Model of Fitness

Headshots to eventually be hung on the walls at Arcadia Fitness was the goal for my photoshoot with Evie last Saturday.  We begun in my backyard and then headed to the park for some new light. 


The park was full of late Saturday afternoon fun.  Kids playing hide and go seek, birthday parties, bicycles, giggles and screams.  Amongst all the park "hub bub", we eventually moved over to the grass,  where Evie agreed to pose for the camera with some of her favorite Pilates exercises.  There we were amongst the park 'madness", shooting away.  Evie, every bit the fitness model and I the "wanna be" Fitness magazine photographer--ha ha!  What a fun shoot--I had a blast!

Evie Mathieson is the voice over the phone that Hugo Reid parents will usually hear when they need to pick up their sick child from school or in my case that your daughter has broke her arm and that I should come RIGHT away!  Working with children, parents, teachers and staff, an elementary school office could be one wild but fun place to be--5 days a week.  I always wondered how Evie maintained her cool spirit.  Until one day, I found out her secret weapon - Pilates (puh-LAH-teez), an exercise system that is focused on building strength, improving flexibility and agility, and helping to prevent injury. It was developed in the 1920s by Joseph H. Pilates, who was a physical trainer and founder of The New York Pilates Studio®. It involves a series of controlled movements that engage both your body and mind. It was initially created for rehabilitation, but was later adopted by dancers and athletes and is now utilized by millions.

Evie is a certified Pilates instructor and teaches at Arcadia Fitness, The Center for Well Being in Sierra Madre and One2onept Pilates studio in Monrovia, where she conducts private and duet sessions.  The joy of movement, increased flexibility and strength, greater confidence, ease of daily activities and decreased stress are some of the benefits Evie promises you will achieve through regular practice of Pilates.  Her fan club (myself included) can attest to these promises.  For more information, please contact Evie at mailto:precision.pilates@live.com  

Four Generations of LOVE

Mrs. Yamaguchi, grandmother to Clarissa and Mikaylie, my children's classmates and mother to my dear friend Kerri, has been one of the biggest supporters of my new business.  Last summer, I recall telling her that I launched a website and was immediately welcomed with a warm smile and encouraging words.  A few weeks later, she delivered photography equipment that had belonged to her late father.  Over the last 6 years, I have sat on basketball benches, accompanied her as a chaperon on field trips, watched her hop in and out of town on 6 hour drives to see  her granddaughter’s holiday programs or school plays.  So when she asked if I would take their family photos, 4 generations of family, I was honored, I was excited, I was nervous.  Fifteen family members including great obachan, Mr. and Mrs. Yamaguchi, their three daughters and their husbands, and 4 kids between the ages of 11 and 3---- PLUS 2-year old twins.  Attire was discussed and Pasadena City Hall and the surrounding area was selected as the location.  Although, I must confess, I barely slept a wink the night before. 

As the family arrived and I could see their smiles and the sound of giggles and conversations, I started to snap away.   Capturing a period in time and the way those people felt towards each other is a main focus of my photography.  If you look closely, I think you will feel the LOVE.

Welcome!