Drive By/Fly By Shooting

Is Balance Ever Easy To Achieve?

2011-07-24T10:58:00.000-07:00

My balance is off. With one arm strapped to my body, I swerve and maneuver in my efforts to achieve some kind of balance. Carry too much in one hand, and boom, I run into the wall. The other day I was getting into my car and misjudged the door opening and I now have a nice bruise on my shoulder as proof of my misjudgement. But what does misperception have to do with being off-balance? Everything when your one hand holds your purse, keys, phone and tip.

My fear of flying is not in balance, but I am coming to terms with that and trying desperately to come to some understanding so my fears will level out. I still email my friend in hopes that he will email me back and tell me that all is fine, and many times he does. Sometimes he'll even call when he can tell that I'm past desperate. My plan to achieve some semblance of balance and inner peace while I'm winging my way to wherever in a deathtrap 30,000 feet above the ground, is to chat it up with the flight attendants and the pilot as I'm entering the plane. Smooth flight? And since 98.5% of the time they say yes, I am starting to relax a little and think maybe flying is not that bad. Then I take my window seat in Row 4, pull out my book, and wait. Almost calmly...

Balance in the pool is another thing. Try running in 3-3/4 feet of water and see what happens. I slip, I slide, I go under. I am in constant motion forward, while the water does its best to push me from side to side. But like in real life, I fight the constant distractions and cross-currents and focus on my end-goal. And, like in real life, I achieve my goals, but not without some miss-steps and occasionally going under for a brief second.

Next month I should be able to achieve full-balance again, but even my fears about that are unbalanced. Maybe that's my lot in life--to have that unbalanced view. Like my photos, my own perspective on life. Or maybe I'll gain full balance and only my photos will continue askew...

Is it really just a dumb, ugly bug?

2011-05-30T14:25:00.000-07:00

Nashville. What an interesting place. This was my third trip. While the last two trips I spent most of my time on a golf course, last week I was able to experience more or what Nashville has to offer--the good and the bad.

Okay, now wait just a sec! Here I was going to write a nice post about Nashville--the nice people, the beautiful countryside. I was going to skim over the frightening aspects of sitting through a "Severe Weather Warning with possibility of tornadoes". And I was going to try really hard to avoid almost all mention of the cicadas. But I've been called out in Facebook. According to my "friend", Nicole, only small children and I are scared of these ugly creatures. But I feel like I just lived through five days in a very bad, very low-budget sci-fi horror film.

Cicadas. Dictionary.com's definition: "any large homopterous insect of the family Cicadidae, the male of which produces a shrill sound by means of vibrating membranes on the underside of the abdomen."

Shrill? Shrill? What about deafening?

I landed in Nashville, made my way out to my rental car and hit the freeway. Doubting my phone GPS, I missed my exit and had to go the extra long way to my hotel down West End Road. I had the music playing and the air conditioning blasting, windows rolled up, but I kept hearing some underlying noise. I rolled down my window. Oh, must be construction work. Rolled up the window. Kept hearing the noise. Rolled down the window. Same noise. Same construction. But like no construction noise I've ever heard in California. Who knows. I was in the South.

I kept driving and the noise didn't lessen. I kept rolling down the window and trying to identify what machinery would be making such a racket. Unidentifiable. There was a LOT of construction going on in Nashville. Blocks and blocks and blocks. At one point I stopped at a stop light and happened to glance at the sidewalk, at the row of trees and that's when I knew. That's when I saw. That was no construction noise. That was the sounds of a bazillion cicadas!

I'm not really a bug person. My older brother convinced me as a child that moths were going to land in my hair at night and lay eggs. But, I've never been a screamer either. Well, I screamed like a girl for four days, starting about 20 minutes after I got to my hotel.

Let's just get this straight, up front. Yes, I KNOW that cicadas are harmless. I KNOW they don't bit or attack humans. I also KNOW that they're ugly and look prehistoric. And I KNOW that no matter where I was it seemed as though the cicadas had a flight pattern aimed directly at me.

I met Mike down by the pool shortly after arriving at the hotel. We were on our way to get a drink and wait for a friend of mine. He was kind enough to point out the still-living cicada floating on its back in the pool. I think maybe I screamed. I know I ran. I know Mike laughed at me. And so began my cicada saga in Nashville. Just two days later I would have been laughed at by Mike (again and again), potential clients, my "friend" (and I'm using that term loosely now), Nicole, and close to 200 golfers over two days. Oh, and the cab driver as he watched my futile efforts to climb from the back seat to the front seat after a cicada somehow managed to fly through the tiny crack in the rolled down window and hang out with me...

And yes, I screamed as the cicadas seems to float right at me while driving in the golf cart. It wasn't until Spoon told me that it was a butterfly, not a cicada was I able to calm down. I spent days dipping and dodging, but unable to stay completely away from those ugly creatures.

I know their life is short and I know that they live underground for 13 years, but I don't care. When I got off the plane in Oakland the first thing I noticed was the quiet. I was thankful to be home. And yes, I did dodge that moth coming out of baggage, but I was happy knowing that when I laid down in bed that night I had no fear of that ugly, ugly creature sharing my pillow. Good luck with that Spoon!

Is having control always the issue?

2011-05-18T19:01:00.000-07:00

It's kind of a strange thing, this fear of flying. I try not to think about it much, especially when preparing for my trip. I'm busy working, getting ready, packing, planning. I used to deal with the fear by always arriving late to the airport, praying that the security lines weren't too long and that I would make it to the right gate with seconds to spare. Then board. Then be too dazed to realize what was happening. Always running late and not being able to control all the variables added its own kind of stress.

So what do you do? What do I do? Well, after one conversation with a friend of mine who I had emailed in a total panic thinking I had missed my flight (the flight was delayed--how shocking), I realized I was approaching the whole thing in the wrong manner. This was after years of the same behavior. Suddenly I changed.

So what made me change? What were his magic words? It was all about control. There are so few things that you have control over when you fly, he said. You can't control traffic on the way to the airport, length of security lines, additional screening, the fact that your gate is always the farthest one away or in another terminal. The one thing you can control is making sure you get to the airport with plenty of time. That way, no matter what, you have plenty of time to deal with unforeseen problems. No stress. No missing flights because you're late. It's all about control.

Yes, I'm a control freak and when I realized that he was right, I tried this approach in everything especially when I was traveling. It's amazing how such a simple thing--time--can make so many things better. It's nice to be early. Nice not to worry.

But in an airport there is still the issue of me going into an airplane. And now with my new habits I have extra time to be at my gate totally freaking out. And why, oh why, do I always ask WHY there is a delay? 19 times out of 20 the answer comes back--engine trouble or equipment problems. To tell you the truth I'm not that jazzed about getting on a plane that's a known trouble maker, but I do. I now know where the outlets are at each gate. I sit in the corner and plug in my phone. I turn on my lap top. I turn on my iPod and wait. Some things will never change though. I'll still always email and desperately seek reassurances that the flight will be fine. I clutch my cell phone tightly, waiting for the vibration signaling that my email has been answered, that the response has come in, that everything will be okay.

I went to LA for a couple of days this week. I was 90 minutes early for my flight (no traffic, no security line). I paced, sat near an outlet, called a friend and totally panicked. It was cloudy and kind of rainy. I sent off my email pleading for reassurance. Nothing came. My phone didn't vibrate. I got on board, found my seat in the front and sat. I stared at my phone willing it to vibrate. Doors closed. Phones off. But I waited and finally, finally my phone vibrated. It was going to be fine. I sighed a big sigh of relief. The plane lifted off the ground, I looked out the window, camera in hand, and realized that it was a beautiful day. Great for fly-by shooting...

Happy Birthday, Mr. Collins!

