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There is nothing like returning
to a place that remains unchanged
to find the ways in which
you yourself have altered.

- Nelson Mandela (1918 - )

We really do learn a little more about ourselves every time we visit the ocean cliffs of La Jolla. That place is still my favorite place in the whole wide world. See my cheesy and a little too honest writings from a couple of years ago regarding this place here.

It really is super beautiful there.

I am home. Glad to be so and a little sad. We were greeted with great fanfare from excited puppies and friends watching them. Only slight injuries occurred while we were gone, and since they hounds had a playmate for the weekend I doubt they missed us too much.

Photos as soon as I can upload and go through them- there are about a billion of them (it was a long, exciting trip). Some of them are insanely cute, since it was seal pupping season.

It was a wonderful weekend with my sister (who I miss terribly already), mom, and of course Kirk. Hooray for family trips. We saw baby seals/giraffes/gorillas, petted dolphins, fed slimy fish to sea lions, watched nature be nature and enjoyed sunsets. We breathed ocean air and enjoyed waves crashing into cliffs. We explored tide pools with the same gusto of the small children the next tide pool over. It was fantastic and I admit I am finding it tough to wake up in the real world again.

In other news, I will again be gone next weekend (an "emergency trip" to Kansas City, before my third trip there in two weeks for the big show. Gosh I love it there!) so you may just be missing me again. In the mean time, LOTS of editing to do for all of you, and lots of new images to create. Its gonna be a busy week!

Glad to be home- talk to all of you soon!

Adis and Britani- Engagement Previews

I knew from the moment I began talking to Britani about their wedding I would be working with her and Adis...we immediately clicked. These two are so incredibly sweet, fun and funny...there is no way for us to just not instantly like them! Our chat over ice cream in down town Tempe could have gone on forever and I don't think any of us would have batted an eye.

If you don't like kissing photos this isn't your post. These two are just so darned beautiful when they kiss, I just had to share a whole slew of the mushy gushy stuff. If you don't like photos of kissing you might want to consider which blog you are reading anyway :P. I can send you a link to wired, or the wall street journal or something if you don't love real people in real love.



Britani and Adis are getting hitched just three days after Kirk and my third anniversary so I can already tell its going to be a gorgeous day! I am really looking forward to it- these two are so fun and willing to play!



We had a lovely sunset shoot on a beautiful Sunday afternoon with a good bit of wind! It was a really nice afternoon to spend outside!







Vintage style color post processing just seems to fit these two, so you will be seeing a lot of it if you have not already noticed. So much fun!




I found a pretty little bird and flower texture and couldnt help myself. It is spring afterall!



I get the idea that Adis loves to make Britani laugh. Shes beautiful and especially when she laughs- she just lights up!







Her ring is beautiful!








The perfect end to a beautiful day, don't ya think? I sure am lucky to do what I do. It was a romantic, silly, fun and really enjoyable shoot- I can't wait to do it all again on their wedding day!


Watch the video, or you'll be sorry! (Do my threats actually work on any of you? Didn't think so...) It should be noted that I love this song...it makes me smile. Sadly I actually had to take images out to make it all fit. I hate when I have to do that!



PS. I am out of the office until Monday enjoying some much needed family time! We are taking my mom and my sister (who we have not seen in a few months since she moved to LA to become the amazing music artist she is) to San Diego to enjoy our favorite places. Photos when I get back, and I will try to answer emails and calls while I am gone, but I will have limited access (since Kirk has already banned me from editing or emailing...I am sneaky though!)! Sorry for any inconvenience.

Creative Rejuvenation with The Hunsaker Family

Every now and then I leave a session feeling completely and totally creatively rejuvenated. Most often this happens in a perfect storm...a client lets me play and experiment (often willing to try anything silly), its a beautiful location, we all click, we have a lot of fun. I go back to the office and just can't stop editing...singing the whole time (bring earplugs if you come for a visit...you will definitely know when I am feeling this way- the neighbors sure do!).

Since this was one of those sessions, its going to be a long post. Grab a snack, and the comfy chair, maybe your favorite spirit lifting music and hang on. As always click images to see bigger and don't forget to check out the slide show at the end. Its precious.

The cutie with the electric blue eyes? Yeah, that's Mr. Drake. Last time I saw him was at the Calkins wedding, when he was not much more than a big baby bump on poor Lonna. I will spare a rehash of her favorite photo demonstrating said point in Drakie's life but suffice to say she looks adorably uncomfortable in it.

Hes cute enough to knock you out, even without the baseball bat.


Of course, we know why Mr. Drake is cute. Just look at Mom and Dad. Lonna and Shane were high school sweethearts and believe me it still shows.
Just now there is another sweetheart in the middle!


What to do when the water is just a teensy bit chilly? Stand on mom of course! No secret I love shoe shots. When there are no shoes to be shot? Well...yeah.








I stole the baby for this one. Had to. The cuteness was killing me. Oh, and the baby was being pretty cute too!


Can't possibly guess that this kid is gonna like baseball when he gets bigger huh? The ball kept rolling away and Drake kept reaching. Finally someone gave him a hand.



