© Dina Marie Originals - a blog with a purpose....

ok, so I am not the best blogger BUT...

..... For all those who take the time to look, I am a seriously dedicated photographer that thinks, breathes, dreams & lives this stuff. Aside from my family, this is what I live for. I take my work in like it's oxygen. My work is vital to me. It's what I am truly passionate about. I can not see myself doing anything else for my career. And with this, I am posting an image today that means so much to me. I don't articulate the details of my life a lot but things get "complicated " at times and this image TODAY speaks to me. It validates to me that it's fine to FEEL. It's o.k. to have trying days that make you pull back. I love the feeling here. She is feeling in the moment and the emotions are truly HERS. There is a light, an angel, a sparkle behind her showing us she is not alone. We are not alone in our feelings. Sometimes it is hard for me to know others that can only "see" happy shots of children. Sometimes, the emotive shots speak to my soul. So with this said i am sharing my polaroid for the day.....

As always, thanks for stopping by all.... xo dina

Honored...

SEVERAL months ago I had the pleasure of photographing Tina Cockburn's little girls for my Study Of A Girl project. She is an AWESOME friend, photographer and mommy! She has a huge heart and a love for the adoption program that touched me so much. Here is a link to her site and some shots from her session. Thank you Tina! xo
Tina's Website

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workshop weekend

What a fulfilling weekend we had. More personally than professionally, I grew. Denver Photographer Cheryl Jacobs Nicolai was in town and held a very small seminar including a few other well respected peers.

I feel enlightened, reflective, recharged and open. She is a unique and multi talented instructor. Her vision and input was invaluable. We grumbled when she made us "push our boundaries" but it was so necessary to see our personal exercises as our own assignments. Being open to change is just as important as maintaining our style.

I learned that slowing down and simplifying in my photography is very important for me personally.

John Erskine learned the most valuable lesson of his life when he was only fourteen years old. His piano teacher asked him "How many times a week do you practice, and how long do you practice each time?"

He told her that he tried to practice once daily for an hour or more.

"Don't do that," she responded. "When you grow up, time won't come in long stretches. Practice in minutes, whenever you can find them - five or ten minutes before school, after lunch between chores. Spread your practice throughout the day, and music will become part of your life"..

Erskine became a concert pianist who performed with the New York Philharmonic, and later a President for Julliard school of music and the director of the Metropolitan Opera Association. - by Author John C. Maxwell

Thank you Cheryl for "stirring us up" and showing us ways to see things in a different light (no pun intended ;-)

You can check out her work at Cheryls Website

She is also an amazing vocalist. Here is her band website too as I just uploaded her entire album! Reckless Red

construction day!

My website is being worked on today as I have run into a few difficulties (ugh). If you view the galleries be aware new updates are being added and oldies are being deleted. This is will taking place until midnight tonight. Please visit back ! Thank you!

Thank you.

"This was love at first sight, love everlasting: a feeling unknown, unhoped for, unexpected - insofar as it could be a matter of conscious awareness; it took entire possession of him, and he understood, with joyous amazement, that this was for life". - Thomas Mann

Summer is in full swing. Water play, friends, movies, fun... I am grateful for my three beautiful children. All so unique in their own phases.

Thank you Robby, Nick and Eva Marie - for loving me unconditionally and bringing me more joy than I ever thought was possible in life.

Love, mommy

A follow up

Hi All,

It's been a busy summer so far. I hope you are all having a terrific one!

Here is a peek of the recently published newsletter for Miller Children's Hospital. My May 25th blog entry shows shots from the session. I was so happy to see they selected this particular one. More soon...

Summer's Here! All you have to do it ask.....

Take the time to get in touch and ask about my summer special. Honored July & August specifically... Don't wait -- I am booking fast...

Career Day!

Today I had the opportunity to participate in Masuda Middle School's Career Day in Fountain Valley. Here is a shot taken of a 7th grade class after I spoke :) What a fun bunch of kids and if any of you are looking at this blog entry, DO WHAT YOU LOVE AND LOVE WHAT YOU DO and..... Go to college! :-0

I have been a terrible blogger lately. Between work, school finals for the kids and life in general I just have fallen behind. With this said, tonight I am sharing some pics from a sweet beach session with Riley and Jeanne. Your energy was contagious and so much fun! It has been great knowing you all these years.... xo-d

and this my friends, is what i have been up to!

