Daeja Fallas

Nic in Brooklyn

2012-01-24T11:04:00.000-08:00

sweater by KZO

all clothing KZO and Cheap Monday

All clothing Clu

Pastel Breeze

2012-01-18T15:00:00.000-08:00

How incredible are these photos? Just the right amount of feminine and the monotone pastels with the huge shark tooth that repeats in each shot.. Just perfect! My favorite Spring editorial so far!

VOGUE CHINA

Photographer: Josh Olins

Stylist:: Alastair McKimm

Hair: Shon

Make-up: Sally Branka

Model: Daphne Groeneveld

Via Studded Hearts

Day Dream

2012-01-09T10:30:00.000-08:00

Dreaming the day away.

Model: Clara at MC2

Hair & Make Up: Jessica Hoffman

Thanks to Abi at MC2 models

Paris At Night

2011-12-22T12:19:00.000-08:00

amis

Love in a photobooth

Kona!

tarte aux fruits rouges

roses for lovers

DIY: NY for Contrast Magazine

2011-12-19T10:51:00.000-08:00

Issue 7 of Contrast Magazine was dedicated to all things DIY and who better to work on a project with than India Menuez and Tristan Reginato of the Art Collective "Lucky You"! Stylist Edda Gudmun of Kate Ryan made it all come together flawlessly using several NY based DIY designers and some of Tristan's own pieces. The designers and more on India and Tristan can be found at contrastmagazine.com

Not Exactly Brassai's Paris

2011-12-13T15:20:00.000-08:00

Girl on Bike - Canal St. Martin

Over Thanksgiving I decided to forgo the turkey and spend the holiday tucked away with loved ones in a quiet cafe hidden on Rue Vavin in Paris' Monparnasse district. Behind the glimmering lights of La Coupole and Le Select that dominate both sides of Avenue Montparnasse you'd never even know the tiny Rue Vavin was there... unless you happened to have lived there several years ago as I did. As we walked back from Montparnasse through the Luxembourg gardens, with the Eiffel Tower on our left and the Hotel De Ville on our right, the city glimmered and shined as Im sure it always has capturing the hearts of so many photographers over the decades.

Night in the 11th

When we strolled over the Seine I recalled Brassai's "Paris At Night" collection and the famous "Kiss of Hotel De Ville" by Doisneau.. even the steps of the Pantheon ring with Avedon's famous photos. I walked around for 3 days without making a single photograph. On every corner flashed images taken by the late, great, masters. I was not there to reinvent the wheel, but I was never going to live up to Brassai's "Paris at Night" series in one short week... so I walked on.. and I noticed that the area I was in, the Marais, lacked all of the young people that used to thrive there between the slightly " dare- I- say-ghetto- at-the-time" 11th and the too posh to afford 1st.. Where had they all gone? I kept walking east toward my old never finished, hardly started, graduate school "Spéos" off of Rue Charonne in the 11th and all of a sudden, there they were and all of a sudden, Paris was new again.

Locks of love on the Canal St. Martin

Street and Canal

Fashion

Young Love and Cigarettes

Reflection in the Canal

Hangin' Out..

taken in homage to Joey.

BWG Fall Fashion Editorial

2011-12-07T15:53:00.001-08:00

Fall on the east coast is magical and the ladies at BWG magazine and I got together to share it with their readers! Check out the editorial on BWG Mag here.

Special thanks to:
Jessa Blades - Make Up
Laura Polko for L'oreal Paris - Hair
CG - Styling
Morgan and Hannah at IMG NY

Holidays are finally here!

2011-11-23T10:21:00.000-08:00

Just in time for the Holidays I have added a little Christmas joy to my Etsy Shop by adding these cute little cards sold in packs of 3 for all of the dreamers on your list! Check them out here and have a happy happy Thanksgiving!

Spirit in Flight

2011-11-03T13:55:00.000-07:00

Pretty little day dream I directed with the talented Kristen Hook as our DP for Gypsy Hawaii!

Model: Hannah Keilia May

MakeUp: Corvette Delacruz

Special thanks to Dallas Nagata White for the floral "haku" lei and her assistance!

Diary

2011-10-31T09:47:00.000-07:00

follow me over to www.instantmemoirs.tumblr.com

All analog, all Polaroid, updated daily.

Gypsy 2011!

2011-10-11T21:19:00.001-07:00

Along with a new site update here are some of the final images for Gypsy Lingerie... to see the entire story please visit my site

Julie Henderson

2011-10-03T14:59:00.000-07:00

Here are a few of my favorite images of the beautiful Sports Illustrated Model Julie Henderson from the Evil Twin/Peanut Butter Lovesicle video shoot!

Julie is wearing vintage Dolce & Gabanna styled by Sofia of Love Cat Mag

Make Up by Jessa Blades

Hair by Laura Polko

and PS- PBL is playing tonight at 8pm at Brooklyn Bowl - See you there!

Speaking of Video...

2011-09-28T11:00:00.000-07:00

..don't think I ever shared this little behind the senes of our Till Dawn shoot back in May of last year.. enjoy.

Guava Shop Hawaii!

2011-09-23T17:07:00.000-07:00

Guava Shop Hawaii from gabriel yanagihara on Vimeo.