I *almost* wasn't gonna do this one. Figured it would not look right with a little one. I have been wrong before but I could have been really wrong on this one. I am glad we decided to go for it. I love it!



Ah- possibly the most fun family pose ever. Drake gets his face making from his parents. Can ya tell?




We know who rules in this little family. Heck with a face like that this kid could rule the world. I had such an amazing time playing with the Hunsaker Family that I completely forgot that I was working.


Its days like this that I absolutely LOVE my job!

Check out the slideshow. There are a TON of images in it not in the post (too many!!!!) and its adorable.

Making Faces with Parker

Little Parker is two months old. In two months- hes accomplished quite a lot. He is incredibly adorable, has mom and dad wrapped around his finger, and makes hilarious faces. He has favorites. He has a doggie friend. He is a broncos fan. He has awesome hair that the stars of High School Musical would envy. See? Told you he accomplished a lot so far.


Two month olds are fun. They make goofy faces and have really fun photo sessions and yet they are not quite big enough to roll over and run away just yet (muahahahaha!). The perfect age to catch a little personality! In Parker's case, its a pretty big personality.


Little ones are awesome (Parker included). They have cute wrinkly butts.




They have a distinct lack of belly button lint (and really cute belly buttons!).



They nap in cute positions.

What did I tell ya about the cute goofy faces?



Teensy tiny hands/feet/ears and stuff.

Did I mention the goofy faces?


And they just look so cute while they dream up other stuff to accomplish.


I wish they would stay this little forever, but that's why photography was invented. Keeps them tiny and sweet. I had a great time making faces with little Parker. I can't wait to see what else he accomplishes as he grows!

As always watch the slide show. Its short and sweet but he might just grow before your eyes!

Kate's Senior Portraits- Preview

What's cooler than one Kate? Two Kate's of course. This is Kate (too!):


I did her brother's senior pictures a couple of years ago (at the same park no less) and now its her turn. Kinda exciting right?

Kate is headed up to NAU next year. She got some practice wearing a sweater during her session...shes going to need a few. Its chilly up there!



Oh no!!! Look out for the winged robots!!!! In seriousness, these are new to the park and I don't know how they got there but I love love love them! So fun! (And ridiculously nerdy)


This family is sooo fun! Whenever we get together for senior photos, we can't help but snap a few family shots too! This one is so very dorm worthy (and living room worthy too!)




Spring is definitely in swing and the flowers were out in full force. Lucky us!
Said older brother who graduated two years ago came back on spring break to support his sister in her photographic endeavor. Very sweet.




Congratulations Kate! We are incredibly excited for you and wish you all the luck in the world at NAU!
That's all for tonight. It was a crazy weekend and there are a couple more sessions that will be up here tomorrow. For now- I gotta go to bed! As always check out the slides how. Its very slidey (and awesome) and there are more pictures in it!

Spring in the Garden

Thank you to everyone who was able to join us for our Stroll and Shoot- we had a great time! Hopefully everyone got some great images too!







It was a gorgeous morning for a stroll, and the wildflowers were in full swing!





The colors were fantastic. Spring flowers combined with the glass and the butterflies to make for the perfect day!





Thanks for joining us! If you couldn't make this one, we missed you! It was so much fun though, I am sure we will do something similar again soon!

Our Kansas City Trip Was AWESOME!!!

The sight of Phoenix from the air at night has always been (in my mind at least) one of the most beautiful sights in the world. A glimmering galaxy of lights and life teeming below.

Peering out my window in the half empty plane, watching the ground beneath me I am reminded of all of my favorite parts of Phoenix as I see them pass by. The lights on the Mill Avenue bridges, the mountain Kirk proposed on (he knew I loved the city lights), the flickering rivers of headlights, the tall buildings downtown all make me think of home.

Usually for me, the view during the 20 minute descent into town is joyful but somehow I was just a little sad to see them this time. I had such a good time in Kansas City, I was sad to leave. I think I would love to live there.

As you may recall, I was in Kansas City to photograph products for a friend of mine. Heidi is incredibly talented and makes all sorts of beautiful things to spoil puppies and kitties. The photo above is her and her little friend Beetle Juice.

The four days I spent with her and her zoo were absolutely wonderful. Her family is so sweet! Her home is incredibly warm and elegant in a lovely neighborhood with mature trees- a beautiful place to go for a visit. We shot 8 sets both location ad work and studio images and ran around Kansas City enjoying the nice weather and incredible sights.

From the moment I arrived, it was a blast. We visited Dottie Mae's - an old costume shop to find some cool stuff for our shoots. While we did not find too much, that place is really neat... Just watch out for the owner...she's a bit of a grouchy character.

Dottie Mae's happens to be across the street from one of two tattoo shops owned by Heidi's husband, Blake. We stopped in for a quick visit to say hello to Heidi's sister who is a piercer there and to see what Blake was working on. If you are in KC and are not terrified of needles, the man is an incredible artist. Seriously. Incredible. If you are a big chicken like me, he designs a lot of the art work on Heidi's awesome tattoo inspired products and even hand paints collar buckles with tattoo inspired themes or amazingly detailed portraits. He did the art work for "Puppy Love" for pet flys as well. At least your dogs will look awesome.

