New Logo & onTic photos | portraits & site | personal

As you can see, I have finally decided on a logo! Woo hoo! It's been really hard for me because I could never think of anything that suited *me*. Long story short, that is the symbol for eternity and giving. In the life-coaching I've been taking and the reading I've done, everything in the universe is about giving and receiving. What you put out into the universe, you get back. If you think of something you would wish most for yourself, you wish it for everyone else as well. This paradigm has changed my life dramatically in even a few short months of study. I can let go easier and find myself not as critical and judgemental (which was sooo exhausting physcially, emotionally, and spiritually). I even wear that symbol on my wrist on a bracelet to remind myself every day to give and find the God in people. I am finding that life is simple--it's about being human and connecting to other human beings. To take a moment out of your day to have a connection with a stranger, like in the grocery store check out line, is an incredible thing. You are just *being*.

So I think that logo suits me just perfect :)

Also, I did a shoot a few weeks back with onTic, a local band with incredible talent! Here are a few shots from their promo shoot:




Lead Singer Dereck


Drummer Rich


Bassist Ray


Guitarist Marcel

Open! | storefront | personal

Proudly introducing my online storefront that I have been working on for just a few weeks getting it ready! It will allow me to put up some fine art work available for purchase but also a place for client galleries. I am super excited to share this! And my favorite part? It's all Canadian! Woo hoo! So just for my faithful clients and new ones to come, until July 31 2009 enter "openpromo" into the promo code box upon checkout and receive 10% off your total order! All the prints in the Fine Art galleries come mounted on 1/4 inch fiber board and laminated with a UV protective coat.

Also, check back in a couple of days, I will be posting photos I did recently for a band onTic. They are promotional photos for the new website which launches tomorrow! Check them out, they are really great! They have a list of upcoming shows on their site.

Besides their post, I won't be posting again until after next week as my baby sister is getting married on Saturday! I will be sure to post about their day and any photos I can sneak in while I am not doing my duty as maid of honour :)

Blessings,
Samantha

Hello Blog World, I Have Not Forgotten You! | personal

I noticed today it's been a while since I've blogged. Thus I must blog today. I don't know why it's so hard sometimes, especially to do more personal "get-to-know-me" blogs. I try to be very open with my clients as it helps them (and I) to be comfortable and relateable (--is that a word?--) to each other. I LOVE what I do. It's seriously in my blood. And as only another (passionate) photographer would understand, I can literally hear myself talking faster and louder when talking about this awesome shoot, or these really great shots, or this beautiful location! I just love what I do. But I'm also very self-concious about my work. It still boggles my mind sometimes that people want to purchase MY art and hang it on THEIR wall. But between that and seeing my clients so happy that I can bring them to tears (which makes ME cry cause I'm a sucker for that sort of thing), is what makes this all worthwhile. It's what pushes me to put extra care into capturing details and perfecting an image in post-processing. It drives my creativity because that feeling is just........amazing. To know you've made someone's day or month or year is just.....amazing :) My clients are exactly why I do this. Oh, and because I have a huge love affair with Lightroom.

I am also a mommy--for those that don't know. I have an adorable 4 year old boy. Mischievious at best, clever and quiet at worst. But boy oh boy can he make you laugh! Amanda once did a blog post about things that she's heard me say on the phone to him (not only is she my *boss* but also a really awesome friend). He is so polite and quick to compliment. My heart has never melted so much. I also have a sweet little 9 month old girl. And she has brought me to the conclusion that one of the best sounds in the world is two chubby baby hands clapping. Her smile is huge and her laugh is contagious. I LOVE my kids :)

A lot of my life is driven by inspiration. Thus is the life of an artist. My kids inspire me, my family inspires me, the Universe inspires me. I am thankful every day for the abundances we have though sometimes it's hard to remember the little things when the big things are so--big. I think my next post will be on inspirations as there are so many people who have inspired me (personally and professionally).

For now, I definitely feel...cleansed :) It always feels better to share. And in the spirit of sharing, here's a recent photo I took.

Quiet Day | family

I just went two nights ago and purchased my newest addition--my 35mm f/1.8 lens. Let's just say, I'm in love! Beautiful clarity and crispness. Yummy. I can not wait to use it for my next shoot (and every one after!), it's my new favorite lens :)

Today was stunning outside. Beautiful warm weather enhanced by the blue skies and sun. So I took my two beautiful children outside to play and took my new lens with me.

