I’m going on yet another adventure there this weekend.

Back in 2009 when my friend Nicole asked if I would join her on this adventure, I of course said yes.  We escaped the afternoon heat by taking a drive, in my air conditioned car, out toward the South entrance of the park to capture these… right before sunset.

These images were shot using my old [and trusty] Canon 20D.

Stoney Point Park (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Over the weekend I spent time with new friends at one of their favorite bouldering spots, Stoney Point in Chatsworth, CA.  I’ve spent my whole life in Southern CA, and have never been there, weird.  Stoney Point was the setting for countless Hollywood movies in the 30′s and 40′s.  Even though people were climbing there as early as the 30′s it wasn’t until the 50′s and 60′s when it was put on the maps as a climbing mecca.  Pioneering rock-climbers like Royal Robbins and Yvon Chouinard learned to climb at Stoney Point.

It was an overload of new experiences for me… new friends, bouldering outside AND my first ascent, and also getting to photograph the sport for the first time.  Bouldering is not just a sport, it’s a way of life for some, and now it makes some sense why.  When climbing these rugged rock faces a person seams to use all the senses and body movements that creates the perfect amount of balance… meditation, hard work, physical strength, focus, and drive.  These are my kind of people… having fun and at peace with being in the moment, focused on nothing but what is right in front of you.  It was eye opening to watch them at times using raw physical force and a bit of adrenaline to achieve the hardest of moves.  I don’t know if I have ever been challenged like that, but [grinning] I think I would like it.  There was also a lot of down time to relax, eat and chat in the warm sun.  I don’t call myself a climber [yet] but I can associate a similar experience with mountain biking.  On a technical ride, you must stay focused, if you don’t, you psych yourself out and pound dirt.   In comparison, the scare factor in climbing is slightly higher, and I may have a fear of heights. Damn.

On a photography note, I can’t wait to get more experience shooting this subject.  I knew going into this day of work that I would be ill-prepared in terms of timing the light and climbing knowledge, but I took a lot of mental and physical notes, and shot as much as I could.

Thanks for having me along, Long Beach crew!

Enjoy the photos.

My friend and fellow photographer, Jennifer Choi, volunteered to be the first photographer to photograph me in a “formal” sitting.

In addition to the tighter and bit more corporate style shots (which is what I requested) Jen surprised me with a change of location.  Off we went… out of the office and into “Sammy” – My 1981 VW Vanagon.  {sigh of relief}  I was finally comfortable in my element… relaxed and cozy in on the back seat of the wagon!  I spend a lot of time in Sammy, parked at the beach… reading, picnicking, conceptualizing my next photo related project, napping and listening to the waves crash.  The photo wagon is my home away from home.

It’s hard for the tables to be turned on us photographers.  Here’s what I learned…

Although I feel I’m not a naturally-cozy and collected subject in front of the camera, I am still a professional behind it.  Once the nerves settled, I started listening to my internal dialog photo-coaching, and also started taking queues from Jen.  Suddenly I knew how I wanted to naturally pose… staying relaxed, breathing and smiling [with my eyes of course]

Weird truth… showing these photos is not an easy task, but naturally there should be visuals {smile}

Jennifer Choi is the owner and operator of Alfresco Photo.  She is a gifted designer and photographer

Elegance, organization, structure, professionalism, pride…

I was pretty moved.

from left to right: Commander Stephen Ruggiero, Rear Admiral Shatynski, Major General U.S. Army (retired) Paul E. Mock, Comman Sergeant Major U.S. Army George F. Ardron

Commander Ruggiero's wife and two children

Ruggiero receiving his Bronze Star from Rear Admiral Shatynski

Medals are awarded by Ruggiero to his children on behalf of Sen. Hillary Clinton. Far right: their mother looks on

Ruggiero honors the Port of Long Beach by presenting an American flag to the President of Harbor Commissioners, Susan Wise

The new McKeever Photography site is a much-needed improvement!  Thank you to Jeff Gould from Seje Creative for assisting me with the setup of the site, I couldn’t have done it without you!

I’m very excited about 2012!

This blog will be used to entertain, but also as a tool to assist photography neophytes AND the pros!  I will be bringing you all things photography related…fun slideshows, how to’s, tips, tricks and camera equipment reviews.  I’m also planning on offering a series of classes to people interested in learning the basics of using their point-and-shoots and DSLRs – Including some basic lighting techniques.

This coming year, I’m thrilled to be embarking on some new editorial possibilities in outdoor adventure shooting. Stay tuned!

I want to take this opportunity to thank a few of the creative minds and extra hard working people who have helped make my business a success this past year.  Whether it be to give me suburb business advise, loan me crucial photo equipment, help create an amazing logo design or marketing material, or just be a set of ears to run ideas by, these people are the best at it…    Shawn- my partner-in-crime/all around great advice giver, Justin McKeever- father extraordinaire/photo mentor, Margaret Magee- savvy business woman/design guru, Jennifer Stockdale- anything/everything goddess , Jennifer Choi- “the, she doesn’t know it, but knows it now,” business direction inspiration for 2012,  Huy Pham- the best Craigslist meet up/keeper (and lender) of all the cool photo equipment you could ever want!

Happy New Year!

Bernadette