Cinematic Afterglow

I thought I’d share some pictures taken at a great event thought up by two great really talented people, photographer, graffiti artist, graphic artist and body painter Nate Smith otherwise known as Unek and Lauren Ivy Aguilar, a smart, beautiful, accomplished graphic designer and model.  Elaborate Collaborate  is a successful photography meet and greet workshop for models, makeup artists, hair stylists photographers and fashion designers.  It is a blast and a great place to meet new people, network and become better at what you already love to do!

We’ve been to the first 2 and are hoping to attend number 3 in July.  These are some of the photos we’ve taken at the Elaborate Collaborate Events.

Lindsay Otero Gerald Lovato and Lauren Aguilar

This photo was shot at Elaborate Collaborate II in Albuquerque, NM at Black Market Goods Gallery of model Lindsay Otero, MMA Fighter and King of the Cage Gerald Lovato and Lauren Aguilar.  I actually stole a few shots of this shoot by photographer and artist David Medrano, who currently has his artwork up at Flying Star Cafe at the Railyard in Santa Fe, NM.  If you get a chance, stop in and see some of this work!  (That’s him on a photo shoot below)

David Medrano Photographer

It was a joy to photograph Lindsay.  We didn’t have very much time together, but just every shot was amazing!  As you can see she is very beautiful and quite talented.  This girl will go far.  I’d love to have the opportunity to work with her again.

Another lovely young lady we had the good fortune to work with was Jennifer Abeita.   We got some really great images from our photo shoot together, I couldn’t have been more pleased.  It was great meeting and working with Jennifer.  We are looking forward to another photo shoot with her next week!

Another look for Jennifer

Below  is another model we were fortunate enough to work with.  Dionne had a great attitude and was really fun to photograph.  Her images were easy to edit and I was very pleased with her natural ability in front of the camera.  This girl is a true beauty

Dionne Francis

Model and Makeup Artist Erika Garcia

This is model Erika Garcia and DJ Justin Gonzales in the background.  …what can I say?  Erika is a strong, smart and beautiful woman who knows what she wants.

We didn’t spend too much time together, but Erika was great to photograph.  She has a great look !  Did I mention she’s a very talented makeup artist as well as a beautiful model?

Well, that’s is for tonight folks.  I am so very behind on blogging.  I have much more to add.   So much to share, so little time!

MeShall Quintana designed the gorgeous scarf and hat.

Come back soon for Part II!

Fashion shoot at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  The model is April Winters and the designer is Patricia Michaels of Taos, NM.  It was a pleasure photographing Patricia’s beautiful clothes with some amazing artwork and a beautiful model!  Here are some of the shots taken that day.

You can see more of Patricia Michaels’ designs at  http://www.pmwaterlily.com/ 

All photos are copyright Denise Avila and may not be used without permission.

The Rosario Chapel stands on the ground where Don Diego de Vargas was encamped with his army and statue of the Virgin Mary on his first expedition for the reconquest of New Mexico, in 1692.  He made a promise to erect the chapel in accordance with a vow he made to the Virgin Mary just before retaking the city.  He not only kept his promise to build the chapel but also to make an annual procession or pilgrimage from the parish church to this chapel, which is still made every year on the day of the Coronation of the person who will portray Don Diego DeVargas during the Fiestas De Santa Fe.  We were hired by the Fiesta Council to photograph and film this very special mass. 

Knighting

Crowning of La Reina 2009

La Reina's Crown

Don Diego and Staff 2009

2009 Fiesta Royalty

Catholic Procession

La Conquistadora arriving at Rosario

Don Diego DeVargas 2009

La Reina de la Fiesta 2009

Victoria Felicea Mora y Sanchez portraying La Reina de la Fiestas de Santa Fe

Don Diego y La Reina de Las Fiestas de Santa Fe 2009

Fiesta Royalty 2009

I’ve found,  or should I say, a great non-profit organization has found me and my photography.  I met with Alice Loy, the co-founder for the Global Center for Cultural Entrepreneurship (GCCE) in the United States, and I am now working with them to photograph their entrepreneurs!  It’s a great organization and I am thrilled to be involved in such a great project.

Cultural Entrepreneurship at work

 Global Center for Cultural Entrepreneurship mission/vision:    “We envision a world in which cultural entrepreneurship creates cultural value and economic wealth, self-determination, and cultural diversity in communities across the globe.   Their vision :  We envision a world in which cultural entrepreneurs are catalysts for cultural innovation through their cultural enterprises. Toward this vision, we are creating the globe’s first networked community of cultural entrepreneurs, cultural investors, and cultural entrepreneurship educators.    I have been lucky enough to meet 2 of the entrepreneurs and photograph them.  They were both great to work with, and I feel I have benefitted just by experiencing an afternoon with them.

