2ndStory*blog

mission

2012-01-17T11:44:00.000-08:00

This is the second session I have had with this family.This time more family members were present. Jeannie's lovely parents {who might I add just celebratedtheir 40th anniversary together} and Jeannie's brother and his boys. This session just like the firstwas full of active boys...Christian and Romeo, you make me laugh, and take note of little Ava'samazing little heels, such fancy little feet!What a great family and Jeannie, you are one beautiful woman, inside and out. Enjoy!

the park

2012-01-09T16:35:00.000-08:00

Here are some snaps from my first session of 2012!!!I couldn't have asked for a better family to fill this spot.Oh Eve, everytime we schedule a session with your family I knowthat we are going to have alot of fun, I have watched your little familygrow ever since that one day back at Balboa Park with the women in yourfamily. Thank-you so much for always giving me a little peek into your lifewith my camera...it is always such a pleasure. Eve, you were shining thatmorning, you crawled in the grass, you climbed a tree, you did the limbo...Hello lovely mama!Saturday morning with your family."mini guitar"pasta necklacestree climbingpiggy-back ridesthe limboand a jelly belly breakfastlove you guys.

2012-01-09T10:17:00.000-08:00

Dylan + Sara

2012-01-05T12:45:00.000-08:00

coming to the blog....soon-ish along with another super sweet wedding!

adam & ursula

2012-01-03T17:59:00.000-08:00

Adam & Ursula.Married.October 15, 2011.Harris Ranch.This wedding has so much meaning to it in about a million different ways.I remember the day Ursula called me to inquire about me shooting her wedding,we talked for quite a long time, even scheduled a session for them to have theirengagement pictures done. The wedding was months away...they got married on October 15th 2011.I drove to Harris Ranch to shoot their wedding on the 14th, spent the night, woke up, gotall ready for the big day of shooting with my daughter Brenna, got to know alot of the peoplethat shared in Adam and Ursula's day, I remember talking to Ursula's mom, about how we both had5 children, and the different things that we had in common,I talked about my kids,and I spent that day completely surrounded by LOVE I felt it all the way into the night, saying goodbye tosome of the wedding party, I left feel like I had known some of them for ages...We took off down the road late that night heading to San Francisco for another wedding taking place the next day.As I drove down the road away from Harris Ranch, I had no idea that it was the last day of mydaughter Alyssa's life. I look back now and am thankful that that entire weekend, I was surroundedby people who were in love and people who showed me love. I am so thankful for the people that enter my life thru my work. I'm thankful that I got to be part of this day with Adam and Ursula.Thank-you.{warning: your finger may be exposed to alot of scrolling during this blog...it's a biggun}

A little slideshow from their reception, they had the best dancers!

Soaring.

2012-01-01T02:44:00.001-08:00

I don't feel so much as though a new year has just started, not for me. I feel as though my marker started on October 16th 2011 and my new year won't begin until October 16th 2012 comes to me, there is still a long way to go. This year I will learn how to greet the mornings with a happy feeling again, I'm going to make sure to keep the fire burning, to start mending the giant hole kicked in my heart. Alyssa isn't coming back, but I know that she is all over the place, in her laugh that I will keep hidden in my head and my heart, her dimples, her art all over the place, her notes that I keep finding all over the place, I feel so blessed to have had her physically in my life for 22 years, 4 months and 11 days.
1989 gave me my girl, 2011 claimed her, I've learned so much about this life since losing Alyssa, I feel like I look at things with a completely different pair of eyes, things look different, music sounds different, Heaven feels even more like home, Alyssa is there. She's my little bird....my song bird.

The birds they sang
The break of day
Start again I hear them say
It's so hard to just walk away

The birds they sang
All a choir
Start again a little higher
It's a spark in the sea of grey

The sky is blue
Dreamed that lie till its true
Then taking back the punch I threw
My arms turn wings
Oh those clumsy things
Send me up to that wonderful world.

And then I'm up with the birds

Might have to go, where they don't know my name.
Float all over the world just to see her again
But I won't show or feel any pain
Even though all my armor might rust in the rain
A simple plot
But I know one day
Good things are coming our way.

{Coldplay}

To my family....let's remember this together...the chaos as it swirls, it's us against the world. I love you, with every fiber.
To my Lyss...thank you for being my daughter, thank you for leaving little imprints everywhere, even in writing this I still can't believe you're gone, my desire is to think of something happy that you left me with every time I get sad.

One of her notes....
{My heart is a fickle friend of mine. Some days she wants nothing more than stability and comfort, the "known". Then there are days when it's all I can do to keep her from making me just up and go, not knowing what's going to happen, the opening credits of an indie movie playing in my mind. Why do I think like this? Why can't I just...be? I am restless. I know it. If I'm not mentally stimulated for less than a half hour I get...almost angry, definitely annoyed. I just feel like I'm running myself into the ground, trying to live this life I envisioned, and nothing has even happened for me. I go crazy trying to find work, imagining what my future house will look like, living an imaginary life in my mind where I have it all. And sadly, my "it all" isn't even up to everyone else's standards...all I want is work, home and happiness. And I want it to be mine that I've earned, not sold my soul for like I do everyday.

I want the happiness of living my dreams, the past melting away....I just...want....to sing.}

for the love of FAMILY

2011-12-28T16:53:00.000-08:00

This session came at a good time.Getting through the upcoming holidays without Alyssa here with us wassomething that had been weighing on my heart, I wasn't sure what I wanted,did I want peace and quiet or did I want to surround myself with people?I think I had a perfect balance of both and doing this session with allof the people in this family was good for my heart. Being surrounded byfamily is good for the soul, not just chicken soup.Enjoy!

the Santos family

2011-12-27T22:24:00.000-08:00

Here they are people!The as always wonderful Santos family.I feel like I've gotten to watch their kiddos grow up the past couple of yearsin having quite a few sessions with them. I always enjoy when they book a session,they always pick such great locations too! I love you guys! p.s. little man hurt his ankle and was on crutches for their session this timebut I think he rocked them, would you agree?

friends.

