Marilyn Botta Photography

Peruvian Lilies and Fruit Still Lifes

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I did some Still Lifes of Peruvian Lilies (aka Alstroemeria)–orange and yellow. I photographed these gorgeous flowers using many different backgrounds and vases; some using textures taken against a white background and some against a black backdrop. I used oranges, pears, and grapes. The photos are similar but different. I love the textures but also the ones with the black background–it is a matter of personal preference. They would look beautiful hanging on anyone’s wall, especially on a canvas. Any of these can be converted to a canvas. Enjoy!

 

 

Beth

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I did a photo shoot of Beth on a stormy Sunday afternoon in January 2022 upstairs in my little studio. She came prepared with several different outfits and I researched several poses for her. The result was a number of lovely photos of her ranging from demure to sexy.

Mums, pears, and lemons

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I decided to do some still-lifes of beautiful mums (Chrysanthemums) along with pears, and lemons and a basket. I also did some photos using a chair as well. These are gorgeous flowers that I never knew the name of.

Sunflowers by Window

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I was up visiting my family in New Jersey in November. My son had bought some beautiful sunflowers for the kitchen table to brighten up the room. I often photograph flowers in the studio setting using strobe lights. But on this day the light coming in through the window was so inviting that I decided to place the vase on the garbage can, right next to the window. These are the best of the shots that I took that day using natural window light–no flash.

Hair at Last

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After losing my hair during 3.5 months of chemotherapy for breast cancer, I was pleased to finally see my hair coming back. It started on the sides and back of my head and I looked like a man with a fringe of hair around my head but it finally covered the back and top of my head. It will take a long time to grow it back to the long layered look that I had before chemo but it is on the way. At this point I will settle for a pixie look as long as the front can be combed into bangs. I know I must be patient but here are a few self portraits I took. The one with the flowers in the front with bare shoulders was taken naked with the flowers covering what I need to keep private. The black and white shots had no pink in my hair, but I added the pink in Lightroom.

Boobie Queens

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I did a photo shoot of breast cancer survivors (a.k.a. Boobie Queens) at a party in their honor. The party took place at Le Chat Noir–a little nightclub in downtown Augusta. I took portraits against the brick wall–some with their Boobie Crowns and some without. We all had a great time celebrating our victory over breast cancer. We are all sisters in pink.

Sunflowers and Fruit Still Lifes

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I took some Still Lifes of beautiful sunflowers, corn, and fruit in September 2021. I took these against a white background and used a texture.

Warrior

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I decided to be brave and take self-portraits without my chemotherapy wig. As most everyone knows I had breast cancer (I say had because I was assured that it was taken out with surgery) but to make sure it is eradicated, I have had to undergo chemotherapy, which caused me to lose my hair. I have a beautiful wig but I just wanted everyone to know that I am a fighter. This is the reason I chose the warrior photo as the featured image. Me with my fists up. So, this is me in all my glory.

Portrait Session with Gerry

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I asked a friend on mine, Gerry, to come over for a portrait session. He was at my house recently, helping me with a project, when I noticed that he had recently grown a beard. I thought the beard was very becoming and it made him look distinguished. Not everyone can rock a beard but his looked especially good. So, he agreed to pose for me. I edited some in color and some others in black and white–some of the same picture sometimes.

Joyce and Family

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I was asked to do some family portraits of my friend Joyce, her daughter Amanda, and her granddaughter Lainey. I started out with Lainey who wears glasses. She allowed me to shoot some without her glasses but we ultimately decided she would be more comfortable with her glasses on, since that is how she is used to seeing herself. Joyce was a great model and basically posed as I instructed her. I added in some flowers she picked from her yard. She loosened up a bit later on. I gave her a shawl that I had in my closet and it did the trick. Joyce also wore another fringed shawl bought in my favorite places for props, Goodwill. It was a fun day and hopefully they enjoyed themselves.