Yesterday was my birthday. To begin my year anew, I went all smoothie yesterday. Today officially begins The Master Cleanse for 14 days. Decided it was time to finally clean out all stuff that’s been mucking up for 30 and some odd years in my system. I like quietness and peace. The sound of the wind, the sound of the cars on the highway, the feel of falling snow on my face as well as the brightness and heat of the sun. I like simple things, but I’m not simple. I like soft porn couples, and couples that are willing to make out for me for the camera. I love seeing the intensity of the way my couples interact with each other, and the quietness of their interaction too. Reinee and Seth are going to be so fun to photograph on their wedding day. Reinee dislikes being the center of attention, but Seth is all over it. I can’t wait for August.

One of the greatest resources I’ve found for planning a wedding is a budget calculator which helps you understand how much the big event you are planning is going to cost (versus how much you think it will cost). I rated just for fun if I was to plan a big event in North Lake Tahoe including rehearsal, ceremony, reception and all the details from flowers to the officiant to wedding attire and place cards. My wedding would cost me $60,000. Check it out here. Another wonderful resource is budget/friend photographer versus professional photographer. Why you should hire a professional photographer over having a friend photograph your wedding. Check it out here.

On a completely different note, I photographed two events this weekend, amazing weddings I am so stoked on. Here is a little preview to Christina and Jeremy’s wedding in San Mateo and Redwood City this weekend. Great couple, great location, absolutely dreamy.

Alex has the coolest doors to his closet in his loft. They have these awesome pegs and with tied rope, which totally makes me think sadomasochistic photographs. Alex and Monica were married at the Claremont Resort and Spa in Berkeley back in November. She their wedding photographs here. I was lucky enough today to visit them for lunch and see Alex’s cool loft in Oakland (and seeing the photographs I created from their engagement session all over their walls.) After a long week, very long, from attempting to obtain my alpine skiing Teacher Certification (which Squaw kicked my butt, and couldn’t ski to save my life; thus not obtaining my Certification, which will have to wait until next season when I can practice and hoping to ski better (!), a rehearsal dinner on Thursday night, a wedding on Friday (unbelievably awesome!) and another wedding on Saturday (equally awesome!), it was time to to take 10 minutes out in Alex’s loft to create some sexy photos of Alex with his bride. I love how Alex looks at his wife and how they interact together, it’s so endearing and what I wish someday I could have. Home sweet home now, and a ton of work ahead of me, but totally loving it (that I get to play for a living and not really work!) Here’s one of my favorites. Enjoy and until next time!

I came down to Oakland yesterday to visit my friend, Amy, as well as photograph a wedding in Santa Clara. The wedding was awesome, I’ll have images to post soon, but also was looking for some creative time with my friend, who is also a photographer. The weather is seriously rainy today, and I’m always for the rain, although I’m currently sitting in front of the space heater attempting to dry out before my trek home to Truckee. We began the day by having breakfest at Thornhill Coffee House in Oakland Hills, which by chance (I had no idea) is Jules Bianchi’s studio. Jules definitely does some AMAZING work, and I loved peeking in the windows of her studio. Someday I’ll have a cool space to display my work and meet with clients….someday (I’m so dreaming!). Amy suggested we held out towards the Berkeley Pier for photos. There’s something about freezing with rain blowing into my left ear while walking to the end of the 3000ft pier to a gate, where about 100-150 feet at the end drop off into the water and the unmaintained remaining almost 2 miles of the pier disappear into the Bay. We froze, got completely soaked, made some cool photos and made our way back to Amy’s Acura with the heated seats. *sigh* A few photos of our escapade today. I have to do this more often…going out for fun and taking photos just for me. I drew inspiration for today’s shoot from Kazuumi Takahashi; there’s just something about the chaos of the weather to make quiet photos. Rain has subsided…time to venture home.

My eyes hurt. I’m restless. I feel like a child waiting for recess at school. Wait, I am a kid, and all I do is play. (Remember!) When I first arrived at Bibo Coffee Co. this morning, I was energized, loving the morning rush of all the customers talking and getting excited about their coming work day. Now it’s almost 11am, my car is in the shop (again), hopefully soon to be repaired, and I love taking advantage of people watching while putting together a collage of some of my favorites from Deanna and Greg’s wedding in South Lake Tahoe at Edgewood on Valentine’s Day. My first time photographing at Edgewood, and wow this place is way fun to photograph at. Looking at Deanna and Greg’s images definitely gets me all choked up. (Thus the distraction of jumping back and forth between subjects, I don’t want to cry!) Their wedding was so filled with a heart wrenching emotion. I felt I couldn’t breathe (in a good way). I had tears in my eyes throughout the day and am so happy with the images I made from their wedding. Deanna says to me, ” I don’t want any “normal” photos, I like edgy, blurry, totally and completely outside-the-box photography. She had Stuart Weitzman red pumps, so I couldn’t go all blurry and black and white in her images…Actually I could still go black and white, but something about those awesome shoes cries to me “I WANT COLOR!!!!”  Chico State grads, totally original in their cocktail party in the reception, amazing. Wow, I love my clients. I am so thankful. Now I will consider having some coffee since I’ve been here for about 2.5 hours and who knows how much longer until I can walk over and pick up my car.

