Erin and I went to high school together- We were friends during my angst-y hate life, hate school, hate parents phase. Some of my most soul searching, defining moments happened with Erin around. I can’t imagine I was much fun to be around- but then, we all go through that phase, no? During senior year I got heavily involved in a million things: jazz choir, theater, photography, community involvement, the wilderness club, I mean the list goes on and on. Anyway, as what happens with many friendships in high school, ours drifted apart as peacefully as a changing of the guard ceremony. I will always associate her with those moments in life where I made decisions about the kind of person I wanted to be. Through the glory that is facebook.com, I was so so pleased when I not only heard that Erin had made it through HER angst-y phase with flying colors but that she was engaged to a wonderful man, Jake!!! Immediately we started chatting about wedding plans and as it turns out, I will be shooting her and Jakes wedding in June! I can’t wait to be a part of your day you guys, thanks for being so great!!!

Just got home from my, as of this moment, last wedding of 2008. You never know what can come up but I am pretty happy to have some Saturdays ahead of me to fill with family and fun. Here’s a sneak peek at tonights gorgeous couple. Thanks to Beth at Beth Helmstetter Events for such a lovely evening! More to follow…

So the time has come- be prepared to view some weddings over the next couple weeks. Thanks to my clients for being so patient, who would have thought I’d be so so busy! I am ashamed to say that this wedding, shot with the lovely and ever present Heather Kincaid, was back in mid September-it was a gorgeous pre-fall day at Camarillo Ranch. This location was really amazing- full of charm and great backdrops for the creative types like us! Amber and Nathan were full of love and admiration for each other and it was a blessing to be a part of such a beautiful day! (I am trying some new things with the image sizes on this blog and want some feedback- do you like them big? do they take forever to load? …)

The only way to get photos like the following is to do a FIRST LOOK!

QUICK NOTE! My schedule is rapidly filling up with holiday sessions …. if you or anyone you know is looking for a Christmas card sitting have them email me asap to get a session booked! I shoot Christmas card sessions up until December 15th and will be in the bay area a lot in the coming weeks and will not being charging any travel fees…. Good god, the holidays are upon us!

A few weeks ago I drove down to Newport Coast to photograph my good friend Wendi’s son, Carson. We were in art school together and it seems like yesterday she told me with glee that she was pregnant! Tim and I drove down to Newport less than a year ago to have breakfast with their family and I was absolutely shocked when I saw how much he had grown. It reminded me why I don’t want to live away from my parents when I have babies- how would my mom feel if every time she saw her grandkids they’d be massive! Anyways, Carson has grown into the most wonderfully expressive little man who just love love loves his mama. Him and I had a rough start but once he was positive that his mom wasn’t , in fact, planning on leaving him with me we became quick friends! Thanks for breakfast, Wendi and for letting me spend the day with little Carson- can’t wait to get to know him over the ages.

Don’t kill me Wendi He ate dirt, we laughed, he thought he was sooo funny- and ate some more.

The perfect example of why locations don’t always have to be extravagent. This was outside the public restroom and it’s one of my favorites!

It’s no secret who I am voting for, I have been a passionate Barack Obama supporter since this election started getting hot and heavy. I am voting for a better America, for an America that can stand proud in front of other nations and support our leaders choices regarding our future. I am voting for someone who inspires hope inside of millions and sees the United States as the promise land it once was, who looks at our country the way our founding fathers did and who yearns to bring it back to it’s glory of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I am voting for the man who will admit our faults and try to right them, who will lead our country into a new generation of promise. There is so much more to this election than politics- our country is in a place it’s only been a few times and we need someone with a fresh, younger, outlook. I need it- I need to love our country once again and Obama can show me how.

And Sarah Palin as President is just about the most frightening thing my young political mind has ever imagined. So, I urge you to look past your traditional political views and into the next four years. Change, we can.

Also, Prop 8 is such a fundamental Human Rights issue that I can’t even believe it’s on the ballot. It’s driven by hatred and there is so much flawed with that way of thinking in this day and age that I can’t even put into words how it makes me feel to know that some people will vote Yes. It does not protect marriage it just promotes hatred. VOTE NO ON PROP 8!

Regardless of your political views- I urge you to get out and vote one way or another! No matter what they say, every vote counts! (even in California!)

 Here’s Heather and I in the photo booth at Sarah and Brian’s wedding last weekend!

A few Sundays ago I had the pleasure of spending the late afternoon at Aliso Beach just south of Laguna with Amy and Morgan! When they showed up Morgan was clutching a copy of New Moon (the sequel to Twilight) and I just knew we were going to have a good shoot. I teased her about Edward and we all warmed up quickly! These two will be heading back to the east coast to live in a few months and specifically wanted to capture the beauty that is Southern California’s beaches. It was a perfect day!

Thanks so much for sharing your day with me guys- it was such a pleasure!!! And thanks to my May 09 bride Davida for the referral You’re the best!

Last night I had the pleasure of being the studio spotlight at this months Pictage User Group meeting. It was a new experience for me to show my work that way in front of my peers not just in front of clients. I think I was well received but I also know that I’ll always be a little unsure of myself, which I think is a good thing!

Thanks for having me Jules and being so kind! (and for the image below)

See you next month!

Last week I had the absolute pleasure of photographing Nicole and Kevin to celebrate their engagement!! Nicole was a year ahead of me at Presentation High School and I can’t wait for their August wedding in Monterey. You guys rocked it- thanks so much for hanging out! Sorry this took all day Nicole- I know you’ve been refreshing my blog page like mad…

Also! I am so amazed by what a small small world this is.. turns out Kevin went to high school with my bride from last nights wedding, Sarah- and their booking me was totally and completely unrelated!!! We’ll see her post in the upcoming weeks- they had a type writer at their reception-

Testing some lighting for my new “anti-wedding photo photobooth” (haven’t yet come up with a good name for it…. ) for tomorrows awesome wedding and captured this little gem of Tim and his #1 girl Stella… that’s right, I’m number two, a fact I guess I’m just going to have to live with. But she’s so damn cute, how can I blame him????