Los Angeles Earthquake

This afternoon, there was an earthquake with a 5.8 magnitude in the L.A area.
L.A. is far from home, but my dad is there this week for meetings and briefings for his job. See the article here

He called us and said he was OK and his building was earthquake proof... but that the building swayed back and forth quite a bit! His staff / local members there said it was one of the worst they've ever experienced there.

I've lived in the Midwest my whole life (Born in New Braunfels, TX, lived in Biloxi Mississippi, Rantoul / Ludlow Illinois, Whitman Air Force Base, Knob Knoster, Smithton, Raymore, Lee's Summit, and Blue Springs, Missouri, (GEESH! That's ALOT of moving... and we're not even in the military!) So I'm used to storms and tornadoes... But earth quakes?! Yikes!

CNN Live was showing live (obviously) footage of the streets and it was like they were turning into mud pits and water was coming up. CRAZY!

In the footage some people were just going about the lives like nothing was going on... while others were totally freaking out. I guess that's how you know who the locals and who the out-of-towners are.

Last week Dad was in Washington D.C. and had quite the adventure there too. I say, "no more adventures, come home!"

To the Theatre!

Paul and I (well, mainly I) bought season passes to Starlight Theatre in Kansas City. We'll be joining friends and family for a fun night out under the stars! Tonight is Music Man. I've never seen it, but Paul was in the play in high school. I'm practically dragging him. It will be soooo much fuunnnn!!!! He just rolls his eyes at me. lol.

Too bad! ;)

Bright Eyes : Kira is 6 months!

I met Tamara and Justin through my friends, Dustin, Lora and Maya!

Kira did such a great job! She wasn't feeling well at all... and Tamara would probably say that's an understatement. But you can't tell from these photos! Here big eyes shined right through! We were so proud of her.

I love to shoot babies in available / natural light because it just lights up their whole face... and especially their eyes. We started out outdoors... but it made little Kira squint. So we moved things inside.. and POP! she cheered right up.

What a personality!!!!


She was looking at daddy in this shot. I'm pretty sure she'll get whatever she wants from him with these big eyes!!!


And this face... Just MELTS me!



Thanks so much guys for choosing me to be a part of Kira's 6 month b-day!

Dina & Brenden

It's not often that the first time you meet someone... they're wearing nothing but a towel.

I had the pleasure of shooting with the fun and fabulous Josh Solar recently! And NO, he was NOT the one in the towel.

Dina, the beautifully stunning bride, was super nice and so easy to work with... Maybe that's why Josh knew he could leave me to handle the "girls getting ready" part on my own ; )

Upon entering their hotel room, I was warmly greeted by Dina's sister-in-law and her step mom. As we were talking about the day ahead and getting to know each other, Dina popped out of the bathroom, all smiles, in nothing but a towel! They all squealed about how beautiful she was... I have to admit, she was glowing!!! After we met everyone started buzzing around and Dina quickly slipped into her dress with the help of her wonderful ladies!

Dina must be blessed with the gift of craftiness! She MADE her hairpiece! SOOOO GORGEOUS. And you have to love her body-hugging gown. GEEZ!







*bling*



Everyone was ready early, so the girls decided to cruise around in the limo with some champaign... and let me just say this. What happened in that limo, stays in the limo!!!




An operatic voice sang out as Dina walked down the aisle. Does Brenden look happy or WHAT?

Caption for bottom right photo: "With this thing I the we... Wait, what do I say?!"








"look'n all model-y" as Josh would say! ;)




I love the simplicity of this shot...



Jenny's shoes were pretty tough to fill... Thanks Josh for letting me try! :) (Jenny is Josh's lovely wife who usually shoots with him... her baby was about to pop out that day, so it was best she stayed home.) Say hi to the new baby for me!!!!


Claire