Los Angeles Wedding and Portrait Photographer

drum roll please

08.25.09

Personal

The winner of my first little contest is... Carol R. Yeah!!!!!!

Carol Ricklin Says:

Your photos are amazing! You have a special gift for capturing a special moment in photography!

Please contact me and let me know what yummy beverages you'd like to partake in.

That was fun! I'm going to have to do more of these!

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day trippin': New Orleans

08.24.09

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About two weeks ago, my son and I had a 24 hour adventure in New Orleans. He had won tickets from KROQ... grand prize tickets that included two tickets to see Green Day anywhere in the U.S., airline tickets and a hotel room! Sweet! He decided on New Orleans and having never been I was thrilled!

We landed on a Friday at 3pm, made our way to the hotel then went out to see the city before the concert. We took the streetcars down to the Garden District for some site seeing then headed over for the concert. Green Day put on an amazing show and we got to see Brad Pitt too, who was just a few rows away!

Afterward, we walked back to the hotel where I grabbed my camera then headed out again to Bourbon St. and the French Quarter. We stayed out until 2am, people watching and walking around.

After just a few hours sleep we headed out again, exploring the rest of the city on foot. We got caught in a heavy, warm rainfall while visiting an old cemetery but kept on going until once again we got on a plane at 3pm. Twenty four hours in a city full of treasures, heart, music, art. And soooooo many amazing locations for some cool wedding portraits! I can't wait to go back!

Renee Crown Says:

Hey,
This is awesome!!!! I like the couple holding hands but I think I know who it is soooooo I might be biased!!!!

(08.24.09 - 04:44 PM)

Miss B Says:

Karen I LOVE your new look! So pretty! AND I LOVED going through your personal work. Who knew a bathroom sign could look so cool?

(08.25.09 - 03:56 PM)

Steve Thoma Says:

Karen - Congratulations on your new website! New Orleans is one of my favorite places...you've captured it beautifully! Thanks for the update...and I hope to send some business your way!

See you @ WVGS!

(08.25.09 - 05:49 PM)

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Lazy days

08.23.09

Personal

Many days I feel like this:

(I found this great cartoon at scrapgirls.com, a great digital scrapbooking resource!)

My "coffee" cup is usually a Coke though but yea, that's me... often. I find it hard to strike a balance sometimes. When you are trying to kickstart a business on your own, well, this is where you end up a lot. Editing, building your own web site, billing, networking, making wedding albums... it's endless. One day I hope to fire myself from everything but shooting. For now though, here I am, alive behind my Mac.

But not today! Today I am still in my pj's and it will be dinner time soon. I have been scrapbooking with my daughter, helping my son download music into his new phone and snacking on a lot of junk. A perfect Sunday! I double dog dare you to have a pajama day with your family soon!

Gina Pierce Says:

Hey Special K ~ I am beyond impressed with how all this came together. I'm not just saying that because i want a Starbuck's gift card either. You know how I feel about "Starsucks." lol This blog is freakin' beautiful!! G ~

(08.23.09 - 10:03 PM)

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First Contest on new blog

08.22.09

Personal

My new web site and blog are finally done, I think all the bugs are worked out and I've got a few posts up so I'm real excited. I love visiting my blog everyday. Thank you ITDR!!!

So... how about a contest to celebrate? I posted this on my Facebook biz page first. (Not a friend? Go here and add me as a friend.) Anyone who leaves a comment on the blog and votes for their favorite picture gets entered to win a $10 Starbucks/Coffee Bean/Jamba Juice gift card! Your choice! If you sign up for the RSS feed, you get two entries! If you forward this to a friend and they sign up here or on my Facebook page you get three entries! (Just remember to let me know by claiming your friend!)

Deadline is midnight Pacific time on Sunday so what are you waiting for? Not into juicy beverages? Feel free to show me some love anyhow. ;-)

And because all posts are better with pictures here is a photo I took of Heaven. Well, it's actually Turks and Caicos (Middle Caicos to be specific), but it was Heaven to me. The Caribbean has my heart and soul and this beach just floored me as I approached the cliff and looked down onto Mudjin Harbour . This is straight out of the camera - the Sea truly that amazing shade of blue. And yes, that was a storm brewing. We got caught in it on the boat ride back to our island and I loved every second of it (since I managed to keep my camera dry! LOL) If you are planning on getting married in Turks contact me for the deal of a life time!

Janet Grossman Says:

Great to see your work. My favorite is your self portrait looking down-looking happy
love, Janet

(08.23.09 - 10:17 PM)

SueLynn Says:

Karen, I love your website and your work!

(08.23.09 - 11:00 PM)

Carol Ricklin Says:

Your photos are amazing! You have a special gift for capturing a special moment in photography!

(08.24.09 - 08:17 AM)

Carol Ricklin Says:

Your photos are amazing! You have a special gift for capturing a special moment in photography!

(08.24.09 - 08:18 AM)

German Arbelaez Says:

Karen, is one of the best photographers I have ever worked with!
We met by accident which turned into a great friendship. She worked
with me at a live concert shoot for the group "The Sweet" about a year
ago and did a tremendous job.

Karen is without a doubt a star in the rising!

(08.24.09 - 08:28 AM)

Gwen Shannon Says:

Karen, fantastic photos! I love the couple laying in the grass just natural sincere joy. Glad to see you following your passion.

(08.24.09 - 09:13 AM)

paula shields Says:

Hey Karen,
This picture from the beach is breath taking...I am so happy for you persuing your passion and dreams...I will certainly keep you in mind for any photograpy needs...love and miss you ...Paula

(08.24.09 - 10:03 AM)

Melanie Czerwonka Says:

Karen, You truly have a gift and we are so lucky you get to share that with us. I am so happy for you and my favorite is the baby in the basket.... Mel

(08.24.09 - 12:14 PM)

Cindy Says:

Gorgeous shot of the beach!! Indeed it is heaven :)

(08.24.09 - 12:58 PM)

michelle murphy Says:

love the new look karen. congratulations!

(08.24.09 - 03:27 PM)

Ellen Says:

Well it's about time, Glad to see your up and running, let me know when your ready to do a bridal show.I've done a few and some are just not worth it.Todd and I have a new project in the works also.Jackson Alexander Mccleve is due Dec.5,2009.And yes I've lost my mind,I'm 43 and preg......Hugs and love Ellen and Family.

(08.26.09 - 06:11 PM)

Ellen Dixon Says:

Hi K,

Love the gorgeous new website! My favorite is the little girl with the straw hat and big smile. The depth in her eyes is priceless!

~El.

(08.27.09 - 05:39 PM)

Thomas Frank Says:

unfortunately I never saw your old blog, but I really like the look and layout of your new blog. Oh and this picture does look like heaven. I'm glad I was able to sit behind you tonight at the OC SmugMug meeting.

(08.28.09 - 12:38 AM)

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Day Trippin': San Diego

08.12.09

Personal

Trying to finish up the web and blog has thrown me way off editing and posting. It's midnight and I got the iTunes fired up as I make my way through some files. (Last three songs...Ray of Light, Madonna... Rabbit Fighter, T.Rex... Ruby, Kaiser Chiefs)

Here are some photos from our trip to San Diego about two weeks ago. Enjoy the cool-new-blog-feature-slideshow-thingy!

Maria Smith Says:

Truely amazing portraits of beautiful girls. Each portrait shows their true smiles and personality. I am glad I don't need to choose, because I would choose them all also.

(08.20.09 - 09:50 AM)

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