If I were truly Brave…

Posted on January 25, 2017 by Gigi in My Life 2 Comments

If I were truly brave, I would pursue fashion photography and travel photography, but I’ve been telling myself I can’t because I’m to OLD, I don’t have enough experience, I don’t know the right people, and it would probably never eva happen. Really, though, the worst thing that could happen is I would fail, not get any commissions, hmmmmm go on a fabulous trips and take pictures.

BALI

My bravest friend, Molly would tell me to go for it, what do you have to lose? Your kids are grown, and you are at a place where you can take risks with no consequences. And at our age it takes a lot to break us down, so just go for it! And you are in a position where you don’t have to work a job that is not related to your passion…you are fortunate that you can do what your love everyday.

But I’m afraid other people, like “some established photographers” will say you don’t know enough, you don’t have the skills or experience or contacts. This is a young photographers “game” or a photographer with a solid track record in the industry and there is NO WAY you can break in…it’s to late for you!

Gigi

If that happens, I’ll respond by saying, I can try and do some “free” work for some up and coming designers that may need a look book, I can reach out to some fashion bloggers that may want to be photographed (working with one in March), I can set up sessions with models that are looking to build their portfolio, I can take images when I travel and start building a portfolio (I already do) , I can reach out to online travel sites that hire freelance photographers.

If I want to begin pursuing fashion and travel right this minute, I can set up some sessions with a couple of models that reached out to me on instagram. Then, over the next few months, I can take pictures on upcoming trips, and start building a travel portfolio and fashion one as well. Even if no one ever hires me or gives me a chance, I won’t give up because the worse thing that can happen I’ll just be shooting gorgeous pictures for myself! I love to travel and I always take pictures anyway. I love going to fashion week and shooting just because, so I really have nothing to lose!

If you were truly brave what would you do? And what steps would you take?

XoXO,

GIGI

quote

What are your favorite things about yourself?

Posted on January 20, 2017 by Gigi in My Life 1 Comment

Gigi photographer

Have you ever noticed, myself included how when someone gives you a compliment you downplay the compliment as a way not to seem full of yourself? Why is that?

Do you have conversations like this:

Friend- “You look really good, you lost weight!”

Me- “No Way, I’m at an all time high hahahaha.”

Friend- “Your curls are jamming!”

Me- “No, look at this part right here, it is all dry.”

Friend- “I love your shoes!”

Me- “These old things…”

Friend- “Your makeup looks good”

Me- “Oh no, I have on a ton of concealer on , see look at all this discoloration…”

So I started thinking about this, not accepting compliments, especially genuine ones. We all know the other kind like…

Friend- “Oh my goodness, you have lost a TON of weight- What did you do?”

Friend- “Do you ever get your hair DONE?”

Friend- “You should really look into BOTOX, it would take years off you!”

So I’m going to take a moment to share what I love about myself, no apologies.

I love that I have embraced my natural hair and after many hours and numerous concoctions later, I have it down.

Gigi January 2016
I’m proud that I have reinvented myself and that I am pursuing my passion- photography.

Gigi

3. I love that I am an open book and that the older I get the more authentic I am…4. I love that I always look for the good in every situation and everyone.

5. I love meeting new people.

What do you love about yourself? Are you a good friend? A great parent? Are you a natural athlete ? This is your time to share… I’d love to know.

XOXO,

Gigi

Change

Posted on June 27, 2016 by Gigi in My Life Comments Off

Gigi

Being on the planet for more than half a century there have been people I have come in contact with that have inspired me and encouraged me to grow as an individual. Some of them are still in my life and some are not.

Change is a part of life and our growth as human beings. It is not always comfortable, matter of fact it can be painful at times. Part of this life journey is getting places we want to go. Setting goals and having a vision is only one part, you have to execute and follow through. Recently everyday I have been writing my elevate and execute tasks down in a notebook and it has really helped my productivity- like writing my blog daily again.

Figure out who you are and focus on your talents, no matter what your age is or where you are in your life journey it is never to late to explore another path. Limit your time with those individuals who feel they are superior to you the ones who you would like approval from, but sometimes these are the ones that will never see you as “good enough”. I have run into photographers in my short career that love telling me how much I don’t know… I limit my interaction with those types in exchange for those photographers who are willing to share and inspire me.

