Smiles for Scarlette

As I sat writing my blog posts for this week I stared at the blank page with Tipton at the top wondering what to write.  This post is raw and from the heart as my heart is so heavy for this family.  This is not what I wanted to write about - I prayed so hard it would be different but its not....

I met Simone when she was all of 2 years old!  She was the most beautiful little girl in my Sunday School class and so funny!  We had to ditch the lesson once because at story time Simone told us all she had Beauty and the Beast panties and showed us! (sorry Simone!)  Then all the little girls in the circle had to share what panties they had on. I panicked a little at the though of what was happening.  What if, when asked after class by their parents what they learned, they all said what kind of panties everyone had on!  That's why I have always loved Simone!  She is strong, she is beautiful and she is funny!

Last November I did Simone's maternity shoot in San Juan Capistrano.  I was so excited for Matt and Simone to be having a little girl!  We had so much fun - laughed and joked a lot that day.  We joked at the end that Scarlette could be my first Tiny Footprints Project baby to shoot.  (Tiny Footprints does complementary photo sessions for families with babies in the NICU)  Since Kayden their son had come early and Scartlete was threatening to follow in her brothers footsteps it was a possibility.  That was a Saturday and Simone was in the hospital Monday in labor at 31 weeks.    

So I did all I knew how to do - I prayed.

Big brother Kayden

In and out of the hospital for the next few weeks but they managed to keep her cooking another month.  Somehow I knew something wasn't right.  I waited a day or so and contacted Catherine Simones mom to see if everything was ok...the answers were vague as to her condition but she had something wrong with her arm.    

So I did all I knew how to do  - I prayed.

Five months have passed and Scarlette has had several surgeries.  She was born with a large tumor in her arm and back.  The past 5 months have been a roller coaster ride for the family.  Scarlette has spent more time in the hospital than out in her short 5 months.  Things were looking up with the last surgery.  They were able to remove much of the tumor in her back and for the first time since birth she had a normal back.  Last week Matt and Simone got news no parent should have to hear especially with a 5 month old - the tumor was malignant - Sarcoma of some sort.  Another vague answer.  Her condition is so rare that the doctors say there will be books written about her.

Sheltraw girls visiting (photo credit Tom Sheltraw)

Praying without ceasing - I am doing all I know how to do.  I have had many sleepless nights praying for this sweet smiling baby!  While my heart breaks for Matt and Simone and the family, I know they are strong.  I know that their faith will carry them on this long road.  

If you would like to help the family on this journey please visit their website on Youcaring.com.  You can also follow their Facebook page here Smiles With Scarlette.  Please share their story as they are praying someone out there may have answers.  The internet can be awesome like that!

Simone's blog can be found here.

Praying without ceasing......

OC Photo Summit | Rancho Santa Margarita Photographer

Education is SO important to me, I spend most of my business dollars investing in keeping current and fresh.  I will be trying to pass some of my knowledge on in future blog posts - so stay tuned!

I attended the amazing Orange County Photo Summit last September and again this past weekend.  The Summit is held at Saddleback Church and is completely FREE!  They have top notch speakers and workshops and did I mention its FREE!!  Ok so investment was time but it stilled payed big dividends!  If you are in Orange County are look up the Photography Basics Meet up group at Saddleback Church- they have such great classes, everyone is welcome, and its always FREE!!!  Click here to join the meet-up!

Last year since it was my first time I sat amazed at the big name talent that was teaching.  Hanson Fong was the main speaker he is a Canon Master of Light.  He is a master of posing - Ah-mazing!  

I did a workshop with a local wedding photographer - David Do check out his site here (not that I'm doing wedding!).  David  is a genius when it comes to quick flow posing for couples.   These are some of the images from his workshop...

amazing window light

amazing window light

Studio Lighting...

Studio Lighting

My next workshop was with Rebecca Thatcher you can check her out here.   She had the cutest little models!  Posing was the big draw for me here also...its my weak link!  I think I am finally starting to trust myself and what I have learned! 

This year my hubby came along.  He enjoyed the Canon Master of Light Jennifer Wu you can check out her work here.  She does landscape photography and is an amazing artist!  And then there was Jasmine Star, I took a full workshop with her earlier in the week and have to say she is the bomb!  A wedding photographer with a gift of sharing her story and helping other photographers become who they truly are! (more in another blog post coming!)  Thank you Jasmine for opening my eyes and giving me direction!   

Jasmine*

I wound up not doing any workshops this time - just chatting for me!  I ran into an old friend and made a new one while I was there.  (girls watch for a new Hair and Make Up Artist for your shoots coming soon!)  

I will leave you with a few images my husband captured with his borrowed gear from Cannon - 6D with a 24-105L lens.  

Looking forward to whats in store for next year - it just gets better every year!

Gentry Family | Irvine Regional Park Photographer | Senior Photographer

"There are certain people in your life that no matter how long you go without talking whenever you do, you pick up where you left off. Or no matter how many miles apart, the distance will never change a thing"  Karen Kostyla

This is so true of Maureen and I!  Time passes because of busy lives then we connect again and we just catch up and pick up where we left off!Maureen and I met when we were 9 years old.  We moved to this new frontier called Laguna Niguel - it was LOTS of open space with some houses sprinkled in.  We both got jobs at Gemco (now the Target off Alicia in Mission Viejo) and thats where we met our hubby's!  They worked in mens wear and we worked in fabrics.  The guys became roommates - the weddings followed - kids after that and we just somehow lost touch.  We still live in the same town and catch up when we can and its always a good time when we do!

Last year about this time Maureen called to have me do Senior Portraits of her daughter Emily and a family portrait.  Emily was graduating from Trabuco Hills High School and going off to college soon.  Of course I was super excited for this shoot!  They chose the beautiful Irvine Regional Park for their shoot one of my favorite places.

This is Emily she is so beautiful!

Mom wanted one of Alise and Emily together in letterman's jackets - she had a plan for hanging her portraits on the wall!  I love that they are on the wall where they can enjoy them!  (we had to take a few without the jackets!)

I love this beautiful family and their super cute dog named Bodie.  I think Bodie was smiling for the camera!

Or maybe Bodie was smiling because he thought he could catch a peacock - they are every where at Irvine Park.

These girls are incredibly intelligent as well as beautiful!  Alise graduated with high honors from UC Davis and is now at Cal State Berkley.  Emily is just finishing her first year at UC Santa Barbara.

Ben and Maureen have a lot to be proud of with these girls!