May 28 2012

Growth

“Being scared to death just means it’s something that I really need to do”

– Mary Marantz

Last week Mary Marantz made me stop in my tracks again. With her quite light-hearted but rather deep blog post (the quote above comes from that post).

And Jasmine Star made me think. Well, Jasmine has been making me think for the last few years I can say. With her raw honesty, pure professionalism and beautiful words. So here is this post of hers: Because You Can. Creatives, read it, I am sure it will resonate with you.

There is a gut feeling inside each and every one of us, and that gut feeling is the voice that is always right. Being wrapped in the state of always doing and pushing and going ahead and learning and shooting and bookkeeping and obsessing about site statistics silences that voice, which is a little bit scary. But then I realize – that gut feeling will not evaporate, the truth will stay inside of me and will continue to fire up my desire to create.  This truth is your core. Everything else has to be done over and over again, like pages turned in the book you are so eager to finish, but your passion for something you know you are here for will keep you grounded and will get you evolving. Pushing your limits. Even if you’d  rather crawl into a quiet corner and start sorting last month’s receipts vigorously.

When I decided to start taking a self-portrait a month and putting it on my blog for the world to see, it was 1) petrifying; 2) way too far outside my comfort zone; 3) something that I knew I had to do.  And doing this brings me right back where it all originated from – being an artist.

Here I am, in May 2012. In the whirlwind of everyday to-do lists my creative core is smiling.

Self portrait May 2012

(Some geeky info for photographers: shot on tripod mounted Canon 5D Mark II, 50mm 1.4 lens, F2.5 1/100 sec, ISO 200, off-camera flash into reflective umbrella to my right, wireless remote control and Cactus flash triggers)

Posted in Personal
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Mary Wheatley - May 28, 2012 - 1:57 pm

Fantastic image Anastasia, and so great that you are pushing your boundaries. Can’t wait to see the month’s ahead.

Jody - June 3, 2012 - 9:04 pm

wow I love this – I think I will join you in the self portrait a month xxx

admin - June 3, 2012 - 9:41 pm

Please do Jody, would absolutely love to see your self portraits! x

May 27 2012

One Fine Day

“A family is a little world created by love”

– Unknown Author

I had a great pleasure to photograph this gorgeous little family some time ago. The day was filled with sunshine, plenty of giggles, a few tears, and one very exciting “first” – little Ethan spent quite some time sitting up all by himself for the first time ever!

 

Posted in Sydney Baby Photographer, Sydney Children Photographer, Sydney Family Photographer
May 21 2012

Instagram Moments

“A good snapshot stops a moment from running away”

-Eudora Welty

How cool is this quote??? Are you on Instagram yet?

So, in the last few weeks I:

– scouted for locations for dreams-come-true wedding photography workshop with Justin and Mary (a blog post on those amazing two days is in the works!) at Ripples Chowder Bay;

– watched autumn fog hug Sydney Tower early on a Saturday morning;

– had an early Mother’s Day lunch with Mum;

– kept admiring the inside and outside spaces of Museum of Modern Art;

– ventured out to Sydney Flower Markets for the first time and came home with six bunches of gorgeousness that cost me only $26 in total – you just can’t beat that!

– realized I might have a thing for one particular font that links my love for all things Typo and newly opened Oliver Brown hot chocolate place at our local shopping centre;

– figured out that Milsons Point has the best view out of all Sydney train station;

– stood on the balcony being grateful over and over again that our windows are facing west, and I can witness majestic sunset sky on a regular basis.

 

The key to happiness is in everyday moments.

@AnastasiART

 

 

Posted in Instagram, Personal
May 15 2012

Sebel Pier One Wedding

“All, everything that I understand, I understand only because I love.”

– Leo Tolstoy

I second-shot this warm and gorgeous wedding for my friend, the most talented Richard Alma (please explore his travel galleries… They are absolutely amazing!).

Every moment fell perfectly into place. Beautiful ceremony happened in St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Church in Redfern, and reception was held at Sebel Pier One in The Rocks. And in between the moving ceremony and reception filled with Greek dancing and hilarious speeches and family hugs, Alexandra and Jamie wandered the cobbled streets nearby, quietly sharing the sweet emotion of the day.

And how stunningly elegant was Alexandra’s dress?!

Posted in Central Coast Wedding Photographer, Sydney Couple Photography, Sydney Wedding Photographer, Wedding Photography
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Angela - May 17, 2012 - 9:56 am

Anastasia they are stunning! What a special day to be a part of!

Jody - June 3, 2012 - 9:06 pm

I adore this session – just stunning xxx

May 08 2012

I Heart The Rocks

“Wasn’t it extraordinary to be in the world right now, wandering around in a wonderful adventure!” 

– Jostein Gaarder, ‘Sophie’s World’

My heart flutters every time I enter The Rocks.

I spot a giant egg perched high above the little street where I normally park my car, and I smile and head over to Observatory Hill to admire the view of The Coathanger aka The Iron Lung  aka Sydney Harbour Bridge, then proceed to Cumberland Street and my favourite Sydney cityscape – the Opera House rising behind the old roofs of The Rocks. I rediscover old cobbled walkways, fall into little nooks containing unexpected artworks and pieces of history, and then in a matter of seconds I stand in front of the newly opened, very modern and rather edgy (literally) building of the Museum of Contemporary Art.

My favourite candle store is The Candle Factory, on George St. I stop there. A couple of minutes from there is the Overseas Passenger Terminal. You must visit the tower, the views are hard to describe in words especially when the day is clear and the waters of Sydney Harbour are deep emerald. I hope you will have the whole place to yourself and not share it with a group of paparazzi trying to snap a shot of someone famous hiding in the Hyatt.

Lunch is at The Bakers Oven.  Coffee somewhere else – there are so many places around.

And then, a few hours later, I head back to the car, past the giant egg again, and my heart is happy.

Posted in Personal, Travel