A Perpetual Source

“The family is both the fundamental unit of society as well as the root of culture. It … is a perpetual source of encouragement, advocacy, assurance, and emotional refueling that empowers a child to venture with confidence into the greater world
and to become all that he can be.”
~Marianne E. Neifert

It was such a joy to spend some time at Hartley Botanica with this beautiful family a couple of weeks ago… a family that embodies the above quotation completely. You ccould also add laughter, fun, and a slew of other positive adjectives. I’m so lucky to have you all in my life. :)

It’s been quite some time since I’ve had the little man in front of my camera and my has he grown! And their young lady has become even more lovely! Hope to see you all again soon!

(Almost) A Family of Three

Remember this really beautiful engaged couple?

The ones that got married last year?

They’re now (almost) a family of three! And I couldn’t be more excited for them! I feel so blessed to be a part of their lives… not just in the opportunity to document such a rich and wonderful love from the beginning, but more so in the opportunity to have such amazing, hilarious, fantastic people in my life.

They’re going to be such amazing parents and the little dude on the way is going to be extremely talented and gorgeous with the traits he’ll be inheriting from Mom and Dad. Here’s a peek at our recent maternity session. I can’t wait to see you both again… and meet your son!

Black Out

My senior year of college, I wrote my thesis on the influence of DIY media, specifically online photo-sharing, on society’s collective memory. Here’s an excerpt:

“The internet offers a space of anonymity where opinions remain uncensored and available for many to encounter. With so many people coming into contact with news in non-traditional forms, it is imperative to examine how these spaces are creating a new, and perhaps separate, collective memory regarding an event. In this paper, I examined how photographs influence the collective memory of an event. More specifically, what role is the public taking in shaping the memory of an event through online photo-sharing and other “Do It Yourself” media forms? Professional publications no longer supply the only depiction of the way an event unfolded. They are no longer the central voice for how the public perceived that happening. The public plays a crucial role in shaping the memory of events through their regular interactions online. Furthermore, the photographs they post continually mold the current memory of an event and influence the way that event will be remembered in the future.”

SOPA and PIPA will stop our ability as a culture to take part in how we influence collective memory. Write your elected officials. Stop SOPA. I’m joining the rest of the internet and will be blacked out on January 18th.

Click the image to learn more about SOPA and PIPA. Click the image to join the movement. Click the image for resources. Be informed now… or censorship could prevent you from being informed in the future.

It’s a Wonderful Life

In October, I had the honor of photographing this beautiful family. I was so blessed to meet them and spend time with them as they laughed, shared, played, and enjoyed each other’s company. Their love was apparent and their time was precious.

I was deeply saddened when I heard the news; my thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time. Rest in peace Dr. Bob. I light a candle in honor of your wonderful life… and in honor of your new angel wings.

Please keep their family in your thoughts and prayers. I’ve created a group if you would like to light a candle in support and prayer as well.

Remember…

For each and every bell that rings
Another angel gets his wings
So show you care and share your light
And help an angel fly tonight

(Another angel) Everybody sing
(Another angel) It’s a wonderful life
For each and every bell that rings
Another angel gets his wings
~Trisha Yearwood, “Another Angel Gets Its Wings”

Wine By Christmas Light

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Ev’rywhere you go;
Take a look in the five-and-ten,
Glistening once again
With candy canes and silver lanes aglow.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas;
Soon the bells will start,
And the thing that will make them ring
Is the carol that you sing
Right within your heart.

An Angel Wrapped in Pink

“I remember I thought you looked
Like an angel wrapped in pink
So soft and warm.
You’ve had me wrapped
Around your finger
Since the day you were born.”
~Tim McGraw, “My Little Girl”

Sweet O is six weeks old and her mother looks over her with complete awe as she nurses. She holds her close and kisses her head. Later, when O starts to fuss, her momma changes her and says, “That’s better, isn’t it? Oh yes, much better. Yeah, there’s a smile.” And when she gives O a bath, she asks her, “Does this remind you of when you came out of Momma into the water? Is that what this is like? They made it warm so it’d be like before you were born.”

It was such a joy to spend the afternoon with O and her momma… to see hope through the little dresses and the hat that Hannah made for her daughter while she anticipated her arrival, to see the joy when she set up the play mat and introduced her daughter to her new rain forest friends, and to see the love as she sang Christmas carols to captivate her daughter’s attention.

Hannah, you are such a natural and amazing mother. Thank you so much. It was so wonderful to see you and meet your beautiful little girl. She is so lucky. I can’t wait to watch her grow.

“And when she wraps her hand around my finger,
How it puts a smile in my heart,
Everything becomes a little clearer,
I realize what life is all about,
It’s hanging on when your heart is had enough,
It’s giving more when you feel like giving up,
I’ve seen the light,
It’s in my daughter’s eyes”
~Martina McBride, “In My Daughter’s Eyes”

Awfully Big Adventure

Last Sunday, I met this beautiful family at the entrance to Balboa Park Trails and we nearly had to call it a day before we even got started. The drizzle began, the clouds in the sky threatened, and the forecast said RAIN. Yikes!

But it wasn’t raining just yet and I am so thankful that the H family was willing to adventure down the trail with their two small boys. I had so much fun wandering the trail with you all. Watching the boys swing, pick flowers, find rocks, and race across bridges. They are a joy… and the two of your are wonderful parents. And S? I still maintain you are a total rock star adventuring through the trail, over rocky creek beds, and up marshy hills in those heels. Seriously… especially when all of your boys were equipped with sensible shoes. :) But, with two curious and energetic boys, I’m sure you have many, many more adventures to come.

“boy (boi) n.- a male child, lad, youth, not yet a man, often a magnet to dirt, toys, and adventure.”

Christmas Time is Here Again!

Christmas time is here again! And you may be thinking, “But Auntie Mame, it’s one week from Thanksgiving Day now!” But, and maybe it’s just me, I “need a little Christmas, right this very minute.” Yes, I “need a little Christmas now.”

Plus, who can resist beautiful children in adorable clothes? Not me!

I’ve said it a million times before, but I adore these girls. I had such a wonderful time with these little ladies at the gorgeous Old Poway Park. It was a fabulous location and I can’t wait to go back again… maybe next time when the little lady doesn’t want to eat every rock and leaf in sight.  I’m so glad the weather decided to cooperate for us on Sunday.

Liz, I hope you love the pictures and they continue to bring you joy and memories for many more Christmases to come.

Tis the Season!

The holiday season is here and photo sessions are increasing in leaps and bounds. Here’s a sneak peek from Sunday’s session – expect the full post later this evening or tomorrow.

And let’s discuss the cuteness of the boots, can we please?

“All you girls stand up
Put your hands up
Come on lets rock
Gonna go all night
Gonna watch the dust fly
Show em what we got
Come on lets take a ride on top of the world
All you soul shaking heartbreakin little cowgirls”
“Cowgirls” by Kristy Lee Cook

Family Ties

“Family faces are magic mirrors.  Looking at people who belong to us, we see the past, present, and future.” ~Gail Lumet Buckley

I’ve always been fascinated by family history – the human stories of how we came to be. Maybe that’s part of why I majored in history. Rarely do I have the opportunity though, to photograph an extended family that isn’t my own, and share in their history. Thank you for letting me catch a glimpse of your history and hear of Christmases growing up and learn about friendships that span the continent. It was a pleasure to spend the afternoon with all of you.

Indeed, these are the ties that bind.