The only way for me to truly feel most comfortable in my skin, is through some form of artistic nature.  I am grateful for the freedom I have found through photography & nature and for meeting the right people at the right times. "Photography has provided me my permanent lighthouse, a place of light and joy where I can go and hide and forget about the world and find peace."

I also would like to thank my Amazing Mother who instilled art and creativity in me at a very young age and who was so supportive and always has been of my artistic endeavors. As a child I was allowed to run free and do whatever I loved to do, to explore and try out many things, like dance, modeling, flute, art, music, swimming, gymnastics, performing on stage with friends and family creating shows of dance, singing and just plain fun! My childhood was pretty amazing for instilling in me exploration of anything exciting and creative that was full of life and energy!

There are so many forms I have applied and so many passions of mine. Photography is the greatest passion my soul has ever known. I am literally addicted to photography and creative projects, so much so, that I forget about everything while I create. It is magical for me to participate with nature and take photos and it comes so easy for me and natural, it just feels right and so divine. I live and breathe photography. Not the instruction of it, just the creation of whatever my heart and soul guide me to, there is no right or wrong in my book, it is art and therapy & a powerful form of expression. I seem to have an endless reservoir of photographic creativity within me that seems to be flowing like a river in which I cannot seem to make it stop, nor would I want to. Before this wonderful journey of creative explosion...Photography was never something I aspired for, it was never anything i tried to do, it was never a thought for me to even embark upon, until one morning I woke up and went to buy a camera, that was really it. Plain and simple, I never planned for this and it has been such a gift for me to be able to enjoy!

"Photography is something I do for healing and it replenishes me! There are so many amazing photographers out there that have their own unique style that they love, no one is better or worse, we are all on a path to enrich our spirit through art. I love Avedon's work because his general style has nothing to do with perfection or the camera used, yet his work is profound. Some of the greatest photographers ever portrayed used regular cameras to very dirty environments for their documentary work along with no studios, just plain light and their passionate eye to reveal the truth! It never really is about the camera, that has been a debate with some of the best photographers, but more the location, the passion in you and maybe a little luck thrown in. It is exciting to see so much talent out there and to also truly respect one another in what we do and acknowledge one another respectfully.

In the 9 years since I started photography, I never encountered a class or study of the subject, I just had this need inside to move through life with a camera as if it held my hand into oneness with nature, to heal me and help me quiet my spirit and find peace. Photography was a gift given to me by nature at a special time in my life.The gift of solace in nature, divine connection and closeness with capturing a photo the same way as I viewed it at that moment, stops time for me. It cherishes that very moment. Photography keeps that moment sacred and shares it with all of you. It provides an understanding without words of how nature can heal us without force, but with unconditional love, softness and gentle movements forward with the grace of the powerful wind. 

Photography has this way of putting me into a deep zone of subconscious attention on that very subject so intensely, that I seem to forget about everything else around me. I see something there or nature shows it to me, or the subject/person I am photographing shows it to me and I am so excited to see how it all turns out after the photo is taken. It takes me away into another world for a moment, and I am off sailing the seas... so to speak, while the world is busily moving about.

 

 

About my photos: If I want to add an interesting element or see where the artistic additions will take me, then I will experiment & work with my artistic eye for a more art like canvas looking photo, in which you will see on some of the art photos here. I do not use photo shop, I know, I know you are gasping for air, what? "Everyone uses PS, well I must be an alien then, because I tried it one time years ago  for work and it did not seem to have the capabilities I needed to utilize for what I wanted, I use simple but also very advanced complicated elements mixed together that bring out the natural beauty in the photos that I choose to do this with or the photos I feel need some sort of minor element enhanced of their already natural beauty state. Most photos if not all do not need anything whatsoever. I currently work in digital format, shooting between 27mm wide to 400mm (Tele), primarily Aperture photography.

I once read inspiring advice on the National Geographic website about how they really shoot their photos and how magic can happen not only through a good lens, but mainly with true passion for the art and with that we can capture the magic of any subject, and how it really is that simple, it is just spontaneity, and just getting out there and enjoying what we do, whatever that may be... So, I thought "I live and breathe all of this, so it works well for me and comes so simple, probably because I need it in my life as an outlet for healing me and it works!" The passion is key for me, deep unrelenting passion!! And this is something I could literally do 24 hours a day and not get bored or tired, because there are always new subjects to shoot photos of and I always get back more than what I put in, so it is truly a profound gift for me to have stumbled upon~My passion also stems from adversity shaping me, from character building sessions to down right forced difficulties I could not escape from, accept with a camera!

