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sweet love

It's sort of a joke among my friends ..."you must take tons of photographs of your kids ... right?"
One would think! But I've really had to make an effort to stop and capture those moments that I most cherish.

This past weekend my family was in San Francisco and I was able to grab these ... Mason and Isabel were so good the whole weekend! We got a surprise visit from Grandma and Grandpa ... which was so so touching ...

What?! You put decaf in the coffeemaker!!!

It was a normal day at the Sylvia house. I stumbled out of bed ... straight to the coffee maker for a cup of joe ... ummmm ... joe, my good friend. I check emails, get things moving in the work flow ... you know ... nothing unusual here ...

Tony comes home from work ... we are chatting about the day ... I express how tiered I am ... see, I'm a two - to - three cup a day coffee gal .... I had three cups today ... I should be zippy as normal ... as we continue our usual conversation, how was work today ... hummm ... yep, the kids were good today ... what's for dinner ...... then Tony says .... oh, I need to run to the store, I got decaf instead of regular coffee!!!! WOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWW ... stop the presses! WHAT?! Decaf! No wonder ... I've been functioning on fumes today!!!

I never thought I was addicted ... until today!

Mason and Isabel are ham bones when it comes to the camera and I love it! It's only been a recent development, which I'm sure surprises you all! My kids have always been the ones that say, "no photos, please" ... only not quite that nice! You'd think that they were followed by the paparazzi ... no, that's just mom! But recent developments have made me proud ... I often hear "mom, can we do the photo booth thing on the computer?" or "mom, get the camera ... follow me" ... how precious is that?!

I had to share these two ... as I was packing for San Francisco this past Thursday they asked me to grab the camera and follow them ...

LOVE ... it is my passion to capture it.

I was honored today to photograph the Chou family ... with 4 generations all together! How awesome is that?!!

The Chou family was so gracious and kind ... reflecting as I often do on my drive back home I remembered the photograph of my grandparents that I keep on my nightstand and smiling at knowing that they had been married for so so many years ... I remember my grandmother saying that "some people don't live as long as we've been married Penny Marie" ... I remember chuckling when she said that thinking 'okay... grandma' ...you know in that young teenage way...

Now I think of them and reflect how true that was and how honored I feel to be a part of capturing families and images that mean so much. Thank you Chou family.

Being six is an amazing time in life ... life is so fresh ... so bright ... and full of love at six. When I met Toby and his family yesterday that is exactly what I was thinking as I was driving home from the shoot ... how true we can show our love at six. As soon as I met Toby ... I felt his warm heart ... so so so sweet ... Now ... 9 ... Nine is a great age too ... Toby's brother is so talented ... art abounds the house which this young talent has created and I was serenaded as I was leaving to a amazing piano melody! I had so much fun meeting this family and capturing the love they have for each other. I really love the image above ... let me add that at 6 ... kissing mom and dad is cool ... at 9 ... a little more coaxing is involved ... ;-)

Elaine ... mom ... is part of the Down Syndrome Information Alliance and I had the opportunity to look at their site and one of the things that as a mom I thought was so awesome is they have a group to meet others whose lives are affected by Down Syndrome ... I thought ... what a wonderful resource for parents. Check it out ... Also, they have a big event coming up ...

Buddy Walk *Featuring Chris Burke!*
Saturday, October 4 | Southside Park, Sacramento

Honestly, there are photo sessions that are hilarious, there are photo sessions that are crazy fun, sessions where I'm handed 'buggies', session where belly laughs abound ... and then the unexpected ... a session that moves me in a way that I never expected. I'm a cry er ... anything sentimental gets me ... every time someone wins a Gold in the Olympics I end up crying because I know that great sacrifice came to get that win and the person has achieved such victory ... LOVE IT! But I have to say that it is rare that I feel moved ... changed in someway.

Yesterday, was a day that, like many other, started with craziness in the a.m. (I do have two little ones of my own) and then an early photo session. This session was with my friend Jennifer who I've photographed many times ... she has three beautiful boys and a handsome husband ... and let me just say that Jennifer is so darn cute herself ... they are easy subjects!

I got to photograph Jennifer for a Kidaround article ... again nothing unusual or strange about that. This session was of just Jenn and her youngest for a very special issue ... which you'll have to grab when you get a chance September 1 ....

ANYWAY, after I took this image ... I looked at the back of my camera and tears welled in my eyes .... this image just moves me ... and moves me in a way I don't even think I can get out in words ... I'm thankful that I was able to create and blessed that I actually make a living at it ... not only to share with Jennifer but to feed my soul ... it amazes me that sometimes in the simple things there is such power.

It was official, now that Princess Ruby is 5, the King and Queen of the castle agreed, she could invite Princess Ariel and all the other princess' of the land over for a party to celebrate ... and celebrate they did!

Last weekend My brother TJ, his fiancee, Megan and I got together for an engagement session and had a great time. I tell you, the two of them have personality ... and peek at the photo below ... who can do that? CRAZINESS!



seriously, I made my brother do that a few times, just because I could not believe my eyes! My brother is 6'8" and Megan is 6'3" or 6'5" !!




