tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18485633034664008922009-11-10T19:16:24.267-05:00Emmanuela de Leonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028175096798982890noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848563303466400892.post-39745137653991579312009-11-10T19:16:00.000-05:002009-11-10T19:16:24.274-05:00

I've no idea why it matters, but you all are (annoyingly) cute to keep pestering asking *s Yes, I'm single. Yes, I'm dating. No, I'm not in a committed relationship. Yes, I'm open to that. Yes, I'm still queer. (WTF? Honey, I've been out, since 19 and 80. C'mon.) Yes, I'm considering relocation. Aren't I always? *s Yes, I still have a child at home. She just turned 5. No, my child isn't

Emmanuela de Leonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028175096798982890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848563303466400892.post-36927741584747800342009-11-09T18:36:00.000-05:002009-11-09T18:36:32.101-05:00

You'd think WYSIWYG editors would be easy. But noooo . . . Well, not for me, cuz I've been doing the hand-coding for so long, I always wanna get my hands dirty. The "easier" an app makes something, the more frustrated I become at how limiting it is, for me *s Okay, so, I'm working on the catalog of still images. I just haven't quite figured out a design for all that. It's a huge undertaking.

Emmanuela de Leonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028175096798982890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848563303466400892.post-81567453346127563622009-10-30T04:57:00.000-04:002009-10-30T04:57:37.040-04:00

Several people have asked about still photos for my website. The first time, I just said, "No." I was thinking I didn't want to mess with all that . . . Then someone asked, "How do I order prints, if you don't have a catalog and still photos for choices?" Oh. The next person asked basically the same thing. 'K. Do you know how much work that's going to be? Well, okay, putting together a

Emmanuela de Leonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028175096798982890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848563303466400892.post-53962996345829669812009-10-25T20:25:00.000-04:002009-10-25T20:25:41.585-04:00

My site is continuing to evolve . . . Claiming Masculinity has a new Open Call, complete with a flash movie. My galleries, too, are now presented as music videos. I like this style, because I'm epileptic, and the lightbox presentation requires too much popping of things at me *s I do see one small technical problem with the current version of the movies: the user can stop the presentation, to

Emmanuela de Leonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028175096798982890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848563303466400892.post-9245237824547799832009-10-23T16:55:00.000-04:002009-10-23T16:55:31.282-04:00

Emmanuela de Leonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028175096798982890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848563303466400892.post-17878419564661400352009-10-02T13:55:00.003-04:002009-10-02T14:06:07.765-04:00

Emmanuela de Leonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028175096798982890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848563303466400892.post-53583649975964682902009-09-22T04:18:00.003-04:002009-09-22T04:38:16.054-04:00

Claiming Masculinity Project Manager PJ Whitt and I have discussed what makes most sense for the continuation of this work.We've hit upon the following . . .I will add the galleries of original photos to my redesigned site, in the next few weeks; Claiming Masculinity will now be closed, except to any of the original participants who are available and interested in pursuing the Project, whom I

Emmanuela de Leonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028175096798982890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848563303466400892.post-69557040803891307492009-09-17T01:04:00.007-04:002009-09-22T04:16:07.128-04:00

Been a minute, because I've been doing the daily grind over there at flickr (where, if you're not a member, you can't see most of my works, cuz they're set to "moderate" or "restricted," mm hmm, but I've finally got my act together, and redesigned my website (where you can see everything). Ta da!There's a new front page, too.Okay, so the Claiming Masculinity galleries are down, for the moment.

