Horsing Around

I have known this little lady since she was a babe so the opportunity for a photo session on the beach with her and her horse, Fallon, was something I have been looking forward to for a long time. The day after Christmas held a break in a week of storms and the horse was ready to run. Janelle, I know you love horsing around but I think Fallon had the most fun.

Babe in the Woods

My favorite creative couple were back in town for the holidays and another photo session with their gorgeous little boy, Nathaniel. Oh, and back to memories of childhood fun in forts and puddles. I laugh when I think of how fun-loving and creative your son will be when he grows up. Hold on to your hats, Mom, Dad, Grandma & Grandpa. LOL!

Worship on the Rocks...of Morro Bay

My dear friends from Bakersfield (and now Tennessee) were in town this Thanksgiving weekend and we had the fine weather for a fabulous group session praising God at the rocks of the beach of Morro Bay. The new morning sun was shining, a gentle brisk breeze and the glory of the Lord. It was very powerful and I may be developing these images for months into finished artwork. Sessions like this are so special to me. Thank you, Pastor Samanta, Debra and team.

Family in the trees

It wasn't supposed to rain, then suddenly the hourly forecast said rain by 4pm so I called Sasha up and asked if we could move their photo session from 2 pm to 1pm. Yes, and I raced to AG as the sky darkened. It was overcast at the site but not raining and we had great fun amongst this wonderful grove of trees. Towards the end of the session, I heard the pitter pat of raindrops on the tree tops but nothing touched us. Oh, but the colors Sasha picked for their wardrobes was gorgegous against the greens and browns of the trees, especially with the splash of her two red-heads.

Thanksgiving and Family

It has been a long time since so much of my family was together all in one place and I made sure to ask everyone to wear good colors for a photo session. The turkey can cook a bit unattended anyhow. I love my family.

Under the starlights

Sarah asked me for a photo of her and my son, Joel, to send to her Italian grandma in Nebraska. Well, I never miss an opportunity for a photo session so we scheduled it as soon as our schedules could match up, which was 7 pm at night. I hadn't done much in the way of nighttime sessions but now was a good time to practice. Besides, us Italians have to stick together. I am thrilled to say the nighttime pics turned out fabulous. Joel and Sarah are such a gorgeous couple, even if Joel is over a foot taller than her. Sarah, you're amazing to put up with so many short people jokes.







This last one sure looks passionate but they are just holding hands when I caught Sarah in a laugh. Merry Christmas, Grandma Variano.

Conference and Friends

I finished shooting a 3-day conference late last night. Now to process the images. I think my favorite part about the conference was meeting new friends. Nickol was one of the vendors at the conference whom I had the great pleasure of getting to know...and shooting of course. I sound like a gunman but I just hate to miss an opportunity to create an image of someone special and Nickol and her daughter, Kaitlyn, are very special. Of course, Brandon, you're real cute too!

Nathaniel's First Christmas

My dear friends, Anna and Andrew, thought of photos as Christmas cards and gifts for their family this year. Of course, I jumped at the idea because I have been honored to photograph their family several times since their first son, Philip, was born. Now that they are lil' Nathaniel, all the more reason for great Christmas pics.

Chrismas Baby

Socorro is 8 weeks old today and I know that's not a Christmas baby but something about photographing infants in the fall just makes me think of the Christ Child born in a manger. Children are so precious and so delicate their first few months.

Oh, but "Coco," has she is known, was a perfect angel for her first photo session. Kristen, it was wonderful to get to know you, Jose and your beautiful baby girl. Enjoy your images!

Baby Ballerina

This week has been very hot so a baby shoot under the shade of a big tree at a beachside park sounded so refreshing. This was also my chance to try out some new little girl props, tutus in white/green with matching wings or white/pink with a matching flowered hairband.

Well, Shiloh and her parents were game and this gorgeous 5 month old donned the soft green and white tutu. Oooh, how she loved the feel of the tulle. Just a cutie!

Significant Timing

I had the honor and privilege to meet new friends and old in the Sacramento area for a photo session before TheCall meetings. God's timing is perfect.Though the air was hot the skies were beautiful.

The rivers there are a beautiful blue green and make for a nice background. The hardest part of blogging about something so dear to my heart is picking just 2-4 of my favorites. See all the rest in the Event album on my website under View Your Pictures.

As fast as a speeding bullet

I know it's a line from the original Superman TV series but it reminds me of a toddler boy. This week I had the pleasure of doing a family session with Zek and his family. Such a powerful name, Ezekiel is. I imagine he will become a great leader when he is grown. But for now, his parents, grandpa and photographer all had the joy of running after this speeding bullet. Oh, but Zek has the most gorgeous eyes. Look and judge for yourself. Thank you, Chenoa. You have a wonderful family!

I love that curl on the top of Sam's head!

Mark & Rosie (great name) and their newest addition, Samuel, invited me to their home for their first professional family photo session. I had never met Sam before and I was shocked with his incredibly gorgeous blue eyes and the perfect golden CURL on the top of his head. As someone blessed with curly hair, my favorite baby pictures from the 50's & 60's are the ones with a curl on top. Sam, you are a classic Gerber baby! I imagine you will only get cuter as the days go by. Thanks, Mark & Rosie, for a great session. Let's do another soon, before he starts running. You'll know soon enough why I recommend that.







"WOW! Absolutely wonderful, the photos brought tears to my eyes. You are very talented. Can't wait to show Mark and my family too. We will get back to you soon with the order. THANK YOU, Rosie"
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Baby Nathaniel and the "Green Chair Experiment"

It happened yesterday. I was honored to be the professional photographer for a family session for Baby Nathaniel and his parents, Jon & Linda. I have known Jon since he was in kindergarten and he is quite unique and artistic. So when he said a chair in a field I figured no problem...but the chair was actually an olive green recliner of great character. It looked exactly like the one I used in Washington when I was a newlywed. In fact, maybe it's the same chair! Anyhow, Mr. & Mrs. S, I love the look...and your absolutely adorable little boy. Let's do this again, before he turns 2, OK?

Love is in the air!

Thanks, Nicole, for blessing Jen and Dan with a engagement photo session and even recommending our wonderful SLO creek area. The day was perfect and we all had a blast finding all the perfect places for backgrounds and angles of love. And I learned a new word...cupcaking. I wonder if it's in the Webster Dictionary so I can give the definition accurately? Hope to see you two again soon, Jen and Dan.

Flags and dancers at the beach

My new friends of In Him Ministries were in town for a week and joined Beth and I for flags, dance & music to praise our God at several different locations this week. It was awesome. Just a few of the images are shown below. For more, go to the online album under Events.

Summer Break Family Photos

With both parents being teachers and the recent remodel of their home as a Poly House, this July was a perfect time for a family portrait session at the home of Ruby and Simon. You two have the awesomenest children but I especially loved watching hubby nibble on Ruby's ear, over and over. Love is just oozing out all over on their little piece of heaven on earth.