Alder Creek

    Oh what beautiful light we had at Alder Creek Tract for Emily’s Senior session! With Emily’s beautiful hair blowing in the breeze, her rosy cheeks and warm smile, it made it almost impossible to take a bad photo this evening. Emily’s parents, Barb and Steve, are both teachers in the Pollock Pine School district and I first met Barb when she was recruiting volunteers for the new school community garden at Pinewood. As soon as I met her, I know I would like her! So, when she called me to schedule a Senior session for her daughter, I…

While my photography is always about capturing emotion, something true and personal about my subject, it is also about the artistry of light. This is never truer than during sunset sessions, like this one with Senior, Kyle, at Alder Creek Tract. The light is so perfect during that hour or so before the sun goes down and it’s so fun to walk through these gorgeous settings getting to know my clients while eyeing the scenery for the most dramatic backdrop. Kyle is the son of a family I got to photograph a few years ago and he is graduating from…

I love Senior session time! As a mother myself, I feel the mixture of emotion and excitement for these “coming of age” photos. It’s such a great opportunity to mark the first step into adulthood and, quite often, one of the last times that parents get to celebrate their sons and daughters as they were when still living at home; so much changes from hereon out! This session was all about Dylan, whose brother, Ryan, I photographed a few years back for his Senior portraits  For Ryan’s session, mom attended the session but shied away from the camera.  But this year…

Thanks to the Stewart family for being in touch to let me know that they were going to be in town and wanted to have some new photographs since the birth of their daughter. We headed up country this time to Alder Creek since Coloma was so stinking hot. Amazingly enough, these river folk (with a son named River, even) had not ever been to that spot and have added it to their repertoire of river cool down locations. Be sure to scroll to the bottom to see what the Stewart family looked like in 2007. Peace you all and…

River, rocks and the Death Gap. Ok, Ryan didn’t make us jump the gap (thankfully) but we sure had fun in the outdoors down by the American River at Alder Creek Tract. Ryan is a senior at a local charter school in Camino and is about to graduate. Next fall he will start at Lake Tahoe Community College where he will be closer to one of his great loves… the snow! Ryan competed for the Sierra-at-Tahoe team. He yearns for adventure and I know one day we will see him on the cover of an extreme sports magazine. I’m so…

Courtney and Josh are total opposites they say – and it seemed to be a bit true. Courtney is really out going and loves the camera while on the other hand Josh is a bit more reserved and probably couldn’t care less about the camera. 🙂 He was wondering why he was both dressed up AND down at the river…Courtney of course assured him that it was a perfect plan. These two were fun and playful to photograph and clearly in love. Their wedding is in January of 2011. Thanks to Jen and Jeff for the great referral! Here is…

Janine used to teach yoga at the same place I taught a dance aerobics class. Just saying that brings me way back. We all had little kids/infants that we brought to class and had babysitting available for all the moms who wanted to work out while both trying to shed a few pounds and carve out a little personal time. It was a fine time- lots of camaraderie – with new moms sharing the trials and tribulations of parenting, while more experienced moms shared their own experiences. Yes, we all felt lucky to have this. The thing I loved about…