Happy Family

Baby Chloe loves her mom and dad. She lights up whenever her parents pick her up. She is so adorable!!! It was so much fun watching as she experienced seeing water for the 1st time. What a happy family!

It's Almost Time!

I am so excited! I have been waiting for Escalate 2010 for 2 months now! So many talented photographers in one place, at one time! Speaking about the one thing I want to hear about the most- how to be successful in the business. I hope to not only walk away a better business woman, but a better photographer for it.
I am driving for 7+ hours on Sunday. From About 5:30am to 2:30 or so I will be venturing from Rocklin CA (20 North of Sacramento CA.) to Newport Beach, CA
When I arrive I will be meeting with 2 fellow photogs and rooming with them. I am very excited about meeting people with the same passion as me!
We are all taking a really fun workshop hosted by LA's Shoot This (you can find them on Facebook. that afternoon at Balboa Island here is some info about the Shoot from their site : "This shoot group has been created to get photographers together with all types of abilities, to learn and share knowledge, have "hands on" shooting experience at different locations with models, hair and makeup artist, designers, florists and beyond to have the opportunity to get out make friends, network and have fun!"
I think this is going to be a really great addition to my portfolio.
The conference is on Monday and Tuesday-ALL DAY. Which is great!. The more speakers the better. We are hearing from people like Jasmine Star, David Jay...actually here is a list of what I will be doing:
PROGRAM GUIDE for Escalate Live 2010


May 17th – DAY ONE
•7:30am Conference Check In and Morning Mingle
•8:30am Conference Begins. Opening Remarks – Dane Sanders
•9:00am Collaboration is the Key: How Collaboration Can Transform Your Photography Business
Dane Sanders - Photographer and Author of "Fast Track Photographer", published by Random House
•10:30am The ABC’s of a Successful Photography Business: Attitude, Branding, Connecting
[b]ecker - Photographer and Founder of [B] School Network for Photographers
•12pm LUNCH
•1pm You to the Power of Them: Powerhouse Tactics to Harness Social Media
Jasmine Star - American Photo's Top 10 Wedding Photographers in the World
•2:30pm Mastering Photoshop CS5
Julieanne Kost - Photographer and Adobe Senior Digital Imaging Evangelist
•3:50pm Closing Remarks
•4-5:30pm Afternoon Mingle
May 18th – DAY TWO

•7:30am Conference Check In and Morning Mingle
•8:30am Conference Begins. Opening Remarks – Dane Sanders
•9:00am Ordinary is no Longer an Excuse: Transforming Any Shooting Environment into Extraordinary
Jerry Ghionis - American Photo's Top 10 Wedding Photographers in the World
•10:30am Intent, Images and Illumination: A Creative Walk-though of a Shoot
Jessica Claire - American Photo's Top 10 Wedding Photographers in the World
•12pm Lunch
•1pm Escalate Special Topic
David Jay - Photographer and Creator of Showit
•2:30pm Vision is Everything
Jeremy Cowart - Humanitarian and Portrait Photographer
•3:50pm Closing Remarks
•4-5:30pm Afternoon Mingle
The conference is being held at the Lido Theatre, which is beyond cool. I think the historic atmosphere mixed with the beauty of Newport is going to add a great feel to my trip.
I still have so much to do. Packing, research about where I am going...but I can't wait until its time to go...its almost time!!!

Together in the city

The other day I met with Mike, Jas Cody and Carter to take some family photos. There is something about S.F that makes my heart race. I had a great time photographing there! The weather was beautiful and love was in the air. Thanks for a great afternoon in the city, youguys are great!!!

War of the Roses

I can't decide. I really can't. The other day I went location scouting to check out future places to do photo shoots. Kids in tow, I wanted to make the day fun. Among the places we ended up was a beautiful rose garden in downtown. My son calls it the place with the beautiful flowers. I love that he appreciates the beauty of nature. I had fun taking some shots of the gorgeous roses. I really can't decided, now what color rose is my favorite. I never really cared for roses before. But now, after taking such up close shots (guess who got a new 60mm lens) and seeing the detail in their leaves, and the sweet smell they have...I think roses just might be my favorite flower now...but really I can't decide.
We had such a great day, the kids and I. I love that I have the freedom to take them with me for so much of what I am doing. We ended our day at the library and the ice cream parlor. I was given an opportunity the other day to travel with a company around the world photographing their equipment for them. I jumped at the thought, what a huge compliment. Besides that fact, to be given the opportunity to travel, all expenses paid, plus a salary to do what I love? Sounded wonderful. It still does. I really have a war going on in my head. I can't figure out what to do. One of the reasons I love being in the profession that I have chosen is the flexibility it gives me to be a stay at home mom. Traveling out of the country for weeks on end would be rather counter-productive, in my eyes. But, then I think, could this be my chance? MY BIG break, to help my husband support our family?
At the end of the day- I am a photographer capturing memories for people. Taking this job might derail my dreams of becoming the photographer I want to be for me...So...to stay true to my family and myself, I choose us, and within that my family will give me the strength to continue to be who I am destined to become!!!

Dancing Stars

Marisha and her family are so wonderful. Little Miss Ainsley is so cute running around dancing and chattering to herself, smelling the roses and picking flowers for her mom. She is going to be a great big sister. Congrats on the news of baby number two and thank you Marisha for the opportunity to photograph your little dancing star and your little miracle to be.

Family Fun

Last weekend I had the pleasure of accompanying Marcia and her family to the Sacramento Zoo to take some photos. Marcia, Cody and Billy are such a great family. From the way they make each other laugh, to the way they love their son they know what family is all about! I had a great time with the 3 of you and your wonderful family!

Baby on Board!

Tyler and Rianna are expecting their first bundle of joy any day now! Baby Raylynn is still cozied up in her Mommy's belly but I know they can't wait for her to make her grand entrance into this world! Congratulations on becoming parents you two!!! Enjoy the ride:)

Busy busy busy:)

Life is good. Work is good! I am in the process of transfering computers so bare with me. I am so busy lately that I haven't found much time to update my blog. Sorry! I guess its a good and a bad thing! I am soo happy with where everything is with the business right now. I don't think I could ask for a better start to such an amazing adventure in my life! Here is a sneak peak of this weeks maternity shoot! More coming soon:)

Stephan and Michelle

These are 2 of the most in love people you will ever meet. They truly understand the value of love, friendship and loyalty. They are eachother's soulmate.

Hip Hop Cody

Cody is so fun to be around! He is involoved in everything from baseball to hip hop dance. These are some photos I took of him reading to his brother and wearing his hip hop gear. I can't wait to see him perform the dance he has been working on for months.