Happy Holidays | From my Family & I | KrashingMotions

Happy Birthday | 38 Years | ShootSac Party

I woke up Friday December 4th not in the best of moods.

Actually I wasn't in a mood at all, I was just there barely in existence. Why should I wake at all I thought, seriously I felt like sleeping this day away just so it would NEVER actually happen.

Why should I feel like this you may be thinking, well it was the morning of my 38th Birthday! Can you believe it my 20's and 30's just past by in the blink of an eye! Why, oh why did the years sneak up on me like this?

I'm not one for keeping my birthday a secret or being embarrassed about my age, but this year just felt different. I finally have that feeling many women get when they say "that's it I'm going to be 27 forever!"

So as I peel off the covers and mope on out to the front of the house, I see my beautiful smiling daughter and my cousin Jana who had got her ready for school. Ok so, I guess today is starting not that bad.

Then I jump on my iMac to check my multitude of daily emails. One caught my eye; it was from JustinElements Photography. Just two days earlier, I had met with Justin for an interview he had asked do of me, which had come about because a couple weeks earlier, I had the honor to speak at the Art Institute of OC.

Professor Zachary Drucker emailed me sometime ago asking if I would be a guest lecturer in his class discussing my business as a Lifestyle Wedding Photographer. WOW, I was truly honored and severely nervous! The day had come, I made it through the discussion and surprisingly enough I had possibly effected others' decisions to become Lifestyle Wedding Photographers, because when I spoke that evening there was only ONE person in the class who was considering wedding photography as a career. Which comes to the day of my interview with Justin, during our 3 hour interview and conversation, he divulged to me that the next week they had another wedding photographer visit them and when she asked in the beginning "Who here is interested in Lifestyle Wedding Photography?" 5 more people raised their hands- wow... I may have been a small part of this guidance!

And so, now the morning of my birthday, I read an email that Justin had finished his article and had posted it on his blog! I read it and it was the beginning of fabulous birthday adventure! Please read his article; he is an amazing writer!

So now to the next part of my day...

I asked my cousin if she would go on a walk with me- it was the one thing I really wanted to do that day...just get out and enjoy the day without really thinking about my B-day. Our walk starts at the Belmont Veteran's Memorial Pier, the sky is blue, the air is slightly warmed from the bright sun. We step onto the boardwalk and Jana gets a phone call; it's her lawyer. Unfortunately, my cousin is going through a split with her husband who we like to refer to now as the German version of Tiger Woods.

So this walk was for her as well as me, a much needed walk! Luckily, it was going to start off GREAT because that call she got from her lawyer was to tell her that the "DOUCHE-BAG" was about to get served!!!!!!!! FINALLY- she and the rest of us were waiting (what seemed like years but in reality it as only 2.5 months) for his sorry ass to get those papers that show him you can NOT screw around in this family and get away with it!

OK, so my original desire to not celebrate became a true need, a must to celebrate! So we walked our 38 year old asses to the Long Beach Museum of Art to pop open a bottle of champagne at Claire's.

Check out the iPhone pics of our gorgeous view!

After a bottle of bubbly and cheese plate, we danced (and I mean got groovy and down on the boardwalk dance) the whole way back to Black-Eyed Peas'

Boom, Boom, Pow!

Seriously this day just got better and better!

So the day progresses and the only REAL thing I had planned to do that day was go to the ShootSac Opening Holiday Party hosted by Keats Elliott and Jessica Claire

My best friend Charla, my cousin Jana and our fellow photog Alicia joined me for night of mingling with other photogs and buying the coolest lens bag ever!

The party brought all sorts of photogs in such as Becker, Vu Bui, Dane Sanders just to name-drop a few!

So the night was filled photog, camers, shootsacs, hot-totties and sweets! As you can imagine, the topic of discussion was photography which was just a bit boring for my cousin, so after Charla bought me my fabulous ShootSac we headed over to Lola's in Santa Ana for some vino, tapas and good times!!!!

