classic beauty and substance {high school senior portraits}

So how lucky am I that I get to photograph this gal?  I’ve gotten the honor of photographing some of 2010’s graduates.  I’m so relieved, I’m thrilled to know that these great individuals are paving the path into my future. Bright, clever, fun, interesting, unique so very unique….  So Elaine here, besides having the coolest friend Tina- (wait till you see her photography, it’s amazing…)  has what I would call, classic beauty.  Well, true to form- when I start thinking about something, more and more of it inevitably starts following me… in this case, Elaine was sitting at a cafe table downstair on the morning of her shoot.  I didn’t know her then, I only noticed this lovely woman in a lovely hat.  I thought to myself, I really must find a hat like that- (another trip to Haight Street, on a mission…)   Anyway… I was thrilled to find out that, sure enough that was MY senior to photograph that morning!  So, fast forward to today,  while meeting with another client, she told me about her aunt in NYC, Sheila Metzner, a major fashion and still life photographer.  She mentioned the name to me. Later I go to her site, and fall in love…  so in love with her work.   So rarely do things just grab me like that, but I really was inspired.    Her gallery on classic fashion was my favorite.  The image with the gorgeous woman and the statue, stunning… I guess she shot for Vouge Magazine.  

Such beauty abounds.

Shiela Metzner

Erica Rae's Unique Boutique { fashion photography }

So I photographed my friend Erica’s fashion show. Erica Rae’s Unique Boutique  

One of the more talented women I know, Erica, has the coolest clothes in her shop- ever.  She’s located on Boulevard Way in Walnut Creek.  (Which BTW, I just signed for the space upstairs from her-   MY NEW STUDIO…woo hoo.)  It’s in the Morucchi’s Building- so amazing food is literally right around the corner. Morucci’s Si Mangia Bene  

The mother/daughter fashion show was held Thursday, April 23rd at one of Walnut Creek’s new business in the Mercer Building, Skin Spirit.  

.  In conjunction with the ever so cool hair salon, Clark Russell Salon and the Las Lomas Fashion Club  

-I’ll be posting more about my studio later.  

Here’s a bit from the fashion show…

new beginnings.... {family photography}

I had the honor of being with Julie and Kyle when the newest member of their beautiful family arrived from Korea, her name is Blake.   There are few things that I can say I will never forget - this was one of them.  The love for a new life is amazing love… the connection of hearts destined to share their lives together,  simply beautiful. Thank you so much for allowing me to be the one to be with you and capture these moments on such an important day. I’m sure big brother Brady will have so much fun with his baby sister.  You guys were great, your family will always be in my heart. For more information on Holt’s wonderful program or to make a donation for Mother’s Day! check out: Holt Children’s Services Website  

 

 

moving energy... { bay area event photography }

so we (my kids, my husband and myself) study martial arts.   We all do Kung fu and I also do tai chi and qi gong. Tai Chi Mantis Institute in Walnut Creek, CA It’s really cool to study something that you learn in layers.  When you begin in kungfu it’s really about learning the sets, conditioning, increasing your stamina, stregnth, agility.  You work from the outside - in.  But when you study tai chi or qi gong, it opens doors from the inside - out.  You actually learn how to move your energy from an energy center (core area) outward,  without use of the “normal” stregnth you might think.  I love this idea because it seems like it works with everything in my life… once I’ve thought I’m strong in an outward way and I think I can handle obvious things, I find that it’s really my inner stregnth that needs to be harnessed to get the job done….. maybe this is tooooo ummm…. spacey… let me try it this way…

Lets say I think I can demand my kids do something I want them to do.  Old school parenting taught me that I could expect that they listen to me and respect my wishes.  …. and I could get the job done by demanding things-   IF   - I’m willing to follow through with something that is harder for them to deal with than my request.   (outside - in)

I’m finding that I can move mountians if I work oppisite to this…. if i settle into myself (stillness) and listen to my dog Maya… she talks to me all the time…. sorry, i regress….

…If I settle into myself,   I remember the beautiful nature that my kids came with, I remember that they WANT to do what is good and right and that they were born with a beautiful mind, body and spirit more than capable of accomplishing this for themselves.  If I focus on that-  more than focusing on the struggle-   my frame of mind changes… then, i can talk to them, explain myself intelligently, give them the background that they need to make the right choice for themself.  When I let go of all expectations and respect their own abilities, i find things happen….      slowly… (kidding)

seriously, they happen, beautifully.  

I’ve been studying kungfu for years and it’s only recently that i’ve discovered this “place” inside.  This place that can move a 6 ft. tall man, it can throw someone off balance, it can incapacitate my attacker, so i can get away.  This place that requires stillness to access. It requires being in the moment, it requires attention, deep awareness and attention.  It’s a real thing that can’t be touched or forced.  I love energy, it moves in mysterious ways and when used from the inside - out can even illuminate difficult and dark places.

to be so new... { walnut creek children's photographer }

babies are so yummy.  i haven’t posted in awhile, but will be catching up thanks to my buddy Shelly Waldman.  www.waldmanphotography.com  She’s inspirational - check out her cool blogs too. 

i will blog, i want to blog.  so, it’s up to me to make it happen and here goes…

so i photographed the cutest baby today.  this is Noah.  nothing can start your day off better.  their new, yummy energy permiates every part of you.  i loved having babies, smelling them for sure.  ahhhh.  so this baby was too easy.  at first he wasn’t sure what that clicky thing was but we moved him, mom  (Ashley the great hair dresser) fed him, burped him and then… he fell asleep, let us take off his clothes and take nakey pictures of his cute butt, never once waking up, complaining, spitting up and most convieniently, never peeing on the couch.  Amazing!

After this great photo shoot, i got my hair cut and if i do say so myself…. i now have a cool haircut.