in the glow of the fire...

...everything has an orange-ish tint to it today, almost like it's a really vibrant sunset all day long. The moment I stepped out of my house this afternoon I was choked by the thick layer of smoke and ash that has settled over the entire area of Southern California. There are said to be 15 fires burning in SoCal at the moment. 8 or 9 of which are in the LA/Orange county area. Last count I heard they had evacuated 250,000 people in San Diego, and 15, 000 homes were in danger in Lake Arrowhead a few dozen of which have already burned. These people are losing everything. Can you imagine being in the midst of this tragedy? I think about the people who are leaving their homes as fast as they can, and am so very thankful that God is surrounding them. I am in constant prayer for the thousands of firemen who are doing their best to save everything they can. The winds are not helping in the least. In Santa Clarita gusts are being clocked at 80 mph. Here's the CNN article that is being updated consistently.
Gav took this with his iPhone last night from the roof (or out the window) of his work in Irvine...In another one he showed me, you could see the flames.

Please please please join me in prayer for all the families awaiting news of their homes, and all those who have lost everything in these fire storms. Pray for hope, and peace and faith. Pray that they are comforted by the knowledge that God does not give us more than we can handle.

...the latest...

So this is going to be quick, but I just wanted to updated you all on my life at the moment!

Sept 24, I FINALLY turned 21. let me tell you I went wild on my b-day! hahha...not! Gav and my parents and I went to dinner at a place called Villa Nova. The food was wonderful, and my first legal drink was called (ironically) an Italian Job martini. It was vanilla vodka, creme de cocoa, and a shot of espresso. It was fantastic!

I shot a beautiful wedding a couple weekends ago at the Bali Hai on Shelter Island in San Diego. I will post some detail shots from the wedding soon.

I get to shoot with Mike Colón and Rosanna this weekend at a wedding in Coto de Caza. That will be a blast!

AND for Gav's belated graduation present, I'm taking him to the Eagles and Dixie Chicks concert at the new Nokia Theater in LA, next Wednesday! I'm really excited!

Ok, now for my dilemma. I need a cute pair of going out jeans...for all you men out there that have NO idea what that means...I need a pair of jeans that are cute, sexy, and dressy enough to go out to a nice dinner, or a swanky lounge. There are literally hundreds of pairs of denims out there...and I think I have tried them all on. Color? not a problem! waist size? not a problem...26ish. length? MAJOR ISSUE!!! no matter what I try, I cannot find jeans long enough to wear with heels!! I have a love affair with shoes, (although not as intense as J*)
and I have several pair of cute shoes with at least a 3in heel. So when flat footed I have a 36 inch inseam, it proves impossible to find long enough jeans! I need extra long...but NO ONE carries them!! ARGH! anyway, if anyone has an idea as to which brand, or what store...please please please let me know!! I need them soon!

Hmmm...other news...I'm getting a Canon Mark III :) I decided it was time to upgrade from my 3 year old 20D. I have about $1200 down on it at Samy's OC...they actually have one in the back on hold for me! Anyone want to contribute to the fund? :)

And yesterday I went on a baking binge...I made a chocolate cake with coffee chocolate frosting, AND chocolate cupcakes with a dark chocolate ganache. yummm!

ok, thats all for the moment...I gotta run, I'm off to make dinner for my man!

..Ryan & Michele

They met in a billiard hall. He was with some rowdy friends to have some fun, and she was their with her best friend to actually play some pool. The first time she passed him, his eyes followed her all the way through the crowd, and he knew he had to at least get her name. They soon realized they shared the same faith and lifestyles, and were very much attracted to each other. ...and so it began.

On Sunday, September 30, Ryan and Michele became Mr. and Mrs. Crump. The setting was a quaint old victorian style home in Orange, Ca; The American Family Living Center. As twilight faded into dark, the magical atmosphere of twinkle lights shone through the darkness, creating a fairytale-like dance floor. Ryan and Michele...I am so priveledged to have shared this amazing day with you guys! Thank you for your easy-going friendliness, it was truly a joy to capture your wedding! Enjoy Maui!


click on any of the pictures to view a slideshow.








**When they get back, I'm hoping to get Michele back into her dress, and Ryan into a shirt and tie and take them to the pool hall where it all began! Wish me luck! :)


I owe a huge thank you to Katie Grace Clay and Gavin Wade for assisting me! You both are a joy to work with!