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Amber and Dan have asked me to photograph their boys over the last three and a half years. Watching Aidan and Mason grow and develop is so gratifying. It’s hard to make time for family portraits, especially with a work travel schedule like Dan’s! So I give especially high praise to this wonderful family for making family portraits a high priority. Thank you for the honor - love you all!

Let’s review! From 2008 (more images here, and some more here):

From 2009 (more images here):

And finally a few favorites from their most recent session, at Leo Carillo Ranch!

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A very well-loved dad, husband, and overall great guy, Brian, is about to deploy to Afghanistan - again. I cannot fathom the inner strength that it takes for a family to be apart under such trying circumstances. I admire Katie and Brian so much because they are really good at this - they manage to not only get through his deployments, but to keep their family close, to communicate well, to thrive. Having known Katie about ten years, having gone through our first pregnancies together (our firsties are two weeks apart), I’ve seen this family weather all sorts of storms.
It is truly an honor to be asked to photograph a family under these circumstances. These images will help further a very important mission - keeping their family close, even while they are more than 7,000 miles apart. Mia, almost 7.5 years old, Ben, age 3.5, and Abby, age 2, will have visual evidence of how very much they are loved, and of the joy within their family.
Fly safe Brian. I’ll help keep an eye out on your very dear family while you’re gone. Thank you for doing the important work you do. You are a hero, and a rock star.
Total fail on the crying part for me. Everyone reading this - go hug your kids.

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Their path of creating a family has had both sorrows and joys. So it is especially lovely to see them welcome a new baby into their family. Each of their children shines with their own brand of confidence, joy, and love. Baby Charlie, even though he has been with his new family for just a few weeks, is no exception. He is thriving in the open arms of his siblings, parents, and their extended circle of family and friends.

Please join me in welcoming baby Charlie, and extending a warm congratulations to Garry and Suzy and their family. Thank you for creating a home so conducive to love and raising wonderful children. Thank you for the pleasure of documenting your growing family!

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Please take a look, then make your vote count by clicking on “Comment” at the end of this post. Tell us which image is your favorite, and perhaps a little about why - or anything else you’d like to share. Thanks for the feedback, and for helping me grow as an artist! The winning family’s image will earn them something sweet. Please feel free to invite family and friends to vote as well. Thank you!

1. Welcome, Ashleigh

2. Nico at Fletcher Cove

3. Lyla at the beach

4. Nathalie in the Bamboo

5. Celia at Home

6. Adrianna Up Close

7. Paityn’s Family

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I hope to see you at the lagoon on Saturday!

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The workshop will be held on Saturday, May 14th 2011 from 10AM-4PM in Carlsbad. Enrollment is limited to 18 participants. Early registration ends April 20th. Please call or email for more details! Click here to start the registration process. Please call or email if you would like more information. Hope to see you there!

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Luke and Lincoln

Lincoln

Luke

Big brother Logan, Lincoln & Luke

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Because I don’t have enough to keep me busy {snort!} I took on the glorious job of organizing monthly field trips at school. For December’s field trip I wanted to incorporate a service learning component. We visited a place today that I wanted to share with you all, because there is good work going on here and they need our help.

For 28 years Encinitas-based Community Resource Center has hosted its annual Holiday Baskets program, which provides essentials such as food and clothing as well as toys to over 1,200 low-income families living in the San Diego North County Coastal area. Our school children visited their sorting and distribution facility at the Del Mar Fairgrounds to learn about the operation, hear about families in need, and help sort through the donations that our school collected.

Andrew was very excited to load up the train set that a classmate donated:

I think what made the deepest impression for me was the staff’s quiet plea, despite our enthusiastic toy/food/clothing drive, to help spread the word that blankets and jackets/coats are needed this year. CRC staff Suzie explained that, when working with families to help cut costs, they often hear that families can’t afford to heat their homes. It’s the jackets, coats, and blankets that are serving this very basic human need - for shelter, for warmth.

We saw it today firsthand - the stash of donated blankets is very small, folks, and Suzie explained that no matter how many blanket donations they receive, all of them will go. They will still need more.

