CoLab, part one

Back in Los Angeles after two incredible weeks away.

I'll start from the end of the trip and work my way backwards from there.

Sunol, California. CoLab 2012. Maddie (Hart & Sol West), Emily (Emily Takes Photos) and Jonas Seaman (like a sailor) hosted a handful of photographers at various stages in our careers at Maddie's real, live pony farm. (Ok, it's not hers per say, but she lives on it, and it's bananas).

I flew from New York to LA on Sunday, hopped in my car at 5pm and spent the next seven hours driving up to Fremont.

We spent the first day talking about building a photography business, about art and resistance, about discovering and cultivating the soul of a creative small business. We also photographed an adorable couple whose love for each other had its own presence - cast a warm, safe shadow around them as they experienced the absurdity that is posing for 10 photographers. While three of them are trying to teach the others tips & tricks. On a pony farm.

One of my dearest friends is getting married in 11 days (Holy F!). We've been friends for almost four years now - we worked side by side for two of those years, and have since made time for Friday dinners, fancy breakfasts, morning hikes, and one ill-fated landscaping attempt. One of my favorite memories from our friendship so far comes from one of the most traumatic nights of my romantic life. She picked me up and drove me to the top of Los Angeles, where we looked down on the lights of the city, knowing I would be more at peace if we had a view. She let me cry, she let me make large, sweeping proclamations that I would soon after contradict. She made me laugh. And when I had enough of the crying and enough of the view, she took me for frozen yogurt. A Perfect Friend.

Next week, I'll fly to New York and drive to Boston to watch her get hitched to the man of her dreams. I can't wait.