So, 25 years ago I graduated from a small boarding school in southern Virginia. Never really thought that I would be back…. I mean ever! At the time, I felt a bit overwhelmed by rules and structure basically wanting neither of the two. In the 80’s, a Grateful Dead concert was more the environment I desired! In 1985(after a year of college, a few less rules and plenty of Dead shows), I approached the headmaster at the time, Jerry Van Voorhis, with my idea to provide graduation photography for the students, families and school community. This is a multi day…

This is Nick Seid – a senior graduating from El Dorado High School 2009 . He has been busy visiting potential schools mostly up and down the Pacific Coast. He wants to major in Theater or maybe journalism. Right now Nick is actually the lead in an upcoming spring play drama “MacBeth” put on by El Dorado High School – for times and scheduling go to this link: MacBeth Info. Since Nick is an actor it made it easy for him to pose and look great naturally for the camera! He was a lot of fun to work with.

Lauren and Karl were referred to me by my friend Sharon who was referred to me by my friend Renee. I think Renee found one of my flyers at the winery where she worked at the time. Lauren and Karl seemed to be in the spirit of most of my referrals- happy, loving life and ready for anything. I love that! I had not met them prior to meeting at Baker Beach on a day destined for rain. I said to Lauren in advance of the session, “Are you all still good with the beach if it is raining, or…

Most of the time, I meet all my couples prior to their booking me for their wedding. Because they live in San Francisco, I had not met Melissa and Ryan until we landed in the parking lot at Baker Beach to start their engagement session. It didn’t matter- We all had a great time getting to know each other while taking advantage of the amazing light on the Golden Gate Bridge. My friend and fellow photographer from the city, Amy Carr helped me on this shoot and got a few of her own great images too. Thanks Amy! Melissa and…

I photographed Marie and Matt’s wedding in Lake Tahoe in 2007. I was thrilled when Matt’s step mom contacted me to purchase a one of my baby packages for Marie as a baby shower gift. This was the 2nd of 3 shoots that we will do. At the end of the first year, I will create a keepsake photographic baby book, documenting her whole first year. It is so great to be able to do this and keep in touch with Marie and Matt, and now, Sophie! And…. isn’t she sweet?

Jazzie got on her bike today, carefully placed her foot on one pedal, gave the ground a good push with the other, got a little momentum and and VIOLA-my little girl is riding a bike…I feel like college may be right around the corner…(weep weep) After learning how to ski this winter and ride her bike today, these are truly the moments that make it all worth it! Our little Easy Rider! Another year or so with Ember and we will graduate to a couple new “full family” activities! Jeff and I couldn’t be more excited!

I had one of my assistants Cassie compose a little questionnaire for herself & my other assistant Jaci to answer, so people who visit my blog can learn about the ladies who help me! I am so fortunate to have such a great team. It is a big job and I couldn’t possibly handle it all by myself. Many thanks to Jaci and Cassie for being so fun to work with too- It keeps us all smiling! Jaci :: The Goddess of Ordering and Shipping AND the one who “didn’t sign up for this”…meaning the photos and the interviews…she is…

This is Karl Quinsland a senior graduating from Oakridge in El Dorado Hills! The day I did his shoot he said there were only 19 days left until he graduated – he said he’d been counting down the days since he entered high school as a freshman lol! It was a beautiful day for taking photos and Karl just happened to live on a freshly blossoming green piece of property. Happy Graduation! oh and Karl … “Yo”

This is Ryan O’Rilley a senior graduating from El Dorado High School this year (woo go Ryan!) We had a fun time on this shoot. We meaning myself, my assistant Cassie, Ryan and his mother Trisa – who told us some pretty great stories about Ryan when he was younger so I could get a real laugh and genuine smile out of him… but we won’t tell those stories for Ryan’s sake! : )

A couple days ago I sent out an email to my clients asking for help to create my bio section for my blog. I wanted to use a dictionary definition to describe me & my work – however I didn’t want to write the definition myself! I got so many wonderful and thoughtful responses that picking just one winner seemed a little unfair. I threw all the names of people who responded into a “hat” (actually – a bulk media dvd lid) and drew out three names, the first two were the runner ups while the third was the grand prize…