Emmanuela de Leonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028175096798982890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848563303466400892.post-5271165186249639062008-10-26T17:21:00.003-04:002008-10-26T17:49:30.047-04:00

There's nothing more grand than the Pacific Ocean. Don't argue with me *sSo I've been mostly off line, for a few months, because who in their right mind wants to spend a California summer indoors? (Okay, so I left late, and that's all the more reason to never be inside *s)Who've I been photographing for the Claiming Masculinity Project?No one. Heh.I determined, week one, that sun and surf are far

Emmanuela de Leonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028175096798982890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848563303466400892.post-84669170139419578472008-06-16T14:16:00.003-04:002008-06-16T14:25:34.482-04:00

Welcome to Claiming Masculinity newest participant Linus, a transplanted Canadian technogeek who loves his cigars *s Linus is also vegan, and there are some wonderful shots of his hands surrounding a bowl of vibrant Spring fruits, for those interested in food porn *sA new session with the magnificently muscular Dre has also been added to the current roundup of portfolios.New participants are

Emmanuela de Leonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028175096798982890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848563303466400892.post-62034607581378579302008-06-04T04:19:00.003-04:002008-06-04T04:46:11.070-04:00

It's been a year, now, since we came together to begin the Claiming Masculinity Project.There have been nine unique participants, over the last twelve months. Several have met with me to have multiple sessions.Over Memorial Day Weekend this year, I had the opportunity to work with the handsome Big Daddy Dre once more. His new photos are awaiting his approval, and will be ready for public view

Emmanuela de Leonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028175096798982890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848563303466400892.post-67160196031022866422008-02-02T08:58:00.000-05:002008-02-02T09:04:36.876-05:00

All photographs from previous sessions have now been processed.This means I'll be open for scheduling, sometime in the coming months.First, there is the grant cycle: I must write and submit grants by their deadlines, so I have travel and equipment funding.It's also worth mentioning that I've completed the second round of interviews for a new career position, and may be relocating in the near

Emmanuela de Leonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028175096798982890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848563303466400892.post-67410031211109070422008-01-26T19:57:00.000-05:002008-01-26T20:05:25.117-05:00

Our youngest participant, 18-year-old university student Meg, is now portrayed in a first session of both color and black and white photographs.Meg's kindness and generosity of spirit shine through her photos. The portfolio title, "The Sun Never Sets on Being a Bad-Ass" is a joke about how Meg loves to wear her aviator sunglasses at night, just cuz they look cool. When someone asked her about

Emmanuela de Leonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028175096798982890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848563303466400892.post-60574595559038940582008-01-21T18:58:00.000-05:002008-01-21T19:03:03.118-05:00

I'm pleased to announce the addition of Calyb to the Claiming Masculinity website.Calyb is in the initial stages of FTM transition; we plan our collaboration to be an ongoing work, documenting his journey.Congratulations to Calyb, and my thanks for being a wonderful participant and help *s~Emmanuela

Emmanuela de Leonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028175096798982890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848563303466400892.post-74587240470014095402008-01-14T13:40:00.000-05:002008-01-14T14:01:35.553-05:00

Recent PressAn editor at Gay Lifestyles Monthly solicited an article from me about the Claiming Masculinity Project. While I've not been successful, as of this writing, in getting the kind people over there to correct the names meant to be attached to the second set of images, the general responses from readers have been positive.Special shouts out to TJ Fleming and Renair Amin, both of whom read

Emmanuela de Leonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028175096798982890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848563303466400892.post-31511932633928928882007-11-26T02:16:00.000-05:002007-11-26T03:26:56.702-05:00

While Project Director PJ Whitt and I have been funding this project completely out of pocket for the last six months, the intense level of interest from participants all over the United States has given us to understand that this is a much larger endeavor than we might have anticipated.The grant cycle application deadlines are fast approaching, and I'll be right in line . . . so everyone keep

Emmanuela de Leonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028175096798982890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848563303466400892.post-53971517907115933952007-11-26T01:44:00.000-05:002007-11-26T02:03:14.513-05:00

Hard to tell by my website, I know, but the project is still going strong, and keeping me very busy *sLast month, I shot the first in a series with Calyb, who will begin transitioning in December. Peace and blessings, Calyb *s The early photos show a very nervous person, who just started getting a bit more comfortable, as we were losing light. A second session is scheduled for a coming weekend.Oh

