Brad + Anna

I got the opportunity to assist my mentor, Michele Terry from Captured Forever Photography. The greatest part about assisting is that I can relax and concentrate on getting detail shots and unique angles.

Michele and I always have a blast together and this wedding was far from boring! It was at Park Manor which is literally across the street from Balboa Park. It's an older hotel, almost looks haunted.

They had this awesome candy bar at the Reception, so yummy!




Brad seeing Anna for the first time. The ceremony and reception are held on the top of the hotel roof!















They live in Boston, and Brad is a huge Bo Sox fan. Anna surprised him with this grooms cake:


The toasts:


First dance (love the blue sky!)

Jenn and Jon

They are so cute together. Jon is such a jokester, I think you can see that in these photos.

They are engaged to be married September 8, 2007. I'm looking forward to that wedding, they crack me up, so I can only imagine how fun the wedding will be!

Happy Memorial Day!

Just wanted to say Happy Memorial Day to all of my blog readers!

I want to give a quick hello to those that are close to me and serve in a branch of our US Military.

Hugs to my good friend Sam who is serving his time in Afghanistan right now for the Army.

Congrats to my old friend Adam, who just recently graduated from West Point. Wow, what a huge accomplishment!

Hello to my best friend's hubby, Anthoney, who spends his days with the Air Force. And also to my co-workers husband, Ted, who is a marine at Camp Pendleton.

John and Jon, two of my September grooms, and their soon to be brides, Jenn and Jenn. (Yes I have two Jennifer and Jo(h)n's getting married in September...) John and Jon are currently on leave with the Coast Guard.

And to everyone (current military or vetran) that I have forgotten to mention...

I have great respect for you and your supportive families.

Portraits of Jennifer

Mark's sister asked me to take some portraits of her for her husbands birthday next month. I had some free time on Mother's Day (that's what you get for moving so far away, Mom!) so I shot these at my in-laws house! Man, I love natural lighting!

Paula + Kane

So many smiling faces! Paula and Kane are so perfect for each other, and their friends and family agree!

They were married this past Saturday at Marina Village. The weather was a little chilly but but even in the cold, the love was apparant.

Of course...










I love Kane's smile in this...he looks so happy!








This is Cristian, Paula's handsome brother. He is my friend and he actually paid for the photography for the wedding! What a sweet (and single, ladies) guy!


Ring shot:



I loved this shot!


First dance:

Birch Aquarium

On Sunday I took some time away from the computer to visit Birch Aquarium in La Jolla. Amy planned this outing with our old mutual friend, Sommer. Sommer is the one that technically introduced us. Sommer brought her sister in law and nephew Phoenix.

Watch out Pheonix!

Isn't he a doll? 5 months old.



We saw Nemo!

Amy, Sommer and me! Amy and Sommer hadn't seen each other for 9+ years. It had been about 8 years since I had seen Sommer!





Terri and Phoenix








The group :)

It ain't east being green...

My close friend Kirsten is trying to live her life "green" (as much as possible). Therefore her wedding is going to have a green theme to it. I think it is awesome that she is so enviornmentally aware. I wish more people were like her. I've been keeping my eyes open for ideas for her wedding (I see enough of them!)

Some good ideas from Green Elegance Wedding:

Give tree donation certificates or saplings as wedding favors. Donate to an organization that will plant the trees on your guests’ behalf, or give each guest a tree-in-a-box to plant in commemoration of your wedding.

Choose wedding apparel made of sustainable fabrics or reuse garments that have been lovingly worn.

Serve a vegetarian menu at your reception, preferably with locally grown organic produce.

Avoid serving farmed salmon. If you decide to serve fish at your reception, make sure that it is wild rather than farm-raised.


Here are a few websites if you are interested in incorporating some green in your wedding:
www.greenweddings.net
www.idofoundation.org/
www.greeneleganceweddings.com
http://www.justgive.org/worldwildlifefund/weddings/index.jsp

Exploring my Options

Some of you know, some don't, that I have been working for Smooth Industries for over a year now. I love working for this small company, but I always knew that I would eventually do photography full time.

Well, that time has come. Sometime very soon will be my last day at Smooth, and my first day 100% self employed. Because of this, I will be raising my prices very soon.

Thanks to all who have been very supportive of me in this decision! I see bright things for my future!

-M

Happy Birthday Derek!

We helped my good friend Derek celebrate his 24th birthday yesterday by joining him and his lovely wife Amy at dinner and a movie. Derek's choices: Penny Lane and Spiderman 3.

Derek says to Mark at dinner "Does she always photograph events like this?"
Mark: "Always dude, always."

Yummm...Penny Lane Bar and Grill...fish and chips!

Amy and the birthday boy:


Mark and Myself:


BFF's (drinking O'Douls together..awww)


The group:

I couldn't resist using the as models in the open field outside the bar:


Me and Amy teaching Derek how to shoot from a higher angle:

Hope it was a great birthday!