Let me preface this by saying that I feel kind of odd & vain posting these.
But let me also say that my friend, Tanya Webster did a great job of making me look like a slightly improved version of 'me'. (Thanks for that Tanya.)
And she had her hands full because I'm not exactly a 'cooperative' subject.
In fact, I tried to get out of the whole thing by telling her that I couldn't have my picture taken unless I curled my hair and when she said, "Well, lets go home and curl your hair then." I replied by telling her that my curling iron was broken, to which she replied, "Well, we'll go to the store and get you a new one then."
And that we did.
And she even helped me curl it (because it's hard to curl the back all by yourself you know.)
And I thought of some other excuses too, like the fact that I didn't have a clean pair of jeans because I hate doing laundry and the fact that my roots are dark because I hate getting my hair colored and the fact my arms are flabby because I hate exercising.
But I didn't even bother trying those excuses on her because I knew she wouldn't fall for them.
And while we were shooting, a nice, older gentleman walked by and said, "I've got something for you girls to take a picture of." Feeling uncomfortably obligated, we followed him to a big, shiny, red motorcycle. He said it was a Ducati.
But we of course, had no idea what Ducati was.
And that's when he suggested I sit on the Ducati for a few pictures which only served to magnify my discomfort because...I didn't have a red bikini and matching stilettos with me.
And so I obliged him, crawling uncomfortably onto the Ducati, nearly knocking it over while a few onlookers gasped and a few others laughed, all the while, smiling awkwardly at Tanya Webster who was trying to take pictures while holding back her own laughter.
And then he asked if she'd be so kind as to take his picture and email it to him.
And then he asked if he could have a 'bonus' which left Tanya and I looking perplexed, wondering if this sweet, old guy was a perv.
Turns out he wasn't a perv. He just wanted us to send him one of the pictures of me on his Ducati.
Thanks again Tanya.
Great photos. You look fabulous. Where did you find the cute flower petal necklace.
Posted by: Kelly | June 30, 2010 at 05:50 PM
You look amazing... very natural and approachable. Who knows what those twits in high school were thinking by being mean to you!?!
Posted by: Kimberly L.C. | June 30, 2010 at 05:54 PM
wow these are gorgeous shots!!
Posted by: heather | June 30, 2010 at 06:10 PM
You are darlin' - without a doubt I find it hard to fathom why you don't like your photo taken, it'd be nice if you could see what we see (these are great photos). My hands down favorite is of you laughing #6. Again amazing photos and a darn cute subject!
Posted by: Christine | June 30, 2010 at 06:25 PM
love these :) - my favorite is the black/white!
Posted by: Lori | June 30, 2010 at 06:32 PM
i love these! you look so relaxed and at ease..gorgeous
Posted by: jakki | June 30, 2010 at 06:39 PM
seriously Karen....you look FABULOUS!!
Posted by: Nina | June 30, 2010 at 06:43 PM
Those are gorgeous, not just because Tanya's a talented photographer, but because you're gorgeous.
Posted by: Cyndi | June 30, 2010 at 06:45 PM
They are beautiful. Your fabulous inside comes shining right to the surface. YOu are a BABE!!!
Posted by: Cindy Welch | June 30, 2010 at 07:12 PM
Well, I think you always look great and the pictures just really show that off even more. Great pictures!!
Posted by: Shannon R. | June 30, 2010 at 07:23 PM
Great pictures. I love those. Glad the old man wasn't a perv. lol
Posted by: carrielt | June 30, 2010 at 07:27 PM
So suhweet! And now you have to watch "Freaky Friday" with Courtney Lee (she's old enough) - the 2003 version with Lindsay Lohan. It's really pretty tame, rated PG - you can check out the parent's advisory on IMDB.com...
And then you'll totally laugh at the Ducati joke :)
And.
P.S. great pictures.
Posted by: Kirsten | June 30, 2010 at 08:05 PM
These are all great...each and every one!
Posted by: Lauren | June 30, 2010 at 08:06 PM
You're both adorable -- love the Ducati story!
Posted by: Jen Spain | June 30, 2010 at 08:21 PM
wow they are gorgeous but that didn't surpirse me at all. OMG Annie and you are so so alike!!!
Posted by: Manon Keir | June 30, 2010 at 08:42 PM
My husband totally knew what a Ducati was. He said they are super fast and they were illegal for a while in the US. Pretty cool!!1
Posted by: Monica | June 30, 2010 at 08:51 PM
You look stunning and your fun loving personality comes thru in these shots!
Posted by: colette | June 30, 2010 at 09:05 PM
You look great, Karen! Beautiful pics, my fav is #4.
Posted by: Diane W. | June 30, 2010 at 09:06 PM
you really are a beautiful beautiful person Karen Russell...inside and out. I'm SO SO glad you let me do these for you.....Josh Downs is one VERY lucky man ;)
(although i am questioning why the HECK there are four "outake" photos of ME and only ONE of YOU!!!...i seriously need to start blogging again LOL)
Posted by: Tanyawebster | June 30, 2010 at 09:48 PM
After reading both days' blogs, I must say I absolutely love the photos! And, how fortunate you are to have a friend that you can totally hang out with and share your wonderful talents!! tfs
Posted by: Sandy Brown | June 30, 2010 at 09:49 PM
These are so great Karen. You are beautiful! I know that as one who is usually behind the camera, it is such a gift to have amazing pictures taken of yourself. Tanya did an excellent job!
Posted by: Ashley S. | June 30, 2010 at 09:50 PM
Not only are they super fast, but they are super nice and super expensive too. You should feel priveledged that you didn't have to pay to sit on it!a
Posted by: Carmen King | June 30, 2010 at 09:57 PM
Onya Tanya! Glad that she didn't let you get away with no photos. :)
Posted by: Tara | June 30, 2010 at 10:02 PM
Karen, you're beautiful!!!
Posted by: Melanie L. | June 30, 2010 at 10:06 PM
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these Karen Russell! #4 is my fav!
Posted by: Addie | June 30, 2010 at 11:18 PM