Saturday, August 30, 2008

A Mammoth of a Vacation

Greetings my faithful blog readers! I am writing to you from the Mammoth Lakes in California. We needed a vacation and this was the spot we picked. We got here yesterday and couldn't wait to get some photos. After a much-needed nap we began our adventure. What a B-E-A-utiful place. I love how open everything is and how green it is. Kymberli took me to Convict Lake because it was a place she remembered well. What a wonderful blob of paint for my camera-canvas. I took a few shots and really soaked it in. Here is my favorite one.



I am processing today's images right now and will either post another group of images tonight or tomorrow night. We found this cool coffee shop, Looney Bean, where they have bands that play outside and every brings their own alcoholic beverage. I was shocked and felt odd because we were drinking coffee (she had decaf) and everyone else had wine or beer. Too. Funny. I am going to try and capture of photo of it tonight.

Have a safe, great holiday weekend everyone.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Baby Q - Round #2 Ultrasound Photos

I am already so in love with my kid. He or she is going to be so cute. We had our big ultrasound check-up today and Kymberli and Baby Q passed with flying colors. Whew! and Yeay! all at the same time. We were both saying, "Wow!" and "Soooo cute" the entire time. Watching the baby on the TV was such a wonderful experience. I am still mellowed out by seeing the baby moving and everything. Here are some shots of Baby Q from today. Now, everyone knows, or should know by now, that we do NOT want to know the sex of the baby. From what the Dr. told us you can't make anything out in these photos, but JUST IN CASE you can see a 'little' something or a 'little nothing', DO NOT email us or call us telling us what it is. We still want to be surprised and have gone to great lengths to keep it a secret. There are far too few GOOD surprises in life and we want this to be one of them.




This one is SO adorable.



Monday, August 25, 2008

Michelle and Gabriel Get Married!

Kymberli and I have some great friends. We really do. Michelle and Gabriel were kind enough to allow us to take their maternity photos about six months ago. What a fun session that was. I was telling Kymberli that when you look at Gabriel you can see just how much he really loves Michelle. It's in his eyes. Thank you both for allowing us to photograph the maternity shots. Even more so, thank you for allowing us to photograph your amazing wedding!

Yesterday, with their 4 and a half month old in tow, they tied the knot! It was one of the nicest weddings I have ever been to. The best part... we were the photographers and were able to document the day. Kymberli posted a blog yesterday with some SUPERB photos! Check them out here! The colors were amazing and the day was so great. Living in Southern California has so many advantages.

They both have such wonderful families. I was talking with both sides before and after the wedding and learned so much about Michelle and Gabriel and about their lives. I am not sure if I have ever seen happier families. You two are very fortunate.

These are some of my favorites of their wonderful wedding. Congratulations to you both!



The centerpieces were beautiful!





Stylin' in the shades!





Gabriel sees Michelle for the first time on their wedding day.





One of my absolute favorites from the entire day.









I am a sucker for cute kids posing.



I loved the father/daughter dance and how they laughed and cried together.



I'll have more throughout the week! I hope you all enjoy them as much as we did taking them!

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

More Quinceañera Photos

I just love life and what it has to offer, the people you meet and the opportunities you get. I posted some photos in a slide show two weeks ago, but I wanted to post some of my favorites from the Quinceañera we shot. We had a great time, the family was wonderful and I think they are going to be very happy with their images.

I love how happy everyone was during the day. It really shows on the photos. that's one thing you can't edit in or out. Happiness.

Here are a few of my favs...







I hope you enjoy viewing them as much as I did taking them.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Seal Beach Animal Care Center’s 13th Annual Wag ‘n’ Walk



Many of you know that my wife and I volunteer at the Seal Beach Animal Care Center to help walk dogs, fund raise and do whatever else we can to help the animals there. They are a no-kill shelter and the people there treat the animals like family. One of the best things we have ever done, besides volunteering there, is to help out with the Wag 'n' Walk. Last year there we just a handful of us doing the work. Phone calls, emails, graphic design work, photography, and I could go on. We need sponsors and donations and I am humbly asking for your help. The money donated goes to the direct care of these animals. If you would like to donate an item for the raffle or the silent auction, that would help, too!! Just let me know and we can figure out the specifics. I know we will be donating a portrait session for the silent auction because I want to see these animals with the best care possible.

