It's Like This...

Mr. Rylan

This little guy is getting so big, so fast. I remember taking pictures of him when he was only a month or so old. I had the pleasure of photographing him and his big brother today.

Here he is, just being a boy. Gotta love boys!

He simply adores his bro. He follows him around doing everything Big Brother does.Here he is waving because Big Brother waved.

He's a fan of Diggy Simmons.

And this lip. This lip is so cute.

And when he's tired and ready to have the camera out of his face, he still pulls off a killer expression.

Thanks for reading.

 

- Ke

2 Lees and Baby Make 3...Count Down

This Saturday I had the pleasure of photographing a previous bride and groom. Ryan and Alexis Lee. They're expecting a baby boy in the near future.

When I spoke to Alexis regarding the session I told her that they would need to surrender some hours of their day. I figured it would be best to warn her that they may get tired of me and my camera so quickly. Turns out the session took about 5 hours, and we got some great shots. Some were ideas that she shared with me from her Pinterest board.

Then it was off to the beach. 

It was fun! My main concern was that I didn't irritate the mommy to be. She was a trooper! Fortunately for me, she loves taking pictures. I think she could have gone at lease another hour. LOL!

Ryan and Alexis, you guys are awesome! Thank you for entertaining my request to take half of your day away.

- Ke

Dance, Quron!

I recently photographed a different kind a session for me...a dancer. His name is Quron and he is very talented. He has been dancing for 10 years and it shows.

I look forward to hearing about his performances in a large, successful dance company in the near future.

 

- Ke

Marina

It's been quite a few years since Marina's been in front of the camera. The last time I shot her I was shooting in my aunt's garage/my studio and I was shooting with the first Digital Rebel.

I asked Marina if I could shoot her. I'm working on polishing the ol' skill set and I knew she'd be a perfect candidate. Turned out that she'd just been talking about how she needed new shots. Well, would you look at that.

A few things are different these days. I gave up shootig in the garage (SCA-RY decision), and the Rebel is pretty much just a paperweight now. Amongst a few other things. I also know a fabtastic make up artist now. Rhonda, AKA, ROXY. There is one thing that didn't change though. Just like the last time, she brought "it".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marina, ya made me look good! And shout out to Rhonda who did the fantabulous make up for the session.  You guys are wonderful!

- Ke

Ahmen & Dwyane

This was a great session! Thanks you guys!

 

- Ke

Isha

Ms. Isha has a birthday coming up. Earlier this month a mutual friend of ours phoned me up a pitched an idea. A list of places that Isha likes to go. Her favs. The number of things match the number of her upcoming birthday. I LOVE the idea.

One of her favorite places is Cerritos. She grew up there and still likes to do things in the area. So Sunday, off to Cerritos we went.

 
This alley way represents the place she used to live.

 
 
 
And then there's this place. Who doesn't LOVE "The Red Boutique"?

 
Some years ago, Isha got active and shed some pounds. She made a great deal of progress and she wanted to visit the bridge she walked to make it all happen.

 
 
 
As we drove along, I thought, "why not get her driving?".

 
Now, the location in these last couple of shots have no sentimental value. They DO however represent Isha's willingness to take risks. I noticed that the fence on the side of the bridge had an opening and I liked the tall...grass (I suppose) in the area and asked if we could get some shots there before calling it a day. She agreed. It was...an adventure. LOL! First, there was no pedestrian crossing per a sign and the lack of a crosswalk. When we noticed that it didn't stop me from wanted to go. We stood there. Looking around. I was hoping the fact that she didn't immediately walk back to the car meant that she was at least considering taking the risk. She asked, "Do you still want to go?" I smiled. "YES!" We waited until traffic cleared and darted across the street. I'm SO glad we did.

 
The image below is my favorite of the day.

 
Isha, THANK YOU for taking the risk and doing so with a smile. It was a pleasure.

- Ke

Mr. Man

The lovely Manhattan Beach and one of the cutest little boys. "Mr. Man".

 
 
His mommy and daddy.

 
Their family.

 
The morning rain threatened our session, but I'm glad it cleared up because we had a wonderful time yesterday.

- Ke

Double Digits

This past Wednesday, my only child turned 10 years old. 10 Years Already??! My goodness. Looking back, I wonder where the time went. Though I don't wish that he could be a baby all over again, I hold on tightly to the moments that I have. I enjoy talking to him. I enjoy his laughter. I enjoy seeing the things in him that make me think, yep, that's my child. I enjoy the moments when we sit and watch TV and he nestles in close. I know that won't always be. It's been 10 years. Wow.  

Months ago I showed him a watch that I saw on-line. I thought it would be a perfect fit for him. He talked about it periodically to make sure I didn't forget about it. And I didn't. On the morning of his birthday I placed it on the counter for him to see. I told him that after he got dressed he could open it. His first birthday gift. He had no clue about what was inside the box.

 
He took his time opening it. And I was glad to capture the look on his face when he saw what it was.

 

Believe it or not, it's listed as a child's watch. I think it fits 10 perfectly. He's never had a watch with a stainless steel band before. Only plastic ones. This is an awesome into to big-boy watches.

 
A great watch for a great child. He is everything I've put into him.

Later on at church, he was given a surprise party that was orchestrated by my buddy Khedra. She tried as hard as she could to even keep the whole thing a surprise to even me. But she had to let the cat out of the bag when she had to let me know why it was so important to know if he was going to be at church that evening. LOL! He got more WONDERFUL gifts and card filled with kind words. The most wonderful was the prayer for him and the wise words given.

After I tucked him in that night, I asked if his birthday was everything that he expected. He said, "No. It was better!" That was exactly the answer I was looking for. I smiled a big smile, kissed his cheek and said, "I've been given the best son I could ask for."

Tire Shop

While on my way home from a board meeting on Friday evening I passed a tire shop. It caught my eye because it was nicely lit. I wondered what it would be like to shoot there, so Saturday evening I (along with Ms. Khaptures) did.

I figured I'd do something that I didn't think I'd every do. Now, I've toyed with the idea...but today I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna blog images that haven't been edited in Photoshop. *gulp* Here goes.

 
 
 
 
I like the image above, but I like it more with a little drama...

 
 
 
Three images from this shoot have already been posted to my FB wall. Here are the before and after shots from 2 of those images. This one below is my session favorite. He wasn't posing. Just checking out the passing cars.

 
 
It was a job well done considering he was sleepy. Slept on the way to the place. I got him out of his sleepy mode with the threat of an Austin Powers "judo CHOP". He's never seen the movie, but I explained the judo chop and he thinks it's pretty funny. Even more so when the chop is coming his way.

I've rambled enough. Lator gators!

- Ke

3 Years Already?

It's hard to believe my youngest nephew will be 3 years old soon. At the risk of sounding cliche, boy how time flies. 

He's a funny guy. Since day one he's been so serious, so it's good to see him laugh or even crack a smile.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

I love his smile. I love his eyes. I love his dimples. I love him!

- Ke