2011-05-14T17:55:00.000-07:00

I met Dave Collins a year ago or so. We immediately fell into "like". He doesn't talk much. I don't talk much. He thinks he's funny. I KNOW I'm funny. There has always been one point of our friendship though that has never meshed. It's the point-of-view aspect of life.

Dave is a straight-ahead kind of guy. He wants things straight, level. My photos bother him. For awhile there he thought something was wrong with my camera--the fact that the photos never were straight, that there was no horizontal line. Then he realized that the problem was me. That I don't see life straight across. That I view everything through a particular angle.

We have clashed on many a photo. He likes to post comments on Facebook that he thinks are particularly witty regarding the angle of my shots. I try my hardest to ignore him. I have other Facebook friends who comment on his comments and think he's funny. I plead with them to ignore him, not to encourage his bad humor. It's not working...

Well, today is Dave Collins' birthday and my birthday gift to him is an attempt on my part to see the world through his eyes. Now Dave is a great mastering engineer with some amazing credits. You can check out his web site at www.collinsaudio.com. But I'm not sure if I agree with his view of life.

It's straight. It's level. But the perspective is all wrong. Look at things straight on and you can lose the flow and movement of the architecture or the road. You would think drive-by shooting with a level camera would be easy. Just sticking my arm out the window, holding the camera level and shooting. It wasn't so easy. For each shot I had to tilt everything--my head, my arm, my camera. It was a strange experience. This straight-on, non-angle that Dave Collins likes so much.

Here's the thing, though. Dave's view of the world may seem askew to me. But he's honest and funny (but don't let him know I think that), and nice and kind. And sometimes some of the best friendships are those based on different perspectives. So Happy Birthday, Dave Collins. I hope you have a wonderful day! And please enjoy these level photos while you can, because it's not going to happen again...

Is Being Lost Such A Bad Thing?

2011-05-02T21:23:00.000-07:00

A couple of Thanksgivings ago, Nancy invited me over for an after-Thanksgiving party. Now Nancy and I have been friends for a bazillion years and she's lived in the same place for almost as long as I've known her. Same place in The City. So I left with plenty of time to get there. It was a beautiful November day. I couldn't resist. I started shooting. The Bay was a lovely color. And after a solid week or two of gray, rainy skies, the blue was amazing. All the colors that day were especially vivid and I drove and shot.

I'm not sure where I ended up. All I was certain of was that I was somewhere in San Francisco, completely lost. I called Nancy and told her I was lost. "Damn it Karen! Are you shooting??" Well, of course I had to say yes. And with that admission, Nancy sighed, laughed and then gave me directions.

For awhile there I was well-known on Facebook for getting lost, for being lost, wrong freeways, wrong streets, wrong cities. But when there is so much to see, how can you not get lost?

I get lost in movies. I get lost in books. I get lost in my work. I get lost in my thoughts. Is that a such a bad thing?

Now that I have GPS in my phone, I don't get lost much at all anymore when I drive. I must admit though that I sometimes question the directions and second guess my phone and turn the wrong way. But it's usually because I see a building one more block down that I need to shoot. Being lost can be scary, but it can also give you a freedom when least expected, when you look up and you realize that Liam and Baltimore are just parts of a book you're reading or the lights come back on in the movie theater and you're no longer traveling on that train, or you realize you're not really lost. You're just one exit past Westlake Village, but what a great shot you just got.

Does It Have to Have a Message?

2011-04-23T13:36:00.000-07:00

Blurb.com sent out an announcement this week regarding their annual contest for the best photo books. I never even opened the email. My phone "droided". Saw what it was and deleted the email. I tried that once, remember? Submitted my "Drive-By Shooting" book and implored all my Facebook friends to vote for me, so that even if my book wasn't judged the best, maybe I could win by popular vote. Did you just hear that? Did you? That was me sighing...

Needless to say, I didn't win anything. And with that loss I started to question the whole drive-by-shooting art vs. luck question again. It's an endless battle that is played out in my head. There is never a clear winner, so the battle rages on--sometimes with a truce called, sometimes back in full-out warfare. My head has been at peace lately, but with this blurb.com email that I didn't even READ, full-scale war has broken out.

I was out running errands admiring the curve of the phone wires, the unbelievable grace of the towers. Maybe I should enter another book. Maybe I should enter my second book, "Fly-By Shooting". That's when I missed my exit...

Why? Tell me, why would I want to enter another contest? I'm all about winning. I don't play games unless I'm 99.999% sure I'm going to win. There is nothing sure about entering a contest.

I looked at the thousands of books entered last year. They were beautiful. They recorded earth-shaking events, locales that I can only ever dream about seeing. These photographers were artists and they were taking photographs of things that matter.

Why do I shoot? It's for no one's education. It has no value to anyone. I shoot because I love it. I shoot because seeing things through a lens makes me less afraid. I shoot because everything I see--I see it as a photo. Alleys, overpasses, bridges, street signs, buildings, cars parked along PCH, the front of an abandoned building. It's all art to me and with luck, sometimes that final image is exactly what I saw in my head as I held my camera out the window driving down Wilshire Boulevard or pressed against the scratched window on a Southwest Airlines flight.

But I have no message. What I record is my life. The mundane, the exciting. The hours in traffic. The hours in planes. I don't know if I'll ever win a contest. Does anyone really care about the beautiful curve of the overpass on the side of a freeway? The majestic beauty of one small part of a gigantic bridge? The sleek lines of a towering building. Probably not. I have no message. No insight into anything. I just love to shoot, to look at the world at an angle.

Will I enter a "Fly-By Shooting" book? I'm not sure. We'll have to see who wins the war in my head...

Working, well not really...

2011-04-16T20:41:00.001-07:00

I'm working. Well, not really. Well, I am. But not really. I've been "working" on a proposal all day. Let's translate "working". I've been "staring" at a proposal all day. I have read it and read it and re-read it. What to change. What to change...

I think and think and think. I write and rewrite and rewrite and read again. And then I do more "work". I read up on Twitter and retweet interesting tweets. I check Facebook and "Like" a few things. I look at LinkedIn and finally "link" up with some people.

And then I go back to "work". I read and re-read my proposal. I look at my pages of notes taken during my conversation with my prospective client. I change a sentence here, add a service there, and stare at the page. Why or why can't I get those two paragraphs written??

I go back to "work". I pace. I do laundry. I re-do my task list. I clean my desk. I check in on Facebook again. Look to see what's new on LinkedIn. Read my emails. Even respond to some emails. Check AOL. All the while trying to get my mind around the right words that will express my thoughts about this job. This great sounding event. This FUN, for-a-good-cause, great sounding event.

And now, twelve hours later, I'm listening to Slacker Radio (thank you Dave C for your suggestion). I have thoroughly worked Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. I have written, rewritten and written some more. I have read and re-read and erased and erased and erased. So now I'm "working" some more. Updating my blog. Thinking about drive-by shooting, but really I'm "working". Really I'm thinking about that proposal. Who would think that it would be so excruciatingly painful to write a proposal for a FUN, for-a-good-cause, great sounding event? Who would think that those five to ten additional lines could be so elusive?

It's hard to get the perfect words from my head to my hands...

Oh no...

2011-04-14T19:48:00.000-07:00

It just seems to make sense, doesn't it? The airline that I fly the most decides to lose its top. The airline that I'm finally almost comfortable flying in, the one I just booked to fly to Nashville next month, is falling apart at the seams. Oh no...

And to make my total flying experience even more perfect--my other favorite airline? Jet Blue? I just read an article about the least safe airlines. Jet Blue was top of the list. Oh no...

But back to SWA.

I was supposed to fly to NAB this week, but plans changed so I called to cancel my flight. Which was fine. Really. I called SWA. I was on hold for 45 minutes (at least it seemed like three hours) and finally someone picked up. "I want to cancel my flight," I said. "Oh," she said cautiously, "and would you like to reschedule?" (I noted a touch of optimism in her voice.) "No, thank you." "Oh." Her disappointment was very evident. What was going on? Ah, I realized. She thinks I'm abandoning a sinking ship or tattered plane.