Emmanuela de Leonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028175096798982890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848563303466400892.post-14107115209907668432007-10-05T04:51:00.000-04:002007-10-05T05:07:04.721-04:00

I'm delighted to announce I've found the cover photo for the Claiming Masculinity press kit and grant application materials. Yes, you read right: there's a Cover Boi in town (but I'm not releasing names, just yet) *sAs goes press, we're excited to have the opportunity to partner with the wise and resourceful Pmyner Ltd., led by our fabulous Renair Amin. This is the kind of sponsorship any project

Emmanuela de Leonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028175096798982890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848563303466400892.post-30954921357501425682007-10-05T04:07:00.000-04:002007-10-05T04:23:44.225-04:00

There was always going to be that first photo session that just did not, could not work, for one reason or another.So far, we've successfully moved ahead, with bad lighting, cramped quarters, new cameras, new equipment, long and crazed drives all over the East Coast . . . and still have managed to not only create some wonderful portfolios, but establish enduring friendships, as well.The Absolute

Emmanuela de Leonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028175096798982890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848563303466400892.post-22251191098352457382007-10-05T03:50:00.000-04:002007-10-05T04:06:33.876-04:00

This has been Recovery Week. After ten days or so of annoyances and frustrations, we are moving into balance.I took a notion to install a new OS. Pretty brave, given that I've always been the girl who calls a guy *s But it's just a disk, after all. How hard could it be?Turns out, one is meant to install additional RAM, when upgrading the OS. I was unaware. My sluggish, unhappy computer made

Emmanuela de Leonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028175096798982890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848563303466400892.post-80341287421540424592007-09-29T02:18:00.000-04:002007-09-29T02:55:39.883-04:00

Autumn is one of my favorite times of the year . . . now that I know what it is to experience the changing seasons *s Growing up in Southern California didn't afford me much information about that, though I recall the "winter" trips to the low mountains, where deciduous trees did attempt a bit of a show.While I don't love tourists, I confess I can almost understand why people want to make the

Emmanuela de Leonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028175096798982890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848563303466400892.post-23364611860724139772007-09-29T01:33:00.000-04:002007-09-29T02:16:53.222-04:00

August and September simply consumed me with work, so I haven't had a moment to blog. Don't hate me because I'm dutiful *sThe first weekend in August, Dre and I finally got together for a session. And what a remarkable journey that became.Although Dre's initial idea was to be photographed in his natural environment, the gym, we went first into a tiny, airless yoga studio. The only ambient light

Emmanuela de Leonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028175096798982890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848563303466400892.post-34997313553177993842007-07-22T16:00:00.000-04:002007-07-22T16:06:27.887-04:00

I want to thank innovative photographer Vincent L. Smith for his strong and kind encouragement of my work.Vincent's Urban Nudes and African Women in America are two of my favorite galleries. This is a photographer who, like me, finds beauty in difference.Have a look, and tell him I sent you over to say hello *s~Emmanuela

Emmanuela de Leonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028175096798982890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848563303466400892.post-22994779756408088122007-07-19T14:56:00.000-04:002007-07-19T15:22:56.376-04:00

My gratitude to Angela D. Odom of Femme Noir: A Web Portal for Women of Color, for the article on the Claiming Masculinity project and the special focus on poet and Myn Myc host Renair Amin. It comes as a tremendous compliment to be included in the voices and faces of this fine site.And let's face it: who doesn't love Renair? *sI'd also like to give attention and props to author TJ Fleming, a

Emmanuela de Leonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028175096798982890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848563303466400892.post-4412499160992401082007-07-19T03:40:00.000-04:002007-07-20T01:38:35.240-04:00

Now that I've updated my changing availability and rambled a bit about my personal life (pero nadie sabe lo que hay en la jolla menos la cocinera, no? *s), I'd like to get down to some details about the Claiming Masculinity project, for everyone who would like to be involved.Firstly, I have to thank Dre and Renair for the efforts they've made to get out the word on this. I'm coming into contact

Emmanuela de Leonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13028175096798982890noreply@blogger.com2