Adam's Attic - Making their mark

In a previous post I talked about posting some pictures from a photoshoot I had with the band Adam's Attic a few months ago.
As I was looking through my email this morning, I received a message from Adam's Attic rhythm guitarist Frank letting me know that they are being featured on Clear Channels Star 98.7!

I'm really proud of these guys!
While Allegra and I lived in Orange County, I became great friends with Frank and Joe; their story is pretty amazing. The band migrated to California after they lost everything in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana. All they had was their van, some band equipment, and some clothes (a story in itself). They moved to California (15 in all) and shared a home together....a tight squeeze but worth it to pursue their dream.
During the course of our year in Orange County, my friendship grew with these guys. After seeing a few of my photos, they asked me to be their personal photographer to shoot shows they performed at the House of Blues Anaheim and eventually professional shots to be used for their album cover.
WELL....the shots I took for their CD cover can now be found highlighting the band on LA's Star 98.7 radio station website! You will see a series of 5 pictures (in the top left corner of the page) for 5 different bands that scrolls through. The picture of Adam's Attic is one of the photos taken during our "in the middle of the night" photoshoots.
From the homepage you will see ANOTHER photo with a Q&A with Joe, the lead singer. (You may recognize Joe from the article I previously posted). Check out the interview.
So here are some of the photos we took after one of the shows they played that have been used on their website and CD. (The photos were taken in my old apartment's parking garage...haha)

Here are the guys in action at House of Blues, Sunset-Hollywood

Aaron + Kate Engagement Session

Yesterday was a blast! Aaron, a good friend of mine, asked if I would take engagement photos of him and his new finance' Kate....I gladly said yes! Aaron has been my saving grace the past 5 years each time I have had any trouble with..well..anything technical (especially my computer)!
Kate, Aaron and I started the morning off with a lot of entertainment from a neighbor's dog. Not only did the dog like to be on camera, but he also liked to try and eat the camera! haha

After a nice walk though the gorgeous property they will be living at, we decided to head to the beach where, according to Aaron, they shared their first date. With little distraction, this couple easily slipped into a magical place each time they looked in each other's eyes. Although they were a little uncomfortable in front of the camera, it was neat to see Kate look at Aaron in a way only a future bride can look at her future husband.

On the way back from the beach I saw a barn off of the street and asked Aaron and Kate if we could stop there to take more shots. Being an adventurous couple, they were excited at the idea of seeing what was up there.
We found ourselves amidst a ton of cool things including old shovels and tools that look like they have been sitting there for 100 years and plow equipment..(the things only a Hanford boy could appreciate..) :)

Aaron and Kate will be getting married in a few short months! - CP

Capturing Claire

Claire is the daughter of my friend Karen whom I hold very close to my heart. I have known Karen since the fourth grade. I have played tennis with her, raised a sheep for 4-H with her, and lived next door to her. Above all, I have been prayed over by Karen, had her by my side as I experienced true miracles in my life, and was brought to my first experience with true faith by her loving encouragement. Karen is an amazing friend, wife, and now mother.
On March 1, Karen, Claire, and I had the first chance to spend a few hours together as girls. Watching Karen just be a mother to Claire is one of the most beautiful things for me to witness. Motherhood has changed her in ways that are subtle and at the same time, strong. She gives me wisdom and reminds me that soon it will be my turn and it will all be worth it. To watch Claire is to be in awe of His work, His intention, and His plan for our life that is beyond our own. Claire is a growing miracle who is discovering this world by day and experiencing life's first with each passing moment. To capture a moment in her life that she will soon grow out of was an honor and a blessing.
-Allegra

Reliving this past year in photography - Part 2

It's amazing how a photo can take you back to somewhere in time and allow you to relive moments from your past. These photos did exactly that.
Last year I had the pleasure of taking pictures with a good friend of mine Joe Henry from Adam's Attic. We went to Balboa Island where you can find a bunch of great back drops for pictures because every house is uniquely painted and have different styles to them.
Adam’s Attic starting to get recognized by major radio stations for a song called “Waiting”. It’s funny because I remember Joe being in my den talking about this song he wrote the night before. He grabbed my guitar and played it for the first time in front of anyone…me! (yes, I know… ). Since that day they have played that song all over the world…..literally…..from House of Blues on Sunset, Hollywood to Singapore, Hawaii, Germany…..the list goes on and on.
In another segment I’ll share some pictures from a few sessions I had with the entire band. Some in the garage of my old apartment complex, some from House of Blues, Hollywood, and I’ll talk about the picture that made it to their debut cd “Skylines and City Lights”

For now, here are a few photos from my day trip at Balboa Island. -CP

Reliving this past year in photography - Part 1

This past year was the awakening of a whole new world for Allegra and I; the world of photography. What started off as a hobby has slowly become an avenue to express the way we see people, places and life.
Our story started last year. As we were unpacking from our big move to Orange County, Allegra and I looked through our wedding and engagement photos (taken by Cameron Ingalls) for the hundredth time. We were talking about how cool it is to capture a moment in life from an individual's point of view from behind the camera and how later those moments become still frames that others can appreciate.
The dream of rebuilding my dune buggy (don't laugh... :) )was coming to a halt since I no longer had a place to work on this dream machine...haha. So I sold the buggy and we decided to put the money toward a camera.
After a few adventures out with the camera, Allegra's sister was eager to let us practice taking her picture since we had no experience at all directing anyone or even taking pictures for people other than ourselves.
There was an old barn across the street from where Allegra once rented an apartment that came to both of our minds. We jumped in the car and were on out way to our first "photoshoot".
With little direction from us, Britton was on her way to being the next Country star top model. Here are a few shot that were a result of that outing.

Once we got going and comfortable with the camera, we decided to hop around San Luis and take pictures until the sun went down. Here are a few more from that trip.

(she's probably going to hate me for posting this one....but it was too funny to not hehe)

This concludes part 1 of "Reliving this past year in photography"
CP