Which comes to mind a favorite quote; “Show me someone who has done something worthwhile, and I’ll show you someone who has overcome adversity.” Lou Holtz 

This quote also makes me really think about adversity and how it really can shape us, if we let it. Horace said “Adversity reveals genius, prosperity conceals it.”

When I shoot a picture, all of my feeling & heart and soul go into each photo & I try and capture that moment exactly as I see it and carry over the magic into real life. I shoot everything in it's natural form and embrace what I was fortunate to see at that moment, like a butterfly or a bee on a flower just sitting there....waiting for me, that is where the magic of nature comes in!!! :)What fun!

The stillness and renewed passion that photography has provided for me in my life is irreplaceable it seems.

Intro to Bio

The creativity and determination of the new wave of photography, wishing to be exposed and accepted by the world market motivates me. I will continually present exciting, dramatic and provocative works of art through my photography to the the art lovers of the world. I hope you enjoy!

My Photographic Artistic Gallery is an exciting online art gallery, established to provide inspiration and joy into the hearts of art & photography connoisseurs alike with the space and exposure to welcome new friends and those devoted to all forms of art for socializing and pure self expression.

Everything on this website, every design detail is done by my meticulous hand. I know no other way to do things, except to honor natures perfection revealed through each photo and to also maintain 100% original works of my own through many, many hours of exhausting hard work. Nothing is pre-made or pre-formatted, every ounce of energy I have is put into the detail of each photo, the passion and love behind each photograph. 

With Designs Created by, Amy Delaine, & experience exceeding 20 years in the entertainment, art & corporate world of various industries, I believe I have the creative and expressive recipe to offer new exciting works on a regular basis by the emerging passion inside me for reinventing each day into magic through a photograph or art piece! Art is art and defined by my heart (c) Amy Delaine), as I go & create I never know where I will end up, but I know what I am drawn to and I change direction at a moments notice, and that is what makes this all fun and worthwhile... the changes in direction,
the spontaneity of the craft and finding new exciting projects around every corner it seems.... as long as I am open and awake to see what is next and I always seem to be!

Here in Cyberspace at my online exhibitive place I wish to encourage all aspects of creativity in the art world through self expression, inspiration, exhibition, and placement. Opportunities abound in what is now an ever-expanding industry, of various forms of photography as intricate art forms and more particularly visual imagery dynamics that have enhanced the photography world so dramatically it is purely magical and imaginative! The creativity and determination of the new wave of artists, wishing to be exposed and accepted by the world market motivates all of us. There truly are so many talented exceptional photographers out there, with such a passion for creating and pure enjoyment of sharing their craft and inspiring others to do the same.

That is why I am here, so Welcome to Amy Delaine Photography and enjoy your coffee break and R.E.L.A.X.

Since all photography is unique, you may not have seen anything you really connect with on the main page but you may like a particular item on my other pages regarding my latest works... Whatever you decide just relax and enjoy your visit, please check back at other times for newer updates! There will always be continuous updates with my photographic dynamic additions...And I always welcome your comments and feedback & Thank you for stopping by!

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Thank you for finding me here in cyberspace!

Now.... it is kind of a funny & challenging thing to write about one's self, but I tend to want to know about people when I visit their websites and see their work etc., so I thought ok what the heck.. I will write a bio, and might I say that it is some work...but I decided to give it a go~

So I added some stuff, you know tid bits, whatever. I figured if I met someone randomly and they just wanted to know more about me, work wise, networking or friendships, I felt it would be easier to hand them the business card with my web address on it or e-mail them the web address and then I do not have to really explain too much, my bio is here. It just makes things easier and comes out better too when I write. It's kinda like having an informative resume for life, instead of using one just for a job.  And it tends to be a little lengthy, but hey I can't leave stuff out, I feel empty when I do that. ;)

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"Before I write about what I have done so far in life, and even though I am listing just some of the things I have embarked upon below, I would like to briefly mention that I feel it is not what we have done in life that really counts, it's more of what we sacrificed to get there, the adversity stories. Stories of major hardships and true character building sessions that have taught us many life lessons, hard ones at times.

It is learning to love again after heartbreak, and overcoming all that we went through and it is how we rise after falling the hardest we ever fell. It is those character building sessions that make us, not the happy rainbows, but the things that we felt we failed in at that moment, that later shape us into powerful beings of knowing, knowing ourselves deep inside, knowing what we need and knowing how we can make this world a better place one little thing at a time or big thing.

