UKIAH HIGH SENIOR PORTRAITS : MILES

Ohhh - Senior Portraits. If I had a wish? I would get to shoot these again & again. They are my absoulte favorite!! The excitement, the anticipations...the FUTURE. It just brings me so much joy & I am so thankful each & every time I get to work with a Graduating Senior! This time was even a little more special to me personally...we know Miles through the local Performing Arts School - a place very near + dear to our Family. I was THRILLED when he chose us to capture his pictures for him!!

Miles is pretty laid-back...he's kind & gentle...I wanted to capture that in his photos - because, as you will see in a bit - he's also positively hysterical!

 There is nothing more stunning than someone that doesn't even know how amazing they look in front of the lens...soooo handsome!

 Miles specifically picked SPACE to shoot at - it becomes a Home away from Home for their Students...

 Home away from Home - your Castle? Whatever...! OWN IT! 

(catch that? Shout-out to the Troop!)

...get back over here, silly!

 Miles - Thank you so much for the joy + laughter you have given our Family. Thank you for the time + energy you put into being the best that you can be - and, most of all - never stop reaching...growing...wanting more. It's yours for the taking, my dear...and, Momma - you've done a BEAUTIFUL job raising that young man of yours. CONGRATULATIONS to you both!!! xo

OFF TO COLLEGE : MENDOCINO COUNTY GRADUATE SESSION

Jacob was just about to leave for College a few weeks ago (he's SO ready) & Mom called me last minute to see if we could take a few shots before he headed out! As always, my 'few' turned into more than a handful, but I just couldn't help myself! Such a sweetie!! Good luck out there!!! xo

UKIAH HIGH SENIOR SESSION : ARIANNA

I'm such a blessed Photographer - this Family has some GORGEOUS ladies in it!! I first met Arianna's little Sister a couple of months ago for a few head-shots, so I knew when her Mom asked me about Senior Portraits for her older daughter - I was definitely in for a treat! They were both so easy to work with - and positively stunning!

Today was all about Arianna - she told me she's a little quiet, kinda simple & wanted her photos to be 'pretty' - I think we nailed it...!

 Who doesn't get a little giggly having a camera shoved in their face!?

I was so glad she brought those boots! Perfect for getting out to play in the field!

Next, we headed over to the High School - I wanted her to have something 20 yrs. down the road that made her feel like : hey! I remember that place!

 As we were walking out, she mentioned she didn't get a chance to put her jeans on - light's fading fast - let's do it!

Arianna, you make me smile. Such a gorgeous young lady!

That hair - those eyes - the wind - perfection.

Mommy, you've done such a great job with your Girls - I can just tell!! THANK YOU for all the hard work - you are very loved!! And, Arianna - I know Graduation is RIGHT around the corner. I'm so glad we found the time to get these done for you! I wish you an AMAZING journey into Adulthood + I look forward to seeing what this World has in store for you!! xo

ANNIE Jr : SPACE : SCHOOL OF PERFORMING ARTS & CULTURAL EDUCATION

Allow me introduce you to the adorable + amazing cast of ANNIE, Jr.!!

(don't miss it Jan. 18 ~ Feb. 1 at the SPACE Theatre!)

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of catching up with these bright, young people in our Community to take a few Headshots...what fun!! I can't even count how many times I was calling out from the computer as I worked : "These kids just make me SMILE!!" ...and, I haven't even seen the show yet!! "-)

No one can prepare you for how Life changes once you have a child. To put it simply ~ EVERYTHING changes!

One of the most wonderful things? Getting to enjoy our World through their eyes! It's quite different than anything I could have ever imagined!

For us? That includes a whole lot of Theatre - - Acting, Singing, Dancing. Our daughter loves it all! There's always a Production taking place over here! In fact, just yesterday, we spent a few hours with a total stranger who kept insisting we get her into an Art school...yes, yes ~ we know!

We've been fortunate enough to include her in the local SPACE program from an early age  - and, watching her joy/love of the Theatre blossom has been positively heart-warming.

While recently attended the amazing production of "The Wizard of Oz" presented by the Ukiah Players Theatre - I sat there with tears in my eyes. Really.

My heart beamed as our daughter gushed from the front row. She was wearing her own little, ruby red-slippers + snuggling tight to her stuffed Flying-monkey (yup! They make those!), as she listened intently - smiling from ear to ear - while 'Dorthy' sang her beautiful heart out. It was pretty spectacular.

I left feeling like I needed to give back - somehow.

Performers spend SO much of their time (their parents, too!) + energy bringing each Production to life. Many of them performing in different shows time & time again!

So, during our very next dance class, I asked SPACE if I could have the honor of shooting their next Cast. To give something back, to show my appreciation for all that they do + the joy they bring to our Family.

THANK YOU to all the amazing people that share their love of the Theatre with us & for allowing me the opportunity to show my appreciation!! xo

And here's a little sneak-peek of what we get to watch from the Larsen couch ~ especially after we've just returned home from one of your WONDERFUL Productions...! "-)

UKIAH HIGH SENIOR PORTRAITS : BRIAN

Growing up, Leslie was 'that girl' I always wished I could be. She was tall, beautiful & had a laugh that could turn heads from across the room.

She & I have been friends since we were about 10. Basketball started in 5th Grade & we were part of the 'Tall Girls'...the 'Amazons' as we were later labeled.

We spent a lot of time together during Middle School - she lived in this big, beautiful home with her gorgeous Mom - and, I admired the respect she & her mother seemed to have for one another...they were friends. Something I have always wished for in my own Life.

Fast Forward several years & a handful of our friends were already starting Families. I remember stopping by with armloads of treats for Baby Brian & just wondering how Leslie was able to manage being a real, life MOM already!? Our giant, Alaskan Malamute had me overly busy! hee hee

Eventually, we both landed in Ukiah ~ and now have children the same age...! She gets to do all the fun, Teen stuff - - AND wrangle Elementary tots!! I'm still in Mother-hood amazement!

We've seen baby Brian grow into a young man over the years & I've told Leslie all along - those Senior Portraits are 'mine'!! He's always been so gentle - so handsome - and sooo photogenic. I'm honored she wouldn't have it any other way!!

So, enough about me (my Husband & daughter are both razzing me as I read this out loud "When does it start talking about BRIAN?!" LOL!!) - let's take some Pictures!!

We started at my favorite spot - - my backyard barn...

Brian is so easy to work with! 

Mom had mentioned she really wanted some photos with these amazing Fall colors we have right now...

Right about this time, looking thru my lens, I just had to mention to Brian that I couldn't believe how totally GROWN UP he is...his reply? "I know! It's gone by SO fast!" I almost started crying...lip bite!

From a Boy...to a Man...

Brian shared with me his plans for his future. They're huge. 

They're obtainable & they're RIGHT around the corner!! 

Leslie has done wonderfully raising this amazing gentleman - and, of course, managed to remain that tall, beautiful Woman I remember from decades ago...with that same laugh I can hear a mile away.

We love you guys & I hope you enjoy these images as a gift from our Family to yours ~ that will continue to represent our Friendship for many years to come! xo

...stay tuned ~ we just might be meeting up again soon when that Lettermen's Jacket comes in - and don't forget your Homecoming King Crown, kiddo!! "-)