how i did not know about this amazing beach when i lived in los angeles is beyond me. is it not extraordinary? these photographs were captured this past november during my 3rd trip back to california since the move. and while i could kick myself for not discovering this beach sooner, i am beyond grateful that this family continues to choose me to create artful memories of their children. i will never forget watching the brilliant pink sky from the parking lot as we said our good-byes. this beach day was a breath of fresh air for all of us – a deep, long exhale – and if i could have paused time, i certainly would have.

it’s because of times like these, there will always be a piece of los angeles that feels like home to me.

In these moments, it’s true… nothing else matters.

Sending Joy to Japan
I was delighted when the mother of these sisters (a beautiful soul) told me she forwarded her slideshow to their relatives in Japan who have been affected by the recent earthquakes and tsunami. She told me that the photographs brought them such joy. How honored I feel to have been a part of spreading joy at such a troubling time. Isn’t it amazing how photographs are a universal language of emotion that we can all relate to, near and far?

These two photographs appeared on the same roll of film as the Runyon photographs in my previous post and they stood out to me immediately. So, maybe it took me about 3 months to take 12 exposures on this roll of film using my plastic, imperfectly-perfect Diana camera (and 5 months before I actually saw the photographs!) As I explained in this post, it happens.. and it makes each photograph something really special.

In this fast-paced digital age, I find it pretty satisfying to have something that lets me slow down and wait patiently for the results. I guess it’s somewhat similar to taking the time to cook a great meal from scratch. What helps you escape from our so often rushed culture we live in?

. . .

Before moving away from Los Angeles, I had to take the quintessential Venice sign picture (for no one else but me) and I love it! The cotton candy colors are utterly dreamy and reminiscent of a perfect summer day.

When I saw the ocean photograph, I sat with it for a few minutes, quietly remembering that day and why I took the picture.. September 29, 2010. The movers had come and gone. Our home of 4 1/2 years (the longest my husband and I had ever lived in a place together) was empty. After I made a couple of phone calls, I found him asleep on the floor in our empty bedroom. I nudged him awake and insisted he get in the car and let me drive him to the ocean to sleep on the sand. And that is how we spent our last afternoon as Angelenos. I took 2 photographs of the ocean, so I would remember the feeling of that day. As we packed up our blanket, we breathed in deep the ocean air and said goodbye for now.

Instead of taking photographs of the bench during those final weeks I lived and hiked in Los Angeles, I decided to discreetly leave behind envelopes containing a variety of triptychs (3 prints) from my Runyon Canyon Bench Series. I thought of it as the final phase of my project – giving back to my fellow hikers and lovers of this trail. So, each time I hiked, I lingered until the area cleared, if only for a second, so I could anonymously stick an envelope into a crevice for a lucky one to find. As simple as the act was… it made my heart so happy and full each and every time.

The note on the envelope says: “To whoever finds this: I hope you enjoy these photographs as much as I enjoy taking them.”

I had my husband take the photo on the right on our last hike sometime near the very end of September. It is the only photograph in the series of myself on the bench and I am so thankful I have one!

A favorite set of photographs from the series:

[photographs taken at runyon canyon in hollywood, california with my diana film camera, August-September 2010]

Catch up on the Runyon Canyon bench series:
Post 1 | Post 2 | Post 3 | Post 4 | Post 5 | Post 6 | Post 7

I’ve wanted to see the play “Our Town” since I was 14 years old. I remember being moved to tears as I first watched Emily Webb’s goodbye monologue so candidly performed by “Rayanne” on “My So Called Life” (circa 1995).

I could never get her tone and those words out of my head. Even 15 years later, while preparing for our recent move away from Los Angeles, I would hear myself silently ramble my own version. “Goodbye, California. Goodbye to palm trees and Runyon Canyon. Goodbye to eternal summer and flip flops in January. Goodbye, mountains. Goodbye to Bhakti Yoga and gelato on Sunset. Goodbye to our coffee shop up on the hill. Goodbye, my friends…“ Heart-wrenching, it was, to leave that life.

