Wendy Kathleen's Photography

CHOC Hospital Fundraiser

2012-01-09T17:19:00.000-08:00

Last year Kaleb had a stay at Choc Hospital. Now that he has been cleared for a year I wanted to celebrate this joy by holding a fundraiser for CHOC Hospital. Following are the details. Help me make this a great success! Email or call to hold your spot! Pass this on to others. The more we raise, the more children we can help.

Ghost Watching

2012-01-05T13:41:00.000-08:00

It was many and many a year ago,

In a kingdom by the sea,

That a maiden there lived whom you may know

By the name of ANNABEL LEE;

And this maiden she lived with no other thought

Than to love and be loved by me.

I was a child and she was a child,

In this kingdom by the sea;

But we loved with a love that was more than love-

I and my Annabel Lee;

With a love that the winged seraphs of heaven

Coveted her and me.

And this was the reason that, long ago,

In this kingdom by the sea,

A wind blew out of a cloud, chilling

My beautiful Annabel Lee;

So that her highborn kinsman came

And bore her away from me,

To shut her up in a sepulchre

In this kingdom by the sea.

The angels, not half so happy in heaven,

Went envying her and me-

Yes!- that was the reason (as all men know,

In this kingdom by the sea)

That the wind came out of the cloud by night,

Chilling and killing my Annabel Lee.

But our love it was stronger by far than the love

Of those who were older than we-

Of many far wiser than we-

And neither the angels in heaven above,

Nor the demons down under the sea,

Can ever dissever my soul from the soul

Of the beautiful Annabel Lee.

For the moon never beams without bringing me dreams

Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;

And the stars never rise but I feel the bright eyes

Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;

And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side

Of my darling- my darling- my life and my bride,

In the sepulchre there by the sea,

In her tomb by the sounding sea.

Edgar Allan Poe

Don't Speak

2012-01-04T22:02:00.000-08:00

You and me
We used to be together
Everyday together always

I really feel
That I'm losing my best friend
I can't believe
This could be the end

It looks as though you're letting go

And if it's real

Well I don't want to know

Don't speak
I know just what you're saying
So please stop explaining
Don't tell me cause it hurts

Don't speak
I know what you're thinking
I don't need your reasons
Don't tell me cause it hurts

Our memories
Well, they can be inviting
But some are altogether
Mighty frightening

As we die, both you and I
With my head in my hands
I sit and cry

Don't speak
I know just what you're saying
So please stop explaining
Don't tell me cause it hurts (no, no, no)

Don't speak
I know what you're thinking
I don't need your reasons
Don't tell me cause it hurts

It's all ending
I gotta stop pretending who we are...
You and me I can see us dying...are we?
Don't speak
I know just what you're saying
So please stop explaining
Don't tell me cause it hurts (no, no, no)
Don't speak

I know what you're thinking
I don't need your reasons
Don't tell me cause it hurts
Don't tell me cause it hurts!
I know what you're saying
So please stop explaining

Don't speak,
don't speak,
don't speak,
oh I know what you're thinking
And I don't need your reasons
I know you're good,
I know you're good,
I know you're real good

don't tell me tell me cause it hurts
Hush, hush darlin' Hush, hush darlin'
Hush, hush don't tell me tell me cause it hurts

No Doubt- "Don't Speak"

Old Lady in the Shoe

2011-12-23T20:49:00.000-08:00

There was an old woman who lived in a shoe

She had so many children, she didn't know what to do

Thank you to my sister in law for being an amazing "old lady". Thank you also to your nieces, who are beyond adorable. Finally, thank you to my 3 little men for being the awsome models you always are. You all helped me create the vision in my head into a photo reality.

The old lady in the shoe

She had so many children, she didn't know what to do

Why Photography?

2011-12-15T14:04:00.000-08:00

Why Photography?

I’ve had many people ask me why I picked up a camera and made photography into a profession.

When I made the decision to take photography to a professional level, I did so with one goal in mind: “to be true to my own voice and artistic vision.” Part of this goal was to not only be honest through my lens, but to be vulnerable on other levels. It’s here that I will share the how and why of my journey.

During the years I ran my fine art studio, I fell into the trap of painting for monetary gain. I found myself creating art which did not come from my soul. I fell into the trap of painting for what the market was asking for. I tried to squeeze into a mold which I never quite fit into. I was like the step sisters in Cinderella. As much as I pushed and pulled, the shoe would not slip on. My public art did not represent my true artistic voice. I kept what came from my heart for the walls of my own home. I was not confident enough to present the real me to the public.

On New Year’s morning of 2010, I found myself in the ER. At 3 months, I miscarried my baby. A depression came over me like I had not known before. My cure for easing melancholy prior had been to paint. With my 4 and 2 year old boys running around and pulling on me, I found painting more of a challenge than a relief. I also found that sitting with myself for too long left more opportunity for thinking, which I wanted to avoid.

So I picked up my Canon Rebel, plunked Kaleb and Konnor in the car and drove until I found a place which looked perfect to take photos. Photography was always in my blood. I was constantly the person with the camera at every occasion. Remember, this was also before having a camera on your cell phone was common place. It took real effort to bring a camera to events. Prior to this time, photography had been about documenting events and people in my life. Photography now became a cathartic avenue for my despair. My boys were my muse and I would create art with them.

Lucky for me, this was also the time when Facebook really began to sweep the country and world. I began to post the photos I was taken of my boys. People began to ask if I would take photos of their kids and family because they liked what I was doing with my children. The thrust which would propel me into taking photography to the next level came from a comment made from an artist friend. “Wendy, as good of an artist as you are, you are a much better photographer. You have something special here.”

Having run a successful small business with my art gave me a leg up in moving my photography from a hobby to a profession. I kept my profession name the same (Wendy Kathleen) but moved it from Art to Photography. I was the same person after all; I had just changed my artistic pallet and my vision.

I immersed myself in every photography book I could get my hands on. I met with professional photographers to learn the tricks of the trade. I watched hours of tutorials on post editing techniques. All the while I was learning, I kept my focus; to photograph only what my heart told me. This time around, I would use my own artistic voice and not follow the current trends. I knew not everyone would be fond of what I was doing and I might never make a cent at photography, but at least I would be true to myself this time.

Slowly I began to book clients, my portfolio took shape and my online presence began to grow.

The end of the teaching school year was approaching. The AP studio art portfolios were all turned in and grades were posted. I had lost a baby at the start of the year, but found myself with child again (Kingston). I was looking forward to a summer with my pregnant feet up.

My summer relaxation was cut short, when I was informed on the last day of school that because of budget cuts they were closing the drawing and painting program. The district was relocating me to a new high school and I would be teaching digital photography.

Teaching is a challenge. Teaching in the arts is especially difficult as you do not have a set curriculum or book to pull from. It is just you. Being pregnant, moving schools and teaching a new subject which I had never taught was going to be huge undertaking. Before my anxiety could get the better of me, I realized that maybe all this had been a part of Gods plan. I was reminded for an analogy I had heard:

Life is like a tapestry. We see the underside where the colors crisscross in random patterns and strings are tied in ugly knots. Nothing makes sence. God sees the top of the tapestry which is beautiful and perfect. In order to create the tapestry he has to cross strings and tie things into knots. We don’t see until the end why the underside has to look as it does.