How fun it was to play on the beach again with Liz & Kai of Guava Shop Hawaii this past August! This time we decided to MOVE! Thanks to Guava for making it all come together again, to Mahina for dancing on the beach with me even in the rain!!!!! Shhhh.. it never rains in Hawaii!!!! and a HUGE special thanks to Dallas, Gabe and Ed for ALL of their work shooting and editing.

Video Credits:

Directed By: Daeja Fallas & Dallas Nagata

Shot and Edited By: Gabriel Yanagihara

Second Camera By: Edward White

Model: Mahina Garcia

Special Thanks to: Guava Shop!

Behind The Scenes Photos With Evil Twin and Friends

2011-09-19T08:16:00.000-07:00

Last Friday morning as the first Fall chill hit New York, Jessa and I headed out to meet directors, T&T of EVIL TWIN and crew for the filming of Peanut Butter Lovesicle's new video "Black Eyed Blues." The song is still in my head 3 days later! Have a listen here and check out who else was on set below!

Model, Julie Henderson getting final touches by Jessa Blades and Laura Polko.

PBL's Bass Player Mike D'arc taking a breather...

And his brother Jake in between shots...

Light test...

A few touch ups by Jessa

And a dress check by stylist and Lovecat Mag's own Sofia..

Direction by EVIL TWIN and a meeting of the minds...

final hair check and a smile from the lovely Julie before cameras roll...

Instant Gypsy

2011-09-07T12:34:00.000-07:00

A little "instant" preview of the Fall 2011 Gypsy collection... full edit to come!

model:Hannah May

Special thanks to Dallas and Ed for their help!

Here today.. gone to Maui!

2011-08-25T21:18:00.000-07:00

Summer is almost over but we have a couple weeks left so enjoy the music festivals, the long days, the fresh air and summer's free spirit! From the Ladie's known for their free spirit and rock steady stlye here is the final image for a teeshirt collaboration I did for Sugarhigh + Lovestoned with Michelle Vawer for their new fall collection!

Check it out on this guy!

bottom photo by Tamara Lichtenstein

The design duo behind Sugarhigh+ Lovestoned also have their personal blogs which, I have to say, are addicting...

Check Out Tami's fancy work at Charmed I'm Sure

And Chloe's wild child spirit at Born To Be Wild

On that note.. time to hop on a plane and leave the computer behind, so... Happy Labour Day! Enjoy the final days of Summer. See you all in the Fall!

A Little Hawaiian Inspiration

2011-08-18T13:02:00.000-07:00

via roam hawaii

via Gypsy

photo by me

Counting the days till my toes are in the sand... my head is underwater and my hair full of salt.

BLACK AND WHITE

2011-08-15T10:37:00.000-07:00

Enid & Edgar

2011-08-04T15:37:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Enid & Edgar

The most charming little shop in East Los Angeles

with feathers and ferns hanging from the dressing room ceiling

and pretty local art on the walls

They play and sell great music

And after you find your treasure, Jason, the shop patron lets you select a recycled book from the library

then he hand wraps each of your purchases and ties them with a yarn bow.

If you are in Silverlake or anywhere on the east side of L.A. visit Enid & Edgar, even if it's only to chat with Jason!

For those of us on the East Coast... not to worry, they have Etsy!

Queen of Maine

2011-07-23T11:08:00.001-07:00

Queen Anne's Lace otherwise known as a wild carrot, considered a weed... but her little purple-black flower center made me curious about the history of the most popular "weed" in Maine. Story suggests it is a drop of Queen Anne's blood after pricking herself with a needle while making lace.

And this is what Shakespeare has to say about it:

"The man in the moon drinks claret,

But he is a dull Jack-a-dandy;

Would he know a sheep's head from a Carrot

He should learn to drink cider and brandy."

Song of Mad Tom in _Midsummer Night's Dream.

ROAD TRIP!

2011-07-21T15:31:00.000-07:00

6 am... Connecticut

Refueling in Massachusetts..

New Hampshire..view from the toll line..

At last...

We reached our little cabin...

by the sea!

We gathered wild life...

made some photos (without a phone!)...

went treasure hunting

indulged in the local

cuisine?

Au bord de la mer...

I fell in LOVE

with Andrew Wyeth

good night Maine, Good night moon!

out take #2

2011-07-16T11:17:00.000-07:00

sometimes looking back, you find beauty in the out takes...

Bikini Time!

2011-06-23T06:42:00.001-07:00

Sea By Gypsy is set to launch just in time for your new summer bikini! Slip out of those jeans and into a perfectly fitted CUSTOM Gypsy bikini!

the best advice

2011-06-19T11:37:00.001-07:00

"Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know its normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work. Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story. It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions. And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I’ve ever met. It’s gonna take awhile. It’s normal to take awhile. You’ve just gotta fight your way through."

— Ira Glass (via nefffy)

Thanks NPR, Fresh Air.

MJ

2011-06-13T18:57:00.001-07:00

MJ from Daeja Fallas on Vimeo.

FOAM MAG!

2011-06-06T04:39:00.001-07:00

Featured in this month's Foam Magazine.

