Sex and the City

I am obsessed with Sex and the City. Consumed. When Carrie Bradshaw rhinestone her phone, I had to rhinestone my phone. When Carrie bought the Something Blue Manolos- I bought the Something Blue Manolos. Season 4 episode 65- when Carrie cut her unruly blonde locks in a bob- so did I. Now that it is Wednesday, and the Premier of SATC 2 is out on Friday- I can barely contain myself- and I fear for my wallet! The shoes… and the drama….and the shoes…and Mr. Big…and AIDEN? Oh and the shoes…..!


Let it be said here and now internet- I have a feeling Kaeley and I will be starving standing out on the street with a sign that reads, “Will work for Louboutin’s”!!

 
Thank you Mr. Louboutin for putting flower petals at our feet !!
 
 

All About Timing

I am sitting here at my desk on a beautiful Tuesday afternoon doing my best not to get lost in this stress and indecision that is looming over my head at this moment. My mind often races when it should be concentrating on legal papers but instead it’s off in picture land. Yes, I am sure there is such a place as Picture Land- I liken it to Candy Land, where every picture I take is sweet and perfect! Mostly, I am just thinking of ways to improve my photos, and often wonder when I will get to the point where I am actually satisfied with what I have produced.


I know it’s all timing… not my timing of course. God’s timing, the universe, who knows but it would be great if we could all get on the same page here! I have an awful itch to be impatient at times, and this is one of them! I am doing everything I possibly can to fill my brain and life up with everything photography hoping that it will all seep in to my flesh. I wish I could just push the little silver shutter release button on my Nikon and as quickly as it takes a photo it changes my life! See… that’s how I think in Picture Land.

On another note:

Saturday I went along and assisted Joe and Mirta Barnet – my favorite wedding photographers for a celebration in Santa Monica. It was a beautiful wedding and another amazing experience for me! Joe and Mirta have such incredible talent that I spend every second trying to soak up any bit of knowledge Joe pours out. I love working with them.

Speaking of Joe and Mirta I am happy to announce that I will be attending their workshop on Monday 31th for a mock wedding shoot! I am so looking forward to this!

I am not crazy about the photos below, but it’s all about my awesome growth!



This is a beautiful new book I just had to buy! I love Pin up photography!

The beautiful pages..! Gorgeous!

Experimenting!

My Favorite

When the world is grey and nothing is as it seems to be… you are my little shining star. My dear sweet Kaeley if I haven’t told you in while, I will tell you here… you are my favorite.


You are my favorite everything. My favorite hug, my favorite kiss, my favorite part of the day. This is on my mind at the moment- because I am desperately fighting back tears. “Why Mommy? “You ask…because my boss just walked into my office at 11:14am- after attending his sons Kindergarten orientation. It’s clearly not that he was gone- but what he said. Some people have a way of sharing information in the most bizarre manner.

His epiphany is my fear and my reality. My boss works a lot and sacrifices so much to care for his family and maintain the extremely comfortable lifestyle he owns. In lieu of that statement, he often misses his children’s events, just as I miss some of yours. He said after leaving the orientation, he realized how important family is- how crucial it is to attend functions for his kids. He went on about all the parents who were not at the orientation and how sad it was to him.

If I could have bit my lip any harder I would have, instead I shrilled… “I am one of those people!” “I work from 8:30 in the morning to 6 at night, I miss half of my daughter’s life, It’s very sad” I was in full agreement.

To which he replied- “well, you have to do what you have to do”. I assume for me, this doesn’t include coming in late or leaving early.

Kaeley, I don’t get the luxury of picking you up from school, I miss your soccer practices, and I miss your school functions, your plays and PTA meetings. For all of this I am sorry. I know someday I will have what it takes to turn this around and start living the life we were meant to live, rather than be stifled by the one we are living.

It seems to me he could have chosen another person in the office to share this with. Instead of the single mom who shares custody and doesn’t get the blessing of going home every night to kiss her beautiful girl goodnight.



I know this post isn’t the most uplifting- so I will include a photo that makes me smile : ) You were a little tot here... I miss this day with you!

Escalate Live 2010/INSPIRATION!!

Very happy to announce that I am rounding off day 2 of the Escalate Live Conference from Newport Beach!