2011-12-13T13:06:00.000-08:00

This is my friend Andrea and her two babes.If you could have seen the "behind the scene" of these pictures being taken.It was freezing.Viv was sick.Oscar was barefoot.It was almost dark outside.We were right outside my front door...so I was in slippers.Blue slippers with purple stars on them as a matter of fact.Noone would have been the wiser but I thought I'd share it with you all anyways.Andrea is a dear friend of mine, the kind of friend that would be therefor you no matter what time of the day or night you called and needed them.She was so there for me when we lost Alyssa, I love her and am so thankfulfor her in my life. I truly am.Merry Christmas.

christmas lights

2011-12-11T21:07:00.001-08:00

It's like Coldplay wrote the soundtrack for my Alyssa's life.Seriously.Every song that comes on of theirs seems to be fitting.Alyssa loved Christmas, and I loved when she would come home for Christmas.And here is the one for today. It's their new Christmas single release called, "Christmas Lights"

Christmas night, another fight tears we cried, a floodGot of all kinds of poison in, of poison in my bloodTook my feet to Oxford Street, trying to right a wrongJust walk away those windows singBut I can’t believe SHE'S GONE

When you’re still waiting for the snow to fallIt doesn’t really feel like Christmas at all .A group of candles on me are flickeringOh they flicker and they flowAnd I am up here holding on to all those chandeliers of hope

And like some drunken in this cityI go singing out of tune singing how I’ve always loved you, darlingAnd I always willOh when you’re still waiting for the snow to fallIt doesn’t really feel like Christmas at allStill waiting for the snow to fallIt doesn’t really feel like Christmas at all

Those Christmas lightsLight up the streetsDown where the sea and city meetMay all your troubles soon be goneOh Christmas lights, keep shining on, Those Christmas lightsLight up the streets

Maybe they’ll bring her back to meThen all my troubles will be goneOh Christmas lights, keep shining onOh Christmas lightsLight up the streetsLight up the fireworks in meMay all your troubles soon be gone

Those Christmas lights keep shining on

brides

2011-12-07T10:26:00.000-08:00

3 beautiful women.3 gorgeous dresses.3 days filled with love.I'm not done with these weddings but I felt like I should post at least a little somethingfrom each of their days. All three of their weddings days were lovely, of course. Alice's I shot with afellow photographer and friend Cynthia. Ursula's I shot with my dear Brenna and Sarah's with one of mybesties Sofia {the grooms Auntie}. One of the many things that I love about shooting weddings is that Ialways end up making so many good friends from that day, the "getting ready" shots are always the time for getting to know the wedding party, and I do just that and usually end the day with swapping phone numbers,Facebook info, something. Congrats to all of you lovelies x o x oSo enjoy.Thank you Sarah, Alice and Ursula for all being sweet on your big day!

hold your own Brenna

2011-12-01T11:14:00.000-08:00

Last night was a hard one. I had to do something that I never dreamed I would be doing.I sat on my bed and watched my baby girl sit on the floor and cling to a little black box thatcontains the remains of her only sister. Her sister Alyssa. Last night was the first time shes goneinto our room to see her. Up until then she didn't want to see her sister in that way, she hasn't beenready but Brenna had had a bad day at school yesterday and she came home and found herself wanting tobe near her sister, I think wanting so badly to hear what her sister would be saying to her during thistime. That's what sisters do right? They share their secrets, their dreams, their likes and dislikes. Everygirl needs a sister when certain things happen in life, to give them that much needed pep talk about whatever it is that's bugging them. When boys disappoint you, when they hurt you, it's your sister who is there to tell you things like, "you are too good for him anyways" "he said what to you? Im gonna kick his butt"!Sisters are there when you're trying on your wedding dress, when you're trying to decide if you want to wearthe jeans or the cute dress. My heart breaks for my Brenna in knowing that her sister is no longer physically here with her but she has left Brenna with so many memories that will always be there just exactly when Brennaneeds them to be. I will forever miss my girls together..but last night..while I sat there watching Brennahold on to her sister, they were together again.Hold your own Brenna.

Dominguez family

2011-11-28T14:09:00.001-08:00

This was my 4th session with this family...oh how I love them!We met at Horton Plaza on an afternoon last week during the kids Thanksgivingbreak. It was a perfect little spot for a holiday session. Thank-you guysfor another fun session! xoxo

Racuya Family

2011-11-26T11:28:00.001-08:00

Baby, it's cold outside...and boy was it ever!What a sweet family!

I met with them last Sunday for a session in a park near their home, although it was so windy

and ohhhh so cold, we got it! I loved the colors they wore for their session, they pretty much

rocked! Don't you love their little pup? Thank you for such a sweet session!

Enjoy.

my little lukie

2011-11-23T00:28:00.001-08:00

Tonight, for the first time since she passed away, Lucas finally realized that Alyssa is gone. I guess a huge part of me wanted for him to just carry on and not really have issues with losing his sister, I thought maybe he would be spared such heartbreak and an emptiness that comes with losing someone but tonight, his little almost 6 year old self broke down...my little boy realized that his sister is gone. He was sitting next to me in the living room and so quietly said, "mommy, I want my sister back, I want Lyssa" and then he just broke down in tears. It hurts my heart that he has to feel this at such a young age. My kids miss their sister, each and every one of them....miss her. Such a big hole has been kicked thru the fabric that is our family, but I feel as though the hole is slowly getting a little smaller with each tear that's cried, with each little memory that's mentioned of her, with each new day we are coming to realize that death is part of life, and although we might not fully understand it, or agree with it, it's a circle, a cycle and Alyssa lived, she was alive, she had experiences, she had moments and words and drawings and laughs and tears and Jack and all of those things are still all around us to enjoy, to remember, to feel and to remind us that....ALYSSA WAS HERE. She was here, we got to be a part of her being here, we shared love with her and we will always love her.

sleep well my little Alyssa.
swing Lucas, just not too high.

I miss you so much.

the ABRAHAMS

2011-11-21T13:34:00.000-08:00

Meet The Abrahams.You may or may not recognize them from their session last year around this time.Their little man Evan was just teeny-tiny last year for their session and now..lookhow big and sweet he is! He and his sister Hayden braved the cold yesterday for their session.It was my first session after losing my daughter Alyssa a little over a month ago and althoughI was nervous and feeling a little unsure....I'm glad I've gotten myself back to work.Thank-you for sharing a little part of your afternoon with my you guys!l.o.v.e.

