Tuesday, November 30, 2010

A New Mother...

Hello Foto Fans!

Today was another fun day of capturing family moments. My shoot this afternoon was a maternity portrait session for a first time mom. She was definitely having a day of pampering, including a doctor's visit (does that count as pampering?), sassy new hair cut, meditation training in prep for labor, concluding with her memories being captured by your's truly! The happy couple are expecting a baby boy!

Similar to previous portrait shoots, you always want to do your best to offer something special! In addition, taking the photographs of an expecting mom is a bit different than your average high school senior. After all, you need to ensure mom and baby are both comfortable and safe, the image shows the personality of the mother, and you also apply your touch of creativity as the photographer. Needless to say, it's not always as easy as it looks. But! I love it, I love the thought of the new life that is being formed in this mother, who at this stage is absolutely beautiful!                                                                                                                                                  

So included in this post, are a few of my favorite images, from our time together. I couldn't of asked for a better model and the little guy inside, did his part two! Until next time FotoFans, stay in touch with the latest on Twitter@FotoFans

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Two Little Ladies

Hello Foto Fans
It's the most wonderful time of the year! I don't know about you, but I love, LOVE the holiday season and all things Christmas. I especially love this time of the year, because I often times have the opportunity to add to the family memories of area families. As a matter of fact, yesterday I had the pleasure of taking the photographs of two little ladies, for their dad's 2010 Christmas cards. We literally played in an area park for about an hour. The great thing in working with different types of families, is each group has a specific preference. In this case, Dad wanted to be sure and have more informal photographs and not the typical formal studio lights and backdrops. Included in this post are a few of my favorites! Follow me on Twitter @FotoFans for the up to date moves and photo shoots this holiday season.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?

Happy Thanksgiving Foto Fans!

Clemens in his studio
So let me ask you this, are you still stuffed, like that turkey sitting on your table earlier today? I know I am! I am also thankful for not only today, but everyday that I am still here upon the Earth created by God above, able to do what I love; chase light. I am also thankful I was able to bring a new friend to dinner today, Clemens Weiss. A fellow artist, currently visiting Milwaukee and REDLine as a on-site guest artist for 3 months, joined my family for dinner today! Clemens is German born and currently lives in New York and has never had the opportunity to experience Thanksgiving quite the way my family does it (I'm guessing the food). Nevertheless, he loved my mom's cornbread dressing, went back for seconds, took a dogie bag home and seemed to enjoy the Cowboys vs Saints football game that played on the TV (BTW Saints 27-Cowboys 20)!
Clemens' studio and work
It made me proud to see my family embrace him like he was one of our own. Several questions about his background, life as an artist and just how he made his way to the States, let alone Milwaukee, continued for several hours. And Clemens, of course, was more then willing to share.

A part of our family tradition, is to go around the family circle and everyone share what they are currently thankful for. Clemens offered the joy of being with my family and sharing such an important meal in our country's history with us. As for myself, well, I shared my thankfulness rests in opportunity. Opportunity you may ask; seems odd? Well, think about it. We all are given opportunities, but each day we have the CHOICE to accept the opportunity given, reject it, or ignore it all together. I do realize there are some opportunities that need to be both rejected and or ignored, and so we do... but for myself, I chase, like the light, the opportunities that enhance the person I am today. That add to my character and build me as a human, a woman, and an artist, so that I may add to the world around us, created by the God above. So Fans... what are you thankful for?

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Take 6

Hello Foto Fans!

I just concluded a meeting with Della Wells. Ms. Della is the curator for the group show I am participating in opening January 21st. During the course of our meeting, she had the opportunity to peruse through several of my pieces. She continuously said, "Show me everything, everything!" As I pulled out one series sample, she would request to see the complete series, "Everything." WOW what  an awesome feeling. Someone that was really curious about my work, the process in which it is created and the value of my voice and what I had to say.

And with that she selected 6 pieces for the exhibition at the Peltz Gallery. A piece from my glass series (a diptych), two pieces of the hair series on handmade paper, a photographic transfer, and a screen print (hanging in the space as a current work in progress! Which means I need to finish it...) I won't be including any photos of the work just yet, you'll have to come to the opening!

Joining me in the exhibition will be: Reginald Baylor, Portia Cobb, George Williams, Jr, Allison Sawyer, Kevin Boatright, George McCormick, Evelyn Terry and the list goes on.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Ms. Angie

                                        Greetings Foto Fans!
I just finished shooting a beautiful young lady named Angie! As I am known to do,
I approached Angie one day when I was leaving a small business and she was walking in. Her smile and more importantly her HAIR caught my eye!

