Taking photos in the best lighting possible.

THE GOLDEN HOUR

Welcome back to another blog and this one is an exciting one.

I was at home editing my pictures while enjoying a cup of coffee and listening to one of my favorite songs. Sounds like a recipe for success… well let me just say, this is my weekly editing routine, and does it make a difference. My incredible girlfriend, who not only takes my photos but helps me choose our favorite ones, always gives me great ideas for my blogs and overall gives me her inspiring opinions first. I was speaking to my good friends when they both mentioned to me 2 things: the golden hour of taking pictures and how the colors in these pictures stand out and at that moment, it hit me like a bus, that’s the perfect caption to this weeks blog. So here goes…

The right light to every photo can stop you in your tracks and can instantly grab your attention without even trying. This is because of the incredible effect of the Golden hour. It creates the best lighting for your pictures.

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So basically the golden hour is roughly one hour before sunset and one hour after sunrise. These are the hardest times to catch but once you do you will love the outcome. You might be asking how it works and it’s simple…the soft, warm directional light makes it much easier to work with and a lot of people prefer this time of day, whether you are a professional or just starting out. It eliminates the harsh brightness of the sun and creates a much warmer tone.

To avoid the rush of getting to your location on time, try and get to the shoot one and a half hours before, to make sure you have enough time to set up, plan your shots and take a million shots before you run out of light. Remember, although this seems easy you can still get it horribly wrong.

If you are all new to how the golden hour works and need advice, remember this… lighting is key. You need to understand the suns position and where the light is shining to go hand in hand with your subject. For portrait photography try and arrange the sun to the side of your shots and if you are shooting without portrait mode make sure the sun is in front of your subject.

One of the hardest shots, but could be one of your best shots is the backlighting. Shoot the picture with the sun behind your subject to form that magical glow.

This has become one of my main goals even when I move in with my girlfriend one day, to witness more and more golden hour moments in my life. To experience these it takes some self-sacrifice of sleeping in late, doing other things, or even being too tired to. I’ll be honest, I need to work myself into doing these things a little more too to experience the beauty of our world and photography as a whole. It will give you that motivation to wake up in the morning to catch that magical light before it disappears for the day. The decision is yours…You will not regret it.

I hope you all enjoyed this weeks blog and hopefully it helped you.

Until next time…Buona Giornata.

VAP

Looking at life from a different perspective.

Hi guys, welcome back to yet another blog. Today I will be speaking about the importance of thinking outside of the box, instead of your perspective inside of it. This is all from my point of view and are based on my opinions. Enjoy.

So all of you have heard of the phrase and maybe some of you are wondering what it really means, well luckily I’m here to assist you. It means that you are willing to find different solutions or methods to produce your desired outcome. This photo shoot I did today gave me the idea to dabble in the arts of photoshop. I’m Following along with the trends of a few fashion icons on Instagram and came out with something completely different.

The way I see it is simple. Stick out from the rest. My pet peeve is staying in my comfort zone, thus letting my creativity flow throughout my mind and creating a piece of art, well in my eyes that is. Photoshop is not something I studied, but the sky’s the limit when one can learn what he has to from others, to make it work. I absolutely love it, it helps me unwind and reset. I’m a qualified chef and have just opened up my new business called Chef’s Knowhow, which is my home catering business. So I’m juggling between my favorite hobbies and jobs and have an equal love for both. They both demand creativity and gives me a challenge at times to create the best content I can for all the people who follow me. Life isn’t only being able to do one thing, it’s being able to do a wide variety of things that make you happy and that test your limits. Remember success doesn’t change a person for who they are, yes you can drive a Ferrari to work every day but still be a bad person. Don’t get me wrong it’s not everyone but it doesn’t necessarily mean he/she is the happiest person to live. It all depends on how you view life, being able to make the people closest to you happy and most importantly yourself, might in turn make your life happier than trying to please the whole world with the amount of money you have or the fancy car you drive.

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Today I wore one of my favorite sweaters from Superbalist. Paired up with my beige, ripped, skinny jeans from Zara Man, my Oldskool, black and white Vans, my H&M under T-shirt, and last but not least my Cap from Cotton on.

