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.

Peacock

Last weekend, I had the good fortune to do a "play-date" type shoot with a local model/actress named Justine Peacock. You can see her in action as a cast member of the webisode "The Upstairs Girls." Or, if you'd rather, you can catch her at Millie's in Silverlake, where she works as a waitress.

That's actually where I met her. She had such a neat look that I waltzed up to her after brunch and offered to take some pictures of her. She was into it and we got together last Saturday to shoot in and around the martian landscape at the intersection of Topanga Canyon Blvd. and the 118 Freeway. It was a lot of fun being able to direct someone more intensely and get the looks I wanted.

Here's a candid shot of Justine genuinely laughing after a silly pose.

Here's a shot of her looking awesome with a large bamboo stick.

Here's the closing scene to our tragic backstory movie. The heroine has been through a lot and lost the the man she loved. It's the denouement; we know she's going to be all right, but she's staring out at the sunset and remembering.

This is just a portrait that I loved. The lighting is fantastic.

She was really happy with the results of this shoot, so I think we're both looking forward to a follow-up featuring "Prince Boots" and a mint green guitar!

BelLA

Yesterday, my husband (Axo), our friend Dorian, and I went up to the Deukmejian Wilderness for a little hike. The views were absolutely stunning for Los Angeles:





And for those nay-sayers who don't believe that California gets any color for the changing of seasons:


After the hike, we headed over to some friends' house for an intimate dinner. I snapped this while we were there. It's one of my favorite pictures of Axo ever. He looks as tender and thoughtful as he is.


Well, that's it for now, but I know I'm way behind in updating this blog. I think the next few entries may consist of flashbacks to previous events. It's been a crazy month on the photography front!