Rock N Water

Totally sharing right now.  This was not a work trip or a day trip.  It was a field trip for my 4th grader (well, now 5th grader) and her class.  We went up to Coloma to a Christian adventure camp called Rock N Water.  Talk about a refreshing two days spent with my oldest.  No electronics, no cars (other than to get from point A to point B) and lots of walking through the most beautiful countryside I've been to in awhile.  We had a guide named Maggie (who had the thickest Irish accent, it was endearing) who took us through trails and taught us about the Native Americans that inhabited the land.  We learned about nature and what to eat to survive.  We also learned about the Gold Rush.  It was awesome.  So, of course, I took pictures and I wanted to share.
If you are ever up in Placerville, check out a park called Gold Bug Mine, that's where we started.  We hiked trails and toured two mines.  Then we were carted off to the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park in Coloma that has a small history museum, historic buildings and tons of trails to walk.
These are great places to take the kids for a day trip and for a great history lesson or just a nice walk through nature.
Lastly, we went to set up camp.  Rock N Water has privately owned land where they have us camp, pan for gold, trail hike and more.  If you are looking for a way to get the kids out and away from their DS, look into taking a group to Rock N Water.  They are amazing and we had such a great time!

Most of my photos are of Gold Bug Mine and the Rock N Water property since it started raining on us at the State Park.

There was a lot of stairs.  I got my workout!

and the trail goes on...

Maggie is showing us the benefit of chewing on pine needles.  Surprisingly, they didn't taste too bad.  Just don't swallow them!  They help with keeping your body hydrated.

These photos don't do the environment justice.  To be surrounded by such vast beauty was incredible.

Maggie was looking for the weed that helps with poison oak.

Dinner was chili.  Soooo good!

The Rock N Water experience is like going back in time.  The focus being on the Gold Rush.

Our campfire host was funny but entertaining, teaching the kids how to juggle and the history of different games that came from different countries while people migrated to California during the Gold Rush.

He is also a master juggler.

Our last hike on the last day.

One of our "Quiet Spots".  We had the opportunity to separate ourselves to our own little corner and say quiet prayers, meditate or just enjoy our surroundings.  Reflection is a powerful thing.

Part of the Rock N Water property.

Sweet Maggie.  She taught the kids so much.

We did pan for gold.  One of the girls in our group found some.

Seeds called Jobe's Tears.  We made bracelets out of them.

It was such a great trip, these photos can not possible encompass how wonderful the time there was but I couldn't help sharing :)

It's Not Just About Being Sexy

I have recently made the transition to start offering Boudoir sessions to clients.  Up until now, it was just a by-request portrait session but in talking with some of my girlfriends we all agreed on the same thing... women need to feel sexy!  Especially as we get older and our roles as "Mom" and "Wife" take over.  We need to remember we are women and we are fierce!  I think any woman can relate, no matter age.

Every woman wants to feel like Gisele Bundchen.  I think every woman should.

So I asked a friend of mine to model for me.  She is your everyday mom of two and career woman.    She is not a model, she had never done anything like this before but she was excited to let me use her in a trial run.  I told her that she did not have to be nude and that I wanted to work with her comfort level.  She brought lingerie and items that she felt comfortable in.  

We put on some music, got her hair and makeup done by my team of pros and then we went to work.  She had a great time!  I will not show her photos online out of respect for her privacy but what transpired was truly an experience.    She said that she hadn't felt that sexy in a long time and she couldn't wait to show her husband.

We did have a model come in and take some photos for us.  She is also a mom!  I will share some of those pictures just so you can see what we are accomplishing.

Neptune Designs by Dakota

I recently collaborated with a talented up-and-coming designer straight out of high school.  She shows great promise and I was happy to do a photo shoot for her recent endeavors.

Accompanied by friends of hers, we had fun with an idea she had for a theme... diva on the town.

I look forward to seeing what this talented young woman comes out with!

Here is Dakota's website:

http://rulethewaves.webs.com/

Leaving The Nest

A child's journey into adulthood is probably the scariest moment for a parent

but watching them grow into an amazing human being is probably the proudest.

For me, senior portraits (and portraits in general) should show the person's personality not just poses.  I love a great laugh because the smile is authentic.  I love when a person gets comfortable and just starts dancing in the middle of a shoot.  Photos that come out of shoots like that are priceless and irreplaceable.  Unable to duplicate and impossible to fake.

Luc was one of those people.  Once we talked about what and where he wanted his portraits to be (please no train tracks he said) and we got into a groove, his dance moves came out as well as his inner Zoolander.

His Blue Steel.  I think it is spot on.

He really wanted this shot.

Spiderman?

He really liked levitation photography.

Luc is a dancer so I definitely wanted to incorporate dance moves into his shoot.  He really liked that idea.

Classic