This was too funny too, at the reception they are doing a little personal touch at each of the tables ... this is one of the images ... I can't show you them all ... but I can tell you ... there are sure to be laughs and dinner conversation at the tables!

I love this image ... I love the bike in the background ... silly I know ... but I'm obsessed with bikes right now ...
stay tuned ... their wedding is in October and I'm shooting it!

Happy Anniversary Turners

It happens to me a lot, I meet my clients through other clients who have become my friends and then I'm blessed again with another friend. Such is the case with the Turners who just celebrated their 5th anniversary. What better way than take some fun family photos! I always enjoy getting together with them ... Thank you guys for letting me be a part of your celebration!

berry pickin'

The sign read "no berries allowed in picnic area until purchased", we walked by and sorta giggled ... do you think they know we were sampling as we were pickin'? No doubt they must know ... he-he-he ... we just covered our mouths and looked at each other with eyes meeting each others and silly smiles .... he-he-he ...

Last week we we berry picking and it was so so so yummy, errr, I mean fun, yeah fun! We picked so many berries that I'm sure we could be grubbin on berry pie for weeks if it was all we ate for dinner! The squeels from the vines were priceless "Ah, Mom ... this one is totally juicy" Mason haulered and "Man, Mom, this one is HUUUUGE!" Isabel gleefully announced.

Here are some pics of our fun ...

Quite Contrary

Oh my! I have to say that the fashion shoot for Quite Contrary Clothing was so very fun! These kids were so full of life and they loved the clothes, which made it even more fun ... I have to give an extra special shout out to Rebecca and Mary of Stems. Honestly, their hospitality was way over and beyond! Their store is beautiful and their personalities the same. They were truly lovely. If you are looking for flowers for any event ... I tell you ... they are your girls!

Here are some of my favorites from the shoot ... all the kids were so so so great ... I love them so much!

There are a bunch of them ... I just couldn't resist!! Enjoy!

Max and Mokie

I don't know what it is really about dogs that I love so much! I LOVE them. Maybe it's the whole unconditional love, always happy go lucky ... wet nose thing ... who knows ... but honestly they are so great! I absolutely love photographing them! I really feel like I'm playing.

Sunday, Max and Mokie came over and we did a surprise shoot for their human mom ... here are some of my fav's ... Aren't the doggies beautiful!

little miss. audra

Every time I visit Miss. Audra she gets more and more cute! I'm telling you ... it's so fun! I got to play in the backyard with Audra recently and then it was getting a little close to dinner time so we went inside and she got a little snack ... she really really wanted that artichoke!!

nicole and wesley

Yesterday's wedding was so so so much fun! Parting until midnight ... Nicole and Wesley had such a beautiful event. At their families winery in Apple Hill, the evening was a perfect summer evening.

Here a are few images from the day ... more to come in a slideshow ...

OK .... soooooo I have to share something so sweet it makes me cry ... I cry at EVERYTHING ... really, but this touched my heart right to the core.

This evening, Mason, the same little boy who said (very loudly ... I might add) while waiting in line at Nordstrom ... and I quote "You are a bad mommy" , told me as I was tucking him in to bed ... "Mommy, you are so preeeetty" ... OH MY GOSH ... I'm in love!!!

I hope I remember that moment for the rest of my life ... it was just so cute to hear him say that with his cute little smile ...

photos like the dentist

OK ... Sooooo, I don't love the dentist ... I have a great one ... but I don't like going ... AND ... I don't like getting my picture taken ...which is kinda funny being as my passion is taking photographs ... it is rare that I'm in a photograph without my tongue sticking out or a funny face ... I just like being goofy and then when the camera is in front of me ... well ... it just brings out goofy ... you know???!

This past weekend I did a fashion shoot for Quite Contrary and Georgina ... who is near and dear to me grabbed some photos while I was working ...which I was actually thankful for ... but it was still painful!!! Enjoy! I'll post some of my images shortly.

moms workshop announcement

Hot dog! It's finally here! I'm so super excited about this! Many of you have asked both photographers and moms if I was going to do a workshop and I kept saying that its in the works ... well my friends ... it's here!!! This first workshop is designed specifically for moms ... not professional photographers ... the photographers workshop will be announced shortly ... I promise!!!

So .... are you ready .....

The moms photography workshop is Saturday, September 27th. Registration is $99 which will include your lunch. Please email me at penny@pennysylvia.com to register and get more information.

summer sanders

Finally! The new issue of Kidaround is out and I can blog about my wonderful trip to Manhattan Beach to photograph Summer Sanders ... who, by the way, is super sweet...which I'm sure if you've met her before is no surprise.

One of the reasons I was excited to photograph Summer was because she is from Sacramento and we are around the same age ... so my best friend from high school, Jenny, who swam competitivly in high school knew who she was ... so Jenny thought it was pretty cool that I got to meet her ;-) as did I! Also, Manhattan Beach rocks and I would move there in a heart beat ... the place just buzzes of wonderful beach life and I've never seen so many volley ball nets in my life on the beach!