No, no abandonment. I have to fly to Nashville in May--a flight I already dread with a stop-over in Las Vegas. I will probably fly down to LA in early May and then two trips to LA in June and then July and August and September. I'm not fleeing. I love SWA. I hate their new Rapid Rewards system. I'm not happy with the fact that their plane ripped open in flight. But I still like SWA.

I have to get back on a plane in a couple of weeks. Panic is already starting to seep beneath my skin. Prickly fear. But I'm trying to get positive thoughts going here. My idea is that all the planes must now be safer, right? I'm trying to keep in mind my friend's always consistent message that SWA is one of the safest airlines around.

But Paul? I may need you help here. I think I need you to explain to me why I should feel incredibly safe as I board my flight next month. I'll be waiting. And feel free to send me your cell number so I can add you to my list of friends who I text and email frantically as I board the plane and strap myself in and wait to hear from anyone that everything will be just fine...

"Don't stand...Don't stand so...Don't stand so close to me..."

2011-04-10T10:26:00.000-07:00

I have a problem. No, really. Stop laughing. A lot of people think that my drive-by shooting is a dangerous exercise. Driving, holding a camera out the window as I speed through the streets of whatever city or town I may be in. But let me tell you, now that I'm restricted to only shooting at stop lights and stop signs (mostly), drive-by shooting is a much safer proposition than walk-by shooting as evidenced in my little trip yesterday.

I took BART into The City yesterday for a reception. I arrived at Montgomery Station at about 5 p.m. and walked up the stairs to reach street level and that's when it happened. As I was coming up to ground level I looked up. OMG! My camera! My camera! Where is it? I stopped in my tracks and started looking for my camera. That building was amazing! And somewhere in the recesses of my mind I heard some grumbling behind me as people stopped their straight up progress out of BART and moved around me on their not-so straight line journey.

But it didn't stop there. How can you walk in a city and not look up? Not admire the architecture? The lines of the building, the history, the beauty? People are always so hell-bent on getting to their destination that it often goes unnoticed. On the other hand, maybe I notice too much...

I don't walk in a straight line (never have). The streets were crowded, but I was unaware as I looked up and saw a beauty of a building and stopped to shoot. And that's when I would hear the traffic jam of people behind me slam on their brakes and maneuver around me. Not once, not twice. Probably not a good idea in a crosswalk trying to get across Market. But I only got run into a couple of times. Eventually, I found myself walking alone--people had figured out I need a wide berth. And I got to shoot and shoot and shoot, until I realized that I was almost late for the reception. I took a couple of last shots, put my camera away, but I still looked up as I made my way those last three blocks to the hotel. Beautiful architecture in a beautiful city on a gorgeous day.

Is it Me?

2011-04-02T16:37:00.001-07:00

I've been renting cars from Avis forever. I'm a Preferred Member. I have a Corporate account. Granted, I almost always rent a compact or sub-compact. But it's usually just me and my camera driving the freeways and roads of Southern California. I've never had problems with the company until this year. Is it me? Do they know?

Last year I rented at least a dozen times from Avis. Probably 98 percent of those rentals were a car with a sunroof. One time, since they didn't have my Ford Focus, they upgraded me to a convertible mustang! It was heaven! And it's not that I want to drive fast or get from zero to 125 mpg in 2 nanoseconds (even though that's okay too), but if I have a sunroof it's much easier to practice my drive-by shooting skills. The buildings are really, really tall and when I stick my arm out the window of the car and try to get that angle, it's a scary thing!

No, I'm not worried about causing accidents or running into anything. (Actually I am now restricted to only shooting while stopped--mostly). What I'm really concerned about is dropping my camera and running over it.

Last year, rental car after rental car after rental car had sun roofs. It was wonderful! What a treat--even when it was raining. Never a fear of accidentally dropping my camera and crushing the life out of it. Nope. Just the knowledge that if it fell, it would fall inside the car, hopefully not under the gas pedal... (but that's another story).

So what's up this year? Is it me? Did someone rat me out? I fly into Burbank, walk to the Avis Preferred Members building to pick up my keys and I get that look, that knowing smirk. First they offer me some Nissan toy car (no acceleration pick up at all which is bad for merging onto freeways). After I turn that down they offer me a bevy of cars speaking so fast that I have no clue what they're offering.

My only question always is--sunroof? Does it have a sunroof? Then I get that look again. They can't tell from their computers is the car has a sunroof. (They KNEW last year!) Last week I was offered a mustang. Convertible? I asked hopefully. Nope.

So I'm back to sticking my arm out the window getting that angle that Vincent always likes and praying that I don't drop my camera. As I walked to my sunroofless Ford Fiesta last week I walked past three cars with sunroofs. Just parked. One was a Ford Focus. Is it me?

Avis! Are you listening? Are you reading? I would like a car with a sunroof again! I'll be renting in Nashville in May and LA in June, July, August and September. T-top, sunroof, convertible. Come on!

Is It Always Better To Know?

2011-03-30T17:39:00.000-07:00

Is it always better to know? I used to think it was. Have all the facts, assess the situation and go from there. But what if you have all the facts and you're trapped on a plane? Yes, I'm a control freak and I'm totally out of control on a plane. Last night was a prime example of maybe why not knowing is better.

I have the distinct pleasure of being able to pre-board. Over the past few months I have come to discovery that I get to talk to the flight attendants and sometimes the pilot for a few private moments before the A group tries to push past me.

And if you've read my previous posts you know that I've taken to asking if the flight will be turbulent. The answer 99% of the time has been "no". Not last night...

Here I am , the first passenger up the stairs--"So, smooth flight tonight?" I ask hopefully. "Oh, no," the two flight attendants says in unison. "Oh no!" I say inside. As I fight the waves of panic, the two attendants look at me calmly and proceed to tell me how rough the flight was coming in (not what I want to hear), but it's to be expected, right? they ask. (No, never, I think.)

Okay, what seat? I ask. Front rows, they suggest. So I take Row 4, window seat. The rest of the passengers file in as I get my iPod out and blast it full volume, fiddle with my phone and send out desperate emails begging for reassurance that everything will be alright. Nothing. (Okay, fine. It is 8:30 at night and people probably have better things to do then tell me why it's okay to fly in turbulence.) I try to read my vapid airport book, but I can't concentrate long enough to finish one sentence.

Doors closed, instructions begin. Oh, did I happen to mention that I hadn't been feeling well for the afternoon? That I had spent hours switching back and forth between a brain-numbing headache and nausea?

So, fine. I'm in a plane that will be hitting turbulence. That's okay, I'm telling myself. I remember occasionally to breathe. It's only an hour flight, right? And maybe the flight attendants just meant that it would be turbulent getting out of Burbank, like normal...

And once again--it's that more information thing. The plane takes off, we're up and rocking. My iPod is blasting. I'm trying to ignore everything when I barely hear someone official speaking. I pull out my earbud just in time to hear the pilot saying that because of the HUGH amount of turbulence that we'll be experiencing, the flight attendants will not be leaving their seats. Oh no...

Now, have you looked recently for a throw-up bag in the pocket in front of your seat? I'll tell you--there aren't ANY! I was not feeling good, but looking down at my feet--what were my choices? I was not going to throw up in my Coach purse or my nice briefcase filled with important documents. The passenger on the aisle did have her jacket on the seat between us, so, that was always an option.

On the bright side, said the pilot, we'd be in Oakland 15 minutes early (probably because no one else was foolhardy enough to attempt flying).

How much information is too much? Would I have been better off not knowing? Maybe, but probably not. Having all the information I was able to assess the situation and take what limited action I could--cold water bottle behind my neck, as my body temperature increased about 50 degrees, work on my calming breathing techniques, find an alternate to a vomit bag, and remember, suddenly, the wise, true, soothing words of a friend of mine, "It's going to be just fine."

