Project 52 + Shades of Red (Week 2)

Briana Santiago is an Associate Photographer for Christopher Maddox Photography. Check back weekly to keep up with Briana's weekly 'Project 52' posts.

I was really stuck on this one this week. I couldn't quite wrap my head around where I should go with 'Shades of Red'. I knew it was going to be something dramatic, cause thats just what red evokes. Red is always something intense and deep.

Red represents the heart, love, passion, and yes, as morbid as it is, even blood. Red speaks speed on a car and screams emergency on hospitals, police car lights and fire engines. Women wear red lips for a come hither look or red high heels to say “This night, Im going OUT”. In nature it’s the sweetest of fruits and a warning of danger on a black widow. No matter where it is or how it is implied, red is an intense color.

With that said… Here is my image of ‘Shades of Red’.

And when I looked at this image the only words that came to mind, was intense hope.

I have always considered getting a tattoo. Sometimes I just don’t know if I’d ever have the guts to actually go through with it, cause the thought of committing to something for the rest of my life, quite honestly, scares me. But, if you were to ask me to get one tomorrow this is what it would say – “As long as I draw breath, Hope is alive.”

Hope in a worldly view is sometimes considered a wishy washy uncertain optimism. Sometimes hope is looked at as an unrealistic desire in hopeless situations. I’ve had friends state in really tough times, “Should I even put energy into having hope?” But isn’t that the essence of what hope is? Isn’t hope the desire of change even when the outlook doesn’t warrant it?

The definition of hope: The feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best; to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence; to feel that something desired may happen.

At very intense and emotionally draining times of my life, hope that change is always inevitable, that nothing ever stays exactly as it is, is was what brought me through. My hope laid in the fact that Christ never gives us more than which He knows we can handle. I was experiencing this time in my life to grow in character as a woman of faith. My hope that tomorrow would be better was the breath of life that pulled me through the darkest of emotions and physical experiences.

You can’t know me without knowing that my faith is my everything. And my hope is found in Christ Jesus. In my opinion hope is life giving. As food and water are essential to our bodies, hope is essential to our emotional well-being. Hope is a strong confidence of expectation.

My simple moment this week is hope. In all that is going on in your life, may you find and have hope!

Always,

Briana

Project 52 + Briana Santiago - Associate Photographer (Week 1)

Hi, I am Briana Santiago, and an Associate Photographer for Christopher Maddox. He has given me Wednesdays to give you guys a little insight to who I am as a photographer through posting some blogs.


Where, oh where to start? I guess the typical question that is asked is, “Who are you?” Since I was very young this question has always been overwhelming to me. I don’t know why, but I have always hated answering that question. Because, I feel that no matter how I answer it, there is always more left to say? And I never quite get the words right on describing me!


I’m a mom, wife, sister, daughter, friend and Christian. I love food, travel and reading. I love romantic comedies and any thriller with a great twist! Hiking, biking, swimming, fishing, camping, horseback riding… any outdoor activities! You name it; I have either done it or very willing to try it. My summers growing up were spent all over the country, but have always called Arizona home. I love it here, cause family is where the heart is, but hate that it hits 115 and that there aren’t seasons!


But rather than continue to spout a bunch of random sentences about what I love and hate, I want to do something a little different…


Starting today, I am going to be participating in my own ‘Project 52’. Each week is a different subject that I get to be inspired by. You get to see how I translate this subject through my lens and into one simple photograph. My hope is that through these 52 weekly photos, you will learn a whole lot more about me, and how I see life.


This week’s subject: Self-Portrait (of course!)


This is almost as horrible as answering “Who am I?” But here it is, my self-portrait.

This picture is my hand being led by my precious baby girl, Shayla. She’s almost 2 years old and she’s at that phase where she definitely knows what she wants, but most of the time, doesn’t have enough vocabulary to tell you what that is. So, I simply say, “Show me.” And she takes my hand – or more accurately, my finger, wraps her sweet little fingers around it and pulls me to her next destination. And seeing life through her little inquisitive eyes has been so refreshing. It’s pure and simple.


I started my photography adventure because of this sweet little girl. I was pregnant when I was given the opportunity to do my first wedding. So Shayla has been with me from the very beginning of this chapter in my life. And I continue to do it because of her. It comes from a desire for more time with her and to provide for her. But even more so, to leave her a gallery of pictures that document our life with her.


As a photographer, I want to do the same for you and your family. I want to give you a gallery of portraits that will remind you of your sweet moments in life. Everything from the amazing excitement and love of a wedding to the anticipation of a new life being brought into the world - Whether you are a new mom wanting to remember that sweet little quirky smile your toddler gives you or a great-grandma wanting to document 4 generations of legacy you began. I am here for you and your moments.


Simply stated, I choose to see beauty in life. I want to see simple moments and capture them in a still image that will bring to life a thousand words.


This week, this was my simple moment. Please revisit again next week to see the next!


Always,
Briana