I love my job. Every piece and part of it.

One of my favorite things in life is meeting new people. I have always loved this which is probably why every job I have ever had, from working in the senior residence home to waiting tables to being a Starbucks manager, has always involved interacting with people. I love how life can bring people together, for many times what is just a brief moment, but in that moment we have the chance to learn from one another, commiserate with one another, to encourage one another.

Meeting Candice, Michael and Karis was just the perfect example of why I love my job. It was an amazing morning, walking the streets of downtown with sublime weather, and the air filled with laughter and stories, topped with even a little commiserating and encouragement. And as if that is not enough, I was shooting in a location that I have DREAMED of doing a photo shoot at ever since I picked up my camera. URBAN. AH! I was in heaven. I love my job. Saturday was just another day that I came home thinking about how blessed I am.

Thank you guys for a wonderful morning! Thank you for making my dreams of doing a “urban family session” come true! Oh! And thank you for saving my butt from getting a ticket by filling up my expired meter! You guys are the best!

I was going for "Anthropologie-ish" here. Do you see it?

I love that they are making the same face!

Sometimes life just surprises you.  Some days it is the “I forgot to bring my umbrella and it is pouring rain and my brand new hair cut is getting soaked and my shoes are squishing” kind of surprise.  But there is also the surprise that are the “I just had the most FUN photo shoot ever with the cutest family on the most beautiful beach in the world and then came home to an exquisite home cooked dinner” kind of surprise.  This last Saturday was the second one.  One of the good, beautiful and wonderful kind of surprises.

My surprises with this photo shoot were all the wonderful kind. My first surprise was when the C family called! I had donated a photo shoot to the San Diego USO auction and never heard if anyone had won it.  So I was STOKED to hear that someone DID bid on it and that they wanted to do a photo shoot with ME! Then I was surprised when I arrived for our beach shoot (on Labor Day weekend) and it was crazy crowded, but we ended up getting a perfect spot for our pictures!  I was surprised that photographing 3 year old twins was the MOST FUN I have ever had at a shoot! (I was a little nervous about being able to keep up with two 3 year old’s….but Gilbert and Gwen were such great kids!) They were hilarious and sweet and so CUTE.  I was in awe of and inspired by how amazing Sam and Michelle are as parents; the perfect combination of energetic and easy-going and calm and fun and filled with love for their little ones (and I was surprised that they were not stressed out for even one minute during the photo shoot.  They are just that AWESOME.).   I was surprised that I got choked up when Sam talked about how he is going on leave  for 6 months and how much he will miss his family (he is in the Navy).  I was definitely surprised that I had the ability to restrain myself from hugging him and thanking him profusely for his service to our country…..although I wanted to.

Thanks you guys for being so easy going and so much fun and blessing me with a day of wonderful surprises! I hope you love your pictures! And Sam, THANK YOU for serving our country. Come home safe and soon.

Aren't they the most beautiful family? All with gorgeous blue eyes!

Gilbert was WAY into digging in the sand. And Gwen just loving her brother. It was so cute.

Gilbert and his eyes. Isn't he gorgeous?

This is "ring around the rosy". How awesome (and strong) is this family?

Joey Tribbiani with his tousled hair and easy smile, and “how you doin?” eyes. His hand under his chin and a marbled blue background. Circa 1998. That is what I think of when I think of the term “head shots”. But what is it about the term “head shot” that makes us think of desperate actors in harshly lit photography studios? Is is just me?

The first time I met Joanne, I just clicked with her. Maybe it is that I think she has perfected the balance of being organized, but still so easy-going, a trait that I long for. Or maybe it was just that I loved her smile and laugh. I remember that first time we met she was having a hard day…but as we chatted over lunch…it was so easy to see that she doesn’t let a hard day get her down. I just remember her easy laugh and glowing smile and thought to myself, “I just am dying to capture an image of that personality!”

So I begged and pleaded for Joanne to let me take a “head shot” of her for her BlissNine website. But a marbled blue background and harsh lighting just wouldn’t do. Here is my first attempt at re-defining the term “head shot”. And my second attempt at capturing Joanne’s amazing personality and stunning beauty.

This is the Joanne I adore. She has the MOST fantastic laugh!