Ana Silva Photography

NYC Portrait Photographer

Finding North Retreat

Back in September I was fortunate enough to attend the Finding North Tennessee retreat.

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A few months prior I had won a free seat and I was over the moon!

When I saw my name called from probably thousands of entrants, I was so grateful and thankful to have been chosen.

To give you a little background, Finding North is an educational website ran by three amazing ladies and photographers. Lindsey Lee owner of Lindsey Lee Photography. Stephanie Lemmon is the owner of LemmonMade Photography and Robin Pederson Brazill is the owner of Brazill Art.

These ladies are amazing at helping photographers learn how to become better at editing, running a business and simply be the best they can be.

Their monthly subscription is only $17.99 a month! If you’re serious about taking your business to the next level, you should consider joining. You can join here. Trust me, it’s the best decision you can make.

The themes for the retreat were Wizard of Oz, Harry Porter, seniors, studio fine art, engagement, children and maternity.

I had such a wonderful time. I got to meet inspiring women and men. I made awesome friends with photographers, models and moms. It truly was a fantastic experience.

Here are a few of the photos I took.

My Battle With Anemia: An Update

Hey everyone!

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Last year I told you about my battle with anemia and all the health issues I’ve been dealing with.

A year later, I’d like to update you on how I’m doing.

If you didn’t read the previous post, you can read it here http://anasilvaphotography.com/my-battle-with-anemia-and-other-health-issues/

After a whole year of treatment, I’m happy to inform you that I am almost completely heal! There are still some things that need to happen for me to be completely out of the woods, but I’m almost there!

I still need to remove the mercury feelings which is THE main root of the problem but progress is progress, right?

As I mentioned on my first post, I went the holistic way and my doctor happens to be in California.

I met her that day and it was quite an amazing experience. I had never experience energy testing and I gotta say it’s remarkable!

To have your body tell you what’s wrong and how to fix it; it’s something that you have to experience to believe it.

So you can have an idea of what that’s like, let me tell you a little bit of how it was for me.

She laid me on a table and had me ask MY body if certain things needed to be done. Example, I have an almost dead tooth that has caused me to have a breast infection on each breast; the last being far worse than the first.

The conventional dentist wanted me to have the tooth removed but I refused. When I asked my body if I should have it removed, my body responded no by stiffening my arm. The stiffening of the arm meant that I shouldn’t do something. If I asked another question and the arm came down, then it was ok for me to do it.

It sounds silly, I know but it really works!

Nobody but YOU knows what’s best for YOU. There’s a reason why they say we should always listen to our gut because we can’t go wrong when we do.

My treatment was changed to deal with what’s currently wrong. I technically don’t have chronic anemia anymore, but my blood cells aren’t were they’re supposed to be yet.

There is some internal bleeding that is causing my blood cells to be low but that will be taken care of once the fillings come out.

All in all it’s really good news! I feel and look a lot better than I did a year ago.

No more headaches, light headiness or weakness. I have gained a few pounds(which I’m not entirely thrill about, lol) so I’m not as ghostly looking, ha ha.

Of course going to the doctor didn’t stop me from sightseeing California! I made sure I took my camera with me so I can photograph the Golden State.

We stayed in Downtown LA which sadly isn’t what it’s cracked up to be. It was very run down and dirty. It was pretty disappointing but I still got some photos of the skyline the same night we got there and then the next day.

This one was from my cell phone so quality isn’t the best.

We arrived on Thursday but my appointment wasn’t until that Saturday so we used the extra time to see more of Cali.

We went to the Santa Monica Pier during the day and then went back at night for a date.

The sky was so blue and beautiful! Not a cloud in sight so it was really hot!
It was the first time in six years we went on a date!

My mom and grandma watched the kids for us so we didn’t have to worry about them being well taken care of.

We really had a great time. There’s tons of photos I’ll be sharing with you of the beautiful mountains, the Griffith Observatory and more!

Until then, I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Ballerina In NYC Subway

Hello everyone!

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been wanting to do a ballet shoot.

I find ballerinas so beautiful and delicate and I just yearned to do a session. 

