Be Brave and True...This is what 12 looks like.

Holy moly.  My boy is 12.​

Sniff.  Sniff.  ​

​Time you thief!  

​Presents are changing.  Birthday parties have no hats or whistles.  Cakes have turned into doughnuts and whatnots.  Deep breath......  I had to beg for him to let me photograph him.  I also had to beg him to shower.  (Really?  Do we REALLY have to argue about the shower everyday?)  And of course I pick out the birthday card with a Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.  Sigh........

​I'm enjoying this boy of mine.  A skinny bundle of attitude, old-soulness that is mind blowing and intuition that is HYPER accurate.  Thanks Cole.  

Thanks for making me proud to be your Mother.  

Be proud and be true.  ​

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P.s. I made a photo wall with prints from Instagram.  I tacked hemp twine on the wall and used baby clothes pins to hold the photos.  Thanks to Krista Newman who gave me the idea.  Walgreens will upload directly from your iPhone to their store in a matter of minutes which is super handy and pretty cheap.  ​

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Fine Art.

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This is art in life.  ​

​Dark.  Deep.  Mysterious, and somewhat haunting.  Kinda like life.

Not everything is smiles and rainbows in this world.  I know people that are dealing with all sorts of demons, problems, issues, illnesses and ​grievances.  So many of us put on a smiley face when inside there are no smiles, but instead worries and stress and sadness.  I'm sorry to everyone and anyone who's heart is broken and down.  Life is so unfair sometimes, especially when you realize your best still isn't good enough.

Keep trying.  Don't give up.  Your time is coming.  ​

In spite of all the darkness, one candle in a stadium of darkness will still be seen.  ​

In lieu of a smiley, rainbow, bright sunny post, I decided to post some of my favorite images.  Images that are reminiscent of dark and light and REALITY.  Sometimes the most real images are the ones where no one is smiling.  

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Jardine Family from Texas

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I LOVED this shoot.  Not only was this family super easy to work with, they rented this awesome pad at Baby Beach in Lahaina.  I remember when this house was built.  I always loved the "Nantucket" styling.  And even their clothes matched the house.  After a few temper tantrums, the little baby of the family became my best "poser" and her teenage sister joined in as well.  Can't go wrong with this many hams.  Thanks Jardine family from Texas.  You guys are gorgeous and I hope to work with you again someday.  This is a very classic "Stephanie Sheveland" type shoot.  

Beautiful people.  ​

Demi Lynn Sheveland.

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Demi, or "Demra, Haiku Jungle Cat Princess" as my Father calls her is something special.  My little sugar and spice and everything nice.  Don't try to get anything past this one, she'll catch you.  Meticulous, organized, prideful and stubborn.  She's it.  I'm sooo thankful I shot these because she's already changed BIG TIME.  (That freckle below her lip was the cause of some serious tears.  She doesn't like it.  I had to convince her that only the most beautiful women in the world have those...i.e. CIndy Crawford, Liz Taylor, Linda Evangelista, Sophia Loren.....She finally has accepted it.  I wish I had that freckle!!!!)

Capture every moment.  Even the ones that don't matter because they ALL end up mattering.  And I've decided life just changes too quick, so grab a moment away from your phone, your computer and the stupid television and run outside with your kids, your dog or your parents.  We aren't on this planet very long.  Happy Sunday folks.  Peace.​

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The Goldsmiths..Family Extraordinaire!

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I've been photographing this family since the beginning and it has been a blast to see their Ohana grow.  I love being able to document a family's growth and love thru the years.  It's probably one of the things I do best.  Not only are they all great looking and know how to dress (thank you for avoiding all white Erica!) they are THE NICEST people to work with.  Erica owns "Couture Events" and puts on incredible events on Maui.  Her attention to detail is always what gets me.  If you need any type of event coordinating, call Erica with Couture Events.  

This was from December and was their "Holiday" shoot.  I usually hold off on blogging these so people can debut them first in their cards and photo gifts to relatives.  You will see a bunch more.  Enjoy!​

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Holiday Outtakes and the TRUTH.

This post is supposed to be a "holiday" theme for a Facebook photo group I'm linked up to.  It was even MY suggestion that it be "holiday" themed.  I wanted mine to be all pretty with trees, bows and stockings.  It didn't turn out that way.  Instead this week I've been a referee, a therapist, a mom, a teacher AND a student.  It seems our move to California and Cole's newfound popularity along with his hormones shifting have all happened at once.  (Sorry Cole, I know that's TMI.)  But it's true.  Life has thrown us many challenges the past two years.  A divorce, two dogs disappeared, two big moves including one to the mainland (and tears about missing cousins on a daily basis) and a Dad who isn't here most of the time.  Oh, let's not forget a cancer diagnosis that is terminal.  

Life has been hard.  Sometimes I'm lonely.  Sometimes I want adult conversation that doesn't include the words "cool" and "sick" or "Mom, that's so 90's."  Sometimes we can't afford food and I don't know how we are going to make it most months.  (Gasp.  I said it.)  I don't let on to the kids.  I just curb their attention to other things.  Like the roof over our head.  And the food that is on the table.  (Hopefully it's there next month)  There's been a lot of yelling.  A lot of tears.  A lot of arguing.  Pep talk after pep talk.   

"We are a team."

"We can do this."

