Daniel C. Pickett Shoot

Met with up-and-coming film producer, director and screenplay writer Daniel C. Pickett, for a photo session a couple weeks ago. He came with a light bulb, black suit and a script and we spent about 3 hours shooting at a studio in Northfield, NJ.

Definitely keep an eye out for this fellow creative. For more info, find him on danielcpickett.wordpress.com

Featured on "FLY GIRLS" Blog

I've recently released the color version of my originally titled "Misfit" black&white photo.

My friend Jenny found it featured on a really awesome blog. Here's the link. It's a few posts down.

Thank you Andrea Pippins, the creator of FLYGIRLS, for the love!

Stereo Crowd Shoot (NY)

Last week, I did a photo shoot for "Stereo Crowd" in Queens, NY. I've been up on these guys for a minute since seeing them live at The East Harlem Riviera last year. It definitely felt great reconnecting, meeting new band members and the photo experience in general was so much fun! Everyone was so patient and took my direction wonderfully. I'd only done the lighting technique on myself alone at home with a self timer, so I wasn't sure what would come from this session. We began shooting around 11pm and finished around 3am. No make-up artists, stylists or photo assistants on set, just Stereo Crowd, my camera, light and me. Gracias books, chairs ladders (and Stereo Crowd!) for helping to keep my camera steady since I didn't have a tripod. (And a special gracias to my buddy LA photog Jon Genius for the light he left behind. I used it on Chavon! :~)

Here are some finished images below:

To get more info, visit StereoCrowd.com. Follow on Twitter/StereoCrowd.

Blackface in 2009 Fashion Shoots

Date with light paint

I love me some MJ (as most of you know), so the concept in these next set of photos shouldn't come as a surprise. Michael Jackson's estate released the much anticipated un-released song "This Is It" in preparation for the movie coming out next week. So to celebrate The Late Great Michael Jackson and the beauty of this new song (Mike actually recorded this around "Thriller". FYI), I decided to create these pictures using the same technique I did on the photos I shot last year here with the ones you see below. The blurs on the face are nice to a degree, but after staring at them for a while, I'm ready to see clear facial features.

The following night I re-shot and got this.


"Blooper" Images from the night before-





Take a listen to "This Is It"

Inspiration from Lydia Martin

About a month ago, an artist from the west coast contacted me asking permission to use a photo of mine as a reference point for an upcoming painting. Because I admired her previous works, I wanted to see what she might come up with.

I must say this made my night 3 times over upon receiving it! Thank you Lydia for the time and dedication you spent on this piece.

To see more of Lydia Martin, free to take click HERE

Boy Behind The Mask

Michael Jackson

"Boy Behind The Mask"
by Sarah Weaver

Find more of her masterpieces here

Compliments - Act of Love

I've come to believe that compliments are truly little gifts from God. Mary sent me this beautiful message today...



Thanks to all those who have ever said kind things about my work, told me how my work inspires them or even given constructive criticism.

You truly inspire me to keep going.

Love you!

Gospel Music / Photo Contest

Woke up this morning thinking about the project I need to get done for an organization I was commissioned to do. While in the process of gathering music for the DVD, some of these tunes found there way back to me. Man. How amazing are these songs. Can't explained how I felt listening to them, almost brought tears to my eyes. Anyway, here are just a couple of the songs my mom and I were jamming to this morning!

God is so good ya'll. And I feel blessed to be alive.



"Think im so fresh
Think im so clean
Think im so sweet
ITS THE GOD IN ME!" (Yesssss Mary Mary!)



"I was created to make Your praise glorious.
I was created to make Your praise glorious,
glorious, yes, I was, yes, I was." -Martha Munizzi

Any one else love these songs? Or Gospel music in general? Feel free to comment! :)

In the meantime, I must get ready for work. Also, really excited about a Photography Contest I've entered recently. Wish me luck! There are SO MANY other awesome images in the categories too. Click here to enter the Digital Camera Photographer of the Year 2009 competition.