Welcome Summer....

2011-06-01T09:05:00.000-07:00

the beginning...

Polaroid

2011-05-27T14:29:00.001-07:00

Although the film is gone, The beautiful cameras still exist, thankfully.

Headdress

2011-05-11T17:14:00.000-07:00

Out takes of Michelle Vawer for Sugarhigh + Lovestoned!

New Advertising Work - Calvin Klein

2011-04-28T17:16:00.001-07:00

Last Summer I was asked to work on a collablration with Raymond Meier Studios on a new fragrance ad for Calvin Klein. The results are finally here and I could not be happier! Raymond shot the beautiful bottle and I spent 2 days on the beach with a portable ipod player and 6 dancing boys and girls.

Special thanks to Kate, my beautiful friend and producer, Charls our stylist, Raymond and everyone in his studio including TJ and Vanessa for making it all come together.

below are a few of our out takes for fun!

Tonight! Milk Gallery Underground!

2011-04-20T15:16:00.001-07:00

Join us tonight in NYC for the Milk Gallery Underground show! I will be one of the featured artists along with 40 other young photographers in NYC.

Glamor Puss

2011-04-17T22:02:00.000-07:00

my favorite CGFE top on the beautiful Barbara D. of IMG models.

Primary Colors

2011-03-23T16:39:00.000-07:00

A special collaboration with Creative Growth for Everybody and the News 495 Showroom...
here are some of our Polaroids as a preview.

Top: Cheap Monday, Skirt: Cheap Monday

Tank: Creative Growth for Everybody, Sweater: All Saints, Socks: Maria La Rosa from Sock Hop NY

Dress: Cheap Monday, Top: All Saints

Top: Cheap Monday, Skirt: Cheap Monday, Shoes: J Shoes

Make Up: Jessa Blades
Styled By: Rebecca Prusinowski
Hair: Marisa Bollman
Model: Barbara D @ IMG

special thanks to my star.

Mirth and Daughters

2011-03-16T09:29:00.000-07:00

An idea

it can be infectious.

it can take over everything in your body like a ton of bricks until you don’t know where it ends and you start.

An Idea.

It can be infectious and that’s exactly how this little blog started.

we love fashion

we love photography

we love art

we love our friends (even the ones we don’t know yet!!)

we love food

and we love the idea of putting them all together in a nice little spot

to inspire

to be inspired

to bring the messy couture of everyday life from our table to yours

XOXO!

Cassandra & Daeja

www.mirthanddaughters.com

A day by the shore

2011-02-21T07:57:00.000-08:00

Eternity

2011-02-06T09:34:00.001-08:00

As the winter chill seems to be lifting I thought these rosy images shot on Oahu's East Shore at "Here to Eternity Beach" (named after the iconic Hollywood film shot there in the 50's) would be a perfect way to welcome an early Spring. To see the ret of the story click here.

Special thanks to Matt Bruening for Styling, Michelle Vawer of IMG Models NY and VBM!

Me and Miss Jones

2011-02-02T09:44:00.001-08:00

Recently on a whirlwind trip back to Hawaii good friends Liz and Kai, owners of the Guava Shop on the North Shore asked me to spend a day with them shooting some images for their shop. The girls are always full of fun ideas and great inspiration not to mention the amazing views from "Lernerland" where we shot this last round of photos. With Malia Jones as a model and Liz and Kai on styling duty, we had an awesome day playing and swimming at Lernerland! Thanks Ladies!

A day at the beach

2011-02-01T21:15:00.000-08:00

In the middle of the coldest New York winter I or anyone I know can remember I am dreaming about a day at the beach. Sunshine on my face, the cool water lapping on my toes and blue skies for miles. These images from our Gypsy Hawaii shoot last August are just warm enough to bring me back to Hawaii, even if only in my dreams!

Oracle Fox

2011-01-26T22:02:00.000-08:00

A very special thank you to Mandy of Oracle Fox for the lovely feature of my "Indian Summer" story. Check out her blog featuring her own artwork and unpredictably lovely fashion inspiration. Also congratulations to Mandy on her nomination for the Bloglovin Awards 2011. Take a sec to give her a vote. Here are some of my favorite images form her site.

Mia Moretti and Caitlin Moe for Contrast Magazine

2011-01-25T14:22:00.000-08:00

Last Fall I got to spend the day hanging with and photographing Mia Moretti and Caitlin Moe for Contrast Magazine. The issue is out now! There will also be an online version in the next month on the contrast mag site. In the mean time you can see the rest of the images on my site here. Make up by my lovely friend Jessa Blades of Blades Natural Beauty.

Spring Beauty Preview

2011-01-10T18:13:00.001-08:00

Little preview of a spring beauty story we shot right before the Holidays. I am ready for floral dresses, spring showers, blooming flowers and rosy cheeks but these will have to do till then.

Model: Te'sa Love at Wilhelmina

Hair and Make Up by Kaili for M.A.C. Cosmetics

Clones Of the Queen

2011-01-03T15:44:00.001-08:00

The Clones of the Queen shoot for Contrast Magazine feature is out on the magazines site today. Check it out here to read more and to hear Ara's lovely voice head to the band website at http://clonesofthequeen.com

Happy Holidays!

