I am officially without a computer at home.  If anyone needs to contact me this weekend you will have to do it the old fashioned way... give me a call!

Again??

Rain again?  Really??  My shoot that got cancelled two weeks ago because of the rain was rescheduled yesterday.  Guess what... it rained!  But not before we had already started.  So we made the best of it for the short time that we had, and we will reschedule for a third time to finish.

P.S.  My computer was on her best behavior this morning.  It's almost as if she knows she is headed for surgery... or worse yet diagnosed as terminal.

Haley

First time I had to use my umbrella prop for actual rain!

Happy Birthday to You!

Happy Birthday to You!

Happy Birthday Sweet Natalie . . .

Happy Birthday to You! 

Happy First Birthday Natalie!  I hope your day is as special as you are.

Slow Going

So frustrating.  I'm anxious to work on some of my pictures and about every other one my computer freezes.  I know it's old.  I know I'm overworking it.  I know I have too much on it (I looked... over 10,000 very high resolution pictures).  But it should still work... right???

So Helene... it might take me a little longer than I promised to get your pictures to you.  

My Boys

Saturday I got to see my boys.  I need to make it a point to see them more often... I don't want them to forget me!

Micah & Collin

Birthday Cake!

Sweet Natalie had her 1st year Birthday party yesterday.  It didn't take her very long at all to realize that she loves cake.  She ended up with more on her than in her.  She was a happy little girl!

Can't decide

Color or black and white?  Sometimes it's obvious and sometimes I can't decide.  What do you think?

Helene

Yesterday I took pictures of Helene after work.  She was so delightful!  We put her in this tall grassy area where there were tons of foxtail, plus the tall grass was itching her legs since she was wearing a skirt.  I said... "I'm sorry Helene."  She responded matter of factly, "That's ok.  To get a good picture you have to do what you have to do."  Then she gave me this sweet pose.  I love her!

Mmmmm.... fresh oysters!

It was sure worth the sort drive towards Point Reyes to the Hog Island Oyster Company to get fresh oysters for an appetizer!  (While we were camping at Doran Beach.)

 You have a choice between small, medium and large.  It was recommended the small for eating raw and the medium for barbequing.  (I think the large for frying.)  So we got some small and some medium so we could have some raw AND barbequed.

After oyster appetizers and a nice long walk on the beach, Dave barbequed fresh fish for dinner.

Dave

Today after work I am taking pictures of someone so I've been scouting new locations.  On three different occasions when Dave would come home from work I would ask him to come with me to check out the light.  I wouldn't even give him a chance to shower first!  (I have to have a subject...)  He never, never has said 'no', although I'm sure he would like to! ... Thanks Dave!!

Ok... not the best picture of Dave, but look at the great trees!!

Bodega Teenager

While watching the tall ships at Bodega Bay, my eye caught this teenage girl.  Here were these historic tall ships right behind her, they were firing canons, people that lined the jetty were cheering and the tourists on the ships were waving and hollering.  Did she care?? . . .

How could she not turn around and look???  Not even a little glance?

Do you think she's texting someone on how boring her vacation is??

I'm busted!  (If looks could kill!)

She looked!! ... She looked!!

Back to her phone.

Two friends joined her... turn around & look... there is a tall ship behind you!

What did teenagers do on vacation before cell phones???

Sand Art

Love is in the air

There is something about Bodega Head at sunset that is very romantic!

The Beauty of Love

The Beauty of Love: The question is asked, "Is there anything more beautiful in life than a young couple clasping hands and pure hearts in the path of marriage? Can there be anything more beautiful than young love?"

And the answer is given. "Yes, there is a more beautiful thing. It is the spectacle of an old man and an old woman finishing their journey together on that path. Their hands are gnarled, but still clasped; their faces are seamed, but still radiant; their hearts are physically bowed and tired, but still strong with love and devotion for one another. Yes, there is a more beautiful thing than young love. Old love." - Unknown

I was finishing Renee' and Jonathan's pictures yesterday.  I love the older couple in the background of this picture. . .  Young love, old love.

 

Doran Beach

This was our campsite at Doran Beach in Bodega Bay.

Campsite #122

We had water on both sides.

View of Doran Beach Campground from above.

We are here!

Our 'room with a view'.

For Mom

Once when I was in excruciating pain from an appendicitis flare-up, I remember mom telling me she wished she could trade places with me.  The tables have turned, and yesterday I wished I could have traded places with her.

Calla Lilly

Tall Ships

The tall ships Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain were in Bodega Bay while we were there.  They are traveling up the coast to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the founding of Fort Ross, the southernmost settlement in the Russian colonization in North America.

Launched in 1989, the brig Lady Washington is a replica of one of the first U.S. flagged vessels to visit the west coast of North America in the late 18th century.  The modern Lady Washington and the Hawaiian Chieftain, her steel-hulled companion ship, visit more than 40 ports a year on the west coast educating the public about the lives of 18th century mariners.

The Hawaiian Chieftain coming out of the jetty.

Lady Washington

Hawaiian Chieftain (Notice the guys hanging on the top mast)

Dave watching them raise the sails (this is from our campsite).

Happy Easter.

I think it's time for a little camping trip!

Henry Coe State Park

Pretty in Pink

Yesterday I was in Knights Ferry.  Purple lupines were everywhere.  Amongst them all was a lone pink one. 

Be Serious!

It never fails... if I ask someone to look serious for a picture, the immediate reaction is laughter.  (I try to have my camera ready for that.)  There must be something funny about the saying "look serious"!  It's always fun, and after a few deep breaths (from them, not me) I do get the look I'm after.

A Happy Mommy

I love when a mom comes to look at proofs and leaves very happy.  I know I've done my job at capturing a moment in her child's life that would otherwise someday be a faded memory.

Sweet Baby 'E'

Renee' & Jonathan

Yesterday I went to San Francisco to take some engagement pictures of my beautiful niece, Renee' and her soon-to-be husband, Jonathan.  (They live in S.F.)  It was windy and really cold, but they were troopers.  Renee' had goosebumps the whole time!  We started at the Legion of Honor, then went to Baker Beach... where it was twice as windy and cold!