Karen's Photo Journal

My Little Theater Star!

My nine year old daughter just preformed in her first elementary school production.  This is a big deal if you know how shy she is.  I was so proud of her for just getting up the nerve and trying out and guess what?  She loved it! She was picked as Lisa, the best friend and bridesmaid of Sophie, in Mama Mia. (They asked me to take production stills... of the wedding... Is anyone else seeing the irony?)

Anyway, here is a shot during the rehearsal of my little one belting it out!

Senior Portrait - Los Angeles

World, this is Kristy.  Kristy, meet the world.  I think you all need to memorize this gorgeous face because Kristy is a singer.  A really, really, really good singer.  Like American Idol good!  And so beautiful.  

Kristy needed some headshots and a portfolio immediately for her manager when she called me and I couldn't wait, knowing we'd get some great images. She is also going to be a senior next year so we turned it into a senior shoot of sorts as well! 

She started very casual and basic for the headshots and got fiercer as we went! She sure could work it!  Kristy, I loved working with you!  Good luck!

 

I'm tellin' ya... fierce!

I told Kristy this should be her album cover!  This was both our favorite!

Things I Love!

Mother Remembered

I didn't really smell the coffee first thing in the morning.  My mom loved to sleep in.  So much so that she had black out curtains and those eye-cover-thingys.  But once she woke up, the Mr. Coffee coffee pot started brewing the most delicious smelling java.  Ten cups of rich, black liquid that would be sipped on all day.  It didn't matter if it was four in the afternoon and the coffee had been sitting there all day.  That's what microwaves were for.  We didn't waste in our house (a trait I inherited - much to the chagrin of my husband and kids.  I call it reuse, reduce, recycle).  I guess that was in part because of her own childhood.  My grandparents fled the Nazis and lived through the depression in their new country, while raising two little girls on, well, not much.

On hot summer days the morning brew would be poured over ice, then milk and sugar were added for the best ice coffee ever created.  It was a special treat to be handed my own iced cup to sip on.  Drinking it made me feel so grown up, made me feel so close to my mom...

I am now my mom's age when she handed that cup of joe to her little girl.  I don't drink coffee.  I never acquired the taste for it.  But I love all things coffee flavored, especially Haagen Dazs coffee ice cream!  And I love something even closer to that summer treat my mom handed me oh-so long ago. I'm hooked on those Starbuck coffee flavored Frappuccinos.  The ones in the bottle, not the blended store ones.  The ones that taste like coffee poured over ice... with milk and sugar added.  Those ones.

Happy Mother's Day.

 

New Photo Packaging - Environmentally Friendly

Boy, I was like a little kid ripping open the two boxes that arrived yesterday. I knew what was inside and I couldn't wait to see how they turned out.

I have been a professional photographer since I was 18. Got published that year.  Had a great loft studio in downtown LA and in Venice.  I mention that to say I have been shooting for awhile.  After a bit of a break and life reassessment, I started shooting again.  In all that time I never branded myself.  I never got the importance or it, even with a graphic arts background. A major blonde moment... until now!

At a recent seminar, I found Rice Studio Supply and their recycled products!!! I was sooooo excited!  It was important for me to stay true to myself and incorporate how I feel about our environment into my branding.  My packaging is 95% recycled content.  How cool is that!

When I was trying to decide on colors, I found inspiration in the sea glass I collect and my love of the sea, hence the turquoise-ish blue and the sandy brown.

You'll be seeing these colors with milky blues and greens(think sea glass again) in my next huge release, which I hope will be in a month or so. Shhhh... it's a surprise.  Hee hee hee  Meanwhile check these out and let me know what you think. 

 

Quinceanera Photography - San Fernando Mission

It wasn't hard to feel the emotion of this day.  And as a parent myself, I could imagine the way Juan and Ludy felt when they saw Jenny in her Quinceanera dress, hair and makeup done, tiara in place.  I arrived to find Jenny putting the finishing touches on and the house filling up with family. Then off we went to one of the most beautiful churches I've been to, the San Fernando Mission, steeped in tradition and history for our So. Cal. area of San Fernando.  The ceremony was so touching and Jenny looked so beautiful.

The reception at Casa Torres was one giant party. (The lighting there was so perfect too!  Us photogs appreciate that!) After the amazing mariachi band finished and the traditional waltz was danced, everyone broke into party mode!

Thank you all for including me in this special occasion for Jenny and making me feel part of the family.  You guys are the best!