this ad struck me to the core. not just because it's main painting is by my favorite artist of all time, keith haring, but also because of what it reads.

there is nothing so alien ... as a home without art.

how true is that!? it got me thinking how i grew up. there were books everywhere ... markers and crayons and coloring books, blocks and trucks and dress up clothes in the chest. and there was artwork, monet, van gogh and seurat posters my mom had framed, a bronze sculpture of a woman's figure, native american rugs and tapestries. i was surrounded by art and creativity, it's no wonder i turned out the way i did. but in today's society, art is sometimes lost in the digital age. i just hope that the creativity within the new technology shines instead of darkens our youth. thank you to all the artists who are evolving with the new age and continuing to maintain that importance.

summer time is not the same without surfing. especially with the current heat wave, getting in the water is what is on everyone's mind! i had a wedding in mailbu on friday and i saw what looked like about 100 surfers sitting in the water at county line, waiting for what appears to be the first real south swell of the summer. and how appropriate it hit on the solstice! i took my sister surfing when she was in town, and the water felt so good. it was barely cold, but it wasn't kauai water that's for sure. my favorite waves are at hanalei bay in kauai. i dug out some shots from when i was last there. i got all sporty with a water housing and took my time hawaiian style and surfed every day when i was there. hopefully the south swell will stay here a bit and give us some fun rollers, but i'll always dream of the water that is warmer than the air and the waves that go on forever.

after going through my office stuff, again, to organize ... again! :) i found this picture of my very best friend on her wedding day. it was taken of the three of us, kara and paul and me, walking back to the ceremony site at the botanical gardens in phoenix, az back in 2004. just before the shot was taken, kara and paul had just seen each other for the first time before their wedding and it was the sweetest moment i've ever witnessed. it was their moment that actually made me consider going into wedding photography. i was so full of their love and respect for each other and the fact that i was a part of that with my camera, it was very moving and inspiring at the same time. today kara and paul have a one year old little girl and are still loving and respecting each other every day. thank you guys for being a part of my life and helping me shape my future. :)

i got to hang out with rachel and johnny at the santa barbara pier for their engagement shoot and we had a blast!! it was quite the mellow atmosphere, despite the usual weekend tourist traffic, but i know that calmness was all because of them. rachel and johnny are so down to earth and fun to be around! i met rachel through a mutual friend and when she found out i started my own business ... Kabam! i am their wedding photographer and i am so excited about it! when i met rachel it was 'insta-friend' and i can't wait to be a part of her wedding day! congrats you two and i'll see you soon!!