I heart Zach and Katie

Aside from the fact that my own kids' names are Zack and Kate, this Zach and Katie made last Saturday an entire day filled with joy. You'll never see a more laid back couple on their wedding day! They really trusted us, and all their vendors actually, to make their day run smoothly. I can't tell you how much of a difference that makes! We had so much fun, feeling the groove as we shot our way through the day. The bridal party was as fun as they were beautiful, so photographing them could have easily been an all day event. Here's a few of the fun pics, there's a few more on my website. But for the rest (and there will be a whole lot), check out the website the end of November. Thanks Zach and Katie for a memorable night!

Oops, one more thing...

I'd like to give credit to Jeff Egan for taking this wonderful pic of me and my two talented assistants, Stephanie and Natanya this weekend. I'm always making my bride and groom jump, so I thought maybe it was time for a bit of my own medicine. Thanks Jeff! I think I'll make this my new profile pic too. Maybe you should leave the movie business and head into photography!

Nothing short of a blast!

I don't think we could have had much more fun than we had this weekend in Huntington Beach. The wedding and posed stuff was great, but this reception at Silvera's was awesome!! It was just the best setting for pictures with so much great window light and cool architecture. Then the crowd, which I swear Jeff and Tammy hired to make their party more fun, was so great! Even the 8 month pregnant swing dancing mama! But the highlight of the reception was towards the end, with an entire Turbo Kick Boxing class showing up in workout gear, led by one bride in white who was kicking and jumping higher than any of them! It was fabulous to say the least. There's a few more shots on my website, the rest will be up in a few weeks.

Thanks Jeff and Tammy. I felt very trusted by you and that makes so much of a difference when trying to be creative. Thanks for letting my inner creativity come out to play! I know you'll be so happy with the results!

Like a good wine...

The mixing of two different wines was the metaphor used in place of the traditional unity candle and it couldn't have been more perfect or in a more beautiful setting. Lang and Amanda tied the knot last week at his parents house and it was a perfect pairing. We enjoyed both families and had so much fun capturing this day for you. I've posted a few pics on my proofing gallery, the rest will be up in a few weeks. Thanks for making us part of your amazing day!

Pure, Simple, Breathtaking

There are few things in this world that are as stunningly beautiful as a pregnant mother. Nothing shows more love, more beauty than a portrait of a mother to be especially when you mix it with her precious family. If you read my blog a couple weeks ago about my new favorite way to photograph newborns in a much more journalistic way, you knew this posting was coming. My last couple maternity shoots have been done the same way. This shoot was 100% available light. I did bring my flash/softbox to the shoot in case I needed to cheat, but I didn't use it. And because it was so much less obtrusive than all that equipment in my studio, I got to move more where the action progressed to and I got real emotion from everyone including their two year old! Not to mention that this is so much more real. Real real life. This is how I want to proceed for my maternity and newborn shoots as much as possible. I know this is not always practical, so obviously I will still shoot in my studio. But I love it, it is so creatively inspiring for me. You can't see the rest of their shoot since it's a little more personal, so their proofs are hidden. But, this gives you a taste of this type of shooting. If you are an expectant mother and would like to schedule an artistic consultation for a shoot like this, call me.

The Horse Whisperer

Well, Lizzie certainly fits the bill as a horse whisperer as far as I'm concerned. She's calm, soft spoken and very in control of that horse. Well, Wanda had apparently had enough for the day. Thank goodness we got some amazing shots before she decided to feel the wind whistling through her mane. Wanda spent much of that day winning awards at the Kern County fair, and apparently wasn't in the mood for much a photoshoot later in the day. Towards the end of our shoot, she decided enough was enough and she took off!! Sometimes I think a photographer's life would make a great reality series. This would have made a hilarious episode. Cool hand Lizzie running through Hart Park, trying to get a handle on Wanda who was wearing no bridle (of course not, the pictures are much prettier without one!). But all's well that ends well and we all had some great laughs to boot. I don't think Lizzie's senior pics would have been nearly as meaningful without her trusted companion Wanda. Thanks for the memories Clantons!

Munchable Munchkins

I don't even have to say anything about these girls with exotic, to-die-for eyes. Have you ever seen such amazing eyes on pint size humans? Love them...

