Purple Tree, UCLA.

This is one of my favorite trees on campus, especially when it's in bloom. I decided to stand underneath it today with the wind in my hair and just stood for a minute before taking it's portrait. How magical it was.

Quote of the Week

"Happiness depends upon ourselves."

 - Aristole

Sometimes we all forget this, myself included. It's important to be reminded that we can learn what it means to be truly happy if we are delighted with ourselves first. I'm an undergraduate with less than 3 weeks left of a hellish Spring Quarter and I can choose to be stressed out of my mind but that would make me very unhappy. The goal is to be as stress-free as possible so that is what I'm going to try and accomplish. I'm going to do what I love while being productive. I'll let you know how it goes :)

My Best,
Meg

P.S. I had two photo shoots over the weekend. One engagement and the other a Graduation session! I'm so incredibly excited to share them with you soon :)

Where did the time go?

September 18, 2009 - In my room

It feels just like yesterday, my parents helped me move into my 10X10 single room in Reiber Terrace 5. For the first time, I was completely alone and embarking on a journey I had no clue would teach me an exponential amount in such little time. I just want time to slow down a little. I have 2 more weeks of school left?!?! It's unreal and I just want to savor every moment in between the massive amounts of work my classes are demanding and my teary eyes that I can't help to get when I'm reminded that my days walking around campus as a UCLA undergrad are numbered. Don't get me wrong... I'm anxious and excited for what's to come and I know God will lead me in the right path like he always has but, it doesn't discount that it's all flying by me so incredibly fast.

My First Swing Ball

I haven't posted much about my personal experiences on this photography blog yet. However, I feel inclined to share this particular exciting and new experience I had this past weekend. 

I've always identified myself as a dancer. My passion for pursuing professional photography has just begun but, dancing has always been my constant; the place I turn to when I need to express how I feel. Dancing has always been a passion that excites my soul and this weekend my eyes were opened to a new genre of dance I've never tried before. Swing dancing. Sure... I've spun my little sister around in the living room countless times and have tried to teach her the art of swinging in and out to one another. (Keyword in that sentence is: tried. Sorry J! ) But, my silly infatuations with thinking I knew  enough were completely wrong.

I was asked to go to this Spring Swing Ball held at the Santa Monica Woman's Club this past Saturday. I was quite nervous thinking that I would be going to a social dance where I only knew my date and barely knew where to place my feet. Dancing has always come easy to me, but I've always preferred the free-form types of dance. Lindy Hop is much more structured and as a lady, I have to follow where my lead (dance partner) , leads me. Walking into the entrance of the Woman's Club, there were two doors leading to the ballroom. One of the doors was propped open to the dance floor already filled with couples swiftly moving along in circles around themselves. At first, I could only lock my eyes on the skirts spinning and brightly colored flowers in almost every woman's hair. My eyes then moved to the ceiling of the room. I thought I was dreaming. The dance floor was laced with lanterns streaming high above all of the beautiful bodies dancing to the beat. I have a soft spot for lanterns after watching the latest Disney film, Tangled. There is just something so enchanting and romantic about them. Bodies flowing in opposite synchrony flowed around the room in intricate movements, it was hard to keep track. The room was lit with this flushed dimmed pink light making everyone's face glow, including mine. That was probably just because I felt like a little kid in a candy store. The Johnathan Stout Orchestra had not yet started playing. My date had been anticipating them since he told me about the event. We got there just in time though.

Shortly after, I was whisked off my feet and began dancing. I was trying so hard not to stumble over my feet. I danced with a few partners that night, each one was very different with a different style. Some I preferred over others but, as the night went on I found myself more and more comfortable. I felt at ease with following the lead and tried my best to keep a strong posture at all times. I feel so lucky that I've been introduced to Lindy Hop, swing dancing. I had an incredible amount of fun and I feel like it's an under -rated form of dancing that doesn't get mainstream recognition like some others do. Maybe it does and I am completely wrong. But, as a dancer... I would have thought that I'd come across an experience like this at some point before now. The culture of swing dancing is so intriguing and the more I learn, the more I love. This ball, the experience I had just makes me want to become a better dancer. I don't know when the opportunity will present itself again, maybe I should just go searching for it but, I'd would love to learn more. 

I wanted to be cool and get new shoes for the occasion so I got brand new white flat shoes to match my white floral patterned dress. By the end of the night, my shoes (on the left) weren't so white anymore!

Stay Blessed,

Meg 

Marley : Malibu Beach Shoot

 Marley is a professional dancer signed with DDO Artists Agency, a well known agency in Los Angeles, Ca. At the end of April, I had the opportunity to photo shoot her for her portfolio in Malibu. Working with her was such a pleasure! A natural beauty, Marley's poise and laughter made the shoot a ton of fun. The media industry better watch out for her, she's quite the catch!

 

Caitin + David Couple Shoot

Caitlin and David have been together for almost five years. These two had me laughing up a storm during our shoot, cracking jokes. Their love for each other is very sweet.

 

Elizabeth's Graduation Portrait Shoot, UCLA.

I had the pleasure of photographing a fellow Bruin. I met Elizabeth, an Italian major with a special field in International Relations, this past Friday. She will be graduating in June and will be looking for a career in imports/exports or in project management. I like her sense of adventure. She has many places she'd like to relocate to.

Elizabeth was a natural in front of the camera. I didn't need to give her a lot of direction.  Many times she would just gracefully move around and I was able to capture her best angles!

 

We were able to take really elegant photographs at Royce Hall located in one of the central locations of UCLA.

 

To see more of Elizabeth's shoot, visit Meg & Kate Photography!

Ducks in the Venice Canals.

Langley/Scott Family Beach Shoot!

Hi All!

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to photograph one of my good friends, Cindal, and her family. She shares a beautiful daughter, Scarlett, with her beau of almost 5 years, Kevin. We had this shoot planned for quite some time but we had some weather complications holding us back. However, I'm very happy that we waited because the weather was perfect and it gave us time to really discuss Cindal's vision for the shoot. We shot in the afternoon at the beach in their hometown Hermosa Beach, California. The sun was slowly setting so it added a beautiful glow around the family. 

 Cindal's smile and laugh is contagious.

 This shot is one of my favorites. Scarlett will be turning 2 in May. She is so vivacious and intelligent! Talking up a storm, it was very entertaining to see her facial expressions and see her passion for life at such a young age.

I brought lavender to the shoot with some intention of using it. Scarlett automatically wanted to carry it around the whole beach. 

Kevin and Cindal are coming up on their 5th year anniversary in June. They make such a great pair.

This sequence was a lot of fun. Miss Scarlett loved every minute of it!

I've known Cindal for almost 8 years. She and I went to the same high school. We met in our school's drama department and hit it off. Her beauty really resonates in this photo. I always knew that one day she would be such a beautiful mother.

I hope you enjoy looking at these photographs as much as I loved taking them.

To see more of the shoot visit Meg & Kate's Facebook Page!

xoxo,

Meg