Gettin' busy (not that kind of busy)

This past week I had the opportunity to work with a talented and generous photographer,erica berger, for two engagement sessions and a mini church wedding in the bay area. San Francisco has got to be one of the best cities to shoot in. It is a beautiful city with a lot of character and charm. I'm enjoying my new office space :)

Technicolor Dream World

So I've been out of commission this past month because my fancy lens on my fancy digital camera was not working. Fear not, the kind people at Nikon repaired it for me and it was under warranty so it all worked out.

I really missed being behind the camera though. I love the perspective it gives me when I'm out and about looking for something to shoot. It's like my mind goes into this automatic mode of positioning and re-positioning shots until I like what I see. But sometimes when you think your done shooting and you're about to walk away something tells you to stop and just shoot, no adjustments needed, and often that's when you get amazingly pure captured moments. I think this is also how most of us live our lives, positioning and re-positioning until things look or seam right. But sometimes we just need to BE, no adjustments needed.


These past few months have been a great opportunity for me to just BE and I have to admit it's been a dream...

A little obsessed with San Diego Missions

I previously posted about my arrival here in SD and how I love being a native San Diegan, yadda yadda.... So I went to the other mission (yes there are two) and took more pictures. I'm not religious but I find old school mission style architecture so beautiful. The crisp white walls contrasted with warm Spanish tiles set against luscious gardens of palm trees and exotic flowers makes you feel a world away.
Here is the last of my series on the San Diego Missions. That's all for the history segment.






I took this picture of the cross on the top of the bell tower and my brother informed me an upside down cross is sacreligious. I tried to turn the photo upside down so as not to offend anyone but it didn't look right and then I realized that would be altering how I saw this picture go down in my mind, you know like art. So the upside down cross in the puddle stays as is.

Kristine & Michael - NYC

I was so honored when my friend Kristine asked me to shoot her civil ceremony in NY. They will be having a wedding in Germany over the summer, but wanted to have their civil ceremony documented in NY this past weekend. They truly are a class act couple. Thank you Mike and Kristine!

Spectacularousity!

I just can't resist posting this picture because I'm still fairly fresh from NY and I want to irritate all my friends back there. Today I was hanging out at my favorite beach of all time Wind 'N Sea and yes it's still January people. I watched this amazing sunset complete with tiny surfers and then I synchronized the birds to fly by. Perfection. Tell me you're not jealous, go on a I dare you.

I heart San Diego (sorry New York)

I'm back home in San Diego where it's almost 70 degrees and crystal clear most days. Were else would it be this nice in January? (no I did not touch up the sky it was really that blue today... ok maybe a little tweaking, but not one cloud!).

I'm back home because I'm taking time off from NY and the fashion industry. I am no longer going to pursue my fashion career but instead follow my heart to what really makes it sing. I have no regrets about leaving the fashion world and so far I haven't had that panic stricken "what in the hell are you doing Michelle" voice fill my head. Maybe because I've been through a massive change already (by moving to NY and pursuing fashion with a vengeance) or maybe because this is what I really should be doing with my life and therefore it FEELS natural. Feeling is the operative word her folks. We shouldn't go through life without feeling or knowing what makes our hearts sing. It just leads to numbness and then we will never be able to recognize what's not working in our lives and be able to do something about it.

Today I visited Old Town, a historic state park in San Diego. This is the birthplace of not only San Diego but of California. San Diego is the first permanent settlement in California, where father Juniper Serra decided to set up shop with the first of 21 Missions. What a claim to fame! I really do love being a native San Diegan. No matter how exciting and intoxicating I find NY, or adore SF, I heart San Diego. Hmmm, is it no coincidence I have come back to my roots to start my photography career? Maybe it has to do with finding that authentic FEELING that has been missing. It's about damn time.

Some beautiful wood carvings for sale in the plaza shops.

Some colorful Spanish influences and a scary metal dude...

...and of course some Lucha Libre wrestling masks just as the first settlers wore while they built their beautiful buildings.

Chuck!

Introducing.....Charlie the Golden! Look how gorgeous he is and he's freakin' good at frisbee, but he will also steal your underwear if you happen to leave your luggage open. Everyone has their faults and Chuck just happens to be very curious...with his mouth.


Chuck really likes to bring you his toys when you come home. Above he is showing "Big mean kitty" who's boss. Below he's chillin' with Mr. Mallard.


Ok, I realize my last two posts have been about dogs. But I have been staying with friends and family who happen to love their dogs so much and treat them like their children it's only fair I treat them the same. Plus I'm hoping to score big points with my friends and family who own these guys and so they will keep coming back to my blog. ;)