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Angelica Reyn | Retreats | Photo Tours | Travel | LA, USA🇺🇸

@angelikareyn

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Angelica🎬
Director
Photographer • Cinematographer • Mentor
Turning reality into beautiful cinema✨

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Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve is a place known for its seasonal bloom of the California poppy - the official state flower.
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We came here without expecting a “wow” effect. Just to check on the bloom.
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The parking lot, the wind, the open hills - at first everything feels fairly calm. No arches, no canyons, no dramatic rock formations. The landscape is wide and exposed.
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The first poppies don’t appear right away. You need to walk a bit along the trail - and only then the hills slowly begin to turn orange. Not in a solid carpet, but naturally: denser in some areas, scattered in others.
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The flowers open only in direct sunlight. If it’s cloudy or windy, many of the buds stay closed. And that significantly changes the overall visual impression.
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The trails are designed to let you see the fields from different elevations. From higher points, the terrain reads better - you can see how the poppies follow the natural lines of the hills.
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The main rule is to stay on the paths. The fields may look dense, but the plants are fragile.
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This isn’t an “Instagram spot” for a single shot. It’s more of a place people visit to check the season - and see what this year’s bloom looks like.
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If you’re planning a trip, March and April are typically the most reliable months, but everything ultimately depends on the winter rains.
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Would you go to see the bloom this year? #californiapoppyreserve #antelopevalley #antilopevalleypoppypreserve #californiadream @visitcalifornia #antilopevalleysunrise taken in Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve by @angelikareyn

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7 months ago

Photography in Death Valley
#selfportraitphotography #deathvalleynationalpark #travelphotos by @angelikareyn

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10 months ago

Lake Elsinore - this year, a superbloom is expected here again.
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Orange hillsides, soft light, a true sense of scale - one of the most breathtaking spring locations in Southern California.
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But this place has a complicated history.
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In 2019, during peak bloom, authorities were forced to close access to the famous Walker Canyon hills. The overwhelming number of visitors looking for “Instagram photos” led to chaos 👇
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👉 people left the trails and trampled the flowers
👉 literally stepped over each other for the perfect shot
👉 caused massive traffic jams
👉 left trash behind
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As a result, the area was closed to protect what could still be saved.
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A superbloom is not an amusement park. It’s a fragile natural phenomenon that depends on rainfall, temperature, and respectful behavior.
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If you’re planning to visit:
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• stay on designated trails
• don’t step into the flowers for photos
• don’t pick the plants
• respect parking regulations
• take your trash with you
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This beauty is not meant for just one photo - it’s meant to bring joy to many more people.
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#poppies #walkercanyon #lakeelsinore #superbloom @visitcalifornia taken in Walker Canyon Poppy Fields by @angelikareyn

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7 months ago

Today is a very special day. 🥹

Our film, He/She/Us will be screened in Cannes and for me, this is a great joy and an honor. 🤩😅💪

I’m very proud to have been the Director of Photography on this film, and to have had the opportunity to create it together with such a wonderful, talented, and strong team.

By now, He/She/Us has already received 25 awards at international film festivals and today, its journey continues at the Cannes Film Festival.

Thank you to everyone who was part of this story. ❤️❤️❤️

He/She/Us
Writer/Director/Producer - Susan Kelejian by @angelikareyn

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5 months ago

Is this a movie set… or a real town? 🤯

Pioneertown is a place where reality blends with cinema. It was originally built as a set for Western movies - and yes, films were actually shot here. But the most interesting part? It’s alive. Not a museum, but a whole vibe.

You walk down a dusty street, surrounded by wooden facades and saloons… and it feels like a cowboy might step out any second

Why it’s definitely worth a stop:
- very few tourists - feels like you’ve discovered a hidden gem
- you can not only walk around, but actually interact 😄

There’s even a petting zoo
You can pet goats and scratch sheep - pure joy and instant stress relief

And don’t skip the restaurant
We weren’t expecting anything special… but everything turned out insanely good

Even the French fries with cheese and bacon - next level

This place isn’t about a “wow attraction”. It’s about the feeling. Like you’ve stepped right into a movie

Save this so you don’t lose it - and make sure to stop by if you’re near Joshua Tree #selfportraitphotography #californiasunset #pioneertown #pioneertowncalifornia #pioneertownphotographer taken in Pioneertown, California by @angelikareyn

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6 months ago

Sunset in the desert is not just beautiful light. It’s the moment when nature becomes the artist.
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In the Mojave Desert the sun sets slowly, and in those minutes the air seems to start playing with colors.
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Golden, pink, and warm sandy tones appear without filters or editing - created by the light itself.
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As the sun goes down, the rocks and sand reflect its rays, and the space around fills with a soft, almost unreal glow.
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Skin looks warm and radiant, and the images become alive and deeply atmospheric.
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There are only a few minutes of perfect light, but those are the minutes when the most beautiful photographs are created.
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Sometimes, for a single shot like this, it’s worth walking through rocks, wind, and desert silence.
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And yes… it’s absolutely worth it. 🌅 #californiasunset #califórnia #mojave #mojavedesert #mojavedesertcalifornia taken in Mojave, California by @angelikareyn