I was very moved by the efficiency of CRC’s holiday drive, by the generosity of our community.  But it’s the need, the thousands in our community living below the poverty line who can’t afford to heat their homes, that is really getting to me.

Please join me in giving this season to CRC’s Holiday Basket program. My goal is to collect at least 100 blankets to donate to CRC by December 14th. That’s just seven days from now, or roughly 14 blankets a day. I will need LOTS of people involved to accomplish this!  Here’s how you can help:

• Check your stash. If you have blankets (any size, baby to king) that you haven’t used, don’t need, are ready to part with please donate them.
• Spread the word. Ask your friends, neighbors, family, co-workers to do the same - donate gently used blankets, any size.
• Pick one (or more) up. The next time you’re shopping this week, look for a new blanket and buy it for a family in need. Better yet, let your kids pick one out and get involved. Check out local secondhand stores as well - new and gently used blankets are welcome.
• Leverage it. Organize a one-day blanket drive at your/your spouse’s office. Ask each employee to donate one or purchase one. I will gladly make pretty posters/PDF files for anyone that would like to organize a drive.
• Send me shopping. Those who know me well know I am not a shopper. But I’ll sacrifice for the greater good. Make a donation in any amount, and I will use the total donated to purchase blankets for CRC’s program.

CRC would also love to have more volunteers - pitching in during the sorting process at the Fairgrounds is a great way for families to get involved and support this program. Check out their website for volunteer shift information.

Please spread the word near and far. I know those outside San Diego may scoff at the thought of it being difficult to stay warm here in SoCal, but we locals know it’s no joke. Add to the mix an inability to pay the heating bill, a baby or toddler at home… my heart really goes out to families in this situation.

On the way home from volunteering, Andrew and I talked about the program, and he asked “But we’ll never need to ’shop’ at that free holiday place, right?”  Boy, that was a tricky one. You want your kids to feel secure, but you want them to understand the world as well. Please join us in giving this season to those who need it the most.

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Did you know that your photographs—like the landfill-crowding disposable diapers we often hear about—will never, ever biodegrade?  “Two hundred years from now, the images on your photographs may have faded, but the plastic-based paper they are printed on will remain,” explains Carlsbad-based professional photographer, Dawn Tacker.

This surprising fact is one of many shockers concerning the large carbon footprint of photography that Tacker discovered as she strived to make her own family portrait business more environmentally friendly several years ago.

Discovering the damage mass-produced photographs and photographic equipment are doing to the planet—along with realizing the utter silence in her profession about this issue—led Tacker to co-found the first eco-conscious professional association for photographers worldwide, Greener Photography, in 2008.

Tacker and her co-founder, New Hampshire-based wedding photographer Thea Dodds, now have a thriving professional organization with more than 150 members on four continents, who are all “greener” certified through an intensive process the partners created. They also have a 1,000-subscriber newsletter and the first and only clearinghouse of information on greener photography in the entire industry.

Read the entire article here. Thanks to Megan, for the wonderful and painless interview!

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Michelle will be traveling with Adrianna back to Europe in a few weeks to join dad Kelsey, where they both work. I will look forward to tales from the field on Miss Adrianna’s development. Thank you for the honor and the pleasure, and to grandparents Sheila and Don who helped choreographed this session.

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I had not seen big sister Vivian since her newborn portraits were done two years ago - so this was a double pleasure, as I got to spend time with Miss Viv and see who she has become. Check her out then ~ can you see the resemblance?

And now:

Trying out her big sister role:

Many thanks to John and Stephanie for the pleasure, and congratulations on the birth of your wonderful baby girl.

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I am gobsmacked. I just got through with a British chick lit read, so that term seems to fit tonight. Wolfie is one year old! Where did the past year fly off to? How did this happen? What magic stitch in time occurs when you have a baby, and turn around in the blink of an eye to find them nearly toddling away from you?

What shall I tell you about my second-born son? How shall I describe him adequately?  Oh yeah, here come the tears.