To become a successful person, you need to make sure you understand everyone’s perspective in life. You need to be opened minded and sponge in as much information as possible. This will give you the opportunity to create something new and take another path in your life. What’s meant to be, will definitely be. I’m talking from experience. To be a true success we must understand and incorporate much needed people skills. The key to successful relationships relies on one thing and it’s in our ability to take the perspective of another person. Understanding other peoples perspectives brings forward compassion and empathy to our relationships. When these two qualities are present in our interactions we will keep moving forward.

Thank you so much for reading my blog and until next time… Buona Giornata.

VAP

Camo is the new in style for winter.

HI guys, I hope you are all well and are all keeping safe.

Today I wore this camo outfit due to the very chilly weather we have been experiencing over the past few days. Winter is definitely arriving with a big bang, and Personally fall is one of my favorite seasons. So this army, camo outfit made me feel like I was playing the part. Definitely camo is one of my favorites which I have always loved because of the style it tends to portray. The colors and the vibes it exudes, makes me feel comfortable yet stylish at the same time. As a teenager I had always wanted to join the army just to to pull off the same style and show to others how it could be done. So let’s get right to it…

Today camo is everywhere, especially functioning as a neutral in our everyday lives just like leopard prints and pinstripes. Who took the trend to the next level? Simply said, it was the more high end and contemporary designers. Camo, like music to our ears, is not disappearing from our wardrobes anytime soon, as an indication it’s still a trend even on the runway, where My favorite designer like Philipp Plein hit the fashion show with a big bang, with a head-to-toe, camo print assemble and colors that fit in with the whole attire. .

Here is what my outfit looked like…

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So in this outfit I wore my Camo assemble consisting of a black and camo jacket from Factorie, an underlayer green jersey from Cotton On, my black ripped jeans from Zara Man and lastly paired with my monochrome sneakers from Zara Man. One of my favorites for sure.

Whilst at first glance and thought , mixing and matching multiple prints and hues may seem overwhelming, sometimes it’s all that layering that helps an outfit feel less like it was a lack of planning and more like you put it all together purposefully. A statement jacket along with a simple white, grey or black tee and black or camo pants makes for a surprisingly successful assemble.

Be stylish in whatever you wear and understand who you are as a person. Always remember that you look the best when you feel COMFORTABLE. Love who you are before you look up to others.

BUY HERE

BUY HERE

Thanks so much for reading and until next time… Buona giornata.

VAP

Cleaning those ‘kickass kicks’

There is a strange satisfaction I get when I clean my kicks, weather it be sneakers, smart shoes or even barefoot…ughm never mind. Any ways I get this sort of accomplishment in the end making me feel brand new and squeaky clean, no pun intended. I wear my shoes with pride and integrity and the cleaner they are, the more confident I feel walking the streets. You can already in those few minutes tell a person about who they are from the shoes they wear. It’s a proven fact showed from a study at the university of Kansas.

• For example a person who wears boring shoes is someone who is very repressive and hard to figure out while a person who wears flashy colours or designs are extraverts. Having said that a good pair of kicks need to be 100% clean at all costs.

The main focal point of this blog is to draw attention to this remarkable product that I was so lucky to stumble across. I was sitting at home doing research when I came across this company called Spotless. They specialize in shoe cleaning and maintenance and to be honest for the price, it is a complete bargain. I have tested a few methods of cleaning my shoes and this one won hands down. Their products are so easy to use and what puts the cherry on top is their simple and to the point website which explains:

• how to clean your shoes
• prices
• before and after pictures
• experiences
• different products

Their service is excellent and no wonder they have such good reviews, I for one will definitely come back for more and so should all of you out there reading my blog.

The all in one package I got from Spotless will be linked below: Grab the ESSENTIALS.

