MaryAnn Ashley Bever Photography

In the Grasslands

2011-08-30T10:58:00.000-07:00

Austin's Graduation Announcement; San Diego High School Senior Photographer

2011-06-06T06:16:00.001-07:00

I had a great time meeting and photographing Austin earlier in the year. He's an old soul, cordial and really funny. I felt like I was hanging out with a friend.

Recently, I put together his graduation announcement (some of the info has been changed - obviously). It was so fun working on creating something fun and fresh.

With summer just around the corner, I'm feeling like there is going to be a needed season of fun and fresh for me and the family.

Happy Monday!

Spring Portraits

2011-04-06T08:42:00.000-07:00

Shy?

2011-03-07T12:28:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe this one was my shy one. She always wanted to be in the sling, hardly looked at people, and would only go to a limited few as a baby. Oh, and did she cry. Leave her in the nursery at church -waaaaaaaaa -how about with a babysitter -waaa?waa?wa?wa! - at the gym -waaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!! (ok, I didn't even try that one until she was three).

Then she started preschool - cute little summer program, she didn't cry the first day or even the first week. When fall came, she was seasoned and slowly we started to see her crawl out of her shell. She is so happy in the company of her peers. With kindergarten heading our way this fall, I'm sad & excited.

January in Coronado

2011-01-31T12:25:00.000-08:00

Lauren & Trevor : San Diego Wedding : The Prado, Balboa Park

2010-12-17T11:24:00.000-08:00

Venue: The Prado
Wedding Coordinator: Sally Davis
DJ: Artistic Productions
Flowers: Botanic Allure
Cake: Flour Power
Makeup: Brian Bond of Foxxy Roxxy Make-Up

Who would've guessed a rainy day would end so gloriously!

Full of Cups

2010-11-14T08:09:00.000-08:00

I was at Extraordinary Desserts yesterday waiting for a client, just relaxing sipping a cappuccino, taking random shots. The sky light was casting beautiful moody light everywhere. I've been wanting a sky light in my kitchen for a while. It's tough to put that project on the budget priority, but some day my kitchen will light up the house.

I didn't realize all my random shots were of cups or containers until later. My cup is full theses days. Full of transitions, full of tragedy, full of pace, full of hope, full of gratefulness... a season of fullness.

Sonja & Dave

2010-08-19T08:24:00.001-07:00

I met Sonja while teaching Kindergarten at few years back. We've spent our share of Friday nights at the Bunco table too. That's where the stories would come. Stories of traveling, stories of dating, the stories of life.

When the story of Dave arrived, there was a definite excitement.

Happy Marriage Sonja & Dave!

A {V}ery Delightful Family Session

2010-05-24T12:12:00.001-07:00

Mother's Day 2010

2010-05-11T14:21:00.001-07:00

Mother's Day began on Friday with a sweet little tea at Blake's preschool. She sang the cutest songs, and we sat in the warm sun and enjoyed our afternoon together.

She is my adventurer indeed. Her Mother's Day Card included appreciation for all the places I take her, like Yosemite & Mount Laguna. Her company is engaging, quizzical and layered with detail.

Brookie is our family stylist. She uses the term "stylish" almost daily & refuses to wear anything that is remotely "boyish". I'll never forget the day she looked at me using blue dish washing gloves and remarked, "mom, do those match your outfit?"

On Mother's Day morning, Robbie brought me breakfast on the couch (my favorite).
Okay it wasn't halibut, but a heavenly egg & avocado quesadilla. We ate the halibut a month ago. He's such a sweetie and takes good care of me (extra good care when conditions are good for spearfishing).

Later on my mom & dad came down for church and then off to lunch. It's always challenging for me to "pick" the restaurant. My parents are serious connoisseurs. We never eat a meal without them both trying to figure out the ingredients and giving their rating. Fortunately the Banana Leaf in Hillcrest has incredibly savoury food. The service, not so savoury.

My mom is always rather stoic in photos. I had to tell her to imagine that my dad was a China Man (which he is) trying to kidnap her from Korea. There's the smile.

Wow, guess that's a long enough post. Hoping you had a wonderful weekend & Mother's Day too.

Shalyn & Anthony

2010-04-28T14:35:00.000-07:00

Can a couple be more stylish?

Mother's Day Mini Sessions

2010-04-01T10:27:00.001-07:00

Mother's Day is around the corner. I'll be offering a few Mini Sessions so you can get some fun pictures for you and your mother, mother in-law, grandmother . . . auntie. . . Okay, you get the idea.

