Shot in Southern California for The Bee and the Fox.
The Bee and the Fox
Shelter in Place
There’s no doubt, these are unprecedented times. These are some of my neighbors and dear friends at their homes during the month of March, photographed from 20 feet away.
Little League
I didn’t play organized sports as I kid, I grew up in dance classes, so the whole sport world is a bit curious to me. Having a son, I knew the day would come when I’d have to head into uncharted territory, but I can’t lie, I did attempt to put it off for as long as I could. They idea of giving up my weekends to watch kids run after a ball or try to hit it with a stick, just didn’t have much appeal. But with a little nudge from a mama friend last year, I finally got on the little league bus and oh how surprised I am at how much I love the journey. Being able to photograph these kids has been such a gift, I never knew I’d love baseball so much. I mean, just look at them. Opening day is this Saturday and I can’t freakin’ wait.
Joshua Tree National Park
Yes, it was that windy. Yes, the sunset sky is (un)real. Yes, my son has that many moods in a matter of a hour.
Wild horses
There is a really good Rolling Stones song for this. And as luck would have it, I’ve encountered wild horses twice in the last month. Once while spending hours driving around Shiprock, trying to find the best view of the infamous rock. And here, in Benton, California. They are truly a sight to see and also extremely fleeting. As I stealthily approached them, they quickly galloped off. I was lucky my camera was up and ready to go so I was able to capture the few images I did.
Watson Lake
For our last night, I chose Prescott, AZ - partly because it was somewhat of a mid-point between Monument Valley and San Clemente and also because I knew Watson Lake was there. Of all the places Bode wants to go back to most, this is it. One reason: boulders.
Monument Valley
It kinda goes without saying, but Monument Valley sure is a neat place. I planned our trip so we would have three whole nights there as I knew I’d want a little bit more time to explore. I highly, highly, highly suggest a horseback ride around the Mittens, if anyone is to visit, its such a special way to take it in.
Somewhere in Utah
I have a penchant for wandering down dirt roads to see where they lead. We didn’t get to find the the end of this one, but we sure enjoyed the journey.
Arches National Park
Next stop … Arches National Park. I gotta give it to this kid, he hiked like a champ in the snow and all the way to Delicate Arch. I love it, it inspires me to keep getting him out there and on trails. I always say, all the best stuff is either round off a dirt road or a good trail.
Petrified Forest National Park
A few years ago I took Bode on our first holiday road trip to the Grand Canyon, Lake Powell and Zion National Park. I quickly realized the weeks between Christmas and New Years were THE best time to visit our National Park and so the tradition began. This year did not disappoint with our first stop at the Petrified Forest National Park. It was snowing and overcast most of the time making for some pretty blistery weather to be outside. But the clouds broke for a couple hours on our second day and we hustled to get on as many trails as we could with the temperature being more manageable at 33 degrees.
Gwyneth on the Prairie
Anza Borrego
I’m am never not aware of how brief and fleeting my time is with my son. A time will come when he sores high into the sky without me. I hope he flies higher and further than I ever could. But for now, I’m soaking up this time where he’s still under my wind and we can explore the beauty of Mother Earth together.
Descanso Beach, Catalina Island
This beach and that kid, his happy place. He swam, he floated, he drank mango smoothies, he collected rocks, he chased sand crabs, he made new friends jumping off old jetties. All the while I got to watch him in his bliss, take pictures and experiment. He can’t wait to go back. Neither can I.
his third favorite place
This summer felt a little off. We didn’t get to do as much as usual as I had a slow start to the year, so funds were low. And then of course, I got busy, so then free time was low. But with two weeks left in the summer (and knowing one of those weeks he’d be with his dad) I hustled to find something last minute the we could do. Remembering how much he loves Catalina, or rather not being able to ignore how much he talks about going back to Catalina, I figured that would be an easy one. He says it’s getting to drive around in a golf cart and spending full days in the ocean. I say it’s because I get to watch him enjoy himself so much. We do love ourselves some Catalina, on the boat there he declared it was his third favorite place. Lego Land and Mexico being first and second, of course.
Paul and Steve - June 6, 2019
Love is so beautiful. I’ve known Steve for a few years now as he’s a producer in LA and we’ve got to work together on a number of shoot. Paul works in the business as well providing sets with sorely needed sustainability practices. Seeing them together gives me the warmest feeling every time as you can just feel the love and respect they have for each other. Not only are they both the handsomest, they are a powerhouse together in business and politics. I love being around them. When Steve reached out to me to ask if I would capture their small wedding ceremony in the backyard of their Hollywood home, I was so thrilled. Not only would I be able to witness their union, I’d be able to document it. One of the elements I love about wedding is the care and thought put into every little detail. Steve handmade the boutonnieres and their matching salmon colored Esquivel boots were monogramed with their initials and wedding date just to name a couple. With a few of their closets friends and family as witnesses, Steve’s brother officiated beautifully. I didn’t originally set out to photograph weddings, but I sure have fallen in love with capturing them as they continue to present themselves. These big life moments carry such love and meaning and it’s those human experiences that makes this work meaningful.
Yucca Valley
I’m having the darnedest time getting images posted these days. The summer has snuck by and I wouldn’t consider it an eventful one, but some how the days are always a blur. We did get to spend a few days in the high desert for the July 4th holiday. It wouldn’t be a proper adventure without some dirt road exploration. Lucky for us we arrived to this look out in Joshua Tree National Park just as the sun set. Those desert sunsets sure are something else.
to have and to hold
For every shoot I do, I consciously think about how I can make it true and special to the people (or client) I’m shooting. I’ve know Madison for a few years now as she’s an accomplished photographer herself. When she asked if I would shoot her engagement photos, I knew they would be special as she’s such a wonderful and vibrant soul. Neither one of us wanted the typical posed engagement photos we’ve seen too much of. Madison and Ian went to high school together and so we decided it would be perfect to hike up around the hills of their hometown in East San Diego that had special meaning to them. What a treat it was to spend time with them capturing these moments of this special time in their lives.
like the sun and the moon and the stars
rodeo queen in Morongo Valley
the free stuff
As a single mom, there is so much I’ll never be able to provide for my son. Good thing so much of the good stuff is free.
