::A Day at the Beach::

In honor of Earth day I thought I would post pictures from our Laguna Beach trip last week. Last Saturday I was scheduled to meet some clients down in Laguna so I figured we should just make a day out of it with the kids, especially since Laguna is one of my favorite spots. I feel so at home at the beach. When I am down in the beach area I feel as if anything goes. Who cares if you hair is frizzy, who cares if you have sand all over you feet and legs, who cares if your kids are wet from running into the water with their clothes on, who cares about anything.. why? because you’re at the beach! After this trip to the beach I am so happy to say Logan’s love for the beach has grown. He has been asking daily to go to back, which has tempted me just to get in the car and drive… to the beach! The only thing stopping me is these outrageous gas prices.

We went down to the Montage tide pools and saw all sorts of neat things, including some dolphins. Logan thought that was the neatest thing ever! We saw a crab, some newly hatched hermit crabs, sea urchins, and some green anemone. We were looking for a star fish, but never came across one.

We took Bailey to the beach last summer for the first time, but this was the first time she actually was able to feel the sand between her toes and touch the water. The verdict it still out if she likes it or not.   We are planning to go back next week and I cannot wait. I could spend all day down there without a care in the world. I have always wanted to live at the beach, but I also want my horses and farm animals. Is that asking for too much? How about we just move to Hawaii and buy a plantation farm…. I think that shall be perfect,  the best of both worlds.

Happy Earth day.

 

These pictures melt my heart.

Leave it to Logan to eat the sand at three years old!

And drinking from the drinking fountain ALONE for the first time. This was after we had to tell him NOT to suck on the spout!

::Partida Wedding:: {Riverside, Mission Inn Wedding Photographer}

It was a rainy, cold day in March. The wedding ceremony was supposed to be held outside in the oriental garden at the Mission Inn, but due to the weather it was moved to inside the chapel. I knew Anya was bummed that things weren't going as planned. She had been talking about the Oriental garden for the last 15 months as she prepared and planned for this gorgeous day. Luckily for her, she has some ah-mazing wedding planners from Le Jour Parfait. Dorian and Dan are wonderful people to work with. They made Becky and I feel so comfortable and made our job so much easier. Shooting a wedding at the Mission Inn for the first time can be a tad overwhelming, especially in the rain when you can’t use the venue to it fullest potential. Dorian and Dan made us feel much better about the day and I know they also made Anya feel much better too. Once she knew Ray was in the building I could tell she was more relieved. The two of them make an awesome team. At the end of the day it didn’t matter to Anya if it were sunny, raining, snowing or hailing, she was just happy she was marrying the love of her life.

For the last 15 months I have taken many photos of Ray, Anya, and Kaleb, I feel as if they were family. I felt so honored to be a part of this incredible day in their lives and to witness it first hand. I told myself I wouldn't get emotional, but it happened, more than once!

As the night went on the rain got worse and worse. When Becky and I were taking pictures after the ceremony with our lovely newlyweds I felt like we were playing a game of cat and mouse running through the Mission Inn trying to stay  dry, keep Ray and Anya dry and also get the best pictures possible. Once we felt we had enough pictures that is when the party began. Their DJ was great. I felt as if I were in High School with all of the old school jams, and caught myself “moving” to the beat several times. If you ever see this in action you will quickly realize I have no rhythm, none, not even a little.

Everything about this wedding was amazing and beautiful. The colors, details and all the lit candles were superb. Even though several plans had to be changed due to the weather everything turned out perfect. Anya did a super, fantastic job planning every little detail about this day.

Ray and Anya looked stunning. I am so excited to see this next chapter of their lives begin. they are truly lucky to have each other.

Purse from Elcu and bracelet from Jurgitahandmad both on Etsy.com

                 Anya’s hair was done by Melinda Reyes and Her make up was done by Veronica Ramirez. Bridsmaids hair done by Krystal villa Beas.

  Garter made by Woomi found on Etsy.com

Wedding dress and Vail are from Uniquely Elegant Attire.

             

   

   

Feather headpiece made for reception by Lo Boheme off Etsy.

And their amazing cake and cupcakes were made at Casey’s Cupcakes, in Riverside.

::Senior.Nicole:: {Redlands Senior Photographer}

Nicole’s mom and I had been talking and trying to get something together for over a month. With this crazy weather we had been having we had to reschedule I think twice due to rain and then once because I got food poisoning. Then I thought I was going to have to reschedule with her again because the flu came through the house and I was sick the night before. Luckily I had started to feel better by morning and I was going to do this shoot no matter what. I hated that we had to reschedule so many time. Since it had been so long since Nicole first booked with me I had forgotten who referred her to me until she asked how I knew her sister in law. I felt like a light bulb had gone off in my bed, and then I felt silly for not remembering who she was related to. I had a wonderful time with Nicole and her mom Julie. We went to a couple different locations in Redlands and just talked the whole time. Even after Nicole's shoot we sat down on a bench and talked for probably 30 more minutes. They are just the nicest people. I told Nicole that her cheeks were going to hurt by the end of our time together, and I was right. When your cheeks hurt by the time you have left me, than I have done my job, because in my opinion your cheeks only hurt from a “real” smile, not a fake one. : )

               

:: The Swanson Family:: {Riverside UCR Family Photographer}

The weather couldn’t have been more perfect for a evening of pictures. I met with Kristen and Jeremy after I had just spend four hours with Liam trying to get him to sleep, and I’ll admit I was tired. I got there a little early and realized that UCR botanic gardens closed at 5:00. Lock the gates, closed. So I started to panic once again, which would be the second time in one day. ha! me stress? NOOOooo! who am I kidding. Stress ball should be my middle name. Just then I heard a lady asking an employee what to do if you were inside when the gates closed.. I was trying to listen but at the moment I got a call from Kristen telling me they couldn’t find the parking lot. Luckily for me the lady asking the questions was Kristen’s sister, Carrin. The minute I met Carrin and then Kristen and Jeremy I totally forgot how tired I was. I had so much fun with them. I think I laughed the whole time we were together. We went on our “nature walk” snapping pictures along the way and cracking jokes the whole time.

As we all know most men do not like having their picture taken, but they all agree to take them to make their wife, girlfriend, or family happy. Jeremy was the exception to this one. He was all for it! He might have been into it a little more than Kristen, ok, maybe not, but I had a blast with him. I love when guys come in ready to do anything. And how could I forget about Reed. This little guy is the cutest thing ever with his little dimples. At 10 months old it can be hard to keep their attention and this is why I think it was great that Kristen’s sister, Carrin came along. She got to jump up and down, yell Reeds name and do all those obnoxious things I normally do, while taking the picture. By the time we left I felt like I had know Jeremy, Kristen and Carrin for years. They are so fun to be around, and if you ever need a good laugh, these are the people to call.

Thank you again for sharing your afternoon with me, I cannot wait to see you guys again.

Aren’t they just a beautiful family?!?