Flowers, Babies, and Cats

That's my life summed up right there.

A few fragments from the last few days.  Enjoy!

Steven and Galaxy

Yesterday I took my neighbor Steven's portrait.  Although he couldn't really afford it, he commissioned me last week to photograph him and his kitty, Galaxy, because he wanted to send some photos of himself back home to the East Coast, where his family still lives.  I gave him the "friends & family" discount and I promised to print the images for him.  Steven is a very nice man, and by nice I mean truly good and interesting to talk to, and honest, and kind.  He has a mental illness which has left him somewhat disabled socially, but truth to be told, when a person has such a big heart, and is so naturally intelligent, they will always find a friend in me.  I'd rather spend 15 minutes chatting about politics and history and art with Steven through my fence, than sipping lattes and having a small talk downtown with anybody else.

I really wanted to explore this opportunity a bit more and to keep clicking away at Steven to capture more of the essence of his character, but he seemed a bit camera shy and I didn't want to put him off or worse - to upset him.  These portraits are pretty standard work...and typical for me with the citrus bokeh and the flare (which, ironically, I didn't see until later).  I still quite like them, though. 

P.S. I had to use flash on Galaxy as she is not allowed outside in the sun.  She was skittish but she was a good model :) 

Johnny in the Light

Last Saturday I woke up to the sight of Johnny playing in the kitchen bathed in a ray of beautiful light, so I grabbed my camera and here's what I saw:

I was born lost and take no pleasure in being found.

~ John Steinbeck, Travels With Charley: In Search of America

This weekend we traveled up to the mountain of Carmel Valley, and naturally, I brought my camera along.  It was a short stay, a sunset and a sunrise really, but I had a great time, as usual.  I am glad to share these intimate moments of light, warmth, and love with you!

 

What a Wonderful World

The light yesterday was absolutely amazing - filtered through the clouds and very dreamy, almost end-of-summer like.  We took a family walk down the street, and even though we didn't go far or stay long, we had so much fun together.  I love everything on days like this; the whole world out there, and my personal world full of smiles and laughter and giggles and kisses.

Thank you, hon, for these beautiful portraits!

Bonjour!

Well, there!

I finished editing all of the photos from our Paris trip in 2010.  This batch contains some of my favorite street shots ever, like the one of the girl reflected in a shop window.  The most unremarkable image from it must be the Pont de l'Alma tunnel where Princess Diana died, and the most interesting, to me at least, are of the Moulin Rouge at night.  Enjoy!