Urban Adventure

This was a really fun session downtown with two cute sisters and their mom and dad.  We started right outside the Omni Hotel downtown and wandered around the Gaslamp Quarter from there.  Mom’s vision was an urban exploration in a sort of story style. She warned me ahead of time that the younger one might be shy and take a while to warm up.

Does that look like a shy face?

Here’s big sister.

Together on the big “o” sculpture outside the Omni.

Getting ready to head out on our adventure.

One of my favorites from the session.

Where to go next?

Let’s go this way.

Taking a break.

The whole family.

Thinking up some mischief.

A couple of cutie pies.

This is the Christmas card photo.  How fun!

A little urban greenery.

It was a fun afternoon! Family portraits don’t have to be traditional- think about what makes your family unique and a location that is meaningful to you.  I am always game for something different!

First Session for my Helen Woodward Animal Center Project

This couple had picked up one of my flyers at the Surf Dog event in September, and were the first to schedule a session for my project to benefit the Helen Woodward Animal Center.  We met at Dog Beach in Del Mar on a beautiful Fall afternoon.

The goal was to get one great shot for Christmas cards.  I said I’d do the best I could with five dogs, but couldn’t promise anything.  Everybody cooperated!

So then they got to play ball.

The terrier is, in typical terrier fashion, pretty unstoppable.  He just keeps going, and going…

This guy’s a bit of a a rascal, but in an endearing sort of way.

This is what they have selected for their Christmas card photo. I love it.

Waiting for the ball to be thrown.

Portraits.

Even when he sits, he’s ready to spring in to action.

And she’s keeping an eye on things, just in case.

To participate in this project, all it takes is a donation of $100 per pet (up to a total of $300) to the HWAC.  The project is on-going until March.  Then, I will be putting together a book to benefit the HWAC with photos of each of the animals.  All types of pets can be included, just give me a call.

Beach Portraits in La Jolla

Who needs a studio?  We have so many wonderful scenic locations in San Diego. I love being able to go someplace special and beautiful to create portraits.  Also, even though I may use the same location, the season,  weather, time of day, light, tides, and of course the people are always different.

This extended family was vacationing in San Diego from New Jersey and Virginia to celebrate the parents’ 50th anniversary.  Shell Beach, just south of La Jolla Cove, is where we ended up.

Here’s the whole group.

And the anniversary couple.

With their two daughters.

Their two daughters.

Daughter with her family.

Brothers.

Looks a little precarious, but no one got wet!

Getting kids outside and letting them move around is the best way to get them relaxed and happy.

Auntie with her nephews.

Mom and her girls.

Portraits are an important part of family history at every stage.  I am very conscious as I work that if I do my job right, in years to come the images that I create will become valuable treasures and links to the past.

Ronald McDonald House Charities Project Session on the beach in Coronado

The portrait sessions for my project to support the Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego are just about finished for the year.  The next phase will be putting together the book.  I am in the process of selecting the images from each session now.  Here is a session I did recently with an adorable four year old and her big brother on the beach in Coronado.  The late summer afternoon light was just perfect!

With big brother.

Digging in the sand.

Taking a walk.

Playing in front of the Hotel Del Coronado.

Sweet sandy fingers.

And sweet sandy toes.

Her smile says it all.

The sunset was beautiful!

The sun setting behind Pt. Loma.

A glorious end to a beautiful day!

The beach is my favorite place to photograph kids.  They can just be themselves and have a good time while I just observe and capture them while they are relaxed, happy, and engaged in something fun.

Ronald McDonald House Charities project portrait session at Seaport Village

Wow, I didn’t realize I’m so behind in my blog posting!  This was a fun session for my Ronald McDonald House Charities Project with a darling girl at Seaport Village.  We had a great time walking around enjoying the  beautiful surroundings.

She has the most beautiful hazel eyes and great eyelashes.

This is mom’s favorite, and one of mine, too.

I love this photo- she’s laughing and having fun, and it shows off her age so well.  In another year she’ll start loosing those sweet baby teeth.  I like to capture images that really show who the child is at this point in time. Her whole smile will change as she starts getting her new teeth.

