Kola Chamagne Presents - Island Bae (Silent Bashment)

Cristina Pimienta May 28, 2016

Miami is full of parties and events, but for MDW this particular event was a new experience. Kola Champagne presented their Island Bae - Silent Bashment, adding a different twist to the normal party we are used to. A silent bashment? At first when I walked in I was like dude....where is the music? I was not prepared for any of this, at all. But it was brought to my attention that I was about to experience a "silent disco" or "headphone party". A silent disco...

"is a surreal social experience in which people dance to music via distributed wireless headphones. In lieu of one unified speaker system, three different songs are sent simultaneously to each receiver. Participants can choose to listen to one channel, or toggle between the three stations." Source: InStyle

Even though silent parties have been around since the 90's; this party phenomena and growth has created a big influence for noise pollution. Silent Noise was one of the participating sponsors for this amazing party. We gotta thank cultural influencers like Norma Now, J4haneen, Rodzilla, SilentAddy and many more putting this super dance party for the people.

I was pretty amazed by the whole concept. Like dude...I am at a party where EVERYONE is in their zone and having an amazing time. People were feeling the music in their soul. Even the people without headphones were there catching a vibe! As the flyer stated... 3 Channels - 1 Headset & Selections for the Baes. What better way to enjoy some options for baes, eh? ;) I was able to choose from 3 different genres at any given time. In my opinion this created such a great experience not only for myself and the people, but especially for the Dj's alone! This created a friendly battle zone for the Dj's to showoff and catch their audience attention! ...Well let me tell you it sure did.

Amazing tunes and killer vibes were brought to you by Disco Neil, Ryan Sayeed, JUN-ILL and more. Island Bae also brought out one of my favorite up and coming Dj's LteNght! Not only did LteNght had me singing like if no one was watching (or listening), but he also had me breaking it down to his creative mixture of jersey bounce and house - 'Get Into Somethin'. His set had everyone on Team Blue!

Island Bae definitely set the bar with our generation summer parties. If you don't have the Kola, then the champagne ain't poppin'. You haven't missed out, they might just bless your city.

xo Crispi

P.s. gotta show love to WakeupStar for inviting me & Norma for not letting me leave!

WHAT'S UP WITH PHOTOGRAPHERS?...AND SUBJECTS

Cristina Pimienta April 6, 2016

What's up with Photographers? I know they are bitching and moaning about people not respecting the art, not getting paid, or not receiving credit. But, how is one suppose to respect the art when there are shooters or proclaimed shooters leveling down the art. (to each its own, right? I respect everyone) Understandable you take a shoot for no pay or little pay because it will really "benefit" you or will get your work "promoted".

Only to keep you with the hopes and dreams that one image will get you to where you need to get... BUT NO, it turns out to be the total opposite. You receive no money, no honey, and NO LOVE (credit) on that one image or set. *Side note* To come find out that, that image not only got so much love, but NO BODY knew it was YOU who created it. So where does that leave you?....Feeling just there. So much emotion and dedication to that one project, to feel played. Also here's my other question, what's up with subjects gassing shit up for one? Y'all do not even deliver what you said you were gonna do, but y'all love our work?...I don't get it, where's the support? Where's the loyalty?

Cut it out. Respect the shooter. Respect the artist. Photographers stay up countless nights cleaning those pimples you stressed about, retouching those gorditos you kept feeling insecure about, with no sleep to produce the best work we think is yet to be seen. Loose sleep and stress the fact that if your images do not look up to par, we feel like it was not our best. Only to take these "opportunities" because it sounds like the sweetest deal. Like I said, where's the loyalty you had to create while shooting? Down the toilet...

But back to my question. What's up with Photographers?...Why do we always let shit slide? Seriously. Tired of that shit.

So I decided to create a To Do List for Photographers: "Agreeing to that Sweet Deal"

Research who they are.
Create a Release Form Agreement. (Click here for more information)
MAKE SURE THEY SIGN IT!!!
Create something dope.
Watermark your images. (If you do not have a watermark, Adobe Lightroom, lets you create a simple watermark, even if its "@yournamehere".)
Never turn in youR work without your watermark, unless there is prior written agreement. Remember FYPM. (google it)
If you feel some type of way SPEAK UP!

Photographers need a voice and the courage to not let anything slide anymore. If they don't like what you demand like MTV says, NEXT! I also hope subjects learned that it is more than just "clicking" or "pressing" that button. Take the time to learn what your photographer had to go through to learn how to maneuver an electronic and difficult software's that is just as complex as learning to draw. A mind of an artist is amazing and every medium of art should be respected and well taken care of. Let's learn to really start appreciating photographers and giving them the love and support we need as well.

