February's Shining Star

"The place to improve the world is first in one's own heart and head and hands." 

 ~ Robert M. Pirsig

Marriage and Family Therapist, Dr. Rhonda L. Jefferson

Some people claim they don't have any special gifts or talents, or they don't pursue discovering them. Not the case here. She is an amazing woman. Kind-hearted and so easy to laugh with. She is on a mission to help you with compassion and practicality to make your life as God designed it to be...Successful, Victorious! She was so much fun to shoot. She was nervous but in the end she said, " I'm glad you made it painless" Well, I imagine you do the same for those that seek your help. 

God is most pleased when we use our natural abilities for His glory.

Jazzy Sweets

So January started off super sweet! Jazzy Sweets, that is. When these bars are made, my girlfriend Jas, the owner, can not keep enough on hand. Straight from oven to mouth! This was truly a collaboration of great spirits. And we are super pleased with the results. Hopefully you will be salivating before you hit the end of this post! I encourage you to check her out on Facebook and place an order. You will NOT be disappointed. 

She will have some sweet treats ready

for your Valentine this year too. 

Chocolate Chips Pies, Skor and Heath Bars...oh the list goes on.  

 

 Thank you Jas for letting me make your goods look better ♥ 

A Very Merry Christmas 2011

a very sleepy one

a very playful one

and a very precious one

Sunday in the Fall

this is a special time of season for this family. they have known loss at a young age.

they are two kids who are well grounded and well prepared for their bright future though.

mom's entrepreneurial spirit is taking them all far. she is an incredible single mom!

I don't imagine she stays single for long . ♥

Thank you M. Family for a wonderful time.

A Picture is Worth | Help-Portrait 2011

These are two pictures I took of the the many, many amazing people I met this weekend for Project New Hope in Echo Park. I met some of the most amazing people Saturday. And not just the people we were taking pictures of, but the photographers who all shared the stage one with another. We shared tips and stories and lives with each other, all in the name of sharing our talent with individuals and families who may never have had a chance for a professional portrait. Each person was so grateful for the pictures. I think we all got more joy from their excitement. They were genuinely excited and flattered. It was a great experience. check out the links below where you can see more photos taken that same day at sites all around the world.

Philadelphia

Franklin, TN

Emmeloord, Holland

Frankfurt, Germany

Ashbury Park, NJ (spanish)

Union Rescue Mission, L.A.

Tootie

I had the special privilege to shoot this adorable soon to be four year old. She is also quite amazing. she has sickle cell disease but you would NEVER, EVER guess it. She was ready for her shoot as soon as she stepped out of the car. She wanted to play and pose and just do what all four year olds do...have fun! 

She is incredibly articulate. In fact while we took a walk along a path towards a new spot, just her and i talked. no mom, no grandma, no one but us two like we'd been friends forever. No one to encourage the conversation - she held her own!

she talked about how she likes to smile, how she can see "my eye" in the camera... and how she was a princess ready to get to the princess playground to play. 

And as soon as she saw her daddy, I was a blip on the screen.

She ♥'s her daddy!

        

Amazing girl. I had so much fun. 

Thanks for a wonderful day Miss Tootie!

The Candid Frame Workshop

the day started off so fresh and crisp. this is definitely fall. and i LOVE it.
the workshop i went to this weekend was instructed by Ibarionex Perello.
This was an incredible workshop for me. i got a chance to see light in a different
way. i got a chance to see pasadena in a different way; especially after this
week's windstorm (see the fallen trees below). i got to see me in a different way.
i am so happy i went. i learned very valuable lessons.
and i'm a much happier artist!

thanks to The Candid Frame Digital Boot Camp
next class & last class - December 10th
DON'T MISS OUT

The Real Pasadena Expert