Satori- Ann Stimmel Aerialist and Satyrus Jeering works

Ann Stimmel is an aeralist who is locally based in Des Moines, Iowa. A few months ago, Ann Stimmel, Ian Miller, Eddie Clearwater, and myself worked on a production shoot for a film called Satori. The performance, and costume design was done by Ann Stimmel, with direction by Ian Miller, myself as the lead photographer, Eddie Clearwater as second camera, and Satyrus Jeering designed masks.

Ann Stimmel is one of the few aerialists based in Des Moines, Iowa. Ann will be performing this New Year's Eve at The Bash, which is located at The Des Moines Social Club. For more information about The Bash, check out their website
http://www.dmbash.com/index.html

For more information on Satyrus Jeering's designed masks
http://satyrusjeering.blogspot.com/

Vitae Design Collective: An Artist-Run Boutique in The East Village -Des Moines, Iowa

I am proud to inform people of an outstanding collective team of designers who are blossoming in reinventing the independent style for the Des Moines area. I recently started working on creative photoshoots with this talented group of women, and can't be more appreciative of their work. Here is a sneak peak from the shoot, and their designs.



left: Acanthus v-neck tunic with a Magpie sweater skirt, vintage belt and shoes
Model on right: Necklace by Girl Friday and top and skirt by Pink Revolver, vintage shoes




Acanthus Apparell v-neck tunic with Acanthus cardigan, a Magpie sweater skirt, and vintage belt


Re-amped vintage coat by Magpie




Reconstructed T-shirt dress from Pink Revolver


Acanthus Apparell L/S Tee, scarf-Pink Revolver


Acanthus Apparell T-Shirt dress over a L/S burnout tee, hair accessory by Downtown Bow Brown

For more information, and to check out these one of a kind designs, go to Vitae Design Collective's website
www.vitaedesign.com

Social Networks and Randomness

Facebook, what an interesting social networking site. I am a late 20's female, who gets caught up in it once in awhile. Yet enough to have a real social life away from the computer. Having a social life is not much of an importance to me, it is mostly about real connections with real people. Social networking sites have their time and place, where you can get great suggestions and finds from others who have the same interests. From one point to another, I came across a post from my friend, Palina, she is a movie/film buff similar to me. I enjoy people of the sort. Hope you enjoy the video.

Oh, did you know this whole video was shot in one day using an iPhone 4, and edited in two?

Indie Style clothing shoot

Indie Styling Photo Shoot
Photos: Karla Conrad
Styling by Ha-lim Park
Models: Heather, Joelle, and Allison

Vitae Design Collective Shoot with Chantell

Photos: Karla Conrad
Styling: Vitae Designs
Model: Chantell

http://www.vitaedesigncollective.com/

Surreal Photoshop Quirks

I am a traditional black and white photographer, but absolutely admire all the quirks to photoshop manipulation! Recent works!
Note: Solely photo retouching used to soften skin and background of image. Image was photographed with subject "as is". No additional elements have been added.

CAUTION:
Some worms were harmed during this shoot, they're real.


ATTENTION WORMS, MAGGOTS AND CRICKETS:
Please be aware and utterly frightened of Serana Rose. She will devour you!

Show Devils

A sneak peek at photos with the Show Devils, Enigma and Serana Rose. It was Serana's un-birthday, and she had a tea party! But of course it was not your regular tea party . . . .

www.showdevils.com




Photos: Karla Conrad

Muchori Children

A glimpse into an amazing shoot with an amazing group of children.

Lightning Strike

Top Favorite Director- Jean Luc Godard

I am intrigued by Jean-Luc Godard and his films. He is considered one of the radical film makers of the French New Wave. After watching a few of them, I have been awed by his scenes and the imagery integrated in his films.

Favorite Quotes:

"I don't think you should FEEL about a movie. You should feel about a woman. You can't kiss a movie."

"A story should have a beginning, a middle and an end, but not necessarily in that order."

Personally, I think the last quote is the epitome of Jean-Luc Godard's films.

Fair Photography Salon Submission -Des Moines, Iowa 2010

Here are the two photos I submitted to the Photography Salon for this August. I hope the judges understand my photographs and enjoy them. If they don't, I will not be disappointed, since I have my own reasons for why I love them and wanted to submit them into the fair. I hope you all enjoy them.