For the past 2-3 years I have been capturing the essence of people's lovely locks, on film, in an effort to respond to the dialogue that takes place as we make assumptions about a person. You know, we all do it...
Daily each of us steals moments of observation which create an external perception of individuals around us. What we fail to realize is often times these same individuals are doing their best to share or hide an internal perspective. Hence this project. My attempt: capture the internal perspective.

Two from this series currently rest in the collection of University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. I am extending the series by seeking new "models." As a matter of fact, I have three more folks lined up that I hope to capture prior to Christmas. Included in this post are two image samples from today's shoot. I look forward in seeing the final results as I add her into the collection. The entire series will be on display at the Jazz Gallery during my solo show, opening in February.

So for the rest of the evening I am heading over to the Milwaukee Art Museum for MAM after dark! I have several artsy folks I know who will be showing this evening. I am glad to offer my support! Next week, I will be shooting a Dad and his two daughters in a local park. That will be loads of fun and maybe a little cold, hummm. As you know, follow  me and you can show your support too! Twitter @FotoFans


Thursday, November 18, 2010

On a Business Note...

Hello Foto Fans!

I trust the day has found you well. On my end, it has been a relatively chilly day here in the Midwest and it's merely a matter of time before the snow begins to fall. Today was a busy time in the studio; handling the business side of art. Some things included writing my thank you notes to the folks at Fisk, organizing expense receipts, assisting in hanging the work of Amos Kennedy in the gallery space, and updating my website with the next show openings! (Which is January 21st at the Peltz Gallery if you'd like to go ahead and mark your calendar now.)


(c)2010 lcoppins

Often times when I meet people, they are surprised by how much "goes into" creating art. Well, yep, hate to tell you , but there is a BUSINESS SIDE to this BUSINESS! While it may appear glamorous and exciting, you are working everyday towards the next opportunity tomorrow. One of the main things you have to remember, is YOU are your best marketing rep! And in the end, all you have is your name. While it is nice to have folks in your corner, no one can do it like you, regardless of the opportunity OR the occupation. 

So here is my ode to determination. My cat Essence, loves to lick the water from the shower each morning, or basically anytime you exit the shower. Regardless, of how many times you fuss, tell her no, or move her away, she always seems to find away to obtain her goal. Well, in some ways, we can learn from Miss Essence, be persistent and eventually you will get what you want. A dog's life? hummm... no thanks, I'll take a cat's after all you get 9 of them!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Reflection Recap

Greetings Foto Fans!

Well I am back from Nashville. It was great leaving the 40 degree weather days behind for a quick week of 70s and sandals!

From the time I touched down I was on the run! Making quick stops to different places and ensuring I had everything needed was all I could think of. Well, there in lies the rub, the university never received word of my needs. But to the credit of the staff (Mr. Berry, Mrs. Lathan, Curator Simmons, Mrs. Allen) and a few students (Kashana, Stephanie) of Fisk , the wagons were circling around me and it all worked out! So what did I learn, regardless of using a liaison, still make direct contact with a person at the location!

My work was shown on the second floor of the Milo Cravath administration building; on the second floor rotunda. While it was not how I envisioned it, I was still thankful for the experience. Humbling at its best, because over head were original murals created and restored by Aaron Douglas. In case you are not familiar with the artist, click on his name for more details, but the quick and the short: he is one of the main voices of the Harlem Renaissance (one of my favorite periods of history), started, taught, and built the original art program at Fisk University. As I was standing, there, if I allowed myself to really take this in, it was simply overwhelming emotionally. I literally was in the presence of greatness and history. Then to top it off, my dad surprised me! He has not been able to make an exhibition before, so this really made the evening.

So what's next, well, while in Nashville, I received an invitation to show in January at the Peltz Gallery. Of course I said, "yes!" The curator and I will be meeting next week! Additionally, I am shooting two models for February's show at the Jazz Gallery on Friday.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Announcing...

Hello Foto Fans!

I am proud to announce a new exhibition opening Friday, November 12. In conjunction with Fisk University's 2010 Homecoming Celebration and the Young Alumni Association I will be sharing several new photographic mixed media pieces. Each piece is simply.... Reflecting the Past. Should you find yourself in the Nashville area, please stop by.

Fisk University, Milo Cravath Administration Building, 1000 17th Ave North, Nashville. Friday, November 12, 6:00-10:00pm. A special artist talk will take place at 5:30pm! Until then... (or after considering when you read this) follow me on Twitter @FotoFans!