Seems like there is an epidemic going around!  Everyone is getting pregnant!  I have had the pleasure of photographing women filled with the miracle of life, and I love it!  It's so fascinating and I can't tell you how many women say it is such a great idea to photograph themselves while pregnant.  It's such a unique moment in their lives and each pregnancy is just as unique.

Jeanette & Michael are going to be great parents!  They couldn't stop smiling and were excited about their little girl coming any day now.  (She's not here yet but soon!)  You two have nothing to worry about, the love that you have for each other will transcend onto your baby girl and I know that she will be as beautiful as the love you have for each other!  I was honored to photograph you

two

three

:).

This infinity charm was from Jeanette and Michael's wedding!  I thought it was so cute how they wanted to incorporate it into the session!

When a friend comes to you with an idea, at first you may not want to hear it, for fear that maybe, just maybe, it wouldn't be a good idea.  Yet you listen anyway and after she has poured out her heart to you with all of her ideas and dreams, you realize that it wasn't a good idea... it was a GREAT idea!  Of course, my friend Sophia, being as meticulous as she is, she could never really have a bad idea.

She told me that she wanted to start a fashion blog and that she'd love for me to do a series of photos for her.  And, of course I did!  Can't leave a friend hangin', ya know?!

If anyone ever wrote a blog about fashion, Sophia is the perfect person for the job.  And so, Running In Stilettos was formed.  I'm posting these two here but make sure you check out her blog for more photos!

Happy Wednesday!

I love photographing the milestones of my clients.  What I love even more is photographing the milestones of my family.  From maternity sessions to family sessions to weddings.

I was lucky to photograph my cousin, Elahyna, as she begins her journey from teenager to adult.  She is also one of my Class of 2013 Senior Reps!

To my wonderful cousin:  The future may be uncertain, do not fret.  Uncertainty can sometimes be exciting and full of great surprises.  And lots of lessons to learn along the way.  The future may be frightening, do not fret.  For we are made to over come fear with tenacity and you will conquer it.  No matter what, being your older cousin, I am here for you every step of the way :).  Love you!

Okay, on to the photos!

You still have time to get your senior portraits done!  It is such an exciting time and having it documented can be such a great way to remember it.  I had my portraits taken back in 2009 when I was graduating college and it felt great to have a memory of what I felt.  Of how it marked a pivotal point in my life.  I look at those photos now and remember college, the friendships I made, the professors that influenced me, and how young and promising I looked.

Sure the cap and gown photo is classic, but senior photos are about you and what makes your time in high school or college memorable.  It's a time when you can represent yourself and all that it means to you.  

It's about standing out and being you.

So there is still time to have them done before the big day arrives!  Contact me for more information and available dates 951.732.7039!

There are rites of passage that every person takes.  These rites are what lead our lives down various paths.  Sometimes uncertain paths, other times very clear paths.  Graduating high school is a rite of passage.  A bridge leading towards college and the future.  A bridge, when crossed, opens a whole new world, leaving the young teen age behind us.  I know that when that time came for me, I was more than ready to walk over that bridge and start something new.  Something different.  Ready or not, nothing could be more intimidating and scary.  You feel out of place, awkward, and young.  After the first college course, I felt ready to take on the world.  Some how changed, grown up, and on my own.  Nothing is more exciting and motivating.

I had the pleasure of photographing Ali & Lexi for their Senior Portraits.  A time when they are transitioning into young adults.  Full of promise.

Girls:  there are more photos to come, don't trip (inside joke!).  Although you don't know it yet, I know that you two have bright futures ahead of you.  Keep your humor and humble spirits as they will guide you as you grow and mature.  I loved getting to know you and cannot wait to see all of your potential come to fruition and change the world.

I am so lucky to have met such wonderful families over the last couple of months!  I look forward to the families that I have yet to photograph.  There is something special about having photos of your family just the way they are.  Remembering each persons personalities and characteristics.  Especially of kids who change with every year that passes.

Thank you to all of you who have let me into your families, allowed me to be your daughter's bff for the day, run around with your boys, and rub your tummies.   Your items are being delivered this week so keep an eye out for the post :).

Tiffany called me.  As we spoke about the details regarding her portrait session, I could not ignore how upbeat and positive the sound of her voice was.  As if she had just returned from Disneyland.  Through out the conversation, I smiled back and threw some excitement into my voice as well.  We hung up and that was that.

Come the day of the session and she was just how I pictured her, full of spark and excitement.  We talked and walked and as we both were getting comfortable and into the the groove, she said something that resonated with me:  I'm doing a lot of new things for myself this year.

Year after year, we grow older, time passes faster, things change, and we lose the passion for doing something new.  It could be anything, from a portrait session that makes you feel like a model, to a day rock climbing making you face your fear of heights.  I want to feel that way.  Not just for this year, but every year after this one.  That excitement of trying something new, pushing yourself farther, and learning new things about yourself.  Growing, learning, and changing.  But appreciating life and the time we've got here.

Tiffany, thank you for opening up this concept to me and reminding me, that sometimes, we must experience something new.  I'm glad that I was able to photograph your first portrait session and making it into your book of New.  You are a beautiful gal inside and out :).

I've got soooo much coming up soon!  At the end of December, Living Social ran a promo for family portraits and they featured me!   I have 63 new clients to photograph and have already had 6 wonderful sessions!  I've met such great families, energetic kids, and some beautiful individuals.  I couldn't be happier and can't wait to meet more of the families that purchased the deal!

In the meantime, I leave you with some sneak peeks!  Now, onto more editing, an album to design and more sessions!  

When I switched my major in college, my parents would tell me to keep public relations as my main focus and photography as a back up.  They said it like it was going out of style.  They asked me to weigh the options.  They didn't want me to be another starving artist.  Luckily, they saw potential and supported me when I didn't listen and began my photographic journey.

Oh how I would have slapped my 20 year old self!  I should have switched my major long before 20!  Photography is a craft that I aim to grow and get better with every day that passes.  Since then I have been struggling, I've been the starving artist, and yet, I am fulfilled.  Like I will be after Thanksgiving.  

I continue to push through.  I've had doubts.  After one wedding, I came home devastated thinking that I hadn't done as much as I wanted.  That I didn't get enough.  That what I got was crappy.  And that my client would hate me.  But I have also had fulfilled days.  Days like yesterday.  Days like today.  Where everything seems to fall right back into place.  

So don't worry if you aren't where you want to be, because neither am I.  Don't worry if you're struggling, because there will always be hurdles.  And don't ever be afraid to jump and run after your dreams.  If you haven't got dreams, then what's the point in living?

Dream big.  Aim high.  and live fulfilled.  Even on bad days.

This is Sunny.  She's a beautiful model I had the pleasure of photographing.