shutter to think

domestic photography?

hmmm...all these babies & pregnant mommas had made me feel quite domestic, a far throw from my aspirations as a foreign correspondent! Now I'm ironing my backdrops for photo shoots! Here's a recent maternity shoot. A great person to shoot and had great clothes to shoot with, lots of colorful scarves, and a great fur coat. I hope that they are enjoying their album and pictures.

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Here's a couple from my best friend who is expecting any day now! I love the little Chinese outfit that i picked up at Chinatown...its says kung fu on it. hee.

Stay tune....I'm updating my website which will include more of my lifestyle photography. Also, if you can catch the local Napa Valley magazine, Inside Napa Valley, look for my ad! I'm featuring a little offer:
Book your wedding by March and receive a complimentary engagement session! I know its tough times out there, and my rates are lower then average because I am building my wedding portfolio. Especially now since I no longer work for a newspaper. Eventually, I will contribute a significant percentage of my wedding income to my documentary fund so that I can continue to work on photography projects that spread awareness on social issues. Afterall, I'm a photojournalist at heart!

mommas & babies

Last tuesday I was laid off my newspaper job -- not a sudden change in life plans, however just shy of expecting it, just not so soon, i had been preparing for the...unexpected. I began shooting my friends and small shooting gigs on the lifestyle side of my journalism. Thanks to my many pregnant momma friends, I have been able to slowly build a small maternity & baby portfolio. And, I continue to build my wedding portfolio however now, it will become my main income to support my photojournalism ambitions, because ultimately, I love doing journalism, and miss it very much. This spring I'll be making a two month trip to Mexico for a bridal shower in San Miguel de Allende,  a trip to Haiti to work on a story about hiv positive mothers who volunteer their time to educate and care for other hiv positive mothers in port-au-prince, and then later in may to help shoot a couple of weddings. The slow death of newspapers has made me think about diversifying my photography, and it has been a fun exploration, as photography is, a life-long journey.

My best friend:

Trinidad

This picture was taken with my holga.

Happy Fabulous Year!

Wishing everyone a great new year. I know the economy has been really hard on a lot of people, myself included as I embark on a new path with my photography. Be strong and don't let them bring you down! This is a time that we need to support & motivate each other, a time that we can come together as a community.

Speaking of which, I have lowered my rates (yes, its a pay cut) to accommodate those who are trying to afford such fun, luxury items like photography. I want my photography to be obtainable and affordable for you as well. My wedding, family, baby/kiddie & maternity rates will not change until the summer so if you book now you will save! I may be open to some sort of trade but that depends on what it is. Half of my rates go to directly to my photojournalism projects for this spring and summer.

And if you are feeling blue, turn on some tunes, and boogie your heart away. A little peace of mind.