The Nightmare After the Nutcracker!

Today I went to take some photographs of a ballet performance created, Choreographed and Directed by Elana Martinez-Lamke. The Ballet was performed on the Person's Theater at Sonoma State University. I took some backstage and had spent a little bit of time on stage with the girls. The performers were mostly from VEM Dance Studio based in Rohnert Park and a couple girls from a dance studio in Novato.
This production has been a dream of Elena's for quite sometime now, and she began production in September of '09. The ballet is a mash up consisting of characters from "The Nutcracker", "The Nightmare Before Christmas" and "The Corpse Bride". Plus, some great music from many other of our favorite Tim Burton movies. I have to say, that I was extremely excited to see this performance and so was my son, (we are huge Tim Burton fans, and my three nieces were characters in the ballet!! ) So most of the family went, and I was very entertaining. All the girls did amazing. There ballet dancing was outstanding and memorable. The cutest little mice and bunnies; the dolls enchanting; the freakiest clowns; ethereal ghosts; Clair charming; Sally sweet; the Corpse Bride stunning, while Victor was nightmarish; and jack was creepy and sinister (as he should be). I really have to say that the costumes and props were done so great, they really made the story seem as surreal as it was meant to be in Clair's nightmare.
Thank you to Elana, VEM Dance studio and all the others involved in helping make this performance a possibility. My family and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I will post some teasers of the images we took today, soon. Keep an eye out ;)

Amanda Sue

Amanda is my roommates daughter, who has become a great addition to my family. I have come to love her as my own niece and she has even asked if she can call me auntie Danielle :) She is a fun, energetic and stylish little girl. Who is 9 years old, going on 16 and these pictures really showed a maturity that gives you a glimpse into her future. Beautiful. I told her that I was going to do her pictures and within 10 minutes she had outfits already put together asking for my opinions. Her dad absolutely loves them and I can't wait to show these to her mom. I hope you love them Brigette!! Here are a few teasers of some of my favorites.

Baby Loves!!!

Yay, Baby Loves is so fun to photograph, I had a blast with my lil cuz. Today was the first sessions in the studio, Emma Elizabeth Ryan had her first studio portraits done for her 3.5 month milestone. So smiley, and such a happy baby, she did great. Starting off strong with plenty of happy faces. As it is for every baby, there is a window of opportunity for these shots, and we got some really good ones. Her mama Kristi, (my cousin) always comes very prepared. With clothing changes and props to remember these moments in her children's lives. I photographed Little Abby last year, just about 6 months and we did the rubber ducky, giants fan outfit and the letter “A” for Abby. Almost got to the letter “E” for Emma but we had to stop, she was just about ready for another nap. TOO CUTE!!! So next time.

Ty Alexander, December 2011

I also photographed my son Ty, which was fun and challenging all at the same time. The other children in my family have been photographed for every special occasion and practically every month at the old studios I worked at, so with very little in-studio time, he did good. Some great sepia’s that I will share with you. He had fun and I love them. Now that I have my very own studio, I know he will be my most common subject. Time to get the rest of the kids in here for there updated portrait, since they are all growing like weeds and pretty soon wont be children any more. Thank God for the picture memories!!!

xoxoxo Danielle

Happy Holidays
from
Dani Jacque Photography!

Pinups for pitbulls

We are trying to do something positive with our art. Here is a photo shoot with Trianna and her wonderful pit bull, Diesel. Taking our love of a pinup lifestyle and using it for some good, bringing awareness to dogs that need our help. Pit bulls are not the only dogs out there who need help, or any animals out there for that matter, but it's a start. Take a look at the official website for this organization and do something positive. You can also find them on facebook.
Now, what we are trying to do is take this idea and run with it. Do you have a pit bull that is misunderstood in our society? Or have a favorite organization that needs more awareness? Let's see what we can do to help out. Taking pictures with your animal is a great way to show your style and the personality of your animal. Just look at Diesel and Trianna's shoot for a good cause.

~ Danielle Jacqueline


http://www.pinupsforpitbulls.com/

Happy Halloween

To honor the upcoming holiday that just so happens to be my favorite holiday, me and Trianna spent quite a creepy and very dark night in a cemetery. A very old cemetery. It was my first time in one at night and I have to admit this one gave me chills. We felt that we must show it a great deal of respect while we walked around it and we both were extremely thankful for the creative energies we were feeling. Here are some teasers of that Dark Night. Trianna's dark side is one you need to watch out for.....