Blue Toad Photography

"Finding" my new job has seriously improved almost every aspect of my life in different ways. First of all, I'm happier. Like significantly and that's the most important thing, because I was feeling kinda hopeless for a while in my old position. I have a job that I enjoy, that allows me to get creative, and I'm thanked by my bosses after every day. I feel like I really fit in here and I'm motivated to do my job well and help improve the company. Secondly, it has allowed me to get to know the creative director here, Rob, who is an incredible photographer. We'd start out just talking about photography a little bit, since it's always been a hobby of mine. Something I felt passionate about and loved to do but never seemed to find the drive to push myself further. As time passed, we'd go more in depth and I'd learn more and more every day. He's given me copies of programs and Strobist tutorials, and helped me decide on my next piece of photo equipment. As of now we have a deal worked out, where I'll bring him subjects to add to his portfolio and in return I get free studio lessons. Just last weekend, I went and helped him set up all of the equipment and completely assisted him on a shoot. I'm feeling so much more fulfilled, and hopeful that my ten years of amateur photography will actually turn into something more. I mentioned my cousin's engagement shoot a few entries back. What a big deal for me, and what a sense of achievement that gave me. I'm super motivated to keep learning, and with the gift of a new flash, to keep expanding my horizons within the field by learning portrait photography and even outdoor lighting techniques. Basically, this entry is a big THANK YOU - to Rob, my job, and myself for making the moves I had to in order to become a happy, complete version of myself. Check out this beautiful portrait from Rob at Blue Toad Photo:

That model isn't half bad either, huh? ;)

There's a glimpse of the shoot where I played assistant. I set that stuff up! Gels and strobes and beauty dishes dance around my head at night. I'm definitely amped about diving right into this.

If you're interested, please visit the Blue Toad Photography website.
And "like" the Facebook page!
Word of mouth is huge in such a competitive industry.
You'll definitely be seeing more from us.

Anyone who lives locally (Suffolk County, NY) who would be interested in having portraits taken, feel free to email me at corinnegalvin@gmail.com.

Me: A-Z

Ainsley had filled this out a while back, and I've been meaning to do one for myself!
Remember these?

A. Age: 24
B. Bed size: Full
C. Chore that you hate: Clearing the drain in the kitchen sink, cleaning my fish tank, and drying my hair? Does that count?
D. Dogs: Bailey's far away, but he's my family pup. Poodle Shih Tzu mix. Total mush and a mama's boy. I want five more.
E. Essential start to your day: Coffee pot on, teeth brushed.
F. Favorite color: Amber.
G. Gold or Silver: Silver.
H. Height: 5’7"
I. Instruments you play: I'm the least musically inclined.
J. Job title: Gal Friday.
K. Kids: None. Beta fish.
L. Live: Long Island, New York.
M. Mother’s name: Antoinette.
N. Nicknames: Boonka.
O. Overnight hospital stays: I've managed to avoid those despite my constant clumsiness.
P. Pet peeves: Bigotry.
Q. Quote from a movie: "Each cut, each scar, each burn, a different mood or time. I told him what the first one was, told him where the second one came from. I remembered them all. And for the first time in my life I felt beautiful. Finally part of the earth. I touched the soil and he loved me back." - Secretary
R. Right or left handed: Lefty loosey.
S. Siblings: My best friend, Victoria, 21.
U. Underwear: H&M, Gilly Hicks, Aerie.
V. Vegetable you hate: I might love every vegetable.
W. What makes you run late: Sleeping past my three alarms.
X. X-Rays you’ve had: Teeth.
Y. Yummy food that you make: The best grilled cheese ever. Tacos. Kale. Curry chicken. Fried rice. Nothing too fancy. Oh and cupcakes!
Z. Zoo animal: Meerkats, giraffes, elephants, red pandas, slow loris.

Il Bambino Panini Restaurant

Hello, internet. Basically, I'm the worst blogger ever. Terribly inconsistent. But when something's good, it's good and I want to share it. So here goes!

