Brian LaBrada Masters the Art of Photography

As a writer who started journaling at 7 years old (with my Hello Kitty pencil), I have a deep respect and connection with those whose talents began to shine early on in their lives. Brian LaBrada is one such individual. He got his start in photography at the age of 9 years old, when he was gifted with a Nikon EM for Christmas. He's been shooting ever since, eventually becoming more interested in the entire process of film photography and developing his own prints.

So here I am: Introducing you, my fabulous Good Girl Gone Shopping readers, to Brian LaBrada Photography. Whether you are looking for someone to shoot photos of you and your family for the holidays or need modeling images to add to your portfolio, learning about this rad photographer will only help to meet your needs. Shopping for a quality photographer is just as important as shopping for a quality pair of heels, so take notice of what I gotta say:

Everything is about word of mouth; talking up what you do or who you know that does it best is important to getting your name out there. And Jennifer Galvan, Brian's girlfriend and personal assistant,  knows this philosophy quite well. She is the one who introduced me to Brian's work. (Jennifer is an amazing talent herself -- she is a writer and editor at PlasticSurgeryStudios.com.) With great pride in his work as a photographer, she would come into work with new shots to show me nearly every week. I was always impressed, as he is hands-down a master in the art of photography in both film and digital formats. His images are intense, close-up lifestyle shots, which capture a variety of vibes. From children's portraiture to fashion and glamour photography, Brian's goal is to produce fine art pieces that are one-of-a-kind.

Based in the Inland Empire of Southern California, Brian is no stranger to the overall industry of photography. He has worked with celebrity photographer Michael Grecco for two years, as well as Alan Weissman. He also looks to vintage photographers such as Jean Loup Sieff and Helmut Newton for lighting techniques and inspiration. Every photoshoot is a new adventure for Brian, as his artistic eye for beauty captures the perfect shot when you least expect it.

Services:

- On-location photo shoots

- Family and Children's portraits

- Engagement photos

- Wedding

- Fashion

- Glamour/Beauty

- Editorial

 
To reach Brian LaBrada Photography, please send an e-mail directly to: info@brianlabradaphoto.com.


You can also connect with Brian LaBrada Photography online:
 
http://brianlabradaphoto.com/

http://twitter.com/BLaBradaPhoto 

http://facebook.com/brianlabradaphoto

Inspiration Sitting Beside You

Yesterday, Saturday, I committed to my usual routine. In order, beginning at 6 a.m., I: social networked, cleaned my place, ran errands, visited my parents, and then headed to CK Cafe in the Claremont Village. While many people like to start off their day at a coffee shop in the early a.m., I prefer to take care of certain responsibilities before I sip on my cup o' joe in any other place than home. And especially yesterday, I am glad I arrived at this hidden spot when I did, at 11:00 a.m.

Because here's what happened to my typical Saturday: It was interrupted with inspiration.

I have been spending time at CK Cafe (formerly called "Nick's") since I was 15 years old. Back then, as a sophomore in high school, my mom would drop me off with my friends so that we could read poetry and talk about boys. When I was in college, I turned to this place so that I could do my homework and write "The Daily Titan" news articles in peace. And now, it is my stress-free place where I organize bills and make to-do lists. But today was different as I met an older gentleman who has been coming to this coffee shop for as long as I have.

And it was all my doing -- I introduced myself to this man, Gregory, outside on the patio. I said, "Excuse me. Wow, I think we've both been coming here for the same amount of years. I always remember seeing you and overhearing your conversation will locals. I am Elana." Gregory (now with a greying beard) responded with, "Wow, I feel old. But tell me what you have been up to in these last 15 years."

With that invitation to talk about myself, I told him my story -- from Pomona High School days to my days at Cal State Fullerton to now my adult days as a writer, editor, blogger, and personal shopper. I learned that in addition to being a computer programmer, he is also a novelist. Then it all unfolded. See, I am in the process of writing a book -- an extension of my work with Agenda Magazine. So this was the opportunity of a lifetime, engaging in conversation with Gregory. He shared insight as to what it takes to start a book, how to deal with critics, how to find your voice, and being realistic as to the timeline on how long it takes to create your first draft. As others outside overheard our conversation, getting involved and speaking up when something sparked their interest, I felt special. I felt like I was in on the secrets to becoming successful.

Had I never introduced myself, I believe that my Saturday would never have been as fulfilling as it was. A 2-hour conversation about literature and the book publishing industry inspired me more than words can say.

So I write this post because I want to inspire you. I believe it is important to be assertive, proactive, and a kind person on all levels in nearly all situations. Sure, I could have stayed outside, to myself, and still enjoyed the sounds of birds chirping and the crisp air. But I chose to interact with a familiar stranger, and am now experiencing a new strength because of this. Please take the time to notice your surroundings. You never know who is sitting next to you, unless you speak up.

To top it all off, Gregory said that I made his day as well. That was the icing on the cake.

