The King of Captivation: Zack Stone

Lately I am sure you all have noticed I haven’t been blogging often. This is because some changes in my life: I got my first very own apartment, I am creating my own Etsy.com company, and I am expanding my brand to be something powerful and hopefully meaningful. All these things take time, preparation, and focus, so I have been putting effort in time spent alone and with friends to make these dreams come true. I have always been a big dreamer, but haven’t always been able to find purpose for all my dreams.

This year I have learned that what I was meant to do wasn’t just one thing, but a series of goals that all collaborate into one big one. I am creating more things than I ever have both physically and metaphorically. I have some really exciting things to share with you all, both projects I have been creating and making, as well as business plans I am going to be implementing soon.

On another note I have not only been focusing on my goals, but also meeting more talented artists who have skills I do not. One in particular is an extremely talented photographer Zack Stone. His pictures are captivating, breath taking, romantic, mythical, exotic, and other worldly. He has a way of taking a moment and making it a masterpiece.

I have worked with a good amount of photographers and I find that working with Zack is really a rewarding collaboration for many reasons. A lot of the time when you go into a photoshoot you are only to go off of the moves and angles that you know. What I love about working with Zack is his ability to make you a piece of art by guiding you and directing you into this unbelievable moment. His small or even dramatic guidance puts you in a certain mood when he photographs you.

Now that we have done a couple shoots together I have started to learn the mood he likes to capture, so it has become such a fun process of knowing the direction he gives and now the guidance I have completely implemented into my modeling. I think he has made me a better model, simply by helping me feel a mood when taking a photo, but also by learning new ways to hold myself in order to capture something beautiful.

When I first received the photos I was astonished at how gorgeous they were and it was not because of me by any means, but by his ability to take such a powerful photo. I will let his words through some questions I asked him and the pictures he has taken of me speak for themselves, as his pictures speak way more than 1,000 words.

When in your life did you first realize photography was something that would forever be your ultimate passion? Was it a series of events, or was it something you always knew?

Well, I’ve always struggled to have hobbies because most of them that I tried required me to have others to do it with, so most other things prior to photography I gave up because people didn’t get into it as much as I did. Photography is different because I can go out and take photos of whatever by myself. I have a tendency to go all out when I’m into something. It’s something that’s in my personality; I’m very hot and cold about things, which can be a determent sometimes. I made it an almost daily routine to grab my camera after work and just take photos of everything, I really enjoyed it. It also provides a nice buffer between my personal issues and me. It wraps me up in a positive place that I always want to go back to.

What inspires your photos now to have both the mood and look that you aim for, and do you think the mood you have now is consistent with when you first started avidly pursuing photography?

I’ve always been obsessed with depth of field; I just love the look of it. I struggle to describe my artistic vision because it seems like a certainty that I’ll come across as pretentious. I think a lot of what I try to go for comes from a love of fantasy, a bit of idealism and also a sense of sadness at times. I grew up watching, reading and playing games that revolved around fantasy. I think photography allows me to put my own spin on the world.

How would you describe your art if you had to describe it instead of letting it speak for itself?

I’d like to think of it as emotive, moody, and dreamy. People often tell me my photos look “soft” I think that’s a desirable adjective. I’m a pretty emotional person myself, who thinks a lot; I’m also pretty existential so that may also reflect in my work. I’d also say it’s simple I don’t like photos where there is a lot of crazy posing, and cheesy gimmicks. I like the “less is more” approach.

When you pursue models and looks what usually inspires that? Is it organic or do you feel as if it is something you plan out before implementing?

I find a lot of different models photogenic for different reasons. I think a lot of it may be a subconscious processing that I’m not completely aware of. Some of them have an “agency” look and some have that girl next door look as well. There are women who are certainly more apt for certain genres more than others just based on appearance. Sometimes, models can do a lot of different things but that’s rarer. I’d also like to stress that it’s not enough to just be an attractive person, it helps but there has to be a connection between the model and subjects who will be looking at her photo. I find a really great model is someone who can basically just look at you with minimal body language and hook you in.

What is your favorite thing about being behind the camera lens? Is it almost like looking through your real eyes or do you feel like you see the world in photographs now?

The camera gives me the ability to transform the world into the way I envision it in my head. I preconceive my photos a lot, especially landscapes, but I do for portraiture as well. This is also where I’d like to dispel the mantra of gear doesn’t matter, it does. I couldn’t do portraits the way I’d want to without a fast aperture. As I said earlier, I’m pretty obsessed with a thin depth of field. Photography in general has really opened up my social life as well. I can incorporate my photography into everything I spend my time doing. And I’ve made some wonderful friends who I never would have met otherwise.

