Happy Birthday my Sweet Lil 6 Year Old {Kruiz} | {Day 1 and her 2 day celebration}

First, life is BUSY and I am not complaining actually I am LOVING every moment of being on the go and having something to do.  Of course making sure I am balancing my family, work, fun and me time is always a challenge but for once I feel like I am really doing it.  Sure there are somethings being put on the back burner but I will get to them eventually.
Currently, I am SPRING cleaning and it is a challenge!  I have a crazy deadline to meet for a client who needed something on the fly. I'm working on 7 other posts for my blog.  I went golfing March12 at Journey with my hubby and then the next day shot a wedding in Fallbrook.  Submitted multiple shoots for publications.  Currently I'm creating 2 albums for clients.  I'm creating a new blogsite for The Long Beach Wedding Collective. I just finished my new website via ShowitSites; it took me 3 months to get it just perfect (for me). I customized 2 websites for my clients (a new feature for all my Signature Wedding Collections).  I'm always editing of course.
The best part is I am making sure I am spending time with my daughter whether it be school functions, homework, ballet, swim etc; it's time we get together.

In the midst of ALL this, my one and only miracle of life just celebrated her 6th Birthday!
Wow it all goes by in the blink of an eye!
She deserved every moment of this 2 day celebration but boy are mommy n daddy WIPED out!
Last Sunday morning the day began with mommy not feeling to well in the wee hours of the a.m. (7 dashes to the bathroom and some Imodium cured that). I know... just call me KrisD {TMI} Mauga.  But I got little if any sleep for journey ahead.
Kruiz woke up and daddy surprised her with MickeyMouse pancakes n waffles!
She inhaled them and quickly got dressed after her shower.
We made our way to Studio 365 where the kids got dolled up rocker style!  The kids LOVED IT!  Kruiz was in absolute heaven being doted over!
We then headed over to House of Blues because if you look like a RockStar you should party like a Rockstar!
Kruiz was and IS so thankful for the time she had with her family and friends; she loved every hug, every laugh and of course every gift.
After a day of fun somehow we made it to California Adventures where after a few hours  mommy SHUT DOWN.
The adventure continues as we wake up the next morning for our fun-filled eco-friendly day with Kruiz on her actual birthday.... check back in a few (days) for the rest of our adventure!
Kruiz said this was the BEST Birthday EVER (she says that every year so it must just begetting better with time).























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{Geri & Steve} Married | Shot with Todd Laffler | New Jersey Wedding Photography

At the end of February I took a trip to NYC to shoot an engagement session and then to New Jersey to shoot with one of my FAVE photographers of all time Todd Laffler!  I have multiple photographers I have looked to for inspiration, guidance etc. but with Todd he continues to AMAZE me EVERY TIME!  It was such a HUGE honor to be able to guest shoot with him while I was out there.

Beyond the mere excitement of being able to work with Todd I was just as excited to be shooting in an environment that is not the norm for me.   Jersey on a sunny day with blankets of snow EVERYWHERE!

Could the day get any better? 

Guess what YES because the couple we shot along with their family and friends were absolutely AMAZING!

Congrats Geri & Steve; you are such a fabulous couple!

{note} this is going to be a 2 parter because we had the luxury of shooting this fabulous couple for over 4 hours before the wedding even began.  Couples if you are looking for those shots that look editorial, fashion-esc with a tinge of photojournalism (you know... those WOW shots), then please welcome the idea of having a "first look"!

It allows for us to spend more time shooting your editorial portraits, plus once the ceremony is over you get to enjoy the whole evening without worrying about photos.

Thanks Todd for an amazing experience; I hope to shoot with you again one day!

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{Sneak Peek...} Chris & Lindsey | Fallbrook Wedding | Destination Wedding Photographer

My lovely couple Chris & Lindsey are enjoying a fabulous honeymoon right now in the tropics afte an amazing wedding this past Sunday in Fallbrook at the Grand Tradition.
I have been  so lucky to have amazing couples ALWAYS with weddings that really play out so smoothly!  This wedding especially went off without a hitch! The Grand Tradition is a FABULOUS venue that lays our your wedding to perform perfectly!
The day was PRACTICALLY PERFECT!  I had the best couple, the best weather, and the best team to assist me (everything was just calm and flowing~ details of the whole day to follow in the next post later next week).

