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time for a change.

Dear Blog...

If you are here... you should go here : http://manda-aiello.tumblr.com/

I have moved.

xo
M

Scot & Noelle +2

They quite possibly could be the coolest family ever to exist! I seriously believe these people were created to be photographed. No, really, from ‘moms’ fierce flair for fashion to ‘dads’ quiet-cool-collected-go-with-the-family-portrait-session-flow… and those kids?!? I swear, my cheeks burn from the constant smiling they evoke!


Aside from their stunning good looks and the coolness that oozes from them, I am truly honored to photograph such amazing family- It’s not often you come across people you admire for their spirit and adore for their infectious personalities.

Demmer Family- you are wonderful. To the tenth power. Thank you so much for letting me captures this moment!

robert + fitness + wow.

I had the pleasure of meeting Robert Bolagh- fitness trainer extraordinaire last Saturday for an 'anytime' shoot in Santa Ana Art District. I was so excited to do this seeing as though I am somewhat “green” to photographing men… not to mention attractive muscular men! This opportunity was very important to me considering I have such fascination with bodies of fitness. Their bodies are such a beautiful strong form of art that I think people often look past. I for one, love: Pilates, jogging on the beach, hiking, swimming, ballet bar… but the GYM? Ugg… NO. The gym bores me and I feel I’d rather slip into a coma then pack myself in the gym like-a-sardine-on-a-treadmill for an hour! I actually bought a 3 year membership to 24 Hour Fitness and never used it!

So… kudos to those who feel the enjoyment and are able to continue renewing their memberships… evidently, with that enjoyment and persistence comes a fabulous physic!

Thank you Robert! You look A-mazing!

a new day.

The thing I love the most about life is that every day is a new day.


We can change our minds at any time and move on to brighter things, or we can continue to sit in the mire. Personally, I’m done with all that.

I am thankful and blessed that goodness has taken up residence in my heart and started to clean this house. Believe me, this hasn’t been an easy task as I hate construction, I’m allergic to cleaning supplies and dirt is just gross! But I am a hard worker and if getting dirty is what it takes… then let it be.

Today, for as long as it’s called ‘today’, let love tear down a wall or two, and shape you into the diamond you were created to be.

gorgeous. period.

“I don't always take a good picture”, she said. I doubted this could be true. How could any camera not love this vivacity?



As photographers, I believe one of our greatest gifts is to be able to capture someone’s beauty… their joie de vivre…to let them be seen… and most important- to make them feel gorgeous in their own skin. And isn’t she stunning? Through and through.

Meet Dari.

a dash of hope, a pinch of encouragement…. And PRESTO!!

Part of me is writing this post to encourage myself, but I do feel if one word of this helps another then I am satisfied! I want to take a moment to encourage you and I to stay focused on our GOALS today.

I have so often times heard the word ‘no’ and I hate it just as much as my little girl does. I have even been told I throw a much bigger fit than she does after hearing those 2 letters of devastation! Sometimes I get caught up in, ‘no’ and the big let-down that shadows me- sometimes I get angry and it motivates me-Sometimes I am just quiet and I wait.

I would like to think of myself as ‘a glass half full’ girl- most often when I am around other people or even here on the internet. Like everyone else, I have faced disappointment, downers and hardships- but I have learned that persistence is what works for me. Along with discipline-and of course writing things down and organizing my thoughts and plans…!

 So you know, all this musing stems from American Idol. Lol… yes that’s right! The part where JLO had to tell Room # 2 they didn’t make it to Hollywood. I found it inspiring to hear her and Steven Tyler talk about how many doors had been shut in their faces... and how many times they heard ‘no’ and how often they had to encourage themselves to continue!

Well… time to get back to work! And of course every post is better with a photo!

Tuesday 2011

Day 2 of blogging in the New Year.


Happiness is finding a little bit of heaven in your hell." A. William Hopper


To: Kaeley

Sweet little girl. I am sitting at work at my desk and my head is throbbing. There are construction workers outside my window laying down wood flooring. Great for the office bad for my brain! I can’t work and you were on my mind. I like to write to you… You may find these blog postings on your own, years down the road and how sweet I think it would be to read these words. We forget things as we get older and I never want to forget this.

