A self-testament through sunflowers

The DFW area has been buzzing about all of the gorgeous Sunflower fields in Allen, McKinney, and Frisco and who doesn't want to photograph flowers that are larger than the size of their own head???  Unfortunately I started hearing that police were ticketing people for trespassing.  I can certainly see why they would do that --people were actually trampling the stocks and pulling them out of the ground.  What's wrong with people?  These are crops that belong to farmers!  So I decided to avoid the city sunflower craze and headed down 35 South between Waxahachie and Milford, Texas.  I heard their was sunflowers galore "in the country".  

I had a few things working against me:  The Texas heat, I'm talking 104 degrees, folks.  Then there's the fact that I was going alone --into a field of sunflowers.  It can be a little overwhelming for someone who is only 5'3" and all of the stocks are taller than I am.  Oh, and lets not forget the rattlers!  Although I didn't think I'd run into any, I was still very cautious.  Of course I wore a super cute outfit and makeup to match.  I looked at myself in the mirror and thought, "dang, I look super cute!!!" and then my next thought was "You're an idiot!!!!!"  So I packed tennis shoes and a pair of jeans...just in case!

50+ miles later I arrive at the State owned rest stop.  I'm surrounded by truck drivers, traveling families and a few strange individuals.  Yanno, what you'd usually see at a rest stop.  I grab my gear and head over to a table to change out the lens on my camera, etc.  I strap on my bag pack and with camera in hand I start walking towards the field that is located directly behind the rest stop.  I thought to myself..."this is a Lifetime Movie Original waiting to happen."

Oh, I left out one very important detail...the sunflowers were all dead.  ::sadness::  At first I was annoyed that I drove so far to a field only to find dead sunflowers.  I was really looking forward to this session seeing as how I have been so consumed with work, my fitness regimen, and editing photos for clients.  I just wanted some ME TIME.  But then I thought "Sonia, this is what you are known for.  This is why people enjoy your work, because you see beauty where most see atrophy."  And boy was I surrounded by atrophy!  Haha.  So I did just that...I found the beauty and I hope you see it too as seen through my eyes.    

Thank you for stopping by!  Peace, love, and sunflowers!

Tainted Love Project - The Finale

Concept & Photography:  Ms. Ruin
Model & Makeup:  Christina Revis

"I still press your letters to my lips,
And cherish them in parts of me that savor every kiss
I couldn't face a life without your light 
But all of that was ripped apart
When you refused to fight..."

Tainted Love Project - Day VIII

Concept & Photography:  Ms. Ruin
Model & Makeup:  Christina Revis

"I won't listen to your shame.  You ran away, you're all the same..."

Tainted Love Project - Day VII

Concept & Photography:  Ms. Ruin
Model & Makeup:  Christina Revis

"You sold me out to save yourself..."

Tainted Love Project - Day VI

Concept & Photography:  Ms. Ruin

Model & Makeup:  Christina Revis

Tainted Love Project - Day V

Concept & Photography: Ms. Ruin 

Model & Makeup: Christian Revis

"The air around me still feels like a cage and 

love is just a camouflage for what resembles

 rage again."

Tainted Love Project - Day IV

Concept & Photography by Ms. Ruin

Model & Makeup:  Christina Revis

Tainted Love Project - Day III

Concept & Photography by Ms. Ruin

Model & Makeup:  Christina Revis

Tainted Love Project: Day II

Concept & Photography by Ms. Ruin

Model & Makeup:  Christina Revis

Tainted Love Project - Day I

Concept & Photography by Ms. Ruin

"The promises were spoiled before 

they left your lips..."

To view entire images, visit me on Facebook.

Meow!

Have I mentioned how much I love to photograph women?  ::big smile::

Merciful

The Fountain of Mercy Ministries has chosen one of my prints to help raise funds during their annual Divine Mercy Conference.  I am so excited to be a part of their conference as I believe firmly in the work that they do help the community through faith and spiritual guidance.  This print in particular is very touching to so many.  Let me tell you the story behind these pudgy feet.   

