This evening I was driving home from a session in traffic ... I end up pondering lots of things during this time ... its strange this evening because I have so much to think about ... this week my grandfather had a massive heart attack ... my brother and I are going to visit him this Friday in Oregon. As I await heading up to Oregon all kinds of images and smells and feelings come into my mind. My Grandpa John is the strong silent type. Many a morning my brother and I would wake up and sit at the kitchen table and watch Grandpa make us hot coco, he makes the best by the way, and if you didn't know marshmellows grow on bushes on the side of the highway ... especially over the Grapevine pass ... at least thats what we grew up thinking! He would put the three cups at the table and we would savor it together and chat...sometimes or just sit and enjoy the silence and the great coco. I can close my eyes and be there. I can see the pictures that I wish I had of those times ... our hands holding the cups of coco, my brother laughing at the occasional joke, me snuggling to grandma as he takes a sip ... the steam from the cup ......

Warm and Fuzzy

I get to do the best thing ... I get to do what I love and get money for doing it ... sometimes I lay in bed and wonder ... is this really my life? Tonight I couldn't sleep so I got up and starting catching up on some work which also means catching up on emails and I came across this email from Allie who I photographed a couple of weeks ago, later today I get to meet their new little girl Ava (I'm so super excited!)

Here is a slice of her email:

"I also wanted to thank you again for all of your patience and creativity during the maternity session. I was a little nervous beforehand, but after the first few shots, I was completely comfortable and having fun with it....what a fantastic experience! You really thought of everything and it was fun to do so many different poses, and also to know that you were catching so much that was NOT "posed". (The real moments :-) I appreciate that you were open to also trying the suggestions I had and that you never made me feel like I was imposing on your style or time. Haven't even seen the proofs, but I'm already trying to get my friends to book sessions with you, too! (Several are either expecting or have just delivered)

I cannot forget to mention possibly my favorite thing....that Lauren really, really liked you. She doesn't like photographers. Ever. (Remember that she flatly refused to take her school photos earlier that week!) So, I figured if we managed to get her in a couple of shots I'd call it a lucky day. I was thrilled that she wanted to be such a ham for you, and she's STILL talking about taking "pictures with Penny", and asking "when is Penny coming back?" She was so sad when you left!"

AWESOME!! Truly makes me feel honored to get to do what I do! Makes me all warm and fuzzy! Here are some of the fun images ...




We also did some really awesome shots that are for their eyes only ... but as you can see Allie is totally beautiful.

John and Gina

John and Gina are a BLAST! We had such fun laughing and snapping pictures during their engagement session ... I can't wait for the wedding! Here are a few pics from their session and a slideshow! Enjoy!

I met with Bob and Ester the other day for their engagement session and we had such a great time ... I can't wait for the wedding this December! Take a sneak peak at their session in the slide show below.

Gai Family ... I love photographing families ... each one has its personality and each little one has their own personalities ... recently I photographed the Gai family. In a former life I used to work with Brian ... so it was fun to get to meet his family ... here are some fun ones from the session.





I always love to win my little friends over with photographing something that they love ... here is one of those shoots ... i LOVE it!!

"50 years from now, don't you want to look back and say that you had the guts to get in the car?"

WOW ... what a quote from the Transformers movie! I love this quote! It's totally is that defining moment question, weather you leap or don't leap. Whether you have faith or don't. The last few days I've had some conversations with friends that want to follow their passion and have said "I wish I could do what you did Penny" ... I tell them ... you can ... you just got to do it!! Believe in yourself and you can do anything! You've got to have guts!!

Here are a few pics from Miss. Macys recent session ... she is just so cute ... I love photographing her!










Sweet Miss. Macy! Isn't she so so so cute!

Man! I can't believe that it's been a month since I've been home from Cabo! The schedule has been crazy ... a few great weddings since returning along with lots of portrait sessions, it's been a wild month! I haven't blogged in a while so I wanted to let everyone know I'm still alive!! I'll be posting images soon ... I promise, along with updating the portrait site ... I have a years worth of sessions to get up there! Stay tuned. Also, Monday I'm having a mini class on Lightroom for some of my photographer friends ... if it's a success ... I think I'll have more. It's full now ... just two photo buddies, we want to keep it personal and learn and share lots ... but stay tuned perhaps I'll be brave and do more!