We met up for Derek and Kristi’s engagement session in Lake Tahoe just a week before their beautiful Taylorsville wedding. Thanks to my friend Jaime from Rose Street who helped me out with this shoot. It was great to be out by the water and to finally get to meet Derek and Kristi. I’m so glad we did their session when we did, because only a few days later, the beautiful location we were at was flooded from snow melt! Congratulations again Derek and Kristi! Enjoy!

When I first arrived at the Forest House Lodge for Sumer and Jason’s wedding, I almost instantly fell in love. Everywhere I turned there were these amazing spots that a photographer would dream to work in. And the groom, as a photographer himself, I’m sure picked the Forest House Lodge for this among many reasons for their big day. The Forest House helps to create an atmosphere of a destination wedding by only booking their venue for a minimum of 28 hours. Every that was there, was there for this wedding and every staff member was there to make sure…

I’ve been photographing the Anderson family for close to a decade now, and I was excited to hear that with family visiting from out of state it was time for an extended family session. We all met up at Sly Park Lake and found a beautiful field of flowers to work in. The kids had a blast running around, sword fighting with sticks, and just being kids. I love connecting with clients each year for their annual family portraits, and being able to capture big family gatherings like this. Thanks to second shooter, Anna Vollmer!

Michelle and Zac decided to share their special day with a small, intimate group of family and friends at Sequoia in Placerville. We started the day off with Michelle getting ready, and took some beautiful portraits on one of the many Victorian couches Sequoia has to offer. For their first look, Michelle walked across the front lawn to where Zac was waiting beneath the archway.  Their beautiful daughter Ellie was there to celebrate the day with them as well, and spent most of the day bouncing between relatives, and just being the cheerful 9-month old that she is. After the…

Recently I got the opportunity to photograph a very special day for the Barba Family. Their twins Gwyn and Drew were being baptized on their first birthday with a big family and friends celebration to follow at the beautiful Van Der Vijver Estate Winery in Fairplay. And if that wasn’t enough Kate and Pete, their parents, were celebrating a 10th wedding anniversary with a Vow Renewal ceremony. It was a perfect California day complete with that gorgeous late afternoon sun, made all the warmer by the family and friends that surround and support them. We took 15 minutes after the…

When I logged on to Facebook the morning of Trisha and Justin’s wedding, I couldn’t help but love Trisha’s post for the day: Today I marry my best friend. Their day took place at The Flower Farm in Loomis. The bride got ready in her own suite surrounded by her many bridesmaids, and the groom and groomsmen took over the main house. I love that there are so many cottages and gardens to work with, and it worked out great to be able to just pop in to a cottage for a quick break from all the heat. For their…

I finally got the chance to meet Kristi and Derek just a few days before their wedding. We met up in Lake Tahoe for their engagement session. Just a few days later, I was on my way up to Taylorsville for their big day. Derek’s family owns the mill in Taylorsville, and was also playing host for the wedding. The reception was set up in the front of their property, with the dance floor (surrounded by hay bales) right in front of their barn. And the spot they chose for their ceremony had a beautiful view of the mountains behind…

Deanna, the owner of Fausel Ranch, was kind enough to drive us on the back of her quad so that I could take a few photographs of Michelle and Tim as they left the ceremony on their motorcycle, it made for some awesome images, and what I would give for a few photos of Me, Anna, Deanna, and all our gear bouncing on the back of that quad! Congratulations Tim and Michelle!

I am just getting all the images together from this year’s graduation. That puts my Chatham Hall graduation count to 27, well…28 if you count my own back in 1984. This was a special year for me as my good friend Ann (Dr. Beal), who I have enjoyed visiting and staying with on campus each and every year since my graduation, and who also happened to be my English teacher MY senior year, was retiring after a long career of teaching. Congratulations to the Class of 2011 and thank you to Ann Beal for generously sharing her life’s learned wisdoms…

…I don’t know, maybe about 7 years ago, I was pregnant with my second daughter Ember, while taking care of my 2.5 year old, Jaz. Most moms would agree that this 2nd pregnancy can be challenging due to the fatigue, compared with a first pregnancy, where you could just rest as desired. I had what most pleasantly refer to as first trimester “morning sickness”, only day and night for the duration of both of my pregnancies. Enter, Ruthie Blair, good friend and mom extraordinaire of Rebekah. I remember one particular day waking and feeling very sick fatigued and at the…

To be perfectly honest… I am always a bit nervous when I shoot another photographer (Jason Tanaka), but after hanging out with Sumer and Jason that quickly went away. We met at Baker Beach in San Francisco. It’s an awesome location in the city because it has a bit of everything…the beach, a view of part of the city, an old bunker for a bit of that urban style, and an awesome view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Throughout the session we worked our way down the beach, and managed to beat a night-time photography class to the far end…

Below the slideshow is the article my friend and fabulous mom, Melinda Gray wrote for the local paper about our trip to El Dorado Care Center. I know my daughter Jaz is one of the lucky ones to have Lorrie Hargon for third grade. Many thanks to Mrs. Hargon for understanding that sometimes the best education happens outside of the classroom, and to fabulous moms Beth Higgins and Melissa Opsahl for their huge efforts coordinating this trip. Thanks also to those parents who came along that day and provided assistance. Special thanks to Avelina Presley who is the Activities Director…