In so many ways, Phineas Wolfe is a gift. In his 365 days here on earth he has taught me patience, appreciation for the ridiculous, how to choose laughter over exasperation. He vacillates between screaming and belly laughs - his is a world of passion. He is very opinionated, about pretty much everything. He bangs on the table and screams when he wants more food, for example. And he starts tossing food to the dog if he disapproves, or is finished eating. He hates being strapped into his car seat, but put on Norah Jones and he will croon and settle down, temporarily at least.

His favorite pastimes include using the dog as a step stool, eating, flushing the toilet, eating, laughing at big brother Andrew, finding the most dangerous thing in a room and trying to take it apart, eating, climbing things four times his height, eating, testing out all the babyproofed drawers and cabinets (because you just never know), tossing Dave’s underwear drawer (might be we should babyproof that one), throwing himself backwards on the bed and tumbling head over heels, grabbing the dustpan and broom from the crevice next to the fridge and making off with the set, tossing (sodden) toys out of the tub, chasing/crawling after his big brother and believing with all his might he will catch him someday, trying to pound on my keyboard and eat my mouse (I am moving my office to the garage this month), climbing up the pile of flagstone in our backyard (gotta expedite the yard remodel), being walked to sleep by dada, nursed by mama, cherished by all.

Our last baby, a.k.a. Trouble, Mr. Mischief, Wolfie - happy birthday, Phineas Wolfe. As my loving spouse reminded me through my tears, this milestone is a good thing!

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Nico at one year (more portraits here):

Nico at 18 months (more portraits here):

Photographing babies as they grow is the single most gratifying part of the artwork in which I specialize; I am always honored to be able to do so. Thank you once again to Heidi and Greg, Nico and new babydog Oliver, for the privilege and a wonderful Sunday morning. Thank you also for supporting Sanderling Waldorf School at the same time - win-win!  Here is Nico at age three. Isn’t he just about the cutest guy around? Leave him some blog love, he is a terrific subject and a lot of fun to be with:

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There are two spots available for the June workshop; registration will close this Friday, May 28th. Please let me know immediately if you are interested, or if you would like to be on the notification list for my next class. You can read more about the workshop in the FAQ here, or you can click here to start the registration process. I’m really excited about teaching, and will be working hard the next two weeks to tailor the curriculum to make sure it meets each participant’s learning goals! Email me if you’d like to find out more.

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“Breastfeeding is beautiful, natural, and normal. That is what I set out to capture on this photographic journey. I want to show real moms feeding their babies. I want more people to be exposed to how natural and normal breastfeeding can be. I think that part of why so many moms struggle to breastfeed is that they don’t often see other women breastfeeding. We learn from watching. I hope this collection of photographs will inspire more women to nurse their babies and to feel comfortable doing it anywhere. And I hope it will inspire all of us to give more support to breastfeeding moms. They need it!”

Please visit At Mother’s Breast and leave these moms some comments and love - they are so generous in agreeing to be photographed and for sharing their stories. Here’s one of Michelle and Kai’s images; I love her story of how she started her family in her 40s, and at 47 is nursing her sweet toddler Kai.

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You’ll notice a few things about this blog. It’s a place for me to show my recent work. I will occasionally post personal work here of my own family. Once in a while I’ll post something non-photography in nature. Just a heads-up - this is one of those times. There is some graphic medical stuff about birth discussed below. If it’s TMI, you might want to skip this blog entry. =)
Robert M. Biter, M.D., OB/GYN extraordinaire, has had his privileges suspended at Scripps Encinitas Hospital. The reason? That’s a valid question. We don’t have an answer. But we do know that it has nothing to do with malpractice. And really, one wonders, does it matter? What does matter, in my opinion, is getting the region’s best OB back in the groove of catching babies.

Here’s the thing. Pregnant moms under his care cannot give birth at their planned hospital, Scripps Encinitas, with Dr. Biter in attendance until his privileges there are reinstated. For any mom close to her due date, who has spent the last nine months thinking, researching, planning, visualizing her birth - because this is what women do who are planning a natural childbirth - this is beyond devastating. This is having your entire world turned upside down and given a good shake. This is a travesty. This puts women and their babies at risk. It doesn’t matter that there are other doctors, or that they can have Dr. Biter as their labor support person if they trek to La Jolla. For any pregnant woman whose birth plan just went up in smokes, this is inhumane.

