*{Mama and her boy}* Newport Beach, CA Photographer

This was such a fun session...the clients, the location...all were wonderful. Just wait until you see the shots! She wanted suggestions when booking, and I told her the beach can be a wonderfully moody place in the winter. And the beach during winter did not disappoint! Oh just wait...you will see in the pics of them running on the beach the storm that was rolling in! SO.MUCH.FUN! I love shooting at the beach...I love the sand, and I love*love*love the beach-blown hair! Miss A and her little man were just precious. Little Trevor's blue eyes will just steal the heart of anyone that looks at him! I hope you all enjoy the slideshow at the end. You were marvelous, and I thank you so much for allowing me the chance to capture you both together!

A few favs before the slideshow...
Little boys and their love of blowing rasberries!

Little Trevor was fascinated with the sand and couldn't eat enough of it!


And little man on his tippy-toes!

Look at those clouds rolling in! Gorgeous! And we had to go scare the seagulls because it just makes the pictures that much better!
Enjoy the slideshow!
-m

*{We Wish You a Merry Christmas, We Wish you a Merry Christmas...}*

This is me...signing out until the new year! I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and have plenty of hope in your heart for a fabulous new year.



Until Next Year,
-m

*{Mike Colon Workshop...VOTE FOR ME PLEASE!}*

http://www.mikecolon.net/blog/

Votes must be in by tomorrow, FRIDAY!
Thanks for all your support!
xoxo-m

*{Makes My Heart Sing}* Fort Irwin CA Family Photographer

These images make my heart sing. Simply stated. I know I am not your traditional photographer. Yes, I will give your family a couple of your typical "posed" photos because I know every family still likes to have one; however, photos like these make my heart sing. This is what I strive to be...non-traditional.

A former bride, and wonderful friend, once described my work as "organic". I love that she described me this way. Organic: Natural, simple, close to nature. My favorite images are ones that are natural, candid, and give you an opportunity to see yourself in a way you typically don't.

How many of you have a photo of you looking at the camera and smiling? Probably ALL of you do. But how many of you have a photo of you laughing your soul out with your child as you roll around in the grass? I think the percentage just went down. Now how many of you would love to remember your time with your kiddos as "a posed photo" or a photo where you are "laughing yourselves silly"? I would take the later of the two. And here is the proof in the pudding...

I would kill to have photos of my family like the ones below...simply organic...simply you with the ones you love...and simply extraordinary!

Enjoy ~W~ Family! Loved working with you all...you are simply fabulous!
-m

Every little girl's childhood is complete when she owns a pair of ruby slippers!!
I love this photo...and the non-traditional part of me has no problem that heads are cut off! Because I love that you can still see dad's smile...and that's it!

Daddy's girls giving him a tickle attack...look at those true, genuine smiles!
I *love* the hair in Mrs. W's face...so "organic"!
I love the two different stories you have in this photo...daddy with little sis playing in the back and mama playing with her big girl!
Just a natural moment. And for all you photogs...is that light not to die for?!?!
PURE JOY. PURE LOVE.
Giggling her little heart out with daddy...
And I love this photo...Mrs. W, you are just rockin' it! Your lookin' HAUTE!

So this is me...and this is what I strive to be for you...
xoxo

*{Oh Christmas Tree Oh Christmas Tree...}*

So our Christmas tree is really sort of an eclectic mix of all sorts of ornaments that date back to 1976...no joke. I even have the little bell I made in preschool out of an egg carton, tin foil, and a twisty tie adorn our tree every year. I mean, can I really take the thing off and subject it to sitting in a Rubbermaid tote when it has seen December light for the past 30 years?! So to the average person, our tree may be...dare I say it...ugly?! But to us it has history. So this year, I received the Crate and Barrel catalog and found the coolest felt-ball garland. "THAT'S IT," I thought to myself. I will put some cool garland on the tree to give it a "theme"...instead of the theme being, a mix-mash of ornaments!

The garland was *ONLY* $19.99 for a strand! Perfect. So I bought two strands...thinking that would be enough. WRONG! It barely made it around our tree twice! So off I went for not one more, not two more, but THREE MORE STRANDS! So this "cool" garland ended up costing me $100! Our tree better look darn' good now! And yes, at least it has a theme now...cool felt garland and a plethora of ornaments!

So here is a shot of my $100 garland...but the good news is this is the only year it will technically cost me $100! Next year, it will technically have only cost me $50 a year...and so on! You see my strategy while shopping, don't you?!

I hope all of you are enjoying decorating that tree this year...$100 garland or not!
-m

*{Miss Sweetie Pie}* Temecula CA Headshot Photographer

So this cutie is signed with Momentum Talent Agency. She is not only super cute...but super sweet and super excited about the journey she is taking into the entertainment industry! Best of luck my sweetie...with your fun personality, you are bound to make great leaps in whatever you choose to do!

Best of luck,
-m

*{Family Bonding}* Fort Irwin CA Family Photographer

This was all she wanted for Christmas...a photo session and a fabulous photo of her family. She not only got that, but dozens of awesome shots of her family that she can treasure forever. I can't imagine a better Christmas gift!

They were a *wonderful* family to work with. And little Miss R is a little firecracker that kept me laughing through most of the session! Her personality just shines right through in the images! So here are a few of my favorites and a slideshow of some more at the end that you won't want to miss!

Enjoy, and MERRY CHRISTMAS!
-m






AND FOR THE RECORD...I did not photoshop her eyes!! They ARE that blue! Just look at mama and you know where she got them! Aren't they gorgeous?!

And doesn't every good photo session end with ice cream?!

*{L.O.V.E. is in the Air}* Laguna Beach Wedding Photographer

I had the pleasure of photographing Anjane and Tom's special day in the fabulous town of Laguna Beach. I met Anjane probably a good 13 years ago (OMGosh...it's been that long?) when we were both Residential Advisors at UC-Riverside (GO HIGHLANDERS). We both were "dorm moms" in the A&I Residential Dorm...oh the memories we have. I know for a fact there are pictures floating around of both of us duct-taped to pillars for "Duct Tape your RA" day. This is not a joke! But we both had so much fun during our time in college...and especially our days as Residential Advisors. And it was so much fun photographing her wedding because as I'm behind my camera, I'm thinking..."that person looks SO familiar!" And sure enough, it was someone from our UCR days! It was virtually a mini-reunion, and it was so much fun to see all the old faces.

So back to their day...Anjane and Tom could not of asked for a more gorgeous day. The ceremony was held at Tivoli Terrace and then we made our way down to the gorgeous Laguna Beach area for photos afterward. Here is a peek for this warm-hearted couple. I wish you nothing but wonderful days together...




Awesome purple Betsey Johnson shoes!


Gorgeous California Sun...
Here comes the bride... :)


A moment captured in the first dance...
Father-Daughter moment...