As this month is rapidly coming to an end, I am embracing some changes in my personal and business life. I’m excited and will be sharing changes here as they develop.

Who or what inspires you?

Btw if you are looking for a great book to read this summer check out the book my club is reading here.

Those of you that really know me – know that I am a cat woman- check these dolce gabbana cat-ture dresses out…and yes I would wear one of these-lol

cat dresses

Happy Monday!

Xoxo,

Gigi

Relationship Goals

Posted on June 24, 2016 by Gigi in My Life Comments Off

Mr. & Mrs.

I will be celebrating 27 years of marriage in a few weeks, add in the 2 years we dated that brings us to 29 years- a long time! More than half of my life. While no relationship is perfect- and if it were I think that would be quite boring. I was thinking about what makes my relationship rock? Here are a few things I came up with.

1. I know this seems like a no brainer, but we still sleep together in the same bed, same room. Not always the case. The other day a guy was sharing with me some doggie drama that now because of it his wife sleeps in another room with one of the puppies.

2. Don’t hold grudges. Speak your mind, have disagreements and move on. Oh and COMMUNICATE! The quiet BS does not work if anything it just builds resentment.

3. Your spouse should be your best friend- the one you want to share stuff with- the good the bad and the ugly. The person you can share your fears with, the one that will not judge you- the one that understands you-

4. Treat your spouse with respect. Adore him. Adore her. Continue to give compliments to one another.

5. Do and try new things together. Travel. Bottom line continue to date, don’t let your kids, work etc. stop you from having private time together.

6. Always have some interests of your own- Continue to grow as an individual.

7. Remember why you fell in LOVE…

Happy Friday- What are your plans for the weekend? I will be working, but my Sunday will end at the Hollywood Bowl one of my favorite summer venues.

Happy Friday!

Xoxo,

Gigi

Our villa in Ubud

MERAKI

Posted on June 23, 2016 by Gigi in My Life Comments Off

Gigi

I’m a word junkie, I like discovering new words. So my new word that I discovered that I just love is MERAKI.

“Greek. maraki {may-rah-kee} (adjective) This is a word that modern Greeks often use to describe doing something with soul, creativity, or love — when you put “something of yourself” into what you’re doing, whatever it may be.”

I feel this way about my photography. Discovering what one is passionate about is not easy, I did not discover mine until about 3 years ago. Yes, I have aways liked taking pictures all my life, but I never thought it would become a career that I absolutely love.

Over my life I’ve been sort of ADD with all my passions, in the past I would lock into something that I thought was the one and then the interest would wane. Self doubt would creep in making me question my purpose and if I am good enough to be doing this or sometimes I would just loose that initial excitement.

I dabbled in interior design for a few years, loved it, did the program at UCLA, worked at the Pacific Design Center, did a few clients, opened a home decor boutique and something happened where my enthusiasm was no longer there, I realized I just wanted to design my own space and buy things that I loved personally.

I was passionate about my brownie business, did it well, developed it from the ground up with my best friend had a lot of success, but then I got married and had Amani and my interest shifted to other things.

When I changed my diet I became obsessed with the vegan lifestyle, I started being an educator for others, hosting cooking classes in my home, living breathing everything vegan…and then I went to France and had a little piece of cheese with a glass of wine and I have been going back and forth trying to recommit.

And then there was my knitting binge, where I would knit nonstop, buying yarn from all over the world, reading knitting magazines, totally consumed, and then I would stop just like that and pack all the yarn away.

I could go on and on in all my distractions and paths my passions have led me on only to end on a dead end road.

So there are times when I wake up in the middle of the night, and I think “I’m a photographer” a sort of historian for others, capturing and documenting their lives, and what I do is valuable and I love every minute of it. Knowing that keeps me motivated and excited – it may have took a half a century to discover but I’m at a good place and the time for me is now.