Here are the dates, times & locations:

Balboa Park ~ Saturday, April 10 {AM} 8:45; 9:30; 10:15
Balboa Park ~ Sunday, April 11 {PM} 4:45; 5:30; 6:15
Windansea Beach ~ Saturday, April 17 {PM} 6:15 & 6:45

Mini Sessions are 30 minutes long. You'll pick 15 of your favorite images from an online gallery. The high resolution images will be sent to you on a CD, with full copyright release. The session fee is $150.

This year, I will be collaborating with Katie Leon of Dots One of a Kind Glass Gems. We will be offering a combination of her custom square glass neclace piece & Mini Session for $185. The neclace piece is offered in black and white and what a perfect gift for yourself or mother.

A Little Love in Little Italy - SD Photog Shootout

2010-03-30T16:43:00.000-07:00

Kind of funny how the guy in the background is enjoying the kiss too:)

We were lucky to find this blue wall - nothing like contrast.

Time permitting, I'll be back blogging away. Miss everyone & hope to visit soon.

Dots

2010-02-25T18:23:00.001-08:00

I had the pleasure of working with Katie Leon of Dots. She has a relaxed & happy way about her, that makes her feel like a long lost friend. Her custom line is really sweet. She turns photos of kids, pets, and even notes & drawings into jewelry. She also has a fun collection of ready made necklaces.

To celebrate the fact that February is over (it was a tough month for us), I am going to have a give away. One of Katie's necklaces - the owl one. Leave a comment & I'll pick a winner. Deadline: March 14, 2010 ~ 8:00 am psd.

Winner: J.H! Email me an address & I'll pop it in the mail.

Textures of My Day

2010-02-08T10:50:00.001-08:00

We are all on the mends, 2 out of 4 are back in the swing & Brookie & I are almost there. It was a good week. Lots of rest & soup & texture. All my quirks are magnified when I'm sick, cause I simply can't socialize em.

Rob & I went to see An Inspector Calls at the Lamb's Players yesterday. The play was really good. You're never quite sure what will happen next. There was no intermission, (which I prefer) and 90 minutes felt like 20. A fun date had by all.

An Old Soul

2010-02-01T10:30:00.001-08:00

She's an old soul, can you see it? I took these back in November as part of a family session. I have known J's mom for years. We taught together back in the day. When we were single, we wanted to get married... then we needed to have children and now that we both have kids, a little peace and quiet is what we are after. It's funny how we chase contentment as humans. Run, run, run... when it's here. Right here, looking at us, waiting for satisfaction.

We are all sick in our house. Can I be satisfied with it? What satisfies you?

Snow Adventure

2010-01-25T08:09:00.000-08:00

We were supposed to be camping at the beach this past weekend. Good thing we headed up to the local mountains instead (90 miles round trip). My daughters had never seen snow falling & they were electrified by the whole experience. We stayed in a "cozy" little cabin, had plenty of pasta & hot chocolate, enjoyed sledding and cuddling. I'm grateful for the break & memories.

A Visit Home

2010-01-20T07:02:00.000-08:00

The Zs live in Kenya, working with AIM and were home for the holidays. They've been in Africa for a year and a half.

Looking Ahead

2010-01-04T08:02:00.000-08:00

We always end the year at San Diego's version of the Macy's Day Parade - our Holiday Bowl Parade, with floats and all. This is a sculpture, along the embarcadero in route to the parade. I like that she is looking ahead, in anticipation & that's how I'm feeling for this New Year. Even though my sweet Korean grandmother after staring at my face exclaimed, "You look so old. Rest more." (I got a facial over the weekend to help remedy that.)

The parade happened to fall on my husband's birthday this year. The girls were convinced that's why we were having the parade. I hope they don't ask for one on their birthdays.

Enjoy your week back!

Gray - In a Happy Way

2009-12-21T07:52:00.000-08:00

A fun session with the Grays!

I'm not so grumpy any more. Feeling more like myself this week. A nice hike, full nights rest, praying, breathing fresh air, working in the garden = renewed.

During the week, I kept thinking about the scripture that talks about your heart being the good soil and being able to receive & practice what God wants to teach. When I sat down to read, I opened up to Mark 4 - yep you guessed it, the parable of the soils. It always feels like I am being so precisely cared for when that happens. My heart desires to be good soil, healty, fertile and able to produce fruit (and not only the prickly pear kind).

On another note, I practiced my modeling skills.... trying to put some lines to my shape.
Not sure if I'll post before Christmas - so Merry Christmas!

Happily Ever After

2009-12-12T16:08:00.000-08:00

LaFrancis Family

2009-12-08T07:49:00.000-08:00

The beach is a natural place for me to bring families, and so is a great hiking spot. I enjoy the diversity it offers for photography, but also the relaxed environment. The LaFrancis's are family. Not biologically - but in all the other ways that matter.

