Some photos I took last night from a rehearsal I'm in. Shown in the photos are Marc, Helen and Peter. 

I have to report that I didn't take any photographs before, during, or after the race as I focused on trying to achieve a new Personal Record (PR) for that course, but sadly, father time, great foods, and a little bit of over-indulgence pushed me to a slower time than I had expected. Still did well, but I kinda wanted something faster. Oh well. But hey, Drew Carey ran the race as well and got a 1:50:00 total time! Yup, THAT Drey Carey. Shouts out go to Angela J. for PR'ing on that course as well, and a huge thank you to her for getting us into DL - you rock!

After my less-than-two-hours-of-self-inflicted-pain ordeal, I got back up to my room (mildly hobbled) relaxed a bit, got breakfast (with the characters nonetheless at Goofy's Kitchen) and then headed to the parks for a fun filled day at the happiest place on earth! (Also to walk off all the lactic acid from my legs! - Nothing doing!). Despite the humid weather and heat, it was still a great time :) I can see why I keep going back year after year. I just wish I had kept track of how many times I had gone in my lifetime. Can you?

Of course my trusty camera was with me, and I was able to get some really cool photographs. This time, in honor of the race, Labor Day, and everything Disney, I've decided to include it in a quicktime slideshow. So click on the link, wait a few moments (it'll seem like forever, but please wait for it!) and enjoy our DL adventures! BTW, Helen "stars" in the slideshow, cause she doesn't know how to use my camera. But that's okay! :) Oh, and you'll definitely recognize a familiar Disney tune once the slideshow has loaded, so do wait for it, it'll be worth it (and don't forget to turn your speakers down if you're at work!).

If you have kids, one: happy new school year, and two: bring them to Disneyland when they get good grades this year. Why not?!

Happy September everyone! Holidays are around the corner! And if you're looking to get those Christmas cards out with some new and updated photos of you and your family, please check out last week's post for a special offer I'm giving everyone who "likes" M Palma Photography on Facebook, or those who read this blog. Get moving, as time is running out (faster than you think!) :)

We're here! Oh, and the gentleman behind us, Robin, was our host/magician.
Thanks Robin!


Helen, me, Rumi, Mimi and the Magic Castle.
What more can a guy want?

This is definitely not a tour winning bike, but at least it's in the right color.
Part of MOCA's street art exhibit.

What another great week! As I mentioned in my last entry, I knew this past week was going to be filled with alot of great images to capture and it didn't fail to deliver! 

The week started with an impromptu portrait session with my friend Ogy. These three images are my favorites:

Thanks for being such a willing model Ogy! 

Then of course the "end" of the world came and went without any fanfare at all, but that didn't stop the Cold Tofu gang to go out and go horseback riding! Under cloudy skies, a group of us took to the trails at Griffith Park and went out on an awesome horse riding adventure. It was my first time on a horse, and I have to say, I'm hooked! I've photographed thoroughbreds before, but to finally get on top of one (well, not really a thoroughbred, but a horse nonetheless) was a great experience, one that I will be doing again and soon! 

Robert in full cowboy gear. Post ride. 

Steve checking out the steeds, wondering if he could somehow bet on them. Ha!

I didn't get the name of this horse, but she sure did like to get photographed. 

Check out her pose!

Since we were beginners, we mounted the horses via a platform. 

Tina on top of her horse. 

Junko atop her steed. 

My view during the ride. My horse "Dallas" was more of a follower. 

Mike atop the biggest horse at the stable. A Belgian. Seriously huge. 

Another shot of Mike on his horse. 

Details.

Robert really looked the part that day.

My favorite photo of Robert that day. 

Great times guys! Let's do it again! How about this upcoming sunday?

Finally, we are so happy to have been introduced to our newest and cutest friend - Kaia, born May 7th to proud parents Laura and David. She is such a cutie! Welcome to the world little one :) 

Between sleeping and eating, what else is there for a newborn? :)

David, Kaia, and Laura. 

Kaia and her Auntie Helen. Kids love Helen. Probably cause she spoils them. 

Expressions. 

My second Heisman "trophy" dad. Yikes. 

The glowing mom :) 

David and Kaia. 

The happy family.

Everything's A-Okay! 

Have a great week everyone. Thanks so much for stopping by! And if you liked any of the photos, please do leave a comment! Till next time, "Happy Trails to you!!!".

Well, I'm a week late on my entry today cause I got sick last week :( Yup, the 'ol fever bug hit me last week Sunday and I was out for the count. Thankfully, I'm back at a 100% and feel normal and better than ever :)

Being stuck in bed all day with a fever doesn't give you many photographic options, except maybe the errant ceiling photo, or perhaps the kleenex pile shot next to your bed, so once I was well enough to get out of the house I was able to put camera to eye and grab a few photos of this week's goings on. Here are some of the few of the things I saw:

Chairs at the Disney Concert Hall. I liked the colors. 

Cold Tofu had a show in Gardena last weekend! Here's Steve checking his phone for important horse racing info. 

Photography is all about having fun isn't it? 

We had our annual vocal workshop this past Sunday with our good friend Randy. 

Here's a shot over our instructor Lisa's shoulder.

Randy giving Helen the finer points to singing

This was part of Randy's "How to Yodel" segment. Just kidding!!!

Helen. Singing. 

Helen. Laughing.

Workshop Order.

That's it for this week everyone. As always, thanks for stopping by. Got a busy week ahead with a show and my first time on a horse! I'll definitely have images of that come next week. Have a great weekend! 

Friday, a good buddy of mine and his new bride got married. When I attend weddings, I try NOT to go crazy with taking too many photos (it's in my blood, what can I say) so as to not get in the hired photographers' way. So here's one shot I got from the evening. Congrats to Jason and Christine! Thanks for the invite you two, and here's to your new life together! 

Taken during their wedding cake cutting ceremony. 

Saturday evening was spent hanging out with our good friends John, Stef, and Amelia, along with other Cold Tofu peeps as well. Though I shot many a frame that evening, here are my favorites. 

A tree grows in John and Stef's entry way. 

First this photo... 

(she's moving BTW, hence the slight out of focus)

Then THIS! 

Amelia's alphabet puzzle, now a veritable walkway. 

She was actually showing our friend Mike how to use his iPad. 

No, really. 

Here's Mike, post Amelia iPad tutorial, still trying to figure it out. 

Sunday was spent at the Renaissance Fair in Irwindale. I hadn't been in over 15 years, so it was cool to step back in time for a few hours and be amongst the peasants, knights, and royals. Good times! Or should I say, MEDIEVAL TIMES!!! 

These kids were in this makeshift "Orphans" section of the fair. 

My favorite photo of the day BTW. 

Here's the sign outside their pen. HEY WAIT A MINUTE...!

Maids-A-Merry.

A-maiden-not-so-merry. 

Many a character at these fairs. 

The apples were not as sour as this lad's expression. 

Lastly, once again I was hired to photograph the East West Players Dinner Gala last night (Monday) and as always, there were a few celebrities on hand for me shoot. 

My good friend Tamlyn Tomita, gesturing about something...

Could it be because Harry Shum Jr. from Glee was standing right next to her being interviewed?

Hey, how'd this photo get in here? 

(Photo courtesy of Kerri Kaba Dien)

And that was my weekend! Have some more photo editing to do with all the shots I took, so I'll be MIA for a week. 

Thanks for stopping by! And as usual, leave me a comment and let me know how you're doing, what's the weather like in your neck of the woods, or perhaps even comment on the photos while you're at it ;)

Enjoy your week everyone!