“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” -Augustine
Archive for the ‘Inspiration’ Category
Thursday Treat
May 16, 2012Wednesday Wisdom
May 15, 2012“When children pretend, they’re using their imaginations to move beyond the bounds of reality. A stick can be a magic wand. A sock can be a puppet. A small child can be a superhero.” Fred Rogers
Tuesday Thought
May 14, 2012“Of all the needs (there are none imaginary) a lonely child has, the one that must be satisfied, if there is going to be hope and a hope of wholeness, is the unshaken need for an unshakable God.” -Maya Angelou
Photoshoot with Emi: Kitakyushu, Japan
March 30, 2012Spring is here. The cherry blossoms are late this year but they are just around the corner. And when that happens, this beautiful lady will be my model during a spring shoot project. The images below are from a short shoot we did at the end of last year. Enjoy!
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!!
Photo Shoot with Shuming: Kitakyushu, Japan
October 24, 2011My 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!
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
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
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
All photos copyright 2010 by Riz Crescini
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:
