Other News

Haha! See, I'm writing a wave of entries right now to make up for my absence. :)

Other news for those that are interested, is that my husband and I are expecting! :) This will be our first baby, and we couldn't be more thrilled and excited. We have just entered the second trimester (holy cow, the time is going quickly!) and are just starting to let everyone know. So, for anyone interested, I will be out of commission from October- February or so. :) My due date is November 5th, but I have a feeling it will take me a couple months to get used to having a baby around. :)

What I Want to Be When I Grow Up

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to assist an amazing photographer. I've admired their work for a long time, their blog is on my daily checklist of blogs to take a peek at. :) It was probably the best experience I've had thus far relating to photography. I was frankly petrified the night before, and my sister can attest to the state of my nerves the day of (I called her on the way there...). But once I met the photographer, everything was immediately okay. So easygoing, funny, and just the nicest person. The wedding itself was a gorgeous affair, and it would have been impossible to make anyone look bad with the beautiful details of the day. And the day was such fun! Even through the heat (weird heat wave this past weekend!) and the stress, it was just a BLAST. But it was really meeting this photographer that made such a big impression on me. The way that they interacted with the couple and party, how organized they were, the incredible shots they got, how humble they were, and the fun they had while doing it. You know when you're little and you follow around someone and say, "That's how(or what) I want to be when I grow up!"? I guess I'm already a little grown up (although that is sometimes in question), but I got the same feeling. I loved how into their work they were; how totally dedicated, and really just in love with their job they were. So basically the whole point of this post? I want to be like this photographer when I grow up. :)

Ray and Meg

Holy cow. I was doing so well, too! Let's just say that I took a vacation for the month of April then, shall we? But I am back, and hopefully (crossing fingers/knock on wood) will be better this month about keeping you up to date.

But let's dive right into the good stuff.

Meg and Ray. Meg emailed me about doing their engagement session, and right off the bat I was struck at how funny and genuine she was, even over email. She is one of those women who you feel like you know. Right away I was excited to meet her, and if her fiance was any sort of reflection on her, then I knew he was going to be the coolest guy. We arranged to meet at this really cute little church in the Bay Area and when I got there, I was totally excited. This adorable white church nestled in among the redwoods. But they weren't there yet. And then I noticed a fleet of cars pulling up. Lots of them. With lots of people. Who were toting ice chests and lots of food. Uh oh. When Meg and Ray arrived, we conferred through their car window, and decided to go to Seacliff Beach, and try to get a couple shots. I loved the way that they just rolled with the punches; no stress at all that they weren't getting what they had planned on. A simple, 'Let's do that!' and we were on our way. I noticed that they were driving a Subaru (that has some importance later on in this post). :)

We got to Seacliff and piled out of the car, and I met Ray. First glance, he looked a little intimidating. But then I saw his eyes. In a brief second he went from a big guy with a serious face to this awesome dude. Just as I knew he would be. :) We hadn't even reached the sand before I noticed the way the way he was around Meg. Protective. Loving. With a big dose of sly humor thrown in. Meg was this force of energy, laughter and humor. She was wearing a sunny yellow dress which just matched her personality perfectly. By the time we *had* reached the sand, I loved them both. :) I really loved the pictures that came out of this session. Both of them were so easy to get along with, and just wonderful to photograph. I can't wait to shoot their wedding in June! :)

Walking under the pier...

Playing in the waves.

They kept on kissing... do you think they like each other? :)

Just lookin' pretty.

Giving me some attitude!

One of my favorite pictures. I just love the way he's looking at her.

Sitting on the bench.

Shot against this awesome bubblegum colored wall at the Boardwalk. Ray and Meg are actually photographers themselves, and it warmed the cockles of my heart to have someone else say, "Oooh, look at that awesome wall!" :)

Didn't I tell you that both of them had an awesome sense of humor? *LOVE* the expressions!

Happy couple.

Love how serious Meg looks here.

Awesome wall.

Gotta have some sun flare!

They are in love.

Note: So I forgot to mention what them having a Subaru meant. My husband and his family own a race team that races Subaru's, and in the middle of our shoot, it same how came up that Ray loves working on cars in his spare time. I mentioned my husband likes working on cars, and lo and behold- Ray had met my brother-in-law (also a racecar driver), heard of my husband and knew some of the team's sponsorers, etc. Small world. :) I had an interesting feeling talking to Ray about cars (or trying too!), and feeling a kinship and comradery with Meg about having our significant other's car addicts. I think my sensibilities were confused. LOL.

Michelle and Jeremy

Laughter.

That was the memory that followed me after I was done shooting Michelle and Jeremy's engagement shoot. This wonderful couple drove all the way down from Sacramento to have me shoot their e-pics which in itself was such a compliment to me. Right before a shoot I always get a little nervous; what if the couple isn't at ease? What if the couple doesn't like the way I shoot? What if the couple doesn't know how to relax? The minute I saw Jeremy and Michelle I knew that I wouldn't have to worry about that.

I stood at the end of the wharf and watched them walk towards me. They were holding hands and swinging them, like children on a vacation. They were already laughing and talking with each other, but both of them gave me huge smiles as we got closer to each other. Immediately I felt at ease. The whole afternoon just unfolded. Warmth, laughter, fun.

The first picture I took. They were already laughing. :)

I love how calm they look here...


I liked the rocks that they were sitting on. :)


I think the water was a little cold...

Just makin' out. :)


It really was a beautiful day.


Thanks Michelle and Jeremy, I had such a wonderful time! :)

More to Come!

I've got two fantastic engagement sessions that I've got to put up soon. Both couples were fabulous, but I don't want to say any more because I want them to have their own special entry. So just stay tuned! :)

Busy!

