I had the great pleasure to share some time with my dear friends Shannon, Abraham, and the newest Hopkins, lil’ Jake. Love you all. Hugs and kisses to you all forever. Thanks for loving one another so well.
June 28th, 2010 Rachel and Cris: Sausalito, California
CATEGORY: Weddings
From the moment that I met Cris and Rachel, there was such a wonderful and strong connection of friendship with us. These two kind, gentle, and unabashedly fun spirits are a picture of love and joy. I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to contribute to their special day and to have created a young friendship with them and their friends and family.
We started at San Francisco’s Palace of Fine Arts and were undaunted when we found that entrance to the pavilion itself was closed for construction. After making some sweet portraits there from across the pond, we moved to Sausalito and meandered around the downtown harbor area, laughing all the while. It was easy to make them laugh, but fun none-the-less. Just as we finished our bride and groom photo session, their guests arrived on a classic San Francisco streetcar and the wedding was ON. It was a sweet, short, tender, and authentic ceremony, with a mere 40-ish of their closest friends and family, but no shortage of love and celebration abounded.
Thank you, Rachel and Cris, for your trust, your friendship, and for how well you love one another. I wish you all the love, joy, and abundance throughout the years of your partnership.
June 22nd, 2010 Cuddly? Check. Cute? Check. Soft? Umm, also check.
I’ve had the great delight of making photographs of some of the sweetest kids and babies in the past few months. I thought I’d take a few minutes and show you some of the highlights from the recent shoots. Mmmm. So yummy. Warning: don’t try to eat their cheeks through your computer monitor. It won’t go well. 
June 12th, 2010 Shooting for Haiti…the GOODS.
CATEGORY: Engagement, Making a Difference, Portraits, Santa Barbara
What an experience! Ha! I didn’t realize that it was going to be Earth Day weekend in Alameda park when I planned the Shooting for Haiti project, but I assure you, it certainly was. My assistants and I arrived early on Saturday morning, excited and inspired about the next two days of shooting. Throughout the next two days we ran around Alice Keck park making photographs of engaged couples, people with their dogs, families, babies, and even a few professional head shots! We fielded the Earth-Day-goers who had gone astray from Alameda park for a bit of peaceful respite from the crowds, climbed trees and crept about in the lush foliage of Alice Keck Park to “get the shot”.
We wound up doing just shy of 20 shoots in the two days of shooting and raised close to $1200 to aid in Direct Relief International’s Haiti Relief efforts! Despite my greatest efforts, I wasn’t able to fill every slot and we had a handful of no-shows which, at first disappointed me, but it only meant we got to spend a good deal more time than 15 minutes with some of people because of gaps in the schedule…allowing us to get more and better shots as the rapport and trust increased with more time together. I typically like to spend several hours on a single shoot, so the brevity of these shoots was a real challenge. We learned a TON about what to do better next time and how to raise EVEN MORE money! We had a blast and walked away from the experience feeling fulfilled, inspired, and, um….exhausted.
Many many thanks to everyone who participated; those who came out and their pictures taken, laughed, played, and made this project a success; to my fantastic, magnanimous assistants, Michael Randles and Tony Mac! A big dollop of gratitude to Jill Rode from DRI for her help in facilitating the project, to Genevieve Bitters who also came out from DRI as well and had her pictures taken with she and her beautiful family! Also to Kerri Murray for heading up the very inspiring Disabilities Program in Haiti. I just had the pleasure of meeting Kerri last night at SBMA’s “Nights” Event, and learned of the program. Truly inspiring work by an amazing group. It is an honor and a privilege to have my business working in alignment with Direct Relief International, and I’m looking forward to the next project!
Here are some of my FAVORITE photos from the weekend!
Nat and Rose: In Love and Engaged.
Andrea Albright: Whimsical? Check. Carefree? Also check.
Amy: Lovely Day for it. Meow.
Zoe Quist: Delicate, Graceful Incarnate…Actress, Producer, Tree Hugger.
Sonia and Saralee of XOXO Bride: Wedding Goddesses (Okay, planners)
The Novaks:
One of Whom Got a Treat After the Shoot in Exchange for her Cooperation…
(Hint: she’s Wearing Yellow)
Alysia and her Adorers (Yes…that’s me)
Jay, Danielle, Twicks and Snickers.
Very cute critters. The dogs were also sweet.
