Giving Thanks

On Thanksgiving Day this year, we were planning to hang out with the extended family. However I wasn't feeling well yesterday so we had to cancel at the last minute. Instead, we spent time as a family at home, I took several short naps, watched football with my daughter and played with her all day long. I also squeezed in some work.

My wife had planned a hike for Friday and despite the sore throat I went along... And I am very grateful that I did. I am also grateeful to our great friend Megan who hung out with us for taking this picture :D

We have so much to be grateful for in Southern California, but on top of the list most people would put the year-around beautiful weather. I took the mountain roads to get to the Ventura county and drove the windy roads with music blasting and wind in my hair. It was such a clear day today on the Santa Monica Mountains and the view from up above was something to see. And on the way back, I made the drive even longer by taking Mulholland Way to Calabasas.... The marine layer was covering the ocean like a warm and cozy blanket and when we went down to the sea level to have lunch in one of my favorite joints, Neptune's Net, one would definitely need a blanket or a sweatshirt.

Well, I am giving thanks for everything I had, everything I have and everything I will have. But most of all, I am grateful for my family and our health. And Vivienne was grateful to meet a new friend. Happy belated Thanksgiving!

Burçin & Shai's Engagment Session Part I

As part of my job, I meet many couples, and I get to spend some time with them and usually it is on their most important day!

And time to time, I spend an extra day way with them for an engagement session. It is during these professional encounters that I get the luck to meet beautiful people like Burçin and Shai and start friendships... Fun, open-minded and creative, they are also incredibly easy on the eyes.

I spent a little less than hour with Burçin and Shai last week to shoot the first part of their engagement session. We met a few weeks earlier and planned the entire thing and I truly look forward to the second leg of this creative process.

As you can see, the first leg of this project is a taditional approach. It is the second leg that I'm gonna let these two loose and will share the outcome after their wedding day.

So, see you soon... Precioouusssssssssssss.....

Novogratz Book Signing at CB2 Los Angeles

I had the pleasure to document Robert and Courtney Novogratz book signing at the CB2 store on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles. CB2 is a great place for a photographer and I wanted to share a few of my favorite shots with you this week. Enjoy!

Apparently, this little gal is the unofficial mascot of the store and she is allowed to do as she pleases in CB2 Los Angeles!

A Lazy Winter Blog Part 3

I know it doesn't feel like winter at all in Southern Cali... It doesn't even feel like fall for that matter. While the East Coast peeps are trying to get back up, I read some "conspiracy theories" about "darkness"... And my plans for this week's blog took a detour towards the below photograph. I am grateful for everything I have. Stay well till next week. I promise it will be all about love, wedding gowns and partying ;o)

UPDATE 4/11/2012 -- This photograph does not particularly represents a dark moment nor a dark perspective. I just realized that my initial statement may have been perceived as I was in a dark place. I think the below pictures is beautiful and it is a part of the nature. Just for your information :o)