Birdznest Photography

A Visit to Caine's Arcade!

Fri, 11 May 2012 09:02:07 -0800

A couple weekends ago, the kids and I headed over to Caine's Arcade to check it out. If you weren't one of the kazillion people who saw the little movie that went viral, you must see it. So adorable. I think it appealed to us all for so many reasons -- with it's beauty, love, creativity and old-school simplicity. I think it was just what the doctor ordered in this time of tech craziness and, quite frankly, an overall time of global uneasiness.

I am part of a Meet-Up group of Hiking Photographers who put together outings (often hiking) but also of other interesting events around LA to check out and photograph. We were also able to photograph in the Auto Parts yard of Caine's Dad's business. Such a treat too!

I spoke with his Dad and they had just returned the night before from The Exploratorium in San Francisco. If you are ever in San Francisco, it's a must see. So this freak little viral movie got the attention of the interactive museum there who flew the entire family up to San Francisco and sent a truck to bring all Caine's Arcade there for a special showing! How cool is that?? He told me that Caine got a lifetime membership to the Exploratorium and they commissioned the original "claw machine" for permanent installation there (he made a new one for the Arcade in East LA -- we played it!).

So three cheers for Caine for bringing us this simple joy. Cheers for cardboard boxes and all their possibilities. Cheers for kids and free orange and grape sodas and bags of treats, labeled with a Sharpie instead of corporate logos. Thank you, Caine Monroy.

Open for business! We were the first ones to play that day and, duh, yes we bought a fun pass. :)

Merchandising! How cute are the bags of cookies and treats on the table?? Lily got a t-shirt and Dec got a knit hat. Lily also bought a t-shirt (with her own money) for her girlfriend for her birthday. So sweet. All proceeds go to Caine's college fund.

These are a few cuties who showed up. Every kid gets a little bag of candy, and Caine's uncle is there marking the bags with a sharpie and filling them and lining them up on the counter.

Oh yeah, we brought Cousin Linnae's "Flat Stanley" along too. Both my kids wanted to win an animal from the claw game so badly!! Lily wanted that darned elephant! No luck. See Caine's uncle there, making the goody bags? LOVE IT.

Ok, also thought I'd share a few of the pics I got in the auto yard in the back. A good part of my childhood was spent around my Grandfather and his yard of boat and auto parts, wood piles and other deliciously dangerous spots to play. He would have loved this photo of Declan. I also loved seeing the old toys throughout the yard, probably from cars or from Caine and other kids who played among the parts and wrecks.

© 2012 Robyn Davis, www.birdznest.com

Nicky

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 22:15:01 -0800

Nicky is our main sitter. She's a little bit magical. You can tell by her sparkly eyelashes and fantastic laughter. A true California girl, we were introduced to her by a close friend soon after we moved out here to LA from Chicago a couple years ago and she's now like family. We can have our kids behave well because we threaten them with replacing Nicky with a crabby old lady who just watches TV instead of taking them to the beach.

We've not had her babysit a lot this year with moving, etc and she's working like crazy at a regular job (that isn't anywhere near as awesome as watching my kids). She missed them so much that she came for a visit this week, picked them up from school, took them to the park and then we went to Lily's Soccer clinic and then joined us for Taco Tuesday.

Thanks for the visit, beautiful girl. We miss you too! xoxo

Motivation Monday: It's All About the Climb...

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 17:32:04 -0800

It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves. -Edmund Hillary

So I'm back in the blog and determined to keep a schedule! I had the idea of doing a kind of theme for different days and last night as I was lying in bed and pondering the week ahead, I got the idea to do a Monday post that would be things I found positive or inspiring to kick my week in the butt and get her goin'. So welcome to the first "Motivation Monday!"

I'm posting some pix from a trip I recently took to Sedona with my LA Bestie, Erica. We did a stealth trip, driving Thelma and Louise-style in my little Kia Soul from LA to Sedona for a 3-day whirlwind. We drove Thursday all day, climbed mountains and hiked all day Friday and drove home all day Saturday.

It was my first trip to Sedona and Erica's first trip there where she shared it with anyone else. She usually just picks up and heads out alone for climbing and spirit quest. I was lucky enough to have my own seasoned guide. And, after this past year, was ready for some spirit work, a good climb and to see some amazing beauty.

I only discovered hiking after moving out West from Chicago about 2 1/2 years ago. And it so very quickly has become pretty much my only workout and a great love in my life. I honestly couldn't have predicted how much I would love it. Whenever I feel unbalanced or blue, it is like a miracle drug for me.

So here's a little taste of our day. Breathtaking. When I was there, I thought "Man, God picks out good furniture!"

When I got to the top of Cathedral Rock and saw this view, I will admit that my exact quote was "Holy shit!"

Incredible! So "some say" that when you are near one of the energy vortex, that the trees are all twisted around. Apparently we were very near at this point (heading up Cathedral Rock)...

Happy Monday, everyone. I hope you have a fantastic week. Keep climbing. <3

Spring Forward

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:54:04 -0800

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

Lily loves getting buried in the sand. She would do it, bust out, and then ask me to help bury her again.

She's looking for teeny tiny white sand crabs. She finds lots. Never has been afraid of bugs or wiggly things of any kind.

Dec wasn't going to get in the water but finally couldn't resist looking for critters too. We chucked his shoes and socks and he braved the cold water. He found a cool star fish and some crabs.

PLUSH Show - LA 2011

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 14:24:23 -0800

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...

Sling and Dance!! : : Laurel Canyon Mom's Collective

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 11:55:25 -0800

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.

Memory Lane - 5 Year Gallery Wrap Canvas

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 17:15:53 -0800

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!

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 08:54:07 -0800

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.

Eggs, Bacon, French Toast and MAGIC

Sun, 12 Dec 2010 16:35:33 -0800

I am LOVING this Christmas with my kids! I did a lot less Holiday business this year as I am working on a couple larger projects (stay tuned!) and some grown-up/commercial work too. The combination of my kids being a little more independent and having a little less work stress than I usually do, has been pretty great.

I'm working hard at being fully present and savoring as much of this time in our lives as I can. A couple weeks ago I saw that there was a special Breakfast with Santa at the Grove (Mall in Los Angeles) and I heard it on good authority that this was the REAL Santa, not just one of his helpers in an ill-fitting suit with a fake beard and bad breath.

I wish I could blog my kids' excitement as we got ready that morning and headed in to the place. When he arrived, I have to tell you I felt a little nervous too. I don't think it was super well publicized (I found out about it on the web site) because there weren't many people there even though there was already a HUGE line in front of his Santa house, waiting for him to arrive. We had the best kept secret in Los Angeles!

So when it was our turn he spent lots of time with the kids and they got to give their lists and he even asked how our elves were doing. He was so sweet and gentle. Declan said his breath smelled like gumdrops. :)

DOUBLE cake smash!! | Los Angeles Baby Photographer

Thu, 09 Dec 2010 17:55:02 -0800

What fun to be there on Camilla and Diana's first birthday for a cake-smashing good time this weekend! We did some portrait work and then wrapped things up with a traditional wreck-the-cake party with their whole family.

Sweetness all around -- Happy 1st Birthday girls!

Sadie Session Highlights

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 17:38:27 -0800

Here's the goods from Sadie's session at North Pond in Chicago. Our first session together was when she was just 3 months old -- her mom and I instantly hit it off and I pretty quickly adopted her as a good friend. Each time I edit her shots, my daughter Lily comes to the computer screen, demanding a play date with her. Isn't that funny and cosmic a little since I wanted a play date with her mom too?

Holy moly what a perfect day! The surroundings were so lovely with the old fence and fall colors I was almost worried they looked like a cheezy set!