2010-12-23T19:35:00.000-08:00

Still my favorite Holiday photo!

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"
-Clemente Moore

Picture Me By City Magazine

2010-12-20T14:08:00.000-08:00

A special thanks to Victoria Stevens and the editorial staff at City Magazine for including me in their "Picture Me, Need to Know Photographers" story this month. It was an honor to be next to other young photographers including David Black, Elizabeth Weinberg, Ryan Pfluger, Phill Knott and Kareem Black

We were paired with photographers of similar styles and asked to photograph each other. The portrait of me above is by David Black and here is my portrait of David.

Win It!

2010-12-09T20:04:00.000-08:00

How about an early Christmas present? Find out how to win one of my prints by visiting BikiniBird.com

Happy Holidays!

Daeja

Paolo Roversi for W Magazine December 2010

2010-11-29T18:59:00.000-08:00

Have you seen the December of W Magazine with these lovely images by Paolo Roversi? If not, get down to your nearest news stand, book store, coffee shop and have a peak. I think they are the best way to start the holiday season...

To view the rest of the story click here.

Mia Moretti

2010-11-22T11:02:00.000-08:00

make up by Jessa Blades

After seeing Mia Moretti and violionist Caitlin Moe at the Alice and Olivia S/S 2011 at NY Fashion Week, I absolutely fell in love with their style and music. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to photograph the girls again at Mia's apartment for Contrast Magazine. Above is one of the outtakes from the shoot of the beautiful Mia who just graced the cover of the NYT Sunday Style section. I look forward to hearing more from Mia and Caitlin and can't WAIT to hear them live again!

And The Winner Is..

2010-11-14T09:02:00.000-08:00

Shimmer!

Looking at the blog comments, "dream" was the obvious winner but on Friday evening I got an email saying that the photo MUST be square to be printed on the shorts and "dream" does not work as a square photo so, "shimmer" it is!

Thank you everyone for your comments, emails and text messages!

The one pair of shorts will be on display and up for auction (along with 25 other artists from around the globe) at the Hurley Anti Canvas art show in Honolulu on December 3rd. I have chosen to have all of the proceeds from the sale of the shorts benefit underprivileged children during the Holidays in Hawaii through the Lokahi Tree Charity (The Angel Giving Tree, in the US). I won't be there but if you are in Hawaii check it out! More details to come on the show as the date approaches.

Look Up

2010-11-11T15:07:00.000-08:00

It's amazing what you see when you look up.

Reflections of the City

2010-11-09T19:40:00.000-08:00

Danced across my bedroom wall this morning... how lovely.

The Anti Canvas ( A showcase of Boardshort Art for Charity)

2010-11-03T14:18:00.000-07:00

Our friends at Hurley and Contrast Magazine have asked me to be a part of their second annual "Anti Canvas" art show where one piece of my work is donated to Hurley to be made into ONE pair of boardshorts that will be auctioned off for charity on December 3rd. There will only be one pair made so, this is where I need everyone's help. I have selected 4 photos and from those, we need to choose one to send by November 15th. Of these four photos which one would you like to see as "the anti-canvas?" Leave your comment with the name listed below the photo and the photo with the most votes on November 14th gets made into a pair of board shorts! UPDATE: we are adding one more in... #5, Lilly.

1. feather

2. friendship

3. dream

4. shimmer

5. lilly

Thanks!

Daeja

Word Up!

2010-10-25T21:21:00.001-07:00

John From US Royalty

Friends Robert James and Michelle Lindsay of "By Robert James" threw a party for 500 of their closest friends asking 6 of their favorite bands to perform for CMJ. What a fun idea! After shooting their Fall/Holiday collection around the streets of Manhattan the bands took stage one by one as we enjoyed company of good friends and great music. It was a pleasure to be there. To see more about the event, my friend Kofi at Paper Magazine posted a few snaps on the blog today... check it out here!

Love is in the Air...

2010-10-18T15:43:00.000-07:00

apparently.

La vie avec...

2010-10-05T10:52:00.000-07:00

Un mannequin.

Geneviève vas habiter chez moi ce mois... sous le prétexte que je l'appris le français et qu'on fais des petits séances photos une fois par semaine dans l'appart. Elle est à Portland cette semaine mais on a fait cette petite photo hier... après son job chez Glamour. C'est que la premiere semaine!

David Black For City Magazine

2010-09-30T13:31:00.000-07:00

I was recently given the unique opportunity of photographing and being photographed by photographer David Black for City Magazine. David and I spent the afternoon walking around the LES and train hopping. To our advantage it was a beautiful late summer day so we opted for a stroll across the Williamsburg Bridge then turned back so we could jump on the M train to to catch the afternoon sun from above the city.

David's work is all done on his Hasselblad H1 ( I had major camera envy!) and does beautiful light filled work. Below are a few of my favorite images from his site.

Images via davidblackphotography.com

Mia Moretti and Caitlin Moe at Alice and Olivia S/S 2011

2010-09-17T12:51:00.000-07:00

Mia Moretti and Caitlin Moe at the Alice and Olivia show! from Daeja Fallas on Vimeo.

