A few months ago I had the privilege to shoot behind the scenes for a music video for James David.  Everything about this shoot was a thrill.  There were so many creatives within this one room, and everyone was for  each other.  Not to mention James David is an amazingly talented guy.

Be sure and check out James David and his new video HERE.

Enjoy some behind the scenes shots from the evening.

The wonderful crew included:  Sarah Shreves, Renato, Beats and Feets, Aaron Scott, the guys of Sew Creative, and many more!  Thanks guys for making this evening so much fun!  Can’t wait to hang/play/create!

Today I miss New York.

There’s something about that city.  I just can’t get over it.  It’s busy; it’s independent; it’s a foodies heaven.  The air is crisp, and I feel like for some reason I walk a little taller and with a little more determination when I’m there.  There’s a constant movement, and though almost every corner of it is concrete, there’s something strangely beautiful about it.

Now that I have been traveling there for a few years now, I have developed some dear friendships that I am so thankful for.  My friends that live in New York are creative and pushing the envelope of expectations that have been set on them.  I love that every night that I’m in New York is a late night filled with good food, long conversations usually filled with laughter, and typically some sort of red wine.

Below are some shots of a friend’s Manhattan loft that I crash at when I’m in town.  I love love love her place.  The colors, the odds and ends, but most of all there is this strange sense of home I get whenever I venture into this Manhattan home…a sort of home away from home.

Dear New York:  I will see you soon~Kat

We literally live on opposite sides of the US.  Bekah and her husband Ben live in Florida, and as you know I live out here in Southern California.  Last fall, Bekah and Ben of Kallima Photography, photographed a wedding I was in on the East Coast.  Somehow by the end of the wedding we were dancing, telling secrets, and acting like lifelong friends.  (And really once you get to know this girl, you kind of want to be her lifelong friend).

After the wedding we talked about keeping in touch, and let’s be honest we say that a lot of times.  But here is the thing.  We actually did.  Over the last almost year, Bekah has become a dear friend.  One of those soul friendships.  She’s such a kindred spirit, and I respect her so much.  Artistically Bekah tells such honest stories with her images.  As a mother and wife she is committed, nurturing, playful.  As a friend she’s loyal, encouraging, will dance on the dancefloor all night, and then have a heart to heart with you.

Bekah, it makes me so sad that we live so far away, but I am so thankful to God that he crossed our paths.  You consistently pour your heart out into all that you do, and it challenges me as an artist, friend, sister, etc.  Thank you for your friendship.  Thank you sharing truth in my life when I need it most, and thank you for sharing your life with me.  I just adore you!

Location:  Some field.

Fun Fact:  This is my first time using the Film Presets VSCO.  Would love to know your thoughts!

Dear Elijah,

You are one lucky boy.  Your mom and dad are a rare gift to this world and specifically our community.  They are loyal and faithful friends, and already committed parents.  You’re not even here yet, but you’ve been loved so well.  You have been prayed for, taken care of, and thought of long before we even knew you were coming.  I can’t wait to meet you and see your little personality… and teach you some awesome dance moves!

Love,

Kat

There are six children in my family.  Yep, you read right:  I am one of 6 kids, which basically makes my mom a saint.  The older I get the more I realize what an amazingly strong woman she is.

Grace is my youngest sister.  My mom had her when I was a senior in high school if you can believe it.  When she was a new born I used to take her to the mall to go shopping with me, and everyone would comment on how good I looked with having such a small baby!  Did I correct them, and let them know she was my sister, not my baby?  No way; it was too much fun to pretend I was a teen mom!

Grace is 9 now, and although she lives in Texas we are super close.  She’s my pen pal, and we write to each other about things like Justin Bieber, and her new genie trolls that she buys off e-bay.  It’s also not uncommon to come back from a run and find that I have 15 text messages all from her; it cracks me up and makes me feel special.

Over Christmas we snuck away and took some pictures in our backyard and alleyway.  These pictures are the essence of my precious little sister.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I do:)

I love you Grace.

Mercí New York featured this shoot from Mike’s NYC Shooting workshop over the holidays.  We were so thrilled as Jackie’s NYC blog is one of our faves!! Check out her post HERE.  Now onto my perspective of the images:

It happens when you least expect it…

Just a normal day at the New York Public Library…

Then he sees her, and things change.

He tries to make her laugh,

and it works.

And then the rest of it is…

well it’s history I guess.

Or at least a second date.

The end.

Vendor Information

Sneak peak of Johnny and Erika’s Los Angeles Engagements…

Location:  Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles, CA.

Slowing down, and trying to remember that it’s the journey not the destination…and making stops along the way.

Julian, CA.

My first Thanksgiving away from home.

We ate. We laughed.  We played games. We ate.  We drank. We ate some more. We watched the sunset.  We watched movies.  We talked, and it was more than I could’ve hoped for.  If I had to be away from my family on Thanksgiving, these were the folks I’d wanted to be with.  Boys you outdid yourself.  Everything was PERFECT, and I’m still full I think from all that pie…and probably the deviled eggs too.  Oops.

Having some intense conversations about our hero Beyoncé; it was AWESOME.  (Matt isn’t sure what’s going on).

I’m thankful for friends that I consider family.  My home away from home.  Happy Thanksgiving:)

*Jennifer Welsch shot the images that I was in.

Vibrant life. She exudes it; it’s like she can’t help it.  Kate is confident, wise…need I say that she is absolutely stunning?

Kate is a person I am so excited to call a dear friend.  She is not ok with the status quo, and consistently pushes me and those she loves towards greatness.

Last weekend we were in Buffalo, NY together shooting a wedding.  It was about 30 minutes before sunset Saturday evening, and we decided to grab our cameras, put on some red lipstick (we’re going to start a red-lipstick club…get ready.  No f’real; it’s gonna be awesome), and played.

Here are some of my favorite shots…Enjoy:)