End of session 2

Today marks the day that I am completely finished with my second session at school. I have got to be honest, I am relieved. Don't get me wrong, I love school but this was the most expensive session that I will ever encounter. This freedom feels like a "freeway" daisy on a warm summers day.

I learned so much. This session we had this one assignment that I was stoked about. It is called Big and Beautiful. We could shoot whatever we want as long as it was with a 4x5 format camera and printed out to 11 1/2 x 14 prints. We had to turn in two of them. I could not think of anything I wanted to do for weeks. I knew I wanted to shoot Madison but I didn't know how. So finally I had an idea. Now this photo of her is not the actual photo but it is the same concept.

I wanted her to look like she was just hatched in a nest. I was going for a natural feeling, so mom knitted this sack to put her in in about 20 minutes (I am exaggerating of course). I love the large knits in this photo. Thanks Mom. I think they turned out pretty good. The prints I did were way better than this standard digital version but you get the idea.

The second was of Emili. I kind of poked around with some ideas with her. I knew I wanted Em because she photographs really well and well, she's just fun. I had fun with these photos. The first one I didn't turn in. It was my favorite but for a certain reason it didn't turn out. Oh well. I wanted a casual bride because Emili is very casual. I love the idea of a runaway bride.

This photo was actually very similar to the one I turned in. I loved the contrasting colors. I have always wanted to shoot a red chair. I thought what a better time than to shoot it for the biggest assignment I had to do this session.

Today, the last day of school, everyone turned in their photos and we had a mini gallery. It was fun. We all got to vote on which ones were are favorite. We all turned in prizes to put in a pile for the winner of the contest. There were about 28 photos and mine made top five! Well Madison's photo made top five! Isn't that exciting. I didn't win but I am still glad I made it somewhat close. Whohooo!!!!!

My model

I have a huge assignment for my school. It is my final project and I am getting an early jump on it. I have three weeks to do it, but because I am in town, I thought I would shoot my niece. I had no idea what I was going to do for the photo. I just knew that I was photographing her. Well yesterday, Emili and I went shopping a Michaels for a different shoot I had to do and we passed by this wreath. I instantly had this idea to photograph her in a nest type feeling. This is how they turned out. Blogspot ruins the quality of photos so I apologize. These aren't the actual photos. My assignment had to be with the 4x5 camera.

Color

Today was truly an amazing day. On my everyday commute I looked over onto the ocean and got to see a rare view. Being so close to the ocean there is a lot of dew but this morning it was really clear. I was actually able to see the channel islands. It was beautiful. We hardly ever get to see them from where we are. It was amazing to see how clear everything was. The sky was a gorgeous rich blue. With months of dew, it was a nice break to have the blue sky. So I decided that while I was out today I would photograph the beautiful things around me. Today was perfect conditions to photograph color and detail. So I photographed all of the colorful things in the city. Santa Barbara is a gorgeous city and I thought I would be good to try and show you some things around that make the city so appealing to the naked eye.

Dolphins

Hello all. Today I had an assignment to shoot a jogger. So went to a secret location over looking a cliff. We were shooting and things looked good. As I was putting my equipment away my model shouted "Look, Look!!" I looked over to see dolphins all over the ocean. It was beautiful. They were so close to the shore. It was amazing. I have never seen that before. Here are some pictures I took.

Here they are swimming toward us.

If you look closely, this one has a picture of a tail.

My sisters

As many of you know I have recently left for college. It has been by far one of the most difficult decisions I ever had to make. There were so many things to think about.. one of my biggest reasons not to go was my sisters. In case some of you didn't know, I have the most amazing sisters a girl could ask for. I could not imagine life without them. We have always been close, even when we were younger and our ages seemed so far apart. I can remember the many things they both taught me. Thank you both for all of the times we shared, for all the laughter and tears.

Amanda is such a blessing to have in my life. There is not one thing I would change about her or our relationship. I admire her strength in life. Without her, everything would have been 20 times more difficult. She is the person I go to to get away and talk about things. She always has the right thing to say. She helps me put everything into perspective and I know that she is honest and true.

Emili, the quieter of the three of us, has always been something else. I could go to her, not say anything, and she always knew what I was feeling. I never had to explain anything to her. I always enjoyed that. I could remember being young kids and sitting on the bathroom counter talking about life. We had a blast together and I wouldn't change anything.

These are them and their babies. I am so proud of them both. They are so nurturing and always have been. I am so glad that I have been a part of their lives. I love you both so much!!

Love

Birthday Weekend

My teen years have come and gone; and suddenly my back aches more and more each day. I had fun in those teen times but I am glad it is over. I can't wait to see what my 20's will bring me. My family made me feel special. My parents and I went to San Diego to drop my sister Amanda off. We celebrated my birthday with them. They all joked around about having birthday lunch at Jack in the Box, I knew better. We ate our dinner at BJ's pizza brewery. After two months of almost inedible food, BJ's was an answered prayer. It was so nice just hanging and being together. We laughed pretty much all night.

Here we are waiting for our table. Ethan was rubbing my arm with the buzzer, that's why I am looking at my arm.

The boys laughing.

My beautiful Mom.

My gorgeous sister Amanda and Ethan.

Christopher and Ethan being goofy.

mmm....the best root beer ever....(my dad and I)

My birthday cookie

My Dad (Grandpa), Ethan, and Christopher eating some of the birthday cookie

Awww.........love

He is so adorable

The next day my parents and I went back home and we celebrated my birthday again with my other sister, her husband, their baby, and my Grandma. It was fun. My mom was amazing. She was sick and she put together this whole thing. She made these cupcakes and she bought candles the sparkle like fireworks. It was awesome. She is so good to me. Thank you mom. Later my sister Emili, Walter and their new baby Madison went to their house and lit firework off in front of their house. We played around with my camera. It was fun.

Emili, Madison and Myself

My parents and I, both of them were sick but the still continued to celebrate. They are amazing. I love you guys so much!!

Madison and myself

She is so adorable

I tried to make a heart but it looks more like a ladybug.

All together, both days, everything turned out great. I had a blast just being with my family and enjoying the end of my break. I wish they lived out here with me. I miss them so much. Thank you guys for making my birthday so special. I love you!