Keepin' It Real!

I met Hiroko Mori, at Sun Oaks Gym four years ago... She was on the way to her Kendo Class, wearing her Hakamas and carrying her Shinai sword; there was a grace and strength about her that I had never seen before.  I was drawn to Hiroko like a magnet, and from that moment on she became my Sensei, my teacher, and my dear friend...  I've been wanting to photograph her since we met, but finally in celabration of her birthday this year, we made it happen... Here is a little background on a most amazing warrior woman.

Hiroko Mori was born and raised in Fukuoka, a south-western  region of Japan where she and her family are descendants of Samurai.  As a young mother of three, she moved to Redding, California in 1984, where she found a Shotokan Karate Dojo (Japanese traditional style) which she felt an immedtiate connection with.  Hiroko, has been training in Shotokan Karate now for 26 years, and teaching Karate for 24 years. She holds the rank of 4th degree black belt (5th degree being the highest achievable in Shotokan Karate of America). Hiroko has trained in Jujitsu for 3 years, and has been taking Kendo (Japanese Fencing) for 8 years.

Hiroko has taught self-defense to hundreds of women all over the country.  She also has been a Japanese language teacher at Shasta College in Redding for 15 years. Over 1400 students have taken part in her popular class.

Hiroko will be celebrating her 60th birthday next year. She is a mother of 3 and has been married to her college sweetheart, who is also Japanese, for 35 years.

Hiroko, started Karate as a way to defend herself and her family, but it has become a 26 year running passion! Her strong Samurai spirit and pride can be felt by all those lucky enough to benefit from her training.  She is an incredible inspiration to all her students! She currently is teaching Shotokan Karate at Sun Oaks Fitness Club and continues to teach Japanese at Shasta College in Redding CA.

Hola Seniors!

I can't believe it's Graduation Time! Congratulations Class of 2011!! I am so proud of you and would love to make your custom announcements to send out to friends and family!  All we need is 2-3 of your favorite images along with your text and we will create the card for you.  Cards can be 5x5, 4x8, or 5x7 and will come with envelopes. There is a $25 creative set up fee, prices are below...

• 25 Cards : $75

• 50 Cards : $125

• 75 Cards : $150

• 100 Cards : $175

Well, so I didn't win the Corvette..., and the judges weren't so keen on my Print Folio that I entered above...But the good news is : )  Our senior, Taelor Russell, was a phenomenal model at the SPA event and has WON the cover for Senior Mode Magazine in April!!!! 

I'm beyond excited for her and proud of her performance at SPA!  I feel so lucky and blessed that You're my Art studios has photographed (in my humble opinion) the best, and brightest of all the high school seniors in Shasta County!  A loved filled THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart to all my seniors! xoxo ~ L

" TO TAKE A ZEN SHOT
AN EMPTINESS WITH FEELING
AN ART FORM WITH LOVE "

Dorothy is an Artist, and my best friend, Carla's beautiful mother.  She has lived in Redding since 1956, where she raised two daughters along with her husband Don. 

Dorothy was born in Reno, Nevada where her parents opened The Paffrath Portrait Studio in 1940. While her father was out making "B" movies all over California, her mother ran a successful studio and was the first woman president of the Professional Photography Association in 1964.

The large sliding carriage camera in the images was Dorothy's mother's camera...it was so magical to have it during our shoot.

Dorothy has practiced so many mediums of art including: photography, oils, acrylics, pottery, poetry, and mixed media. For a small lady, Dorothy has an enormous Spirit! She has backpacked through Europe in her 60's, swam with the dolphins in her 70's, and now is willing to travel and adventure anywhere in her 80's.  As she says, " Eighty is really not that old anymore." Go Dorothy!