Nica Love

Andalusian ponies, your daily catch, fresh fruits, gorgeous flora + volcanoes simmering with molten lava and Nicaragua is off to the races. What race is that though? Being amazingly chill I believe. 9 days in this Central American country and I was able to check back in with myself in a much needed way. Between timing a $10 massage to the crazy relaxing sound of a downpour outside, dining in the glowing lamplight of the streets of Granada, pressing the water out of fresh cheese and feeling wildly dumbstruck by the fact that molten lava IS A REAL THING... Nica allowed me the time & space to connect with nature after circling around the same streets of LA for so long, pining after mediocre parking spaces. It's lush, it's beautiful, the rum is a little too delicious... & I really just wanted to squeeze the oceans they were such a beautiful site. A powerful lullaby you are, Nica.

Julie, Nir & Eli

About a year ago, I photographed a maternity shoot with Julie & Nir near their home in Charlotte, NC... Today little Eli has joined the ranks of this beautiful family and boy is he cute. We retraced many of our steps from the previous year and it was pretty incredible having this little one along for the ride this time.

Graciela, Getting Ready in Granada

What a classic beauty. Graciela went back to her home country of Nicaragua to marry her new hubby Lucas Miller- and not just once. But twice! The first wedding was held in an old chapel on her papa's finca near Santa Cruz. The second was held at Playa Marsella on the beach at sunset a couple days later... Both were truly gorgeous and the week was just amazing... I got to know some incredible women even better, tear up at family blessings, gaze inside a molten lava volcano, connect with the earth, snuggle puppies and confront my fear of surfing. And to flip the script, I was a bridesmaid for both! So while a local photographer shot the ceremonies I kept my instax handy :) And after scanning in stacks of this exotic central american loot I really loved this set of Gracie getting ready in Granada... timeless & beautiful. The dressing robe is BHLDN and makeup was by Mia. #nicaweddinglove

Cantelo, Headshots

After playing tag-team for a couple months Erin and I finally connected to create some sweet new headshots! She has a fabulous apartment in Hollywood with wonderful light so we shot these over there to create some more commercial looks for her. All digital (5d mark ii with 85 1.2 L lens) except for the 2nd one (we finished a roll of Kodak Portra 160 outside near the coveted parking area). The first one is my fave me thinks. I love her look!

Mexico City is in Full Bloom

In the courtyard of Frida Kahlo's home Angel Trumpets bloom against the painted blue walls. While across the city and a safe $6 uber drive away, the prickly cacti are in full glory at the UNAM campus in the university's extensive (and free!) botanical gardens. There is a flower market somewhere between all that with fresh cuts from the generous hands of their shop owners.

The time is oh so fresh to explore all that is Mexico City. I spent 4 nights here en route to Cuba with my two girlfriends and was floored by just how awesome this place was. Low cost of living. Huge arts scene. Was a breeze to get around (we took an uber to an ancient pyramid WTF) -uber has an awesome +safe +cheap presence which literally helped make everything we wanted to do happen with zero notice. The Aztec Teoticuan pyramids are about an hour outside of the city, blessed with the Sun & the Moon... arrive early if you want to climb them both. We scaled to the top of the Sun and that was a feat of itself. Now, to create what could only be the best day ever, later that evening we placed ourselves on the primary colored hard plastic seating of an old school wrestling ring for a Lucha Libre match - only to satiate an unknown bucket list item of seeing men in shiny bright spandex pounce on each other. YASSS. What a treat!! Thank you Katharine's hairdresser for the suggestion. [MYSTICO!]

These few snaps of film are place holders for the spectacle that was 4 days in this huge and vibrant town. We stayed at the most adorable air bnb in Zona Rosa- which if you're thinking of heading out there for a long weekend... just stay in this neighborhood & you'll be setting off on the right foot. And perhaps most importantly, to flow just-like-so between the murals, and bikes, and dancing, and bommmmb tacos, and museums ....be sure to sample all the varietals of Mezcal you can. The good stuff down there is dangerously smooth!

