Cayden's second birthday

I had the pleasure to shoot at a friends' sons' birthday party today.

The theme was the Disney movie Cars and here are my shots from the day.

The cupcakes for everyone to shear.

I thought this was the neatest idea ever. The little boy loves his binky (calls it a mimi), but the parents want to break him of it and they set two of the lose attached to two balloons after present time.

Mommy and daddy ready to help him let his "mimis' fly.

One is gone and ready for the final one to go flying.

There it goes.

No more "mimis" for Cayden.

Here's the cake mommy made.

The tables were set with black and tape to resemble a road.

Cayden was quite happy after everyone sang him "Happy Birthday" he clapped before eating.

Yummy too mommy.

Present time. Look at all those gifts for this little two-year-old boy.

Some puzzles.

The large car from the movie.

The Cars skates.

Spider-Man outfit.

Another skate-type thing for the little one.

Blowing kisses to everyone in thanks for all the wonderful gifts.

The gift from Nicole and Jake. Nicole put his name on the bottom where a licence plate would go.

Introducing: TJ

Today Serena and I went out again and shot Jen and Tim's son TJ at Micke Grove in the Japanese Garden.

I was going to try to edit out the drool, but Jen had informed me it's a trademark. TJ had a little drop during his 6 months and 1 year shoot. And now in his 16 month shoot.


We started on this bridge and got some shots.

It was pretty easy to get him to either laugh or smile -- It was getting him to look at us which was the hard part.

I like this angles for some reason.

I like how he's hidden in all the green of the garden.

Serena bought this really cute chair for about $15 and we used it for the first time. He sat still for a little while, but figured out how to get down pretty quick.

Serena found this textured area and again I love when the sun rays come into the shot.

Again in the chair, but he a different area with different texture -- Rocks -- and shirtless.

Although that stone is right behind his head, which I'm not too fond of I just love his smile.

Same setting just his feet in the cute little red chair.

And now with the bamboo

Again his smile is awesome and I like adding other surroundings like the bench in the foreground.

Jen bent down to play the drums with TJ.

Walking down one of the paths in the Garden.

Family time {Soon to be Gilberts}

My photographer friend Serena and I went out again on Thursday shooting. We took out my brother's family.

We went to Lodi Lake for the session. Serena started with engagement shots of Jonathan and Page and I took their daughter Jewels.

She kept going back and fourth getting flowers and back to the lake to toss the flowers into the water. I have to talk her into taking some photos before tossing the flowers in the water.

I've been wanting to take some shots with the flower out in focus and the subject in the back out of focus.

I got down on the ground to get more on Jewels eye level and she got down and copied my pose.

I sat her on a little bridge and told her to sit very still and she kept looking towards mommy and daddy trying to show them her flowers.

Another shot while looking towards her parents.

I got on the ground again therefore she did too.

I'm not all that great with posing therefore Serena took lead with that. Serena worked with a ladder so she could either get eye level with the taller guys or this shot coming up. She had the three laying down on their backs and went on the ladder above them. I stayed on the ground.

Here's a shot with Serena working with the family.

Jewels kept showing Serena her flower.

Senera again posed the family and we both took shots from the back and across the lake looking on their faces.

I loved how happy Jewels looked in these shots.

We tried the laying down again with Jewels for Serena to get some shots, but Jewels wasn't having it. She made this face the entire time.

Mommy and daughter love.

One of my faves from the day. Jewels looks so happy here with daddy.

Again Serena working with the family.

Shooting into the sun.

I put Jewels on this huge knot on the bottom of a tree. She was looking at ducks in the water.

Mommy and daddy playing with Jewels.

Another pose Serena set-up. This is a full shot -- kinda a set-up shot. I loved how Jewels was doing the same pose as mommy.

Here is the pose Serena had set up. Jewels was getting a bit tired, but this face was still cute.

Then we took Jonathan alone. Serena nearly feel into the lake in this area which made Jonathan laugh and brought out a natural smile.

Again Serena got him laughing.

She just looked so happy playing with this pole.