shutter to think

Expecting parents

It was such perfect timing to photograph an old high school classmate and her partner before I left for my se asia trip as she was due only weeks after. Through facebook, I found out the Jenny was expecting, so I quickly contacted her to see if she would be interested in some family portraits in exchange for a sign model release that i can use for my stock collection. She and her partner participate in Burning Man every year so I wanted to photograph them wearing something that reflect their bohemian lifestyle.

philanthropic love

Naomi Lawler, 34, an American expat living in San Miguel de Allende, originally from Wisconsin by way of San Diego, dedicates her weekends to two orphaned sisters, Angeles and Elena. She has been a host mother to the girls, whose ages are around 5 and 8-years-old, for nearly two years.

“I feel that everyday they are integrating and its complimentary because it expands their minds to understand various cultures,” said Madre Chuy, Mother Superior of Casa Hogar Santa Julia. There are four nuns who care for 40 girls at the San Julia de Hogar, where the sisters live during the week.

The city of San Miguel de Allende has a population of about 60,000 residents and is one of the wealthiest cities in Mexico. Nearly 8,ooo expats from mostly America, Canada, England, and Australia live in the city and boasts 130 non-profit organizations supported by grants and donations from the expat community. Virtually no funding comes from the Mexican government. 75% of expats are retired and live on fixed incomes.

Surfer Portraits

I'm working on a storyboard about a little surf town in Mexico and got distracted in making these images of local surfers for the blog to share. These guys have seen their little fishing village transform over the past 10 yrs to a tourist destination. And now, themselves have gained a little from the tourism, such as providing a business teaching surfing, or taking surfers out on charter boats, and family business of restaurants and bars.

Burro -

Tigre -

Jose Luis -

Chile -

Tarzan -

Lovely little summer wedding

I photographed a little wedding in Yountville, Ca., a few weeks ago and here are a couple of my favorites. They were a very sweet couple.

An afternoon at the farm in Fremont

A recent shoot of my best friend and her family in Fremont. I've known Stephanie since high school, well over 15 years ago. Its been a blessing that I've been around to see her through her pregnancies and to be "Auntie LiLi" to her children.

cuties

My friend Jenny's adorable son that i photographed for a family portrait -

And my best friend's son being so good and standing so still for this old hasselblad -

Fall in Napa

Upvalley and Carneros

Family and a happy dad

pictures from an old hasselbald

I recently began shooting with an old hasselblad. Its been an interesting adventure. my pace of shooting is definitely slower. which is nice. i love the sounds of this camera. now i just have to shoot better with it. its like seeing new all over again. anyway, here are my trials: