This year my three children turned a wonderful corner. They became much more independent and I took a great sigh. I sat back and looked at them proudly one day and realized that my best work was done. I knew then that it was time for the next chapter, to give back, because I am so grateful for having a wonderful husband and three children who are healthy.

I started looking for a project to take on so that I could give back to my community, one that would blend the three great concepts in my life: family, art and charity. When I found the Stramski Center in Long Beach, California I knew that I had found a perfect match, a project that would resonate with me. The Stramski Center is an amazing clinic of Miller’s Children’s Hospital. They are great healers to many children of special needs and their families.

When we showed the portraits that I created to the Long Beach Arts Council, they placed it in the G.L.O.B.A.L. project for October’s art’s initiative with Phantom Galleries LA.

Above is a sample of the photography project that I created. I invite you to come on October 10th at 3rd and Elm in Downtown Long Beach to see the rest of the art project.

The Beauty of Nature’s Forms

The Landscape

I’ve been asked to display my flowers again this Thursday, September 3rd at Gallery 741 in San Pedro (see previous post).

On Friday, September 4th, I will have yet another photo exhibit on First Fridays in Long Beach on Atlantic Ave., where we’ll have several of my favorite flower and female form studies on display at Elise’s Tea Room. You can find us in the Grand Tea Room and French Blue Room where Jean-Luc will set the mood on his classical piano. I will be there and hope that you will join me at this fun Long Beach event.

Septmember 4, 2009
6:30 – 10:00pm

Elise’s Tea Room
3924 Atlantic Ave
Long Beach, CA 90807-3502
(562) 424-2134

I am known primarily as a portrait photographer. Many people don’t know that I have a secret passion for flower photography. The secret’s not so secret anymore.

What began as a way to show my children the beauty of light and form in the garden as they were looking at our array of strange looking garden bugs became my creative release and obsession and now, to my surprise and delight, is being welcomed into art galleries.

I continued past the teaching phase with my children and starting going into the garden alone, amassing thousands of images from my garden, my friend’s gardens, my neighbor’s gardens and on our nature walks. My family is patient with my constant sidetracking so much that the kids now know that if mommy is not with them, I’m photographing one of the beautiful blooms that evolve over the seasons, obsessed with getting the right portrait of a flower, with the same determination that I use in my portrait sessions. So now I can say I join the minions of flower photographers, but I tend to think of my self as a flower portrait photographer.

I hope you join us tomorrow night, August 6, 2009 as my biggest showing of my flower portraits will take place. I share Gallery 741 with two other nature artists. Thank you Gallery 741 for asking me to be a part of the show.

The exhibition, titled En Plein Air, is comprised of still life and landscapes carefully selected to celebrate the beauty and form of the outdoor environment. In the tradition of the “plein air” movement, the artists have stepped out of the studio to create each piece using natural light. While the subject matter of the artwork ranges from flowers to seascapes, the unifying theme is the glory of the world around us.

Please join us for the opening reception of En Plein Air during San Pedro’s famous First Thursday Art Walks:

Thursday, August 6th, 2009
6:00PM – 9:00PM
Gallery 741
741 S. Pacific Ave, San Pedro CA 90731

I’m still thinking about my portrait session with the Wu family today. It was so wonderful catching up while creating family photography that fits to their life. The Wu’s have been my clients for several years now and I have photographed their growing family many times. I can’t tell you how honored I am to be a part of really wonderful people’s lives.

You know, most times that people are new to a studio experience they are nervous. I understand that. You are in the center stage with someone staring at you, what a self-conscious feeling! Having been a model many years ago I worked through that feeling. I have been there so I get that and I help my clients through that awkward feeling.

At this point, photographing the Wu’s felt like just hanging out. There is a magic that happens when we get to that familiar place. . . art. . .personality. . .connection. It all happens and it was meant to happen. I can’t wait to sign their wall portraits.

These are the things that get me so jazzed.

Who Let the Dogs Out!?

I photograph lots of families. And of course, pets are a part of every growing family. For some reason dogs just love me. Maybe it’s because I’m a giant kid. Maybe because the feeling is mutual. And so, pet photography is just a natural extension of family photography. I’m really excited because of a special promotion and fundraiser that we are going to do.

The sounds of barking dogs will be bellowing from our Pasadena studio on August 8th as we hold our first “Dog Days of Summer” fundraising event for the Pasadena Humane Society. Bring in a large bag of dog or cat food and you’ll receive a free 15-minute session and 5×7 portrait of your furry friend. It’s going to be a howling good time!

WHO: Linnea Lenkus Fine Art Portrait Studios, by appointment only so PLEASE CALL

WHAT: Dog Days of Summer

WHERE: 545 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena, 91105 (corner of California Blvd.)

WHEN: Saturday, August 8, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

WHY: To raise donations for the Pasadena Humane Society

By appointment only. Please call 626-744-9104. I hope to see you there!

Join me tomorrow, Monday May 25th at 10am at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Universal City/Hollywood Hills for the Memorial Day Program.

Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills is located at:
6300 Forest Lawn Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90068

I have been asked to display my military photo project during the program and I am honored to do so. I am very honored to have been in the presence of the military families who I photographed for this project.

We Americans tend to think of Memorial Day as a day off from work, but I do believe that we need to remind ourselves that this is a day of remembrance of those who serve and who have served, and those who have put their lives on the line for our freedom and those who have lost their lives so bravely.

Please read more about my military photo project here.

I’m so honored to be partnering with Long Beach’s “Steel Magnolias,” a non-profit organization that raises funds for the Stramski Children’s Developmental Center at Miller’s Children Hospital. Over the last several weeks, I’ve had the enormous pleasure of photographing some of the children and their families who’ve greatly benefited from the services provided by the Stramski Center. This is a charity that is very close to my heart.

The children who’ve stood in front of my camera have conditions including autism, Asperbeger’s syndrome, high risk infant development delay, craniofacial deformity and attention deficit disorder. I was simply blown away by the strength, determination, courage and love that these families share. Listening to their stories moved me in a way that is hard to describe, especially as a mother of three healthy children.

The fine art portrait exhibit will be on display at the final destination of the Steel Magnolia’s Home Design Tour from 11am to 4pm on May 17th, 2009. Below is more information about the Home Design Tour.

The Stramski Children’s Developmental Center, under the guidance of the Center’s Medical Director Dr. Gary Feldman, include Behavioral Neurodevelopment Programs, The Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Center, High-Risk Infant Follow-up, Sleep Disorders and the Stramski International Adoption Program.

I’m very excited that the upcoming Azul Gallery’s 2nd Annual
Redefining Femininity: Women who Dare Exhibit
will include a series of fine art nude portraits from my personal art collection. In celebration of Women’s Heritage month, Azul Gallery has assembled local artists’ work that “pays tribute and represent women who have exhibited the courage and determination to reach beyond the ordinary and expected, often braving seemingly insurmountable sexual and political tyrannies in the process.”

I chose to submit a fine art nude series of three art pieces which feature a woman posing nude on a dance pole. In the images, I captured her in a sophisticated way performing erotic “pole dancing” moves which she does regularly as part of her fitness regimen. The fitness phenomenon which incorporates yoga, Pilates and other strength building moves helps women build their self-confidence by giving them the freedom to be their naturally sexy and erotic selves without social restraints. The series of images captures the beauty, joy and strength of a woman empowered by her own sexuality, and I love that she exhibits grace and strength through what has historically been perceived as a demeaning and degrading activity.

Art Gallery Show dates are from March 1st – April 17th, 2009

Come join me at the

Special reception:
Thursday, March 5th from 5pm-10pm during San Pedro’s first Thursday art walk.

and Formal reception:
Saturday, March 21, 2008, 5pm-10pm
Light hors d’ouvres, wine and music by DJ CEE-BO.

at Gallery Azul
731 S. Pacific Ave.
San Pedro, CA 90731
310-831-2116

See more nude photography which has a elegant, sophisticated edge on my website www.LinneaLenkus.com or my new nude website at www.FineArtNudePortraits.com

I haven’t blogged in a while. Sorry. Writing is just not my forte and I’ve been very busy with the holidays and treasuring family time.

I have so much to be grateful for and so I want to say thank you to all of my wonderful clients and to the people who are on my team. Being a photographer means I get to be a part of so many families and I love knowing that I can create something that reminds you of your love for them. Each moment is priceless and we all need to stop once in a while to capture those moments for posterity to remind us what adds true meaning to our lives.

I recently received the sweetest Thank You card from one of my favorite people, Brooke Burke. She sure warmed my heart by writing in her note: “The Photography Book you made for my family is Incredibly Beautiful! And Priceless! It has become a Ritual during story time. The Kids call it our Family Book. What a generous gift that we all enjoy!”

Thank you Brooke. Thank you to all of the wonderful people in my life. Here’s to a new year and a new era. Here’s to creating beauty and love everywhere.

I’m a photographer and my photography website is at LinneaLenkus.com

Tonight’s the big night for Brooke Burke on ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars!” She’s on top and it looks like she’s going to take the trophy home! She put on the most amazing performance last night in the free style dance. She actually put John Travolta and Olivia Newton John to shame.

And I still can’t get over what an incredibly fit body she has. I’m looking forward to having Brooke back into my Pasadena studio to photograph her whole family, especially her son who is growing so fast! I can’t wait to congratulate her. My whole staff is so excited because we all love her so much.

This is Brooke Burke just 8 months ago and look at her today!

It’s been such a joy doing pregnancy and newborn photography for Brooke and David, and I can’t wait to see her perform tonight! And remember if you want to see how Brooke got that beautiful figure after four children go to her website BabooshBaby.com where she shows you how to get a tight tummy after pregnancy.

For more Brooke Burke photos that I created of her family, go to Los Angeles Photographers.