She got to hold a bird!  It was very exciting!

Happy and thoughtful.

This is dad’s favorite.

Another favorite of mine.

The session fee for this session was a $100 donation directly to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego.  My goal is to raise $10,000 for them to help provide for families experieincing a major medical crisis of a child.  The Ronald McDonald House depends on donations to help families with children undergoing care for serious, often life-threatening, conditions.  The deadline to participate in this project by including your child in a portrait session has been extended to September 30th.  Once the sessions are complete, I will be choosing one image of each child to go in a coffee table book to be published in time for the holidays this year.

Jonah and his Mommy and Daddy

This was another session for my Ronald McDonald House Charities project, with Jonah and his family at La Jolla Cove.

They are originally from Boston, so this was a must-have shot!

Flying high!

A quieter moment.

With Daddy.

The whole family.

The La Jolla Bridge Club was open, so we were able to get in and use the great window light.  I just love this one.

A classic San Diego family portrait on the beach.

Jonah faces!

Who was it that said “Never work with Children Or Animals”?

Doesn’t matter who said it- I never listened anyway!

I’ve been busy lately not only with children’s portraits, but also dog portraits.  I’ve connected with a new web resource for all things dog related in San Diego- it’s DowntownDogLover.com.  It will be a great place to find out about dog friendly businesses, services, activities and all sorts of things for those who consider dogs part of the family.  The official launch “pawty”  will be August 8 in the Gaslamp Quarter.  The Running of the Bulldogs is a must-see event!

Here are some recent portrait samples from last week at Nate’s Point in Balboa Park.

And some from the Loew’s Surf Dog competition at the end of June.

I’ll be at Dog Beach in Ocean Beach with Downtown Dog Lover from noon to 3:00 Saturday, July 18th, so if you are looking something fun to do with your dog, come on out to see us!  Portrait session is no charge, print packages are available at great prices.

Addisen and Scout’s fun day at the Park

Here are a couple of cuties that I had a great time with at Harry Griffen Park.

Scout.  “I don’t know.  What should we do?”

Addy.  Let’s dance.

A happy family.

Let’s see what’s over the bridge.

A field of flowers.

Paths to explore.

How do we get back to where we started? Let’s draw a map!

Here’s the bridge- we’re almost back.

Addy and Scout were a lot of fun.  Very creative, engaged kids with great imaginations encouraged by mom.

This was a session for my Ronald McDonald House Charities Project.  Mom made a donation directly to the RMHC in place of my usual session fee, and one photo of each child will go into a book I will publish this fall. A portion of the proceeds from the book will also be donated to the RMHC to support the work they do helping children and families.

This is an on-going project, so if you would like you child or children included, give me a call!  619-417-7397

My Ronald McDonald House Charity Project is going to be on TV!

Monday morning, July 6, I will be interviewed on San Diego Living by Greg Phillips sometime between 9:00 and 10:00.  I’ll be talking about my project to raise $10,000 for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego.

Please tune in!  And let me know what you think… I am a bit nervous!

I have been meeting wonderful people and having so much fun with this project.  Knowing that the funds are helping children and families makes it even better.  I have completed close to 30 sessions, and would still like to get in 100 before September first- call me to include your child!  To be included, there is a $100 donation per child directly to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego.  Other than that, we just need to schedule the session.

Here are several images from new sessions for the RMHC project.

Once I have photographed 100 children, one image of each child will go into a book to be published this fall.  A percentage of the proceeds of the book will also be contributed to the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

I am striving for variety and interesting portraits, locations, and children.  Any child 17 and under is invited. I will go anywhere in San Diego County for the session.

Siblings are welcome.

More sweet faces needed!

Camille

Camille is a little doll I just photographed with her mom, grandma, and great grandma.

She has the biggest, most expressive eyes!

A sweet profile.

Camille is actually a bit shy- you can see it here.

My, what big eyes you have!

What a smile!