One Camera. One Lens. One Photo a Day.

Portrait session,  Leah & Rachel…

One of my favorites from a Kids of OC 2010 session today in Mission Viejo.

Surf’s Up, San Clemente Pier…

A southern swell is hitting the coast of Southern California, and the experienced surfers could not be happier.

This afternoon I headed down to the pier mostly to get out of the office and see what was happening at the water.

The marine layer was still hanging over the coast — which I sometimes forget even though we’re only about 10 miles from the sea (as the crow flies).  As one drives south on the 5 you can see the clouds start rolling in (ala the “June Gloom”) and then you get to the beach and it’s almost chilly.

The swell created waves around 8-10 feet and the waves were meant for the brave and experienced, like Bryan Ballard of San Clemente, riding this wave close to the pier.

Nicki, Kate and Sparky and their new pool..

Nicki found a new favorite little pool to take the kids.  Nestled in a neighborhood close to home is a pool where they can use floaties for the little ones.

Since she is seriously allergic to sunscreen (she breaks out even if Sparky is just holding her after it’s been applied and in his skin.  Wild.) this really helps her out because she can keep Spark cool, occupied and watch him while she cools off herself.

They all met with many of their Mom friends and kid friends for an afternoon playdate.

Tears, Scraped Heal…

Kate was tired at the end of the day and somehow scraped her heal on the door to the studio.

Tears followed, wails and moments after making this image, I applied the magical healing combination of Neosporin and a Toy Story Band-aid (with Jesse facing up so Kate could see her).

Wedding, West Hollywood….

I got a call early in the week from my good friend Dan Milnor.

His wife Amy had just had her appendix removed (thankfully it did not burst) and he needed my help.

He had a wedding on Saturday and Amy was going to work with him.  Could I fill in?

Sure…what are friends for?

It was great working with my friend (he and Amy photographed OUR wedding in 2001!), and it was a beautiful wedding.

The couple were elegant, eloquent — simply lovely — the venue was absolutely spectacular.

It was a full day on so many levels and I was glad to be there.

Music in the Park, Ladera Ranch…

Tonight we headed down to the Town Green and despite the heat, it was packed for the second Music in the Park evening.

It’s one of the great things that makes Ladera special.

You see friends and it’s a great way to kick off the weekend and also just feels so much like summer.

Here is Tavin (left) and Jorryn (center) checking out Kate as she eats a popsicle.

Keeping out of the heat…

Today we kept the house shutters closed, and the dining room curtains drawn to help keep out the heat and keep in the cool.

It seemed so depressing because usually we open up the house if we’re home during the day to let in the breeze that we usually get off the coast.

Today, no breeze.  Nothing but heat.

But Sparky crawled around and under the drapes to get a view out the door, only to be joined by Sister and then later, Mom.

Playdate with Marlee….

Kate and her buddy Marlee check out the “rubbish” trucks (as Kate calls them –vocabulary courtesy of her South African mother) from the relative cool of Kate’s room.

Yesterday’s nearly Arizona-like summer weather (not THAT bad, I know ) kept the girls inside, and the little ones (Olivia and Sparky) downstairs with the Moms as they chatted on the couches.

We went from early spring to summer in mere days and the weather is supposed to stay like this for a while.  But luckily, these things are destined to usually break — and 10º cooler feels like a lot more manageable.

Tavin’s Feet…

This afternoon Nicki, Kate and Sparky went over to Jodi and Jason’s for an afternoon pool playdate.

And it couldn’t have been a better and more timely play date.

Today, all of a sudden, we’re into summer.

Just like that.

Last week it was COLD and felt nothing like summer — but this week, it really does.

You can tell…if the morning’s are sunny and bright, the day is going to be sunny and hot.  And that’s just what it was today.

But it’s great.  We’re ready for summer.

Just as long as it doesn’t stay TOO hot for TOO long.

This is your wake up call…

Well, not quite.  Actually Sparky is greeted here by Kate in his room after waking up from a very long (thankfully) noontime nap.

When he wakes up quietly and smiling, as he did today, you know he got caught up on his sleep.

And, of course, he loves to laugh and giggle at Kate — these two have a sweet sibling bond already.