Zach & Jody's Workshop in the OC 2012

Straight out of the camera with Zach & Jody!

This weekend I went to a workshop with two adorable young fabulous photographers and with their training, use of equipment, and great models, we learned how to shoot in different lighting and create some spectacular photos.

I have not touched any via photoshop or lightroom, but wanted to show off a few because even if I didn't do anything with them, action wise, I think they are pretty spectacular! Off to buy some equipment... lol

LOVE ZACH & JODY!!!  Check out their site at: http://www.zachandjody.com/

PS: When they come back to California I will go with whomever wants to attend! Worth every penny.

Loaning out a Camera to a Seventeen Year Old?

Interesting question from my 17 year old son last week. 

"Mom, can I borrow your camera?"

Without completely telling him I didn't trust him, I informed him that there wasn't enough money in his account to cover the replacement cost. He vowed to take great care and off he went. Here are some pics that he took. The first photo was at the Newport Beach Jetty. The wave started out as a small barely-to-his-waist wave and grew into this massive snow covered wall.

These next photos were from another day at the Huntington Beach Cliffs.

I'm glad I loaned it to him. I'm also glad it didn't break.

Wes/Avreil Beach Shoot 2012

Yesterday I had a photo shoot for a couple that are getting married soon. She is so darling. I love redheads. They have a special spark in them that no one else seems to have. Am I right? Spunk.

Here are a few of the pics. They are mildly edited, but most straight out of the camera.

Did she take ballet or what?! !!

As we were moving up from the beach I noticed this feathered friend watching the dogs below. Hum, dinner time? It was getting close to dark.

Maybe should read; Danger, predators lurk above.

Surfing @ HB Cliff's

Surf was good today. A quick shoot with new lens; 70-200 at the cliffs.

The above photo is one of Sam's buddies.

Loving this lens. So is Sam. He's so happy I have it.

He's been bugging me to get one for such a long time. OK Sam, get in the green room!

Santa Ana Winds=Our December Snow

Took a break for an hour and grabbed my camera for a quick shoot at the beach. We have been having Santa Ana winds which bring the wind off shore. It gave the waves better form and a great spray. I would say that this is as close to snow as we get.

 Did several photo shoots this week. Five to be exact. Here is one young boy who loved this rock and was such a great model. He loved to pose and was very focused. I can see him as a magazine model and I sure hope someone hires him! Can you believe he is only four?

I'll post more on what I have been doing this week very soon!

HB Surfing with the dolphins

It's been awhile since I've had a chance to post anything.

We went to the beach as a family last week and my hub and son surfed. Waves were small, but fun. The second photo is one of my son next to the dolphin that were playing and eating in the same area. Amazing!

Could you imagine having these come up to you? Sam said he felt them swimming underneath him.

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

Yesterday I took Katie and her friend to the Natural History Museum of LA. It was another mad dash through a portion of it for a school project. Unfortunately, once again, the section we had to peruse through was under construction. The display was in a very small dark room, contents still in their boxes with the strapping on them. But hey, we got it done.

Prior to going we read that the Amgen Tour of California bicycle race going on around Exposition Park. We had to park in a different area than I was used to and stumbled into a fabulous butterfly exhibit. "Pavilion of Wings." I didn't have the correct camera equipment for this, but took shot anyhow. Here are some photos. (If you have a chance to head to LA, this exhibit will be there through September 6th. It's worth it!)

This guy's got HUGE eyes!

While I was taking photos, this little girl tapped me on my leg and said in a very sweet cute voice, "I have a butterfly on my head". She was so funny. She walked around for about a half hour with this contented butterfly. Her younger sister was adorable too but I didn't take her photo. Katie thinks I look like a stalker when I shoot kids that I don't know.

Isn't she precious?

