It's obvious we're embracing the entire motherhood scene these days. So much, that we recently collaborated with Lauren at Popup Picnic. We've decided we're taking the Playdate thing to a new level. Enjoy and happy early Mother's Day!

There is no better way to correspond with friends and loved ones than a holiday card. Find the perfect holiday card for your style and budget, with luxe paper and printing. Our favorite: TinyPrints 

If you're anything like me, getting ahead on holiday things helps keep me a bit more sane by the time the holidays ACTUALLY get here. So here we are... well before the season sharing our favorite holiday cards from Minted! Their cards seem to always have that extra little love in them that you can't find anywhere else.

Bonus for everyone on top of their game.... Get 15% using Code: JOY17  Ends 11/6.

Disclosure: In the spirit of full disclosure, this blog includes affiliate links, which means I may get commission for select products. I only recommend products that I use myself, so know you'll be in good hands!

#2 Whimsical with berries. Not into all the glitz of some holiday cards? Not to worry. These little watercolored berries are the perfect balance of a whimsical holiday style.  

#3 Bold and Fun! Get creative with using several photos vs just one. While we absolutely love photographing family portraits, don't forget a few holiday cheer images in your home with the right lighting, adds a personal touch. Pair it with a joyful holiday card and it's as simple as that. 

#4 Gold Foil. Last but not least, we can't help ourselves with all the foiled options from Minted! Here's our fav for 2017! It has that shimmer that just makes everyone smile (and in this case "sing")!

Why Minted?

We love Minted Holiday cards for a number of reasons. First and foremost, their designs. They work with professional artists to bring you the best designs from modern to traditional styles. Secondly; the quality of their products. They print their cards on luxurious paper using some of the best printing techniques. 

They're truly one of a kind and stand out from the other competitors. 

Documentary of the San Diego Women's March.

I absolutely adore my vendors and Aall in Limo is no exception. I was happy to photograph a winery tour for them a few weekends ago where a close group of friends enjoyed a Sunday afternoon in Temecula. Our drive and leave of service he provided was top notch. I'd recommend them to anyone looking for a private driver to large group day tour. Visit there site here and be sure to tell them you found them on my blog! ​http://www.aallinlimo.com

A few months ago I was devastated when an external hard drive crashed and I lost a lot of valuable photographs. I’ll spare you the long story, but the stress it caused has inspired me to remind everyone around me the importance of allowing your photograph to live outside of our digital world. 

With the holidays around the corner, it’s the perfect time to take a moment, get on your mobile (or desktop) and create that album from your family road trip or enlarge your favorite photo and frame it. If you’re looking for something timeless, I offer a range of flush-mount albums and high quality canvas prints. However if you’re looking for quick and hassle-free products, there’s plenty to choose from. Some are as easy as downloading an app and with a few clicks, you'll be on your way to having a purty little album arriving at your front door. 

Below are some of my favorites I’ve seen over the past year.

~ Enjoy! And happy printing!

p.s. Don’t forget - this time of year many companies offer “Buy one, get one” or discounts on credits purchased - it’s a great idea to stock up on a few items to use throughout the year. 

Chatbooks
Chatbooks are Super Easy. 60-page 6x6” photo books for $8! Free shipping. Options for a perfect-bound softcover or library bound hardcover. The easiest way to turn your digital photos into beautiful photo books you can enjoy in the real world. (http://chatbooks.com)

It's been an exciting end of summer with a number of blogs picking up photographs I've shot over the past year. You may recall seeing images of Lana, Mary and Ben. I couldn't be happier that their little story made it as a full spread in the Gay Wedding and Marriage Fall 2015 Issue. Their family has such much love and I hope their story inspires others!

Printed issues are available at Barnes & Nobles or you can view the digital issue at the following link (page 50): http://issuu.com/gayweddingsmagazine/docs/fall15_gwmdigital

I'm happy to announce I've partnered with Pixieset! It's a lovely way for me to create private collections of all my client's photography work. Pixieset will make purchasing prints and canvases a breeze and most important - your order will be produced at the White House Custom Colour lab! They not only pride themselves on the quality of product they produce but they believe speed matters as well (most orders ship within 48hrs). 

What does partnering with Pixieset mean to my clients?

It means if you book a photo session with me you'll be able to view your photographs in a beautiful private online gallery. You'll be able to pick favorites and share with your family and friends - and when it comes to a wedding, let's face it - that's important! (who wants to be taking photo orders from all their guest after the wedding). 

Below you'll see a few screenshots that will help walk you through what you may experience on your gallery. 

1. You'll receive an email with a link to our private online gallery. You'll get really excited as you move your mouse over to enter the gallery. You'll be asked to enter your email address and a passcode (which was provided in the email)

2. Open you collection and see your images in a mosaic display. Click on any image to enlarge. 

3. Easily add an image as your favorite, add it to your cart or share! Because sharing is caring after all! Feel free to share one image or share the entire collection (to share the entire collection, use the appropriate icon at the top of the gallery). 

4. Grab a tissue and wipe the tears, most clients experience these emotions after viewing their photos. Get your shopping cart full of your favorite prints and head to the check out. It's as easy as 1, 2, 3 - just enter your shipping and payment info and your order should arrive within a few days. 


Enjoy!

Who doesn't love Fridays! It's the perfect day of the week to grab a beer, kick up your feet and - hey! browse some photographs from your travel to Baja Mexico earlier in the year. Let's start the journey off with a photo of Jesus's last supper with a taco. We stopped here to grab a bite on our way to La Bufadora. 

<-- Mi amigos on this two day road trip. 

A few months back I had the opportunity to shoot the set/still photographs for Tender Productions here in San Diego. The crew and cast were an awesome group - ranging from the San Diego to Los Angeles area. The final editing should be wrapping up soon, but until that update check out some of the images behind the scenes. 

Production: Thorvald Moving Pictures and Tender Productions
Producers: Christopher Rymer, Mitchel Lamoureux, Will T.S. Coleman
Director: Mitchel Lamoureux

Check out the fun times high up in the sky! Everyone should try this at least once in their lifetime. 

It's so hard to describe Yosemite's breath taken views if you haven't had the chance to visit. This are is obviously a huge tourist destination in California. I'm extremely excited I finally had the chance to check it out. The majority of my trip I carried along my camera gear and in the back of my mind I kept thinking of Ansel Adams hiking around those trails with his 8 x 10 camera. I think I'll look at his work in a different light now.