Bellydancers, Elephant, and Equines

Over the past three weeks I have been super busy photographing parties, bands, and horses! Not to mention writing about horse rescue, homeschooling my 3rd grader, and starting my new farm camp!
You can read more about farm camp at www.rootcarefarm.com and my work with rescue horses here www.alfalfaphotography.blogspot.com

Now for a peek at some of the work I have been doing with my camera!

2012 Big Kahuna party for Longboard Vineyards

Elephant ~ support local music!!

Petie, an amazing rescued thoroughbred who is featured in the December issue of Saddle & Stirrups Magazine

my newest adventure

Equine Photography For Horse Rescue

by Joy Hamel

PLUS

The launch of Saddles and Stirrups Magazine

where you will find, yours truly, as a monthly contributor promoting horse rescue.

Each month I will be featuring a different horse rescue. As a way to give thanks and create awareness for the caretakers of abused and neglected horses. Horse rescues run on donations and the help of volunteers (the horse crazy people, like me, willing to push manure carts up hill both ways in pouring rain!). What is missing is exposure.

I hope to help change the fate of horses in abusive situations, by giving you information on rescues around the world. How they are helping to save the majestic horse from a fate worse than death. Abusive trainers, neglect, kill yards, and unregulated slaughter. I also feel that it is important to share the positive side of horse rescue, we all know the horror stories, but it's the happy endings I want to share. When we see the good we are doing, by donating money or time, hay or new saddles, it encourages our inner spirit to keep supporting such an important cause... saving horses lives.

check out this months article... "Trading Up, My Journey from Cubicle to Horse Stall"

http://saddleandstirrups.com/magazine/

barn swallows

old barns, handmade furniture, and a passion... everything has a story to tell...

Sonoma County Arts Council

A 10% commission from all art sales during Winter Wineland will be donated to 

Sonoma County Arts Council, Youth Art Programs!

According to Wine Road, last years donation was $500 and went to Poetry Out Loud. This years program of choice is still being considered... I’ll keep you posted!

Don't forget I will be donating 10% to Surfrider and Well Trained Horses... 

two amazing non-profits that deserve our support!

Come on out to Longboard Vineyards, 5 Fitch Street, Healdsburg, CA 95448. This Saturday and Sunday from 11 to 4 and support your local wine makers, artists, and non profits!!

Cheers,
Joy

Wandering with Horses through Vineyards

ooo.. this is so much fun...

The environment and non-profits will benefit this year at the Longboard Vineyards tasting room during Winter Wineland...

The photographs on display during Wine Road’s 20th Anniversary Winter Wineland Event (January 14th & 15th) are inspired views of the west county, my world of horses and vineyards, plus a few other visual treasures that make my heart beat a little faster. The pieces have been framed using reclaimed windows from area salvage yards. Helping to reduce the impact that manufactured frames have on the environment.

The journey is long and we can not do it alone, so I have decided to donate a portion of proceeds from the sale of my prints during the Winter Wineland event to a few select non-profits.

Well Trained Horses, a horse rescue, located in Sebastopol, Ca is a place that is dear to my heart. I have been an active volunteer at  Well Trained Horses for over a year and almost all of the equine photography on display is from the rescue. A non-profit run on donations and by volunteers to insure a better, more peaceful future for abused and neglected horses. 10% of the proceeds from any equine print will be donated to the rescue, to assist with the numerous costs associated with the care of these majestic creatures. More information can be found at www.welltrainedhorses.org

For the second non-profit, I will be donating 10% of proceeds from wine themed prints to The Surfrider Foundation, a non-profit that is special to Longboard Vineyards winemaker, Oded. His love of the ocean is shared by many, myself included. In this time of an uncertain environmental future our oceans, waves, and beaches need our help. More information can be found at http://www.surfrider.org

All this giving feels so good... and as an added bonus 10% of ALL proceeds will be donated to the charity of choice for Wine Road!


Cheers,
Joy

find it, follow it

"The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, nor to worry about the future, but to live the present moment wisely and earnestly."    -Buddha    

hopes and dreams for 2012

1. live freely
2. love openly
3. be generous in spirit and in mind
4. be thankful
5. say yes more
6. write a book
7. get lost... to find myself
8. embrace my dreams
9. build a tee pee
10. travel
11. plant a garden
12. show my work more
12. do everything from love and with love

Thank you for supporting me in this magical journey. I hope you find your gypsy spirit and follow it, because there is more succulent living is just ahead. much love.

Cheers! To a blissful 2012

xo
joy

Art and Wine

Taste outstanding wines from Longboard Vineyards on January 14 & 15 from 11-4

during Wine Road's Winter Wineland event and visit with me... 

I will have framed and unframed prints for sale along with other goodies all featuring the beauty that is the west county.. wine and horses, with a little something extra too.

The best part, a portion of proceeds will benefit THREE outstanding non-profits. I'll be announcing the charities and hightlighting each one in the weeks preceding the show.

for now... I wish you all a happy and bright holiday season...

cheers,

joy

Longboard Vineyards

Quickly, bring me a beaker of wine, so that I may wet my mind and say something clever.  ~Aristophanes


Wine, music, merriment and a few photos... from Longboard Vineyards Big Kahuna event in Healdsburg, Ca. An amazing evening of perfect wine, fabulous food, and wonderful people... here are, but a few, of my favorites from the event.


cheers,
joy

Owner and Winegrower Oded Shakked and the lovely Mellisa Dillon

glorious grapes and amazing views

Rivertown Revival

 Bearded ladies, cute kids, and a rockin' front porch. (settle down, music photos are coming soon)
"Immersed in a kaleidoscope of sights, sounds, and activities".... Petaluma's Rivertown Revival is not to be missed! An inspiring warm up act to The Great Handcar Regatta in Santa Rosa it has totally gotten me in the mood to play dress up! The music, food, and visual voodoo was all spectacular.

Here is a sampling of photos taken from my trip into the past... Now I'm off to search second hand gold mines for just the right ensemble for the Handcar Regatta and next years Rivertown Revival!

xo
joy

The Roaring Twenties

Photographing parties is one of my most favorite things to do.. add to that a 1920’s theme, a vineyard, and bocce ball... well that is just pure bliss!

Tiana’s birthday was a magical event and I am honored to have been asked to photograph for her special day.

The afternoon started with a picnic and champagne tasting at Iron Horse Vineyards and the evening ended with cocktails and bocce ball at the Underwood in Graton.
Here are a few, select photos from my time with Tiana and her loving and fabulous friends and family.

Cheers to Tiana and her magical birthday experience!

xo
joy