Yeah . . . she ooooozes sweetness.  And I may have just made up a new word (oooozzzzes) but you get my drift.

I had the crazy crazy ultimate pleasure of photographing one of the sweetest, most outgoing, full of bubbling personality, and absolutely precious high school seniors I’ve ever met.  (OK, I know I say that about them all but really . . . I’m not kidding.  The kids these days just rock my socks!)

AND . .. . she just happens to be this year’s Homecoming Queen for Central Valley Christian High School!!!  So now do you believe me that she oozzess sweetness?  I mean she must be at least PART of that, right?

OK maybe she’s pretty HOT too!  Miss Kylee Rogers . . . I just adore you!  If ever there was a picture next to “All American Girl” in the dictionary, it would be you!    I swear . . . whenever I think of you, I think of your smile . . . that voice of your going a mile a minute . . . and all the big dreams and plans you shared with me!  I’ll never forget the moment you were crowned Homecoming Queen and you looked at me and said, “I cannot believe this.  What just happened?”  What just happened Kylee was that a ton of your schoolmates sent a huge message to you to say, “thanks for being our friend and for being you!  We like you a lot!”

So Kylee . . . congratulations on all the successes you had in high school.  You are gonna be missed . . . but the joy of watching you blossom is gonna be the greatest!  May God be the light and fore front of your life in everything you say, do and think.  Thanks for choosing me to capture your personality . . .  and your incredible beauty!  xoxoxo

Have you ever just looked at an object and said, “That reminds me of (insert someones name here)”?  I promise that just because Valentine’s Day is around the corner, that is NOT the reason I thought heart balloons would enhance these pictures.  PROMISE!  Read on . . .

I’ve known Kinsie for a long time.  I remember when her mama was pregnant with her.  I used to work with her mom in one of my “previous” career adventures of real estate.  Her mom has always been one of the hardest working women I’ve ever known and busy as a bee.  I’ve always admired her business sense and her drive!  So when I first met Kinsie, I never expected this sweet sweet sweet voice to come from one of Ida’s children.  Her heart and personality is just as sweet as her voice.  But people, don’t let that voice fool you!  The girl has drive just like her mama!!!!  She’s adventurous and a proven leader!

I’ll never forget when Kinsie was in my Community Service 4-H Project.  We had HUGE dreams of doing HUGE things for our project.  She was so enthusiastic about serving her community.  I even remember one day when she went to a service group and asked for donations so that we could work on our community project.  In all honesty, I really feel guilty about not continuing with that project because she truly had a passion for serving people.  I, on the other hand, did not have the time that was needed to do it correctly.  I’m sorry Kinsie that I let you down as a project leader!  I’ve always felt guilty about that, but trust me, I’ve been so amazed at your continued effort to help all the kids in 4-H grasp the passion you have developed for leadership.

Kinsie just spent the last 6 months or so on an adventure of a lifetime!  She went to Australia as an exchange student!!  Honestly, I was absolutely SHOCKED that she went on that adventure.  I never in my wildest dreams thought she would go.  She’s super close to her family!  But you know what happens when you have a hobby and a personality with drive like Kinsie’s . . . you begin to dream about far away places and what it would be like to be in another place, in charge of yourself . . . on your own adventure.

I’m sure that Kinsie has taken herself to many many many faraway places through the power of a book.  When that combination is mixed with her will and intelligence . . . LOOK OUT!  When I asked her if there was any ONE thing she was into and always wanted to remember she immediately said, “I love books!”  So I told Kinsie, bring about 20 of your favorite books and we’re gonna highlight them the way books should be loved!

So back to the heart balloons.

Her heart is huge.  She wears it on her sleeve and loves everyone and everything she meets.  So when I saw these heart balloons I truly thought of Kinsie.

Kinsie, your heart, your mind, your talent, your brains, your adventures,  and your future is limited to the sky . . . which is so unlimited.  I’m so in awe of the young woman you are and can’t wait to see the woman you become.  Never loose the love you have for life!

Thank you for having me capture your senior pictures!  I had so much fun having you all to myself!  I love you Miss Kinsie and wish you all the best in your future!  God Bless You!!!!

Can I just share something with you that’s been heavy on my heart? You know . . . since Valentine’s Day is all about love and stuff, I decided that I truly want to show the love to all of you. And there’s a reason why that goes pretty deep. So here goes . . .

About a month ago, I lost one of my dearest friends to that crappy disease – Cancer. I had the honor of taking her family picture for her Christmas cards this year.

I know that many, if not all of you, have lost someone you are close to.  It sucks!  (and by the way, those were her words . . . and now mine.)  I’ve been in a real funk . . .  you’ve probably noticed because part of the funk has been wanting to post to the blog!  And you know what . . . my friend AJ would be FURIOUS with me if she knew this!  She used to always say to me, “Whose coming up  next on the blog????  Hurry up!  I can’t wait to see who’s next!”  She was definitely one of my biggest cheerleaders.

So with that being said, I just want to thank all of you, past, present, and future clients for being cheerleaders for my business . . . for always letting me know how much you enjoy reading about the families, kids, seniors and weddings I photograph.   I have felt like a huge cheerleader is gone and you all have truly helped in filling that void.

So with that being said, I want to show you some LOVE LOVE LOVE for Valentine’s Day.

Now, I KNOW this is super short notice, but if you don’t already have something planned for Valentine’s Day, I would love for you to come take advantage of what I’m offering.  Even if you’ve NEVER had me take your kids pictures before, it’s OK!  I want EVERYONE to take advantage of this!!!  So here’s the scoop!

