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Why I do what I do
Posted on January 21, 2010
I know that pretty much every blog post I have is a story about my Lucy. The truth is she’s the reason for my photography. Photography has always been something that I enjoyed, but it was an art that lied dormant in me for a very long time. When she arrived, I fervently tried to document every breath she took with my camera, and boom! My photography was born.
Tomorrow is her 3rd birthday. Happy Day Before Your Birthday, Love!
I’ve never really talked about how I actually do have another life outside of Lucy, Mario, and photography. I actually am a high school teacher and I teach English and Journalism. As much as I love being around my “kids” and all the hubub that goes on on campus, it sometimes becomes too much, and stress takes over. During this winter break, I’ve really had to reflect on what is important in my life at the moment and decide what my priorities are.
A friend of mine named Dustin, told me once that I need photography. He told me that photography to me is like a breath of fresh air. It’s a chance for me to be in my element, and be completely at peace. Thanks for those words, Dustin.
I love photography for many reasons, and all the reasons tell me that my life is going in the right direction. I love photography because of the joy it brings other people, and of course the joy it brings to me, and most of all because it’s a chance to focus and spend more of my time and energy with my family. And they are number one on my priority list. So that’s why I do what I do.
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Janet and her boys *Temecula, CA Family Photographer*
Posted on November 28, 2009
As I write this blog post, my little girl sleeps on my chest. She was about an hour into her nap, (which is my usual edit photos/blogging/laundry/shower/clean house/grade papers time) when she woke up suddenly…and upset. I found her in the hallway on her knees sobbing and crying out for me. I scooped her up, whispered in her ear that mommy is here and that she is safe and loved. She held on to me tightly and fell back asleep. I couldn’t bear to set her back in bed, so here she sleeps, in my arms, the safest place in the world, as I sit and work.
A mommy’s job is to love her children unconditionally, but equally as important, a mommy’s job is to keep your children safe and protected from harm both physically and emotionally. I love my job description.
What makes my photo job so much fun is that it allows me to focus on being a mommy. As much as I enjoy teaching English to a group of hormonal teenagers, I don’t think they would allow me to do that while I rock my little girl back to sleep when she awakes from a bad dream. I am thankful everyday for the chance to do my art, and to meet other women fully committed to their toughest title…Mommy.
Meet Janet. Beautiful. Smart. Loving. Mommy.
I loved getting to spend time with Janet. She is the kind of person whom I could sit and talk with for hours over chai tea lattes, sharing stories of the silly things our children do. She was so excited about having family photos taken and I was so excited to be the one chosen to capture this special time in her life. Janet is loved by her husband Charles, her little boy Charlie, and another little boy on the way!
She and Charles met in Mexico while Charles was studying there. I love stories of two souls from completely different parts of the world coming together. It’s tells so much of the amazing power of love. How powerful are the sparks that draw you to someone no matter how many hundreds or thousands of miles you are away from each other.
Together, they have Charlie, fun, spirited, classic little boy. He loves rolling around on the ground, exploring, and picking up any cool looking thing on the ground! He also is very gentle, loving, and sweet.
In just a few weeks, they will be celebrating the arrival of another beautiful baby boy!
Thanks so much for letting me be a part of this special time in your lives. I am so excited to meet your newest baby boy…and of course to take his first photographs. You are such a lovely family. Janet let’s have a play date for our littles! 
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Boy, oh boy! *Sneak Peak* Temecula Family Portrait Photographer
Posted on November 15, 2009
Such a beautiful woman surrounded by the boys who love her…oh, and another boy on the way to add more love! Stay tuned for more!
“Love x 3 = Baby Z *Riverside County Maternity Photographer*
Posted on November 2, 2009
It is no secret that I am terrible at math! That’s why I am an English teacher, for goodness sake, so that I don’t have to multiply, divide, square, find the mean, median, mode, cosine, sine, of anything! When my friend Erika told me that she was expecting baby number 3, it got me thinking about all the little joys of being a mommy, and having them multiplied by 3! Three times the “I love you(s),” three times the “night night kisses,” three times the fun! It filled me with such giddiness that I was thrilled to the gills for her, and for her lovely family!
Meet Erika…
Meet Erika and Chris…
Meet Alex and Jacob…
and here’s Baby “Z”
so that’s 4 people, 4 times the love, 4 times the hugs, 4 times the kisses, 4 times the giggles. Simple equation, simple solution. Lucky girl.
I wonder what she’s going to be like?
Erika is one sassy lady, it’s one of my favorite things about her!
To top it all off, she’s going to have one extra sassy sister, Alex…
Baby Z is going to be sassy squared, no, make that sassy cubed!
Then again, she’s going to have this big brother who is silly and playful.
Baby Z will probably take equal parts of both and be a perfect combination. I’m sure of it!
I’m also sure that she is so blessed to be brought to life by this wonderful family.
It’s so easy to see that she’ll be loved unconditionally by a wonderful, caring mother.
It’s obvious that her daddy will always be there for her and be her strength.
All the factors for Baby Z’s life equal to love. Plain and simple. Probably the easiest word problem I’ve ever had to figure out.
I love you guys! I feel so honored to be able to capture these special moments for you. I can’t contain my excitement for Baby Z’s arrival!
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Hot Mama *Sneak Peak*
Posted on October 24, 2009
Do you have a friend who you can be completely candid with? The kind that to whom you can say whatever you want, or express anything, and you know for sure that they’ll love you anyway? No matter what?! I have that friend, it’s Erika! She is spicy, gorgeous, and waiting on Baby Z to arrive…
Here’s a sneak peak of our day together…
Stay tuned for more!
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Not soon enough!
Posted on September 30, 2009
I’ve known Coral for about 3 years now…met through work, then realizing that we have mutual friends outside of our high school galaxy, then over skeins of yarn and circular knitting needles. Yes, knitting needles. We had a very short lived, but very fun, knitting circle group. Coral…I miss those knitting sessions in your office, they must resume!
I remember going into her office and bringing Lucy to meet her for the first time, and seeing her eyes sparkle when I asked her, “When will it be your turn?” She replied, “Soon! I can’t wait!” Well that was almost two years ago and here’s Coral today…
Excited as can be for her dear sweet Jack, due to arrive soon…very soon!
Coral has been so busy preparing for his arrival.
His room is starting to look like a page out of Pottery Barn Kids, except everything was made by Coral herself!
Jack is going to come into the world living a life in the most ideal environment, with incredibly loving parents.
Soon, Coral, soon you will be cradling that little boy in your arms and telling him that he is safe and loved.
Soon you will be staring into a sweet angel face and marvel at its perfection.
Soon you will tickle little tiny feet and hear little tiny giggles and be amazed at how these simple things bring intense joy into your life.
Soon a voice will call you Mommy your heart will pound a little faster because it is overflowing with love for this one little person.
Soon, Coral, soon you’ll kiss booboos goodbye, wipe tears away, and realize how much power your hugs and kisses have.
Soon Jack will come into your lives and you’ll forget how life was before he came home,
and you’ll wonder how you even lived your life without him. I’m so happy for you both! I can’t wait to meet him.
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