Moms are the best. They are like living, breathing scrapbooks of the best (and worst) moments of our lives. You can count on moms to keep our fingerpaintings from kindergrten and have photos from the most embarassing times in our lives (ready to show our friends at any moment). Kristen’s mom has one particular photo in her wallet that needs some updating. It’s a photo of Kristin and Brian at the homecoming dance circa 1999- that’s last century people!

     These two handsome people allowed me to photograph them today in Old Town Pasadena. We wandered through some really beautiful alleys and basked in the perfect golden light that exists just before sunset. We took advantage of the beautiful antique brick and soft light coming through the tree branches to get some pictures of just Kristin for her parent’s mantle and a few of her with Brian- goodbye prom pose! Thanks for hanging out with me today guys, I had a blast!

When I was really young, my mother and I would take weekly trips to Venice beach and walk north towards the Santa Monica pier. The Santa Monica Pier happens to tie for first in my “favorite place in the world” contest; I love to people watch and ride the ferris wheel after a good helping of cookie dough Dippin’ Dots. Upon our arrival at Venice beach, I would always hold my mothers hand and greet the sea by putting my toes right where the highest wave could barely reach them. I would inch closer and closer until I was knee deep and then make the decision to jump in or stay put. More often than not, I would leap into the frigid waters of the Pacific and dive under waves until my teeth chattered so much that I couldn’t speak. 

I always wondered why my mom never stopped me from leaping into the ice cold water- I suppose it’s because she wanted me to learn to make decisions and learn from my mistakes (or triumphs). I would realize that it was probably a mistake to get in the water just after I got back into my clothes and had to walk four miles in wet jeans. Ugh, wet jeans- no bueno. 

Today was my first visit back to a California beach since I moved back to LA from San Diego. It was wonderful to put my toes at the waters’ edge and take in the crisp ocean air. I was at the beach to photograph a new friend, Chelsey, who is an amazing yoga instructor in Los Angeles. Our afternoon portrait session turned into a real California adventure and I loved it! I had the opportunity to hear all about Chelsey’s life in LA and what she’s been up to. Let me tell you something- this girl has had more jobs than anyone I have even known. She is fascinated by so much, and tries it all. I admire that she has learned from all her experience and realized at a really young age, what she was meant to do. She is an absolutely lovely soul who is so brave to pursue a career that she is truly passionate about! Go check out her website and sign up for some of her classes, you won’t regret it. 

Oh, by the way- I chose not to jump in today, I was wearing jeans. 

Chelsey- thank you so much for trusting me to photograph you. You are amazing and beautiful and a snack goddess! I am blessed to know you! You totally could be a model if you wanted to! Look at this last one, it could totally be an ad!

Stay tuned for the second part of Chelsey’s portrait session, we have got some amazing yoga poses in store for you!

If you are a friend of mine, you must know that I absolutely love Los Angeles. I love the traffic, the noise, the culture and the people that call it home. I am absolutely fascinated by everything that it has to offer. 

When you describe me, I would hope that you would mention that I love photographing people. I can never get enough of peering into people’s lives through the lens of my camera. 

When you put both of these things together, I am truly in heaven. 

I got to spend this rainy day hanging out with one of the sunniest people I know– Melody. Even her name is fun! We spent the day wandering the streets of Downtown Los Angeles, looking for cool colors, textures and fantastic places to take portraits. Melody needed some headshots for auditions, and I needed some new locations for shoots. Win-win, right? We found a few, including an awesome blue door in front of the Hotel Figueroa. 

After shooting in front of the hotel, we jetted up the street to the Walt Disney Concert Hall. If you’re ever in downtown LA, make sure to stop by and check out the magnificent piece of architechtural genius that is the concert hall. We wandered around (and climbed multiple flights of stairs that frankly left me quite winded) and ended up in the lobby of the concert hall. The warm woods and window light surrounded us and made us feel quite at home– so we sat down (yeah, oh the floor) and soaked it all up. A wonderful afternoon with a lovely girl at my favorite place in the whole world– I love my life! 

It was quite a pleasure spending the afternoon with you Melody. I’ll never forget it.  

I admire actors. I really do. I especially admire those actors that trek across the United States headed towards Hollywood to pursue their dreams. I mean, I wouldn’t be able to do that– leave home to follow my dreams in Los Angeles. To be honest with you, I am truly not that courageous. 

I love actors who are driven: those that really get out there and market themselves to the world, those who actually work on sets and stages, those who really take themselves seriously. They are the ones that provide me with endless hours of romantic comedy to laugh at with my husband, they amaze me with their voices and emotions at the theatre, and most of all, they give Perez Hilton something to do.

Here I present to you a friend of mine whose name is Elizabeth. She’s gorgeous, talented and can really work it in front of the camera. She’s persuing her dream in this City of Angels and is going to be famous someday!

I’m very excited to see where she goes in life, hopefully she’ll sign an autograph for me that will be worth lots of money someday!

Thanks for hanging out with me Liz, you’re the best!