Jocelyn and Sean, Olivas Adobe, Ventura

I am about ready to post Jocelyn and Sean's wedding photos. I had done their engagement/family session on a day that was a little crazy, filled with fires! They were all so pleasant and in spite of the wind, they all came together to capture a moment before their lives came together forever. It was a tropical as we could get on a fire ridden Saturday morning.

wrapping the present

I'm a big fan of the holidays. Both mine and both my boys are all born in the last two weeks of December. We were always a retail family. Only getting to enjoy the actual day off. Cramming all the holiday into about eight hours. I learned to wrap presents fast and usually really late at night so I'm pleasantly surprised that Jonathan has developed a talent that I don't possess. His Christmas present to me was soo nicely wrapped! It was so pretty that I took a photo of it. Presentation and motivation behind the gift are soo appreciated! Thanks, Jon and Josh for my Christmas presents.

My attempt to photograph my family by myself

thanks for everyone wishing me a happy birthday...

Today, we went to my brother and sister in law, Liz to make tamales. Bella with a Rainbow in Santa Barbara
Making Tamales
Sky above Rincon

Happy Birthday to Josh

Josh took photos with his band Loves Secret Domain. It's his birthday!

Jon's first fight in Thailand:

It's only the first round. He hopes to get the rest of the video from the gym in Thailand. Jon's the boxer in blue. He wins! Proud Mom :)

Thanksgiving

I was soo honored to photograph Sean and Jocelyn. They had their photos done during the fires in November and it was a little windy! I am soo looking forward to their wedding in December when they make it official!

Welcome Home

I work with Heather sometimes photographing dances. Her husband has been in Iraq and I had to honor to capture his homecoming as well as some other new arrivals. There were Moms waiting at the gate with babies that their Fathers had never seen before. It was very emotional! Thanks you Kurpiewski family, for sharing this moment with me!

Disfunctional Kaos' final show at Mai's Cafe in Ventura

I took the evening off to enjoy my son's band final performance. Thanks for everyone, including my friends, for coming out!

The Ranch House in Ojai, California

I was thrilled to be able to shoot Joe and Veronica's wedding at The Ranch House in Ojai, Califonia. It was such an amazing day at such a beautiful place. I was honored to capture the memories for them! Click HERE for slideshow

Jon's going to Thailand!

My son, Jon, has been studying Muy Thai and is going to a camp in Thailand in November. I cannot believe what good shape he is in! What do you think?

Here's a peek at the wedding I photographed yesterday Ojai, California for Veronica and Joe!

heidi

Lying on my bed!
looking guilty for something!
checking herself out in a mirror.

One thing that I have never posted on is my dog, Heidi. She came to us via the Humane Society when we adopted her and her awful habits in 1999. She's been a part of our family ever since, and she's pure happiness on four legs! I don't know how we ever lived without her. She's a little crazy and loves to chew my clothes when I work alot, which is all the time....and sleep on my bed when I'm not around.

everyday beauty

Remember to slow down, everyday and take in the beauty of the moment. I love the fall!

if my shoes fit....

When I was a little girl, I danced. I took ballet from time to time, but sometimes I would just dance, spontaneously, anywhere! (grocery store lines, school) you get the idea. When I grew up, I tried to resume my love of dancing, but that idea was suddenly put aside once again when I was t-boned by a semi-truck on the 101 freeway and was forced to once again, put away my ballet shoes for orthodic insoles. I've been meaning to try them on again, a bit afraid that they wouldn't fit, or I'd be still to injured to dance, but guess what? They do fit! And I'm gonna try them out tomorrow night at a re-entry level ballet class. Please pray for my feet, that they can dance once again.
9-15-08 8:00pm update: I took the class and it went great! No pain and I feel soo good!

click here to see what I found online. nice photos;)

I took these when I used to be a professional surf photographer.

Joe and Veronica's engagement

I was so honored to get to photograph Veronica, who's soo beautiful and Joe, her handsome husband to be, last Sunday in the newly built Channel Islands Harbor. Thanks, both of you for sharing your world with me...can't wait to photograph your wedding!

Labor Day evening

I finally took off a few hours to relax and ended up in the home of Gracie and Victor Fields. Victor grilled some delicious fish and Gracie made some sweet Sangria. They were celebrating Gabriel's birthday. Thanks for opening up your home to me tonight, and letting me be a part of it all! Ronnie

Short film with great message!

