2.23.2015

You Can Find Us...

Check out our new website!


You can check out our blog and most current photoshoots here...



and definitely check us out on Facebook!



4.25.2013

Santa Monica Condo


We photographed this great modern condo for one of our realtors last weekend. A wonderful breeze off the ocean with blue skies...equals a beautiful day! This condo has everything going for it! This condo has a clean modern look, ready to move in and walking distance from the beach! 
MLS #BB13073426
"(((RUN))) Amazingly Remodeled Gated Tri-Level Unit 2+2.5 Complete With Loft And Sun Deck! Completely New Kitchen Cabinets, Quartz Counter Tops, Mosaic Tile Back Splash, Recessed Lighting and Stainless Steel Appliances. New Warm and Inviting Maple Hardwood Floors In Main Living Area, Dining Area,
 Kitchen and Powder Room. Showcase Gas Fireplace Complete With Mosaic Tile Accents With Light And Bright Open Vaulted Ceilings. The Stair Rails Custom Frosted Glass Work Will Take Your Breath Away! Remodeled Master Bath and Secondary Bath Complete With White Carrera Marble, Contemporary Bath Fixtures, Recessed Lighting And European Style Custom Vanities. New Carpet, New Interior Doors, New Baseboards and Door Casings And Fresh Paint Through Out. Laundry Area In Unit With Washer and Dryer Included. Two Car Tandem Parking In Subterranean Garage. Just A Short Distance From The Beach And Shopping On Montana Avenue! Low HOA Dues. Won't Last Long."
All just a few blocks from the beach!
All just a few blocks from the beach!

8.09.2012

RTV

4.19.2012

Kitchen Tour

8.12.2011

Mobile Virtual Tours are Here!

I'm so excited to announce that all our virtual tours are available for viewing on your smart phone! We've waited so long to have this option and it's finally here for you!


We offer two different types of virtual tour. Both have their respective mobile versions and they are both beautiful!




Take a look on your smart phone and tell us what you think!

2.11.2010

Overhauling and Photos

We're currently in the process of pulling new images for my new website. Yes a new website. Over the holidays we took the time to really look at www.MediaCarrot.com and found that the site isn't representing MediaCarrot like it should.

The images are old and not representative of the quality of work we produce. We don't feel the galleries show a full property. We'll also be changing the pricing and order structure. A full full overhaul!

We'd love to hear any suggestions you have to make viewing and navigating our site easier for you. We're excited to get started and definitely excited to see it finished and running!

In the mean time, take a look at some samples of water scapes, pools, and landscape designs from Politi Design...

10.05.2009

Mind2Body

This weekend I photographed a great pilates studio named Mind2Body. Beautiful space, awesome equipment, and the nicest owner Lani Pelino. If you have been looking for a new spot to work out, check out the Mind2Body Studio!

9.25.2009

Business Cards

When I started MediaCarrot photography about five years ago, I did what all new business owners do...I had a ton of paper products printed up. A friend told me that I would need letterhead, envelopes, and of course business cards. So I ordered a bunch of each. Always looking for a good deal, I took the printer up on their offer for a discount on a higher quantity.

I have since realized that I run a paperless company. Rarely do I print anything out. I do hand out my business cards. However, everything else is easily sent in an email.

Every once in a while, the guilt of printing up all the letterhead and envelopes does pop up. It's at that time that I find myself printing marketing up on the letterhead then stuffing them into the envelopes. Then out I run to hand out the marketing info to local businesses. Because of this I've finally run down my supply of paper and envelopes. I do not plan on printing up more.

Let me tell you though, I have plenty of business cards left. I must have printed up a million of those suckers. I have gone through three quarters of them. However, one full box sits on the shelf. Should this really be a problem? Normally it wouldn't.

However, I have a couple of different issues going on here. The first being my last name. I was married last year and my last name is now different. Easy fix really. But I haven't ordered new cards yet. This is because I'm in the process of revamping the MediaCarrot logo. However, the biggest problem for me is that I find it hard to waste that last box of business cards.