Amazing friend and partner in crime this week Michelle Lindsay invited me to join her at the Alice and Olivia S/S 2011 presentation and it turned out to be the highlight of the week! The presentation featuring Mia Moretti (DJ) and Caitlin Moe (violinist) on stage as the models presented clothing on a set build to look like a turn of the century living room. The clothes did not race by down the catwalk only to disappear into a fuzzy memory like everything else I saw this week. Everything was presented on stage with plenty of time to take in each detail and remember favorites.

The modern mix of Moe and Moretti with the vintage inspired collection made it the highlight of the week for me.

enjoy the little iphone video! Gotta love that little guy!

Indian Summer

2010-09-13T09:37:00.001-07:00

Photos and Polaroids by me
Styled by Matt Bruening @ foreverr young
models Genevieve @MC2 NYC and Mahina @ Niche
Special thanks to Charls (as usual)

This was a lovely way to say farewell to the land of Aloha for a bit... lets hope I brought some of that sunshine with me to last through the winter in NY.

CGFE unreleased photos

2010-09-07T10:34:00.000-07:00

Here is one of my favorite outtakes from the CGFE shoot we did this Summer. Look at those eyes!

Traveling North with Creative Growth For Everybody and Contrast Magazine

2010-08-23T17:30:00.000-07:00

While in Los Angeles last May good friends Joel K of Creative Growth For Everybody, Chris Schefflin, Katie Malia of Daily Candy and I got together to shoot this editorial for Contrast Magazine. Contrast is available online and at select newsstands in Honolulu, Tokyo, New York and Los Angeles. Thanks to Mark, Meg at Ford, Tessa at Geren Ford , Christina Guerra at Celestine and everyone who helped to make this come together.

More images available on my site here.

This Morning's Polaroids

2010-08-17T16:09:00.000-07:00

I found one last pack of Polaroid 669 stashed in the back of the "film drawer." Mahina of Niche and Genevieve of MC2 NY were gracious enough to join Matt Breuning, Charls and I this morning at sunrise to burn through what I am sure is my last pack of 669. Sad to see it go, but could not have asked for a better morning. Thanks ladies and gentlemen.

I love your Smile - Charlie Winston

2010-08-12T17:33:00.000-07:00

Midsummer Night

2010-08-10T15:10:00.000-07:00

"I have had a dream, past the wit of man to say what dream it was."

-Shakespeare

Inspired by the odd flower, the night blooming cereus, a cactus flower that only blooms in summer months and ONLY under a full moon at night, we created a set of images as dream like as the flowers themselves (here is a cool time lapse video if you have never seen them bloom). A 4-month tracking of the moon and the flowers and the schedules of various models finally paid off one evening in late July. The entire story is on my site here.

Special thanks to everyone who worked into the wee hours, especially Charls, whithout whom none of this would have been possible.

Model: Hannah K. May @ Studio KLRP Paris

Make up by the lovely: Corvette De La Cruz

Wardrobe provided by: Catherine's Closet Vintage Boutique

Travelin North Video

2010-07-27T18:59:00.000-07:00

photo by: Daeja Fallas

Have a look at the beautiful "Travelin' North" video shot and edited for Filler Magazine Canada by a couple of my talented friends, Mr Joel K of Creative Growth for Everybody and KZO and the steady handed camera man Chris S. This video makes me want to slip away to Union Station in the late afternoon and board an Amtrak heading north just in time to catch the sunset over the Pacific...

Summer Beauty

2010-07-22T16:47:00.000-07:00

model: Te'sa Love at Wilhelmina NY

White sand beaches. Blue water at your toes. Cool ocean breezes. Coconut trees as far as the eye can see. Does summer get any better? Summer is so effortlessly beautiful!

Bikini Bird

2010-07-19T18:28:00.000-07:00

While on Kauai this past week my lovely friend Ally asked me to shoot a "cover up" story for her beach fashion blog Bikini Bird. With only the AE1 and a roll of black and white film with me and no where to buy film within 40 miles, we set out to the beach of beautiful Ha'ena with our friend and pro surfer/model Daize Shayne Goodwin and a littering of cute coverups and bikinis ranging from this DVF number paired with a Volcom bikini and Cleeo Collection bracelets to H&M favorites. Hop on over to Bikini Bird to read on...

Gypsy

2010-07-17T18:55:00.001-07:00

Gypsy Hawaii from Daeja Fallas on Vimeo.

Shot and edited by me :)

Underwear all provided by Gypsy

Model: Tesa Love at Wilhelmina NYC

Other clothes and accessories provided by Billabong and Daeja Porté.

Wildly Inspired Wednesday (White Open Spaces)

2010-07-15T03:24:00.000-07:00

The perfect white tee. Simple, soft, just a little detail, impossibly perfect and impossible to find. Until now. Meet Matt Bruening and the "Momo" white tee, one of my favorites of his easy to wear, hard not to look like a million bucks Pre-Fall collection. Get your hands on one, or ask Matt to create you your very own by checking him out here.

Daeja Porté

2010-07-09T19:13:00.000-07:00

Hop on over to my new blog Daeja Porté!