And it was...

Fly-By, Drive-By, Stand-By--It Doesn't Matter

2011-03-02T19:40:00.000-08:00

I'm in desperate need of some traveling...

Art vs Luck

2011-03-02T19:28:00.000-08:00

For those of you wondering--yes, I entered the "Urban Landscape" juried competition and I was not selected. Of the 30 images chosen, none of the images included any of my drive-by shooting photos. You might think with my concentrated effort of recording my hours upon hours of driving in urban areas that maybe they would select one image. But not this time.

Vincent told me to not give up. Tara told me that we just need to find something else. But once again this makes me think about the whole art versus luck thing that I am constantly battling. Is sticking my arm out the window and shooting blindly art? See, I still think it's luck when something turns out.

So I'm not thinking I'll win any competitions or be published in any magazines or get Southwest Airlines to comp my flights. But I'll continue to shoot because I love it, because traffic on the LA streets and freeways is nuts, and because every so often I discover an image that I love.

Flying--Wing or Front Rows?

2011-02-12T10:54:00.000-08:00

As you all probably know by now--I am not the best flyer. I don't like getting in a plane. I know all about the logical reasons why it's safe to fly. I've been told over and over again. I have a couple of people I email regularly panicked before I get on a plane begging for confirmation that I'm not boarding a deathtrap. Remembering about a plane that crashed 26 years ago in some country that I can't remember the name of, knowing that my fate is inexplicably tied to that crash.

One friend was particularly patient, explaining email after email why it was safe to fly, why SWA is such a safe airline, why turbulence was not automatically going to cause the plane to drop out of the sky. But he stopped. He realized it was a useless exercise. His response is always the same now, always four words, "It will be fine". I live for those four words, knowing so far he's been right.

I was having dinner with another friend on Thursday and we stumbled upon the subject of flying, so I told him how much I hated flying. That if we plummet to the earth, there is nothing I can do. "Ah, you're a control freak." Well, yeah, but what does that have to do with anything?

Now that I get to preboard I'm usually the first one on the plane and I've started to talk to the pilots--"smooth flight today?" "Well, no. We'll be hitting some turbulence." Yesterday, after the pilot told me and I sighed a big sigh, he asked me--"Would you rather I lied to you?" Of course, I said yes, because I wanted that moment of knowing everything would be fine, but then I said no, because the truth is always better, right?

They Way I See It

2011-02-03T15:36:00.000-08:00

My friend Dave, an amazing mastering engineer, always questions the angles of my drive-by shots. He wonders why I can't seem to shoot straight. Why my images are never level. His question has made me wonder and I've thought about it a lot and I've realized something--I don't view the world straight on--I'm always looking at an angle.

Whether walking or driving, I'm always looking up. Watch out if I have a sun roof! And granted, this may be a little dangerous while walking. (I have tripped and run into stationary objects while glancing up.) It's probably more dangerous while driving, but have you ever looked at that keen angle? That one that takes you straight up the edge of the building, up a zillion floors ? It goes forever and ever. The cast of the shadows, the colors of the buildings, the reflections on the windows in the afternoon light--you can't get that straight on.

Time Flies

2011-02-01T10:07:00.001-08:00

I'm not really sure how it's suddenly February, 2011 and the last time I posted anything was almost a year ago. How to wrap up a year in a few, concise words? Hmm... Well, as some of you know my drive-by shooting has been slightly hampered for about 11 months. I am no longer free to stick my camera out the window while driving down Wilshire Boulevard or along the streets of San Francisco. I have replaced my Nikon D200 with a tiny, lightweight Canon PowerShoot. The roads are now safe as I travel because I almost always only whip out my camera while stuck in traffic, at a stop sign or stop light. Well usually, unless it's something spectacular! Very rarely on the freeway. (That fact should make most of you feel much better about your safety. I must admit though--I love Bob Ludwig! Unlike most of you chickens, he thinks it would be fun to drive with me while I'm out shooting!)

My last year has seen a lot of time in Los Angeles (it's been suggested that maybe I should rent a room somewhere in the Southland). Golf, poker, golf, golf, awards shows, Anaheim, Carlsbad, Nashville, Chicago, Los Angeles, Venice, Malibu. And shooting, shooting, shooting! Drive-by, fly-by and walk-by. I can't get enough of it! When I look at my hundreds of images from each trip I always stumble upon something I never noticed before. Whether it's the angle of the shot (yes Dave, I always shoot at an angle) or the lighting--something makes that shot, that moment totally unique.

2011 holds the promise to be even busier and more exciting. I've started things off with a bang by entering a photo competition called Urban Landscape. Now, I don't hold out much hope of being selected. After all, how much talent does it take to stick your arm out the window and shoot? But I figured why not. These five photos are the ones I entered. We'll see what happens...

I am totally optimistic about this year. I am ready for more and more travel. I need more places to drive-by and shoot. So far, so good. I travel down to LA next week. I'll be shooting my usual SWA wing shots while flying (you can stop laughing now Luke) and then record my wanderings in Burbank, LA and Venice. Should be fun...

Clouds of Wonder

2010-02-08T20:14:00.000-08:00

I'm a Summer kind of person. I thrive on Daylight Savings Time. I crave those extra hours of sun. January 2 should be the first day of Spring as far as I'm concerned. But the weather stays cold, the skies stay gray and it keeps raining.

Now I know that we need rain. That we're facing a drought. And early mornings when the household is sleeping, I love to hear the sound of rain on the roof. But come on!! I need some blue sky and sun!!

I have found an upside to the rain though. It's when the rain stops and the sun makes it's way through the clouds. Suddenly we're looking at crystal clear beautiful blue skies and puffy clouds, and I'm off. I've become a "Cloud Chaser." Sunday morning I told the trash out just as the sky was showing the beginnings of blue and the clouds were amazing! So I grabbed my camera (thankful that my children had been to lazy to take out the garbage the night before), and started driving and shooting. It was beautiful.

But driver beware! It's one thing to drive and shoot through your windshield, but it's another thing entirely to shoot the sky. You're constantly looking up. I do almost all my driving and shooting at stop lights or along the side of the road. There is so much beauty, so much wonderment, it's almost impossible to drive and shoot. But even stopped and shooting, the sky is an amazing thing. I'm always happy to drive-by.

Fly-By...Drive-By...I'm Just Shooting

2010-02-01T20:29:00.000-08:00

I was in LA last week. I went down to attend the Grammy party at the Village and to meet with people and to drum up some business. But, if truth be told, I went to shoot...

I was not happy Tuesday morning as I sat at the Oakland airport. It was raining and I was flying. Bad combination. But, two weeks earlier in Anaheim it had been raining, and once we got through the initial shaking, the sky was beautiful, and hardly any turbulence. So what could go wrong this trip? Ha! Don't tempt faith!!

After sitting through 3 hours of plane-shaking, panic-inducing turbulence and thoughts of imminent death on my 55-minute flight, somehow we landed safely and I was off!! First to Avis. NO, I do NOT want the brand new Camaro. Have you looked through the windshield? Barely enough room to hold a camera lens pressed against it. I want my Ford Focus with sun roof!

Now five days of driving bliss. I was afraid that having a GPS would cramp my style. Because, afterall, I've gotten some of my best shots while lost. But I still got lost. And when I wasn't lost, I was relaxed, knowing that my friendly GPS would get me to where I was going--eventually.

And the sun came out. I drove along the Miracle Mile. I drove to North Hollywood. I drove to Beverly Hills. Santa Monica. Pasadena. Venice. Malibu. I drove and drove and drove. Camera in hand, in between meetings. Shot after shot. It was a perfect trip. Perfect weather. Five days and 1,680 images. I filled up my 4 GB card in the air on the way back to Oakland.

