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In My Dreams (and My Art) I Can Fly!…..

©2010 Merrilyn Romen. All Rights Reserved

"Alice's Freedom" by Merrilyn Romen for Nico Moon Photography. ©2010 All Rights Reserved.

This weekend I had the most amazing time with one of my newly found favorite artists of all times. Her name is Brooke Shaden and she’s just about the age of my youngest daughter and, just like my daughter, she freed my spirit, she opened up my mind and she showed me parts of myself that, previously I only knew about in my dreams. This is true. In my dreams, I can fly. Not just once or twice have I had flying dreams. I can’t count the number of times I can fly in my dreams. Some times I fly to escape, though not as often as I wish. More often I fly to explore. I’ve explored large bodies of water in what was supposed to be Rome and some other cities in Italy that I’ve never seen before.  I’ve viewed huge museums of art from the glass-covered, metal-boned ceilings. I’ve taken my daughters with me and shown them how to fly – they especially enjoyed the museum and the trip to Italy. I’ve dreamed about visiting stores that were filled to the brim with the most exquisite shoes and decorative items, flying about from room to room amazed at the creativity only to wake up and realize that all that creativity lived inside of me!

It’s a wonderful feeling to wake up and realize that your mind is a treasure house. But what an amazing feeling it is to be able to put some of those precious ideas into a tangible piece of art that you can actually share with others.

Well, Brooke, you’ve done it and, thankfully, I will never be the same! Check out Brooke’s absolutely exquisite images here. (The girl has more friends on Flicker than there are residents of Malibu!) And here is what I did this week-end!

I am so excited about this, I could…. well….fly!

©2010 Merrilyn Romen. All Rights Reserved.

"Handicapped" by Merrilyn Romen for Nico Moon Photography. ©2010 All Rights Reserved

The Wine Cleanse and ….um….hunger….

I started a nutrition diet last night. Four days of mostly raw foods and lots of fresh kale juice. I was feeling sort of “puffy” around the waist when I read about Tracy Anderson’s Wine Cleanse. Yes, you read that correctly.  Here’s what Tracy* says about it, “Resveratrol, which is a nutrient found in the skin of grapes, contains restorative properties and high levels of antioxidants. I put together a 4-day nutrient boost that is best complement by resveratrol and allows you to enjoy a glass of red wine each evening. All of the foods below contain foods that are high in antioxidants, have restorative properties that can trigger weight loss, and most importantly, go best with a glass of red wine!” Well, after 1 day of being on the nutrient-enriched diet  I can see why. Without the wine you are… well….”whiney”…and hungry!  It’s not that I have hunger pangs, it’s more like having and empty body….nothing there… and I feel like filling that emptiness with Herschey’s chocolate bars of cupcakes! But there’s nothing like a glass of ruby red vino to calm you down and make you forget about the fact that you are, indeed, on a diet.  Just one more glass?  Nope!  (shucks!)

I’ll let you know how it works.  4 days of a serious cleansing diet, 3 days of core-empowering yoga classes and 1 day of photographing a 98 lb. 5’2″ model levitating.   Stay tuned!   :)   x merrilyn
* in case you didn’t know, Tracy Anderson created Gwyneth Paltrow’s diet, and is her trainer as well as Courtney Cox, Kristin Davis and Donna Karan…. ah how svelte it is!  :)

Boudoir Marathon in Los Angeles! New Dates! August 30 and 31st!

Boudoir Marathon Los Angeles Boudoir Photographer - Malibu, Santa Monica

Facebook Friends and Ladies!!

I am going to be holding a

Boudoir Marathon

on August 30th and 31st at an uber-posh hotel in Los Angeles. (think all white, large sunny windows). Makeup artist and location is included and the session fee is only $99 for this one event only! There are only a couple of spots left!

Women of all shapes and sizes, wives, mommies, and even mommies-in-the making can  be sexy and beautiful and flirty and feminine.  Christmas is right around the corner (I know, right?) and what an amazing surprise gift this would make for your fiance, your husband or to show your man that mommy-hood hasn’t taken its toll on you!

I invite you to view the Nico Moon Boudoir. portfolio here (just make sure you’re not at work or around the kidlets) and, you can sign up here to receive your own invitation for our first boudoir photographic event in Los Angeles at the end of August.

Check out Nico Moon Boudoir’s website for ideas on what we can do for you and fill out this form if you’re interested.

There will be wine, food, a make-up artist and incredible ambiance!

With over 10 years of daily Photoshop experience, I can make any shape or size look their very best!  I’m so excited about the opportunity for our clients to see themselves in a new light.

Mark the date and do it!  You know you want to…. but hurry!
Sign Up Here.

Los Angeles Boudoir Photographer - Malibu, Santa Monica

Paparazzi at Union Station


Yesterday was one of the most fun days I’ve had in ages. Lindsey, Manny and I ventured out to Union Station to take some photos. First of all, Manny is a walking advertisement for his personal training services. Check out those abs! (I stopped counting “packs” after 6!)  They were fun, vivacious, adventurous and willing to try anything! And, need I say, gorgeous – both of them models! I love spending the day with down-to-earth people and this day was filled with surprises. You can even see me pretending I’m Lindsey in one of the photos below!  Thanks, L and M, for a fun, memorable day!

Virtual Sunflowers for Mera’s Birthday – Los Angeles Graduation Senior Portrait Photographer

Happy Birthday, Mera!

