One of my Favorite Vendors

Join Ashe Design for their 12 Days of Christmas Celebration 
and win thousands of dollars in photography-related prizes 
now through Dec. 12




 http://www.facebook.com/AsheDesignLLC?sk=app_204684816209053

Special Offer for Veteran's Day to Support our Troops

Session Fee- Vet's Day Special

As I sit here thinking how thankful I am for my freedom and all the sacrifices the veteran and current military soldiers and families have made I was struck with the thought that, "Hey, I can do something!"  I want to offer money toward care packages.  For this weekend only and *ending on Sunday, November, 13th, 2011 at midnight (EST) I will be donating a portion of all new Session Fees that are purchased through this link specially added for this promotion.  (For every session booked $50 dollars will be donated to the USO to make care packages for military and their families.  Hopefully through a portion of session fees we can make the lives a little brighter with these care packages.  Sessions are priced at ($135) and include a 1 hr session at location of our choosing around the Hampton Roads area.

The USO offers this message:

Our troops make impossible sacrifices every day. They leave behind their homes, friends and family to put their lives on the line to defend America. And it’s not just our servicemen who sacrifice – their mothers, husbands, wives, and children must hold strong until their brave family members return home.

That’s why the USO works every day to support our troops and their families. From morale-boosting care packages, phone cards, and even care for our wounded warriors, the USO brings a touch of home to our deployed troops and brings them closer to their families.

This Veterans Day, honor the service of our military by helping our active duty troops on the front lines. Donate now to the USO. 

*Sessions can be scheduled between December and June of 2012.  These are for single person or family sessions.  I believe there is a place to leave a note, if you could leave the date you prefer for your session or leave a note to determine at a later time.

Monica Martin
www.CocoaBeanPhoto.com
https://www.facebook.com/CocoaBeanPhoto
757 692-8138

Making a Difference with Light

The moment you take the leap of understanding to realize you are not photographing a subject  but are photographing light is when you have control over the medium.- Daryl Benson - Alberta (2004)

In the age of social media with great images popping up everywhere, I have always found myself wanting to really be noticed as the photographer who doesn't just take a great portrait just because I have an expensive camera and gear, but has some degree of artistic intent behind doing what I do with these tools.    Since I believe it is important to never stop learning I have been delving into working on one of the most important factors in photography this last year.   *LIGHT.*  Many have argued it is the only factor, that you are only interpreting light which results in depth, color, and space within the photograph.  

I believe in the photographer's magic — the ability to stir the soul with light and shape and colour.   -Amyn Nasser

I am by far from perfect at capturing light but I do hate stumbling upon what could be what I call "wall worthy" portraits out there and my heart sinks when I see the photographer has totally denied the use of light available to them.  Whether it be using strobes, a speedlight/flash, or even that huge #1 source of light, the sun.  This is one reason as I evolve in my work I want to make sure I am doing what I can to capture light and find my own talent with it.   While shooting sessions it's great when I am lost in the moment of what I am "seeing," especially when there is dynamic lighting involved.   As I shoot I also visualize images of what I feel the end result becoming.  Yes, and sometimes I talk to myself, but I promise I am not too crazy.  I do have 4 boys after all, and at home I find I'm talking to myself there too about end results and nobody listens.  ;o)   

Only recently did the opportunity come up that I was able to attend a great lighting workshop by Will King.    His images are dynamic and dimensional all because he has an amazing understanding of light and he uses it enthusiastically. This particular workshop was focused on balancing ambient light with flash in outdoor locations. 

These are just a few of the images that I was able to capture while at his workshop. Now, these models are already beautiful, but when we added the right touches of light it was amazing the transformation from flat dull images to ones that are full of definition, depth, and beautiful color. A beautiful balancing act of light!  I think the results are definitely more stunning!  Be sure to check out more images on my FaceBook Page!  As always, feel free to comment!

 

Shopping for Mom with a Cause! Check it out!!

Head on over and check out the great items.  Please come by and say hi, pick up a gift certificate for photography and you will earn extra certificates.  

Wonderful cause and Mother's Day shopping is done!  So excited to see what's there.

Summer Days are Family Days at the Beach

So much to blog about!  I am so thankful to be as busy as I am, but I am getting behind on the blogging!  If I could just get this thing to read my mind as I try to go to sleep!  I guess I should be careful for what I wish for.  You never know what technology is popping up these days.  ;o)

Now back to the purpose here, FAMILY PORTRAITS!  Yes, I love the feeling of creating a beautiful family portrait.  That type of portrait you are excited from the moment you order until long after it is hanging on the wall proudly.  I have had the pleasure of working with some great clients who have that excitment!    I worked with this family a little over a week ago and I can't wait to see their wall portraits come in!

I was so excited to process these that I posted a few on facebook but have been waiting to get a moment to post them here on my blog.  Love the spot we shot at to get this awesome reflection in the water.

