A Parakeet Named Sue

Campbell, California Photographer | Portraits of a Parakeet

Meet Sue, the androgynously named plum-headed parakeet who is male and whose real name is Sunshine. A long time ago, he flew into a window at my uncle's office, and my uncle brought him home to us. He's as old as I am and is expected to live past 30, much to my parents' dismay. (Sorry, Sue.) He only says two things – "Hi, Sweetie, whatcha doin'?" and "Want a treat" – but he occasionally imitates sounds on TV. He flirts with food-offerers with a slow two-step and a click of the tongue, his pupils spiraling in and out like a hypnotist's disk. He thrives on seedcakes, pellets, and the occasional carrot, and sleeps one-footed on a mini swing.

This shoot was challenging for many reasons. Bird models are harder to work with than you'd think. I didn't even intend to be in these photos, but he wouldn't perch on anything I wanted him to sit on, so naturally the best alternative was my head. Self-portraits are hard enough to begin with! I've worked with wind, harsh light, and tricky people, but Sue was by far the most difficult model I've run into. (I haven't had anyone fly away from me before.)

Gilberto

Karen

Butterfly Reserve Senior Portraits | UCSB Class of 2015 | Goleta, California

Three different flower patches + "wheat" fields + warm sunlight = bliss

Cacti Self-Portraits

SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA 

I was inspired by a senior session the night before (photos to come) to return to this spot and take some self-portraits with these cacti. Aren't they cool? It's all around a great spot because there aren't many people around (the most awkward part about taking self-portraits), and it's right by the UCSB lagoon – you don't have to go far around here to find a variety of biomes.

Also, I'm not a fashion blogger, but I just have to say that this whole outfit was purchased at Crossroads (at different points in time) for less than $20. That's a Lucky Brand shirt and a J. Crew sweater right there. Boom.

Julia K.

Goleta, California Photographer | UCSB Senior Portraits | Class of 2015

I just love working with seniors! For the first (and last) time, I am also a college senior, and it's so fun to be surrounded by so much enthusiasm for UCSB and graduation. Julia and I were able to get some great shots over at the Butterfly Preserve – isn't her smile contagious?

Cavewoman

GOLETA, CALIFORNIA

Self-portraits are one of my favorite things to do because they're challenging. They require thorough shot-planning, tripods, remotes, and a certain degree of discomfort (carrying all the gear, running back and forth, people walking by, etc.). I committed myself to going out to this beach cave today around sunset to get these shots, and I almost backed out a few times. But I'm glad I didn't. Luckily, I pretty much had the whole beach to myself, and the few people I did see just smiled and said, "Hi." You can get away with lots of weird things in a college town.

Ariella

GAVIOTA STATE PARK, CALIFORNIA

Thanks to Ariella for our '20s soundtrack on the way to Gaviota, for helping me not fall off miniature cliffs, and for entertaining this ridiculous bird-lady dress.

Berry Beard

CAMPBELL, CALIFORNIA PHOTOGRAPHER

B E R R Y  B E A R D

step 1: find man with beard.

step 2: find berry bush.

step 3: apply swatch of berries to said man's beard.

step 4: profit.

Lindsey & Bryan

STOW HOUSE | GOLETA, CALIFORNIA PHOTOGRAPHER

This shoot was great for so many reasons: the colors, the lighting, the fresh green grass from the recent storms, but most of all, the two amazing people I got to capture. I love shoots where people say things like, "Can we dance?" or "This might be weird, but..."

Thanks again, Lindsey and Bryan, for being so enthusiastic and fun to work with!

Alex & Mike

SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA

Alex & Mike recently got engaged, and we had a great time wandering around the Funk Zone and beach area of Downtown Santa Barbara. They moved here from New Jersey not too long ago, and I'm glad because it meant I got to work with them! I love the industrial feel of the beginning shots, followed by the soft, romantic tones of the ending after the sun had set. Such a sweet, attractive couple. :-)

Krissy & Erik

Goleta, California

The day of this shoot was the 3-year anniversary of when Erik first proposed to Krissy, so I thought it was sweet that we got to incorporate their wedding attire into some of the shots. They are an amazing couple with awesome style. Thanks again, Krissy & Erik!

Laura

Knapp's Castle // Santa Barbara, CA

Laura and I had a great time exploring these ruins. The Knapp mansion burned down in 1940, so anything that was made of stone is all that remains. I always love exploring places where people once stood, people whose lifetimes have long since passed. It's like time travel to me.

Zoe

Presidio - San Francisco, California

I was chasing fog for this shoot, hoping to catch what was left of the summer's morning gloom. I even left my house at six in the morning. Unfortunately, I chose the one day the fog decided not to show up. But Zoe and I had a great time nonetheless.

dio

Milkbath

Well, this afternoon I was struck with another photo idea, based off of some other milk bath portraits I had seen. I asked Padraic to help me with it, and of course he said yes - even volunteering himself to be the recipient of the milk bath portrait. But instead I wanted him to assist me with some self-portraits, which you could technically just call portraits now, since I wasn't the one pressing the trigger. (I didn't think that attempting to suspend my camera over a tub of warm milk and pressing a remote trigger was a very good idea.)

So off to the store we went for a box of powdered milk and some cornstarch (one recipe advised the use of cornstarch for increased opacity...but it didn't end up contributing much). I filled the tub with as little water as possible - after all, we are in a drought - and figure I've made it up by not showering for the past 3 days (TMI?).

Though there was nothing inherently provocative about this shoot, I guess the whole in-the-bathtub-not-wearing-too-many-clothes thing may give that impression. Just to clarify, as you'll see in some of the shots, we were each adequately covered. Next time, I think it would actually be cool to wear MORE clothes. Think about it: clad in a floral button-up with pearl earrings & swimming in milk. I might just have to do that.