About a week ago, I ventured out to Astoria, Queens with a coffee and my beloved Canon Rebel for a very urban engagement shoot with my cousin Dan and his beautiful fiance Jackie. I got to visit Astoria Park for the first time, which was beautiful. As a treat, we stopped by 5 Pointz, which is a really incredible spot in Long Island City where tons of talented graffiti artists come and leave their mark on the sides of an entire block of buildings. That in itself was astounding.
Astoria Park
5 Pointz
View from a rooftop in Astoria (off Steinway)

And then, as compensation for my "work" (following my cute family around with my camera), they took me to dinner at their favorite panini restaraunt Il Bambino.
"Blending an Italian-style paninoteca with a Spanish-style tapas menu,
Il Bambino’s objective is to provide customers with top produce, exceptional,
but reasonably priced food, and good wine."

And that it does! Il Bambino is very quaint and quiet with good lighting and good background music (red wine and Fiona Apple mix very nicely). It's also extremely clean? I feel like that should be noted. We split a bottle of Borsao Red and ordered the soup du jour which was a potato and cauliflower puree which was also amazing. I decided for my main course to try a panini totally new to me, and went with the fried eggplant (with roast mushrooms, goat cheese, and spicy mayo). Oh my GOD it was good.
mmm.

There is nothing like soup and warm sandwiches on cold nights. Il Bambino gets two thumbs up.

Spending a day with these two wasn't so bad either. Nice photo, right? ;)
Thanks to the creative director at my job for helping me with editing, giving me a copy of Lightroom, and most recently an on hand lesson in studio lighting/my own photoshoot. More on that later. But check out his website. That was a shameless plug. Oh, my cousin is a really talented musician. Check out his facebook page.

And check out my photos on display at the engagement party!
2012 Resolution: My own art gallery. Even if just for one night.
Even just to drink cheap wine with my friends and feel super accomplished at the same time.

That's it for now! Hopefully everyone has a very wonderful Thanksgiving and if you're lucky (like me!) an awesome four day weekend full of family, friends, stuffing, and maybe even The Muppet Movie! If you don't go see it, you might not have a soul.

xo

10/31

i hope everyone has a very safe and spooky and happy halloween!

-hp <3

Weekend Update #2: Out Of The Darkness

Sunday I took part in something really important and special. At Old Westbury Gardens (also known as one of the most beautiful places ever, seen in the movies Cruel Intentions and Hitch), there was an Out Of The Darkness community walk. These are run by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and take place all over the United States. The walks are intended to honor loved ones lost to suicide, support the cause, and to raise awareness as well as educate and improve understanding of the subject. Suicide is often seen in movies, read about in novels, and even sung about. It can appear to be glamorous and maybe even as a way to "make your mark", but that's all wrong. I feel that like homosexuality and developmental disabilities, suicide is also too often joked about. It is a very serious subject, as well as an extremely sensitive one. I was glad to be able to participate. For those who've lost loved ones to suicide, I can see these walks serving a very therapeutic function, for you're surrounded by hundreds of people who have faced the same sad fate as you, but are coping and remembering and honoring their loved ones. I was very happy to be there in support of this. The gardens were beautiful and I made my team shirt really fun. Since I don't have a nickname, I commemorated one of the strongest fictional men I know.

The rest of Sunday was spent eating sandwiches and relaxing outside in the surprisingly warm October weather, and playing with babies.

If you or anyone you know are interested in the AFSP or these walks particularly, please visit their website at outofthedarkness.org. From there you can find an event near you, make a donation, help spread the word, and also just read up and gain a bit more understanding about suicide, warning signs, and prevention.

Also, if you or anyone you know is having thoughts of suicide, feelings of hopelessness and emotional distress, or is displaying any one of these behaviors:

• Talking about wanting to die or to kill oneself.
• Looking for a way to kill oneself, such as searching online or buying a gun.
• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live.
• Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain.
• Talking about being a burden to others.
• Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs.
• Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly.
• Sleeping too little or too much.
• Withdrawing or feeling isolated.
• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge.
• Displaying extreme mood swings.
  

please call 1-800-273-TALK.
Additional information can be found on the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.