fotoFANATIK

2007-09-03T02:36:00.000-05:00

It has been quite awhile since I have updated the photo blog.

So I am back with some photographs for all of you to enjoy!

^_^

I was fortunate to exhibit some photographs at the AVXplo

(avxplo.com)

and attended all FOUR days of the event.

I met so many fantastic artists and musicians.

Here are some highlights from the 4 day audio/visual Xplosion!

Patty (right) and I (left) with our photographs (day four)

Paul from Midstates

Attendee reaching enlightenment while watch Environmental Encroachment perform

The Saturday Nights

Trio In Stereo (next two photographs)

Attendee of the event (with some awesome tattoos)

Environmental Encroachment

2007-08-07T06:17:00.000-05:00

Wednesday August 15th through Saturday August 18th
4 venues, 100 artists, live music and performances
A/V XPLO

I will be exhibiting Saturday 8/18 at the Abbey Pub.

Should be a fun weekend! Hope all or some of you can make it!!!

2007-07-11T10:26:00.000-05:00

Just an FYI to some of you in the Chicagoland area...
I'll have some photos on display for a great exhibit coming up titled
SALVAGE: what we do with what is left
think "reduce, reuse, recycle, restore"

flier design: www.sparrowurbanart.com
Opening reception July 14th, 2007
7 pm at bLEND
1725 W. Division

Thanks to Lesley (http://www.myspace.com/sparrowflyhigh) for the invite
and sharing with me this great opportunity to meet other artists
on a topic I so firmly believe!!!

Hope everyone can make it to the opening reception! Otherwise if you are in the area
in the near future, stop by the cafe and take a look at the artwork!

2007-04-08T23:36:00.000-05:00

War Photographer
Documentary film by Christian Frei about war photojournalist James Nachtwey

imdb link found here

Bob and I had come across Odd Obsession Movies on Milwaukee Ave. after returning the rental car needed post accident. We walked around the store looking for something interesting to watch. Then I came across the documentary film section and picked this one up. Seemed interesting just by reading the title (for obvious photography reasons). Then I read the description. That moved me. So we rented it and I just finished.

Watching James Nachtwey at work was very inspiring. Not because of the excitement and "romanticism" I sometimes imagine from being a photojournalist. James Nachtwey is inspiring because he believes he has a responsibility as a photographer. While watching the film, a quote from one of the many photography teachers I've had rang in my ears, "It is your responsibility when taking someone's photograph to respect that person and provide dignity, no matter what the situation." James Nachtwey holds this true.

I admire the fact that he tries to communicate a message that the subjects, being photographed, may not have the opportunity to perform. He feels the social responsibility to let the world know the true story of history occurring. AND most moving to me...he stated that if he feels his career is advancing or succeeding by exploiting others' situations, then he has sold his soul. He constantly reminds himself of his responsibility as a photographer...then the latter doesn't have to occur.

If you haven't watched this...for those photographers that read this...I highly recommend you do. Very inspiring...and it reminds me that my life has an effect in this world and I have to take that responsibility seriously.

2007-03-26T00:06:00.000-05:00

It has been quite awhile since I have updated my blog.

I had planned on recently updating,
but an unfortunate chain of events has recently occurred.
It has been a very stressful and emotional week for
my husband Robert, his family, and myself.
Robert's grandfather had recently passed away
and his death greatly affected the family...
Including myself.
Grandpa was a great man.
I have one final photograph taken of
Grandpa and Bob together in the hospital.
I will cherish this photograph because I know how much
Bob admired his grandpa and loved him dearly.
I also realized at this moment, how much a tender touch
can comfort someone who is suffering.

We will surely miss you Grandpa.
The family loves you and will always keep your legacy in our hearts and minds.
Your generosity, humor, creativity, strength and bravery
will live on forever in all of us.
Thank you for sharing this with Bob.

2007-02-11T23:52:00.000-06:00

"Digitally Entwined"

Myself, along with 14 other photographers,
will be exhibiting our photographs at the Acme Art Works.

Opening reception is Friday March 2nd, 2007 from 7-11pm.
More information can be viewed at the
website: www.digitallyentwined.com
Or a video preview of the show can be viewed here

Please come out and support local artists!
This is very exciting for me as this is my first
gallery showing in Chicago, my hometown!

postcard design by: Olivia Leigh
website design by: John Agnew
video design by: Jerroid Marks

2007-01-29T00:12:00.000-06:00

As the clock struck midnight,
I happened to be online to catch my photograph
pop up on the screen for chicagopublicradio.org.
Support Public Radio!

2007-01-28T01:42:00.000-06:00

Photographs taken 01.27.07
sunrise photo meetup

by Addison and Lake Michigan
with our ChiFlickr Meetup Club
"early risers"

"solitude"

"lost at sea"
^_^
not really, more like docked with ice

"arctic"

"askew"
What's up with their crooked V-formation?
^_^

We had so much fun! There was approximately 9 of us that made it out
for the early morning photo meetup. The temperatures were low and frigid.
But with our dedication, we waited it out to capture a sun that hid behind the clouds!
The next meetup will be post-Super Bowl.

2007-01-20T23:01:00.000-06:00

Midstates
at Schuba's, Chicago 1/19/07.
My friend invited me along to see her friend
Angel Ledezma play drums for the band.

Band members include:

Jimmy Tilton - keys
Eric Morris - Guitar
Paul Heintz - Guitar & Vocals
Angel Ledezma - Drums
Dahlman - lead guitar

Jimmy Tilton on keys

cables and wires and Dahlman on guitar in the background

Eric Morris on guitar

Paul Heintz vocals and guitar

Paul Heintz vocals and guitar

Angel Ledezma rockin the drums

past show signage

Rock star counseling back stage.
What goes on behind the curtain, stays behind the curtain.
^_^

Angel lites one up after a fantastic set!

