Blessed

So I'm feeling really blessed lately. Blessed to have a wonderful family. Blessed to have a caring and supportive and overall awesome fiance. Blessed to have great friends. I don't think I can thank you all enough.

There are those times, when life feels dark, when nothing feels like it is going right, like nobody watching my back. Then there are those times when life feels so bright, that I have been given so many infinite blessings, that I can't help but celebrate life. And be thankful. It's one of the latter times in my life.

I had a great time with Elizabeth and Andrew this past Saturday. Their shoot went great! I will be posting pics soon. We walked around Downtown Saratoga and the light was just lovely. Thanks guys!

I was looking at my calendar this week and I realized that I have something booked for the 8th, 15th, and possibly the 22nd. I'm so stoked to have these opportunities. I will be shooting my bridesmaid Liz's sister's wedding next Saturday. It's on a boat! That'll be an interesting challenge. I also have another couples shoot on the 15th with my former coworker Beth and her husband Phil, should be a blast. Finally, I might have a Mom & Son shoot on the 22nd. Yay!

I feel really lucky to have some awesome coworkers. My coworker and good friend, Ashley, asked me how I felt about her referring me to her friends for photoshoots to help build my portfolio. A resounding, "YES!" What else would I reply? Well, from her email, I may have an engagement shoot on the books. Thanks Ashley!

With that, I just feel like all of this is right. This is what I should be doing. And I LOVE IT.

Vicki + Brian: Wedding!

I had the pleasure of tagging along with Jennifer Hosler of Candid Moments Weddings. We met virtually on the [b] School and she asked me if I'd be interested in coming along. I immediately and enthusiastically said "Yes!" The entire day was a total rush and so much fun. I learned a lot just from where to stand to logistics of family portraits to using flash during the reception.  At the end of the night, I was elated. I though, "I can totally do this again, it was FUN!" A fun job? Heck yeah!

Vicki and Brian are such a fun couple. They can be serious. They can be funny. They can be goofy on command. They are clearly in love and will continue to grow together. Although I only met them on the day of their wedding, it was clear to me that they are the life of the party. They are like the floodlights that brighten up a stadium. Thanks for the honor of being part of your day!

And now, what we've all been waiting for, the photos!




























This is my favorite one of the day! Brian couldn't stop making faces!
















Sweet moment between Brian and his Grandma.


Brian's parents are great dancers!





Thanks again to Jennifer for inviting me to help capture Vicki and Brian's day!

PS. Turned out that one of the groomsmen was my classmate in high school!

After the fact e-session!

Ok, so I guess I could have called them "anytime" photos, but it's like an e-session! A year-after shoot! An anniversary session...

I'm so excited about this Saturday. I will be shooting an anytime session of my co-worker, Elizabeth and her hubby Andrew, in downtown Saratoga. They celebrated their first anniversary on Monday, and are just such a fun couple. Elizabeth has been super supportive since the day I asked her if she'd be interested. She's as excited as I am, I think. It should be a blast!

I'm so thankful for the opportunities that keep popping up, like almost happenstance. I'll also be shooting some informal photos for my bridesmaid's sister's bridal shower on Sunday. Thank you for opportunities to do what I love! I'll be shooting her wedding day as well!

Vicki + Brian: Teaser #2

Wait for it... wait for it... I swear a full post is coming! I've been swamped with the 9-5...but it's coming! Promise!

Thanks so much to Jennifer Hosler of Candid Moments Photography for letting me tag along!

Vicki + Brian: Teaser

So I couldn't wait to post something, so I picked the bride's awesome bouquet. I still have to sift through everything and pick out my favorites from the day, but here is a teaser to get you through tomorrow...



Loved the bouquet!

A walk through Boston

I did a lot of walking in Boston. A LOT. It's too bad I didn't wear a pedometer, because I'm pretty sure I logged a significant number of miles. On my last day in Boston, I decided to cut out of work with a little time to spare. I took one last promenade down Commonwealth Street over to the Boston Public Garden. It's so beautiful! The leaves are starting to change, and I'm sure it'll be gorgeous once everything is golden.



I had read about Beacon Hill in the local guide book, so I ventured over there. Since it was nice out, I opted to walk. I came upon these buildings and decided to look up.


This is the 7-Eleven on Charles Street. I had to take a picture of it because it was just so fancy looking for me, especially for a convenience store. The inside was pretty typical, but the outside would make you do a double take before you knew that it was a 7-Eleven.