I had two birth experiences - complete opposite births, both at Scripps Encinitas. My first experience was, from start to finish, mostly a nightmare. If you’re pregnant, just stop reading here and skip to the next paragraph. Seriously. You shouldn’t read bad birth stories when you’re pregnant. Trust me on this one. The short story - planned homebirth, back labor for more than 24 hours, compound presentation, transferred to hospital, seizure (nope, no history of seizures), drugs tossed at me left and right, bad reaction to drugs wherein I tried to kick and bite people, finally culminating in my waking up in the ICU a day and a half later (because that’s where they had a male nurse strong enough to keep me safe by restraining me), no longer pregnant. No memory of anything after arriving at the hospital. My son was removed from me via episiotomy and vacuum delivery when I started seizing. He was whisked away to the NICU in La Jolla. They gave me a polaroid of him when I woke up. Even six and a half years and much therapy later, it still makes me tear up to write that.

Fast forward! Here’s the good part. Birth of son #2. 42 weeks gestation, hotter than hell summer. No pressure to induce - ever. No concerns throughout pregnancy whatsoever; it was almost weird having a pregnancy treated as a normal, healthy part of a woman’s life. I joke - but it’s true - that my first and only vaginal exam during pregnancy was when I was 9cm dilated and begging for an epidural. So - 42 weeks gestation, give or take. Again, the short story - labor started spontaneously, we stayed home and labored here, went to the hospital about five hours later (swearing I was going to get an epidural because I was afraid I was only 2cm dilated), arrived there and got checked to find that I was at 9cm, pushed for about 20 minutes, still begging for the epidural, remained standing on my own two feet (literally), felt my baby’s head crowning, felt that ring of fire, birthed my baby at 9:45AM on 9/9/09 into Dr. Biter’s hands, who was kneeling on the floor over a nest he had made for my baby. I (finally) got into bed, held that naked warm, wet baby against my chest, and inhaled his scent for hours. I have never smelled anything so good. From his first hour he was alert, calm, aware, curious. We left the hospital hours after the birth - we were both doing that well, and just wanted to be home with his big brother as a family.
I got lucky - I got a do-over birth. Some women are hoping they get a fabulous first birth, or that they get a do-over amazing birth. To increase their odds, they find Dr. Biter. He has a well-deserved reputation for caring for VBAC moms, and other traumatic birth survivors like me. I remember when we first met with Dr. Biter, more than a year before we even considered having another baby. He told us that the decision was of course ours to make, but that a second birth would be such a healing experience. He was right.

Every woman deserves to have the birth she wants. Suspending Dr. Biter’s privileges is a giant leap backwards for pregnant women in his care. My heart goes out to them. I bet they are smart, savvy women who are going to make it work regardless and land on their feet, and I hope they will have the births they want. But it shouldn’t be that hard. Their birth wishes, plans, and dreams should be honored and respected. Scripps Encinitas can play a role in that by reinstating Dr. Biter’s privileges at the hospital’s OB department immediately so that he can get back to his life’s calling of helping women birth their babies safely, comfortably, and peacefully.

We’ll be at the rally today from 1:30-3:30PM in front of Scripps Encinitas to support Dr. Biter and the moms he serves. You can read more about what else you can do, if you would like to get involved, at bringbiterback.com.

Here are some images from Wolfie’s birth; first two images by doula extraordinaire Val Peterson, third by proud Dada Dave.

Holding Wolfie (umbilical cord still attached)

Forever grateful.

Birth high - an hour after birth.

Dave with Wolfie - taken by me, with my pro camera gear, an hour and a half after his birth.

These next few images are a good advertisement for natural birth; I took them with my pro gear at home just 28 hours after giving birth:

I’m getting off my soapbox now. No more graphic TMI-type birthy stuff. Back to our originally scheduled programming.