This is a photography conference about bringing your vision into reality. It gives you ideas on how to change your approach to your photography business which is wonderful for me since I am just starting out. Speakers include my favorite Jerry Ghionis – along with industry greats such as Dane Sanders, Jasmine Star, [ B]ecker and Jessica Claire. This was so inspiring and refreshing! One day I will be speaking at this conference- one day people will come to see me and gain inspiration from me to pursue their dreams! AMAZING!

Jerry Ghionis left us with a very powerful message: you expend 90% of your energy on the 10% of things that happen in your life. So if we spend our energy on what we want rather than what we don’t want.. imagine where we would be.

What I think is even more exhilarating are the people that I was able to chat with during this Conference - and I have a new inspiration-on-the-verge-of-obsession-blog/website/photographer(s): Tony Hoffer. I was so amazed upon looking at these photos, I have never wanted to be someone else as much as I want to be him right now! This is JUST what I needed to end my day… I seriously feel like jumping out of my SKIN!

I just want to go shoot ( pictures) of everything!!

Baby Bliss

Isn’t the sweet joy a child brings to our world just amazing? The warmness envelopes your being like a blanket. It’s cozy… and as a mom this scent is familiar. Children are happy, unless hurt or hungry. They are forgiving and resilient. They are loving and untainted. If only we could bottle this potion and save it for when life hurts the most.


To me the first years of life are the best; they are busy soaking up love and everything else the world has to offer them.

Trystan has now been on this planet for 1 whole year! He’s an angel so soft and sweet. I can’t help but love his little face, his little fingers and nose! What I love the most about him is how much he loves his mommy Melissa. He is a lover no doubt, or for lack of a better term, “Momma’s Boy”. I love this baby to pieces and I enjoy every moment around him. I almost feel as though I get the chance to experience age 1 again, and what a blessing!

Melissa you are a beautiful and amazing mother to your precious children… and I am very grateful to be a part of your life!

I can't help but grin back at these photos- they make me happy to see on my blog and will mark how I felt on this very day.

 
 
I love his dirty little grubby fingers from crawling on the ground!
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

My J.S. Decision

There are days, like this past Sunday- where I wake up and I am so thankful to be doing what I love. I love gushing over pictures, editing them, blogging them, learning from them and of course the inspiration that I draw from them. This past Sunday I was gushing with inspiration and love. The kind that you feel in your very soul, the kind that lifts you up and gives you the drive to be who you want to be and what you want to be.


Yesterday, Kaeley and I took a trip to see my dear friend J.S. in Marina Del Ray to celebrate a melting pot of milestones. J.S. had just recently completed a very important and grueling test for her work at the hospital for Autistic children. It was also her birthday (age remains a mystery), as well as the beginning of a new chapter in her life, a new relationship and a new loft!

I first met J.S. at work in 2005 and even though she had only started the company about 2 months prior to my arrival, I looked up to her then as I do now. We are very different woman, but click in the best of ways. She is Team Aniston- I am Team Jolie.

J.S. has always inspired me, in ways I imagine, would surprise her if she knew. I have always looked up to her way of life, she is smart and beautiful woman whose resume of successes is one that I hope to someday emulate. She is calculated;

With her finances- she knows how to save and when to spend. I on the other hand, am so easily tempted!

With her career… she left stable work at the hospital to join the roller coaster mortgage industry and when everyone else was blowing cash she was saving…! She purchased a house, paid off her cars, is debt free! My point is, I admire these traits in her and I am very blessed to have her in my life.

In lieu of this, I have made a few J.S. decisions. I have decided that in order for me to gain the success I would like in photography- I must take the proper steps. SO...I am ready for a logo- and contact cards and a website.
I must Brand myself. I can’t afford flashy. But it’s a start.

My dear friend J.S.

The amazing Yard Chess Set in the common area!

Lounge area! Its like a hotel!

The view outside her loft ! So jealous :)

Thank Goodness for Friday’s

Hello all!

Happy Friday and thank goodness it’s finally here. This week has been more than overwhelming- if at the end of last week- I could have foreseen this week- Let’s just say I would have hid in bed with the covers over my head. It was a week of munching on more than I could chew. I have a problem with saying “no” and to that I mean- if anyone in my circle of life asks me for a favor or needs help, I will go to whatever means I can for them. I like to help, I like to rescue. I just refuse to leave my loved ones in the rain like a lost puppy.

