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.
Linnea Lenkus and her photography exhibit “Images From the Homefront” will be on Display at the following locations on
Veterans Day
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills
Forecourt of the Birth of Liberty
6300 Forest Lawn Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90068
11 a.m.
In addition to the photography of Linnea Lenkus, the free community event will feature World War II Veteran and KTLA-TV anchor Stan Chambers as the Master of Ceremonies. The annual event will also feature skydivers; a military vehicle display; patriotic musical arrangements; a presentation of the Presidential Proclamation, and more than 100 local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts will serve as volunteers for guest services.
Equinox Gym
19540 Jamboree Road
Irvine, California
5:30 p.m.
Special Guest Appearance by
The Real Housewives of Orange County:
I’m very excited to announce that one of the portraits from the “Images From the Homefront” exhibit has been selected to go on display at the Irvine Fine Arts Center as part of its All Media 2008 Show. The image below will be on exhibit from November 14, 2008 – January 22, 2009 at 14321 Yale Ave., Irvine, CA , 92604. There will be a reception on November 14th from 6:00 – 8:30pm and the awards ceremony takes place at 7:00pm.
This family portrait titled “Serving Double Duty” features a husband and wife who are both on active duty in the U.S. Navy. In the portrait the father is cradling his 9-day old daughter, while his wife gently kisses her on top of her head. This artwork is one of 12 from the “Images From the Homefront” collection, a project I proudly worked on with “Operation Homefront,” a non-profit organization that provides emergency assistance and morale-boosting programs to military members, their families and our nation’s wounded warriors.
“Serving Double Duty” Both serving in Navy combat teams, this dynamic duo has been on several deployments – each at least 6 months in duration as a result of the on-going wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Over the last four years they’ve been physically apart for more than two years. Their daughter was just nine days old when this portrait was taken.
The mother in this portrait wrote: “The strains on dual military marriages are tremendous because we’re apart so often. We keep our marriage strong through constant communication whether it’s through e-mail or letters – as long as we have each other’s words. It’ll be very difficult when it comes time to say ‘goodbye’ to our little baby girl, but we proudly wear this uniform because we know we’re an important part of what it takes to keep our nation free.”
This portrait photography features one of the nine military families I took portraits of for “Operation Homefront” which has become a traveling photography exhibit to increase awareness about the issues facing our country’s military families and to help raise money for the organization. Other images in the exhibit include a maternity portrait, newborn photography, family portraits and pair of desert combat boots which serves to represent our nation’s fallen.
On Tuesday, November 11th, 2008 I will also be Click here to see more of this unique family photography.
Long Beach is my town and I’m proud to live here and even more proud to associate with other local businesses doing good things in the community. That’s why I’m excited to announce that I’ll be the photographer of the winner of the first ever “Miss Morry’s Vintage Pin Up Contest” for Morry’s of Naples.
I started as a commercial photographer so it’s a hoot to return doing something that’s a challenge combined with something I photograph often. The vision I had when I discussed this with Morry’s team was a combination of my brand of tasteful nudes combined with glamorous “Ava Gardner/Veronica Lake” inspired photography at my Long Beach portrait studio.
The great fun about this contest is that it’s a popular online vote – no judges. So you too could help decide who I’m going to photograph, voting goes until November 7th, 2008 at midnight. The winner will be crowned at the “Morry’s 70th Anniversary Soiree” on November 9th to benefit our local Historical Society of Long Beach. Yes, that’s right, Morry’s is a local wine store and wine and cheese bar that has been here in Long Beach for 70 years.
For more information and to vote on which beauty will be crowned Miss Morry’s see Morry’s website (navigate to the contest on the left).
Have you been watching Brooke Burke on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” Season 7? Aren’t you just in absolute awe of her? I know I certainly am! Although I must say, I’m not at all surprised that she’s winning over the hearts of the judges and fans, because she absolutely deserves it. Not only is she drop-dead gorgeous and talented, I can honestly tell you she’s one of the nicest people I’ve ever had the opportunity to photograph. And I’ve photographed many, many beautiful women, including celebrities, and Brooke is genuinely one the kindest and most sincere people I’ve met.
When she recently did a Viennese Waltz with her dance partner to the John Mayer song “Daughters” I started to sob when she kissed her daughter Neriah while the words, “So mothers be good to your daughters too” because I know how important family is to her. She’s a very “hands on” mom and I know it’s probably hard to be away from her family while she is doing this show. I sent her one of our new custom coffee table books of all of her photo sessions with me to remind her of her wonderful family while she is away from them.
