I started a campaign on Instagram @naheedence all about portraiture. I am using diptychs to show two photos created during one photo shoot. I shoot so many photos during one session it is difficult to choose only two images to tell the story of my subjects. I usually only choose one for my website but am gravitating toward diptychs so I can express more in one image.

I am shooting a variety of subjects at the moment. Product photography is up next. In the meantime I plan to continue this portraiture campaign and hope to get some bookings. Are you almost famous and need some outstanding photographs to help you get noticed? Give me a call or email me today! I have a fully equipped studio and am waiting to get creative with you. 

The portraits above are of cellist Valerie Kuehne and model Mel Bruner. Two moods, one image.

Claude Young's personality shone through during our photo session at my studio in Los Angeles. We scheduled the shoot the day before so I did not have much time to prepare. Claude made it easy to capture his bright personality.  He was cracking jokes and forcing me to laugh at myself because I was so focused on lighting, background distance from the subject, his facial position and making sure my settings were on point. If I am going to get the best shots I have to make sure my settings are right man ;) If anyone knows about proper settings it would be a precise producer like Claude himself.

Claude Young Los AngelesClaude Young Los Angeles portrait session 2018 I put some Digital Underground on to keep the good times rolling and our photo shoot was definitely a hit. I hope we can do another session in the future and keep the creative juices flowing. Working with other artists is one of my favorite joys in life. I feel so lucky to be able to do it time and time again.

This year I plan to shoot more than ever and will up my game in the social media world. I am compiling a list of subjects for my campaign. I really wish Instagram allowed you to have separate sections in one account so I could display my images in a more cohesive way by subject. But, I guess that is what my website is for! I am hoping to draw more Instagrammers to my website, and of course get some web hits from Facebook as well. Let's be honest, I need some customers from those hits!

I really would love to shoot plenty of portrait sessions this year. There is something so special about meeting someone, shooting their photograph and telling their story within a 10-60 minute time span. 

Santa Monica Portrait I had about 30 minutes with the client above, who is an author. I setup lights, cleaned up the environs and made sure to bring out his personality all in a matter of minutes. I used two strobes and two diffused umbrellas for this shot and really wanted to make sure there were not any distracting shadows to take away from the background. I had to edit and send the photos his way within a few hours. I really love working under tight deadlines.

I photographed this image for Concierge Physicians. I had about 10 minutes in between the doctor's appointment to get the shot. I also had to retouch and send the best photos on the same day. Here, I shot with only one external on-camera flash and bounced the light off the low ceiling to get some nice light spread.

Next time you want to impress prospective clients with your website or brochure for your company, be sure to give me a call or send an email!

Los Angeles is full of beautiful murals and every busy street has so much to see. Some of the best go unnoticed. One of my favorites is in my neighborhood in East LA, by artist Kristy Sandoval. In the top left corner is a quote from Cesar Chavez, "You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore".

As a photographer in Los Angeles their is no shortage of coverage about DACA and ICE. Many artists have dedicated their careers to speaking out against injustice, by using the power of their outlook and creativity. 

City Hall looming on protesters in downtown LACity Hall looming on protesters in downtown LA at the Immigrants Make America Great Rally In the photo above, shot with my 16-35mm lens, City Hall looms large and tall over the protesters. It's been said that City Hall in downtown LA is like a large phallus in the middle of the city. Placed their by conquerers whose only passion was to colonize and control the masses.

We are connected to our past as much as we are the present and future. Being an artist telling stories through images allows me to freeze time. Whose stories and images will be held in people's minds? Will we be impacted by what we've seen? Hopefully...

Giving birth is one of the most amazing and intimate experiences a woman and her loved ones can have. When I photograph births I place my photojournalist cap on and let the magic unfurl. This is of utmost importance so you are not intruding on such sensitive moments. I've worked with midwives who've told me some bizarre tales about what photographers have done during a live birth, I will never be in that category. You will barely notice I am there.

I am looking forward to photographing more births this year. I hope you will consider me to photograph your birth ladies. It is such a sacred day and reliving it through photos is a lovely way to remind you of those moments for a lifetime. In Los Angeles there are over 130,000 births a year! I hope I will be there for some of those solitary experiences.

Chinatown Historic State Park in Los AngelesChinatown Historic State Park in Los Angeles, Chinatown, Downtown LA.

The sun sets on New Year's Eve in downtown Los Angeles. My daughter and husband are the tiny people walking by in the foreground. The Downtown Los Angeles skyline view is from Chinatown's State Historic Park.

I hope 2018 is a great year, and let's face it, it better be! Personally, 2018 was a great year as I enjoy each day with my toddler and keep my photography career going. The world at large is an entirely different story, I don't need to explain.

Here in LA we passed bills to help the homeless population, hopefully we will see those first steps carried out into success. I will be there with my camera in hand to capture the ever changing landscape. As we enjoy a "clean slate" and new beginning I hope to shoot more video and photographs, spend more time working on my art and enjoy every moment possible with my family.

Here is to you 2018, may you takes us light years into a better future for us all...

The Library Street Collective's Shepard Fairey exhibit is nestled among dumpling factories and the Los Angeles State Historic Park in downtown Los Angeles. The space is hidden at 1650 Naud Street. Recently, I photographed the space during the stunning display of Shepard Fairey's work at his exhibit, Damaged. I loved the setup of the exhibit where you walk in and enter a mock-up version of the artist's studio. You immediately see details like his paint splotched shoes, paint mask and shards of multicolored paper.

Shepard Fairey SculptureShepard Fairey Sculpture at Damaged Exhibit in DTLA.

I was happy to see so much of his work and didn't know Fairey created sculptures like the one above. I am always impressed by his wit and attention to detail.

The warehouse where the "Damaged" exhibition is located in Chinatown is thousands of square feet. Library Street Collective is Detroit based and is a member of the New Art Dealers Alliance (NADA). NADA is a non-profit arts organization dedicated to the cultivation, support and advancement of new voices in contemporary art. The exhibit ends on December 17th and I feel so lucky to have seen Shepard Fairey's largest exhibit to date.

If you need a stylish clutch or large zipper pouch for yourself or loved ones check out my Etsy shop at:https://www.etsy.com/shop/naheedence 

The video below is a time lapse of myself making large clutches and zipper pouches from start to finish. Coming up with my own designs and learning how to sew a large clutch was a very exciting project for me. I hope you will support my art and buy a pouch today! They are gender neutral and I place extra cushy lining in the pouch so they can also be used to keep your tablet safe. Watch My Time Lapse of Zipper Pouch Creation!

I first came up with the idea of placing my images on merchandise a few years ago. I started with the zipper pouches and am hoping to launch a line of pillow covers in the coming years. The bags are made in Los Angeles and the materials are sourced locally, all are made in the USA. I get the zippers from a great place in the fashion district of downtown Los Angeles called Zip Up Zipper.

Sewing these bags allows me time to be crafty. I enjoy meditating during the process and learning the skill of sewing. I am always amazed by how much I learn each time I sew. Similarly, each time I shoot a photo session I learn something new. I love mastering the art and craft of stunning visuals and am happy to create a bag to display some of my photography and designs. I put my heart and soul into these bags. I tried out different designs, fabrics and learned how to sew them from scratch. I had to try a few printers who print on fabric for me to get the sharp look I was going for. It took a long time to perfect them. 

My next step is to approach some local shops in Los Angeles and sell some bags on consignment. The bags fit a 10 inch or smaller tablet perfectly. They can be used for anything from makeup and toiletries to art supplies. Wish me luck and stay tuned, buy a bag for someone this holiday season! Check out my shop at: https://www.etsy.com/shop/naheedence