Kooza, Kooza, I don’t know why, but I like the way it sounds so I had to type it a few times. One of the things I wanted to do for my birthday was to see the Cirque du Soliel show happening out in Santa Monica. Whenever the Cirque people are in California or I am out in Vegas I make sure to see one of the shows. I recommend all of them, or all the ones I’ve seen. Zumanity, Corteo, Love, Mystere, and most recently Kooza.

The creativity of the story line, the vivid colors, the costumes, the lighting, the performances, my senses are just so mesmerized by it all. Back in high school I was in math class with a guy that said he was accepted into Barnum and Bailey’s Clown College. At the time I didn’t believe there was such a thing. But when I saw the previews and the ads for Kooza, there he was, one of the main clowns. What a cool experience that must be.

Anywho, before the show started, we walked around and I found this cool mask, I love how super tan I look and the way it hides my face. Of course I needed to get a picture. I think the next party we need to have should be a masquerade ball…not a bad way to ring in 2010????

Happy Friday the 13th

Today is the day, I am at the beginning of a new decade in my life, I am officially 30. To be more precise, I have been alive for 10,958 days, or 946,771,200 seconds, in minutes it’s 15,779,520, better yet 262,992 hours, it can also be translated to 1,565 weeks. No, I didn’t figure this out on my calculator, but if you wanna figure out yours look here.

Since November 2008 when I turned 29, I kinda became engrossed with my last year of being in my 20′s. I actually started a countdown, where I’d tell people I’m turing 30 in 365 days. It then turned into 200 days, to 99 days, to 30 days, to 1 day, to 0 days. Obviously, I wasn’t taking the news to well, lol. Sadly, in the past year I have picked out a couple grey strands of hair from my dark brown locks. Okay I’ll admit it, they were actually silver. In any event, I decided to not become obsessed or freaked out (just hysterical). I’m kidding.

As we can now laugh at my behavior, here I am, happy, healthy, and 30 years old. Today is gonna be a rockin day.

Here is me at my birthday party from way back when. If only I still had my crown.

Bach, Beethoven, Debussy, the list goes on and on. At the tender age of 7, I thought I was stuck playing the piano for life. I was beside myself sitting on that hard brown wooden piano bench with my little white timer staring at me flashing that I had 45 minutes left to look at those eighty-eight wanna-be ivory keys. The noise that my ten tiny fingers were able to express was ethereal.

Neighbors complimented on my playing as they originally thought a tape was playing the music. This went on for 11 years. I couldn’t do anything or go anywhere with friends until my daily practice time was complete. As nearly 12 years has passed since I sat and played, I can honestly say how much I miss it. As a child I hated it, but I loved it. Recently, a friend acquired a piano. Luckily, it wasn’t too foreign to me. I sat and played. Although it was choppy at the beginning, I was still able to read sheet music.

To be honest, I don’t even recall being given permission by my parents to quit. I just know I was 18, in high school, on the honor roll, had a part time job, and played sports. I guess there was too much going on to include another activity in my hectic schedule.

Surprisingly, I couldn’t find any pictures of me playing my piano, but I did find this one of me goofing around on a mini keyboard.

I found some school pictures of me from back in the day. Some I look chipper to be getting my picture taken, others not so much. Looking back I can’t believe how I dressed or how I chose to do my hair, but for the most part it was cool then.

The second picture on the top row with me in the ruffely dress was taken before I chose to drop out of pre-school. I attended for a few days but I knew how to work the system. I cried and cried until the teacher called my mom to come pick me up. Because the repetitious phone calls happened so often, my parents chose to no longer have me on the schools attendance and I never had to go to pre-school again. Score! For another year, I was able to stay home, play with my younger sister and watch cartoons all day.

I remember taking school pictures every year but these were the only ones I was able to find. Top left – not sure my age (in the red), pre-school, kindergarten, 2nd grade, Bottom left – 3rd grade, 5th grade, 8th grade, and 10th grade basketball.

Today is November 1st. It begins a small countdown to my birthday. My 30th birthday to be exact. Should I be excited or should I be depressed? It marks the end of my twenties and the beginning of my thirties, omg, my thirties! I still wanna see myself as that young girl playing tetherball at recess. You know, the good ol’ days where there were no responsiblites, no bills to pay, and that carefree life where my biggest worry was to get a good grade on my spelling test.

Really, where did all that time go and why did it have to go so fast? When I turned 13, I was all chill because I was finally a teenager. At 16, I thought I was the bomb because I was finally able to drive. I knew I was an adult at 18, but that didn’t matter so much to me. Then, when I turned 21, I thought it was the coolest thing because I was legally able to gamble and buy alcohol. After 21 though, I don’t really think there are any other birthdays to really look forward to. Well maybe my 100th birthday but I can’t even think that far along .