11.4.11 she's home

2011-11-04T19:35:00.001-07:00

you're coming home tonight. you know what I mean. just when my heart started to feel a tiny bit healed, it now feels like it just got thrown on to the ground and shattered into a million more little pieces. This is not right. It's not fair. I miss you SO much and it seems like everything I look at reminds me of you. I miss your voice. I just don't feel like this is real. Pause....rewind, October 16th....your alarm goes off for work, you hear it, you wake up, you stretch, look in the mirror, get ready for work, catch the bus....you text me, "Hey mum" and all is well.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

she found it.

2011-10-30T12:07:00.000-07:00

She found it....paradise. October started out to be a good month, it marked the beginning of my three favorite months of the year. I had 3 weddings to shoot in this month,one in San Diego, one at Harris Ranch and the last one in San Francisco. October 16th started out typical, my plan of the day was wake up,make sure all of my camera gear was ready for the wedding that afternoon, shoot the wedding, head back home. Life had other plans for that day.I woke up, got my camera gear ready, shot the wedding and the entire day feeling as though something was off, I felt off, I felt like I forgot how totake pictures, I wasn't connecting almost the entire day, I wasn't sure why I just felt so blah that day, it was odd for me especially because it was a weddingfor two people who I know, Dylan the groom, Ive known since he was 2 or 3...I really felt like their wedding days of all wedding days was going to be so easyto shoot and so much fun being around so many people I know...but like I said, I just felt "off".

I finished up and headed back to the Valenzuela's house to get some sleep before heading home the next day but then Nico called me.The phone call. He called me and asked if I could go into Nile and Sofia's bedroom to talk. He pretty much needed to say no more. I knew something was wrong.He said, "Amy, we have to talk...I have to tell you something" I have to say, Nico is one of the strongest men ever, he knew about Alyssa before I evenshot the wedding and sat there all Sunday knowing that we had lost our daughter Alyssa and held it in until I shot the wedding I was in SF to shoot. Howhe did it I'll never know and it saddens me every time I think about how he had to sit there and go through this on his own, he was the one who had to deliver thismessage to each one of us...first Dominic, then Corbin, then Brenna and I. So he said that he needed to tell me something and I at first thought something had happened to Corbin because he had been down in downtown San Diego at the Occupy Wall Street protest...but no, he said, "It's about Alyssa, Amy".That was it, it was all that needed to be said. I knew.

This was it, "the call" that I somehow always felt like I was going to get. My heart dropped and when it dropped, it shattered. It wasn't just a break feeling, it was literally a shatter, a million pieces, I couldn't breathe, couldn't think, I couldn't process. "We lost her today" he said. "what??? that's not true Nico, no she isn't gone, it's not true, she's only 22, she's ok, someone is lying to us I just know it. If it's possible for a soul to cry, for it toscream and yell and ache and break, mine did. Sofia came into the room right after Nico told me, I will never forget her face when she walked into the room. Where was Brenna? My poor sweet Brenna, she was down the hall in another bedroom getting her stuff ready to start the drive back home. I knew she heard me crying, yelling, crying and crying, I so badly didn't want it all to play out the way that it did, I didn't want Brenna to hear me crying, to hear that we lost her sister, I never wanted Brenna, or Dominic or Corbin or Lucas to have to hear that their sister Alyssa was gone.

Look at me, today marks 2 weeks since we lost her and I still can't even bring myself to type or say the "D word" I feel as though if I say it or type it then it'strue and I know that it is but I am having a very hard time believing it. I had just talked to her on the phone, she had just texted me that she loved me. "Hey mum" I haven't gotten that text for two weeks now and my soul aches for that text to come. It's not going to. My Alyssa is gone. Typing that puts a hugelump in my throat, I can't swallow, I can't breathe, I feel like I have been walking thru the past two weeks in a complete fog. I see other people living, laughing, walking, talking and I think....don't they know? How can they be happy? I have to remind myself that everyone doesn't know...this isnt some movie, this is reallife and life has to continue to move forward. Slowly I will know that life is continuing it's just going to be different, I am a member of a club now that I never everwanted to be a part of. "Parents who have lost a child" Welcome to the club, Nico and Amy! {club rules: you will look at everything differently, you will cry for avery long time, when people ask you how many children you have you will find yourself fumbling for the right way to say it...Do I say that I have 5 children but oneof them as passed away? When asked how old my children are do I give their ages and then silently, in my head I will say Alyssa is 22....she will forever be 22. You will have to sit and wait for your childs death certificate to come in the mail with much different emotions than you had when you awaited their birth certificate, you will cling to anything and everything that you child touched, wore, wrote on, everything...the list goes on}

I want Alyssa back.
I want closure.
I want to hear her voice again
I want to hear her sing.
I want to see one of her new drawings.
I want to hear one of her accents
I want to look over at the computer desk and see her on Photoshop and the Sopranos playing on a little screen up in the corner.
I want to see her snuggled up in the chair with a sketchpad and her watching Roseanne.
I want to see her in the kitchen making Lucas a waffle covered in peanutbutter and syrup
I want to see her "arting" with Lucas
I want to see her teaching Dominic something about drawing
I want.
I want.
I want.
I wish that everyone could have known her ability to make people laugh...I will forever miss her sarcasm, I will miss how she had a song to sing foreverything. Matilda just came on the t.v.Alyssa always reminded me of her. Oh man. I miss her.A fellow photographer friend of mine Natalie who lost her sweet baby boy Gavin almost a year ago emailed methis...."The best advice anyone ever gave me after my son died was this: "remember, grief is a tunnel, not a cave." It is true. It will feel like a cave, more often than not at first I'm afraid, but there is light at the end of the journey, and you WILL navigate your way through if you just allow yourself to keep on walking. Feel every ounce of pain, every ounce of fear, every ounce of anger. . . just let it all wash over you, don't run away from any of your feelings. Acknowledge them, really FEEL them, and continue to move through."Im walking...baby steps....15 minutes at a time...aching to see that light that I know is there."Hey mum" Alyssa, my child, I love you. You are my first born, the first one to make me a mommy, the first one to break my heart as you grew up and wanted to do your ownthing, the first one to make me smile and laugh when hearing your first words, seeing your first drawings, you were my first and everything with you was a first.I am so sorry that some of the wiles of the world found their way into your world, I am so sorry that I couldn't guard you from people who did such damage toyour fragile little self, I am so sorry that I couldn't fix you. I am however content in knowing that at the end of it all, you are finally able to rest, no more crying, no more worry, or stress, or sadness, or being scared, no more sorrow. you went to sleep and you entered into a place of love, safety, light and happiness. I knowthat you're there, I know that you found God, I know that He took up residence in your heart, I know that you knew. sleep peacefully my dearest chichileah

