Just another super rainy day in Juneau… except two badass people got married–IN THE RAIN. Like champs. Seriously, check out Mary’s boots; she was not afraid to get wet on her wedding day (my kind of people). This low-key wedding was a blast and I really enjoyed romping around in the devil’s club with them. Congrats to Mary and Clay!
Years ago my best friend Aurora and I made a deal: when/if she got married I would be the photographer, and she would pay me $1 for the photography. So last summer when I got the tear-jerked phone call telling me she was engaged, I booked her immediately after I got my hefty $0.25 down payment. I know it was a bit of a stretch in her wallet to give me that much so far in advance, but I’d like to think she made a wise investment in the end.
Six months later they set a date, and I booked a plane ticket from Alaska for five wonderful days in California in late June to see two of the most amazing people I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing gettin’ hitched in the heart of LA–where they fell in love. Okay, it was mostly wonderful. The stress of being a bridesmaid AND the wedding photographer is no easy feat. In fact, I bit off more than I could chew in between helping out with my bridesmaid duties, working a full time job 2,000 miles away, and acquiring enough gear in time to make sense of it all for one short day. Luckily I had help–BUCKETS of it–in the form of a few honorary interns: my eternal muse Kim Burly, her karaoke soul mate Cho, my long-time friend and flip-flop connoisseur Elisa, and the most badass team of punditry and hybrid car-wielding, Kim’s parents Carol and Kenny. If it wasn’t for them and a much needed Hanson karaoke break with Kim, I may have lost it.
As to be expected, the wedding was a hit! There was a beautiful ceremony at the Lummis Home in Mt. Washington and the reception was hosted at Montrose Bowl where the bride and groom shared their first karaoke song together instead of the traditional first dance (though there was PLENTY of dancing to be had, let me tell you!). Seriously, how could you NOT have fun with that kind of setup?! You’d be a fool. The bowling was non-stop, the interns helped me run the photobooth and the guests ate catered Indian food as well as some of the five beautiful cakes that Ben’s mom made. I even managed to bowl ONCE! And do a costume change, gaga-style.
Words fail me when I try to explain how happy I am for Ben and Aurora to have found each other, and how honored I feel to have been a part of their wedding day. I’ll probably cry just thinking about it, because nothing brings me more joy than to see my best friends in love (besides Cho wearing a boy band necklace, of course). Congratulations, Ben + Aurora! I miss you more than you know. <3
This year I celebrated my 25th birthday on the South Island of New Zealand. Traveling to New Zealand had always been a dream of mine, and thanks to my amazing father it came true much sooner than I could have ever afforded on my own. So on April 1st we landed in Christchurch and spent nearly 10 days driving around the South Island together, covering about 1,600 miles. We didn’t make it to the north tip but we saw just about everything else.
Everyone had always told me that the South Island was a lot like Southeast Alaska, but I was surprised to find out that it actually is much more similar to the central coast of California. Fjordland and the west side do have some resemblance to SE Alaska as far as the temperate rainforest and glaciers go, but the vegetation was strikingly different. What surprised me the most, however, was that all of the places we never knew about or read about before the trip–such as the Otaga Peninsula and Southern Scenic Route–ended up being the most beautiful places we visited. My father and I agreed that there are only three types of roads in New Zealand: pretty, beautiful, and gorgeous.
These are a few vacation photos I took over the 10 days we were down there. I didn’t really capture anything that one might consider “iconic” in New Zealand, because like I said, the surprises along the way were what really called to me. In any case, getting to see this beautiful country was the best birthday present I’ve ever received, and I can’t wait to go back someday. Thanks, dad <3
I had the honor of being featured as “One to Watch” in the most recent issue of American Photo Magazine. The editors over there just sent me a PDF of the article, which was kind of them seeing as I have still yet to find a place in Juneau that carries it. I had a really pleasant experience working with everyone over there, in particular Aimee, the writer, as they put this lovely little 3 page spread together, and I am so happy with how it came out! If you’re never checked out the magazine before, you should become a subscriber ASAP. The quality is fantastic and they really show off the photographers’ best side. Click on the image for the PDF:
My busy schedule has prevented me from updating my blog regularly, but I was proud to see this picture that I shot for Florida Travel + Life while I was living/working there during the winter of ‘08-09 make an appearance in their “Florida Faces” section at the back of the magazine’s most recent issue. They even had me fill out a little blurb to talk about what was going through my head when I took the shot. I’ve only had pleasant experiences in working with FTL–everything from the art direction to the wonderfully personable and talented editors has consistently impressed me, and if I wasn’t so hell bent on living in the mountains, I’d move back to Florida and dive back into that amazing working experience again in a heartbeat.
(click for larger version)
I love my friend Kim in part because of our shared love for 80’s thongitards, leopard print, and old run down motels on the bad side of town. Combine all three and you get an awkward Fresno photo adventure on Motel Drive that includes making new friends with toothless hookers, cops, and a guy oozing blood that touched me while he “watched.” We weren’t able to finish our photoshoot idea today because said friends scared us off 20 minutes into the shoot, so for now this is only part one–more to come!
My favorite muse, a one Miss Kim Burly (you may now know her of the 31 Days of Fresno fame), celebrated her birthday a couple of weeks ago. So naturally, I decided to take some birthday portraits in her backyard as a gift to one of my constant sources of inspiration. I feel so lucky to have such an amazingly beautiful and creative friend.
I have an endless fascination with laundry being hung out to dry. Maybe it’s because I never saw it growing up as a kid in my modern suburban California neighborhood, with its fences and its seclusive nature; or maybe it’s because I like the way it adds to the charms of a small town, especially when I see it outside with snow on the ground. Winter doesn’t stop life here… I like that about Leadville.