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Wolfie is fearless; he has no worries about getting hurt. But he’s only happy being held if it’s me or Dave. He has four teeth already, working on #5. He is in the 15th percentile for weight, but the 85th for height. I wish I could say the same! He is sitting up on his own and crawling. Let the babyproofing begin! As we often tell him, he is Trouble. In a cute way.
He looks up to his big brother, and the two of them together are silliness and joy and love personified. Andrew is amazing with him - he lives to make Wolfie laugh, and is the perfect age right now to be highly amusing to babies. Becoming a big brother has made Andrew complete. It makes my heart glow when I see how he has stepped into his new role, and the love he showers on his baby brother. It’s all worth it just for that. I love thinking of them together - that they will always be brothers.

I could write a book, but will end here to post these Spring portraits. Let me know what you think.

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Just in time for Earth Day, Aaron Brothers has a frame trade-in event through April 17th. From their website: “Bring in all your old frames to receive cash towards new frames! All of the donated frames will be recycled by a closed loop recycling company, Mountain Valley Recycling and Next Life. That means a little less in our landfills we will save a few more trees. Now, that’s good for the planet and good for you!” Click here for more info. A little editorial note - it’s always better to re-use than to recycle, if it is still usable. You can also donate your old, usable frames to Goodwill, local pre-schools, other schools, art classes, non-profit organizations… you get the picture.

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Best Pregnancy Portrait ~ Janet

“Our family has chosen to make our donation to the Saint Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.  We are delighted to be able to help further the strides already made toward the treatment and eventual cure  for the diseases that inflict so many beautiful young children.  It is our sincere hope that this donation will make a difference in the life of a child.  ‘Thank you’ to Dawn for generously sponsoring this contest and for those of you that took the time to vote.”

Best Baby Portrait ~ Rebecca

“The Make-A-Wish Foundation is such a positive force in the lives of so many young children. We wanted to make our donation to this worthy cause on behalf of our beautiful daughter, Rebecca Marilee, to help assure that dreams continue to come true for so many children fighting life threatening diseases. We look forward to the day when Rebecca is old enough to understand that she has already made a difference in the lives of other children. Thanks to all who voted for our little princess and special thanks to Dawn & Eos Photography for this generous gift.”

Best Child Portrait ~ Karis

Karis and her family have designated Rancho Coastal Humane Society to receive a donation. I loved revisiting RCHS’ website; and I’m excited that Andrew is old enough to have birthday parties there! They have programs for children, including Dinner with the Dogs. This is a great organization that has a sterling reputation within the rescue community, and I am happy to support their work.

Best Family Portrait ~ Milo & Parents

Milo’s family has designated Seaside Giving, the charitable arm of Dr. Biter’s birth center, which is due to open in a few months. Another cause near and dear to me! In mom Emily’s words, “Our birth with Milo was so wonderful, that we would love for you to donate to [Seaside Giving], giving others the incredible opportunity to have the birth that they want.”

One interesting thing I noted just now… all the winners this year have a few things in common. I would describe them all as connected, emotional, timeless. These are words that I have often used to describe my work; but seeing others select these as a group reinforces the direction I intend to pursue. Look for more work like this from me in the future… with more intensity. I’m excited to see how this year unfolds.
Thank you again to the wonderful families I have worked with this past year, to everyone that voted, and for all the great comments!

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If you had trouble voting during the first days of the contest, please feel free to try again. I changed the security settings to allow more than one vote per IP address after receiving reports from sad parents that they were unable to vote after their spouse had already cast their vote. =)

Thanks again for participating; I look forward so announcing the winners next week!

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Categories
Unlike my first two “Best of” contests, this year I have broken the images down into four categories - Pregnancy, Baby, Child, and Family. There will be one winner from each category. I’ll be hosting a Parent-Child contest this Spring - just too many images that I love in that category!

Winning Images
So… what do the winners receive aside from glory and fame? The last year has been rough for a lot of families. Please help me to spread a little love in the world. Each of the four winners will receive a print of their winning image, and each will be asked to designate their favorite non-profit organization. I will make a donation to each of the four charitable organizations in the winning families’ names.