Her cousin Alana made this video for her.

richardsons

2011-10-10T12:28:00.000-07:00

Hello to a new week!I started my week shooting a wedding on Saturday and ended my weekend early Sunday evening with a sessionin La Jolla with the Richardsons! As always the beach in La Jolla was gorgeous and their kids...look at them! Theyare all adorable, their blue eyes just kill me! I love repeat clients, I love seeing how the kids have grown and changed.Thank you Richardson family for another great session! I can't get enough of these kids faces!Anyone think that thee Mr. Richardson looks like Andy Richter?

just married pt. 2

2011-10-02T14:14:00.000-07:00

So this is the pt. 2 blog from this one.So much fun went on at this one that there was just too much for only one post.The party got started and alot of fun was had. They celebrated with friends and family right out on the beach, it was lovely.Another thankyou to Still.Sofia for second shooting with me on this one!And hey guys, your wedding cake was delish!Thankyou again for having me be a part of such a special day in your lives together! Blessings to both of you always and forever!

it's time!

2011-09-29T15:14:00.000-07:00

This is THEE most favorite time of the year for me!I get to see so many of my previous clients and the BIG + is I get to meet so many new people!Holiday mini-sessions will be during the months of November and December so be thinkingabout when you would like for your session to happen! Spread the word to your friends and family, their friends and familyand all across So Cal! Don't forget, gift certificates towards a session for someone else makes a great gift!Fingers crossed that by the time the holiday mini-sessions take place, we will have some yummy cold weather to go alongwith them!Looking forward to seeing and meeting you all!dare I say it this early? H A P P Y H O L I D A Y S!

the ORTEGAS

2011-09-27T11:59:00.000-07:00

You may or may not recognize these sweet peeps from a session they had with me last year.These people right here...good people. Seriously, and I love their little kiddos.The iPhone 4 even made an appearance in this session because it was what kept baby girl happy!She is in the 2's and we know what that means, that age rules the session and I am perfectly fine withthat because if they are happy, then I am happy! Yo Gabba Gabba!I love how Ava knows just what to do in front of the camera. She is so cute!I love how Aiden held his foot up to Ava's to see if who's was the biggest.I love how Aubree says, "Hi" to me and smiles so big until she sees me raise the camera to my face andthen shes over me, Ha!I love how this Daddy and Mommy look at one another.

alex + lisa

2011-09-23T19:47:00.000-07:00

This wedding was dear. So dear.Alex and Lisa have been been sweethearts since 9th grade.Being around the two of them...well, you can tell that they are in love.And if you happen to have them on your Facebook, well then you can REALLY tell!I think they enjoy every second with one another, down to time at the beach, eatingand taking pictures of cool foods, Ikea, Crossfit training, kissy pictures, everything.The two of them have found it. That love that I'm not so sure everyone is ableto find in their lifetime, they have found it and they express it on the daily.A couple of years ago myself and my friend Sofia shoot an engagement sessionwith the two of them at Oceanside Pier and all this time later, they asked if we would shoot their wedding as well, of course we said, "YES!They were married on August 5th surrounded by friends and family from all over, even from Germany where Lisa's familyis from. Lisas dress was BEAUTIFUL! I love love loved it! And can I just say that both Alex and Lisas parents are suchnice people. They really are good people. Thankyou again to Sofia Valenzuela from Still.Sofia for shooting this wedding with me!This is Pt. 1 of their wedding.Enjoy lovelies.

saturday morning shoes

2011-09-21T15:32:00.000-07:00

Knock knock.Sia greeted me from behind the front door saying, "whooooo is ittttttt"???I said, "It's Miss Amy, I came to take pictures of you"She let me in and took me to see the Care Bears show that she was watching on tv.Saturday cartoons, love those.Timmy came downstairs after nursing babygirl and HELLO baby with a head full of beautiful hair!Her name is Maria and she is one of the most smiling babies ever! She smiled...and smiled...and smiled.Who doesn't love a happy baby?!We went out to their backyard and played for a bit, I think Sia planned that she was going to give me a run formy money and acted every bit the part of a 2 1/2 year old. She was all over and that was fine because Iwas all over along side of her.She showed me her sweet little bedroom, kissed her saint, snuggled up to her big giant teddy and got morecomfortable with me.I really enjoyed my time with this family.Thankyou for the fun morning!

getting married

2011-09-15T11:36:00.000-07:00

These two lovelies are getting married in October and I get to be a part of that day along with my lovely photography friend, Cynthia!We will be shooting their wedding together and I am very much looking forward to it!We met the other morning in Little Italy at Mona Lisa's, where we decided to walk around there for a little bit. They brought their baby/doggyGunny {I really hope I am spelling his name right} along for their session! We ended up at Petco Park where we first had to stop at a superyummy looking burrito place downtown called Lolita's because we had some hungry people! You should check it out! Downtown San Diegois one of the best places for sessions I think. Everywhere you look is coolness and having sweet clients to work with is even better!Thanks you two for a great morning! Looking forward to your wedding day!And yes, we went there, we did a J U M P picture...couldn't resist!

weekends.