Brooke Burke with Her Older Daughters Neriah and Sierra
Brooke has been to my Pasadena portrait studio on several occasions – pregnant and not pregnant –and I’ve seen first hand just how incredibly in shape she is. She’s very dedicated to fitness and the way her body looks and the way she moves it on the dance floor is proof of her commitment to having a fit body.
Brooke Burke came back to my photo studio post pregnancy for baby photography shortly after her fourth baby was born. I asked her to show me her belly, and I have to admit my admiration for how great she looked was sprinkled with a bit of envy. I mean, really, can you imagine looking so good after being pregnant for the fourth time?
Well if you want to know one of the ways she does it, go to Brooke Burke Baboosh Baby at www.BabooshBaby.com to find out one of her biggest secrets to her wonderful figure – her belly wrap or tauts. As a key eyewitness, I’m here to tell you they work!
So vote for Brooke Burke on Dancing with the Stars while you watch the show (Google Dancing with the Stars 2008 website for the phone number) because she’s certainly going to be this season’s winner!
Go Brooke go!
You can see some of the family portraits that we created together on my website LinneaLenkus.com
I’ve recently had the life-changing opportunity to give back to a community of people, for whom, I’ll admit, I knew very little about up until a couple of months ago. A good friend of mine, who has been involved with a number of grassroots non-profit organizations that provide support to our country’s military men and women and their families, told me about a group called “Operation Homefront.”
Operation Homefront is a non-profit organization that provides emergency assistance and morale-boosting programs for family members of our military, especially those who have a family member deployed overseas. My friend asked me if I’d be interested in taking photographs of military families as a way of saying “thanks” for their service. Over the course of a month, I had the honor to photograph nine military families from the Southern California region. In addition to donating varied family portraits to each of the families, I also donated several portraits to “Operation Homefront” which they will use in a “traveling exhibit” titled “Images From the Homefront.” The purpose of the exhibit will be to help increase awareness about the service of our military men and women and their families and help “Operation Homefront” in their fund raising efforts. The exhibit will debut in San Diego, California.
Each one of these families I photographed has a story of strength and courage that’s hard to put into words, so I set out to capture them visually. I was amazed and moved deeply to get to know a group of people who too often are associated only with war, and unfortunately, with politics. I saw and experienced them as people who proudly and dutifully serve our country when called upon to do so.
Linnea Lenkus and Operation Homefront present: “Images From the Homefront” Portrait Exhibit
Thursday, September 11, 2008 in Balboa Park
at the Veteran’s Memorial Museum (Garden)
On Display Beginning at 4:30 p.m.
I’ll be there!!
There will be important speakers and I will give a short speech as well.
There will be a candlelight vigil in the evening.
Some of the stories and images that are in the exhibit are below:
Protecting My Son
This new father was among the first Marines to enter into Baghdad during, what has become known as, “Shock and Awe” in 2003. He has an amazingly gentle soul, and his love for his newborn baby was awe-inspiring. He departs for his second tour to Iraq in January 2009.
Mommy Goes Back Out to Sea
As a mother of three, I can’t comprehend leaving my children behind for months at a time, but this mother will do so when she leaves for deployment in November 2008. She will be separated from her husband and baby girl for at least 6 months.
Hidden Wounds of War
This incredible father of three girls has served in the Marines for 18 years and he’s been deployed seven times. While serving on his fourth deployment in Iraq, he was hit by a improvised explosive device that left him deaf in one ear. He has since been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury – medical conditions often referred to as the “hidden wounds of war.” His family demonstrated to me how they felt when he left home and how isolated from them he has felt.
“Daddy Doll”
This mother cradles her daughter who is holding her “daddy doll” which got her through many nights while her father, was on deployment in Iraq. To provide stability and normalcy in her life, this young girl attended deployment support groups for kids and listened to her daddy read books to her recorded on disks. I’m happy to report that her father has returned home safely from Iraq.
The Uplifting Family of a Wounded Warrior
Severely injured in July 2004 when he was hit by a double-stacked anti-tank mine in Iraq this new father sustained multiple fractures to his right foot and angle. His foot and the lower part of his leg were amputated in January 2008. He was one of the first Marines to be re-enlisted on permanent limited duty in 2006 by then Commandant of the Marine Corps.
His wife is the key volunteer for the Wounded Warrior Battalion at Balboa Naval Medical Center. The have such an incredibly positive attitude about his injury, and love for the military way of life that many wounded warriors and their family members are referred to them for support and guidance.
I have a profound respect for these honorable Americans who daily define grace. I personally want to thank all the members of our military services and their families for their service and sacrifice. I look forward to the day when all of you are back home safe and sound with your friends and families. I also want to thank “Operation Homefront” for helping me to find these incredible families and for the wonderful support they provide military families across the nation.
I want to thank my staff for their incredible patience and devotion to this project with me, and to my friend, who continually enlightens me.
