Last Spring, I shared with you my love/hate relationship with running, why I run, and what it does for me, and that aside from my family and a handful of friends, it has been a constant in my life for a very long time (see “Run, Run as Fast as You Can“) . It occurred to me recently that I have been running longer than not running, which is amusing because I never set out to become a runner, it just sort of happened. It started off as a huge challenge (my first mile almost killed me), then two miles was about right, now anything less than four seems like a waste of time. I am not a natural runner, and years of pounding the pavement have taken a toll on my knees, ankles, back, and toenails. Most of my friends are not runners and they complain of the same things so maybe it’s just age. Oh dear!

Yesterday, I competed in the third and final leg of the Triple Crown. The Triple Crown is a set of three half marathons, the Carlsbad Half Marathon, the La Jolla Half Marathon, and Americas Finest City Half Marathon, all in the San Diego area, which take place about 3 months apart. Run all three and get an extra medal at the end. Whoo–hooo! I usually only run the Carlbad Half Marathon but this year decided to do all three just for fun, plus I wanted that extra medal:) I average anywhere from 2hrs 15 min to 2hrs 30 min, pretty standard for women runners my age, so the real story is has little to do with running at all. Mostly, it’s a about a girl who likes to run because it keeps her mind and body healthy and makes her feel like she can climb Mt. Whitney some day. It’s a good thing. Tell me about what you like to do to challenge yourself. I’d love to hear about it!

This is me wearing my four medals. It took a lot of effort to get here but it was a lot of fun too so am grateful I did it!

Completing this race meant so much to me that I had my nails manicured the day before plus bought a skirt to run in (an actual running skirt, not something from my closet–that would be a sight!)

Sarah gets dragged to these races with me and she does a good job at pretending she is having a good time although she doesn’t get why people run in the first place and pay money to do it…….out of the mouths of babes!

These two guys and some 5,000 others just like them ran the race with me. The guy on the right is Tom, the guy on the left is Ted. (I thought his name was Jerry but Tom straightened me out). Thank you for running with me, Tom:) Ted left us in the dust!

My next race will be the Long Beach Half Marathon in October. See you there!

I have a confession to make: I crashed a wedding and loved every minute of it! The wedding took place about an hour outside of Denver while I was on “vacation”. I had intended on reading, sleeping and doing all those things that I never seem to have enough time to do…..so what do I end up doing? Photographing a wedding! While complete strangers to me, the bride Sarah, is the daughter of good friends of a good buddy of mine, Mary Lou. She had been invited, I had not, but I had my camera and it sounded like fun, so what the heck:) It was amazing! Sarah and Buck were married on a meadow surrounded by pine trees and fresh mountain air. Each had written vows for one another that were so beautiful and touching that there was not a dry eye in the house (meadow!). These photos are a brief glimpse of a truly blessed day.

Buck reads his vows to his beautiful bride whom he promises to love forever……sigh.

This little furry guy started to growl at me so I took a quick photo and went on my way. Down boy!

Armed with roses representing their love for one another, Sarah and Buck are introduced as husband and wife for the first time.

It doesn’t get much better than this.

Sarah’s parents, Dawn and Dave, share a moment of serenity after the ceremony.

This is my wacky friend Mary Lou and her long time friends Dawn and Dave. These beautiful people were kind enough to not only host a truly magical wedding but were also generous enough to invite us to stay for a couple of days with them. Fortunately for me, they really liked their photos:)

This is the view of the golf course across from the reception……kinda takes your breath away, huh?

One of the youngest guest and her daddy came out to see the elk on the golf course.

This is Elsa who according to her mother Edye has never met a camera that she didn’t like–I can see why!

The lovely Sarah is an accomplished horsewoman.

Elsa and I spent time shooting around the outside of the reception hall. She is a great little model and was a lot of fun to hang out with too:)

She’s a natural!

Me and my new best friend!

Summer is a great time for family reunions, and what better way to remember those good times than to schedule a extended family portrait! Shameless plug, I know, but they are really a lot of fun:) The best part, at least for the kids (and dads) is that you don’t have to get all dressed up, just be yourself and get ready to have fun! In case you’re wondering, the black backdrop is part of an outdoor stage where a Shakespearean play was to take place that evening. Let the good times roll!

SLIDESHOW

Have you ever wondered what a Las Vegas wedding was like? If you’re like me, you picture a bride and a groom being married by Elvis or Joan Rivers or something wacky like that. I guess that is one version of a Vegas wedding. The version I witnessed and had the honor of photographing was something completely different.

