Even a week before a wedding, an engagement session still has so many benefits. I got to meet Albert and Melissa and see how they are as a couple outside of what sometimes can be wedding day craziness. We got to go sit out in the dirt with the farm animals at Fausel Ranch. And as a bonus, I got to see my friend Deanna the owner and coordinator at Fausel Ranch who is also just happens to be Albert’s mom…not to mention I left with a case of peaches that were amazing, thanks Fausels- you always take such good care…

I love that I get to witness families both start and grow as part of my job. I was happy to get the call from the Gustafson’s that they were ready for their family session. I had worked with Sara and Eric and their dogs a few years back, and was excited at the chance to meet their new little guy, Clayton, aka Mr. Smiley. Now, as Sara told me, she had a new camera but very few images of the three of them OR of her and their new son Clayton- THIS I understand as I have been documenting…

I first met Sarah and Etan on the Pier behind Tahoe Tavern Properties where they and the rest of their group were staying for their Lake Tahoe destination wedding. They were from New York and had arrived at Lake Tahoe earlier that week. Sarah made her beautiful dress for the day, along with the handkerchiefs that Etan, and her father carried for the day. The ceremony and celebrations took place at the Christy Hill Restaurant overlooking the lake in Tahoe City. During their ceremony they took the time to mention by name every person that was there, and thanked them…

About one week after I had visited them in the hospital, I made my way over to Ross and Kristy’s home to photograph the new family after they’d settled back in. Everyone, including their dogs just couldn’t seem to get enough of little Nathan. Ross had the idea of measuring Nathan against his 300mm lens, and I love how Nathan just had to stick his foot out to show Dad just how much bigger he was than that silly lens. I think a 400mm (and perhaps a matching “birth” ring) might be in your futures. Congratulations again you guys, I…

I first met Ross and Kristy several years ago for their engagement session. I loved getting to work with them and their daughter Kiki both for their engagement session and their wedding, and have since become friends. Ross has become my go-to tech guy over the years, and has even become a bit of a photographer himself (though he’d never admit it). He even helped me with my most recent workshop and has become a moderator of sorts on my Workshop Facebook Group. Recently- we were invited to go see Kiki play a soccer game and my daughters were very…

September 6, 2011 When you attend a memorial for a “child”, as a parent, I know, you know, we all know, this could be you. How can this thought not run through your head? This just as easily could have been one of your own. Fear then sadness then compassion. As I sit here putting this slideshow together, tears running down my cheek, I am just as moved by these raw emotions each time it plays. Being a part of the community of Pollock Pines, I arrived at the memorial for Travis certain of the strong love and support of…

If any of you have ever been to Fausel Ranch, whether for a wedding or to buy some of their fabulous summer fruit, you have more than likely met Deanna and David, the owners of Fausel Ranch. I’ve had the honor of getting to work with Deanna several times now, and this past weekend, I was honored to be chosen this time,  to work for her at her son’s wedding. Melissa and Albert decided to be the first couple to be married under the gazebo on the ranch, and I loved how they centered the entire evening around it. It…

The other night on my way home from the Sugarloaf benefit, I had arranged to stop by one of my favorite wineries that I enjoy spending time at, in order to take some promotional photographs of a private event that they were having. Why is it one of my favorites? Well, a number of reasons- Jen and Brian are so down to earth and not only know how to make great wine, but almost as important, they know how to treat their clientele and understand how that completely ties in with having a successful business. In order to accommodate the…

I had a chance to again support the Sugarloaf Fine Arts Camp this year when my friend Nina asked me to photograph their annual fundraiser. People that attend the annual Sugarloaf Fine Arts Camp in Pollock Pines every summer are fun and creative people. That also goes for the folks that run and teach at the camp. That also goes for those that attend their annual fundraiser. It’s a great organization and I am proud to support them and the arts in our community. Sugarloaf provides classes for 6th grade through high school students in Concert Bands, Visual Arts, Theater…

One of the first things that Aaron told me was that he can’t smile on command, and of course after him telling me this, it was the first thing I ask him to do. You just have to be ready for that with camera focused and ready to go- because that may be the most relaxed you get someone. Fortunately this was just the beginning! I met with Kate and Aaron at Boeger Winery for their engagement session- Kate on her way down from Tahoe from working on wedding plans and Aaron on his way up to train at elevation…

Imagine attending a college reunion for Syracuse University where the only “Orange” reunion attendees were sporting was carefully crafted into a handmade tie dye. Imagine getting together with not several thousand folks in a banquet hall but with 60 or so of your closest friends (and their children whom you’ve never met) on a beautiful property in Woodstock, New York complete with round the clock jamming. Imagine sharing a weekend with these very same people whose time at college was also defined by music, art, friendship and community. ahhhhh- ain’t it great:) Many thanks to my wonderful friends. I am…

I was so excited to get the text from Tony and Tara while I was on vacation that little Wyatt had arrived. I’ve worked with Tony and Tara several times over the years, starting with their engagement and wedding, then with their first pregnancy and year of life with daughter Zoe, and now their newest little one! Wyatt was so calm and peaceful the entire shoot, he seemed happy to just go along with whatever everyone else was doing. Big sister Zoe just couldn’t get enough of him, and stopped several times throughout the session to shower him with kisses.…