So back to my word, maraki here is my sentence using my new word:

My meraki is in everything I photograph. What are you passionate about?

quote

Happy Thursday,

xoxo,

Gigi

Summer To Do List

Posted on June 22, 2016 by Gigi in My Life 2 Comments

Gigi

Every year my family and I have been fortunate to take a family vacation- a destination selected and planned by me without many restrictions, the only one being, that travel takes place in August. We usually alternate years with an exotic trip abroad with something in the states the following year. This year we will be going to Kauai and Maui.

Hawaii is a special place for me for 2 reasons: 1. Kauai is where Reggie and I got married way back in 1989.

Wedding Day july 23, 1989 1 week before 30

2. It is the first place I traveled alone as a child.

My girl scout troop went to Hawaii when I was in the 6th grade. I remember the trip vividly, my mom gave me $30.00 for spending money and I was going to be there for 7 days which was about 4.00 per day, by the way most of our meals were included, but I wanted to bring all my family members a souvenir back from this tropical paradise. So even back then 30.00 did not go far, so my 11 year old brain decided that I could shoplift the 5 gifts I needed for my family. There was no rhyme or reason to what I stole just the right opportunity, I just could not return empty handed, so hence my gifts were a collection of oddities but never the less a gift from Hawaii.

Now that summer is here, this is my

list that I would like to cross off by the time Labor Day arrives.

Take advantage of our Cali beaches
Host a couple of fun dinner parties.
Give a face lift to my back yard.
Create a studio space to “paint” some portraits.
Hollywood Bowl summer nights.
Scrubs at my favorite Korean spa.
Paddle boarding
Mermaid shoots.
A boudoir b-day celebration with some of my BFF’s
Fix and or get a new bike and start riding again
bump up my workouts so I’m not hiding behind a coverup on my Hawaii trip
Try some new outdoor brunch spots that are veggie friendly

What’s on your summer wish list? I’d love to know-

Xoxo Gigi

Gigi

Happiness Seeker

Posted on June 20, 2016 by Gigi in My Life 2 Comments

A year ago I was in the throes of my son’s high school graduation, transitioning to being an official empty nester, as my son prepared to depart to upstate New York for college while at the same time juggling my young photography business. I’ve been thinking about time and how we can mark our lives by these little landmarks. Birth. Preschool. High School. College. Career. Marriage. Children. Repeat the cycle with your own kids and add in some unfortunate mishaps such as, death, illness, unemployment, aging parents, addiction, divorce, etc. and you have this thing called life.

I’ve learned that it is those unpredictable moments that keep life interesting- those moments when you feel literally on the edge, those moments where your heart just drops to the ground with no warning, moments where you wonder how will you go on? Like your son coming home after Thanksgiving and not returning to school, or a friend unbeknownst to you is suffering from depression and decides to check out permanently. These moments reinforce how important it is to embrace each day and live your life to the fullest.

Deleting what no longer gives you pleasure and restructuring your life to the best of your ability. Like when my son came home from school I encouraged him to take some cooking classes, which he did and as a result he catered a dinner party for 16 people a few weeks ago, discovering a passion that he did not know he had.

I’ve always been a “happiness seeker”. I don’t function well under duress, matter of fact I shut down totally, rejecting the source of madness. This started a long time ago when I was a child, my mother and father would argue most of the time, loud screaming matches and I remember going into the closet and hiding until it was over. I was also the person, who would walk off a job not knowing how I was going to pay next month rent because I was not “happy” with the situation.

I will always continue to grow as a woman as long as I am on the planet- embracing my passions, regardless of naysayers, willing to take risks, willing to change something that is not working, understanding that failure is a big part of the growth and is a good thing.

Happy Monday! I know it has been a while –

Xoxo,

Gigi

My Professional life

Posted on March 15, 2016 by Gigi in My Life Comments Off

Gigi

Now that my “professional” life has begun, after 3 decades or so of wandering, I feel desperate to be somewhat successful, to make up for lost time. I don’t have regrets for my past, but I’m reminded so often when I meet peers close to my age or more often read about them in publications, it is at those times I feel behind.

I love what I’m doing, being a photographer, even if my work is not hanging in a gallery, I’m not a keynote speaker at WPPI, nor am I doing assignments for Vogue or NY fashion week. I am capturing and documenting the existence and beauty of women who trust me with their soul and vulnerabilities.

