The Miles Donahey Duet

I met Becca about a year ago while documenting a wedding in New Orleans. Instantly, we connected. She's vivacious, quirky, fun and adorable. I knew she was a good friend of the bride and I could easily see why. A few months later, I received a phone call from her- she had seen the photography from the New Orleans wedding and wanted to talk about hiring me for her own wedding. She was so excited and forthcoming with the compliments . . . I was honored.
Since then I've now, not only documented her wedding, (which was a blast) but have recently had the opportunity to document her profession as well.

Meet the Miles Donahey Duet.

This Classical, Folk, and Jazz Duo consists of Becca Donahey and Jeff Miles, both of whom have extensive credentials within the field of music. Becca (vocals) has trained with a number of Metropolitan Opera greats throughout her career as well as moved to New Orleans for a few years in order to perform the jazz circuit. While Jeff (guitar,piano) has been playing since the age of ten, performing for over 20 years and currently teaches courses in the Los Feliz area. Jeff and Becca decided to join ranks in 2007 and have been working successfully ever since. They are not only a talented duo but a charismatic one. We had a lot of fun during this shoot.

For more information on this dynamic duo or just to listen to samples of their sound,
I recommend you to click the link below.

www.gigmasters.com

A Day at Universal Studios

She came, she conquered, she kicked some ass! My baby cousin Robbie, AKA my god child, decided that this trip out, she wanted to go to Universal Studios and this time, she wasn't messing around. She was now tall enough for the big kid rides. I was tall enough as well but someone had to document the adventure right? (my back is still thanking me). So here they are, all the way from Arizona- mi familia.

No more discounted rate equals no more kiddie rides . . . YES!

Between you and me, this was pretty funny to look at zoomed in.

Yes, she's running a little low here on the energy scale so we did what any good parents would do in this situation . . .

We gave her sugar.


And just like that, she was all beter.

And so it ends, Metrolink style- why pay for parking if you don't have to?

A great day of bonding with my cuz.
xoxoxo Rob!

Yosemite.

I'll never forget my first impression of Yosemite . . . I was still in High school- ignorant, awkward, rebellious, and had just begun my third semester photography class. Our instructor, Mrs. Phillips, was one of the few teachers I listened to back then, simply because I adored the subject of photography! Makes sense right? Well, I remember walking in one day and watching her as she patiently stood in the back corner of our classroom and studied our reactions to a print that was slowly being passed around the room. “Write down, in a few sentences,” she stated, “your first impression of this piece.” Well, because I felt like this was a waste of our time, taking us away from my favorite part of the class- the dark room, I decided to grab a marker and sloppily write “PRETTY,” in order to quickly complete the assignment. When the print finally came my way I grabbed it, laid it on the table, and inspected the back of it- “Yosemite Valley Clearing Storm, 1942, Ansel Adams.” I then flipped it over, making the conscience decision to take it in for the first time. It was then that I realized that I had so much more to say. "Pretty," just didn't cover it.

That sentiment has never changed. I was awe-struck by that photo then and I'm awe-struck every time I revisit Yosemite, this trip was no exception.

So lets talk about this trip- Joe and I were invited through friends of ours, to come and camp with them on the Wawona side of Yosemite. After we had immediately agreed to go, I realized that this was going to be my third time within the 761,266 acre park and I couldn't wait.


DAY 1- Our Arrival.

This is the first sight one gets to see when coming out of the main tunnel. I often compare the feeling to the first time Dorothy steps out of her house and realizes she's not in Kansas anymore. It's surreal.



Joe and I, taking a moment to reflect. Our tent was just to the right of this photograph. The view was spectacular and there's nothing like the sound of water to lull you to sleep.

Day 2- Beach trip.

What? but Yosemite doesn't have a beach. Oh yes it does. Joe had discovered this sandy paradise on our first day in and we wasted no time getting to know it. Once there, we were surrounded by cliffs, waterfalls, and trees as we laid out in nothing but our bathing suits soaking up the sun's vitamin D, lying upon warm sand and beneath blue skies. Again, surreal.


The only thing missing from this is a Corona!






And when we were't starring at the view, we played Backgammon.


Day 3- The Camp.


There's nothing like a hot political debate between sips of wine in paper cups.

The debate became too heated for Hoshi, he quickly decided to stay out of it.

And I always love a good campfire. Always a great way to end the day . . . that and a bit of silly-time with the Kerosene lamp!



So there it is, in all its glory- "PRETTY." Honestly, I'll never find the perfect words for Yosemite. I'm ok with that. I think it's ok to be speechless at times. For now, my adjectives can be found within my lens.



"Everybody needs beauty as well
as bread, places to play in and
pray in, where nature may heal
and give strength to body and
soul alike."
- John Muir

Baby!

Well here it is- I was going to shoot fireworks for my 4th of July Blog but I was in Santa Monica for the 4th and they decided to cancel them. I was a little bummed. It was the first time I had ever celebrated the 4th minus the fireworks but I quickly recovered. You'll have to too. I have no fireworks for you this monday morning, instead I have baby!

You see, for our daytime 4th activities we all lounged around on the sand, in the sun, and occasionally frolicked in the waves. When I say we, I mean everyone else . . . I obsessed over a baby. My friend recently gave birth to a beautiful baby boy and I could not take my lens off of him- Everyone, meet Aiden.



Better than fireworks right? Happy 4th everybody.