 years of practice & possibility, 2012 is the year that I will learn how to be a yoga teacher. 2012 is an opportunity to take my knowledge to a whole other level, and to continue as a life-long student. For 2012, I hope AND dream to share lots of time & memories with those that I love, and to help others smile more often "

     ~ Victoria Klein

{website}

"Twenty Twelve for me is a year to live in the moment. To seek and create joy in the everyday. A year to breathe deeply, love deeply, and laugh deeply."

     ~ Serena Nicole Chapel

{website}

"2012 is all about authenticity and simplicity in my life and business! For me achieving this goal means living everyday with focused intention and attention to that which is most important in my life, truly inspires me and makes me feel genuine joy and a sense that what I am doing is exactly what I am suppose to be doing. 

Specifically in my design biz I've realized that I do not have to try to attempt every new marketing tactic, social media site, latest trend, follow the advice of every person who seems to have achieved success, etc. Instead, I will focus on those "mentors" whose message and business knowledge are truly inline with my definition of success, values and goals for my business.

I wish for you & everyone joy, peace, prosperity and an abundance of happiness in 2012!"

     ~ Tania Welch

{website}

"Well, yesterday I was writing about gratitude, so I guess that my wish & aspiration for this New Year that just came is to continue feeling this way.

Gratitude turns everything into enough and I just can't think of anything better than that. I don't have specific goals to share or at least that I feel are worth mentioning and occupying ... word space. I wish mostly for more openness in people's hearts & minds, less disease, more cures, less abuse, more recovery, less hate, more love, peace on this Earth.

I'd like to find ways to be able to do even a tiny little bit into contributing for a better world each day and by that I don't only mean our advanced societies. I'm thinking about every human being, on every place of the globe.

I guess that's it my dear, thank you so much for inviting me here to take part in your post. Happy, blessed year to you and your family!"

     ~ Iro Ivy Nassopoulos

{blog}

& mine ... well in 2011 my dream of a little boy came true. In 2012 it's all about the pretty pictures, & achieving my dreams photographically. I want to focus on my fine art, it's where my heart lies & it's where i want my photographic career to be.

What are your hopes & dreams for 2012?

a marbled godwit ...

Until 5 minutes ago i had no clue what a Marbled Godwit was ... thank you for your help Kristi ... & happy hump day to everyone!

ps. It's available for sale on etsy ... 

the nelou & laura show + week 23 = "years end"

i hope you all had a fabulous new year (& we're finally up to date ... yay) ...

nelou . me

& this weeks theme ... "new beginnings ..."

it's the simple thing's in life that make me happy ...

new beginnings ... 

modern family (it's pee your pants funny & so so true) ...

cuddles with the munchkin ...

these stunning ceramics ... 

new ventures!