Exciting things are afoot for Catherine Hall Studios! Look out for the latest news and announcements on Catherine’s editorial work, events, awards, causes, partners and more.
From The Studio
This photograph I took of Jason Cleary in West Virginia won an award in the World In Focus 2010 travel photography contest. Thank you to Photo District News (PDN) and National Geographic Traveler for putting on this annual contest.
I feel that this image really captures an essence of the lifestyle I experienced and documented on a photographic exploration into everyday life in Appalachia. This particular image displays the young Jason Cleary and his friends playing in a broken down car. During my time in Appalachia, I recognized the consistent theme that when things break down there, they are usually left as they are to meld into everyday life. This car had been broken down for almost forty years, left in place, and subsequently made into a playground for the kids of the area. I’m happy to share this glimpse into life in the small town of Bramwell, West Virginia with you.
To see some more images and read all about my experience shooting in Appalachia, check out my full image story here: http://www.catherinehall.net/blog/2009/08/12/an_unseen_glimpse_of_american/
SF Wedding Photography | The BayList | Vote for CHS
Awards, From The Studio 
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Fri 04.02.2010
Catherine Hall Studios has been nominated as one of the Bay Area’s best local businesses on the San Francisco Chronicle and SFGate.com’s BayList. We are excited to be included with all of the great businesses on the BayList. Plus, who doesn’t love a little competition every once in a while? Please take a minute to check out our profile and vote for Catherine Hall Studios :)
Thank you so much for all of your support!
Grace Ormonde is not a diva. One may expect that with such a fabulous magazine and incredible success as an industry innovator that perhaps Grace has a super ego bolstered by her vast accomplishments. This is not so. She is one of the most genuine, caring, and real people that I know and I feel fortunate to call her a friend.
I guess Grace’s humanitarian interests and humble beginnings should have prepared me for what an amazing and genuine human being she is. But the true test came when we were returning home from dinner in San Francisco the other night. Walking down the street, I quickly passed by a homeless person, claiming immunity from her requests. Grace on the other hand, stopped without a second thought and gave the woman $20 (I think the most I have ever given a homeless person is about half that). Grace then took the time to speak to the woman, hear her story, make sure the money would be spent in the “right” places, and offer her condolences to this woman who had just been released from the hospital. At that moment, I felt both guilty by my ease in passing a person in need and touched by Grace’s kindness.
Grace lives by a philosophy of generosity. Our walk down the street left me once again truly impressed by what a special human being Grace is. She is more than just an editor in chief for the inspirational Grace Ormonde Wedding Style; she is an exceptionally kind hearted person through and through.
Photographs copyright Mike Larson. Above are the Wedding 360 Panel Speakers: Youngsong Martin, Gene Higa, Grace Ormonde, and Catherine Hall.
Something special was happening at Wedding 360 but I couldn’t put my finger on why it was such an inspirational event. I spent two days at the St. Regis in San Francisco last week surrounded by exceptional talent from all avenues of the wedding world. Wedding 360′s The Academy for Wedding Planners and Designers was much more than the sensational design showcases, fabulous parties, and incredible speakers. As Wedding 360 came to an end I realized why I felt so excited and awe struck by this outstanding event. Although I was a speaker, the participants were in fact many of my inspirations. I was surrounded by brilliant people excited to be there and for this I am both honored and humbled to be able to collaborate with them.
Jean Marks and Jubilee Lau created something remarkable – they created a two day event bringing together some of the world’s leading professionals. I enjoyed every moment and left profoundly impressed, my heart yearning for more time with so many talented people. It was so exciting to be part of a group that understands the importance of education when it comes to staying fresh, inspired, and a leader in our oversaturated industry. Wedding 360 became a must attend event for all designers and coordinators. I am so grateful that Jean and Jubilee invested their hearts, souls and finances to raising the bar in our industry. These two remarkable women truly inspired me and many others.
I’m thrilled to be a guest speaker at MacWorld 2010 for the talented Mikkel Aaland’s workshop on the new Adobe Photoshop Lightroom! The workshop is part of a two day Power Tools Workshop with great information and an impressive range of professionals and speakers at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. Photoshop Lightroom is an awesome tool for photography and I’m so excited to share my insights with other photographers. Plus, working with the award wining photographer, workshop guru, and outstanding author, Mikkel Aaland is such a treat.