The following photos are shots I took of Johnathan Sims, a filmaker from Acoma Pueblo.  He is a bright individual with some great ideas!  He is currently working on a documentary about the Native American language.  Very interesting stuff.  You can also check out some of his work on Myspace, www.myspace.com/noreservationsproductions it’s a great site.  Plenty to see.

Hands On

We met at Cross of the Martyrs in Santa Fe to do our photo shoot.  It was a great day, the only thing missing was the great white billowy clouds I love so much!

Johnathan also teaches students and seniors (citizens that is) how to use the editing software Final Cut Pro, which is very impressive!

Johnathan Sims was the second Entrepreneur I had the pleasure of meeting and photographing.  The Global Center for Cultural Entrepreneurship sure does have some great people they are working with!

Below are photographs I took of  Ceci, a wonderful woman from Africa, who is now in New Mexico starting her own business as a caterer.  She is a lovely woman and a great cook.  Ceci also cooks for the New Mexico Folk Art Market, a wonderful event held each year.  Something you definately should experience, and …while you’re there, stop by to visit Ceci and try her great food!  You can contact Ceci this summer at SpanAfric International Market and Catering,  505.577.4010.  1964 Cerrillos Rd. Ste. E

A wonderful cook and caterer

Steamin'

Authentic African Cuisine in New Mexico

I am looking forward to meeting the rest of the 2009 Entrepreneurs the Center is working with.  Our next “adventure” with an entrepreneur will be in an orchard in Velarde, New Mexico.  I can’t wait!

Follow this link if you would like to learn more about GCCE!   http://www.culturalentrepreneur.org/

New Mexico Free Press Page 12

I was lucky enough to be featured in New Mexico Free Press, a local weekly newspaper.  I was so excited to be chosen, and really proud.  I always loved taking pictures!  I feel that it enhances what I see through the video camera, and that shows through in my video work.  My husband also has a great eye, and together we are a great team.  We push each other to learn more and become better every time we pick up a camera, be it for still shots or video.  I think that having my photos in New Mexico Free Press opened my eyes even more to the possibilities of life behind a camera.  It’s a great periodical and the people were so nice, we decided to run an ad for Cinematic Afterglow with them.  Look for it in various locations around New Mexico (actually, here’s a link  http://www.nmfreepress.com/locate.shtml so you can find yours).  If you pick one up, and it’s got our ad, let us know how you like it.
 New Mexico Free Press February 4, 2009 Edition page 12 Denise Womack-Avila, Cinematic Afterglow

The picture below was taken one morning while taking my kids to school.  I can’t resist taking pictures of Santa Maria de la Paz Parish when the sky is so amazing, and being that I pass it almost every day, I get to choose some really great clouds!

Santa Maria de la Paz

Troca Vieja

The picture above was taken in Northern New Mexico on the way to Abiquiu, Georgia O’Keefe country.  A group of people were burning fallen trees on the property, hence the “foggy” background.

The picture below is one of my favorites.  It was taken of a friend of mine and his good buddies in Pecos, New Mexico during a Mud Bog.  This picture was also blogged in a group on Flickr for a song theme by Guns n Roses, Dead or Alive …I’m a Cowboy, on a steel horse I ride

Pecos Cowboys

Missed Out

The picture on the right was taken on Canyon Road in Santa Fe, NM.  And it’s another photo I like a lot.   It really reminds me of “old Santa Fe”, and I sure do miss “old Santa Fe” sometimes!

The shot below was taken in Taos for the Autumn Run Car Show.  The sunset was beautiful that evening, and I just had to figure out a way to get it into this shot, even just a little bit.  We already on our way out, so I didn’t get to play with sunset shots too much that night.  Maybe this year!

Sunset and Flames

On a Hill

The photo of the moon was a lucky shot.  We were at Santuario in Chimayo, New Mexico working on a documentary of the annual Pilgrimage which happens every year for Holy Week.  We were there getting some shots of the church to use in the footage, and just happened to be there during sunset and moonrise.  (We are still working on the documentary and will Blog to let everyone know it is done.  My brother passed away very soon after Easter last year and we just ended up putting the project on hold for a while)

Below… last but not least the Pink Holly Hocks on Cerrillos Road and Guadalupe Streets in Santa Fe, just about the prettiest and tallest Holly Hocks I’ve ever seen.  Gorgeous, on a beautifully stormy day too.  I just had to pull over and get a shot of them!

Pink Holly Hocks