The Boyles | Bay Area Family Photography

Today, I had the pleasure to photograph The Boyles: a lovely and busy family of six.  They moved to the Bay Area from Ireland not long ago, and even though they are here, their hearts are still back in Ireland. 


Throughout the session, I could tell how busy this bunch should always be; I could also tell how loving and down to Earth they are. I'm so fortunate to capture moments like these. 


We had such a wonderful session at 70 F (21 C) at the end of January. This only happens in sunny California. Take a look at their pictures, and don't forget to leave them some love comments!

And my favorite picture of the day: I'll call it - "It's all about Veronica".

Joe & Kasey | California Winter Engagement Session

I am so happy to finally share Joe & Kasey's engagement pictures. We had so fun much shooting their e-session, on a typical chilly California winter day.  Kasey was such a trooper for putting up with the cold wind in such beautiful sleveless dresses throughout the day. 

For their session, we went back to where everything started, their Alma Mater, Stanford University; and Gilroy, California.  Their love story was my inspiration for the photo shoot: Texan girl meets Michigan guy, and they fall in love. They both have something in common: they want to see the world, so after a few years of long distance relationship, they decide to drop everything and travel the world. In that trip they decide they want to spend the rest of their lives together. 

I was delighted and honored to photograph them. Joe & Kasey, you guys were awesome! Take a look at the pictures from their amazing engagement session. 

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Grace Pacey | Toronto Family Photography

Today I took pictures of a family very dear to my heart: my brother and sister-in-law, and their brand new baby Grace Pacey. 


Ever since I knew my sister-in-law, Laura, was pregnant and due in December, I longed for the day I could take pictures of her newborn baby. They are only that little for so long. The fact that this was our year to spend Christmas in Canada (we alternate every year between Canada and Panama), made it just perfect. 


I am so happy to have had not only witnessed, Jason and Laura fall in love and get married, but to also see them cuddle and snuggle with their 17 day-old daughter. 


Take a look at some of the pictures from today's shoot. And remember to leave them some love comments at the end. 

Black Leather Jacket | Garage Photo Shoot

A few weeks ago, our friend Anthony Goto comes over for a visit, and he is wearing this really cool black leather jacket I have never seen before; and all I can think about is taking pictures of him with this leather jacket. A week or two later, I asked him if he would be up to be my model, and he agreed. The shoot turned out to be better then I expected, location and light wise.


Anthony Goto is a half-Japanese, half-Brittish, Canadian born computer (as in cell phones, tables, apps) programmer. He is also an amazing musician, and photographer.  Anthony is also one of the most likable people I have ever met. And if any of his friends are reading this blog, right now, they would all agree with me. Anthony also has an awesome blog about music, technology and photography: http://gototen.org/  


Now take a look a some of the pictures from our cool garage photo shoot....

If you are musician in the Silicon Valley scene, and want to get your pictures taken, contact me! 

I wish I had another name for Boudoir...

I believe I am in the most fun stage of my new photography journey; I call it the "experimental stage". I get to try newborn, travel, lifestyle; and .. boudoir photography. 


I just wish I had another name for Boudoir. A few months ago, I took part in a Boudoir Photography workshop, from a photographer I very much look up to and respect; and the most important lesson I learned that day, was to disassociate the word "boudoir" with high stilettos and the classic lying on a bed with your legs over your head pose.  That day I realized that I wanted to create something different; and if I ever did boudoir photography, it had to be tasteful, and classy. In my boudoir pictures, those women had to be proud to show who they were at that stage of their lives. 


So I asked my very good friend, Elena, to be my model for the shoot. I love that Elena is always game to be part of my photography projects. We made my first boudoir session a full production. We went over wardrobe;  arranged for styling; and for the first time rented a medium format film camera (Mamiya 645), and got some color (Porta 160) and black & white film (Ilford HP5 120), and off we went. Not sure what was good or right, but what matters is that I ventured to try something new. (Special thanks to the fellows at Keeble and Shuchat for the crash course on film cameras). 


I barely slept that night... as usually happens when I am very excited about a photo shoot. First, I was nervous about using the film camera; and second, I kept having visions and ideas for the shoot. So exciting!


So this is it, look for yourself...the results from my boudoir shoot.