The Stones - Family portraits my way

The Stone family has been asking me for quite a while to shoot some family portraits for them. They have been fans of my work here and on Facebook for some time and keep envisioning my take on their family photos. The Stones spend much of their family time outdoors in some fashion (horseback riding, boating, fishing) and it's been hot outside, so I planned an afternoon swim / photo session at the river. Now if you've worked with me before, you probably realize that on most photo shoots I end up in the nearest body of water in search of the perfect frame. On this shoot both Katie and I ended up treading water in the middle of a river to get the angle and light just right - I love my wife! It really worked well to bring out the individual personalities of the family that a traditional shoot would leave behind. In my head, I knew I should have a "safe" family photo before things got too crazy, as I knew they quickly would. This shot was basically just a setup for the next shot. I told the couple to stand in the water, focus only on each other, and enjoy the moment. What they didn't know is that I had already told the kids to splash them on the count of three. The couple never saw it coming :) This shot just screams summertime fun to me. The spot in the river we went to has a perfect jumping rock that we all (and yes, I am included) took turns jumping off of. A superfun shot of all three boys jumping off of the rock at the same time. We closed off the night with a slightly more unique family portrait compared to where we started! Thanks again guys!

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A much needed vacation!

Yesterday was a long day. I woke up with before the sun, loaded up in the car, traveled on three airplanes through a few time zones, loaded back up in the car and drove until today. But it's okay -- I'm still living on the buzz of a great vacation. For the past week, Katie, Tyler, Sophie and I have been in Playa Del Carmen Mexico with her parents enjoying a much needed break from the workload. We stayed in first class accommodations and spent most of our time exploring the local area. Tyler spent about 12 hours of each day swimming in the pools and ocean (he takes after his father) as we relaxed as a family. We visited Xel-Ha and Xcaret -- both amazing places that simply would not exist in the states. Imagine going to a water park where a sign pointed off a cliff and told you to jump into the water below (what lifeguard or saftey rail?). I love Mexico! As we traveled, I kept my camera close by as I was constantly inspired by new sights and people. I think Katie got tired of hearing me say "I gotta get a shot of this! Keep walking and I'll catch up!" Thankfully I have a very loving wife! Years ago when I would skip church to go surfing, we would say that we were busy getting baptized in the Church of the Pacific. This must be the Church of the Caribbean.

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Kenneth to be!

Jeanine and Lyle contacted me last week very interested in maternity photos before the birth of their first son Kenith. She had seen April and Chris' maternity shoot that I had done last year and had heard great things about our service from them and really wanted me to shoot her photos. Sounding a bit like a broken record, I explained to her that I approach maternity photos with a bit more of a fashion eye than other photographers - and she loved the idea. We talked a bit more and worked out the details and she shared some great ideas for photos she had. Given that she is eight months pregnant I wanted to get to shooting as quickly as possible, so we setup a time and got to work. Jeanine and Lyle had this photo in mind before they even picked up the phone to call me. I love the personal touches scattered throughout! I took over their living room and turned it into a studio for slightly more traditional maternity photos. I have a habit of getting very excited about photos as they pop into the viewfinder and I ofter share them with my clients to help them understand what we are creating together. When Jeanine and Lyle first saw these the first word to escape their lips was "editorial". To me, it's all about options. That's how I do a maternity shoot. Congratulations again Jeanine and Lyle, I had a blast working with you. And don't forget to send a photo of Kennith!

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Jessica and Chris - with the puppies!

Shortly after they returned from their honeymoon in Mexico, Jessica and Chris gave me a call to setup another shoot just a few weeks after their wedding. This time they wanted to get some photos for their Christmas cards and just had to have me shoot them. They were only going to be in town for a few days, and I was busy traveling up and down the state, so it was great that we were able to get together for the shoot. We spent a little over an hour working together on their families property (what an amazing place!). Thanks again guys for trusting me to take photos in the "wood shed". At the end of the shoot, Jessica and Chris said they wanted one last shot with the two of them together on the hay bales. These guys are awesome!

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April and Chris are having a little girl!

A little over three years ago, Katie and I filmed April and Chris' wedding in northern California. They are a remarkable couple and I loved working with them back then. Before their wedding, we filmed a "Love Story" video in the Japanese Gardens of Golden Gate Park and it quickly became apparent that: #1 these two are going to be together for the rest of their lives and #2 these two are goofballs in love (and I mean that in the very best way!). When their wedding day came and went, we were blessed to work with such a fun energetic couple and create an amazing video. A few weeks ago they April called me with the news that she was pregnant with a little girl! We talked for a while (I love to catch up with past clients) about the new directions that their lives had taken. Chris serves in the Air Force and is currently stationed in New Mexico, but soon will be transferring to the Los Angeles Air Force Base - so I'm looking forward to surfing with them soon! April told me that they were coming out to California for a few days and wanted me to take maternity shots for her. I knew already that we were going to get some great outside-the-box shots for them and they didn't disapoint. Congratulations again guys!

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