Obama Sings Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together (in 2012)”
I enjoyed this video entirely too much for me to leave it off my blog. Can President Obama be anymore cooler after serenading a fundraiser at The Apollo in Harlem? Man, I love my president.
My one and only decent shot of then Senator Obama in ’08. Here’s to me snapping an even better shot this year as he runs for his second term!
What the internet means to me and why I signed SOPA/PIPA Petition
The internet is a special haven for me. It’s a place I go to 1) share my photography and 2) discover a plethora of things that interest me personally and professionally. Thanks to the internet (especially sites like flickr and facebook), I’ve been able to connect with people that help and inspire me for the better in many ways. Free exposure of my photography (and whatever else I’m working on), finding jobs and keeping up to date with what’s going on in the world are some of the main things I love about the net. When I heard about SOPA/PIPA bill this morning, I immediately felt it necessary to be apart of the strike. There’s no way the government should be able to interrupt businesses upon businesses thriving off the net and also the beauty and simplicity of surfing it to our heart’s content.
One of the things that bothered while living in Switzerland last year was the fact that many sites were not accessible due to their government censorship. So I know how annoying this could become! I remembering thinking how wrong and ridiculous it was and feeling proud of the US for not depriving it’s citizens of something as awesome as free information at the computer keyboards of our fingertips.
I’ve already begun to “blackout” photos on my flickr stream. Friends I’ve had the pleasure of meeting over the years from different parts of the world communicate with me here and facebook.
Want to know more about the potentially harmful impact of these bills? For more information see http://blog.flickr.net/.
SOPA/ PIPA VIDEO Explained (Thanks @jovizi for sharing!)
Sign Petition to stop SOPA/ PIPA BILL here.
Happy MLK Day (Day Of Service)
As I reflect on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I think about how important it is to serve our community. What better way to honor him then to get active in our respective areas?
Be part of MLK Day of Service 2012 by donate any new or gently worn coats in collection boxes located in all Burlington Coat Factory stores all across the country.
Egg Twp Police Sub Station,
Shore Mall,
6725 Black Horse Pike,
Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
(Info provided by The National & Community Service Site)
Also for Atlantic City:
Jersey Cares’ Martin Luther King Day of Service, Volunteer opportunities for ages 11 and older, 9 a.m. Monday, Registration required. Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic City, 317 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Call (609) 347-2697.
More info for other locations in NEW JERSEY.
—-
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. ” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr
How I Made My “College Debt” Selfie
Hey guys!
Here’s how I created my most recent selfie:
1) Took 4 pieces of tissue and taped all sides together.
2) Balled a heap of some more tissue to stuff inside the sack.
3) Gathered the tissue on all four sides.
4) Wrapped a piece of yarn around the top.
Once I got this down, half of my problem was solved! All I had to focus on was acting out the part in my mind of this gigantic money sack squashing me. It was a lot of fun and I owe a huge thanks to my human tripod (who asked not be credited) for taking my direction well and capturing some pretty funny shots of myself that I was able to choose from.
Contact sheet above are images I got from putting on a timer and setting on the ground. For the sake of using the perfect angle, I didn’t take any of these, but I love them and wanted to share. 
Creating these kinds of images are really fun and I look forward to creating my next one this week!
Any ideas on what I should try? Let me know in the box below.
Thanks!
Chescaleigh’s “Shit White Girls Say… To Black Girls”
Yele Haiti (Two Years Later)
It’s been two years since Haiti’s tragic earthquake. In addition to my donations, I made this self-portrait to pay tribute two years ago.
Read about how haiti’s quake marks a national holiday here.
See photos of the children here.
To Forgive College Debt or Not? That Is The Question.
“College Debt” - Digital Photo Edited, Directed & Modeled by Nastassia Davis.
Picture this.
It’s commencement day. The graduation march, “Pomp and Circumstance”, is playing and the sound of your cheering family, friends and college peers echos loudly throughout the stadium as you walk proudly across the stage to get your degree. Over the past 4-5 years, you’ve spent many sleepless nights studying, writing papers, doing exams and projects, getting involved with student government activities, joining organizations, making new friends, etc just to have it now a part of your past to move on in hopes of getting that dream job making that big money your education has prepared you for. Or did they?
College Debt is one of the nation’s growing epidemic now. What are some of your stories about this issue?