I draw the line and crossing out the maiden name and handwriting in the new name. And I've finally gotten tired of handing out my business card and then getting the questioning look..."who is Laura Nelson?". It's officially time for new business cards!

I'm excited. New logo and new cards with the new last name. My question is...what do I do with this whole box of business cards with the old last name?

9.23.2009

17,000 Sq Feet of home!

Yesterday I drove out to Bakersfield to photograph for new client Vartan Kebabjiam. Vartan is part of SPK Realty. Vartan asked me to come out and photograph and shoot virtual tours of his client's house.

Housing cost in Bakersfield is significantly lower than in most parts Los Angeles. So I was very curious to see what 4 million dollars would get you....the answer is a mansion! Gor-geous home right on the Kern River. Not kidding. The lawn rolls right out to the edge of the river. Three levels of lawn and garden from the house to the river. Lots of little nooks and crannies for seating. That's just the back yard!

Walking into the front yard was like walking up to the white house. Huge collumns and huge pool-size fountain. Grand is the best way to describe it really.

Walking into the house is rich woods and textiles. Museum quality prints and antiques mix in with warm cozy seating. If there ever was a way to make a home feel grand and yet welcoming and inviting...they did it.

Now, as you can imagine, it took me quite a few hours to photograph this place. It's gonna take me quite a few to edit these images! I'll post some photos as I get through them. I just wanted to tell you about this house. One of the biggest homes I've photographed yet! I wouldn't know where to start with 17,000 sq feet!

8.28.2009

Organization

One of the things that I find essential in life and especially in business is organization. I love it and I especially love the process of organizing.

As a paperless business, this means keeping every file and image in the correct spot. I need to be able to pull up an image at any time and I need to know exactly where it will be. Luckily I've found a system that works for me. It took me a while to figure out what works. However, once I found that system and actually applied it to my existing files, it's been a cinch to up keep. I know where I will find any information or photo for a client.

The one part of my organizing that has been lacking, has been keeping my contacts and addresses all consistent between my iphone, online contacts and my business cards. So, after working yesterday, I decided to spend an hour making sure all three address books were up to date and consistent.

5 hours later, I was still working away. First, I had no idea how many contacts I had in my email account. Quite a few thousand contacts later (no kidding!), they are now categorized and sub categorized. I then went through all my business cards and made sure that they all match up with my online information. Now I just have to make sure my phone contacts all match up with my online contacts. This will be interesting. It amazes me how the phone numbers can add up!

And even though I still have to sync in my phone, I feel so much more clear and organized! Organizing the everyday stuff creates a clarity that makes work that much easier.

Now, to put this newly organized contact list to work for me! I will now be sending out special coupons and deals to my contacts. Would you like to receive new offers and coupons? Send me an email with your information -or- enter your email into the box on the left. We'll send you a confirmation and you're set!

7.09.2009

It's in the Genes


My father was a great photographer. After many years as my fathers photography subject, I picked up the camera also. Photography was one of those things that really connected us. As a photographer he was jealous when I got into Brooks Institute of Photography, but as a father he was also very very proud. He took many photography classes. We spent weekends trecking around with our cameras. When he retired his photography was his job. To say that he took thousands of photos is an understatement.

When my father passed away five years ago, we were faced with boxes and boxes of his photography. We wondered what we'd do with all of his work. I assume my father had the same problem, otherwise there wouldn't have been that many boxes for us to go through.

Being the photographer of the family, I was left in charge of this task. He was a film photographer. He'd not yet made it to digital, so not only did I have prints to go through but also negatives. It was daunting looking at box after box of photos and realizing I'd have to look at every one.

It made me think of one of my teachers in school, Ralph Clevenger. One major piece of advice he had for us was editing. He had told us during one class, that organizing and editing down our photography is a very important task. Also, a difficult one. Most of my classmates and I had binders full of negatives. He told us to go through all of those binders and get rid of all the negatives that just didn't cut it. You don't need a full roll of negatives when you only have one image that is a keeper.

