Sunday, December 20, 2009

On Assignment in San Francisco

























I've just returned home from one of my favorite trips to San Francisco. I photographed "America's Favorite Psychic" Sylvia Browne for her new book cover for Harper Collins, which will be released in Spring 2010. She is an absolute firecracker and I loved meeting her. The shoot went extraordinarily well and I had the best crew! My friend and super talented photographer, John Sanossian, was in town so he helped out on set as well as joined me on some photo questing throughout the city. I enjoyed quality time with many close friends as well as meeting a ton of new friends. Holiday parties, random encounters with strangers, even a moment where I bonded with a seal, who stared at me for about 10 minutes as I talked to him/her. Anyhow, I smiled and laughed for 5 days straight. All this fun and I flew home, just in time, for my sister's birthday/holiday party. I love my job, I love my friends, I love my life. Perhaps I need a place in LA and SF someday. These photos were taken by my Canon 5D Mark II, My Panasonic Lumix and my iPhone. The photo of me by the bridge and the boots were taken by John. Enjoy!

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Through My Eyes

















I wanted to introduce an idea I had.
Several people have recently asked me what my biggest inspiration is. As I started to answer, I realized that I had no idea how to narrow down what my one biggest inspiration was. There are so many things in my everyday life that I see, that I smell, that I hear... tiny moments and objects capture my attention and inspire me. In search of some answers for myself, I recently opened several old folders of photographs and pulled aside a few. What I found while viewing my photos is that there is no rhyme nor reason to what captures my attention. Although there is some consistency, the range of subject matter is random. Really random, actually. I was thinking to myself, "Hmm... I wonder why I was inspired to take a photo of that bowl of nuts at dinner in NYC all those years ago". :)

I suppose that my final answer is that there isn’t one answer.

What inspires me? Kindness, laughter, love, children, LIGHT (always light), happiness, sadness, life, death, objects, elements, sunsets, smiles, beauty in darkness, a beautiful sky, rain, snow, travel, dirt roads leading to nowhere or everywhere, dreams, my family and friends, fashion, great food & wine, music, passion, trash, a blade of grass... the list goes on and on. Looking through these images, I thought it might be fun to start snapping everyday random photos, capturing these moments and sharing what I see in my life on a regular basis. I’m hoping to also learn some things about myself along the way. I don’t want to confine myself by using only one camera, so occasionally the photographs may be taken on my professional cameras, a point and shoot or it may simply be taken on my iPhone. I won’t go into the archives as I move forward. I’ll only show current images.

I’d like to end this entry by sharing that a very close family member passed away on Thanksgiving. I learned only a couple of days ago and tomorrow morning is his memorial. He lived a wonderfully full life and made an impact wherever he went. His kindness and his heart have always been and will always be inspiring to me.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Jennifer and Ken Wedding: Palm Springs








I am still speechless. This wedding was one of the most breathtaking weddings I've ever seen. Jennifer and Ken met in Washington D.C., live in New York and wed in Palm Springs. Fifty guests traveled in for the festivities. The rehearsal dinner was at the Crescent Palm Estate and the wedding took place at Frank Sinatra's original house, Twin Palms. As a home design and decor professional, Jennifer's vision was executed beautifully. She was stunning in her custom Akris wedding gown and Christian Louboutin shoes for the wedding and changed for the reception into an incredible red gown by Alexander McQueen and a pair of red Christian Louboutin shoes. Ken wore a custom suit by Brioni. All jewelry was custom designed by the couple. More photos can be seen here: http://www.joanallenweddings.com/. Thank-you to Jennifer and Ken for making me feel part of the family. Also, thank-you so much to Cathy and Dorry with Celebrations of Joy, who were both amazing to work with and did a wonderful job with planning. Additional credits and thanks to the following talented people:
Wedding Planner: Celebrations of Joy www.celebrationsofjoy.com
Floral: Arrangements Floral www.arrangementsdesign.com
Caterer: East Meets West Catering: www.eastmeetswestps.com
Make-up: Judy Twine www.thealistmakeupstudio.com
Hair: Eddy from The Bungalow Salon & Spa 760-568-5454
Linen: Wildflower Linen
Entertainment: www.eventertainmentbiz.com
Rentals: Classic Party Rentals www.classicpartyrentals.com
Event Property: Homes Run www.beaumondvillas.com
A special thank-you to the talented John Sanossian for being my second photographer

