Love Affair Workshop Photos - Part II

Here are more of my pictures from the Love Affair workshop.

FINALLY! - Love Affair Workshop Photos

I'm finally catching up on editing photos from an AMAZING workshop I attended last year. Check 'em out. I had a blast and learned soooo much. Each day, we were given a model and had a couple hours to shoot around downtown. I was surprised how many cool spots there were to shoot downtown. The shot above was taken in a dark, dirty parking garage. I love the effect. I am definitely inspired and want to explore more with urban-style photography.

Stay posted. I have more to share in the next day or so!

Where I want to be in 2009

I'm ditching the New Year's resolution this year and am taking a new approach for 2009! There's so much I want to accomplish this year personally and professionally. I did a complete brain-dump on paper of everything I want to or need to do in the next 30, 60, 90 days and 1 year. I even included some 5 -year and personal growth goals. By the time it was all said and done, I ended up with a full two page list. Whew! Throughout the year, I will work this list as well as add things as they come to mind. I can't wait to get started. I've got a lot to do! :)

Happy New Year and love to all!
Julie

We have Monarchs!

I'm so excited! Two of our Monarch butterflies have emerged from their chrysalis this week. The first arrived on Sunday afternoon and the second arrived early this morning. Aren't they gorgeous!?

Christmas Visit w/Baba and Poppie

Over Christmas week my super-fab in-laws (Max and Maya's Baba and Poppie) came to spend Christmas with us. We had so much fun hanging out and the kids loved the time they had with their grandparents.

The last day of their visit, we headed into OB for a delicious Chile Rellano lunch at Nati's then bundled up and checked out the surf. Here are a few snapshots that I took while at the beach.

Life's Little Miracles

Last week, our sweet elderly neighbor invited us over to her garden to take a look at three beautiful Monarch caterpillars living on her barren plant. Knowing that my son, Max, loves to raise caterpillars, she asked if he would like to take them home to care for them. Max excitedly accepted her offer and raced them home. After researching what Monarchs eat, we went to the nursery to buy a potted milkweed plant so the caterpillars could continue to fatten up.

A week later, two of the three caterpillars began to transform into a chrysalis. Here are a few pictures of the three caterpillars in their different stages of transformation.

The first caterpillar currently is encased in a gorgeous green chrysalis speckled in gold. It's absolutely amazing how spectacular the colors are!

The second one began to hang in a J-shape yesterday and when we awoke this morning, it too had transformed into a gorgeous green and gold speckled pupa.

The third caterpillar has not quite fattened up enough, so we had to run to the nursery to buy another potted milkweed plant. I'm sure he'll be ready to change soon.

We're anxious to see them emerge into Monarch butterflies. I'll be sure to share the news once they arrive!

Snow in San Diego? - Whalen Holiday Shoot

I had the pleasure of photographing the Whalen family's Christmas photos a second year in a row. Paula had the fabulous idea of making it a white Christmas in San Diego. The kids had so much fun with the faux snow. The messier they got, the better the pictures became! Check 'em out. I love how these turned out. So much fun!