Today is the last day of the month...boo! Seeing as it is my birthday month I feel somewhat sad that it has passed.  Oh well, I suppose I'll have to wait until next year again.

And of course, September had to make a dramatic exit with rolling clouds, lightening, thunder, and some rain.  Oh, i just love the smell of rain.  That wet dirt smell! I leave my window open when it rains so that I can smell that smell.  You know the smell.

And of course, photos :)  Happy Thursday!

**Also don't forget!  Only 2 more days left to comment on the contest post.  I'll be announcing the winner on  October 3rd.

Goodbye summer.  I have enjoyed your wonderful sun, warm breezes, cool nights, good movies, and of course my birthday.  I wish I could revel in your warmth all year long; you are bar far my favorite.

And as the seasons change, I've been doing a lot of thinking.  I know that I rarely post personal things on here but I feel as if I have to document it.  You know, one for the history books.  I've been thinking a lot about me and where I want my life to head.  Also, about my photography and where I want my business to lead me.

So what I guess I'm trying to say is that I want to document life.  Which I suppose you could say I am already doing through my photography, but what I mean by life is that I want to document my life.  Everything that surrounds me.  Things that happen in my life, even the mediocre day to day things. 

And my business?  I think this new path I'm on will be able to give me a new out look on how I document other peoples' lives.  At their weddings, their babies, and their families.  I want to capture their true life, not just big smiles and hugs.  

So hopefully this new journey takes me to places that are over the rainbow and inspire me to document life in a whole new way.  My life.  Your life.  All life. 

And life definitely wouldn't be complete with out this little guy.  Gordo.  

Because it was my birthday week this week, I have decided to do a little contest.  The prize?  A free portrait session!  Yes you read right, you get a free portrait session!

I thought that rather than only rewarding myself for my birthday, I'd do a little something for my clients, future clients, and just anyone who reads my blog!

Here's what it includes:

• A free portrait session with me!
• A private online gallery of your images where you can view them how ever many times you want!  
• 10% off any order you place following the session
• Fun, laughter and more fun!

All you gotta do is comment down below and on October 2nd, I will pick a random number and who ever is that commenter wins!  Also, just as a side note, this is only for local sessions here in Southern California.

Easy peasy :) 

And because a post is no fun with out a photo....here is one from last Saturday :).  Have a great weekend!

When I was little my mom used to take my sister and I shopping.  I was probably no more than 9 with hair up to my ears and bangs.  I had teeth that were big for my face and eyes that eventually I grew in to.  I was lanky and small.  And super shy.  We walked from round rack to round rack at all of our favorite department stores and as always I'd wander off.

I would look at all the grown up women in the store.  So sophisticated and free of parents, school, and maybe had some kick ass job in a big office with a window view of the whole city.  Okay, so what can I say? I was a bit of a day dreamer.  Alright, a big day dreamer.

I dreamed of traveling, of seeing the world, of what I would look like when I was older.  I would wonder what I would be like at 25 and how my life  would be.  I imagined a house with chic decor and a dog.

Obviously, at 9 a girl doesn't know the world.  How it works and how quickly a simple event can vastly change the direction of  your life.  Although my life is different, I think my 9 year old self would be proud. I have traveled some, I grew into my features and got rid of the short haircut, I have a dog and I live in a beautiful house with people I love.  I'm 25 and my life is better than what I dreamed it would be.

And a meal at Lucille's Smokehouse isn't too shabby either :).

Sorry for not posting this earlier but I was having issues with blogger and well I gave up on it after trying for the whole weekend.

Here's a sneak peek of some my favorite people in the world.  More to come!  Also keep a watchful eye out, I feel change a comin'.

Have a great week!

A couple of weeks ago I moved my office furniture around.  Because of how the ceiling is in my office, which I can't even explain because it's kinda vaulted and kinda not, there isn't much wall space available.  So I moved my desk in front of one big wall space.  Much better, riiiight?

Wrong.

Well, actually, kinda wrong.  I had an empty space between my dry erase calendar/bulletin board and the window.  I knew exactly what I wanted. In my head.  I wanted something small but with shelves.  But not too small so I could actually fit stuff in it.  I wanted it to be antique looking or maybe country chic.  I knew that when I saw it, I would just know. 

And oh thank you baby Jesus for Goodwill.  I walked in went straight to the furniture section, and there it was, just so perfect.  It was as if I was running in slow motion in a wheat field toward it and we'd live happily ever after!  Seriously, that's what I felt when I saw it.  So anyway I looked at the price tag and I quickly ran over to the first Goodwill associate I could find and told her, " I want to buy this shelf thing but I don't want anyone else to buy it." Of course I said it with a smile, so I didn't look so crazy.  I'm sure I looked crazy.  You see, at Goodwill, you gotta get their first or someone will get their hands on what ever it is you want.  And I didn't want anyone to put their hands on my shelf.  

 And at $19.99 it was just so perfect.  

Now, anyone that knows me knows that I absolutely love Goodwill.  Seriously, it's cheap and it's a good cause.  Helping others while helping yourself, to their merchandise, of course.  It's like good karma.  

Happy weekend :)

I tend to get what is known as "cabin fever" about a couple of times during the year.  It's during those times that I need to get away, take a break, smell the roses and fresh air.  To regroup myself and take in the beauty found in this world.  Usually the beach is my sanctuary.  But this weekend, I was able to get away to Big Bear.  Took a stroll through the local zoo, toured the lake, and relaxed.

Sometimes you just need some good ol' rest and relaxation.  And Big Bear is another one of like 7,356 reasons why I love living in California.  Hope you guys had a great weekend too!

And a couple of photos :)

A little blurry but eh, that's what you get from a point and shoot :)

For me, being a second shooter is fantastic.  I get to help the main photographer and practice with out the pressure of being first.

I recently got to work with Emily Swanson who is a wonderfully sweet person and I had a great time being her second.  The wedding was literally a stairway up from the beach at a beautifully custom built beach home in Long Beach.  

Teri & Robert found each other late in life and definitely at the right time.  Robert is madly in love with Teri and Teri is madly in love with Robert. They had an intimate wedding with close family and friends.  Thank you for allowing me to be there and share this day with you.

Here are few details of the ceremony:

and the reception:

And the beautiful couple:

Happy Wednesday!

Every now and again I like to do shoots that are just fun, free of pressure, and experimental.  Throw in some funky cool clothes and an alley way and we got ourselves a cool little fashion-esque shoot!

Jessica is one of the models that contact me through my casting call on Model Mayhem.  I emailed her some inspirational photos for the shoot I had in mind and she was kind enough to bring her sister, who ended up being my assistant :).  The shoot had good energy, good light, and a pretty model who was up for anything! A photographer's dream is what Jessica is! 

So with out further adieu here are the awesome shots we got! 

Happy Monday!

A little teaser from today's shoot because I simply couldn't resist posting this one up after I retouched it! Definitely a full post to come soon and waaaaay more photos :)