Kristin and Chris tied the knot! Kristin looked like a barbie/model (oh yeah...she is a model:) in her beautiful gown from Mia Bella Couture. And Chris...how daper he was....so handsome! The two picked the perfect spot for their intimate ceremony in the garden of Wolf Lakes Park They make such a beautiful couple! Thanks for picking me to capture your day!!!


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With a classic motorcycle clasped to the back of Barbra and Anthony's truck, the three of us headed to their engagement session at Lavender Hollow. It was hot out in the lavender fields during the session, but little attention was paid to the heat because Barbra and Anthony's personalities were indeed vibrant and cool!
While I was shooting the couple, I learned some very fun and quirky facts about the pleasurable pair and about other things as well. For example:

-Stomping on an anthill doesn't exactly encourage ants to leave.
-There are many poses to cover up band-aids from uncomfortable shoes.
-Anthony and Barbra both have a passion for motorcycles, quads, and dirt bikes
-Attaching the motorcycle to the truck takes more effort than expected!

Here are a few images from the session at Lavender Hollow.











The engagement session was delightful. I look forward to their upcoming wedding! Pin It Now!

Well...trying ot find the time to write seems to be a challenge. I have been blessed with lots of GREAT weddings this year! I hope to be able to post a little something on each of them when I can make the time!

I was honored to be a part of Brianne and Roy's wedding day. I met with Brianne about a year ago. We started talking about her wedding plans in Snelling Ca....yes Snelling! When she told me WHERE in Snelling I was sooooooooo excited!

Brianne and Roy were getting married at the most amazing place-their ranch! I was very familiar with the location. While attending Merced College I worked Paul's Place. I spent seven years getting to know all of the wonderful people that came in to visit and eat. Roy's grandmother was one of my favorite characters! She would come in with her girl friends to chat, eat and have a little coffee. She was full of smiles and spunk! She loved her ranch and enjoyed sharing stories about it with all of Paul's waitresses!

She would have been full of smiles at their wedding!

Brianne and Roy had a beautiful setting, cliffs, horses, green grass, clouds and lovely wild flowers! I love the way the horses were totally interested in the wedding. The reception was filled with delicious food from Gourmet Everyday....if you have not tried Melissa's food your missing out! The hay barn was echoed of loud country music brought in by a live band. Soo much fun! Pin It Now!

I am LOVING this engagement session! Megan and Nick are such a cool couple...if you don't believe me ask them how they met;) One picture will tell all...huh Meg? Don't you think that Nick looks like a rockstar??? Here are a few of the couple that ROCKED their esession! Pin It Now!

On Monday, May 24 my family and I attended the Praca de Touros at the Stevenson Ranch. I had never been to a bullfight in my life, and to walk in the ring just outside the arena while an agitated bull was inside was just slightly frightening to say the least. But despite the formidable bull inside the arena, the Forcados, Pantalones, and Matadores made me feel much safer. The bravery displayed by all who entered the arena was boundless. Those bullfighters have guts, that's for sure.

After attending the bullfight and being exposed to such a cultural and traditional-rich event, I just had to know more about the history of Portuguese bullfighting.

Why were the horns on the bull covered? Obviously for safety reasons. . . Duh. But this precaution is believed by historians to date back to the reign of King Joseph the I of Portugal after his son/heir Marquis of Marialva's horse was injured by the bull in the arena; leading to Marquis of Marialva to be thrown from his horse and fatally kicked by the bull.

How long has bullfighting been around? Contrary to the common belief that bullfighting originated in Spain, bullfighting dates back to approximately 711 A.D during the Roman empire. Along the Iberian Peninsula was where bullfighting was developed further by the Moors from North Africa. Bullfighting did not reach Portugal until roughly the twelfth century.

Why doesn't anyone kill the bulls? Ever since 1799 there has been much question over whether to kill the bull or not. Laws in Portugal were passed in order to prevent bulls from being killed. In California-Portuguese bullfights, the bulls are not harmed in any of the events. Agitated? Sure. Physically harmed? Not in the least. They are not thrown to the ground and no blood is drawn from them. They suffer far less than the people in the arena!

How long have bullfights been in California? Bullfights were in California since 1913. They were outlawed in California in 1957 - but after lobbying by many of the Portuguese residents of Gustine, bullfights were once again allowed; thankfully :)

Are there any female bullfighters? Yes. Sarah Pink, Muriel Feiner,and Conchita Cintron are several famous female bullfighters who are very gutsy in my opinion!

Bullfights. Prevalent in the Arts? Pablo Picasso doodled bullfights as a young boy.

Bullfighting has appeared in paintings dating back to 5650 A.D. Artist Edouard Manet painted The Dead Toreador, his most famous work. Bullfighting is even in one of the most popular and loved opera's - George Bizet's Carmen based on a love between a spirited girl and her bullfighter lover. Frank Harris and Ernest Hemmingway were two English authors who were able to capture and depict bullfights in an accurate and influential way.

Does the bull ever win? . . . I hope not! :0

I cannot express how grateful I was to attend the bullfight at Stevenson. I will certainly be attending more bullfights in the future!

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