Buy Here

You will never have to ever worry about the mess and effort it takes to scrub your shoes in water and soap, but this product really makes life so simple. All you have to do is the following:

• Drop the brush into warm water
• Add a few drops of the cleaning liquid onto your brush
• Dip the brush with the cleaning liquid into the water again
• Scrub your shoes in a circular motion until small bubbles form
• Remove the excess foam and water with the microfiber cloth

There you have it, the quickest way to clean your kicks. On average you should wash your kicks every two weeks, but depending on the type of shoes you have, how often you wear them, how dirty they are and the method of washing, the correct answer might be anywhere from multiple times a week to once several months.

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In this blog I wore my cotton on jersey, paired with my Grey skinny ripped jeans from Zara man, a layered t shirt underneath and my white monochrome sneakers from Zara Man. To end it off I wore my Jewels from VAP jewelry coming soon.

To conclude I would like to just say thanks to Spotless for their incredible product they have designed for most sneakers that are hard to clean. The product is so easy to use, looks stylish and makes your shoes sparkle in the sunlight. Not only that but they have great customer relations and this blog was proudly made to show off this product. Money was well spent.

Thanks once again for visiting my blog and stay safe.

Until the next time…Buona giornata.

VAP

‘Old skool’ vibes

From the Vans company nearly on the verge of bankruptcy, filing for bankruptcy protection they managed to pay back their debts in 1987 and sold it to the banking firm McCown De Leeuw & Co. in 1988—the same year it debuted Steve Caballero’s signature skate shoe. It soon became a cultural obsession with all things skate made growth all but inevitable. They kept to what made them Vans and that was skate, and that’s what saved them. Little did they know how the fashion world would snap up at the idea.

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So today’s inspiration was an ‘old skool’ street style look. I wore Sk8-Hi Vans with a pair of blue ripped skinny jeans from Zara, a white and black stylish, casual t-shirt from Cotton On and a cap from MR Price man. To end this iconic style off I incorporated my bracelets from ‘VAP Designer jewels’.

Soon after, there were menswear guys adopting the ‘Old Skool’ lows and SK8-HI’s as a go-to casual sneaker. Then soon after Instagram-fed cool kids rocking the authentic, precisely because of the bells and whistles (It refers to non-essential but often engaging features added to make it seem more superficially attractive).—the padded collar, the jazz stripe, the high-top silhouette. Or pretty much every guy wearing ‘Old Skool’s’ recently.

The classic style is summer’s most democratic shoe. They are made for everyone to wear and that’s what it has done. The trick, was the shoes simple yet instantly recognizable design: a low or high top shoes, laced up traditionally, done in suede and canvas, with clean white outsoles. Nothing super flashy meaning it can be thrown on as you run out the house, no matter where the day or night will take you.

In 1977 it was the first design to feature the brand’s iconic side stripe, which has become a trademark design characteristic for the brand. Little has been changed about the design over the years, though it is now offered in countless colorways and prints, with an additional option for customers to customize their own pair which shows character and lets the customer feel super trendy when wearing them. And yet, the black-and-white style prevails as the most popular design, 40 years later. It has led to both guys and girls buying into the style equally, which you won’t see with many other shoes.

Today the label and its iconic shoes are instantly recognisable around the world. A staple for every gent’s wardrobe, Vans are versatile and can be worn in so many ways. So, no matter what your style is, there’s a killer Vans look out there for you. Go spoil yourself by clicking the links below:

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Vans SK8-HI

Zara Jeans

Thanks so much for reading AND UNTIL NEXT TIME…Buona giornata.

VAP

Hannah Martin Collaboration

Super excited to be a brand ambassador for this remarkable watch manufacturer. They ensure a very high quality and affordable price for their range of watches. What i like about them, in my opinion, is the fact that they don’t compete with big name brands, they keep it simple but stylish for the affordable market. When there is a brand like Hannah Martin you don’t need to dive deep into your pockets to get that wow factor as they have done it all for you.

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I chose this casual outfit because it’s perfect for an autumn day out , Whether it be shopping or going out for a cup of coffee down-town, you can’t go wrong with this choice! Hannah Martin is the perfect watch to show off to you friends and family. The colour Yellow is a very unique color and can be worn with any neutral color, pairing by its side. If the color is too bright you may tone it down a notch by choosing a striped one or you could pair it with a jacket in a more neutral color. Remember yellow is associated with happiness, freedom, optimism and mental concentration.