If I had not lost the baby I would not have picked up a camera. Picking up the camera led to the start of a wonderful and fulfilling new business. If I had not learned photography prior to losing my job I would not have been able to properly teach my new students. God had a plan that I could not see from the underside of the tapestry. I had to wait until it was turned over to see the beauty of the design.

The new pregnancy resulted in a bundle of joy named Kingston. Not only did our little lumps of love bring the normal bliss of a new baby, but he arrived two weeks after the passing of my Grandfather who was the patriarch of our family and my rock. Kingston helped fill the hole in our hearts left from the loss of Grandpa. The timing of his birth seemed orchestrated from above.

(Shout Out: we had a silhouette cutter at Kingston’s party. The silhouettes of my 3 little miracles. Thanks Nacy)

http://www.silhouettesbynancie.com/

(Shout Out: we had an ice cream truck come just for Kingston and our guests. Thanks Screaming Ice Cream!)

http://icecreambus.com/

As I sit here editing and posting the photos celebrating Kingston’s first birthday I have been brought full circle. This was a celebration on many levels. This little boy who came into our lives brought us more delight then we could have imagined. God has our lives in His hands and we are blessed.

Little Angel

2011-12-11T12:47:00.000-08:00

Sometimes a shoot is so stunning, so magical, so pure, that my words would only take away from it. Please enjoy this little angel and her family.

After this shoot and during the editing, something kept nagging at me. Something was so fimiliar about this little angel, but what? I have 3 boys so it wasn't that. It then it me. I had a photo of me and my mother in a dress very similar. Just wanted to share.

Tis the Season for Christmas Cards

2011-11-28T18:45:00.000-08:00

I adore going to my mailbox during December. Every day there is a new supply of handwritten envelopes. They jump out between the bills like bits of candy waiting to be unwrapped. It’s Christmas Card season!!!!!

Even when the Grinch in me emerges during this season, my heart always seems to grow like our little green friend when I get a new Christmas card.

My absolute favorite cards to get and display are the photo Christmas cards.

It’s such a treat to see how my friends and family have grown, changed or added a new little bundle to their lives. A picture is worth a thousand words. These photos tell me such a story.

It’s always a honor when a family choices me to take their family photo for their Christmas cards. I get the chance to create beautiful photos which not only the family see but will brig joy all those they send a card to. I feel like I’m spreading Christmas cheer!

As I write this, I’ve personally just sent my own family photo (well it’s just the boys in the photo this year) to the printers for Christmas card making. I love the process of stuffing envelopes and licking the stampes as I sort through the cards. I take pride in handwriting each address on the envelope. I think about each person and how they are a blessing in my life, as I write out their address.

When we receive our Christmas cards, I show each one to my boys and explain to them how we know the people on the cards. I try to instill in them how important good friends are the joy it brings others to share in Christmas card sharing.

I am wishing all of you a wonderful and blessed holiday season.

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

Luke 2:14

The Breakfast Club

2011-11-27T10:11:00.000-08:00

One of the first movies we ever taped from TV on the VCR was The Breakfast Club. I watched it over and over so many times I literally broke the tape. To this day if you ask me to quote the entire speech Bender gave to Brian I can do it word for word.

While the 80’s and MTV were bombarded by “hair metal” and Aqua Net hairspray, I was the alternative/punk kid dressing in gothic attire, while listening to The Cure, Bad Religion, Ministry and Bauhaus.

If you had known me in high school, I was a little bit of a misfit. I always identified with Allison (Ally Sheedy’s character) in the movie The Breakfast Club. The last thing I wanted was to be Clair, but oh how I wanted to date Judd Nelson's character.

I was a misfit

As an adult I like to believe I have grown out of being that misfit. What I haven’t grown out of is my love for the style and fashion of the punk and alternative music scene.

While my own wardrobe has calmed down since my teenage years, I find myself still gravitating to pieces of punk clothing for my own boys.

I had never thought of doing a “Punk Rock” photo shoot of my boys until Kingston’s first birthday. Our good friend Keiko Kelly gifted Kingston with the cutest little fedora I’d ever seen. Keiko told me she would be expecting a great photo shoot using the hat.

Ahhhhhh, I new idea for me to play with which would allow my creative side to come out. The seed had been planted and all I had to do was water it a bit to see what would grow.

Piece by piece it started to come together. I went through the boys closet and found all the clothing I needed for the shoot. I had EVERTHING! There would not be a need to buy anything else for this concept (this actually scared my husband).

Where to shoot? Where I live now is not exactly known for its “urban” feel. Flash back to my years growing up in El Toro (where my love of punk first started). I knew of a place under a bridge that would a perfect fit for the look I wanted.

Now to talk my husband into loaning me his amp and guitar and the puzzle would be complete.

So how could I get the boys to give me the facial emotions and body positions I had envisioned?

So how could I get the boys to give me the facial emotions and body positions I had envisioned?

Use method acting?

Kaleb has taken enough acting classes that maybe they would pay off.

Blast the music of the Sex Pistols to get them into character?

Nope. Turns out a nice little bribe for a new Star Wars action figure did the trick.

I realized with this bribe that if I wanted to produce an alternative Jonas Brothers I would have to buy the entire Imperial Fleet in order to get them on a stage.

Jump back to me and my love for the punk/alternative movement. Being in El Toro for the evening brought back many memories. Memories as an adult for me tend to lead more to self reflection, than to just reminiscing.

Why did I love that music? Why did I find comfort in it? While the world was rocking out to Def Leopard and Van Halen, I was wallowing in the melodies of what my husband calls “Depress Mode”.

The bottom line is it all just fit who I was. We all fall into some type of category in our high school years. We are all one of the kids in the Breakfast club.

So am I still a bit of a misfit? You bet! Do I fight with my husband over the satellite radio station? Yep. He wants the metal station, I want old school KROQ music.

The bottom line to this shoot for me was “Did my boys have fun?” As they told me, “it was sooooooooooo super fun!” Kaleb’s favorite part was he got to play his dads guitar, which had been off limits up until this shoot. Konnor loved throwing rocks into the water and in his words “going gurrrrrrrrrrrrrr” for the photos. Kingston, whose little hat was the thrust of this shoot, was just his adorable little self.

I love you Kaleb, Konnor and Kingston. You are the reason I ever picked up a camera. You see me only as your mamma who loves and cherishes you. I will love, nurture and encourage you no matter what.

In the words of the breakfast club in there letter to Mr. Veron,

"we think you're crazy to make us write this essay telling you who we think we are. What do you care? You see us as you want to see us... in the simplest terms and the most convenient definitions. You see us as a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess, and a criminal. Correct? That's the way we saw each other at seven o'clock this morning. We were brainwashed.

George's Story

2011-11-21T21:13:00.000-08:00

This a story about a little boy named George.

