First leg of the trip is down and already my brilliant plan of getting onto South African time right from the start has been toppled. I was doing great, I watched a movie, edited some images. I thought I could stay awake. Then... the lull of the engines, my new snugly jacket wrapped around me, and before I knew it I was waking up to the sound of the captain preparing us for landing. The problem is, I will be shooting back to back weddings on Friday and Saturday. So, that gives me less than 24 hours to get my internal clock ticking to the right time before I have to start making photographs. It is going to be a challenge, but I am definitely looking forward to it!Side note, did you know that you can listen to the pilots radio transmissions while in flight? It was so fun hearing hearing the pilot talking to air traffic control. If I am completely honest, I understood very little. There were more numbers than I could keep track of and they speak so quickly! For some reason hearing the voice of the fella that has my life in his hands makes me a little less nervous. Especially since it confirms that he is in fact awake and in control of the plane.
That's all for now, I can't wait to be in Cape Town!
Over and out.
From childhood's hour I have not been
As others were---I have not seen
As others saw---I could not bring
My passions from a common spring.
From the same source I have not taken
My sorrow; I could not awaken
My heart to joy at the same tone;
And all I lov'd, I loved alone.
Then---in my childhood---in the dawn
Of a most stormy life---was drawn
From ev'ry depth of good and ill
The mystery which binds me still:
From the torrent, or the fountain,
From the red cliff of the mountain,
From the sun that 'round me roll'd
In its autumn tint of gold---
From the lightning in the sky
As it pass'd me flying by---
From the thunder and the storm,
And the cloud that took the form
(When the rest of Heaven was blue)
Of a demon in my view.
- Edgar Allan Poe
Very Nice
(12.13.09)Thank you Dana! Having such a stunning young lady to photograph really helps :)
(12.13.09)
Priya and Maya. They are cousins, but actually they are sisters. They will grow up never knowing life without one another. And I am lucky enough to document it. Priya and Maya are very different. Maya is all princess. Her hair and dress must always be just so. She is always wiping dirt off of Priya and making sure she also is wearing a pretty dress. Her Bijou (grandma) let me in on a little secret, she practices her various faces in the mirror before she goes to sleep. I am pretty sure that Maya is going to grow up to be a famous actor and I will be able to say I knew her when...
Priya on the other hand is rough and tumble. She wants to wrestle with her dad and papa. She likes looking for bugs and she is always looking for an adventure. Everything is a joke to Priya. Now, don't get me wrong, she wants her dress. But mostly for the adrenaline inducing twirling that comes with wearing it. In fact, she gave me several of those twirls for my birthday. So if Maya is going to be an actor, I am pretty sure that Priya will be her stunt double.

Maya and Priya, I can't wait to see your lives develop. You have so many adventures ahead of you...
Ah, I love these pics!!!
(12.11.09)These are adorable and I LOVE how you nailed the two personalities.
(12.11.09)Thanks Christie and Ravi, I just adore the relationship they have. If Priya jumped into a mud puddle, Maya would tip-toe around it to try to help her out.
(12.11.09)These are beautiful. I look forward to watching their relationship develop as they get older.
(12.11.09)Thanks Jus, but you have done all of the hard work, I just document it.
(12.11.09)Love it! Really captured the little princesses.
(12.14.09)wow.....the comment and photos got me a little emotional.........sara this documentation is incredible....
(12.18.09)Great photos & perfect impressions / takes on the little ones!
(12.22.09)
Roland is here and his mom and dad are so proud! Spending the afternoon in Prunedale with little Roland and his family was a pleasure. Newborns are so fun to photograph because they are just little bundles of warmth. As long as their belly's are full and you let them sleep they are pretty content to let you do as you please. Roland was no exception. He is such a sweet baby and just loves to be cuddled. He was born several weeks early (as I mentioned on his maternity post) and had a few complications which meant that even though the delivery was pretty free of problems he had to spend the first several days of his life in and out of the hospital. But, he is home now and surrounded by people who love very much. Life is going to be good to you little Roland, I just know it.
So happy for you both, Amanda and Steve(?). You almost had Roland in my back yard. Wouldn't that have been a first!!!! God bless all three of you.
(12.09.09)So happy for you both, Amanda and Steve -- Roland almost happened in my back yard - wow!! Much love to all three of you.
(12.09.09)Hey Uncle Bill! You figured out the comments! They certainly did almost have Roland in your backyard, luckily he managed to wait just long enough! Amanda and Vince (!!) are happy to have their new little addition home.
(12.09.09)
A sweet family surrounded in fall colors. The recipe for an ideal photo session. I met Dawn for the first time when I snagged her oldest, Evan on the way to do a photo session aka 'The Ladybug Hunt'. He followed along and even helped to carry my gear. That's right, I am not beyond having a three year old assist me.
Since then Dawn decided that she would like to have a photo session with Evan, her husband Derek and her littlest, Eli. She even brought along their golden retriever for good measure. The result was an wonderful afternoon in the park surrounded by beautiful fall colors. We met at Alamo Creek Park in Vacaville and spent the afternoon together letting the boys and the dog play as I captured their sweet personalities.
I had a great time with the family as we ran around looking for the perfect places in the park for photographs. Evan was once again my little helper. He helped me look for great spots and even held his dad down for me so he wouldn't blow away! Eli is a little charmer. He is a complete Daddy's boy and pretty independent. Both of the boys were super eager to get onto the play structure. It was the perfect ending to the photo session.
Dawn and Derek, you have a beautiful family! Thank you so much for letting me have a little peek into your lives!
I love these pictures! The boys on the swings are so adorable! Great in b&w!
(12.07.09)


Farewell! Enjoy your time in the Cape and be safe.
(12.17.09)Thank you Yvette! I will, I am already staring at that beautiful mountain and loving it!
(12.17.09)