"I feel one can have a lot more appreciation & respect for a person, after they have learned more about their life and adversity stories. More than ever now, I feel a person's goals are not as important as their story of how they got to where they are, when things look perfect on the outside and others have no clue what it took for those things to happen, the sacrifices, the pain, the tears, the heartache and losing it all and realizing it was that very thing that they needed in the first place to become who they were meant to be. I also hope one day that I can be surrounded by people, who truly do care, who are conscious and aware of what is happening around them and not blindsided by money, prestige, artificial stuff and consuming aspirations that make them forget the importance of what really matters. Don't get me wrong, I become quite fulfilled when I achieve goals that I set my heart to, and obtain things I dreamed about, however a large goal and dream would be to achieve love with all, unconditional relationships based on kindness and truthfulness and humanness and nothing else.
 

             More little tidbits....I love positive quotes and quotes about overcoming lifes obstacles.

I love the name Seraphine'. 

Delaine in french is De`laine´
n. 1. A kind of fabric for women's dresses.

I have a bit of french in my heritage, yet I am mostly Swedish and Norwegian decent.

De`laine´ Definition, cool. a high-quality women’s wear dress material. There is even a boutique! There is a one of a kind boutique in Paris and Vancouver BC called Delaine's. Pretty neat! :) Since I love fashion.

Languages I love; Italian, french, hawaiian.

I am now addicted to photography of nature etc. I love summer and fall. I love the water and quiet, not much of a crowd lover, only at times, and I like privacy heck don't we all at times? :-)  I know who I am and have spent many years searching and learning about life through many in depth life experiences,I have only  true friends in my life and try to keep the BS out. I am REAL and true to who I am and to others.

More about Amy;

Amy has taken many directions in her career of entertainment to fulfill various ambitions & her creative ventures that started in 1986.  Here is a brief list of just some of the companies she has worked for and some of the people along the way... In Amy’s history she has worked as a Professional Model & awards show presenter for ESPN, George Barris- King of custom cars for the Stars, Cannell Films LTD (Vancouver BC), Koko Beach Spa Co., (Vancouver BC), R.J. Reynolds-Senior Pro Am Golf Tournament with Chi Chi Rodriquez @ Rancho Murietta Country Club, Harley Davidson, Venus Swimwear Canada, Auto Radio Stereo, Hawaiian Tropic, Sax Energy Corporation in BC Canada, Intel Corporation, Cal Expo in Sacramento, KWOD106.5 Radio in Sacramento, California Street Machine and the Delta Hotel, Vancouver B.C. In 1993 Amy starred as the main dancer in a nightclub scene with lead actor Michael Dudikoff in the TV series "Cobra" shot in Vancouver BC and Produced By, Stephen J. Cannell/ Cannell Films. Amy has also been featured in several magazines such as the Cover of Rod & Custom and Harley Davidson, Canada, a 5 page special feature shoot, and she also presented at the Harley Davidson Awards ceremony In Canada. She also has modeled for several bathing suit posters and a calendar that was to be printed in 1997, but was canceled due to funding. Amy has also made special appearances at car shows for red carpet events & poster signing with such actors as Casper Van Dien (Starship Troopers) & Kristian Alfonso from Days of Our Lives and also Playboy and hawaiian tropic models. Playboy invited Amy at their meeting in Beverly Hills, to be a consecutive contributor to their popular video line including a layout in their magazine and Amy declined due to she was headed in more of a different direction in her career at that time of TV, hairstyling and print work.

Amy has also performed as a Jazz, salsa, Hip Hop Dancer & Choreographer. Amy was invited to join renowned dance choreographer & fitness expert Pepper Von at his studio in teaching hip hop, after one of his lead dancers saw her going off with some hip hop moves in a nightclub, and due to Amy's extensive commitments at the time, she had to decline with such regret. What a compliment coming from his Step 1 studio of total perfection! Amy also was involved in "Hair Warz" Sacramento at the Rage Night club, A large show put on by hairstylists, dancers, makeup artists etc., whom compete for the top salon in the entire region. I was a part of the first show in the early 90's! Our show won the best of the best for the entire event, with a Dick Tracy Madonna themed extensive skit, that was pretty crazy! Amy designed the costumes,was in charge of all of the choreography and makeup and was lead performer! This was the beginning of a new friendship with hair design team BIA whom was in charge of all of the hair for this competition. Amy then started training with BIA exclusively for hair techniques and performing in more shows. Amy then went on her own due to her modeling commitments being more extensively contracted at the time. Amy has performed in several music videos & Amy also danced with Robert Gilliam, a critically acclaimed urban contemporary dancer & choreographer whom has performed all over the world, including performing in shows with Michael Jackson. Amy also was the main progressive hip hop dance performer for the "X" nightclub in San Francisco back in 1990 before renovation.

