whatever you do, don't smile!

annie lebovitz tells beginning photographers to start by shooting the people around them — friends and family, people you're comfortable with and know — to get the hang of how to approach the world through a lens. the first people i shot when i started to get seriously into photography was my family, and more specifically, my nieces and nephews. and if there's anything i've learned from the millions of clicks i've clacked shooting the youngsters in my family is that kids have a mind their own (how dare they!) and it's rarely a mind that thinks "yes, i'd love to sit still and pose with a angelic smile on my face."

that's what i like about shooting kids. force them to pose and tell them to smile, you'll get stilted forced grimaces. let them run around (as they're wont to to) and tell them whatever you do DOONNN'T SMILE (!!!) and the personality comes out loud and clear. and that's what i love to capture - the exuberance and silliness and immediacy of being a kid.

two of my favorite subjects are my youngest nephews tyler and aidan. these two wouldn't sit still for a serious pose if you paid them in fruit snacks and legos. but tell them run around and DONNN'T SMILE and they appear, as they really are. a couple of rambunctious kids.

cheers-

d

Too Busy to Post!

Gosh, its been too long since my last post! So much going on we haven't had much time to blog, so here's one to tide you over!

RUN, don't walk, to your local newsstand and pick up a copy of Road Magazine's August 2010 issue! Flip on over to page 54 and check out my photo of world time trial champion Fabien Cancellara as he zooms past LA's Disney Concert Hall at the 2010 Amgen Tour of California bike race!

As with my photo from last year's TOC (the SF bridge see below), my trusty off camera flash was key to the success of the image. That, and again a ton of luck in having THE Fabien Cancellara pass only a few feet away from me. A couple other riders didn't see the turn coming and almost ran into the barriers. With time trials, sometimes its mere seconds that seperate the winner from the losers, so cutting the corners as close as possible means everything.

Cycling is such a thrill to watch... I grew up going to road and velodrome track races with my dad, so its in my blood. I can't think of another sport where fans can be inches from the atheletes... often running right along side them in the mountain stages, or in my case, laying on the ground on the curb in downtown LA, feeling the rush of wind and the buzz of the tires as they scream by, without a second to lose.

-Catherine

Bouncy Baby Castles

Went out to Balboa Park with Mark and April to do a pregnancy shoot a couple of weeks ago. Their daughter is due in July but given the hot weather in the valley in the summer months, we opted to do our session in the breazy month of May. The yellow mustard grass was in full bloom and served as a great late-spring backdrop, but don't go thinking that its easy to take good photos in a gorgeous location. There was a kids birthday party going on 100 feet from one of our spots, so I had to do my best to keep the kids bouncy-castle out of my frame.

Best wishes to Mark and April and their soon to be little girl! With any luck, they won't have to think about bouncy-castles for at least another 5 years.

-Catherine

Happiness Spelt with a B

Babycakesnyc recently opened a shoppe in downtown Los Angeles. I must say that a bakery that's adjacent to skid row takes a certain kind of person to brave. One night a few weeks ago I tried going (as they're open until 10pm) but after circling the desolate block twice trying to find a safe place to park, I gave up. I figured going mid-day yesterday would be safer but still I had to keep avoiding a crazy yelling crack addict when I tried parking. I'm happy to say it was SO worth the risk.

They're a 100% vegan + gluten free + soy free + refined sugar free, spelt-flour bake shop. And before you go thinking how gross everything must taste, I'll tell you that EVERYTHING was delicious. Okay, I didn't have everything, but the 4 treats I did get were out of this world super fantastico.

The brownie bight was moist and chewy and so chocolaty my eyes almost rolled back in my head. The texture of the chocolate chip cookie was like silt... and just melted in my mouth. The bisquit with homemade blueberry jam was RE-DICK-YOU-LUS. Some jams are cloyingly sweet... but this one was subtle and light. The cinnamon bun was perfect with my cuppa joe this AM. All in all, a successful trip!

And BEFORE you go thinking I ate it all at once, I didn't. Mostly. I did drive back home with my fingers sticky from jam, but I paced myself and even have half of the cinnamon bun left for tomorrow's breakfast. Babycakes won't be a weekly destination, but if I happen to be downtown, I'll definitely stop over for a treat. The sweets were all so good, maybe they're actually made with crack. That WOULD explain their dodgey location. Hmmm...

-Catherine

Four Eyes are Better than One

One of the most interesting things about shooting as a team is the anticipation of seeing one another's work after a session. Deanna and I have different styles so when we work together, its like having the same movie shot by two directors at the same time. Same cast, same set, but a totally different take on the subject. Or, in musical terms, we're the "ebony and ivory" of photographic teams.

We usually review all the images together after a session and curse one another for getting the "best" shot of the day. (I'm SO jealous of the shot of the windowsill... it makes me SICK). I think seeing each other's work pushes both of us to be better photographers because we can take more risks. I'm so lucky to be 50% of Four Eyes...

..working in perfect har-mo-ny.

-Catherine

_________

what she said!

-d

Doing the Paso Doble in Pasadena

We headed out to Pasadena last week for our second year shooting Hillside's Foster Soles Event. www.hillsides.org To our delight, this year's event was even bigger than last which meant more shoes, more celebs, and yes... more sangrias. Master of Ceremonies Dr. Drew Pinsky lead the charge helping raise thousands during a NOT-so-silent-auction where celebs boisterously bid on dance lessons AND a coveted pair of tickets to see a live taping of Dancing with the Stars (talk about a battle-royale).

Aside from a never ending parade of tapas and sangria, guests were treated to performances by two sets of dancing troupes including a stunning performance of the Paso Doble. The personal high-light of the evening for me was getting to photograph and talk to Jane Kaczmarek of Malcolm in the Middle fame. Not only was she effervescently GORGEOUS, but she was also one of the nicest people I've ever met. Talk about a double threat! Ole!

-Catherine

Wear the Wild Things RAWR!

April's Mindshare brought out the wild side of LA!

http://www.spirithoods.com/ came out to share some hoodie goodness with attendees... and I must say it was great seeing all the animals getting along. Talks included crazy bamboo structure building, international aid charities, a lesson in the history and future of girl on girl roller derby in LA (yes, you will get hurt) and a challenge to follow the path less taken. After looking at the Spirit Hood pics again, I'm regretting not getting one for myself, but really I can't decide if I'd make a better Panda Bear or Snow Leopard. I do like to eat bamboo, so perhaps the choice has already been made. RAWR!