*{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

*{Proud Mama}* Fort Irwin CA Photographer

Today was a big day in our house. Little Miss M swam in her first swim meet! She is on the team here at Fort Irwin, and it has all been a bit overwhelming for her...she is by far the smallest kiddo on the team and the poor thing just took her very first swim lesson in June. But she *really* exceeded our expectations at today's meet! I think she was more excited by the fact that she was able to wear her big girl racing suit today than the fact she was able to swim. But she did get into the groove of it all and was very excited for her heats. She did the 25m freestyle, 25m backstroke, and 25m breaststroke. And as a very proud mama, I am so happy to report she was the first in her heat for the backstroke. I'm not going to lie, she took us by surprise!! But she did great and finished her backstroke in 37.62 seconds! Way to go Miss M! That is definitely going to be her stroke, but it was a great confidence booster for her.

So as a proud mama would, here are some pics I snapped of her getting ready for her heats. She automatically thinks she is an Olympian when she puts her fancy suit on...and you can be my little one if that is what you want.

Enjoy the pics...now off to get ready for another lakebed session!! Can't wait!
m



I am serious when I say she busted into this pose below all by herself! Check her out! HA!

Getting ready for her breaststroke heat!
GO GIRL GO!


We are so proud of you *M*!

*{Fort Irwin Facebook Challenge}* Fort Irwin CA Photographer

I have a fabulous challenge for all my Fort Irwin residents...check this out!


So what are you waiting for?! To the right of this blog post is a place you can click and it will take you to Facebook where you can become a fan. And then go tell all your friends to become fans too so you can increase your chances of winning! A lakebed session is a fabulous memento from Fort Irwin that you will always treasure.

And a couple spots are still open for the Holiday Mini-Sessions taking place on Fort Irwin this Sunday...so lock in your time slot!

See you in Facebook-land!
-m