When a bride refers another bride to me I get nervous.  Did they warn them that I ramble on and on?  Will they notice that I talk too loud and get squeaky when I am excited.  And will they notice that I am shaking underneath the table?  But mostly I am anxious to get to know them. Because if a bride of mine referred them, then I know we'll click and get along perfectly.

That was the case with Laura + Eddie.  They are sweet and loving and you'll see the way they look at each other.  I also know that they're so in love with each other.  Not more, not less, but just right.  And when he took a knee at Disney World and asked her to be his forever, little did she know that they would live happily ever after.

Location:  Disneyland

Hair & Make Up:  Xelle Hair & Make up

Okay, who else is insta-crazed?  And by that, I mean Instagram.  I don't have an iPhone, since I really can't justify spending $200 on a phone, but I did get an iPad for my birthday.  So I downloaded the app and I LOVE IT!  The filters, the tilt shift blur tool, the way you can share it on instagram, facebook, and twitter, all at the same time.

All I know is that I'm hooked!

I took this before photo last week and yesterday, I decided to chop off my hair.  It's been, I don't know like 4 or 5 years since I've had short hair.  Thanks to my sister at

Xelle Hair & Make Up

, I've got a new look!  What do you think?  I like the change :).

Happy Friday!

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've been a little stressed and nervous about something personal and I've allowed it to take over my life.  In a teenager-meltdown dramatic kind of way.  Something  changed when I woke up this morning.  I was more energized, ready to carpe my diem to the max.  I even blared my Pandora station before the clock even hit 8:30am.

Went for a jog, had lunch with my best friend, and came home to find that some flowers were in bloom in the yard.  So I picked them and put them in a jar.

Instant happiness.

Tomorrow, will be even better.  

P.S.  The photo was taken with my brand spankin' new 85mm.  I love this lens!

When I make purchases, let me rephrase that.  When I make BIG purchases, I mull over the decision for weeks, sometimes longer.  When it was time to get my new computer, I weighed the options between laptop or desktop.  Screen size.  I even looked on Craig's List to see if there was anything cheaper than what Apple was selling them for.  I ended up saving money and buying it new.  Then, buyer's remorse kicks in.  Did I make the right choice?  Was it too soon?  Maybe I could have gone with out it a little longer... and well, you get the idea.  I get buyer's remorse baaaad.  Like, let me take it back and get the green cash back.  Luckily, I needed the computer and it's been a godsend these past two years.

Recently, over the last 4 months or so, I couldn't decided whether to get the 70-200 or the 85.  I normally rent the 70-200 because that lens is like $2k!  To be fair, all of the lenses are usually around that much.  But then, I read an article reviewing the more cost effective alternative of the 85mm.

The 85mm 1.8 USM.  Sure it's not an L series, which for me isn't a deal breaker.  Nor was the 1.4 because I hardly ever shoot completely wide open.  Unless it's low light or a detail shot.  Trying to get two people in focus at 1.4, good luck!  The $2k version also has image stabilizer and really, I NEVER use that.  One because it doesn't make the image look any better and at 1.8, I wouldn't even need it.  So that wasn't a deal breaker either.  After reading a couple more reviews, I learned that it was a pretty sharp lens for more than half the price.

Finally, last week, I went for it.  And I can't wait to start using it at my portrait sessions!  Just look at that bokeh!  This was shot at 1.8 and at 100% it is tack sharp.  Of course I had to test it on my favorite model :).

Both of these were shot at 1.8 and at a very high ISO because by this time it was 7 o'clock at night.  Even with the grain, they're both 100% sharp.

So if you're looking for a more cost effective lens that is guaranteed to be your power portrait lens, get this one.  I can't wait until I get to use it this weekend!

Happy Wednesday!

I got a tiny taste of what it was like last year when I was only a trade show attendant.  This year I wanted to make some of the classes.  There are so many incredible photographers who dedicate their time to teach, hold workshops, shoots, and shake hands with the not-so-incredible (yet!).  Photographers take over the MGM and it's like WPPI blog posts everywhere for like a week after.  And... I'm not going this year :(.

I'm sad because I don't get to go to those classes, shoots, workshops, etc. and absorb all the knowledge being thrown out.  I've read that these conventions are more for networking, but I'd rather just learn.  And if someone cool sat next to me then I'd be okay with that; but that would not be my focus.  Although, because this convention happens EVERY year, I'm sure that next year, I'm going to make it.  So let's put a happy face on that :).

Also, I've blocked off this weekend to unplug.  To be offline for a good three days and just enjoy myself. I have been on overdrive since before the year started and I think it's time to cool my engines and just read a book, enjoy a movie, and eat good food.  It is also a good time to reflect on my business.  Usually, it's best to do this at the end of the year before starting a new.  Unfortunately, I didn't have a chance to do that.

So if you email me, send me fb message, or tag me on twitter... You will get a response on Monday.

Have a great weekend!

Recently, my cousin gave me a small crate full of film cameras.  I acquired three new sx-70 cameras, a few land cameras, one Canon automatic 35mm camera, and a few more that I have no idea what brand they are.  Some look like they're from before 1960 and some a a little newer.

What I love most about shooting with these cameras is seeing how different each one develops.  And film is just so beautiful.  Sometimes I contemplate ditching the digital and using these cameras instead.  But being that photography is now my job, I think keeping film my hobby :).

This is an Ansco 35 with a fixed "color corrected" lens.  Photo taken on my phone.

And here are some of the photos it produced.  I have to remember it's a rangefinder camera which means that I have to compensate for the offset of the viewfinder and lens.  Which is why some of the photos have funky composition.  But I gotta say, I love this little camera!  The film that came out looks amazing!

My mother getting ready to garden.  See how it cut off half her face.  That's the rangefinder issue.

I took a trip to Disneyland and thought it'd be a great place to test out the camera.

My favorite photo of the day!  A little jazz band was parading through New Orleans Square and look who happened to be there with them!

Happy Wednesday!

What a beautiful day for Valentine's Day!  Even though, I have never had one of those really cheesy romantic dinners with roses and chocolates in a heart shaped box with someone special, it doesn't take away from the fact that Valentine's Day is here to really appreciate those whom you love.  Family, friends, and those close to you.

And what is better to post than a couple that got engaged at Disney World!  We shot their engagement photos at Disneyland and what is more romantic than that :).

I hope all of you have an amazing wonderful day, whether you're single, taken, married, or whatever.

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 :).