Amy's Dancing Days- Reflections

Dick Tracy - Madonna Skit/ Dance Competition & we won! What fun!

Amy is also a Certified Aerobics Instructor and Choreographer through vigorous past training of Creative Floor Work and Choreography clinics with a Professional Association related to Fitness, Health Promotion, Sports Medicine, and Wellness through her training at Aerobic Pipeline International.

Amy has also worked extensively in marketing as a Press release writer and editor for top corporations, Skincare and makeup expert, licensed cosmetologist, system administrator for a top surf company. Several years after leaving hair salons and dancing behind Amy looked for more extensive training in other areas to balance her expertise & passions for future goals. Including training at Dermalogica, an extensive certified European skincare program. Amy also attended classes for extensive training in Vidal Sassoon hair cutting techniques. Amy Delaine also worked as a Marketing Consultant and a EA for Intel Corporation, Apple, Cisco, Trend Micro, Infogain and Oneill Surf including a subsidiary of Johnson and Johnson.  In 1996 Amy was offered an audition for a lead role for a made for TV movie and she was also offered other featured main roles that she was unable to be a part of due to exhaustion from the industry. After a car accident in 1995 and several other events all in a 2 year period...1996 was a big year for Amy and it was a determiner of a different path for her, there were many opportunities thrown her way and new things had to happen in order for positive change to ensue. So an internal refocus began in Amy's life. Alot of amazing things have occurred and there is much to be appreciated NOW more than ever before, and much can be shared of the miracles and events that make up Amy's magical life today!

As all of this has been quite unexpected, the story continues as...Amy has been enjoying her photography for 9 years now and has completed 6 beautiful books of philosophical enlightenment and her creative photographic works on each page, including custom front and back cover with her photography exhibited and much life experience conveyed in each themed book, of this special series, two more books have just been started and all have had amazing reviews from prominent publishers such as Andrews McMeel Publishing (the publishers of the great Anne Geddes Books) and from the Executive Director of Hudson Hills Press (A publisher of Fine Art Books of Exceptional Quality)  --> Latest book review..."It is important that you know what it is about your books that caught our eye and you need to realize that a lot of time and effort goes in to each review of every submission that comes to us. Your books have been chosen on the basis of writing ability, concept and most importantly - marketability.

Please check back soon for more information about how you can purchase these books, they will be made available in all major bookstores across the U.S. and online at Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com, Borders and many other online outlets and here at amydelaine.com for a limited edition signed copy! This achievement has truly awakened Amy's passion to keep going after what she dares to dream and in hopes will come true. Amy's hope is that others can find inspiration in their most challenging moments and make light of them somehow through a creative passion and to follow your dreams whatever they may be. (This has been delayed due to other projects being developed, stay tuned)

Amy's background is one of adversity, diversity, constant change, challenge, and hope. I have a wide range of interests and studies, Art, museums, dance, music, choreography, crafts, photography, writing. Physics, holistic medicine, cosmetology, dance, web developing, reflexology, traveling, massage, aerobics, meditation, technology, modeling, aromatherapy, graphic design, ping pong(my fav), tennis, video games, fine dining and the ocean.

Over the years, starting when Amy was 12 years old, the pace of her life up till a year ago has been extremely fast moving with a tremendous amount of work and creative projects. Amy graduated from High School in 1992 with a 4.0 GPA, from Casa Roble & El Sereno High in Orangevale, CA on the Honor Roll System. During grades (10-12) Amy worked with a tutor to complete her studies while attending Cosmetology school and working on modeling assignments. Amy has since slowed her pace to take in all of life and what has transpired over the years and absorb many intricacies of her path and the lessons learned, in order to move forward and embark on many new projects in the works.

 

“Even though I had wonderful opportunities to work for several top fortune 500 companies, truth be told, I was not treated well as an ambitious woman coming into male dominated technological environments, the stress levels for me were excruciatingly high and dangerous for my health, not to mention the sexual harassment...so I went out on my own and here I am. Hopefully one day society will change and women will be accepted more for their brains in corporate environments. Until then I keep moving forward, towards my winning success story in finding creative fulfillment within & continuing on fulfilling my dreams one moment at a time, even enjoying the little things of everyday is enough for me.”

Quote by Amy ("I just put my mind to something and if there is anything I want to do, I just do it (even if it takes me a long time to achieve something), I do not let anyone say I can't do something, and when they say I can't it only adds more fuel to the fire in my belly. I guess Michael Jordan kind of helped in that, with his past ads for Nike "Just Do It" and his book "I Can't Accept Not Trying”) There is always a price we pay for everything we do, I found that out the hard way, so I try to make the best of every choice I make & to accept the ones I have made in the past.) 