Brig

2009-12-02T05:54:00.001-08:00

This is my sister in law's dog Brig. I've been wanting to photograph more animals, but they always seem leery of the camera. Not Brig, he loved having me in his face, making random high pitched squeals and seeing his gorgeous reflection in the lens. It would be fun to have a dog of our own one day. Both my husband & daughter are allergic to most of them. Apparently poodles and a few other breeds are low on the sneezy radar.

El Cajon Harley-Davidson

2009-11-30T04:41:00.000-08:00

That one isn't for sale, but what a classic.

A little self portrait.

I was at El Cajon Harley-Davidson last weekend shooting thier Holiday Kick Off with Santa. It was a fun group to spend the afternoon with and an amazing store.

Enjoying the Sun

2009-11-23T11:18:00.000-08:00

I really enjoy meeting new families and capturing them at play. When I first arrived, I was welcomed and got acquainted with the kids. It seemed as though I had met Deb (the mom) before, but I just chalked it up to "one of those warm, familiar faces". We made our way to the water and play we did. After talking with Deb a bit more, I told her that she seemed familiar. We went through the list, until we hit profession. 'Math Professor' was her response. Well sure enough, I had taken two of her math classes in college. And yes that was a while ago.

Posted in Skywatch Friday.

Magical

2009-11-18T12:47:00.000-08:00

These images are from a family session over the weekend... I'm not sure exactly why, but this set was mesmerizing for me. The lines, the movement, the colors, the playful anticipation, the fresh ocean air, the dogs running around - magical.

{L} One Fall Day

2009-11-10T14:38:00.000-08:00

Bloglecting

2009-11-06T18:15:00.000-08:00

Back from blog neglect (bloglecting). We were on vacation for a week and I've been happily photographing families. I'm not feeling to wordy today, just wanting to say hello. I'll be around to visit soon.

Yee Haw I Got a Butt Kicking!

2009-10-19T13:55:00.001-07:00

I'm not sure what it was, but I was sick... sick... sick over the weekend. I haven't laid in bed like that since I was in the hospital delivering beautiful blessings - but even that seemed a little easier. I don't think it was H1N1 only because I didn't have any congestion or cough (decode symptoms at your own risk). But it got me thinking about H1N1.

I think the government is preparing for the worst. It seems like the current strain of H1N1 is mild. If it mutates will the Baxter vaccine still be effective? What do you think? To vaccinate or not to vaccinate?

In the mean time, I am climbing back to health. Thank God.

Cute is an Understatement

2009-10-15T07:38:00.001-07:00

Reasons for Living

2009-10-02T11:44:00.000-07:00

My mom used to always refer to me as her "Reason for Living" when I was a kid. I didn't always feel that way. She's never been very mushy or affectionate, but when she uses that phrase, I get it. Korean moms love their kids in a pushy-demanding way. Pushing them to be better, and demanding they not waste any talent or opportunity. The nurturing part is often missed, but it's woven in with the home cooked meals.

I celebrated my Birthday over the weekend & my mom's card started with, "My only reason for living daughter..." It made me cry. Her commitment & passion for mothering has never looked like Betty Crocker's, but I'm finally getting it. She won't be on time, she'll never 'ask' only 'command', and may even bring a stranger to your lunch date. Having my own daughters, helps me read her motives & intentions over her delivery. For that I am grateful. Grateful for a year of growth & grateful to have my own reasons for living.

Remember the Days

2009-09-20T06:00:00.000-07:00

The girls have been sick these past couple of days and we've been home, home, home and more home (house arrest). Sometimes I find my self thinking about how I used to spent my days. All the hours hiking, getting to think in a store, having a clean house, going on roadtrips with just a backpack & journaling daily. It was a wonderful time.

I'm more challenged to keep my attitude in check now. To experience parenting first hand and be present, not in the past & not in the future. So this morning I started to re-think a bit, and anticipate the week, rather than dread it. Viola = a flood of ideas took the place of my stinking thinking... go get a 15 lb of clay & let the girls make things all day with it. It'll help them rest, while keeping them creative and happy.

Push out the junk and let the good stuff in. You can quote me on that:)

The Thunderbird is my neighbors & the toes are his daughters.

A {S}andy Family Session

2009-09-15T07:16:00.000-07:00

I loved how the kids came unglued when their parents shared a little affection. They peeked and then lost it.

We started the session taking a little hike and then ended up down at the water. Torrey Pines is a magical place.

Fruit of My Labor

2009-09-10T12:11:00.000-07:00

I had a wonderful morning with the girls. Nothing major on the calendar & I am caught up on photography projects.

My daughter Blake loves pickled beets... I enjoy them too. To have the time to pickle them today was a gift. There's something soothingly satisfying about being hands on & making things you enjoy. I have felt too distracted to slow down, but not this morning. My spirit feels better.

