enjoying warmer summer evenings...it's been such a cool weathered summer.  xo

++

edited with the new wallflower collection...actions only...orange blossem to be exact :)

in celebration of their parents forty year anniversary--a beautiful evening at the beach.  and me and my camera.  

xxoo

++

digital photographs edited with the new wallflower presets and actions.

here are a few shots i took last weekend.  in film.  yes all color film. no photoshop.  shot with the nikon f100 using fuji pro color film.  i have been trying to just play on what ever subject matter i can get my hands on, then developing at walgreens of all places!! it works for now :)

this was a gorgeous day spent with the family at an RC flying club near trabuco canyon.  my husband and kids had the best time....and me, well i was taking photos--that made me happy! xo

my grandparents.  married sixty-five years today.  it's an amazingly beautiful thing.  i love them so.  xxoo

such a fun an inspiring afternoon with an old friend (and a few new ones) passing through southern california for an amma tour.  seven adults and a baby following this magical woman in a small RV across the county--i think their latest stop was chicago, il.  

‘Amma’ as she is known all over the world today, has inspired and started innumerable humanitarian services. She has earned international recognition for her outstanding contributions to the world community. She is recognized as an extraordinary spiritual leader by the United Nations and by the people all over the world.
--amma.org.

it is so amazing and inspiring to me that this group of people can be so selfless and giving.  to travel with so little "stuff" with so much to give and offer.  i am lucky to call them friends and hear their stories.  at the end of the day, as my children and i walked them out to say goodbye i took that last shot.  there is something that hits me just right in that last photograph, the kind of thing that makes me love photography.  a mom and her baby, a photograph of the woman they are following posted to the wall behind.  a reflection of my yard...a place where they stopped along the way.  a snippet of time for us always to remember.  i know, i know...a little sappy...but it just makes my heart happy.  xxoo 

as many of you many be noticing i am moving toward simple, subtle edits with hints of toning as in the past. this set is filled with presets and actions to achieve such edits.  enjoy!!  xxoo

just returned home from a beautiful father's day weekend in the mountains.  the weather couldn't have been better.  from fish to frogs the kids had a great time!  i might be a city girl now...but my heart is in the mountains.  

xxoo

after the pool we headed out to the field.  it was a beautiful evening and wonderful company.  i have not thought much about doing maternity photography...but i must admit i enjoyed this session!

more photos and words about our gorgeous model over at deb's blog... xo

water.  one of my favorite things.  always has been.  and this weekend i had the awesome opportunity to shoot underwater photos of this beautiful lady...and got to hang out and collaborate with deb--an unexpected and welcome treat!  it was a great experience....at least until i misjudged and went camera first into the bottom of the pool.  first black eye in years!  but it was worth it!!  tons of fun!  xo

yesterday.  they day my first born turned nine.  nine.  sigh.  and i can still remember what he looked like as i first glanced at his little swaddled face in that hospital blanket--like it was yesterday.  it helps that his face looks just about the same as it did nine years ago :)  he hasn't changed much actually.  just a bit bigger...can hit a home run, put huge lego sets together in a matter of hours...and he eats a lot more now too.

it was a fun day.  started the day in san juan capistrano...at zoomars.  again.  he can sit and hold that guinea pig for hours...it was all he wanted to do.  in the evening we had some close friends of the family come over...i took one shot of the kids before they dispersed again into the yard...one shot.  i kind of like the fact it was just one shot and i can sit and look at all their personalities in that moment.  kate apparently had to pee, and joe's trunks were falling off all afternoon.  clara giving me her model look and lucy and ben best pals as they have been for nine years.  jake and jess--cooperating nicely to get that piece of cake they were promised.

looking forward to what the next nine have have in store.  xo