I have been working hard with Miller's Children's Hospital for their next campain photos: Barbara and her sweet little son Ben came to meet me for this shoot and it couldn't have gone better.... These are shots that will be used for the Miller's Hero Campaign and / or their News Letter. Wait for the story when I scan the actual published article. In summary, Ben was born at 1 1/2 lbs and after being admitted to Hoag Hsp in Orange County, he was transfererred to Millers for special preemie care and delivery.

Here is Ben NOW and also below when he was born at 1 1/2 lbs. :

Until then, here is little Ben and his mamma at 11 months old........ sweet session. Thanks Babara for being so flexible with this darn weather!

these two were terrific

It's been a LONG time since I have posted (ashamed to say) but these two twins were wonderful. The one in the foreground has been operated on 4 times for a heart defect. Here is the ad that just came out. Not sure if they will make it a billboard yet. In any case, if matters not to me. I feel grateful for the opportunity to meet this special little family. I truly love my job so much. Here is a scan of the Monday Los Angeles Times...

Dance

"I try not to dance better than anyone else. I try only to dance better than myself" ~ Mikhail Baryshnikov

a sweet surprise from sheye

It is not often I post emails from others, testimonials, etc but this one just hit me on a day like today.....

"Love Letter.

Hi Dina :)
I rarely do this, write to other photogs, but am compelled to today. I had a look at your website this morning and am so blown away - I just love the emotion you capture, your b&w processing and your clear love of piggytails :) You really do stand out in an ocean of childrens photographers these days..I so seldomly see images and swoon but you're a little bit amazing. Just wanted to tell you!
S x".

Thank you Sheye and thank YOU for your continual inspiration. You are a beautiful soul.

xo-dina marie

somewhere

We must all start somewhere.... so... with this said, i am posting a link to my new fine art website featuring personal work such as my floral collection and other special sets I am working on. It's a work in progress and exciting to have a separate place to showcase my work. Feel free to sign my guest book so I can see how this works :-) xo-dina marie

Dina Marie Originals Fine Art Website

twins

I couldn't believe it. I photographed two sets of 2 year old twins in a single day. Yes, I am nuts ;-) It went remarkably smooth and I had so much fun. I realized how individual they both were and it was so neat seeing their different personalities.

"You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore... but let there be spaces in your togetherness. And let the winds of the heavens dance between you." ~ Kahlil Gibran

Brianna

Yesterday I had the opportunity to document another project for Miller's Children's Hospitals HERO Campaign. They will select one photograph for their ads and one for a billboard.

Brianna and her twin sister Ashley are 2 1/2. Brianna has been receiving the highest quality of care for a rare and complex heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. It involves several heart defects but is was detected when mom was in her 15th week of pregnancy. This little trooper has been through two open heart surgeries and has one more to go later. You can see her chest scar in one of the below photos.

These children are amazing and it was a pleasure to meet their strong family unit. I wil share the billboard when it's up. Thanks for visiting all.... Dina

Some days just feel like this

...and i have grown to know it's ok. Tomorrow is a new day. Press forward!
Love to all, dina

Pretty Simple

I love bright, straight forward shoots like this. Boys have such energy and I was happy to just run and play with them. Thank you Tina. They are precious!

The smell of a new baby

.... nothing like it. I truly love my job. thank you Erica and Mike. What a sweet sweet family you have...
Looking forward to next time. xo-Dina

Wyndham Hotel Exhibition

Announcing my latest Fine Art Floral Exhibit which is displayed at the Wyndham Hotel in Costa Mesa, California. There should be an opening reception soon and I will keep you all posted. I have grown and learned so much from doing multiple exhibits this past year. I hope to do many more. I want to thank everyone that has stuck with me while I have asked silly questions along the way. This has been a year of growth for me. My mind feels opened and inspired. Here is one of my new favorite sets to share. Happy Friday all.