Ester

What a joy to be able to take pictures of Ester.  Ester is an 84 year old woman that lives here in Livemore with her daughter, Natalie.  Natalie's daughters both attend Talen's school.  Natalie called and asked about getting her mom's photo taken before Christmas.  I was so happy to do it.  Thank you so much Natalie!

Talen turns TEN

It is so hard to believe that my little boy is a two digit age!  Boo Hoo.  I am feeling old.  Three more years til he hits his teens.  I'm not sure how that will go.  Talen is such a sweet boy.  Very sensitive.  For his tenth birthday we decided to do a down town treasure hunt, including stops at the Donut Wheel for donut holes, Peet's Coffee for hot chocolate, The Alehouse for licorice, and First Street Treats for frozen yogurt!  The treasure hunt ended at Livemore Cinema's where we all saw The Christmas Carol starring Jim Carey.  Pretty scary movie.  After the movie was over we went next door to The Tollhouse Store where a party table was set up with balloons and a huge butterscotch cookie with "Yoda" on it was waiting for Talen and his guests.  So fun.  Among the guests were Bridgette, Lukie, Jack T., Stevie Rae and Jeff, Lexi, Brandon Sui, Lina and Tyler Naumann, Talen's Godmother Stacey, his Auntie Stacey and cousin Samantha, Paul and me!  So Fun!  We love you Talen!

Lexi and Stevie Rae sing at retirement homes

It's a beautiful thing when two young girls sing their hearts out to entertain the residents of retirement homes.  Those elderly folks just love the girls.  Once again Stevie Rae and Lexi put together a Christmas show to perform and their favorite three homes.  Quail Gardens, Heritage Estates, and Rosewood Gardens were among the many that they have sang at of the last seven years.  Stevie Rae went off to college this year so they really didn't get to plan much and just sort of flew by the seat of their pants and put together this Christmas o9 show.  They were wonderful.  Among the songs, Lucky, Winter Wonderland, A Christmas Song, Joy To The World, At Last, Taylor the Latte Boy, Don't Rain on My Parade, Carpe Deim, Crazy Californian, Jingle Bells and more.  Great Show girls.

Pretty Mama

So glad that Kelli could be my first maternity shoot.  It was such an amazing experience to be able to work with someone so beautiful.  She will be a wonderful mama.  Thanks Kelli

The Summerfeldt Christmas Card

Bridgett Summerfeldt is one of my bestest friends.  I can go to her for anything (at any hour of the night) and she will be there for me.  I really just love her.  Bridgett has a beautiful family and they are dear to my family as well. 

Bridgett asked if I could shoot her families Christmas Card photos in her bedroom in Christmas Jammies and I was so excited to try something new... LOL! 

These pictures are some of my best.  I just love them.

Thanks Bridgett!  XO

The Shelter

Helping others is somthing that brings you (or me in this instance) gratification.  There is something about giving without getting that gives people self worth.  Life is hard and life is harder for some than for others. 

About 7 years ago I helped Stevie Rae start a travelling (locally) group "Stevie Rae and Friends".  They would twice or three times a year travel around the bay area and put on a one hour show for the residents of senior living centers, retirement homes, Assisted Living facilities, and some homes for elderly with mental illness.  It was so much work.  We really enjoyed every part of it. Last December Stevie Rae did a final show to say goodbye to so many wonderful elderly people that she had come to know and love.  It was a magical show and will always be close to my heart.  In the summer, she left for college to Montana State University.

Wanting to find a way to give back now that my star is gone... I had to find a way to help others using my own talents.  (Trust me they don't want to hear me sing.)  It came to me, that the local shelter is full of mothers and children that don't have much to their names.  Some of these ladies are abused, drug addicted, and some are just really down on their luck.  What keeps them going... I can only imagine, "Their Children"...   

With a desire to give back (and, if were being honest), to build my portfolio and get practice, I contacted the local shelter and asked if I could volunteer there and photograph the children for the moms.  I did and it was an amazing day.  I really loved all the kids and they were so receptive to me.  As it turns out I am not allowed to show any of the kids because of security and the safety of the ladies.   I did photograph one of the staff members kids as well and I have her permission to use her girls photos.  So I would like to post a few of those. 

I really feel like I was able to make a big difference in the lives of these ladies.  They really seemed grateful.

So Happy I could do this.

Julie and Anthony Brittis

Many many years ago I met a young girl (well, younger than me...) who came to Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati as a new legal secretary.  She was super sweet and (to my detriment) super smart and efficient.  I trained her to be a trademark legal secretary and she was soon the lead secretary and assistant to the partner in charge of our group.  LOL!  Just kidding... it was no detriment to me, I loved my attorney and wouldn't of changed for the world.  (By the way, my attorney John Slafsky, is now the head of the group.  My favorite boss so far!!!)  Julie and I became fast friends and it was such a joy for me to be her maid of honor in New York a few years later.  Soon after that, Paul and I bought our home in Livermore and moved out of the area so I was forced to leave WSGR.  SADLY~  Julie and I lost contact for a few years but are now back in touch and I am happy to say HANGING OUT!  LOL!  So happy that I could take Julie and Anthony's Christmas photos for them this year.  Love you guys.