It was over 10 years ago when I picked my first SLR, while I was in college, studying to be a graphic designer. I never considered a path in photography until all signs in life pointed that way a few years into the program, and I heeded to the call. Photography was to become my passion, and life’s work.

I was drawn to the medium because it put my biggest strength at the forefront — taking what’s in front of me, and creating something beautiful from it. I was never one of those artists that could imagine this huge elaborate scene or idea in my head from nothing. I always needed something in front of me to build off of, to work off of. To combine together. Fortunately for me, this is one of the most wonderful things about photography, as it allows me to take what I see in front of me, and interpret what I see it for others to take in.

It allows me express what I see and feel into an image, when I can’t find the words.

More or less, It allows others to see how I view the world.

And what do I see when I look around?

Magic.

But what does magic even mean?

Magic to me, is the intersection of authentic life & beauty.

You see, deep down at heart, I am a huge optimist. I mean, HUGE. I live life through rose colored glasses, especially through the camera lens (not literally though ;)). I put my powers of optimism at work when I’m creating imagery, by sharing the best that I see in people (& the world) through authentic images.

When I first started shooting weddings, I did it for the fantastical ideal of weddings. The white dress, the romance, the sparkles, the drama — those were the things I loved when I first started. I love photographing what felt like a day of fantasy. Over time, my focus ended up shifting though, from the ideal of weddings, to the beauty of moments & people. I love photographing moments, and I love photographing people in those moments. I love authenticity. I love it when people are their honest selves, because there is SO much beauty in that.

I love sharing with people that particular authentic & honest beauty with them, through photographs that I take.

When I take photos of things, I want people to walk away feeling like they felt what I felt. Like they experienced what I experienced. To see the awe, wonder & beauty I see in that moment, and put it into a tangible image.

When I take photographs of people, I want people to see the beauty that I see in them, and who they truly are. Being an optimist works well in this case, because I can take all those wonderful things I see in people, and capture them in an image, for them to experience themselves.

I want people to see the magic I see in them.

I want you to see the magic I see in you. In your life. In your experiences, and in all those moments that come together that formulate your life.

I want you to have incredibly beautiful images that tell the story of your time on this earth, images that you want to look at over and over, images that show your magnificence, images that make you feel. I want you to have images that make you love being alive.

That is why I love photography. That is why I love to create. There is too much beauty in this world not the share, there is too much beauty in every person not to be able to show it to them.

There is too much magic everywhere.

My passion, my purpose in photography, is the share all the beautiful things that I see, all the wonderful things that I feel, and all the magic that I see in each one of you for you to have forever.

This is why I create.

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Come journey with me.

Magic, I think, comes from how you look at things.

The hug from a child, the giggles, the smiles, the pitter patter of running. Even the tears have magic in them, because it’s honest emotion, and there is nothing more magical than emotion. It’s what makes us human.

Often times we will only see magic in things that are “perfect.” The perfect moment, the perfect look, the perfect outfit, the perfect makeup & hair. The perfect, behaving children, being a perfect parent. There is this misguided belief – that we all at one point fall for – in believing that perfect is where magic lies. When we are perfect, that’s when life is good. And at the same time, we all know it’s so not true! Magic doesn’t lie in perfection, it lies in life, which is inherently and completely imperfect, all. the. time.

When life isn’t perfect, there are moments of surprise and delight. Yes, your child giving you a slobbery kiss on the face isn’t perfect, it will mess up your makeup and hair probably, but it what it does do is make your heart soar if you really think about it, because at the core — what that slobbery kiss really is — is love.

So here’s to the imperfect moments. The real moments. The honest moments. The moments filled with magic, and the moments filled with love.

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Thank you so much to the special Cienfuegos family for welcoming me into their beautiful life and home for an afternoon, just to capture all their magically imperfect moments.  We danced in the living room, pretended in costume, read books, gave hugs, and gave love.

Read Chrystal’s thoughts about the session here.

