Packing for vacation has never been my favorite thing to do, but now with two kids the focus I needed to remember everything was tremendous. The end result is always worth the time and energy preparing for a trip, but I’m usually exhausted before we leave. We traveled by car, taking 2 days each way, a total of 1,600 miles. We brought fun new games and toys for Eva to open throughout the journey, stopping regularly for breaks and stretches. Jeff and I love taking road trips because we always have the best time listening to music, and talking for hours.

We stayed at the Loft at Duley Creek, we found on the VRBO (Vacation Rentals by Owner) website. The owners made us feel right at home for our week stay. We had a pot belly stove, two rooms, a full kitchen, our own laundry facilities and more.  It was great traveling like this with little kids. We ate most of our meals in, and Jeff and I enjoyed our evenings together after the kids were down. The owner is an angler (fisherman), fishing freshwater salmon, mostly on the Rogue River. He brought us his fresh catch two nights that week, and we enjoyed the most amazing salmon one night and brought the rest home to enjoy.

Seriously…my girl has the most beautiful eyes! I know I’m bias.

The “Habitat ReStore” is part of Habitat for Humanity Greater Los Angeles (HFH GLA) that sells new and used home furnishings and building materials to the general public. I had the privilege of shooting this private event last month. The event was held to thank the many friends and family members, including donors and board members of HFH GLA.  The Habitat ReStore is there to provide an additional funding source to support the low cost housing that HFH GLA provides to the community and families. Read more about the mission here. All of the items sold at this store are marked at 50% below retail value.  It’s worth a stop if you are looking for something specific for your home, or just want to browse. They are constantly receiving new items. My main focus was to take pictures of “stuff”…may I say such cool stuff I wish I had another home to decorate.   Here are just a few of the pictures I took that night.

When I met Keith, Julie and their daughter 10 months ago, I was struck at how down to earth they were and how relaxed and easy going Julie seemed about her wedding day. We had a great first meeting and I was counting the days until their wedding. She had been a hair client of my best friend Jen for many years and she had referred Julie to me. Jen did her hair and it looked absolutely amazing.

It was a perfect summer afternoon. The sun was shining, the breeze blowing and a wedding was about to take place.  The Newland Barn was the perfect setting for this beautiful couple and their closest friends and family.  Their daughter, almost 3 years old, was ready for her big moment as she sat twirling around in her purple skirt. Thank you both for letting me capture your wedding.  Many blessings to you, your family and to your new marriage.

Keith and his son Kean

I met Rachel through my good friend Lisa (check out Lisa’s pregnancy photos here). They were roommates in college back in New Jersey and decided to move out together to California and start a new life here on the west coast. They both met and married men they met while living in Belmont Shores, and both had babies this year.  I love stories like this between best friends.  Rachel and Mark have a beautiful 5 month old little girl. She’s so sweet, and has the perfect chubby legs…I just wanted to eat them!  This is such a beautiful couple, inside and out.  I’m so thankful for their friendship and wish them many blessings on their new journey as parents.

I love this one.  So sweet!

Many years ago I met the Lee family through mutual friends. At that time they only had their oldest daughter.  We’ve recently reconnected and I was so excited when they contacted me to do their family photos. They just adopted a little boy from Korea, and as I was taking their photos I found myself getting extremely emotional as I watched this family interact with each other, as they’ve opened up their hearts, and souls to this little one. His sisters are already protective of him and Mom and Dad are beaming with love for him.  I believe this family is fulfilling one of the greatest callings we have as we are mandated in scripture to care for widows and orphans. I praise God for families like the Lee family that are willing to move forward, open their home, their hearts and souls to care for this precious child.

I can distinctly remember my senior prom back in 1992.  The style of dresses back then were right about knee length, and I like Abrea wore a cream dress. I need to dig up some old photos and post a few. My hair was down to the middle of my back and I wore it up. It took the poor hairstylist over 2 hours to curl and pin my hair.  Looking back at my photo, I have no idea why I had her pin it up like that. I guess it was the style, like the spiral perms, and shoes dyed to match your dress (YIKES!).

Sweet Abrea left her hairstylist in tears as she said it was a beauty pageant hairdo gone wrong!  She immediately rushed home, called over her Auntie to do some quick work.  Abrea’s Mom had asked me to come over to snap a few pictures before she left.  You’ll remember Abrea from her senior shoot last year.  Her Auntie made her hair look awesome, and no one would have known that it had been a disaster just an hour before.

One of the best parts of the day was getting to carpool up with KrisDMauga and her assistant Amanda.  I felt free!  Free to have an adult conversation without the constant interruption.  Don’t get me wrong, I love my girls, but I also love GIRL time.This was only the second time I had met KrisD but from the moment I met her at her home I felt at ease.  She’s a fellow photog, and does amazing work. Check out her post from the day, you’ll love it. We ended the day sharing a bottle of wine, and sharing stories from the shoot.  I can’t wait to take these girl up on our night out at George’s soon!

I mentioned in my previous post that I raffled off a free boudoir session. Well, Claire won it, and believe me Steven is super excited.  Their wedding isn’t until next year,  but I’m so excited to do this for them, and I know Claire will have fun with it.

Meet Claire and Steven:

I loved the teasing, whispers and laughter that they shared between them.

Meet Nichole and Casey:

Nichole’s eyes were stunning as you can see…and they are so sweet and kind to each other. I loved their chemistry.

