Thanks to so many of you who helped make Flamingo’s Food Drive for the Second Harvest Food Bank a success. Fun was held by all as we enjoyed a fantastic summer night and raised enough funds and food to help feed about 800 children in Santa Clara County and surrounding areas. Great music was supplied by Ron Grandia, A Different Kind of DJ, and dessert was by by Rachel Myers of Sweet Tooth Confections. I think her Red Velvet pops were devoured before I even knew they were there. Potluck was so much fun as we learned who likes to cook, who doesn’t, and well who was just lazy like me and brought Bucca’s . Bounce house, three legged races, and the sack race were just a few of the things that had people literally laughing on the ground. Meeting everyone’s spouses, kids, and dogs was so enjoyable. Many of us read about them all the time on blogs or facebook but great to meet them in person. I’m so blessed to have such great and FUN friends in the industry who knows how life is supposed to be enjoyed. People are already requesting we do it again next year. What do you think?

There are 120,524 children in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties who are at risk for experiencing hunger during the summer months.  Summer is the season of childhood hunger.   The Share Your Lunch campaign is committed to collecting food and raising funds that will be used to feed children during the summer months when they do not receive free or reduced-price meals at school.  The need is great.  The Summer of 2010 will be one of the most difficult seasons for local families to endure. Second Harvest is partnering with the community to help stave off hunger for thousands of children who don’t know where their next meal will come from.  Statistics along from summer of 2008 to summer of 2009  increased by 30% for the demand on the local food bank.   To meet the increased need, the Share Your Lunch campaign has a fund raising goal of $1 million and collection goal of 100,000 pounds of food. Reaching these goals will provide food to approximately 85,000 children each month this summer.

Flamingo and I will be hosting “Flamingos Family Food Drive and Potluck Mixer” along with some other talented and giving individuals in the wedding community.  The event will be on June 22 at Edith Morley Park in Campbell.  This will be a very laid back and family fun mixer with some of the greatest people in the wedding industry.  A potluck dinner/picnic and a lot of activites for adults and kids.  Yes, I said kids! We encourage you to bring your families and  your dogs as long as they are on their leash.  In fact, dress your dog up for the “hottest dog” contest.  It’s a picnic you have to have HOT DOGs.  They can literally be dressed up as hotdogs or as HOT DOGS your choice.

How can you help with the fundraiser

· Bring a minimum of 10 food items or a minnimum donation of $10. Each $10 feeds abut 20 kids.

· Bring a dish to pass for 6-8 people.(Salads, fried chicken, sandwiches, pastas, veggies, fruit, etc) (preferebly in a disposable tin so we don’t have to worry about them)

· BYOB Bring your own beverages (not allowed to sell anything there)

· Bring a blanket or chairs-some tables are provided.

· Gas grills are allowed but no charcol grills

·Below is a great video where you can learn more about how Second Harvest Food Bank and how they help children and schools.  There is also a link for food request that you can bring to the food drive.  If your not able to make it there a link and directions are so you can donate online to Flamingo’s Food drive.

Here is a link of most requested food items

http://www.shfb.org/ffdmostneededfoods

You can RSVP and let us know your coming a:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=134211689926484

If you can’t make it but would like to make a donation go to the following link.

https://donate.shareyourlunch.net/

Donor type: Family and Friends
Organization: Flamingos Food Drive

When talking to Sam about her engagement session she said we wanted a modern day look but her real dream was to feel like she stepped off the set of the movie “The Notebook”. I told her no problem we can do that, I have a secret weapon that can transform you through time and her name is “Tia the Magnificent”! These two were so fun and was game to do anything. They had a great spirit of adventure and we laughed all day as we drove along the Santa Cruz Coast. I don’t know how many times I heard Tia say “Their great kissers!” and we laughed some more. We did do a little trespassing, we learned not to crunch down if a mountain lion appeared, we transported back about 50 years, and I ruined one of my favorite pairs of shoes but it was all worth it. My favorite part was in the middle of all that we did a little mystery shoot for Jeff. The best part is he was in the photos blind folded and has no idea what was happening. The best part is he won’t get to see them til his wedding night. How fun and creative is that girls? It was the best kind of a torture. Will share those images in August when Jeff has had a chance to see them.

Congratulations on the third year for  “Una Bella Sera 2010″.  This event is one of the highlights of  the year and its creators Crystal Lequang from Amaze Special Events and Nicole Ha of Nicole Ha Designs did a beautiful job transforming the Craneway Pavilion.  The Craneway Pavilion is a beautiful open space with natural light pouring in from all directions.  Located in the Marina District of Richmond it has an amazing view of the bay with its water front location.   If your looking for a location for your wedding or reception this place is breathtaking.

I love participating in this event and it is always such a great time with wonderful vendors.  To see everyone that helped create this event please click here. The photos below were taken by friend Tanja Lippert and me.  The dress featured is from Priscilla of Boston in Santana Row and you can see all the wonderful windows at this location.  My favorite room was the colorful, fruit and veggie room.  From the amazing centerpiece with it’s whimsical design to the veggie art on the wall by Thomas John Events (one of my favorite caterers). I really loved the fun and creativity of this room.  I also had the honor of meeting Mr. Shin of Michi Sushi in Campbell, California.  He is quite the character as you can tell from his photo with Flamingo.  He caught the bird stealing some of his display.    But if you love sushi you should try his.  If you don’t like sushi try his.  I’m not a fan of sushi but his could make you change your mind. It was really delicious and you can tell they take the time to create an experience with their food.  Plus, how can you not love his presentation.  The caterpillar was adorable.