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7 months ago

Just a few days on a ranch, far away from the noise of big cities, and it feels like something inside resets.
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Time flows differently here. Morning arrives gently with cool air and the first rays of the sun.
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Thoughts slow down, and the body finally releases the tension you almost stop noticing in the city.
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Gradually, a simple feeling of life returns. when you can look at the horizon, listen to the silence, and feel a quiet calm growing inside.
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Sometimes just a few days are enough not only to rest, but to see the world and yourself, a little differently. ✨#mojavedesert #joshuatreenationalpark #mojave #californiasunset #californiaphotography taken in Mojave Desert by @angelikareyn

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7 months ago

The ranch where we stay during our journey through the Mojave Desert is a special place of quiet and simplicity.
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Here, time seems to slow down.
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Far from the noise of big cities, you can finally exhale, reset, and feel the true rhythm of life.
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The morning begins with the soft light of the desert, fresh air, and simple countryside routines, while the day unfolds in calmness - with space for silence, nature, and yourself.
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It’s a place where you can simply be present in the moment and truly enjoy it. #mojavedesert #mojaverancho #californialife #californialifestyle #mojavedesert taken in Mojave Desert by @angelikareyn

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7 months ago

Spring in California is more than just a season. It’s a time when locations start “working” for your shot on their own.
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Here are 5 of the most unique spots for spring photoshoots:
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🌸 The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch
Over 50 acres of ranunculus create the perfect graphic backdrop.
Straight flower rows, soft sunset light, and a touch of European vibes - no flight required.
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🌼 Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve
Orange poppy fields against rolling hills.
Minimalism, wind in your hair, and shots that look straight out of a magazine cover.
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🌵 Death Valley National Park
The desert can bloom in spring.
Even if it doesn’t - the textures of salt, sand, and mountains give a cinematic contrast.
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🌄 Joshua Tree National Park
Rocks, pastel skies, and soft light.
Minimalist landscapes that highlight the person, not distract from them.
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🌻 Carrizo Plain National Monument
Wild, less touristy location.
During bloom - endless colorful hills and a full sense of open space.
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Spring doesn’t last long.
The most beautiful weeks are March and April.
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Save this guide so you don’t lose it 🌿
Which spot would you visit first for your photoshoot?
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#californiaphotography #springincalifornia #californialocations #westcoastvibes #photoshootideas taken in Los Angeles, California by @angelikareyn

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7 months ago

Lassen Volcanic National Park is one of the most underrated national parks in California.
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There aren’t nearly as many tourists here as in the more famous parks, which means you can truly experience nature: the silence, the scent of pine forests, the steam rising from geothermal areas, and the vast open landscapes all around.
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But this authenticity has another side. In this park, the animals truly feel like the owners of the land.
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During our trip, we encountered a bear. Fortunately, it ran in the opposite direction, so the moment remained an unforgettable memory rather than a dangerous situation.
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Here you really realize: you are just a guest in the wild. #lassenvolcanic #lassenvolcanicnationalpark #lassenvolcanicpark #californiatrip #californiasunset taken in Lassen Volcanic National Park by @angelikareyn

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7 months ago

Have you ever seen the firefall in Yosemite?
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For just a few minutes each year, the seasonal waterfall Horsetail Fall turns into a stream of fire.
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When the setting sun hits at the perfect angle, the water begins to glow bright orange, as if molten lava is flowing down the cliff.
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But seeing the firefall is pure luck.
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Everything has to align:
👉 enough water in the waterfall
👉 a perfectly clear horizon
👉 the right angle of the sun
👉 and just a few minutes of ideal light.
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Sometimes people come for several days and still never see the “fire.”
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That’s exactly what makes this moment so special, it can’t be booked, planned, or guaranteed. You can only catch it.
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And if it happens, you realize you’ve just witnessed a rare natural spectacle.
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Would you like to see the firefall with your own eyes? 🔥#yosemitenationalpark #yosemite_national_park #firefallyosemite #firefall #firefalldown taken in Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California, U.S. by @angelikareyn

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7 months ago

Yosemite National Park is one of the oldest and most iconic national parks in the United States.
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But its history isn’t only about granite cliffs and waterfalls. It’s about protecting nature long before it became a trend.
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In 1864, during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Yosemite Grant - a document that, for the first time in history, placed natural land under government protection. It became the foundation of the future national park system.
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Decades later, it was the photographs of Ansel Adams that made Yosemite world-famous. His black-and-white images, filled with dramatic light and deep shadows, revealed the scale of the valley in a way that was impossible to ignore.
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🌿 The granite monolith El Capitan
🌊 The powerful Yosemite Falls
🪨 The symbol of the valley - Half Dome
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But there’s another moment that draws photographers from all over the world.
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In late February, on the side of El Capitan, the so-called firefall appears - when the seasonal Horsetail Fall turns fiery orange for just a few minutes in the light of the setting sun.
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It’s not a guaranteed show. The weather, the water level, and a perfectly clear horizon all have to align. Sometimes people wait for days and never see the “fire.”
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That’s why firefall is always a bit of luck. A rare moment you can’t book or schedule - you can only catch it. But more about that in another post.
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Have you ever seen firefall with your own eyes? #yosemitevalley #yosemitenationalpark🌲 #californiavalley #yosemitepark #californianature taken in Yosemite National Park, California by @angelikareyn

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7 months ago