Man… it’s hard to write this final post about Africa, because then it feels like the trip is truly over.  The last few days of the trip, as we were all starting to make our separate ways home, Cyndi and I decided to go on a safari.  Now, I am no wildlife photographer, and I have to confess that, although many photographers would dream about shooting in Maasai Mara Park, I thought it sounded interesting, but… I shoot people.  How exciting can a safari be?

Boy was I wrong.  It’s seriously like the Lion King, as soon as you drive into the park.  I was surprised to see that we didn’t have to go looking for animals or make any sort of effort to track them down.  Just a thousand animals, all hanging out together, with zero fear or skittishness around the safari vans.  Also, the several-hour drive from Nairobi to the Mara gave me lots of opportunities to shoot some street scenes out of the windows :)

We spent three days on the safari and stayed at a camp / lodge on the outskirts of the park.  Late one evening, we were sitting in our room and I heard a soft thump on the window, right behind my head.  It almost sounded like a dog jumping up to try to peek through the window, like my dog often does.  Curious, I stepped outside to see what it was.  Um, yes, it was monkeys.  Monkeys, robbing all of the rooms of their food.  I watched this guy and three of his monkey friends jump in and out of our neighbor’s window, stealing all of their granola bars and chocolate bars, one by one.  Seriously, one was even keeping watch while the other ones ransacked the place.  

Ostriches!

See?  Sunrise in Maasai Mara – exactly like the beginning of the Lion King.

When we got back to Nairobi, just a few hours before our plane left, I got to do one of the most epic things of my life.

Backstory: maybe two or three years ago, I came across this image on Tumblr.  I was so sure it was fake, a movie set or something, but I loved everything about it and saved it.  Fast forward a few years, and I decide to join Photographer’s Vision for Africa and travel to Kenya.  While doing research for the trip, I came across the exact. same. image.  Wait, wait… this place is real?  I could not have been more excited.  Visiting Giraffe Manor quickly became my singular life goal, and it almost didn’t happen (turns out you have to make reservations).  We finally made it in for high tea a few hours before our return flight to the States.  It was every bit as epic as I had imagined – moreso, even.  Everyone was so friendly, and we got unlimited tea, wine, and fancy pastries.  This place lives in my dreams.  Yes, that’s me in the blue dress, sipping my coffee.

Craziness.  Africa, I love you!

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lad May 11th, 2013

I swear, I never get tired of looking at these shots! What I dream! They are SO rich–in color, beauty, sunshine, and interest…everything! That second to the last shot almost looks like the giraffe has YOU in HIS cage. I love it! And there you are, hand-feeding these crazy wild animals!

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Jazmin and I had so much fun shooting her senior portraits in Manitou a few weeks ago!  I love the red lips :)  Thanks for such an awesome session, Jazmin!

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jan o April 29th, 2013

fun shoot. beautiful girl and gorgeous hair! loved the shot in the old arcade photo booth. pretty!

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I had so much fun with Hayley, one of my Senior Models for this year.  I love my Senior Models – I end up getting to know them all well over the course of several shoots, and it’s so exciting to realize I have another whole group that I’ll be getting to work with soon.  Interested in being a Senior Model?  We’re still accepting applications!  Click here for more info.

Now, on to the lovely Hayley!

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jan o April 20th, 2013

love all of them, esp the one of haley with serious look, looking thru bare tree branches. stunning!

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I loved getting to shoot Sami & Nick’s engagement session in Wimberley, TX last week!  We had totally perfect weather, gorgeous blooming blue bonnets, and a beautiful sunset as well.  I can’t wait for their wedding this summer!  We started out at a turquoise swimming hole called the Blue Hole:

Sami’s engagement ring was her grandmother’s.  I love it so much!

Love you guys!  Thanks for such a wonderful day :)

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jan o April 20th, 2013

what an adorable couple! loved the watering hole, the gorgeous ring and blue bonnets! can’t wait for the wedding photos! great job, molly!

d April 24th, 2013

I love your creativity. Beautiful pictures! I also like the way you capture the countryside. (And I really like the barbed wire and the ring!)

lad April 24th, 2013

How did I mess the spelling of my own name?

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All this cold, snowy weather is making me miss the warm desert like crazy.  Here’s a behind-the-scenes video I shot during our awesomely fun styled shoot in Las Vegas last month!

Vegas Gypsy Style Shoot from Cedar House Cinema on Vimeo.

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jan o April 17th, 2013

love the video. the music adds the perfect accent. watching the video made me need to go back and have a second look at the stills. again, what a beautiful shoot. and, i can feel the warmth of the desert. well done!

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