2011-08-29T10:01:00.000-07:00

Let me start this off bysaying how much I love my clients,

I love getting to know them and their families, I just love meeting new

people. I apologize for being a horrible responder though, I am terrible

with making and returning phone calls, I feel like I know how much my time is

limited and I just assume that yours is as well and so when it comes to returning

calls, I never want to feel like I am intruding on peoples family time or something

so I always opt to stick with email. Thankfully my work allows for me to spend time

with my family and I try not to intrude on others family time together.

Now that school is back in session, our lives are kicking back into crazy mode and

my kids have alot going on at school so the weekends are ours, so I won't be answering

emails over the weekends, I'll still be doing sessions on weekends but emailing and

phone calls will be taking breaks on the weekend just like we all should be :)

Hope everyone had a great summer break!

I am so very much looking forward to the fall!

one year

2011-08-15T07:49:00.000-07:00

Mailey is One!
Her mama invited me to her first birthday party to take some pictures of her big day
and I was more than happy to be a part of that day! Melinda
even emailed me and said, "Bring your family, so Brenna and Lucas came along to the party. Lucas had so much fun! Her special day was filled with cousins, friends and family and alot of great food and two count them TWO cakes, one was a special rainbow cake that we were going to take pictures of Mailey tearing into but the poor little girl fell asleep! I have taken pictures of this family
from the very beginning, I took Robert and Melindas engagement pictures, shot their wedding,
done family sessions with them and now baby girls birthday!

H a p p y B i r t h d a y!

Meet Cristos

2011-08-09T15:48:00.000-07:00

He's here!!
Meet Cristos, the dear sweet baby boy born to a really sweet couple, Craig and Christina.
I always love going to their house and just hanging out for a session, an hour turns into two, sometimes even
longer. I love that I have been fortunate enough to be there for some pretty sweet
events. I've gotten to meet both of their children while they have been brand new in life.
I love that when I go over there Christina greets me at the door, smiling and making me feel
so instantly at home. I also love that the Godfather hangs over their bed and that Sophie
always seems to have some sort of yummy little snack to share, this time it was Cheez-its
served from her little shopping cart..mmmmmm! Everyone should meet Craig and Christina.
Did I mention I love this family?

warning: picture overload but they are just too darn awesome!

Oops!

2011-07-29T23:57:00.000-07:00

Well, after all this time one would think that I would know how to work my blog, however,
not the case. After sifting through my blog looking for a few specific blogs to show a
client, I was looking around at different settings and such and realised that I had a ton load
of comments that were waiting for me to moderate. Tip #1 Amy...when you set your blog up to
moderate comments posted to your blog...make sure you give them the AOK to be posted! There was
so much love about so many different sessions in there! I admit, I was loving the love and each
and every comment was just as sweet as the last one! Thankyou blog followers and thankyou for your
sweet words.

hudson

2011-07-22T14:18:00.000-07:00

Some might remember this family from a session earlier this year, the sweet little girl with her pup and bubbles
everywhere. Well they are back with a new little man in the family and I have to say, he is such a good baby!
I loved the feeling in their home when I arrived, the music was playing, there was a breeze and two super
sweet happy kiddos!
Congratulations to your family!
Thankyou for letting me spend a little bit of time with you guys last Saturday afternoon!

family

2011-07-20T18:20:00.000-07:00

These are some the people I love.
Nicos Dad, Mom, Auntie Loree and Brenna and Lukie
This was this past Sunday afternoon after I got back from doing a session.
Nico is a carbon-copy of his father. Seriously!

the goodwins

2011-07-19T19:07:00.000-07:00

Meet the Goodwins.
Joe plays the drums. Jessie plays the cello and Miles makes his parents smile.
They have a pretty cool little pug too!
I loved their backyard and just their all around space!
Miles is a carbon copy of his pops, can you tell?
Happy 6 months Miles!
So glad this family found me.

the galiones

2011-07-17T23:30:00.000-07:00

I love and adore this family...plain and simple.
I met them when Christina was pregnant with little Sofia and now they are awaiting
the newest addition to their little family...a son! His name is to be determined.
I can't wait to meet him when he gets here!

xoxo

Ramen afternoon

2011-07-12T21:34:00.000-07:00

summer days

2011-06-30T13:54:00.000-07:00

We woke up.
Filled up Lucas's pool.
Decided to go to the beach instead.
Packed up the car.
Found a good spot...wish we had found a little cleaner area, there's always next time.
Found a giant crab.
Played in the sand.
Marinated in the sun for a couple of hours.
Got ice cream cones from Micky D's and fries to dip in them.
Made it home just in time and were lucky to have missed the nasty traffic on the 78!
Got home and Lucas went straight into his swimming pool.

Haha Dominic doesnt really look like he belongs on the beach in his attire.

xoxo

t o d a y

2011-06-29T16:25:00.000-07:00

Today....Dominic flew on the trapeze, Lucas kicked a ball, Corbin loves his dog and Brenna played the guitar.
Summer is here and it's a love/hate with me...I love the our nights are longer and later, I love being able to sit outside
at night time when its cooled off...I even love looking at my dead plants that kicked the bucket while I was in the hospital, sadly my basil looks pathetic, kind of like it should have been put in the hospital alongside me. Fingers crossed I can bring it back to life.
I love being able to sleep in a little bit in the mornings but I also love the fact that I can be up before everyone and the house is so quiet and cool and calm and there is no craziness of everyone getting ready to take off for the day. LOVE it! The one negative...I'm not a heat person...no can do. However all of the other things make up for it.
I love summer days/nights with my chickens.

life

2011-06-23T15:06:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to my Dominic!
He graduated 8th grade this school year and is soon to enter high school. Is this possible?
He started the school year with such hardships but also started it off with two AWESOME, AMAZING
teachers who stuck with him the entire school year, encouraged him, guided him and pushed him to
succeed and to see his potential. A good teacher who loves their job and loves their kids means the world
at school...it really does. It makes a world of difference for the student. Dominic had one of his most favorite
years in school this past year...Yah Dom! So proud of you! He got to end the school year with his two teachers
at In N Out and a movie...Super 8! I love that he worked for an outcome that he was able to achieve and was
rewarded with that!

Also....Lukie started swim lessons today. Awwww, he loved it!