I never thought this day would end up being one of the best!!!!

Thanks everyone for celebrating with me- luv you all!

Mom's Workshop | Great Christmas Gift's | Win a free mini- session | Professional Lifestyle Photographer

Hey Hubbies and Mommies!

Here are some great X-mas ideas for your wives! And for Mommies who want a great starter to take amazing pics of your lil ones.. check out the following... (all found on Amazon.com)

Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera (Black Body Only)

Buy new: $499.88

Technical Details

• 12.2-megapixel CMOS sensor captures enough detail for poster-size, photo-quality prints
• Large 3.0-inch LCD display; Enhanced Live View function
• DIGIC III image processor provides fast, accurate image processing; improved Autofocus and framing rate
• EOS Integrated Cleaning system, plus Dust Delete Data Detection in included software
• Stores images on SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)

Canon EOS Rebel T1i 15.1 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera with 3-Inch LCD (Body Only)

Buy new: $619.95

Technical Details

• New 15.1-megapixel CMOS sensor with DIGIC 4 Image Processor
• Body only; lenses sold separately
• Full HD video capture at 1920 x 1080 resolution; HDMI output
• 3.0-inch Clear View LCD; Live View Function for stills (Quick, Live and Face Detection AF modes) and video
• Capture images and video to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)

Canon - Lens - 50 mm - f/1.8 II - Canon EF

Buy new: $99.95

• 50mm standard lens with f/1.8 maximum aperture
• Traditional Gauss-type optical design is extremely sharp
• Focuses as close as 18 inches for extreme close-ups
• Ideal for natural-looking shots; excellent color balance
• Measures 2.7 inches in diameter; 1-year warranty

Now what about learning how to use your camera and get the best possible shot?

Well just add one more thing to your list... A "Krash" Course with KrisD Mauga ...hey that's me! Mom's Workshop! Do you have a DSLR? ...not sure how to really use it or get those amazing photos you see from the pros? Do you want to know more about editing & photoshop? Do you want to capture amazing photos of your lil ones? ...amazing enought to create a piece of artwork on your wall? If yes, then BOOK your spot now to have a 'Krash' Course with KrisD Mauga and learn these great tools and more! Sunday January 17th, 2010 Long Beach, Ca $75 per spot- limited spots available 12:30-3:30 3 hours of hands on training Learn about gear, photoshop, artistic styles of shooting and much, much more! This workshop will provide many discounts for photography goodies and one lucky mom will win a Mini Session shot by me of your kids!

inquire via kris@krashingmotions.info to book your spot now!!!