Rock Concert Wear: Dos and Don'ts

Rock Concert Wear by GoodGirl featuring vintage style jewelry

Striped Coverstitch Tank
$3.99 - forever21.com
Scoop neck tank »

AE Women's Skinny Jeans
$50 - ae.com
Low rise jeans »

bensimon tennis mid cotton 7 eye lace-up sneaker F15032-626
75 CAD - gravitypope.com
Bensimon sneakers »

J.W. Hulme / Legacy Handbag
$410 - lagarconne.com
Shoulder bags »

Vintage Chanel Black Quilted Small Round Clip Earrings With...
$578 - asos.com
Vintage style jewelry »

So I will be attending The Bouncing Souls concert in a few weeks, and I'm totally excited! It will be my second time seeing this east coast punk band. The first time was at The Glass House in downtown Pomona months ago, and now their upcoming show will be in Anaheim at the House of Blues. I bring this up not only because I can't wait to enjoy their music up close and personal -- I am already thinking about what I'm going to wear. And I realize that if I'M thinking about what I plan to wear to a standing-only show, there are many of you out there who may be thinking about the same thing as you prepare to see one of your favorite bands/musicians in a venue such as these.

So what to wear...hmmmm. It naturally depends on various factors. So here are some of my tips on how to determine what to wear, with some ideas on what to wear and what not to wear, piece by piece (all from personal experience):

Accessories: You may love making a statement with your accessories, be it chunky necklaces or multi-colored dangly earrings. But unless you are headed to a concert hall that has comfy seats and ushers, I highly suggest going for studs and no necklaces. Think about it: The mosh pit may be close to you and you may be waving and pumping your fists in the hair throughout the show. So...do you really want to lose a piece of your accessories due to the hustling and bustling of hyper concert-goers? It is likely that your excitement could even cause you to accidentally knock an accessory off. You know, all the movement and stuff. Not worth it. Save the elaborate accessories for a Mariah Carey concert.

Handbags: Don't you wanna keep your hands free? It's natural to feel the music and wave your arms. So, I think it's best to avoid bringing a clutch or a handbag that can't be worn on your shoulders. In fact, the most ideal type of bag to take is a satchel-like purse that can be worn across your shoulders so it can just lie at your side. And it's best to keep it on the small side, with just enough room for your keys, wallet, and phone. (OK, some room for makeup may make you happy too.) The last thing you want is to get shoulder groove pains because it's too heavy.

Shoes: Going to a show that is standing only means that you will be STANDING. Heels, of course, are an adorable accent to most outfits. But most of you don't arrive just in time to see the headliner. You will most likely be standing throughout all of the opening bands. This means that you could be standing for up to five hours. Keep this mind when you shop for concert wear or pick out your favorite shoes to wear. Flats, my friends, will be your best friend at a concert hall like the Glass House or House of Blues.

Shirts: A cotton tank, I believe, is the best bet when it comes to going to a concert. With so many bodies close by, you are bound to get hot and possibly even sweaty (depending on the intensity of the show). And should the weather be chilly -- yes I know it's the season of cold and rain -- bring a sweatshirt that can be tied around your waist. That way, you're not shivering walking in and walking out of the venue.

Pants: Jeans are a given -- comfy jeans, that is. Feeling cute is always important, no matter where you go. But be practical also. Again, you're standing for hours, and may be sweating...So when your pants are really tight, that can feel gross after awhile. So leave yourself some breathing room. You may need to push through the crowds for a bathroom break, drinks, and/or food. Allow yourself to move swiftly and easily when making your way through the crowds. It's not the time to have to continue to hike up tight jeans throughout the entire night. Think: no hassle.

Shorts: Just like pants, you want to wear shorts that are ultra comfy. Also, they probably shouldn't be too short. If you are someone who crowd surfs, especially...There will be hands touching your body. Do you want to feel uncomfortable or upset because there is someone trying to hold you up too high on your thighs? Just be smart.

Dresses/Skirts: These pieces of clothing can be iffy. I am actually steering you away from wearing dresses or skirts to a standing only rock concert. There is typically a lot of testosterone surrounding you (depending who the band or musician is), and there is such a thing as wandering hands. I know that this article isn't about the safety of concerts, but what you wear definitely plays a role in it. There are many of you, however, that may feel more comfortable and free wearing a dress or skirt, because you may feel less stuff and hot. Hey, to each her own. This is just my perspective as to what will benefit as well as hinder your experience at a fun show.

Before I wrote this, I consulted a blogger friend (who is a regular concert-goer herself), asking her if she thought that this topic would be of interest to readers. Her response was, "Yes!!! I have never read anything of this sort before It sounds like it would be extremely helpful." So I went for it.

Are you glad I did?

Congrats to the Winner of "The Allegra Biscotti Collection"

Thank you to those who entered to win the delightful book about a young fashionista finding her way in life -- "The Allegra Biscotti Collection" by Olivia Bennet. I asked for contestants to share their favorite junior high outfit (as relevant to the story -- the character is an 8th grader), in order to qualify.

And randomly, I chose Leeann Morrissey -- the innovative Los Angeles blogger behind Join the Gossip. She couldn't live without her wide-legged, Gwen Stefani-inspired (circa '90s) pants and rainbow attire. Fun!

So thank you again to all who entered, and I hope that you continue to enter contests right here, on Good Girl Gone Shopping! You most definitely have a chance to win. xoxo