 Amy has also been involved in Philanthropy over the years.

Cerebral Palsy / art projects with Adults, Santana Row/Storytelling for Borders events. Intel Kids day Science fair/mentoring program. Meals on Wheels, & Team 1 Canada, Assisting Mr. Alistair Dutson a well known BC native & exceptional public speaker, traveling all over the Canadian Rockies and Northern B.C. region in sharing life saving injury prevention skills and inspiration to hundreds of kids & teens in school auditoriums.

Amy has also studied naturopathic and holistic medicine exhaustively for over 12 years along with biochemistry, anthroposophy, water testing & research, herbology & foods to heal, reflexology, acupressure and massage. Amy has shown heavy interest in eco living, eco homes, organic cotton, chlorine free water, salt water pools and the effects of organic eating and bio-dynamic farmed products on the skin and internal processes. Amy has also studied energy fields and the effects of tissue response with flower essence therapies and magnetic frequencies and how emf blocking flowers such as yarrow can actually create protective boundaries around a person’s energy fields."There is nothing strange in this research, there is evidence in this healing & protection, it just goes beyond mainstream and into the underground miracles of the truth and bypassing all the false claims of pharmaceutical realms and into total well being and enhanced wholeness." I Call it the renegade route"

Amy is also fighting for many important causes she believes in and demands for great change such as new governmental policies in many areas that need vast improvement. Amy has been working with the government for 11 months now spending much time writing letters and conversation with the senate and various other governmental officials. Amy has also been fighting and offering support for causes such as African women against rape and violence and offering her voice for families that are located in various poverty stricken parts of the world against rape, violence & assault.

"I love Gardening, art, hiking, writing, travel, photography, philosophy, eco/green living, organic foods and the study of physics and biochemistry amongst many other interesting topics. I love organic everything, couture fashion, fashion photography, architectural designs, nature photography, art, museums, lounges, music, meditation, shopping, color and painted portraits, reading, ping pong, basketball, getting massaged!, acupuncture, outdoors, walking on the beach and laying in the sand and cleansing my soul with the fresh air. "I try to live as simply as possible in regards to lowering stress and clearing my head, such as utilizing yoga daily and applying energy towards some sort of creativity daily.”

 

**Life quote** The only one who knows me is me. The only one who has walked in these shoes is me. I knew who I was from the beginning, "in first grade I stood up in front of the class when everyone was instructed by the teacher to have nap time, and I put my hands on my waist and said, my mommy said I do not have to, so I won't, and I went in the bathroom. I still am the same way, following my own beat of a drum, and creating what I desire in life, and trying not to let external factors dictate who I am inside" The only one who knows the REAL me is me, period.. I know the real me and what goes on in my thoughts every day, what I have accomplished in life and who I was as a child and am now, the solid soul of me. I think we are all like that, we know ourselves the best and sometimes it can be a challenge to portray who we really are to others due to societal pressures and judgments, so they understand the REAL US. 

 

 

 

Latest quotes, responding to societies pressures. "Be Artistic not antagonistic"  (c) Amy Delaine

 “I've taken the long hard road it seems, never the easy one--- But I know there is a great plan for me & my life, that everything has its purpose.... So I trust & believe that the universe is using me in the best way it knows, to make some sort of difference and all will reveal itself in due time. “ Amy Delaine

 

"No matter how tough things get, or seam unbearable, there is a reason why you are where you are.  I believe a good reason. Stay with it, the prize is greater than you could ever imagine. And the time is not yet for you, but soon it shall be and take place when you least expect it. Your magic, your miracle for persisting and overcoming resistance will reveal itself when the time is right, then everything will fall into place and make perfect sense." Amy Delaine

On being misunderstood; I was thinking...

I.. like alot of us, am probably one of the most misunderstood people around and yet I think, maybe it keeps em guessing? No really, I am probably one of the most misjudged persons and yet here are my thoughts, if you want the truth come to me and I will tell it, if you want to assume and sit back and revel in what you think is real and correct about my life, fine do that too, but don't tell me what your thinking or anyone else. LOL

 

A favorite quote;

“Times of great calamity and confusion have ever been productive of the greatest minds. The purest ore is produced from the hottest furnace, and the brightest thunderbolt is elicited from the darkest storm.”    Charles Caleb Colton

 

• For an extensive detailed background and resume on Ms. Delaine, please inquire.