I asked his mom if she would write up a little something about George. The following is written from her heart about her little boy.

On March 12, 2007 our son George Dennis Giakos came into our lives. Immediately after birth the doctor's noticed that his head was swollen with extra fluid. Our doctor thought it was just hydrocephalus but wanted to do an ultra sound just to make sure. A few hours later an ultra sound tech. came in to inform us that it was a large brain tumor that took up 80% of the left hemisphere of his head.

Doctors initially believed the tumor was benign but said it would need to be removed right away. The following morning at less than one day old George underwent brain surgery.

While the surgery was extremely dangerous it was necessary for George’s survival. After about 4 hours and 4 blood transfusions George made it out of brain surgery. Our doctor was able to remove the majority of the tumor except for a small piece located on his brain stem. The doctor told us that there was no way to remove the whole tumor because it would cause our son to bleed to death.

A few days after the surgery we were informed of some very difficult news. The results of the biopsy of the tumor showed that George had Glioblastoma Multiform (GBM) Stage 4 Brain Cancer. Which if most of you don't know is one of the most aggressive cancers there is.

They informed us that with this type of cancer your life expectancy is only a couple of years maximum. The only way to stop this cancer is to remove it. Removing the tumor was not an option we had because like I said before because of the location of the tumor if they removed it he would not make it past surgery.

Our options were then given to us to help extend our son's life. Chemotherapy!!!

Scary especially since the doctors told us that babies and chemo don't mix. But we had to do everything we could. On March 26th George began a 42 day regimen of Chemo. The doctors would like to shrink the tumor as much as possible, then go back in for a 2nd brain surgery to remove any of the remaining tumor.

We had an updated MRI after his 1st round of chemo and our doctor said it was very encouraging. The tumor had not grown (which they said it would) and he said that he thinks he can get it. And if he can get it we can hope for a long term life with our son. Praise God!!!

On July 3rd 2007 George had his second brain surgery. The doctor came into the room afterwards and told us he got it all. (Unless there is any free floating cancer cells). We had a follow up MRI a few weeks after the surgery and his brain was completely clear of any tumor. Yeah!!!!

Our strong faith in God is helping us to stay optimistic and appreciate every second of time that God will allow George to be in our life. The doctor’s have said from the beginning that the prognosis can change at any time and that we must take things one day at a time. As for right now George is at home with us his 6 -year-old sister Maya and baby sister Allie. He finished his 6th round of chemo in February of 2008 and is still tumor free. That's 4 YEARS TUMOR FREE. We believe that George is a beautiful miracle that God has placed in our lives.

George continues to struggle with side effects that the tumor caused. He has many developmental delays including seizures, and not being able to walk and talk. He is completely dependent on us. Fortunately our big boy is a fighter. God is with George every step of the way and I know that he won’t ever give up.

Anne, I have tears in my eyes as I retype this for the blog. Thank you for allowing me to photography your beautiful and amazing family. I know many others will have George in their prayers also.

Romance Right Outside Your Door

2011-11-17T11:07:00.000-08:00

From the ages of 3 to 27 I lived on the cusp of Rancho Santa Margarita. I was literally a stone's throw away from this city.

At 27 I married my best friend and we moved the whole 2 miles into the city of Rancho Santa Margarita.

This summer I had the honor of photographing two weddings in my home town.

Sometimes the most perfect place for a girls dream day is right outside her door.

Rancho Santa Margarita is a little hidden jewel, located just below the Saddleback mountains in south Orange County.

Rancho Santa Margarita is not only one of the most recently established cities in California, it also has the honor of being the longest city name in the USA.

(There has been many a time that my city name would not fit in the allotted space on a form)

What now is a master planned community (complete with a 1 mile round man made lake) was once the land of Native Americans.

On January 1, 2000, Rancho Santa Margarita became a city.

On June 25, 2011 at the Rancho Santa Margarita Townhall, Jacqui Lattuca married her best friend Brian Weatherby.

Little did I know when 17 year old Jacqui walked into my art class that I would some day be taking her wedding photos.

Thanks to the wonders of social media sites, Jacqui found her old art teacher Mrs. McElfish.

Jacqui told me she had seen photos on her friends Facebook page which she loved. When she looked at the name of the photographer, she realized that she had only known one McElfish in her life.

As beautiful as Jacqui had been in high school, she had become even more stunning in her 20's.

What had not changed was her amazing spirit and heart.

Jacqui would give you the coat off her back if you needed it, never ask for anything in return and show up at your door the next day with a scarf to keep you warm.

Jacqui and Brian, it was an honor to be part of your dream day.

Jacqui, you are a true kindred spirit.

However motherhood comes to you, it's a miracle

2011-11-16T22:52:00.000-08:00

However motherhood comes to you, it's a miracle.

There are between 143 million -210 million orphans worldwide:

123,000 of these orphans are in the United States:

There are more than 62,000 children in foster care in California:

3,200 of these foster children are located in Orange County my home:

Blood alone does not make one a mother or father.

I am OBSESSED with Anne of Green Gables.

I have seen the entire movie series over 100 time.

Each viewing I found another jewel of wisdom.

Anne was my kindred spirit.

I could lose myself in her world over and over.

I'm afraid that much of my romantic longings are her fault.

With all her prickles and stern demeanor, Marilla Cuthbert was softened by this little orphan girl. Marilla thought she would change Anne.........it turned out to be the other way.

Marilla Cuthbert, "Anne isn't the one that has changed......we are."
This little orphan girl gave Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert a joy they never knew they were missing or needed.

Sometimes we are given things we did not want, but that God knows we need.

Marilla Cuthbert: I'm afraid for her, Matthew. She'll be gone so long. She'll get terrible lonesome.

Matthew Cuthbert: You mean, we'll get terrible lonesome.

Marilla Cuthbert: I can't help wishing that she'd stayed a little girl.

Matthew Cuthbert: Mrs. Spencer made a lucky mistake, I guess.

Marilla Cuthbert: It wasn't luck; it was Providence. He knew we needed her.

Matthew Cuthbert: Even with her queer little ways.

Marilla Cuthbert: I loved her for them.

Anne of Green Gables left me with longing to visit Prince Edward Island......

Anne left me with a desire to adopt

I know someday in the future I will open my home and adopt a child

My husband already jokes that I seem to pick up strays.

I soooooooooooooo admire the men and woman who open their homes and hearts to orphans and foster children.

Families which are tied and bound by love.

Meet the Freeman girls!

Both smart, beautiful, precious and talented........

Both adopted

Terri and Mark you have an amazing family. I value and prize what you have done by adopting these precious little girls.
You have given the girls a home.
The girls have filled a space in your heart.

Change the World with a Paint Brush

2011-11-13T21:11:00.000-08:00

Imagine your world without Art.......

Void of color, design, expression.......

