Happy Birthday Kaeley!

You will always be a baby to me… at 8…14 or 23.


I can feel your soft blonde hair brushing against my knees as you dangling between my legs like a monkey. I picture those piercing blue eyes staring up at me… always so difficult to say no to! I count my blessings every time I hear your sweet voice call me ‘momma’...

With every year your little world grows and changes and you bring around a new sense of joy and accomplishment. As I try my best to grasp onto each memory you give, a new one enters, a bigger one, a sweeter one.

Today you are 8. I have had 8 amazing years with you so far. Kaeley I love you. As the years go on, it may seem  I get harder on you… Eat all your veggies, don’t talk with your mouth full, get all A’s, sit up straight; please know that it is all because I simply adore you and I only want the best for you. I hope you enjoy your day with your dad and grandma at Disney Land...

Happy Birthday my sweets and thank you for eating cupcakes in bed with me !

 
 

Homeless. With Kids.

A couple days ago I was leaving Bristol Farms in Corona Del Mar when I noticed a homeless woman on the sidewalk entrance to the plaza. She looked worn and sad; her hair was long, stringy and dirty. She was holding a ripped cardboard sign that simply read, “Appreciate Yours”. I had to take a second look, when in fact her sign read “Homeless. With kids.” A moment later I realized the mind is a powerful thing, did my eyes deceive me … or was that the point?


The point of this post dearest internet is not what I did, or even if I helped her out that day. The point is how she helped me and unfortunately, how she will never know.

Lately, I have been doing a bit of complaining. I am not exactly content with my current circumstances and although good things make be coming down the pike, it’s always hard to wait for the change and transformation. I have complained about my day job a few times and justifiably so- well I think it’s justified anyway! At the end of the day I am not 100% content, or happy for that matter. I have fleeting moments of complete joy but it not everyday all day. I want my photography career to be there not here and amidst all my wanting I am missing forgetting and sometimes oblivious to what is important.

The best part of that day was running head first into a brick wall of reality, such as this woman, helpless and homeless- who would probably give her left arm and right leg to be me and all my glory… and all I can ponder is being someone else. It seems silly to you I’m sure. But I tend to get envious of others in the industry and their ability to capture moments and document life in ways that I cannot at this point.

This woman, with her sign… was my sign. A sign that we all have our own abilities to rock and in due time it will surface. A sign for me to appreciate mine, and for you to appreciate yours and together we can appreciate ours.

  I love when she kisses me so hard she smushes my face : )

I (heart) Evelynn

Let me start off by saying… I am most appreciative and absolutely blessed by those who I have met while on my photographic journey. Mentors transpire to colleagues who grown to be our friends who later become partners. So, I would like to take a moment and give a lil’ blog lovin’ to my dear friend Evelynn.


It was sitting in a blue gift bag all wrapped in gold paper with a beautiful bow- on top of the box of Manolo Blahniks I had loaned to her the week prior. I was completely surprised! If I would have known about this amazing treat I would have opened the bag earlier! Underneath the pretty wrapping was the new Sex and the City 2 Book- the euphoric smell of the pages detailing all the girls, all the clothes, all the accessories and all of the shoes! The opulence of fashion ; old world meets new. I am so in love with this book!

Evelynn is a huge Sex and the City fan like me. Well, actually she is obsessive- just like me. We buy the shoes, wear the clothes…drink the drinks…and I am certain if we could morph ourselves into Carrie Bradshaw it would have been done already!

Ev, this is the greatest book ever! I read the whole thing the night I finally opened the bag! I had no idea that you slipped this in with such a sweet card. You are a doll and such a beautiful and positive girl. Thank you with all my heart for this precious gift!

xoxo

 

Dior Newsprint

 

Genevieve + Viktor

There are things about a woman that can stop a man dead in his tracks, be it her zsa zsa zoo, her sparkle or her raw beauty. Genevieve possesses it all. I had the pleasure of shooting Lifestyle photos of her this past Sunday and along for the ride was her dear friend Viktor- whom might I add, is one of the raddest guys on the planet! This was the first time I had met the both of them but the click was quick. Genevieve who is not only a make -up artist but is also trying to pursue her dream at modeling and I wish her many successful shoots! I had a blast with these two animated friends including many moments of gut-busting-laughing- it almost made it difficult to shoot!


