Rachel on the Beach

Rachel is an actress and writer from Alabama who is now living in Santa Monica. She was such a delight to photograph! 

Little Women

One of my friends, Lisa,  and her daughter (about 5 years old) was staying with us a few years ago. Lydia has big, beautiful eyes-and when anyone who met her would say "oh, what pretty eyes you have" Lydia would say "I know!" in a well-of-course-I-do sort of way. Understanding this was a great time to teach Lydia about modesty, Lisa had instructed Lydia in proper discourse. "Thank you. I appreciate the compliment." and had also devised a strategy for her daughter....

Lydia was told that whenever she felt like it she could look in the mirror and tell herself what pretty eyes she had. (How's that for positive affirmation? we should all start our day this way.)  So while she was visiting I overheard her sitting on the toilet, looking in the mirror, and cooing to herself " you have beautiful eyes! and such beautiful eyelashes!"

Lydia playing dress up. Check out those beautiful eyelashes. 

She's not alone. I watched a little girl, maybe around 4, at the grocery store. She'd seemed quite distracted (running into her Aunt's big purse quite a few times) until she noticed the mirror (you know, the one they use to check under your cart) I saw her move in to examine her reflection several times before she went in for a big kiss. To herself. I couldn't help it--I laughed out loud and introduced myself to her Aunt. She told me her niece LOVED looking at herself;  if there is a mirror any where around she can't even see anyone else.

And I wonder when it changes; when do we stop looking in the mirror and thinking "What pretty eyes" and start thinking "where did those wrinkles come from" " look at those zits" "my nose is too big" "my lips are too small."

I think these little ladies are on to something. The only person responsible for my self-image is me.  So if you catch me looking in the mirror and telling myself how pretty my eyes are, you'll not only forgive me, but you'll know who my role-models are.

Community Garden

Our friend Kumiko came by the other day with a huge bag of citrus fruit (for which I never properly thanked her, especially since she sacrificed her fruit picker in the process.) It was a generous gift-of time as well as fruit-since each variety of was packaged in it's own brown bag with little stories and drawings on them. 

Tearing each gift open felt a little like Christmas. And truth be told it smelled like Christmas too, the bright citrus smells mingling together. Every Christmas morning we found a sweet orange in the toe of our stockings, a sunny reminder of summer in the middle of winter.

I took a few minutes to take some photos of these little gems because it reminded me so much of growing up in Utah. As soon as the gardens were in and producing neighbors were out and about delivering their extra fruits and veggies. There's even a joke about it:

Q: What do you call someone who has to buy zucchini in summer?

A: Someone with no friends. 

And honestly, I'd never bought a zucchini until I left Utah. Italian Squash? Sounds fancy to me. 

So it's just fruit, right? In my experience it's a little more than that. There is something about a sharing with your friends and neighbors that creates community. I know that it made me a feel a little more at home. Thanks Kumiko, and I owe you a fruit-picker.

Robot Chicken

Robot

Chicken

A friend of mine (and a former student) is one of the lucky ladies selected for this years AFI Directing Workshop for Women. She's also does fabrication and art direction for Robot Chicken; needless to say, a very talented artist whose next big project will be creating her first live-action film, "Losing Ferguson."

So, I'm not sure if you heard, but it takes MONEY to make a film. Trish has a kickstarter (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1045357347/losing-ferguson) and is hosting an art show/fundraiser next week at the Hold Up gallery in L.A. And guess what? I'm in it! Sellin' these little lovelies (well, they are 12x18) for the greater good.

When I dropped off the work I saw a ton of awesome work (including a woodcut that if you don't buy, I may just have to take home myself.) So consider this my personal invitation to you......c'mon down. And bring that fat wad of cash you've got in your wallet.

Hold Up Art

June 25th 6-11pm

358 E. 2nd Street

LA, CA 90012

Ashley

When Ashley showed me her dress for her portraits I immediately thought about how much her look reminded me of the 1950's. So when this car drove by during the shoot I was thrilled! Jeesh...wished I could've planned that!

So this is the more "traditional" senior portrait. I really enjoyed that our location was actually local. This lovely little vineyard is just a stones throw from the school. Etiwanda is covered with this little gems; small pockets of agriculture, often family owned, in this vast suburban city. 

Andrea

This is one our best friends, Andrea. We met in college, she in ceramics and Dave and I in photo. After graduation life took us in different directions; Andrea moved to Japan for a few years and then back to the states, Dave moved to Florida, and I came to California. 

And then Dave came to California and then Andrea did! 

*yea! I win* 

Andrea moved back to Utah a few years ago and is loves it!  But we get together for a girls weekend every year. This years girls trip (sadly, sans our third musketeer, Amy) was awesome! We SATURATED ourselves with amazing art and food!  sidenote: If you haven't been to RAWvolution in Santa Monica YOU MUST GO!!! 

Andr at the Norton Simon. 

So our impromptu photo session rendered the lovely portrait above of Andrea, and these little lovelies she took of me! I hope no one chokes to death laughing. Gotta' love those glasses. 

Meet Tory!!!!

 Finally! I got the rest of these up on my blog! I really enjoyed making these senior portraits (and these seniors). I love environmental portraits but I also love approaching the senior portrait a bit more like a headshot. Especially when the model has as much energy as Tory! You can really see her quirky/fun personality shine through....

love this little out take....Jess fills in as make-up artist