Friday, September 26, 2008

Jesh stuff

Yesterday Maria and I had an unexpected visit from the fabulous Sarah Maren, who desperately reminds me of my friend Reneé who I now suddenly miss terribly. We met her last month when we hosted Jesh De Rox's workshop at our studio. I have been meaning to write some things about Jesh's workshop since the moment it happened but. . . but I don't know. I was thinking about this recently, how I don't finish things- how I don't put pictures in the picture frames because I don't have the perfect picture for it yet, how I don't sweep my front porch of all it's nastiness because I don't have my perfect front porch with the swing at this point in my life. It's like I'm so very "careful" with things that are important to me, to the point that I don't get to enjoy it, or use it, or remember it at all because I wasn't ready to enjoy it, or use it, or remember it in the most ideal way. Like with Jesh's workshop, I think I want to represent it so perfectly and in a way that will properly express how much it meant to me, but because I don't know the best way to do it, or because I think it will take so much time to express things clearly, I refrain from doing so at all- I guess just because it's not the "right" moment, but I do this enough in my life that I don't understand why I keep thinking there will be a perfect moment. Instead it just never gets done. And that's sad.

The workshop was wonderful for me. Sarah reminded me of that yesterday.

Here are a few of my pictures from assignments Jesh gave us.

These first ones were from the assignment to take pictures of another workshop member without using any words. Here is Cecile.




I pretty much always always retouch my pictures at least to some degree- getting the fly-away hairs, touching up oil spots, etc. but I really liked this one just exactly how it was. Totally untouched.


This next picture is of Zoe Keating. She is this amazing cellist Jesh had come to our workshop and he incorporated her work in the most meaningful and inspiring way. We all got a chance to do a portrait of her and while she has such a unique look and there were a million ways and places I would have liked to photograph her, this is what I chose. I knew my picture would be as interesting or striking as some of the others, but I'm so happy I did it this way. All I wanted was to recreate, for me, the expression she had while playing her instrument, and in the very spot she was in when I heard her play it for the first time. And this is what it looked and felt like to me.


This assignment was my favorite. We were supposed to take a picture of a stranger. Holy Scary. But I walked down to the Great Highway early that morning and met Paul. We walked and talked for a few blocks, he let me take his picture, and then he shared his cinnamon toast with me. An absolutely perfect morning.
This is a beautiful man.




And finally, from our self-portrait assignment. Another raw image, taken with my foot.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

3 long dogs

Tracy was a client of mine from years ago back when I first started my dog photography business. Tracy's mom Peggy just loved the pictures and has really wanted to do a session herself ever since. Earlier this year Tracy and her brother chipped in to buy a session for her mom for her mom's birthday which was just so sweet and generous of them and her mom was just so excited by the gift. Here's a few from what we did with her and her three Dachshunds- Sarah, Emma and Franchesca- back early in the summer:




I LOVE this one!
















I felt a little funny stamping my logo on these pictures as it seemed a bit of Wiener Dog overkill.


Tracy and her mom.




And this was my ode to E.T. picture :) I even had to give it that faded 80s look to seal the deal.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Simon

I did a photo shoot for Susie and Kelvin back in March, and as is the case with most work I do for friends, they finally got their pictures about 5 months later! Anyway, just thought I'd post some of my faves.

























Tuesday, September 09, 2008

My Birthday!

Sunday was my 31st birthday! I'm pretty sure I love being "in my 30s"- I feel so grown-up. Well I like it all except for the part where I actually have to do grown-up stuff. I'm more a fan of the part where I just sorta feel grown up.
Anyway, it was a fantastic birthday which was celebrated by taking this very interesting walk along Ocean Beach with Liz and Jeremy, the dogs, 100 Native Americans, and Buffalo Bill.


I'm not sure the original Wild West show in 1902 had any Buffalo in it, but this one did.


So after my birthday walk and a nap, we had dinner and chocolate soufflé given by the Becksteads. So so so delicious.
Couldn't have asked for a more perfect and relaxing day. Happy Birthday to me!

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

More Tracy and Steve

I didn't include any from Tracy and Steve's reception in my last post, so here are a few of those.





















I just love those pictures of the Father/Daughter dance, almost as much as I love this one of just the Father Dance :)


Monday, September 01, 2008

Tracy and Steve

I photographed this wedding with Maria back about 3 months ago, and everything was SO beautiful, especially Tracy!





Tracy gasping at how pretty her mom looks. . .


and then about an hour later, Tracy's mom gasping at how pretty Tracy looks as she puts her dress on.








Tracy's Maid of Honor and her new husband's daughter- I love this picture of her!