*{Merry Christmas To You}* Temecula CA Photographer

So I met up with the *B* Family in Old Town Temecula this past week to grab some very important photos.

It is always fun to see how people find me to book a session! So here it is...Mr. B's sister lives in Florida and found me on my friend's blog. Knowing that Mr. B is preparing to deploy soon, she thought it would be the most perfect Christmas gift for their family. So she contacted me, we set everything up, and I had a blast shooting her brother's family! Seriously, that is the most awesome gift ever! It's not like a Snuggie that will be in next year's garage sale!

So we wandered around Old Town and even stopped for a gelato at the end! I think that was a hit for the kiddos...

So here are some pics of this wonderful family. And Mr. B, you will be in my thoughts and prayers as you enter this deployment. It is because of families like this, that we are all able to live in such a wonderful country and sleep soundly at night. Thank you for everything you do and everything your family sacrifices.

Until Next Time,
m

*{ J* }* Workshops

Attended.
Fabulous.
Real.
Genuine.
BFFs.
Inspired.

Need I say more?
-m

P.S.- I'm totally going to say more in another post because it was simply fabulous and it can be hard to shut me up! But I want the pics of our fab models to go with it! More to follow!

*{Color Me Happy}* Fort Irwin Photographer

I just hung up from a client for this weekend and we were discussing how I felt about clothing choices and color. I.LOVE.COLOR! Seriously, I know it may be hard for some people to sway away from having the whole family in jeans and a white shirt; however, check out what color can do for an image! This family rocked the colors and it adds such a visual *POW* to an image!






What I always recommend to my clients when figuring out what to wear for a session is this:
MOM...you get to have the most fun out of everyone. YOU get to choose the outfit that YOU feel fabulous in. Pick something that you feel rockin' in and then coordinate everyone else around YOU! Yes, I said that! You get to dictate the session based on your outfit! And just choose complimentary colors. Everyone does not have to be in the same color! So mom, go have fun scouring those JCrew and Anthropologie catalogs for that ideal outfit. You deserve it; think about how often you go out shopping for your children and come home with nothing for yourself. I TOLD YOU! So go spoil yourself on one fun outfit...and everything else will fall into place. I promise! Scour those sales racks first...you never know what gem you will find. I am the queen of finding steals on the sales rack! And don't forget the accessories ladies!

Until Next Time,
m ;)

*{My Lovely Lakebed...}* Murrieta Family Photographer

So the lovely lakebed is becoming a very popular destination for sessions! Now I understand families here at Fort Irwin wanting to experience the madness of it all because it is the ultimate family memory for their time here in the desert. But it has become so popular that this family from Murrieta drove ALL.THE.WAY. to the desert just so they could partake in the fun as well!

Now this was no simple session. I am not exaggerating when I tell you we battled 60+mph winds out there. Most photographers would have probably bailed and rescheduled for another date, but not me! I mean first of all, this fabulous family was driving a good 2 hours just to get here!! And secondly, I knew that wind is *amazing* in photographs. How boring to have your hair so perfectly still, right?! And boy, was I right! Check these girls out; super troopers braving the wind! And dad has a quick set of feet on him as well...at one point the kite accidentally got away and I was at peace knowing it was probably gone forever. But then dad came bolting down the lakebed chasing a kite that was just purely out of control. However, he was successful and saved the kite! Thanks again!

So here are some pics of the fun I had with the girls!
Enjoy!
-m

*{Top Three Favorites of the Week}*

So you know how I am...when I find something I love, I'm dying to share it with everyone. So I picked three things that have taken my life by storm this week (okay, I may be a bit dramatic as well)!

HOLLA!!!!! The red cups are back at Starbucks! Seriously, how can that not put someone in the best holiday spirit...red cups and a Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha?! I am going to completely blame my coffee addiction on being stationed at Fort Lewis, WA for a few years. IT.RAINED.ALL.THE.TIME. And I froze my butt off for 9 months out of each year...it was the only logical solution; not to mention there was a coffee shop on each corner! But since we have moved away, I haven't been able to kick my coffee shop addiction. So when you get that nice warm red cup in your hands, think of me!

Okay, are these not the boots to die for?! These are the Frye Boots that I am just utterly drooling over. I can't look at another pair because they just never seem to measure up to these boots. I first spotted them inside Tangerine in Temecula and once I slipped them on, my world would never be the same. I *will* have these boots one day...I'll just keep saving my pennies until then! Seriously...you could rock these boots with so many things...leggings, a dress, jeans...the possibilities are endless!!


All you photographers out there, this is something you must check out. I love using Totally Rad Actions, and Doug, the creator, is an absolute Photoshop genius! And TRA has started BlogTalk Radio TRA Interviews! They interview the best of the best in the industry and they go through the nuts and bolts of their business. I listen to an interview a day (trying to catch up) while I walk my 5K's in the mornings. It makes the time fly by, I'm working out, AND I am learning tricks and tips to my my business that much better. So you will have to check it out! The latest one is an interview by the lovely Boutwells. Trust me, they are awesome...it should be a good one!

Have a fabulous weekend!!
m

*{I *puffy heart* the desert}* Fort Irwin CA Photographer | Desert Lakebed Photographer

What an awesome family...seriously awesome! They were a ton of fun as we ventured out to the local lakebed for some family shots. All you Fort Irwin peeps...the lakebed is basically the epitome of the desert and what an awesome way to remember our time here at Fort Irwin. And Fort Irwin peeps...don't forget to check out the Facebook challenge we have going on between now and November 15th!

(Sidenote: Sessions are very limited between now and Christmas...if you have intentions to have a shoot before the holidays, email me ASAP...I can count on one hand the days of availability that are left!)

Back to your regular programming...your batch of lakebed awesomeness. Check out the fun we had:

Crazy family fun...I told you they were awesome!


Such a sweet shot...


See! Even the *H* Family is excited to be on the lakebed!!

LOVE LOVE LOVE this shot below...LOVE IT!

*{Halloween}*

Oh yeah, we went there...
Our family as Jon and Kate, Tinkerbell, and a precious ladybug. Thank you *K* family for the photo!

Can you say *fabulous*?!
Hope you had a wonderful Halloween!
-m