This is Acorn Street, the "most photographed street in Boston". I just had to check it out and get my perspective in. Loving the brick and cobblestones. Not so fun to walk over those though.


So here's my self-portrait. Those bad boys over my ears are some now-defunct Sharper Image Noise Cancelling headphones my dad let me borrow. Awesome to drown out the din of city noise and concentrate on listening to Ron Dawson's totally fab F-Stop Beyond interviews! I must have blown through at least 20 interviews over the entire trip! Love 'em! I also had to document (even with a cheesy photo) that I was here! The one behind the camera.


So if there was one thing I learned about Bostonians, it's that Walk/Don't Walk signs are merely for show. As our tour guide told us, the Don't Walk sign just means "Hurry up!" I really wanted to capture this experience before leaving the city. Here's my take:

Notice the red hand and the frenzy to cross. There was a car coming.

Here are my cousins from New Bedford, hanging out at the COOP. They are big Manga fans.


Photos from the wedding I third shot are coming soon! It was awesome. Imagine the groom diving for the garter to the music from The Office. That couple was totally rad!

Crossing into Crimson Territory

So the upside to autumn is Daylight Savings time and the extra hour of sleep (of course that got pushed back last year). The downside, when you're a photographer and still have a 9-5 gig, is that by five o'clock, the light is quickly fading.

This afternoon I ventured out to Cambridge where the highly revered university, Harvard, resides. I had vague memories of where things were located since I was out here last year when my sister and I visited our cousins. But without the luxury of light, the sightseeing was markedly different. I enjoy the challenge of taking photos in low light conditions. Now if only I could freeze my arms in particular positions, all the photos wouldn't have the shake factor of a slow shutter speed.


Hello Harvard


The Library

I love books and I love libraries. However, there was no love for me when I graced the steps of the Harvard Library. This is what I was welcomed with:

No library access for me.

So my next best option was this:



I love bookstores! I also sat in the cafe and has a lovely piece of surprisingly delicious and creamy Tiramisu. Sadly, I gobbled up the dessert before I had the thought to take a picture of it. Trust me, it was beautifully scrumptious!

A Taste of Boston

So I'm in Boston. I went on a little photo safari yesterday afternoon after taking a nap following a red-eye flight. This place is SO FULL of history which I have such a huge appreciation for, coming from California, where history is still young. I took the Freedom Trail tour through Boston and it was a fun 90-minute walk.


Bunker Hill


Copp's Burying Ground


Quincy Market


Spring Lane - the oldest street in Boston


Beantown - Boston got the name from growing beans!


Our period tour guide. He wasn't so into speaking from first person. Lots of good information.


The State House

Plus, I love the fact that you can walk everywhere, and when you're feet are dying, there's a subway system - the "T". Reminds me of my days in France where driving wasn't a necessity or an option.

Look where I went...

Can you say DE.LI.CIOUS?! I'm in Boston for a few days on business. I couldn't come out here without hitting this place up, especially after this photo, from the Facebook king, Kenny Kim.







Considering I walked around 5 miles ALL over Boston from Boston Common to Faneuil Hall up to Bunker Hill and all the way back to Copley Place, all on foot, I think I can justify these TASTY treats. Mike's Pastry is now online! www.mikespastry.com

Gaining Speed

Life has been treating me well. I feel like everything is just falling into place and I can't help but smile. While I'm not working at warp speed, I do feel like I'm moving at a comfortable pace, keeping busy with some informal shoots, assisting, and learning as much as possible.

I'm finally getting into renting some gear, which is awesome! Lenses cost a pretty penny especially the sweetest ones, so it's best to give it a go before committing the cash. I love that BorrowLenses.com is located in San Mateo, a short drive from my 9-5 job. I can save on shipping which is totally rad. Here's a picture I took of my current read with my 85mm f/1.8 rental:



I actually also have to read this for work, but I can expense it! (Read = free book!) And it comes incredibly handy for building my own business. Be remarkable and stand apart from the crowd. I'm working on this everyday. I don't want to be a "pod person". I used to use this expression to describe the cliques at my high school. All the girls that look alike, talk alike, dress alike, and will only be friends with each other. There's no differentiation except for their names! This is NOT who I want to be or ever become. Be remarkable and don't look back!