Townsley Portraits was featured in an article about what to buy your mother for mother’s day. It was very nice to be chosen as the local studio to represent buying mom new photos. We look forward to also being featured in a few more of Kay Pearson Brown’s articles about photography for moms.

Picture Perfect Mom

What better to commemorate motherhood than a mommy & me portrait that Mom will cherish forever. Los Angeles photographer Stuart Townsley (www.townsleyportraits.com) captures mom’s personality and all the playfulness and fun she loves with little ones and the whole family using his unique shooting style that lets everyone be and enjoy themselves for a portrait that truly represents your unique family. $150 for a family session. Prints start at $15.

The article can be found at Westsidetoday & AssosiatedContent

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Click here for a google map of our locations!

Venice:

Venice is one of our favorite places to shoot: 2 reasons Ice Cream and Crazy Houses!  We meet at N’ice Creams, 1410 Abbott Kinney (they have some of the best Gelato in LA). This is awesome ’cause the kids get a treat after, if they behave for Mr. Photographer Man. Apparently there is no color restriction/ building code  for houses. This means we have lots of choices for backgrounds and your photo shoot will come out amazing.  Occasionally there is the awesome retro car or old bicycle we can use as props too…

Balboa Park (the one with the lake):

We meet near the lake at the kiddie playground. This park is lush much of the year and even when the trees are brown the colors are still amazing.  There are also some beautiful stone walls and fences.  And in case you were about to ask yes, even when the park is crowded there is still a lot of room to shoot.  We end the shoot usually on the slides and swings which kids love and make for some great photos…

Union Station:

We meet at parking lot D and then walk down to the station.

Union Station has some great 30′s (I guess it’s 30′s) architecture and 1-2 big murals.  There is also a fountain that photographs really well.  If you are into trains or want a travel theme we often go up and shoot next to the tracks. Close by is the market on Old Olivera St where the kiddies can get some authentic mexican candies and snacks (and you could get 4-5 Margaritas, you made it through the shoot with your kids!)

Rancho Park:

We meet at the picnic tables by the archery range. Be sure to drive all the way into the park. It’s a park, a nice park but a park… It has a great old tree some bamboo looking stuff and a cool old wooden wall that looks like the side of a barn (it is really the archery range).  It is really centrally located and easy to get to. Parking sucks so come early.

Douglas Park:

We meet on the west side of the park.

This park has a playground, which is perfect for children. The beautiful greenery and stream are sure to compliment any photo shoot. You are also near Whole Foods if you want to get breakfast after we are done and if you are not the “healthy type” there is a Jack in the Box for milkshakes and 1200 calorie tacos.

Ocean Park:

We meet on Ocean St. and Montana St.

The grass is greener in this park then any other park in the world.  The tree on the corner is a kid favorite and it works as a posing bench for great photos. There are joggers and martial artists that always try to wander into my shots, FUN).  It is right overlooking the PCH and the ocean and it is conveniently located near the Santa Monica pier.

La Cieniga Park:

We meet on the corner across from the 7Eleven.

The park is filled with amazing architecture, including a bell tower, not to mention one beautiful palm tree and some greenery.  It is not the park on the east side of La Cieniga that is City of Beverly Hills and the “park police” will throw us out EVERY time! Apparently it’s a crime to take family photos in Beverly Hills lol.  So instead we meet at the kid brother park accross the street that either is outside of the reign of Queen Beverly the V or they just don’t care lol. Slurpies are nearby….

The Grove:

We meet at Starbucks and we wander through the Farmers Market and the Grove itself.

This outdoor mall is very unique. It is always crowded, so if you are a shy person, maybe this place isn’t for you.

Santa Monica Pier:

We meet behind Buba Gumps.

This world famous pier is sure to enhance your beach photo shoot. Although this might seem like an ideal location, it is usually overcast.  Even so there is nothing that says SoCal like the Ocean and the Pier.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art:

The famous light poles make this a very unique location. The ideal time frame is between when the lights turn on and the sun goes down. Be prepared for a little longer shoot as getting the timing right with the sunset can be trickey.  There are also some cool red doors and some palm trees as well so not ever shot has the lights in it.

