Highway 395 08.09.09

About a month or so ago, I drove from San Diego to Tahoe to visit family etc… and decided to make the trek through the desert up the historic 395 instead of fighting horrible LA traffic and looking at cows the entire drive up Hwy 5. There have always been spots along 395 that I’ve wanted to take the time to explore, so this time, alone, and with my camera in tow, I explored some of the most beautiful and decrepit remnants and randomness of the eastern Sierra desert. I think my favorite part was getting caught in a flash thunder and lightning storm at Mono Lake while taking a hike down to the shore. Standing alone in that place, getting soaked, and trying to protect my camera while watching the light on the lake dance around was a great reminder that we all need this sometimes, and being outside beats a day in front of a computer anytime!

COMICON! 08.03.09

SO, I’ve never been to Comicon before, even though I’ve lived in San Diego for a good number of years now, and every year I get more and more curious to see what the madness is all about. So our wonderful wedding clients, friends and awesome toy designers Paul and Jack had a couple extra passes for me and Shane to use so we loaded the cameras and went right into the madness! I have never been so overwhelmed with geekdom in all of my life, and I must admit that I felt right at home. We were able to sit on the Family Guy panel and hear them do the voices live which was fun, as well as getting some insider info at the True Blood panel which is my new TV obsession. Overall I had a great time… saw some really fun stuff, and would totally go back again next year, if only to take more photos!

There’s something about overweight asian Elvis trying to score a ticket at the last minute that made me so sad!

This event fills the entire San Diego Convention Center an it’s absolutely massive so it has its own newspaper just to let you know whats going on and when!

I guess even scary star wars creatures (sorry I don’t know what this is!!!) need a break to sight see as well! lol

YES!!! Finally… evil My Little Ponys. You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for this!

Jack posing in front of his “bread and butter” character. There were several people dressed up as this guy, and Jack was shusshing me all day when I tried to tell people that he designed him! Apparently, Jack likes being just behind the scenes and shys away from his Anime celebrity! haha.

Hard times for everyone….

I think even Domo was overwhelmed!

Some of my favorite things at the convention were the toys… the rows and rows of crazy toys! Here are a few of my favorite things from the merchandise section.. including the great wall of T-shirts that went far beyond what my lens could capture!

Thanks Paul and Jack for the amazing day and for hooking us up!

The Murphy Family! 05.08.09

A while back I finally got around to getting together with my beautiful friend Michelle Murphy from Pixie Salon (who happens to be the most amazing hairdresser I’ve ever had) to take some fun pics of her family in Balboa Park. We really couldn’t think of a better setting to take Elias and Owen so they could run around and be their crazy selves, while we had a couple glasses of wine and enjoyed a beautiful day! Michelle and Travis are one of those couples that everyone wishes they could be, and their family is such a pleasure to hang out with. Here’s a few highlights of my favorite moments of them just being themselves.

A San Francisco Weekend 04.23.09

A couple weeks ago I was blessed to be in San Francisco enjoying the most amazingly spectacular weather on an Easter weekend I’ve ever seen in the city! It also happened that my good friends, and favorite past wedding clients Paul and Jack (see their fashionable event here) were in the city too and so the three of us met up with my friend Jinwei for a bit of fun roaming the streets of San Francisco. I am so lucky to have such amazing people in my life, AND people that have such good taste in food! Jinwei had us meet for this ridiculously delicious breakfast at a creperie called Ti Couz in the Mission District. Seriously, I highly recommend this place if you want an amazing meal, and real fresh pure mango juice… mmmmm!!!

Jinwei and I couldn’t resist taking a quick self portrait while waiting for the boys to arrive… I smell a new facebook profile pic! lol

After Breakfast we all headed over to Japan town to enjoy the Cherry Blossom Festival and check out some of the local artists, food vendors and of course people! I think the highlight of wandering around down there was stumbling upon the famed Hotel Tomo which is an anime themed hotel in Japan Town. We HAD to go in and check it out… so we were dorks and messed around in the lobby which came complete with a giant cat, some sort of spongy lounge couch thing that looked like it belonged in a Super Mario video game, and of course in true Japanese style, a vending machine that had just about anything you could imagine in it from t-shirts to lunch!

We finally wandered back to the street fair and found the strangest artist booth who makes these tiny little pieces of jewelry shaped like sushi! Nothing says love quite like a pair of california roll cufflinks!

Before we took off we had to make one more stop into the anime store to browse around for some fun. Paul and Jack are designers and work on all kinds of packaging and design for anime and other toys so of course it was no surprise when Jack walked in and said “Hey! I made that!!!”

He also did the packing design for the Godzilla toys, but we couldn’t quite figure out what the hell this monster was supposed to be because it definitely wasn’t Godzilla!

Is it wrong that I have no idea what this thing is… and that I still want it? Awww how cute!!! a baby rice milk… ummm sure. 

The day was so beautiful that we decided to be uber tourists and head over to China town for some retail therapy including a stop off at American Apparel. I don’t think any of us are all that into American Apparel but we stopped in anyway and sort of wandered around confused and decided to have an impromptu fashion show… check out my stellar move with the batwing sparkly hoodie on! I was mimicking the picture of the model wearing that thing, and I still can’t figure out what was supposed to be happening in that photo! lol

The four of us hamming it up while I let a tourist use my camera!

Thanks so much Jinwei for being the absolute undisputed BEST tour guide I’ve ever had in the city, and to Paul and Jack for making me laugh so hard I almost peed!