Art is a universal language

Sometimes it whispers its message

Other times Art has screamed its message so loud
it has changed the course of our society

Art moves our souls

Art uses symbols, color, movement and form to convey
thoughts and feelings we can't put into words

Art gives a voice to the voiceless

Art is enjoyed by the masses, but is a calling for few

Art for me is like breathing.......I have to be creating it to survive

For many of the students who have crossed my path
Art has become their life blood

Art is not just what they do, but who they are

Art gaves them a voice,

a purpose,

a direction,

a career path.......

A chance to change the world with a paint brush

A splash of yellow, a dab of serelium or the absence of color

Are combined on the canvas expressing a message deeper than words

Paige has to paint in order to survive

Take away her canvas and she will paint on her dresser and walls

Take away her paints and she will draw on her skin

Art is not what Paige does

Art is what Paige is

Paige you are one of the most gifted and visionary artists I have ever known. Your soul and heart are only matched by your talent. I will never forget the baked goods you brought my family during one of hard darkest days. The painted box you gave me remains on my desk and is one of my most treasured gifts.

Change the world with your brush!

The Wonder Years

2011-10-30T15:22:00.000-07:00

We grown up in a heartbeat

It isn't always easy. You hold on to things that were. You wonder what's to come in the future.

People talk about how the high school years will stay with you forever. How what happens in those four years shapes you for life.

I on the other hand, believe that the middle school years are the ones that shaped me more than any other time in life.

The Wonder Years. For me it was more than a tv show to pass the time. It was a written script of what I was feeling but couldn't put into words. The show started in 1988...... my junior high years.

I've been wanting to do a middle school shoot for a long time now. We capture and freeze time with senior photos........

But what about the Wonder Years?

When I think back to the popular girls in junior high, they still remain in my mind the most beautiful and coolest people I've ever seen.

The days when you are too old to play with dolls, but too young to date.

The time of your first kiss

(shhhhhhhh don't tell Dad)

You try to act sooooooooo cool.......

But still can't help acting like a little girl

The days when you had to have a pair of designer jeans

(remember the little triangle for guess jeans? A lot cheaper than True Religions)

You live in the makeup section at CVS
and wear more makeup than at any other time of your life.

Going to the mall isn't just a trip for shopping but a chance to flirt with cute guys

The first school dance......which leads to your first slow dance with a song that you will never forget.

Giggling that is pure and innocentThis time in life when everything seems to be either black or white......

While the rest of us can see the color in between.

The best friend you make in middle school will be your sister in your heart forever.

They are the girl friends who you dreamed together with, cried with and laughted with.

Sometimes these years are cross road where you make a decision to follow the signs for the correct path.....

or go the wrong direction

When Babysitting was your first job

Your friends opions seem to matter more than your parents.......

You started to get your first taste of freedom without your parents.......

But still need them for a hug and encouraging words when your heart got broken

Maybe too many of us forget what it's like to be 13.

Those really were the wonder years.

A Grand Adventure is About to Begin

2011-10-18T20:48:00.000-07:00

A grand adventure is about to begin.

-- Winnie the Pooh

A baby is something you carry inside you for nine months, in your arms for three years and in your heart till the day you die.

Making a decision to have a child--it's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.

The most important thing a mother will learned over the years was that there was no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one.

Labor of Love

Miracle in the making

A love like you have never known

A moment when you finally realize what your purpose in life is

"You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed"

Psalm 139:16

Yathida, may your life with your new little man be blessed!

My Monkey

2011-10-16T20:30:00.000-07:00

My little monkey Kingston James is about to turn 1.

The WHOLE reason I picked up a camera was to take beautiful photos of my boys. They are my reason for ALL that I do.

So with that said, I'm doing a mini post of the photos I took for Kingston's birthday card invitation.

I'll give you a guess what our theme is going to be!

Kaleb LOVES his baby brother more than almost anything else in his life. I asked him why he likes Kingston so much and he said, "because he is soooooooooo fun!" Konnor and Kaleb literally fight to see who gets to sit by and play with Kingston. I am holding on to these days because I know soon they will be fighting to get away from each other.

Kaleb has told me he will always protect Kingston and never let anything hurt him.

If you love the sock monkey hat Kingston is wearing as much as I do, you can order one of your very own at Beckys Baby Crochet

Contest Winner

2011-10-16T18:15:00.000-07:00

You never know where you will meet your next client

They may find you through your website

They may see on of your photos on Facebook

A friend may recommend you

(the best thank you I can get!)

Or you can do a nice deed and have it given back to you

That is how the Hundley family came into my life

Bryan, Tara, Savannah and Phoenix

This family was just dripping with cutiness and love the first time a saw them

I was on a trash the dress shoot at the beach

I saw this family taking turns photographing their children one parent at a time

My mamma and photographer instincts jumped into gear at the same time

I offered to take a photo of them all together

I shared my photography and facebook site with them so they could see the trash the dress photos they had seen me shooting

I didn't think of it again for weeks

I was nearing the 1000 mark of fans on Facebook

What better way to celebrate this landmark and thank everyone for the support than to give away a free photoshoot!

I posted the contest and asked people to tell me why they would like the free shoot

I was so overwhelmed with the amazing and heart felt responses that I couldn't just pick one

What was I to do?

Take it to a random drawing

And the winner was the Hundley's

The same family I had taken a quick picture of weeks ago on the beach

Turns out Tara went home and "liked" my page on Facebook and entered the contest

It seemed like the obvious choice for our session was the same beach in Laguna where we had first met

From the second I started snapping photos of these two little dolls I realized that I was the one who was the winner of this contest

Savannah was beyond a natural in front of the lens. The camera just ate up her personality and uber cuteness. She was a pure little ham. And Phoenix......well he was just pure little boy! A little boy who was just out of the toddler stage but not yet a "big boy".

That amazing time of a little boy between one and two years old. (Remember I know this well because i have 3 little boys).

If you had to pick one word to discribe The Hundley's it would be PLAYFUL

It didn't take much prompting from me to get these amazing shots

I had soooooooooooooooooooooooooo many amazing shots I could hardly narrow them down

So many precious and uncontrived moments from this session

Such real emotion of laughter and love

And a few shots of Savannah that I knew would make their way onto my main website......could her blue pea coat been any cuter?

Could her smile been any more charming?

Daddy is going to have to chase the boys away from this little beauty

No one will ever be able to take the place of the mommy in a little boys heart

All other girls that come into Phoenix's life will never measure up to his mommy

Tara I hope that you will be able to treasure these photos through the years

The small little hand which will someday be bigger than yours

These are the most precious of days

I am so glad that I got to capture these fleeting moments for your family

I am so glad that I stopped to take your families photo that summer day at the beach

Thank you for joining my facebook page

Thank you for sharing your beautiful family and your joy with me

Thank you also to everyone that entered the contest. Thank you for your support of my photography. I wish I could have chosen all of you!

Sexy! It's what you don't see

2011-10-11T14:36:00.000-07:00

It has been a long time since my last blog. Has it been because I haven't been taking photos?

On the contrary, I have been shooting more than ever. Since August, I have been shooting 5 to 6 sessions every weekend, which has left very little time for blogging. For those that have been following along, I also teach high school photography full time and have a house full of 3 little boys under 5, along with my hubby and two dogs.