He got a "major award" for being most improved student this year. Go Dominic!

s w i m l e s s o n #1

xoxo

Allen 2011

2011-06-02T17:04:00.000-07:00

Meet Allen.
He is the son of one of my best friends from school, Sarah Ivey.
One of her FOUR sons! Can you believe she has four of them?
He graduated from highschool this year...GO Allen!
We of course had to do something around a basketball court seeing as that is his sport..can you tell
how tall he is in these pictures?
They came to visit So Cal for a week from South Carolina, I wish they had stayed longer,
but one great thing is that they are from California so they always return!!
I had Sarah make a debut in some of these pictures just so that everyone could see her beautiful face.
Yesterday was fun my dear, and should have lasted longer.

hurt his ankle.

sunset cliffs

2011-05-13T10:24:00.000-07:00

So I posted this blog yesterday and noone was able to see it because Blogspot was doing some updating of their site and it lost my post...awesome! Can I just tell you that it was an awesome post, oh it was, trust me.
And now...to type it all over again? Oh man, I'm not so sure about that. I will keep it short and simple. There are going to be alot of pictures in this post, we had too much fun during this session. This family is adorable. The girls were delightful. I am back from a week break..our oldest daughter Alyssa is alive. Thankyou God. And life is good. At the end of the day...that's what matters anyways.

Enjoy a bit of the afternoon with this family...they pretty much rock.

I just loved how Nixie looked so tiny looking up at her daddy.

Chelsea was rocking some sweet star tattoos on her knees. Ha!

The Power of Words

2011-04-25T23:50:00.000-07:00

I don't usually post videos on here but this really begs for sharing.
Oh the power of words.

Let your words be something to someone today.

lucy

2011-04-23T13:40:00.000-07:00

Meet Lucy.
You may or not remember her from a previous session where she hopped in the bathtub full of bubbles!
Well since then, she has turned 2! Yah Lucy! Happy Birthday to you!
Her mama let me know that at the moment she is in love with all things flowers, last week it was balloons but this
week...flowers so her mom picked the perfect little place to meet. Summers Past. She loved running and running
and running but wasn't really down with any sitting still for anything..especially a camera pointed her direction, so she did what she loved...ran and ran and ran and even picked up some friends along the way.
Her mama is one of the sweetest ever, she and I have developed a friendship via email {we talk about rubbish tv} that everyone loves to hate and watches. She brought me a lovely seaweed snack to the session from Trader Joes that she thought I might like...she was right :)
Enjoy.

weekend

2011-04-22T20:10:00.000-07:00

Have a good Easter weekend everyone.
Enjoy your families and be safe!

4 people.30 minutes

2011-04-21T14:33:00.000-07:00

This woman, Rowena has got me thinking more and more about something that I have already been thinking about for a long time. Family sessions and how they are done. For a long time I have been thinking about taking my photography
to a much more laid back direction, I want families who want to just be REAL. I want to be there when they are waking up, doing school runs, afternoon naps, playing in the sprinklers, going to get donuts, reading books, just living..the everyday living kind of stuff. I have never been one to like to pose my clients, to beg for smiles, to use alot of props, I like the human experience, the realness and the way things feel at that very moment, I want to tell stories.
At the moment, Im kind of in limbo with where I am going to be going with all of this...I've got it in my head and in my heart, I just need families to help me tell these stories. It's time to start carrying my camera with me more often like I used to, to start noticing more, I see people when Im out, just doing their thing and I need to get back to that place where it never used to freak me out to approach them. It's about the client, which I don't even really like using that word when I talk about "work" and sessions because I feel like I end up becoming friends with most of these people and that to refer to them as just a "client"...I don't know, there should be a different word for this. I want to make people "smile" but not because I'm asking them to, I love the laughs, the big belly laughs and the smiles that come just from them interacting with one another. I love watching their love for eachother in motion and that means the daily grind stuff, all that comes with having a family and being a family. Families come in all different packages as well and I would love nothing more than to be a part of documenting these differences.
Back to the start...Rowena, you got me thinking. Now it's time to put a plan in action.
Like Chris Martin from Coldplay sings...Nobody said it was easy....I'm goin back to the start.

So here is one of my favorite families.

4 people.
4 smiles.
4 hearts.
8 TOMS
30 minutes.

backyard fun

2011-04-21T11:37:00.000-07:00

Meet the James family.
I first met them back in November when we did a little session with them by the beach near their home.
This time, we met at their home on Sunday afternoon....we got another overcast day but we worked with it!
Little man had to get woken up from his nap and he wasn't feeling well but we found out that he was perfectly happy
with his soccer ball...sitting in his wagon, so thats where he stayed for most of the time. And we managed to get a smile
or two out of him as well! Isn't their backyard gorgeous? I love it. Their little backyard in La Jolla was
the perfect spot to chill with them.
Thankyou James family for having me over this past Sunday and to share some of the afternoon with you!

graduation2011

2011-04-20T15:48:00.000-07:00

Meet Sarah.
Everyone should know how great she is.
Let me tell you how I know Sarah.
Back in 1981, my dad became a Christian.
He came home one day and said, "Patty...I found God at McDonalds and we are going to church next Sunday"
So we went.
My dad met a man who would be his best friend for many years to come named Mike Apodaca.
He became my dads spiritual mentor if you will, they became friends, and their wives Patty and Delia became
even better friends...swapmeeting, rummaging, thrifting, cooking, singing, loving bosom friends.
Each couple had daughters. The Apodacas had Sofia and Syntha. My parent's had my sister Niki and I.
We met, Sofia and Synthia babysat my sister and I during the summer days sometimes while my mom worked
in the church office. Babysat meaning...they would come over to our house, we would swim all day long, doing
Niki-icky jive dives into the pool, covering ourselves in tanning oils and then going in so that our babysitters could
now that I think about it..probably "sneak" to watch General Hospital.
Our families were so incredibly close and I can't even remember a time where they havent been in my life..they have just always been there...or here.
So we all went to the same church, and us girls all went to the same Christian school. We would pack into Sofias little teeny tiny blue car with the top down and ride down that half cement, half dirt pothole filled road called Farr.
Somedays were better than others, when it rained, we would jump in puddles, get soaked, sneak pomegranites off the tree half way down the road...hey, back then they were free for the picking..now...not so much. We would get home, eat hot fresh tortillas made by Mrs. A and we would laugh...always with the laughing. We all lived together and those were some of the best times of my entire life.
Que Nile....or should I call him Genaro for such a fancy post?
Nigel, Big Ni or now recently Grandpa Nile.
Nile and Sofia met...they fell in love...they left for Bible college....they had babies. The oldest named Jordan.
Fast forward a bazillion years later and Jordan grew up...became a man, a big grown up man like the ones in Mulan, he met Karen....Karen Valle..who happens to have a sister named Sarah, just like Jordan has a sister named Sarah, and to top it off...the two Sarahs are best friends.
So two summers ago Jordan and Karen came with the whole family to visit and along came Sarah...we met, she is adorable, just as adorable as her sister might I add and I love her.
She is graduating from college in May and is a girl that you should know and would love. Honestly, I don't think I know a Sarah or a Sara with no H that I don't love.
Enjoy.

