A trip to Ventura {personal sorta}

The other day Eoin and I drove down to Ventura to scope out a few wedding locations that I am shooting in June.  It was intentionally a business outing, but it ended up a fun personal day full of semi-adventurous exploring parts of the town we had never seen before. As always, we search for those secret spots that only locals know about, but this spot is hardly a secret.  My favorite image is the surfer with the foothills in the background and the driftwood trees set soundly atop the exposed jetty from the recent storms.  (I'm pretty much obsessed with driftwood after our holiday christmas tree success.) Wait! I take that back, I actually like the last image the best, now that I look at it. Trippy. :)

Ventura


Rain {personal}


Rain by Shel Silverstein {Kristen's favorite poet}

I opened my eyes
And looked up at the rain,
And it dripped in my head
And flowed into my brain,
And all that I hear as I lie in my bed
Is the slishity-slosh of the rain in my head.

I step very softly,
I walk very slow,
I can't do a handstand--
I might overflow,
So pardon the wild crazy thing I just said--
I'm just not the same since there's rain in my head.

Rain

the dunes {personal}

My brother in law, JC, loves dunes-ing. Yeah, you could say he's a full bown, sand rail owner, rv toting, gear head, dunser.  He LOVES it!  His enthusiasm for the hobby is infectious to anyone, but especially to us easy-beach-goers from Carpinteria.  This winter season Eoin and I drove out to the Imperial Dunes to meet up with my sister, Marisa, JC and my niece Payton Nicole on their annual trip with friends and families from Arizona.  Upon arrival to the dunes, everyone in our group to got really stuck, which ended up needing 3 half-ton trucks to wench out each RV!! So, while we waited for our entrance permit, we found the Duners Diner and rested under an enormous camoflauged canopy while sipping our beers fast to stay warm.  We watched all the huge trucks with huge trailers full of sand rails, dirtbikes, buggies, quads, other trucks, jeeps, and our personal favorite, the baja volkswagens load into the park and wondered how our comparibly tiny, very low to the ground car would do in the soft, unpredictable sand.  Sooner than later we got a call informing us our sand escort was on the way with our permit and we were off, driving through the camps on a spontaneous path and gliding along on a surface that could easily eat my tires as fast as you can say Dunes-bunny!  The trick to driving on sand is going fast and not ever breaking, so it's pretty common to see an RV with a huge trailer barrelling down the sand highway at speeds up to 45mph.  As soon as we said "where the heck are you taking us?" I saw my sister running out to greet us and I got so excited, I floored it and the front wheels were instantly sucked down to the frame.  I got out of the car without even putting it in park, as it was gently resting on the sand and not going anywhere. :)  It was a fun weekend full of catching up with family and friends, eating yummy peach cobbler and smores, and endless kissing and hugging my beautiful niece.

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brittany and Chris {we will!}

After meeting Brittany during her family portrait session and hearing about her engagement, I was so excited when she asked me to be their wedding photographer! We had to reschedule due to rainy weather and I am so glad we waited until 3 days later.  Good things come to those who wait, eh!  The more we hung out and walked around the beautiful Chase Palm Park in Santa Barbara, the more fun was had by all three of us.  I love getting to know my clients this way, just hanging out, being ourselves and connecting on film.  B+C, I love these photos just about as much I love being around you two.  I can't wait for your Santa Barbara wedding in June!  

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Peace and Love to all! {personal}

This year Eoin and I decided to try tradition in a different way.  We wanted to do a "green" season, which for us meant hand made gifts with recycled wrapping paper (Trader Joes paper grocery bags are awesome and pre-decorated with festive designs) and no wasted energy, SO a driftwood Christmas tree plan was in order.  We collected the driftwood from La Conchita beach, and Eoin drilled holes in 72 pieces that we CAREFULLY stacked onto an aluminum plant stake.  Believe me, next year we are constructing a rebar welded stand. The girls love the tree and surprisingly have not attempted to swat at the ornaments. I think their superb cat sense receognizes its instability and I know they are waiting until next year's engineering attempt.  Here's wishing everyone a love filled season and a safe New Year celebration! xo

Merry Christmas

Stephanie in Solvang {personal}

Ladies and gentleman ... Stephanie Croff !!!

Stephanie Croff

Stephanie Croff

Stephanie Croff

 

Why my clients rock! {biz talk}

Signing a contract is hardly fun, but at the same time can be overwhelmingly positive!  Crossing photographer off your list of 'things to do' is something to celebrate!  Thank you Kathleen and Glen for sending an extra smile along with your signatures.  I am SO excited too and can't wait for your Four Seasons wedding in July! xo

Contract fun

Julie Jay and Riley {families}

I ran into my friends Julie and Jay with their baby girl Riley, and wouldn't ya knowit, I just happened to have my camera with me.  She is a doll you guys, my stomach was sore from laughing so much.  xoxo

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