One day I decided that this was something I would do. It was so hard to scrutinize all of my work and actually throw out negatives that weren't worth keeping! I remember spending many hours and the better part of a weekend reviewing every photo I had. My three roommates walked through proclaiming how brave I was. I think that for many of us photographers, there is a part of us that feels that our negatives are us. It not only shows our history as a photographer but the more negatives we have, the better we are...right? At the end of my big editing project, I felt like I knew right where I stood at a photographer. Not only did I get rid of all the mediocre work that just took up space, I knew I now had one binder full of strong images.

Now I had to do this to my father's work. I've officially finished going through all the prints. I have two small photo boxes full of my father's strongest work, fun stuff and photos of my family...one box for me and one for my sister. I think the negatives will take quite a bit longer to get through and maybe a bit harder to let go of.

I still think about my father every time I take out my camera. I know he's proud of my photography and my business. Now I have this great little box of photos to look through and enjoy any time I want.

7.06.2009

Hollywood Billiards

I got a call from Amber Fonzen, Event Coordinator for Hollywood Billiards, to photograph their facilities. I had heard of Hollywood Billiards from my husband's stories of studio wrap parties there. Other than that, I had no idea what to expect. I was very excited to see what I was up against.

I was very pleasantly surprised to see such a cool building! There are some really great nooks and crannies around for parties or just a nice night out playing pool. This place has great ambiance and a great feel. All in all, I think I was there for 2 hours photographing still photos and virtual tours. Amber, the owner Jeff, and the staff were really great to work with and so helpful.

Take a look at the virtual tour and the still photographs below.
Take a 360 Virtual Tour






I'll definitely be back to Hollywood Billiards. I plan on adding HDR(high dynamic range) into my photography and I think their building would be a perfect test. Also, Jeff and Amber offered me a few free games of pool...we're definitely taking them up on their offer! Thanks Amber and Jeff!

7.02.2009

Real Estate Photos and Virtual Tours for 2169 Lorain Rd in San Marino

Recently, I got to work in a section of Pasadena that I have never been to before...San Marino. Eileen Garrison called me to photograph a home for her in San Marino. The beautiful homes and manicured lawns won me over immediately. Of course the house Eileen was listing was gorgeous also!

The highest quality in design and materials has been used in the remodeling and enlargement of this character Spanish style home, completed in 2001.

Now approximately 2,500 sq feet of living space, this elegant home features high ceilings throughout: Three fireplaces: Family Room/Great Room with built-in

Entertainment center: New custom kitchen with granite counters and top-of-the-line built-ins: Elegant formal dining room: Breakfast room: Master suite with Spa tub: Custom made window treatments throughout including Plantation shutters: Limestone floors: Security system: Professionally landscaped yard with automatic sprinklers: Central air and heating. This home has lots of sunshine and natural light throughout with many French doors opening out to various patio areas and yard.

Take a look at the Real Estate Photos and Virtual Tour!






5.11.2009

Real Estate Photography and 360 degree Virtual Tours for 3860 Fountain Street, Camarillo


I had the opportunity to work with Santa Barbara realtor Mary Adams a little while back. While she works mostly out of Santa Barbara, she is helping to sell a friend's house in Camarillo. I love working in beautiful Camarillo, so I was happy to get her call. Not too far from old town Camarillo was a great neighborhood that this house was in...

Highly Upgraded Pristine 2005 Single Story 3
Bedroom, 2 Bathroom plus Den/Office. This beautiful
home features an open airy kitchen with granite
counter tops and stainless steel appliances all flowing
into the spacious family room with cozy fireplace. High
ceilings, plantation shutters, crown molding, ceiling
fans, and recessed lighting all contribute to this home's
appeal. Manicured backyard includes a covered
stamped concrete patio, perfect for entertaining. All
this and more... Must see.

Take a look at the photos and 360 degree Virtual Tour!





4.02.2009

Have I told you I love compliments?

"WOW!!! I am so impressed with the photos they are fantastic! Thanks Laura… I won’t ever be using anyone else again."

Jeff Giordano
Keller Williams