Friday, December 25, 2009

Merry Christmas from sunny San Diego!

Hello Everyone!

Please excuse my lack of posts recently! I'm still kickin' and I hope to get back into blogging soon. :)

For now, here's a shot of the back (ocean) side of the Hotel Del Coronado that I took yesterday, on Christmas Eve. On the right side of the shot, you can see an ice skating rink that they set up. (When I took this shot, they were resurfacing the ice, which is why no one is skating--it was really busy when it was open!) It was a beautiful, clear day, so you can see Point Loma in the background. It was a gorgeous view!


I hope everyone is having a fabulous holiday season!
Lauren

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Saturday, November 7, 2009

An update! and some nastiness... ;)

Wow! I can't believe it's been over two months since I posted any images on here! Sheesh!

Well, I got a little story for ya, Ags! ;) My hubby and I were set to move from the Washington, DC, area to Southern California, so I was busy trying to get things ready for the move when I got sick. I had just finished my last day of work at the architecture firm in DC, which was good timing since I didn't have any sick days to use (plus I had a number of things I needed to finish up before I left). I felt horrible for a few days and decided to go see a doctor. They ran numerous tests on me (which took about a week--not fun) but didn't find much. They thought I might have had a urinary tract infection, so they put me on Cipro, and told me to go home and take it easy. (Did I mention we were trying to move?) Fortunately, I started feeling better, so we packed up and headed for my parents' house in San Antonio.

Not even three hours after we arrived, I started feeling sick again. I had a horrible night, and wasn't feeling better by morning, so Mom and hubby decided I should go to the ER. Long story short, I had appendicitis. I got wheeled into the OR and wheeled back out again about an hour later. Turns out I had had pretty bad infection that caused a some nasty problems I won't mention here and basically just created a lot of mess on my insides. The doctor thinks I had gotten appendicitis while I was still in VA, but it probably calmed down with the Cipro then flared up again two weeks later. It apparently wasn't acting like "normal" appendicitis (whatever that means) which is why the doctors out in VA didn't see it at first (plus I wasn't having the same pain typically associated with it).

And, I have pictures to prove it! If you scroll down to the bottom of this post, you'll see a picture I took of a picture of my appendix after it was removed. Consider yourself warned! It is pretty nasty looking!

So now you know why I haven't posted anything lately! Because I was sick, I had to cancel a few events I had set up to photograph (including a baby shower I was really excited about--boo!) and some portrait sessions too.

But, we've made it out to California, and I have some images I took in DC and Virginia before we left that I'm going to post here. These first two are from Dumbarton Oaks, a huge garden and museum in the Georgetown area of DC. My friend Carmen had told me about it when I first moved to DC last fall, but I hadn't taken the time to visit. When she found out I was moving, she asked if I wanted to go with her to see it before I left, and of course I said yes! It is a gorgeous place that I'd recommend to anyone in the DC area.

I liked the little yellow ladybug hanging out on these flowers.

And I thought it was really cool to see this vine sprouting from a brick wall!

And now for the appendix pic! Don't scroll any further if you don't want to see something a little nasty! :)


(I'm giving you time to decide whether you want to see it or not.)


(Did you decide?)


(Three....)


(Two...)


(One!)


Here it is! Mine was apparently about twice the size as a normal one. Shrug.

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Monday, October 5, 2009

And we're off!

Hey everyone!
Sorry for the lag in blogging... between leaving my job, being sick (really sick!) and packing, I haven't had time to add anything here. Clay and I are moving to the West Coast, so look for a travelicious post in the coming weeks! Until then.. stay frosty! :)
-Lauren

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Friday, September 4, 2009

Rachel & Craige

I met up with Rachel and Craige early last Saturday to walk around Old Town Alexandria and take some engagement photos. They got engaged in May, but I kept leaving the weekends when Craige was in town (unintentionally!) so we were finally able to meet up to get some shots! We were out for a couple hours and headed inside after we couldn't stand the humidity any longer. Here are some of my favorites.

I loved Rachel's dress! She got several compliments from passersby while we were walking around. The color looks amazing against the ivy.

I spotted this bench a few days before the shoot and knew we had to head back to get a photo with it.

I love this yellow brick wall! Plus, check out Rachel's awesome shoes. We each ordered a pair earlier this summer, and they are super cute and amazingly comfortable!

They are so sweet together!

I think this shot was my favorite from the day.

Rachel spotted this knot in a wooden fence and thought it would be cute to shoot her ring in it.

Congrats again, you two! <3

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Saturday, August 29, 2009

Karmia & Jonathan

I met Karmia when she found her wedding gown at the Brides Against Breast Cancer event last month. I snapped a photo of her in her gown, emailed it to her, and had been bothering her since about photographing some engagement shots with her fiance, Jonathan.

She agreed to the shoot, but we had a little difficulty finding a date that would work for everyone. We were finally able to meet up near the Tidal Basin last night, but the weather almost had us cancel! I'm so glad that Karmia and Jonathan were willing to get a little wet--we got some fabulous shots in the end!
Here are some of my favorites. :)

Her ring is gorgeous!

Here's an umbrella shot.

I looked down at my camera for a second, and, when I looked up, Karmia had been swept off her feet!

We were able to get some shots at the Jefferson Memorial without anyone bothering us!

I think this one's my favorite. You can tell how happy they are together!

Thank you both for a fun shoot! Congratulations on your engagement and best wishes for your wedding next year!

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Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Blue October - Baltimore, MD

As I mentioned in my last post, I was up in Baltimore on Sunday (23 August) to see Blue October perform at RamsHead Live near the Inner Harbor. Here are my 3 favorite photos from the evening.

