Japanese Gardens, Van Nuys CA Family Photos

Mark, Bodie and I headed to the Japanese Gardens for a family photoshoot. I'd lived in Van Nuys forever but I had never made it to the gardens. Today was the day!

As we made our way to the gift shop to purchase our tickets, Bodie was full of excitement - a huge smile on his face. He had just run up and down the ramp like a wildman but they couldn't have seen that could they!

One look at us and the very nice woman selling ticketssaid in a tone that reminded me of my Gramdma Russell, "Have you ever been here before?" We shook our heads in the negative.

"Be careful of the lake, but it shouldn't be a problem...the one rule is you must not go off the path...so I'm sure it will be fine."

Uh Oh.

One Rule...Don't go off the path!

We made it 300 feet down the path and turned back to the car.

Bodie, in all his exuberance strayed off the path time and time again....perfectly raked pebbles were tossed around as we dragged him back onto the dirt path. Dragged. Yes dragged...little man did not want to be picked up and would go limp everytime we tried to take his hand to lead him away from the unguarded areas off the path.

Such is life!

Happily I was able to grab a few photos before we went next door and let him run loose in the open park area with no pond and no path.

I threw together a quick story board of our very brief visit and then decided to add a photo of B from February of 2011! It was one of the first photos I captured with him smiling...and to see him growing up just makes me so incredibly happy. I can't wait for more smiles and another try at the gardens!

Live and Learn!

Springs Preserve Engagement Shoot ~ Las Vegas

It was cold and grey at Springs Preserve in Las Vegas when Karie and Geoff arrived. We had yet to meet in person and had arranged an engagement shoot in Las Vegas while I was in town visiting my family. They are a refreshingly down-to-earth couple.

Karie is a true original and Geoff has the best sense of playfulness ever! Karie's choices for her engagement ring and wedding dress are creatively unique and above all else, they are true to her warmth and style. She is fun and relaxed with flowing blond hair and a perfect complexion!

As we walked around the Preserve I spoke of seeing David Copperfield, the fabulous magician/illusionist, at the Springs Preserve about five minutes before Karie and Geoff arrived! I was photographing some falcons from the Wings over the Springs show and pulled out my trusty SX-70. All of the sudden DC appears and animatedly starts talking about what a great camera the SX-70 is - then we got to discussing the Impossible Project Film. I mean really....could it be any cooler than meeting DC right before I start Karie and Geoff's engagement shoot?

I love this photo of Geoff - so relaxed!

They make an awesome pair!

I'm looking forward to their wedding in June, hope you stop by and take a look at the photos!

Polaroid Land Camera 330

Over the Christmas holidays I got to browse Ebay and set about finding some vintage Polaroid Land Cameras.  Score!  I am now the proud owner of lots of Land Cameras and I am setting about testing them all one by one and cleaning them up!  These beauties should not be hidden in attics across America.

I've always been a collector at heart and vintage cameras are one of my things.  As for all things Polaroid, I've been on a kick for a few months - starting with the SX-70 and it's stylish design, moving to the Polaroid Spectra and now finally the Land Cameras.

Bellows - Land Cameras have bellows! There is something to be said about opening up the camera, pulling out the bellows, loading film and then shooting.  It's a magical feeling!

The Impossible Project - A Few Before and After

The Family is back from Dallas where we enjoyed an early Christmas with Mark's family.  Bodie met all his cousins and we loved the time off to enjoy our family.  I'm still unpacking and didn't have much time to take out the Polaroid SX-70 for some family photos due to Bodie's illness - but that's a whole long story.  Suffice to say, he was able to join the family for Christmas dinner and gifts and we all made it back in one piece!  

the impossible project engagement photo question

Back for more? Awesome!


I pulled out my favorite Polaroid SX-70 for R&D's engagement shoot at Descanso Gardens and took a moment while we were in a dense forest like area to capture the sun gently highlighting Rebecca's face.  The Impossible Project film is very light and temperature sensitive and the film I was using, The Impossible Project's SX-70 Colorshade can be tricky. It was a cool day approximately 70 degrees F with bright sun. I have started a habit of taking the photo and immediately placing it under my arm to keep it warm for 30-45 seconds before putting it in my back pocket to continue developing. I have more testing to do but I do believe I could have just flipped it over onto my leg, held it there for 40 seconds and then put it into my pocket thus keeping it at a lower temperature which would have kept it from the high contrast (dark darks, light lights).



To see the difference in using instant film vs. digital, here is a photo taken one minute earlier with my Canon 5D



I've also included the version I ran thru Photoshop adding contrast and sharpening slightly which looks good on the web but would lack the vintage feel of the real thing if I printed for show.




More SX-70 love coming soon because I am loving it and want to share more!

My question to you is which one do you like best?