A dear friend of mine- we will call her ‘X’ had asked me to do a fun favor and create flyers for her business. I LOVE to do this for people and I think I am pretty good at it! So of course I said yes!

All was fine and on track until….

Last Thursday as you know, I had a-last-minute-offer-to- photograph my boss’s car show in Anaheim which was great! However, I had sooo many pictures to edit. (I am working on getting to a place with my photography where I don’t have to post edit so much)- I know that means practice, practice and more practice!

In my defense, but not an excuse, I didn’t plan for the car show- I didn’t factor in Mother’s Day- plus ‘X’ had a guest from out of town in all weekend. All of these little rain drops manifested into a storm.

Naturally I feel bad, I did the best I could with what I had. I know that this caused some stress, and possibly some tension. ‘X’ felt there was enough prep time and I felt there wasn’t. I’m not certain what all this means other than I need to really be sure before taking on projects. It wasn’t fair for her to put her full trust in me- and then be let down. I would also like to say, the end result is ‘X’ was able to call upon a professional and the flyers were completed.

Since posts are better with pictures… this one makes me smile.

The List

I am a notorious list maker. Personal life, work life, other people’s lives… I make lists to create “future lists”…its crazy I KNOW! I just love the idea of being overly organized.


I finally made my “photography” list- which is different that my “Road to Happiness” list- which is different than my “Goals” list.

I have put this particular list off just simply due to the fact that it’s never ending… you know, all the TO DO’s and TO BUY’s such as workshops, equipment, blogs, websites, logos and of course business cards.

However overwhelming it may seem, I think it is important for us to have these lists. If not just for organizing our tasks, how about to document how far we come? Clearly, if I am at the same point next year there is a good chance I am doing something wrong… and that would mean time to reevaluate what I am doing with my business.

P.S. I love candy- and it's ALWAYS on the ' List'.

Tiffany

I will never forget the first time we met. Her boisterous personality on attack and that infectious laugh you could hear from miles away. Danielle and I met in 2005- when she walked into my office (we were both in the mortgage industry at that time). I knew right away we would hit it off as friends…. and have remained so ever since. Her daughter Tiffany, who I had the pleasure to photograph this weekend, is as graceful as she is beautiful! I have watched her grow this past five years into a sweet little fashionista, whose amazing personality parallels her mothers.

Thank you Danielle for choosing me to document Tiffany’s spring of 2010. You are an amazing mother and a dear friend. xoxo

Just for Fun

This marks my 8th year as a mother! It was a fabulous day and I have the most amazing little girl ever!


No matter how stressed I get about life, finances and work, she loves me unconditionally. She is a constant reminder that life is grand and should not be taken for granted.

Kaeley and I have had our very high UPS and our very low downs. But she is always there for me, to kiss me goodnight and in her own little 8 years old way, she lets me know things will be ok.

We went to the Lab in Costa Mesa this weekend and took these cute pics….

Thank you my dearest Kaeley, for a wonderful Mothers Day!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Misfortunes in Photography

Happy Monday Blog!


It feels like the past few days have been a whirl wind! All this madness started last Thursday when my (A-type personality) boss asked me to photograph his car show last minute Wednesday night. I am sure this sounds spectacular to most of you- however, I would rather have had the earth open its mouth and swallow me whole! I mention his personality type because I don’t want everyone to assume he is a man of normal expectations! He is anything but short of perfection.

The car show was a USC/ Harvard Business Convention at the Anaheim Convention Center. It housed what felt like a zillion people (all staring at me of course) and 6 very expensive and very fast cars. My boss is a car enthusiast to say the least- the car collection line-up included:

Sultan of Berni’s Ferrari Bugatti, produced just for him- the Ford GT and a special Ferrari F150 made specifically for Cher. It was AMAZING and yes, a once in a lifetime experience! I had the pleasure of rubbing elbows with the owners of these cars- and if I may name drop- Steve Saleen and Dick Marconi who created these powerful machines we all dream drive.

