A Vacation Portrait Session

Recently J & D came up to to the Bay Area to visit with friends.  Since they were here from Port Hueneme (Southern California) where D is currently stationed, they were able to take advantage of my military discount (which applies everyday) and have a portrait session done.

With our friend H on makeup and acting as our impromptu stylist, off we went!  You can't tell by these images, but it was REALLY cold!  We were out and about at 9:00 a.m. to make sure they still had the rest of the day to spend with friends.

They were such good subjects and great sports about being cold - especially J out there in that dress!  They looked adorable and I was thrilled with the results of our shoot, which was a first for me for many reasons, including photographing someone in a push-up pose!

I hope you enjoy these images as much as I do - can you feel the love?

The Stork is Coming!

No, he will not be stopping at my house anytime soon, but he will be stopping off at the Mendoza residence in April to drop Titus off in his beautiful nursery.

I was privileged to be the photographer for a high school friend, Amber, and her wonderful group of friends and family at the baby shower prior to the stork's arrival.

Normally, I get kind of clammy and uptight when I'm going someplace by myself and even more so when I think I won't know anyone at the event.  This time, though, I didn't feel that way one bit.

I felt welcome and comfortable, included and grateful, appreciative and peaceful.  The host, the guest of honor, and the entire group in attendance made for a lovely atmosphere full of excitement, motherly advice, and love.

Hopefully I get to spend some more time with the folks I met at the shower for Titus.  I really did enjoy the ride that was my first baby shower as the photographer.  This is what it looked like:

You Get What You Give

Not too long ago, I was asked to be a co-organizer of the MeetUp Group I belong to.  Needless to say, I was more than flattered, given my minimal experience with photography, lighting and the like.  I decided this would be a great opportunity to help out with what my skills allow me to and get my hands dirty, so to speak.

On Tuesday night, I taught a class on exposure basics and it was a highly rewarding experience.  So rewarding, in fact, that I've scheduled another class for March 12th to discuss proper composition.

If you've never taught anything before, try it.  You'll be amazed by how much you learn in the process.

Sorry there aren't any photos from this session since I was teaching.  I'll double up on the next post, I promise!

90 Days

I don't know how, but I've made it 3 months without losing interest.  I have a tendency to get really excited about something and then fall off the wagon, so to speak.

This also makes more than 6 months total since I got my DSLR.  I have always had a hard time with work/life balance and having a hobby that was just for me.

I think I've found my "thing".

At the risk of sounding far more philosophical than I actually am, I have to say my heart has found it's happy place in preserving the moments and things that make this life special.


Boy Meets Ocean


I attended a workshop on touring our National and State Parks a few months back, and I think it's high time I start putting that information to good use.  Now that I've passed my "probation period",  I think I feel a road trip coming on...