I hope you enjoyed! No pictures, but just my thoughts! Oh... also see a photo and don't know who created it just tag... #WhoIsTheShooter!

Live Happy, Smile!

xo Crispi

Random Encounters with ptah - "ArtCrazy Photo" ft rarri & yesjulz.

Cristina Pimienta March 30, 2016

After heading out from 8and9 at around 5:45pm. I caught up with Ptah, one of my favorite shooters and friend from Miami. Many of you know him as "ArtCrazy Photo". He was with his friend Rarri a.k.a "Prime Minister". Ptah and I have taken the time to finally create together, here is a little something.

We met in-front of Sweat Records, Miami’s indie music store, cafe and event space. Little did I know Sweat Records is located next door to the legendary local punk venue Churchill’s Pub (est.1979). ChurchHill's Pub has been located on the corner of NE 55th since 1979! Churchill's Pub has been a place for food, concerts, and sports. This is one of Miami's oldest pubs still existing in Little Haiti, Miami. While goofing around, brainstorming to kill some time...We decided to be the creative we are, so we built and shot a mini fire! Shout out to Mina's! We stayed warm! LOL I definitely tasted the Mickey's beer since it was highly recommended by Ptah! In the midst of our fire, Ptah mentioned he was shooting Julz.

Had to show some love and capture him with Trina (my camera) in action. Keep a look out for his photo set with YesJulz.

Stay Humble, Live Happy, Smile!

Enjoy!

xo Crispi

The Nervous Pool Party - 25 Year Anniversary Bash - Miami Music Week '16 (Miami)

Cristina Pimienta March 19, 2016

Miami is full of activities all year around, but my favorite time of the year in Miami, is March. Not only because it was my birthday, but bikini's are ready, sunblock's on deck, and some coolers are in yo bag! Ouu girls and boys, it is what I like to call "March Madness". I want to bring you to one of my favorite cities Brickell. Brickell is the financial district. If you aren't familiar with Brickell below is a quick run down.

"Brickell was settled in the modern era in the mid-1800s by early pioneers, growing to become Miami's "Millionaire's Row" in the early 1900s after the construction of lavish mansions along Brickell Avenue by Mary Brickell. By the 1970s, office towers, hotels and apartments began replacing the historic mansions. Today, Brickell has grown to overtake the city's historic central business district to the north, as one of the largest financial districts in the United States. With a fast-growing residential population, Brickell is one of Miami's fastest-growing as well as its most dense neighborhood, with a 2010 population of about 31,000." (Wiki)

Besides flying down in March for Miami Music Week, Ultra Music Festival and Winter Music Conference. MMW is full of the hottest pool parties with the best DJ's from all over the world. One of them being the "Nervous Pool Party", hosted at one of the most iconic clubs; "Fifty" located on the 50th floor of the Viceroy Miami.

Nervous Records brought you sun, drinks, and great vibes! Their 25th anniversary for Nervous Records was blessed with legendary DJ's like Louie Vega, DJ Sneak, Carl Craig, Boris, Josh Wink and we can not forget Miami's Oscar G! Check out some images I took of this legendary experience.

Thank you Nervous Records for having me!

Enjoy

xo Crispi

Dead By Association - Jersey City

Cristina Pimienta March 6, 2016

Happy Birthday to Me! Some of you may not know, but today is my birthday and I am happy to still be alive after last nights festivities.

Last night consisted of my first "Dead Since" party. Since I was not home for their first one, I was in luck my friend Alaska, founder of the local Jersey City brand and the crew were throwing their 2nd event. What a great way to receive my birthday ain't it?...Just in time to begin what I like to call my "Birthday Month!"

Besides riding out with my home-girls; I already knew this one will be a great night. Which indeed it was. I was able to reunite and dance with my friends all night! Best part was reuniting and being photographed by my favorite person Andy Mac! Also made new friends from other cities and was happy to see how many people really appreciate the movement of the brand and culture for what it really is. DJ 201 had me dancing ALL night long! (If you didn't catch me dancing this time, you'll catch me next time!)

Execution is key and execution is what happened. Alaska made sure we were there to have fun, which he cut the music and announced, "Yo everybody! I appreciate you for coming. We out here making something for ourselves with our art and creative shit. Do some shit you will regret tomorrow. It's all about the culture." The event was awesome, drinks all night, great music, signing poster, and dancing all night long! This is only the beginning!

Over all, this event literally had me "dead" at the end of the night. That only means I started my birthday with a bang and Dead By Association was a complete success.

Enjoy these images shot by favorite person Andy Mac (via ChicPeaJC)... and some I managed to shoot myself with all the madness.

xo Crispi