Lately, I've been posting a lot about my sister and my family in general. I am close to my sister, extremely close. We share because we want to. It's very much like that quote you see on picture frames in the frame aisle at Target:

"sister's by chance, friends by choice"

We share our dreams, no matter how big or outlandish or strange, we never prejudge each other. We're honest and up front with each other. In each other's faces. And we like it that way.

So when she told me that she wanted to push her make up & hair styling business forward, I offered to work on her business card designs. She wanted something that was very her. Something that she would be proud to hand out and feel like it was an extension of her self.

After four or five very different designs, we finally reached one that is truly her and she received a box of 1000 cards last week.

Here are the cards with the final design. Sister, you rock! I hope that people call you like crazy and I know you're just going to be super!!!

Oh! Don't forget to visit her blog, In Your Face Beauty. She does make up & hair for weddings and other events.

Now that I have show cased my ever so talented mother, I have the pleasure of showcasing my equally talented sister.

She is a make up artist and hair stylist. She does many a weddings every year and is just a pleasure to have on your wedding day. Not only because she does a fabulous job but because she is just so darn funny! She is funny, wise, kind, and will make you look and feel your very best on your very big day.

I don't say this because she is my sister, I say this because she really and truly is a great pleasure to be around. So if you are in need of a great person to be there on your wedding day, why not have it be your make up artist?

Anyway, we were able to have sister time last Saturday that somehow got transformed into a make up & hair session. We had so much fun and the look was just fabulous!

Here are the pictures I snagged from her blog ;)

As many of you might know already, my family is pretty talented. We are a mixture of creatives just waiting to make a debut.

My sister is an awesome, awesome, make up artist and hair dresser. My aunt is a fabulous cake and pastry chef. My dad is a great contractor and designer. I am a photographer. And then there is one person that just surpasses the definition of creative, and she would be my mother.

No matter where we go or what we're doing, her mind keeps spinning its creative wheels. Her house is decorated, painted, and arranged just how she envisioned it. So when she decided to get into floral design, we all knew she would just shine.

My mother, Sara, is the sweetest person you can meet. She is a sensational floral designer and last weekend I was able to shoot two bouquets she made for her portfolio.

If you'd like to contact my mother, shoot her an email at srhrys@yahoo.com


Here is a more traditional bouquet that was absolutely beautiful:

With a little bling for the bride:


A more colorful and fun bouquet:



Mom you are soooo talented and I'm glad that I was able to shoot these two beautiful designs for you!!!

There are friends that come and are in our lives for a certain time, when we need friends the most. The same friends that help you through the hardest of times and cheer you on through the best. They are the ones that share a tear and give their shoulder for you to lean on. The kind that take time out of their day to say a quick hello. The kind that you can tell anything to and they will never think any different.

And then one day, we wake up and realize that that friend, the same one who has been there the past five years, is the kind of friend you keep for life.

Lizet is that friend. She and I have been through a lot in the last five years. From being classmates to becoming roommates to having sushi luncheons to catch up on our lives. She is my friend for life.

She is also the friend that I could never get in front of my camera. Last Thursday, after we had our usual delicious sushi at our favorite spot, Ami Sushi, in Santa Ana, I was finally able to get her in front of the camera.

Lizet, thank you for being such a great friend and confidant. You are my friend for life and I love you girl! Can't wait until our next Ami Sushi lunch!

Now...On with the photos!!!










My favorite of the whole session




And here we are at the restaurant:

I just wanted to put up a short reminder that Beach Sessions are available now!!!

These are perfect for big families, small families, maternity, engagement, and anyone else who wants killer photos at a beautiful beach.

Here are some of my previous beach sessions :)

Here is Jackie. A 12 year old with the biggest heart you'll ever come to love. Her smile is so shy and sweet. Innocence in it's purist form. She is mom's helper, friend, and loving daughter.

But don't be fooled, she's got a sassy side to her that is all her own, and she can work the camera!

She was so insightful and easy to direct. She also came up with a few good ideas while we were shooting that just kept me saying, "oooo, I like that, stay just like that!"

Mama better watch out for this future knock out!

Here are a lot of my favorites from our mini session out at Coronado and right outside their home.






America's Next Top Model or what?!?!




And I leave you with that last image, even though there are many, many, many more beautiful shots of her.

**Quick note: Thanks Dina for allowing me to follow you all day long and share just a great day with you and the kiddos. I love you guys!

Last Tuesday as I ate left over pasta salad at my dad's house, I heard a knock on the back door. I was killing time eating a late lunch as I waited for my cousin Delfina to come and pick me up.

Our destination: Sunny San Diego.

Delfina lives in "SD", as we call it, with her two children, Jackie, 12, and Salvador, 1.

July 2 was lil' Sal's big FIRST birthday and I was to document the whole day for my cousin and this little handsome guy. If he looks a little bit familiar, it's probably because I photographed this beautiful family back in December for the holidays.

This is the part of my job that I enjoy-watching families grow and being able to document their ever changing stages of life. This is what brings so much joy to my heart, even more so because they are my family.

So here are my faves from the session, be forewarned, there are quite a lot of photos.

This first one is from the night before while lil' Sal was taking a bath and I just had to put up.


The next day we took our time getting ready and soaking in the lazy morning. After lunch we headed down to Coronado, probably the most beautiful beaches I've been to so far.

It's always fun to see the expression on a baby's face when they experience for the first time the texture of sand. This little guy didn't like it at all, ha ha ha.






And here is the trio at Coronado.

Stay tuned because I did a little mini session with Delfina's daughter, Jackie, who is just a natural in front of the camera :O).

A couple weekends ago I was able to go to my friend Judy's son's baptism. Whew, try saying that five times fast, lol.

Judy and I met a little after my friend Theresa and I met back in 2005. After I moved back to Riverside from Santa Ana (I had moved for school), Theresa moved to Texas and then Judy moved to Vegas. We all got separated and yet we have all remained close through letters, cards, phone calls and yes, even the occasional "just saying hello" text message. I love these girls through the thick and thin. They've been there for me and I am there for them, even if it's only to chat on the latest gossip or happenings in our lives.

So, I got to spend the day with one of my best friends and her beautiful son. So here's the little handsome 3 month old who I just couldn't get enough of!



Here's Judy with baby Bas


If someone can answer me on how a baby can have blue eyes when both parents have brown eyes gets a million brownie points!!




The father was hilarious! He was making jokes in English and Spanish along with striking a pose for the camera!



and here I am with baby Bas. I don't know what it was, but every time I held the little guy, he feel asleep!

in·de·pend·ence (ĭn'dĭ-pěn'dəns)

n.

1. The state or quality of being independent.
2. Archaic Sufficient income for comfortable self-support; a competence

I hope everyone enjoys their state and quality of being independent!!!

This past weekend I went to my best friend's son's baptism. I had a blast but here is a quick sneak peek from the day.

There is definitely more to come of this handsome cutie!!!