shutter to think

belen

i photographed Belen the other day near Napa's Celedon restaurant. the idea was to work on my portraits as i continue to expand my photography beyond the newspaper. she was a great model and did a fabulous job for never modelling before!

some just never made it....

I photographed a democratic fundraiser for a local congressman last weekend. here are some pictures of nancy  that never made it in the paper or online. it was at sutter home. and the weather and light was just beautiful. unfortunetly the napa valley is a quiet, suburban area. there aren't very many people walking around in the valley's towns around the early evening when the light is really pretty. Not much spontenaity exists after 6pm in places like this when everyone lives their lives within the confines of their homes and backyards. And, its difficult to find that to photograph. so, i suppose you find tourists to shoot. photograph, i mean. ; )

Angora Lake

Last weekend, I made a trip with my best friend to South Lake Tahoe, for a much needed break and visit to see a long-time friend. Shannon took us up to Lake Angora, a beautiful and pristine lake near the fire that blackened the surrounding area just a year ago. Before we walked to the lake, we stopped along the Angora Ridge to see what charred remains were left of a forest. On the other side, I suppose the west side, or maybe its north, of the ridge, it was lush and Lake Tahoe glistened blue from a distance. The resort of the lake I supposed was saved. The fire didn't touch it or the lake, a miracle considering how close it was. A wildfire is a scary beast. Many of the homes that people lost are now being rebuilt. Bigger, better, and probably worth a lot more. The town is busy with construction workers and business is back to the usual. I hope to go back soon to continue shooting and working on a lifestyle portfolio for editorial work.

Baby pictures

Over the weekend, I photographed my best friend and her baby boy, Braden, for his one-year pictures. He is such a gerber face!

A Mexican Wedding

I'm trying to figure out how to embed audio slideshows....here's one I did for a project for the newspaper I work at. The story is how many Mexican-Americans go back to their hometowns, or in some cases, their parents' hometowns for Christmas and special celebrations, like a wedding.

"Aqui Somos Puro Rojo" Exhibit Closing Fiesta

Hello everyone!

My exhibit closes in two weeks. It would be great to see you!

"Aqui Somos Puro Rojo" Exhibit -
Featuring photographs mostly from the Quetzaltenango department of Guatemala.

Sunday, August 31, 2008. 4-6pm.
Ceja Tasting Salon
1248 First Street
Napa, CA 94559
(707) 255-3954
http://www.cejavineyards.com

www.liannemiltonphotography.com

tomales

on the way to dillon beach we pass by these rock formations that were probably at one time under water. its hard to imagine because we were on the peak of the hilly terrain. but the landscape is dotted with cows and climbers on the rocks.

dillon beach

nice cool day at dillon beach. the water is a little frigid but at the least the sand and sun were warm.

summer of love

Here are some pictures from the week of the same-sex marriages in June. I tried to start a documentary project for the summer, and I wanted to title it "summer of love." However, being an hour away from the city, and having a full time newspaper job took away the time i needed to invest in this project.

this picture was a very sweet moment between the couple and a mother. the other mother, not pictured, however, was very defensive to have any photographers around. she was angry and was asking all journalists to leave. she approached me and i replied, i'm a documentary photographer, as if to smooth over the difference. I also told her City Hall is a public place and explained that because it is, I have the right, and anyone for that matter, to take photographs. The love and supportive embrace is what I like about this picture.

The following two pictures were going to be the start of the project by following a family who will be marrying sometime during the summer months. I am so lucky to have met them. I just wish I was able to follow through in my word about the project. They will marry next weekend! Here, they are pictured receiving their marriage license at City Hall during the week of the same-sex marriage celebration in San Francisco in June.

more july assignments...

summer is just creepy along....but its now finally august.