Shooting in Santa Monica this weekend I had some time to kill and needed coffee so I wandered South to Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice for a divine cup of coffee and a little photography-walk. One of my very favorite things in the world to do with my time.

Abbot’s Habit slings some amazing joe.
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it seems like it can’t possibly have been that long and at the same time like i’ve never lived a moment without her.
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“I woke up in front of my birthday.” -Natty, 4 years old

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claudia spent monday through saturday of last week having the time of her life at rock camp for girls L.A. and i mean literally the most fun, most encouraging, most empowering, most supportive, most enthusiastic, most amazing 6 days in her sweet little life. she was smitten immediately. i dropped her off at camp on monday morning hoping that she would have a good time, or at least not be miserable. i picked her up 8 hours later to not only the biggest smile i’ve ever seen on her face, but a different one than i’d ever seen. she actually seemed to stand a little taller and it was as if she had some little secret that the rest of us weren’t part of. i think it all just boiled down to copious amounts of fun and encouragement. i could go on and on, literally. i’ve been a walking billboard for this beautiful organization since monday evening when i picked her up. i just can’t say enough good stuff about everyone involved and everything my sweet girl took away from it. i think the most glorious gift these girls were given was freedom. freedom to let fear and embarrassment fall away. after seeing each of the bands perform their song at the camper showcase on saturday, i could really see it. the support and encouragement the girls are given in connection to expressing themselves through music, allowed them to go out on a stage at an actual rock venue on sunset blvd in los angeles california and just feel it and experience the unique fun that comes with playing live rock music. claudia, for one, has commented to me at least 3 different times while watching live rock show videos (Butch Walker, The Foo Fighters and Mumford and Sons) that they looked like they were having “so much fun”. when i saw her on that stage, i saw that fun on her own face. rock camp made that possible. i’m forever thankful for that moment.

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