Sometimes I wish that I wasn’t so emotional and sentimental, but then I realize that we are the way we are for a reason. Maybe that’s why I am a photographer of life’s fleeting moments. I can’t help but become overwhelmed with the little things.

…

We arrived to our new life in Michigan one month ago today. My tears over what I was leaving behind were washed away once I realized our new life’s surroundings. We were met with the sight of leaves turning the vibrant colors of fire. We have new cities to explore and new beaches to discover. For the first time in 10 years, I’m not surrounded by buildings and millions of people… and I feel so much more relaxed. Nights are finally quiet enough to sleep undisturbed. There is a clear view of the sky out my windows and I can see the stars at night! (Sometimes you just know when you are on the right track. And I finally saw “Our Town” this past weekend, performed in our new town.)

…

As I’m sitting here at my computer, across the country from where I was a month ago, I can’t help but reflect on the whirlwind that is life. For my clients friends, near and far, I can only hope that the photographs we make together might act as daily reminders to be present and to fully realize this beautiful life you are living… every, every minute!

[photographs taken at runyon canyon in hollywood, california with my diana film camera, july 2010]

Catch up on the Runyon Canyon bench series:
Post 1 | Post 2 | Post 3 | Post 4 | Post 5 | Post 6

So, here is the next installment of my bench series and one of my last. I decided to see the bench in color again.  I love the soft focus, dreamy quality of photographs made with my plastic Diana film camera. They feel like memories from another time.

June 22, 2010 / June 24, 2010

June 29, 2010 / On Left: My vantage point while sitting on the bench.

More to come…

[photographs taken at runyon canyon in hollywood, california with my diana film camera, june 2010]

Catch up on the Runyon Canyon bench series:
Post 1 | Post 2 | Post 3 | Post 4 | Post 5

I am nearing the end of the 2nd book of The Artist’s Way series, an incredibly inspiring process that I highly recommend to anyone. The most recent task at hand was to simply list 50 specific things your heart loves. I just thought I’d share a random 20, because, well.. it makes my heart happy. This exercise is medicine for the soul..

Some things my heart loves:
1. my mom’s homeade bread pudding (warm, with ice cream)
2. Govindas’ yoga classes
3. walks at dusk with Ben
4. sending a handwritten note
5. a rainy day in LA
6. butterflies (the tiny, whimsical, fluttering white ones)
7. handmade things
8. afternoon naps
9. going for rides with my dad in his restored MG Midget
10. waking up to a cool breeze
11. going out for ice cream (to the ma and pa shops in Michigan)
12. laughter
13. being a good friend
14. 6 month old babies
15. Big Sur
16. the way the evening light spills through the curtains
17. traveling to new places
18. long talks with a good friend
19. simplicity
20. star gazing

What makes your heart happy?

(as a side note – my portrait and fine art portfolio is completely fresh… i’d love for you to take a look)

Wednesday, June 16, 2010 9:46 am… (on right)
big dogs chasing little dogs… too cute.

Friday, June 18, 2010 9:35 am… friends: swinging their legs, laughing loudly… nothing better.

[photographs taken at runyon canyon in hollywood, california with my diana camera, june 2010]

Catch up on the Runyon Canyon bench series:
Post 1 | Post 2 | Post 3 | Post 4

Monday, May 24, 2010 10:12 am | 10:14 am

I’m pretty sure June is my favorite month in LA. Almost every morning is cool with a heavy blanket of clouds. They call it June Gloom, but to me, it’s hardly gloomy. I love letting the breeze gently wake me in the morning and the quiet hikes at Runyon. I am in love with these photographs… so tranquil and dreamy. I can almost feel the cool air kissing my skin. These will forever remind me of what it feels like to stand atop Runyon Canyon in June.

Monday, June 7, 2010 9:50 am | 9:53 am

I have many more to share and will continue posting next week. It is also worth noting that my film scans have improved immensley since I switched labs. Thanks to Richard Photo Lab – my bench series just got better!

[photographs taken at runyon canyon in hollywood, california with my diana camera, may/june 2010]

Catch up on the Runyon Canyon bench series:
Post 1 | Post 2 | Post 3