Congrats Sarah!!

the arolas family

2011-04-18T15:26:00.000-07:00

Meet the Arolas Family.
I had a session with them about 2 1/2 years ago why back when their little man was just a baby and now...
there is a new addition to the family...little baby girl! We met at Balboa Park last Sunday morning and walked around
and just enjoyed the sunny weather...which is now...all gone, today it's grey and gloomy {personally, my kind of weather}. Much fun was had and there was a lot of love shared at this little session...get ready for it!
Enjoy.

engaged

2011-04-11T09:32:00.000-07:00

Meet Adam and Ursula.
They are getting married, and I get to be there!
We spent a little part of Saturday afternoon at the winery Monte De Oro in Temecula. Thankfully the rain held off for us but it was chillyyyy {you would never know it was so cold from the hotness between these two} Shhhh now now.
They are a super sweet couple and Ursula has such a sweet spirit about her, I'm pretty sure if we lived closer to eachother we would probably hang out. Enjoy the sweetness. So who do you think she looks like? I say Leanne Rimes, she says people say Taylor Swift and the surfer girl that the movie Soul Surfer is about...I vote Leanne Rimes. Now I am off to sleep...over the weekend I managed to pick up Brenna's cold that's been going around...sore throat, sneezing...eeeekk!

the augustos

2011-04-04T21:08:00.000-07:00

This was my third session with this family...the first one...baby same was still in the belly, the second one,
baby Sam was hangin out in her crib with her daddy and this third one was at a park! All you have to do is look at them and you can feel their happy life, seriously the way Dina looks at her baby girl, her smile just blows up...she loves her family so much, it's obvious. I have loved every single session with them, you can't help but smile and laugh when you are around them. Im in love with their love for eachother and am so thankful I've gotten to be a part of their laughter three times now! They know how to have fun!

kali & brenna

2011-04-03T00:14:00.000-07:00

I spent a little bit of this afternoon with these two...Brenna is mine...and Kali is her friend. We went to a little place that I drive past all the time...it was an interesting little place...it had one of the coolest trees to sit under, and about a million squirrels..{ok not that many...but ALOT}. I'm glad I got this little time with the girls...it was nice to break out my camera again after abit of a break. It's been awhile since I've used it on some of my own..and I loved it.
Brenna...thankyou for the fun afternoon and thankyou for sharing your sweet friend Kali with me.

www.forjapanwithlove.com

2011-03-24T10:46:00.000-07:00

I first heard about this last week and thought that it was too late to get involved because I had missed the day of silence day for my blog, however, it looks is though it isn't too late, it's never too late and what started out as a call to attention to donate money for the love of Japan and to raise $5,000 has turned into a HUGE outpouring of love and support and they have by far reached the goal and some...alot of some infact, the total donated so far has reached $57,830!! How awesome is this?!

The money raised is going towards Shelter Box they provide emergency shelter and lifesaving supplies for families around the world who are affected by disasters at the time when they need it most.

A whole box costs $1,000 and $5,000 was hoped to be raised but you see how the amount of boxes that are going to be able to be shipped over there has multiplied big time!

Go check out FOR JAPAN WITH LOVE see what is going on and maybe skip your morning coffee purchase, perhaps instead of going out to eat be a part of someone else being blessed with the necessities of life during such hard times right now. Be a blessing! I can't help but see the images on the tv, or on the computer screen and not think, that could be me, that could be us. None of us knows for sure what tomorrow brings, but we can be a part of knowing that we were a part of something BIG

something that will touch lives.

http://www.forjapanwithlove.com/

married.

2011-03-06T12:46:00.000-08:00

Meet Robbie and Koleen.

They were married back in November.

You might recognize them from another session...or they just might be new faces to you!

Their wedding day was one filled with alot of family, surrounded by alot of LOVE, blue skies

and a New York Giants wedding cake!

Loved this wedding.

The two of them lived a long distance relationship away from one another for months, skyping and

weekend meetings..just being around them is fun, you can tell how much fun they are. Really

they are.

They played a video during their reception that was adorable, showing alot of their screen grabs from

their Skype sessions, they can pull the faces!

Their lights shine...and I love that.

jasmine

2011-02-25T17:57:00.000-08:00

Meet Jasmine.

She is 15.

She is tall and beautiful girl.

She is the daughter of Denia, who grew up with my very first client I ever had after moving back to California. Mindy.

Jasmines parents wanted pictures of their baby girl so we met up this past week and she brought some clothes, her

laptop, some books and alot of shyness. We talked about favorite music/bands, I tried to get her to giggle a little

so I mentioned boys/boyfriends. The questioning did get her to open a little bit. I told her to pretend like she was a

model having her own photoshoot done and it was all about her...I think she did quite well.

She is a beauty.

p.s. the other girl in some of the pictures is her big sister.

sisters

2011-02-21T14:19:00.000-08:00

Meet these 3 lovely sisters!

Jaide you might recognise from one of my family holiday sessions. She has such a beautiful spirit.

Well. her sisters flew into town, one from Hawaii and one from Iowa and they spent the weekend together.

Jaide asked if I had any opening for the weekend and we managed to dodge the rain! Yah!

