Fairy Woodland

So, this shoot reminds me of a fairy running away from the human who has spotted her! (not my intention at all when planning this shoot) But I love it just the same! Thank you, Heather!

Glitter and dresses and heels! Oh my!

Megan.. What can I say about this shoot other than, "Look how much fun we had!?" haha 

Glitter and tons of outfits and boots and dresses in a beat up area? Why not! 

Here's a video we made! Enjoy!

Summer in Winter

"WHAT?! Is she crazy?!" is what my family said when I told them that Courtney was volunteering to go into a pool in the middle of a California winter. (Which isn't terribly cold, its just not swimming weather.) Well, the water, (unheated, mind you) was at least 40 degrees. I mean, I was standing on a ladder in the pool with my feet touching the water and it was like ice. So for Courtney to give me images (like these below) and make it look darn good at the same time... Kudos to you, C. Give this girl and award! And then some hot chocolate! ;)

Modernly Vintage Love

I just love these two love story. He's from Minnesota and she's from California! While this shoot is going on, I stopped and asked Erik how did they meet. They met off of social media and networking! For this couple, who loves vintage and retro, they sure did meet in a very uniquely modern way! I've known Robin since freshman year in High School.  Robin wanted to do a shoot  as unique as their relationship; to exemplify their long distance love. Can I just say, what a unique pair they are! I'm so excited to share with you a little love story, I like to call, "Modernly Vintage Love". 

Enjoy!

ROAR!

Yep! This is Katy Perry inspired! Because, well.. why not! I love Katy Perry! She's a personal hero of mine. Plus, Megan had the same outfit from the music video, "Roar"! So excited to share these with you!

Gypsy Child

I recently have been so inspired by the people around me, and the people I have yet to meet. Social media such as "Instagram" and "Tumblr" are huge windows for me to find inspiration. And lately, I've been inspired by the in between moments. The moments that go unnoticed. This is a shoot all about the in between moments that I usually just skip when I edit. Its those images, I have found, speak to me. Like if you saw this image before editing, it wouldn't look like much other than a blurry photo. But add a little gypsy magic and viola! You end up with an amazing shoot and inspiration.

Models: Megan Thomas, Catherine Walder, Brittany Walder 

I'm in the PAPERS!

Hello loves! Guess what! Today is Friday! And even better news?! I'm in the Newspaper! Well, The Independent Newspaper! (Its a locally run Newspaper!) I'm so excited about this! In this post, I've included the article written by Vickie Wagstaff so everyone can read all about the start of my project, "The Natural Beauty Project". I wanted to do something not only for the girls who are up and coming in our generation, but any age! I really wanted to exemplify that we, as women, are beautiful and perfect on our own. And we don't need makeup to feel pretty! You're beautiful all on your own; just let it show! And you can't do that with pounds of makeup covering your beautiful face and the magic beneath it!

If you received your Independent Newspaper this morning, check it out! I'm on the front page!!!

 No Time for Toddlers in Tiaras

 Local photographer emphasizing natural beauty

By Vickie Wagstaff

I have a confession to make.

I have never watched an episode of Honey Boo Boo – the commercials are enough to send me out of the room.

However, the other day – in a moment of sheer boredom – I watched an episode of “Toddlers and Tiaras” (the title says it all), and “Cheer Perfection” (a behind the scenes look at competition cheer leading).

It was like watching a train wreck and I am embarrassed to say that I couldn't take my eyes off the TV.

The girls on both shows we’re beautiful – without the makeup.

The physical ability displayed on “Cheer Perfection” was inspiring.

However in those two hours I saw more bare skin and more makeup on adolescent girls than I have ever displayed or wore myself in my 50+ years.

Call me old fashion if you like, but I ask you; what message are we sending our young girls?

Who says that to be valued you must have a perfect tan, perfect teeth, perfect hair and a perfect body?

This was a topic for discussion around the dinner table the other night at the McKenzie home in Buena Park; where it touched the heart of local photographer, blogist and student, Becca McKenzie.

Becca shared with me a video she had seen of a mid-west news woman that was bullied because of her weight.

That people could be so cruel of a physical trait was something that spurred Becca to action.

“There is so much ugliness in the world; I wanted to do something real – something honest,” McKenzie said.

Using her skills she started a campaign to do natural beauty portraits – meaning no makeup – inviting anyone who desired, to come forward and have their portrait taken at no cost.

 “Women deserve to be told how beautiful they are.  It is who you are on the inside that matters most because it shines through and is reflected in your entire body.”

Becca strives to find true beauty in all of her photo shoots, whether that is demonstrated by a look or a feeling conveyed through the images she captures.

 “I hope you all feel beautiful today,” states McKenzie.

“Look in the mirror and see what you're Heavenly Father sees. He sees a beautiful, intelligent, successful woman who has the potential to make a difference in this world.”

Now that is the type of messages we should be sending to young girls and women everywhere.

Follow Becca on her blog at www.rebeccamckenziephotography.blogspot.com.

Portraits are free and can be done by contacting Becca at beccamkz@gmail.com. 

Thank you Thank you Thank you, Vickie!!!! 

Lost at Seaside

Ill start out with a backstory of this shoot so it makes sense.. haha! So years and years ago, I joined a yet another social media (how many are there!?) called Tumblr. I LOVE Tumblr. And not for the same reasons as most of the emotional teenage love struck girls that  are on that website. I joined because it would expose me to a lot of different art and inspiration. The best thing I ever did was join. This is where I find nearly all of my inspiration. Now, I have come across this, whats called a GIF, (pronounced "Jiff" I finally found out..) of this girl standing on a beach a couple years back. And it has shown up on my feed only a few times, so its exciting I found it for this post! (Click here to view.) Well, I instantly fell in love with this GIF. And it has become a burned image in my head. I just love the stillness and yet the chaos in one small image; its breathe taking. Well, this is where this shoot with Alex comes in. I told him to wear dark colors and thick jackets. We met at 6 a.m. when the moon was still out. So we got to one of my favorite beaches, (I like to think is a secret) and we got to shoot in the light in between the moon fading away and just before the sun is up. The following images are all film. I used a camera from the 1970's; my favorite camera by far. Oh, and some cheap film from Walmart. I was most happy with the results. The lighting, the model, the film, the theme; everything was perfect. Now I give you, "Lost at Seaside".

This one has to be one of my favorites. Even though he is not in focus, it creates this feeling of uneasiness and yet the stillness I was yearning to create.

Just as the sun is coming up..