Come FLy With Me

2009-09-04T08:35:00.000-07:00

I can hear the pilot say , "Come fly with me." I'm in desperate need of a vacation. I think with school looming on the horizon, I'm feeling that summer is over. The girls will both be in preschool this fall on alternating days. Their friendship is so sweet & I'm sad to think that they will miss one another. I just want to fly today, so we'll head down to the bay & practice our snorkling skills while we can.

Happy Weekend.

{H}appy Family Session

2009-08-20T05:43:00.001-07:00

It's okay doggie... I'm not the vet. Just the family photographer - catching the family portrait.

Trying to catch the family portrait.

Walking up to the house I noticed a lot was going on. A complete kitchen renovation actually. It wasn't the typical family picture day. All my past work experiences came to the surface... kindergarten teacher, handyman assistant, aerobic instructor oh, yeah... photographer.

It was a fun, energetic morning!

Run - No Don't Run

2009-08-13T18:01:00.001-07:00

Well if this doesn't give you a little insight into my personality.

Perfect

2009-08-03T19:05:00.000-07:00

Little {S}'s scratched up nose looks perfect to me.

{L}'s on Vacation

2009-07-24T08:03:00.000-07:00

I'm always a little nervous when I meet a new client. Initially I spoke to Bev on the phone and learned that she was going to be in the San Diego area for a family vacation. An image of her popped into my mind. A couple days later, I drove out to meet her and her family, anticipating what they would be like and how they would look. Bev greeted me at the gate, and instantly I was with family. She felt like a cousin I hadn't seen in awhile, but happy to get to know again. Her entire family was warm, fun & a pleasure to hang out with.

Riding Again

2009-07-15T07:14:00.001-07:00

I've been on blogcation & vacation... getting back into the swing of things.

I haven't owned a bike since college, when the one I loved (a versatile pearl hybrid birthday gift) was stolen. It was double locked in a bike cage, underground at the apartment I was living at. Shock is what I felt when it wasn't there one morning for a ride and hurt that someone living in the same complex would do such a thing.

Well, time to get over it... I got a new cruiser around Mother's Day and old wounds have healed. I picked the eggplant, because I used to dye my hair that color in high school.

A Day at the County Fair

2009-07-01T08:19:00.001-07:00

We headed out to the county fair for an annual cinnamon roll & pony ride. The girls enjoy it more and more each year as they get older & so do we... that's ofcourse until it's time to leave. Why do I tell them we are leaving? I should just meander closer and closer to the exit & surprise we are already in the car. I'll try that next year.

We'll be going on a serious field trip and I'm hoping to try some HDR stuff - totally inspired by Jessica ~ Gift from Heaven. She posted one a few months back & I've been thinking and will be trying soon.

Happy Wednesday.

Friday's Post - My Salty Dog

2009-06-19T08:34:00.001-07:00

I have no idea where the last couple of weeks have gone - completely vaporized. It's refreshing to spend a little time for reflection & rest. My husband is a sweetie. Can you see it in his eyes. He's enjoying our moment as a family, riding on a miniature train, saturated with contentment. My soul rests with him. He gets my quirky sense of humor & I get his. A dedicated and loving father to our girls, one that hangs the sheets from the curtains so they can camp on Friday nights. I was a lonely child, but now I am whole in the experience of my daughters & husband.

Happy Father's Day Robbie!

Friday's Post - The Garden

2009-06-05T06:37:00.000-07:00

I had a dream the other morning that I was out in the dark watering the garden. That pretty much tells you how much I enjoy it. Everyday I go out to my little patch of dirt and visit with the plants. Everyday, satisfied.

{N}Love

2009-05-29T07:57:00.000-07:00

Is there anything sweeter?

Wedding Part Two

2009-05-24T21:04:00.001-07:00

There's a tangible blessing when two people who really seem to be one anothers perfect match join in holy matrimony. That's what took place at Dana & Donato's Wedding.

Wedding Part One

2009-05-19T13:36:00.000-07:00

Friday's Post ~ Wedding Preview

2009-05-15T07:31:00.000-07:00

Yep, wedding on the way. I shot it last weekend and am looking forward to posting more. Here's a little preview:) I hope that you all have a great weekend!

Day at the Park

2009-05-13T08:04:00.001-07:00

This shot is from a kids photoshoot a couple of weeks ago at the park. Si was great company, a perfect combination of sweet & feisty. I really enjoy all the softness in this shot. It reminds me of a watercolor. I ended up printing it on watercolor paper to curb my curiosity.

Photobooth

2009-05-06T06:09:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago we celebrated my husband's grandmother's 90th birthday. I set up a little photobooth (inspired by Jay Reilly) for the first time & had a blast. It was a wonderful way to visit with family, get reacquainted & crack a bunch of jokes.

