GLIMPSE: Charlene, Colton, and Cassidy

Moms. Their children are always with them, always on their minds, and always in their hearts, whether together or separate. When you’re lucky enough to come across mothers enjoying the simple beauty of their children, you’re bound to see moments filled with smiles. You’re able to overhear conversations full of whimsicality. You get to witness a remarkable, profound love.
Charlene, Colton, and Cassidy were so easy to photograph, as each minute spent at Old Poway Park provided me with moments of discovery, moments of gratefulness, and moments that deserve to be remembered. Looking into the eyes of Colton and Cassidy, you can see how bright their futures are, as they have such a strong, giving, adoring mom. Looking into Charlene’s eyes, you can see how happy these two gentle little souls make her. Thanks for the opportunity, Charlene, Cassidy, and Colton.

GLIMPSE: The Trujillo Family

When clients come to you for a repeat visit, it is truly humbling. I was so honored when the Trujillo family contacted me for yet another session, and this one boasting a new edition to their family! Just in time for the holidays, we headed out to the lofty openness that can be found in Oak Glen, and spent the afternoon indulging in the light, laughing alongside the very loved kids, and delighting in the crisp, Fall weather. Thanks for the opportunity, Trujillo party of five!

GLIMPSE: Jeff and Kelly's Wedding

Think before you speak. I understand the concept, but sometimes it just does not register in my brain. On a Friday afternoon, I was checking my Facebook, and I noticed a message from Michael Norwood. We are "friends" - through Facebook. His message was requesting a second shooter for a Saturday wedding. Instantly I typed up and sent him a message saying I would love to help. I informed him that I had never second shot before, but I essentially stated that if he was willing to take a chance, I would be there. I left it at that, sorta expected nothing (it was MNP after all!), secretly smiled that I had such gusto, logged off, and resumed my day. A few hours later, I logged on to FB again and my heart dropped, my blood pressure rose, and I had to sit down. I had gotten a message back from him, in which he said that although he had already found a second shooter for the event, if I wanted to come along and assist, I was more then welcome. My mind started racing, as "NOW what?!" paraded loudly across my thoughts. I had put it out there and he said yes, so really, I had one choice: Saturday afternoon, I would push my nerves aside and drive to Laguna Woods to meet Michael Norwood. When I arrived, I was in awe of how this huge, accomplished, gifted photographer was such a normal person. I immediately was put at ease, and enjoyed not only learning more about photography through him, but the candid conversations as well in our downtime. While he had initially said I would be basically assisting him, I was able to photograph more then I had anticipated and even got to use some of his very cool gadgets that I hope to one day have in my own collection. It was an amazing experience, and I am so thankful to have been given the opportunity to shoot alongside someone who has truly made it in this business (for good reason). Here are some of MY shots from the day.

Location : Rancho Las Lomas
Coordinator: Carolyn Chen

(Little did they know, but their fairy tale wedding was my fairy tale photography experience!)

GLIMPSE: The Bouma Family

Sometimes time separates friends, but you are lucky if in spite of the long duration, seeing each other again is easy and takes you back to those long gone yesteryears. Such is the case with the Boumas; Angela was a close friend of mine back in our high school days, but life’s journey took us both down our own courses and to different parts of California. I was honored when I received an e-mail from my old friend in regards to booking a family session, during which I felt so privileged to photograph the love this family shares with each other. Wylan is definitely “all boy,” with his playful glances at the local college ladies passing by or his rough and tumble stair climbing techniques in a Superman cape. While all of this unfolded, Dean and Angela just followed and laughed, basking in the glory of parenthood, soaking in the moments that are molding their son into the man he is destined to one day become.

I had an amazing afternoon with you all. Thanks for the opportunity Dean, Angela, and Wylan.

2009 Holiday Special

The anticipation of the holiday Christmas photo session.  It inevitably comes once a year, and honestly, it’s something I truly look forward to.  I love to think of creative ways to document my family during the most merry season of the year, and to have a memento in the end to send to those my family holds dear.  When selecting our cards each year, we strive to find something that not only matches our personality, but that cultivates warmth,  promotes generosity, and spreads holiday cheer while displaying our cheer in a picture format.  I guess you could say it’s a lot of pressure for one little card.  With that being said, this 2009 holiday season, let me help take the pressure off the card and you, as the demands of the holidays are sometimes best left to the professionals!  I am offering a special holiday deal; for $250, you will be guaranteed a one hour holiday family session, 25 edited images of your choice on a cd, and 25 holiday cards.  So get ready to spread YOUR cheer this holiday season!

GLIMPSE: Taylor

While one continually evolves and matures over the course of a lifetime, I believe the theory that one's personality is defined in the very early years of his or her life. The environment in which you exist molds you at a young age, allowing your temperament to set in, and the circumstances that unfold in your earliest days begin to permit that disposition to be exposed. Such is the case with three-year-old Taylor, a "middle child" who usually shares the limelight with her two siblings. But on the day of our photo shoot, the circumstances of being alone with mom, dad, and my camera enabled her to be just herself, and the three of us were granted a glimpse into the world of just Taylor. She was all smiles, and apparently is still asking mom and dad when she can do it again! I am so glad I was able to witness and document Taylor, in all her glory, having a blast and letting that sweetly defined personality shine through into her photos. Thanks for the opportunity, Taylor!