Hi. friend, be my model...

I love San francisco for so many reasons. A big one> I love being in a city where I am surrounded by awesome folks <3

Not only are friends willing enough to loan their faces to me  when I get some idea but they are sweet enough to let me mess their hair up, pour paint on them (or random kitchen condiments lol> love you ladies!!) glue giant lashes to their eyes and have them go though a series of awkward body movements or make them run around and head bang just to get the right shot_ they let me express what I am feeling, and I can't thank you all enough to show how much it really means to me. Whether I am testing a new light -idea or just want new photos to play around with, I can always count on the people around me to help me out. 

Thanks to everyone for making this one great month!  Much love to you all!!! <3 <3 <3 

Check out these great photos below> links to everyone twitter on photos! 

XOXO_hk

 

 

What photographers do when roommates move out...

Its been two months since we've yet to fill our room here in SF. When roommates move out, that means only one thing to me > PHOTO STUDIO!!!< I got some lights, some wine and danced away. My friends may think> wow she really loves taking photos of herself! yes... and no.

1) I seem to be the only person who can take a picture of me with out it coming out like I look 5 lbs over weight or that my nose runs my face. This give me photos to use and also helps me see how to get angles right, even if I am using myself it is a really good way to visualize what works and what doesn't. 

2) It's fun! and it gives me great ideas! Most of my creative shoots come from me just messing around with my camera :)  

3) Sometimes just something amazingly funny comes out of a sesh, like this photo below. I dub "Girl Imitates Poultry" 

4) It's practice, practice, practice! Its one thing to see photos and want to replicate the lighting of effect, its another thing to put that brain to use and figure it out. Photos below I was testing out a giant china ball for fill lighting.

And as of yesterday we officially have filled the room! So far for my studio.. lol but very happy to welcome our new housemate! And glad I took the time out to play around while I could! Never let a empty room go to waste!

DIY Month: Making books with your own photos

Its Photo Project month!! I have been busy with so many fantastic projects and here's why...

When I received my Package last month, one item included was the Photojojo DIY book. Which is all focused around projects that involve your own photos. To say the least I was excited to get my hands on it.  Since then I have been nose down trying a few projects out. As soon as I started flipping the pages I found this one. 

~Photo Cover Notebook~

  This is a fantastic idea!! 

  • A: I love notebooks
  • B: I love photos
  • C: Why have I not thought of this before!!!​

 When the stores opened the next morning I was off! I got everything I needed from just a couple of craft stores and it was on to bookmaking. After difficult start, a few mistakes-fixes, glue and wine (don't forget the wine!) I finally came out with this! 

I can say proudly, I am very happy with the outcome. These make a perfect gift <3 <3 Can't wait to make more! Instructions on how to make your own Photo Notebook Below.

  What You'll Need: 

  • Horizontal Photo
  • Inkjet- Printable Photo Canvas
  • WaterProof Spray
  • ​Two 5 x 7 Photos
  • White Glue _PVA bookbinding glue ​
  • Paintbrush
  • ​Wax Paper
  • ​Large, Very Heavy Books!
  • Paper Cutter (Must Have)​
  • Paper (anything you like)
  • Binder Clips
  • Ruler
  • Bone Folder

​

STEP 1:​

Choose a horizontal photo. Resize your photo to 7" high by 10 1/2" wide (18cm x 26.5cm) Print your image onto the canvas photo and let it dry. Spray the heck out of it with water proof spray, let that dry... Trim the canvas, use really sharp scissors or the paper cutter.

STEP 2:​

Spread some newspaper out and place your canvas photo face-side down.​ Choose a photo for the inside covers -I just printed another canvas photo and used that, I found glue on photo paper makes it ripple, and if you use rubber cement it wont stick to the canvas!-

Apply a thin layer of glue to the photo and line the print with the left-hand edge of the canvas photo and press into place. Repeat this step with the other print on the right side. Measure the space in between the photo_this will be the spine of your book.

~Tear off a large piece of waxed paper fold it in half and place that on top the the photos drying. Place heavy books on top and let it all dry. This gives you time for the next steps.​

STEP 3:​

Using the paper cutter, cut your paper into 5x7 pieces. Stack the pieces and tap them a few time on the edge to make sure it evens up. Clip the stack together with binder clips. Use a ruler to measure the stack to insure it fits the spine.​

STEP 4:​

Apply glue along the edge of the stack. Use the brush to make sure the glue is evenly spread along the spine. Let this dry. once dry apply a thicker amount of glue and give about 8 min drying time.

Grab another piece of waxed paper and set over the photos (use those heavy books again) and let it sit for about an hour - ​Or even overnight.

STEP 5:​

Remove the canvas photo and paper stack form under the books. Make sure everything is nice and dry. If any edges on the canvas creep up you can always use a small amount of glue and press back down.​ If the canvas is ready fold the cover along the inside edge of the left hand photo print. Crease the fold with the bone folder. Repeat along the edge of the right-hand photo.