Way back when, like over a year ago, I came up with this crazy idea that I wanted to find a REAL graffitti artist to paint up a Valentine’s Day backdrop for me.  I have no idea why, I just seem to be drawn to the colors they use!  When I finally found the guy for me, I commissioned him to paint up these super fun backdrops for me.

So here’s the scoop;

FEBRUARY 6

8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Location: TBA

QUICK QUICK QUICK Valentine Photo Opp

Cost: Free (well, kinda  . . . . not really . . .see below)

I’m conducting this photoshoot on 1 day only.  There is no session fee, it’s absolutely free.  The only thing I ask is that you make a donation to the Visalia Rescue Mission.  I’ll have you write out your check direct to them.  Any donation!  No amount is too small!  If you would like to purchase these cute little 4×5.5 Valentine’s for your child to pass out at school, you’ll purchase them that day for $25/25 cards.  5×7 prints and 8×10 prints will all be available to purchase that day.  No orders will be accepted after Saturday, February 6.

SO why Visalia Rescue Mission?  Because it was near and dear to my good friend AJ’s heart.  She would have wanted it that way!  I hope to see TONS of these cute little kiddos on Saturday (yes, this Saturday).  Come . . . even if you’ve already figured something super cute to pass out.  If not, be in the IN-CROWD and get a Valentine that supports a local cause!

MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT RIGHT HERE

And call me if you’re afraid to make an appointment but then all of a sudden decide you can come!  730-6100 . . . I want everyone that can come to be there!  it’s for a great cause!!!!!!!

Hey all you blog readers!  This is a quick, almost Public Service Announcement type post . . .  For those of you who are local . . I wanted to bring to your attention an awesome opportunity for your kids.  Living in the Central Valley, we don’t always get these type of amazing opportunities for our children.  So listen up!

If you are disgusted with your child’s eating habits and cringe at the thought of them being seen eating in public, have I got a solution for you!  On February 6 from 11 AM-1 PM, Tiffany Nielsen is offering her Etiquette Ambassador’s Dining Etiquette Program for children ages 8-13.  The location is at the Vintage Press (YUM!) and the cost is only $85/child.  The neat thing about this program is that not only will your child be introduced to dining etiquette skills, but he/she will also learn the importance of eye contact, the art of small talk and conversation, multicultural awareness, and the gift of “thank you”.   Your child has to be pre-registered to attend.  You can register by calling Tiffany at (559)280-9859 or by email at tsmith@premieretiquette.com.

Thanks for your attention . . . now I’ll get back to my regular/irregular scheduled blog posts . . . coming up next . . .VALENTINE’S DAY SPECIAL on January 23 (i know . . . YIKES . . .that’s soon) and February 6.  STAY TUNED!!!!!

Did you know I hang out with country music stars?  Yeah.  It’s no big deal.  I just kinda take it in stride.  LOL!!! 

If you all KNOW me . . . you know that I am STAR STUCK to the MAX!  I mean, really . . . it’s not uncommon for me to drive around LA looking for movie stars, rock stars, tv stars, pop stars, and even a few “fallen” stars with Miss Mad.  We love it.  It’s a MUST DO whenever we are in LA.  Sometimes we see them and sometimes we don’t.  But imagine my luck when I actually had 2 stars come to me!!!!!!

So I get this friend request on Facebook from a Nikki Ruffoni.  HHHHMMMM, who is this?  Turns out she’s a cousin to a good friend of mine.  So she asks about my photography and such and I tell her the scoop.  Then she proceeds to tell me . . . “I need ‘headshots’ done of my husband and his partner because they are in like this super big country music contest that will be aired on CMT called the Colgate Country Showdown in Nashville, TN.  They won all the contests needed to make it to the BIG CONTEST.  They are 1 of like 5 finalists.  Can they use these images on national television and promotional materials?”

GULP.

“Uh sure!  You mean, like I’m gonna meet these guys and my pictures are gonna be on NATIONAL TV?”

“Oh yeah!  You’re gonna love these guys.  I love my hubby to pieces.  He can be a bit difficult at time, but they are truly great.  We just need a head shot.  How soon can we get these cause we needed them like last Thursday.”

GULP, again.  Does she not KNOW I’m in the middle of the busiest time of year . . . .Christmas?????

“Sure!  I can get them to you within a couple of days.”  (put everything on back burner to meet future country music stars!)

Aren’t they just SSSOOOOO handsome?

So we meet up at a midway point in Traver called Bravo Farms.  It’s like the cutest little place to hang out.  Seriously, if you’ve never been, you should check it out.  You’ll feel like you just stepped into an issue of Sunset Magazine!

The boys, Michael Pereira and Jason Ruffoni, busted out the guitars and played a little impromptu concert for everyone there . . . and me.  I loved it!!!!

And of course . . . .I couldn’t resist the train tracks . . . .again.  I just love train tracks and felt like country music stars should have pics on train tracks.  Who knows why my brain goes there . . . .

So boys . . . . I had so much fun with you.  SO MUCH FUN!  And I can’t wait to hear that YOU MADE IT!  The contest is going to take place in just a couple days and I’m praying for amazing things to happen in your lives.  You guys are great and I love how you both had such beautiful things to say about your families.  Remember that when the success of your efforts come to fruition, put GOD first . . . .FAMILY second . . . and your CAREER third . . . and everything is going to fall in line.

For anyone wanting more information about this awesome duo, WHISKEY ROW, check out their myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/whiskyrow.  I’ll also be sure to remind you all to watch when it actually airs on TV.  BECAUSE I”M GONNA BE ON TV!!!  (lol!!!!! now all my friend are rolling their eyes once again . . . go ahead. . .  I see you!)