Category: People-Black and White
Title: Tar. Location: East side. Des Moines, Iowa.

Category: Iowa Places-Color, Title: The Subjective Circus
Ed Fallon- Politician from Iowa, and an accordionist who performed at The Subjective Circus 2010,The Des Moines Social Club.

80/35 Music Festival in Des Moines, Iowa -Update!!

This past weekend I was apart of a group of photographers for the 80/35 Music Festival in Des Moines, Iowa. It was a great honor to help document this event with amazing performers, musicians, and great people overall who blessed us with their presence and talents.

Please check out these flickr links. One-personally mine, and the other includes works of the group of photographers I shot with.

Link to 80/35 flickr account with my work and other photographers' works

My top picks from past years of 80/35

Link to 80/35 flickr with Modest Mouse shots

Turkey leg chronicles -80/35 2010

80/35 2010 in Des Moines, Iowa has been an amazing event to photograph. I will keep updates on my blog. The extravaganza has continued from day one.

First, here is a sneak peek of my Turkey Leg Chronicles.

A Love Story

Lyrics
不到花园 Never been into the garden
怎知春色如许？How I can see the enchanting spring like this?
原来姹紫嫣红开遍 Luxuriant flowers have bloomed all around
似这般都付与断井颓垣 the dilapidated well and wall
良辰美景奈何天 Such a beautiful scene on the bright day
便赏心乐事谁家院 Not every garden can be greatly satisfying to eyes
这般景致 Never heard from my parents
从未听爹娘谈起 about the view here
小姐你看 Mistress,you see over there
朝飞暮卷云霞翠轩 Brocade rosy clouds blaze on the high-eave green pillars in haze
雨丝风片烟波画船 Twisted strings of rain drops and wind envelop the decorated boat in mist
锦屏人太把这韶光看得贱 Held back in my home, only today I realize the preciousness of youth and love, and how I have wasted all those early years.
小姐你看这花都看了Mistress, you see the flowers are all in blossom
只有这牡丹还早呢 except the peony
遍青山啼红了杜鹃 Bloody-red azalea flowers extend the green hills
那荼蘼外烟丝醉软 Outside the brambles is the intoxicated vapor
那牡丹虽是花中魁 Peony is the queen of flowers
他春归怎占的先 however she never come the first to bloom in spring
小姐你看那鸟儿倒是一对一对的 Mistress,the birds are chirping in pairs
这蝴蝶也是一双一双的 butterflies are flying in pairs too
连这蜜蜂也是一家一家的 and also the bees are buzzling in groups
春香我们回去吧 Chunxiang,let's go back home

Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone . . . .

Editing images for product, and commercial style photography shoot and listening to the most amazing music to set the mood for this perfect stormy day.

Summer Madness has begun

Extended days of release

Statement: Uranus and Jupiter must be releasing some strong energies, because I feel that everything is in my favor, well at least mostly everything.

Memorial Weekend: Every year, my father and I go and visit his parents' (my grandparents') graves. The trip is a two and a half hour drive from where I live. I grew up visiting this no man's land, and enjoy the drive every time.

Live with no regrets . . .

and live by decisions that make you feel truly alive.

Scene from my top favorite film -Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain

Subjective Circus Photos-for those of you who missed the show!!

For those of you who missed the amazing show. The Subjective Circus @ Des Moines Social Club May 15th, 2010 is a fundraiser to support the community for local artists and performers.

Here are some of the performers who blessed us with their talents that night.

FOR YOUR WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT . . . !!!

Come and check out the Subjective Circus Saturday, May 15th!!! It will be the most talked about event of the year!! See flyer below for more information . . . . Oh and I will be there taking amazing photos!! Make sure to check em out on my blog after the event!

Oh Des Moines, and my balcony . . . how I love you so!

The other morning I woke up to this while peering out from my balcony . . . Oh, Des Moines . . . you are a small city with big heart.



I took a photo of the sunset from my balcony the other evening. These are true colors, none of the images' colors are altered in any way . . .

Tulip Festival and Mother's day

I have never been to the Tulip Festival in Pella, Iowa before. It was a great place. The town displays its Dutch decent, with old brick buildings, markets and bakeries (Dutch Letter's are amazing), and wood clogs. I spent the day with my family. It was a beautiful day for Mother's Day.