sympathy for the summer

This photo shoot - it's colors, lighting, beautiful location - just screams summer to me and as we approach the warmest of seasons, I thought now would be a good time to share it.

Summertime and I have had a tempestuous relationship.  You see, I grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada (a true "desert rat") where summers are dictated by the scathing heat (115+ in the dead of summer). As a result most of our summers revolved around hanging out by our (or some family member's) swimming pool or just lazying around inside with the central air cranked.  I loved the pool when I was very young and I don't think I even noticed the heat. Then began a phase, one I expect many adolescent girls go through, of not wanting to a) wear a bathing suit or b) go near a pool for fear my hair would go all curly and unmanageable.  As a result, I don't think I even owned a bathing suit (or shorts for that matter) for a good 6 or 7 years and was quite content to wear jeans in July because I was never outside much anyhow.

I have to say, I'm quite glad to be over that phase and able, once again, to enjoy my summers to their fullest. Sadly, I don't know anyone here in LA that even has a pool! but then, I suppose that's why god invented beaches.

 photographer: elizabeth toll
for Hockney