HUNGER STRIKE

This past April, a beautiful friend of mine asked if I'd come to shoot a candlelight service that the teens at our church were holding during their '30 Hour Hunger Strike.' 'Of course!' I had answered without hesitation...not knowing in the slightest what I was getting myself in to...

Just eight months later, I sit here buried in visa application paperwork, my arm is a bit sore from my last vaccination shot I got yesterday, and my eyes are a bit tired from working with Mission Visual on the Hunger Strike video late last night...and I'm humbled to be a part of something so much bigger than anything I've ever known.

During the weekend of April 4th and 5th, 2009, thirty-two students from St. Paul’s in Irvine between the ages of 13 and 18 joined forces to make a difference in the world. They gathered together at the church to fast for 30 hours while they raised money and awareness about the plight of the needy in Tanzania and other developing countries. They gave up food so others could be fed. They fought hunger with hunger. Their hope was to bring hope to strangers on the other side of the Earth.

These teens participated in an inaugural event called Hunger Strike – An Orthodox Christian Fast for Change.

That one ceremony near the end of their thirty hours of fasting moved me. In that dark sanctuary, with my ISO bumped up as high as it would go, I saw the brightness of love and hope and selflessness, radiating from kids half my age.

These young people made a difference that weekend. They gathered together to bring hope to the children of Tanzania but what they really did was bring hope to us...


Hunger Strike is growing. And I'm going to Africa to aid in its growth...to aid in the health, nutrition and growth of brothers and sisters I've never met...

Hunger Strike from Mission Visual on Vimeo.

gettin' down

I like to run, jump, skip, climb, crawl, squat, lay, reach, step back, roll over, lean and balance into my shooting. I do whatever it takes to get a different angle, or try something new. I just like to get down.

More likely than not, if you see me with a camera in my hands, you'll see me somewhere other than on my two feet. It's just how I roll.



Thanks for the awesome illustration provided by Mr. Minhsu Wang, Chairman, Never Original.

not so little love

Roozie and I met six years ago this past July, just a few weeks before I came home with my Chloe. The three of us hung out a lot that first fall we all knew each other, and Roozie fell in love with Chloe like I did. Neither of us had had dogs growing up.

So last year summer, when Roozie told me he was going to get this adorable little pup from the CO pound, I was excited. I knew it would change Roozie's life, as Chloe has changed mine, for the better.

But when Roozie went to pick up the sick little pup, he got overwhelmed, intimidated and scared and he left the pound without him. This little life was going to be in his hands, he would be completely responsible for this little creature, and this little doggie would forever depend on him. It's a daunting task for a young adult who has barely begun to understand caring for oneself. I know. I was there too.

Fortunately, I have Great Powers of a True Friend and I talked Roozie into turning around and going back to get the little boxer mix with kennel cough. Over the next several days, Roozie nursed the pupsicle back to health and the two were forever bonded.

Now, not so little, the Ottoman dominates Roozie's heart and capitvates the affection of anyone around.

Light from the Lemons

Laycee found me a little over a year ago through a friend, who had just done a portrait shoot for their little lady (now more commonly known as the little tyrant), and I never knew such a beautiful thing would come out of that first Lemons shoot.

It was actually one of the most awful days I've experienced in a long time. I lived in Yorba Linda and Anaheim Hills for about 15 years, and have developed many lifelong friends and extended family from my time there. And the day that Laycee and Matt brought Seth for his first photo shoot, Yorba Linda and Anaheim Hills was burning down.

The Freeway Complex Fire, as it became known, tragically burned hundreds of homes and threatened thousands more. My parents were evacuated, my brother, my god parents, neighbors, childhood friends, my Cynthia, my Val...everyone. Everyone was in danger, and everyone was hurting that whole weekend as we watched our friends and families on fire.

That Saturday I shot Seth for the first time with the sky ablaze, and the light on his beautiful little face was orange to match. In the next few days it was even a little hard to edit the images, desaturating the warm colors that were cast on his creamy skin as I focused on desaturating the grief inside.

But a new light began to shine when Laycee and Matt loved the images from that shoot - and I instantly began to love Laycee. We're in contact almost daily (thanks to Facebook and Twitter!) and now one of my favorite clients (as she quickly came to be) is beginning to pursue a photography career of her own. Perfection!

Here's the creative chica with her two main men in a lemon grove in Irvine...























stay tuned! another lemon is on the way!


they're expecting!




but for now, Seth's still the main squeeze...

Early for the Ehrle's

They weren't really EARLY per say, but I thought it was a fun title anyway.

The Ehrle's booked their family portrait session a few weeks ago, and when I heard about their two little boys, I was immediately excited. THEN, I befriended Michaela on Facebook, and my excitement doubled. Two of the cutest little boys ever, a cute blonde mama, and a blue-eyed dad to match...this was sure to be an awesome little family sesh.

