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J ust when I thought I couldn’t like him any more, he goes and makes my heart flutter like a schoolgirl. I’ve had an outstanding crush on Brad Pitt since I was old enough to realize boys weren’t always going to remain the smelly, sweaty, and mean creatures who made fun of my potbelly, silver headgear protruding from my face, and tortoiseshell glasses. They might—with a stroke of good luck—morph into someone resembling a demigod with bright blue eyes, dirty blond hair, and rugged good looks.
As I grew up, however, I realized the boys? Yeah, they still don’t look like Brad.
I received my newest copy of W Magazine in the mail yesterday and was pleasantly surprised. Nah. I reverted back to the schoolgirl of yesteryear when I noticed Angelina Jolie on the cover, with photo credit attributed to Brad Pitt. Be still my beating heart. Brad’s photo essay (yes, he and I are on a first name basis because we’re cool like that) was lovely and real, but the layout was nothing short of fabulous! A ton of white, negative space, one photo to every double-page spread, the entire series done in black&white. Totally feroche. If you get the chance, definitely check it out!
Speaking of magazines, my blog was featured in the latest edition of Rangefinder Magazine in an article about blogging, its importance, and how-to’s written by Steve Tout. Special thanks to Joan Solitario for emailing me the following scan of the magazine since I have yet to receive it. The article is great for someone who’s considering a blog or just getting started in the photography business…I, obviously, couldn’t say enough good things about blogging and know my business wouldn’t be where it is today without my blog.
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I realize my blog is a mix of personal stories and professional work, and while there are some readers who prefer watching grass grow than read another story about Polo, I appreciate the time people spend to stop by and say hi. It means a lot and I thank you.
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Heather and Weber : Engagement
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I t took just one look to make him look again. Weber did a double-take when he saw Heather for the first time. In the halls of hospital, their eyes met and Heather laughed from the attention. He was a doctor making his rounds, and she was a speech therapist visiting a patient. So he walked, and she talked.
Heather and Weber immediately warmed to each other and instantaneously became friends. The first night they went out, Heather asked Weber to join her at a local sports bar to watch a big game. Then he liked her a whole lot more. Heather was kind, funny, AND liked sports just as much as he did. She was perfect.
Months later, as Heather and Weber packed for a trip to Hawaii, he tucked a diamond ring into his pocket. As they spent their afternoons on the beach and enjoyed island life, Weber wanted to find the perfect place to propose so he kept the ring in his pocket at all times. On long hike down a steep mountain, Heather and Weber reached their destination: A gorgeous waterfall. With mist dancing around their faces and Weber knew it was the spot. As water pounded against the black, Hawaiian rocks, he got on one knee and asked Heather to spend the rest of her life with him. Double-takes and all.
I’m so excited to be shooting Heather and Weber’s wedding this January as I know it’s going to be so much fun! I had a blast shooting their engagement session in Santa Monica and I can’t wait to photograph such an awesome couple in a few months for their wedding!
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| Heather booked me over the phone, so we met for the first time photographing her engagement session...and I was so happy to see how fabulous she was! Heather came to the shoot confident, fun, and ready to have a good time, which makes me just stand back, relax, and shoot. Loved it! |
| As a photographer, I try to stay away from locations I've shot at before. Each couple is unique, so why would I use the same spots I've shot in before? Weber made mention he was surprised there was so many places to be photographed along the Santa Monica Pier, without actually being on the pier. This made me feel good. It's my clients job to choose the location they feel wonderful at, but my job to take their ideas to another level...and I sincerely hope their love is reflected in the myriad of locations we chose! :) |
| Off to the Santa Monica Pier... |
| By the time we made it to the beach, the sun was setting so fast...it was getting dark as I shot this picture, but it's my favorite from the session...it's just so indicative of their love: Warm, genuine, and sincere. |
T his past weekend, while shopping for a new dress for a special occasion, I dragged JD to South Coast Plaza for a little retail therapy. Toward the end of a long afternoon, I promised him I was almost finished. I just had ONE MORE DRESS to try on. He blinked so many times I thought he was trying to Morse Code distress messages, but I conveniently ignored his pleas and ventured into the dressing room. I reappeared in the dress and JD gave a thumbs-up from afar.
Then it was my turn for blinking Morse Code.
RED ALERT…the…dress…won’t…zip.
JD walked over to the dressing room and after a few moments of hoping, wishing, and suck-it-in-and-don’t-breathe-ing, it finally zipped. It appears I have some work to do in the weight department, especially if I want to oh, say, BREATHE in the dress when it’s time to wear it.