I cannot tell you how nervous I was! Joe Barnett had a perfect explanation. The diamond slope vs. the bunny slope- you feel great about everything you learn on the bunny slope, you have good form, you’re confident, collected.... and BOOM! Your instructor throws you on the diamond slope and everything you learn goes out the door!

Well, to make a long story short- Some of the pictures came out ok and most came out not so great. Maybe he will like them- he hasn’t said anything yet which is going to drive me crazy.

I have come to learn that failure and mistakes are a part of the process. I need to learn my flash better, and of course learn to calm down. I am determined to never return to this point of desperation where I put my camera down for the 2nd time in my life because of my inexperience.

Here are a few of the photos that I am pleasantly happy with.

Thankfully Yours

 There are some people who waltz into our lives and stamp a feeling or memory on our souls that not even God could shake. For me, that person is SB.


Often times,when reviewing the timeline of our lives, the floodgates open. I know for me they do.
 I can’t imagine there being too many people who look back at every moment and never pose the query, “where would I be if I zigged instead of zagged?”

I know I ponder that very question. Where would I be today if I had finished photography school ?

Manda’s Time Line: 2005

Enter SB.

And that's where it gets me every time.

Where would I be if I hadn’t met SB? It’s possible that if I would have completed school, the forces of nature may have blown such a wonderful friend right past my life, unable to stop.

I believe people come into our world to help shape who we are. Without SB there is a good chance I may not be at this point today, pursuing my dream. Be it directly or indirectly, I know this amazing person has had an impact on my life to help me become who I am today, and who I am on my way to becoming.

So I thank him, for everything. Especially for taking me to Paris & Switzerland where I captured these amazing photos!

Some friends come into our lives for a reason, some for a season... and SB for a lifetime.

Hello Self

I wanted to blog about something else today, but I decided against it and chose to get a little sumpin’ out of the way. This post is basically to document where I am at this moment and how I felt on this hazy California afternoon.

I am up to my ears at my Monday thru Friday job and yet it is a little hard to pull myself together and get to work. I feel like one of those caged Chimpanzees that people seem to think is safe to have as a house hold pet… until it rips your face off. I hate to joke about the nature of this beast but truth is- that is how I feel.

Manda, failure is not a new concept in your life. Jumping over a few thousand hurdles is not new either.

I know you…. Regardless of how many times you fall, you will eventually cross the finish line.


Here is something that makes me smile… Sarah is always gracious enough to let me photograph her- so here is a big fat sloppy kiss!

A Day Like This

It's been one of those days. The kind of day you know is going to be full of sighs... and throw in a headache the moment you walk in the door to your 9-5 (or in my case) 8:30- 6:00- Monday- thru- Friday-sack-lunch-under-the-desk job. I am trying not to get down about a few things going on in my life so the best I can do is stay hopeful. At the end of the day, I am healthy, loved and surrounded by the most amazing people.


Plus, when my head gets a little twisted, I always have photography. I always have 11pm Sex and the City re-runs and the simple pleasure of knowing that my life is heading in the right direction- the direction of JOY.

I am still editing Sarah's pictures from Sunday... but I will leave you with this photo of my shoes because it makes me smile...

Saturday

I LOVE Hollywood.... Old Hollywood, new Hollywood... I just LOVE it. I love Hollywood the way Carrie Bradshaw love New York!
I love the way I feel when I am there wandering the streets, eating and shopping. I love the hotels rich in history as well as a few legends!

Just thinking about every rockstar who ever stumbled out on to Sunset Strip wasted is completely exhilerating!

The photo opportunities are plentiful, around every corner there is a moment to be captured.

So today with little convincing, my dad and Kaeley (my little lady) piled in the car and off to see my love affair/ boyfriend/favorite town in California!

For those who have never met my angel, she is the best positive reinforcement you could ask for!

Loaded with enthusiasm she said ever so sweetly, "mommy, you have to put your picture on the internet so everyone can see how wonderful you are!"

So here are a few photos from our Saturday.

Thank you Kaeley for being the best daughter a girl can have !

Here is Kaeley and my dad inside the Carney's Express Resturant on Sunset. Isn't she a doll ?!

Today has been an eventful yet tiring day... I MUST stop editing photos and go to sleep!