Bear.

I found a bear, he was fishing and being pretty dang adorable while doing it. I've missed this state so much. See more of this guy and Alaska on my photo blog.

I'm in Kodiak for a wedding. Evan and I are up here for a week to capture the Saturday bash and then fly back into LAX on Tuesday morning. Culture shock. And bitter sweet. I need to photograph Alaskan wedding's more often.

Alaska Marine Highway System

A long time ago I was asked to write a post about traveling through Alaska, my home state. I unfortunately dropped the ball... but this article basically sums up what I never got around to writing. Today on the font page of MSNBC they're featuring the Alaska Marine Highway System, which is pretty much what it sounds like: the highway system of the Southeast Alaska islands. I grew up riding these ferries, actually moving up to Ketchikan on the Columbia with my mom and sister when I was 4 years old. Around that time the captain's were still cool enough to let you up in the bridge area to play with their pet rabbits and the ship's cafeteria food seemed way more exciting. Seeing these pictures and reading through the article makes me feel like I'm looking at home. It takes me back to the discovery of the land I fell in love with, the heartbreak of watching it years later disappear behind as the ship moved south, and the many journey's of finding a way to spend as much time as I could going back. If you want to see the real SE Alaska, skip the cruise ships. Pack up some drinks, good food, a deck of cards, board games, your camping gear, a few good books, and enjoy the ride. There's nothing quite like it.

All images found here.

Productivity is a B*tch.

I edit, a lot. I sit in front of the computer in my living room for hours on end, the dog sitting pitifully at my side whining, every once in awhile crawling onto my lap chancing the response of a harsh scolding for a moment of my attention. I go a little crazy sometimes spending so much time with myself. If can't get a photo perfect (which in my world is a lot), I instead start compulsively checking my email, changing songs every 30 seconds, or endlessly roaming the blogosphere. When it really gets bad... I spend my time doing things like this:

Yes. Charlie the Duck. I'll admit it was more entertaining when I was 16, in the middle of my teenage angst where I thought anything resembling old school nintendo was cool shit (wait, it still is, right?). And then I realize halfway through the second level I'm suddenly bored. Bored out of my mind. So I check my email again.

Internet kills my productivity. So, my dear friends, tell me all your secrets of staying on task. In exchange, I'll give you this magic link. You're welcome.

Shooting Locations: Southern California

There are two locations in Southern California (or driving distance from SoCal) I'm dying to shoot at.

This one:

And this one:

I can't wait to meet my adventurous future clients. Aren't these spots rad?

Dutchtub

The price tag may be around $6,000... but portable? Giant teacup? Woodburning? This obsession with water is getting dangerous for our future bank account balance. Make fun if you'd like, but I think this design is genius. The hardest part for me would just be deciding on which color to pick out.

   



Find out more here.

Alaska

Alaska in May. It was so good to be in my home state with my sister for a few short, sweet days. I'm beyond excited to go back in less than 2 weeks and see her again, document a Kodiak wedding, and show my guy more of the state that keeps calling me back home. Here's a few frames I captured, old school style.

All images via {CKP}

Shipwrecked Vintage Beach Wedding

Holy bejesus. This wedding decor is amazing. I'm sure those of us who are coastal girls can appreciate that they have freaking glass balls tied all over beautiful driftwood with vines threaded throughout, built into a magnificent altar for a morning beach wedding. And then they went swimming, and she kept her garter on. LOVE it. I'm waiting for brides like this to hire me as their photographer. Patiently.

Alright, just go look for yourself, seriously. Green Wedding Shoes.

Calm.

Crazy beautiful. If you have the need to feel calm, this should do the trick. 

(For photo geeks, if you'd like to see his setup click here.)

Manual Photography Cheat Sheet

{via here}

LOVE this. What a rad cheat sheet for photographers as they struggle to understand the manual side of a camera. Or just to frame and put on your wall, which I'm very tempted to do. Kudos to Miguel for the creation!