UKIAH VALLEY CELEBRATION : DANIELA'S QUINCEANERA

A few weeks back, I was asked to take a quick snap-shot of Daniela for her upcoming 15th Birthday Celebration. Of course, one look at her & I knew I couldn't just stop at one! Soooo adorable...and sweet...just perfect...what a fun dress!! Let's shoot!

Wishing you a PHENOMENAL Birthday ~  and many magical years ahead!! xo

UKIAH HIGH SENIOR SESSION : LITTLE EMILY : CLASS OF 2013

THIS is our Little Emily!! We love her - - and, she's a very VERY important part of our Family...

We 1st met Emily a few yrs ago. Looking for someone local to help us out with Babysitting, I posted on my personal FaceBook page for some help. Although we've been in the Community for 10 yrs now - we don't have any Family here in Ukiah, so trusting someone with THE most precious cargo we have can be a bit scary!

And, Wedding Babysitting isn't quite the same as a quick 'Date-Night'. (I've heard about those...sounds dreamy!) For a Wedding? You never know when you might see this Mom & Dad again...we could be gone 4 hrs - - it might be 12. We needed someone up for just about anything...

Viola! In walks THE best Sitter EVER! ...and we are so very Thankful for that! To have the opportunity to do what we do & know everything is fine back at home...that our daughter is having a blast with all the fun Crafts piled up here + perfectly safe.

It's been over a year ago now - but, as Emily was getting ready to start her Sr year of High School,  I asked her if we'd be lucky enough to take Photos for her. I was thrilled & couldn't wait!

We went ahead & just met at our house here in town. It was a super blustery day with unpredictable Weather changing minute to minute - but, with Graduation just 1 month away & us busy every other Weekend - I decided to just go for it! "-)

Next, we headed to the Park for a change of scenery...I really could've shot photos of her all day...sooo stunning!!! xo

Emily was sooo very patient with us...our Daughter insisted she needed to participate in this particular photo-shoot & kept running in for hugs + instructing Emily with her own poses nearly every shot. While Mommy was ready to call it a wrap for the little one early on...I also wanted her to be able to participate & express her own 'vision'...since she never gets to see what we do 1st hand at Weddings - - & she positively ADORES Emily...who will be leaving us here very soon!

Sweetie, as you head off into this World to make a Life all your own - I just know you have been given the foundation to make this World a better place for us all...even if it's just having had known you. Your gentle spirit + your kind heart shimmer & glow. THANK YOU for sharing it with us & our Family!!

For that - - these images are our gift to you...from our heart...with love...

Congratulations Graduates & Class of 2013!! xo

UKIAH HIGH SENIOR SESSION : MASON : CLASS OF 2013

Ohhhh - - every time I get to 'play' with Teens, I wish I had the opportunity to do it again day after day!!! Last nights' shoot was a little more special since I also shot Mason's older Sister a couple yrs back - and she was home from School this weekend to help us out! So fun!

We started out at the Family Property in Hopland....with his entire entourage looking on! "-)

His Family has this amazing, little Pool oasis right next to their house...so jealous!! Oh - and it was a perfect place for photos, too! hee hee

Once the sun was settled behind the hills, we headed back into Town for a few more backdrops.

If you listen closely, I'm sure you can all hear the laughter & teasing billowing from the car as everyone looked on...?

Awww ~ that adorable Sister I mentioned earlier!!

Oh yes...there they are...the Entarouge. The boys. The 'A Team'!

Thank you to everyone that hung out with me today! Had a blast!

And, Mason! Congratulations on your upcoming Graduation!!! 

Have fun, enjoy every moment & just know ~ it all goes by way too fast...just ask Mom! xo

BRIAN : UKIAH HIGH SENIOR PORTRAITS : HOPLAND

It's been a VERY long time since I've taken my own Senior Portraits...2012 marks 20 yrs to be exact! I recall heading to an indoor Studio in a ladies' home out in the Albion area somewhere...not sure, exactly, what to expect.

I'd actually NEVER taken professional photos of me - outside of those silly School ones in the gym!

With a couple horrific outfits in tow...a positively scary hair-style done up...the rest is now documented for all eternity! I'm sure some of you out there still have that photo-copied Wallet picture floating around somewhere...as I just couldn't afford to order many from the Photographer herself...wow...times have changed!

Now? We have FUN! Well, maybe I'm the one having all the fun - - but, it's GREAT!!

An extra special THANK YOU to Brian & his mom, Debbie, for sharing the day with me! We 1st met back in June of 2011 when Niels & I shot his big-sisters GORGEOUS Wedding at Brutocao Cellars! So, for me, it's really fun to get to see each other again & feel like part of the Family! Baby Brian's all grown up! xo

Sorry it was sooo cold out...77' on Fri...58' on Sat!? Who knew? But, THANK YOU for being such a Trooper!

Oh! Heck...for those of you just dying to see...here's mine! Go Timberwolves! "-)

Ms Alissa : Ukiah High Senior Portraits : Class of 2012

We all have our Comfort Zone...right? Perhaps it's at the pinnacle of the Roller Coaster - or hanging out holding all the bags with me on the ground...(yup! wussssyyy!)

In Photography, I refer to it as our 'Niche'.

I often suggest you find what you really excel at - wether it's Commercial, Landscape, Families, Babies, Weddings, etc. - and put your focus there. I believe it's the best way to insure your Clients are getting the best quality product & that you'll fully 'rock it'.

With that said - I've often shied away from Portrait work.

(Which always means Maternity & Newborns MUST meet with Photography by Hollie Nass. Not only does she excel at it - she PERFECTED it!!)

But, I have dabbled in it from time to time between Weddings. What makes it all the more amazing every time I actually do? The People. My Clients. I love them.

Alissa was BEAUTIFUL & fun - always laughing - up for anything! Makes me wonder what the heck I've been shying away from all this time - is it always THIS easy!? xoxo

I'm so glad I went a little out of my Comfort Zone (again) - it allowed for me to meet one of the sweetest young Ladies & make a new friend! THANK YOU, dahling!! xo

(PS - LOOOVE your Sr Yr - and all your friends...enjoy every moment 'cause before you know it...it's time for that 20 yr Reunion & you're staring in the mirror going 'wha-whaat!?')