My sidekick Victoria Nino and I set out to run a Living Social deal of, “Sexy” and “beautiful” photos for woman. She would supply her amazing talents with makeup and hair. I would work the camera and edits. Together, we became the Bombshell Collection. Little did we know that this venture would yield us a 141 purchases for our little deal and keep us busy until January of 2012.

Victoria and I both believe in creating photos that are chic, sophisticated, elegant and artistic. A woman should feel beautiful and proud of the images we take for them. Sexy is not what is right in your face. Sexy is what is mysterious. Sexy leaves something to the imagination.

Victoria and I have had the honor of meeting so many stunning women. Women who are beautiful on the inside as well as the outside.

Even though many of our clients want to keep their photos “private” I’m really thrilled when one or two of them allow me to post their amazing sessions on the blog. Sometimes I think I am more excited than they are. I can’t wait to see which images they pick so I can start editing them for that final artistic touch. I want each photo I present to my clients to look like a piece of art.

Every woman is beautiful.

Every woman has their own unique look.

Every woman has a story to tell.

Do you LOVE the hair and makeup from this shoot? It's all because of Make Up by Victoria

She is sooooooooooooo talented it is unreal! Book her now because this girl is in high demand. She has also started a blog for everything fashion, hair, makeup and trends. Victoria has the pulse on what is out. Bookmark her at Vanity by Victoria

Thank you also to our amazing client and model Marissa!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Trash the Dress Ice Skate

2011-08-08T22:43:00.000-07:00

What I love about Facebook is it has allowed me to get back in touch with friends which I may have never talked to again. Facebook has also opened my photography business to clients who are friends from my past. That is what Facebook allowed for Rachel and me.

Let’s start from the beginning. From the time I was five years old I had a pair of figure skates on my feet. I trained at a high competitive level until I had to retire at 14 because of an illness. When I was in my 20’s I tried my hand at coaching ice skating.

On the bulletin board of the rink was a posting for “extreme” skating for the Mighty Ducks. Long story short, I showed up and got the job. That job turned into a permanent job as one of the “cheerleaders” for the Mighty Ducks.

This is when I met Rachel. She was one of the Mighty Ducks girls and the only one who could skate besides me.

After two hockey seasons with the Ducks and two baseball seasons with the Angels, Rachel and I went our separate ways. Now 10 years later we found each other on Facebook.

When Rachel said she wanted to “trash” the first thing I thought of was at an ice rink. Rachel jumped right on board. What could be a cooler way to “trash” then on the ice, embodying her inner hockey player and climbing on a zamboni!

This was one of those shoots that I could not narrow down the photos I wanted to use. So sit back, curl up with a warm blanket because you are about to go into a photoshoot that is ice cold!

Rachel, I had such a ball shooting you.

You rocked this concept!

How our lives have changed!

Each married, each with 3 boys.

Below is a little walk down memory lane for you.

Can everyone find me?

Wedding Seven4One

2011-08-07T17:20:00.000-07:00

I have been blessed in my life to have attended more weddings then I can count. I don’t misty eyed at weddings. Even at my own wedding I was able to get through the ceremony with a dry eye. Lindsay and Geoff changed that. These two “Best Friends” wrote their own vows which had me wiping a number of tears from my eyes, hoping I wasn’t going to fog up the lens.

This tale starts during store stocking time at Trader Joe’s. He saw her. She saw him. It was beginning of a beautiful love story.

The Honeymoon room

A mother's first look at her daughter dressed in her gown

A father giving his baby girl away on her wedding day

The look of love

Hands which will be held together from this day forward

The kiss of all kisses

One of the things I love most about this amazing couple is they are always laughing and having fun.

And now let the party begin!

Lindsay and Geoff, it was such an honor to be apart of your wedding day. I feel like we have all know each other for years. You are an amazing couple with so much love and laughter in your life.

This amazing wedding took place at a little hidden nook in Laguna Beach call Seven4One. There is no venue like this anywhere around! http://www.seven4one.com/

Harley Davidson

2011-08-05T15:34:00.000-07:00

I had so much fun shooting these romantic Harley Davidson photos for Dave and Danielle. These photos are so hot I decided to leave out my little historical information I usually add. I think we can all agree that these photos don't need any captions.

"Orange" County

2011-07-27T22:08:00.000-07:00

I have lived in Orange County since the late 1970’s. I loved growing up in an area where there were fields of orange groves on almost every corner. I took it for granted growing up. I think we all did who lived here.

As the years past, I “somewhat” noticed that more buildings were popping up where there had once been orange groves. I did not realize completely to what extent how many orange groves were gone until I set out to do this shoot. They are a mere ghost of what once was.

About six months ago I came up with a plan to take photos of a little fairy girl in an orange grove. Easy right? I live in south Orange County so it shouldn’t be a problem to find an orange grove or two. Boy was I ever wrong!

I asked my friends, “Do you know where there is an orange grove around here?” The same answer came back every time "……..I used to when I was growing up, but they are all gone.”

By chance I was talking about this to my students, when a visitor to my classroom told me, "Hey we have orange groves in my neighborhood!” Excited and skeptical I asked him where he lived. Turns out in one of the newest housing developments in South Orange County, the association has planted real live orange groves!

So I found my orange grove for this shoot, but I was still left wondering, "where did all the orange groves go?"

If you have been following my blog posts you know I love to add a little bit of history to keep everyone on their toes. Here is a little history of "Orange" County.

American Indians dwelled in Orange County until the period of Spanish colonization in the late 1700's.

While Mexico controlled California, large rancher owners oversaw development of the commercial property, homes and land in Orange County.

Orange County entered a huge growth period where settlers, developers, investors, farmers, ranchers and locals built up the cities and communities that we have today. James Irvine bought the Irvine Ranch, then about one fifth of the total amount of real estate in Orange County.

In 1888 California recognized the County of Orange. Orange County came into being with the three incorporated cities of Santa Ana, Anaheim and Orange with a total population of 13,000.

The first high school in Orange County opened in 1891. In 1893, Fullerton became home of the Fruit Exchange which later turned into Sunkist.

The town of Orange began as a farming community, although it took several years of trial and error for the settlers to discover the most successful crops.

In 1873, the farmers began planting orange groves.

The orange trees, because of the soil and weather conditions, produced an very sweet and flavorful fruit. Word of this superior orange quickly spread, and a great agricultural industry was born. The second "gold rush" was on.

When I was in my 20's a friend of mine had commented that someday there would only be one orange tree left in Orange County and that tree would be surrounded by glass in a museum setting. I laughed his comment off as at that time we still had plenty of orange groves around and he seemed a bit extreme.

Little did I know how true this statement would be.

I found out that there is the California Citrus State Historic Park: An orange grove preserved from a bygone era. http://www.ultimatecitrus.com/california/calcitruspark.html The Orange trees have literally become an endangered item.

