BRIANA GALLO

Briana Gallo is a Fine Art Photographer as well as a Photo Philanthropist. She currently lives and works in La Jolla, CA. She believes in the power of Photo Philanthropy to inspire hope and understanding, and to connect people around the world, as well as in our local communities. She visually articulates the mission of non-profit organizations in a compelling manner through Fine Art Photography. She believes in people’s interest in knowing more, in understanding better, in seeing the story, which can then lead to action and involvement. In the past 6 years her travels took her to Honduras to work with Shoulder to Shoulder and the town of Guachipilincito, Cuba - where she captured the stories of the Cuban people and their vibrancy of life. She worked on a number of projects in heart of the Omo Valley, Ethiopia adn well as Vietnam. In April of 2016 she trekked to the Base of Everest to document the anniversary of the April 2015 earthquake in Kathmandu and the life in the Khumbu Valley. April 2017 she lead a cultural immersion trip to the Base of Annapurna in Nepal. April 2018 she is leading a cultural immersion trip to the Base of Everest in Nepal. Each experience has inspired her to search for those communities where there is a story to be told. Briana forges real connections with communities when she shoots turning her lens into a bridge rather than a wall. She runs small intimate trips if you are interested reach out now!

PEGGY HINAEKAIN

Life travels in Egypt, Canada, France, Italy, Spain and the United States have determined the nostalgic and lyrical character of my work which consists mainly of oils or acrylic on canvas, mixed technique on paper and monoprints. I consider myself a color field painter and am foremost a colorist. I put myself in a color mood and apply the paint on canvas or on paper to create a layered atmospheric composition, sometimes with collages. I rarely work with a preconceived vision for the final product, thus allowing the possibility of ambiguity and surprise. Conceptually, I try to immerse the viewer in the perceptual experience of space, color and light. Therefore, my paintings actualize perception by carefully balancing these elements. I have a fascination with creative imagery that is an area of space occupied by floating forms that may join or float independently. Finally, by using color and texture, I try to breathe movement into my “abstract landscapes” to guide the viewer into the paintings and making him wander into a different reality.

YELENA YAHONTOVA

“Journey into Fairytale” Magical Portraits WHO IS YELENA: Yelena Yahontova: Award-Winning Photography Artist Bird Rock based studio owner of “YELENA: Photographer of JOY” Costume Stylist Owner of the Collection of 129 Magical Dresses Soul Healer with a Camera Goddess Portrait Art Magical Fairytale Portraits for Families and Kids BIO: Yelena was born in the Eastern European country of Belarus and has lived in the U.S. since 2002. Her studio is called “Yelena: Photographer of Joy”. She says, “I believe my life mission is to create and celebrate beauty, joy, magic, and our oneness with Nature. I am passionately interested in spirituality, mythology, and metaphysics with a particular delight in angels, fairies, and goddesses. I use costume styling, floral accessories and my imagination to transform little girls and women into angels, fairies, nature goddesses for the portraits they treasure for the rest of their lives." ABOUT YELENA’S PORTRAIT PHOTO ART: Formal photography studios with fake backgrounds, and blocks for kids to stand on just don’t capture the mood but outside sessions have natural energy, an energy that reveals the nature and energy of the individual. “If anyone can find a green patch, Yelena can,” says one portrait client, “and those places have energy.” An unusual aspect of such portraits is as Yelena says, “They have a healing effect not just on the people photographed but on others who view it. Many of Yelena’s portrait art fans comment that “You will see this in her exhibits. You will smile. These photos make you feel good every time you look at them.” What do you have to wear? Yelena, the magical fairy godmother has a collection of 129 dresses and costumes, and accessories. It’s like delving into a princesses closet—clothes for little fairies, young fairies, middle age fairies and older and, for her male clients there is a selection of hats and ties. “I like dressing my clients in vintage clothing as princesses, fairies, or angels (wings included) and photographing them in natural settings- by a lake, the ocean, a field or woods. I don’t ask clients to sit still or smile in a fake way; we just have fun.” She says.