Well here is me a few days after I was born. Check out that full head of hair.

Vanessa and Ryan totally rock! I had spoken to Vanessa a few times over the phone, but the engagement session was the first time I had met her and Ryan. I greeted them with hugs (handshakes for me is old school) and they greeted me with cookies. It was the sweetest thing.

We started off at Balboa pier and made our way through every nook and cranny until we ended up at the fun zone. Their wedding this January is one I am definitly excited to be photographing!

Most people don’t prefer Mondays.  For many it signifies the end of a funfilled weekend and the beginning of the long work week.  While Desiree and Chris dated, it was the day they specifically set aside for eachother.  With that, they never frowned upon a Monday.  As their relationship grew and they became engaged and started planning their wedding, it was only fitting that their tradition of a happy Monday continue.  So, they chose to marry on their favorite day. 

Love the fall colors and ceremony decor -

Getting a few moments together -

Chris came prepared, their love for Superman -

We started off with Ada getting ready at The St. Regis, and then we proceeded to 7 degrees and I was just in awe.  If I had only one word to describe their wedding it would be…awesome, beautiful, amazing, marvelous, phenomenol.  No matter how much I thesaurus up the word, you get the idea.  The flowers, the lighting, the decor, the food - WOW!!  It’s so cool how lighting can transform a reception like it does.    

I first met with Jerry and Ada over a year and a half ago, and I knew immediatly, they were destined for eachother.  They are that couple that finishes eachothers sentences, they have the ability to make a bad day turn out to be the best day, they can make any nervousness disappear, they are that couple that others admire and strive to be.  Throughout their ceremony, Jerry just loved glancing at his beautiful bride and it would bring smiles across his face, literally from ear to ear.  No joke, when Ada was saying her written vows to Jerry, it brought tears to my eyes.  They had such a huge effect on me. 

Jerry and Ada, you both are the best.  Thank you for sharing your day with me. 

Love this shot -

I love the reflection -

Jerry adoringly looking at his bride -

Getting some alone time right before the reception-

Showing how they work it -

This pose turned out so well.  It was Jerry’s creative idea -

Details -

Venue – 7 degrees

Hotel – St. Regis

Florist – Flower Allie

Cake -

It’s the coolest thing ever when a bride and groom decide to see eachother before the ceremony.  When Amy and Mitch told me that is what they decided on doing, I literally jumped for joy.  This allows for more opprotunities for taking pictures and we definitly got many.  

Amy and Mitch were married at the Hyatt in Newport Beach last Saturday and it was beautiful.  Their colors were turquoise, beige, and red.  I’ve never seen those colors together before and it looked great.  Thank you for having me be part of your day.  Enjoy your time in Hawaii.

I love it when brides go against the grain and where shoes that aren’t white -

Amy’s ring was absolutely beautiful -

I love this shot, she was waiting for her girls to help her with her dress -

Mitch getting his time in front of the camera.  The last pose is priceless -

 Sneaking in some kisses 

 The layout of the ceremony was so beautiful-

Details, details 

Location – Hyatt Regency Newport Beach

DJ – Eric, So Cal DJ

Officiant – Greg Mohr, You May Kiss the Bride

Coordinator – Mardy, Your Divine Wedding

Videographer – Rick, MMAworldwide

As some people were having fun this past Labor Day weekend at the beach, the pool, Vegas, or BBQing, I had the honor of photographing Michele and Andy’s wedding at The Angel Stadium.  As we approached the gates to begin our day, there was no line to wait in, no crowds pushing their way around, and the man at the entrance didn’t ask to see our non-existing “tickets.”  I had never set foot on the field of the stadium or any staduim for that matter so I’m sure you could just imagine my surprise to be able to stand on home plate, the pitcher’s mound, and the outfield.  As guests were taking their seats, I overheard them saying how this is the coolest place for a wedding, and I must agree. 

Michele radiated with beauty and Andy looked quite handsome, they were so chill and excited to become husband and wife.  All 5 of their daughters looked like princess’ and were beaming as they walked down the aisle. 

After the ceremony, guests headed into the Diamond Club for the reception where they ate some good Mexican food and danced the night away.    

Andy and Michele, I have been excited to document your wedding from the day you booked me.  Your family is great and I wish you all the best!  Congrats.

Yep, the scoreboard has their names on it.

Right before their guests arrived-

The Dad, the Groom, and the Coach-

Michele looks so stunning -

Anjelica kissing her mom right before the ceremony - 

The bouquet was exquisit.  I’m partial to pink so yes, I am biased.

Pink heels, that is the bomb!

Such an awesome couple.  I just love this simple shot.

How cool is that, being able to steal a kiss in the dug out?

The beautiful family.