Inspiration | Riz Crescini

Archive for the ‘Inspiration’ Category

A Ship in Harbor…

January 9, 2012

“A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.” ~John A. Shedd, Salt from My Attic (1928)

We are made to experience life and all it has to offer and not stay safely at home. Mark Twain said it best:

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed
by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.
So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover.“

Use your God-given gifts and talents to serve your family, friends and community. Don’t be afraid to take risks and dream big in 2012!!

Tags: dream, Inspiration, Japan, John A. Shedd, landscapes, risk, service, ship, Wakamatsu, 日本, 若松
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Photo Shoot with Shuming: Kitakyushu, Japan

October 24, 2011

My assistant, Shouten, and I put in some shooting practice time earlier this summer. Our model for this photo shoot is Shuming from China. Thanks, Shuming! You did a fantastic job!

Tags: Fashion, Japan, Kitakyushu, photo shoot, portraits, 北九州市, 日本
Posted in Fashion, Inspiration, Photo Shoot, portraits | No Comments »

Photo Shoot with Tomoko: Wakamatsu, Japan

October 20, 2011

“Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. It’s what sunflowers do.” – Helen Keller

Tags: Japan, Kitakyushu, Wakamatsu, 北九州市, 日本, 若松
Posted in Inspiration, Lifestyle, Photo Shoot, Uncategorized | No Comments »

CMA in Japan!

July 12, 2011

“What is CMA?!?”, you ask. CMA stands for Celebration Ministry of Arts. CMA is a performing company of Christian dancers who are based out of Colorado. This summer is the 7th year CMA will do ministry in Japan. You can find more detailed information about CMA and the work they are doing in Japan on their website.

What is exciting for me about CMA’s tour this summer is that the dancers will go and help with relief work in Fukushima prefecture. This is one of the areas in the Tohoku area that was affected by the earthquake/tsunami that hit Japan on March 11th. I have been to the devastated areas twice and having hope is a constant struggle for many of the survivors. I am confident that through their gift of dance and through their ministry of service CMA will bring a message of hope to the Japanese people they meet in Fukushima. Let’s remember to pray for them as this is an incredible opportunity.

CMA dancers have an incredibly busy schedule during their brief time in Japan but last summer, I was able to squeeze in a short practice shoot with three of the dancers. The dancers are Tiffany Case, Gwen Kennicutt, and Christine Rempel. The fun part of shooting dancers is that they are so graceful and beautiful with the poses. I wish I had all day with them! I hope I will have other opportunities in the future. Hope you enjoy the photos…..and remember to pray for CMA!

July 2011
Images by Riz Crescini
http://rizcrescini.com/blog
riz {at} rizcrescini {dot} com
81-80-4341-4530

Tags: Celebration Ministry of Arts, dance, Fukushima, Japan, Tohoku, Yahatanishi
Posted in Inspiration, Photo Shoot | No Comments »

Spring Inspiration Shoot: Wakamatsu, Japan (Green Park) Part II

May 20, 2011

Well, as promised, here is Part II of the inspiration shoot that took place last weekend. If you missed Part I, go here.

My models were Anne Crescini and Marla Ayatsuka. One of them’s my wife To be honest with you, my shots didn’t do any justice to the beauty that these two women have. God made them both beautiful on the outside. But the beauty they have on the inside is just as attractive. The strength and character of these women are something to behold. So, forgive me that these images fall short of truly capturing who they are.

I wanted to create a little bit of drama using the sun flare and a texture.

Thank you, Jessica, for designing the bouquets and head pieces! You're the best!

Location: Wakamatsu, Japan

Hair and Makeup: Marla Ayatsuka

Floral Design: Jessica Kondo

Florist: Chimoto

Assistant: Zhengtian Pan

Models: Marla Ayatsuka and Anne Crescini

Tags: Green Park, Inspiration Shoot, Japan, Kitakyushu, portraits, Wakamatsu, 北九州, 日本, 若松
Posted in Inspiration, Photo Shoot, portraits, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Spring Inspiration Shoot: Wakamatsu, Japan (Green Park) Part I

May 18, 2011

Last Saturday, we had an inspiration shoot and went out to Green Park for some fun in the sun! Jessica Kondo is a good friend and we collaborated together on this shoot. She designed the beautiful flowers (bouquets and head pieces) you will see below. Like I said before, I’m not a “flower” person but I can appreciate their beauty and Jessica did a phenomenal job. I am looking forward to doing many more collaborative shoots with Jessica. When you combine the flowers with beautiful models, then you have a winning recipe.

For our models, my wife and daughter (Anne and Mia) teamed up with another mother/daughter team (Marla and Hana). We’ve known Marla ever since we arrived in Kitakyushu eight years ago. She and her husband, Rocky, are wonderful friends. I need to do a lifestyle shoot of them just so I can show you their awesomeness! But I digress. Mia and Hana are best buds and well…they are just plain cute!! Okay, enough banter. Enjoy!

Getting ready

Putting on makeup is fun!

I don't like this part, Mommy!

Hold still, baby!

Pretty Hana

Friends

Love their expressions here!

Tea time!

I love the shadows being caused by the flower headdress!

Can we play now, Mommy?

What beautiful girls!

By the way, you don’t want to miss Part II of this inspiration shoot. Anne and Marla get their modeling on! Here’s a sneak peek:

Tags: Children, flowers, Japan, Kitakyushu, spring, Wakamatsu
Posted in Children, family, Inspiration, Photo Shoot | No Comments »

Photo Session with Winnie: Hibikino Campus, Wakamatsu City

April 19, 2011

Last Wednesday, I went shooting with one of my former students on the Hibikino Campus. This is the campus where I work part-time as an English teacher. Our model that day was Winnie. She is a graduate student at Waseda University but as you will see, she is also a beautiful model. Shouten, my former student, is from China and he loves photography! Today was his first time to shoot using the off-camera lighting technique and he did a great job. He was so excited that he is now planning to buy his own trigger system for his flash. I had a great time shooting a beautiful model and getting satisfaction from Shouten’s improvement as a photographer. Thanks, Shouten and Winnie! Can’t wait to do it again soon.

Here’s a black and white version of the same image.

Tags: China, Fashion, Hibikino Campus, Japan, Kitakyushu, off-camera lighting technique, portraits, Wakamatsu
Posted in Fashion, Inspiration, Lifestyle | No Comments »

WPPI Part 2: Family Session with My Sister

March 9, 2011

One of the treats of going to Las Vegas every year is not related to photography at all. I get to see my sister! Her family lives in the San Francisco Bay area but they make the trip to see lil ol me. It’s not ideal as I have WPPI all day long but what a great time I have with them in the evening! I don’t often get to play with my niece, Elle, as I live in Japan. So imagine the fun I have playing with this sweet angel!

On their way back home and before my platform afternoon class, we had a short time (and I mean short) to go out to the desert to capture some family shots. Next year, I want to set aside a whole afternoon to shoot them at Red Rock Canyon. Until then, enjoy the pictures below.

This is my beautiful niece, Elle!