 

 

“Merciful” by Sonia Hernandez Doneghue

This fine art print features a portion of a large monument that illustrates Jesus Christ with a group of small children. I was compelled to capture the feet of a kneeling child who looked up at his Savior with such love –a gracious gaze and admiration for Our Lord, one which comes without question. There is something very special about the way a child depicts Jesus Christ. As adults, we tend to think we know more than children, however we should pause, reflect, and relearn to love and trust in the Lord the way a merciful child does it so purely.

I'm on fire!

 -Lake Michigan via Chicago, Illinois

 

THIS is what I love to photograph.  THIS is what I'm good at. I very rarely advertise family portraits because although I don't mind taking photos for people when they seek me out, I want to be remembered for my visual art. Does that make sense?  THIS is what fuels me.  THIS is who I am.  THIS is Ms. Ruin. ::leaves heart on the floor:: ♥

 

::cough::  Now that I've got that out of my system.  Here are some other photographic highlights from my trip to The Windy City in October.  I still have a bunch more to sort through plus some really cool pics of a fantastic lighthouse in Kenosha, Wisconsin on the banks of Lake Michigan.  Talk about brrrrrrrr!  For now, enjoy these...

 

The world famous Chicago Theater

 

 

 

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Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier --yes, I did ride!

 

Lighthouse at Navy Pier on the banks of both the Chicago River and Lake Michigan

 

 

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Hillside, Illinois --the final resting place of Al Capone.

 

Lots of old and beautiful monuments in this gorgeous cemetery.

 

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Does this one really need a caption?  Okay, fine.  This is Cloud Gate at Millenium Park.  Affectionately known as The Bean.  "Sonia, you gotta go see the bean!!"

 

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I love this one.  Believe it or not, it's probably a favorite.  I'm strange that way.

 

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Currently the tallest building in the world --Willis Tower.  Formerly knows as The Sears Tower.  Yes, went up to the very top of this one too.  Want to see those pics?  Stay tuned!

 

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If you enjoyed these photos, don't forget that you can repin all of my work to your boards on Pinterest!  Happy Pinning.  :)

 

 

 

 

Black & White

I am moved by black and white photography and I’m sure you’ve heard me say before that things sometimes take on new life in black and white.  I believe it to be true.  I have also said that some of the best stories are told in black and white.  I don’t just see pictures –I see parables.  Some are evident; some are waiting to be told.  It excites me much.  And I do love sharing those stories through my visual art.  Gosh, if you could just open your heart to me for just a few minutes –to experience what I feel inside of me about the world around me…the way I see it through my physical lens, and through the constant snapping that is going on in my head when I don’t have camera in hand.  I wish I could let it out with words…sometimes it’s not possible.  I want to look you in the eye, I want you feel what I feel.  I don’t just want you to experience the story; I want you to be the story.  ::big smile::  Few get it…but I know I’m destined to strike a chord in the most unlikely people.  Just you wait…I’ll grip your soul when you least anticipate.  And I will thank YOU for letting yourself go in my world.  Life is too short to spend it building walls around the imagination.    

 

The above photo was taken on South Padre Island, Texas and is dedicated to my Tennessee Mama --Karen.  I'm convinced she needs to retire to a beach.  :)

 

Peace, love, and sand between the toes!    

God Bless Texas

A friend and I were joking when making lunch plans for Wednesday.  She said that she hopes we are not snowed in on Wednesday morning.  I told her not too worry...it would be 90 degrees by afternoon.  We laughed because Texas weather is indeed crazy.  Most regions of the country have persistent weather patterns with somewhat gradual changes.  Not in Texas!  LOL.

