Karen's Photo Journal

Family Portrait - Malibu State Creek Park

Last week I had the opportunity to do a photo shoot for this fun family. They were the winning bid at a silent auction for this event here. And it turns out we live three minutes from each other. And it turns out that we know some of the same people! Love small worlds! 

After a consultation we decided that something with some local mountains in the distance sounded good. We ended up in the Santa Monica Mountains and endured a bit of heat and some pesky flies to get some some fab late afternoon shots. These guys were so great and playful with each other. Thank you!

A few of my artsy favorites... I think this pano would look awesome over their couch!

 

Children's Portrait | Los Angeles Photography

Okay, I feel safe posting these photos now.  They were commissioned for a Fathers Day present and I didn't want to chance the dad seeing these before he opened his gift.  Of course my favs are the ones on the skateboards!

 

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!

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)

Generations

I wish I had a photo of myself, my mother and my grandmother.  I know I have random snapshots somewhere, but I mean a REAL photo.  (And oh how I wish I could have added my daughter in there but my daughter came into this world the year after they both left.)  

We always think we have plenty of time instead of grabbing onto time right now.  Christina is good at grabbing on. Every year I do their family portraits, which always includes one grandma.  Well, when I was in Scottsdale recently, Christina called me up to say HER mom was in town so off I went to capture an impromptu portrait with three generations worth of gorgeousness!

When are you going to do some of these?  Don't wait to long!

Pam and her girls

I was so excited when I hung up the phone.  An old buddy from high school had just called and wanted some shots of her and her girls for a surprise present for her husbands birthday. (For those of you who know these people.. SHHHHHHH... I don't know if he got his gift yet but Pam said I can post so, SHHHH.) We decided on some artsy black and white stuff and I couldn't wait! It was so great reconnecting with her that I had to remember to shoot and not talk.  We both have eight year old daughters so it was neat comparing our lives since we last saw each other.

I can't post, well, almost all of the images due to some privacy issues but here are a few outtakes from our day together.

Ladies, what a great idea for your husbands for Father's Day!

Here is the gorgeous Miss H with her new puppy Roxy.

The adorable Miss L and her mommy

Miss L cracking herself up

Miss L taking Angel for a walk

The Elkins Family

When Laura met David she thought he lived too far away for them to pursue a relationship.  Luckily, with time (and David's charm), she got over that feeling. After love and five years of marriage here they are with two gorgeous little boys.  

When I first met Laura we were five years old, embarking on our first day of kindergarten together.  Distance melted away in both of these instances to bring us all together for a warm winter day of capturing this fun family. What a joy to photograph an old friend with children that are almost the age Laura and I were when we first met.  Laura and I parted ways when she went off to another Jr. High School but through the beauty of Facebook we have become buddies once more!  (To see our kindergarten picture, you'll need to check my Facebook page.)  

I did a sneak peak of my all time favorite photo of just Laura and David a little while back, which you can see here. (They have been so patient while I was getting better.) Here are some of my favs from our time in the park.

I love this one...

Laura is a singer so we took a moment to do a few headshots for her. Look at how stunnning her eyes are!

And last but not least...

Sneak peak: Laura and David

More coming real soon, but here are two of my long lost friend from Kindergarten that I photographed yesterday:

California Christmas

I don't think most photographers get to do fun things like this for Christmas cards.  My last family of the year was waiting for their pool to be complete so we could get this great shot.  I think they are just showing off for the relatives back east!

Darlings

Saturday morning was supposed to be one of my last outdoor shots of the year. And then it rained.  Okay, I'm all about Plan B's and spontaneity. And it helped to know that my client/buddies Linda and Steve have a great home to shoot in!  I got to photograph her two boys and their cousins for their annual portrait sitting and they were so adorable. (Whole family next year, guys?) Although occasionally difficult to get six smiles and 12 eyes all at once, I think I got some shots they'll love. Here are just a few...

Linda and Steve's boys are so handsome!  They had to run off for their team sports but I was able to get a few of just them before they left.

Ok, I had to post this next one too because I kept getting a fake smile from him most of the day but he heard his cousin say the dog pooped in his room and he just started busting up!  It was hysterical.  It took a while to get him to stop laughing.  So, tip to any photogs reading this... dog poop helps with kids portraits!

Does she not have the most silkity-smooth skin?  

The youngest model of the day at three months old.

And last but not least, Rileigh.