Bald Head Island, A Beautiful & Blustery NC Wedding

Kate + Hayes. Groom, Hayes, used to take a ferry to school from Bald Head Island to the mainland of NC when he was growing up. Years later, it seemed only natural that these two, would get married in an environment as beautiful and natural as the two of them. Welcome Kate's masterful planning, two helpful families coming together, and ferries full of friends and guests bringing all the supplies one would need on an island that runs on golf carts rather than cars. The fact that there was a lot of rain surrounding the weekend, just added to the adventure of landing on a wild island surrounded by so many friends and cocktails (and babies!) in one place. Much love to these dear friends... I wish you could get married again, if only to be able to do it all over again ;)

Lodging was reserved via Air Bnb, food was provided by friends & family, and Kate's gorgeous dress is by BHLDN. xx

Cuba

Eight airport x-ray machines, the flooded trunk of a 1955 mint green Pontiac, expired dates, one broken lens and all my 35mm film miraculously survived what was a landmark event in my life- traveling to Cuba. This floating Caribbean time capsule has been calling my name for a decade and with my girlfriends, Katharine & Catherine, we made touchdown in Havana on May 31st 2016.

The humidity greeted us in a sweltering hug and we delightedly headed to the first of many Casa Particulares that we would stay in. Quickly we entered the domain of mojitos and sunshine, billboards full of communist propaganda, classic cars masterfully maintained, and hips that sway beyond any joints I believe my body to possess. Hurray!

The pictures below are from Havana (El Centro, along the Malecon & Old Havana), Playa Larga & Bay of Pigs, Cienfuegos, Trinidad and Vinales. More to come, perhaps, on the intricacies, vibrations and deets of traveling here.

Finn's Meadow

A Saturday afternoon in this newly discovered slice of heaven. West Coast adventures, yes please. 35mm outside of Los Angeles, California.

Natural Light Boudoir Sessions in Los Angeles

The female body is a DREAM. There are curves where the light slides, strength and softness and a gorgeous grace in honoring one's own femininity. Behold, gravity will inevitably find its way... and I think there is no better gift to yourself than a trove of images, encapsulating your own sofia loren moment.

For those interested in having your own collection, I am now booking private boudoir sessions that are focused on natural beauty, natural light and your favorite assets. Of course, you can treat it like a gift for your sweetie, but really... It's all for you babe!

Email me with your q's and for deets. I can also provide you with a pw to a private gallery with more images: roxanne@roxanneturpen.com xo!

Skylar: Vasquez Rocks

North Carolina Singer Songwriter Skylar Gudasz at Vasquez Rocks outside of Los Angeles, CA. Her first full album Oleander has just been released. It's a beauty.

Styling & Makeup by Anna Calloway

Lovely Loves

Alex + Andy, married at Berry Hill in South Fork, Virginia.

A grand adventure is about to begin

What a beautiful afternoon.. We lucked out with the light on this maternity session with my dear friend Julie and her husband Nir. They're having a baby boy... oh how I can't wait to meet him :)

Summer Film

Snapshots from Wadmalaw Island on an old Scuba Pro 35mm H20 camera, Summer 2015.

The Loveliest

Alex & Andy. Engaged, and so lovely. We photographed at the National Arboretum (where Andy popped the question!) and at the National Mall in Washington, DC. I can't wait for their October wedding.

A New Constellation

Meet Karli & Nick, two lovebirds that were wed this summer in the mountains of Western North Carolina. I was honored to photograph this declaration of their love. Listening to their vows it was hard to stay tear-free while photographing. There were so many handmade touches contributed from friends and family that every aspect of the wedding had a wonderfully supportive energy. The end of the night was perhaps my favorite part. Karli, Nick & guests walked into a valley and lit lanterns that floated up into the sky; there were so many pins of light shining from above it felt as if they had formed their very own constellation. * * * * *

Yosemite

Desert Color

Last weekend I found myself in Joshua Tree, one of my favorite places in Southern California. It's expansiveness, supernatural vibe and Doctor Seuss visuals make it a wonderful playground... that said, it would be a terror to get lost out there. At first glance most of the desert simply appears, well, brown-ish, and very thirsty. However upon a closer look, there is an array of beautiful colors from the natural landscape. Thus, I chose to shoot the color that is ever-present when you look closely at this prickly terrain.