Vanessa- beauty and fun, all rolled into one.....

 I had have the great pleasure of knowing Vanessa and her family for over 25 years now. They have attended many of our family events and we have been honored to attend theirs. Vanessa just recently graduated from high school and wanted to have her graduation pictures taken by me. So we headed off to downtown Fullerton to explore the possible sites for the shoot. Of course we took the standard and yet very beautiful portraits of her that her parents would want but Vanessa had a few other things in mind too. You see, even though Vanessa is a smart and lovely gal (can we say "Hail to the Prom Queen"???), this girl has a bit of a crazy streak in her too. I love to take pictures of people who want to have fun. If you pose, I will be there to photograph it, and Vanessa did not disappoint. We took so many pictures that morning that I actually ran out of space on my memory card- she was just that fantastic. Yea, maybe a few of them aren't gong to hanging on the living room wall but you can be sure, they are treasured memories for Vanessa. Congrats and good luck at college.... I know you will shine brightly there.......

 

 

 

Girls love Diamonds

For a few years now, I have had the joy of photographing both boys baseball and girls softball senior pictures at Brea Olinda High School, which are presented to the graduating seniors of the varsity teams as a gift from their booster clubs. It is a unique set of pictures in which the subject does not smile or look directly into the camera at any time. I try to capture the emotions of what the player may be feeling while in the game. I take a series of different poses that is true to the players' natural game posture. Once I take the pictures, I do a little "fun filtering" aka. sepia tone touch up to the image and "voila"- the 11x14 mounted gift is ready to be presented at the end of the season banquet.

Here you see the Senior Varsity Softball girls photos.

I have been so pleased to be able to offer this service to BOHS and hope that when each player looks at their photo, they look back on their season with fond memories. 

 Interested in something a little different in a portrait for your family (or school)? Just call me and we can discuss some fun and unique photos just for you. 

Colorado wedding- Lauren and Tom Parker

 
  

Back a few months ago, when I was still retired, I was asked by my dear friend if I could photograph her daughter's upcoming wedding in Colorado. Since my husband and I were already planning on attending the wedding (we live in So Cal) and I was going to  bring my camera along, anyways, to take some extra photos at the event, I said OK. Then, at that moment, I thought, "Holy Cow, I just agreed to shoot my best friend's daughter's wedding in another state and I'm not equipped for any of this". You could say that's when panic set in. I hadn't shot a wedding in years and all my equipment that I owned those days were only for vacations and pictures of my family- I had nothing that I could use at a professional level. My wonderful husband, Kenny, encouraged me to go forward and photograph the wedding AND he also bought me all new and up to date equipment that I was going to need. Hence, after a 5 year retirement, I was back in business.

But, I still had a bit of uneasiness in me. I wanted to give the couple great photos but I hadn't been in the business for a long time- thing have changed. Was I going to be good enough? Did I still have it in me to do something as important as my best friend's daughter's wedding? Flying to Denver- was I going to be able to carry all my equipment on the plane with me and not check any of it in? And I usually have an assistant working with me at all my weddings- who was going to help me out that day? The more I thought, the more I got nervous. (I tend to over think things sometimes.)

Well, I manage to carry all my equipment on the plane with me without any problems. I did a little research and I looked up what other wedding photographers were doing these days. But the best thing of all, my husband agreed to be my assistant for the day. Now, I need to tell you, Kenny is not a photographer!!! He is a CPA (accountant) by trade. He doesn't like to have his picture taken nor is he that thrilled when I ask him to take a picture or two of me. I only really thought that if he can keep me on schedule and carry my equipment and maybe take about a dozen or so pictures, I would be happy for his help. Well, I was so surprised with all that he did! He not only kept me on a tight schedule- he carried all my equipment and kept the batteries fully charged. But most of all, he was an amazing photographer!!! Who know this mild mannered account by day had a hidden photography talent inside him. I was able to use a few hundred of his shots for the final product.

And I have to say, it only took a few minutes of taking pictures to feel as if I was "back in the saddle" again. It was like riding a bike. It felt natural taking pictures again.

