Isn't She Lovely?

As I had mentioned in a previous blog, I recently vacationed in Puerto Rico while attending my best friends wedding.  In addition to enjoying a little R & R, I had the perfect opportunity to take tons of pictures.  I would have taken a bunch more, but this wasn't a working vacation and my heart was with my bestie while she prepared to walk down the aisle.  It was also a great time to play catch up with her because she lives in the DC area and I am in the Windy City. I also wanted to capture memories for her and her hubby to be while they enjoyed the beauty, sights and sounds of San Juan, Puerto Rico.  The shot I captured of my best friend (featured below) turned into a piece that I am very proud of.  It is one of those shots that you get just right.  The original image was so great and when I looked at my screen on the camera I told her that she could be a model.  Once home, I did my usual, using Photoshop as my digital paintbrush and truly turned it into a true piece of art.  The actual scene we were waiting for our husbands who both were on the phone at the time of the shot, their image follows.  It amazes me to see what I was able to capture on a simple afternoon while we were walking around Old San Juan's City Square. 

"The Tourist" (c) 2011

What I captured while....

...waiting for the husbands!

Upcoming Changes...

It's January and what does that mean? Time for resolutions and promises that you make to yourself that you try with all your might not to break. This is the year that I turn 40 years old and the one promise that I made to myself on my 39th was to put more focus on my artwork and promoting my art as a business. Taking that step and push myself out to the public eye. Sometimes I can fall into the category of the reluctant artist. I can be a bit shy, until that magic ice is broken. So I have decided to get out of my comfort zone (my home... I am such a homebody) and put myself out there in the world. Simply because no one will find out about my art unless I point them in the right direction. So like I said... It's January and with the change in the year comes change all around. Visibly, I will update my website (www.simonehester.com), my Twitter page (www.twitter.com/shcreativephoto)and my lovely blog to reflect the notion that they are a part of the same family. Right now they are great resources for me, but do they play off of one another and look like it is all from the same person? I think not. I also plan on blogging more frequently based on my other promise to myself to get out and shoot some more to perfect my craft and continue to develop my photography skills. I will also blog on items and subjects that I find creative, innovative and that basically strikes a certain chord from deep within me. So stay tuned for a new look and feel to all things SHCreativePhoto and Simone Hester Creative Photography. I appreciate all of you who have supported me thus far.

Puerto Rico: Part One

This past October I had a wonderful opportunity to visit the historic city of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Any opportunity to visit a new location is a prime opportunity to snap a few shots. My favorite subject matter to shoot is by far architecture. One of the great things about San Juan is the wonderful mix of old and new within the city. The hotel we stayed at and called our home for five days was modern and sophisticated. Just ten minutes away was the historic Old San Juan with it's beautiful cobblestone streets and pathways, the inviting town square and the quaintness of the cages, restaurants and shops. I will touch on my love of Puerto Rico from time to time, hence giving this blog a part one status. Below is a shot of the town square and one of my new pieces.

"Around The Corner" (c) 2011