I've missed my traveling and shooting. But it's a new year, new events, more traveling. Some places will be the same, but the shots are always different. And some places will be new. It's always an adventure and always fun. (Well mostly...except for the flying...)

Fly-By Shooting

2010-01-22T21:44:00.000-08:00

When I first started my event production company, one of the first things I started doing was bringing my camera with me on all my trips to Los Angeles to fight the boredom of sitting in so much traffic. Hours upon hours of crawling along freeways and surface streets, usually lost, always able to document my travels and so started my Drive-By Shooting series.

I'm sure that most of you know how afraid I am of flying, which is totally ironic because I am flying all the time . So now I enter the plane with my iPod blaring and camera in hand. As the plane takes off, if I'm lucky, the flight attendants have not asked me to turn off my iPod.

And as the plane starts to taxi down the runway and my hands start to shake and my heart tries to pound it's way out of my chest, when I know that I can get no more messages of reassurance from any friend, no more calm voice on the phone telling me to breath and that I'll be fine, as the wheels start to come off the ground, that's when I pull out my camera and start shooting.

I was in Anaheim last week for NAMM. It was raining in Northern California all week before I left, but thankfully it stopped raining long enough to get down to sunny Southern California. But no such luck on my return trip. It was dark. It was cold. It was rainy. And no one to tell me that lightning was NOT going to strike my plane or that flying through big, angry, dark clouds and the turbulence associated with it, was going to be fine. So iPod blaring again, I sit at the window, right on top of the wing, watching the rain fly at the window. The plane takes off and it's shaking!

But what kind of pictures can you take when everything is dark gray. You can't. Or at least I can't. So I pretend to read and all my senses are being numbed anyway because my music is so loud in my ears. And the plane is shaking and I feel like throwing up. But then suddenly I see blue skies and sunshine and white puffy clouds and everything is alright with the world. I pull out my camera and start shooting. And it's beautiful. The light, the colors, the clouds. It's okay. Sure, we hit more turbulence, but I'm shooting and distracted, and when we start to descend into Oakland and it's dark and gray again, I'm fine. I know we're landing in just a couple of minutes (and hopefully not in the Bay), and now I just want to get home and see what images I was able to get. Not that when I board my plane next week that I won't be scared to death again. I just need to remember--I need to look for the beauty.

Doing What I Love

2009-12-23T20:06:00.000-08:00

I've been home and working since November. I've gone into San Francisco more times than I can count--driving and on BART. I've taken picture after picture after picture of the Bay Bridge, downtown San Francisco, Oakland, the Caldecott Tunnel. I need a change of venue. I can't wait for NAMM! How funny is that? I can't wait to be in the airplane so I can start shooting!!

Granted, Anaheim may not be the most exciting place to shoot, and I won't be driving, but you never know. And with NAMM will start my new year of travel. I'm not sure where I'll be--LA for sure. Nashville, Vegas, New York? Wherever work calls me. But one thing I know for certain--I'll never be without my camera, doing half of what I love--shooting, while in pursuit or doing what I love equally--putting on events!!

Remember what Eleanor Roosevelt said, "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." Here's to a fun, exciting prosperous 2010!!

Is It Art?

2009-12-13T11:33:00.000-08:00

I have this ongoing debate with some friends about whether or not my photographs are art. I don't consider it art and I don't consider myself artistic. What I do is all luck. It's totally fun. It's extremely relaxing. I have definitely learned certain ways to point the camera, how to try to get a certain angle. But it's the luck of timing and the odds 0f numbers.

I'm never sure what I'll find when I upload my images. Years and years ago I watched a special on TV about the making of the swimsuit issue for Sports Illustrated. The one thing that stayed in my mind the most was the number of images the photographers took. Thousands and thousands of shots in pursuit of that one perfect image.

I tried to do that with film, but it was very expensive. Digital images though--I can shoot hundreds and hundreds--no problem!! So, it's all about the odds, right? If I shoot 900 images, I'm bound to get at least one that I like. And it's usually one that I had no idea that I had...an angle, a building, a section of freeway that I don't even remember shooting.

But whether or not you consider it art, whether or not I think I'm artistic, in the end it doesn't matter. It's the process that matters the most to me. It's seeing things in a different way when I'm driving or taking BART or a cab or walking. It's actually SEEING what I'm passing and how the most ordinary objects can be so fascinating.

Not Driving, But Not Hyperventilating Either. Just Shooting

2009-10-31T22:45:00.000-07:00

Know me? Know my fear of flying...So now that I'm trying to fly drug-free (don't ask me why...), it's a blasting iPod and shooting out windows that gets me through that 1 hour and 15 minutes or 5 hours and 40 minutes. It's actually pretty interesting--what you can see out your window. Usually. Well mostly. If my iPod is loud enough it almost cancels out the turbulence...Well, not really, but I can pretend...

Now I'm just waiting for JetBlue and Southwest Airlines to decide that I should be their official photographer. Even though I am scared to death of flying (I know...I know...irrational fear. Believe me, I've heard it all before...), it would be totally cool to spend time shooting out windows. An interesting way to see the country...

Driving Never Lost In NYC

2009-10-31T22:08:00.000-07:00

The whole point of me driving and shooting is the whole adventure of driving and shooting. Since I'm trying to pay attention to where I'm going and not be lost any more then absolutely necessary, it's always exciting to see what photos I actually end up with. It's just constant shooting through my windows, the sunroof--wherever there's glass.

So when I was getting ready to go to New York for AES, I was bitterly disappointed to think that I would not have an opportunity to drive and shoot in New York City (even though I know that many people who heard I would not be attempting that feat were extremely happy--Robert Scovill). So what to do? I can't travel anymore and not shoot...

So, I did what was second best. I drove in cabs and shot. I walked the streets and shot. What an experience! I must say though, that given the choice of me driving and shooting or having a cabbie drive while I'm shooting--if you're looking for the safer version, I would say it's a toss up...really...

But there is something to be said about the freedom of just looking and shooting. I was never lost (in fact, I was never really sure where I was, but I always ended up in the right place). New York is an amazing place to take pictures. Even the garbage cans looked good. And all those tall buildings. It was great.

But I have to admit, my favorite place to shoot--Javits. I've been going to the Jacob Javits Convention Center every other year for about 22 years. But not once have I noticed how beautiful it is. I made my way down to the South Concourse and just started looking up. I'm sure my mouth dropped open. How could I have always missed this beautiful sight? What have I been looking at all these years?

I was only in New York for four days. I spent a lot of time working in my hotel room or at the Javits Center, but the time I was outside I shot. I came home with almost 1,000 photos. The flight to NYC, the flight home and everything else I could shoot. I need another trip!! I love shooting. Time to get lost in Los Angeles again. Just two more weeks and I'm on my way. I get to shoot while flying and who knows where I'll end in the Southland. It definitely won't be as easy as sitting in the back of a cab and shooting, but if it was always easy--why do it??

Driving in San Francisco

2009-09-26T14:31:00.000-07:00

It's always the same, but it's always different. Usually when I drive into San Francisco I'm going to the same place to a meeting with the same people. I take the same route. I'm afraid to vary it too much, since I have a tendency to get lost...And I always take my camera.

The weather may be different--sunny and warm or gray and foggy, maybe rainy. There may be tons of traffic. It may be clear sailing. But my route never varies. So what I find so interesting is that when I get home and upload my photos, I always see something that I didn't see the last trip. As I sift through the hundreds of photos that are blurred or of blue sky, I'll stumble upon an angle of a beam or the shine of the sun off a glass building that is so completely different then what I've seen before, even if I've shot the same section of the bridge or same building dozens of times before.