The date for the Seal Beach Animal Care Center’s 13th Annual Wag ‘n’ Walk fundraiser is set for Saturday September 27, 2008. Last year’s walk-a-thon was a tremendous success, and we are aiming for even higher goals this year so that we can continue to provide excellent care for the hundreds of animals who come into our care each year. We are pleased to announce Justin Rudd and Rosie from Haute Dogs will be this year’s Grand Marshals!

The Fundraising Team is recruiting corporate sponsors for Wag ‘n’ Walk 2008 between now and September 15. Sponsorship contributions will receive significant visibility through recognition on the event website, in print advertising and numerous displays, and at the event. Additional details are enclosed so you may see all of the opportunities available for your company. To confirm your sponsorship, please email or fax your commitment, point of contact, and contact information to:

Email: fundraising@sbacc.org

Fax: (562) 594-0003

You may also contact me directly should you require additional information. If you are unable to sponsor but would like to make a donation, please mail your gift or check payable to SBACC to:

Wag “n” Walk 2008
ATTN: Liz Anderson
Seal Beach Animal Care Center
1700 Adolfo Lopez Drive
Seal Beach, CA 90740

The Seal Beach Animal Care Center is a California non-profit 501-C3 Corporation #33-0192138. All donations made to the Care Center are tax deductible, with the largest share going directly toward the medical care of our animals.

Thank you for your consideration of this worthy cause, and I look forward to hearing from any of you soon. Have a great week and let's protect our animal friends!

Friday, August 8, 2008

Published in Country Weekly Magazine!

One of my photos made it into a national magazine. That sentence really doesn’t show you the sense of excitement I am feeling right now or the goosebumps I have on my skin. Let me try again… Wow, Awesome, and OMG this is soooo cool!!!

A few weeks back, Kymberli and I were given an opportunity* to photograph our friends Christian and Jessica Simmons. Christian and Miss Jessica are a great couple and great musicians and are in the band Christian Simmons and Broken Arrow. They were very gracious to us the first time we did a photo session, which was last year AND it was our first session together. Kymberli and I have learned so much since then and when they asked us to work our magic, well, we did just that. We shot some amazing photos of them and they we so much fun to shoot with.

Christian has a unique voice, look and is a great all around guy who is determined to make it in the country music industry. I think his wait might be nearing an end. Christian is featured in the “Upcoming Artists” section of Country Weekly magazine next week! The best part for me is that MY photo is running with the story! In case you didn’t hear that… MY PHOTO IS IN COUNTRY WEEKLY! It was one of our favorites and theirs and hopefully America will love it, too. Here’s a sneak peek into what you’ll see in the magazine on Monday. (I am having a hard time containing myself).





It hits newsstands on August 11, 2008 and is on the shelves for 2 weeks, but get your copy now before they are all gone. I can’t wait to look back and say “We knew Christian back when…” Congratulations, Christian. It takes a lot of hard work and cuttin’ teeth, but I know you are on the right path. It is always a pleasure working with you both. We can’t wait for the next big photo session!

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*Food for thought:
Opportunity is a word that I love to think about. Around every corner is an opportunity, but will you be the one to grab it and go with it? I have been a photographer for over 15 years. Without my wife’s encouragement and sense of the times, I wouldn’t be where I am today. It was she that knew we had something and wanted to grab that opportunity. Thank you, Kymberli, for being patient and having foresight. For listening and understanding that a partnership, like a marriage, takes compromise and perseverance. Without that I would just be taking snapshots.

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Welcome to the Quinceañera!

We had the great fortune of being able to shoot a Quinceañera yesterday and what a spectacular event. It was our first and we hope it is not our last! We were welcomed in like family and I have to say thank you to Brian, Silvia, Gerardo and Melissa for being wonderful hosts. Not only did they choose us to be the photographers, but they treated us to a fabulous dinner and they allowed us to be free when it came to photographing the entire day. Kymberli and I both got some fantastic shots. She posted some great ones on her blog.

Not only was it our first Quinceañera, but we were also given strict instructions by the father at the church. "No flash, no walking around and I will tell you if you are in the way." The spot I had to choose was with the light from the windows coming directly at me, so I improvised.

Then we got to head to Rancho Capistrano. What a beautiful place for the dinner and party. Great place for photographs, too. The backdrop was beautiful and the gorgeous family made our job easy!

Here's a sneak peak at what I captured yesterday. So much fun...