"I am sooooo tired." I grumbled as I collapsed into bed next to my husband. "I need be able to take a breath every now and then."

My ever wise and annoyingly correct husband rolled over, "Take a break then." He said. "You don't have to keep on taking on so many photography assignments."

I muttered something into my pillow. He didn't respond. He was too engrossed in a magazine.

My brain started thinking... The truth is, I love it. I love the harried feeling of being ever busy. Sure, I do love to moan and groan from time to time but the thing is, if I wasn't always busy I would feel lost and at lose-ends. Between my part time job at UCSC, doing sessions almost every weekend, editing all of those sessions and taking minimal care of my husband (oops!), my life is one happy, busy flash of colors.

I love meeting the people who I am shooting. It's such a wonderful way of meeting them, and getting to know them in a way that very few people can. The good ones let you in and show themselves totally to you. And how can there be anything more rewarding than that? I've met so many people this past year who I love, and can totally see wanting to run and get lunch with if they are ever in town. Life has picked up the pace and it's just the way I like it. Between shooting my own things, and assisting with some **incredible** photographers, my dreams seem to be materializing before my eyes. Photographers who I'd only heard of are giving me advice and offering their help. Kind of like if an aspiring actress had Nicole Kidman (okay, she's the only one I could think of off the top of my head...) offer to help her out. And I think I'm a little starstruck, but whatever! My point is, I am so grateful for whatever help is offered to me. And it hasn't been just photographers who have offered help, couples who allowed me to do their sessions when I was starting out. Everyone I've met through photography has been wonderful. And I'm really raving at this point and starting to sound a little gooshy. ANYHOW! Thanks everyone for everything and keeping me happy and busy!

Oh... and my husband was reading the latest edition of Cosmo when he didn't respond to me... MEN! :)

Anita and Ralph

Sophisticated. Polished. WELL DRESSED! First words that came to my mind when I met Anita and Ralph in San Francisco. While those first impressions remained, a few more were added: warm, friendly, funny, interesting and in love. It was a cold day in San Francisco with the breeze darting through the incredible architecture of the Palace of Fine Arts. Still, that didn't deter the tourists who wandered throughout, gazing upwards and getting in our shots! :) Anita and I discussed shoes (she's got THE most awesome shoes!) and everything else- love her! I had such a wonderful time at this shoot, and I got to shoot at the Japanese Tea Garden where I have never been too before. :)

I edited out a couple people in the background.... :)

Pretty black and white....

I told you I loved her shoes!:)

Rockstar much?

Cool wall!


Enjoying the sun...


Really like the moodiness of this shot...


I also love the romance of this shot...

One of those days...

Loooong. Things were a little rough for me today; but I guess I was in need of a jolt of reality. I had someone get very mad at me today for something that I don't feel like I did. This person and I don't understand each other and never have, so I guess it's not to be unexpected. Even so- I'm a very easygoing person and it hurts me and makes me feel sick when someone doesn't like me or refuses to see where I'm coming from. Oh well, I guess it's the bumps in life that make it interesting. :)

I should have some of Anita and Ralph's engagement pictures up by tomorrow evening. But that's all I'm going to say about them right now because they definitely deserve a post all of their own! :)

But here are a couple pictures I took of my sister (I'm adopted for anyone that didn't know. LOL) and her nine-month-old baby today.

Babies move FAST. My shutter wasn't fast enough. LOL

My beeeautiful sister Emily.

Molly and Matt

February.

The weather should have been cold and damp, people bundled up in coats or sweaters. Instead, it was warm. Balmy, breezy, 85 degrees warm. The sidewalks were packed with people. Eating, shopping, chatting. The air was abuzz with high spirits. It couldn't have been any other way. She is a red-head with a heart shaped face. She has the undefinable air of a movie star actress. Easygoing, hilarious, sweet. He is a tall guy with brown hair. The way he stood next to her, held her elbow as they walked across the street, and smiled down at her during their shoot melted my heart. He had an sense of humor; his wit was like the weather, unexpected but completely appreciated by everyone. I've shot a lot of couples at this point, but this one was just special. He 'leaned' towards her. She held his hand closely. Stuck out her tongue. Giggled. He tried to keep from cracking up. Everything about these two was easygoing; their humor, their style, their personalities. It couldn't have been a better day in the middle of February.

How much does Matt look like a model from a cologne ad? :) Or just plain HOT!

Kissing in front of the pretty door

Kisses and Feet :)

There's just a palpable feeling of passion in this shot. The way he's holding her...
(photo courtesy of Emily Anderson)


Did I not tell you that Molly looks like a movie star?


Just a sweet moment.

Possibly my favorite shot of the day.


Take a closer look at the sign...

Sitting at a booth in the Catalyst. I just love the warmth of this shot.


How romantic is this? I love the slightly metallic wall behind them.


I love how her face is illuminated.


Love the wine glasses in the background


And looky!! There's me! :)


Many thanks to my sister Emily Anderson (who is an insane portrait photographer!)
for coming out and lending me a hand. :)

Two Posts and No Pictures!

So here are a few random pictures; just to break up the monotony of black and white text. :)

Motorsports
(what I do when I am not at a wedding)
*that's my husband to the far left*

Pretty car picture!

Last summer at my grandparent's farm
(the little girls ignored the huge pool to the unseen left of the shot)

My adorable baby niece.
( she was diagnosed with bilateral cataracts, hence the glasses.)

The boot that has been in my grandparent's barn for as long as I can remember.

And those are my random, miscellaneous pictures for today! Hopefully tomorrow I will have a couple good teasers up from the engagement session. :)