When I posted the full proofs to her Mom, I had to say "It's only too bad that she's not more expressive." Pfffft. LOL

Midwestern Fall in Love Again

Sat, 30 Oct 2010 21:25:16 -0800

Stealth Midwest visit, shoot #2, one of my super favorite families I'll continue to do unless wild horses somehow keep me away from them. Our weekend couldn't have been more dreamy Fall deelovely or delightful. My only regret was that I didn't have more time to hang out with this family who has become so dear to me.

We hadn't shot them all together in 3 years and I was soooo happy they decided to do a family shot this year too -- I warned about regrets later. Although one-on-one portraiture is my favorite for connection and honesty, I cannot underscore the importance of capturing you and your family together. The kids love it. And you will love it too, once the years pass and these times are suddenly so far away -- you will not care that you have a few extra lines around your eyes or things are not as, um, firm as they once were (people, everything is just moving South from here, let's face it.)

Once we were done throwing every leaf in the forest, we headed downtown for a little urban skate dude time -- and some breakdancing as well but, frigga fragga, I'm out of time and can't edit right now. I want to post them ALL!! Oh, I'll be back to get you again next year, boys, oh yes I will!

Sadie Sneak Peek - (Chicago Stealth Portrait Visit)

Fri, 22 Oct 2010 19:09:01 -0800

Went back last weekend to the GORGEOUS Midwest Fall weather for the in-laws 50th anniversary party. I was able to sneak in a couple sessions with a couple of my fave clients I've done for years. I couldn't miss doing them, it would kill me! What a treat. My first session with this little beauty was when she was just 3 months old. More highlights from this session to come next week!

Father's Day Package Winner - Session Highlights

Fri, 01 Oct 2010 16:52:24 -0800

I'm excited to present a some of the shots from our Father's Day package winner, Meghan and the lucky recipient (and Dad) Drew! They also live here in Laurel Canyon so I was so excited to shoot around this magical enclave in LA that I love so much and now call home.

Before the session, I drove around the surrounding area of their home (wayyyyy up high on the hill) and found a few spots I wanted to use. Well, by the time I got done shooting inside a little bit, the sun had moved and a couple spots weren't in optimal light anymore. So we walked around a bit and were admiring this FANTASTICAL tree house of their neighbors. They made it custom around the branches of the trees which were built into the walls, to go through holes they made.

So we hear a voice call out "would you like to see it?" -- and it's the neighbor and owner of this crazy cool tree house (which has its own address, btw). So we got to go in it! Wood stairs up, trap door, hammock inside, little porch. SOOO cool! And, voila!, a superb location was found. Thank you serendipitous and fabulous Universe.

The treehouse has its own little yard area, pictured below, and behind that bamboo fence is the edge of the hill that looks over LA and the houses in the canyon below. Breathtaking.

After we left the treehouse, we walked down to another spot I had scoped out that was still looking good. Another thing I love in the neighborhood is all the various architecture -- homes that look like castles, spanish style villlas and also very modern beautiful homes mixed with interesting plants, all new to look at for a midwestern girl like me.

I found this groovy house with the beautiful clean blue glass for its garage and entryway and wanted to shoot it, with the canyon foliage across the street reflected in the windows.

Big brother Alex was my lighting subject as I was metering -- this could totally be his Hollywood kid star head shot. What a handsome guy!

There are so many more from the session, it was hard to choose. We were having such a good time, I took so many and I'm having a hard time narrowing down. Oy. I'll leave this off with a few I took of Elliot when we were hanging out in his bedroom and he was showing me all his favorite stuff...

Cover Girl

Wed, 29 Sep 2010 17:55:10 -0800

Yay! One of my shots was featured on the cover of LA Parent Magazine, out today, for the October issue. Thanks to editor Carolyn Graham for taking a shine to my work and giving me a shot. I wrote her a note after we moved, introducing myself that I had just relocated and was a children's photographer and how much I used the magazine to find all things kid and family in LA after the move. They were great to work with and hope I get an opportunity to do it again.

If you are in LA, be sure to check them out online at www.laparent.com or on Facebook, for regular updates of groovy things to do and see around town!