This past weekend I had a photo job that you went to with me. We were shooting the interior of a restaurant and a few items from the menu. You were such a good girl and very patient! I recognize that a couple hours in your little life seems life a million! But you waited it out, and you were very helpful and everyone adored you!

When we drove away, amidst your normal jibber you told me that you have a $100.00 saved at your dad’s house from your allowance. I replied with “that’s wonderful! What are you saving your money for..?” Assuming it would be for a video game or a toy of some sorts. But you said you were going to use that Benjamin to buy us a big house…in Italy. And I would cook all day. You would go to college. Papa and grandma would come to visit. I would have to make Papa pizza.


Kaeley, you make me smile.

hey stranger.

So it’s February. Already. One of my News Year’s resolutions was to blog more. Something- anything. Some bloggers seem to have an easy time posting every day, but I am not one of those people. Not to mention that’s it’s been unbelievably busy at my Monday through Friday gig nights/weekends holidays- there are no breaks allowed when it comes to serving justice at the law firm I guess!
 
Writing every day is a discipline. I'm pounding my keyboard against my head trying to find the words at times… It’s hard to collect one thought out of the millions screaming through my head in between the many hats I wear on a day to day basis and blog it.


My attempt with this post was to sum up the past month in one short paragraph so I will in fact remember this moment, and where I was today. Let me start:

2011= take more risks. I do take risks by the way. I have taken many risks short of cave diving in unchartered waters in unground tunnels (sorry! just saw Sanctum).

2011= have less issues. With myself that is. My job is simply to begin. One foot in front of the other until my story unfolds.

Ok, so that turned out to be more of an outline and less of a paragraph! Oh well! Happy Monday!

... in between all of my dedication to the law firm... I have somehow found some time for what I love.

christmas + feeling

I am not certain what I was expecting… snow in L.A.? maybe, but this year didn’t feel like Christmas despite my best efforts. True, I was surrounded by faces of all sorts. Ones I love, ones I am in love with, old ones, new ones, fresh ones, furry ones. But something was still missing. And nooo, it wasn’t like one of those sad sappy Holiday songs, I wasn’t stuck in the snow miles away trying to get back home so I could take a sleigh ride and sip hot cocoa with my dog and my boyfriend. I don’t have a dog…and I was already with my loved ones… and loving them.


I’m certain I am not the only person who sits in limbo between what’s left behind and what’s to come~ I know this year is furiously coming to an end with a new one on the horizon. Now, more than ever I am plotting what 2011 may look like. And boy have I got PLANS!!! Heehhee…

Ok, well, no matter what kind of Christmas spirit you may have been in, there is one thing that can cheer up any scrooge…without a doubt…. and I truly believe it’s these beautiful faces below.

thought for the day

"I have come here to say that i do not recognize anyone's right to one minute of my life... it had to be said. The world is perishing from an orgy of self-sacraficing."~~~ Ayn Rand, author

My thought is... every minute of  life is precious. Self- imposed  suffering dulls the amazing gifts you've been given. Do not sacrafice your life; you are all you have.

Ohh Miss Rock-ett you are so fierce!

ROCK-ETT

A new year brings new goals and today I have decided to start preparing myself for the tackle. By tackle I mean- what it would mean to be completely content with the way things are right now, today, having a grateful heart… all while craving and desiring more. Ummm ok... I just read that 3 times out loud and it sounds super sweet and super split personality! I mean really, there are two sides to me that co-exist. One is always starving and the other is always satisfied. No. That’s a lie. The other is mostly satisfied and by mostly I mean usually.

BTW…the hunger I am referring to is life, happiness, career and all the things that follow and then learning to find the balance.

Thinking of this brings me to Nikki. Nikki Rockett. Gurl you definitely ROCKED-IT ! Spending the day with her and listening to her made me realize we think about these things at any age and any facet of life.