Driving Lost in LA...Again

2009-09-20T22:47:00.000-07:00

Driving lost...well if you read my blog or follow me on Facebook at all, you'll know that it's nothing new for me. I am in a constant state of being lost, somewhere...san francisco, nashville, los angeles, burbank, westlake village..

my last trip though was the most time i've spent in a car in la and it was a combination of lots of ground to cover, lots of traffic and driving lost...day one--lax to burbank, studio city, sherman oaks, hollywood, venice...in the car at 11:30. in venice by 7:30. friday afternoon. oh, and there was that unexpected tour of encino...

sure i had mapquest for the first place i was going and then BB Navigator, but i couldn't get it to work. it was a very LONG afternoon. BUT, i found lots of drive-throughs and I had a sun roof, my iPOD and lots of time.

which was good, except for when i started to get a little hungry and cranky when i couldn't find hollywood and saw signs for encino. i still don't know where encino is. it has no relation to anything i am familiar with. but i was told that it's a long way from hollywood. in fact, it's the opposite way. so turn around and try again. thanks to a friend of mine who texted me back after my desperate plea for help.

Day 2: Venice, Santa Monica, Malibu, Westlake Village, Los Angeles and back to Venice. Easy!! no, not easy...Sure, venice, santa monica, malibu--beautiful, easy...westlake village--no problem. and i knew that downtown LA would be no problem because the guy at the golf shop told me if i just stayed on 101 and took the figueroa exit, i'd be where i needed to be. easy. except i never saw a figueroa exit, but i did see downtown la fading in the background in my rear view mirror. hours and hours later i made it back to venice.

but i did learn something--when in doubt, don't use mapquest, don't use BB navigator. ask your friends on FB! Day 3: Burbank, Hollywood, Venice. I wasn't sure about what street to take to get back to venice and within seconds after posting on FB, i was home free!!

But here's the thing about driving lost...it gives me lots of opportunity to shoot. shoot things that otherwise i wouldn't see. early morning fog, evening sunsets...good parts of town and parts of town i shouldn't be lost in. but then i look at the images that i got by sticking my arm out the window and i'm amazed. what luck to drive lost and be able to see such beauty...

i'm actually pretty fortunate to have this opportunity and i'm especially lucky to have people following me enough to be able to help me out of a jam and get me going in the right direction...

Shooting While Flying

2009-09-05T17:35:00.000-07:00

So if you know me at all, you know I am terrified of flying! I can't figure out if it's worse to have no stress and get to the airport in plenty of time to park and get through security but then have to wait in the terminal and stress out about flying, or to run late, just make it through security and run for the gate, not knowing if i'll actually make my flight and stressing out about that.

A friend of mine recommends getting there early, so less stress. BUT, what about all my anxiety that happens while I sit at the gate waiting for my flight. Don't think about it, he says. Easier said then done...

So my new way of trying to fly with less stress (without the benefits of drugs or alcohol) is to shoot out the window while flying. Now I sit over the wing (where someone told me there was less turbulence--NO, not true...), turn my iPOD as high as possible so i can't hear anything the flight attendants or pilots are saying about bad weather and start shooting. It's actually kind of cool, but some windows are definitely better to shoot out of then others. How do they get so scratched up? And then try using a polarizing filter while shooting...quite a challenge for me...

Shooting while flying has been a lot of fun--usually. Except that now i get really good close-up views of the wings shaking when we hit turbulence. That's when i squeeze my eyes shut and tighten my seat belt (which i NEVER undo while in the air). And there was that time flying into LA when i was getting these great shots of all these homes when I suddenly realized that i was looking straight down, which meant that the plane's wing was pointed straight down. I slowly backed away from the window, put my camera down and tightened my seat belt...

Buildings

2009-09-04T18:20:00.000-07:00

While i'm driving i pass lots of buildings. i usually never know what's inside. i can never find the building i'm looking for. But the tall ones...the really tall ones...at stop lights i turn my head and peer through my open car window trying to see the top. i stick my camera out and point straight up and start shooting. my favorite buildings are the ones with all glass. the sunlight reflects off of them and can blind you completely. but you also get to see the building across the street mirrored in the glass...i guess i should stop looking up and start looking forward and drive...

Bridges

2009-09-04T17:57:00.000-07:00

The most fascinating thing for me about bridges is usually the body of water that i'm going over. It's almost always the San Francisco Bay. And it's one of three bridges--the San Rafael-Richmond, Bay Bridge or the Dumbarton. I love seeing the Bay--the sail boats, the ships, the wind surfers, the water--it's amazing how the water can be so many different colors.

But now as I travel over the bridges, it's not always the water i'm looking at, but rather the actual structure of the bridge itself. Have you ever really looked at the different components of bridges? It's amazing and totally cool! As I stick my arm out the window in hopes of getting a close up of a particularly interesting metal angle, my biggest hope is that i don't drop my camera...

bridges & freeways

2009-07-03T20:53:00.000-07:00

i never thought i would want to take pictures of anything except people. i love portraits. so it's a complete shock to me now that i am so fascinated by the hardscape. and it's all been completely by accident. but i love it. shooting while i drive surprises me. since i hardly ever look through the viewfinder while i'm driving, i'm never really sure what i'm capturing. lots of times it's nothing--clear blue sky, tip-tops of trees, out-of-focus building. but sometimes...it's amazing. sometimes i see images of things i don't even remember driving by or somehow the perfect angle or tiny piece of a building or overpass is framed perfectly.

Looking Out The Window

2009-06-26T21:54:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine told me the other day that no one likes pictures of overpasses. they're not like pictures of train tracks or bridges. but the point for me is that i like overpasses. Since i started shooting while driving i have become more aware of the life that is framed through the glass that keeps us safely inside while looking out. Shooting from my car has made me come to appreciate so much that used to seem mundane. whether it's the smooth, sweet curve of the overpass or the bright red of the traffic lights against the fog-filled sky. even the tar of the roads seems so much more. and after months and months of shooting from my car, i've come to realize that i can feel the same way shooting through other windows.

Flying takes on a whole new meaning when i have my camera pointing out the window--shooting. sure, watching the wings vibrate when we hit some turbulence or realizing that i'm facing straight down as the plane turns to approach the runway doesn't help my flying apprehension at all, but have you ever noticed how beautiful the clouds are or how bright the orange is on the southwest planes?

i got lost on BART the other day. i jumped on the wrong train and had my iPod blasting and was emailing on my blackberry and didn't notice where i was until about an hour into my trip i looked up and realized i was not on the right line. so i got on the right train and looked out the window so i wouldn't miss my transfer spot. and looking through the window i wished i had my camera. what great views--the backside of the coliseum, the chain-link fences, the old buildings and the overpasses--they were beautiful and so close. it just made me want to get back on BART with my camera and get lost, but this time to be able to see everything through the lens of my camera.

Lost Again in Santa Monica, Hollywood and LA

2009-06-20T20:38:00.000-07:00

I love being down in Venice and santa monica. close enough to the beach to hear the waves and smell the salt air. which is great, because rarely do i have the time to actually take a stroll on the sand. i leave in the morning usually headed east into hollywood or la. i've been down there enough over the past 6 months that i kind of know where i'm going. unfortunately for me, a little knowledge is dangerous...

anyone who knows me knows i have a tendency to run late. the problem is extremely exaggerated in la, because i think i know where i'm going and i think i understand the traffic, but i don't, on either account. but getting lost gives me plenty of time to take pictures. and this trip i had a sun roof! shooting out of the top of my car!

Recording Industry Poker Tournament!!

2009-06-16T07:44:00.000-07:00

Come join host Dave Reitzas as 120 of the industry's top producers, engineers, musicians and manufacturers come together for an afternoon of fun, luck, and skill for the first-ever L.A. Recording Industry No Limit Texas Hold ‘Em Charity Poker Tournament at the World Famous Village Recording Studios.

Players of all skill levels are invited to register for the tournament and will be competing for an amazing assortment of recording-related prizes being donated by some of the best companies in the industry. Don't think that you have to be an expert to come play. It's basically an afternoon where people from our industry will be able to hang out, have a friendly competition and compete for cool prizes. Plus, you'll have the nice feeling that your buy-in will be going to a good cause.

