Los Angeles Wedding and Portrait Photographer | Karen Ard Photography

holiday cards

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:42:14 -0800

I forgot to post this photo of some of the holiday cards I got from clients this past season. {I accidentally threw some out before remembering to take a photo though... oops!} I love getting these and seeing what my clients are up to. Thank you!

Manhattan Beach B'Nai Mitzvah!

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:42:42 -0800

What a great way to start the year... a B'Nai Mitzvah with triplets! I had been looking forward to this Mitzvah for awhile as I think this family is great. The ceremony was held at the beautifully redone Congregation Tikvat Jacob in Manhattan Beach. Although I wasn't able to shoot during the ceremony, it didn't matter... the wonderful Rabbi Hyman did a complete run through at the rehearsal and allowed me full access. ( This makes such a difference to my clients in getting great images and albums that tell the whole story of the day.) I can't wait to shoot here again!

The party was held at the Manhattan Marriott and once again, Nina Bracker out did herself with the event planning. Donald from Let the Music Play had the entire place on it's feet all night, young and old. It was an unbelievable, high energy, celebration for three amazing kids!

My New Wallet

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:32:47 -0800

I love my new Natural Life wallet! Sometimes cuteness needs to come before form and function.

I might have to get the card holder to go with it. What do you think?

Los Angeles Portraits

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:18:36 -0800

Here is another family's blog post I'm catching up on. Is it too late for Santa hats? lol

Over due blogging

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 17:10:25 -0800

I'm going to try to catch up on some blogging over the next week or so. When it gets crazy busy, some times my blogging lags behind. Resolution number 5: get better about that! (I'll leave you guessing about 1-4.)

Here are a few of a shoot I did during the summer with Q, whom I've had the pleasure of photographing a few times now. He is always so amazing and a joy to shoot.

Happy Holidays!

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 19:11:38 -0800

Well, Hanukkah is in full swing and Christmas is just around the corner. I hope you are all spending this holiday and New Year surrounded by love and joy.

After our short little jaunt up the coast a few days ago, we will be vegging {in between work... yes I still have shoots scheduled! }, seeing some movies {I LOVE going to the movies. You all need to see Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Suggestions for me?} and hopefully eating a ton of food while the kiddos are out of school.

I'm way behind on blogging so look for a few posts scattered throughout the next few weeks while I try to catch up on everything.

From my family to yours, Happy Holidays and a Merry New Year.

Redding Wedding: Justin + Monica

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 12:58:12 -0800

I have never seen a bride get ready so quickly! We had to hurry to beat the rain that was coming any moment. I blinked and Monica was ready to go. No stress, just pure excitement about seeing her almost hubby for the first look and knocking out some great images around the Mitten Building. (I could shoot here for every wedding and be happy.)

Monica and Justin pulled off a great DIY, rustic wedding with great fall colors. Wait until you see some of the fun details. And you gotta love a bow tie! Congrats you guys!

And man, these guys knew how to let loose...

Dress: made by Monica's sister!

Shoes: DSW

Cake and Cupcakes: Sweet Treats

To see more of their wedding, check out the slideshow below:

Featured: Fab You Bliss

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:42:04 -0800

I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend. I had a few portrait shoots and we hung our holiday decorations. I was thrilled this morning to open my inbox and see that Stephanie over at the fabulous 'Fab You Bliss' blog featuring one of my favorite e-sessions.

You can see the whole post here.

Santa Monica Engagement Photos

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:36:26 -0800

I enjoy being around Nicole and Jessica so much. One of the reasons I'm so passionate about what I do is because I'm around love all the time. And these two... these two have been together for eight years already but they act like they just started dating. They are just so cute together. I'm looking forward to crying at their wedding in March.

And by the way, Jessica's family owns and runs my favorite valley restaurant. When we first met and they mentioned it, I had to get up and hug her with joy. Do you want some of the best southern/creole food in LA? Head on over to Les Sisters in Chatsworth. I like so many of their dishes that I often go for lunch and get a ton of side orders so I can have a little of everything! You can't go wrong with a restaurant whose tag line is, " So many hushpuppies, so little time"!

