Staying in a French chateau such as the elegant and historic Château de Marçay is a once in a lifetime experience. With history as a fortress dating back to the eleventh century, the chateau is filled with stone-hewn spiraling staircases and circular rooms built into its fortified walls. But the individually decorated and themed rooms boast inviting furnishings, marshmallow-soft beds, and plush robes. We had a delightful stay at the chateau, enjoying a memorable dinner and a delightful morning at the chateau before continuing on to Paris. 

Qasr Al Sarab by Anantara, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. 

Stephanie Moustakas' line of fine, quality, but oh-so-wearable jewelry is going to take the moms on the go world by storm. But first, she needed a ton of great product and lifestyle images to round out her website. Using the backdrop of her home, her sample pieces, and her kiddos (when they were in the mood) we shot a heap of images that will live on her website as category images, headers, and social media content to get this jewelry line launched right. Want to score some to die for pieces for yourself or someone you know? Head over to https://stephaniemoustakas.com/ to place your order today!

What the heck is a meditasting? Part meditation, part champagne tasting, I can't explain it any better than Forbes magazine did on their list of "Most Unusual Wine Experiences in Los Angeles" :

"Only in California would someone think to mix champagne with channeling your mantra. Malibu Beach Inn recently started offering "meditastings" in the private Carbon Beach Club dining room, where sippers are guided by "award-winning thought leader and intuitive coach Cassandra Bodzak" on a meditation-based intake of Henriot Champagnes. The experience combines tasting directions with mindfulness techniques and meditation as Bodzak ushers guests into "a higher place of mindfulness, tranquility, and serenity." Reaching Champagne-nirvana takes roughly one hour and can be done for up to four people per room. Available to hotel guests only for $600 plus room rate." 

Clear as a champagne flute? Even if you don't totally get it, you've gotta admit these photos (shot by yours truly) are pretty fire. 

One of the things I love about living in Malibu is being just a few minutes from the ocean. So that means that pretty much the only thing that could make me jealous is a room right on the beach, just a couple meters above the salt spray and the crashing waves.
Dusty and I had an overnight here last week and were pampered by the staff, dazzled by the sunset, and energized by the delicious coffee in the morning. It's little wonder Malibu Beach Inn is on the roster of Leading Hotels of the World. 
Click over to Malibu Beach Inn's or Carbon Beach Club's instagrams for the latest story on this golden stretch of Southern California coastline. 

With miles of beaches, canyons, and grassy meadows, Malibu is known for its natural beauty, but what most people don't realize is that the developed parts of Malibu are also full of fun and funky corners that make for beautiful photo ops. You just have to time it right!

​The Collins family wanted some snaps that represent favorite memories and hang outs that are part of their daily life—trips to the playground, visits to the hardware store, acai bowls at the local juice bar. Usually these locations are packed with people, but we decided to visit first thing in on a weekday morning, when we would have it all to ourselves. It's amazing how a commercial storefront can transform into a beautiful photography setting when you have it all to yourself! Mama Kristy also requested some fun, funky, serious, etc. portraits of her kiddos. Well throw all that together into one sun-drenched morning and you get the magic that ensues below. See if you can recognize some of these favorite Malibu hangs. 

In summer 2018, I had the privilege of working for Pepperdine as the assistant director for an international program in which 25 students spent a month living and serving with the Mission at Natuvu Creek in Fiji. If you scroll through the photos below, if it looks like we played a lot of volleyball, it's because we did. If it looks like everywhere you looked was an idyllic island scene, that's because it was. But you'll also see images of work, human connection, learning, studying, worship, beauty, laughter, and helping out any way we could. Check out Pepperdine's international program website for more information about Pepperdine's summer international programs, including Fiji >> 

I tend to shoot mostly people, so when I got the chance to snap photos of objects in a home, it was totally different and a little harder but also a little easier! Kristen O'Malley is a space designer. She does homes, sets (check out her Emmy in the gallery!) and more. Her taste is incredible and every piece has meaning as well as beauty and a great story. What a treat to photograph the work of a fellow creative! 

So you've got this amazing team. Beautiful location. World class wine, food, hospitality, view, décor, the list goes on. Now you just need some great images to communicate that reality. New head shots, stock images for the website, print and digital promo, the works. Photos that will represent your identity well. 

​That's what Malibu Beach Inn needed when they reached out to me for some not-your-average head shots of their team. Read more to meet the Malibu Beach Inn team, shining bright in their natural habitat.