So Proud

Not only am I lucky enough to have a wonderful, gorgeous, awesome surfer for a future husband...I'm lucky to share the same passion for photography with him. We're always comparing notes, helping each other out and most importantly encouraging each other to get better and better. We have VERY different styles but I think that helps keeps things interesting. And a little less competitive. But only a little.




Rich has really taken more of an interest in surf photography. And being that it combines his 2 passions in life (besides moi) he's pretty darn good at it.





This series of Rich's friends Troy and Conrad was taken with our (his) new fancy lens. It's a white one. And white lenses = f.a.n.c.y.




I just love the yellow of the setting sun in these shots. Awesome job RichBabe!

He's working on his website as we speak and I'll be sure to post about that when it's ready to go, in the meantime you can always check out more of his work on his flickr page.

Engagement Photos! Finally!

Go look at them right now! And don't forget to leave Natalie a comment!
I love them all so much I can't decided which one I like best!!

I got a new hat

I was inspired by Avery and her darling Urban Outfitters hat...so when I saw this bad boy at Forever 21 the other day I just had to have it. Only $9.80! After all, it is ridiculously photogenic. I also bought some Maybelline Moisture Extreme lip color in Royal Red that is quite fabulous and goes well with my fair skin and hair. I highly recommend. Oh and it matches the hat perfectly...

Click here to see my red hat and new red lipstick in all their red delicious glory.

It's Music Tuesday!

I should have done this yesterday...Music Monday sounds so much better. But yesterday wouldn't work because yesterday I did not receive my Very Short List email about 50 Bands, 50 States and yesterday the U2 Deluxe Edition Box Set was not yet released.

This is me rockin out

So lets break it down...50 Bands, 50 States was put together by the staff of The Boston Phoenix an alt weekly newspaper. This super cool, time killing, interactive site has put together the all-time best band, all-time best solo artist and (what I'm most excited about) best new band for each of the fifty, nifty United States. So which state produces the best musical talent? That's up to you to decide...But The Beach Boys and Dre? It doesn't get much better than that.

Now on to Part 2 of It's Music Tuesday! U2. Box Set. Need I say more? 445 tracks of pure Irish genius-ness. Including deluxe editions of the bands first three albums BOY, OCTOBER and WAR. So don't wait until Tomorrow or even Another Day, just get Out Of Control, Rejoice With A Shout and Surrender to the music.

Blog of the Week: Working Girl

Being that it is Monday, and I really, really don't want to be at work....I thought it would be fitting to feature one of my new favorite blogs to kick off the work week.
I give you....Working Girl:

Actually that's me up there (it was the perfect excuse to post my Encyclopedia of Etiquette shot) But enough about me. Working Girl, is a hilarious and witty blog written by two 20-somethings about their life as young, working professionals. With everything from kissing coworkers to pointless IM conversations, it's the perfect fix to a dull work day. And not to mention totally relatable.
Enjoy!

I hope your weekend is....

Simple and lovely.....

An old schoolhouse in Old Sac

A gorgeous bouquet Rich's Mom made for me

Feminine Fans

Dinner and a Surf

Ok we live 2 miles from the beach (if that) and yet every night we have dinner on the couch in front of the tv with Zulu at our feet just willing food to fall on the floor so she can get even the tiniest morsel of human food.

Well last night was different...we had dinner at the beach! What a novel idea. I don't know why we don't have dinner at the beach every night. We stopped off at Vons for a yummy gourmet sandwich and some chips and trekked down to the cliffs to our little private(ish) beach for a lovely oceanfront dining experience.


See how romantic dinner at the beach makes you? Actually, we took these for The Kissing Project. But it was a great excuse to share some kisses with my fiance in such a gorgeous setting.
After dinner, I took a million and one photos of Rich surfing with the new fancy lens he bought. I'll try to edit some of those and get them up here soon.

Allow me to brag about myself....

I heart the Del Mar Fair. There's just something about being on the top of the ferris wheel and looking out over the Pacific Ocean that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.