Nikki, it was a pleasure to meet you… you are full of fire in all the best ways. You are beautiful. You are fierce. You are and will be an amazing voice for your generation. You will progress. You will succeed.

At the risk of sounding too sappy, I will say this anyway~ you have big dreams and hopes, wear them on your sleeve, and on your collar, and on your fore head if you so desire. The truth is, its people like us who keep this world magical. Thank you again!

 
 

 

review.

During this time of year, the end of the year that is, I find it very easy to look back in review. The milestones, the mistakes, the magic~ you know me well enough to know I have a passionate tendency to turn each and every one of these moments into more, much more, but this year they will all serve as my building blocks. This year, I will learn and this year I will move on.

I think back to this month, last year. What a different junction. Not only did I question my career but I questioned my survival. It was hard to believe that I could ever again pursue something I loved so much. Maybe, the sum of my life was bound to a desk, in an office and in a life I cringed to think about. Most nights I would pray that was impossible. But then, I also know sometimes the worlds truths end up like a heavy sack of rocks… and there I was with it, trying to cross the river.

I was told once; I’m better off failing at something I love than achieving something I hate ~and there you have it. In ink. On the internet.

I look forward to everything 2011 brings me, well maybe not turning 31, but all the other possibilities I welcome. I thank everyone who has been a part of my life, who has believed in me, loved me and supported me!

Below is just one of the gorgeous photos of miss Nikki Rockett... Just a gorgeous girl and thank you for trusting me!

happy list.

1. Flowers.. Roses to be particular. Red and purple to be even more specific


2. Food tastings

3. Anticipation

4. Vanilla Bean

5. My new lens

6. Aveda Shampoo

7. Short weeks/long weekends

8. Flavored lip gloss

9. Butterflies( the kind in your belly)

10. Happy people on the other end of my camera

we all have wings.

Looking past the techniques, I believe there are very important lessons that we have to teach ourselves- such as discovering what fuels our photographic fire. Trying to find that fire is not always easy. Then knowing what to do with it… Over the past few years, there have been many times that I have measured myself by others strengths, rather than my own. I would define myself based off where others were and what I thought I should be. Naturally I was left with the idea that my contributions were less than meaningful. But I was so wrong.


We can all take a generically good photo, having an image of something you find has purpose is another story. Of course I have a plethora of images that make no sense at all, and to anyone whose heartstrings aren’t attached would be quick to discard. Truth is they have meaning to me- it could be as simple as the image just means “I am getting better at this thing”. Fortunately, there is not a right or a wrong way, just an authentic way. We all have wings, and I intend to celebrate mine.

Although I am not much for nature photography and I would never knock those who are- I have to share a quote: “There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs.” – Ansel Adams

 
 
 

Thursday.

Fear less, hope more.


Eat less, chew more.

Whine less, breathe more.

Talk less, say more.

Love more, and all good things will be yours.


~Swedish proverb

are we enough?

Yes. That is a rather big inquiry for this chilly afternoon in November.


As I have gone through my day, my lists and my loose ends I can feel myself getting a little down. I love to be positive but the battle in my mind at times remains. It would seem the busier I get the more confused I become. A completely sane person would feel accomplished! But not Manda. Instead all I can think of are future tasks, what I have neglected or what I need to change.

Please understand I have a very active mind. The dialogue in my head never rests and considering this is the most intimate of conversations we have (the ones with ourselves) this can either be sacred or destructive. Even though I have gotten better at filtering the negative words that flow through, there are still moments like today where I question who and what I want to be. I get confused with my photography because I want to be the best me possible, and at the same time do everything right.

Time for a little pick me up~ a little inspiration.

If you have never stopped to listen to the conversations in your head… you should. I have heard mine, and many times it’s broken my heart. It has taken me a very long time to get to a point where I can turn the volume down, or if I’m lucky, change the music.

Today I think we should encourage each other to treat ourselves with love. Fill our hearts and head with loving words and self- kindness. We are all worthy of what we dream for, we are enough.