What does your logo SlamzeeNY stand for and why did it become your brand?

Oh god, haha. It’s actually a self-parody that just stuck with me since I was 14. The story is, I was listening to Eminem’s “My Name is” and during the chorus I thought Slim Shady was Slamzeeny, my friends took note of my mistake and I decided to make it a joke because I thought it was amusing. It’s also unique in its own way as well.

If you would like to see more of Zack’s work and I urge you to do so, please visit his Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/slamzeeny/ 

My Valentine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have taken some time of absence from my blog because I got my very own apartment! I will be showing you some things I have been creating, some things I will be selling on Etsy.com, and some DIY projects I have been working on. For today though, I wanted to share with you something personal and real.

No matter what a person portrays on the outside you have to know that is not always what is truly going on in their life. My life recently has been a series of traumas that has brought me to a very sad state. I have had a hard time being myself, and taking care of myself. This has led me to a very interesting realization.

We now live in a world where it is very easy to “love yourself” aka take selfies, “feel yourself,” etc. but what isn’t easy is taking care of yourself and respecting yourself. I have a very hard time taking care of myself because I am a giver who wants to take care of other people, but what I have found throughout time is that taking care of yourself by putting your needs first is more important than loving yourself.

We are a culture of false images where we portray our lives to be a perfect façade, but that is a dangerous game because it does tend to make us focused on the wrong lifestyle. As today is the day of love I urge you to do as I have done and take a step back to reevaluate the way you treat yourself with your relationships and your life. Do you think you live a life that is fair to your needs? Do you take care of your emotions and wants? Do you feel as if you are on the life path that brings you the most joy possible, and has helped you achieve and/or follow your dreams?

If you, like me said no to any of these questions it is time to change that! Use this Valentine’s Day as a new door of life to walk into to really make sure the people in your life treat you the right way, and give you the love you deserve. We can only control ourselves and I can tell you from many different experiences I have encountered, if something isn’t working your gut is telling you the truth… it is not ever going to change.

As humans we are so desperate for companionship and love that we tend to sacrifice a lot of things we need in order to get what we crave, but the problem with that is that we then in the end live a life of disappointment. I think it is important to know what you need to be happy and make sure that not just the people you date, but each relationship in your life satisfies the needs you were born to have. It is not a bad thing to be a certain way and require a certain kind of love.

I have felt for a long time that I needed to sacrificed a lot of my needs to help the other people in my life, but that has not given me the strength to truly take care of myself (since I am too busy taking care of others). I watch a lot of people in my personal circle and in general do this very thing also, and it has brought me to a sad state where I realized we are not a culture that takes care of ourselves. Instead we focus on the outward image and go along with a lifestyle that does not satisfy.

If there is anything in your life making you feel like you cannot take care of yourself such as: communicate your feelings and be genuinely received, feel as if the people you surround yourself with truly appreciate you and either show you or tell you, have positive people in general around you, do the occasional things like buy yourself something you have been really wanting, and take pride in not just what you look like, but who you are. If you feel as if these things or one of these things are lacking make sure you take this Valentine’s Day or any day to try and change this.

It is important to be in a positive place in your life, and even if you think that is impossible I promise it is not! Love yourself because everyone deserves love, but most important take care of yourself, because you deserve a life of positivity and satisfaction. 

xoxo

Chelsea Nine 

Taking A Leap of Fashion

Fashion. A word that scares so many of us and yet dictates so much of our society. Why are we so afraid of this industry, though? In my personal opinion it is due to the pressure of our culture. The unrealistic norms that we see on the cover of magazines… or maybe it’s the definition we give ourselves that cripples us from true self-expression?

This is my main goal of blogging: to release those who are afraid of fashion into a realization that style is your ability to define both yourself and your take on the industry. Meaning you can be whoever you want to be! You can look however you want to look!

In my past posts I talk about color history and how we were once a society dictated by fashion. How once upon a time there were rules and regulations that made each human bound to one way of self-expression. I don’t think people realize that we now live in an era where we have total rights over our day to day image, and how much of history was not given these same rights.

Because of this we should all embrace our freedom and express ourselves in whatever way we want! I know I seem overly enthusiastic, but my hope is that I can send some of it your way so you can feel comfortable taking advantage of self-expression too.

