Sneak Peek... Matt, Steph, and Liesl

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Sneak Peek... Fernanda's Trash the Dress!

Fernanda totally rocked it on Sunday night in Pacific Beach... more to come soon!

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First Rain! San Diego Photographer

Last week, it rained for the first time we've moved to San Diego (about two months now!)  I was glued to my computer all day but went outside around sunset and managed to catch these beautiful clouds from the second floor balcony of our apartment building.

While I was outside, I saw someone else taking pictures on the opposite street corner.  Turns out I am next door neighbors with another portrait photographer, Luci Dumas!

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Shakti Rising Fundraiser! San Diego Non Profits

Last weekend I photographed a fundraiser thrown by the sweet and talented Val Myers-Matthews.  The fundraiser was for a wonderful non profit organization called Shakti Rising, "a social change organization transforming the lives of women and girls, and the larger community."  I first heard about this organization from Val's daughter, Paige, who has been a volunteer there for some time.  Lots of talented volunteers put in time and effort to raise money and several businesses generously donated time, services, and products.  There were three big baskets, a painting, and jewelry for raffle prizes, and an awesome goodie bag filled with gift certificates for each of the attendees!

Some of the pretty decorations.

Volunteers from the student group Varsity Strings came out to provide the musical entertainment throughout the evening.  Thanks guys!

Some of the yummy appetizers.  On the right, butternut squash soup in a wine glass - a genius way to serve soup at a party!

Beautiful flower arrangements by Jenny at Passion Flower Studios.

Some of the guests enjoying the party!

Val thanking the donors just before the raffle winners were announced!  We heard from Shakti Rising's resource development director, Mallory, describing the positive changes donations can make in the lives of others.   One of the girls in Shakti Rising's apprentice program bravely shared her story.

I couldn't resist taking a few macro shots of these gorgeous flowers.

To learn more about this organization that's making a huge difference in the lives of hundreds of people every year, please click here: Shakti Rising.

Thanks to all the awesome people and businesses that donated their time and services:
Christiane Stefanoff of Encinitas Acupuncture
Vickie Lavanty of Vickie Lavanty Salon
Diane Harp, aromatherapy items

Painting by Rich Walker of Rawartdesign

Diamond Boutique

Fernanda Rodriguez, turquoise necklace

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Fresh Fruit! Little Italy Farmer's Market

Last summer when Bill and I came out to San Diego for a week long R&R, we stayed in Little Italy.  One morning while wandering around looking for someplace to get brunch, we came upon the farmer's market and the first booth we saw was a vendor selling MASSIVE artichokes.  If you know me, you know how much I love eating whole steamed artichokes and adding artichoke hearts to pasta and dips.  So naturally I burned this image of delicious, super sized artichokes into my brain and was determined to go back (we didn't have a kitchen in our hotel, so we couldn't buy any.)  This past weekend we made the trip there and picked up some of those giant artichokes, freshly made pesto, and super delicious farm fresh raspberries that had been picked that morning.  Yum!  I can't wait to check out all the other farmer's markets in town.

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the beach sunset

We've been in San Diego for a little over a month now, and still haven't tired of going to the beach at sunset.  You're pretty much guaranteed a beautiful picturesque scene.  Here's a few photos I took at Solana Beach recently...

the sun looked almost jagged as it was setting amongst the clouds:

and here's a couple of Bill in the surf:

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