Craig and Michelle

Craig and Michelle tied the knot last weekend at St. Phillips church. It was a beautiful ceremony and it was great to be a part of these two families joining together. Here's a couple pics, the rest will be up mid July. Check them out!

Creative Assignment #1

I guess it's my first assignment, at least officially. I've decided to give myself creative assignments to make me reach outside of my comfort zone of photography. It's actually my husband's idea, he's my gumption coach. Of course I've always known that in order to continue growing in my creativity, I will always need to be challenged.

Animals have never been all that interesting of a subject for me (I prefer two legged creatures), but I took my kids to the LA zoo on Friday and although my three kids were just about the cutest monkeys there, I got a couple other shots as well. This King of the Jungle shot was pretty awesome and I just happened to catch the full teeth shot--ouch! The giraffe, I'm pretty sure, had a crush on me and stared at me the entire time we were near his neighborhood. And finally, the zebra's coat is just, to me, an amazing testimony to our God's creativity. The other little monkey with freckles was just too cute not to post. So, just thought I'd let you see a little taste of my first self improvement assignment.

Feel free to give me suggestions on my next assignment. I need some help coming up with new ideas. What I'd like is to be given labels to go off: like a certain color, emotion, category, occupation--whatever...you name it. Join the party and brainstorm.

Karissa graduates from Monterey Bay Academy

What a weekend! Sunburned and pretty exhausted, but enriched nonetheless! My husband and I had the opportunity to travel to the Santa Cruz area for one of my favorite Bakersfield families. Karissa Torres graduated this weekend from Monterey Bay Acacademy in La Selva Beach. I was priveleged to be able to photograph her and twelve other graduates that day. Here's a couple pics of Karissa. The rest will be posted in a few weeks. Families like the Torres' make me so proud to do what I do. Thanks guys!

A Morning at Hart Park with the Sleggers Family

My normal shooting spot at Hart Park was under sprinkler attack, so we ventured out. Just like sitting in the same pew at church, I tend to get comfortable in my "spots". Hart Park is like my second home for much of the year, so it was a test of creativity to find a completely different spot to shoot! And the result, amazing! (If I do say so myself :). The Sleggers family is beautiful on the outside, but I think it's their inner beauty as a family that made this shoot so successful. I'm all about telling stories when I have the privelege of photographing a family. And this one was, to me, what it's all about! Here's a sampling, but you can check out the rest on my proofing gallery! Thanks Sleggers family!

Jose and Brienne's Big Day

I've know this awesome family for a couple years now and it's so fun to watch their families grow. Such beautiful kids that are so fun to photograph. Their big day was Sunday and we couldn't have asked for more beautiful weather. I've posted a few pics of them already on my web site, but the rest will be up the end of June. What a great beginning to your new life together!

Brad and Shellie's wedding at First Presbyterian

What a beautiful day! Weather included. Brad and Shellie have to be two of the sweetest people in the world. It's so awesome that they've found each other. We were absolutely honored to be a part of this special day. You are right, Shellie, you guys are incredibly blessed with a great group of family and friends. And I think you guys win, hands down, the most creative groomsmen ring debacle we've seen yet! The rest of your pictures will be up in a few weeks. Happy Honeymooning...

Zach and Katie and a whole lot of Bakersfield

We took to the streets with this fun couple and had a blast! When a couple lets loose and is willing to try anything and have fun with each other...great shots is what you get! Here's a few fun ones, the rest will be posted by Monday. Great job guys!

Meet My Sister!

I've known this client for 31 years now and I think, although I'm sure I'm biased, she's the most beautiful woman I've ever had the privelege of photographing--inside and out. And, yes, she's single. And, no, Natanya I won't edit this post! She lives in Venice Beach and is an actress, documentary film maker and the producer and booking agent of String Theory, the most amazing musical experience ever. And yes, I'm incredibly proud of her. This is not to leave my other amazing sister out of the story, I'll be shooting her soon and will brag equally on her behalf! Check out the rest of Natanya's pictures on my proofing gallery.

Rio Bravo Wedding - sweltering, but beautiful!

Yes, two weddings this weekend in 100 degree weather! But the weddings went off without a hitch. Ryan and Shelly's wedding was absolutely beautiful! Shelly's dress stunning...Ryan cleans up pretty well too. I think the highlight of the day for us was an amazing song written by the Father of the Bride. Sorry if those pictures are blurry, we were all crying. Please, please publish that song! The rest of the images will be up the end of June. So don't forget to check them out!

Seven Oaks Wedding

We had the honor of photographing such a beautiful wedding on Friday. Wendell and Michelle looked amazing and were so calm and relaxed the whole day! It made our job so easy...and a blast. Look at that huge wedding party. The bigger the party, the more fun the poses! Thanks for letting us be a part of your amazing day. Can't wait to show you the rest

of the images in a few weeks.

Toddler in the Tulips

Well, not exactly tulips, but blue verbina doesn't really "alliterate" with toddler. But look at this munchkin so chewable. 11 month old Sophia Fullenweider in lush garden setting. Check her out in this heirloom dress and bonnet too. Looks just like an outfit I wore in the 70s! So beautiful! Check out the rest next week. This section of my outdoor studio is ideal for little girls! It'll even be more beautiful in June. Contact me to book your session!

CSUB Senior ready to graduate

Even college grads should get the opportunity of having fun senior portraits done...Laura Brown will graduate from CSUB next month in Liberal Studies. We had a fun day yesterday in downtown Bakersfield. The rest of the pics will be up by next weekend, here's a couple fun ones.

Wedding Gift Certificates

This is something new we've started. We're doing a gift registry for our upcoming bride and grooms. Don't know what to get them for their wedding? Why not give them a gift card to use after the wedding?! Who wouldn't rather have a beautiful canvas print hanging on their wall than a new toaster!

As a wedding season special, we are offering bonus credit for gift certificates. For every $2 spent, they get an extra $1 in portrait credit. So, if you purchase a $50 gift certificate, they actually receive $75 in print credit. Pretty cool huh? This applies to any dollar amount. To purchase a gift certificate, simply find your couples name and select a dollar amount. Gift certificates may be purchased at any time, but in order to qualify for the bonus amount, the gift certificate must be purchased at least one week prior to the wedding. It's a gift they will most definitely appreciate!

Engagement Portraits

Spring is in the air and weddings are around the corner. Check out a few pics from our beautiful couples we are priveleged to be working with. Wendell and Michelle (May 16), Craig and Michelle (June 14), Nick and Lindsay (August 2), and Cody and Lyndsie. What beautiful weddings those will be! Can't wait...

Family Ties at Hart Park

We had a lot of fun at Hart Park last week with some families. Here's a couple shots. John and Jenny Gatlin's three beautiful kids and Tracy Womack's family.