Concierto

Tuesday, June 16th, 2009, KCRW sponsored a show at the El Rey featuring Hecuba & Bat for Lashes. Hecuba was not exactly my cup of tea, though I commend them for being 100% committed to their performance in a way that few artists are. Bat for Lashes, on the other hand, was great! I was only sporting a G9 at the show, so these aren't what they could've been, but they're not bad either!

I've decided Purple is Natasha's color, what with all the talk of magic and wizards.

Natasha gesticu-singing.

This is my fave of the night.

Midsummer Night's Fiesta

A few weeks ago, I had the honor of shooting the Schupmann wedding. Stacy and Kerensa got married just after the ban on gay marriage was lifted and before Prop 8 was passed. Thus, theirs is one of 18,000 same-sex marriages that will continue to be acknowledged by the State. The wedding day was beautiful, with all kinds of unique touches: the wedding party's shirts forming a rainbow, the ring-bearer being their cute-as-all-get-out dog Buddy, the nameplates! The whole event was full of color, joy, love... and a little Shakespeare. Below are some beautiful moments.

Kerensa, sporting her rock!

An intimate moment during the couple's first dance.

I really do love this shot... available light with a little flare, taken towards the end of the night. Someone commented that it looks like a still from an old WB show, which was really flattering considering that I'm trying to get more cinematographic with my photography.

My Favorite Model

I suppose it's a byproduct of being a photographer that you end up with tons and tons of images of the people in your immediate circle... the people you most love. So, here is another beautiful image of my hubby, Axo. This is definitely one of my faves of him!

Resonance

This past week, I had the supreme pleasure of shooting photographic stills for a film. It was undeniably one of the most thrilling experiences of my life. Who doesn't love movies? Who wouldn't want to get behind the scenes at least once in their life?

The film is called Resonance, and it's a short created/written/directed by Robert Beaucage, recipient of 2008's Los Angeles Short Filmmaking Competition Grant. It's going to premiere on August 19th, 2009, at VisionFest '09 in Hollywood.

I don't want to give much of anything away because I think people should just see it, but here are some stills.

The physicist, thinking.

Homage to the lighting folks, who did an absolutely phenomenal job and taught me SO much!

Director Robert Beaucage (foreground) and John Laughlin.

The physicist's wife (Leilani Sarelle) appears to try to coax him back to reality.

Leilani Sarelle

Leilani looked so stunningly beautiful here, I just had to snap it!

Eye on the monitor.

Ah, the beach! What a wonderful place to shoot. Don't the actors just look amazing?

An intimate closeup.

Water arc.

I'm so grateful that I got a chance to work on this film, and I truly, truly hope I get to have this experience again. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the incredible cast & crew that worked on the production. Everyone involved was exceptionally talented, professional, and genuinely kind. It was a beautiful thing. -- and a special shout-out to Fortunato Procopio (DP) for his incredible work!

Matrimonio Mexica!

When I'm not behind a camera, I'm in front of high schoolers. Last weekend, a former student of mine (who was and remains totally awesome) got married on an island in the Yucatan. Axo (my hubby) and I were so there! It was a beautiful place... just off the cost of San Felipe, about 40 minutes away from Tizimín. My girl looked absolutely amazing, and it was truly a pleasure getting to know her man.

Here's the happy couple. Jessy's wearing the same head dress her mom wore for her wedding decades ago.

I absolutely adore this shot! It's so joyful. At first, they were a little tentative about playing for the camera, but when they did, I was able to snap this frame.

Here's the palapa under which they were wed, and a circle of chairs. Originally, they were going to have the ceremony out in the center of the chair circle, but it was a little too windy and hot. So, we moved under the palapa. It was a very unusual ceremony... sort of shamanistic, based on old Mexica traditions. There was tortilla making, burning of sage, and various offerings from both bride and groom. I'm really glad I got to document something so unique.

Sometimes I like doing a little bit of grainy black and white stuff.

This was the sunset on our first night out to visit the island.

I'm still gobsmacked that I was able to capture this. I've always loved light bridges on water; they make me feel a sense of sacredness. This one, leading into the ultimate orb of light is just awesome. I'm so grateful to have this image in my library.

Axo, looking rather noble.

Axo, looking genuinely happy. I love all that light in his eyes and his slightly crooked smile.

Goose

I'm the lucky one who got to go back to the Harmony Motel for Valentines weekend and photograph the lovely Gustavo Galindo, an up-and-coming Latin Music Man. He was a blast to work with, and he's sure to be a hit with the ladies.

Does Elvis Live?

Gotta love the countryside!

This photo has been described as "smoldering"... and I'd have to agree.

Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?

The funny thing is that he really had hurt his thumb just before that last one. He pricked it on some thorn of the bush he was standing next to. I think the photo is both cute and sexy.

Good luck to the Goose! I'm keeping my fingers crossed for him. He deserves to be a hit... so talented.

Joshua Tree

A couple of friends of ours (mine & Axo's) invited us out to Joshua Tree for Christmas. It was like the turning of a chapter for me. Many years ago, my mom and I (along with our roommate at the time, Melissa) just up and decided to drive out to Joshua Tree on New Year's Eve. The intent behind that trip was catharsis, and we definitely got it. We climbed boulders as the sun was beginning to fall, and we made it to Keys View in time to watch the last sunset of the year. Then, we drove to the Bella campground and lay out on the hood of the car wrapped in a blanket staring at the stars. The sky was full of them... it was an amazing trip that I've always wanted to repeat. And I finally got to, thanks to Nic & Zen. Only this time, I got to share it with my husband.

It was relaxing and spiritually rejuvenating. I also got to test my limits as I free-climbed different parts of the Jumbo Rocks with my full camera kit on my back and no one else around. I did some stuff I didn't know I had it in me to do and discovered some new strength. Did I mention that it was dawn and 28 degrees out at the time? I'm surprised I didn't freeze off my fingertips!

In the evenings, it was back home to the Harmony Motel, where Zen & Axo would cook up some amazing grub for the evening. Veggie chili one night, veggie pizza the next. That was usually the time when we would tinker with the Kaossillator too (an awesome little musical toy!).

Here are some of the pictures from the voyage, in no particular order:

A very unusual cactus that we had never seen before.

Sky, on our first night there.

Zen & Nic enjoying the first dusk's hush.

Me playing thespian in the desert.

The road out of the park.
(I took this picture because it was a magical moment listening to Rob Pattinson's "Never Think" and being alone with Axo)

Unreal Tree -- I swear it looks like a painting, except for Axo sitting there.

Axo playing shakuhachi atop a large boulder.

Windmills off the 10.
(I love the lighting in this one.)

My Shadow.
(This is one of my favorite pics of the hole trip. It has an other-worldly look to it.)

Twilight Freak.

CHOLLA!

AxoHaus.
(What a ridiculous little structure... WITH it's own address! I couldn't resist!)

Zen loving the Joshua Trees.

Faith +1
(Inside Joke)

Jumbo Rocks -- billowing up into the sunrise.

A Portrait of Zen.