Tsukiji Fish Auction, Tokyo, Japan

I'm in the middle of my two week visit to Tokyo and we finally got up at 5a to see fish being slung around and fought over during the morning tuna auction. Well, not literally. But, that's what I expected. In reality, it was a very civilized boys club-esque seeming experience. In a twenty minute visit I was able to observe the interactions of friends picking the best fishies, or monstrous creatures, for their needs--mostly for restaurants and grocery stores, I assume. I may have to go back before I head home to LA. So far, it's been the most exhilarating thing to photograph journalistically.

2009 Alt Build Expo

Did you make it to the Alt Build Expo at the Santa Monica Civic this weekend? 

Not only were there cutting edge, environmentally smart and responsible products on display, but the people were all so friendly. I made a lot of new friends and found a lot of things I want to apply to my home as soon as possible. I think I'll start with a tomato plant on my balcony. :))) Thanks City of Santa Monica and Platia productions for hiring me as the official event photographer.  

Here are some highlights...

These are doors and tables made out of salvaged wood.

Tons of green home building products at Discover Green in Hollywood.  They were a very popular booth...and so colorful too.

Now this was just cool...EcoSmart Fire, burns clean and is maintenance free.  It's fueled by ethanol and there are no hard connections so you can put it anywhere.  And, the kicker is that there's a $1500 tax credit when you purchase one.  

Want an alternative to real grass?  Synthetic grass.  Gotta love it.

Okay...I was so excited about this one...a recyclable mattress.  It was very popular.  And, I tried it.  It stacks up to the competition, for sure.  Unfortunate I don't have the company name off hand.  But I know that they are carried at Venare Design in West Hollywood.  

Alli's new -do

This one's a sneak peak of the fun test shoot I did with Alli and Essly last Friday...Another form of art. Alli was a trooper for being so open to creativity in the hairstylin' department and that Essly is quite the artist.  Good times girls.

Oh, we girls were having fun. :)

I love this shot.  The shape and light are cool.

bye bye bangs! well, sort of...not really.

and the finished product!  Go Alli.  

I'm so excited to announce the launch of my new website!  It's been in the works for too long.  So, please check it out.  www.amywilliamsphoto.com.  Oh, and I'm also excited that I've moved up the Google rankings.  While I'm not quite at the top of the "amy williams photography" search (a Texan Amy Williams beat me to the address), I'm now on the first page.  Yay!  Now that's making strides, don't you think? Happy Sunday.  More pictures to come early this week from the lifestyle shoot I did on Friday.  

Langevin Family Shoot

Kathy and I were roommates at UC Berkeley and reconnected, finally, after a few years of drifting through life and I'm SO glad we did.  I love that photography is such a social activity. We caught up a ton while we were getting the cutest photos of little Sophie. I realized how much I miss Kath. She's awesome! In fact, if by chance, you need a dermatologist or neurosurgeon in Tucson, AZ, look her or her husband, JP, up.  They're moving soon.  Love you Kathy! Thanks for letting me take these special photos of you three.  I'm looking forward to Sophie's birthday party next weekend. :)

Oh mommy, you're silly.

I'm having a ball!

Sophie really wanted to eat the flower...it was pretty funny.

Okay.  I just love this...

Sweetest happy girl.

Huh?

Weeeee!

Tinlark Gallery Opening

Saturday night I had the pleasure of photographing the opening of Clean Up Your Gravity Index with works by Scott David Johnson + Kirsten Tradowsky which shows until May 9th. You should check it out if you have a chance. www.tinlarkgallery.com is the gallery website. I photograph all the openings and I've seen so many great works and learned of so many great emerging artists over the past year. That Cris McCall is very talented and the openings are always a lot of fun. And there's even an art station for the kids. So, EVERYONE is welcome.

Okay, this one's going on my website.  I just love the streaming sunlight.

Can you start them too early?

This one sold before I got there...and I arrive early.

Look at all that color.

My girl, Liz, and her friends Nicole and Chip came by to get their art on...I have a feeling they'll be regulars. :)

Stark Family Shoot

Look at this beautiful family.  The Starks were so much fun.  Thank you Chris, Jamie and Kylie.  I've been meaning to put these up for a while. And, luckily, navigating this blog format is starting to make some sense.  I'm excited to share these and others with you.  Check back again soon.



While we got some great shots of the family, this shoot was really about little Kylie, one of the most energetic and animated two year olds I've photographed yet. I had loads of fun capturing her many sides.  And, with Jamie and Chris' help, we got so many great shots.  Here are some samples.

Such focus here. I love it.

Shy or Coy.  Either way, perfect.

Sweet.

A little bored, maybe?

Surfer girl

Rrrr!

I love Mommy and Daddy