LA Night: Corey Smith

A few weeks ago I made a stop at Corey Smith's house up in LA. His living room is a photographer's dream come true, a built in seamless. So we spent the night messing around shooting photos. To see more shots go to my Rad Collector column.

Check out some of Corey's photos from the night on his photo blog.

The Trip Back To VT

A while ago I made my trek back to Vermont from California. I had finished up my job and it was time to head back home, relax a bit, and figure out the next steps. I had my friend Shawn fly out to California to make the drive back with me this time. Didn't really feel like doing it alone. It was nice to have some company and someone to share the driving with. The drive took 4 days this time, instead of the 3 it took on the way out. We made a pit stop at my Dad's house in Breckenridge, CO but besides that we pretty much trucked right along, sleeping at rest areas. No video this time, just pictures with my Canon G9.

Vegas...


Some of the views in Utah are nuts. It was probably my favorite state to drive though.





Pointing out the obvious





Yeah, I was scared too when I turned to the side and saw this out my window.


Shawn woke me up and told me to take a picture of the truck coming up on the right.


It was driving around Denver promoting The Office.... amazing.


Stretching out the legs a bit

California Bike Ride

I did quite a bit of biking around in California... easiest form of transportation around Newport. Parking in most beach towns is a nightmare. This night I decided to take a cruise to catch the sunset. I brought my G9 along to shoot some pictures but once I realized I missed the sunset I ended up just shooting the bike ride. And yes I am on a Crest bike... no I did not win it from a tube of toothpaste.

Last Day in CA

A little over a week ago I left California to come back to the east coast. I flew my friend Shawn out to make the long drive back with me. Driving across country by myself once was enough for me. Here are some shots from the final day in CA. Pictures from the drive back will be up soon.

All photos shot with a Canon G9.

Watching some surfers from the pier. (Newport Beach)


Newport Beach


This bird happened to swoop in just in time for the picture.


Shawn


An old man trying to catch some fish.





Went for a little bike ride.


One of the most amazing beaches I have ever been to. But it's a secret.


The sunset was incredible

VT to CA Roadtrip

I just got back to Vermont from working at Quiksilver/Roxy for a little over 3 months in Southern California. If I wanted to have a car while I was out there I had to drive out. Sure this might sound fun, but when you have to do the drive in three days by yourself... it can be a bit crazy. On average I drove about 15 hours a day. To keep myself occupied I filmed my entire drive out there. I took the middle route so that I could hit Colorado and see some family. I finally got the chance to put together the footage of my trip.... here it is. Everything was filmed on my Canon G9. Let it load for a bit.

VT to CA Roadtrip from Laura Austin on Vimeo.

G9 Moment

Sometimes the perfect photo opportunities come out of the blue.... I guess some call is a "Kodak Moment". Well this was one of those moments.... but I'll call it a "G9 moment". I bring my little Canon G9 everywhere with me, just in case.

Click on the picture to see a larger version.

The Good Ol' Boys

A few weeks ago I was asked to come shoot a concert of Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, and John Mellencamp at Diamond Stadium in Lake Elsinore, CA. Something that I obviously wouldn't miss, free ticket into a great show and the opportunity for some good pictures. It was definitely amazing to see some of the legends preform live and still killing it. Here are a few shots from the show.

To see more go here.

Mellencamp








Dylan





Dylan's stage setup


I walked past this man and I had to go back and ask to take his picture.


I saw this woman walking around before the show with this sign. Then I found her waiting by the tour buses after the show trying to catch a glimpse of Bob Dylan. I don't think she even had a ticket to the concert... she was probably waiting outside the entire time. When I asked her if I could take her picture it was hard for her to pull herself away from the search for Dylan. But after taking one more glance around to see if he was coming she turned to me for a slit second and this was what I got.

California

My entire life I have been minutes away from a mountain, now for the first time I'm steps away from the beach. Pretty big change of pace for me, which isn't exactly a bad thing. Going for a bike ride along the beach almost everyday and constant blue skies isn't exactly something to complain about. Here are a few shots of the scenery I enjoy from day to day down here in Southern California.

Huge crowd watching the 20ft + swells at The Wedge


Hey buddy, the waves and the crazy body surfers are the other way.





One of the most amazing sunsets I have seen


Sand boat I found








Self portrait... couldn't resist.