Lately, I am reminded of how accessible photography has become, how nearly every other person now takes great instimatic pictures or owns Canon, Nikon, or even an iPhone that takes fabulous images. I question the security of my career at times too...then I have a shoot with my friend and professional model Phoenix yesterday and I am left revived, inspired and not the least bit concerned about anything other than the beauty of our moment and sharing the story of our wet, somewhat dangerous, sunset shoot with my daughter one day in the future.

Please support our Monarchs After School Program Photo Club and make a tax deductible donation.  Everyone who donates will be thanked in the coffee table book we are printing this summer, entitled "Our Beautiful Struggle", which highlights three years of photo club with my amazing Green Dot students! This book will raise money for expanding our photo program and supporting our alumni with college text books!

So far we would like to thank:

Val Guin

Stuart (from responsibly.com)

Lois Stemler

and me : )

For donating to our student's photography book creation and much needed equipment!

link to donate:   

Rock Your Body Carnival and my photo of Desi Bartlett for LA Yoga featured in Chakras by Didi Newsletter!

Chakras by didi ROCKED the Rock your Body Carnival! Everyone loved Chakras by didi at the Rock Your Body Carnival last Sunday, the 6th of May.  This was the Carnival's second annual event where the focus was on yoga.  It is an event created to inspire young high school kids at Amino Jackie Robinson and other Green Dot Schools in downtown Los Angeles to encompass yoga and fitness, along with deep breathing and calming exercises, into their lives. Photo Credit To: The Monarchs Photo Club

My most recent published photo of my beautiful sister, Kailee Guin!

The article in Yogi TImes by Kimberly Kingsley is wonderful and on point.

Please visit:

http://www.yogitimes.com/article/finding-yourself-self-development-be-you-yourself-transformation-patterns-breakthrough/

Natiya Guin Photography in Yogitimes this month, with friend Anne Judson-Yager

One of my favorite images I took of my gorgeous, and now 6 months pregnant friend, Anne Judson-Yager is published by yogitimes this month.

I took this image of her under the Santa Monica pier years ago.  We had just finished a 30 Bikram Challenge that brought us even closer that we already were, and which changed our bodies and lives!

View image and attached story:

http://www.yogitimes.com/article/yoga-practice-connecting-spirit-mind-body-intensifies-yoga

Rock Your Body Carnival- Yoga and Health Celebration

When I have the opportunity to combine my love of photography, yoga, and working with my students, I am one very happy Philanthropist!

This year, at our second annual Carnival, the focus is on Yoga.  It wasn't merely my love of yoga that sparked the carnival focus but the love of this athletic and soulful practice by my students at Animo Jackie Robinson and our other Green Dot Schools.  I had no idea that when I offered yoga as a fitness option for our AJR football team last year and as a breathing and calming activity for our drama club that students would begin asking for a yoga club over and over until the Monarchs After School Program and I gave in.  We gave in easily, as we love yoga, health, and the opportunity to make our kids happier and healthier!

Thank you to the amazing teachers participating such as our guest speaker, Desi Bartlett (desibartlett.com) as well as Elise Gulan (elisegulan.com) and Stephanie Paul (Laughter Yoga- www.stephaniepaul.net.  We have an exciting line up of workshops and inspirational words!  In addition, we will offer many of the Carnival must haves such as games, bounce house, a fabulous raffle, flower pot painting, face painting, great food and tons of local families!

Supporting vendors include: Chakras By Didi (chakrasbydidi.com), Yogahitch (yogahitch.com), Big Sunday (bigsunday.org) and more.

Photos by Natiya Guin Photography (photos with teachers and students coming soon)
Carnival brought to you by the Monarchs After School Program, the AJR Senior Action Projects, AJR Football and Pep Squad, and Big Sunday!

Namaste and have fun at the Carnival!

The Zen Student

Yoga in South Central: the Monarchs After School Program,

Directed by your truly, Ms. Natiya Guin

Coming Soon: Our amazing students will be working with famous Los Angeles based yoga teachers to further their ability to do yoga, to breath, and to help prepare for life filled with bliss. I will photographing this wonderful program with the help of our photo club!