{it all starts with and idea}

It's no secret that my background in advertising and editorial photography plays a major role in my wedding style. I love the inspiration the two branches of this craft lend to each other. I also love working with other creative professionals on projects that usually start with just a small idea. So when Paula Rae of Rae Florae asked me to help work with her on new advertising, I jumped at the chance! Here is the idea that we started with...I love the quality of pencil drawings...whether on notebook paper or a napkin...so many great ideas start here.
We were so lucky to find two beautiful models for the shoot, they were so much fun to work with! Here are a few of my favorite photos, it will be a hard decision to choose just one for the ad!

Why, yes! This is actually my wedding dress! I got married in August and it was funny to see the dress on someone else....thank goodness she's a redhead too:)

{TaylorMade US Open Party} Bernard Gardens

Last week The Lodge at Torrey Pines hosted one of the most prestigious and entertaining sports events, The US Open. While thousands of fans gathered to watch the show in Southern California, there was also plenty of fun and excitement going on behind the scenes. Before the big event started, I photographed The TaylorMade US Open party at Bernard Gardens in Rancho Santa Fe. It was an amazing event with golfers and golf industry pros from around the world.

Bernard Gardens is such an amazing location for parties and even weddings!

Sergio Garcia, one of TaylorMade's top pros, had a great time and I was very impressed by what a nice and easy going guy he was.

Grey Goose Vodka was one of the sponsors of the event and martinis were in abundance.

One of my favorite parts of the entertainment was magician Kevin Viner, his magic tricks were so entertaining and perfect for a party like this.

Josh Kelley performed and the music and show were perfect for the summer evening party!

And what night would be complete without a little fire dancing!?!

Surfboards signed by Kelly Slater decorated the event. Surprisingly, when I arrived I actually recognized the boards since they were glassed by my husband! small world...

{the calhoun family}

There are so many definitions of a happy family out there today and the Calhoun's are very similar to my own family right now. Jillyin, Kyle, and their 2 adorable dogs were so much fun to do family portraits with! I am definitely a dog lover so this shoot was much more like play than work for me! We started off at their home in Mission Viejo, stopped by a nearby park to play, and then headed to doggy heaven...the beach:) Here are a few of my favorites!

nope...I've never really been a believer in this rule!

{long time, no blog!}

Wow! Wedding season has officially begun. I have been shooting non-stop for the past few weeks and while I love to keep my blog updated there has been no time! I have so many shoots to share, the first is coming very soon...a unique family portrait session that I loved shooting:)

{casey and josh}

On May 24th, 2007, I had the pleasure of shooting the wedding of two of my closest friends. Casey and Josh are so awesome for each other and it was truly a pleasure to have been a part of their big day. Casey is so much fun to hang out with at her famous (and delicious) dinner parties, and you can always count on Josh to be a big brother to everyone. They each have amazing families to support them and now they are coming together to make their own. Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Spengler (#2)! You deserve every second of happiness. It was so difficult to choose favorites on this one....I love them all for different reasons...here are a few:)








Location: Paradise Gardens
Coordinator: Charmed Events
Florals: Classic Creations
Catering & Cake: Slice of Heaven
Music: Mike Farmer
Hair & Make-up: Beauty and the Beach

{i heart polaroid} emulsion lifts

It's no secret that I love working with Polaroid in both emulsion transfers and lifts. It is a process that can take up the whole day so I don't get to do it as often as I like to but Friday I just had to have an art day:) The lifts don't scan as well as the transfers (they are so beautiful in person!) but here are a few of my favorites. This time I did a few wedding ones where I usually only do landscapes...I think the subject matter was surprisingly good for this medium.

First the landscapes...




And the weddings:)