Angelica & Bryan 03.31.09

Angelica is one of the most luminous personalities I’ve ever met… and she just happens to be gorgeous as well! These two had a perfect small ceremony on the cliffs in La Jolla followed by a rockin reception at the La Jolla Womens Club that was full of the warmth that everyone was feeling. Angelica was a model and it completely showed in every photo she took. She exuded beauty, warmth, and her love for Bryan was overwhelming. Thanks you two for making it easy for me!

We started off with Angelicas prep… and there was a lot of action in that little room.

The day was full of all this anticipation while we all waited for the marine layer to let up so we would have blue skies. It made for very white pictures… but was also an amazing way to showcase what the day actually FELT like… I love this shot of her veil twisting in the wind while she waited for things to begin… she was the first bride in history to be finished getting ready early!

Meanwhile at the Womens Club things were coming together… and Bryan was pacing around anxious to see Angelica too. He kept calling her maid of honor to see how she was holding up…. so sweet.

Since they were both older, it was really fun to have their kids with them as part of the ceremony. You can completely see where her two sons got their good looks from can’t you?

It doesn’t get any better than this…

And then out came the bubbles… I LOVE bubbles at weddings. I hope more couples catch on to this little treat!

And then the sun came out… and it couldn’t have been more perfect. Just in time for portraits and to warm up the reception hall with a surreal heavenly light.

I think this kid was more terrified and less amused at being up so high! The side room has a MUCH lower ceiling and I think he knew it!!! lol

The evening ended with lots of dancing, and even more hugs. I love getting the chance to be a part of such a perfect day, and having a couple like Angelica and Bryan makes it that much better! Thanks again for allowing me to be such an important part of your day!

Valentines Day!!! 02.20.09

Ok so I know I’m a few days late in posting this stuff… but I’ve had a crazy busy week and have only just found the time to blog some. So… for Valentines day this year I went for a home made gift since for the most part we are kind of anti-hallmark holidays in general. I made Shane chocolate pot de creme which is his favorite dessert, and this silly card. I think I got a tad bit excited about using glitter what do you think?

I have a serious thing for white roses, so being the sweetheart that he is, Shane showed up unexpectedly with the most beautiful bunch of them I’ve ever seen. I’m so spoiled…. so of course I had to take a photo with them! Happy Belated Valentines Day everyone.

Just a couple quick ones… 02.20.09

This is Rachel in front of my favorite wall in all of San Diego. The bubble wall is just calling out to have its own series don’t you think? We took a walk a week or so ago to enjoy this amazing weather and we happened to get this sassy shot at the beginning of the day. I’m so glad that all of my friends are just used to posing for me wherever we go, and it doesn’t hurt that they know how to work it too ; )

Ok so for this next one… I sort of look at it like a rorschach test. I see a tractor for some reason. What do you see?

Around My Place… 02.20.09

lately I’ve been craving a project. When its not wedding season most things are slow, and I have lots of time to just catch up on some personal work which is so different for me. I took a walk the other day, just a half hour, nothing fancy and these are just a few shots that I got of my neighborhood. I love where I live, its always got something for me to see, and walking around here always gives me a new perspective on the way I see things too. I love remembering why I picked up a camera in the first place… it keeps me fresh. Its amazing what the world will show you if you only take the time to look.

Aarti & Sunil – Day Three… The Wedding! 02.07.09

So after spending two very action packed days laughing my butt off with Aarti, Sunil, and their amazing families the big day finally came. I had to get up super early to be at Aarti’s house for morning prayers. This was by far my favorite part of the entire three day event. There is such a beautiful ceremony giving thanks and asking blessings from Ganesh who is the destroyer of all obstacles in life, and involves the smearing of Turmeric paste on her face, arms, and feet which is a type of beautification process (and stains btw!) 

This is a super emotional process as they are preparing for Aarti’s departure from the family home to move in with her husband, and everyone was back and forth between laughter and tears all morning. Aarti was just lit up, and looked so beautiful despite all of the mixed emotions.

This is one of my favorite images. These are her fathers hands, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house when it was his turn.

After a quick shower Aarti was back to finish the prayer process (with only slightly stained cheeks I might add) lol…

This is the look of fear!!! To get this look at home, take one girl who doesn’t wear (or need) makeup, add one very assertive and talented makeup artist, a brand new tube of mascara, mix and serve! 

The end effect was mesmerizing, and I honestly was finding it hard not to stare at her after she was finished getting ready.

Those are my bobby pins! <3  thank goodness I’m SUCH a girly girl and wear LOTS of them at every event I shoot. They really came in handy here.

So onto the wedding procession which is more like a parade with Sunil atop everyones shoulders again and beaming!

At this point in the ceremony they have to walk in circles seven times, the first four the groom leads the bride signifying that he will lead the couple in fulfilling life’s goals, and in the last three she leads him and they compete to see how will be the first to sit down which is supposed to predict who will dominate the marriage! Afterwards Aarti got one last hug from her father and her eyes tell you everything you need to know…

and its official!!!

Thanks so much Aarti and Sunil for inviting me completely into your family and your lives for this week. I think it will be quite some time before I am as moved and awed by a ceremony as I was during this entire process. I’m looking forward to hanging out with you and your new puppy soon!

Aarti & Sunil – Day Two 02.07.09

So the second day of an indian wedding ceremony is just a raging party! They have a big dinner for most of the family and some close friends that includes the most amazing spread of Indian food I’ve ever seen (or tasted), more mhendi tattoos for the guests, fun bindi jewels, bracelets, and of course traditional dancers that REALLY got things movin’!!!

this little guy was camped out on the dance floor….so cute!

But we eventually had to make room for when the party REALLY got started!

I had some stiff competition, this kid is an awesome photographer already! : )

Towards the end of the night everyone grabbed Sunil and hoisted him up…. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one cracking up at his reaction!