Why this contest?
Reflecting on the past year of creating portraits is a great way for me to think about my focus and direction. Hearing what you think helps me grow as an artist. Please vote for one image in each category, and ask all your friends and family to vote as well. Please leave me your thoughts by using the comments box, or by posting a public comment below.
If you’d like to stroll down memory lane with me, you can find the the 2008 contest here, and the 2007 contest here.

Dates and Rules
This contest is open immediately, and will close on Valentine’s Day, February 14th, 2010. Anyone can vote, from anywhere in the world, but one vote per person in each category, please! I am collecting names and email addresses for this reason, but they will not be publicly visible. Winners will be notified by February 20th. Winning images and benefiting charities will be posted by February 28th. I will announce the winners in my next newsletter, to which you will automatically be added by voting. You can help spread the love by spreading the word - blog, email, or post on facebook about this contest!
Thank you to all of my families for allowing me the privilege of creating portraits for you.

First off, where it all begins - pregnancy portraits!

Amie ~ seven months, with Justin, Sean, Kaitlynn and Amber

Danielle ~ eight months, and Lasha

Janet ~ eight months, and David

Jasmine ~ eight months, and Ryan

Megan ~ eight and a half months, with John and Zim

Natalie ~ eight months, with Nicole and Tyler

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Cassidy ~ four months old

Isabelle ~ nine months old

Liam ~ fourteen days old

Mackenzie ~ five weeks old

Madison ~ three weeks old

Rebecca ~ twelve days old

Dr. Robert Biter and 19 buddies

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Karis ~ three years old

Madeline ~ thirteen months old

Mason ~ eighteen months old

Quinn ~ three years old

Winter ~ seventeen months old

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Family Tree

Fiona & Family

Julian & Family

Kai & Family

Katelyn & Family

Milo and parents

Sisters

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Come join us as we celebrate the beginning of Babies by the Sea Birthing Center, the 1st of its kind where OBs will work side-by-side with midwives, where there will be surgical rooms in case of emergency situations, where the entire interior of the building will be made with environmentally conscious materials, and where there will be access to holistic treatments for pregnancy, birth & postpartum.

Where: 6121 Paseo del Norte, Carlsbad, 92011
When: Saturday, January 30th from 7-9 pm
How much: $30 per person
Dress code: business casual-cocktail. Please dress warmly as the building is bare, but there will be heaters placed throughout the building.
RSVP: Andrea@babiesbythesea.com

Enjoy a fun evening with great silent auction items, wine, hor d’oeuvres, dessert and music.

Show your support for Dr. Robert Biter’s Babies by the Sea Birthing Center by purchasing a recycled blown glass leaf with your own handwritten message to be displayed on the tree in the new birthing center lobby. The tree has been commissioned by Robert Verhees. Large sea glass tiles will also be available to purchase with your own inscription on it and will be displayed in the birth center. The leaves are $150 and the tiles are $300.

All proceeds of the entrance fee, silent auction & leaves/tiles will go towards the birth center. The expected grand opening is scheduled for May 2010!

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The Electronic Disposal Group has planned four e-waste recycling events in the county this month, including one this weekend.Each event will run from 9AM to 3PM.

The first event is today and tomorrow in Carlsbad in the parking lot of Westfield Plaza Camino Real, 2525 El Camino Real.

Two others are scheduled January 16th and 17th. One will be held in the parking lot of Grossmont Center, 5500 Grossmont Center Drive, in La Mesa. The other will take place in La Jolla in the parking lot of Ironstone Bank, 835 Pearl Street.

A collection will also take place January 30th in Encinitas at Wancho Santa Fe Security, 1991 Village Park Way.

Accepted items include computers, TVs, wires, stereos, phones and VCRs. Batteries, household appliances, light bulbs and microwaves are not accepted. For more information, go to ewasteca.org.

Now back to our regular programming! Have a great weekend, everyone.

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Here are Jennifer and Horst’s big boys, now two years old! I am so glad that we documented their first two years - time goes by way too quickly. Thank you and big hugs to your charming, dashing young men!

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What a difference there is from months four to nine. Here are her images from our first session - she has grown so much! Isabelle is so much more aware of her environment. She’s interested in everything around her, and is crawling at a fast pace to keep up with her big sister. She loved being outdoors for this session, and I don’t think it will be long before she is walking on her own! I can’t wait for our next session together to continue documenting her first year. Thank you to Martina, Eric, and big sister Natalie for the pleasure.