After this shoot I decided to buy an orange tree to plant in my backyard. I would, in my own little way, bring a little of "Orange" County back to my family and the history of this county that I have know since I was 3 years old.

Wings courtesy of Fairy Wings!!!!!! Thank you!!!!!

Princess and the Pea

2011-07-11T23:48:00.000-07:00

There was once a prince and he wanted a princess but then she must be a real Princess

He travelled right around the world to find one

But there was always something wrong

There were plenty of princesses

But whether they were real princesses he had great difficulty in discovering

There was always something which was not quite right about them

So at last he had come home again and he was very sad because he wanted a real princess so badly

One evening there was a terrible storm

It thundered and lightninged and the rain poured down in torrents

Indeed it was a fearful night

In the middle of the storm somebody knocked at the town gate

and the old King himself sent to open it

It was a princess who stood outside

But she was in a terrible state from the rain and the storm

The water streamed out of her hair and her clothes;

it ran in at the top of her shoes and out at the heel

But she said that she was a real princess

‘Well we shall soon see if that is true,’ thought the old Queen, but she said nothing

She went into the bedroom, took all the bed clothes off and laid a pea on the bedstead

Then she took twenty mattresses and piled them on top of the pea and then twenty feather beds on top of the mattresses

This was where the princess was to sleep that night

In the morning they asked her how she slept

‘Oh terribly bad!’ said the princess

‘I have hardly closed my eyes the whole night! Heaven knows what was in the bed. I seemed to be lying upon some hard thing, and my whole body is black and blue this morning. It is terrible!’

They saw at once that she must be a real princess when she had felt the pea through twenty mattresses and twenty feather beds.

Nobody but a real princess could have such a delicate skin

So the prince took her to be his wife, for now he was sure that he had found a real princess

And the pea was put in the museum, where it may still be seen, if no one has stolen it.

There, that is a true story

The Princess and the Pea appeared in Hans Christian Andersen's first collection of tales for children in 1835

The moral lesson:

Do not judge a person by the way they look on the outside

Moral Lesson continued:

Even the smallest things can make a big difference. We dont think that something so small can make an impact. The Princess and the Pea tells us that something so small is what made all the difference.

And along came Baby Pea

Rockabilly

2011-07-10T21:14:00.000-07:00

Greta Garbo and Monroe
Deitrich and DiMaggio
Marlon Brando, Jimmy Dean
On the cover of a magazine
Grace Kelly, Harlow, Jean
Picture of a beauty queen
Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire
Ginger Rogers, dance on air
They had style, they had grace
Today I took my boys and husband to the Griffith Observatory. As we walked around, scenes from the movie, Rebel Without a Cause, kept jumping out at me from every corner. James Dean and Natalie Wood’s spirit could be felt within the very essence of the building. What better setting than this Hollywood landmark to inspire me for writing of this post.

What is it about the 1950’s icons, fashion, hairstyles and vibe that have made it a mode that not only won’t die but continues to grow in popularity? Even some of today’s top celebrities are “rocking” this style: Gwen Stefani (she always seems to make her way into my posts doesn’t she) Dida Von Tesse, and Kat Von D.

Of all the styles and fashions out there today and the past, the rockabilly style is one that I view with awe and envy. I would love to rock this style! I would love to daily curl and tease my hair and jump into a figure flattering dress or pants. I would love to do this, but for the life of me……….I just can’t figure out how to do the hair, or have the time and patience to do it. I so envy the girls that pull of this amazing style.

About a year ago I had some photos taken of me in a retro pinup style. What astonished me the most was the amount of time it took to “set” my hair. Talking with the stylist she explained to me back in the 50’s when a girl told a boy, “I can’t go out, I have to wash my hair” it was a fact and not an excuse. This is not a style that you can just throw together.

Once in the hair, makeup and clothes of the 50’s a found myself feeling incredibly feminine and sexy. Sexy in a non-exploitive and powerful way. Sexy in a confident way. Sexy and not in the least sleazy. Was this what my mother had been trying to get me to understand all through my teenage years of the 80’s and 90’s? As my mother saw me prance around in super short mini’s and navel reveling tops, she tried to explain to me that real female sexiness came from showing class, chic and curves.

(I sidetrack here briefly to comment on the above photo. This is one of my favorite portrait photos I’ve ever snapped. Jesse’s beauty is so mesmerizing!)

I found myself this summer purchasing my first one piece bathing suit since I was 8 years old. In a little hidden store in Hollywood, I found a company that is making 1950’s style pinup bathing suits. I know am able to bring a little bit of Hollywood glamour to my swimming pool.

And every time I hit up Downtown Disney I stop in a store that sells dresses from a company called Stop Staring (if you haven’t seen these dress you must check them out http://www.stopstaringclothing.com) I find myself ooohing and ahhhing over them on the hanger and then falling in love with them even more once I step into them. How I would love to be able to pull off this style!

So here we have Jesse: 18 years old and rockin more style than I have ever had or ever will. Jesse is just starting her journey into the “real world” but she will be doing so with much style, grace, beauty and feminine confidence.

Jesse, it was so wonderful spending the afternoon with you and your mother. I learned so much history about San Juan Capistrano and came home inspired to try to get my rockabilly style on.

Independence Day

2011-07-04T11:54:00.000-07:00

July 4th, 1776

Independence Day

The birth of the United States of America and the adoption of the Declaration of Independence

July 4, 1826

Thomas Jefferson and John Adams die on the same day, precisely fifty years after the signing of the Declaration.

July 4, 1827

New York State abolished salvery

July 4, 1862

Lewis Carroll tells the story of Alice in Wonderland for the first time

On July 4, 1865 it is published

July 4, 1863

This day was the turning point in the Civil War. Lee retreated from Gettysburg, and Pemberton surrendered Vicksburg and his army to Grant.

July 4, 1884

France presented the Statue of Liberty to the United States. The tablet Miss Liberty holds bears the inscription "JULY IV MDCCLXXVI."

July 4, 1939

Lou Gehrig, tells a crowd at Yankee Stadium that he considers himself "The luckiest man on the face of the earth" as he announces his retirement from major league baseball

4th July 1960

The 50th star is added to the American flag to represent the new state of Hawaii

(my mother was in Hawaii on this day)

July 4th, 1976

American celebrates her 200th birthday

(my baby brother is 21 days old)

July 4, 2009

The Statue of Liberty's crown reopens to the public after 8 years, due to security reasons following the 9-11 attacks.

4th July, 2011

The McElfish family celebrate the freedom of America

God Bless American

Skater Girl Finds Her Voice

2011-06-11T18:39:00.000-07:00

Val

Does she look familiar to you? She should because you have seen her in multiple shoots I have styled and photographed. Val is my go to girl when I get an artistic idea and have to photograph it NOW. I’m an artist first and foremost. When the muse strikes I have to act. I’m am obsessed with creating the vision.
Val is a chameleon. Give her a role and she will embody it. I love working with her for her energy, since of humor, beauty and willingness to be game for any idea I come up with. Val is the living embodiment of ART.