Look at those eyes…beautiful.

Meet Julia and Tom:

They were easy going, and carefree. We shared a few drinks after the shoot.  Julia’s a fashion designer and starting her business.  She looked stunning.

I shouldn’t have been surprised by what an amazing event this turned out to be, knowing that Jen O’Sullivan was the mastermind behind this production. Around 50 photographers and 50 engaged couples, matched up by the engaged couple’s budget and the photographer’s pricing was a brilliant idea.  Here the engaged couples get free photos from several different photographers, and the photographers get to meet these amazing couples and have a fun day shooting with the potential of booking them.

The most important part of the event was the fundraiser for Let me Sail “which was founded in 2005 by Gary Spindt, a father of an adult daughter with intellectual disabilities, who after finishing school at the age of 22, became withdrawn, insecure, lonely, and bored. Realizing a lack of meaningful social and recreational opportunities for individuals with disabilities residing in their North Los Angeles community of Santa Clarita, Gary united with other parents to form LETMESAIL.”

The photographers donated amazing gifts to the event, from free full engagement sessions, to boudoir sessions and free guest books. The engaged couples bought raffle tickets which then raised money for this amazing organization. I donated a free boudoir session and a simple black photo album including 24 5×7 prints.

The event was held at the beautiful Sunset Restaurant in Malibu.

This is going to have to be two separate posts since I had the opportunity to photograph 5 different couples.

Meet Julia and Seong:

Julia had this infectious smile, the most beautiful sweet spirit and you can see how Seong is so affectionate and loving towards her.

Meet Brittney and Brandon:

They were engaged in Greece, and going back there to get married.  I loved their playfulness.

Check back for the last three couples and the winner of the boudoir session.

I remember the day I met Kristen.  It was 8th grade, and I was trying out for the volleyball team.  Kristen was new to our school along with her twin sister Jennifer.  My first impression of Kristen wasn’t a good one. Although, in Junior High I was really involved with leadership, and sports, I tended to be a little on the shy side.  Can you believe it? Me, shy!  Yes, it’s true. Kristen rolls up, and she’s the exact opposite.  She was outgoing, assertive and bossy. She just rubbed me the wrong way. I was probably just jealous of her volleyball skills.  Well, first impressions are often wrong, and in this case I was.  She started hanging out with my good friend Meenakshi, and then soon we would all become very close.  Only after a few years in Redlands, Kristen moved to the OC, and I was so sad.  Kristen and Jennifer are the type of friends that would do anything for you, extremely loyal and so giving. We’ve all remained friends through the years, and I’m thankful for both these amazing women.  I love them so much.  Jenny is an amazing hostess, and as you can see from the photos, extremely creative. She had help from her good friend Raquel and Kristen’s mother-in-law Joy. This is Kristen and Craig’s first baby, and it’s a girl. We are so excited for them as they anxiously await their new little one next month.

Such a cool theme.

Sisters..so cute!

The food was great.

They had an entire craft table set up to make cute onesies and bibs for the baby.

Mama-to-be

Many years ago, when I was attending college in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania I met Carla. Coming from California, I felt a little out of place in Northeastern, PA…but when I met Carla and found out she too was from Cali we instantly had a connection. Cleaning houses was one of the many jobs I had during those two years, and I had always looked forward to going over to Carla’s home.  The first 30 minutes to 1 hour we spent talking over 1 or 2 cups of hot tea.  She would share with me the challenges of raising teenage girls, and I shared with her about my family, school, and new found love. I’d finally look at the time, and knew I had to get started, but never wanted to stop chatting with her.  We always had the best conversations and built a special friendship through those two years.

It was the summer before my senior year of college that I met Jeff.  He flew out with me before I started school to get a feeling of where I lived before we endured 1 long year of long distance. He had one year left of his Master’s and it was probably a good thing we were long distance through our last years of school.

On October 31st, 1997 I got the biggest surprise of my life.  I was cleaning one of the upstairs bathrooms, yellow gloves on and all when Carla called for me quickly. As I approached the top of the stairs I saw Jeff at the front door. I honestly almost passed out, sat down at the top of the stairs because I felt so dizzy and immediately put my head down to my knees. I thought I was dreaming.  He had called Carla the week before to arrange everything.  I had no idea what would come next.

Carla immediately told me to get out of there, that I was free to go. We rushed to my house so I could change clothes and we were headed to the most beautiful State park which we had visited together back in August.  This is where he proposed.  He sang me a song that he had wrote, got down on one knee, and took out a shiny rock!  I was shocked. We had only dated about 4 months, but I already knew in my heart that I wanted to marry him. As he patiently awaited my answer, I finally said “YES” with a big hug and kiss. He had hoped I would be a crier, but I honestly was still in shock from the surprise at Carla’s house to the proposal. I was so excited!

Well, Carla moved back to California about 6 years ago. It’s been fun to have her close by, although we don’t get to see each other enough.  I had the privilege of seeing her oldest daughter married a few years back, and visited her in Del Mar. She’s now a licensed “Life Coach” and is starting her business. She contacted me needing some head shots, and I was excited to help her out. I can’t share with you all the details of her business venture, but it’s going to be GOOD.  Contact her at cbeachcoaching@aol.com if you are in need of a Life Coach. She’s fantastic.