I love this image with the grandparents and the grandkids.  They seemed to really adore these kids!   It was very sweet!

We got so many great shots that day.  The kids were wonderful to work with!

I hope you all enjoy your portraits!

To book your family session call 757-692-8138 or email:

Monica Martin
http://www.cocoabeanphoto.com/
monica@CocoaBeanPhoto.com
Facebook Page

Summer Beach time fun!

New preview today! Starring the beautiful Cassi and her cute as a button daughter Mackenzie. It was an absolutely gorgeous day at the beach but wow, that wind really made it a challenge.

These two faced that challenge with big smiles. Of course, I took out the ones where we were laughing so hard because Cassi’s hair was completely in front of her.

If you are a “fan” on my facebook page you may have read my post about them putting a little gift together for Cassi’s husband who is deployed right now. I know he will love it!

ADORABLE!

Hope you all enjoy the preview as much as Mackenzie’s Daddy will!

Thanks Cassi!

Monica Martin

http://www.cocoabeanphoto.com/
monica@CocoaBeanPhoto.com
757 692-8138
Facebook Page

Winner of the Cocoa Bean Photography session and gift card!

Congratulations to Eve and her family!

Eve signed up in hopes of winning the free session and a gift certificate in the silent auction at the “Race for Autism” a few weeks ago. I’m so excited that Eve and her family won and took advantage of the session!  She quickly got her family together for a beautiful afternoon at the beach with her husband, children and luckily we were able to include her mother and brother into the shoot as well.

I so enjoy capturing moments like this, you could tell there is a lot of love shared freely in thier family.

Nothing beats Grandma hugs!

You have a gorgeous family Eve! It was a pleasure to take these. I hope you enjoy the sneak preview!  Best wishes and prayers for your family.

Ashley and Gerry at Smithfield Station

Beautiful location with a beautiful couple.

I have a suspicion they like traveling to beautiful locations. Once headed out to Smithfield Station I met up with Ashley and her fiancé Gerry who just happened to be leaving on deployment a few days after. My heart goes out to them as they had to put up with me in their cherished moments together.

 I love what I do though and glad I got the chance to meet you both.

(One of my favorites!)

I had an idea that it would be more personable to hear from those I photograph. Here is their story of how they met in Ashley’s words.

"Our story" isn't the most glamorous, but we actually met when we were both down at the Outer Banks for the weekend. He was on a training trip and was supposed to leave on Friday Morning to return to VA. We met on Thursday night and instead of going back to VA to spend his birthday weekend with his friends, he and a couple of the other guys decided to stay in the Outer Banks to celebrate and to spend the weekend there instead. We hung out every day and night that weekend and have been inseparable ever since! One of the guys he was with actually ended up marrying one of the girls I was with for the weekend that I've known since elementary school.

He asked me to marry him in February when we were in Salt Lake City for the weekend. We are getting married next April in the Bahamas....

One joke we had going for a while is that we'd never met anyone with the "same eyes" which I guess you could say is what drew us together in the first place...

Congratulations to you both!  My prayers are with you until you are together again.

A few other images can be found on my facebook page. To check them out click here. http://www.facebook.com/CocoaBeanPhoto

Race 4 Autism Fundraising Event

Last Wednesday, I was invited by a friend to participate in a fundraising event for Autism. Thank you Tami! I found it a privilege to participate in an event that is so worthwhile. I offered up a gift certificate for photography for their silent auction. This is particularly near and dear to my heart as my son is effected by Asperger's Syndrome, a milder form within the Autism Spectrum disorders.

American Indoor Karting & Autism Society, Tidewater Virginia held the “Race For Autism.” It was put on at American Indoor Karting on Lynnhaven in honor of Autism Awareness Month. This race helped raise awareness and a percentage of the proceeds were given to the Autism Society, Tidewater Virginia.   There are so many ways to get involved and help out.  This was a great one!

As I was there, I of course had my camera that we affectionately have named "The Duchess." The duchess and I captured a lot of great people who helped out with the cause that night. I believe there were 8 teams participating including Tami's husband John with the T-Mobile team. The other teams included Valdez Family Team Justin, BB&T, Best Buy, Mythics, Just for People, Hooters, and Team Hunter. Congratulations to Best Buy who had a great race beating the other teams out.  Yes, even T-Mobile, sorry Tami!  Overall, it was quite impressive to see these businesses and all the people there supporting a great cause. 

My litle buddy JT getting sweet the Hooter's team.

More of the images can be viewed on my facebook page http://www.facebook.com/CocoaBeanPhoto.  If you participated in the event and would like a digital copy, please let me know.

For more information about the Autism Society, Tidewater Virginia. Call 757-461-4474 or visit http://www.tidewaterasa.org/.