Today i gave a presentation for a local business networking group, including a 2:45 minute slideshow showing some of my favorite new and older portrait and wedding work. It was very well-received and I enjoyed putting it together, so I thought I'd post it. Check it out here.

Recently I was on hand to welcome Baby Ze to the world. An adorable little monkey, Ze was one of the most wakeful newborns I've encountered. His loving parents were beginning to lose hope that we would get any sleeping baby photos, but they trusted me and let me do my thing, and we got what we were looking for. Ze's dad ended the session calling me the "baby whisperer," which, for a gal without children, I figured was a pretty great compliment. :-)

Here are a few of my favorites:

On the very auspicious 8-8-08, Susan and Jim were married at San Francisco's beautiful City Hall. City Hall was hoppin', and it was so much fun to see all of the couples -- hetero, gay and lesbian -- joining their lives.

The couple, who are both patent attorneys and met during their summer internship in law school, hired me to shoot an expanded portrait session on their big day -- three hours at multiple locations throughout San Francisco -- but I snuck into the ceremony for a few shots, too.

AfterAAfter

Afterward we headed over to Russian Hill and the original Swensen's ice cream store. Most couples have cake to celebrate their nuptials, but banana ice cream was on Susan's mind. What fun! (And no, I didn't tell them to share -- that was all their idea -- but I definitely dig it.)

Later, we hit the Exploratorium and Susan brought out her favorite parasol for a few shots. Isn't she lovely?!

The couple described their relationship as relaxed and fun -- Jim is always making faces or doing dances to make Susan laugh -- so we definitely wanted to capture that in their wedding photos, but I also wanted some quiet, tender moments in there as well, so here is one of my ideas. I think it would look beautiful as a HUGE canvas wrap, but that's just me. I know it will look great in their album, too.

All my best to you both, though I know you won't need it with all those lucky 8s in your wedding date. Congratulations again!

During my recent trip to Virginia, I photographed Gayla & Joe's wedding at the Founders Inn & Spa.

Gayla and Joe married on a very hot day but Gayla was determined that the events would go on as planned -- an outdoor ceremony in the English Garden followed by a reception on the terrace and in the gardens -- and she was right. Everything was absolutely beautiful!

Joe got a little choked up as his gorgeous bride-to-be walked down the aisle on her dad's arm. Don't you love that? A military man who has served in Iraq and is in touch with his feelings.

Gayla wore a stunning handmade English gown by Suzanne Neville.

LaVonne recently called me to schedule a family portrait session because her son, Christopher, is headed to college this fall. As good friends of one of my long-term clients, LaVonne, Charles and family were up for all of my suggestions, including a round of their favorite activity -- video gaming on the Wii -- to cap off the session. Chris will be following in his sister, Amanda's, footsteps, studying multimedia production and game design at college.

Here are a few:

I recently had the opportunity to photograph 3-month-old twins Sarah & Katelyn. What fun! As mom, Meredith, says, "If one's happy, the other's crying," making for some cute comedy & tragedy photos.

Doesn't mom look amazing for having had twins only three months ago -- wow!

Big sister, Victoria, and dad, Erik, were also on hand for some fun! Victoria is a daddy's girl, her mom says, and it definitely shows here. I'm thinking Sarah & Katelyn are destined to be mom's.

While in Virginia, I shot a family session at William & Mary's Sunken Garden. It was a very warm day, but luckily everyone was up for some close, family time. When I shot my first session with this family, little Caleb was just a few weeks old; now, he is a 16-month-old on the move. Running around with a red and white soccer ball was the highlight of the afternoon for him. Big sister Claire is also a bundle of energy, who loves to chase Caleb around and be silly.

Both of the kids loved when Dad hung them upside down.

Recently, I shot a 4-year-old session for Jordan. We painted, played hide & seek in her room, enjoyed some bubbles, drew on the driveway, and then bounced on her new trampoline. She was as cute and sweet as ever, and so natural in front of the camera.