2007-01-15T01:43:00.000-06:00

My website is FINALLY UP and RUNNING!!!

http://fotofanatik.com

Please check it out and all feedback is truly appreciated!
Thanks to my family for all of your support as I pursue
this personal endeavor of mine. Thanks to all of my friends
who continue to send referrals my way. I am truly grateful.
Without everyone's support and encouragement, I wouldn't have
the talents I possess today. So exciting!!!
It took many days, weeks, months to consider what to include
in my website. With my dot MAC account and iWeb, it only took a few
hours to arrange the site.

God Bless Apple =)

But please keep checking back! I will try to update as I shoot more
photographs as days go by! =)

2007-01-14T14:18:00.000-06:00

Photoshoot with artists Sammie Lee and Adam.

2006-12-23T22:45:00.000-06:00

Happy Holidays to everyone!

2006-12-23T22:29:00.000-06:00

"Halt" © Bernadette Aguilar

The things you come across when perusing the streets of Chicago late at night.

2006-12-04T20:51:00.000-06:00

Our Mother celebrated her "twenty-first-birthday-AGAIN" in the Philippines.

Her birthday was November 13th, however the celebration was on
Saturday November 11th in San Fernando Pampanga.
Families from both our Mom and Dad's sides were able to attend.
My sister and I couldn't join in the fun, food and music...
but FORTUNATELY the digital camera we bought for Mom's birthday gift came in handy.
Our cousin Ron was able to capture the moments for us.
We are so grateful!

Here are the photos from the celebration!!!

To view LARGE, click on a photo.
When you are finished, press the back arrow to return to the blog!Our Mom being serenaded =)Well wishes from our Aunt and nephew Jeremy =)

Participants in the fun and games...who's the winner?Family group photo #1Family group photo #2Family group photo #3Musical entertainment from the family to our Mom!
Happy Birthday to you Mom!
We wish you many more joyous years to come!!!

2006-12-01T20:59:00.001-06:00

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE!!!

"first MAJOR snow in IL" series
©fotoFANATIK 2006

2006-11-09T20:38:00.000-06:00

Taken November 7th, 2006

2006-11-03T18:24:00.000-06:00

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!

This is the color you get when you white balance for tungsten light
outside on the ambient moonlight.

Oops

Happy Friday everyone!

2006-10-29T22:53:00.000-06:00

Portraits and Lighting

2006-10-24T21:22:00.000-05:00

Rochelle & Christian (with son Christian)
Married October 7th, 2006.

Photographs taken at the Naperville Riverwalk

Congratulations again and again Rochelle and Christian!
Thank you so much for allowing Jerroid and myself be a part of this special moment!

2006-10-24T20:40:00.000-05:00

Nicole & Mirek- Wedding Day
September 9th, 2006.

Ceremony and Reception held at:
The Redfield Estate, Glenview, IL

Congratulations to you both!
Jerroid and myself were honored to be a part of your wedding day!

2006-09-15T09:16:00.000-05:00

Friday, September 15th, 2006. My photograph featured on Chicago Public Radio. www.chicagopublicradio.org!

2006-09-07T18:33:00.000-05:00

come apart

v : become separated into pieces or fragments; "The figurine broke"; "The freshly baked loaf fell apart" [syn: break, separate, split up, fall apart] WordNet ® 2.0, © 2003 Princeton University

2006-07-31T23:20:00.000-05:00

Camera Obscura, Empty Bottle- Chicago.

2006-07-18T01:42:00.000-05:00

"Under a Moonlit Bean"

A couple's moment captured under
Cloud Gate at Millenium Park,
Chicago, IL.

2006-07-13T18:59:00.000-05:00

Children are beautiful! Also FUN to take photographs of!
Enjoy!

2006-07-12T08:29:00.000-05:00

Full moon photographs taken March 13, 2006.

Shot in Kodak Portra 400, on my Nikon N80.
Several seconds long in exposure, most I believe 15 secs. or more.

2006-05-27T19:12:00.000-05:00

2006-04-27T17:35:00.000-05:00

Sometimes the only good enough reason to take a photo
is because of a love for life
and everything surrounding me in my life.
The beauty of nature and it's serenity.
Life is beautiful and life is good!

2006-04-17T21:48:00.000-05:00

2006-04-14T18:14:00.000-05:00

My car is pretty filthy. I haven't washed the vehicle since the last snow fall (which to be quite honest, was a heck of a long time ago). There's a car wash/detail shop near our residence. So I dropped off the car and walked home. On my way home, I noticed a strange pattern to my left. I had to take a picture of all the neatly arranged garbage cans and neatly aligned townhome garages. Garbage day YA THINK??? I don't know why, but I find it amusing.

2006-04-14T00:37:00.000-05:00

Another day, another opportunity for something interesting to occur. Most of my day was pretty much uneventful. The skies weren't as inviting as yesterday's...but the weather remained warm. I happened to be in Skokie when I saw the sun begin to set. It just seemed so otherworldly to view the clouds in their specific formation around the sun. Then later in the evening, as predicted by the weathermen (and NOT my knees hahaha) the lightning came. Slight drizzling, but there was a lightning fest outside the digs. Non-stop, consistent and opportunistic. Here are some photographs of these phenomenons that I was able to capture.

2006-04-12T19:01:00.000-05:00

Spring is FINALLY here! All the trees are budding and the flowers are blooming. Chicago temps reached a high of 74ºF today. The sun was out and the skies so blue. A glorious day to be out and active! These are some of the photographs I took while driving after work.

2006-04-11T21:35:00.000-05:00

It appears as tho someone had taken a chalk board eraser and wiped a quarter of the sky clean of clouds. Very interesting early evening of April 10th, 2006