New Blogspot!

Okay everyone.... I've been having blogging problems. Please visit my new (maybe temporary, maybe not) blogspot.

Click HERE to be redirected.


Thank you and sorry for the inconvenience.

What Surrounds Us

A few photographs of my sister and her family. I decided to use a different acid wash treatment on the color photos. I did so because I think sometimes you have to view something a bit differently in order to truly see it. Especially the things we see everyday. And I photograph my family all the time... so I wanted something different.

In literature, representing something differently is called 'defamiliarization' or the art of 'making strange'. It's purpose is to bring about awareness. It is used to jolt the reader and get them to appreciate what is often overlooked. It is the same with photography and is my photography philosophy.

Sometimes we have to see things differently...see who we are...who we have... in order to see the love that surrounds us.

Fun on Labor Day

Isn't It Romantic?

Okay, I have many more images from last night's wedding that I simply love and I have much more to say about them...but not tonight. (I have sooo many other things to work on.) However, I did promise the Bride I'd have something to show and well, here they are.




I can't decide between the color and black and white on this shot (above).


The Cake

The Bride's Flowers

"Knowingly"

Woo Hoo! This portrait of my daughter was a finalist in the July BetterPhoto.Com contest. To view the other finalists and winners, click HERE.
Some of the entries are too amazing for words. So I am absolutely humbled to be in their presence.

Sirhari Gollapudi

First things first...THANK YOU Srihari Gollapudi (wherever you are)!!! I FINALLY have my new gallery up (which I'm soooo happy about) and although it took two hours to figure out what the problem was, Srihari Gollapudi finally figured it out. (huge, huge sigh) I was about to explode while we chatted and kept getting it wrong, but two hours later when I saw it working, I almost did a somersault!

Srihari Gollapudi...I totally love ya!




The weekend was VERY busy, but I wanted to show you some new products being offered. The 10x10 Storyboard and the Newborn Portrait Study (thank you, DA). This newborn was part of the reason my weekend was so busy. Isn't he adorable? I CAN'T WAIT to work on the rest.

For those of you having newborn sessions soon....just know that this session lasted about three and a half hours and he did pee about five times (most of the time on his daddy). It really was great fun and so worth it!



Lastly (for my fellow photographer friends), I've entitled this last one "why not". It is for a self-portrait contest entry and well, why not shoot a picture of yourself. Really, why not?! :) Oh...and here's a P.S.....this last photo was taken inside of my car while waiting for my next session. There is ALWAYS great lighting in the car...seriously. So, ladies...want a great portrait of yourself? It's all about the car, baby;) Have fun finally getting a shot of yourself that you'll love....haha.

Have a wonderful and inspired week everyone!

Fragile and Precious

If there is one thing I’ve realized this weekend, it is that life is indeed fragile and precious.

For those of you whose sessions I had to cancel this weekend, thank you so much for your understanding. I will be catching up on calls and emails the rest of this week. This weekend’s sessions will resume as scheduled.




This flower is dedicated to Karla....a child I never met…a child who changed my life. The loss my family and I had this weekend was difficult. However, the experience Karla's family faced this weekend is something I cannot begin know. May they know she made the difference in the life of a stranger.

Looking Back

I've been working on my new gallery. When it's done it won't be a redirected site (i.e. betterphoto). It will FINALLY be a page on my website (fingers crossed). I do it all myself, so sometimes, you never know.

So I've been gathering all my images and looking into the archives. That's when I came across this one of my daughter. It was taken last August. The leaves were beginning to fall, but overalls were still in order. I couldn't believe it was her. I think I'll have to have a tissue box by my desk to go through the rest. Wish me luck!

(added later)

Well, I found another one! I can't believe I had actually forgotten about this one. I guess I just got so busy that I just had to put these aside. Although, I do remember the day. I experimented on her so much last summer. She became so familiar with the camera that it became harder to take photographs of her. She was always moving in too close and wanting to see my viewfinder. She still does. One thing I love about photographing children is that it freezes them. They are such active and lovely little creatures. With a child, you want the moment to last longer, but it never does. They just keep moving....sometimes without you. Here, she is finally still...and it is forever long enough for me to savor the moment.

Busy Maternity Weekend!

I don't have time to post all my favorites, but here are a few. Don't the Mommies look great? Now, I can't wait to see these babies and I don't have long to wait.

Lovely!

Seriously Beautiful

Yes, she is very serious in this photo...and yes, she was very serious the entire session. Well, I did manage to capture a few smiles toward the very end. Although, I must admit that I do like her little formal and dignified look. She looked right through me at two years old! She is, indeed, seriously beautiful.





Check out the eyelashes!

Heartbreakingly Handsome and the Sweetest Sweet

I have so much to say about this shoot, but I can't possibly say it all tonight. I will have to add to this tomorrow. For now, just know that THIS was so much fun. I mean, just look at these children!!! One thing I wanted to achieve was a dilemma....Do I love the black and white more than the color? Hmmm..... I always go for black and white...But it's great to sprinkle them with vibrant color. At least I think so.


