Fire in the Sky

Since I have a nasty smoke allergy, I holed myself up in the air conditioned house all day Monday and Tuesday, only emerging when necessary and always with my smoke inhilation mask!

But on Tuesday my boyfriend Tim and his buddy Kevin decided to take a little drive around the area and headed up towards Fallbrook on the freeway.

Here are a few shots Tim took to give you an idea of how smoky it was. They couldn't get past the 76 exit, so no real fire damage shots of Fallbrook. I'm planning to head out there this week to try to get a glimpse at my grandmother's old house that is no longer standing (she did not live there anymore).

The sun was amazing on Tuesday, bright red and so smoky you could stare right at it.

Tim's sister Melissa, Tim and me with our sexy masks!

Mary Kate and Steve's Wedding

You may notice a little change to my blog look! I'm tweaking a few things here and there, please let me know if you see any broken links or something that looks off!

Steve and Mary Kate were married in early October at The Witherby in downtown San Diego. I was assisting Michele and Carie from Captured Forever Photography on this day.

Steve and his men. I love this shot!

The couple saw each other before the ceremony, and we headed to Balboa Park, one of my favorite places to shoot!

Kayleen's Trash the Dress Shoot!

Over Labor Day weekend I was in the Midwest to shoot a wedding for a good friend. I spent the week in Chicago with another friend and took advantage of meeting some photographer buddies for a shoot!

Kayleen and I met on Myspace and she is a photographer from Rockford, IL. She was married last year and always wanted to have a trash the dress shoot! We met in Millenium Park in downtown Chicago. I brought along an old photog friend that I met at a Women in Photojournalism conference years and years ago, Tina Wagner.

The Bean. Can you spot me??

Gotta love parking garages!!

This is actually a fountain thing in Millenium Park. It shoots water out and changes backgrounds, as you will see below.

A shot of Tina getting her own angle!


The crew: Tina, Kayleen, me and Kayleen's mom (who made a great assistant!)

I had such a blast that day, thanks for being such a trooper in that heavy dress, Kayleen! It was great to finally meet you!!

xoxo

M

Quick Fire Update

I am back in my house, no threats at this time. Thank goodness.

Tim (my boyfriend) and his buddy Kevin went driving the other night and he took some photos. I'll be taking a look at those tomorrow and posting any that might give you an idea of what has been like around here since Monday!

Thanks for your offers and concerns. I truly feel blessed by how many caring people I have in my life, and for still having a home.

Fallbrook (my hometown) is still in horrible shape as of now as well as some other areas. If you are able to donate anything to the Red Cross, please do so. The link is here.

xoxo
M

Birthday Fire!

This is from my upstairs window facing East!!!!! Its about 3 or 4 miles away right now. The smoke is quite overwhelming even in the house. We dont have to evacuate quite yet, but Tim and I are packing some stuff in the car right now just in case!! I have all my camera equipment, backup photo files and my cat!! Don't be worried :)

Photo by me:

Photo by Tim:

Cynthia + Dan ~ Philidelphia Wedding

I am still playing catch up on past weddings, I have a few more to blog!

I had the awesome oppurtunity to assist Ryan Estes when I was in Pennsylvania for another wedding last month.

He was so easy and fun to work with, too bad we don't live closer! He does some amazing work as well, you can check out his blog from the same wedding here.

Cynthia and Dan were married at the Park Hyatt-Bellevue in downtown Philidelphia. I got to drive Ryan's car all over the city, in rush hour Friday night. It was an experience, I even got to honk the horn once! haha Their ceremony was at the Lutheran Church of the Holy Communion, such a cute place!

This is the groom whispering to his best man's son:
The men: Cynthia arrives in style!

Lots of laughter heard that day!
The beautiful Cynthia used to be a model if you couldn't tell:Gotta love a girl and her shoes!

This was the sign on the women's restroom. I just loved it!

The bride and groom overseeing their reception room:

Thanks Ryan for letting me be a part of this fun day, I had a blast!

2007 Cruise to Cabo (Supersized with Many Photos!)

Whew, get ready to sit back and enjoy a lot of photos!

To be totally honest, I didnt take that many photos. I had my camera on me a lot, but only took it out of my Shootsac a few times. All I really did was relax and sleep. The ship rocked a lot...rocked me right to sleep a few times a day!! I have never napped so much in my whole life. The food was exellent in the dining room, and the staff was enjoyable. I met some really cool people and I really appreciate Wedj.com for setting this up!

I didnt get to many seminars, but its okay. I learned a lot about myself on this trip, learning and meeting new people was worth the experience!

Its very hard to see, but in my photo I am wearing a sombrero. Yes I am a dork.

Leaving San Diego.....
The front of the ship!
Mini golf course and jogging track. So neat!
Loungin'
Michele on night one. Who says no to free drinks??


This was my first experience trying escargot. Yes, mother, I ate snails and I actually really liked them! Very garlic-y and butter-y!

Okay funny story time! Carie walked in on a gentlemen using the restroom. This was her reaction after she saw he forgot to lock the door!
And his reaction realizing we were still standing outside!
Carie and Michele:
Sunset on one of the nights after we left Cabo:

Melanie and her crew sat at our dinner table, they were so much fun!

This photo was taken by me, in the mirror in the elevator. I love the mans expression of how crazy I look right then. Yes, that is a cocktail in my hand!
Carie, Michele and me goofing around with the fish eye!
Dawn, our waiter Robert and me!
My roommate Dawn and me!
My new friend Carlos (he is a DJ from Escondido) and I taking a tequila shot at Cabo Wabo in Cabo San Lucas:

Photo by Dawn:
Photo by Dawn:
Our ship, the Elation by Carnival:
The very tip of Cabo, photo by Dawn:

Hope you enjoyed the blog, it was long overdue I know! :)

M.