Watch it HERE

I saw this on [b]ecker's blog.
http://www.beckersblog.com

East of Eden

One of my favorite things to do is to read books and I'll admit to skimming over the classics just to pass my classes in school and not really absorbing them. So when I was photographing a student, I asked her what she liked to do. She said she loved to read and recommended "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck. I told her I would read it. I loved that book, but now it's over with. I'm waiting for my next book that I ordered from Amazon.

misc. tuesday

Today I got to get up at 4:45 and photograph new freshmen at Ventura High! I'm beat! Afterwards, we got to have lunch at a local restaurant where I totally enjoyed my first breakfast in ages. Then I stopped into a local thrift store(Ventura has lots!) and found a really cute jacket. It was made by a company which I don't even know if they still exist, but we carried this line at our old surf shop, many years ago. I felt it was meant to be mine at $3, plus it was super cute! That's the tag from the jacket, and it totally brings me back memories. I'll use it to photograph chilly fall days at the beach.

saturday nite

Today I did an art show in Ventura, California to show off my "Big Wednesday" photo. It was nice just to hang out, but I'm tired! Then I met with Veronica and Joe. I've known Veronica for years. She is an amazing makeup artist and owns "Venus" in Oxnard. We've always gotten along and I'm a huge admirer of her work. She makes my brides look beautiful! She's the one getting married now! I'm soo honored to get chosen to photograph their wedding.

gotta post...sorry no pics yet!

I've been really busy editing Mike and Sofie's wedding, but can't post them until they are ready! As well as Tiffany's sexy shoot....don't know if I'll ever be able to post those! I'm soo tired, yet happy. I love to photograph people. Guess that's why I do what I do. It's as if I feed off of their energy and enthusiasm! My dog's barking...I also need to post a photo of our dog, Heidi, cause she's an important part in our family! Also, need to get a new book at library or Barnes and Noble as I only read at night, no TV! as I try to create positive energy in our home. Hopefully photos soon!

touched by an angel

I had quite a week! I've been searching my soul, praying! I've been wondering if the path that I've taken in my life is still right for me? Seems like a lot of photographers, especially wedding photographers, are praising God for having found what is right for them (wedding photography?). I've always been a doer. Just my nature. Do what is in front of me and it will work out! I have no plan "B" I've always been a photographer and always will be one, but since I'm also very down to earth, I needed concrete evidence to confirm that I indeed should be pursuing such a well traveled path. Not as well traveled on my path. I've been sent two weddings withing two weeks to work NOW! Not next summer, which would be great, but NOW when I needed the work to keep myself a float. Hhmmm....Almost overwhelms me! One was for a family that actually lived next to me for 30 years in Santa Barbara! I got teary eyed just seeing the father give his youngest daughter away! She was named Veronica. Her sister told me that she remembered when Veronica was born, my father came over and told them how he loved that name and that his youngest was Veronica as well (Me!) My father died years ago, before my oldest son, Josh, now twenty one, was born. TO hear a story like that blew me away! You think that your parents pass away when they die, but they don't. Just shows you how they can bless your life forever!!!!!! Congratulations, Veronica and Henry! It was my honor to be at your wedding with your family!

misc. thursday

Seems like I'm shooting 24/7! Glad to be doing what I love. I'm tired. I'm shooting a wedding on the beach in Santa Barbara this Saturday! Gotta love it!

july 4th

Yesterday I photographed a fabulous wedding on the Majestic Yacht in Newport beach with Amy at vita-bella photography. It was soo fun, with a ceremony at sunset and fireworks. Today I was part of a street fair in Ventura and it went okay, but now I'm exhausted!

Disneyland engagement session of Paul and Roxanna

Last weekend I had the honor of capturing the engagement between Roxanna and Paul in front of Cinderella's Castle at Disneyland!

misc. wednesday

I've been really busy, which is good. I shot engagement at Disneyland. The images will follow soon.

veronica's shoes

Any fan of "Sex and the City" knows that the girls love the shoes! I've been a fan of boots for sooo long, especially after discovering that I had torn my right ankle ligament and went as a cripple for 10 LONG years, thanks to incompetent doctors'! Sorry, but they diagnosed me with all kinds of things when all along I'd torn my right ankle ligaments...Even when they went in for surgury, they didn't know what was up! I've been living with pain for years! Now that I'm better, I love to look for shoes that are comfortable and stylish! I've been wanting a pair of good black boots for years. I fell in love with some off of Jasmine Stars' blog! And I found out that they are called "the Veronica"! So today, a brand new pair came in the mail for me, and made my summer! (which is also a great time to buy Uggs!)

saturday freedom

Today is my first saturday off in a long time, as well as my last Saturday off in a long time! I plan to paint, swim, run, clean, shop and maybe paint some more!

greta&xena

Just to let you know that dogs aren't the only animals that I photograph!

READ THIS!

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

beautiful day

Life is too short not to spend random days at the beach!



