Just found out about this cool new wordpress slideshow plug-in from Made By Simple & had to give it a try (thanks much to Lawrence Chan’s post about it!)

I thought it would be fun to post some faves of Jared, Izzi & Noah from a day trip to Half Moon Bay this past President’s Day.  We spent the morning volunteering at a Senior Center digging weeds and “gardening.”  While I’m not sure that we actually made a huge impact on the gardens that day, I’m hopeful that we impressed the importance of community on our kiddlins.  It was a gorgeous day, and digging in the dirt was tons of fun.  Afterwards we treated ourselves to some yummy lunch at Tres Amigos Taqueria and then headed to the beach.  On the way back, we had to stop in the mustard fields for some romping and a few pics.  Click on the toggle button in the bottom right of the slideshow to view fullscreen – pretty cool huh?!

Enjoy!

[mbs slideshow=1]

Aileen & Paul’s wedding was incredibly beautiful and elegantly personalized. Set at the Berkeley City Club, it is walking distance from the University of Berkeley campus where Aileen & Paul were both recently finished their PhDs. Aileen’s PhD is in Italian Studies (Medieval and Renaissance Italian Literature), and Paul’s PhD is in English (Early American Literature). The ceremony brought together songs, poetry and readings in at least 3 different languages, and this tribute to the power of language carried through their vows, to the lovely toasts of family and friends, to even the smallest details. I loved how at each table, a favorite work of literature complemented the centerpieces. Aileen wore a beautiful gown by Amy Kuschel and Paul wore a pinstripe tux, both with a nod towards a more vintage and classic look, that carried through to their final departure in a beautiful vintage Rolls Royce. The celebration was full of thoughtful details and the coming together of many cultures and great friends. Good times were had by all – Paul, Aileen and their friends broke out with some stylin’ moves on the dance floor, and both Paul and Aileen took turns serenading one another. What an incredible night!

Here are some favorite shots of the day:

Here are a few of the lovely details of the day:

Wedding Planner: Cindy Danbom of Bella Notte Events
Getting Ready: Claremont Resort & Spa
Ceremony & Reception Venue: Berkeley City Club
Floral Design: Kay Wolff, Making Arrangements
Dress: Amy Kuschel
Shoes: Manolo Blahnik
Bride’s Hair: Karianne Jones of Peter Thomas Salon
Bridesmaid’s Hair: La Tour Salon
Make-up: Studio Abasi
Band: Five Point 0
Rolls Royce: Ambassador’s Rolls

This is the 3rd wedding I’ve worked on that Cindy Danbom has planned, and I can’t say enough good things about how beautifully these events come together. (The 2 other weddings were Andrea & Gabe and Heather & John). I love the clients that find Cindy, and have so much fun photographing the many beautiful details. Thank you Cindy! I was also lucky enough to have Gustavo Fernandez with me as a 2nd shooter and Melissa Gray as an assistant! Thanks you guys!!! And most of all, thank you Aileen & Paul for letting us be a part of your amazing day!!!

To see more of Aileen & Paul’s images, you can view their slideshow or view their event on Pictage.

I am so so so EXCITED to be photographing the Bay Area Girls Rock Camp! As a way of introduction, and to provide some context, I thought I would offer some background on the camp and my interest in volunteering to document this first year of the camp. There is a lot of detail here, and much provided by the BAGRC site, but I promise, images are coming soon!

The Bay Area Girls Rock Camp is modeled after the Girls Rock Camp in Portland, Oregon, and this is it’s first year in the Bay Area. I found out about it through a documentary just released about the Portland camp, called Girls Rock. It’s an amazing documentary, and will be released on DVD this Fall – definitely add it to your rental cue. So, after learning more about the camp, I contacted the Bay Area founders to find out if they would like to have their first year documented.

There are so many reasons why this project appealed to me. Not the least of which, is the mission of the camp (from BAGRC site):

“to empower girls through music education, promoting an environment that fosters self-confidence, creativity and teamwork. The BAGRC strives to challenge gender stereotypes, encourage collaboration and tolerance among peers, and provide a comfortable space for people of all backgrounds to express themselves. Through music lessons, workshops, group activities and performance, girls will acquire skills that will help guide them throughout their lives.”

As a mother of a 7-year old daughter, the story & mission of the camp really hit home for me.

I’ve also been singing since I could speak, spent many a summer at “music camp,” sang with a group of 14 women all throughout college, and then with a theremin-led lounge band in SF until I was about 7 months pregnant with Izzi. Having children redirected my creative outlets back to photography for many reasons, but my passion for music will always be interwoven into my sense of self.

Needless to say, the storyteller in me loved the idea of helping to document the first year of the camp here in the Bay Area. I was also really drawn to the idea of being the “fly on the wall” for 5 full days, being able to observe quietly, while challenging myself to find ways to tell the story in images.

The camp is in Oakland, at the Julia Morgan School for Girls on the Mills College Campus. The girls are all aged 8-18 (yes! Izzi can’t wait to be 8 so that she can attend next summer!), and they are an amazing and diverse group of girls. I have been completely blown away watching them interact and learn and collaborate and transform this week. Observing their courage and strength and shine in the past few days, has been an incredible privelege. I am filled with hope and awe.

A brief synopis of how the camp is structured (from BAGRC site):

“Campers form bands on the first day of camp, then spend five days learning to play their instrument of choice, and collaborating with their bandmates to write an original song. Daily lessons are held in small groups of 3-5 students, grouped according to experience.