Photos: me

Styling: Matt and Charls

Model: Kate @ Kathy Muller

'Till Dawn

2010-07-06T14:21:00.000-07:00

images: daejafallas.com

model: Hannah Kelia May @Kathy Muller

make up: Corvette

dress: Daeja Porté

special thanks to: Charls, Kate and the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.

Wildly Inspired Wednesday (Summer Love)

2010-06-30T15:01:00.001-07:00

photo by: Camilla Akrans

Photo by: Carter Smith

photos by: Guy Aroche

Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?

Thou art more lovely and more temperate.

Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,

And summer's lease hath all too short a date.

Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,

And often is his gold complexion dimmed;

And every fair from fair sometime declines,

By chance, or nature's changing course, untrimmed;

But thy eternal summer shall not fade,

Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow'st,

Nor shall death brag thou wand'rest in his shade,

When in eternal lines to Time thou grow'st.

So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see,

So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.

Sonnet 18 by William Shakespeare

Enlightened Fever

2010-06-28T16:00:00.000-07:00

Browsing the magazine racks at Borders I opened Disfunkshion Magazine to find an editorial we shot last November finally come to life! I forgot all about these photos but it's good to finally see them in print.

Many thanks to all of the people that made this happen!

Hugette at Disfunkshion Magazine

Dallas Nagata

Charls Pasion

Te'sa Love (@wilhelmina models NY)

Jessica Hoffman for her beautiful make up!

DF for GF

2010-06-25T11:59:00.000-07:00

Back in late April I shot the flirty, feminine, silk, and leather holiday collection for Geren Ford and the photos are starting to make their rounds on the internet.. first spotted on Fashionista.com!

'till dawn

2010-06-21T15:00:00.000-07:00

Inspiration, this blog has post after post about inspiration. Looking for inspiration I often find myself wandering in and out of vintage stores looking at colors, cuts, fabrics, looking for that gem that gets me going. This dress SCREAMED at me from across the vintage shop I found it in and said, "please photograph me in the ocean at night." So we did just that. Stills are coming soon!

Wildly Inspired Wednesday (Think-Make-Think)

2010-06-17T02:10:00.000-07:00

Such a simple concept yet so difficult to achieve. I have seen the photo of this Haiku on several different occosions and it has always stuck out. Recently while I was wasting more time than admitable on Flickr I came by it again. I decided to do some research on the piece and found that John Maeda wrote the Haiku and a very popular book called "the Laws of Simplicity" you can see that site here. I am unsure of who did the signage or took the photo but I can credit it to the Public Design Center's Photostream on Flickr.

Back to the reason I am posting this... I bookmarked this page a while back so I could be reminded to think about things before I make them. To really come up with a visual plan, to draw them, map them, color, to use whatever skills I possess to create a thought process that leads me to making something new, original, and totally mine. I find myself lost for hours on the internet looking for the image that will best describe the thought in my head so I can show it to a stylist or make up artist and we can recreate that photo. However, I often end up frustrated and my resulting photo will never be like that photo I searched for hours for. I am not that photographer, nothing is the same. So my question now is : When did we stop taking the time to sit down with our ideas and a piece of paper and really think about what we were going to do. Maybe its time to think, make, and think some more.

Do you see your Gypsy?

2010-06-12T23:04:00.000-07:00

Born from lazy saturday mornings and the search for the perfect pair of cute undies, designer Kate Ruggeiro has created the PERFECT pair....

To find your "Gypsy" visit her site at www.madebygypsy.com...

Wildly Inspired Wednesday (Paolo Roversi)

2010-06-09T19:55:00.000-07:00

" For me, light is life – and the first light that I see is the

sun, So when I think about light, I think about the sun and nothing else.

Window light is the most important light for me. When I take a

picture using window light, I always think about what a long trip

the light is making to reach my subject. "

-Paolo Roversi

PDN magazine 2005 titled, "Paolo Roversi On The Mysteries of Light " .

Travelin' North

2010-06-02T01:34:00.000-07:00

"So many miles and so long since I've met you. Don't even know what I'll find when I get to you but suddenly love, I know where I belong. Its been a hundred miles and it won't be long."

-Vashti Bunyan

Clothes provided by: Creative Growth For Everybody

Model: Thais @ Ford Models Los Angeles

Thanks Joel, Katie, Chris, Mark, Christina and Contrast Magazine.

And the shot of the day:

Good Times.

Wildly Inspired Wednesday (A Million Dollars)

2010-05-12T13:10:00.000-07:00

living the dream at sunset on location... models in the pool, knee high in warm water and good people to work with... not bad

So, I tend to avoid negative things people say about photography and photographers and the market we are in and how good or bad someone is doing. For one, part of me thinks it is all how you look at it and how you create it for yourself. As a photographer you are self employed so you can draw your own picture of what your career will look like, to an extent. I also think that negative blogs and down market forecasts have over saturated the internet and I really don't think any of us (even those of us who are not photographers) need to hear how awful everything is. Is it really? I'd say we have it pretty good, we aren't plowing fields with oxen, we are sitting in offices browsing the internet... just my perspective.