Now I do understand that fashion and style can be intimidating to a lot of people and it is hard to take “fashion risks” without feeling like the people who know us are going to “judge us.” That being said I have a solution to this said problem! This is typically the time of year for traveling as it is when the winter breaks kick in and those of us trapped in the cold venture off to warmer pastures.

If you are feeling adventurous why not be adventurous with your personal style as well? Vacation is a perfect time to take risks in your wardrobe for you are not going to be seen by anyone you know. Therefor you are relieving a lot of that nervous energy since there is no reason to be nervous at all! No one will judge you and honestly people who take a leap of fashion get more praise than you realize.

So think for a second… what is that one thing you love but our afraid to wear due to feeling as if it is “not your style” or “it’s just too flashy” and forget your limitations just wear it! See how you feel and wear it with confidence! Even if you feel like it isn’t your style if you are drawn to it that kind of means it is your style. Style is simply an interpretation of ongoing trends and fashions that can be both current and/or vintage.

I went to visit my family in South Carolina for Christmas this year, and had a lot of fun wearing different crazy outfits such as all olive green ensembles, and my burgundy look you see above. Wearing my fur scarf I got for Christmas definitely made me stick out in a place that typically stays fairly warm, but I didn’t care at all!

None of those people will ever see me again so that made it the perfect opportunity to be bold, and have fun finding different outfits to pair my new scarf with! Even if people weren’t used to the faux fur look it didn’t matter because I felt confident and had fun! Sometimes fashion is simply about taking a leap. If you have ever watched those style shows such as: What Not To Wear you see how hesitant people are to change their ways then end up realizing it was so rewarding!

Think of these upcoming vacations as a chance to reinvent your look. Maybe it is a big floppy hat such as the one Audrey Hepburn usually sports, maybe it is a funky pair of sunglasses, maybe it is simply a pair of shoes you don’t typically wear… whatever it is embrace it, try it, and feel good knowing you are pushing yourself! That is the best way to figure out what looks good on you, what compliments you, or just what you feel good in! A lot of times you will find that people notice a little risk and really respond to it!

You should never base your style on others, but it is a nice reassurance when you hear praises for taking a leap of fashion! You never know until you try! Very cliché but very true, and if you have been feeling recently like you need a little boost... start with your wardrobe! You can’t control everything in this world, but now in today’s culture we are lucky enough to be able to control what we wear & how we wear it!

Love & Lights

 

As the snowflakes begin to trickle from the sky, the fires start to burn, and our noses start to freeze we know it is that time of year again where “the world falls in love.” Christmas, New Years, Kwanzaa, or Hanukkah whatever holiday you celebrate seems to bring people into a state of excitement, love, and enthusiasm. It is when people cherish what they are blessed with or whom they are blessed with and get excited for the new beginnings to come.

For me holidays are an excuse to cuddle and think about what I have accomplished, and what I want to accomplish. This year was very hard for me, as I am sure I have mentioned in previous posts. That being said I tend to hold dear to the ones I love endlessly and cherish most of all. As you can see in my pictures I am holding a tiny kitty. This for those of you who do not know is my darling baby Eliza Jane.

These holidays are the perfect excuse to appreciate the ones we love. To realize we are blessed to have pets, and friends, family, and loved ones to be surrounded by in a this time of lights & love. I don’t want to write too much for the holidays, as I think it is a time that speaks for itself! But I wanted to wish you all Merry Christmas (or any of the other holidays I mentioned above) & a Happy New Year! I hope you all were all able to be smothered in love, presents, and joy.

Merry Christmas Love,

Chelsea Nine

The Art of Layering

All my life I have been one of those people who runs extremely cold. No matter what time of year or season it is I seem to always be freezing, because of this (and the fact that I live in New England) I have had to perfect the art of layering. Layering is a really important skill to learn no matter where you live. It can completely transform an outfit or just make your day a lot more comfortable. It can also be very helpful when you find yourself having to jump from one activity to another.

I love wearing layers, it is a sense of comfort that I don’t really get to experience as much during the summer. In the colder seasons, however, I truly love how many outfit options layering provides. For example taking a simple sweater and leather leggings then changing the vest, the shoes, the scarf, or the coat can take an outfit in so many different directions. I could go from trendy and chic, to comfy and casual, or festive and fun all with simple layering tweaks!

It is a little more fun to express yourself when you have fewer limitations such as having to wear lighter or less clothing in order to stay cool. In the summer I tend to show off my figure, but in the winter it is my chance to hide my curves, something I love to do. It is fun to be a little mysterious and leave your outfit and personal style to do the talking. Plus it is always nice to throw on a sweater and feel like you aren’t completely leaving your bed in the morning.

