Archive for January, 2011

The City: Los Angeles

January 29, 2011

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The other day, my oldest son randomly asked me, “Mom, what do you think of when I say L.A.?”

I quickly replied, “Warm, sunny beaches, palm trees, Dodgers (Dodger BLUE!)… why?”

I thought maybe it was a homework assignment. Turns out it wasn’t. He was ‘just curious’.  So I asked him the same… his reply?

“Graffiti, gangs, violence.”

Such a negative viewpoint. I was curious as to why he thought that and he said he didn’t know… so it sparked a discussion about perception and viewpoints. As humans, we tend to perceive things as they are shown to us. We base our ideas of what we like and don’t like around the ideas that our family and friends have… or what we view on tv or social networks; and choose our preferences likewise. I didn’t realize that my son thought so negatively about a city that is just a short drive away… and one that I love to visit often!

I felt intrigued and decided to ask my family the same question…

My dad? “Traffic, SMOG, traffic, rude drivers.”  (Coming from the man who travels to L.A. almost weekly for doctor visits and checkups…)

My sis? “Shopping, smog, traffic, food!”  (Coming from the girl who works in fashion and used to drive to L.A. and all over California for work…)

Television and the media tend to paint L.A. as a negative place.  Hence, my son’s negative view of the city.  Ask anyone… what do you envision of East L.A.?  I admit, I thought the same as my son.  Ghetto, gangs, graffiti… However, ask anyone that LIVES there or grew up there… and their perception is way different.   Someone recently took me to his old neighborhood, right in the middle of East L.A…. and much to my surprise, it was NOTHING like the movies and tv portray it.  It was peaceful, serene.  Refreshing.  Life is simpler than we think sometimes.  We just need to take a moment to relax, breathe… and open your mind.  :)

Take some time today to relax and enjoy the simple things in life… I’m blessed… and so are you!

Here are some recent images from our latest visit to the city of Los Angeles, California…

(CLICK ON EACH THUMBNAIL TO VIEW LARGER…)

Old cemetery
The famous tree from "Blood In, Blood Out"



A house on a random street
Sunset over East L.A.

Sunset over East L.A.
Sunset over East L.A.

Thanks for taking the time to visit today…
~Marsha

The miracle of birth

January 20, 2011

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The birth of child… such wonder, amazement, awe.  The moment you first meet your newborn baby, the tiny little being that grew within you for months, is like none other.  You can’t help but to stare and wonder how you were so blessed to become the mommy of such a beautiful baby!

Having 4 of my own, I know what that feeling is like.  It’s beyond words amazing!

I was blessed with the honor of documenting the birth story of Baby Boy Lara…  The experience was… amazing.  For lack of a better term… WOW!

I’ve never seen a mom giggle and smile through her labor. I was amazed at the strength and pure giddiness that Michelle had. Labor was so easy for her I wouldn’t be surprised to see her in the maternity ward again next year. ;) hehe… jk… Really though, congratulations to the Lara family. Your baby boy is blessed to have you as parents. :)

Now onto the images… Enjoy!
(BELOW ARE THUMBNAILS… PLEASE CLICK ON THE THUMBS TO VIEW THE IMAGES LARGER.) :)








Thanks for taking the time!  Be blessed!

~Marsha

Love in the rain…

January 13, 2011

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Shortly after they married, Mr. & Mrs. Gann had to part ways for a bit while Mr. Gann set sail with the U.S. Navy. We planned to do an intimate bridal session on the beach in San Diego upon his return. However, it seemed as though when he came ashore, I was unable to make the trip down… and when I was available to go, he was on ship. Almost a year of scheduling, rescheduling, FB messages, phone calls, txts back and forth… we decided to go ahead and do a session here in Bakersfield when he was on leave for Christmas.

But alas, Bakersfield decided to hit us with the craziest, record breaking rain storm we’d seen in ages. However, what was first disappointment quickly turned into excitement. You see, we decided to go ahead with the shoot instead of (yet again) rescheduling and try something new. Boy are we glad we did! We had a lot of fun and captured some truly magical awesomeness between these two crazy-in-love lovebirds! (And fittingly ironic since the night of their wedding it was POURING rain lol!)

Thank you Mr. & Mrs. Gann! It is always a pleasure working with you and your family! Hopefully there will be a newborn session in the next few years! ;)

Enjoy! :)

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Thanks for visiting me today! Have a great week and be BLESSED!
~Marsha