We met at Corvettes Diner after church on Sunday morning, they ordered lunch and I got the blessing of sitting

amongst 3 women who love eachother dearly, we talked about all kinds of things from how I met my husband

to Twilight {yes, we went there} we shared DELICIOUS shakes and waffle fries covered in cheese and chili!

Everyone should know these 3. They are superb!

p.s. those who know me, know that I can't help but post as much as the loveliness as possible, therefore....

A BIG BLOG!

xoxo

one HAPPY family

2011-02-13T00:46:00.000-08:00

You might recognise this family from one of my Christmas sessions..well Cathy had her parents visiting

and wanted another session with them included this time! We met at Seaport Village early last Saturday morning and just like last time...had alot of fun. The girls are sillynillys...always making the funny faces.

Shout out to this family...Thankyou again for another sweet session!

engaged

2011-01-24T13:43:00.000-08:00

Meet Cesar and Susan.

They are engaged to be married.

They met on a dating site called www.plentyoffish.com.

Hey, if you are single and looking for that super special someone, maybe try that site? I mean..

it worked for these two lovelies!

So the whole "fish" theme kind of flowed into their engagement session, which is why they planned

for their session to be at Birch Aquarium in La Jolla. A pretty cool little place to hang out for an afternoon

I would say. Their session also had an "I love boobies" theme to it, which is carrying over into their wedding

day as well. Susan said that their wedding favors would be donations to breast cancer awareness..that holds

a special place in my heart as my best friend is a survivor of breast cancer....AWESOME!

Here's to you a.k.a. Paulie D and Snookie!

Enjoy!

maile baby

2011-01-20T12:22:00.000-08:00

First post of the new year!

Meet Maile.

You just might recognise her parents from past sessions and their wedding, Robert and Melinda!

I remember walking around Balboa Park with them during their engagement session and Melinda

talked about wanting babies soon after they got married...and here she is!

How cute is she?

We met for their session at the Otay Ranch Towne Center and hung out at the Barnes and Noble.

I love when my clients come up with these clever little spots to meet, places where they are

comfortable and everything feels chill.

Here you go!

*behind the scenes with a dirty diaper*

love

2011-01-10T09:22:00.001-08:00

2010

2010-12-27T19:06:00.000-08:00

A year in pictures of the many beautiful people I got to work with this year! So many awesome families!

Looking forward to another great year with alot of great memories and friendships made!

Thank you to every single one of you who made this year a special one and for gracing my lens with your

deliciousness!

The McCarters

2010-12-26T23:07:00.000-08:00

Meet the McCarters.

We met early on Thanksgiving morning for their session.

It was short, sweet and to the point. They have some very sweet kiddos!

Thanks for sharing your morning with me you guys!

Enjoy.

the A's

2010-12-16T11:03:00.000-08:00

Meet the Abrahams.

She is the sister of Rowena, I took her families pictures a couple of weeks ago at Seaport Village.

We decided to meet in the village area in old La Mesa, and it would have been a pretty cool place to

shoot had the kiddos been a little older. So we found a park nearby and made it work!

Baby girl slowly warmed up to me and by the end of the session, we were buddies! She's so cute!

Enjoy yet another beautiful family!

lozanos

2010-12-14T11:39:00.000-08:00

Meet the Lozanos.

They came to me as a referral from The Santos, they are family :)

I'm telling you, the Santos family have sent me so many great friends & family

my way...I LOVE that!

So we met at a park, they brought their bikes along and we chased the sun, literally!

It was going down fast and we had limited time. Their kids are great little people!

Dear sweet Lozanos...thankyou for being so much fun!

enjoy.

the T's

2010-12-13T10:50:00.000-08:00

Meet The Tinkers.

Tessa bought her husband a gift certificate towards a session for her hubby for Fathers Day,

and after sick kiddos, much rescheduling, we were finally able to get their session done, in time

for the holidays! Phew!

Their session was just a super laid back session at their home on a Sunday morning...just how I

like them! I had fun with their little family, and their two little girls, have two of the coolest names.

Sage and Nico.

Enjoy!

Show me your spirit!

2010-12-11T14:05:00.000-08:00

seaport village

2010-12-09T23:16:00.000-08:00

Meet the D's.

These guys booked me a year ago to do their family pictures for this Christmas!

Awesome!

So you can imagine the excitement to finally meet one another.

We met at Seaport Village in SD for their session, and again..another fun family

session! I think I'm just blessed with having such sweet families put into my life.

I mean it. So thankful.

Enjoy!

How cute are they? They met here while Ro was working here!

toms market

2010-12-09T13:33:00.000-08:00

I met Jessica over the internet thru our photography.

She had been reading my blog, I emailed her, we started talking, and she asked

if I would take pictures of her family...and here they are!

Isn't her family pretty?

I think they are!

ENJOY! {and Happy Birthday Jessica}

p.s. This is Jess

Family | Lacosta

2010-12-09T10:52:00.000-08:00

You only get to meet half of this couple and their cute kids because mama is

incognito. Trust me though when I say, she is a beauty :)

Enjoy her hubby and kiddos!

The 3 silly boys family | FAMILY

2010-12-07T09:52:00.000-08:00

Meet the Currans.

Meet their three boys!

I so enjoyed my time with their family.

Their youngest was my youngest sons age, and they

have the same hair :)

Fun at a ranch in the cold!

Busy! Oh so busy!

2010-12-05T19:16:00.000-08:00

I am feeling so overwhelmed kind of busy but I can't really complain because it's a blessing

kind of busy, I have honestly been so fortunate to meet with so many fun families this

holiday season, so many cute little kiddos, so many sweet couples...ahhh what a great

experience!

Just a little word out to my clients, I know how excited you all are to have your sessions done,

I'm working extra hard for you all and thankyou for your patience!

Everyone stay healthy and happy this holiday season! Try to stay away from the yucky cough

that seems to have planted roots in SD county.

Spend time with your families and just stop and take some time to love on them.

Thankyou ALL for having me a little part of your holiday season!

p.s. thankyou Santos family for introducing me to this awesome little bookstore. Love it!!

{this little bird sat at this table and pecked away at someones quiche while they stepped away}