For the next two weeks, I’m going to stay away from sugar and try to eat right. This is after a weekend of eating tablespoons of sugar, guzzling a vat of lard, and pounding loaves of Wonder Bread. But this week marks a new start.
Just yesterday, as I left for a shoot, JD packed a bag of Reduced Fat Cheeze-Its and proffered it as I loaded my car. I looked at him in shock…and fear. Shock that he’d tempt me, and Fear that I’d actually take them. So I did what my good Christian mother told me to do whenever I was tempted. I turned to him and looked squarely at the Ziplock bag in his hands and said, Get behind me, Satan. JD just rolled his eyes and tossed the bag in the car.
After the shoot, I sent JD the following text message: Dear Satan, I ate the crackers. Now you owe me liposuction.
So, here’s to hoping for more will power. Or learning how to hold my breath for a few hours.
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Candice and Daniel : Anytime
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S he had a broken heart. A heart scattered in a million little pieces and poured her hurt on the dinner table surrounded by a few people. Candice visited a dear friend to share her story and express the hurt of a recent breakup with a fiancé. It was at that dinner when Rebekah—a girl Candice never met before that evening—heard Candice’s story. Rebekah said nothing but knew in her heart Candice was destined to meet her brother, Daniel.
A while later, Rebekah encouraged Daniel to check out Candice’s blog and, while there, he realized she was something special. A girl with a huge heart, a beautiful spirit, and a kind soul. Daniel blushes when this part of the story is told. I wasn’t a blog STALKER or anything! He and Candice laugh and she raises her eyebrows in way that conveys quite the opposite.
When they finally met in person, Candice picked Daniel up from the airport as they drove to a friend’s house for dinner. As they rolled past her hometown streets, they listened to rap music…and Daniel busted out rapping aloud. It was then when Candice knew he was for her. Yes, he was cute. Yes, he was kind. Yes, he liked her. But, man-oh-man, the boy could rap along with Tupac like nobody’s business. And that did her in.
Candice and Daniel married in March 2007, and now work together for The Beautiful Mess in Charlotte, North Carolina. Candice contacted me about surprising Daniel on my blog with his birthday gift: A trip to Los Angeles to experience Hollywood, have a photoshoot with me, and visit Tupac’s hometown. I doubt I compared with the awesomeness that is Inglewood, but I hope I came close! I can’t wait to see what the future holds for such an amazing couple and I hope our paths cross again in the near future. They are fabulous and I’m proud to now call them friends!
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| Okay...so about the following picture. I know. It's a little...well...strange? Daniel's pinky fingers point in opposite directions and I came to find out it's hereditary! I couldn't stop screaming when I saw them...then I had to take a picture because they make Daniel uber unique and fabulous! :) |
| Feroche. Totally feroche. Many thanks to Nicole DeAnne for doing such a great job with Candice's hair makeup! |
| There were a few other photos in this series, but I liked this one in particular because I like the moody feel... |
| The light pouring into this alley was amazing and I could've shot in it all day! |
| I ADORED this mural we came across and I asked Candice to work it out for me...and she made Charlotte proud with all her moves! :) |
W henever I’m feeling down, I become ultra sensitive. Please don’t look at me cross-eyed when I’ve had a bad day because I may just melt into a puddle of tears. This past week has been one of those weeks when I wanted to squeeze my eyes shut and wish for tomorrow to come. And, yes, I’ve warned JD not to look at me cross-eyed for fear of living with Liquid Woman, the girl who melted into a puddle and had to live in an empty bottle of Chanel Mademoiselle. And then it’d be ALL HIS FAULT.
Don’t get me wrong. This week has been good in so many ways, but life has a way of sticking you in a tornado of wrenches. And wrenches hurt.
As I was sitting at my desk this morning, I placed my face in my hands and prayed. And then sighed. I felt JD staring at my back from across the room. I secretly wanted him to get up from his large, red chair and hug me, but I stayed silent. A few minutes later, his arm was wrapped around my neck as he pulled me into his chest.
If it makes you feel any better, we snuggled last night, JD said. That’s another thing. When I’m feeling down, I become the World’s Neediest Snuggler. I almost nuzzled my postman yesterday for handing over a much needed package.
Nooo, I snuggled with you…you didn’t snuggle with me, I replied from under his embrace. His response was something along the lines that he was unaware of the Rules of Snugglement, but he said he’ll try to get better. Me too, I agreed, but I meant that in so many ways. I want to become a better person. Daughter. Wife. Friend. Photographer. Just better.
And as long as I don’t melt into a puddle before next week, I think being better is a serious possibility.
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| I'm off to shoot an engagement session in Santa Monica later today, but this is a sneak peek at a shoot I'm editing now! :) |
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