When I imagined my new life as a photographer, I never thought about my age, or what others were doing, it was my passion and I was not concerned where it was going to go or end.

I’m grateful that I am in good health, that I embrace my 10 extra pounds, I have a supportive husband, my kids are navigating and figuring out their purpose in this world and life for the most part is really good.

I believe everything happens when it is supposed to and I have to trust that this is my time. I’m 5’6″ (I wish) 56 years old and my life is just that my life, the one with my quirky family, surrounded by my kitties, hopelessly shoe addicted, camera toting, complicated, kinky curly hair wearing, loving, traveling, stressful and 98% of the time happy woman.

Happy to be back after my 2 week hiatus-

Xoxo,

Gigi

Giving up? Or have you had Enough?

Posted on February 25, 2016 by Gigi in My Life 3 Comments

“There’s a difference between giving up and knowing when you’ve had enough.”

One thing about the 50’s you know when you have had enough. Perhaps it is because you know you are on the other side of that half of a century mark and you know while some people make it to the ripe old age of “100” most of us don’t…

You realize that you are responsible for your life, and your life is the one you have created for yourself…the good the bad and the ugly. If you have been living someone else’s life for the past 50 or so years, you know it is time to at least entertain a change, a little shift in your priorities.

Take that passionate leap and go for whatever- take a chance, especially if you have been consumed with obstacles that have prevented you in the past. Don’t be afraid to make a mistake, failure can be a good thing. I have forgotten half the things I failed at, but what I do recall is that I was not afraid to try- and I have a garage full of remnants of past ventures that fell by the wayside.

Surround yourself with those that uplift you- let go of those that bring you down. Find the “right” people who will inspire you to be your best. If there are those in your life that are causing you anxiety, back away or if it is one of those complicated situations figure out a way to make a change. Embrace change and navigate it and know it is for a reason- don’t stay and be stagnant.

The good thing about being on this planet for a long time you have witnessed a lot and hopefully you have learned something. For me I always check my happiness meter and if it starts going in the wrong direction I quickly evaluate and make adjustments quickly. In my past life, I was notorious for ending relationships abruptly, walking off jobs, moving suddenly, all for the pursuit of happiness and sometimes to maintain my sanity.

So, when do you know you have had enough? I’d like to know.

xoxo,

Gigi

Happy Gigi

Do you feel good enough?

Posted on February 23, 2016 by Gigi in My Life Comments Off

Quote

Do you feel good enough? In your profession? In your personal relationships? In your life?

We are in a world where it is easy to feel as though you are constantly being judged. Judged about everything- your appearance, your weight, your clothing, home, car, partner, education, children, the list goes on and on.

Gigi

In my profession, photography, your work is constantly being judged. We live in a visual society, where we are bombarded nonstop with images. Instagram & pinterest are leading social media with the imagery that is posted every second.

I can’t help, that I too get caught up in the competition game of judging work of other photographers, or images I see in magazines. Fortunately, I quickly am able to put things in perspective and continue to work on me and where I am on my creative journey.

To stay on track and keep the negatively at bay, that can sneak up on you- here are a few tips on keeping those negative vibes at bay..

1 Remember your journey is just that “yours”- work on you and don’t worry about “them”.

2 Everything happens for a reason. I have to believe there is a reason I began my professional photography career in my 50’s.

3 Find and maintain your own inner happiness. There is always going to be someone “better”, “richer”, “skinnier” etc., whatever that thing is that gets under your skin, trust me, there is someone out there doing it.

4 Everyday you rise, choose happiness over negativity.

5 Work daily on your goals- you will make progress little by little.

6 Don’t get stuck in the “what ifs”- Just Do it!”

7 Be passionate about life and your pursuits.

8 If you want something bad enough you will figure out a way to make it happen.

9 You are stronger that what you think you are- you can overcome obstacles that may be troubling you now.

10 Never stop trying- your setbacks will make you stronger.

What makes you feel “not good enough?” How do you deal with those feelings? I ‘d love to know.

Happy Tuesday!

Xoxo,

Gigi

gigi

1 2 3 4 5 6 Next »

My Life

Follow