And this year I especially love the Del Mar Fair because Rich and I entered some of our photos into their photo exhibit and some of them were actually picked! Rich had about 5 0r 6 photos picked and earned about 4 honorable mentions. I had one photo picked (but didn't win any awards)



Here's me posing by my little photo....Now here's where the bragging comes in. Rich met a guy who was a judge for the exhibit and this judge guy expressed to Rich how difficult it is to get your photos picked in the first place, let alone win awards. I guess it's an international competition amongst pro photographers and stuff. Huh? What? and they chose my photo? Maybe they felt sorry for me :)

Anyway, Rich is the real hero in this story. 4 honorable mentions! I'm so proud! We're really looking forward to next year when we can actually be prepared to submit our photos (rather than doing it all the night before the submission deadline)



Leaving the fair and sneaking in a few shots on the way out....See you next year Del Mar Fair!

Baby Shelby

Check out little baby Shelbs! This is Rich's Co-workers little girl. I got to hang out with her a couple weeks ago and we bonded big time. It's a Shelby thing - you wouldn't understand. I took a gazillion pictures of her and she loved every minute of it. Those big eyes and those big cheeks! I can't stand it!

WooHoo It's Friday!

5pm couldn't come fast enough! Hope you guys have a great weekend!

Scrubbed to Death

No, I don't clean in heels and a strapless dress and No, I didn't die from cleaning too much (Ha! That would be the day) but for yesterday's FGR challenge we were asked to photograph our own deaths. I'm not really a morbid person and think it would be bad karma to joke about your own death so I took the more upbeat route.

Besides it was the perfect opportunity to show off some of my bridal shower gifts including my "Mrs. Apron" made by my dear friend Carrie of Triple C (this is where I would link you to her website/online store if she had one, which she should... so Carrie get on that. Unfortunately she'll never read this so chances are slim....sigh.

Oh and that's the red chair we bought at Ikea for $99 to take along on our engagement shoot last weekend. I'm in love with it as a photo prop.

New Feature! Blog of the Week!

I can't tell you how much time I spend cruising the blog world to find new, fun, funny, fierce (ha had to throw that in) blogs to read and kill some time while I'm at work. I know, I know - you want to hire me, don't you?

Anyway, there would be too many to add to my blog roll and I try to save those for friends and family anyway....so instead I'm starting my Blog of the Week. Each week I'll feature a new blog that I'm currently (or always) obsessed with and I promise not to bore you with photo blog after photo blog. (except for this first one - but it is anything BUT boring)

My first featured blog is.......drum roll please......

Natalie Moser Photography!

(Shocker!) Natalie just so happens to be my wedding photographer and that little collage up there just so happens to be some of her shots from my dear friend Lyndsy's wedding. And Lyndsy just so happens to have her very own blog: Yellow Brick Blog. (But I'll save that for another time)

So if you're still reading this - stop it - and go check out Natalie's blog for fabulous wedding photos, portraits and more! You will fall in love - everyone else does :)

That is so Cliche

Ok this was fun. For today's Flickr Group Roulette we were challenged to take a photo that showed some of the cliches we see on Flickr. While I'm guilty of a lot of cliches, I took the below shot to demonstrate just some of the many we see everyday...


So here are some of my cliches in this shot: Vignetting, added texture, vintage processing (cross processing), Polaroid, high heels, knee socks and the ever popular text on photos. And go check out the FGR pool for even more cliches.

So I Think I Can Dance

When I was younger my brother used to think he was a black belt in karate after watching Kung Fu movies - I usually ended up being on the receiving end of his kicks and punches...

Now I'm 28 and I think I can dance after watching two hours of the reality show So You Think You Can Dance.

It really is an amazing show - I really wish I could dance like those people. I would probably take a lot more self portraits if I knew how to move that way.





Rich and I have our engagement session with Natalie on Sunday. I have no idea what to wear. The dress above (Click Here for a better view) is an option but I'm not totally sold on it yet. What does one wear to an engagement shoot?