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six days old:

one day old; big brother Andrew insisted on this pose:

one week old with his Dada

one day old, being loved by Andrew

two weeks old

one week old, with Dada

two days old, with Andrew, almost six years old

two weeks old

love his swirl!

profile at one week old

one week old

two weeks old - his serious look!

three weeks old

four days old, asleep in his hammock

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I will be on maternity leave until mid- to late-October; if you would like to keep up with the details, you can join me on Facebook, or add your name to the newsletter list. I’ll send out an announcement when I’m back to work!

Big brother Andrew, anticipating Wolfie’s arrival!

Wolfie ~ one day old

Andrew & Wolfie

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Chloe as a newborn

Chloe, one year old

Ben, Chloe and Jack

Chloe & Family

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Daniel, age 17

Dustin, age 14

Hannah, age 9

Nicholas, age 5

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First Place - Lyla & Mom

Second Place - Koa in the Kelp

Third Place - Basia by the Sea

Hmmm… a beach theme! Congratulations to all the top winners, and many thanks to the hundreds of voters who participated!

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A nations treasure is in its scholars - Chinese Proverb

It’s that season, my friends… in hard times it’s even more essential to give what you can. I am touched and honored that several of my families have reached out and asked me to donate to their children’s school fundraising efforts. First up - Flora Vista Elementary. Tireless auction chair Diane Silberman, also of Boobs on the Move fame, has organized a super event. One cool feature of her school’s Good Fortune Fest - online bidding on silent auction items. But only through March 19th! So check it out - there are some amazing goods and services being auctioned, it’s a win-win deal. I’m donating a family portrait session and visit to Quail Botanical Gardens, and sweetening the deal with a gorgeous 20×30 canvas gallery wrap and three matted and mounted gift prints. You can check out the details here. Bid now, bid often!

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An original Andrew-designed track layout

Harvey - a new acquisition

Kalli observing; she just wants to be near Andrew, wherever he is!

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This was so much fun last year, I had to bring this idea back! I’m very excited about this… the Second Annual Best of Eos Portrait Contest is officially starting!! I have chosen my favorite dozen images from my 2008 portrait sessions. You can use the poll below to choose your favorite. The top three vote-getting images will be awarded first prize, second and third prizes accordingly, complete with beautiful prints of their winning images! To see the winners from last year, click here. If you want o see all of the nominations from last year, the complete collection is here.
The rules are simple… vote by January 31st, and only one vote per person. Anyone can vote, so please help out by spreading the word! Thanks for participating… this is a really fun and rewarding way for me to reflect back on my work, and kick off 2009 in a big way.

1. Aidan with Firetruck

2. Basia by the Sea

3. Chloe & Family

4. Daniel & Dillinger

5. Koa in the Kelp

6. Logan

7. Lyla & Mom

8. Molly, Wesley & Aubrey

9. Nico at One Year Old

10. PJ in the Park

11. Ryden, Rumi & Tavin

12. Ryder

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SO fun to see his growth! He’s so curious and inquisitive, loves his mom, dad, and dog, wants to be a part of everything. He’s already crawling and standing up quite well - so advanced! It won’t be long before he is walking. Many thanks to Joy, matt, Daniel and Dillinger for a beautiful session as we continue to doument Daniel’s first year.

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Many of you know that Meri, the owner of Magical Child, and Christine, one of her “Magical Gals,” have embarked today with their teammates from Boobs on the Move to walk the Breast Cancer 3-Day, benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

I would like you to join me in supporting their journey! I am offering three mini-portrait sessions, one for each day that Meri, Christine, and all these amazing participants will be walking. These sessions will be offered at $100 each, and I will donate the entire creative fee, plus a portion of print sales from each session, to the 3-Day via Boobs on the Move.

This is a very limited offer. The first three families to contact me will have the chance to book at this rate, which will end on Wednesday November 26th. Contact me for more details. Thanks for supporting the 3-Day!

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