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October 21, 2014

Chose the Rose Garden over Madison Square

Portland. October 2014. 
{Reviews and commentary forthcoming!}

Some of my favorite shots from a very very wonderful weekend trip. 

Alberta Arts District. 



Downtown Portland. 








Washington Park Rose Garden.  








Multnomah Falls. 







Columbia River Gorge. 







Downtown Portland. 9th and Washington. 








Stay tuned for more thoughts and highlights of PDX. 


October 14, 2014

2014 Family Sessions


Family Sessions are back for Fall 2014!

San Diego: I will be in San Diego for 1 hour shoots on Sunday, November 2 for a limited amount of sessions at Balboa Park, from 2pm - 6pm. 

San Jose/Bay Area: Sessions are available starting 
this Saturday, October 18 as well as November 8 and 9.

What do you get? A 45-minute shoot and 50 images on a flash drive for $100.

For info or to reserve your session, please send me a message with you preferred day and time!

September 18, 2014

Who can say if I've been changed for the better

I saw Wicked eight years ago at the Pantages theater. Though they were literally the worst seats in the house (LAST row, all the way in the corner), I already knew the soundtrack and thought I knew the story, I was blown away. Eden Espinosa played Elphaba that night, and though I profess undying love for Idina Menzel, I thought she was REALLY good. 

These songs have been constantly company in the past eight years because I admit that I identify strongly with the talented but misunderstood Elphaba. If only I could truly confidently defy gravity by embracing a dismal future and keep trying to help people though it never works out as intended... well, some day. 

Just had to see it again though. 


Getting ready 
(decided to on a red lip and keep everything else simple for a night out with the ladies). 

AHHHH...I was so excited to see it!









The gals trying to fit in a selfie since we were in downtown SJ and  I was afraid of getting my phone jacked if I gave it to someone. Haha. 


I had low expectations for this production since it was just at the San Jose Performing Arts Center. Well. that just set me up to be delighted. Emma Hunton played Elphaba and um, can she just be in every single musical for the rest of time? SOMEONE GIVE THIS WOMAN HER OWN SHOW! 

Don't believe me?
Just watch. One day, this woman will be on The Tonys. 




Chills down my spine as she sang "The Wizard and I" and COMPLETELY owned it. That song was never really on my radar until then but as Emma sang, I realized that this is a song about a young girl dreaming that her life could be better than what she's known. Dreaming that there will be someone looking at her and seeing more than what is just her exterior.  She wasn't trying to fill Idina's shoes...she just approached the role with so much youthful freshness that I related to this slightly awkward but passionate girl in a way that met me completely where I've been at these days. 

And well, when Glinda and Elphaba sang for good, that just gave me a lot to think about that night. Are we truly changed for the better because of the people that come into our lives? I'm sure I am, if only I would recognize the ways and how.  Thinking about the possibilities if I was a girl who saw the best in other people and came along side them. 

More food for thought. And obviously, Wicked continues to be my favorite musical of all time. 

Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
I do believe I have been changed for the better...
Because I knew I knew you, 
I have been changed for good. 


September 16, 2014

::Reboot::


It has been over a year since my last post. 

After a nearly 6 month break of even touching my SLR I picked it up again just two weeks ago. Surprisingly after months of basically no interest in shooting pictures, I was actually excited and challenged to find the composition and contrast around me. Since then, even in the frustration of everyday life, I've fallen back in love with photography. 

It is crazy though as I was cleaning things up around this space how much has changed in a year. Some are very obvious things that those that are a part of my everyday life would be fully aware of, not just because it changed for me but because it has touched all of our lives. Hellos, goodbyes, congratulations and new life. But of course there are many things in me that have changed, for better and for worst.  I learned that my overanalytical ways have a place in the business world, that I am far more insecure than I had ever realized, it will always be a strange and bittersweet moment when your best friend gets married, just because I'm getting older I'm not necessarily getting old, and that I can be happy even when the things have happened much differently from how I imagined. Sometimes life is sweeter than fiction. 

In any case, I think I am ready to once again share my adventures, ideas and inspiration on this blog. With many of my interests diversifying (I actually do quite a bit more reading, and not just fiction these days), the content of this blog will be also, so you'll be seeing more than just my photographic work, but the things that make up the beat of my life.