This beautiful couple is Jeff and Erin. They had been engaged for two years because this is something that they hope will last a lifetime, not at all what one thinks of when we think of a “quickie” wedding for which Vegas is notorious. They chose Ceasars Palace to exchange nuptials in a gazebo by the pool filled with guests looking to escape the 150 degree weather (I’m exaggerating but am certain the temps were nearing 120, check the annals;) Erin is quite petite and can easily pass for one of her middle school students, so it was a lot of fun to watch her be transformed into a miniature goddess by the experts at the Qua Bath and Spa Salon. I think I can speak for Jeff when I say that she left him breathless at the sight of her coming down the aisle. The hot weather did little to dissuade the friends and family that joined them to celebrate their union and all had a terrific time. Thank you Erin and Jeff for a memorable weekend! Please check out their slideshow for more pics.

Congratulations!

This is Erin BEFORE…….

This is Erin AFTER. Wow!

This is Erin during. I know it’s out of order but you get the idea!

The hotels have their own photographers wh0 must shoot the ceremony. Nice of him to wear a red shirt!

A quiet moment, one of the few of the day.

Only in Vegas, Baby!

This is Yuri. She is an up-and-coming photographer who was sweet enough to accompany me to the wedding and take some awesome shots. On the long drive home I introduced her to Frank Sinatra, Heart, and the Eagles. In return, she introduced me to eating ice cream with french fries! No lie:)

This is Yuri’s shot. Nicely done!

OK, I don’t know if it was the blond curly hair or those magnificent mischievous blue eyes, but I am in LOVE! My latest crush is a mysterious Russian named Nikita, an 11 month old bundle of yum:) He doesn’t say much yet but I am sure his first words will be something along the lines of “Auntie Marie”. I met his gorgeous mother, Maria or “Masha”, while we were both studying for our Masters degree in International Business from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota . We have traveled throughout Europe together and spent a glorious week in Italy mostly eating and enjoying the scenery! Masha is married to George or “Gosha”, who is not only incredibly smart, handsome, and a perfect gentleman, but he also knows how to grill an mean steak. Wow, I wonder if he has a brother?? LOL

I promised Masha and Gosha that I would go to Moscow with them next year when they will baptize Nikita in a traditional Russian Orthodox ceremony. I can hardly wait! Until then, please enjoy these photos of my dear Russian friends.

I have been experimenting using antique finishes on my images, I think they add a bit of nostalgia to the photos.

Such a face!

I am a HUGE fan of window lighting and this is why:)

Sitting pretty in the neighbor’s backyard….this is what happens when you don’t have fences and the lighting is perfect across the street!

Nikita is not too sure about this grass between the toes thing……

When I first met Masha she was blond and I was a brunette, today, the opposite is true!

I often get asked what I enjoy photographing the most, and my standard reply is that I enjoy all of the different kinds of portraiture because each present a unique set of opportunities and challenges, and I really mean that. But then I will be lucky enough to witness the miracle of new life, a newborn, and I can’t help but pause in wonder at the beauty of God’s creation. This beautiful and perfect baby boy is Patrick, the first born of adoring parents. It was an amazing afternoon, and I will be forever grateful for having been invited into their lovely home to create these images. Thank you Aleisha and Wayne. If you would like to see more, please take a look at their slideshow:)

When I was in the Air Force, part of our training involved classroom instruction on what and how people are motivated. This course of study was intended to make us better officers and leaders. For whatever reason, I remember the term Significant Emotional Experience, defined as those experiences that change and defines us as individuals making us who we are. As my son prepares to graduate from high school in a short 11 days, I feel I am experiencing some of those significant emotional experiences! Like most parents, I have been fully aware that Peter was graduating this year (my checkbook keeps reminding me that something very important is going on!), but I don’t think that it really hit me until I saw my usually scruffy son turn into a debonair young man in a tuxedo, as he prepared to take his drop-dead gorgeous girlfriend, Shelby, on the Hornblower Dinner Cruise in Newport Beach. We were a little behind schedule so we rushed to take the following photos before the kids were left for the evening.

The stunning Miss Shelby. I don’t remember looking like this when I was 18!

