Top 10 photographers!!

As part of something I read on flickr today I am doing a top 10 featuring some of my favorite photographers - if you'd like to read about this challenge you can find it here!


1. Heather Evans Smith Photography

Her work is dreamy, conceptual, and feels very intimate regardless of the subject. To pick a favorite image is an impossibility! She inspires me to no end!

Smart woman that she is, I can not right click and copy her images so I'm going to link you to a collage instead! But please do visit her amazing new site!

2. Deyan Stefanov

He thinks outside of the box, with strengths in composition, originality, and excellent contrasts and tones!


3. Silent Shudder Photography

Tim is a master of atmosphere and mood! His tones and textures and view of the world in general lends to the incredible moods of his portraits. I've been fortunate enough to be photographed by him and think he's going to be sought after by many in his area (and further)!


4. Anniken Hannevik

I have only recently discovered Anniken's work and website! Her work runs the realms of portraits, fashion, nature, conceptual, macro, and children. And the music on her site somehow sucks me in even more and makes me want to look through there all day!


5. Alyz

Alyz caught my eye back when I spent WAY too much time on deviantArt! She tells stories with her photographic art as many artists do. She just does it a bit quirkier lol! I lover that her work is artistic, conceptual, and just bizarre enough to intrigue me!



6. Nikaa

Hers is a world of wishes and dreams, whimsical and beautiful, like fairy tales. I also can not save her pictures to post here but please please take the time to visit her flickr gallery and look through her work!

7. Esther Hernandez

Esther's is also a world of dreams, and sometimes borders on nightmares lol! Her pictures are like glimpses of a soul...leaving you wanting to know more...more about the subject, more about the artist....

Yet again I can't upload an image so please visit her website and take a look around!

8. Melissa Rodwell

Melissa captivates me with her fashion work - I'm especially drawn to her lighting and inspired by everything she does and shares. Which is TONS by the way - she is so helpful and willing to guide us as artists. I have to thank her personally for being such a sweetheart to me!

Please visit her site as well as her very informative blog!!

9. Ella Manor

Ella Manor is experimental and admittedly off the cuff. I'm intrigued by her light and movement and in love with her post work.

Please visit her galleries at her website!

10. Lilya Corneli

Michelle Black once referred me to Lilya's site and I have been inspired by her ever since! Her self portrait work is incredible and I love her use of color and texture!

Again, I have no access to her images so please visit her website!

Shabby Apple - 10% off + free shippping!!

Call or email TODAY, December 6th to book your session and receive 2 5x7s and an 8x10 of your choice!!! The incentives change daily!! (jessica@bellavalentinaphotography.com or 740.221.1838)

I'm happy to announce that Shabby Apple has offered our readers a 10% discount - just use the code BellaValentinaBlog when checking out! And to make it even sweeter, there is free standard US shipping through the 25th!!

And take a look at what this incredible company is doing -

"For many women in the developing world, life is a constant struggle against poverty and hardship. Limited economic opportunity leads to a downward cycle of malnutrition, illiteracy and poor health - a cycle that traps each new generation. Through access to microfinance - financial services such as microcredit loans, insurance, savings and other products - women can overcome poverty and provide a better life for their children.

We at Shabby Apple Dresses love to help women dress but are also commited to helping women live as well. Thus we are supporting the fight against global poverty by partnering with Unitus-a non-profit organization that accelerates access to life-changing financial services for those at the bottom of the economic pyramid. Shabby Apple donates 5% of its net dress sales to support work in India (where Shabby Apple Dresses sources many of its dresses the textiles used to manufacture its dresses). In addition, each Shabby Apple Dresses customer has the opportunity to donote an extra five dollars to Unitus every time she buys a dress. Shabby Apple Dresses and Unitus are involved with 10 of India's most promising microfinance organizations that provide financial services to more than 1.6 million hard-working women and their families.

Every $100 donation from Shabby Apple Dresses provides at least 20 women with access to financial services - and the chance to live a life without poverty.

Each new Shabby Apple Dresses dress features a unique hang tag with a micro-credit success story."

To read this page and the links that accompany it please visit here.

And with dresses like these who can resist?!

And for the grown ups:





And the maternity dresses are to die for! I wish I'd have had these when I was pregnant! (I have to share the oh so cute dress names of these as well!)

Virgin Strawberry Daquiri

Chocolate Craving
Visit their site, follow their blog, pick something up for you and your little one and feel great knowing that buying these dresses will do so much more than make you look great!

Royalty free music for your website + House of Jules

When I first started setting up my website I was struck with the realization that I had no idea where to find royalty free music that I could use for the site. After looking around several photographer's forums I realized that many people were in the same boat. Most people either just do not use music due to this fact, or they just use any music they want with no consideration to the artist's rights. After much more research I found what I was looking for at Stock20.com. They create and provide royalty free music at low prices. You can preview every song in different categories so you can browse though many genres until you find what is perfect for your particular needs. So, this is what is I found -

If you create a free account using my referral link, they will give you one free song.

Here's how:
Click this link, then create a free account (it takes about a minute):


(Note: Stock20.com will not share, sell, or abuse your personal information.)

Please understand that I am not trying to trick you into signing up for something that will abuse your information or make me rich, lol. I just wanted to share with you where I am finding music for my site, and in turn we both get free music!

Also, if you have been following my House of Jules features you may want to add them on myspace! And here! And here are my features for today:

Vintage faux fur coat
Rare modernist purple stone pendant necklace
Vintage sterling perfume and funnel

And here are a few recent personal images -