Gardner Park:

We meet at the kiddie playground behind the library.

There is plenty of greenery and colorful walls to add life to your shoot. It is close to the Grove/ Farmers Market.  Once we had to leave the park and go to the Farmers Market to buy a kid chocolate.  I don’t think modeling is in his future as he HATED the camera lol. The kiddie playground is small and usually pretty empty so that is great for us.

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Engagement sessions are VERY popular. But what do you do with the photos?
There is always the “sign in book” BUT besides that houbout a collage.
Here is an example.

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You do NOT need a professional camera or ANY photo experience to come to my class!

Subjects include:
How to help your (modest) camera to help itself.
Posing 101
Composition (or would you rather have a picture of mostly the ground?)
BASIC camera settings and how to cheat!
Exposure.
Where and WHEN is it best to take your photos.
How to be a better lover (Just kidding)
DON’T lose your files (organization tips)
PRINT photos for fun (and profit… not really)
Don’t Bring: Attitude, Kids or Fear

Do Bring: IT (“bring it”), ANY camera, a laptop (if you have it) and a book by Kevin Meredith called Hot Shots

Class will be held at our studio 1217 S. Holt #3, Los Angeles, CA 90035 on three Sundays (same class each time). The dates are May 15th, May 29th and June 12th. Class will start at 11 am and will go 3-4 hours (with a break for lunch). The cost is $50. To sign up you MUST send your name, email and phone number with your choice of date to production@townsleyportraits.com with “photo class” in the subject line.

It will sell out (I hope) as it is being offered all over the web!

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Beautiful wedding produced by Michael Willms of Entertainment Design Events.

Photography by Susan Bordelon.

Footage shot by Stuart Townsley. Edited by David Robin.

The bride’s father is Andy Summers of the Police (I think)

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ok so the other day I walk outside and the whole street is closed off for a carnival.  Totally freeky. We were supposed to head out to LV at 8am and it was well past 2pm. LOL. Greta loves stuff like this and I wanted to see it at night… I ran into my daughter who was there with a friend (super cool but cost me $20). I spent at least $40 trying to get that red star out of that paper (I was sooooooo close I literally one time left the TIP of one of the stars just the tip and that is not good enough).  We ate Mexican corn, cotton candy and a caramel apple (yet no dinner).

I just had had to get some pics. And Greta HAD to ride the Ferris wheel.  The shots I took on my Lomo LC-A+ are still in the camera (haven’t finished the roll) as are the Minox ones.  But these from the VistaQuest (with this trippy fisheye that they make in China for cell phones) are totally ready!

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There was a bad feedback about me on peachhead, so here is the retraction in case you saw it.

Stuart, I apologize. I have been writing to those who have been emailing me and asking about my experience, that you have reconciled our situation. I even went back and retracted my initial statement. I hate that all this has happened.
I have been writing: “I retract my initial statement. Stuart has since, 100% reconciled my “situation.” It turns out I misunderstood the “deal.” I did not understand that I was paying for a photo shoot and an 8×10 photo — NOT the actual jpeg of the photo. I was very disappointed that the jpeg of the photo I finally chose (out of about 800 that he took during a very FUN photo shoot!), was not included with my “deal.” My mistake.
The photo shoot with Stuart was a lot of fun, his location spots were neat, and he is actually quite an honorable man. Go for it!”

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Here is an email a client sent to all her friends:

“Hi Ladies,

Ok, I LOVE my new photographer and thought I’d share. He is the guy that I got off of Groupon and I won’t be going anywhere else. As many of you know, I love love love pictures! If you need a photographer, I strongly recommend Stuart. Check out his blog and you’ll see a couple of our pictures. http://www.townsleyportraits.com/blog/

If you don’t need a photographer or don’t care about pictures, please disregard this email! LOL I just like to share when I find something or someone great.

~S”

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