grand opening

So this was the Grand Opening of my new studio space in the fashion district (downtown LA). I moved some gear in today (gear is heavy, assistants would be good) and set up a couple of quick self portraits. I'll be slammed with work for the next week or so, then I hope to get some friends up there for some shooting.

Can. Not. Wait.

when it's too late to talk to your kids about birth control

More of the adorable addition to our family, baby Ivan. This is a real family portrait; Ivan, his mother Amanda, her father and her mother. I was really glad to get this shot of all of them together. There are lots more "normal" looking shots of them all, but I just love this one from the expression on Amanda's face. It's like, "so that's how it happens!

how to make an exit

I think I'm one of the last people on earth (with tattoos) who doesn't know Kat Von D or LA Ink, but since my daughter was getting some ink work done at her tattoo show (musink) this weekend, I got a chance to get some cool shots.

If you've never been to a tattoo convention, go! Even if you're not a photographer, or not getting a tattoo, you're guaranteed hours of the most entertaining people watching, even if it's only a bit of someone, like this shot :)

dog love

there's nothing like it.

i had the best shoot today with this rad family of people and dogs. the house was full of dog love, which is always the best.

welcome to our world

Big week around the house. I'm a grandma (yay) and that overshadows everything else that's going on at the moment. I think the studio opening will be delayed a few days, but I leave you with Ivan William in the meantime.

inked at last!

I love photographing people with tattoos, but i like to do it in the studio, in a more classic way. Photographing my daughter's tattoos has always been my favorite, but now that my husband has finally gotten his first, I'm so excited to be able to capture his expressions now that he's "one" of us.

POW!

That's all. Just...POW!!

Getting ready for the new studio opening (2nd studio for me) next week. Stay tuned. Much fun to come.

tattoo you

We have a new tattoo in the family; the first for my husband! It was a wonderful experience that I took hundreds of photos of. Luckily, not only was Trevor (the artist) a great guy, he was great looking :)

out of commission

Just as I'm getting excited about opening the new studio downtown, this flu that's been going around hits me and hits me hard. 10 days in bed. I hope you don't get it, it's a killer.

speaking of unconventional

This is one of my favorite shots from a recent dog shoot; possibly one of my all-time favorite dog shots. There are a dozen reasons why nobody would choose a shot like this, why it doesn't work, but there's really only one that someone would choose it: because they love it. It strikes me very viscerally; for me, it's that elusive essence of my subject that I managed to capture in a split second: the essence of this dog and her lanky discomfort at being photographed.

If I were looking for a cover image for a book about dogs, I might not choose this. But if I were just browsing images and came upon this on, I might write an entire novel around it.

don't put too much trust in conventionality

My fashion shoots are a bit unconventional. I do shoot traditional look books and straight models shots, but when I'm on a fashion shoot I always make time for a few shots of my own. Sometimes, the client flips over them. Sometimes, the client doesn't understand them :) But one thing is certain, unconventional will always help you stand out, one way or another.

This shot is from a model shoot I did last Sunday with a local agency. Of all the shots I took (many very traditional), this is by far my favorite.

Why we love Los Angeles

It's sunny, it's 75 degrees and Spring is almost here. Ooof.

space coming soon

I'll soon be opening a small studio in downtown LA; which means regular commutes again and no more working in my pajamas (unless I keep a stash in the studio).

I'll let you know when it's open, and I'll post pictures, and if you're in the area, you can stop by and say hello and get shot. By me!

Chloe

I had a chance to shoot my neighbor's two bulldogs yesterday and it was a gas. The more I shoot dogs, the more I enjoy shooting them in their own environment. Studio portraits have a certain appeal, but dogs in their own digs are much more entertaining. I never would have gotten such a candid moment from Chloe if she were sitting in front of my lights.

Grace

Which is, coincidentally, this lovely's name. I got a chance to shoot a couple of Vizlas today. They are perfectly lovely dogs and so photogenic.

Bob

Bob is, I think, homeless. I see him on the same corner somewhat regularly, and I've seen him there for some time. I give him a few bucks whenever I can, but I always wave back to him when he waves. He's always waving at people in cars, whether they stop or not.

I've been seeing him for almost a year, and yesterday I stopped to say hi to him, introduce myself, and ask if I could photograph him.

He was terrific, but told me that he doesn't come around as much as he used to because he keeps getting ticketed by the Long Beach police. Drag.

If you're ever near the corner of 7th and PCH in Long Beach, see if you can spot him. And if you can, give him a few bucks. If you don't have a few bucks, give him a wave.

merry merry!

and kiss your dogs for me!

one side of a mother/daughter conversation

i love taking portraits of this one. she used to not let me, and was very uncomfortable in front of the camera. now, she hardly notices when, in the middle of a conversation, i slip my camera out of my bag, remove the lens cap, and point it at her.

i shoot myself...

...mostly because i don't have frequent access to other models or people. (besides, i'm the only one i know who will do everything i ask during a shot.)

but, i'm always on the lookout for people to shoot, if you're interested in a trade-for-print session, drop me a line. i'll travel pretty far for something i'm really into (but most likely, i'll make you come to me) :)

the boxes

I had the chance to shoot another band this past weekend, and they were terrific. Not only do I like their music, but I completely dig their style. The remind me a lot of the jazz-infused new wave bands of the 80s, like The Style Council.

No website up for them yet, but an EP coming out soon.