I put together three different looks that show how you can take the same piece and with the art of layering can completely transform your look. It is so easy to take a simple sweater and change things such as your shoes, your jacket, etc. and mix and match to create versatility in your wardrobe. What makes layering so difficult for people is typically during your shopping experience… for example people don’t seem to think of their wardrobes as a whole so when they go out and shop they forget to match items they love!

Are you one of these people? An important question to ask yourself…. if you are no worries you just need a small change of mindset. Next time you are out shopping maybe take pictures of your favorite sweater and jeans or your favorite long-sleeved shirt and leggings. Bring those pictures with you to match with the items you fall in love with in the store. Then when you see a really cute vest that will be both comfortable and stylish you can look back to your sweater collection and see if anything you own will pair well with your new buy.

In the three looks I created I wanted to represent three different styles, people, and ways you can layer in order to properly show how powerful a proper layer can be! It’s not really hard if you live in New England or anywhere cold really, but how do we juggle our five to ten (depending on if you are a sweater collector or simply a lover) different sweaters? Well the answer is simple…. Layering! Buy different scarves for cheap or invest in a couple faux fur vests, dusters (see previous post), or simply light cardigans to layer on top of a chunky knit!

I hope with my visuals and advice you feel a little more confident about the art of layering, especially since this time of year it is important to stay warm! If you want to look into some posts I wrote in the past on layering check out: Style Session: The Duster & Got a Love Like Denim.  

A Birthday Getaway.house

This holiday season has been fully loaded, as it was not only Thanksgiving, but also my birthday a couple days later. I am now 26 years old and hoping this year is, as they say, my “golden year!” This past year was filled with a lot of growth and trials that I could have never seen coming. So with a new year I needed a cleanse from my current environment, and wanted to getaway somewhere new.

The perfect opportunity to do this is by escaping to Epsom, NH in a tiny house cabin. Through one of my co-workers I was introduced to a beautiful little cabin that is created like a campground, but unlike most campgrounds this one is only filled with tiny houses! For my birthday I went and escaped to one of these precious places. It was filled with Yahtzee, warmth, and Christmas cheer as we played Christmas music all night long.

I may be someone who loves clothes, fashion, décor, and technology, but I also love nature! I think the world we live in is such a gift since it is so beautiful, but in our culture today we are told quite a bit to focus on so many things that in reality aren’t what is truly important. It’s no wonder we live lives we don't always feel immersed in, that is because we aren’t focusing on the gift that was given to us.

They say there is a lot of scientific proof that shows healing from different kinds of nature relaxation and connection. Things such as: meditating, bare-footing (which is simply walking barefoot in nature), hiking, etc. So since it was my birthday, and I wanted to getaway from my previous year what a better way than with this precious cabin?

It is truly the coolest place ever too, I mean cozy, cuddly, perfect… you name it. The window out looking nature was the best part, but unfortunately it was dark when we arrived. We made dinner in the tiny stove, we grilled steak outside over the fire, and we enjoyed how fun it is to be immersed in nature. If you are feeling like you need a break from your life please look into this beautiful place, because it really simply is a breath of fresh air.

Recently I have been focusing my blog on a little more than just fashion, as I am sure you have noticed. I don’t want to make my audience subjective to just people who enjoy fashion and style. I want my blog to be a place to come to feel rejuvenated from your day, whether it is a style inspiration or just a mind boost. In my last blog on tumblr.com I made it so much about what I was wearing and less about my audience. In the next couple posts I will go back to my fashion roots, but know that I have a lot more to offer than just fashion advice.

On a Fashion Note:

Since I haven’t included a lot about fashion I must give you a fashion forecasting for this upcoming season. I have been noticing velvet everywhere in Europe and Asian, and now it is coming from L.A. and is making its way to us New Englanders. I am sporting a velvet outfit (in the pictures above) I bought from a cute boutique through Ebay. I don’t usually shop there (as my heart belongs to Amazon), but being a head of the trend means looking for trends wherever you can find them.

v  If you are interested in escaping or visiting these tiny homes you can visit https://getaway.house/

v  If you saw the book in the posts and would like to read it, check out Michelle Athena Norton she is the author and a friend (more about her coming soon): https://www.amazon.com/Charlotte-Wooden-Castle-Michelle-Athena/dp/1522776389

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday…

Love Always,

Chelsea Nine