Sly Park Lake

“And we are starting a new life” was the title of the first photo session blog post that I did with the Skalos family. It’s also the lyric to a great Van Morrison song. At that time the Skalos family were new to Pollock Pines and wanted to document their family. Claire (bear) was a toddler and Ava was a big bump in Shannon’s belly (see the log of posts at the bottom of this one). That was in March of 2022. Over the next 2.5 years, I captured not only Ava’s first year but also their growing family. This…

Anthony(Ant, Tony) is down to earth, easygoing, positive, playful and up for anything (even a shot of pinecones surrounding his head- just ’cause.). While others might first notice his athletic abilities as a quarterback, what stood front and center to me was his genuine kindness. I’ve met some of the loveliest young adults that have come through ELDO- Anthony included. He will graduate from El Dorado High School in May, Class of 2023. He’s been playing football for seven years and a quarterback for the ELDO football team for four years where his father was the head coach. In fact,…

I recently met the Hough family at Sly Park Lake to celebrate Elizabeth’s graduation from Union Mine High School this past May. Of course, I wanted to make sure we captured the whole family too, as this is a big milestone. Being able to watch your child graduate from High School is an important milestone and even more important to my dear friend, Lindia. Set your goals and make them happen. Move forward in positivity and grace. Have gratitude for each day. These are just a few of the things I have learned from in part from Lindia over the…

Fast forward to 2021- and there I was photographing the graduating Jessica at Sly Park Lake just an hour or so before homecoming began at Union Mine. Right? Why not schedule a session when you’re all dolled up ready to roll?

I’ve had the pleasure of photographing the O’rilley kids for years, while simultaneously providing tissues to Trisa as she watched each of her ‘not babies anymore’ approach their high school graduation.

I love the process of meeting new families and getting the opportunity to capture something real with my camera. It usually takes a little to get everyone warmed up though it makes me smile when I see it happen. Those little moments where smiles are natural, makes me smile. Sure we had help from a couple cute family doggies who are incredibly loved as well as a curious, local crow. Many thanks to Sharlene and the Kasadate family for coming up to Pollock Pines for photographs. The rest of your gallery will be ready soon.

Well, I got to meet cute lil’ Texas for the first time as he entered this world. Seriously.

Look how much these two kids have grown, HA -and their adult parents too….though I must admit, they look the same as when I captured them on their wedding day at Fausel Ranch back in 2011.

  You never know where you’ll find your next wedding couple. As I was headed out to one of my favorite spots at Jenkinson Lake one evening with a family I was photographing, I came upon a couple and a few of their friends doing a quick rehearsal for a ceremony they had planned for the next day. We exchanged some small talk and I said, “I hope you have a photographer for this magnificent spot”, and they looked at their friends with iPhones and said that they did. As I was leaving I passed by their camping spot and…