And, it pretty much was. The boys were little, that's for sure...and we ended a few minutes before I wanted, because Ashton began to talk about a swing and a slide and something else that had nothing to do with me, so I took the hint and wrapped it up (there's only so much you can say to a 3.75 year old to keep him engaged for a big boring camera when there's talk of slides and swings and stuff). But the time we spent together was great! And Ashton and little Parker were brilliantly focused on me the entire time. I got more eyes from those two than most kids I've shot.

And yes, I shoot kids. I can shoot yours if you want. Send them to me. I'll take care of them.

poodle attacks unknown object under the blanket game

go ahead, google it.

it's a legitimate game. a fun one too. it's engaging, interactive and a humorous way to spend a couple minutes.

i can't take credit as the creator. that's a whole other story that i could get into if you'd really like. but seriously, you should try it someday.

let me know if you need to borrow a poodle.

God's Love

I showed up a few minutes early to the little church, and met Susanna and her son, who took care of the First Baptist of Yorba Linda grounds. Their immediate warmth and engaging response to my simple parking question shed light on the radiance of God's love and purpose I was about to experience that day.

First, I was shooting with Chad Sengstock, the fantastic and fabulous photographer friend of mine that I've known almost since the beginning [of this photo journey of mine]. He mirrors God's love more than most men I've known. Then, there was Kat and Steve, the amazing couple who's love for each other and for life hit me before I ever even saw the two together. The pastor's eyes filled with tears as he spoke to them during the ceremony. I hurriedly blinked away the blur.

The friends, the family, the commitment...God's love was all around me yesterday. It's in me every day.

Hopefully it'll show through me every day on.

beautify our lives!

This email was sent to me a few weeks ago and literally lit up my life...

'So I’ve been pondering how to decorate. Right now our walls are bare, like completely. There's not a single thing hung on them if you can believe it. I have also been pondering how to decorate the largest wall in our house which is also completely bare. And I think I want to use a wall in our house completely for your photography. Frames, spacing, lighting, the whole nine yards… So the question is, what kind of cost are we looking at? Do you sell prints? What if I send [my woman] to pose nude for you? Could we choose 8-16 shots to be displayed in our house? Let me know. I want to beautify my life and I can’t do that without you…'

I have no idea where this will lead, all I know is we're booked for January...for semi-nude, fully artistic and completely FUN photo shoot that will beautify all three of our lives.

stay tuned...!

Oh and just because I think a photographer's blog should have an image in EVERY entry...here's an image from a nude shoot I did a few years ago. It beautifies my life as it hangs on my wall.

Wedding Industry Awesomeness

A few weeks ago Lovato Images was part of a bridal show at the beautiful Pacific Edge Hotel in Laguna Beach where a bunch of vendors got together to showcase their services as well as help educate brides on their industry for the planning process. It was so great to get to meet and work with so many wonderful vendors.

First, and foremost, Kerry Pulverman from de Luxe Weddings & Events put together the whole thing and I was impressed. She did a wonderful job. If you ever need a planner, please give her a call.

Next, what is a great event without great food? Jim and Ed from Luscious Jimmy's Catering went above and beyond to create tasty sensations that definitely made their table the most popular. I was fortunate enough to be stationed next to their layout and got to try many wonderful appetizers and deserts hand made by the two chefs. SO GOOD. I'm looking forward to working with them again at THE EVENT in Orange in two weeks!

Then there was Ponte Winery, Charmed Cupcakes and The Fry Girl to help our taste buds a little more. Ponte poured champagne for everyone while Charmed and Fry Girl added a mouth-watering layer of sweetness to our lives. :)

The other contributing vendors were:
Alfred Angelo dress shop
Friar Tux rentals
The Knot
Calligraffiti invitations and everything paper (beautiful work!)
DJ Dais
Magician and Entertainer extraordinaire Kevin Viner
Red Carpet Photo Booth
Linda with Travel with Linda
Gary Reeves from Sunset Flying
Rebecca Peng from Pacific Edge
Generations lighting (stunning!)
Atlas party rentals
Fusion Linens
Blooms and Kisses florist
Pixie's Petals florist

It was so great to get to work with such an awesome group of wedding professionals. Here are some images of them, as well as a video from Mission Visual linked at the bottom.

My fave lady of the night...event planner Kerry from de Luxe...


The Master himself, Jimmy from LJ's Catering...

Ponte setup...


Fry Girl...mmm...

Alfred Angelo and Friar Tux...

The Knot stacked up...

Calligraffiti samples...


Generations!

DJ Dais, doin' how he does...

Magician Kevin Viner...

Red Carpet Photo Booth - fun!

Blooms and Kisses on the way in...


Pixie's Petals all over...


and of course, Solomon from Mission Visual shooting video...view it here!!