The photos below were taken with my new lens and new camera! I have been waiting f.o.r.e.v.e.r. for my new equipment and I couldn’t be more positive about what’s to come!

tgif.

My mind is creatively locked. Every have one of those ridiculous dreams where you wake up in school and your still in your pajamas? Or naked? Well… lately that has been me. I fear I might still be in my pajamas. Or worse, naked.


Ok, well since I am lacking in the creative field… I think I will tell you 6 things you don’t know about me. Even if you know me, you may not know this!

So here we go:

1. If I was given a billion dollars right this second- I would drop whatever I am doing… and I mean WHATEVER and catch the next plane to New York and buy the exact apartment that Carrie and Mr. Big bought in SATC…I am OBSESSED with the closet!!

2. When I was little I used to pretend that all of my dolls were being attacked by Jason or Freddy Krueger. Can you believe how morbid that sounds?!

3. I get cold way too easily!! 70 degrees and I’m yelling for the heater!!

4. When I was growing up I either dreamed to be Martha Stewart or Sean Yseult~ the bassist for White Zombie. How extreme is that?

5. Someday I wish to open a bakery/stationery boutique. Kind of like Ashton Kutcher did in the movie Valentine’s Day. Only his was a bakery/ Florist shop.

6. I use way too much Splenda.

 
 

the good. the bad. the unknown.

I have been told an uber amount of times that I talk too much. Or I talk for too long. Or that I could actually have eaten a whole watermelon in the amount of time it takes me to describe one. PLEASE!! I do none of the above… maybe other people just don’t talk enough. Maybe it’s everyone else who could use a few dramatic interpretations and pauses in their daily dialogues! On the topic of talking too much, I have wondered a few times since starting my blog this year, if I would ever regret a posting. Unfortunately my blog is like my Face Book page- there isn’t a delay between my thoughts and fingers. The Publish Immediately Button couldn’t lock up fast enough.


On the keyboard of life there is no delete key. The backspace is always an afterthought and the ESC key only works a part of the time. I would like to consider it’s all just a part of my manda’ness’. I have been speaking my mind since I could put a sentence together. I have kept a journal for as long I could spell. I have always documented my thoughts the good, the bad and the unknown.



Beautiful Crystal D.

 
 

in love with love.

I am well aware that today’s thoughts may seem a bit unorganized. I had a beautiful written post about love that I have been working on for the past couple of days. My words were brilliantly arranged and flowed so gracefully- and as if the world sought to cause me more grief for the week, I accidentally deleted the whole thing this morning at work! Seriously, I am considering the pen and paper method after this!

Someone wrote to me recently, that being “ 'in love with love’ really means you are in love with infatuation. That the notion is a schoolgirls fantasy and immature at its core. That it’s a shallow love and narcissistic in nature." Those words were shattering to read, because I feel that love comes in different forms for different people. Everyone loves so differently, I know sometimes we expect each other to love the same. The way we would individually. I admit I’m guilty as charged.Often, I forget the masses don’t weight in on the same scale as I. "The inability to be patient combined with neediness". I describe it best as passionate. Emotional. Irrational. Ridiculous. I love love. That’s who I am, and I am not going to change. I couldn’t if I tried. 
What about words of love? Words require analysis and explanations, we often wonder what do they really mean? Well, maybe they mean nothing. The words ‘ I love you’ when striped away may be worthless to one person and mean everything to another. To me they are the construction of my soul. My thoughts. My heart. I must tell Kaeley I love her 300 times a day, in person, on the phone, via text messaging- and she is only 8! I never want her to forget, or to wonder.

One of the reasons I love wedding photography is getting to see different forms of raw love. Hearing it, seeing it and experiencing it with others. For those 14 hours of photographing a wedding, love is all around. And the first look? When a bride and groom get to see each other before everyone else? I love peering from behind a lens and seeing this magical love first hand, before anyone, before their friends, before their family. Ahhh... the butterflies... the fireworks! So maybe I am in love with love...my own and with others. Afterall Its a beautiful thing!

let LOVE shine!!!