I have driven past the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery a number of times since I moved to San Diego in 1994. I have always wanted to go back and take pictures, and last weekend I finally had the opportunity to do just that. We passed the cemetery as I drove my nephew, Ben, to the Cabrillo Monument in Point Loma. We hung out at the monument for a while, then made our way to the Lighthouse, and got a few fun shots there.

On our way back, we stopped by the cemetery. I have no other words to describe it other than PEACEFUL. It really touches your heart to see all the graves of the men and women who have served their country. It’s beautiful resting place…

Here’s a link for more information: Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery

Once there, I decided to try and play with DOF (depth of focus) and composition to show you how it can affect the feel of a picture.

Image on left was taken at 1/60sec and F14, and image on right was at 1/5000sec and F2.8. Which one do YOU like better and why?

Both these images were taken at 1/8000sec and F2.8, BUT I chose a different focal point for each shot. Which one do YOU like better and why?

These two shot are almost the same view, but I changed the viewpoint (for the one on the right I got down lower) and the composition - vertical vs horizontal.

Which one do YOU like better and why?

Recently, I was in dire need of some new locations around San Diego, and wanted some input from my San Diegan friends, so a few months ago I ran a little competition on Facebook. I received some fantastic location ideas, and can’t wait to use some of them!

My friend, Julie, recommended The Presidio. I drove up there ahead of time and scouted a few locations for Julie and her daughter’s session. Finally the day arrived - but of course San Diego, earlier this month, was still caught up in our famous marine layer - soooooo, no sun! Oh well, I was not going to let that dampen my spirits, no way!

I have known Julie for at least 6 years, and we met while she was an assistant manager at the Clairemont Town Square Starbucks. She left that location to manage one of the Pacific Beach stores, and we lost touch - until FACEBOOK came along, I love Facebook! By now, her little girl is already 4 years old. How time flies when you’re having fun, or at least don’t keep in touch…

Anyway, back to their session. No sun, and damp grass. We went for a little stroll, and found some areas I has scouted. Little Miss R, Julie’s daughter, however didn’t really want anything to do with me at this point. No singing, joking, or funny noises were doing the trick, but we soldiered on. All I can tell you is this; if I don’t get the shots I have envisioned for your session, I don’t give up. We hung in there for 2 hours, and got some timeless, precious moments between mother and child. A mother’s love is endless and strong, gentle and kind, patient and nurturing. I hope I’ve captured some of this in these images for Julie, so she can look back on them in 20 years time, and REMEMBER!

Isn’t Julie just radiantly beautiful, and little R looks just like her!

Childhood memories? I remember going to some carnivals and fairs as a child. They seemed like such an adventure, everything was BIG!  I wanted to try everything, but my favorite thing to do was definitely the bumper cars. I remember the kids scrambling to get their favorite cars. It felt a bit like musical chairs because sometimes there weren’t enough cars for everybody!

Once a year, we celebrate Clairemont Family Day in our neighborhood, now in its 21st year! Watching them set up the rides brings back those feelings of childhood innocence and excitement, and the anticipation mounts! I feel as though I’m watching through my kids’ eyes, as we cross the street to start our adventure for the day. We invited some friends to join in the fun, and I think we’ll definitely have to do the same again next year, ’cause it’s just so much more fun with friends!

How do these pictures make YOU feel?

It feels like weeks again since I posted anything to my 52 week project, I’ve been busy with my 18 year old nephew visiting from Switzerland. One day during the week we ventured down to PB for a walk on the beach and pier. He loves it there, and we hung out as long as we could without getting too cold. I had taken my camera with me of course, but my battery died, and I ended up using Ben’s camera (which had a long lens on it). I love how the colors of a sunset can change from one minute to the next…

Anyway, ever since I can remember, I’ve loved sunset. They make me think of my Dad, and some of the vacations my parents and I took to Italy when I was the only one living at home (I have 4 older siblings). I love looking back a pictures from those days, and I realize how lucky  I was to have had that time with my parents. All my other siblings had to share them with each other, but I had them all to myself for some time.

What are some of your favorite memories of your parents?

Thanks Jen, for asking me to capture your family, you guys were all awesome!

With only a few days notice, my friend Jen Ryan contacted me, asking if I might be available to do a BIG family shoot with 16 people - 8 adults and 8 kids! It was her father-in-law’s 73rd birthday, and since the last family picture had been taken, two more kids had been added to the family. The Ryans have ties to USD, some attended school there, one got married there, and wanted to include some of the architectural charm of this wonderful campus. I’m going to go back and shoot more session there for sure, it’s so beautiful.

The Ryan Family own and operate Ryan Bros. Coffee, and have several locations in and around San Diego now. They’ve been at the Barrio location since 1994, and 18 months ago added the one in San Marcos. Check them out sometime.

Yesterday, my son had his best friend over for their first playdate this summer. I drove them to our favorite playground for a couple of hours of running, climbing, and laughing. I so enjoyed watching a couple of 8 year olds making up their own little world of Ben Ten Aliens, and all the special effect noises that go with their play. It’s MAGICAL…..