Although I am an educator during the day, I often find myself being the one who is taught by the students. I learn so much from these amazing young adults I get the honor of teaching. What I love the most about teaching in the arts, is when I can help a student find their own voice. This may be a voice which they did not themselves even know they had; A voice which may have been silent for years and finally has a chance to emerge.

What joys my heart most is when a student takes my class and finds they have a huge talent which has never been tapped into. I love watching a student come alive as they realize their artistic voice. Many times this is a student who is going through the motions of high school life, with no real passion, no real direction, no real VOICE. For many of those students ART is the voice that they have hidden within themselves. Art is the voice they will use to make their way in the world.

Three years ago, Val was this student that walked into my beginning art class and sat in the BACK of the classroom. Val was a very beautiful girl, quiet, well mannered and had a quick wit. I instantly loved her sarcasm. Although only a junior, she was a girl that was already beyond the games of high school. The question remained, "what she would do after high school?"
She had no idea.

What quickly became obvious was that Val had a very strong artistic talent. Project after project, I was amazed at her ability. This was more than someone that was just getting A’s on all her projects. This was a person that had the talent to really do something in art and take it to the next level. As I would sit by Val to help her with certain techniques she began to share more about herself.

During freshman year Val had been a cheerleader for the high school. She said she did it because she thought it was, "the thing to do", but she hated it. She told me, “during the cheers I use to be saying in my head to the rhythm of the cheer, I hate my life, I hate my life.” She did some little high hand motions to show me the cheer movement. It was at this moment I saw a bit of myself in this girl, but more on that later.

I saw something in Val that maybe she didn’t see herself. The goal now was to get it out of her and let her voice begin to shoutout to the world through her art, "I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY". I asked her to join my AP studio art class for her senior year. Yes, she would be skipping the advanced art class, but I knew with her raw talent she was up for the task. It was a certain art teacher back in 1991 that did the same for me……..we will visit her later in this story.

Hesitant at first, Val treated slowly and careful on her assignments as she started her AP Art year. When Val picked her 12 project theme for the year and started to immerse herself into her work, a new girl started to emerge. Taking the lyrics from the band Third Eye Blind, Val began to visual illustrate her interpretation of the lyrics. Val began to exert her own voice through her art work. Art work which was original, bold, and at times edgy. Val incorporated real sand into one of her paintings. Not everyone would think outside the box like that.

The magic for Val came to full fruition when she created an incredibly moving piece for the Chapman University Holocaust Art contest. Val listened to testimony of a holocaust survivor and then created a piece of art which illustrated the survivor’s story. Val threw herself heart and soul into this project. When she was near completion, there was a paint spill on her project. I could literally see the tears swell up in her eyes. Quickly I pulled one of my teacher tricks from my hat. I told her that sometimes a mistake can make for a “happy” mistake when it concerns art. I told her we were going to embrace the paint spill and spill more paint on it to make it look apart of the movement and feel of the art piece. Mistakes can make greatness.

Over 40 schools entered the Chapman Holocaust Contest. Out of all those students, Val came in second place! Now Val’s voice was being heard on a large scale and others were standing up and taking notice. This girl had something to say and the talent to back it up. (a little shout out here to Angel who was also one of my students and placed 1st in this contest!)

Watching my students walk on stage and win such amazing awards brought memories flooding back to me of my own journey into art and the salvation that it brought me. In the audience was my former art teacher, who had also had a finalist in this competition. We had stayed in touch over the years and had a friendly rivalry going on between us when it came to our students competing and winning contests.

Flash back 20 years.
I was lost in high school. I went through the motions with no passion or purpose. My passion had been ice skating. From the age of 6, I had trained to make figure skating into a life-long career. Skating was my center, my focus, my identity but all that was lost when at 14 I had to retire because of an illness.

One teacher took a chance on me. One teacher helped me find my voice. Barbara Gard was that teacher. Art became my outlet. Art helped me find my own voice. Art became my passion. A teacher believed in me once and I was determined to pay it forward to my students.

Val shared with me that she now felt she had a purpose and direction for her life.

ART!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As I write this Val is packing up her room and getting ready to start the next stage in her life. She is off to an art school in San Francisco! Val is going to live her passion.

This next set of photos is what I had called Val’s Holocaust Art Project………A happy accident. My son Kaleb had come with me on this shoot because he loves skateboarding. As it was getting dark, I told him to sit right behind me in the car as I finished up the last few shots.

Next thing I know, the headlights start flashing on and off. I look into the car and see that Kaleb is sitting in the driver’s seat laughing his head off as he flashes us with the lights.

I quickly looked at the last few photos I had taken when Kaleb was flashing the lights and realize that he had helped create magic. The last photos shown here (except the black and white) are straight out of the camera.... no retouching at all............. just the magic that happened with Val, my lens and a little boy playing around.

And here is the little man that was behind the amazing lighting.

(Stolen from Val's Facebook wall)

Val was finally able to meet her favorite band Third Eye Blind and present them with a piece of her art which was based on their lyrics. Dreams do come true! Follow your passion and voice!

All my kids at Chapman University after the contest. Every once in a while as a teacher you have a group of students that will stay with you forever.

Val, I am so beyond proud of you. You are making your dreams come true and showing the world your voice. You are why I teach.

Simple Kind of Life

2011-06-10T18:39:00.000-07:00

And all I wanted was the simple things

A simple kind of life

And all I needed was a simple man

So I could be a wife

I always thought I'd be a mom

Sometimes I wish for a mistake
The longer that I wait the more selfish that I get

Now all those simple things are simply too complicated for my life

How'd I get so faithful to my freedom?

A selfish kind of life

When all I ever wanted was the simple things

A simple kind of life

Gwen Stefani- No Doubt

I LOVE No Doubt and Gwen Stafani!
I have been going to No Doubt concerts before they hit stardom and would play a noontime show at Cal State Fullerton. I have adored No Doubt since the days when Gwen would wear overalls and Dr. Martins in concert.
Mary was one of my main sidekicks when we’d hit up the local concert circuit. We both loved No Doubt. I remember one day at school, Mary walking into class and declaring that she was going to be Gwen Stefani when she grew up because she was the coolest girl ever.

So high school ended for Mary and me. We went on to college, No Doubt went on to super stardom and Gwen Stefani became the girl that thousands of girls wanted to grow up to be.

Mary and I lost touch. My No Doubt tapes turned into CD's and then then an Ipod playlist. Gwen Stefani launched a solo career, a clothing line and had babies.
Life went forward.

Enter Facebook and the new era of reconnecting to old friends.
Mary and I found ourselves in similar places in our “simple kind of life”. Both teachers, both married, her with a baby on the way and me with 2 little ones and another one in the tummy also.

We were both finding out that what seemed like a “simple kind of life” when we were in high school, was really quit complicated. As working women with husbands and children, we realized how difficult it had become balancing everything, plus finding space for ourselves. Luckily Mary, to dig out a little girl niche for herself, started selling Stella and Dot jewelry at home. She throws amazing “girls night out” jewelry parties where a bunch of us working mammas can get together, share, dine and do a little shopping.

