Sly Park Lake

There is something about Juliana and her quiet beauty…inside, outside and all around her. This was just one of those sessions…and while I know it will be better for all of us with some rain to clear that smoke from our air, that soft lightbox of sunlight created by the smoke made for some spectacular light. I can’t think of a more lovely young lady that I would like to spend it with (well, other than my daughter, Ember who has been helping me out in the field). Juliana graduates this May from Virtual Academy and has a love for…

Elise’s world came caving in this past January when in a few short weeks she lost both her healthy father to a unimaginable heart attack and her home and belongings to a fire. I don’t think anyone can fathom this loss. Elise and my daughter have known each other since grade school and often played soccer together on the same team. Elise’s dad Joe, one of the kindest and most generous people you will ever know, was a friend of ours and his loss is felt deeply in our community. Elise graduates from Union Mine this May and like most…

When the Shull family arrived at Sly Park Lake, Kerri and Chris looked incredibly familiar. Then, I realized I knew them due to their -flash mob- fame. Yup, flash mob fame….not everyone can claim that. They were front and center,  flash mobbing, if you will, at a sweet 16 party this past summer. When our mutual friends, the Andersons (and my “forever” clients) referred them, I knew I was in for a wonderful session. And was it…the light and the clouds that day were extraordinary. The day after a fresh snow, Kerri, Chris and their sons James(14), Jack(11) and Jace…

At an earlier hour than I’m used to and in the glorious morning mist, I met Lindsey and Zeke at Sly Park Lake while they were in town from the San Diego area, visiting for Thanksgiving. We had planned on a sunset session the day before but the weather wasn’t cooperating so we squeezed a shoot in before they had to head for the airport to go home. I’m sure glad we did. The mist on the lake was so amazing and getting to capture Lindsey and Zeke in that great light was so enjoyable. I first met Lindsey when I…

I met the Waller family through Pinetop Montessori in Pollock Pines. This is the second year I’ve photographed their family outside of Pinetop. When they arrived for the session, I had no idea that they had a new little one, Miss Evelyn who joined their family. It was pretty much a love fest! Happy Holidays Waller family! Here are a few of my favorites. Teething on your big brother…

Wherever you go, go with all your heart.  ~Confucius And so it goes…later this month Paige will grab her royal blue cap and gown and gracefully cross the stage at El Dorado High School as she retrieves her diploma. Wow. 16 years later. Our families have been friends since 2002 when Jaci, Paige’s mom had a daycare center that our children attended for years. In fact, back in the day, Jaci also used to work for me and I have always valued her as a worker, caregiver and friend. What a treat to get to photograph her oldest daughter- such a…

What a difference four years makes!  It was a pleasure to reconnect with the McCann Family this fall at one of my favorite places, Sly Park Lake, and see how much this gorgeous family has grown.  I always say one of the greatest rewards of my career is that I get to work with families many times over the years and in a sense, grow with them!  In 2012 when I photographed the McCann Family at Boeger Winery, youngest daughter Ellie was just a baby and big sister Hailee a smiling tot.  Today they are two beautiful little girls with an…

When longterm clients become longtime friends, I know that my business is exactly everything I’d hoped it to be.  That’s what it is like with the Anderson family.  I met them when their youngest child Ryan was still an infant and have been blessed to watch them grow and evolve as a family ever since.  Even with their busy schedules (full-time jobs for both mom and dad, plus part-time soccer coaching, along with soccer playing for the kids) they still are able to find time for annual family photography.  Even if that means a sunset arrival for their afternoon session!  Doesn’t matter; when…

It’s not easy as you might think it would be to get many generations of family together in order to capture this moment in time. It can take some planning, some coordinating and some flexibility but it’s generally never regretted. Kudos to my friend Carol who did just that this summer while her family was in town for a visit. In fact, we did this several years ago over the Christmas holiday too. Living close to Goldridge club, we were able to utilize the playground which always keeps the kids engaged. Lots of smiles and lots of grandkids (ok, and a few…