Roads less traveled

I intended on writing some artsy text about these images I recently took while driving through Ohio, but instead I'm sitting here dwelling on my pinkie and ring finger that are stuck together. It turns out the scene from The Wedding Planner where Matthew McConaughy has a statues stone balls stuck to his hand with krazy glue really can happen! (And yes, I know I'm the only one who repeatedly watched the movie, it was my favorite freshman year). I was attempting to unclog a krazy glue tube and instead of a nice gentle ooze it exploded causing an instant bondage of my fingers and some serious crustacean on my right hand from attempting to part them. The instructions to remove the glue has not been successful. I'm so confused why they sell a product that will glue my skin together but not a broken piece on a plastic gate?!?! -M

Rock n' Roll Ballerina

Lola put her tutu on and placed her new flower headband in her hair, tapped me on the shoulder and requested "Boom boom BOW". The Blacked Eyed Peas set the stage for our own little Miss Sunshine. She danced for the studio crowd of her sisters, cousin, mom and I. Lots of laughs and entertainment, not to mention how adorable she is!

Pap's Garage

Last week while I was visiting my grandparents in Warren Ohio I spent my days listening to Pap's stories and I went on the grand tour of his garages. It was fascinating seeing all of his collections and tools. There his first wheelbarrow sat that he used to load up bricks when he built his house over sixty years ago. A line of tractors he drove to haul lumber, he can still remember where every tree came from and what date he cut it down. His first fishing boat and school desk are stacked behind a massive wood cutting machine from 1889 that he still keeps running. He told me his dream when he was young was to one day have all of the tools and wood he could imagine, he chuckled after we passed through a dozen of his garages packed floor to ceiling with lumber he sawed throughout his life. -M

Happy to be Home!

I'm back in town after traveling with my 10 week old baby across the country to meet her relatives. Staying in small town Ohio for a week makes you realize how different life in California is and all the things we take for granted, like whole foods and speed limits over 55mph. Needless to say I'm happy to be home and looking forward to several portrait sessions this weekend. New pictures are in the works but for now here is little girl we just had the pleasure to photograph. She loved being in the spotlight, so much she would only smile when mom and dad weren't in the picture! -M

Man of the hour

I can't resit cracking a smile at this handsome little guy. He made my job pretty easy. Thanks Drake!

Take time to smell the roses and eat some cake!

You can't just walk by the Yellow Vase Cafe, you are lured in by the aroma of fresh pastries and stunning floral arrangements lining the windows. I can still smell the wedding cake with crisp red roses and butter cream icing, yummy. I was delighted to photograph these beautifully designed arrangements and specialty cakes.

Celebrating life, remembering a friend

In memory and celebration of Kevin Carlburg, a kind spirit and amazing talent. Kevin touched many of our lives and will continue to live in our hearts. When I met Kevin at a Pseudopod show in 2000 he gave me a reason to get behind my camera, learn and experiment. I was the crazy Pseudopod fan who would grab my camera last minute and road trip to any state to catch a show. Kevin’s dedication and courage through his trials was motivating and refreshing. His music and love for life gave me a reason to explore my own passions. After skipping many college classes to travel across the country and hang with the Pseudopod gang I finally buckled down and finished my fine art degree in photography. The first color print I ever made in the dark room was of Kevin backstage leaned up against a red pool table while Ross was playing a solo, B.G. looking through the curtain at all of the dancing sorority girls. This image is very special to me, I discovered my love for photography, over saturated colors, rich black contrasted prints and most of all the drive to continue to be an artist, inspired by my friend Kevin Carlburg.