The Great Outdoors

Our vacation time is coming to a close...but we've got great pics to show where we've been this summer. My family had some much needed time off in the Sequoias at Kings Canyon for a few days. And aside from quite a bit of rainfall, it was perfect. Actually I think the rain made it perfect. It was so nice to be away from 100 degree weather and actually be misted on constantly. Then we stole away with some friends to Lake Nacimiento for a few days as well. The kids got to try their hand at water skiing of sorts. Look at Syd go! We love our yearly trip to Nacimiento! But now, alas, it is time to get back to work...

Seeing Red

Take a beautiful family and throw in a little color behind them and walla, cool portraits. Combining a two and four year old is a little tricky, but what you get is real life. Meet Todd and Heath Gall and their beautiful family. We had a lot of fun playing in the dust at my favorite red barn last week. Here's a couple images, but you can check out the rest as well.

Playing with Fire

I'm sure we all had similar evenings last night...the smell of sulfur, the retina-burning strobes, the whizzing, ear splitting screams, the jolting pops of illegal fireworks down the block...ahh-- it's so great to be an American. My three little ones, of course, had the best time last night. I thought about just enjoying the moment and watching them, but I decided "naah, I'll watch through the lens!" In my family we have a saying, "if it wasn't captured on film, then it didn't really happen." Here's a couple shots of my fire dancers. Feel free to post your own. I'd love to see yours too.

Bakersfield Beach

Huh? Yep, as close as you can get to a Bakersfield Beach. I was a bit surprised myself, being from Orange County. But Lake Ming yesterday was perfect--calm waters, breezy, private. Great way to spend an afternoon. Shaun and Kimberly Romans and their adorable Olivia enjoyed some family time in the waters. I got to be the fly on the wall to their lives for the afternoon. It was a lot of fun and we got some great shots. I will definitely be returning here for a "quicker than Paso" beach shoot. Watch postings in the future if you'd like this look for your family portraits. The rest of the Roman's family pics will be up in about a week.

Thomas Family from Visalia

JJ and her family made the trek from Visalia last week just for a family photoshoot at Hart Park. I was proud to be a part of that history making. I think they'll be happy with the results, although I'm not sure it's even possible to take a bad picture of their two beautiful-as-china-doll daughters. Here's a couple pics, but you have to check out the rest on my website, especially the ones of the girls alone. Gorgeous...

Precious Eliana

So let me backtrack a bit. I missed a couple very important shoots last week. This one is my wonderful friends in Orange County, Joe and Libby and their little bundle Eliana. Here's a couple shots, the rest are on my website. Check them out.

From Senior Mom to Bride

Last weekend, we hit the road and left 105 degree Bakersfield and cooled off in the 102 degree Chowchilla metropolis for Pete and Sheri's wedding, and what a blast we had! If you scroll down a bit you'll see Courtney's senior pics, well we got the whole family in on the photographs last weekend since Courtney's mom tied the knot to an amazing man named Pete. We loved them both and are thrilled for the beginning of their new life together. A few images are posted already, but you'll see the rest the end of July. Thank you so much Sheri and Pete for letting us share this most special day with you. We LOVE Chowchilla (and the outlets on the way home).

String Theory Amazing Ensemble

I really don't expect this blog will do justice in describing this amazing group of musicians that I had the privelege of photographing in Santa Barbara last Thursday. I've mentioned before that my sister Natanya Marks is booking a musical group called String Theory. Well, I finally had the honor of hearing them and now photographing this group. I'm not capable of the eloquence needed to portray to you what type of experience you will have when you witness their performance. They must have dozens of instruments, ranging from a 30 foot harp to a percussion wall, and it seems that they are all capable of playing all of them! But they don't stop with music, their harpists also do interpretive dance. The ensemble feeling is attained as the dancers float out into the audience to perform as well, so the fourth wall between the audience and musicians is broken and invites the audience to be part of this unique experience. It really was amazing. If you haven't heard of String Theory before, I can guarantee this will not be the last time you hear of them. They will go far, mark my words. You have to experience it for yourself. Check out their website at http://www.stringtheoryproductions.com/ and get on their mailing list to see where they are playing around you. You will not be disappointed!

Eduardo and Teresa wedding at last!

Whoever said great things come to those who wait were right on the money. We were so priveleged to be a part of Eduardo and Teresa's wedding this weekend. What a great couple! What great families to join together as well. Thanks for letting us be a part of your amazing day.

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!