Amelija, Mary’s daughter turned 1!

If you don’t have kids, you may believe that it is a “simple” thing to plan for such an event . Welcome to the new world of parties, which are anything but simple. When we were growing up, a party consisted of store bought cartoon plates/table cloth/napkins/cups, homemade cake, a balloon or two and a pin the tail on the donkey game.

Today, parties take their cue straight from the Martha Steward playbook. Parties now are chic, tailored to theme and down- right uber adorable! No one decorates for a party better than Mary. Every single detail of this party was thought out, planned and executed to perfection. Part of the photos I took of the decoration were for my own reference so I could steal the ideas for my own parties.

I am soooooooooo stealing this idea for mess free veggie dipping!

It's my party and I"ll cry if I want to!

I could not take enough photos of Amelija and her adorable outfit!

So much cuteness at one party!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, Mary's talent continues. She made Amelija's head piece. Maybe it's better I have boys because I would not know the first place to start to make something that cool.

Those eyes!!!!

This is a girl that won't need makeup when she grows up.

Amelija with Grandma.

One of my most treasured photos is of my Grandfather holding Konnor on his first birthday.

Amelija and The God Father

Mary thought of everything, including making silly photo props!

Mary and her mini me.

Daddies little princess

Hold on Dad and embrace ever moment, it goes by so fast.

Sooooooooooooo much love, sooooooooooooooo much cuteness, soooooooooooo much fun!

I told you, Mary thought of everything for this party, including real live Ladybugs!

I'm throwing Kingston a sockmonkey first birthday next year, could I go with a real monkey?

Ok, nix the real live animal idea.

Mary, I am so excited to have you in my life. Your family is so beautiful. Your daughter is beyond cute. Your talent of decorating is out of this world. Thank you for allowing me to capture Amelija's first birthday.

A Different View

2011-05-29T16:04:00.000-07:00

From a large scale view, weddings can seem conventional, routine and formulaic.
Most wedding feature some form of the procession, vows, family photos, cake cutting and other customary events.

What I love more than anything during a wedding is finding those pictures between the big moments. It’s those unscripted flashes in time which stand out in our memories the most.

When I book a wedding for a couple, I ALWAYS supply a second backup shooter, regardless of which package they decide on. I believe it would be irresponsible on my part to do anything less for the bride and groom. For this wedding, I was the one who got to act as the backup photographer.

While some photographers do not like the idea of acting as a second shooter once they have run the show, I on the other hand welcome the challenge. While the main shooter is busy handling the customerary photographs, I get to act like a little fly on the wall. I get to seek out out those moments that could be easily overlooked. I get to get my artistic groove on.

Photographing a wedding for me is telling the story of the event through pictures. Every photo should tell a story within itself. No caption is needed. Capturing the essence and moments of the day as they unfold is what my camera searches out.

Groomsman on wedding overload.

Sometimes it's the kids that can steal the show at a wedding.

As much as the couple looks forward to their first dance as husband and wife, it is the father and daughter dance that seems to provoke the most tears and tug at our heartstrings.

Amanda and Taylor, I was honored to be included in your day. Thank you for allowing me to capture your story.

Change

2011-05-26T15:26:00.000-07:00

Change is not my friend.

When it comes to the small things in my life like the color of my bedspread, the arrangement of the furniture, my clothing or the photos in my wall frames, I am in constant change. It makes my husband a bit batty. He wants to know why I can't just leave things the way they are in the house.

Change with the big things in life is where I do not do so good with. A home, car, job, relationships, routines, tradition or hair color, I do not like these things to change, not one bit. I think that’s one of the reasons I don’t like to travel. I don’t like my daily/nightly environment to change to much.

I can remember as a child crying and crying when we sold our family VW Bug and got a new “used” car. It was change that was too large for me. I wanted things to stay the same and that included our VW Bug, which was apart of our family to me.

Funny thing is I now have a child who has even a more difficult time with change then I do. Kaleb cried his eyes out when were replaced the rug in his bedroom with hardwood floors. It was “HIS” rug. It was a something that he had spent hours on, playing with his toys. It was a part of his little world. A world that he did not want changed.

I have a deep longing in my life for TRADITION!

By definition, tradition is void of most change.

At three, I started Hebrew school. At ten, I learned a trade.
I hear they've picked a bride for me. I hope she's pretty.
The son, the son! Tradition!
The son, the son! Tradition!

And who does Mama teach to mend and tend and fix,
Preparing me to marry whoever Papa picks?

The daughter, the daughter! Tradition!
The daughter, the daughter! Tradition!

When we got our families first VCR in 1985, we finally were able to watch “rented” movies. What a high tech item we thought we had. Only a few families on our block even owned one. As I was only 10, my parents were in charge of picking the movies we rented. They wanted to expose us to movies which were family appropriate. One of their first picks was Fiddler on the Roof.

I was in LOVE. I learned the words to every song, made up little dance routines and aked them rent it over and over again. It had struck a chord somewhere deep within me. Alright, I know the thrust of the movie is “change” but what I longed for from the story was the tradition.

Tradition feeds into my longing for a life of longstanding practices. Something you can

count on to be there and be consistant.

Sometimes we are forced into a CHANGE that we do not want.

Sometimes that change forces us to grow.

Sometimes that change was the best thing that could have happened to us.

For the past eight years I had worked as the drawing and painting fine art teacher at a high school. I loved my job! It was my dream teaching job!
I never wanted it to change but change was around the corner.

Because of budgets cuts the art program was to be no more.
Remember I said, I do not like big change. I like staying in one place and creating traditions there.
I put down roots pretty deep, so this was a hard event for me to swallow.

Change had to happen. Change was about to push me in a direction that would benefit my life and force me to grow.

I was offered a position teaching digital photography at a different high school. Perfect in so many respects, yet a completely new animal I would have to tackle. I had been taking on professional photography jobs for a time and had a good grasp of what I was doing in the field. Knowing what I was doing with photography and being able to teach it are two separate talents. This was not going to be a small feat.

Teachers do make up their own lesson plans, changing and morphing theme to fit their style along with the academic standards but in most of the solid subjects they have a book or two to work from and a number of other teachers within that subject to work with on assignments. With photography, I would have to reinvent the wheel.

So I rolled up my sleeves and began to figure out how I would teach photography to these young adults. This forced me to up my skills in photography and editing a lot quicker than I may have done on my own time. I needed to not “kind of” understand the finer aspects of my camera, lighting and editing, I needed to “REALLY” know it.

Going into this CHANGE, I did not want it. Having this CHANGE I am realizing is the best thing that could have happen to me both in my teaching and photography career.
Change forces one to grow.
Change made me grow.

Perla, your beautiful traditional Hispanic dress, fan and water jug inspired me and got me thinking about the splendor of tradition. A tradition which you and your family share and which I wish I had a small part of. The CHANGE I had allowed me to meet and get to know you. Change is good, but don’t you dare CHANGE how amazing a young woman you are. Your inner and outer beauty let up my camera and classroom.