Jamie. Breezy, Lovely, New to Town.
Laura and Love: A Very Alice Keck Engagement.
Mathew and Emily. Blue Rules the Land.
Ashleigh’s Small, but Sweet Family.
The Bitter Family: Actually, they’re Quite Sweet.
Mother Daughter Team:
Robera and Judy Fox.
Yeah. That’s right…a Couple a’ Fox’s.
Ryan, Kristen, and Baby Ronin.
Soft, Cuddly, Naked Baby…
C’mon, at Some Point, What Else Do You Need?
DJ Sparkle: Um, is That Glitter in my Ears?
June 4th, 2010 Melissa and Andrew’s Engagement Session, Bacara Resort, Santa Barbara, CA
CATEGORY: Engagement, Portraits, Santa Barbara
What a riot these two were! We had fun lurking around the grounds at the Bacara Resort in Santa Barbara trying not to get caught by their staff who were none-too-keen on having photos taken there! Guess they’re concerned about paparazzi with all the celebs who stay there…who knows! But we had so much fun! Thanks you two for being so sweet and fun! You rock!
May 22nd, 2010 Clare and Aubrey, Well, England May 15th, 2010
CATEGORY: Destination Weddings, Weddings
Wowee! What an incredible experience! Clare and Aubrey are absolute magic. They are two of the loveliest human beings I’ve ever had the privelidge of knowing, and I am so grateful for having been able to contribute to their magical day. Clare is a real-live princess from Uganda, and she looks it (right?!). But what’s more is that she has this light, joyful, carefree, yet dignified way of being that is fit for a princess. To be in her presence lifted my spirits and made my creative juices soar!
And then there’s Aubrey, her fine husband. What a fantastic lovable, jovial, charming, and caring man he is. And…he’s just crazy about Clare. To see them together, and the love they exude inspires me as to what’s possible in partnership and I am so thankful to them for that.
It was such a treat to spend the time in the charming little village of Well, England, where Aubrey grew up. Everywhere I looked for miles were trees, grass, sheep, beautiful old buildings and smiling people just overflowing with joy for Clare and Aubrey. Both of their families and all their friends are so wonderful and kind, and I’m overwhelmed with gratitude at being able to count many of them as my new friends after spending those few days with them, contributing to their wedding.
April 1st, 2010 Abraham, Shannon, and Lil’ Baby Shabey!
CATEGORY: Maternity, Portraits, Santa Barbara
Abraham and Shannon are two of the most wonderful, generous, kind, and loyal people I’ve had the privilege of knowing (did I mention beautiful?) and photographing. And…they’re bringing their first little one into the world. They don’t know what they’re going to name him yet, but…”Shabey” is a really cute place-holder in the intirum (get it…Abe+Shannon+Baby= Shabey!)
I recently had the honor of taking them on a photo adventure through the sunny mountains of Santa Barbara in Scofield Park.
It was so delightful. The sun was out, and the trees were lush and green, and best of all, the love and tenderness Abraham and Shannon were able to experience and express with one another, with their unborn son, and with the camera, was truly moving. I had them meditate on the baby, and visualize being with him, sharing love and joy with him, sing to him, and just practice BEING with their him. It’s amazing the kinds of photographs that can be created when two people (or in this case 2.3 people…heh) really drop in and just BE with one another, getting present to the authentic, organic emotions they have for one another.
Form, lighting, and stunning backdrops are well and good and very important in making photographs, but these photos SING because of the emotions that Abe and Shannon let themselves be present to while I made these photographs of them.
And…a very special thanks to Tanja Lippert, my sweet friend and mentor! I recently participated in her “Light Walk” workshop, and gained a much greater understanding and ability to SEE and capture beautiful, natural light! Thank you Tanja!
March 15th, 2010 Alyson and Max’s Engagement Shoot in LA LA Land!
CATEGORY: Engagement, Los Angeles, Portraits
Love these two lovelies. They traveled all the way down this great state from Humboldt to come down and have a photo safari with me! We shot mostly at the Rosevelt Hotel, across the street from where the Academy Awards were happening. Oooooooh. So fancy. We had a blast. Max was a bit gun (camera) shy but I had him runnin’ round like Fabio for my lens before it was all over. He’s a natural now. Alyson though, she was born a star. No wonder we happened to be shooting across the street from the Oscars. Shawww!
