Welcome

I am now a proud mama.  Which is why I haven't been posting in a while.  I will use my little one as inspiration until I'm ready to start doing other shoots again.  Here's to a new year, new adventures, and lasting love and passion.

                                                       Welcome to the world baby D.

Amy Winehouse Inspired Shoot

Photos from my Amy Winehouse Inspired shoot.  I am really happy with how it came out.  I love getting models dressed up and playing a little bit of make believe.
Model:  Emma Blyth
MUA: Emily Kellis
Hair:  Jessie Sporer

OK GO

I was part of a photoshoot for OK GO yesterday for High Voltage Magazine.  I got to see my friends, some of which I hadn't seen in a while and munch on lots of carrots.  I got to watch another photographer work, which I don't get to do alot.  It was a good time.  The issue will be out in September.  Stay tuned.

Hipster Romance

I started the year off working with wardrobe stylist Regina Moretto to put together a shoot she titled, "Hipster Romance."  She was visiting town from Houston and wanted to do a stereo typical LA hipster kind of shoot.  This is the results.

Models: Bethany Rose and Alex Koby
MUA:  Olga Lozovska
Stylist: Regina Moretto
Photography by Me.

Sam

Sam.  The lighting ended up being somewhat perfect this day.  It was one those days where the sun was shining, there was a light breeze, and the world felt pretty right.  I love days like that.

Weddings

Weddings have been on my mind alot lately.  Getting proposed to will make that happen.  So many people asking "What's the date?"  My answer, I'm not sure.  We've looked into venues.  The only conclusion is that weddings are expensive.  It makes you ask yourself, is it worth it to state your vows in front of everyone or should you just do a small private ceremony for you and your beloved?

Two weeks ago, Kimberly and Roberto got married.  It showed me what weddings are about.  Love and celebration.  But also the stress of getting everything going and making that day happen.  I will say, love is love.  Celebrate it in the way that fits you.

A thank you note...

I’m sitting here in my office, staring at my endless piles of work, and wondering which issue to tackle first.  I decided to screw all of that, and write a thank you note to all the amazing people who have donated to the clients at the agency I work at.  I normally write this is November (actually I did, but it never got posted!).

I work as a therapist for kids/teens with mental health disorders up in Palmdale.  If you don't know Palmdale, think mountains, desert, beautiful sunsets, Joshua Trees, and lots of poverty.  To bring something bright to the families we work with, we try to give a toy to every client (and siblings when we can) during the Holiday season.  I am an avid music lover.  The local So-cal music scene and I are great buddies.  As part of our "toy" drive, I have asked local and some not so local bands to donate to our clients for the holiday season.  This is the third year I’ve done this, and each year the outcome is more amazing.  I am truly thankful for all the bands, management agencies, and others who not just send me merch for the kids to enjoy, but who will sometimes give me so much more than what I asked for.  It fills my heart with joy and it makes me love music so much more (if that’s even possible!).  The kids really love getting the gifts.  I hear such positive responses from their therapists.  Plus the kids to discover new music and at times, become hard core fans of that music.  Thank you so much to all of you, you guys totally and completely rock!

Ashley Webb (awebb@childguidance.org)  

Video of Music Is Power: Video

Here's a list of the bands who have donated-show them some love! (For all of 2013)

Go Betty Go (www.facebook.com/GoBettyGoOfficial)

One side dummy Records

Kate Nash (Myignorantyouth.com)

Croshal Entertainment Group (www.croshalgroup.com)

RedCircleUnderground(redcircleunderground.net)

Beware of Darkness (bewareofdarknessmusic.com)

The Material (wearethematerial.com)

Capital Cities (capitalcitiesmusic.com)

Meiko (Meikomusic.com)

Hanni El Khatib (hannielkhatib.com)

We Were Indians (wewereindians.com)

Cayucas (cayucas.com)

Rival Tides (rivaltides.com)

Emancipator (emancipatormusic.com)

Mowgli’s (themowglis.net)

Fortress Social Club (https://www.facebook.com/thefortresssocialclub)

U-Turns

I haven't quite been doing my normal style of shooting lately.  Life has taken lots of U-turns in the past month and half.  My boyfriend got into a motorcycle accident.  He was in the hospital for 2 weeks.  I've been home from work most of that time.  Next week I go back after almost 6 weeks.  Yikes!  I got used to being off.  Since the accident things have been crazy at times, but on the bright side, it has brought us closer together, and now we are engaged (more yikes!).

Needless to say, photography hasn't been at the top of my list of things to focus on.  I know this year will continue to be life changing.  I don't know what things will look like, but I want to work on happy, to allowing myself to not just dream, but to make those dreams a possibility for reality.

Life is too short to waste time being scared. This is a great song for inspiration:  Nico Vega Video

Photography continues to be what I love to do.  I don't know how it will transform as the year progresses, but be on the lookout for updates.

Thanks to all of your for believing in me and helping me do what I love.

Laura Maust

Laura Maust.  She's a singer.  She dabbles in acting.  She can take a beautiful photo.  She is always down to come to my clinic and play her music for the teens who go there. What else can you ask for?

Welcome 2014!

It's a new year.  For most people that includes new goals, new starts.  Normally, I am one of those people.  I'll make a list of all I want to accomplish in the upcoming year or at least in the upcoming months.  This year I decided to not do that.  Life is so full of possibilities.  I can't predict what will happen.  Instead I want to keep working on what I've been doing for years which is finding joy in life and making moments count.

One of the best ways to start off a new year is with a photo shoot.  This one has been a few months in coming.  It involved me, Zucchero Styling, 2 models (Alex and Bethany), and Olga the Mua.  The idea: Hispster Valentine.  Very Cali of us, eh?   I'm excited to have done a shoot, hang out with old friends, and make some new ones.  It was an easy Saturday.  Photos will appear in an upcoming issue of Coeus.  Stay tuned.