These are my postings for

Straight out of the Camera Sunday at: http://www.murrieta365.com/

and Macro Monday at: http://lisaschaos.com/

Portuguese Bend, Palos Verdes, California

Today we went to my in-law's home for Easter ~ where my hub grew up; Rancho Palos Verdes, California. We drove through Portuguese Bend, stopping by our good friend, T. H. Redfield, Jr., the Great Grandson of the American Impressionist Edward Willis Redfield. Here is one of the links to his Grandfather: http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/lot_details.aspx?intObjectID=5154295 We love Tom. Actually, he is one of my favorite friends of my hub's. Below is a photo of him telling my kids about the geological facts of the slide area. We call him "Uncle Tom". This shot is for my "Straight out of the Camera Sunday" shot- Visit http://www.murrieta365.com/ for more great ~straight~ shots.

Below is the view from his house. His house is technically considered in the slide area, however, it's braced by one of the peninsulas.

The next photo is of a Peacock... one of six that were in a tree. Tom said they are annoying, they eat all the flowers on the bushes. And it is mating season. We could hear them calling each other... very loudly. It was amazing to me to see so many around. This one in the tree was a young one. His tail feathers weren't long. And did you know they fly? There were six in this tree and as I walked carefully closer, trying not to disturb them, they would, one by one, swoop up to the next tree branch.

I took a few pics of Tom's paintings and there are so many that I love, I can't even begin to chose a favorite ~ however, this is one I decided to post.

The next photo shows a portion of his studio and on the easel you can see the painting that I posted resting on the easel.

Visit Tom's art at: http://www.pbartistcolony.com/ArtistBios/ThomasRedfield/

Norton Simon Museum, Pasadena, CA.

Yesterday my mom and I took Katie and her friend to the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena. Katie's teacher suggests museums for the kids to go to in order for them to "pass" on a test. He calls it a detour. I call it a by pass. (Makes Kate crazy when I miss quote him) After we had done our "work", we went out to the garden. There is where I took these photos.

This is how Katie looked while I was "taking too long" in the garden.

And last, one of my favorites. These were everywhere on trees. Amazing.

Be sure to visit Today's Flowers for many more!

http://flowersfromtoday.blogspot.com/

Dee's House - Straight Out of the Camera Sunday

Here is my Straight Out of the Camera Sunday shot:And an update on the progress of Dee's House in Fountain Valley. Yesterday I went to K's women's residential sober living facility to take photos of the inside of the house for her brochure and website. This is one of the bedrooms. Her goal is to make you feel like you're going to Grandmother's house. Very quaint and comfortable. K has done a remarkable job so far and it is really fun to watch the transition!

Visit SOCS for more straight unaltered shots! http://www.murrieta365.com/

Macro Flowers

I went walking around the neighborhood with my macro lens on today. Found some very pretty flowers that didn't die in the storms. Loved that the sun was out. These are my top picks. And straight out of the camera!

I was hoping that a bee would land just where I wanted it for the shot, but no, one just landed in my hair. Thought is was something from a tree until I pulled it out and it started buzzing. Visit: http://www.murrieta365.com/search/label/SOOC%20Sunday

for more straight out of the camera Sunday shots.

Visit: http://lisaschaos.com/?s=macro+monday&x=0&y=0

for more macro shots.

Change is Inevitable - One Way or Another

Yesterday I went on a photo shoot for a friend of mine who is in need of photos for a brochure. She is opening up a women's residential sober living facility in honor of her friend who lost her battle with alcoholism. It never ceases to amaze me how people can do such incredible things. My hat is off to K for giving of herself and all of her finances to those who need just a bit more time to heal. K is incredibly dedicated and self-less. Here is my pic - reflecting the "high five" for survival and recovery of alcohol and drug abuse.

SOOC-Sunday Dec. 27

JJ's first Christmas - too much for this little guy!
For more "Straight out of the Camera - Sunday" photos, visit: http://www.murrieta365.com/

Straight Out Of the Camera - Sunday

These are "straight out of the camera".. I went down to the beach to take some sunset photos. It was a muddy day; marine layer and smog hanging over Catalina. Usually that makes for a nice colorful sunset, but the marine layer was too thick. I did however meet a man who is the photographer for the Dodgers and Angels Baseball teams. Wow! What a great job that would be!