The young couple. Shelby’s grandparents, her mother, and Peter’s younger sister Sarah are standing behind me as I take this “romantic” image. Hopefully, the though of all of us watching them would accompany them the rest of the evening!! LOL

Peter said the tux made him feel like James Bond. Perhaps the clothes do make the man:) Maybe we can borrow his barber……

When I was young, Memorial Day was spent with family and friends, usually by the beach enjoying the start of the summer season. To members of the armed forces and their families, past and present, it means something completely different. Wanting to serve my country and see the world, I left home at 23 to join the United States Air Force. Though I served for six years, the experience has left an indelible mark on me. To this day, every time I see a person in uniform, I see a brother/sister in arms, and feel an instant bond like nothing else I know. I also find myself searching their uniform for rank and prepare myself to salute or return a salute even though I haven’t worn a uniform in over 15 years!

So on a cloudy, slightly cool Memorial Day, I visited the Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, CA. I didn’t arrive until late afternoon, I wanted to be there after the crowds had gone and just spend time thinking about those that I had served with, especially those that are still deployed in Iraq, and those at home supporting them. It is in your honor, Pete and Randy (both colonels in the USAF) and all the brave men and women who serve alongside you that I dedicate these images. God Bless and Godspeed. We are so proud of you.

The Riverside National Cemetery facing March Air Reserve Base.

This was the only cross I saw amongst thousands of flags. It belonged to a WWII vet. May he rest in peace.

The cemetery houses a beautiful memorial for Medal of Honor recipients. On one of the walls is written, “For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.”

The National POW/MIA Memorial is located near the entrance of the cemetery. It is both beautiful and disturbing at the same time. Coincidentally, this morning I received an email from a girlfriend in Michigan who remarked that her 84-year-old mother had told her yesterday that if she could hop on a plane and fly anywhere in the world, she would go to New Britain Island (north of New Guinea) to find her husband who was MIA from WWII. She has not forgotten.

This three duck salute is a special tribute to a man who loved his family, his country, and his ducks. We love you and we miss you.

Weddings are always special events, it is not possible to be around people in love and not feel a little romantic yourself! One of my favorite places to shoot a wedding is the Mission Inn, located in downtown Riverside, CA., where I was lucky enough to have been asked to join my friend April Smith to photograph Noelle and Jefferey’s wedding. They are not only beautiful on the outside, they were truly amazing people to be with, and I wish them both the very best. Here are some of my favorite images from the day, I hope you like them!

This is the lovely Noelle. She is laughing because behind her is her husband desperately attempting to bustle her train!

The details of this wedding were extraordinary. See if you agree.

Just in case you were wondering what our handsome groom looks like, here he is in the arms of his beloved (sigh).

This is the famous Amistad Room. It is gorgeous!

The grooms little sister couldn’t wait to show off her teeth!

I played in Photoshop a little to get this effect. I liked it!

Thank you April! You look mahvelous:)

Every once in a while, the stars in the heavens line up just right and amazing things come my way. That must have been what happened when I was selected as one of five finalists to attend Photography Biz Boot Camp. The camp is possible through the uber generous and immensely talented Liana Lehman. Liana is one of only a small handful of photographers that run a program to teach other photographers that being a success has more to do with how you manage your business than the quality of your images (though that’s important too!). The workshop I attended was held in Atlanta in Liana’s home studio. My classmates included a seventeen-year-old sensation Jamie Delanie, the lovely and very pregnant Beth Daane, the fun and funky and soon to be wed Karen Mikols, the fit and fabulous Michelle White, and lastly, the stunning and graceful Ellen Mc Raney. I was there too, of course, but I have no images of myself (but you already know what I look like anyway!) and as luck would have it, I have no images of our brilliant and gorgeous hostess Liana. These images were taken on the last day; up until then we were busy crunching numbers and sharing strategies for effective pricing. My two and a half day stay in Atlanta was intense, there was a ton to do, but I came home feeling exhilarated and anxious to revamp my business to take my business to the next level. One thing that we did was write our own obituaries. I know it sounds weird but I highly recommend doing it. It forced me to think about how I wanted to be remembered and crystalized in my mind all the things that were truly important to me in life. Of course everyone cried as they read their own but it was awesome just the same. We also committed to reading one book a month, the name of our book club is “We Don’t Do Chemistry,” in Jamie’s honor since she was hoping to get the group to read her chemistry book before her high school graduation next month!

Jamie, Beth, Karen, Michelle, and Ellen, my fellow Boot Camp Survivors:)

I borrowed this image from Karen. I’m the blurry one in the purple.