Sunday, November 30, 2008

Cindy & Shelly - The Images Revealed!

Back in October, Kymberli and I were given the opportunity to photograph the wedding of Cindy & Shelly. The entire family greeted us with warmth and kindness. There were many children and the photo ops were endless. Thank you Cindy and Shelly for allowing us to capture the day for you. We wish you a lifetime of happiness!

Kymberli posted her images from the day on her blog. She has a wonderful eye and a great way with people. You can see the truth behind that in her images. The kids just love her!

I hope you enjoy these as much as we did while witnessing the day. The love these two share for one another is something every couple should strive for. On with the show...

Friday, November 28, 2008

Sharing and giving thanks, what a concept!

Thanksgiving always brings back good memories for me. Back in NY, every year my family would get together and have a big meal and get to spend some quality time together. There was always the fruit salad (which I loved), the oysters for my dad and the 15 pies for me. Ok, but I had to try each and every one! It was a rule. I'll admit, I miss those big dinners with my family and look forward to one in the next few years. My family here in SoCal is wonderful, too. Everyone gets together at Aunt Donna's and we all bring something to share. Last year, Kymberli and I opted to share our time with a local church in Seal Beach and help serve Thanksgiving meals to those who didn't have families, were homeless or just needed a good warm meal. It was one of the warmest days of my life. It wasn't that I felt good about being a servant or anything like that. It was that God had put me in a place to share a unique moment with my wife and we had both agreed to do it without hesitation. It was the fact that I got to share some time talking with people there and finding out why they were there. It is easy to explkain how it went, but difficult to truly grasp how wonderful the day was.

This year, Kymberli and I did not go to the church. I didn't want Kymberli risking getting sick or being on her feet too long. Riley will be here soon and I am sympathetic that she has a baby in her belly and the extra strain taxes her body. It was still a very positive day. We were able to spend the day with our family (her side) and it was great. Lots of baby talk, great food and much laughter. We took some time to photograph Kymberli's cousins (mine too now) in the backyard. Jayson and Ali have a wonderful family and they have been great to us. As future parents, we have had many questions and they have been more than helpful. We are so appreciative that they are willing to share. Even 3-yr old Jackson was willing to share his meal with Kymberli. He's a character and extremely intelligent for his age. Look out pre-school!

I just want to say thank you to my family here, my family in NY and my wonderful wife for all the memories of Thanksgiving. I am thankful to God for blessing me with so many wonderful gifts in life. Without my faith and family, I would surely be in a different place.

Here are two of my favorite shots from yesterday. Thank you guys for allowing us to photograph your family. It was a treat!


Saturday, November 22, 2008

Pet Photos With Santa

Sunday, Nov. 23 - Tomorrow for you calendar challenged is the 2008 PAWS for a Cause at the Seal Beach Animal Care Center. Kymberli and I will be taking pictures of people's pets with Santa. We are going to be donating half of our proceeds to the shelter because this is something we believe in and we see so many animals that need our help. It's our way of saying thanks to the shelter for doing so much for our unwanted, lost and neglected pets.

The festivities begin at 10am and go until 2pm. If you or anyone you know would like a photo or two of you and your pet with Santa, then come on down! This will be the first time we have ever done anything like this, but we really want to help the shelter. Bring your cat, dog, African grey, or even Timmy the lizard if that's what you have. We'll take the picture for you! Just remember this is going to help the shelter out. It's a fundraiser and one that we hope is great! There will be vendors, baked goods and you can even have your pet dip its paw in some paint and put it on the board. It'll be festive! Come one, come all!

Monday, November 10, 2008

What a beautiful family!

We had a second shoot set up for today down at the beach with A, R, & Baby C. When we got down there I thought my wife might blow away. The winds were constantly gusting incredibly hard and the air was chilly. When the family showed up for their close-up we were afraid for sand blowing and not being comfortable. Fortunately for us, A and R were SUPER flexible and had no problem moving back to Central Park. There we'd be out of the wind a bit more and we could relax and get some fun shots. Did we ever! This is one beautiful family.

Thank you both, and you too baby C, for allowing us to photograph your family. Thank you for being flexible and being so cool about today. You guys were great! We really enjoyed meeting you and getting to know you better. Thanks for the heads up on the baby books, too. I am certainly going to pick one up!

Here are a few of my favorites from today. How cute are they!




Makin' Babies - With Style

My title has a hidden meaning... and no, I am not talking about 'making' babies. Paul and Wendy already did a great job there. I am talking about the fact that they have a little girl on the way and they have a style all their own. My wife posted a few photos of their maternity session today and it was so cool. She also gives a brief history of how we know them, but here's my side.

When I moved out here to SoCal three years ago, my wife threw me a party to welcome me to California and she invited all her friends. Wendy, Kymberli's co-worker at the time, was one of them and she introduced me to what I think was called a Washington Apple shot. Tasty little things. That was how I met Wendy. I then met Wendy's husband, Paul, and we've all been friends ever since. We certainly don't get to spend as much time hanging out like we'd like to, but when we do we make it count. Paul is one of THE most unique artist's I know. The man has a talent that most would make any sacrifice for. He's got mad skills as a graffitti artist and can freehand and airbrush some of the most amazing stuff you have ever seen. I can't wait to do a vintage car shoot with him.

Today we had the privilege of photographing the expectant couple in Huntington Beach's Central Park. I love it there. Spacious, lots of dogs and beautiful scenery. We had a lot of fun with our shots and even got to poke some fun at me for setting them up in the oddest shot ever. Sorry guys, next time we'll bring duck food.

Here are some of my favorites on the day. My wife got some of the best shots I have seen today. You'll have to check out her blog. I know pregnant women seem to have a hard time believing they are beautiful, but I think you'll see how beautiful Wendy is from these photos. Thank you both for allowing us to take your photos. Your daughter is going to have an amazing life and play dates will definitely be in our future! You can always see the amazing amount of love the two of you have for each other.