Olivia Haynes, a.k.a. “Black Witch“, writer and contributor for AfroPunk sent me a link to The New CFPB wanting input on how others deal with student loans. Should the government forget student loans to stimulate the economy? What are some of your stories and opinions on this national epidemic issue? Questions such as 1.) “What experiences have people had with repaying private student loans?”, 2.) “Does it affect field of study or career choice?” plus more are listed. Have any stories to share? Speak up and submit your own stories and pictures.
Also, to help students, the CFPB has created a new financial aid form that is easy to read and understand. It breaks down the real costs of student loans and encourages students to “Know Before You Owe.” Check it out here.
Feel free to share this post or express your thoughts below.
Moments 2011: Reflections
It’s the last day of 2011 and I’m so thankful to God for allowing me to see another year. For 2012, I’m working on being healthier, more disciplined and focused on creating more stimulating art. I can’t wait to see what the new year brings but for now, I want to share and reflect on some of my own personal achievements and images from 2011.
“Goddess Love Dance” was created during a time I wasn’t feeling too good about myself and wanted to case those negative feelings away creating an image that loves the things that physically make up who I am. From my hair, to my mind, my creativity, my body, just everything that makes me feel beautiful. (Shot in Bern, Switzerland. Collaboration with Marcel Hadorn)
“Which way to go?” was a self portrait created in Bern, Switzerland.
“Break Out of My Shell” was initially inspired by my own shyness. It’s also the desire to constantly challenge myself for the better, personally and professionally. (Shot in Bern, Switzerland. Collaboration w/ Marcel Hadorn)
“Illusion of Beauty”
“Crown & Glory” KinHairitage Salon & Spa Shoot. Subject/Model: Jada Lacayo-Gomez.
Capturing real love w/ couples on engagement & wedding shoots. Carl Revels & Essence Worthy.
Promo shots of Swiss Music Artist. Helder Varela. Bern, Switzerland.
These were photos of Bern, Switzerland around Christmas time last year. Thanks to Marcel and his family for having me, I had my first out of the country experience. I met a lot of great people, worked as a photographer and photo editor plus ate a lot of cheese and chocolate. 
Adam and his Flammen Bar. 
Days before my flight back to America, Marcel and his friends threw me a beautiful surprise birthday celebration with the sweetest and most appropriate cake I’d ever seen! Felt so blessed to spend my special day like that.
An interview featuring my self portraits were showcased on Chicago based beauty blog, AfroBella!
Featured on an up and coming arts and culture blog in NY, The Daily Merger.
Started working as a freelance event photographer for the Atlantic City Weekly Paper.
Shot and edited during a time I felt a bit overwhelmed with my Sallie Mae loans. Thank God I’ve been blessed with steady income from photography jobs (events, weddings, selling my photos) and working part time in public schools to keep me up with my payments. The location for this photo was at The Chelsea Heights Elementary school library in Atlantic City.
Photoshoot w/ V Ferg of Stereo Crowd in Harlem, NYC.
Luz Pestritto and family portraits.
Used without my permission but thankful I have an image that so many people love. “@NastassiaDavis, I would take it as a compliment. You are well on your way to becoming a household name. You are relevant! Cheers!” – @Humza_Shakir from twitter.
First 30×30 print sold to an art lover in Pleasanville, NJ. More prints sold to others via my Society 6 shops. 
Pictured with NYC Street Photographer, Louis Mendes, at his D.C. workshop. Polaroid by Jacqui Graham.
iPhone snapshot of photo students & I at my first on campus workshop.
What a journey.
Here’s to 2012!
Much Love,
Nastassia
Carl Revels & Essence Worthy
Life is a beautiful thing when you can share it with someone you truly love. High school sweethearts, Carl & Essence are getting married and they hired me to be their official engagement photographer. I love vintage styles, so I requested they come dressed in their best vintage attire, circa 1930s-40s. December 18, 2011, we met at Caesars Casino in Atlantic City and immediately started shooting. My favorite moments are those I could catch spontaneously with my lens, but often I had to direct them to “turn this way” or “place your hand there” since they really wanted to follow my lead.
Below is a selection of images and special quotes from each other.
“Essence makes love easy. She always knows what to say and when not to say it. She is a great friend, person and woman. I’m glad to spend the rest of my life with one of my best friends.” ~ Carl
“I knew this relationship would be everlasting when I realized that I could deal with Carl’s worst days over most people’s best days. Everything about him warms my heart. To call him my real-life prince charming is an understatement.” ~Essence
