Jazzy Holiday Slideshow

I took Rachel and Angie out to some of my favorite locations on Saturday to take some photos for a holiday slideshow. This year I'm sharing the slideshow with friends and family instead of sending out the usual photo card. I wanted to do something that captured a lot more fun and holiday spirit than is possible with just one photo. Please check it out and let me know what you think. Make sure you turn up the volume for the full 'jazzy cheer' effect!

http://www.mitchelwu.com/HappyHolidays2009.html

Old Town Monrovia

Did a little street photography through Old Town Monrovia yesterday morning. It was a cool, gray morning which made the fall colors of the trees stand out that much more. Tough economic times have taken their toll in this beautiful little town as I noticed at least a half dozen vacant stores along Myrtle Avenue. I've always found Monrovia to be a nice alternative to trendy Old Town Pasadena. It's more relaxed with fewer hipsters and has plenty of easy parking. Hopefully it will bounce back.

80s Birthday Party... Like, Totally!

Photographed an 80s themed roller skate birthday party for Ming-Na and Michaela last weekend. So much fun! The retro event was held at the amazing Skateland in Los Angeles. Lots of big hair and spandex. BIG fun for kids and adults alike. I love the 80s and I loved shooting this party. Happy birthday, girls!

Fun slideshow here: http://www.mitchelwu.com/Skateland.html

Kerriann + Phillip

Had the coolest session last weekend with Kerriann and Phillip. Lyndsay Gabrielle was on hand as well providing amazing hair and makeup. Kerriann was absolutely stunning in her wedding gown. We spent the better part of the afternoon shooting at several locations I scouted out the day before, and they didn't disappoint. Dynamic and visually stunning I will definitely be using these locations again in the future. One of the highlights of the day (there were a few of them!) occurred when a little girl walked by and said, "Look Mommy, a PRINCESS!" You really couldn't fault her for thinking that...

Pumpkin Carving

A milestone... Angie carved her own pumpkin start to finish for the very first time and had all fingers intact when she finished!

Lombardi Ranch

We made our annual pilgrimage to Lombardi Ranch yesterday and spent a small fortune on pumpkins and tickets to the corn field maze. Weird, deformed pumpkins were the order of the day as we tend to aim for character over pumpkin perfection. Do you love the hat??

My Muse In Training

Take a Hike!

Here are a few pics from a hike we recently took at Rice Canyon in the Santa Susana Mountains on the western edge of Santa Clarita. The hike started at an elevation of around 1400 feet and ended near the ridge at 2600 feet. We took the East Canyon Trail which ends at a huge old oak tree overlooking the entire Santa Clarita Valley - a great place to enjoy a well-deserved picnic lunch and savor the views (and try to spot our house, unsuccessfully). We hiked through three species of oak, California bay laurel, black walnut, big leaf maples and a myriad of wildflowers. Then, at around 2500 feet, you enter a different world of bigcone Douglas Firs. Some of our best days are spent hiking and this was no exception!