Inspiration

I don't usually post too many personal blogs, but for the sake of trying something new, here I sit. So I thought I would share something I recently heard that has inspired me in my life--"The Sun never says to the Earth "You owe me"". That is a quote by the great poet Hafiz. Dr Wayne Dyer discusses it in alot of his teachings and in particular when discussing 'giving without expectations'. I've never been deep into religion but I am very spiritual. Without starting the debate on religious views, I myself believe that we are here to serve others and take care of each other. The more I read and study the books written by Dr Dyer, the more---inspired I become. It is opening my eyes and giving me new sight. I post this because it is changing who I am as a mother, wife, a photographer, and as a human being. My best friend Natalie always insists on paying me for shoots and photos I take of her little guy, and I used to wave her off (I've since learned that you do not argue with her! haha). She would always tell me that I have a talent, a gift, something that she, herself, can not do. She would have them done either by me, or pay someone else to do them--so she might as well pay me! :) My point is, as I awaken to this new start, I am embracing my "gift" and wanting to reach out and help as I can. So stay tuned for future postings about how I am giving back (just working out some details!), I am hoping to work closely with some charities who are close to my heart.

With that all being said, as I am completely inspired and feel ready to go, the excitement for the new season is nearly overwhelming! I can not wait to get out there and dive right into my new day.

Thank you to everyone that has supported me and been my cheerleaders when I needed it.

Samantha

Red Ribbon Exhibit

This weekend was the Red Ribbon Exhibit and Sale for the Arts Council. It was such a great time! It was organized so well and the music, hor d'oeuvres, and wine were exceptional. It was nice to meet and speak with fellow artists from all around the Niagara Region. I was also blown away by the high level of art hiding in our city :) Needless to say, I was rather nervous about my first exhibit. But within an hour on the Saturday night, I was floating--I sold a print! It was the print "Aftermath" from my shoot with Captain Ziegler. It kept me going all night then again this afternoon. Then to round out my amazing weekend, my piece that I donated for the Silent Auction ALSO sold! Couldn't be happier!



And on a personal note, my good friends Lizz & Dustin had their sweet baby girl last week. She is completely breathtaking and already loved. So just a little congrats to them :) If it's possible (and I have their OK), I may post some photos later of her that I've taken for their birth announcements!

Arts Council and Exhibit

Very exciting news! I went today and joined the Arts Council of Fort Erie! It's been something I've wanted to do for a while, and my husband has been at me to do, so I decided with my whole New Year resolutions about my photography, that it is something I should do! And I am very glad I did :) I am looking forward to networking with other local artists and getting my name and business out there even more!

One great thing about joining the council is I am also going to be submitting pieces for my very first exhibit! The Red Ribbon Art Exhibit is on Februaryth 14th & 15th (7-10pm and noon-4pm respectively) at the Crossroads Welcome Centre in Fort Erie. All artists will be selling their work this year as well, so please come take a look or support your local artists! Hope to see everyone there!

I also revamped the website a little bit. Something just felt....off about it lately. So I hope I fixed it up :)

Thanks for all the love,
Cheers,
Samantha

The Website Is UP!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

And a very different year it will be :) My website is now officially up! You can always check it out at http://www.samanthapetrushak.com/ and check back often for updates and new samples!

While I have always found a passion in Fine Art and Portrait photography, I wanted to reach out to a very small market of small weddings. My good friend Amanda always calls me her "Small Wedding Specialist", so I have taken that to heart and with much thought, I have decided to label myself just that :) I want to cater to bride and grooms coming here to "elope" or as a destination wedding in this area. Or the couples who have a very small guest list and intimate ceremony, who want just a few hours of images to remember their day. So if you or someone you know are looking for just that, email me for more information! Pricing starts at just $350 for the elopement-style weddings.

I am also running a very fun winter promotion right now! It's called WARM UP YOUR WINTER NIGHTS! From Jan 2 until Jan 31, just in time for Valentine's Day, warm up your winter nights with some great couples photos (not meant as engagement photos specifically), or some photos for your honey! You will receive your session, all the photos in high res on disc, and an 8x10 for only $125!All photos will have a very romantic feel to them, whether it be curled up with your honey in front of the fire, or some tasteful artistic "boudoir" type shots for your special someone. Contact me for more information and we can discuss what you are looking for and come up with an idea just for you :)

Have a very wonderful 2009!!
~Samantha

NEW YEAR, NEW LOOK!

Things have been busy around here, to say the least! We had the newest addition to our family, a little girl, at the end of August. And because of the culmination of everything, my blog posts have suffered. I hereby solemnly swear to do better in the New Year :) With my New Year's resolution of keeping up with my posts, I am also releasing my new website (hence the "New Year, New Look"). I released my logo last month because I just couldn't wait! And I am very very pleased with how the site is looking so far. So check back January 1 2009 to see the whole site! But to tease just a little, here is a screenshot:

Thanks again for all the support! Have a safe and happy holiday!!!!