Well, the wedding was beautiful. A snowy day in Estes Park, CO at that wonderful Stanley Hotel. Lots of terrific backgrounds to use. Crazy cast of characters... ie. wedding party. And a stunning bride and groom... It was all good.

Over 1000 images were sent to the bride and groom (and both sets of parents too). I hope everyone had a great time at the wedding and that Kenny and I were able to capture the joy and happiness of the event. But most of all, I hope Tom and Lauren will look at the pictures for many years come and they will them remind them of their wonderful wedding day filled with happy memories.

 

 

 

  

 

Babies grow up too fast....

I have the wonderful opportunity to watch my little grand daughter, Sophia, one day a week. And because "Nana" is a photographer, she gets to have her picture taken a lot. Babies grow up way to fast.... they change so much from month to month- sometimes from week to week. I believe that capturing these precious days is so important to the parents as well as for the child. I love taken pictures of little ones doing whatever they do- playing, exploring, even crying. I also love playing with some different filters to add a sense of wonderment to the images. Here are a few pictures that I recently took of my sweet little Sophia- just being herself.

 

 

 
Don't let these precious moments go un-captured. 

Call me soon for a sitting with your family- no matter how young or how old they may be.

 

Sara

Just a few weeks ago, I had the pleasure to take pictures of a very lovely young lady, Sara. She is very interested in acting and modeling. She was a delight to work with. She took great direction and by the end of the photos shoot, her beautiful personality was shining through. I hope that this photos shoot is the beginning of many for Sara and wish her the very best of luck with her future dreams.

If you are interested in a photo shoot for your family, feel free to contact me anytime.

My Cousin, Bethany's, Wedding

Weddings are such a wonderful time to come together and celebrate love and laughter and family and friends. I was honored to attend my cousin, Bethany's wedding a few weeks ago. I was not the official photographer for the day but most of the people who know me, know I don't go too many places without taking my camera with me. I took a few pictures of the event to give to Bethany as a little extra gift for her and her new hubby.

I know that Bethany likes all types of photography so I decided to play around with some of them and give her a few pictures that aren't the standard color photo.

beautiful centerpieces

getting the little ones ready for the pictures.

the beautiful bride

a little fun with Photoshop

a very happy groom

now that's how you dance with your bride.

let's get this party started

Whether it is a wedding or other celebration, let me design the photos you want- let me show you what I can do for you!

Big party for little ones turning 1 years old.

They say that parents make such a fuss over their child's 1st birthday party and the birthday kid doesn't even know what is going on and won't remember it anyways. But if you have a photographer who is there taking pictures of every little detail, when that child grows up, he/she will see all the work and love and planning that went into making their 1st birthday such a wonderful celebration.

I was so happy to be able to take pictures of our dear friends, Zack and Allie Thayer's, very first birthday party. The "Thing One and Thing Two" party theme was so adorable. Mom and dad (Betsy and Brad) made sure every details was done to perfection. They wanted everyone to have a good time. But most of all, they wanted to give their twins a day filled with love. And with these (and many, many more) pictures, Zack and Allie will be able to see it all in "Captured Memories"....

If the celebration is important, shouldn't the pictures of the event be too? Let me help you keep those important times of yours and your family's memories alive in pictures. 

 

Thing 1 and Thing 2.........Zack and Allie

Zack and his new friend.

Turning 1 is Fun!

Big sister, Riley, leads in the singing of the"Happy Birthday" song.

Not sure if this is food or a big, messy toy.

Messy yet tasty fingers.

Zack- reading his birthday card.

Family time.

Capturing your treasured moments... that's what I want to do for you. 

Whether it is with a beautiful portrait or just some "live in the moment" candids.... These are your memories and I am here to give them a lasting life.

As my friends and I get older, we are blessed in becoming grand-mas. My dear neighbor has one grand daughter, Lyla. 

Lyla is a character- full of life and fun. Here are a few pictures of a little girl- just being a little girl.

 

Don't let these treasured moments get away.

Call me to schedule a sitting soon.