DETAILS : I used a small backdrop stand, white upholstery fabric (what you might use for a boat), a couple of clamps and set up outside in the shade. Liss had posted about using "flash" while in aperture priority at about -2, so that's what I tried as fill light. Great time!

Friday Blogger

2009-05-01T09:06:00.000-07:00

The pipefish are by far my favorite. This one is a size of a pencil. When I was in Belize a few years back, snorkling about, we saw them 2ft long (puffer fish that big too).

Not sure what this guy is. Just really enjoy swimming in the contrast.

This one makes me think, maybe my bad hair day isn't so bad after all.

All the images were shot at the Birch Aquarium (50mm ISO 6400).

Happy Weekend!

Rebels to Seniors

2009-04-24T06:45:00.000-07:00

I have Bob Marley's song,

"Don't worry, about a thing, every things gonna, be alright" doing rounds in my head. I wish I knew the rest of the words.

Midweek I took the girls to hear a band play at the Preschool Spring Concert. I was pleasantly surprised by three guys who looked nothing like Laurie Berkner (don't get me wrong, I love her). The band played a mix of favorites, like Bob Marley and their own originals. There is something about live music, good live music that just stirs the soul. I was grateful to be there & enjoy what they had to offer. My older daughter kept her gaze, processing and recording. At home today, she was playing the box drum singing, "I don't know, what to do... there is preservatives... yeah, yeah, yeah - ah ah - ah".

Need a band? Rebel Tree

Switching gears.

My husband and I joined a gym near our home on Sunday & I went today for the first time. We were told that the gym catered to a more senior population but that the sister gym nearby, had more options for us. I didn't care. I just want to exercise.

I opted to take the mat pilates class. When I entered the exercise room, the instructor greeted me warmly and asked about my experience. I surveyed the room and I was the only junior member in the class. The instructor was AMAZING. Strong like no body's business. The hour was challenging, and I had the best time. Everyone was so welcoming. I can't wait to go back again next week.

Poppies

2009-04-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

Flowers always make great models:) I like the image in the middle the best. It's almost entirely out of focus and looks so carefree & dreamy. What do you think? The last shot reminds me of a protective husband, wondering why you are still looking at his wife. Nothing autobiographical here and no psychoanalysis please:)

Happy weekend.

I'm playing florist tomorrow. Wish me luck:)

Halmoni

2009-04-14T22:10:00.000-07:00

Halmoni is grandmother in Korean. This one is mine. We celebrated her birthday over the weekend.

She is an incredibly strong woman. Without a car, she has walked miles around me. About 3 years ago, she broke her hip. I went to visit her at physical therapy, and she told me in Korean that the other grandmothers were lazy. When the therapist told them to do an exercise 15 times, they would stop at 10. But not her, if she was told to do 15, then she'd to 20.

Sailing to Heaven

2009-04-06T20:48:00.000-07:00

Lavender Blue, Dilly Dilly

2009-04-01T15:50:00.000-07:00

Everything is alive, and saturated today. My back has been bothering me for a couple of weeks now, and I'm finally feeling better after a quick visit to the chiro-cruncher. Mine is so sweet, with a warm face and great crunching ability. Her advice is direct, but never pushy. I like that.

Lavender is by far one of my favorites. It is a hearty little plant, requiring little attention, making the bees happy & smelling glorious. I have several varieties in our garden. Enjoy them, especially the dancing giants in the first shot.

Happy 4th Birthday!

2009-03-26T21:52:00.000-07:00

My girl is 4 today (the older one)!!! When she was born, she did not cry, and her Apgar Score was 1 (not what you want). Today she is gregarious, a great negotiator and funny. The last thing she said tonight was, "I'm going to write you guys a thank you card for my presents".

My cup runneth over! I am content, fufilled and beyond grateful.

My Mountain - My World

2009-03-23T09:12:00.000-07:00

Posted in My World Tuesday & Today's Flowers

I realize there aren't any mountain images, but all my lovely shots were taken while hiking Cowles. It happens to be the highest mountain in San Diego (1592'). It's close enough from our house, that I can walk to the trail head, hike up and over it and back home in about 2 hours. That's not my regular hike by any means. I usually do a shorter 45 minute loop. Back home in time to make breakfast.

The mountain is kind of like church for me. I hike and pray, and everything is good again. Where is your sanctuary?

The New Yorkers

2009-03-19T15:44:00.001-07:00

The {R} Family were here in San Diego, on vacation, enjoying a much needed break from the freezing weather in upstate New York. It wasn't quite warm enough for our "Sunny San Diego" reputation, but it was still a gorgeous day at the ferry landing. Their kids were adorable and fun to chase.

I think making the mom and dad kiss, even if I wasn't taking pictures of them each time, was a sweet little tribute to Cupid.