Workshops address many aspects of being a musician and being a girl. Topics include songwriting, self-defense, image and identity, live sound tech and more.

Campers also get a chance to see live bands perform each day at lunchtime, followed by a Q&A session with the musicians.

On the Saturday following camp, each of the camper bands will perform their original music at Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco, open to family, friends, and the public.

By the end of camp even the most shy among us will be able to crash, bang, twang and screech with her new skills and with her newfound friends. A staff of female volunteers provide instrument lessons, band coaching, and lead workshops.”

A quick note on the volunteers. Well, maybe not so quick. I have so much to say! These women are incredible. I am inspired each day watching them with the girls. They are all volunteering for the week, to manage the bands, teach, coach and lend a hand wherever needed. They are musicians, teachers, advocates and believers in the power of women. And because they were all once young girls as well, they each bring their own unique experiences to the camp. Yet however different in experience, they all approach the girls with the inherent belief that the girls are all “creative, resourceful and whole.” Meaning that they are fostering a learning process and experience that allows the girls to find their creativity at their own pace, on their own path and in a way that honors who they are and the choices they make.

Finally, here is a schedule of what a typical camper day looks like (from BAGRC site):

8:45-9 Camper arrival and check-in
9-9:30 Morning Assembly with skits and camp song
9:30-11:30 Instrument Instruction
11:30-12:30 Lunch w/ Live Band and Q&A session
12:30-2:45 Band Practice (Loud Band Practice)
2:45-3:30 Band Meeting (Quiet Band Practice)
3:30-5 Workshops
5-5:30 Afternoon Assembly
5:30 Camper departure

There is a ton more information on the BAGRC site – so check it out!

I’ll start posting some images from each day starting tomorrow. I may not be able to post everyday, as I’m not home until 7pm, then hanging with the family until bedtime. That said, I’ll get each of the days and the final showcase at Bottom of the Hill up in chronological order, so you can follow along if you like!

In the meantime, here is a quick fave from the first hour of camp, of three girls looking over the camp handbook while waiting for the morning assembly to begin.

Amazing. Inspiring. Life changing.

I’m photographing the Bay Area Girls Rock Camp all week long. It’s their first year here in the Bay Area, and I’ve volunteered to document the whole week with images.

Definitely check out the camp’s website. The mission of empowering young women through creating music is so inspiring, and I can see it happening each day. I’m doing my best to capture it too. I’m going to add more images to the blog as well as the week continues. The image above is of the girls excersizing their voices on Day One. Incredibly loudly. Rock on girls!

I’m a super proud mama and so, I’ve included a few pics of my two cutiepies (Isabella is 7 & Noah is almost 3!)! We had a wonderful day together for Mother’s Day. Jared “made” bagels, I got homemade presents from Izzi & Noah, I had a long conversation with my mama on the phone, giggling, and oohing and ahhing over new pics of the kids, and we hung out with family at Little Farm in Berkeley in the afternoon.

So, with the power of the mama in mind, I’m very excited to be participating in and sponsoring two great events this month!

Burlingame Mother’s Club
Mom Owned Businesses Night
Wed. May 14, 2008, 7-9pm

AND

The SF Birth & Baby Fair
Sat. May 24th, 2008, 10am-3pm

DETAILS…

Burlingame Mother’s Club
Mom Owned Businesses Night
Wed. May 14, 2008, 7-9pm
Lions Club
990 Burlingame Ave
Burlingame, CA 94010

I’m so awed and inspired by the mother’s who make up this subgroup in the local mother’s club, and so proud to be in the company of such great women!

BMC Mothers’ Owned Businesses is presenting, for the first time, MOB Night. The evening will begin with a panel presentation by moms who will share their personal experience of starting and running a business while raising children.

Those of you who have considered how and what it would be like to start your own business will enjoy a lively discussion of how these entrepreneurs got started, the challenges they face and what they would make sure not to do again. There will be representatives from small and medium sized businesses as well as retailers and services. You will be able to ask questions of these ladies and then walk booth to booth to find our more details about each. Not only will you enjoy hearing how these working moms make it work, but you can support your fellow moms whose businesses you may wish to patronize in the future.

Currently slated to attend are photographers, retailers, franchisees, financial advisors, architects, lawyers, and more. Snacks and wine will be served. There will be a raffle and the lucky winners will receive a host of goods and services that they will enjoy making use of. A directory of BMC Mom-owned businesses will be available at the event as a take-away. Please grab a friend and come join us in support of BMC Mom’s Owned Businesses!

SF Birth & Baby Fair
Sat. May 24th, 2008, 10am-3pm
Fort Mason Conference Center

This is a GREAT event for new and expectant parents.

Look here for more details!

Because I’m a sponsor of this event, I have a stack of complimentary passes (admission is typically $5/person). Shoot me an email if you are interested in attending, and I’ll be happy to drop some passes in the mail.
There will be free workshops, raffle prizes and lots of goods and services geared towards parents and families! See their website for more details (the images on the banner on the site are mine too!).

I had to post a fun collage from today.

The weather has been so beautiful this weekend… sunny, warm and gorgeous blue skys. Izzi played in the sprinklers with the neighbors down the street, and at about 3pm… the whole block exploded in screams and hollers:

THE ICE CREAM MAN IS COMING!!!!

THE ICE CREAM MAN IS COMING!!!!

It’s funny how little has changed in 30 years from my own memories of the ice cream truck! And it’s still fun!

So here are some pics of Noah enjoying a firecracker pop!

Takes ya back huh?!!!!

Summer is just around the corner…. SO FUN!