Kara Brodgesell 10/8/15 Kara Brodgesell 10/8/15

Trail Mavens in Big Sur

I had the great fortune of joining a Trail Mavens weekend trip to Big Sur in September. Led by the ever-enthusiastic, enlightening, educational, effervescent Sasha Cox, I had a true getaway, where I met some fantastic women, took in new stunning landscapes, had honest campfire conversation and never checked my cell phone. By the end, it felt like I'd been gone for a week.

Photographs by Kara Brodgesell, of a Trail Mavens trip

Kara Brodgesell 10/5/15 Kara Brodgesell 10/5/15

A girl, her hat and a desolate parking lot with the ultimate view

Natanya is the best

Kara Brodgesell 8/20/15 Kara Brodgesell 8/20/15

M&S

The most beautiful, down to earth wedding couple in front of their own barn.

Kara Brodgesell 8/13/15 Kara Brodgesell 8/13/15

After the Luncheon

Toasts and cheers and fresh florals are all well and good, but I also like those remnants of a great time had.

Kara Brodgesell 8/5/15 Kara Brodgesell 8/5/15

Get all the caaaaandddyyyy!

The enthusiasm that kids have for a piñata is absolutely infectious.

Kara Brodgesell 7/18/15 Kara Brodgesell 7/18/15

Rosé all day!

I've never seen so many bottles of wine consumed as quickly as when a friend brought Blackbird Vineyards Rosé to a weekend getaway.

Kara Brodgesell 7/17/15 Kara Brodgesell 7/17/15

Dogpatch Barber & Shave

I never considered cutting my (oh-so-boring) long hair super short until I watched the intense skill and creativity of the men at Dogpatch Barber and Shave. Chris, Cornelius, Jan and their clients kindly let me hang around the shoppe for my Dogpatchwork project and helped me remember exactly why I started this project- to meet and learn about the people doing passionate work in my neighborhood. I probably wouldn't have had the occasion to stop into a men's barbershop otherwise, but now I want to hang out there all the time.

Kara Brodgesell 7/13/15 Kara Brodgesell 7/13/15

Natanya by the lake

Kara Brodgesell 6/2/15 Kara Brodgesell 6/2/15

The city from the hill

Kara Brodgesell 5/26/15 Kara Brodgesell 5/26/15

Inspiration Point

There's a reason that this entrance to Yosemite Valley has its name.

Kara Brodgesell 4/30/15 Kara Brodgesell 4/30/15

Market Salad

The ultimate local salad from Culinary Eye. Which includes, and I quote: "best bits of the farmers market; shaved, blanched, roasted and pickled with a dijon shallot vinaigrette".

Kara Brodgesell 4/29/15 Kara Brodgesell 4/29/15

Allison

Allison is one of the most naturally beautiful people I know. Which doesn't really matter at all when you know that she's also a mother, art historian, curator, small business owner and recent homeowner. But it does make photographing her really fun.

Kara Brodgesell 4/28/15 Kara Brodgesell 4/28/15

Post-hike tea

Kara Brodgesell 4/27/15 Kara Brodgesell 4/27/15

Cliffs of Thailand

View from the boat as we travel from Krabi to Maya Bay

Kara Brodgesell 4/22/15 Kara Brodgesell 4/22/15

Her next year

Kristen is 28! And back in San Francisco after 300 days of travel abroad! So much going on for her and it was really fun to be able to celebrate her birthday back in the States.