The Tour - Rancho Valencia

I'm not sure if I told you guys that Rich and I had our wedding tasting the other day at Rancho Valencia (where we're getting married) and it was one of the best meals I've EVER HAD! And the best part? It was totally free! Free apps, free wine (2 bottles) free entrees and free dessert! After we stuffed ourselves silly and got a good buzz we walked around the property and took some photos. So here is your officially unofficial tour of Rancho Valencia. (Oh and my Song of the Day is O Valencia by The Decemberists - how fitting!)


The shot above is part of the Sunrise Patio where Rich and I will be saying our "I Dos" right there under that little trellis thing (the table will not be there - but most of you will!)



This is one of my "artsy" shots. The tile is part of the fountain that is featured on the Sunrise Patio. However the fountain will be turned off during the ceremony as it is a little noisy....



This shot above is of my very favorite part of the property - the Fountain Courtyard. This is where my guests will feast on delicious appetizers, sip wine and listen to some relaxing tunes during the cocktail hour.
Beyond the fountain in that little doorway is the bar...I have a feeling guests will be hovering in that area.



Up there is Rich getting his double fisted groove on in the Terrace Room where the reception will be held. Take a good look folks because you won't see him doing this very often. I think it's his "I'm so happy to be marrying Shelby dance."

Ahh the pool, located near the spa. Ahh.

And I'll leave you with these out of focus palm trees and my out of focus lights...but this is probably what you'll be seeing after several glasses of champagne anyway ;)

Hope you enjoyed your Tour De Rancho Valencia! See you in September!!

Fireworks

A couple shots from our own fireworks show last weekend in Sacramento. After spending the past few 4th of July's partying all day on the beach in San Diego - Sacramento with the family was a nice change. But I don't think it was anymore relaxing ;)

Hope you all enjoyed your 4th!

Summer Afternoon

2:22 pm on a July afternoon and I'm stuck inside. Ugh what I would give to be at the beach right now! According to weather.com the outside temp is a perfect 72 degrees.

So to keep my spirits up I made these little paper umbrellas and found this wonderful quote. Now if I just close my eyes for a minute I can feel myself laying on the beach, toes in the sand, sun on my face and a margarita in hand.

Here's to Summer!

Graham & Kate's Wedding

So I finally got around to editing some of my favorite photos from Graham and Kate's wedding. You'll notice there is no real theme to my editing as I wanted to try several different techniques. I'm interested in hearing which ones you like best.





This one above is one of my favorites (if only Graham's eyes were open) I added a light sepia tone so you can still see a little of the pink in Kate's bouquet.

I also love Rich's "peeping tom" shot above.

For this last one I added texture to give it a vintage feel (one of my new favorite tricks) How sweet is Graham's face here? So in love....

Thanks again for a wonderful weekend. We had such a blast! For all the rest of the pictures (unedited) click here. Enjoy!

Girly Strip

A little project I've been working on. It was inspired by Jen Gotch Photograpy. Check out her ridiculously good work by clicking here.

I hope you all have a really wonderful, safe weekend.

Dandelion

Settle down now and sit with me
Let me tell you how this all came to be
A yellow flower with your petals to the air
And flying on paper wings that brought you here
Summer rolls on in the lazy hours
An ether dream way
Of hummingbirds and clouds
Midnight swims in the cool back waves
And you in my arms as it rolls away

Little dandelion
Let your heart keep time
Now the clouds are gone
All of your tomorrows shine

Born of restless night the moon as a pearl
Playing games down inside your soft warm world
Hear my voice I know that you can
You're the fire in my eyes
The sun as a man
Seasons come along and seasons go
And what they'll leave behind
I don't pretend to know
I'm afraid that all I have missed
Will loom very large when the darkness lifts

Little dandelion
Let your heart keep time
Now the clouds are gone
All of your tomorrows shine

I will ride by your side
Wherever you go
I won't run I won't hide
Just letting you know

Little dandelion
Let your heart keep time
Now the clouds are gone
All of your tomorrows shine

-Audioslave

This is what I did at work today....

She's got her head in the clouds...

More Disney

How fitting is this sign?

I told you we took a lot of letter pics

Sisters!

And of course the "Mrs. Pose"