Check out the images of my darling niece, Abby!  Abby turned two earlier this year; you should hear her sweet voice and the incredible vocabulary this little one has .  I enjoyed talking her 2 year old pictures so much.  It’s an honor to watch her grow and document her life. What I love most about being a photographer is being able to work with beautiful families in beautiful locations – to work together with them to create the kinds of pictures that bring them joy!

I love the sky in these next two images:

Abbey’s mommy brought a princess tent!  It was SOOOOO much fun!

Thanks Abby, for being so cute and letting me document your milestones

Luka turned one!!!!  We had SO much fun yesterday taking pictures.  The sun was out, the grass was green, and I hardly recognized my favorite outdoor  location!  The best part, though, was that Luka has the most endearing personality, and his mama and daddy were so sweet and made everything so easy and smooth.  Thank you guys!  I had so much fun taking your family pictures!!!

If Luke were to write an instruction manual on being a three year old boy it would read:

1.  Make sure your toes get muddy.

2. Always climb up the slide the wrong way.

3.  Ride a Mo-Mo (motorcycle or motorized vehicle) every chance you get.

That’s my Luke.  I love him endlessly.

Last Saturday Lucy dressed up like a princess so her prince charming could take her to the ball.  It was a very, very special night.

Last week it became official.  Well, I know I know, was probably official long before that .  But officially last week Monday, we have fully and completely exited the baby and toddler stage.  Luke turned three.  And not only does he now need his own ticket to get into Disneyland (bummer!), we now have 2 children, albeit small children.

We celebrated by sending Luke on a treasure hunt for his new GeoTrax train and airplane set!  It has been so much fun to watch him play and enjoy this gift, so much like a big boy and not like a baby .  Weighing in at 43 pounds, it’s clear that he is growing up big and strong.  And, I know what they all say is true: someday – before I know it – I will have to look up at him instead of picking him up in my arms.  Be that as it may, in my heart Luke will always stay my sweet baby boy.  I love you Luke!

Here are some pictures of him playing with his new GeoTrax!!!

Simple, the Wedding University is a one day of classes led by industry leaders designed to educate brides and grooms on how to plan a wedding.

But Wedding University is actually much more than that.  Founded and hosted by Jubilee Lau and Jean Marks, Wedding University is an experience, an experience that showcases contemporary gowns, hair and make up stylings, room/table decor, lighting, music, food – everything that is involved in planning a wedding.  But Wedding University provides the experience as well as the behind the scenes sneak peek into how the experience was created so that brides and grooms can go home and make their wedding day everything they are dreaming it can be.

I found out about Wedding University from Janece Shellooe, a Northern California wedding planner who I have had the opportunity to work with first hand and get to know as a friend.  Janece worked with Jubilee and Jean coordinating many details of the Wedding University.  I can honestly say that if I were to get married again, the first person I would hire would be Janece.  If you are getting married, check out her site, and give her a call!!!!

My role at Wedding University was to photograph the lovely ladies who modeled the gowns.  With their hair and make up styled by the esteemed Armando Sarabia of Get Your Do Up, the gowns provided by the stylish Gabrielle Medrano of Gabrielle’s Bridal Atelier, and the striking backdrop of the Four Seasons East Palo Alto, I was able to do exactly what I love to do, use natural light to create simple yet striking images that make your eyes want to linger and move your heart to feel something new.  Check them out!

What do you think?  Aren’t they lovely young women?

Thanks for including me in this event!!!  I felt right at home

Sara

Meet Trish.  You’ll be glad that you did, I promise.

Trish inspires me.  There’s no way you could ever guess her age…not even in a million years.  She has been a massage therapist for the majority of her career days, and now she is inspired to move in a different direction.

Trish easily and effortlessly connects with people.  She is SO MUCH FUN to work with, she genuinely cares, and, with grace-filled eyes, she can see through any pretense or facade.  But it’s clear that she uses this gift of hers not to judge or to condem, but to help others find healing.

