{Roseville, Sacramento Wedding Photographer}: J-Town, S.F.

We found ourselves in Japan-town, S.F., Sunday afternoon. We don't venture much into the city by the bay, because it's THE BIG CITY. With 3 under 9 years of age, it can be somewhat difficult finding restrooms and timing has to be just right. We decided to let the dice roll and gamble our luck. We had a fun afternoon. Japan-town is a must stop for us to eat. We are sushi lovin' people and thank goodness, our kids are becoming lovers' as well...

This place always has a crowd in front and it really kinda is a hole in the wall... it's soo tiny and always a wait for the sushi boats...

David and I used to come here before we were married, so it's kind of a gas to realize we are bringing our kids here now...

One of those, "who would've ever thunk it" kind of things...

If you are ever in J-town, stop by Isobune for lunch or dinner, it's for sushi boat lovers only~ obviously.

It is nice to have a bit of a break to photograph my family. It's the old adage about the shoemaker never having enough time to make shoes for his kids...so I'm so honestly glad that I am able to carve out time to practice my skillz on them. We would have stayed outside longer, but it was pretty cold.

Japan-town is a great place to roam around and explore. Of course, this kid and her new Itouch, when school starts, there are going to be limits to this gadget! She was busy dressing the fantasy fairies on her Itouch.

This one was full of energy. The sushi boat place gave each kid a sucker in the shape of sushi! So he was happy savoring it.

Only two sleeps left in 2009...make them count! Have a safe and wonderful New Year's celebration! I'll be in Disneyland!!!!
xo,
~j

{Roseville, Sacramento Children's Photographer}: Mandy + Bryce

Right before Christmas I snuck in this photosession with these two. We only had an hour in the morning and not so lucky for us, it was a cold morning. But it was for a good cause and they braved the brisk morning air.

Their mama coaxed and coaxed to get them to take off their coats, but it was a no go. But this little one looks just as sweet nonetheless...


Big brother here... gorgeous sparkling eyes... one of my favorite "tween" kids that I personally know... such a good kid.


One of many favorite images from the session...


The last shot and we figured we'd open the tailgate and have them get close and take their jackets off and they did, and it came out just so perfect!


To see more of these two click here (please give it a few seconds to load):


Thanks for visiting! So glad you found me!
Happy last Tuesday of 2009!
xo,
~j

{Roseville, Sacramento Wedding Photographer}: Christmas Stuff....

So Christmas Eve started off pretty good...most everything was done, just some last minute cleaning and tidying to be finished and waiting for grandma to come over so that David and I could have one last date night for the year. To pass some time, the kids made Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookies for Santa...


We went to midnight mass and Marlena came with. She konked out half way through. But on the way home at 15 passed midnight Christmas morning, the moon was shining behind some clouds just perfectly. To a child's eyes, it really looked like Santa's Sleigh glowing in the sky, and to Marlena, it REALLY WAS SANTA! We hurried home so she could get into bed for Santa to come. It was really so sweet. So all you kids out there that don't believe, mine still does, so don't spoil it please. Anyway, she woke up to find that Santa left her an Ipod Touch. She was outstanding this past year.... that's her realizing what it is that Santa left her...


Isabella and Jensen were equally outstanding and got these...


Jensen was so glad to see the Buzz Lightyear hat and gloves. He thought we forgot them at the store, so he was very happy that Santa found them.


They also got this cool "play anywhere ping-pong" set...


When all the morning festivities settled down, I got busy chef-ing...

not the most flattering photo of me, but, it is what it is...

This little cutie came over, she is my cousin, technically, my children's aunt, even though she is younger than my two oldest... again, it is what it is, she loves to see Bella... we broke out the Nerf'ers....


and all the kids had a shoot out with my cousin Thomas who came over with his wife from Fresno...he's a big kid too... I can't figure out how they got the nerf bullets bullseyed on his glasses...


Dinner was great... I had been cooking all day though, so everyone was happy with appetizers... dinner was a roast, with veggies and potatoes and wine... David and I were blissed out with great, great red wine...

My uncle in the middle, happy with food...


My dad was enjoying the conversation at dinner. When I drink wine, I tend to be a happy, talkative, talker. Talk, talk, talk. I was brave enough to spill some early girlfriend/boyfriend stories that really should have been kept locked away... dad was cool, he kept stoic...


Saturday morning, the kids enjoyed their new prezzies...



and for once, David and I could hold a 20 minute long conversation....

thanks for reading and letting me share.... leave your blog addy so I can read about your Christmas!
xo,
~j

{Roseville, Sacramento Wedding Photographer}: Glimpses of the Eve of Christmas Eve...

Dearest Blogland ... I really just can't stay away when I thought I could. My beloved camera was minding it's own business, knowing full well how busy I have been. But it caught a glow of the reflective light and smiled at me, and it had me in it's grips again. So I thought I would share with you my evening from last night.

David has been working like a mad man at work, trying to get projects at a tidy stopping point before taking a bit of a break. So he does a little more work and then hunkers down for some casual surfing...


These two, all giggles and horseplaying... they just won't stop... every now and then, someone gets too rough and then "everything is fun until someone gets hurt", says their mamma. Yes, that's a lotto ticket she's holding, a girl can dream... you can't win, if you don't play...


