Bay Area Creativity workshop

Last weekend on Saturday in September 2023; I planned, executed and hosted my first solo all day creative educational portrait photo workshop in NorCal - "Fuel your creativity". My heart is full is an understatement!!!

Over the years, I have spoken at several conferences including WPPI, Imaging USA, Click Away, Photo Native and many others plus led online workshops that were recurring with Click Community educational platform and retreats, however; this was a different type of experience managing it solo.

It was certainly exhausting no doubt, but I had so much fun being amongst other creatives who wanted to get together to learn, create, inspire others along the way and be a part of the creative photo community by lifting and supporting others.

We played with all kinds of light including #ocf explored creative elements indoors and outdoors, edited together and so much more that the day seemed short!

In fact I’m so inspired by the workshop; that I’m planning to host another one in 2024 March or April in SoCal. A full day of shooting, creating, sharing, connecting and laughing 🥰 You can join me by sharing your info in this google form. It’ll be an intimate workshop limited to 6 max ppl. Sponsors and vendors support to come soon.

Thanks to my AMAZING sponsor @millerslab for everything you do to support creatives, @theluupe for the awesome swag and support, @profoto for helping promoting creatives, and @studio___313 for the lovely studio space, all the models who did an awesome job collaborating with us! It was a team effort!

There’s not many #bipoc women photography educators around and I’m so so very thankful for the amazing brands, companies in helping promote my educational efforts and bringing creativity in photography/art to be something that we can all think about intentionally.

La Popular Restaurant group

Last month I was on assignment for the Sacramento Magazine to create some images for the La Popular restaurant group for an editorial piece in the magazine. The popular restaurant group is the first restaurant chain is the first in the US. These are some of the images we created.

Soulful dance connections

Last year December I had the privilege of photographing the beautiful and soulful dancers Amit and Ishika from the Bay Area. To see these dancers move, and use their bodies to express through dance as an art form I was in awe! I couldn’t keep my camera down and simply kept photographing these beautiful dancers with all my enthusiasm!

Despite change in location at the last minute and using a side space that was abandoned by the freeway; we made ART!

Check out these images and let me know your thoughts!

Lots of exciting things happening in 2023!

Lots of exciting things coming up in 2023 and I cannot wait for all that to happen!!

Jan 2023

First up is my small group mentoring sessions which happens twice a year and it’s always my FAVORITE part of the year because I get to interact with YOU! Click the link below to checkout what they are about and purchase a spot.

Purchase a small group mentoring session

FEB 2023

Next is Photo Native 2023 in Palm Springs and it’s also my birthday weekend!!!

JOIN ME where I have a seminar presentation all about “EMBRACING IMPERFECTION IN OUR LIVES AND ART”; Use code JYOPN23 to save $$ on your class pass.

BOOK AND GRAB YOUR TICKET HERE

MARCH 2023

I’ll be in Vegas in March 2023; March 4th-6th where I’ll be leading a Photo walk for WPPI 2023. So excited about this one as I had so much fun leading a photo walk this year in Feb and can’t wait for the next one! Here is a link to purchase a ticket and my class/speaker info.

WPPI 2023 Registration

JYO Class info

APRIL 2023

I’ll be in SFO leading a Photo Walk on working and experimenting with harsh light. Creative light play is number one in my books when it comes to exploring light. See below on what the walk will entail and grab a ticket asap. These will book FAST! If you are planning on attending with a friend, just email/dm me for a discount code to save $50.

Grab your photo walk ticket here

FALL 2023

EXACT date and details coming up. But a NAPA valley wine and camera retreat is in the works and I CANNOT wait to share the details soon.

Omlet with bread on the side

Omlets with bread, butter, enchilada sauce thats homemade and banana bread. The perfect combo.

Holi celebrations in studio

I think I am going to be doing these every year. These are soo much fun and she had an absolute blast! Gosh loved playing with Holi colors!

WPPI 2022

Phew! What a fun and interesting 3 days it was!! I was back late last night from WPPI and I still have goosebumps from the experience. Every time I am invited to speak at a conference, a class or lead a walk; I always hold that invitation as a high regard. I feel truly blessed to be doing what I do today in our world and sharing my knowledge is one way of me giving back to someone else who is extremely passionate to learn and grow in their skillset, hobby or business. It reminds me that what we do is important.

Last year in August 2021, was my first time attending and speaking at WPPI conference! Whaat? I stood up on the stage and led a talk as well as spoke at the Rangefinder lounge and it was the mostly amazing incredible experience ever. This year I led a Photo Walk which was all about befriending harsh light which was a sold out walk and I enjoyed every minute of teaching as well as connecting with the attendees. My walk sponsored by Millers lab as well as Sew Trendy accessories who gifted our model’s gown for the walk. Those who know my work well, may know that I am a light nerd and harsh light is actually one of my favorites to work with while exploring creativity. There’s nothing to be afraid of with harsh light when you learn to use it appropriately and embrace the shadows as well as use it as an opportunity to be distinctive in your brand.

Here are a few images from my Photo Walk. Would you like me to create a FREE guide with tips on how to ace creating in harsh light? If so, DM me at @mbmphotographs, leave a comment here and email me!

#wppi2022 #wppi #photographyeducator #creatinginharshlight

Subtle Light Play

Suzanne Family Photos 2021

I have been photographing this lovely family since that sweet little dude was in Mommy’s tummy! LOVE documenting love and affection, anyday!

Erica Family session 2021

One of my favorite families I have been photographing for quite sometime now. Can’t wait to see them back again in 2022!

Fall sessions {Client}

One of my favorite families I have been photographing since they were expecting their first baby! The joy, the smiles and the energy they bring to their session will cheer anyone up :)

some personal work sprinkled in

A lavender farm session

This session breathed life back into me. It was a long drive, much more than I wanted to drive to, but the fresh crisp air, with just a bit of chillness to it combined with the gorgeous blue/purple lavender fields that seemed like never ending; felt like they were too good to be true. For a moment, I felt transported to France, although I was right there in California!

And this family; is one of the sweetest family I have ever met! Kind, in love with their sweet daughter I had the pleasure of photographing since she was born! Love you guys Kaitlyn!

Joshua Family spring session 2021

The best part of this session was the energy and the joy the kids brought on to our time together! They were energetic, lively and kept us all going to bring a little laughter for the evening!

Joshua and his wife set up their session early last Fall (there is nothing better than planning ahead!) and the day was as perfect as it can be! A gorgeous overcast day that brought in the deep saturated colors of nature and greens of spring here in California was a dream! Until next time…!

Spring Family session

does blogging still matter?

Sooo, it’s been quite some time since I put some words down here on my website or shared more galleries. Blogging may be soo tiring and sort of outdated maybe but the SEO gods do preach that it’s a must to be visible as a business. So there we go. Started my blogging page back up again. Archived my old posts and starting up fresh.

That being said, sharing a few recent self-portraits for a conceptual shoot. Please do leave a comment when you can. It makes me feel good and seen ;)

I am going to title these; Some oranges and me.

lupines are blooming

Spring is here and so are the lupines. This year was a super bloom of these beautiful lupines and happy we got to visit for a bit.

expecting a new member

The golden light and the haze was absolutely a dream as a backdrop to photograph this beautiful couple expecting their first child.