Mini-wingman!

She's finally here! (well, it was a few weeks ago, but now I am posting about it!) Paige Marie McDonald was born on January 25th at St. V's. After a long hard labor, Summer and Nick finally got to meet their lil miracle baby! She is so perfect from head to toe! I went to visit them on day 6 and for first time parents, they really have their stuff together! I knew Sum and Nick would be awesome parents. They are so laid back, everything isn't a stress and they are just enjoying every second of that kid! She was very good for our shoot, of course, since she didn't want to disappoint Aunt Amy! Seriously, I can't wait to watch her grow, have her play with my kids, and see the joy she will continue to bring Summer and Nick! Here's the announcement I made for them as well as a few shots from the day! I love you Summer, Nick and Baby Paige! Let me know if you need anything, especially someone to hold that baby! mmmmm........

Bino

Robyn and I have been friends since high school at Portland Christian. I call her Bino. The name started when our friend Sarah called her "Robino Rodriquez" with a spanish accent randomly one day. We all shortened it to "Bino" and she has been that ever since. She has been a great friend through high school and college. We lived together and worked together out on the east coast during our freshman year at Liberty. We got tattoos together. We had some good and bad times, but all of our memories brought us closer as friends and now moms! She has taught me how to REALLY cook, be a "tough love" mom which has saved me a million times over with the twins and shown me how to be a loyal and patient friend. I can be a bit high maintenance sometimes, but Bino always listens and understands. She knows where I came from and who I have become! I love watching her with her kids, they think she is the coolest and respect her so much! Thanks Bino for being you and for looking so smoking' hot! My camera LOVES shooting you which is pretty obvious in these photos! She is extremely dedicated to keeping fit which makes her a super happy and healthy lady. Happy birthday dude! 34 never looked so good.......

Winter beauties!

I had the opportunity to shoot a loyal client/friend yesterday. She and her sister in law both wanted to do "hottie" shoots. So we all met up at M's house for the event! I love it when women come to me and ask for these types of shoots. It says a lot about the person they are and how confident they are in their own skin. These ladies could not be more perfect as far as clients. They were prepared, had exactly in mind what they wanted and we went for it! Thank you M and K for a fun girls day! I can't wait to show you both your images! Here's a few I worked on last night.......man, what a couple of beautiful ladies! Much love and thanks a million!

THE Senior

I love that my cousin Rehka decided to get her senior photos taken in January! She's never been the typical teenager. Good thing for her, my 5D arrived the day before so she was the one who "christened" it for me! I can't believe she is going off to college this year and I have had the opportunity to watch her grow up from a little sprout to a very classy young woman. She did this shoot with me in the midst of meeting deadlines for college applications, which I know can be so hard and stressful. You would never know by looking at these that she had one ounce of stress! She is as beautiful on the inside as she is out! I love you Rehka. Thank you for a fun day of bonding and taking risks out on the rooftop! I can't wait to hear about all the offers the big schools are about to make you! Wherever you end up, it's going to be the best experience of your life! I wish I could go back, but I can't. So enjoy the ride, make lots of new life long friends and maybe fall in love! I know I did! ;)

Wingman

Summer has been my bff and "wingman" since we were 15. All it took was an introduction to drinking games and being rebellious and I was hooked! She's been there for me through thick and thin, she's been my boss and graced me some of the funniest memories of my life so far. Seventeen years later, here we are. Me, two kids, her, about to pop her first. I was honored to take her maternity photos since this kid is practically my niece! How exciting to watch her grow and glow with anticipation for this new baby. Life as she knows it, as cliche as it sounds, will never be the same. I think much better and more fun! What? Summer Fun having MORE fun? Yep, she will soon see the beauty of being a mom, watching her baby girl grow and her realization of how much HER mom loved her when she was a baby and still loves her that much now. I cannot wait to bring my camera to the hospital on the big day! I am tearing up now just thinking about it! As a proud Aunt should! I love you Summer and Nick and soon to be Baby Paige! Welcome to the best life yet........oh and as soon as you're up for it, WE.WILL.SNOWBOARD.

"ho, ho, ho, me me kiss"

Translation: Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas! That's what the twins have been saying for the past 3 weeks! When we got the Christmas tree there was a Santa blowup and we told them who he was and said the above famous phrase. It stuck with them this whole time. They see snow, they say the phrase. They see a cartoon with Christmas theme, they say the phrase. It's so cute and melts our hearts. In fact, they are still saying it today, 5 days after the big holiday and we just can't let it go. I am happy that we have talked to them about Jesus and hinted to them that he is the reason WHY we celebrate the holiday. We talked about my nativity scene and Aubrey of course saw the baby Jesus and wanted to hold him. I think next year it may sink in a bit more, they are still so young. The other day I had some hot coco heating up after we played in the snow. I had to take this picture. Aubrey LOVES watching me drink my coffee so she finally got her own "ca-ee". Here's the evidence.

Quote of the day......

"Never compare your journey with someone else's. It's a marathon with no finish line. Someone else may start out faster than you, may seem to progress more quickly than you, but every runner has his own pace. Your journey is your journey, not a competition. You will never "arrive". No one ever does."

I came across this quote today. Something that has been on my mind lately is my journey into photography. I have loved everything about taking pictures since I was a little kid. Loved having my pictures taken and taking my own. The first camera I took a picture with was a Polaroid. So fun to have instant gratification right after you take a picture! In college I studied film photography and although it was cumbersome being in the darkroom, it was so rewarding seeing the finished product! Once I got married I continued to take pictures with my SLR then I got my first digital camera shortly thereafter. Looking back at the pixelated shots, I remember how amazing I thought they were back then. And I still do because they captured a moment that meant something and I will never forget. This is why I got into photography in the first place. Creating awesome memories and growing in composition and style as well! Even though my start up into professional digital photography has come quickly, I know journey has been long! I am so happy and full when my eye is behind that camera and I cannot imagine ever stopping! So here's to "mile 13" of my marathon! And many more miles to come! This picture was taken at LAX during Aubrey's second trip out to Florida. She loved watching the planes take off.