Thursday, November 19, 2009

My Favorite Photo Assignment: Cotton Plant, Arkansas


People Magazine sent myself and a small crew to photograph a lovely woman named Addie Morris during her trip to the little town of Cotton Plant, Arkansas. About a 90-mile drive outside of Memphis, TN. Addie, an African-American woman raised in extreme poverty and segregation for most of her childhood, is one of the most amazing people I have ever met. As a child, when she had a toothache, her family would take her to the dentist and
have her teeth pulled out. (She shared this story with me over breakfast). As she got older, she’d take herself to the dentist and say, “I have a toothache. Pull it out”. It wasn’t until one dentist said, “Why would I pull your tooth out? You have a perfectly healthy tooth here. You just need a little filling”.
A light went on inside her head and she thought to herself “There are options?”. Today, an RN and well-educated, she gathers medical supplies, medical professionals and health education materials and returns to poverty-stricken areas nationally and internationally to educate people that don't know they have options. I photographed her
as she distributed medical supplies, screened residents of Cotton Plant for Diabetes, Glaucoma and High Blood Pressure and referred people to medical specialists. She taught them how to give CPR, and incorporate healthy diets into their daily lives. She visited the local Baptist Church on Sunday to spread the word about her health fair, as, most residents do not have telephones. She even did house calls for residents unable to attend the health fair. I was fortunate enough to visit twice. The nearest hotel to Cotton Plant is in a little town called Brinkley. About 10 miles away. When I called to reserve our rooms, the nicest Southern woman answered the phone. “Are ya comin’ in for the Woodpecker Convention?”. Brinkley’s claim to fame... Apparently, the elusive and thought to be extinct Ivory-billed Woodpecker was spotted the year before and since has drawn bird watchers from around the world. This town is Woodpecker crazy! “Woodpecker burgers” “The Woodpecker Inn”. When I mentioned we would be coming to town for a photo shoot in Cotton Plant, she said, “Oh, honey. You don’t wanna go to Cotton Plant. There ain’t nothin’ there!”. We arrived late and the only place open was Gene’s BBQ. All the locals go to Gene's, which is really nothing more than a quaint cafeteria. Woodpecker paintings saturate the wood paneling walls. Families of hunters dressed from head to toe come and go. No quick service here. Gene approached our table, introduced himself and presented us with our very own I LOVE WOODPECKERS pins... “We ain't from around these parts and us big city folk & all” now have an open invitation to return anytime. Gene is now my favorite person on Brinkley and I spent the next four days breakfast, lunch & dinner there. Brinkley was great. Not only are they Woodpecker crazy, but, they are the duck hunting capital of the world and also the wedding-dress-store-extravaganza-of-the-world”.

Cotton Plant is incredible and really, a different story someday. I will never forget this assignment and from here I will let the images speak for themselves. If you care to investigate, the history of Cotton Plant is very interesting. The people are so kind and graciously opened their homes to strangers, not allowing us to leave until we were friends. Puppies, broken televisions and the love of family and friends bring smiles to their faces. I assure you that there is hope, happiness and beauty to be found anywhere, if you take a moment to look for it. I could travel the world for the rest of my life and always find something small to get excited about. I hope that will never change.

Cotton Plant:
Population: Under 800 as of July 2009
Avg. Income $9,000-$12,400










Sunday, November 15, 2009

With Child In Malibu



I am so excited to meet my friend's new baby boy today! This, for obvious reasons, reminded me of the pregnancy photos I took of her this past Summer in Malibu. Already a stunning woman, she was radiant with her beautiful boy in her tummy. To this day and of all the photos I've taken, these are amongst my favorites! There's no way I'm leaving my camera at home today! Have a wonderful Sunday! xo

Monday, September 28, 2009

Love Story





Friday, September 11, 2009

Quietly Remembering




I awoke heavy-hearted this morning, realizing it was 9/11.
I poured some coffee and pulled out a dusty photo album. One I hadn’t wanted to look through in many years, containing snapshots taken 8 years ago during a month-long solo road trip. So many memories. I now silence my words to remember all things I am so very thankful for.