Updated Portrait Session

This four month old baby photo session resulted in the lil' one winning a model contest:

Part of winning, I got to do another photo shoot with her showcasing their barrette line. These are my favorite pictures, I just love taking photos of this angel!

Wrapping up a decade

It seriously feels like yesterday when many of us were curious and anxious if coming into the new millenium would end in crazy y2k disaster (seriously, remember that craziness?!). But instead, nothing came out of it and all laughed at the absurdity of the whole thing. That was ten years ago, a decade ago! It has all flown by and this past decade has been quite awesome because it was the decade that defined who I am or would become. From a college student studying film at UC Santa Cruz, to an overly hard working executive in charge of production in the entertainment business. I burned myself out in six years with this line of work and disappeared into traveling the world. I uncovered so many hidden treasures in the world and am still working on visiting more of the world. I learned how to allow myself to be creative and to explore my passions. I discovered that it's okay to make mistakes. I had my heart broken (two too many times) and healed from them. I took a huge leap meeting a random person in a bar who became my husband. I learned what it means to love someone unconditionally. And I learned that what I thought that I knew about love before is nothing compared to the newfound love that I will have as a mother. This past decade has held it all and I can't believe that it has gone by in the blink of an eye. And tonight, as my husband and I have a mellow night enjoying each other's company with homemade cheese fondue and board games, I am going to soak in each moment, knowing that the next ten years will go by just as quickly. Happy new decade!

• favorite 2010 moment: traveling in halong bay, vietnam

Total Lunar Eclipse, 2010

In the Silicon Valley area, we didn't get much of a break from the clouds to really enjoy the lunar eclipse. There were a few breaks in the cloud covering but they were short and sporadic. At least I was able to capture (somewhat clearly but not the best photos) of the before and after shots of the eclipse.

• 10:30pm •

• 11:30pm •

Sunol's Holiday Train of Lights Photo Highlights

What an incredible excursion to dress warmly (considering that we do live in Northern California and we hardly ever have to dress warmly) and enjoy an hour and fifteen minute train ride that goes from Sunol to Niles Canyon. We splurged the extra money ($40/pp) to reserve seats on the Holiday Club Lounge. Not only did we get to relax in an art deco, refurbished and heated lounge car, but they also treated us to hot apple cider (with brandy for adults) and cookies which was a yummy and surprise perk. I think the main selling point for having this become a holiday tradition when our child is older is that you can bring whatever you want on the train and make it into a whole, picnic experience. It's little adventures like this that makes us quite giddy about all the future adventures we're going to show our child!

My favorite Santa Cruz stop: Evergreen Cemetery

I have lots of favorites when it comes to Santa Cruz since it was my home for the most crucial part of my adulthood. The Boardwalk, Pacific, De Laveaga Frisbee Disc Golf and all the delicious, hidden eateries. However, one of my favorite places is Evergreen Cemetery. This is one of the oldest Protestant cemeteries in California and was established in 1850. With it's eerie atmosphere, dark paths and crumbling gravestones, this is one of my favorite places to spend a few hours taking photos. Although one thing that I never had the balls to do: visit it at night.