On the other hand, there is reality. I shot an ad job this past week and the rate was great. I didn't have to haggle or ask for usage and explain what it is. I had a great team of people to work with, and most importantly, I got to do what I love to do. That great rate was rare and as with any ad job, the expenses were high and not to forget, we spend more than the shoot time on these photographs. There is pre and post production, retouchers ( or hours in lightroom, photoshop...), assistants, rentals, insurance... Crunching the numbers last night made me think about how I would probably make more as a shop girl and have more free time. For anyone thinking of being a photographer or those of you that are photographers and those of you that hire photographers, I think that this post "First Get a Million Dollars" by Photographer Kenneth Jarecke on his blog "Mostly True." is very on point. He says, "The number of successful people working as freelance photographers in America today, is less than the number of guys playing in the NBA.

... and there isn't any pension."

That made me think, would I have had a better shot at making money as the professional surfer I dreamed of being when I was 15 than at this? Maybe.

read the entire post here:
http://kennethjarecke.typepad.com/mostly_true/2010/05/first-get-a-million-dollars.html

Wildly Inspired Wednesday (Lane Coder + Too Much Chocolate)

2010-05-05T21:42:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite aspects of being a photographer is the opportunity to speak to and learn from other photographers. There are so many people that have taught and inspired me over the past few years and the list continues to grow. On the top of my inspiration list is the New York based fashion photographer Lane Coder. To my delight I was given the opportunity to speak with Lane about his photos, his plans, and the source of his own inspiration for the Portland based "Too Much Chocolate" blog. To see more of Lane's work and learn a few of his secrets, check out our interview in the Interviews section of Too Much Chocolate. I have to thank Lane for taking the time to chat with me and share so much and to Jake Stangel the mastermind behind the Too Much Chocolate Blog for giving me the opportunity to speak to one of my favorite photographers about what makes him tick. Ohh, and last but certainly not least thank you to my lovely friend Daniel Abratte for introducing me to Lane's work.

IT'S ALL LACE TO ME

2010-04-27T19:47:00.000-07:00

My current obsession with everything lace has exploded into an entire editorial of lacie love... here's a quick preview.. Can't wait to share the entire story!

Thanks to Corvette for the makeup, Matt Bruening for the styling, Jules at No Ties Management, Charls and Sabrina.

Wildly Inspired Wednesday ( Sarah Maingot)

2010-04-21T20:33:00.000-07:00

Sarah Maingot is one of the photographers that lives at the top of my list. Her understated beauty, her extremely concentrated use of color, the modern twist she brings to her vintage inspired photos, the way that the mundane becomes beautiful through her lens is truly inspiring.

Everything's Coming Up Roses!

2010-04-19T15:12:00.000-07:00

"Starting here, startin' now, honey everything's coming up roses!" - Ethel Merman

Wildly Inspired Wednesday (Patrick Watson and The Wooden Arms)

2010-04-14T18:24:00.000-07:00

Whenever I am up early enough I turn on NPR to see if I can catch their "All Things Considered" show. I was either a little too early or too late one morning when I heard Partick Watson playing a live version of his song "Beijing" using a piano, a guitar and pots ( you know the ones you boil spaghetti in). A little later the interviewer pulled random items out ( I remember a cereal box, a coffee tin and a vase) and asked Partick and his band to create a song using these household items. It was something about a nurse... and that was it for me. If someone can make me stop what I'm doing, sit down and listen to them on the radio using a cereal box and a coffee tin to make music, then they have to be considered "wildly inspiring." It was not that they were making sounds like they do in "stomp" they were making music. Music that makes your heart beat and makes you think of places you've been or places they have been or parts of a dream. It is music for the sake of music with no computers no synthesizer, no musical equivalent to "photoshop." I downloaded the album the same day and have not stopped listening to it since. I have sent it to my friends as gifts and if you have a birthday coming up, don't be surprised if you get the itunes download from me. Patrick's voice is magic to listen to. Here is some live footage from NPR.

OOh, yeah, and they are from Canada... something about those Canadians I just can't get enough of!

Lace on the Rocks

2010-04-13T19:40:00.000-07:00

Rejoice in the come back of high waists and lace. Femininity is back and its everywhere from the city to the beach found on everything from couture Dior gowns to bikinis by Betsey Johnson. I for one, could not be happier!

Thanks to Jessica Hoffman, Charls Pasion and Tiana Cole.

Wildly Inspired Wednesday (Come As You Are)

2010-04-07T10:08:00.000-07:00

Abbey Lee Kershaw and Catherine McNeil in Vogue Australia September 2009, Come As You Are. Shot by Greg Kadel

Wow, has a week really already gone by? These images have been on my desktop for a month inspiring dreams of all sorts.A perfect blend of beach and couture. Maybe Australia is Utopia for those of us that can not decide between the two! All I know about these images is that they were featured in Australian Vogue in November of 2009. The models are Abbey Lee Kerkshaw and Catherine McNeil. I am unable to locate the photographer who shot these. If you know who shot these brilliant photos, please post a comment with the photographer's name. Thanks!