San Diego, CA

I love it when clients are exactly who they are on their wedding day — no pretense, no trying to be something, or do something that isn’t who they are as a couple. Zenaida & Larry are a couple who are just that — themselves, and they invite everyone around them to be the same. Zenaida wore her hair naturally, and opted for camo leggings under her dress because why the hell not?? Her tattoos were beautiful, and her unique jewelry kept to her eclectic style. Their wedding was a simple one held at their home church, surrounded by close friends and family. It was an honest & lovely celebration, and I was honored to be a part of it.

Meet Maggie of type & title, a creator of beautifully simple & organic stationery. I admire her talent and skill, and deeply connect to her kindred spirit. When she asked me to take photos for her new website, I was thrilled at the opportunity! Florals for the shoot were also provided by Little Fox Flower Shop (whose work is also so lovely!)

I’ve always admired calligraphy, and in my early years, I remember my father practicing Chinese calligraphy on his free time. It is definitely an art that takes hours and hours of practice and work to perfect.

Maggie’s style is heavily influenced by nature, and simple design that focuses more on quality more than quantity. I absolutely love her work because the simplicity allows for everything little thing in the design to shine.

If you’re in the need for invitations, or even just beautiful calligraphy be sure to check her out!

“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.” - Roald Dahl

A little bit ago, I had the distinct pleasure of photographing Cassidy & David’s wonderful family – people who have become dear friends of mine. Over the years, I have photographed many families, but nothing gives me more joy than to photograph a family at home, as they are. All the little things that go on in the everyday, I find to be pure magic. Especially with the ones we love. Why? Because that’s what makes life rich. These everyday, little moments, these things that happen in our daily lives, that’s what makes life so wonderful. To be surrounded by love, is probably the most magical thing in the world. And to capture the everyday of that, is to put those memories and emotions in a time capsule and preserve it for years to come.

My favorite parts of this shoot? The pitter patter of Rylie and the pups running around the house. The giggles, coming from Ever, and watching him light up Cassidy’s face. It’s clear that she is smitten. Rylie playing photographer, and jumping around the house, as toddlers do. Fitting into pineapple hampers, and sharing love with snuggles, and a fiercely independent little girl. Conversations about life with Cassidy, Ever’s steely grey blue eyes, gummy grins and Rylie’s range of adorable faces. Sharing the afternoon with friends, and giving them photos to remember this beautiful and special little time in their lives.

echo park, los angeles, ca

When good friends get engaged, it is such a delight, because I often get a chance to be a part of this new chapter in their lives. Either photographing it, or being a part of the process, I always feel incredibly honored when I am able to participate in some way.

I’ve known Emily since we were young, growing up and going to the same church in Sacramento. Emily is a bright personality, always looking to the sunny side of things, and an incredibly wonderful friend. I was happy because when I moved down to San Diego she was also still here, so we were able to reconnect and grow our friendship. Over the years, we have been in and out of each other’s lives, with her moving from SD to NYC, then back to SD and working with me (which I will be forever grateful for her for), and then finally to LA, where she lives now. I miss having her close by, and don’t always get a chance to hang out with her when I travel to LA, so when she called me about her engagement, and then asked me photograph it, I was thrilled to get a chance to spend time with her and her fiance Carl.

Carl and Emily are two people who are so fun together, and bring out the quirky cute in each other. Carl was the one who kept the beats going during our shoot, and Emily kept the eats going. We explored and played and danced and frolicked in their neighborhood of Echo Park. (Which is something Emily and I love to do, as evidenced by one of the last times we shot together, after she made herself a “Where the Wild Things Are” costume and we needed to get it dirty.) I admire their sense of adventure together – they often go hiking and climbing – they even got engaged at the summit of a mountain! (The rocks pictured with her ring are from their engagement summit.) I had such a blast photographing these two, and I am thrilled that they are going to be getting married tomorrow!

So Emily & Carl, here’s to a special occasion to celebrate, and to many many more years of quirk, fun, and bringing out the sunniest in one another!