Those eyes! Mera, you sincerely have the most piercing eyes I have every seen.

Here are your solo portraits.

Next up the relationship portraits we took in Newport last month.
What a beautiful girl you are! See you soon!

Looking for a photographer for your 2011 Senior Portraits? Give me a shout! Contact us here for summer specials, but hurry!

“Sleeves” and Some New Blogging Ideas from a Child and Family Photographer in Los Angeles

Los Angeles Engagement Photographer
I’ve been thinking about this blog a lot lately. Most photographers post their latest sessions only, with a tiny bit of information about their family life. But I’ve decided to use this blog to let you in on some of the other things I find interesting besides photography. Don’t get me wrong. Lately I’ve been eating, breathing and sleeping photography. Listening to cds and online webinars, going to workshops, reading everything I can get my hand on and clicking the shutter a zillion times. But I’m also a designer. And a lover of pop culture. So here is what I plan to do.

I’m going to be sharing some cool sites I find that offer unusual products and services. And, yes, I’m going to post my latest sessions (if I have permission).

So, let’s start this off with a new site I just discovered called “Sleeves”. Sleeves is a weather reporting site unlike any other. It tells you what length sleeve you will need to wear to be comfortable in today’s weather. Now I know that many of you on the east coast are laughing, thinking, “Sleeves? How about no clothes?”  I’ve heard your weather is unusually scorching. But where I live, on the coast right off the Pacific ocean, the weather is very unpredictable. Some days you have the top down on your car. Other days you need a sweater. Some days it looks like rain…..well you get the picture. So without further ado…

Sleeves, a new sort of weather site.

July 22, 2010 - 12:27 pm Corporate photographer London - How do you get the out of focus edges on the portrait- really like this effect- do you do it on camera or photoshop- nice work- Grant

Book-end Photo Frames…………………………….. from Nico Moon Photography Los Angeles family photographer

Nico Moon Family Photographer Los AngelesAlways inspired by new designs and forever looking for a way to display photos, here are some really cool Photo Frame Book-ends!

Made of MDF, they’re a stylish way of keeping your book collection in order AND display pictures of your loves ones.
Dimensions: 15 x 9.5 x 19.5 cm

At Dutch by Design

Price (approx.): $57.50

Dancing Hot Red Heels for your iPhone!

I used to wear red heels with white lacy anklets and jeans. It became something of an obsession with me so I’m always looking for the perfect pair of comfortable, but chic red heels (and my youth)!  ;)

So these are HOT, right? But what’s that brand? Gimme Tunes? Never heard of it!

Aha!…….High heels speaker posing as uniquely designed PC stereo speakers!
Suddenly I realize my newly discovered red heels can TALK!

Nico Moon Photography


Powered from the USB cable on your PC (heavy AC adapter or batteries are required).
You can even use it with your iPad, iPhone, iPod, mobile phones, game consoles and, of course, the music on your computer.

So now I’m wondering if I could haphazardly leave them at someone’s house with a recorded message on ‘em….or if I could wear them with a long extension cord and have dancing feet!  The mind boggles to think of what I could do with these if they make them wireless!

What would you, could you do with them???

Put your red shoes on and let’s dance!
from: Fabulous Fu-Bi Around $51 (4480 yen) when they’re not sold out.

Keep Your Sunny Side Up! – Los Angeles Graduating Senior Photographer

There is something wonderful about the dramatic changes in our life….a new birth, learning to drive….and graduating high school. Chelsea celebrated her new life this month and is moving on to college to start her adult journey. Honestly, if she didn’t already have parents, I’d want to adopt her! Graceful and gentle, funny and so optimistic, Chelsea made this day and her senior photos shine! Good luck, Chelsea! May your journey be safe and adventurous and may you always keep your sunny disposition! Cheers!

Los Angeles Senior Photographer

Los Angeles Senior Photographer Malibu

Los Angeles Graduating Senior Photographer

Los Angeles Senior Photographer West Los Angeles

Barefoot and Pregnant in Malibu – Los Angeles Family Photographer

This weekend I went to the beach with my friend, Julie, and her family for some family photos before the new baby arrives. I forget how much I love being right near the water since I live across the street from it and can see it from my window. But the air is so refreshing and comforting.
We had a wonderful time letting Kaitlin run in the water and playing in the sand. Then, afterward, red wine and barbecued artichokes at the Beachcomber Café and I was in heaven. Thank you for such a wonderful late afternoon! I can’t wait to meet the new baby.

Here are some sneak peaks from your session!
Family Portrait Photographer Los Angeles Malibu
Los Angeles Maternity Photographer Malibu

Los Angeles Child Portrait Photographer beach Malibu
Family Portrait Photographer Los Angeles Malibu

June 21, 2010 - 10:54 pm Julie - I love these! I can't wait to see the entire shoot. We had such a great time on Saturday and really appreciate your spending the time with us. Oh, so the only down side about the day at the beach was Daniel losing his iphone - well, it turned into the perfect father's day gift! He's getting the new 4G iphone and couldn't be more excited about it! Boys and their toys:) I was debating on getting him the new one until that evening. haha, "always look on the bright side of life." I love Monty Python!

June 21, 2010 - 11:14 pm Merrilyn - I was just thinking that the new 4G would be a perfect gift! You two are such a cute couple! What a lovely family! I'm so glad to know you! Talk to you soon!

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