Proceeds raised will benefit Sound Art L.A. (http: //www.soundartla.org). Sound Art provides a musicaloutlet for children desperate for self-expression. They engage children of all ages in music education giving them access to the tools of popular music and the guidance of professional musicians as instructors. With Sound Art, students awaken creativity, discover their voices and experience success. To register, go to www.ri-pt.net.

Venice Sunset

2009-06-12T21:59:00.000-07:00

Granted--i love shooting while driving, but my first love has always been the beach (in or out of a car). One thing that as happened as a result of me having my own business is that i've been traveling a lot more, with lots of trips to LA. These shots were taken in February at Venice Beach. I just happened to get back from my meetings as the sun was setting. And even though i usually just DRIVE by the beach when i'm in town, this time i parked my car and ran down to the beach, camera in hand.

audio masters in nashville

2009-06-08T15:42:00.000-07:00

what a fun, fun tournament. two days of madness and moonshine. nicole cochran (tournament director) was happy to let me drive. her friend spoon was not so happy when i was driving and talking on my blackberry. i didn't bring out my camera though...

driving lost in san francisco

2009-06-06T08:27:00.000-07:00

a friend of mine asked me how i could get lost in san francisco. sure, i've lived in the bay area for a long time, and yes, i actually lived in san francisco for a couple of years. but the one thing i've become pretty certain of the more time i spend in the car is that i'm capable of getting lost anywhere. it's really no problem for me...

no, i don't have a gps system. i sometimes print out mapquest and try to read that while i'm driving and holding my camera and checking my blackberry (not too convenient). i have navigator on my phone, but it continues to take me to the wrong address. but the bottom line is--i'm going to figure out where i'm going all by myself. it may take longer, but i'll get there...eventually...but being lost always offers more opportunities to take photos!

there is the stress factor though. i was supposed to meet a friend of mine for lunch in los angeles in a part of town i had never been in. he's very punctual. as you can imagine--i'm not. and then, of course, i was running late, and freaking out. so i had my mapquest on the seat next to me and my navigator set on my phone. i only missed the restaurant once. drove right by it. but i was on time (who knew...). i guess the odds were on my side

Driving Under Overpasses

2009-06-05T18:18:00.000-07:00

I never really thought about form and function much when i was in the car, but then when i started driving with my camera, the everyday started to change. And what had seemed normal, now seemed fascinating when looking through my viewfinder. overpasses? i've never thought about them. but suddenly, i find them fascinating! the curves, the flow, the height. i think they're beautiful!

so now, whether i'm in los angeles, nashville or san francisco, i eagerly anticipate the shots i can get as i drive down the freeways in whatever town i'm in. and if there's traffic--that's even better--as long as i get stuck with an unobstructed view of that amazing piece on concrete!

okay, i know this isn't an overpass, but i love it. it's part of the richmond bridge...

Zach's Bar Mitzvah

2009-06-05T14:32:00.000-07:00

This was fun! Saturday Zach was bar mitzvahed in san francisco. zach had a lot of family present so we were able to get lots of fun photos on the median strip outside the temple. fun day and very nice people.

Driving Lost in Nashville

2009-05-29T20:46:00.001-07:00

I've never been to Nashville. In fact, I've never been anywhere in the south. I was convinced that Tennessee was in the Midwest (native californian that i am), but i was told in no uncertain terms that it's the south. so i was totally confused when i found out that it's in the central time zone...

i went back to check out another audio industry golf tournament that i had heard about for years. Audio Masters. It was a fun two days and i was able to meet and hang out with an amazing woman--nicole cochran, tournament director for the event.

nashville is a very cool place. the people are really nice. everything is lush and green. the music is amazing. i even had some great sushi. but the humidity was killing me.

luckily diet coke and mcdonalds were right down the street from my hotel!

TEC LA Open Golf Tournament

2009-05-28T10:03:00.000-07:00

My first event as my new company--the 14th Annaul TEC LA Open, held May 11, at the Malibu Country Club. The weather was perfect. The golfers were happy. A good time was had by all!!

KMD Productions was the tequila cart sponsor, so I had custom shot glasses made and we made toasts throughout the day!!

Paula Salvatore (l, studio manager at capital studios) and elizabeth grousse, owner of sugar mama's cupcakes (and official cupcake sponsor of the tournament). Sweet treats!!

My next event is a charity poker tournament in Los Angeles on July 19. Email for info!

Driving in LA

2009-03-15T20:46:00.000-07:00

It was a lot of driving over a couple of days and I'm still not sure where i was all the time, but it was always fun. Even the traffic didn't bother me!!

Early Morning Driving

2009-03-10T17:49:00.000-07:00

It's dark and it's cold at 6:30 (oh--7:30) in the morning, but the light is beautiful!!

Driving on Saturday

2009-03-07T17:28:00.000-08:00

The first sunny day in weeks and everyone was out driving. Crowded with cars, bikes and pedestrians.

Driving at Dusk

2009-03-06T20:09:00.001-08:00

Driving and shooting is one thing. But there's a whole new level when you drive, shoot and then look at the view finder. Not really recommended...

Driving Around

2009-03-06T19:36:00.001-08:00

Driving In Circles (In Tunnels)

2009-03-06T11:44:00.000-08:00

Driving to Bowling (Driving in Circles Series)

2009-03-04T09:21:00.000-08:00

Nathan is taking a bowling class for school. Sometimes he gets to go the bowling alley two times a day. Funny, I don't remember having bowling as part of my high school curriculum.

Driving in Circles #3

2009-02-27T21:39:00.001-08:00

"Driving in Circles" 2

2009-02-27T10:51:00.000-08:00

"Driving In Circles"

2009-02-27T10:22:00.000-08:00

I'm spending lots of time in cars lately--driving! So I decided to record my everyday life behind the wheel. Let me know what you think!

My Big Announcement!!

2009-01-28T15:56:00.000-08:00

I am pleased to announce the launch of KMD Productions, a full-service event coordination, management and photography service for businesses and individuals. Whether you’re looking to put on a gala awards show or an intimate cocktail party, let KMD Productions do the work, while you focus on the guests. And lets not forget the photos!! Now I'll have more time to devote to working with my other passion--photography. For more details please visit www.kmdpro.com!!

Lisa's Bat Mitzvah

2009-01-02T16:19:00.001-08:00

Julia's Bat Mitzvah

2009-01-02T16:00:00.000-08:00

Okay, I admit it! I've been kind of a slacker. I have neglected my blog. But life has been crazy and blogging took kind of a back seat. But!! It's a new year and change is in the air. Stay tuned to for my big announcement next week!!

Even though my photograpy work has slowed down, I participated in two bat mitzvah's last month. The two ceremonies and parties really had nothing in common, other then the fact they were both a lot of fun and filled with caring people and really amazing 13-yr old girls!

Family Portraits

2008-10-11T14:54:00.000-07:00

I've taken pictures of these two sisters every couple of years for several years now and they remain two of my favorite subjects. They are so relaxed in front of the camera, it makes my job easy. It's been fun to watch them grow up over the years. Mom and dad decided to join the act this time around!

It Was Cold & Windy

2008-10-11T13:46:00.001-07:00

But so exciting to watch!

More Water Polo

2008-10-11T13:36:00.000-07:00

Early morning at the pool. What could be better?

The Many Moods of Wyatt

2008-10-06T09:50:00.001-07:00

High School Water Polo

2008-10-06T09:15:00.000-07:00

You've got to love it! What an amazing sport!

The Girls

2008-09-12T18:45:00.000-07:00

I love, love, love these girls! It was quite a change from spending a few hours with my boys!