Thank you both for letting me capture a day of your friendship and of course your beauty!

Viktor- great style and a great face!

Beautiful girl!

 
 
 
 

 
 
  Special Thank You to Nichole Gausman for a wonderful make up job.

On the DL

I am sitting at my desk as I do most days when I write to you dear blog. There is a huge glass wall that connects my office with my bosses. I have an amazing shot through his office of the harbor and I often stare wildly out the window until I am damn near blind from the reflection of the sun off the water. Its hypnotic and I find when I am blind I do my best thinking…


I love laughter- as much as I love love. I love the way it looks and the way it feels. I crave the various octaves depending on product of which the laughter is derived. I laugh loud and I laugh hard. One of my favorite forms of laughter is of the nervous kind. There is something rather saccharine about a nervous laugh from the belly of a beloved fling you haven’t seen in half a year.

He was sweet-with shaking hands he handed me a flower and gift wrapped me with a hug.

We spent the next few hours sitting across the table- me sipping Pomegranate Mojitos- him Jack & Coke- to help transform uneasy to cool.

To protect your privacy I will keep you on the DL… Mr. DL. You know who you are. I want to say thank you. Thank you for many moments of core breaking laughs…. Thank you for being my friend. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for seeing a diamond in the rough… and a rose in the ashes.

Food for Thought

Dear Blog-


Another Monday morning reality sets in as I sit here at my desk dreaming and hoping out loud. This past couple of weeks has been a cocktail of happiness and disappointment. As I rekindle one old lost friendship I reluctantly see another fade.

Someone sent me this poem a long time ago. I loved it from the moment I read it. Although it is always sad- no matter the reason- to lose a friend, this is a peaceful reminder that everyone that comes into our life is a piece of the puzzle. And once…all the pieces have been placed together, the puzzle is complete, thus fulfilling our journey.

A Reason a Season a Lifetime.

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person.
When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support.
To aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a Godsend and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.
Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.
Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it, is real. But only for a season.
Then there are those who come into our lives for a LIFETIME- a relationship that will teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Thank you for being a part of my life, whether you were a reason, a season or a lifetime.

Sarah McDowd

The weekend was hot; definitely beach weather and normally I would have planted myself in my perfect spot in the Laguna sun. However, this weekend I had the opportunity to meet up with two of my favorite people. Isaac Madera (Photo Shop God) and his lovely lady and glamour model, Sarah McDowd. The day consisted of a photo shoot, lunch and a refreshing lesson of Photo Shop CS5.

I jump at any chance to work with or work for people I consider so impressive in this industry such as these two! Its mind blowing what Isaac Madera can do to a photo in such minimal time. So with a few tips (that I could remember to write down!) I spent my Sunday practicing in hopes of having a photo of mine even resemble a few of his techniques! I am blessed to have worked with them this weekend. Here are a few photos of the ever amazing Sarah, I will say that I did not capture her sultriness like Isaac can, but I think I did alright!

The Workshop

Sunday I had to take a step back in admiration at the room full of incredible people. Wonderful photographers, new and seasoned- but more so- just awesome people in general.


I am referring to the Recharge at Rancho Workshop that I attended put on by Joe and Mirta Barnet. One of the things I loved about attending the The Workshop is the sense of community. Building relationships with fellow photographers, Staying connected, learning and leaning on each other. It’s a whole new world of people that I am thankful to have met.

I would like to send a special Thank You to Joe and Mirta for coming into my life and helping me along this journey to becoming a photographer. I thank the models Samantha, Matt, Brett, Shelli and her two beautiful daughters. We couldn't have done it without the incredible help and generosity of Rancho Las Lomas, 24 Carrots and Square Root Designs!
 
 
 
 
 
 

Engagement session with Samantha and Matt

Beautiful Model Shelli! She is amazing and so much fun to work with!

Models Shelli and Brett

Cant forget the Choo's!!!