The Plaza had tons of beautiful places to shoot and while most of the fountains were still off for the cold season its a charming area packed with store fronts and art work. Heidi's niece, Cassidy, is about the best little model ever. She was a good sport and posed with Gary (a sassy little xolo) for us.

We spent the evening working with the studio set and Heidi's cute little clan. Heidi has two sphynx kitties as well as a pug, two Chihuahua's, and a xolo that occupy her home and her heart. They were incredible little models for us and did great!

The next day we all piled in Blake's 1961 Lincoln Continental and hit the park for some vintage inspired images. I tell you, that car is something else. Its quite drool worthy to say the very least. I think Blake likes it too.

We brought along Beetle Juice and Clyde (chihuahuas) in their finery for some great shots.

That evening, Heidi's friend Lee came over with her adorable pups. Saryn is a gorgeous little Chinese crested with a personality to match her sweet face and Hans is an intermediate xolo who I am pretty sure might be a human in a hairless dog suit. They did great! Saryn and Cassidy did a sweet but simple Alice in Wonderland inspired set and Hans and Gary had to pose together to show the difference in size.

It had stormed pretty bad that night but the next morning I got up early to photograph Blake and Heidi's huge koi fish in their backyard koi pond. Two of them are roughly the size of beluga whales.

It was a little chilly out, but Heidi and I headed out to photograph some of her new sweatshirt designs with Gary on the plaza and on the side wall of Blake's Westport shop just a few blocks away.

That evening I sat and edited while visiting with Heidi and Cassidy. Heidi and Blake worked on some REALLY cool new sweatshirt designs- I can't wait for her to put them up- they are AMAZING! As a team, the two of them are especially genius. Blake comes up with incredible designs, Heidi digitizes them and colors them up and just a couple hours later they are ready to wear! The detail and work that goes into them is incredible. We were up long into the night planning out what else we needed to get done, playing with Cassidy and enjoying the evening.

The next day I got up early and to business. So did Clyde, one of Heidi's Chihuahua's. I just have to say now he is the tiniest, cutest, sweetest little snot ever. Hes super cute. I photographed a bunch of Heidi's products on their own as well, and we also photographed her wildly popular Denz. For what its worth, my hounds love them as does every other hound I have ever met with them. They rock- and are so cute!

Ok, ok, I might have just tortured the pug a little bit too. Its ok, she likes it. Just ask her if she wants a greenie, or meanie, or a martini.

I will be back next month with one of our Italian Greyhounds (Mirabella) for their pet expo fashion show (and more great photography). I had a great time and I can't wait to see Heidi, Blake and Cassidy again (and the puppies and kitties too!).

At the end of the day, I was sad to go but there were puppies and a Kirk and work waiting at home for me. I will just have to enjoy the beautiful warm glow of Phoenix for now and be thankful for the great friends I have both here and a short flight away. Thanks so much for having me out for a visit- I can't wait to see you guys again soon!

As always, watch the slideshow. Its got some images omitted from the post and is in general, pretty darned cool.

Count Down to Kansas City- Product Photography for K9Closet.com!

This week is going to be one of those weeks where I barely sleep for sheer excitement. At the end of the week I will be hopping a plane (yay! I LOVE flying!) to The City of Fountains! Alright, its the mid west...or well...just the mid..but I am still excited!

Why am I so excited you may ask? I am visiting Kansas City to spend some time with my good friend Heidi of K9Closet to have some fun and do some product shots for her! She hired RedFeather Photography to help make sure her collars and awesome canine couture collections are presented as beautifully photographically as they are in person!

While I am not usually too keen on commercial product shots this is a little different. Heidi outfits my hounds (they are very fashionable little boogers) and we love her work! Not only that but shes about the sweetest person you will ever have the pleasure of talking to! We will be shooting full on campaigns with her own beautiful little models! Heidi has two gorgeous sphynx kitties, a sweet pug, two way to cute chihuahuas and a very special xolo dog. She has some great new products to launch so I am so excited to see how they are received!

I will be flying back out in April with Miss Mirabella, our 7lb Italian Greyhound to participate in the K9closet Fashion Show at the Kansas City Pet Expo (which I will be photographing)!

This is a recent shot of Mirabella done to promote Heidi's very popular (and incredibly classy) Jolie collection. They are GORGEOUS!!!


I am a little nervous about the weather for this first trip (its 90 degrees outside today here, and its hard to find warmer clothes in the Phoenix Area) and packing (always worried about forgetting stuff- doubly so when I have to pack a whole studio and take it with me!) but I am so excited to visit some place new!

I will be out of the office from Thursday night through Tuesday for this first trip. I might be a little slow to answer you via email and will have limited availability via telephone while I am out of town. Sorry about that. It will be worth it for cute puppy and kitten photos though!