New look...

I love my sweet little blog, but I am going to be doing some updates/revisions soon...

Baby Jack | Salinas Baby Photographer

I met Brandi years ago playing hockey, but through the years of college, jobs and marriage we lost touch. God bless Facebook! My older sister Emily who went to the same college as Brandi of course had her as a friend, and a few months ago while trolling Em's friends to search for more of my own I came across her name and added her. I knew that Brandi was married and pregnant and I remember seeing her update that she had her baby pop up on facebook so I congratulated her and oogled the adorable pictures of Baby Jack just like everyone else.

Well, about four days ago Brandi emailed me and asked for some help with a picture for an announcement, we got to talking and she ended up asking me to do some family shots that weekend. I stupidly didn't check the calendar for that day and was blissfully unaware that Moto GP at Laguna Seca (their biggest money maker of the year, which means tons and tons of people) and the Gilroy Garlic Festival were all going on that day. Traffic SUCKED. I am *never* late. Anyone that knows me can testify to that. And I most definitely am never ever never ever late to photography shoots. But this was a first- I pulled up half an hour late to Brandi and Darin's home and was appalled at myself. Luckily, Brandi and Darin are super easygoing and just ushered me into their house.

Little Jack is THE cutest baby I think I may have ever seen. Seriously. You just want to snuggle up to him and kiss him. He's got the sweetest cheeks, the softest hair and the biggest smile. I don't remember my kids ever smiling that much at seven weeks, but little Jack just grinned through our whole session. I loved him. He made me want to race home and hug my own kids.

One of my favorite things about family shoots is watching the parents interact with the kids. There was something so wonderful about the way Darin and Brandi took care of Jack. Darin handled him with such attention and love. And Brandi- well, as one mom to another, I know how you feel but you showed it so incredibly well to my camera. These pictures just show a glimpse of how amazingly in love you are with your little man.

One of my most favorite father/son pictures I've ever taken.

This is the look I'm talking about. The expression on Brandi's face just pulls on my heart strings.

I have to give the link out for the slideshow (here) because it has one of my most very favorite songs ever! And because Baby Jack is so darn cute.

Stacy and Ryan's Wedding | Santa Cruz Wedding Photographer

There are weddings, where there is a big huge white fluffy dress, tons of family and friends, gigantic cake and dancing until 2 am.

Those are wonderful, fun, special weddings that I absolutely love to document.

But then, there are weddings like the one I shot in early July.
Everything about the day was special. Everyone in attendance was special. Everyone involved was privileged to be involved. There was a sense of love, peace and contentment.

I love shooting weddings for people I know. I have known Stacy now for about two years- we met in Mommy's Group after our kids were born. I was struck then by how impeccably fashionable she was (no sweats for this gal!)- but as I got to know her better- I became more aware of her other qualities which were even better than her fashion sense. Her warm and wicked sense of humor, her fun personality and her perseverance.
When she asked me to document her wedding, I couldn't have been more thrilled. I had never even met her fiance, but the moment I shook Ryan's hand, I thought what a great couple they were. Ryan's quiet demeanor counterpointed Stacy's nervous excitement. Their vows were so beautiful; honest, unrehearsed and full of emotion, promise and hope. I sorta teared up. :-)

Their life had taken them on twists and turns to get to their wedding day, but they had gotten there. And everything was just as it should be. Ryan was marrying Stacy. Stacy was marrying Ryan.
All was right with the world.

Lina Floral Boutique did a beautiful job with the flowers.

The wedding was at Stacy's parents house and Stacy's mom has hosted mommy's group a few times, so I had to take this picture of the rings on the bouncy cow- a well fought over toy at the play group. :-)

And then a more traditional ring shot. :-)

Such a beautiful flower girl!

Some casual portraits of the groom

Stacy, you are sort of gorgeous.
Seriously.

And this is Stacy and Ryan's son. And seriously, doesn't he look like an angel? The first time I saw him I thought he looked like all of the angels in the Christmas books. The soft blond hair, the big blue eyes. :-)

I thought this was so amazing- they were just surrounded by love and dear friends and family.

I love this shot. This was right before the officiant announced them husband and wife but the emotion in both of their faces makes my heart flutter.

Husband and wife!

They had the most incredible brunch following the ceremony.

Funniest cupcake eating ever. Stacy got a little too much. :-)

I just had to post these even though I don't tend to post formals. These are of Stacy and her Dad, and I just love them. Stacy's parents are wonderful. I loved them both. :-)

Here is a Dad who adores his daughter.

I was doing portraits with Stacy and Ryan when their son popped his head up to roar at them. Too cute and too funny!