An Ashley Nizolek Photography Production...

So as many of you know, I have a deep passion for photography and spend a lot of my time on it. It has also translated into a new love for video editing and art directing of motion pictures. Here's a quick video I shot, edited and designed. Very simple but thats what I wanted. It was shot in HD so I guess you cant get the full effect with the low def quality of the youtube version.Otherwise, I'm super happy with it, and excited to make another ASAP so that I can get into more detail and combine tons of shots and cutaways and play beats in the transitions. For now this was just something fun and pretty to shoot. This is my roommate, performing a song he wrote acoustically a few nights ago :)

If you like the song, go check out Colin's band and "Like" then on Facebook! This Renaissance

Arachnophobia!

Man, I need to start blogging and stop neglecting my 359 followers! So today, I shall begin again.

Naturally, my first post in weeks, months, years would need to be pointless, as staying with my general blog style. So, here's a picture of a baby spider takeover on my porch. I snapped this shot with a macro lens, which means I was way too close to these little dudes for comfort!

Stay tuned because I made Mushroom Risotto, and I'm gonna share the deliciousness with you all! SOON!

Music Alert! The Year of Discipline

Hey guys, I haven't blogged in months, I'm the worst! I don't have much time, I'm scurrying off to the studio to work my fingers to the bone but I thought I'd leave you with a little music.

This is a song called "When We Say", originally by AJ Rafael, covered by my best friend, Colin Miner :) He's working on a year-long music project/challenge that he's calling "The Year of Discipline", in which, he does either a video of a cover song, or original song, every single week. 52 weeks, 52 songs. We're on week two here, and I'm having a lot of fun shooting with my Canon 5D Mark II and editing the videos :)

Anyway, enough blabbing, watch the video :)

Great Grandmother's Spatula! It's already 2011!

Whoa! Happy New Year All! I haven't blogged in ages, yikes! I'm a hot mess ya'll :) STill recovering from the most insane November/December of my life thus far! I know, I know, I've never been quite so M.I.A. as I have been as of late, but this Horse Feathers video is absolute magic and I needed to share with you all :)



Thanks to everyone for giving me the most successful holiday season I've seen with my little business yet! It's so exciting (and sometimes scary and overwhelming) to see this little Etsy thang grow like it has.

In a short time I will have some big news to share, well actually, a couple pieces of big news to share :) So please check back, as inconsistent as my blogging has become, it is my goal to get back on the vblog wagon...and I know...I've said that before...hang in there :)

Photo: A quick snapshot I took on the icy dock of my parents lovely summer home in Lake George, NY. They just moved to a new spot on the lake which is just a stones throw from the house I was brought home to as a newborn :) Anyway, took this picture with my Canon 5D Mark II and I'm really loving it!

Along Came Polly

Don't you just wanna squeeze her? Her name is Polly and she is the cutest! I love puppies! She's not mine unfortunately, but I'm tempted to snatch her up sooner rather than later. Polly is a Fox Red Lab and has the sweetest temperament! Who doesn't love a puppy? I mean seriously, look that that mug! LOVE HER!

Snapshot of the Day : Metal

I've been spending a lot of my time this summer with the musical boys of a local band called Pillowhead. This post isn't about Pillowhead though, we'll save that for another day and a proper introduction...

Anyway, as I was saying...I've been taking TONS, and I do mean TONS of photos at their shows, both for my own enjoyment and for their promotional use etc etc etc. Schwing!!! I love live music photography! It's becoming an obsession. While it's most certainly a challenge to shoot a live band in less than ideal lighting conditions, it is beyond gratifying getting a really intense shot when the odds are against you. This particular photo is one of my favorites from a show they played the other night. It's minimal, but epic none the less. Don't you think?

I love making jewelry, I really do. But when I grow up, I want to be a photographer :)

I've come to the realization that...

Compassion is a gift and a curse. It's a double edged sword and simultaneously one of the greatest qualities a human being can poses. In my opinion at least...

But what happens when compassion clouds your judgement? Tough stuff right there. I'll let you know how it goes.

I'm in LOVE with a 5D!

As my photography hobby grows into an obsession and quite possibly a new side gig, I find myself dying to upgrade my camera! In my down time, I've spent countless hours perusing camera body's online in the dead of night, reading reviews, and scouring flickr groups for photos taken with different Canon Camera Bodies...

And now, I think I'm in love, or maybe in lust... with the Canon 5D Mark II.

Yikes. It's a little pricey. But, when I figure just how much use I get out of it I think that greatly eases the sticker shock. I think it'd really help bring my images to the next level. And now you can take video on this little baby! I can't do that with my Canon 30D! While I love my 30D, I think that an upgrade is in order asap. I've been working with my 30D for 4 years now, and sure, it's a great camera, and I'd certainly keep it around but....

...the allure of a new fancy schmancy camera body, like the 5D Mark II is haunting my dreams...

What do you guys think? Any photographers out there have thoughts to share?