M's list of the reindeer...she's a planner like her mamma. She's hatching up a plan of how we will disperse the reindeer food on Christmas Eve.... she's got to make sure she's accounted for all the reindeer... heaven forbid we miss one... of course we double checked and googled the whole crew...


A snapshot of M's homemade ornament... that kid is crafty...


Pretty, pretty ornaments... my color scheme has always been red and gold, or should I say crimson and autumnal yellows....


and a little down time for me...

merry christmas eve!
xo,
~j

{Roseville, Sacramento Wedding Photographer}: Merry Christmas!

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas... I'll be back to blogging right after to share our day..... until then... may the Spirit of Him, lift you up and give you blessings this holiday season...
xo,
~j

{Roseville, Sacramento Wedding Photographer}: Captain's Log Stardate 12.18.2009

Date night last Friday evening... we went to Il Fornaio. David and I haven't been there in a very long time, so it was a wonderful treat. The ambience was perfect and we needed the time to re-connect. Re-charged and re-connected, although I've caught myself a cold. I didn't mean to catch it, somehow though, it caught up to me. Like the dastardly fly that gets caught inside your car and you're desparately trying to shoo it out, finally, FINALLY it makes its way out, but without annoying the heck out of you first. That's how I feel about this cold. ANNOYED.
But I digress... thank you, thank you for a wonderful dinner babe. It was all very delicious!


xo,
~j

{Roseville,Sacramento Engagement Photographer}: Us, Part II

These are the rest of the images from my family photoshoot. David and I decided to take advantage of the tri-pod and get images of just the two of us together while the kids explored. This is just something we never do because I'm usually the one holding the camera or he's the one holding the camera, so this was a treat.

It's kind of the same images of us standing and our upper bodies doing different things, but I love them anyway. These will be so special to me because of their rarity.


If you own a tripod or if you are able to put your camera on something stable with a flat surface, learn how to use the self timer setting...


it's better than nothing...and the shots you get might surprise you...


and for heaven's sake, get out of the house, away from the sofa to do it. Find a beautiful location and have some fun! I'm so glad we did.


xo,
~j

{Roseville, Sacramento Photographer}: Us, Part I

So I had the pleasure of photographing this lovely group... Uh, Yeah! that's my family! This was literally an afterthought on a late Sunday afternoon. The sun was going down soo fast and this was the only weekend we had free before the bad weather hit, so we hustled. For those of you wondering who took the photos, well, I did technically. I set my camera on top of my tri-pod, dialed in the settings, got everyone in position, hit the shutter, had 10 seconds and ran to my place. Back and forth, back and forth, adrenaline kicking in.

I, ME am my worst critic. I do not like the way I look in photographs. I have to literally take 200 before I am satisfied with one. Sound familiar? Any moms out there that can sympathize? Yes, we all have our demons. This is one of mine. This one isn't one of my best compositionally, but cut me a little slack, I WAS running back and forth, directing the kids, threatening them if they don't behave they'd be in trouble, kicking myself for not telling my husband to wear darker pants and having to deal with the sun quickly going down....


I'm a little lucky, my kids are hams, when they are in the mood, they are big posers and they refrained from the bunny ears this time, thank goodness...actually it was the evil eye from mom...


It was literally 4pm and I threw these clothes on the kids, not really having a plan in mind, but I knew the colors would meld together, plus, who'd ever thought of blue's and green's for Christmas photos? I am of the motto, whatever goes, we'll make it work, and I think it did! There are other things that I could stress out about than color coordination...


This one I like a lot, but it's not the one I chose for our cards. Of which, I ordered late because I am a busy, busy mom, or at least I pretend to be :) They are on their way to my mailbox and I hope to get them out this week. I'll post the rest of our photo session tomorrow....


Only 9 more shopping days left 'till Christmas! Off to do some shopping.... maybe I'll run into you, stop me and say hi!

{Roseville, Sacramento Photographer}: Motorsports...

I mentioned here that David and I went to the 25 Hours at Thunderhill and documented the event for TEAM MER. Can you see me in the white coat throught the windshield? Very cold that day! If you are a motorsport fan, which my husband is, you will appreciate these images. If you are a fan of photography, you will appreciate these images. When I was there I wanted to document the comraderie of the team, the grittiness of the sport and the awesome-ness of the cars, the machines. Not only will you see cars, but you will see the photojournalistic side and candid side of my photography. This is the part of photography that I love, either being in the middle of a team of people doing their thing or at a wedding, it's the part I love, capturing relationships in a candid photojournalistic style.

Team MER: Day 1
Team MER: Day 2

{Roseville,Sacramento Children's Photographer}: Happy Birthday Isabella!

It was a cold, windy, blustery day, seven years ago today when my beautiful girl was born. She's given me nothing but joy. My footloose and fancy free child.

She only wanted to have a sleepover party this weekend with her closest friends to share it with her. That's all. So with her brother and big sister, they all were packed like sardines to settle in for a movie...


No that arrangement didn't last for very long. But she did love that her friends were here with her and she felt very special.


Happy Birthday my most favorite purple girl... (this is one of her most favorite songs):


Thanks for stopping by. Have a great Monday!