Here is a sneak peak of one of the sweetest couples I have had the pleasure capturing...

{Chris & Lindsey}

Mr & Mrs Bonace

more to follow next week... so keep tuned!

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{NYC} eSession Part 2 | {Gladys & Roy} | New York City Wedding Photographer

So here they are once more: Roy & Gladys!
Thanks guys for taking me out to a fabulous dinner!
I can't believe everything we have in common.
Roy & Gladys you have such strength; Roy you are a lucky guy!
The two of you are amazing, beautiful people!
Congrats again!

















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{Published} in Rangefinder Magazine | Professional Photographer | KrashingMotions in Print

OMG- I am so excited!  As photog, one of our ways to help market our work is to be featured and or published.  I talked about this in an earlier post back in January, so I don't think I need to bore you with all the details.
But I wanted to shout out to the world when I finally say my name, my company name, my words and my work in actual print!  Not only is it in print but it's in a professional photography magazine that MANY of subscribe to, Rangefinder Magazine!
So I know I'm totally being a brag or maybe it's not a big deal to many (it is to me though), but really I am just thrilled to the moon that I had to SHOUT IT OUT TO THE WORLD!!!!  Thanks Alice for submitting this and getting it in print!




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Gladys & Roy {Engaged} | NYC eSession Part 1 | New York Photographer

So last week, I traveled to NYC to meet some people I have been in contact via the web in the industry & to shoot an engagement session in the city and guest shoot a wedding in Jersey.

There is SO much to tell about my trip, so I think I will save it for another post.

What I can say is I love the city and I LOVE the people  in it!

I arrived Thursday after a red-eye.  The weather was volutile so all my plans were on the fly with the exception of the wedding on Saturday in Jersey and the engagement session in the city on Sunday.

When I say volutile, I mean one minute drizzle (no big), to clouds clearing and beautiful sun to a hurricane sweeping through the streets and umbrellas being thrown inside out and blown from the clutches of weary travelers & locals alike.

I really didn't care what the weather brought, because I was thrilled to be there, meet people and shoot!
So Sunday I awoke with much surprise to an amazing glow of sun; the weatherman had said it would be rainy with possible snow.

My engaged couple must have prayed to the sun gods and their praise must go a long way because we could not have had a more perfect day!!!!

Around 2:30 my couple Gladys and Roy pull up and I jump in their SUV.

Ok so wait, a bit of backstory how this all actually happened.

I said I was going to meet some friends I acquired via the web, one being Nicola the founder & CEO of the Bridal Crate Magazine.  

With plans to meet with her, I though it would be fun to have them host a contest for a free eSession.

Gladys & Roy ended up being the winners!!!!

I couldn't have been more thrilled that they won!  Not only did the win the contest but they WON my heart!

We hit it off with so many of life experiences in common.

This couple is so madly in love, so energetic and so perfect for each other.

I love it when I meet people whom are AUTHENTIC!

The day could not have been more perfect.

There is SO much to tell & show from our 3 hour session and then night of fabulous food, drinks and new FRIENDS that this will have to be a 2 part series!

Gladys & Roy congrats on winning & even more congrats on your future nuptials!

I can't wait to see you both again!

Check out the kiss in the reflection in the stem of the Champagne glass... gotcha!

Running away from paparazzi....

Now safe in each other's arms behind closed doors.

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{Baby Rawley} Part 2 | Lifestyle Photography | Veteran's Memorial Pier

Ok so I am now back from NYC (another post later re: that amazing trip!).  I can finally post more shots of my dear friends {the Rifsdal Family}!

Ash & Hoff are one of the if not THE coolest couples I know.  They are carefree spirits who are always there for their family and friends!  

SOLID PEOPLE!

There aren't many people like them and it makes me so happy to see them with their baby boy!

Congrats!

I love you guys!

These last 3 shots were taken by Kruiz (my almost 6 year old) daughter.  She shot using my 10D CanonCanon EOS-10D 6.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) and 35 mm 2.0Canon EF 35mm f/2 Wide Angle Lens for Canon SLR Cameras.  She is a natural; I didn't give her any direction except to stay out of my shot.  She even helped by holding the reflector when I needed! Kruiz I love you; you are the best "senior assistant" ever!
She even helped design her own logo!


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