PLAYGROUND

This word alone brings back a very specific memory from when I was 11 years old. I was a tennis player, and had met a really cute guy at the local tennis club where I played. Anyway, this boy was already in middle school, so 13 years old, but seemed to take a liking to me. It must’ve been a weekend, because he showed up at our front door (we lived on the 8th floor of a 10 story apartment building). I was so stunned to see him at my door that when my mother asked who it was, I actually lied and told her it was a female friend, and that we were headed to the playground. I figured since the playground was behind our apartment building, my Mom wouldn’t be able to look out the window and see us!

What I hadn’t factored into my little lie, was that my older sister might find me… She was 15 (she already had a steady boyfriend), and they crossed through the playground on the way home from somewhere - BUSTED! I think I remember her making fun of me for being there with a boy, that part of the memory has faded, but I don’t think she ratted on me to our Mom.

Isn’t it funny how words and smells can remind us of certain things. There was an incident a couple of years ago, it was while visiting my Mom in Switzerland. I don’t even remember how it came up, but she started singing the song she used to sing to us when we were little. I specifically remember it from when I wasn’t feeling well or I’d had a nightmare. Anyway, as she began to sing, I burst into tears! I was 5 again, just a little girl, scared beyond reason from a nightmare (I used to have terrible ones), and my Mummy was singing to me! It was the weirdest sensation.

It makes me wonder what my kids will remember from their childhood. What do YOU remember?

There aren’t many kids in the images below, because I didn’t want to be the stranger with a camera on a playground taking pictures of other people’s kids.

…. for some NEW LOCATIONS and I need your help! I already have some favorite locations around San Diego, but have felt lately that I need to broaden my horizons. This is where YOU come in. Check out my latest promotion - and help me find some incredible new locations! I’m thinking……… probably three (3) should do the trick, maybe more - if there are some really good ones you can come up with!!!!!!

The more recommendations, the more likely you will win. But please remember, each person can only win once during this promotion!

Go to the contact section on this blog to email me, or write on my Facebook wall at Vuefinder Photography Oh, and don’t forget to tell your friends about this great deal, too!

I got my baby fix today - oh my goodness, what precious little boys these two are! They slept for quite a while in the buff, but there were no accidents with either of them… Beaumont and Acilino were born two weeks ago, at just over 5 lbs each, and are probably the smallest babies I’ve ever held! Kim and Ernie, thanks so much for letting me be part of their early life, and for having so much patience while I rearranged your home to find the best light!

It’s been a while since I posted a portrait session, I’ve been busy - mostly with life - and enjoying it! It took me a while to get back into the Mommy/Chauffeur/wife mode, after I got home from Newport Beach where I hung out with my new photographer friends.

I met the Shell kids through their Mom (Mum) Nicole, a fellow Aussie, at a San Diego Aussie Mum’s group. The group gets together once a month, and we alternate family get togethers and just Mum’s day out.

Nicole won a contest on my Facebook fan page recently, and after having to reschedule twice, we finally managed to make it work. Since Little Italy is so colorful, I suggested some colorful clothing to go with the location, and I couldn’t have been happier when I saw the kids step out of the car!!! The kids also brought some of their favorite things with them, including a saxophone, and a Ripstick skateboard (how one does not break ones neck riding this thing, I’ll never understand!)

We had an early start, 8.30am on a Sunday (!), even though is was their Dad’s birthday. He was a real trooper, as I sent him and Nicole away while I photographed the kids.

Here they are …

As some of you might know, I attended an event called ESCALATE Live earlier this week at the LIDO Theater in Newport Beach. What an incredible opportunity to mingle with some amazing photographers, and just downright wonderful people! The speakers were: Dane Sanders, Chris Becker, Jasmine Star, David Jay, Jessica Claire, Jeremy Cowart, Australian Photographer Jerry Ghionis, and Julieanne Kost from Adobe.

2 days of listening to inspirational ideas and concepts. Here’s what stood out most for me:

Dane Sanders: In this changing world of the digital age, it’s more important than ever to collaborate, create, and share within the photography community.

Becker: Figure out what you stand for, and then commit to delivering the best possible experience for your clients. A brand lives in the consumers mind - BE your brand. Be consistent, and make your clients’ needs your #1 priority.

Jasmine Star: she talked about the best ways to use social media, but the one thing that stood out most in my mind was “get uncomfortable to grow”. Jasmine also helped me by explaining her 3 & 3 motto. When blogging about a photo session, mention 3 special things about the day, and write 3 things you learned about the family/couple/kids.

Jerry Ghionis: what can I say about this guy? Hilariously funny, visionary, and unbelievably talented. What stood out most during his presentation was to “Slow down and look for the light. See the beauty in everything and everyone.”

Jeremy Cowart: I had not been familiar with Jeremy’s work, but seeing some images from his “Voices of Haiti” project brought tears to my eyes, and I doubt there was a dry eye in the theater. He suggests following lots of different blogs on a regular basis, and to write down all things you’re passionate about. Then build an inspiration wall in your work/office space.

After sitting in a movie theater all day, it was really nice to be able to spend time with some new friends Katie Trujillo, Michael Fletcher, Michael Boardman, at dinner and on some photo walks around Newport Beach.

Here’s what I saw:

The gentleman in front of the mural, below, caught my eye as I was crossing the street. I approached him and asked it I could take his portrait. Like me friend Katie, I learned that by asking someone if I could take their portrait, it makes them feel more special. He was happy to oblige, and took my email address, so I’d be able to send him a copy of his ‘portrait’. He loved it!