Los Angeles Wedding and Portrait Photographer | Karen Ard Photography http://karenard.com/blog/ Karen Ard is a Los Angles Wedding Photographer, Portrait photographer and Bar Mitzvah photographer. She also specializes in destination weddings. Her style is modern with a documentary and fashion style. Karen's portraits are relaxed, fun lifestyle photography that captures the essence of you and your family. en Copyright 2012 Fri, 18 May 2012 09:06:57 -0800 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification Glendale Bar Mitzvah temple sinai bar mitzvah photography.jpg
Jared seemed to have a blast at his recent Bar Mitzvah at Glendale's Temple Sinai.  Again, fabulous stain glass, which I just love!  Jared did amazing during his Torah reading!   Really impressive!  I had photographed his cousin's Bar Mitzvah last year so it was nice seeing so many familiar faces at the evening party, rocked out by Seth over at You Should Be Dancing. (Delicious, creative food by The Spot Gourmet)

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A before and after... These last two photos were taken only about 10 minutes apart from each other...

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]]> http://karenard.com/blog/2012/05/glendale-bar-mitzvah.html http://karenard.com/blog/2012/05/glendale-bar-mitzvah.html Bar Mitzvah glendale bar mitzvah photographer los angeles bar mitzvah photographer Fri, 18 May 2012 09:06:57 -0800 Palos Verdes Bat Mitzvah palos-verdes-bat-mitzvah-photographer.jpg
This gorgeous girls Palos Verdes Bat Mitzvah was packed a few weekends back!  SO much fun and SO much energy!  We started, of course, with the Torah reading rehearsal at Congregation Ner Tamid, in the South Bay, the day before.  I love shooting here because the rehearsals are during the day and we get beautiful light streaming in through the stained glass windows.

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Jenna's party was at the Palos Verdes Golf Club. People were on their feet all night and the decor was awesome as always, thanks to Nina Bracker Events.

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]]> http://karenard.com/blog/2012/05/palos-verdes-bat-mitzvah-1.html http://karenard.com/blog/2012/05/palos-verdes-bat-mitzvah-1.html Bar Mitzvah los angeles bat mitzvah photographer palos verdes bat mitzvah photographer Mon, 14 May 2012 17:09:18 -0800 Santa Monica Bat Mitzvah Portraits I really enjoy photographing kids of all ages.  Newborns through the teenage years, they all have something to share and offer.  When I shoot Mitzvah portraits for their sign-in books or web sites, I truly enjoy getting to know these kids as they make their way into teenagery-adulthood.

Sami's Mitzvah is coming up at the end of summer and her Bat Mitzvah promises to be so different, I can't wait!  With the ocean theme running through her event, we thought some portraits at the beach appropriate. Love the ones of her and her sis!

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]]> http://karenard.com/blog/2012/04/santa-monica-bat-mitzvah-portraits.html http://karenard.com/blog/2012/04/santa-monica-bat-mitzvah-portraits.html Bar Mitzvah los ángeles bat mitzvah photographer Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:38:50 -0800 Palos Verdes Portraits palos verdes portrait.jpg
This gorgeous young lady will be celebrating her Bat Mitzvah soon so we grabbed some portraits a few weeks back. America's Next Top Model called... they want their model back!

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The whole family was adorable!

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]]> http://karenard.com/blog/2012/04/palos-verdes-portraits.html http://karenard.com/blog/2012/04/palos-verdes-portraits.html Bar Mitzvah Bat Mitzvah Photographer. Palos Verdes Bat Mitzvah Photographer Wed, 25 Apr 2012 21:13:16 -0800 new branding featured! Oh So Beautiful Paper featured my new stationary on their blog today.  Thanks again to A FIne Press for rocking it. Oh So Beautiful Paper is a gorgeous site and an amazing resource for the best printers and designers around. Head on over to see the full post.

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]]> http://karenard.com/blog/2012/04/new-branding-featured.html http://karenard.com/blog/2012/04/new-branding-featured.html Personal Products Wed, 11 Apr 2012 13:32:30 -0800 Los Angeles wedding reception mahn_229.jpg
You know when you see a handmade wedding invitation like this that you want to be part of their special day.  Natalie and Aidan were actually married last June in San Diego, when he returned after his Air Force deployment.  They held their reception recently at The Grove's Maggiano's, bringing all their family and friends together to meet, mingle, and celebrate the love between these two.

A few more pages from this amazing invitation that Aidan created..
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I thought this cherry blossom cake by Portos Bakery was just perfect...
Flowers by Urban Florist...
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]]> http://karenard.com/blog/2012/04/los-angeles-wedding-reception.html http://karenard.com/blog/2012/04/los-angeles-wedding-reception.html Weddings los angeles wedding photographer Fri, 06 Apr 2012 07:41:42 -0800 Calabasas Bar Mitzvah
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It's so great when my clients turn out to be awesome! When Daniel's parents booked me a gazillion years ago for his Bar Mitzvah I thought they were great and then I met Daniel and he is just way too cool and awesome.  Low key...into cool stuff... a musician.  After the great job he did at the beautifully remodeled Congregation Or Ami's morning service, we headed over to the Woodland Hills Hilton for the rest of his "Rockmitzvah".  

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Alina at Dazzle Party Productions always does such a creative job with balloon centerpieces (and all other details...)

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This amazing caricature, Ted Jewell, did Daniel's dad's Bar Mitzvah!

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The Woodland Hills Hilton does the best buffet in town!

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Mozel Tov Daniel!