That's what I say.  Because I don't know what else to say.  Even in the worst of times, I am so HAPPY and feel incredibly BLESSED that my kids are alive, present, NORMAL.  So in spite of my heart breaking on days like lately, I know, everything is going to be okay.   

Yesterday you saw our "happy" Christmas card facade.  

Here's what really is happening.  Fake smiles.  Belly laughs.  Forced cuddling.  I guess that is what Family is all about.  Christmas and the holidays aren't about presents.  It's about FAMILY.  And being TOGETHER.

So go hug your kids.  Your friends.  Or maybe go talk to someone you don't even know.  Because maybe they need adult conversation.  

I dedicate this post to the 26 souls who will not be here this holiday in Connecticut.  Peace be with you.

Now......

Make sure you go check out my UBER-talented sister in law Wendy Laurel's blog HERE.  

Let the outtakes begin!  

Mele Kalikimaka........

In lieu of cards this year I went the el cheapo way.  Screenshot of the card I WANTED to get printed.  I'm saving trees.

I have a BIG surprise for the kids for this Christmas.  They have NO clue what they are getting and it's something big.  Hehehehehehehehe!!!!!  I love surprises!!!!  

I also love memories instead of material goods.  That's a hint.  (Pay attention oh children of mine.  Pay close attention!)

Merry Christmas, or Mele Kalikimaka from my family to yours.  Love to all.  

p.s. Stop by tomorrow for my "holiday" post which really won't look very "holidayish" but will be posting photos showing honesty and truth behind this Holiday photo shoot.  SIgh.....be prepared to laugh.  

It's beginning to feel a lot like......

CHRISTMAS!!!

The kids and I are really enjoying this festive time!  Maui was of course always beautiful and stunning us with her incredible backdrops for the holidays, however San Diego has been a real treat.  It's feels so much more "holidayish" with the cooler weather, jackets and scarves and Christmas lights hung everywhere.  I'm hoping our tree won't cost us an arm and a leg too like it did on Maui.....  

How to make these cute little nostalgic profile images!

"* Using your digital camera, place your subject against a plain white or neutral background.  Turn them so it's a profile shot.  Stand up straight kiddos!

* Open the picture in Photoshop. Use the Magic Wand tool to select the background for removal. Once clicked, the background will be outlined and highlighted. Go to 'edit' and click 'cut.' The background will disappear.

* Now go to 'image' and click 'adjustments.' Select 'desaturate' to remove all color.

* In 'adjustments,' select 'brightness/contrast.' Lower the brightness and increase the contrast until your image takes the form of a silhouette.

* If the image isn't completely silhouetted, use the Paintbucket tool (with black as the color selection) to fill in as needed, placing the cursor dead center and clicking until your desired effect is achieved.

* Using the Image tool, select 'image size' to set your desired dimensions.

* Save your silhouette as a JPEG file.

It's fun to add some eyelashes on the girls too.  :)

Yes those are my children's profiles.  

Quynh and Hung, Makena Maui

I met Quynh and Hung while I was shooting another wedding on Maui at the Sheraton.  I was excited to get to know them.  Quynh was a master planner and organized everything a year out.  I really loved working with this great couple.  They had 14 years of togetherness under their belt and were excited to start their "married" life.  I love shooting chinese tea ceremonies as well.  Very meaningful.  Congrats to these wonderful people.  I really felt honored to be a part of their day.  

Let The Kids Dress Themselves

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I'm one of those people who is constantly posting my everyday life on Instagram.  The kids hate me for it.  My parents love me for it.  And apparently so does one of my favorite photography blogs!  "Let The Kids Dress Themselves" is the premiere family photography blog featuring the best of the best in family and children photographers around the world.  I'm so honored.  Check out the post here.

Wendy Laurel has taught me so much about photography.  One of the things she told me when I first started was "leave your camera out.  Leave it on the counter.  Don't put it away nicely in your case.  Capture everything.  That's how you'll learn to be a better photographer."  I always took this advice seriously because it worked.  I did notice though, that the kids would shy away from the best moments because they saw the big girl camera come out.  Enter the iPhone.....(insert evil laugh) With the iPhone I've been able to be super sneaky and capture EVERYTHING.  Including brother sister cuddling in bed.  Yep.  I always knew they loved each other and now I have the proof.  (These will also be used as bribing tools when the kids are teenagers.)

Also, for those of you who like my Instagram work, and would like to see more of it, you can view ALL of my art here

Encinitas Candy Birthday Party!!! Yippppeee!

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  I've always wanted to do a candy themed birthday party and I finally did!  This was SO much fun!  I got most of the ideas from the awesome website, The Hostess with The Mostess.  

Not sure how happy all the parents were (sorry charlie) but it's a great excuse to steal their kids candy when they go to bed.

Perfect weather, awesome company and my beautiful little baby girl, Demi Lynn turning 9.  Wow.  Time sure flies.

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT.

 

 

 

San Diego Family Photographer

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Another one of my FAVORITE families from Sacramento!  I LOVED working with them!  It was one of my last days on Maui and we had so much fun.  Wonderful kiddos, a beautiful sunset and sincerely sweet clients.

Really excited to start photographing families in North County San Diego!

Encinitas Farmers Market, Project Demi 365, San Diego Children's Photography

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The produce was bountiful.

The flowers so glorious.

And the sun was shining at the Farmer's Market in Encinitas.

Then my daughter told the flower lady with all her honesty:  "These flowers smell like guinea pigs."

Sigh......