I Heart Faces / Best Face Photo Challenge

This image is from the last job that I posted and I kept coming back to it when deciding which photo to enter in the "best face" challenge over at I Heart Faces.  This little guy was so charming and charismatic!  I just LOVE the face he is making in this photo♥

Baby Will and his Family :: Pleasant Hill Ca

His Mom casually told me on the phone that he would be the easiest baby that I ever photographed. While it was good to hear, it was coming from his #1 fan, so I didn't get too excited. Then I arrived at his house. I turned the corner into their family room and little Will lit up with the most genuine, charming smile, got up on his pudgy, baby knees and raced towards me. After spending an hour with Will and his totally awesome Mom and Dad, I made it official. Will was, in fact, the easiest baby that I have ever worked with. In fact, it's baby's like Will that make me want another one for myself♥

Liz and Larry :: Walnut Creek Engagement

I am so excited about these pictures of this totally awesome couple! Liz and Larry are super sweet, down-to-earth, and totally in love. They were clearly a little unsure of what to expect when they arrived to shoot engagement photos but, by the end of the session, they were seasoned pros! Liz, you are gorgeous (are you kidding me with those EYES!)!  And Larry, you are so handsome!  Love suits you both!

I Heart Faces / Innocent Wonder Photo Challenge

Oh to be a kid again...when the sheer joy of soap bubbles filled us with such wonder!

From Shannon Rutherford Photography

Cheong Family :: San Ramon

A super-fun, energetic family + overcast skies = one very happy photographer! This family was up for all my crazy ideas and even had some of their own! I had so much fun "playing" with them and I think it shows!

Taking pictures for me...

This last year has been intense. Awesome...but intense. Last January, I resolved to take more pictures of my family. I had taken so many pictures of other people and wasn't very good about documenting my own world. I followed through and in 2010, I took lots and lots of pictures of my own kiddos (some of which I featured right here on the blog). I feel really good about that:-)

About a month ago in the beginning of December, I had a crazy Saturday booked. It was perfect picture-taking weather; the clouds looked as if they may burst at any given moment but held off so that I was able to meet with all three families. The colors POPPED like crazy that day and I didn't have to think about shadows once. These are the days I dream about!

And then the most amazing thing happened. My first session began and ended on schedule and because I had planned for the unexpected, I had about an hour before my next session. Instead of hopping in my car and staring at my blackberry for 60 minutes straight, I opted to pop in a new memory card and take a walk. It was one of the most peaceful hours I spent all year. I took about ten million pictures and they were all for me. The hills that I walked through inspired me and I felt so happy. This single hour reminded me why I got into the photography business. I LOVE taking pictures! This year, I resolve to take more walks, just me and my camera. I resolve to capture the inspiring things and moments in my life and in the world around me.