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The five with the most votes gets moved up here!
What, you may be asking yourselves, do these two things have in common? Well, two items got checked off my bucket list this weekend.
Saturday I was fortunate enough to bid on tickets to see my rock heroes, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. I have been in love with this man and their music since 1978. I have probably seen them in concert at least 15 times but never up close (and sadly have never met him... another bucket list item for another time I suppose). These guys donated two nights to help support public radio station KCSN (shame on Clear Channel... but that's another soapbox post for another time).
We had third row seats in a tiny 500 seat theater. And if you saw my post on Facebook then you know that I cried like a little girl at her first Justin Beiber concert when TP came on stage. The man was no more then 15 feet away from me the whole night and these guys rocked an almost two hour set. He looked right at me and smiled. I swear! And even if it's not true, I believe it so that's all that matters! Plus I got one of his picks! (spoken like a true groupie, right?)
Sunday, I tackled something else on my list. I think I got inspired to do it this Halloween because my daughter and I have been watching Halloween Wars. Anyone else watch that show? Anyhow, I used some wood carving tools I had and did a Dias de los Muertos inspired pumpkin relief. Now, when I say Sunday, what I really mean is that I finished it on Sunday. It took me three friggin' days to do this! lol No, not three days straight. Duh... Three days of carving in between concert, work, shoots, family, cooking, baking... you get the idea. I loved doing this and am proud of how my first one turned out! Will I do it again? Hmmmm... good question. I did ask The Firefighter to remind me how long it took when I say I want to do it again next year.
Let me know what you think. Have a spooky Halloween everyone!
http://karenard.com/blog/2011/10/tom-petty-and-how-to-carve-a-pumpkin.html
Evan appeared so at ease during his Bar Mitzvah. Reading the Torah seemed second nature for him in the packed sanctuary at Temple Emmanuel. Perhaps being surrounded by so many friends and family members helped.
After a wonderful kiddish lunch, the celebration continued later that night at The Mark. Nina Bracker Events did yet another amazing job. I love working with such a great planner. And I loved this family. Thanks for having me capture Evan's day!
Awesome DJ: You Should Be Dancing
Photo Booth: Slater Entertainment.com
Airbrusher: Bindi Airbrush
http://karenard.com/blog/2011/10/beverly-hills-bar-mitzvah.html
{ I'm embarrassed to say that I just noticed this post languishing in my draft folder! Please tell me I'm not the only one that has done that before? }
The stylish, Australian Love Wed Bliss wedding blog featured Whitney and Rick's fun engagement session last month. We had such a great time shooting this and I'm thrilled that it has gotten published online! Click here for the whole post.
http://karenard.com/blog/2011/10/featured-love-wed-bliss.html
I'm not sure what moved me most about Briana and Mike's wedding... the sweet note Mike sent over as Briana was getting ready, the way they gazed at each other during the first look, the way Mike's smile made his eyes dance when Briana walked down the aisle with her parents, all the words their eyes said silently to each other at the alter, the way Briana's dad stumbled nervously through his toast acknowledging that his daughter was now in Mike's hands, Mike dancing with his 93 year old grandmother, or perhaps the rainbows that kept appearing all afternoon.. a sure sign of a lucky union.
We were shooting portraits when we noticed the first rainbow so I had everyone swing around really quickly to grab a group shot...
I love the idea of all your guests leaving a thumb print "leaf"...
Briana and Mike got their wedding cake where I got mine... yum.
Fabulous vendors that made this day special:
Location: Middle Ranch
Dress: Maggie Sottero
Makeup Artist: Melissa Shaffer for Bliss
Florist: Acton Creative Flowers
Cake: Pluskos Bakery
DJ and Photobooth: Renowned Events
For more of Briana and Mike's wedding, check out the slideshow below:
Briana Says:
Karen - thank you so much, these are beautiful! It was such a pleasure having you as our photographer and I have no doubt we'll be meeting with you about future shoots someday :)
(10.08.11 - 12:18 AM)
Shanna Says:
Stunning couple and beautiful work!
(10.08.11 - 06:17 PM)
Linda Dalton Says:
Hi Michael and Briana, I saw a picture and a video. I like this. The wedding is so beautiful. Briana is so beautiful bride. Michael is very handsome. Love, Linda Dalton
(10.09.11 - 10:12 PM)
Bayliy Says:
So love it! Good post! I'm happy to read it. Images are very beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Bayliy Says:
So love it! Good post! I'm happy to read it. Images are very beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
http://karenard.com/blog/2011/10/sylmar-wedding-briana-and-mike.html
I enjoy this time of year because I know it means I get to photograph little Miss 'O' again. Her parents have been so great about us getting together every year to capture mostly Miss 'O', but the whole family as well. I think this is photo shoot number five in her short little 2 years.
Here is the link to last years session and at the bottom of that post you'll see links to the other sessions in case you'd like to see Miss 'O' as a baby.
http://karenard.com/blog/2011/10/agoura-family-portrait.html
Hey Karen! I think this is flipping awesome!! So glad you got to see TP up close - must have been great. Miss seeing you - we are back at Lockhurst with Julia. Take care!
(11.01.11 - 08:52 AM)