Thanks again to Crystal and Nicole for inviting me to participate. I hope that some of their creations inspire you.  If you have an event/wedding  you would like to throw contact these girls or any of the wonderful vendors listed to help make your dream happen.  Even if you don’t know what you want, they can help create a dream you didn’t even know you had.

We had so much fun shooting Teresa in her last couple of weeks of pregnancy.  She wanted to do a classic beauty shot but she also wanted to try something a little different. She mentioned that she had heard of getting henna on your belly when your around 8 months pregnant.  Well, I went on a search and was referred to a wonderful woman, Ravie Kattaura (510-453-4393).  Her work was amazing and she was one of the fastest artist I’ve ever seen.  I’ve seen Henna done before but never from such a talented artist and never done on a pregnant belly.  It was really beautiful and I loved the colors and glitter she added to the design.  I also loved how Joe, the dad, was all excited about getting his henna done on his arms.  We asked about the blessing and was told that the  patterns used are acknowledged to bring health, protection, and luck to the new mother and her child.  I just know that we were blessed to be part of it all and to be able to create some beautiful images of their first pregnancy together.

As always this turned out to be a fun and adventurous shoot as Tia and I lugged the bed and headboard out in to the grassy field, caused only a slight traffic jam as everyone was interested in what we were doing, and I didn’t even mention that little case of trespassing.  But the field was just to pretty to pass by.   Better yet, a client of mine drove by and yelled my name out. I had to laugh that someone even recognized us because it really wasn’t a part of town that I frequented very often.  She called later and said I saw someone with furniture in a field taking pictures and thought it had to be Jill Johnson.

Like I mentioned earlier we had a fantastic time and here are just some of the behind the scenes stuff.  Andrew Hsu of MSV Studios hung out with us crazy girls for the week and was an intricate team member. He did a fantastic job on all the videos for the presentation.  To see some of them about Dork energy check out his blog.  These were just funny silly stuff and if he can make this look good then you know he can do it all.   He does amazing work so if your looking for a videographer check out his website.  You’ll love working with him

Andrews Hsu of MSV Studio’s Video Recap of WPPI!  Click here for some behind the scenes fun and to watch the video.

Andrew was just one of the amazing sponsors we had for this talk.  Besides Andrew the main sponsors were Richard’s Photo lab and YWD Magazine.  A special thank you to Richards because they really encouraged Tanja to do this.  YWD provided beautiful magazines for everyone attending the talk.  Plus, we had some wonderful give aways from some very special companies!  Special thanks to:  Big Folio, Gigbooks, Gross National Product, Carlos Baez “Seeing the Light”, Fast Track Photographer, Fuji Film, and Waxworks.  In fact here I am with Leah the super talented artist behind waxworks.(We’re in the right hand corner of the collage).   I’ll be talking about them later.

Ok trying to keep up with that resolution. ( I was on vacation last week so that shouldn’t count, plus I couldn’t access the internet).  The last wedding of the year was a special one since it was my nephew who was getting married.   It is always a good time when I get to go home and spend some time with the family and especially for such a happy occassion.  I had to admit though they must of gotten married on one of the coldest days in December.  It was cold and I was grateful that I didn’t have to take many outdoor photos. Whew!  Well one of the incredible Hulk and his friends was about it.  I was laying in the snow to get some of those shots.  What a dedicated Aunt.

It was a Christmas theme wedding with pointsetta’s, gingerbread houses, and cookie cutters for guest.  There was a lot going on and I was kept busy. Besides being the photographer I had Great Aunt Duties.  There was a new generation who needed to learn the “Macarana” and to yell “Tin Roof Rusted” with the B-52′s As you can see from the photos Flamingo fit right in in fact he matched so well he was like an honorary groomsmen.  He’s made himself one of the family.  Like usual he got the party going.  He gave piggy back rides, danced the circle, and of course nestled up to the ladies.   He tried the Hula hoop contest but he hurt his neck.  Allen was funny because he wanted some pink too to blend with his groomsmen.  So pink socks is what he came up with.  I’m wishing blessings on Allen and his new wife Hellena.  That was one more down and quite a few to go.  The family is taking bets on a couple of prospects.  Will it be Alex and Laura  or Jeffrey and Samantha?  What do you think?  Take a guess or do you think someone will come out of the shadows and surprise us all?

Just recieved this image from Flamingo this morning.  He’s been out and about again and wanted me to know that he was ok and headed home.  Its been a while since we’ve seen Flamingo.  I thought he flew the coop.  Here he is this morning spending some quality tea time with his friend Dave Luebke of Couture books.  One of the our exciting new album lines we’ll be carrying in the 09 season.

He also sent me this image.  He’s been to Orlando visting the Holyland literally with Dave’s brother.  The Holyland Experience is a place where you go back in time 2000 years to the streets of Ancient Israel.  You get to experience and learn as you walk the streets and experience the culture of biblical times.  It is a great place where the bible comes to life.   You can visit the Wildnerness Tablernacle, see re-enactments of the life of Jesus Christ here on earth and eat a turkey leg.  The kids and I went here last Spring and Flamingo told me  he was so fascinated at what we told him that he needed to go and experience it himself.  It was a great reminder for him to remember what the Christmas season was all about.   Can’t wait to hear about all of his experiences.  Could Flamingo be mellowing out?