A gift for myself

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 13:44:26 -0800

I feel like Santa just did a test run and dropped a package at my door! Fellow scrapbbokers and DIY'ers, prepare to be jealous... I just got my new Silhouette Cameo! (I know everyone else is, "What....?????". That's okay, I still love you!)

I can't wait to try it out. Good thing we aren't on Skype because my happy dance is kind of embarrassing, or so my children tell me. Need to finish a client edit then it's time to play! Anyone else out there get one yet? I'd love to know what some of my DIY clients are making!

Topanga Wedding: Reiko + Scott

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 11:59:58 -0800

I'd been excited to shoot Reiko and Scott's wedding from the moment we met last year. I loved the way these two laughed together, what they wanted their wedding to represent and all the fun details they were planning. Plus they were having it at the Inn of the Seventh Ray, one of my favorite local venues.

Once again, it was hard for me to pick my favorites so make sure to view the slideshow below if you'd like to see more of their day. Congrats you guys!

Venue,coordinator, cake: the fabulous Kelly, The Inn of the Seventh Ray

Flowers: Garden Spells

Dress: MoriLee

Shoes: Converse

DJ: Paul Carganilla

Hair: Kat, Regis Salon

Featured: DIY Bride

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 12:46:24 -0800

The super cute DIY Bride blog featured Rachel and Jonathan's engagement session over the weekend. Rachel did such a great job styling our fun shot that I'm glad it's getting published! Plus they are so stinkin' cute! Head on over to DIY Bride to see the full post.

Santa Monica Family Portraits

Sat, 05 Nov 2011 09:36:04 -0800

I always love meeting up with clients every year to do their holiday portraits. I love kids and it's great fun to see them again and how much they've grown. Last years session with this family was one of my favorites. {You can se it here}

This year it's all about Bay Blades. If you don't know what these are then you don't have boys! We did tear them away long enough to get a few snap shots with mom.

Gorgeous mom...

Surprise Flashmob Proposal!

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 11:32:32 -0800

A short while back, Nam staged a surprise proposal to Trang at UCLA, were they went to school. It wasn't to be a quite stroll through the corridors where they first caught each others eye though. Oh no. Nam had something a little more special in store for Trang. He had secretly set up a Flashmob with maybe close to 100 people - half of them family, half total strangers - to surprise her as they came out of the student store.

I was originally going to dance this Flashmob but the wedding photographer in me couldn't get past the idea of actually shooting it. Nam was thrilled with the idea so I had the great fortune to capture such a joyous celebration of love and grab some portraits of just the two of them right after. Originally only our UCLA group were witness to the entire dance and proposal but after the video went viral on You Tube, they were interviewed on CNN! These two were so adorable together and so sweet... I'm so happy for you guys!

Trang was blown away when she realized this was for her when so many of their family and friends had joined in, including both sets of parents, little cousins and relatives from out of town!

... and then Nam joined in!

When the dance was over, we made a circle around them and 100-ish people got down on one knee when he did. Priceless! { I wish there were two of me so I could have taken pictures from the balcony to get the full effect of how many people were involved.}

After some time spent with family and friends full of hugs, well wishes and tons of photos, a little quite time to take it all in...

Thank you to the fabulous Staci, Conroe, choreography by Zakk Manzella, and the tons of amazing volunteers of Flash Mob America for making this happen for Nam and Trang. Make sure to watch the whole official video below to hear Trang's response to the proposal. {Other video captured by friends, the CNN interview, and local news coverage videos can all be seen here.}

Featured: Modern Jewish Mitzvah

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 14:50:27 -0800

In honor of Halloween yesterday, the Modern Jewish Mitzvah blog featured David's Halloween Bar Mitzvah. How nice to get a Mitzvah featured instead of a wedding for a change! You can check out the whole post here.