Mat & Abby: The Slideshow

"Out of the water, I am nothing" - Duke Kahanamoku, surfing pioneer, Olympic swim champ.

"Nothing" may read a bit bold, but it's easy to understand the connectivity and oneness Duke must have felt with the ocean and its waves. The surf was his heart, and to be apart from it made him feel short of complete. In 1940, Duke married his love, Nadine. He still loved to surf, yet now, a new affection sustained him.

Find the right person, the right wave -- find both, even -- and there's nothing more magnificent. I hope this slideshow captures the spirit of such togetherness. Mat, the surfer; Abby, his heart. Embrace what you love, and feel alive.

Please click here or on the above image to view the show.

The Engagement of Mat & Abby

When Abby told me her fiancé, Mat, is an avid surfer, we all agreed "water" would be the most fitting backdrop for their engagement session. There's no shortage of beautiful coastline in Southern California, but their chosen location in Ventura County was an especially nice gem. What a beautiful place. Alive with bold colors and the golden glaze of the setting sun, the combination of marina harbors and ocean surf was a photographer's dream, as was this couple.

Mat and Abby looked great together, flashing plenty of smiles, never failing to keep the energy alive and strong as we jumped from spot to spot, trying to take it all in. There's an ease and approachability to their personalities, a sense of fun and affection between them always shining through. When two people are truly comfortable with one another, it shows. And the camera sees.

Mat and Abby, thanks again for the great time and congratulations on your engagement. And thanks for letting me spend a little extra time on these pictures -- there were just so many fun ones. There's a slew of photographs coming your way, along with an online slideshow. In the meantime, I hope everyone enjoys these teasers. As always, if you'd like to see a picture at larger size, just give it a click.

What's Next?

New sessions are on the way, with the next one being from an engagement shoot photographed on the beaches of Ventura County. Fun! Check back after the weekend to see those updates, with a slideshow of the session to follow. Until then, have a great week!

"Bloom" - North Reading, MA

Lauren: The Slideshow

I met up with Eric and Lauren on a quiet beach just north of Santa Monica, off the Pacific Coast Highway. Rain had rolled through the area the day before, but today the sky was sharp and clear, betraying no signs of the previous storm. Today, the sky was a deep rich blue, a blue not unlike Lauren's eyes.

We all have a story, and the eyes truly narrate our tale. Kids will be kids... they'll run around, they'll be shy with the camera on occasion, but when their eyes connect with the lens... they somehow speak. And with a little patience, we learn a lot. Sometimes, the story is colorful and bold; other times, quiet and tender. But there's always a story.

Here's Lauren's. Click the image or here to view, and enjoy.

Lauren: The Gift Of An Image

The gift of an image is unique. It's one of a kind, its value always holds, and its memory never waivers with age.

When Eric approached me to photograph his soon-to-be two-year old daughter, Lauren, he did so with a wonderful premise -- the premise of a gift. Not only would we commemorate the dawn of Lauren's second year in pictures, but the images would also be presented to his wife as a surprise slideshow on Lauren's birthday. She would know nothing of the shoot, until shown the photographs.

Understandably, I was really looking forward to this shoot. I loved that everything was conceived as a surprise, and I love that we were able to create such a special secret. As a photographer, it's always an honor to be an integral part to such a personal gift. I'd like to thank Eric for letting me share this gift here for others to enjoy.

Today is Lauren's birthday. Happy Birthday. To your mom -- I hope the images prove a worthy surprise.