Relay for Life

2008-09-12T18:10:00.000-07:00

I had the extreme honor last month to attend the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life event in Palo Alto and take portraits of the ladies in purple! Thank you all for being so accommodating and patient! Here are just a few of those beautiful ladies.

Summer Kids

2008-09-07T11:10:00.000-07:00

I've met some great kids this summer! Here are a few of them.

Head Shots Offer

2008-09-06T20:39:00.000-07:00

I am working with Town Hall Theater, a wonderful nonprofit community theater in Lafayette, and offering a reduced rate photo session for head shots. A portion of the fee will go back to Town Hall. Please email me me if you're interested.

New Photography Service…Headshots!
• Are you looking for headshots for your aspiring actor or actress? Headshots are required for most middle‐school and high‐school acting programs, and a “must” for anyone considering auditions professionally.

• Local portrait photographer (and Town Hall Kids mom) Karen Margroff Dunn is offering her services to Town Hall Kids families.

• The fee is $50 (with a portion going to Town Hall). Karen will do a series of shots, and you can choose your 2 favorite images online, which are included in the cost. Other photographers charge much more for this type of service.

• Each image will be provided to you in color and black & white.

• Choose from one of two dates for your photo shoot: Saturday September 13 or Sunday September 14 at a location of your choice.

• For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact Karen directly at (925) 708-0307 or email karenportraits@aol.com

Hawaii in the Suburbs!

2008-09-06T20:28:00.000-07:00

Jill & Tim's Wedding

2008-09-06T15:52:00.000-07:00

Summer was so incredibly busy! But how could it be over so fast? I can't believe the kids are back in school. Actually, they can't believe it either!! But finally, things are starting to quiet down. I was so busy most of Summer that I neglected just about everything that wasn't an emergency, including my blog. I was busy working and shooting a wedding, head shots, family portraits and LOTS of swimming. It was great fun and I hope over the next few days I'll be able to post some of my work. My first post will be Jill & Tim's Hawaiian-themed wedding. What fun! It was very sweet and very intimate. And I got to take picture barefooted. I was in heaven. Hope you enjoy them!

Swim Season

2008-08-01T21:57:00.000-07:00

I have had a really fun few weeks taking lots of swim pictures at some big meets. It's really exciting to watch these kids in the water. They're enthusiastic, excited, funny and just fun to be around. Taking all these pictures has also been very educational. I'm not really sure why I always seem to be on the wrong side of the pool when the kids are breathing during freestyle. And those tiny kids that can go almost the whole length of the pool with only one breath makes it kind of hard to get that great fly or breaststroke shot! This weekend is another two very full days of swimming--and I can't wait to see what shots i get!

Summer!!

2008-07-16T18:11:00.000-07:00

It's definitely summer and I've been enjoying myself poolside. Last weekend I was in Clayton at the Devil Mountain Pentathlon. Next weekend it's Crossings. It's really amazing to see how good so many of these young swimmers are and how much fun they can have in between their swims. And what a great way to stay cool!

I Love Swimming!

2008-07-13T19:39:00.001-07:00

I love summer swimming! This weekend I was set up at the Devil Mountain Pentathlon and took pictures of swimmers for two days! It was a lot of fun and I got to see some great swims! Stayed tuned for some photos from the two days of water.

Oh Yea... The Swimming

2008-07-02T17:44:00.001-07:00

and the boredom breakers!

Big Swim Weekend!

2008-07-02T17:27:00.000-07:00

7 a.m. to 3 or 4 p.m. for two days at the pool this weekend. Luckily the smoke was almost gone and it was easier to breathe! And the weather was just about perfect! But the days are really long, so the kids try to distract themselves by eating, fooling around with other swimmers or inviting their girlfriends (or boyfriends) to hang out! The parents just hang out. Get their kids to the Clerk of the Course and rush to the pool to see that 30 seconds (or 2 minutes) of glory!

More Kid Time

2008-06-17T15:18:00.001-07:00

Why is it that b&w is such a timeless effect? I love shooting in color--to see the richness of all the different hues, but then when I see a b&w, it always seems so beautiful. There seems to be no age with b&w, nothing seems dated. But you can have fun with color...

It's Summer!!

2008-06-15T13:45:00.001-07:00

How could you not like summer? Yesterday was a wonderful example of a perfect summer day. Not so burning hot that you could barely breathe outside, but warm enough to enjoy it barefooted or soping wet from the pool! And it was perfect weather for photos! I was finally able to take pictures of Madeleine, Henry and Catherine. Here are a few. More to come!

Yoga Books

2008-06-12T20:59:00.000-07:00

Here is the new yoga instructional book by Howard VanEs and my second collaboration with Howard (I took all the photos inside). The last book was about tight shoulders and yoga movements to help relieve them. I love the books and there are a ton of photos (which I like) that really help illustrate the text. This kind of photography is much more technical. Everything has to be perfect, which kind of runs contrary to my usual portrait photography! If you would like more information about the books, check out http://www.letsdoyoga.com/. Howard also teaches yoga classes in the area and is a great instructor. Check him out!

Photo Deal!

2008-06-03T10:33:00.000-07:00

I've been busy lately with different kinds of projects, but I'm really missing taking pictures of kids (the best subjects ever)! And now the weather is so nice. Perfect for wonderful outdoor photos--not too hot, not too cold! Everything is blooming. So I'm going to offer a deal to the first 5 people that respond to this post. Post a comment or email me at KarenPortraits@aol.com and I'll drop 50% off my sitting fee if you book a sitting by the end of the month! With all the parks and pools and natural areas that surround us, we'll be sure to get some great photos! Bring the kids, the dogs and the grandparents. It'll be a blast AND a great way to start off the summer!!

Masks on The Wall

2008-05-31T14:41:00.000-07:00

I was asked to take photos of some masks that were done for a fundraiser for an amazing local theater-Town Hall Theater Company in Lafayette (http://www.thtc.org/index.html). Not exactly the kind of job I do everyday, so I was a little nervous. But the masks are beautiful! There are 13 altogether, each with a different theme and colors. They're on display right now in the theater and will be available this summer on ebay. Check them out!

School Photos in the City

2008-05-29T22:35:00.000-07:00

I just spent the last two days with my friend Nancy (pictured above), a great graphic designer in San Francisco (http://www.windesheimdesign.com/), working on a project in the schools. Nancy art-directed the shots at a preschool, elementary school, middle school and high school. It's really wonderful to work with someone who knows what they want and how to get it. We met a lot of great teachers and administrators and all the kids were a lot of fun. More to come...

Missed Opportunities

2008-05-26T11:56:00.000-07:00

I was supposed to take pictures of Bryn's kids yesterday. Bryn and I have been friends for about 10 years and over the decade I have taken pictures periodically of her children. This is one of our first photo sessions many years ago! Somehow though, as the kids get older, and with school and after-school activities, it gets harder and harder to schedule a time for photos. We have been making plans to get together for about 6 months. I think I broke off our last get-together. I don't even remember why anymore. But we were ready for our shoot yesterday. It was a weekend. No school. No swim meet. No baseball. No taekwondo. Perfect! Well, not really...I got an email from Bryn that she sent at 4:30 a.m. Catherine (the youngest) had been throwing up for hours.
She sent her email minutes after Catherine's projectile vomiting just missed her face. Bryn really wasn't interested in having lasting memories of that night. So we're rescheduling, again...

What I've never understood, even after having three of my own, is why do kids get sick in the middle of the night? Things are always worse in the dark AND there is never anything good on TV.

Cole

2008-05-23T12:35:00.000-07:00

Cole was a lot of fun! There was no way he was going to sit to get his photo taken. He was definitely a man on a mission!!

2008-05-22T16:55:00.000-07:00

Well I've finally decided to try my hand at blogging. I figured that I could combine it with my love of photography! My favorite subject? Kids! Please let me know what you think. I'm always looking for input. Thanks

Summer's coming

2008-05-22T16:11:00.000-07:00