Earth teach me to forget myself as melted snow forgets its life. Earth teach me resignation as the leaves which die in the fall. Earth teach me courage as the tree which stands all alone. Earth teach me regeneration as the seed which rises in the spring. --William Alexander

Hello there you poor abandoned blog! I'm back, at long last. I thought it appropriate to begin again at Easter and Spring, a time for renewal and forgiveness and cleansing and planting new seeds. I had to take the last year off to take some things apart, starting with my family (separated after 18 years) and then myself. So, uh, yeah, that happened.

It sent me on a journey I wasn't prepared to take. I wasn't ready. I had no idea what to pack. I didn't know where I was going or what to expect. I only knew that I had to go to try to find the place I've been looking for and you'll be happy to know I think I'm at least heading in the right direction. 

My bucket was full of a whole lot of broken parts and a bunch more that weren't working (but fixable). Dumped the whole damn thing out and been doing some serious sorting. It's been the hardest work I've ever done in my life and I am not done yet. But I've found some amazing good things in there that I am keeping, I've been blessed with new wonderful things and friends to add in and I made room for new wonderful things to come. I can't wait to see what they are going to be!

I know so many people who had a really tumultuous year last year. Like A LOT of people. Something is brewing and it's part of why I'm sharing this. I think the collective nervousness is shaking the ground we are standing on. So many can relate and so many folks are reassessing and retooling. With the economy and this crazy world we've created, I think we're all feeling a little shaky and unsure and trying to figure out maybe a new way to do things -- because the old way isn't really working so hot. The upside is that I also think that it's bringing people together in new ways and they are sharing their stories and their solutions and things that help them make it through. I see it on Facebook and all over the place -- more positive than negative. People reaching out to one another with photos and quotes and stories that give hope or just share beauty. Keep it coming everyone, we all need it and it's really spectacular.  

So now for my fun sharing part of the program! For Spring Break I had the kids all week and I declared my house "CAMP AWESOME" and did little fun things, colored eggs, watched lotsa movies and had a great snack supply. For Easter weekend, I thought of no better way to celebrate renewal than with my awesome amazing kids at our favorite spot by the Ocean, Pt. Dume, just north of Malibu. I thought I'd make my re-entrance by sharing our wonderful day. Enjoy. <3 Robyn

 

Wow it's been a few weeks and I've been crazed on some project and family business but wanted to share some images from a GREAT show I attended and shot for the producers of The PLUSH SHOW in Los Angeles on June 5th. It was Amazing!

So this was the deal -- this amazacrazy entrepreneur Jina Park  came up with this idea to put together LA's grooviest luxury baby vendors for parents who want to find out about all the lurvley things available for babies in Los Angeles -- interior decorating, organic  toys, photography, party planners -- you name it. (See this beautiful Mama in purple below with celebs and her super-cute family!)

This was their first year and it was so beautiful and -- SHOCKER -- in LA, the weather was great too. I got a little sunburned snapping all the cute babies and their cuddly cute parents.  E! News came out to cover it along with some attendance of celeb moms. Check out our day and all the gorgeous things for little ones who don't even know how cool their life is yet...
 

So one of the things I've been working on while this poor blog has been collecting dust is becoming part of a group of entrepreneurial women here in Laurel Canyon we're callling the "Canyon Moms Collective." I'm really excited to be working with these awesome women to help spread the word about our work and grow our businesses by pooling our talents, word of mouth and resources. All of us offer programs and/or services for babies and families in Laurel Canyon and surrounding Los Angeles communities.

Stay tuned for a new Facebook Page about the Collective and its services! For now, let me introduce the first...

Sabrina LaBow (pictured below right in blue with her sleepy adorable daughter) is the creator of SLING AND DANCE, a new and fun exercise class for mom's with babies small enough to mount on front and go. It is taught by well-renowned dancer/choreographer/instructor Lacy Darryl Phillips (Mariah Carey's World Tour, The Academy Awards). How cool is that??

If you are in the area and are looking for a fun way to work out with your baby -- check it out!! She's holding classes at the following times/locations:

The next class will be at Wallaby in Silverlake Thursdays at 1:15 starting March 24th and then Tuesdays at 1:00 at The Treehouse Social Club on Robertson starting April 19th. Read on for more info on the classes!
 

Sling and Dance class--for Moms and Babies!

Classes are for moms/caregivers and their babies. Babies welcome with a sling or any type of carrier. The class is 45 minutes. No dance experience necessary. Classes are designed to be fun, both for caregivers and babies.

Combine a great workout for yourself while bonding with your baby and introducing him/her to music and movement.  Socialize with other parents and learn some great dance moves from dancer/choreographer/instructor Jennifer Tseng. Jennifer has danced and toured with Disney and been seen in national commercials for Honda, AT&T and others. She has ten years experience teaching dance as well as parent participation Mommy and Me classes.

When:  Thursdays 3/24, 3/31, 4/7, 4/14
Time:  1:15 pm - 2:00 pm
Where: Wallaby
1835 Hyperion Avenue
LA, CA 90027
323-662-0128
http://wallaby-la.com
Introductory cost: 4 classes for $100

SUPPLIES: You will need to bring a sling or any type of carrier. (There are slings that can be used for babies up to 40 pounds--what a great workout!) Also, please feed your baby half an hour before class.

Please contact Sabrina to reserve a space at slinganddance@gmail.com or at 323-363-2395.

And of course I got distracted by all the adorable siblings there, playing alongside! They were dancing away to the music and hanging out.

 

I completed this collage a couple weeks ago and loved working on it SOOOO much! This is a 24x36 Gallery Wrap Canvas comprised of images spanning 5 years with one of my favorite client families.

When I began the business of photographing children and families, I knew that I loved to do it. What I could never have predicted was how much I would fall in love with shooting them again and again. The clients who shoot every year (or more) and allow me the privilege of documenting their family history. What an unbelievable gift to me it has been.

Thank you Jan, Chris, Jet and Charlie. You are one of the coolest families ever and I am so lucky to know you. See you next year!

Happy New Year Everybody. I'm back at the editing helm next week and have lots to share. I hope your holidays were spectacular. It's gonna be a good year. I swear.