I had this vision of what I wanted the session to be like and where.

I wanted to incorporate my love of nature and NYC to create a beautiful flow of elegance, boldness and art.

Our first stop was Central Park. I wanted something different, something that isn’t common when you think of ballet photo shoots. So we went deep into the park and found this cool rock.

Maya and her little sister Annika are both ballerinas. Sibling sessions are also one of my favorite sessions to do and this was the perfect opportunity.  If you didn’t know by know, I’m a moody photographer. I’ve always being drawn to dark images. I find them artsy, mysterious and very appealing. I try to be consistent with my editing but sometimes I like trying different things. After the park we decided to go down to Lincoln Center. But while on the subway I just had to take a few shots on the train! These were definitely my favorites! Next stop was Lincoln Center. I was so disappointed the fountain was low. I was hoping to catch them in the background. But overall it was a fantastic session and one I’m very proud of.

I know there were some technical errors(like the cutting of the feet) but mom loved it and that’s what matters.

I’ll do much better next time 🙂

 

Latest Accomplishments

Over the last few days, amazing things have happened to me!

To begin, I received the results for the images I submitted for accreditation to become a portrait master. I received five bronze and one silver, AND I placed 10th on the top 20 in the boudoir category!
When I saw my image, I screamed so loud, lol. I was shaking from excitement and pride. Though I was expecting a higher score, I was thrilled to have made the top 20.

Two years prior I had submitted two images that got a 67 & 68. I was very discouraged and disappointed. Honestly, I felt very defeated and started doubting myself.

I worked hard in getting better so I could submit again. I literally waited for the last minute before the deadline to submit because I was still debating whether or not I should enter again.

I created a vision board of the scores I wanted to get. I also asked the Universe that all six of the images I was submitting made it past the 60s and to make the top 20.

Granted I didn’t get the desired scoring. But all of them made it AND I made top 20! These things really work!
I placed bronze in children’s portraits.

Bronze in family & group portrait.

My only silver was this one and it’s definitely one of my favorites!
Nicky started as my muse but we’ve quickly become friends. She’s not only beautiful but sweet and kind and I’m so grateful to have her in my life.

To continue with the amazing things that have happened this past week, I was also featured in one of photography’s most respected magazines. I submitted not expecting to be picked, after all the competition was fierce and there was A LOT of fellow talented photographers.

My heart skipped a few beats when I received an email from Shutter Magazine congratulating me on being published. I gotta admit it was a pretty good feeling. Being on the Inspirations section of the magazine was quite gratifying.
It sure has been a thrilling few days. There’s a perfect timing for everything. Things don’t always happen when you want, they happen when they’re supposed to. 

If you don’t get something you really want now, it doesn’t mean you won’t get it. It just means it’s not the RIGHT time yet.

If you submitted to the Portrait Masters and didn’t get the score you wanted, don’t give up. Don’t let that stop you from entering again. Eventually, you will get there. Take it from me 🙂
I hope you enjoy this post. If you want more info about entering for the accreditation, go here https://theportraitmasters.com/
 

Let’s Read!!!

It’s been a while since I wrote a blog post. I know, bad me, lol.

Today however, I wanted to share with you my latest session in hopes that it inspires you and your family.

As some of you might know, I have four kids. Ages range from 8 to 16, three girls and a boy. As it is with everyone, they all have very different personalities, likes, dislikes, etc. One thing they all agree on is reading.

Though not all love reading(only three of the four really love reading), they do enjoy going to the library. So I had been thinking for a while about doing a session in the library and finally got it done.

I took my camera with me and hoped for the best in terms of lighting, lol. This is part one of two since this time only my little ones were photographed. 

I intend to do another one with my older ones but for that I want the old, big books to give it a more mature feel.

I hope you enjoy these and are inspire to go to your local library and get your kids reading.


She found this ballerina book and was so excited since she says she wants to be a ballerina 🙂




She’s the least book lover but she would read a series if it catches her attention.



Look at those faces 🙂

Next time you go to the library, try and take some photos of your little ones picking books. It’s a great way to get them excited to read.
See you next time 🙂