It was cold and choppy but I did see a whale!

Last night I got to listen to Joe Buissink speak for a local group of photographers and once again he inspired me.   I met Joe many years ago at a class he was teaching. I’m sure you know how sometimes you can meet a stranger and there is just an instant bond?  That is how I felt with Joe.  He just puts you at ease and when he smiles it’s the kind that comes from deep in his soul.  I only get to see him once in a while but when I do he always picks me up.  I shoot a lot like Joe and when I first met him and he said he was shooting film and the same films I shot with I was thrilled!  Everyone even back then was saying why would you when digital is so much better?  Well, it has its ups and also its downs but this is not a conversation about that.  This is about doing what you are passionate about, giving back to the world and being true to yourself.

Photography is how I make a living to be sure but when I photograph a couple at a wedding, a newborn baby, a huge family reunion or your dog it’s about connecting with these people (or pets) and making a memory for them that I love most.  Making someone happy and sharing what I do with a captured smile, the simple essence of a child’s laugh or the look of admiration and adoration is really what my photography is all about.  I can go through my stacks of albums and remember my grandma’s touch and smile, my mom’s soft glance and smell and the story around the belly laugh of a good friend.  This is what photography brings to the world and what it should feel like in your soul.

Love you Joe!

I shot a few portraits last year for some sisters for their mom’s birthday present.  We did them at Ocean Beach because that is one of the first places she took them after immigrating from Russia.  So for kicks I brought the Holga along.  I can almost feel like what Ocean Beach could have been photographed like in 1882 or something!

I’ve been shooting with a Holga longer than I can really guess.  I recently heard that the latest thing is shooting with them at weddings.  Well, ok, not the latest thing in my book!  I took this image at the wedding of Tse-Sung and Nirmala at Holly Farms in Carmel.  Gorgeous!  It was my favorite shot of the day by far.  I hope you agree!  It’s simple, old school, has texture and depth.  Film is so underrated and I find it simply beautiful.

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I’m originally from Michigan but left almost 17 years ago now.  I went back last month to see friends and family.   I always appreciate seeing everyone when I go back but I can’t say I enjoy the state in the middle of winter!  I snapped a few shots while driving to the airport and counted the cars in the ditches-12 plus one ambulance.    Just a few days later I was driving Highway 5 to Los Angeles.  The difference was remarkable but both beautiful in their own way.  I was driving only once while taking these photos I swear!  You can figure out which is where!

I recently watched the movie The Cove and it wasn’t easy.  I’ve always loved dolphins since I grew up watching Flipper.  My mom after a while though wouldn’t let me watch anymore because I would always end up crying!  Well, this movie is well done and utterly important and it’s crucial that change happens and soon.  I’ve grown up with animals and not known a day without them since a child.  Whether dogs, cats, cows, horses, birds they are just a cause that is important to me.  Dolphins too.

I have to admit I did do the swim with the dolphins before I knew any of this was happening.  It was the most amazing experience and while I will never forget it I do regret it.  I felt so at peace with these creatures and I know they felt my feelings, admiration and love.  For most of the “swim” there were 3 dolphins that chose to stay with me and 2 that were with the 12 others.  It was amazing, incredible and one of the most inspiring moments of my life.  I know these creatures need to live and breathe and commune in the world with us. Looking into their eyes is a memory I’ll never forget.

Please, please take a moment if you care to The Cove site.  Spread the word!  The sad irony here is that many Japanese don’t know the dolphin kills even take place and sadly dolphins are laden with mercury and their flesh is eaten by their own children and disguised as expensive fish.  Mercury poisoning is preventable and an utterly horrible existence to suffer.  Please take action and share on Twitter, Facebook, your blog and anywhere you can.  Thank you!

I recently had the absolute pleasure of photographing little Angel this week.  He’s a total charmer!  He’s a patient at UCSF unfortunately but they are taking great care of him.  His older brother and mom visit him every day and the nurses just love and pamper him like crazy.  He has the most amazing temperament being confined in a hospital.  I’ve been working with Moment by Moment for years and so highly recommend them and the idea of giving families a chance to photograph their kids in sometimes very difficult situations.  I wish all the best to this wonderful family.  Please visit www.momentbymoment.org and your support is greatly appreciated.

I love my photo albums. I know the ways of the big heavy album have been taken over by scrolling on your computer screen but you miss out on that tactile experience this way and it just doesn’t have the same feel.  No matter what I print up my photos from my travels, family functions or whatever it may be.  I recently came into photos as a young girl at my grandma and grandpa’s farm in Saginaw, Michigan.  The farm is still actually there and my dad lives there now.  Looking at these images really bring back memories.  The older images of my grandparents are just so dear.    Your history is forever recorded in your photographs.

• Take the time and effort to keep them safe in archival albums or boxes.
• Keep the organized and ready to pass on to your loved ones.  Write names and dates on the back so there is no confusion later.
• If you have film images you can get the negatives or photographs themselves scanned for safe keeping.  Make sure that the images are appropriate sizes if you want to print them later.  A square image should be scanned square and printed square.  A good lab can do this for you.

So I’m sharing a little bit of my history and maybe even give some of you a little better sense of the big City girl I am today!

What a beautiful country.  I always love traveling just at the beginning of the winter season.  The light is ten times more dramatic, far less tourists to contend with and the mood is always kind of more festive with the oncoming of the December holidays.  Last year I walked the streets of Auschwitz almost alone, saw the festivities of the holidays in town squares like Berlin and Vienna and Warsaw. It’s just more amazing than the blue sky and green grass of summer in my opinion.  So this year was a great follow up.  The skies poured on us often but left such amazing scenes to photograph.  You just don’t get that in summer.  So please enjoy my somewhat touristy photos and more artistic visions that happened during my time in Ireland.