Karen's Photo Journal

Happy B-day Miss A!

My baby turns nine today.  Okay, not so much baby left in her but she is my youngest and it's hard to know there will be no more little ones after her. Miss A is the most awesome of awesome kids.  I love her to pieces! And she puts up with me wanting to hug her all the time so what more could you want? AND she watches American Idol with me, Dancing with the Stars and Martha Stewart!  Part of our evolving bonding ritual!  I also believe this is my future photo assistant.  She already has an eye and talent for it so you guys might see her join me on shoots one day!

Happy birthday honey!

I Love These Guys! New Soul Cowboys Coming to LA

My favorite kick booty (and I think unsigned) band is heading back to LA and I am happy, happy, happy about this!  The New Soul Cowboys are one of the most amazing live bands I have ever seen and I have seen many a concert, my friend, including some legendary bands!  

Not only am I excited to see them again, but they will be here this Saturday, the day after my birthday! So guess where I'm celebrating??????? At Cozy's, in Sherman Oaks. I am sooooo excited!

If you follow my blog you know I love all music... rock, hip-hop, blues... everything.  These guys are pure Southern rock/blues.  If you are a Stevie Ray Vaughn fan you have got to see how Anthony Gomes handles a guitar. Unreal!  If this sounds good to you, join me for my birthday at 9:30 this Saturday!

I took these photos of them about a year or so ago when they played at the Canyon Club:

Johnson Family Portrait

I love my friends.  I love my clients.  Some times I don't know what comes first... friends that become clients... clients that become friends... I am grateful for it all!

This is the third time I've had the opportunity to photograph Georgi and her family.  (I don't think I had my blog that last time.)  It is so great to see the kids I photograph get older, see the family evolve...

Georgi had a special request this time: her whole family was in town and could we shot everyone? Ahhhhh, yea!  I love when all the generations get in the act.  I wish I had proper photos of my family to look back on and share with my kids, so I loved the idea.  (And ya gotta love someone that will do a photoshoot and have their kids miss school all in the name of art!!!)  

Georgi and Dave (and I think everyone) are big hikers so we decided to take advantage of some great trails near my house.  Check it out:

This is Georgi and her adorable family

One of my favorite shots from the day...

Mark and Kally, Georgi's parents will be celebrating their 44th anniversary this year!  How amazing is that???

And last but not least, Georgi's brother Peter with Susanne and their fabulous son.  They were visiting from Seattle - notice the Kurt Cobain shirt tribute...   

Another favorite!

Happy Earth Day

Day's like this make me happy.  Knowing that people are focusing on the environment around them and trying to make a difference.... even for one day... is a fabulous thing!

And remember that recycling is the easiest way to help our planet.  

By recycling 1 plastic bottle not only saves anywhere from 100 to 1000 years in the landfill but also saves the environment from the emissions in producing new bottles as well as the oil used to produce that bottle.

For every 1 ton of plastic that is recycled we save the equivalent of 2 people’s energy use for 1 year, the amount of water used by 1 person in 2 month’s time and almost 2000 pounds of oil.

San Fernando Mission - Detail

Here is a quick detail shot from the Quinceanera I shot yesterday.  It was held in the amazing church at the San Fernando Mission.  The mission dates back to 1797, although I'm not sure when these wood carvings were made for the church.  They are unbelievable!  Worth a visit some weekend for a little California history!

I'll be posting Jenny's Quinceanera photos soon so make sure to stop back for a peak.

Cutey Pie + Wild Flowers + Flare = Too Many Photos to Post!

World, this is Miss A, an absolute, certified, cutey pie! We had a lot of fun playing in the fields yesterday. She kept talking and singing the whole time we shot (well, she thought she was talking and singing but it sounded good to me and her mom!).  And ohhhhhhhh that late afternoon light.  Anyone that has been here before knows I love me some yummy flare.  I know not everyone likes that but I think they're nuts. Check out the fun stuff we got before Miss A got too cold.

"Mom, who is that crazy lady with the black box in front of her face???" 

"Okay, you're cool!  Let's dance!"

Those little lips are her real color.  I didn't touch them!!!!!

I love the next two... I think a canvas of these would look amazing in their house!

Okay, there are too many so here are some collages...

For flare lovers only.  You have been warned!

My favorite all time flare photo in ever-ness!  Are you kidding?  Look at that prism of rainbow-goodness! I giggle every time I look at it!  I just wish Miss A hadn't turned that head of hers at the last moment but it still looks awesome. Miss A and her big sis... (tee hee hee)

Alternative Bridal Portrait

These portraits are one of my most favorite things to shoot.  My brides seem to trust me for some reason and go with my crazy ideas! These are the times I can be most creative and run with one of the zillion things floating around my head.

Angie wanted to do a 'trash the dress' session, or as I like to call them, an alternative portrait.  Once she said water, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with her and was so excited when she drove six hours with her dress to come out to Malibu to pose for me.  

We were kinda bummed at first that it was a cold dreary day but I am so glad Angie didn't change her mind!  I think the shots ended up having a better mood to them then a bright sunny day would have. And she braved that frigid water!!!  I can tell you now that the shoot is over that there is no way I would have gotten into that water! You were a trooper, girl!

Leave a comment and let me know which ones you like the best.

This next one is one of my favorites.  This is the shot that I had stuck in my head for so long...

I love this photo.  I can't remember if the wind blew the veil over her or if she was goofing around, but her spontaneous laughter and great smile makes this one of my favorites!

Photo of the Day

From my early morning walk on Thursday.  I love that oak tree.  Happy Spring.

 

Family Hike

Last Saturday... Sunday???... a couple of days ago my fam took a mini hike through Thousand Oaks.  We heard there was a new dear family here and we were hoping to catch a glimpse but only saw a cute, hungry looking coyote, poor thing.  (I hope he doesn't find the dear!)  Anyway here are a couple snap shots:

Mr. Wyle E.

The munchkins...

Surprise Party

Ya gotta love how romantic it is to plan an elaborate surprise party!  That's just what Christina did for her hubby's 50th.  David is passionate about cooking so a few weeks ago he went to his favorite Italian restaurant Tesoro in Scottsdale to help the owners/friends prep a meal for a special occasion.  He just didn't realize it was his special occasion.  Not until 40 people or so started flowing through the doors to surprise him! It was a great night of friendship, love, ribbing from old friends, and of course great food.  Christina flew me out to capture the evening for a keepsake book for David. 

We told David I was out visiting my sister-in-law. Christina had me take some photos of her mother and kids and when Christina mentioned what David was doing for his birthday (with David standing right there, nod, nod, wink, wink...) I "offered" to swing by and take a few photos of him cooking as a gift since I'd "be in the neighborhood". This worked out great so he wasn't surprised when I showed up.

Christina, you are so generous of heart and spirit.  I know David loved this special day.