Whitney Houston!!!

W.O.W.

It's Whitney! She's back and looks great!

Will definitely be supporting.



"I love you New York!"

We love you Whitney. Do your thing!

The "Beat It" kid has my heart

Happy (Early) Birthday Michael Jackson, KING OF MUSIC!

The world misses you. Thanks for the laugh Jadon!

HAPPY 48th BIRTHDAY PRESIDENT OBAMA

Proud to Be American!

Sending my prayers and love your way on this special day, your birthday! With God's help, you will continue making the right decisions for our country and bringing it back to greatness. I love you and support you to the end.

MJ Tribute from The Jerkins Family (AC PRESS)

My Dad saved this page for me from today's AC Press. I remember being so upset in 2001 when I read after the fact that Michael Jackson was in Pleasantville (town 5 mins away from Atlantic City) recording music with local producer Rodney Jerkins for the "Invincible" album. Feels like yesterday when I was shocked knowing MJ was sooo close and no one knew it. He just crept in for a week, and nicely crept right on out.

At the time, I remember thinking "Aww, that's ok. I'll get my chance."

Good look Jerkins.

Rest In Paradise Michael...

TYRA BANKS TWEETS ME ABOUT MY PHOTOGRAPHY!

It was a simple direct message via twitter, but one that nearly caused me to fall out of my seat upon receiving it! I've supported and loved Tyra forever because she's always been such a positive role model to our community and young women around the world. Not to also mention she's drop dead gorgeous and crazy funny. To see this message from her about my photos... wow. I just don't know what more to say than THANK YOU GOD and thank you Tyra Banks!

Hopefully I'll get the opportunity to meet her one day! Praying on it. ;)

MJ

Posting because I can not stop listening to his music. I think it's safe to say no other mainstream artist of today is giving me what I need right now. Don't think they ever will either.

Videos of the week!

"Your Attitude Determines Your Altitude" OPEN HAPPINESS VIDEO!

Behind The Scenes w/ Teacher Jane Prestige! (love this)


I'm smiling from ear to ear right now. What a cool video for "Open Happiness"! Janelle Monae comes on at 2:40! And I see you Trey at :36! So amazing. Beautiful video and kudos to Ceelo and all the other amazing artist included on project.

President Barack Obama addresses the 2009 NAACP Convention!

Just in case you missed it -



Whenever I see this man speak, it brings me so much joy. Man, I'm happy to be alive today witnessing such extraordinary history. To think 100 years ago, we were slaves in this country with no civil rights. We've come so far... I feel that I can never thank all those who fought and died for my freedom today enough...

Forever grateful.

One of my favorite parts from his speech:

“They might think they’ve got a pretty jump shot or a pretty good flow,” Mr. Obama said, “but our kids can’t all aspire to be LeBron or Lil Wayne. I want them aspiring to be scientists and engineers, doctors and teachers, not just ballers and rappers. I want them aspiring to be a Supreme Court justice. I want them aspiring to be president of the United States of America.”

Thank you for that! Our young children and parents need to hear it.

God Bless America and The Obamas!

God is good (Latest Work Published)

Two of my photos have been published on very reputable sites this past week! My MJ Tribute photo on NY TIMES (!!) and a beautiful headshot for NY Actress Gia McGlone in Playbill.

God is good.

Last year, I took amazing pictures of her show "BlackFootNotes" and posted them here for promotion! Click on link below to see -

http://nastassiaphoto.blogspot.com/2008/10/blackfootnotes.html

Web snapshots of what God can do if you believe and work hard -





Stay encouraged.
Stay focused.