STEP 6:

Apply a layer of glue to the canvas between the 2 photos prints.​ Take the stack of paper and press the spine into the strip. Turn the book over and press the cover down into the spine. Let the book dry over night (I used the heavy stack of books again and covered the whole book in waxed paper). Once dry give it a test run and see how everything came out! 

After your first book you'll most likely want to try out other ideas (My next book will be made out of wood and book cloth). You can do anything! Get those creative juices flowing and thanks for reading!!

​

Give yourself a cookie! You are now a bookmaker!

​

​Stores to check out:

I found a few wonderful stores around SF I highly recommended anyone going to. If you are into crafts or just cute gifts ARCH Is a wonderful place to check out. Not only are they close but everything there is priced well. I was also recently put onto SCRAP. Another great place to check out! I was actually looking for something else but while I was there I couldn't help but notice the huge amount of paper they have for dirt cheap!!!

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Wireless flash & so much more!

Today was the best Wednesday ever! All thanks to my awesome boyfriend <3 ​Finally my wireless flash trigger system and other goodies have arrived <3

Flash System below is a Yongnuo Digital RF-603C, available at www.tmart.com. The system itself is super affordable and very easy to use. Must get! I had a blast trying it out today.

I also got my photojojo orders in!! Photo below shows a super neat carrying case for iphone lenses, a DIY book they made that is all featured around photography!!! :D and a awesome magnet photo holder >This thing rocks! You can find all products featured here @ photojojo.com

** I highly suggest going through the whole store, even if you're not a photo enthusiast you can find some really neat gifts for the photo peeps in your life, and they will love you for ever and ever for getting them anything from here. (Plus they are Bay Area Locals so you gotta love that.)

~Thanks for reading and check back for blogs on the DIY projects I will be attempting to make from my new book!

​

Happy Valentines Day from us geeks <3

From us nerdy lovebirds to you> Happy Valentines Day Everyone!! Found some silly pics you can laugh at- along with us. :D & new pic from today. <3 I heart you <3

Love, cherish, smile & laugh> forever and ever and ever....

XOXOXO

Animal Adventures featuring Fuzzies <3

I'm happy to announce I am now adding Animal photography back into my work again! It's been about 7 years since I've taken it up, at least professionally. In college dogs were my life. I had lots of puppies :) I watched awesome little pups turn into adorable pets as they went home with new owners and it was during those months I got into taking more & more photos of my dogs. I even sold a few photos off stock photography sites. I once had a dog photo end up in a German Magazine- too bad I couldn't read what it said... 

With adding animals back into my work, I recently asked a friend if I could come and take photos of his beautiful cats. In exchange to get my animal portfolio up & running, I had to endure cute fuzzy creatures climbing on me and making me smile. Oh no! What a hard life! ;) I had such a great time taking photos and Duncan got some really awesome video of new Gopro, we didn't want to leave! 

Here are a few photos from the fury adventure & more images in the gallery. Special Thanks to C&T for letting us capture their cats in action! If you're wondering about the breed-they are called "RagDoll Cats" and yes they are the best cats ever!!! <3

Distressed, rustic, you name it > I destroyed it.. I mean refinshed it...

I was recently inspired by a set of photos from a Bay Area Photographer.

She has this wonderful table she photographs off of. I couldn’t help fancy her work and take a liking to the table. I decided to go out and find myself a DIY project. After being unable to find a distressed table (which is highly expensive). I came across this gem. It looked worn out, shabby chic-ish and perfect <3. Chipping away at the paint was the hardest part but with a little elbow grease, a house full of tools and lots of wine… I was able to get it to a look I love and will enjoy taking photos with this table for years to come! Now onto my next project…

Monterey 2011?? I think so...

I'm really awful at uploading and going though my own personal photos, especially from road trips where we fill up whole 8gb cards :/ P.s. It was Freezing!!! I would like to inform anyone taking a trip down to Monterey, CA in October> It is a horrible, I say Horrible idea!!! Here's a few pics of Me the Bf and some beach from when we actually got out the car and hotel room.

Just a walk around John...

I was out last Tuesday walking around John McLaren Park playing with the good ol' fisheye lens. It was a beautiful January day in San Francisco... Really it was! I have proof, check out photos from the fisheye and lets hope we have more days like this ahead in SF! Here's to no wind and sunny days!!!

LinkedIn, New lights & photos for me...

Trying to find a professional photo of myself is hard. After trying endlessly to find something right for my linkedin account ( yes I said linkedin account) I finally figured it was time to update. I am turing 31 this year and it's time to stop hipstamatic-ing my photos and grow up.. at least for linkedin.  ;) Plus I got to try out my new lights and my boyfriend was kind enough to help out, thanks love! Sneak peek below..