 

Case in point...we had gorgeous semi-warm weather at yesterday's photo shoot.  Today?  32 degrees and snow.  Yep.  But anyway...a big thank you to my beautiful friend Melissa and her family for working with me during my recent post op time.  I had a good time capturing their Christmas photos and talking little Sophie into smiling for the camera.  I'm always up for a challenge!  But I'm not gonna lie --these candid moments are my favorite.  :)

 

 

 

Peace, love, and holiday photos!

NOLA

I'm in New Orleans tonight and although this trip was somewhat of a weather bummer, I still had a really fabulous time and we made the weekend work despite the rain.  Today started really early with a gourmet breakfast at Criollo --then it was off to the middle of the French Quarter for a cemetery tour.  The rain held off but once the tour started --insane cats and dogs massive crazy downpour.  Yes, I had an umbrella but I had to do everything in my power to fight the wind an the rain and protect my camera, speedlight and spare lens.  So basically, I was only able to cover my equipment while the rest of me --well, you guessed it...DRENCHED from head to toe.  :(  I had to quit the tour before ever making it to the cemetery because I couldn't risk getting my gear wet.  So I headed back to the hotel with my heart broken but thankful that my camera was fine. 

After a hot bath I decided to take this photographic journey on a new path --an indoor shoot!  I will go more into that next week because I don't want to spoil the surprise.  But here is "a portion" of one of the photos I snapped today.  I know you're wondering why I'm only showing you a portion of it --well, this particular photo is going to be the October Giveaway at Through These Eyes!  For now, you just get the sneak peek! 

Peace, love, and beignets! 

Photo Contest

There is a big contest underway at Through These Eyes Visual Art!  Join in on the fun or stop by and read all of the fantastic entries we have received to date.  I am super flattered to have a significant following as we approach 550 likes (just four people away) and I'm thinking up something fun to give away when we get there.  The contest details are below...follow this link to play!

Contest time and a fun opportunity to be inventive! Let’s pretend that this is the cover of a movie poster and you are the brains behind said movie.

How to Play:
• Provide your movie title and a short story/plotline.
• We will choose three winners who will get this print (11x14 for 1st place, 8x10 for 2nd & 3rd place).
• PLUS –qualify for random drawings for prints from this set when you share this post on your page .

General Housekeeping:• Contest ends Wednesday, August 22nd.
• You must be a member of Through These Eyes to win.
• Enter as many times as you’d like by messaging me your details or leaving them as a comment on this thread.
• GOOD LUCK and HAVE FUN!

Just This One Secret

Just This One Secret is now available for download at BarnesandNoble.com!  I am excited that I had the opportunity to shoot the book cover, at least that's what the title page says.  But seriously, I am happy that I could play a small role in a labor of love for this independent author.  My cover is a portal to a story you don't want to miss.  Download it now!  

Beautiful Ruin

I've seen her several times as I skirt my way down 35 South towards Waco.  She stands less than a half mile from the interstate, surrounded by weeds.  Most would call her an eyesore, ugly and scary.  But as I drove down the gravel paved road which ended just a few feet from her door step, my heart squeezed into my throat, beating so hard I could taste it.  To me she is beautiful and magical and I couldn't wait to capture her beauty to show to the rest of the world.  ::big smile::

These images were worth every scrape on my knee, every bruise on my legs and the dirt in my face.  What good is art if you don't get dirty?

Bird Love

People like me make lists for everything under the sun.  I keep a journal at the bedside, a journal in my office, a book in my purse, a book in my bag, a book at my work desk.  I can't make this stuff up.  Anyway, I am pretty good and checking my notes and my lists and sticking to them but it seems that lately I am not keeping up with my lists and I'm wasting precious time doing nothing when clearly I should be doing something.  Accccccck!  Tomorrow is the start of new week...an opportunity to exercise the use of my books once again.  I know, I should just go to bed and "let it go".  If only it were that easy.  The OCD doesn't allow me to just "let it go."  I'm now beating myself up for a wasted night.  How can people sit and read a book or watch television?  That's for the birds...I'm just not wired that way.  Speaking of birds...here are a couple of prints by yours truly.  :)