I am a portrait photographer, just one Los Angeles photographer, and hopefully I have done my job right.
I took a trip down memory lane this weekend. Buried deep in my garage was a dusty box of old tearsheets, prints, slides and negatives of me when I was a model. My husband fought the dust and spiderwebs to retrieve this box of memories for me. I have a project I’m working on that required those images. Plus, many, many people and especially my employees and friends, have begged me to see these images, I guess to prove that, yes, I could actually model (I know they can’t imagine it now). It was another life ago for me.
Linnea as a model.
I have faint memories of modeling in Paris, Munich, Milan and L.A when I was 20. I do know that my first job was for Elle magazine and the highly-respected photographer Toscani who created all those colorful Benetton ads. Also at that session I was accompanied by Carrie Lowell and Paulina Porzikova. I thought that was a good start.
I was, back then, a bit on the old side to start modeling, which stuns me especially since I was so naive and innocent then. If my children ever feel the need to model, I will discourage it or make sure to chaperone them because it can be a harsh world, the modeling world.
I learned my craft there on my “tests” and “shoots”. Hanging out with photographers was the best part of my job then. I didn’t know then that I would actually be a professional photographer one day, but I knew that I respected photographers and was very curious about their lives. While the other models were hanging out with each other I was trying to talk to the photographers and gather any tiny morsels of information from them.
A photo of Linnea Lenkus from a French magazine.
What did I learn in that other life? I learned that I was too sensitive to be a model. I learned that it was an incredible jolt to be in a studio and on a set. I learned that worrying about my weight, my nails, my looks or my skin makes me crazy. I learned over many many attempts the skill I use today to help my clients – - the art of acting natural in front of the camera. I learned that the 80’s was a funky style period. I learned that with all the effort in the world a perfect image can’t be created unless you let go, which is what I work hard to do for my clients in their portrait sessions.
I’m excited and a bit nervous to tell you that my video is up. After several months in the works, and still working out the Flash conversion I’m happy to present to you a bit about me, my portrait philosophy, and how I work. I felt it was about time to let everyone know about the photography experience that they can expect at our three portrait studios. Many people get really nervous being photographed but there is nothing to fear. It’s a fun experience! I am a photographer and I can tell you that it’s true.
A couple of blog posts back you will recall that I recently had the honor to be part of a couple’s wedding celebration. They’ve been married for 21 years and the husband decided to make the experience of doing a portrait session with me as part of his anniversary gift to his wife.
As I prepared the couples portraits for them, I have to admit I got jealous. I thought it was such a terrific idea that I decided that I wanted my own couple’s portrait of my husband and I to celebrate our 16 wonderful married years together. So, on our anniversary last week we went to the photo studio, and what a terrific time we had together.
We kissed, hugged, held hands, touched each other’s faces, stared into each other’s eyes, and well, you get the picture! I must say, it was such a delight and incredibly romantic, even after all these years. I feel very proud to still love this man so much and to know how much he loves me right back. Actually, I have to say, that we’re probably more romantically in love with each other today after 16 years and three gorgeous children, than we’ve ever been in our lives.
It was exciting to play and laugh in front of the camera all in an effort to visually capture our love. I’ve been a professional photographer for over 18 years, yet, I just couldn’t get around to a professional photo portrait with him alone, but what a wonderful and romantic gift!
Look who’s in Pregnancy and Newborn magazine this month! It’s me!!
Since I specialize in creating artistic and personal wall art I was asked by Pregnancy and Newborn for my take on wall art of babies and new families and how to present large portraits. I’ve been a professional photographer for 18 years now. My art consultants and I all know how life affirming it is to have incredible, artistic portraits of your family around with impact. I have many larger than life size portraits of my family and my babies around my home and everyone who enters is awestruck. “Wow,” they say, “I really like that.” It gets them thinking. It creates a positive energy.
An excerpt from the article: “Wall art 101
Don’t know what to do with that beautiful oversized portrait of your newly expanded family? Linnea lenkus, owner of Linnea Lenkus Fine Art Portrait Studios in Los Angeles, simplifies the art of displaying portraits in your home. ‘”When determining where to display your pregnancy and newborn portraits as wall art, it’s important to think in terms of drawing in the viewer. I always ask people to take a look at their home and identify the wall that their eyes trail towards in a straight line from the entrance into that room. That is the wall that will likely have the most impact and therefore, should display the largest portrait. The “tunnel” or walkway to that wall should have slightly smaller portraits, depending on the viewer’s distance to the print, leading to the Mecca of portraits.’”
Be Original. Don't Copy!Explore your own creativity. If you like my work, be inspired by it. But don't grab it. It's wrong.It's copyright infringement.