Other wonderful vendors:
DJ: Scott Topper Productions
Video and photobooth: RBR
Airbrush tattoo's: Tat's Tattoo

]]> http://karenard.com/blog/2012/03/calabasas-bar-mitzvah-1.html http://karenard.com/blog/2012/03/calabasas-bar-mitzvah-1.html Bar Mitzvah calabasas bar mitzvah photographer woodland hills bar mitzvah photographer Fri, 30 Mar 2012 16:08:24 -0800 Manhattan Beach Bat Mitzvah manhattan beach bat mitzvah.jpg

Talia's recent Bat Mitzvah was at one of my favorite Temple's, Congregation Tikvat Jacob.  She was pretty calm, cool and collected during rehearsal and I hear her torah portion was smooth sailing during the service. 

The evening party was at The Mark, planned by Nina Bracker Events.  The guests had a great time with the photo booth, tattoos and a candy bar that had the guests, young and old, in a feeding frenzy!

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Trey and Donald from Let The Music Play rocked the dance floor...

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]]> http://karenard.com/blog/2012/03/manhattan-beach-bat-mitzvah.html http://karenard.com/blog/2012/03/manhattan-beach-bat-mitzvah.html Bar Mitzvah los angeles bat mitzvah photographer manhattan beach bat mitzvah photographer Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:51:28 -0800 Branding Reveal, part 2 I am so excited to share the latest reveal for my new branding... my new website!  It was way over due!  As a matter of fact, I have been laying it out in my head for a year now and when I realized I just didn't have the time to do it myself, Michael over at Mynted hooked me up.  I love it.  Head on over and let me know what you think.

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]]> http://karenard.com/blog/2012/03/branding-reveal-part-2.html http://karenard.com/blog/2012/03/branding-reveal-part-2.html Personal Products Wed, 21 Mar 2012 16:29:59 -0800 Nicole & Jessica... married gay wedding photographer.jpg
Love birds... that's what Nicole and Jessica's friends call them.  After eight years, they still steal kisses and sweet glances at each other. After eight years, they are still mad for each other.  After eight years, they bound their love together on a hilltop above Los Angeles as the sun set. 

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Additional vendors:

Location: Castaways
Day of planner: Jennifer Smith
Dress: Oleg Cassini
Shoes: handmade by Nicole!!!
All wedding elements: handmade by Nicole... all of them!!!
Cake: Jaqki's Cakes
DJ: Dance Party Industries

For more of their wedding, please checkout the video below...


]]> http://karenard.com/blog/2012/03/nicole-jessica-married.html http://karenard.com/blog/2012/03/nicole-jessica-married.html Weddings los angeles wedding photography Thu, 15 Mar 2012 19:10:41 -0800 Featured: Occasions Magazine Callie over at the amazing Occasions Magazine just featured Megan's Bat Mitzvah on their blog.  It's a beautiful feature... please head on over to check it out!

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]]> http://karenard.com/blog/2012/03/featured-occasions-magazine.html http://karenard.com/blog/2012/03/featured-occasions-magazine.html Bar Mitzvah Tue, 13 Mar 2012 10:49:51 -0800 Branding Reveal, part 1 Yesterday afternoon I received a box of happiness from UPS.  Actually, it was from Matthew over at A Fine Press and inside was my new letterpress business cards and thank you notes plus a way cool wax seal.  

I found A Fine Press through another blog somewhere and once I saw he had created a wax seal for someone else, I knew he was my guy. I've had a few ideas for my new branding for some time and I want to thank you, Matthew, for collaborating with me on my notes and vision and running with it.  And thank you for putting up with me too during those times when I'd ask you to move something over a pixel!  lol  You rock!

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]]> http://karenard.com/blog/2012/03/branding-reveal-part-1.html http://karenard.com/blog/2012/03/branding-reveal-part-1.html Personal Products letterpress los angeles wedding photographer Fri, 09 Mar 2012 14:51:24 -0800 Family Portrait I'm always so happy when my clients get up early for great light.  And when there are teenagers involved, I'm really grateful!  lol  Lisa told me later that her kids actually said they had fun!  Always my goal with portraits!

Small world moment... Don and I worked together in the film industry about 15 years ago and lost touch.  When Lisa showed him my site, he said he thought he knew me!  Love it!

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]]> http://karenard.com/blog/2012/03/family-portrait.html http://karenard.com/blog/2012/03/family-portrait.html Portraits Thu, 08 Mar 2012 18:00:39 -0800 Newborn Baby Photography World, please say hello to little Baby 'J'.  Prepare to eat this little guy up when you see his sweet teeny pouty mouth!  (Images taken at 6 days old.)

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]]> http://karenard.com/blog/2012/03/newborn-baby-photography.html http://karenard.com/blog/2012/03/newborn-baby-photography.html Portraits los angeles newborn baby photography Wed, 07 Mar 2012 13:19:44 -0800 Editors Choice Award I was thrilled to learn yesterday that I have received the 2012 Editors Choice Award from Two Bright Lights, an industry powerhouse.  Is this where I give my speech?  I'd like to thank all the great clients I've had who helped make this possible! No really, I would. I must say, it's nice to be recognized amoung my peers.

Off to shot a wedding today and a Mitzvah tomorrow.  Hope everyone's weekend is fabulous!


Editors Choice Award

]]> http://karenard.com/blog/2012/03/editors-choice-award.html http://karenard.com/blog/2012/03/editors-choice-award.html Bar Mitzvah Personal Weddings Fri, 02 Mar 2012 07:12:45 -0800