This first one is courtesy of my iPhone and a really cool app called ShakeItPhoto. Seriously, if you have an iPhone, check out that app! It's really fun! This is from the encore when lead singer Justin Furstenfeld was singing "It's Just Me" off Foiled.

This second one has lead singer Justin Furstenfeld in the foreground and guitarist CB Hudson rocking out in the back. I love the movement captured in this shot.

Lastly, here's another of Justin and his guitar.

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Monday, August 24, 2009

Blue October Video

I drove up to Baltimore last night to see Blue October perform at RamsHead Live. It was a great show (they never disappoint) and the set list was uh-maze-ing!


Here's a video I recorded of them playing "Italian Radio," probably my favorite song of theirs. I loved it when Justin stroked his guitar at the "meet my fine new lady" line (at approx 0:46).

(If the link doesn't work, try going here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bARv8WZM9-o)


I was able to take my little Nikon in there with me, so hang tight for a few photos!

For now, here's a shot of lead singer Justin Furstenfeld (and former bassist Piper Skih) performing at the Parish at the House of Blues in New Orleans, October 2003.



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Monday, August 17, 2009

Ruth & Justin

I met Ruth at a Blue October show earlier this year and, when I found out she was engaged, jumped on the chance to take some shots of her and her handsome fiance, Justin. They were a blast to hang out with, and Justin turned out to be the best DC guide I've ever had!

We met up at the Jefferson Memorial and got in a handful of shots before being questioned by the park police. (He told me, "The government doesn't want you taking photos here." Oh really?) Then we trotted off around the Tidal Basin to the nearby areas. Here are four of my favorite shots from the evening.





Ruth and Justin treated me to a delicious dinner in Chinatown after the shoot. Maybe next time we'll be brave and try the jelly fish on the menu! Thanks again, you two! :)

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Sunday, August 16, 2009

Market Mornings

I hit up two markets this weekend. The first was Alexandria's Farmers' Market at the market square in Old Town on Saturday. I got up super early and was there between 7 and 8 am! There was tons of great produce there, and I went home with some great fruit.


I really like how the flag seems to "pop" in this one:

And of course I stopped by a baker's booth too! This octopus was delicious!

This morning, I went into DC to check out Eastern Market. It has been in operation since 1873 and recently re-opened after a major renovation. The outdoor weekend farmers market featured produce as well as various craft items. These young women were checking out some jewelry made from recycled aluminum.

Inside are permanent merchants including meat and fish counters, a bakery, produce, flowers, a cafe, and everything in between! This little guy was really enjoying his salami!

Across the street, a flea market is also open on the weekends. There were tons of varied treasures to be found! This gentleman was selling fabulous mirrors of all sizes.

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Sunday, August 9, 2009

Weekend Update

I spent this weekend playing around with my shutter speed and how it affects the resulting image.

My friend Rachel suggested that I slow the shutter and take a picture of a clock, so it would physically show the passing of time. I don't own a clock right now, so I used my watch instead (4 seconds).

Yesterday afternoon, I headed out to Gravelly Point Park (or this or this) to practice some stop-action-pan photos. It was great because I captured an airplane (1/15 sec):

a boat (1/15 sec):

a bicyclist (1/15 sec):

and a runner too (1/30 sec):


Afterward, I headed to Target to get a memory card reader, because the one built-in to my laptop recently decided it didn't want to work anymore. On the way out, I perused the newly-added grocery section and (of course) drifted down the wine aisle. (Sidenote: this Target now sells cold beer too!) I was instantly drawn to the handful of varieties of Middle Sister Wine, especially the "Smarty Pants" Chardonnay. The labels are super cute, and each variety has a different drawing of the "middle sister." I can't wait to try them!

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Friday, July 31, 2009

Kile & James, Part 2

Earlier today, I headed out with Kile and James for a fun portrait session near the Marilyn Monroe mural here in DC. Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate.

We tried to shoot between downpours...

...but the rain didn't stay off for long!
We'll have to reschedule!

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Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Oronoco Bay Park

I was back at Oronoco Bay Park (the site of Alexandria's Birthday Party) over the weekend and snapped these two shots near the water's edge. I'm loving the shallow depth of field I'm able to achieve with my new lens!


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Monday, July 27, 2009

Kile & James

In May, my friends Kile and James got married on the lawn next to the Jefferson Memorial on the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. It was a sweet ceremony attended by a close group of friends, and followed by a delicious brunch at the Chart House in Old Town Alexandria!

The bride's beautiful bouquet (she made it herself!) and gorgeous ring!


The Washington Monument provided an iconic backdrop to the joyous occasion!


The kiss!


They were married on the same day that the Rolling Thunder was passing through the city! Here's a shot of some motorcycles lined up along 14th St SW:

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Thursday, July 23, 2009

Rain, rain go away

It was raining like crazy when I parked my car at work this morning! I sat for a few minutes to let it pass, and snapped this shot of the rain drops on my windshield.


Happy (almost) weekend!

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Monday, July 20, 2009

Recently Published Images

Recently, four of my photos have been chosen to be used on two blogs and an online slideshow. Here are those photos and links to the publications.

Catherine Calvin, the catering sales manager for the Hilton Garden Inn in Fairfax, VA, chose the following two photos for her blog describing the Brides Against Breast Cancer bridal gown sale, which I blogged about here. See her post here.




A few days before Memorial Day this year, I headed out to Arlington National Cemetery to take a few photos of the flags that the Old Guard put out for the holiday. The following image was chosen by dcist to be featured as the photo of the day on Memorial Day: May 25, 2009. See the post here.



Back in April, I submitted this photo to the Washington Post of the cherry blossoms near the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC. It was chosen to be included in this slideshow. You can also see it from my profile.

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