Three years ago I took a week off from my full time job to attend WPPI in Las Vegas.  I didn’t know a soul.  I roomed with a couple girls I had met through a Photoshop class and was a little worried that they might leave me in the bathtub and steal my organs.  I went anyway!  It was a life changing experience and I have never been the same!  (Even if they had stolen my organs..it would have all been worth it!)

My husband said he had never seen me light up like that..except for him of course!  I was overwhelmed with the coolness of the people, the things…. the entire industry of professional photography.  I quit my job two months later and went full time….never looked back!  The girls I went with 3 years ago are my friends and I have met so many more along the way and cannot wait to see them this week!  I hope I come back lit up…with an aching brain like I always do!  Have a great week everyone!

And a blog post without a photo….never!  Here are Reese and Riley, my dear friends new baby girls.  Aren’t they just amazing?  More to come!

It won’t stop raining on the weekends around here and it’s really starting to make me well….ANGRY!  Rrrrrrrrrrr!  I was scheduled to do Cutie-Patootie Greyson’s 6 month photos and of course the weather man tells us…RAIN!  We decided to go for it and race the storm.  I am sure glad we did!  The skies were AMAZING!  Folks…this is the real thing..no Photoshop tricks!  I have to say I was pretty proud of myself…getting the subjects and the sky exposed is challenging…well for me it is!  :)  Ha!~

I just love this little guy…so full of life and just a real cool, laid back kid!  Helps that I LOVE his folks too…even though “mom” skipped out on part of the shoot by locking herself in the restroom…whatever J!  he he he!  Cannot wait to see you again little G!

Look at that face….he’s gonna be catch girls!

They did it…they surrendered!  The rain couldn’t even stop us…..it was so much fun!  Thank you to all our attendees..you are amazing, awesome and remember the vow….and thank you to Gina..The Great…you rocked!

Stay tuned for more workshops!

“Loved the workshop! I am trying to remember all the info, so those pics you sent were helpful. Lots to absorb!   My a-ha moment was when I figured out how to “stop” water in a photo.

Loved it and thank you for the great experience! So appreciated your fun and upbeat personalities.:)”
LP

“I had the best time at the workshop and learned so much! I really was scared to even try other setting besides the automatic because I thought I would mess it up and never get it back to the setting I wanted. My pictures look so much better now that I know more. Thank you for everything. On top of all I learned everything was so special and beautiful. I could have took pictures of the tables and the food the whole time it was so pretty. I loved it and If you do it again I will tell my friends and family. Thank you! ”
SS

“I had such a great time on Saturday! You and Gina did a great job! I took a photography class in college and have totally forgotten everything I learned. Saturday was a great refresher for me! I think the big thing I took away from Saturday was to get into M mode! I know that I am capable but, it’s so much easier to just stay in Auto!! Practice, Practice, Practice!!!  I would love to come to another class! Please keep me posted!! “AO

“Pretty much the whole workshop was my ah-HA moment!!!  But what promoted you  guys to rockstar level for me was the whole “bait & switch”!! Loved how we learned to focus on our subject and then move it over a little bit and it blurs the background…genius!!! Loved the iphone info… loved the the live models (wouldn’t mind having a few more and various ages tweens etc.) loved all the tips and suggestions (I now keep my manual in my nightstand can’t believe its written in english ..actual english… not like Ikea furniture instructions I understand what they are saying!!!)
You guys were awesome will take anything you guys put on!  Would love some sort of walking tour workshop. My husband and I travel a lot (going to DC for a long St. Patty’s Day weekend!!!) and I can’t stand my pictures looking like a 1970 AAA travel guide!  When we don’t have the kids with us its a lot of scenery pics and I would love to enhance them, learn angles…and more.

Thanks for a perfect afternoon can’t wait for the next one!!!”
TK

Lovin my Ellyn!

One of our fabulous little models…isn’t he just the perfect speciman?  More models next time…we promise!

Missing a few of our rockstars who had to take off…..thanks Mom for the great pic!  You must have learned SOMETHING!

I am truly blessed with the world’s greatest friends!  The older I get, the more emotional I get about it too.  Through life’s joy, through the trials, through it all….my friends have been there to help, to lend a shoulder, to babysit, to have a drink with, to move with, to laugh with and to be used as models whenever I need them!   A few weeks ago, I mentored my new friend, Beckie Riggs, who is just fabulous and wonderful in every way!  We had an amazing day together and I cannot wait to spend more time with her in Vegas next month!  Anyways…Beckie wanted to see how I shoot families..how I pose them, talk to them, mess with them, etc….so I called up my dear friends, the Delaneys and as usual…they happily volunteered to let us “mess” around with them!  Thank you Delaneys!  You are wonderful and I love you!

Aren’t they the cutest family?

The loves of my life….oh how they bring me such joy…even with crossed eyes and crusty noses!  I love you Av and Maxo!

At least the two dangling front “snaggle toofs” weren’t showing!  Even scarier!

Last Friday….after lots and lots of rain in Southern California…I decided it was time to take some photos of my own kiddos!  So I packed up the sailboat and drove it to the snow…my dad said I was probably going to get pulled over and possibly arrested!  So what….it would make it more exciting!  OH the looks we got….the kids and I havn’t laughed that hard together in a long time….you see the sailboat didn’t quite fit in my car…..it had to hang out a bit…well like 6 feet!  I think people thought we were going to sled in it…nah…just some fun photos in the snow.  I have so many I LOVE but this is one of my absolute favorites…GIANT canvas…what do you think? (They are growing up so fast…)

Ok…who got a new camera for Christmas?  Who wants to learn the tips and tricks of taking better photos of your kiddos, grandkids, friends kids?  We have a workshop for you!  It’s going to be so much fun..you don’t want to miss it!  Here is the 4-1-1 and how to sign up!

My husband says I am too old for a bat mitzvah!  Boo!  I guess I would need to be Jewish as well.  How much fun I had at Coco’s big celebration at the Four Seasons Beverly Hills…what a party!  The Alice In Wonderland theme was incredible and every detail was just amazing!  I had a blast…thank you Ruth!   Here’s a little peek into the fabulous party that I secretly wish was MY party!  HA!

Cannot believe it’s here!  Lots and lots in store…events, workshops, travel sessions, mentoring, resolutions, new brand, new blog, new website….ahhhh ….so much to do..so little time!  Where do I begin.. how about with a lovely photo of the boys in my life whom I adore…..Greg and Max!

It was New Year’s Day….look at the sky…the beach…it was amazing!  So blessed to live in Southern California!  Blessings to everyone!  Now back to work!

Who has waited so patiently to see these precious photos up on the blog…here we go!   We had a special brunch awhile back and did a big photo shoot at my in-laws.  Being all together is always really fun (well..we did miss you Charlie and Jill) and then documenting it was even more special!  It’s a rare occasion to have all the grandkids in one photo…and this one is a classic!  Megan didn’t want any part of it…but then she rallied…isn’t she a doll?  Then Ella…she just watched all the “big kids” and kicked back.  Anywho…here is part of our family…pretty soon..you will have met everyone!