Michael's Final Curtain Call - ("Smile" for the King)

Today, the world saw The Legendary Michael Jackson's funeral and memorial service on television. According to the BBC, a record number of 2.5 billion watched. Words cannot express how I felt seeing his shiny gold casket on stage while phenomenal artist like Stevie Wonder, John Mayer, Jennifer Hudson, Usher, Queen Latifah, Mariah Cary and others paid beautiful tribute to Michael Jackson. As an artist, humanitarian and philanthropist, he's done so much. It's how I feel artist who are blessed with his influence and money should really act and give back. Not only did he achieved the American Dream, but the Global Dream! How can we ever forget you Michael? It's impossible to and as Stevie Wonder said at the service today, "As much as we need you here Michael, God must need you far more."

You're gone too soon, but Lord knows you are truly in a better place.

My deepest sympathy and prayers go out to The Jackson family and his three children. With God's strength, you will get through.

In closing, I'd like to post a beautiful rendition of the song "Smile" by Janelle Monae. If you've been to this blog or my flickr before, then you are well aware of my support and love for this girl's art. However, if you haven't heard it, please take a listen today. Originally recorded by Charlie Chaplin, then Michael himself, it was his favorite song. Jermaine, Michael's brother, also sang it at the Memorial Service today.

Thank you Janelle.

And Michael, you will forever be in our hearts.

Eternally,

~Nastassia Davis

The Day The Earth Stood Still (Harlem Remembers MJ)

When my children ask me one day where I was when Michael Jackson passed away, I'll tell them this:

I had just come home from being out with my mom and sister. My dad was upstairs in his room watching CNN and asked us if we had heard about Michael Jackson being rushed to the hospital. I said "No..." and quickly turned my attention to the tv. I was thinking "First Ed McMahon...Then Farrah Fawcett this morning...and now...Oh God...please not Michael" My dad said "Well you know they say death comes in 3's"...I couldn't believe what I was hearing and just knew that Michael would be alright. We all sat there and waited...I got calls from my friends Michael and Gia as we kept going back and forth over the phone lines just waiting to hear good news.

I immediately turned on my mac to see what Twitter was saying..."RIP MICHAEL JACKSON" was the trending topic, and I couldn't believe what I was seeing. TMZ had already announced it, but I didn't want to believe such a gossip news channel. Then about 15 minutes later, MSNBC and CNN stated the very unthinkable thing that I could ever imagine:

"MICHEAL JACKSON DEAD AT 50"

Silence.
Disbelief.
Devastation.

All jumbled together. I became so overwhelmed that I couldn't help but start to cry as if the news was talking about a family member of my own.

Michael Jackson's dead?? I kept repeating.

It almost felt like a terrible dream that I wanted someone to wake me from.

Days later, still in shock, I knew I didn't want to be in Atlantic City where no one was really remembering or reacting to MJ's passing in the way I wanted to see.

I knew I had to go to NY.

This is what my eyes saw that day...









































The last of his kind.



President Barack Obama comments on Michael Jackson's passing:



Michael Jackson's music was a huge part of my childhood and life in general. I was born the same year and month he showcased his famous "moonwalk" dance. When my dad use to make home videos, I remember seeing one where my sister and I (around 8 and 9 yrs old) were dancing in a dim living room to "Thriller". In the video, my sister was dancing so hard she ended up falling down and spraining her ankle! Never forget that.

I remember loving Michael Jackson so much as a kid, thinking he was so incredibly talented and so very handsome. Everyday since his tragic passing on June 25th, I wake up hearing his music playing in my parents room and I'm reminded he's not here anymore. It's such a surreal thing. Never thought I'd see "RIP" next to Michael Jackson's name so soon in my life. Although he was photographed looking very troubled and often ill over the past few years, I just always thought he'd be around. Seeing younger pictures of him now make me want to cry knowing we had such an iconic figure on this earth, someone who bought so much happiness to many people around the world, and now he's left in our hearts and the history books. Forever.

His music will live on until the end of time. And I feel privileged knowing he lived in my lifetime.

Rest In Peace at last Michael. How you made people of all races across the globe and expanding generations feel so good will forever be remembered.

Love Eternally,
Nastassia