Happy St Patty's Day | Creative Lifestyle Photography | KrashingMotions

So what do you do on St Patty's Day?

I always thought it to be funny that there is a day to give us all, Irish or not, to drink the night away (who needs an excuse anyway). So I thought today I would read the true meaning of St Patrick's Day via Wikepedia in hopes to shed some light of why we really should celebrate this day.... well....

"Saint Patrick's Day (Irish: Lá Fhéile Pádraig) is a yearly holiday celebrated on 17 March. It is named after Saint Patrick (circa AD 387–461), the most commonly recognized of the patron saints of Ireland. It began as a purely Catholic holiday and became an official feast day in the early 1600s. However, it has gradually become more of a secular celebration of Ireland's culture." "It is believed that Saint Patrick's Day has been celebrated in Ireland since before the 1600s. It was also believed to have served as a one-day break during Lent..." ~ Wikepdia

So after reading about St. Patrick's Day it really is religious day to drink in honor of Saint Patrick and the Irish culture! So there is your excuse- drink up but please do not drive!!!!

My daughter seems to be excited for the day, a day of illusion and mystery to find a leprechaun and a pot of gold!

So my plan for today is to enjoy my cup of coffee in my green Starbucks mug, dress my daughter in a super green outfit so she can hunt for the leprechaun at school, sneak a sip of Daddy's Guinness and of course walk my dogs Guinness and Bass.

After the lil one goes down to sleep, drink copious amount of wine just for the excuse that I am Irish and must celebrate in honor of St Patrick! Just kidding... well just a little!

Cheers!

Lifestyle Photography | Long Beach | KrashingMotions

Last Sunday I hosted my 2nd "Krash Course" Workshop for moms. This was not something I had planned on doing at all in the beginning of my career. I had quite a few request over the last year; one mom in particular really gave me the push to go for it! Our first workshop was in January , a small yet eventful success.

After completing my workshop, I had many more request to host yet another. After much thought, I figured if they ask I will "build one". So hence our 2nd Krash Course and now more to follow. Anyhow, this course was going to be more hands on with a real family session, instead of instructive and class-oriented.

I had many families that I had considered to be our models; one who stuck out in my mind more than all.... Chris & Jeffrey and their 'daughter'.

So why the ' ', well JJ is Jeffrey's niece. Her life has been unfortunate and luckily for her she has an amazing Uncle who has an amazing partner as well; both knew she needed them and they took her in with open arms & open hearts!

They just celebrated their one year of being a family. I had met them shortly before JJ moved in with them. So being there from the start of their journey, I feel a real bond with their family and their journey. JJ now has an amazing life with two amazing Dad's she refers to as Uncles. She loves them and they love her with all their hearts!

JJ you and your 'Dads' amaze me; I love you all and this is your gift for your one year anniversary!

More pics to post from all of the amazing & passionate photog moms SOON!!!!

Utterly Engaged | Long Beach Wedding Collective | Long Beach Wedding Photographer

~January 10th - Meeting with the Long Beach Wedding Collective Megan Gray of Honey & Poppies brings and inspiration board for a table needed to designed and executed January 20th. My thought is wow, this is ambitious. She and Candice Bradley of Dolcissima Events need to collaborate, shop, and create their vision of whimsical elegance! Though time was going to be crunched, I knew they could it; they are uber talented! ~January 20th - Utterly Engaged Event is here! My role in all of this, well of course to shoot their fabulous creation. After driving through torrential rains on the freeway at 7 miles per hour, I finally make my destination to the Astor Classics Event Center in Costa Mesa. I came early so I could the girls in action, but to my surprise they already finished setting up their Circus of Love table. Wow these girls really knew how to accomplish their vision! There were so many intriquette details that made this design flow so well. Who could of thought a whimsical circus theme could actually be applied to a wedding design, they did!

I loved this table; it was fun, vibrant, original. It reminded me of a dressed up Cracker Jack box with a real diamond as the prize!

Girls I am so proud of you two; you rocked it!

We had a fabulous time at the event; wine, bacon wrapped chocolate, photobooth and amazing talent!

I'll give all the details in my next blog with a peak of some of the other gorgeous tables!

Brides get on the phone and book your team for your wedding!!!!

Judy & Fabian | eSession | Southern California Wedding Photographer

Over the course of my time shooting professionally, I quickly came into the light of couple shooting and figured out that eSessions (engagement session), weddings and pregnancy sessions have become my true passion when it comes to shooting real life, real emotions, real moments!!!

There is always such passion among these three types of sessions!

I was hired to shoot an eSession for a couple who is already married; funny this isn't unusual for me. I have couples who maybe didn't hire a photog that matched their style for their wedding, or didn't even hire a photog, never had an eSession, or just wanted to capture this moment between the two of them before they move on with their life as couple.

All of these reasons are very understandable... heck I wish I had a boudoir session at my prime!

So last weekend, I met the Leon's; an adorable couple who seemed to be more worried about me because they were a tad late; no worries (I planned ahead.. I always do)- luckily we had enough light to scamper the streets of Long Beach up and down!

Sometimes, things have to change for the moment... we made a few adjustments to allow the shoot and get everything we needed; all worked out more than fabulous!

Actually, I work well under pressure apparently... it's been the one thing I dread, but the one thing I seem to be able to prevail. Luckily, I had a fabulous couple who was up for anything and kept up with me every step of the way!!!

After a few hours of trekking, touring, even sneaking a few shots here and there... I think we were able to capture some great moments for them to remember a very long time!!!

BullDog Beauty Contest | Long Beach | Lifestyle Photographer

So Sunday was a fabulous beautiful day! My daughter Kruiz and I made a trip to the Bull Dog Beauty Pageant hosted by Justin Rudd. It's an annual event, I always look forward to attending!

Everything was different about this pageant, the location, the amount of participants, the layout, the feeling and the loss of a special member, Rosie- Justin's baby girl of almost 13 years!

She was a LB celebrity who had been posted in Westways Magazine and more I am sure.

For the first time, I brought Kruiz my daughter and not only was she me lil one, she was my 2nd shooter. I gave her one of my cameras a Canon 10D w/ a 35mm 2.0 and she was off shooting. She shot about 379 photos- many were really great!

Her perspective was spot on- just above eye level with the pooches. She made my job a bit less strenuous because I knew she had the perspective I struggle to bend towards.

So here are some of my fave shots that she captured and she's not even 5 yet!!!!