. . . . . . . .

Polaroids have always cheered me up when I’m feeling blue — in fact, the very first time I ever picked up a polaroid and used it creatively was for this reason. So when a few friends of mine came by, we took a walk on the beach and I brought along my polaroid with me. Each image produces magic for me, and I always get a surge of joy each time the the image appears to my eyes. It’s the instant gratification of digital, with the satisfaction of holding a real print in your hand. Nothing beats that.

It was my birthday earlier this week — the big three-oh! I know friends who panicked at the idea of turning 30; we no longer can say we’re “twenty-something,” and we can no longer blame our youth on things. But I think the thing that scares people the most is that 30 is like some age marker that we set for ourselves when we were younger. How many of us thought that at age thirty, we’d have it all figured out and that we’d have achieved goals that we had set for ourselves when we were younger? Or at least, we’d be well on our way. To be honest, turning 30 didn’t feel all that scary to me, mainly I think because I feel like I’ve accomplished so much already at the age of 30. Are they all the things that I thought that I would accomplish when I was young? No, but it doesn’t diminish them – my life goals just shifted as I got older. And what I have achieved in the thirty years I have been alive is certainly something to be proud of, and very, very thankful for.

The biggest accomplishment (outside of my photography ventures), I would have to say is reaching a point that I’ve always wanted to reach when I was a little girl — and that is to dance en pointe in ballet. I don’t think I’ve actually blogged about that here — I’ve mentioned it on twitter and facebook, but for some reason, I never brought it up here.

(photo of tiffany, taken when we did her dance shoot)

Funny, because it is such a huge thing. I mean, my business name is called En Pointe! It’s something I’ve always, always wanted, and it only took me 25ish years (going back to when I began to want to become a ballerina) to achieve it. It is such a huge thing because I was 29 when I started doing pointe work (I started classical ballet training at 18 and attended classes on and off), and I know of so many people who think that since they didn’t start young, they can’t do something like that. There are so many things in life that are like that — things that we desire to do, but we think because we’re no longer “young” we can’t do them. We can’t achieve them. Like our age is some barrier from actually doing it! Sure, with age comes physical problems, but I think with age, comes the understanding of our own bodies & selves better. On top of that, I honestly think that with passion, commitment, and a love of whatever you’re doing and a true desire to do it, you can achieve anything.

(photo of tiffany, taken when we did her dance shoot)

Which brings me back to beginning pointe. There are times in ballet class when I can’t believe I’m actually doing pointe work – it is seriously a dream come true. And for that I can’t be more thankful.

I am externally thankful for these 30 years, and I am so extremely excited to see what the year & decade has to bring. I am thankful for a loving better half, my beautiful friends, my amazing job & clients, and the ability to do the things that I love so much. <3

Happy Thanksgiving to you all and I hope you spend lots & lots of quality time with all the people and things that make your life rich! xo

alpine loop scenic byway, utah.
october 2011

(left: arriving into utah, right: leaving utah)

. . . . . . . . . . .

Would you believe me if I told you this was the first time I experience real snowfall? Because it was. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve seen snow on the ground, and I have even experienced seeing snow falling from the sky, but this is the first time I’ve ever seen snow falling and having it stick to the ground & plants & trees & other delightful things! You should’ve seen me — I was dancing around like a kid in the candy store! I know this sounds like total crazytalk to some of you who grew up living in the snow-filled winters, but living in California, you rarely experience snow unless you a) live in the mountains or b) visit said mountains. And I grew up totally sheltered, so to see this was a total delight for me!

Apparently this was the first snowfall of the season in Utah too, where I was attending a photography workshop (the Film Is Not Dead Workshop, which I will be sharing about another time) at the time. This was the last day I was there, and was due to fly out in only a few hours, so I needed to kill some time and what a better way to do that than to explore the area? The weather had turned into a total stinker – it was raining pretty heavily, so I was limited in what I could do. I knew about the Alpine Loop from others at the workshop, and the front desk at the hotel told me that it was a  beautiful drive, but discouraged me from driving it in this weather. When I got into my car to decide I sat there for a good minute and thought, yes, I’m going to do it. And I am so glad I did because magical snow awaited!

Coincidentally, fall/early winter is my absolute favorite time of the year — I always feel so inspired and in awe much more than any other time of the year. So to see this was like drinking a cup of the most refreshing thing ever — it totally filled me up.

What is your favorite time of the year and why? Do you love fall/winter as much as I do? Or do you love to bask in the summer sun like so many others that I know? I always feel like I’m alone with my love of this season (except for other photographers, that is)! I mean, come on, who can’t love weather that allows me to wear my cute coats, scarves, gloves and socks that I hoard up all year long?! ;)

charm + friends + food + film = <3

. . . . . . . . .

Oh, Berkeley, you charmer you! Not everyone gets you, but I sure do, and I heart you so much. It also helps that one of my favorite people lives there and will be getting married there next month (and I’m a bridesmaid!). I look forward to spending more time with you this coming year. <3

city by the bay + film = <3

. . . . . . . . .

Some film images taken while I was in SF for an engagement session last month.

I love that city. :)

. . . . . . . .

Can you believe that this was the first time I ever went camping? Because it was. We frolic-ed, danced, climbed rocks, took lots of film images (most of these are film) and woke up early to have a bit of early morning fun. Ate donuts at the Jelly Donut on the way home, and basked in all the picture-taking. It was a fantastic time, and so glad I got to go with some of the best people in the world. <3

we woke up before dawn that morning.

the bay was quiet, still, and cloaked in fog.

we packed our canoes and took off from nick’s cove.

the fog made it seem like a different world.

the smallest guy we caught.

(with one pincher too.)

the largest guy we caught.

we just had to get fresh oysters,

and headed back.

