Karl Karma

So I'm all scheduled to fly back to NYC yesterday, when I get an offer to stick around a few more days to work here in Chicago. I was on the fence about it because I started looking at flights back to NYC around the 4th and they were crazy expensive, not to mention the change of flight fee! So I slept on it, emailed a few people, and decided I couldn't pass up the opportunity even if I wound up breaking even. As I went to change my flight, I saw an email from Jet Blue stating they were canceling my flight, thus no increase in fare cost as well as no cancellation fee. Looks like someone out there made up my mind for me, and saved me $500 in the process! This allowed me to take my niece and nephews to see Transformers today, and the circle of karma continues. . . . . . Above is an out-take from a story I'm workin' on that I shot at the lily pond from the previous post. What a perfect day, with an amazing location and a fantastic team!

Back to Reality, Back To Life

Now that my "staycation" is over, it's time to get to back to reality, which means work, work, and more work, (someones got to pay for those lattes I drink and those kimono's I wear!) I'm shooting a story for this cool pair of stylists who started their own online retail store. I scouted the location on Friday, and we are having a fitting today at 2pm, (that is of course if I'm still awake, see I've been up since 2am, not a great way to start out the week). I wish I could say I'm still jet-lagged from LA, but if you think about it, that makes absolutely no sense whatsoever, so I won't even mention it. The location for our shoot is great! This great lily pond up on the northside, above you will find some snapshots. . . . . . . . I never thought that all those hours wandering the streets of Chicago by myself as a child would one day pay off! Unfortunately, many of the coolest spots I know to shoot at in various cities would probably require police protection. Like I told a girl the other day, "Wanna find the seediest parts of any city? Find the nearest photographer and just ask them where the best places are to shoot. You'll get your answer."

Adios Amigos

Today is the day I say goodbye to LA. I've spent a good deal of time at the beach, drinking coffee, and seeing old friends. . . . . . . . oh yeah, and working a bit too. Now it's off to sweet home Chicago, for some family time, a few neighborhood festivals. . . . . . oh yeah, and more work. A huge thank you to my friend Courtney for letting me stay at her apt in Santa Monica!!! What a sweetheart. Here are a few random pictures from my trip. A few notes, the palm tree one is the park I walked thru everyday to get my morning cup of coffee. The rose bush one was just a shot to show how weeds grow out here. The coffee pic is my morning cup from Urth Cafe. The last one is from poolside at The Roosevelt Hotel.

Sooooooo LA

Last week was filled with things that were very "LA". Like having breakfast with Rosario Dawson? (OK, we didn't technically have breakfast together, but we were in the same room and I was having breakfast). And drinks with that guy from Entourage? (OK again, I was drinking he was standing outside, but we're splitting hairs now). I did however go out to Balboa Island where Arrested Development was supposed to take place! (Although they technically filmed it in Marina Del Ray). OK fine. My week had absolutely nothing to do with everything LA, especially my shoot with Hannah. She couldn't BE more New York, and I expect to see her land there this summer.

My New Reality

This week started like any other week. Snake charmer-contortionist belly dancer's, reality show star photo-shoots, a drive through Compton at 1:30 am, you know, the usual. That last one was a doozy which involved a night out downtown and the LAPD! This week ended on a much quieter note, with an amazing brunch at the Santa Monica Farmer's Market, followed by some re-touching and a long nap before some laundry. (Let's call this past week the yin and the yang of LA). Above are a couple shots from my shoot on Thursday.

Topanga Daze

See what I did there? I spelled days d a z e. So clever. Memorial day weekend was filled with sun and fun and sun and more sun, (I'm currently a nice shade of maroon). These images were taken at this festival up in Topanga Canyon. It was totally my speed and I got a chance to re-live a little of my college days. My favorite part was seeing all the hippie kids. When I have kids I would totally try and dress them up like little flower children. There was a girl there, probably a few years older than my niece, with total dreads and a long flow-y dress. She was cooler at 10 years old than I'll ever be. I mean dread locks at her age?! Amazing. There were 3 stages of live music and tons of food and drink. I need to make a mental note for next year.

Hollywood

Agents, photographers, meeting in the back corner table at a Hollywood hotspot, brokering future deals over seared Ahi and Gin Gimlet's. Now let's see if I can get Leo to play me in the movie. We both drive a Prius?! Last night was a blast and I finally got a chance to meet Zoey whom I've emailed and facebooked for about a year. She will soon be the one-to-watch photographer in NYC. But as for right now, she's lighting up the west coast. The perfect mix of talent and nice. I see great things. Above you will find my friend Steve and Brian showing the proper way to pose for the camera. You will also find Meg and Zoey showing how not to. Since when do beautiful women NOT like having their picture taken?!