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10 on 10: Snow! {Los Angeles Family Photographer}

It has been almost 2 years since my family’s move from Montana to California.  I know I have officially become a SoCal weather wuss (how can 50 degrees really feel so cold?!!), but I haven’t lost my love for the snow.  Last week, over Spring Break, we headed up to Mammoth Lakes with kids, dog, and lots of skis in tow.

We spent a day on the downhill slopes, but our true love is cross-country skiing.  It’s a perfect family activity and something my boys have already grown to love.  Seeing them out there on skis fills me with joy!

California Spring skiing is the best way to do it.  Nearly 50 degrees with gorgeous sunny skies. . . don’t forget the sunglasses!

Our old lady dog, Maggie, is 13 years old and still going as strong as (if a bit slower than) she used to.  In her younger years (when she was our only “kid”), she came along on many ski trips with us, so it was great that she could join us on this one.

Even though this is “10 on 10″ I’m sharing one bonus image for the day, the only family picture we got during our trip.  We skied to Minaret Vista for a picnic lunch and enjoyed the stunning view of the Sierras, feeling like we were literally and figuratively on top of the world!

It’s not a true “10 on 10″ without a little sharing, so head over to see what Spokane Photographer Creatively Yours by Kelly Q has for this month!

Melissa - April 11, 2013 - 1:23 pm

Seriously Amy – just adopt me into your family – so much fun! …gorgeous images too :)

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Fine Art Friday: Sunset {Los Angeles Photographer}

El Segundo is situated just south of LAX.  My evening dog walks typically take me to an airport overlook situated at the north end of town.  While it’s hardly a scene of quiet beauty, it is fascinating to watch, particularly at sunset.  The blinking lights of the runway and control tower, the airplane headlights lined up in the sky waiting their turn to land, and the setting sun turning the sky a gorgeous hue can make the whole scene breathtaking!

This night, instead of turning my lens to the busy runways, I turned it to the west and got the warm glow of the sun just before it slipped beneath the horizon.  I find this image simply mesmerizing. . .

The setting sun makes a warm glow in the sky and through an American flag.

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10 on 10: Santa Barbara {Los Angeles Photographer}

It’s March 10th, which means another installment of “10 on 10,” which I have been excitedly waiting for the last couple of weeks.  My family took a short weekend trip up the coast to Santa Barbara in mid-February and we had a great time exploring one of California’s best cities!

One thing we didn’t count on when we arrived was the wind.  We brought our bicycles and had planned to ride along the beach promenade, but nearly 20 mph winds deterred us. 

Even though we weren’t on bikes, we still easily got to the Santa Barbar Pier, also known as Stearns Wharf, home of the Ty Warner Sea Center.   

My just-turned-6-year-old is an ocean animal lover and has declared he wants to be a marine biologist when he grows up.  When we told our boys we were taking a trip to Santa Barbara for the weekend, the first thing he asked was, “is there an aquarium there?”  When I told him there was, he demanded it be our first stop upon arrival into town!

With his ocean animal quota filled, we walked further along the promenade, just soaking up the sunshine and gorgeous views.

We watched the sun set through the palm trees, had a fantastic dinner, then turned in early, ready for more adventure the next day!

 I love participating in this “10 on 10″ challenge with some other extremely talented photographers.  Go check out Spokane Photographer Kelly of Creatively Yours next for another fun 10 on 10!

Kelly Q - March 10, 2013 - 10:46 am

I always love your adventures, Amy! One of my cousins lives in Santa Barbara.. so fun to see more of it!

Melissa - March 10, 2013 - 3:26 pm

Ahhhhhhhhhh… it is so dreary, foggy, snowy, and rainy here – your images have me dreaming of summer…. soon, hopefully

Erin h. - March 11, 2013 - 4:52 am

Beautiful! I especially love the family shadow and the palm trees!

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Certified Professional Photographer

I am delighted to share the news that I just earned my Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) designation!

The Professional Photographers of America (PPA) formed a Certification Commission that developed and monitors the rigorous standards for earning your CPP.  In order become a CPP, you must pass a tough written exam as well as submit images that meet specific professional standards.  The images submitted must show work created for clients that excels in artistic and technical merit.  You can read a little more about what certification means here.

Last year, I set my goal to become a CPP.  So, I declared my candidacy and started on my journey.  Unlike my previous career field (engineering), I did not go to school or earn a degree in photography.  I am entirely self-taught.  That doesn’t mean I haven’t taken numerous classes and workshops or spent countless hours producing, processing, and finishing images in the past 4+ years.  I have a shelf full of books on photography, all dog-eared and highlighted from late night reading and studying!  What it does mean is that unlike the end of my time studying and practicing engineering, that resulted in Bachelor of Science degree, I didn’t have any sort of official paper declaring my competence in photography.  Until now.  Now, I can proudly say that I am certified.  Certified as a professional in my industry.

As one of my clients, you can have confidence and peace of mind that you are working with a professional.  The Certification Commission states that their mission is to validate a consistent standard by which professional photographers can achieve and maintain a recognizable mark of excellence.  You can count on that excellence not only in your beautiful images, but in all aspects of working with me.

Earning my CPP was a personal and professional goal of mine, but it is also a gift to my clients.  A promise that you are working with a true professional.

Kim Hill - March 6, 2013 - 2:42 pm

Congratulations!!! :)

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Fine Art Friday {Los Angeles Photographer}

Another installment of Fine Art Friday served up today, this time from the beautiful southern California town of Solvang.  Rolling hills, ancient trees, and amazing vineyards make a beautiful landscape.  Because the landscape itself has such an “old world” feel, I decided to do a little something different than my typical bright style.  Hope you enjoy it!

 

Please check out Cheree Federico, Bowling Green KY Photographer for her beautiful fine art image this month!

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Cheree - February 22, 2013 - 5:57 am

I did enjoy this, Amy! Very nice. Looks like an impending storm in the background. Not sure if it is, but I love what it brings to the image.

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