. . . . . . . .

Over the Christmas holiday back home, we went on a spontaneous trip to Tomales Bay with some friends to go crab fishing in canoes. I got so excited that I took WAY too many photos, and everything was on film cause that’s all I brought with me. But it was a wonderful time where I pretty much went in a canoe for the first time, took tons of photos, and over ate fresh crab & oysters, but boy, were they delicious!

There is just something about fishing and fishing communities that I love. Something real, honest, and raw about it. So much so that it’s beautiful because of that. Catching your meal instead of having to buy it from a freezer at the supermarket? That’s the human experience, right there.

That, and the experiences you share with people you love at the same time. <3

. . . . . . .

I can’t believe another year is upon us already. Where has 2010 gone? Much too quickly, for I felt like it just ran straight through my fingers.

I used to take New Year’s very seriously as a child, I would lie awake at night, listening to the radio with my headphones until just before midnight (for everyone else had already gone to bed). Then when the new year was almost here, I would go into the living room, throw hand cut confetti in the air at midnight along with the TV on very low, and when it was all over, I would clean it all back up and climb back into bed.

The funny things we did as children, no?

2010 has been a year of growth, and a year of pausing and resuming. I’m glad to be where I am now in my path, forging ahead, looking forward to what 2011 brings. Creatively, spiritually, and all around joyfully. 2010 was a year of really figuring myself out more, and I feel like 2011 is going to be the year where I exude it, and solidify that.

There will be more adventures, more pioneering, more creativity, more dreaming and most of all, more wonder. <3 You can bet on that. :)

Here’s to another wonderful year!

. . . . . . . .

So I totally intended to do so much for Christmas this year, but it crept up on me much sooner than I had expect and here I am, staring at Christmas Eve, and I didn’t get a chance to send cards, or do very much of what I wanted to! Isn’t that how it is almost every year? Well that’s alright, here I am to wish you all a Merry Christmas – I do hope you’re spending it with loved ones :)

P.S. Mumford & Sons = <3

P.P.S. Almost all the ornaments that I have displayed are vintage – love!

… another year wiser.

Thankful for the last year & all the things I learned, here’s to another wonderful year. ;)

Thank you all for being there, for all the support & love! I heart you all. <3

(It’s my birthday today!)

. . . . . . . . .

For some time now, I have wanted to photograph dancers. Dance was like one of those things that hovers in your life; for me, it was always, always a passion. Growing up, there wasn’t a moment I didn’t want to become a ballerina, or dancer of some sort. I used to watched the Nutcracker almost every year live, as well as watch it on PBS, where there would be no talking for hours, and finally when I switched the channel, I found it strange to hear people speaking all of the sudden. I was never able to take classes when I was young because my family couldn’t afford it, so I would simply rely on day dreaming, putting on home “performances” and watching others dance. But that passion never died.

As I grew older and gravitated towards photography, I always had dance in the back of my head. It wasn’t until recently that I decided to dance full out for my own benefit, but that’s a post for another time. As my passion for photography grew, I always held dance there, even when I named my photography business. It has always had a hold on me, like a magnet.

I love photography because I love being able to show people how I see the world, and how things make me feel. I love dance because to me, it’s a way to feel free, to let yourself go, to visually interpret music. Dancers dance for so many different reasons, but as any artist, it’s a means to communicate, and get things out of their body that they may not be able to say through their mouths. Because of my two great passions, it was only natural they would combine at some point. And that point has arrived.

I met Emily only this year, but I’ve seen her dancing for much longer than that through the recitals at my dance studio. Emily is a wonderful spirit, full of life and energy on top of being a beautiful dancer. I knew I wanted to photograph her to capture that – to capture why she dances, and the dancer’s soul that she has. I didn’t want to just capture how amazing her leaps are (which are amazing), or how dynamic her dancing is. No, dance is so much more than that. Dance is a voice. Dancing not only involves the large moments when you are leaping, but the little moments in between. When you take a breath. When you gather yourself. When you show the world just what you want to say.

When you let yourself go.

.

I am so excited to be sharing this with you all, but these images are only a scratch on the surface for me. I want to dig more, meet more dancers, photograph their stories, their dancing, their souls. I want to explore that in photographs. And I want to share it with the world.

<3

I love darling, darling shops, and the Encinitas m.o.m shop is definitely in that category! I stumbled upon this lovely shop months ago and immediately wanted to photograph the entire place – there was adorableness tucked away in every corner! Pretty much everything is handmade by the two lovely ladies of the shop – Bethany & Tere, a mom & daughter team with a whimsical creative eye that I just love. :) I actually used some of their banners for an engagement shoot a while back.

How lovely would all these things be in a wedding?! One can only imagine.

I also wanted to post this blog as a tribute to their sweet dog Stella, who passed away earlier this month. Stella was a sweet, sweet soul, and I will miss seeing her face when I drop by the shop! You should drop by the shop too – and feast your eyes on all their lovely creations :)

m.o.m shop
1055 south coast hwy 101 #a-garage
encinitas, ca 92024
tel:510.761.1406

. . . . . . . . .

A bit of summer fun & retro magic. Birthday dinners & games at the Pearl Hotel, frolics on the beach at Swami’s, good food, good friends, & good conversations at the Parkhouse Eatery. The summer we had was very short, but sweet. :) Ready to welcome autumn!

Summer is finally here on the coast!

So, I think I’m going to try & introduce something called Film Fridays, where I post some personal film work for fun. This one is from my roadtrip in Northern California & like I’ve said before, I terribly miss it here. I have recently had an obsession with camping, and my goal is to go camping in these woods someday soon. <3

Hope you all have a good weekend — go & do something that is inspiring!