Contact KrisD Mauga

California Desert Wedding | Clay & Erin | Destination Wedding Photographer

Early wake up call...much earlier than usual! Thank 'G' for my hubby; he has always been an early riser (like 4:am on average)! I luckily packed and cleaned all my gear meticulously the day before like usual (for someone on the less organized side, I am religious about cleaning and organizing my gear)! Anyhow, we wake up to a dark morning prepping for our fabulous, wedding, desert day; I love road trips! We of course are running a bit late (which is why I ALWAYS prepare hours ahead)! We pick up my besty Charla of Charla Blue... with her gear, pillow and blankie in tow...(but don't we all?) Of course, I am not able to just fall right asleep as I had hoped...oh well! We listen to music, speak stories, view the vacant yet beautiful scenery, nod off here and there and traverse on to our destination- Blythe, Ca. Before we make our arrival, my hubby (Donovan) wakes my tushy up to our one break near Indio, Ca so we can pick up some snack essentials and take a much needed potty break! We finally arrive in Blythe after a 4.5 hour road trip (thanks again Honey)! We scope out the locations, check into our hotel, unpack mass gear and get our $#!t together for the day! BTW, can I say how much we all love our iPhones?! We had multiple locations we each needed to be at separately...thank "g" for google iPhone GSP!!!!! Ok so now the day of Erin & Clay starts! We are limited on time; so I meet with the girls and Charla, as my fabulous 2nd heads over to the boys. In earlier conversations, I had told her (Charla) I needed to find certain things to make this desert wedding work, one being a fabulous or completely opposite of a fabulous car (like a junk-yard car), a rustic house, and of course a valley! I was never really concerned; I knew it would happen and thanks to my 2nd Charla and my hubby Donovan they made it happen! This November day did not reveal the typical fall weather, in fact quite the opposite! Oh my, do I wish I had carried deodorant the whole day, because it was a dry 85? something! Seriously?! We make it to the homes of the bride and groom (Erin & Clay) around 1:30 pm to get this party started (ok so, I'm a product of the 70's, 80's, 90's, so I have many cliche songs in my repertoire)! Char n D drop me off at Erin's mother Chris' house. I entered into a home of open arms and a lot of busy-bee's. I wanted to scope the surroundings and start on the detail shots as I waited for the bride to make an entrance. Erin is such a DOLL; she broke away from her preparation to greet & give me a welcoming hug! Can I say how I love working with REAL people! As we progress with the "getting ready shots", I am eager to get started with our bridesmaids shots as well. This wedding was on a pretty strict schedule, I wanted to make sure we got EVERY shot I (& they) had hoped for. With valleys surrounding us, endless blue skies, and purple mountains we were able to meander down the street to get some quick yet fabulous moments captured! I love moments that you set up but yet end up capturing something that is REAL- this is ALWAYS my goal! The girls hammed it up for me and took to my idea of shooting on the vacant street!

OK, so Charla and my hubby, so made my wish list come true!!!! She rocked these shots of the guys!!!! What a perfect backdrop of an abandoned home.... and even better, an empty fridge in the middle of the desert!!!! What are the chances? Quentin Tarantino, did you hear and grant my wishes the night before? And yet again another wish shot... a kick ass car! Hello the photog gods were out there for us all! Also, I need to give thanks for such an easy-going, loving couple! They were with us every beat, willing to whatever we asked! This what makes for great moments, great photographs, great memories! Go girl, can you pass that along....? I love the pinky in the air- a true girly girl- luv it!!!! You can't get these skies just anywhere....just Blythe! I mean it! The two of you where and are absolutely fabulous! We had a great time shooting your wedding and capturing these moments! Cheers to you... Erin & Clay Mr. & Mrs Currier

We Give Thanks... to Family, Love, Support & Laughter... | Lifestyle Photography | KrashingMotions

This year, has proven that our family is strong. We've all had our trials and tribulations and we always come out better people for it! I'm thankful for my husband, his support, his devotion, his direction, and his patience.

I'm thankful for our daughter, her love, her spirit, her comedy, her amazing view of life.

I'm thankful for my parents, their ability to pick us up when we fall.

I'm thankful for all of the children of our families, their spirits, their strength, their ability to adapt to anything.

I'm thankful our family can endure and enjoy life all at the same time!

Our outdoor feast! I love how we are able to enjoy the the holidays outside (the benefits of California Seasons)!

The lil ones; amazing how they each are so much like their parents!

Matt's first time giving "grace"; can you tell how he is so much into it? It was unbearable & comical at the same time!

There wasn't a frown in the house....

Definitely a moment to record and put in the Dickson history books!

Pass the potatoes please! As fun and fabulous this day was, it also was bitter sweet. My mom reflected on the history of the china with great emotion.

This china was my Grandma Rose's. During her sickness she sold her china (long story). After she passed, my mom contacted the antique consignment store and asked if they could sell it back to her. Unfortunately, it had already sold. My mom left her info requesting if it were ever to be sold back to them to contact her. Well, it happened and my mom purchased each piece that was returned; it's not the complete set but I'm sure my mom will get it all one day!

I thought the reflection of the china was apropro for the moment and I spared my mom the sobbing photo of her telling us the story.

We are a fun, fabulous family that can roll with the punches and have fun doing it!

I'm thankful for you all!