Wildly Inspired Wednesday

2010-03-31T17:13:00.000-07:00

I have decided to make Wednesdays about inspiration. Wether it be someone I know, a story I've heard, something one of you shares, a photo I'm in love with or just something that stands apart, I have decided that in the middle of the week, we all need a little inspiration to get us through till Friday. I was expecting to start with one of the numerous images I have in a folder called "inspiration" but this Wednesday is dedicated to someone who no matter what stands in his way, no matter who tells him he can't he always perseveres and at the age of 18, that is something truly inspiring.

Charls is my 18 year old intern originally from Manilla now living in the US with his sights set on the fashion industry. Speaking 5 languages, he constantly amazes me when he is able to speak to almost anyone that walks onto set. Since the age of 15 Charls has been head over heels in love with fashion and has already spent a summer abroad in Korea learning about their industry and the future of fashion in Asia. This summer he plans to spend 2 weeks in Turkey where they just launched the Turkish edition of Vogue Magazine and now have a turkish fashion week! His focus and determination at such a young age is inspiring but it is his ability to do it all with a smile is what makes him stand out.

GOIN' PLACES WITH CONTRAST MAGAZINE

2010-03-22T17:36:00.000-07:00

I LOVE the smell of freshly printed paper, lucky for me, Mark from Contrast Magazine agreed to meet me while the ink was still drying on the pages of the latest issue titled "Goin' Places." I have to admit I was biting my lip with excitement to finally see "The Love Affair," the fashion story we worked on together last fall in New York. Using talent almost exclusively from Hawaii now residing in New York or there for the shoot, we had a great time "talking story" and running around Brooklyn and the West Village. With the help of a good friend and THE NEWS 495 Showroom in downtown Manhattan we were able to shoot clothing from amazing lines like CLU, Cheap Monday, Creative Growth For Everybody and always one of my favorites, KZO.
Yes, I was excited to see my photos but what excited me more was the talent I got to share pages with. Contrast Magazine has some amazing staff photographers as well as contributors for this issue including Dustin Humphery, Zak Noyle and hailing from the North Shoreof O'ahu the always lovely Brooke Dombroski. I am blessed to be in print with such talent and on the pages of such a beautifully printed magazine. If you are in Hoholulu or Tokyo, go get you one, if not no problem, you can still get one here.

Lipgloss and Mascara

2010-03-20T15:43:00.000-07:00

Im not a huge fan of layers and layers of makeup. I am sure there is a time and a place for it, but that place usually isn't in front of my lens. I much prefer happy, youthful naked faces. So, I asked a few girls to show up with nothing but lipgloss and mascara on their pretty little faces. Then I decided they would style and pose themselves as well. Camera on a tripod I gave the girls free reign to be who they are, pretty, young and happy. Thanks girls.

Kids, Kids, Kids....

2010-03-15T20:05:00.000-07:00

Need I say more?

Pink Monday

2010-03-08T19:49:00.000-08:00

Nothing like a pink rose to brighten your day.

Shop The Shoot Vintage + SUGARHIGH+LOVESTONED @ Etown this Friday!

2010-03-03T19:48:00.000-08:00

Introducing SUGARHIGH+LOVESTONED and the debut collection of "Shop the Shoot Vintage" featuring designer and vintage pieces I have brought home to Hawaii with me from Paris, New York and Los Angeles.

Join us on your "First Friday Art Walk" through Chinatown at ETOWN Studios for art, refreshments and fashion beginning at 4:30 p.m.

SHADES OF GOLD

2010-02-25T21:10:00.000-08:00

Early November in Northern California.

Contrast Magazine + KZO Preview Video!

2010-02-18T22:30:00.000-08:00

contrast project 0002 from Ana Monique Velazquez on Vimeo.

Back to Brooklyn for Contrast Magazine! Stills out later this month in the new issue of Contrast!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

2010-02-15T00:19:00.000-08:00

May your day be filled with lovely dreams in Polaroid blue.

Fantastic Chlo

2010-02-04T16:46:00.000-08:00

This is Chloe. She is pretty fantastic, living the dream on the north shore of Maui designing her rock and roll inspired collection under the name "Lovestoned." Here is her blog if you'd like to keep up with her and her business partner Tami's musings about their collaboration of "Sugar High + Lovestoned" Damn I'm lucky to have fantastic friends!

Good People = Good Photos

2010-02-01T20:25:00.000-08:00

It is always such a treat to see the final product of a project where so many different people come together to make it happen! Last week I received the final copies of the Matix Fall 2010 look books that I worked on with an amazing group of people. Its so much about the people. As my photography career grows and changes one thing remains the same, good people make great photographs! I had the pleasure to work with top notch people on this project. Thanks to everyone for making this a success!

Just to Pass the Time Away

2010-01-26T17:02:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Meg and Gena at Ford Models along with Cassidy, Charls and Corvette for making this possible.

Dreamer

2010-01-22T17:30:00.000-08:00

Quand je rêve, je rêve de toi et dans mes rêves il y a seulement toi...

Just about the easiest thing you can do....

2010-01-15T18:34:00.000-08:00

It only takes about 3 minutes and makes such a difference to those in need. Even $5.00 helps, so we go without a Starbucks latte today, and we feed or get water to someone who needs it more than we do. Please help, it feels so good, I promise you'll do it with a smile on your face. Donate to Doctors Without Borders here.