Puppy Love

2009-03-14T11:27:00.000-07:00

Monday's Words

2009-03-09T10:58:00.000-07:00

Sky Watching

2009-03-05T10:45:00.000-08:00

Our skies are usually clear or gray, so having clouds through the rain season has been such a welcomed sight.

See more skies at SkyWatch Frida y.

Macro Made Easy

2009-03-04T14:14:00.000-08:00

I am a huge fan of macros. There is something about getting really close to the subject that makes everything feel more adventurous. Wayfaring Wanderer enilightened me about using a macro adaptor on a regular lens. The one I used before worked like a magnifying glass and the one I discovered recently is an extension tube (Kenko). I put it onto the body of the camera and then the lens goes on top of it. So now my 50mm lens is way more versatile and the extension tube is compact, not another massive lens to carry. It turned the image above into the images below.

This last shot is my favorite. I was rather close to the bee, but it didn't care. Good to see it working away!

TANGENT RANT: Fair Warning!

I read today in our local COOP paper that mercury has been found in high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). Here's the link for the study Environmental Health . I was so mad! We don't have anything in the house with it as an ingredient, but primarily because of the theories related to how it affects appetite and tricks the body into thinking it's still hungry. I'm not really big on giving advice, but today I'm going to encourage you to AVOID it like the plague!

Happy Birthday!

2009-03-02T14:19:00.000-08:00

Here's a little collage from a birthday party a couple of weekends ago. Sweet Adeline loved dinosaurs & we had a Hullabalu of a time.

Skateboarding, Hiking, & Saving Animals

2009-02-25T13:33:00.000-08:00

It has been a rather crazy couple of weeks in our household with that disgusting virus making us all sick, sleepless & grumpy. We are finally getting back into the groove, and it feels so good. The last shot is of a sweet little baby dove our neighbor's cat Mikey brought over. Luckily, my mom is an animal whisperer and the bird will be good as new. Blake's sweet prayer was, "Please God, don't let the mama bird be sad - her baby will be safe at Halmoni's (Korean for Grandmother) house."

Workshop

2009-02-16T11:54:00.001-08:00

I went to a Jay Reilly Workshop on Friday. It was a complete vacation. Here are a couple of shots from the day. I had great day... oh, I guess I already said that.

100th Post!

2009-02-12T13:19:00.001-08:00

One hundred is a pretty big deal to me. Thank you to all of my blogging buddies. I started the blog a little over a year ago, and have really enjoyed reading your blogs & growing in this warm, supportive community.

I was inspired to have my own little 100th post giveaway. The 5x7 print is framed, matted and ready to go (with no copyrighting in the surf). Leave your comment & I'll pick someone by Sunday & update the winner here.

Happy Weekend!

UPDATE: Toni you won!

Balanced?

2009-02-11T08:17:00.000-08:00

Not exactly. Sometimes the balance is tangible, it effects every aspect of my life in a powerful way. I'm not sure what has me off balance these past few days. Time to sit and figure it out. Fresh air should help.

This is post 99. The next one will be 100 and I'm excited to have a Giveaway. That's bringing me some balance.

Senior Portrait : Taylor

2009-02-08T19:38:00.000-08:00

A senior? Yes. An old soul? Yes. The best babysitter ever? Yes. Going away to college next year? Yes. Kind of a word challenged Monday? Yes.

98th Post... Give away coming at 100.

Don't Touch It!

2009-02-05T18:29:00.001-08:00

My husband has a huge aversion to Stinging Nettle. He was rolled in it as a kid, and gets angry whenever he sees it. I learned recently that it is a phenomenal source of iron. So this pesky weed is going to work. I'm using gloves, pulling it up, drying it out and having tea. Don't touch it, just tea it. Might be good with blueberry crumpets. I love those crumpets!

I'm inspired to have a bit of a give away. I'll wait until my 100th post, some time in the next week or so.

Look Who is Sleeping Better

2009-02-04T06:43:00.000-08:00

We've been in sleep transition at our house for the last month. My younger daughter started climbing out of her crib at the end of December and the sleep routine was no longer accessible. (We converted her crib into a toddler bed). She happens to share her room with her sister, and bed time turned into a new adventure in Circus Vargas. The little one was so elated by her new freedom, that swinging from the curtains and ricocheting off the walls was norm. After a couple weeks of trying new things, bedtime is peaceful again. The thing that finally worked (no duh!) was to not nap her & put her down a bit earlier. Simple pleasures.

{LF} Familia

2009-02-03T04:43:00.001-08:00

I love these people! Growing up without siblings and wanting them desperately, I've always cherished friends, especially those that fit well. I met Josie while working downtown. Her official title was 'receptionist', (one that completed MENSA puzzles while answering phones).