I awoke yesterday morning with a work hangover. My feet were pounding from the long hours that I had shot over the past few days. I knew that I had to work later, so I decided to drag my dog to the beach really early, so I wouldn't see anyone I knew and walk in the ocean for a few minutes to relieve my mind and body. I ran into my friend, Janis, and her husband, Steve, on Coast Highway while they were looking for a spot to park their Cortez trailer for the day. It was such a beautiful morning, but I had to work. When I got to work, they said that I could take the day off! So back I went to the beach to relax and catch up with my friends!

Veronica Slavin's Photo Blog: Veronica Slavin's Photo Blog: "Big Wednesday"

My Letter to the Editor
check out my letter. I just wanted to have some fun at the street fair and maybe sell a few photos and meet people!

Veronica Slavin's Photo Blog: "Big Wednesday"

www.ronnieslavin.com

"Big Wednesday"

As some of you know, I photographed the Ventura Pier getting torn apart by 20' waves in 1995. Since then, I have had lots of interest in the photograph, including having a 20x30 copy of it hanging at the restaurant on the pier itself. I decided this year to submit an application to the City of Ventura for their annual 4th of July Street Fair. I was looking forward to it. Meeting people and selling this photo. I even had to get a resale number to do so. Well they turned me down. I think because I only submitted a photo of my photo and not a photo of my workshop or booth...I have neither since I was only going to create a booth once I got approval to be a participant. I guess the city would rather see vendors with the same old thing at every fair, not local, real artists. I once submitted the photo for a fundraisor calender for the Ventura Pier and was turned down as well....seeing as many people have wanted this photo over the years, kinda makes me wonder who decides who gets to sell and who doesn't. I had donated on 2 years ago for the "Pier into the Future" fundraisor that they had for the Ventura Pier and they were soo happy to get it!!!!!!!! okay, another peave about Ventura art: what's with the "art" at the SCAT Transit Center at the Pacific View mall? WHO decided to spend money on a sculpture rather that an overhead enclosure to shield the people who really use the SCAT????My son's had to wait in rain and hot sun next to this sculpture that does nothing for the real people who have to ride the bus.....If Ventura wants to be an "Art City" then it better get behind real people.

Santa Barbara Sunday

Today I shot a wedding with Stephanie at the Santa Barbara Court house. I got there early, so I took the elevator to the top of the court house, and took these. The one of the hillside is actually the hospital that I was born at, St. Francis. Cottage Hospital has purchase it and they are going to tear it down and put in condos for their doctors and employees. :( At least they will have a view! Then I went to dinner with my sister to Brophy Brothers in the harbor. It was a nice evening!

my style

I went to a photographer's meeting in Santa Barbara this week and these are the comments that I had about my work: Fun, photo journalistic, classic, great use of the environment. These comments were from other photographers that viewed my work and didn't know who it belonged to :)

Saturday Night Live

Okay, I am done for today! It was hot yet beautiful in Santa Barbara when I shot a wedding today. We took East Camino Cielo at the top of San Marcos Pass all the way along the crest of the mountains in Santa Barbara. We stopped at Ranger Station halfway through!! What a view. Like being in a plane, but Channel Islands were behind a haze. Then we drove rest of way across mountains to Montecito!! I just got new tires and now I probably will need more....lots of potholes! Now I'm gonna walk my dog and watch SNL. My son shot a wedding today and saw Chris Knight and Adrienne Curry, but he didn't care. I love them! I am a closet reality show junky ever since I had surgery on my ankle.

Caldino Family photos

This family was soo sweet and I love the necklaces that they wore. Here's a link to see some of their photos. Aloha.

Veronica Slavin's Photo Blog: this will make you smile! watch it gets better....

http://amcvideo.com/weddings_blog/?p=30

this will make you smile! watch it gets better....

Caldino Family

More to follow!
Saturday was a beautiful day! It was one of the best weather days yet this year. I had the honor of photographing the Caldino Family on the beach! There were ten of them!

must see video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OS2fI2p9iVs

Long Days....

Geez, it's after 12 AM! I just finished photographing a dance and I am wiped! This week was long and everyone that I talked too was having similar issues...paying taxes....car problems....but the one great thing about having a long week is that I get to do what I love!!!!!!!!!!! and everyone in my family is healthy!!!!!!!!!
Peace.

marcel and jenn

I had a great day! I photographed high school student :) While I was there, I ran into Marcel and Jenn, both teachers at the school and really great people. I realized that I had made a slideshow of their wedding last year, but didn't have a blog at the time, so now I posted it. Great to see both of you and thanks again for letting me be a part of your amazing day!

violet anytime

I have been wanting to photograph someone in a pretty field across from my house. The light is amazing there. A friend of mine's daughter, Violet, volunteered to be my guinea pig while I tested out some camera settings. She was a good sport as she smiled in spite of the many bugs! Violet, you are sooo BEAUTIFUL! Thanks for letting me capture you :)