Center of Attention: Natalia and Her Family

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“She gives away her smiles for free,” my friend, Grace said about little Natalia (Lia, for short).

When I arrived at the Lopez household after a long day at work, I was greeted by a little ball of sunshine crawling around the living room. It took all but 2 minutes for Lia to assess whether I was friend or foe, and then it was all smiles. Her big sis, Olivia (Livie for short), was a harder sell, but she was a good sport nonetheless.

I’m so amused by the relationship between two sisters, maybe because I’ve got a little sister of my own. That’s why the last 15 minutes of our session had me cracking up. “Hug your sister!” Grace urged Livie. Hilarious, these two!

Thanks, Jorge, Grace, Livie and Lia – the long day at the office and the drive through rush hour traffic were but fleeting annoyances after an evening with you!

Made for the Other: Angelina & Jesse

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My co-worker bud, Jesse, is a fellow photographer, and like me, he’s not a huge fan of having his picture taken. When he got engaged a few months ago, however, I convinced him – please let’s do an engagement shoot – it’ll be fun! I hadn’t done one in awhile and needed and wanted the practice; and as fate would have it, they still needed a wedding photographer =)

Jesse and Angelina, for all their worry about having their pictures taken, were nothing but easygoing and fun! The product of mutual friends and cupid.com, they are a match that’s meant to be. It took me all but 10 minutes of taking their picture to see it. The two of them, along with their kids Skye and Annie, just fit and I can’t wait to be there in February when they make it official =)

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I finally did it! THE 5D, MARK II IS MINE AT LAST! Yes, I’m fully aware that there’s a Mark III out now, but until I can consider myself more “pro,” I am 100% happy with my II. So happy. Unbelievably happy. It’s not just this great camera that I’ve been lusting over for the past few years – it’s a symbol of so many things (Warning: corniness quickly approaching).

When I first became a real student of photography, when I first started caring about shutter speed, ISO and confusing myself with the inverse relation between the aperture values and what they actually meant (the higher the f-stop the smaller the opening? WHAT?!), I thought I’d never understand any of it enough to own my own DSLR, let alone something of 5D caliber. My 40D has been instrumental in my desire to learn everything I can about the art, as well as the science, of photography. She’s been reliable the last 4 years, but I think I’m ready for my full-frame now =)

Armed with my new toy and still favorite lens (20mm), I spent an evening after work acquainting myself with this awesome machine! Where better to take photos than my neighborhood shopping center? So I walked around and clicked…clicked…and clicked some more. I think it’s safe to say I’m in love with this camera. Please don’t judge me – I’m not a materialistic person, but what this thing can do, especially when the light is being difficult? 6400 ISO?! SHUT THE FRONT DOOR! =)