Newborn Moments

The last few newborn shoots, I've shifted my thinking a bit. I wanted to share it with my blog readers, because I know there's thousands of you...Yes, of course I love the controlled light of my studio and black backdrop that makes everything look so perfect and dramatic. But what I'm really finding more meaningful and pure is shooting next to a window in the surroundings of their own home. There's always going to be some window that will work perfectly, we'll scout it out first of course. But the babies have been so much more comfortable in their own environment, with familiar smells, comfortable colors and their special nursing chair. The moms have been equally as comfortable not stressing out about time and loading the car with everything they think they might need...that special blanket, heirloom rattle, pacifiers, Grandmas handkerchief, the christening gown, you name it. So having these shoots at their own home has made everything so much easier and less stressful for everyone. And as a photographer and from a completely selfish point of view, I love what I'm getting!! First, it's different, and creatively I can be unique with new surroundings that I've never shot in before. Then, as you see from these images of Kendra, you cut out anything artificial and what you get is pure...pure...pure...beauty.

On a separate note, I'm moving this direction for my maternity shoots now too...watch for future postings on that topic!

How cute are these guys???

Sometimes a photographer, such as me, gets this amazing, adorable couple who love each other so much and have so much fun together and are so cute just hanging out ...it just makes that photographer smile from ear to ear. That is how I feel about Nick and Megan, with her infectious smile with perfect teeth and his rosy cheeks and sparkly eyes--you just can't go wrong! I know it's going to be an amazing wedding that I'm so looking forward to! Thanks guys for a fun day at Hart Park, can't wait til the wedding.

Grad Season

It's that wonderful time of year, seniors with a bad case of senior-itis making their final debut in their high schools for one last time. Bakersfield Christian High School seems to have put out some great students over the years! And this year is no exception. I'm so blessed to meet such amazing families whose children attend this wonderful school. Vinnie is a one such talented student. He'll graduate this Spring. Here's a couple shots, but the rest are on my website. Check them out.

If you're a graduating senior and would like to express yourself in a unique way, please give me a call! I'd love to consult with you on how to create senior portraits that are as unique as you.

White Family Perfect Angels

You think I'm kidding, but I'm not. These four kids were just about the most angelic thing I've photographed this year. Their dresses provided by their mom certainly helped, but amazingly beautiful kids and really an amazingly beautiful family all around! It was fun seeing you guys after a few years (ok, 15) since college. You guys are still so awesome! I loved working with your family. Enjoy!

Painting the town with Jeff and Tammy

Yep, we painted it up and down. Here's a couple shots, the rest will be up next weekend. We started in Seal Beach and ended with a crowd stopping performance at the Huntington Beach pier and had so much fun along the way. Jeff and Tammy's wedding is in 4 weeks and they are the kind of a couple that every photographer loves to shoot--fun seeking and willing to try anything! Thanks Jeff and Tammy for a great day of being creative. Can't wait for your wedding.

Check out Nick & Lindsay's slideshow

The Ashleys and Franks join forces

This Saturday's wedding was nothing short of stunning. With the exception of an occasional bead of sweat from the Bakersfield heat, the day was flawless. The wedding itself was at St. Phillips and the reception and most of our pictures were at Bakersfield Country Club. Such a great wedding party and both families were so much fun, it made our job really easy! Here's a couple and you can check out a few more on my website. The remainder of their pictures will be posted the end of August. We had a great day, thanks for the honor Franks and Ashleys.

Five generations of strong, beautiful women

The reason I am a photographer is because I love to tell stories. (I'm sure you've all heard this before from me, but let me digress). I love the individual families that make up those stories; I love their uniqueness as a family; I love the characters that come to life in their stories; I love the history that envelopes those stories. It is such a great honor to help chronicle these stories for families. I feel it's one of my strengths as a photographer. Last week it was my honor to meet and photograph five generations of women, the youngest -10 days old and the most seasoned -in her mid 80s. Their beauty was striking and you can tell their love is deep. Here's a few pics, but you can see the rest on my website. The art of storytelling...

Family Portraits at Hart

The heat will not keep us down! Actually the mornings and evenings at Hart Park and elsewhere in Bakersfield have been very do-able. The breeze off the river helps. Here's a couple shots of Lori Reece's family and are those the cutest kids ever?! You can see the rest on my website, but this will give you a taste. Call to book your family sitting! Get an early jump on the Fall craziness.