The Kool Aid House

Every neighborhood had one growing up. You know, that house where all the kids come together to hang out and mom brings out the iced Kool Aid in a tupperware pitcher along with styrofoam cups for everyone to share on a hot summer day? The house where all the kids want to be. The house we regret to leave when our mom calls us home for dinner.

The Calderon family are the Kool Aid House! No, they aren't our neighbors, instead they are much more. They are our dear friends who we first met at church years ago and have been blessed to now call our best friends.

With temperatures reaching the triple digits, we spent the hot weekend at the Calderon's swimming, hanging out, playing rock band, and even jumping on their outdoor trampoline! I told you it was the Kool Aid House!

This is Arianna, the youngest Calderon child, striking a pose for me!

This shot cracks me up!



Isaiah, Bella, and Arianna.

That little Bella...
Danny and Lisa, thank you for all of your hospitality and friendship! The Kool Aid House rules!

Tony and Kelly

I recently second shot with Eddie Roman Studio again, this time at the Trilogy Golf Course in Corona. Such a relaxing and quiet place with fountains and walking trails.

The Bride's theme for the reception was Old Italy. And despite the very hot weather we were having here in the Corona valley, I thought she looked just fabulous on her wedding day!






This is the ring bearer trying to give a pedestrian's dog a big sloppy kiss!






The Bride receiving a kiss from little brother.



The flower girls and their beautiful Mother.

Light & Fast Seminar

Thursday, I drove out to LA and attended the Light&Fast Seminar hosted by talented photographers John Mireles and Jules Bianchi. An in-depth lighting seminar for wedding and portrait photographers who like me, desire to see the light!

John really knows his craft and showed us some valuable skills and lighting techniques to use when in the studio. I enjoyed seeing his portfolio and learning what tools he uses to get the job done. He took us outside and showed us how to shoot a subject in the bright sun and still maintain good exposure. We had a nice small group of 10 people which was nice for question and answer time, I was certainly FULL of questions.

I didn't bring my professional camera since it wasn't required but here are some photos I took with the point & shoot camera:




Gabriel was asked to hold the light stand and insisted it was waaay too bright outside hence the double shades, haha!


Here's John and Jules shooting in the alley in the popular Melrose District.


Jules gave an awesome presentation on how to shoot with very minimal lighting equipment AND shoot fast while at weddings. She went over group formals and reception lighting situations with great detail and demonstrated how she sets up her lighting gear and shoots. And if that wasn't enough yummy info, she also showed us a slide show of her wedding images with examples of how to use the light. What a treat!

Jules and I.

John and Jules, thank you for all your knowledge and willingness to answer ALL of my questions, you helped me to see the LIGHT!

Edit to add: Visit Jules' blog for more photos and a special note from ME. Click Here.

What in the world?

Growing up in a suburban neighborhood, I thought about how my friends and I would ride our bikes all day together without a care in the world. I reminisced how we would take turns and ride the each other on the handlebars of our beach cruisers as we chased the ice cream truck, rode to a friends house to swim, or simply rode to just about anywhere else in the city that seemed worth our efforts to pedal to! It was often normal for me to stay out riding until dark. The streetlights flickering ON became my cue to come in for the night.

The other day while on a photo session, my client and I came across this silly bike and I grabbed a quick snap of it for laughs. Today, I went to the gas station to fill up the tank of my SUV, and watched the numbered digits on the gas pump spin and spin until it stopped at $99.00...I wasn't laughing so much anymore...and for a moment I remembered my old blue beach cruiser again.


Have a great Monday!