From the very beginning, I’ve been told that the best light to shoot in is at dusk or dawn.  I didn’t follow the rules and didn’t care about achieving that great sun kissed, dreamy light.  Instead, most of my previous photos have been direct sunlight, which gives that harsh contrast.  I didn’t mind it, and actually really loved it since I have naturally dark skin and it plays off well when I shoot against a blank white wall.

Well, I’ve been following a lot of fashion blog photographers on Instagram and noticed that the ones I kept falling in love with have been shooting in that dreamy, whimsical light.  So, with my tail between my legs, I decided to play around with this sunset light.

The images shown here are the pictures that were taken around 6:30pm Los Angeles time.  It’s now end of September and the sun is setting earlier than normal.  We were literally chasing the sunlight to make these shots happen.  The exposure was too dim, and we didn’t know how to change the aperture and ISO to make the images better in such low lights. (I know, we’re idiots who didn’t learn to use a camera.  Don’t worry, my next post tells the funny story of how this particular photoshoot motivated me to learn to use my camera).

God bless Laurie, my wonderful and patient friend, who takes my pictures and literally wanted to kill my camera because it wouldn’t do what we wanted it to do.  If there’s one advice I can give to any fashion bloggers just starting out and have gone out and purchased their own DSLR camera, is to LEARN YOUR FREAKING CAMERA.  Don’t be a fool and think that you can just turn it on and point and click.  Yes, you can do that, but if you want great content with brilliant images, learn your camera and you will see great improvements.

I have since taken my camera back to Samy’s where I first purchased it, and have tried to make this relationship work.  My next post will be about the great wonderments I have discovered about my camera, so if you want a good laugh, stay tuned.

This is a super cute dress from Lola and Lex.  I’m always down to collaborate with brands, no matter how big or small, as long as their pieces or items fit my aesthetics.  I think this a beautiful dress, and I even let my friend Felicia wear it for her photos for the Bachelor application.  Love you Felicia!

Free People Ring / Henri Bendel Chevron Stack Ring Set (sold out | similar look) / Missguided Velvet Choker / Free People Lace Lover Wide Brim Hat / Jeffrey Campbell Booties (sold out | similar look)

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I guess I’m still fine tuning my voice in the world of blogging.  I think I censored myself too much because I was afraid of offending my viewers and readers.  However, I think that made my posts a bit stagnant.  I’m an actress who loves fashion, with a sense of humor, and have too much sarcasm for my own good.  I would be doing y’all an injustice to hold that back.  So I say screw all that.  Strap yourselves in.  Word vomit will soon ensue.

Photographed by Laurie Douglas