Alaskan Wedding

The wedding I shot in Kodiak is finally on my photography blog. Go check it out to see the full post, it was pretty awesome thing to shoot. Isn't crazy to think I shot my first real photo gig just a little over a year ago? You guys have been so damn encouraging, thank you for giving me a pat on my back when I still don't think I'm producing images that are good enough. You're the best, as always.

Portraits

I want to go back up north, travel around, and take portraits like this. Problem is, when I was up in Kodiak and had the opportunity to do it I was too shy. Gotta break that somehow. I want to make raw photos, without the fluff. Via here. Thanks to Callee for pinning it.

Sweet Potato (and Marshmallow) Biscuits

I'm trying to be very good about what I eat and how much of it. That's why I won't be making these anytime soon. But my GOD don't they look amazing? Sweet potato marshmallow biscuits. Check them out here on Smitten Kitchen. 

Okay, actually I lied. I will most likely be making them tonight in the kitchen with a bottle of wine. How can I resist now after looking at them AGAIN. Although I'm not sure if I'll include the marshmallow part... might be too sweet. What do you think, would you try it?

Dreaming of Portland

Right now with the airlines having their sales we could get up to Portland for $200 roundtrip total. For both of us flying. Even though it'll be cold, dark, and most likely raining, we're thinking of going there for our holiday vacation instead of other options like NYC or Hawaii. Are we out of our minds? Yes. But it's home to us even though neither of us are even originally from the area. Maybe if I find someone needing a wedding photographer or a portrait session we can seal the deal. So spread the word, will you? I'll travel for free for a January gig. :)

I just know every inch of this city by heart, there's no other like it. This video is awesome, and it successfully makes me homesick.

Shakey Graves

The southern twang, simple production, singing from the soul. I can't get this album out of my head. Now that I just found this live recording I'm in deep. Just watch it, you ladies will understand.



Head on over to bandcamp, listen to the album, and if you like it as much as I do name your own price to make it yours.

I need to start hooking up with awesome artists like this and to do epic photo shoots with them. I need to creatively shoot creative people! So I'm moving to Austin. Or Portland. LA just doesn't have my scene.

Kidding. Not moving. Obviously. 

Happy Thanksgiving Holiday!

Happy Thanksgiving holiday! My parents are coming into town to stay through the weekend and I'm excited to see them since this time around the course won't just be opening and we'll actually have time to relax! (By the way, Evan and I are on the homepage slideshow, can you spot us a couple slides in?) I'm looking forward to sipping a few drinks over a table of cards while our puppy dogs play. We've already gotten snow here and TBR and I went up to hike in our favorite spot on the PCT. I took a panoramic shot with my iphone, click on it to see it bigger! Insanely beautiful, right?

Peaceful except the fact Tucker kept trying to eat any living creature he saw/smelled, regardless that if he ever actually caught anything he'd probably be terrified and lose his mind. He does love hamming it up for the camera though, at least he's good for something.

It felt awesome to do some trail running, even though I was wearing tennis shoes and everything was melting off. (Note to self: get winter boots and snowshoes STAT. Common sense darling.) I'll definitely be bringing the folks up here, too beautiful for them not to see.

So my friends, what are your plans for the holidays? Spending time with family, friends, or just you and partner? Is it important for you to get out and enjoy some fresh air or are you happy just couching it up? Wait.... that's what people do on this holiday isn't it? I forgot, silly me.

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P.S. - If you need some chill background music make sure to check this playlist out. Lasts forever and has a bunch of our favorites! 

Cinemagraph

via {here}

Why couldn't I have thought of this? Such a simple way to join two arts into one.

I will be making my own version, which is I'm sure just what they want to hear.

Yosemite Family Portraits

There's something about film that's so magical, the way it pulls colors out and puts a gentle wash of light over everything. This Yosemite family session is nothing short of amazing, it makes me want to make some babies and go running north for Jill to capture us. Go to her blog to see more!

all images via Jill Thomas

Dark Side of the Lens

"If I ever scrape a living, at least it'll be a living worth scraping."

Light love.

Playing with my flash, using the only model I have: the boy when he's busy playing guitar. I dropped the shutter speed down too low and this is what I got before he was bored with me. I apparently was spoiled to grow up with a sister who would spend hours doing this kind of stuff with me. Guess I'll have to move on to the dog, poor thing has no idea what he's in for. If only my childhood pets could fill him in on what his future modeling career will be like.

Desert Sun

Yesterday I did an engagement session with a couple that lives in the Wrightwood area. I've known Chrisie since we moved to town last year and I was super excited when she asked me to shoot her January 2012 wedding. When I'm not on here blogging (which hasn't been a lot lately), this is what I'm doing. Working with amazing couples, in amazing locations, with amazing light. And then editing. Actually, I'm more so editing all the time and shooting sometimes. So much so, that when I got out from behind my desk and did a wedding Saturday and this shoot Sunday, it literally kicked my hiney. I'm so sore I can barely move, but it was all so worth it. For the camera techies out there this was shot with a Canon 5DII and the magical 85/1.2. It's all I need, it's a total love affair. 

I hope you all had a great weekend and enjoyed creating something of your own! I'm a believer it's one of the healthiest things we can do for ourselves, no matter how big or small the project. Also exercising, which I obviously really need to do.

Have a great Monday!

Swing Swag

The perfect playlist for when you have your fanciest clothes on and are hitting the town.... a modern twist on the sound of oldschool swing. When I live in a city and can get back into dance, I'm totally hijacking the studio's sound system and plugging this in. So. much. fun. For now it'll accompany me with a bottle of wine, snow outside, and weddings to edit. Classy, I know. I was definitely born a few decades too late.

On the Edge of Insanity

"When I first started teaching her I remember telling her, you know, the rules of base jumping, the facts. You jump long enough, you will break bones. You're in this sport long enough, you're gonna watch people die. And then third, it's kind of a pointless thing to talk about but you're gonna die too. Do this long enough, it's gonna kill you. If you can't deal with that, don't get into BASE jumping."

-20 Seconds of Joy

Not sure if the rush would ever be worth the risk, but I get why they do it. The guy at 2:43 on the other hand has just completely lost his mind. Completely.

Super impressed at the quality of this video. Watch it fullscreen HD, the artist behind the lens would thank you.