Over the years our friendship has grown and now we are familia. Josie is the one who made me become a professional photographer.

Goodnight

2009-01-28T18:28:00.000-08:00

Good Bye

2009-01-28T07:48:00.000-08:00

Goodbye my friend, we miss you.

Alaska

2009-01-26T12:36:00.000-08:00

It is a glorious day here! The mountain that we can see from our house is Cowles Mtn, and the sun is shining on it perfectly with story book illustrator clouds in the background. Looking at it on my way home from an errand, made me think of a backpacking trip I took to Alaska in 1998.

Backpacking in Denali, with no trail system and fresh map & compass skills, was complete, unadulterated ADVENTURE. Sitting in the middle of wild blueberry bushes, snacking while keeping an eye out for grizzly bears makes you feel ALIVE. The people we met there were hospitable in such a saturated way. We stayed in homes of total strangers, just like you hear about.

Today, I'm glad that my mountain reminded me of Alaska.

Park Candids

2009-01-24T07:24:00.000-08:00

I'll be offering a kids only mini session in Balboa Park on Saturday, January 31st.

Please contact me if you are interested in booking a spot.

Pools

2009-01-23T09:54:00.001-08:00

It's been a rather hectic week but things are coming into focus. Maybe that's because today is Friday. The shot above is from some local tide pools. I've always been drawn to high contrast black and white. Happy Weekend!

Blue Sky

2009-01-19T14:37:00.000-08:00

Lay back and enjoy the view.

Sunset

2009-01-14T08:33:00.000-08:00

I'm working on another collection for a mini exhibit in a couple of weeks. I think this one is my favorite shot so far. I have more shooting to do today and am hopeful that a cohesive feel will come through. Sometimes the ideas are so fluid and flow and other times there seems to be some congestion in the synapse. Maybe a good shot of wheat grass will get me going? What gets you going?

Lunch Anyone?

2009-01-08T18:22:00.001-08:00

I had a scrumptious photo project this week at a local eatery. It was surprisingly fun to photograph food. I got to take some home for dinner too:)

Happy Weekend.

Park-ing

2009-01-03T08:57:00.000-08:00

It was a crazy chilly day (wearing the down jacket), but going to the park was a must. We packed the tricycles in the van, loaded up with snacks & headed to the Bay. The girls had a blast running, sliding, climbing & swinging.

I usually carry the camera on a strap or bring a Shootsac if I needed more lenses. Many times I'll leave the camera at home because I don't want to carry a crazy bulkie bag for it. But lo and behold, I came across a Tamrac camera bag that works like a purse & having the camera along is so comfortable.

Happy New Year!

2008-12-31T09:02:00.001-08:00

Every year I always think about what happened in the year and then what I hope for in the year to come.

This next year I came up with a little motto while hiking. "No excuses, clothed in humility". So basically, get it done with out being pushy. We'll see how it goes:)

I hope that your New Year will bring many blessings & a new intimacy with those you love.

BTW... Rob loved all the Birthday Wishes!

You Say It's Your Birthday!

2008-12-30T15:12:00.000-08:00

Here's the man I married and today he is 40! Rob's the kind of guy everyone instantly likes. He has a warm, inviting personality and people are often convinced they already know him. He's always making friends.

Christmas Card Friday Part Two

2008-12-18T16:41:00.000-08:00

Here's the sequel. Photographer : Jay Reilly (one really nice guy).

Santa

2008-12-17T10:18:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure what Santa is telling her, but she seems pretty happy about it.

We ran into Santa in our neighborhood. This one happens to be a sweet grandma who used a deep voice to disguise herself appropriately.

Sweet Sisters

2008-12-15T08:10:00.000-08:00

Here's a few shots from a family photo session a couple of weeks back. I don't have a sister, so I'm always warmed to watch sisters enjoy one another as these three did. I hope that our girls will be lucky to have lasting friendship too.

Christmas Card Friday

2008-12-12T08:43:00.000-08:00

Yep, another one coming next Friday. Photographer: Elani Castillo (who is delusional about retiring).

Poppy

2008-12-10T14:32:00.000-08:00

I just planted poppies in the garden. They always seem to do their own thing. I'm sure there's some fractional geometry happening, but they still seem so carefree and remind me to relax and enjoy the moment.

Ying Haw!

2008-12-09T07:12:00.000-08:00

Whenever my youngest daughter is going for a ride she yells "Ying Yaw", her own rendition of yeehaw. It's the best.

My Folks

2008-12-06T20:03:00.000-08:00

Usually at a photo shoot, the mother is always attentive to the camera and the dad is less :) Not with my folks. My mom was silly... just a complete clown. It was fun to photograph them and watch them play. Warmed my heart.