Happy Birthday to the one VERY cute baby boy. Mr. S...You are heartbreakingly handsome.



And to the sweetest girl with sweetest sweet tooth....I had a ton of fun and thanks for the hug. Made my heart melt.


Until tomorrow, Cristina

PS Miss M - Make sure you brush your teeth before you go to bed....That's an order! :)


Okay, okay....last one...I just can't help myself. Just look at that face! It's like he's posing for me...but don't let him fool you. That was a split second glance in my direction. I'm just lucky I caught it.



And now more....



And more...



And finally...don't you just love this one?

Can't hear me?

For those of you who have endured phone conversations where I am barely audible... my apologies. I will be getting a new phone this week. Mine has just about had it. No photo today...just a sample advertisement which will be seen in various places. More on that later.

Happy Birthday

Happy 15th Birthday! Today is your day. Have yourself a blast!



More from this session later:)

Planet Rolls Rock

Okay, I do not have a photo to post tonight. Mostly because it's late and well, I'm sleepy. However, I just had to say that my trips to the westside are detrimental to my pocket book and my waistline. Why? Two words: Sushi Express! Goodness, I LOVE their Planet Rolls. I CRAVE them. Constantly. I don't even have to be hungry to grab an order if I'm on the westside. I will do it simply because I know I'm not always on the westside and so.... that's how it goes.

Sushi Express...two thumbs up on the Planet Rolls. As usual, they were yummy and especially perfect for Semi-sushi people like me.

G'night all!

Cristina

L'Amour

I had a ton of fun on this photo shoot. When I suggested downtown, the bride-to-be absolutely agreed and I'm glad she did. I personally love some of these shots. My personal goal was to achieve a photograph with an old, romantic feel to it. I worked on the old part....the romantic feel? Well, that's all them.

Fun with Fruit

First of all, I have to say that the two children in this family are ABSOLUTELY adorable and I had such a great time photographing them. I was completely charmed by them. Our session started out indoors, then it went outdoors, and then we indoors for a bit of a spontaneous snack break. The children had picked some fruit from the garden, although, the jury is still out as to whether the fruit was ripe or not...:) Regardless, they ate it, and seemed to enjoy it. When the little one started making adorable faces, I just had to keep shooting.

Taking Care of Business

When I'm not on location, you can find me in my office and in my daughter's playroom...both, of which, are in the exact same location. It's a pretty big room and we actually manage okay...although sometimes it's a bit loud for my taste:)

On this particular day, my daughter had company and this shot was taken moments after she had managed to pry the ball out of her younger cousin's hands. The look on her face...and his... says it all.

Waiting for Rain

So where is the rain, anyway? Wish I had an answer for that question...Especially for my nephew. He is so ready. For him, the rain would be a giant sprinkler in the sky and he does LOVE the water. Well, Marcus, I would have loved to capture you bathing yourself underneath a cloud, but I'm very happy I had the chance to capture you with those favorite boots of yours and your new umbrella (the one you made your parents keep, although, they had intended to get rid of it in a garage sale). You have more hope than I do that those clouds will actually grace us with a few cool and refreshing drops and I just love that about you!

Work of Art

She is perfection at only two months old, but I also couldn't forget her cute older brother. He was fresh after a bath and all wrapped up in a towel. That smile...amazing!

Full Hands - Full Heart

What do you do when you've got twins and they are now very tired of being photographed? You take them to the window to have a look outside. It looked wonderful behind my lens, although they were still very unhappy. Then, Daddy decides to wave at them from the outside. I can't say that it worked...well, it worked on Mom....she seemed to get a kick out of it :) Hey, someone has to laugh!

To give these beautiful twins credit, it was a VERY long shoot. I was there bright and early (7:30 AM). I shot for a couple hours and left, but only to return after their nap. They probably were wondering why I was there AGAIN! There will be more from this session posted soon...but there was something about these that I just had to post them now.

I little aside...everytime I photograph twins, I wonder, "How do they do it?" I must have actually verbalized something to that effect as I saw her bustling about and getting them situated. I expected the normal (yet, loving) Mom-Grumble as a response. Instead, I got something quite different. The word she used to describe the way she felt was blessed. She felt blessed. How wonderful...wonderful and true!



Baby's feet...I truly cannot get enough!!

A Wedding in May

Some of my favorite shots from a May wedding. Will they think these were worth the wait? I sure do hope so!!

A Peek

I just love it when everything works out! When a client understands my vision and the session ends up as casual as an afternoon in the park, it's a dream. I didn't have to direct the cuddles and love, it just happened. It was as though I was allowed a peek into private moment. This session took a little longer than my usual session because we spent a bunch of time gabbing about photography between shots. I was even allowed to capture Miss L's wonderful karate moves. Great stuff!

A note about the location... This session took place at the university. I am glad they trusted me and decided to have their session at this location. Although they risked being viewed by passing students, I think it was worth it. Thanks for the wonderful shots guys! It was great!