Summer's dad was at the house and he was so so so nice and warm hearted ... he made me feel right at home ... he came down to the beach with us to help with the stoller ... we got a great photo of him on his cell phone and pulling the stroller in the sand, all the while with a burp cloth over his shoulder ... like every good grandpa! I love that photo!

Anyway, the trip was awesome and so was Summer! Who I have to say has the most fabulous arms ... when I'm at the gym I envision that one day, soon, I'll have those kick butt arms!!!

Thanks so much Summer!

vacation slowly ending...

It's the last night of our wonderful vacation at "Da Big House" and it has been so great! We really just hung out and had a nice time ... hence I haven't been blogging or really working this past week ... I promise once we return lots of fun updates are one their way.

Now, I'm off to watch a movie with the honey and enjoy the evening.

the present

There are many things that I love, big dogs, chocolate ice cream, warm jeans from the dryer, belly laughs, children's giggles and movie quotes ....

We recently took the kids to see Kong Fu Panda, which is a kick butt movie ... the animation, the colors ... oh my! It rocks! Mason was signing the song all the way to the theatre and home! Really great.... I bring this up because I've been doing a lot of reflecting lately and there was a quote that I really thought hit the nail on the head in so many ways for me ...

"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift ... that is why they call it the present"

I LOVE THAT!

sexy

The other day I got to photograph Ms."A" for a hot mama shoot and it was so fun! Now, I can't share them all with you ... but this one ... I love it! I absolutely LOVE the 1940's and the nostalgia of black and white grainy film ... oh-la-la! This image grabs that for me ... many that we shot did ... I'm so excited to share the rest with Ms. "A"!

peep-a-boo Ana

Oh my! I had so much fun with my little friend Ana! She is too cute! Here are some of my favorites... I just love photographing her because she is so full of life! I love her smiles and when her mommy and daddy sing to her she dances so cute!!!

What a week!!

This past week I booked a wedding that I'm so excited about I can't stand it ... I love color and I've wanted to photograph a Chinese wedding for as long as I can remember! I'm photographing my first this coming October and I'm so excited! The bride is so wonderful. We hit it off instantly! She is so kind and beautiful ... I honestly have the most wonderful people in my life! Today she sent me this quote ...

A picture is the expression of an impression. If the beautiful were not in us, how would we ever recognize it.

-Ernst Haas

I'm so honored to work with such wonderful people who love and value the art of photography.

I also got to goto Manhattan Beach and photograph the fabulous Summer Sanders! Summer is so sweet ... I felt like I was part of the gang while I was there. And her arms totally rock! I crave to have arms like Summers! Look for the next issue of Kidaround in July to catch some of the images.

And I got to meet a most wonderful family of three little girls this evening where the hugs were non stop! It was awesome! I love hugs! I honestly can't get enough of them! Thank you.

I suppose tonight I'm sorta in a personal paradise as I reflect on the week and think ... wow, when you really love what you do ... you are blessed. I work with the most wonderful people, and I get to do the most wonderful job ever ... because truly I don't work ... I enjoy life and I happen to get to feed my family with the art that I love .... how awesome it that?!!

Lunch at Manhattan beach

Relaxin' before a shoot!

Meet Max

Yesterday I got to hang out with Max and his family and we had a great time. Max has an awesome backyard with great furniture ... so we had fun putting Max in all kinds of chairs! My favorite was in the bedroom with him M! Max is such a happy baby ... instantly when I met him my heart was warmed by his sweet smile ... and lots and lots more sweet smiles that followed! He is such a sweetheart and his parents were super too!

back to school

Last Wednesday Isabel got to host the family to her back to school night and she was so excited! She was so nervous ... it was really cute. The Kindergarten class was giving a concert and she really had the jitters like I've never seen before ... so to take her mind off it a bit ... she got some lip gloss on ... sassy shoes and we went out front to do a mini shoot ... above is a collage ... I just love these! I threw the feet in because she just loves ... I mean loves those shoes and they do not look comfortable in the least and yet she wears them everywhere!!!

Haley and Jeff

Oh my ... I had such a good time hangin' with Haley and Jeff! They had a vision of incorporating local public murals in their engagement session and it was so fun! Sacramento is so colorful ... it was really great to capture that color and their love!

If you click on the image above you can see a slideshow from their engagement session!

I also had the honor of meeting Finn ... their most awesome cat and I'm in love ... I had to come home and tell my cat Harris I've been cheating because Finn was just too cool!

He, of coarse, got to get photographed too!

Hot Spring Nights

Oh my goodness! Let me just say it was so HOT Friday! Not only the weather ... but Torrey and Calli are so cute, fun and loving ... I had such a good time photographing them Friday ... while we were melting!

We started off grabbing a cocktail and then we were off to brave the heat. One of the highlights was as we were walking by the train tracks we heard the train, we were sorta joking about it and then there it was ... I nabbed a few as they smooched and the train passed ...... so romantic.

Click on the image about to view a slide show of my favorites from the evening .... Enjoy! I can't wait for the beautiful wedding in September!

Dante & Erin

Part two of Dante & Erin's engagement session ... I tell you ... these two are so super sweet! They totally entertained my ... oh, oh, let's stop here ... or hummmmm, where are those great doors I saw yesterday? They are so fun!