I paired this warm, stylish yellow hoodie from H&M with these charcoal skinny ripped jeans from Zara man, which is an amazing choice for your getup. Adding chelsea boots I got from Zara man, instantly spices up your assemble, topping it off with the Hannah Martin watch that gives this outfit a very distinguished and clean cut look.

Undeniably one of the most unique watch makes out there in the affordable market. If you liked what you saw and made it this far and you are considering buying one of these incredible watches, this is how: (with every purchase made, use this promo code: ”Petrone25” and earn a 25% discount on all purchases) You will all be delighted with your decision, as I was when I made it.

CLICK THE LINK BELOW.

Click HERE to buy now.

Grafiti is creating fashion vibes!

Hi to all my fashion followers out there. I hope all of you are staying safe at home and using this self quarantine time to reflect on yourself and to reflect more positives then negative VIBES to the world, in the comfort of your own home.

So today, this outfit inspired me to talk about fashion and modern graffiti under the same spot light.

Starting off in 2019 and now in 2020, It is no better time than now to bring graffiti patterns to life in your clothes. Big brands like Balenciaga and Versace are using them to dominate the fashion world and are using these patterns and designs to create an element of surprise and thus give off a wonderful sense of personal satisfaction and unique pride. So many celebrities have caught onto this fashion trend and so should you!

Modern graffiti states a message, whether good or bad, and depending on how society interprets the said message. But let’s face it, graffiti is inspirational! Even dating back to the Roman Empire’s time, graffiti was around to make a political statement and ridicule current events. We should all understand the message it creates in life and now in fashion.

The graffiti look lets artists and fashion designers express the way they feel and channel their inner ideas and thoughts through their clothing. Using bold colours and words that are larger than life imagery techniques as well as creating an eye catching and attention grabbing piece of clothing attracting a more modern and hip targeted audience out there.

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These outfits, just like the one I’m wearing here incorporate a very influential part of modern day culture into sleek designer outfits, letting you own the very look you had doubts about.

In this outfit I wore my Iconic Graffiti Pullover jersey from, believe it or not Mr Price. A black under t_shirt from H&M and my white skinny ripped jeans from Zara man. Paring it with my red Tubular Adidas sneakers and red cap from Cotton-On.

For me, this is personally one of my favorite outfits as it brings a diverse background into the picture. It is definitely eye catching and is a wow factor for sure!

Thanks to all of you who are reading and until next time… Buona Giornata.

Looking at life from a different perspective.

Good afternoon guys, i hope you are well.

So today’s blog was inspired by how life should be seen in a completely different perspective. Happiness is often a choice we have to make in our lives where your decision will determine the outcome. A perfect example of this would be when life comes and sweeps you off your feet, you have the choice to remain on the ground and let people coddle you, or get up so people feel inspired by you. Life will be more helpful if you change the circumstances and move on. Learn from your mistakes, don’t sit there and let your mistakes define you, set you back or imprison you. You have to diversify yourself from others and create a unique style that suits you best, but that sets you apart! Be the best version of yourself, no one can take that away from you!

So when i went to shoot these rooftop pictures, What was on my mind was inevitable. I thought let me find a location that will compliment my outfit and let the pictures talk for themselves…

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So what I wore today was a trendy and stylish red and black flannel from H&M, with an under t-shirt from Markhams! Paring the bright colors with my beige ripped jeans from Zara Man and for maximum style, compliment this outfit with personalized spiked converse from converse Italy!

This outfit creates a sharp and modern-looking casual assemble! As well as functional, these colors go very well together and will make you look like a fashion icon for sure! Beige jeans are very diverse and can be basically worn with anything. From smart to casual, this outfit can be manipulated to fit the look you want to portray!

I hope you all enjoyed and I wish you guys a safe and warm few months, until this corona has been put to sleep!

Until next time…Buona giornata.