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

INTENSITY DANCEFEST 2014 : SPACE

I knew when the announcement was made that SPACE would be holding a Street Fusion Dance Intensive this Summer, that it would be something phenomenal! What I wasn't expecting was to see so many of our favorite local faces up on stage rocking it together! YAY!!

From Contemporary to Hip-Hop, with a little rockabilly + more, this group of new + seasoned Performers put on a most FANTASTIC show yesterday! The most amazing thing? It was INTENSIVE - - just 5 days of non-stop commitment to bring something memorable to the stage...they more than delivered!

THANK YOU one + all for each of your exhausting moments...achy + overworked bodies...the sweat-filled days - - you guys were AMAAAAZING!!! I so hope we get the chance to see this put together again next year! 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...! "-)