Adventures in Christmas Carding

2008-12-05T06:45:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks back we had our family photoshoot for Christmas Cards. I had this idea of being a bit more formal, so we wore our fancies. My eldest just couldn't let the casual go. This isn't the image we picked, but I think it's my favorite:)

Elani Castillo of Aloha Photography was our photographer.

Lovely {L} Family Session

2008-12-04T06:36:00.000-08:00

When I got married a few years back and moved into my husband's house, it was a new area of town for me and most of my friend's lived on the other side of the county. After having my daughter and staying home from work, I needed a new friend, badly. I had met some new moms in a playgroup and had a few friends with new babies too, but I needed someone in my neighborhood. Well, I'm a problem solver, so I started to pray and wrote in my journal how I longed for someone with whom I would easily connect & resonate with.

I had been sharing with Rob (hubby) how I was friend-needy and we decided to go for a walk. On that walk we met Ben & Cristina and at the time their daughter was months olds and ours was too. We shared a few plesantries and days later we happened to be on their street when Cristina invited us into their home.

Well that was about 3 years ago. They live 4 blocks away and I couldn't even begin to list our similarities and how our lives have paralleled. What to pray for next?

Moody

2008-11-30T14:13:00.000-08:00

Moody... not me. I was inspired by Meadowlark Days and her photography inspiration Ansel Olson, to try some new shots myself. I shot this on Thanksgiving, after feasting on a brilliant combination of Korean-American Fusion. Turkey with kimchee, shrimp, primerib, wild rice and cranberry relish. Oh, and creme brulee for dessert. I made pumpkin creme brulee last year & it didn't turn out very well.

It's been nice to relax over the last few days. Wrapping up a few house projects and just saturating myself in the company of my sweet little family. Thanks God.

A Little Fall Color - Today's Flower

2008-11-26T06:52:00.000-08:00

I'm looking forward to spending time with family tomorrow for Thanksgiving. Growing up in a Korean-American home, many traditional holidays were present, but just not saturated. We never waited until Christmas to open presents & I never believed in Santa, the Easter Bunny or the Tooth Fairy.

Thanksgiving can be hectic too, but to have time to practice gratitude and just hang out with family (drama included) - now that's a good holiday!

Wishing you and yours a wonderful day.

See more flowers at Today's Flowers.

A Photography Inspiration

2008-11-24T12:46:00.000-08:00

I'm totally inspired by Jay Reilly. He has a clean, quirky style and a warm fun personality. The girls were convinced he was there to play!

Wayfaring Wanderer made me do it. She's having a "Share the Love Giveaway". Check it out, if you haven't already!

What DId You Say?

2008-11-21T08:31:00.000-08:00

"Oh no you didn't?"

Doesn't this guy look like he is ready to take you on? My husband is the ultimate hunter. He went out for lobster (literally jumped in the ocean style) and brought home it's cousin instead. I love his mean face (the crab's)!

La Jolla Shores - My World

2008-11-17T06:37:00.001-08:00

This is my favorite beach in San Diego, La Jolla Shores. Both my husband I surf and swap out watching the kiddos. There's something about being in the water that is deeply rejuvenating. Something about the positive/negative ions ... something more about undefiled creation and the Creator. There's great communion in the water, a clarity of place & purpose.

We had a much needed vacation Saturday this past weekend, probably the best this year. Munched on snacks, dug sand castles and truely relaxed.

The jumping girl is mine... see more worlds at My World Tuesday.

Eco-Friendly

2008-11-11T07:17:00.000-08:00

Wayfaring Wanderer has encouraged us to share our eco friendliness & some areas for improvement.

Here are the 5 things I do:

1. Line dry the laundry
2. Use BioKleen & Ecover laundry & cleaning products. BioKleen's All Purpose Cleaner is AMAZING
3. Walk my daughter to preshool
4. Insulated our home with cellulose (recycled paper)
5. No pesticides or artificial fertilizers on our landscaping or veggies

Here are some things to try and do:
1. Change all the light bulbs
2. Boycott Monsanto
3. Use less paper towels
4. Eat less meat & dairy
5. Get a water purifying system & stop buying bottled water

Together

2008-11-10T16:40:00.000-08:00

On the reef in LaJolla. Not my family, but one that I love dearly.

Bento Mania Returns

2008-11-06T12:45:00.000-08:00

I can't help myself. Biggie made me do it! Bento boxes make packing lunch for my preschooler crazy easy. There are compartmentalized perfectly to remind me to try a new food category (usually including a left over). I'm not stoked that the box is plastic, but I never put it in the dishwasher ... hoping that whatever isn't supposed to leach in her food stays put... the white cow is a boiled egg :)

SkyWatch

2008-10-31T07:12:00.001-07:00

Sea sick yet?

Happy Halloween & Happy SkyWatching!