Trish is changing careers and starting a new journey as a life coach.  That’s why she came to me!  That’s why she needed pictures.

It was such an honor to photograph Trish.  It took us about 30 seconds to become friends and it took me about 45 to realize that she makes an amazing life coach.  If you feel like you need healing, closure, or just someone to talk to to find some sure footing, I would highly recommend Trish.  Check out her site – or drop her a line and tell her how beautiful she is!

www.trishrayburn.com

Thanks Trish for the honor of taking your pictures!  Sara

These caught my eye (and received a little extra photoshop love).  Actually there were lots of other people there having fun on Halloween, but it was the little ones that seemed to catch my eye.

Almost 5 years ago Chris and I bought our first DSLR without knowing the first thing about how it works.  After lots of really bad pictures, reading lots of books, and taking lots of risks, I can honestly say that I love using my camera and know a trick or two that I can pass on to you.

Come join me for a quick, down and dirty (well, not really dirty…we’ll all stay very clean, I promise) introduction to digital SLR photography.  Here’s the info:

Date: January 30, 2010

Location: 4101 Sacramento Street, Concord, CA 94521

Time: 9:00 – 10:30

Bring: Your Camera and a picture that you LOVE and one that didn’t turn out and you don’t know why.

Included: A PDF download of  Guitar Hero Photo Breakdown Cards, A quick verbal explanation of your camera features,  and help analyzing what went right and what went wrong in your pictures.

Price: $30

Questions Answered:

1. What is ISO and what happens when I choose a higher ISO?  A Lower ISO?
2. What is aperture and what happens when I choose a big number?  A small number?
3. What is shutter speed?  When should I choose a high shutter speed?  A lower one?
4. What do I need to know to get a good picture in natural light?  What do I need to avoid to get a good picture in natural light?

Doesn’t that sound like fun?  I’m super excited about this – and I hope you will join me! If you want to register, click here!!! You can pay online with your credit card or drop a check in the mail.  If you pay with credit card, be sure to select “pick up” so you aren’t charged for shipping.  Did I mention I make a good cup of coffee?  I have that and cream and sugar…maybe even a few snacks .  How do bagels sound?

I really hope that are able to come to demystify that fancy camera and get on your way to taking amazing pictures.  Drop me a line if you have questions and let me know you are coming!

Linda and Mike were so excited to be married.  It made ME giddy!  Driving home that day from their wedding made me want to get married (to Chris of course) all over again.  Their love for each other is abundantly clear, and they are just a delight to be around.  Here are a few images from their wedding day.

We started at Mike’s house where Linda got ready:

Look how excited Linda is!

After taking family pictures at the house, Mike and Linda snuck away for some outdoor portraits.  The light and foliage was beautiful.  Linda was stunning.

Really, aren’t they just gorgeous together?!

You can tell, Mike and Linda make each other so happy.

Mike is a very dapper groom, I must say.

And Linda, well, I think this picture says it all!

Linda – you are radiant!!  You are radiant in your portraits and walking down the isle.

I think Mike thought so too!

I love the first kiss (and to be honest…Linda and Mike had several but that’s a different story!!).  But more than the first kiss itself, I love the moments right before and right after the first kiss.  Don’t you?

There were so many “love” moments during their short ceremony!

The ceremony took place in a restaurant that was very meaningful to Mike.  The guests were able to stay at their tables and visit before dinner was served.  Mike and Linda gave out these lovely ornaments as favors and everyone had lots of fun opening their gifts.

There were two sweet toasts before dinner.  I love this moment between Mike and Linda:

It was SO much fun being a part of this event.  For me, there is something about the simplicity and authenticity of Linda and Mike’s wedding that makes me still think about how much fun it was to be there.  In many ways, I felt more like a guests than a vendor.  And that’s a great feeling.

Here’s one last portrait of the two of them.  This one makes me smile .