I met with Claire and Julius (who goes by Cliff) in November during one of my many frequent trips to San Francisco. Claire and Cliff had told me they have gone through a lot together after many many years and finally after the problems had been resolved, it was time for a celebration, of them finally being able to enjoy their lives together. I only know this all too well. I’m still growing so much mentally, as well as emotionally, sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever reach my goals. Then isn’t it the journey and not the destination? I hold so much faith in myself and feel like as long as I keep swimming (to quote Finding Nemo) I will make it. The universe definitely lets me know which path I’m to take. I have to remember to stay patient and being open to the challenges life throws my way. To celebrate Claire and Cliff, who were married in January at the Park Chalet in San Francisco, thank you so much for showing me your tenderness, clarity and love for each other.

yeah, yeah…I was telling Aimee’s bridesmaid, Stacey, today about how I came to be a photographer, and one of the perks of loving what I do so much for a living; I get to come home and am still so amped from photographing the wedding, after downloading, I check out the images, and will spend a a couple hours just looking at the photographs, and thriving on the moments I captured from the wedding. Here’s a preview of Aimee and Mike with the amazing environment of Plumpjack (whom I am so in love with right now, they so freaking rocked and were so fun to photograph) I’ll post more soon!

Last week I attended WPPI (Wedding Portrait Photographers International) in Las Vegas. I’ve never been a huge fan of Vegas, and usually can only handle about 48 hours of the cigarette smoke and slot machines, but since my move to the Reno area, I’ve become a lot more accustomed to the environment. This year’s conference left me in a bundle of knots and strange realizations of my path in my career. From breaking down after hearing Jerry Ghionis‘ talk about shooting for the album and then showcasing his amazing work, to Sarah Petty’s Marketing workshop and Bob and Dawn Davis‘ lighting talk; from Jasmine Star’s ghetto marketing and of course, the best part - attending a Nudeoir Workshop with Carlos Baez. I’ll be expanding in addition to wedding photography, to photograph Nudes or Boudoir around and about Tahoe and the Nevada desert. (Email or call if you’re interested in exploring this adventure with me!)

After Jerry’s talk last Monday, I had a moment of complete devastation. Worrying about my career and if I’m on the right path. I dazedly walked through The Signature, purchased a $3 cup of coffee at Starbucks and continued towards the walkway back to the MGM stopping for a moment to sit and collect my thoughts (and a plan of action) before attending Sarah Petty’s Joy of Marketing Master’s Class. I glanced through the trade show floor plan looking for the camera bag companies so I could find a new camera bag following Sarah’s class. I then called my friend Brad and cried to him about my self-doubt in my career. He was great to talk to, having a friend I could call for some support. I went to Sarah Petty’s class, with massive stomach pains (too much coffee) and while taking notes, becoming completely overwhelmed on the marketing and business side of my life being self-employed. While feeling completely overwhelmed and in pain during the class, next thing I know is Sarah had placed a Shootsac in front of me. I had won the giveaway for the Jessica Claire designed camera lens bag. I was in shock, staring at this box that contained my new camera bag, it took all I had to not cry. I was and am so incredibly thankful that the universe supports me and helps guide me in my way. I’m pretty sure I’m on the right path in my life, and I am so thankful for the signs that are sent to me to help me when I’m down.

A few “safe” images from the Nudeoir Workshop of Carlos Baez.

As I attempt to grasp what I’ve learned thus far here at WPPI (Wedding Portrait Photographers International) annual conference in Las Vegas, I am overwhelmed with ideas and dreams and Oh-I-don’t-even-know-how-to-describe-it type sensations. I’ve never been a big fan of Vegas, and I’m slowly getting used to the mirror on the ceiling over my bed, but hey, I’m totally trying to live it up vintage Las Vegas style. I have so much to learn and do and accomplish in my career, I feel like I’ve barely begun on my path. I have so many dreams. I found out the other day about the Palm Springs Photo Festival last week, and I can’t even begin to tell you how I would love to attend Keith Carter’s workshop. I can’t afford it; I can afford the time and travel, but not the workshop. Oh how I would love attending his workshop. I always know in my heart, if I’m meant to make it happen, I will; I will find a way to attend. Same here with WPPI. I love the commraderie and meeting new people, whether thus far the brief moment of meeting Elizabeth Messina at the workshop line, or hearing my friends talk about seeing the Boutwells and John Michael Cooper at the West Wing Bar tonight, I’m in love with being inspired with so much I can’t even begin. I am so thankful I am here (wondering about this mirror above my bed, or the jacuzzi five steps from my bed) and all that I am thankful and willing to learn and appreciate my time while here.

Last week I went with my bright and shiny happy smiley face to Sierraville, because I wanted to take some photos (and attempt to begin the education of Sean with photography so he can eventually become my permanent 2nd shooter), here’s a frame I have as my desktop, and I’m digging it so much I wanted to share. (Never thought you’d see me do landscapes or buildings huh?) I love the detail along with the mystery and feel of this frame. But that’s all me. I hope you enjoy. Thank you so much for reading my continual evolution!

Just a quick post to announce Ginger and Luigi who are getting married in October in San Francisco and Napa are my winners for my first ever Wedding Photography Giveaway! Very special thank you to all who’ve entered! More to come soon!