Vancouver Venture | Reflections

September 7, 2012January 14, 2016Leave a comment

Well this little photog got to get out of town to Vancouver BC briefly this week – a very rare occasion – so no cleaning, child disciplining, dog-walking, or kitty-litter-scooping were done for a whole 48 hours. I didn’t even break open my laptop, do any photo-editing or check my email. Divine.
I did get to take in a lot of amazing sites in Vancouver, a city I’ve not been to in years, and had some precious adult time with my honey. Entirely too many photos were taken: I brought along my DSLR, plus my little Yunon 35mm, and couldn’t resist buying a Lomo ActionSampler, which takes 4 small shots in 1 second, exposed on one 35mm frame. And of course there was my trusty iPhone in my hand at all times for photo-taking too. Yep, too many.
There were photos I wish I could have taken though; I don’t mean the required scenic shots, the landmarks, or even catching a sunset (there was a gorgeous one last night)… Driving through what can best be called the ‘sketchy’ part of town, Chinatown, I couldn’t help but be struck by the part of the city that most people try to avoid. We only went there via taxi (advised by several that walking would be a really bad idea) to get to a gig for the band Redd Kross, which my man has been following for about 20 years. Over just a few blocks, and those were just a few over from the heavily-touristed Gastown, we saw glimpses of the dark recesses of urban life, the addicts, the homeless, the sick, the vagrant, the lost and hungry. Dark, dark streets.
I only say I wish I could have taken those photos (and I wouldn’t be taking my camera out there at 11pm) because I think it’s easy to forget there is a not-so-pretty side of every city, but that is very much a part of it. It’s sad and scary, and can be downright depressing but there are countless stories there to be told, ones that for now I’m not brave enough to tell with my own camera.
Anyway, I hope I’ll be back in BC again soon. Here are a few of my cell phone moments. Enjoy the view!
xo ~ K

Beavis & the Case for Fostering Animals | Seattle Cat Photography

August 8, 2012January 14, 20164 Comments

Kitty Yoga

I got the chance to catch up with one of the coolest cats recently. Beavis (previously named Electro) had been taken in by one of the most awesome cat foster families for animaltalkrescue.org and what a turn around this guy had made. I had met him months prior, back when he was actually at the rescue; he would sit high up on the beams in Room 1, hiding and shy like his brother Sebastian (who was renamed Boo, by the same amazing foster family). Many adult cats come to shelters and rescues with big stories behind them, but they often have big and wonderful characters that often don’t get a chance to shine until they get a chance to be in a foster home. Such was the case for Beavis. He was suddenly this leaping, loving, lively cat, his personality just hadn’t had the chance to blossom before and to be seen. He can leap several feet into the air, loves hanging out in yoga poses and is affectionate with both other kitties and people. Such a happy sight to see.

Beavis Butt

Well, after my new photos were posted, the rescue got calls for Beavis within days, and he now has his new forever home. It just is obvious how invaluable a foster home was for this guy. I want to encourage cat (and all animal) lovers everywhere that if they want to help a rescue, but volunteering their time and/or donating money often are too difficult, to consider offering help by fostering. Instead of adopting one more animal, providing your home, TLC and attention, can help save numerous animals. They get the chance to learn to trust and love humans again (as many have backgrounds where that love and trust was missing), and their true characters come out. Pressure is taken off the rescue, and whilst you may grow attached in a short time, you will feel joy when a new home for them is found; you have played a part in that animal’s success story. And then there’s a chance for another kitty! You can be a rescue angel too.

xo ~ K

I love cats because I enjoy my home; and little by little, they become its visible soul. ~ Jean Cocteau

Feline Zen | Seattle Cat Photography

July 30, 2012January 14, 20161 Comment

I’ve been feeling lot of stress and anxiety around certain things lately (Saturn retrograde?!) so I’m sharing a bright and sparkly moment in order to try and channel some of that feline Zen. I think my neurotic terrier has been rubbing off on me too much…

I must get on top my editing tonight; too many recent nights up late with the Olympics; have you caught the Olympic bug yet?

xo ~ K

“I put down my book, The Meaning of Zen, and see the cat smiling into her fur as she delicately combs it with her rough pink tongue.
Cat, I would lend you this book to study but it appears you have already read it.
She looks up and gives me her full gaze.
Don’t be ridiculous, she purrs, I wrote it.”
– from “Miao” by Dilys Laing

Solstice Parade 2012, Part 2 | Seattle Street Photography

June 25, 2012January 14, 2016Leave a comment

Solstice Parade 2012, a set on Flickr.

Here’s the link for some Solstice Parade photos on Flickr. You can also find the bike ride photos in my photostream right before these 🙂 Enjoy all the color!

xo ~ K

Body-Painted Cyclists, Oh My! Solstice 2012 | Seattle Street Photography

June 19, 2012January 14, 2016Leave a comment

**(Warning for some folks who may easily offend: semi-nudity and silly outfits in today’s photo, but it is as seen by thousands of Seattlies every year in broad daylight!)**

This is a quick one because I really need to get back to my hundreds of Solstice Parade photos! I need to whittle it down to about 100 from about 8 times that…

Every year, Fremont (Seattle’s own ‘Center of the Universe’) hosts the most fun, crazy, and utterly amazing parade to usher in the Summer Solstice (otherwise known as Seattle’s summer that won’t start until after July 4th…). It starts with a huge amount of mostly naked bicyclists with beautifully and/or imaginatively-painted bodies – think Care Bears alongside Batman – whizzing down the main street accompanied by lots of laughs, cheers and some confused/amazed child faces, and an insane amount of photo-taking. Then there’s the ‘real’ parade of wacky and themed floats and marching bands, but it’s not the usual parade fare that many other cities see. Seattle is unique and colorful and soon I will post some photos so that everyone can see what I’m talking about.

Since the bicycle ride involves a lot of non-clothing, I will get a Flickr set linked up in case anyone wants to see that without being shocked by it here (in spite of the warning!). It’s all done in good fun and I love the open and accepting spirit that it’s all done in. Now if only Seattle would hurry up and get some warm weather so we can at least abandon some of our clothing…

This is one of my favorite photos that I took at last year’s Solstice Parade Crossing fingers for sun soon!

xo ~ K