Inspiration

Sometimes you get inspiration from the most interesting things. We went to an art exhibit, put on by Authentique Gallery, at the beautiful new Town Hall in Santa Clara last week. I saw Marty Ricks and some of his new paintings. One in particular caught my eye of a tree lined drive. I thought it would make the greatest location for Opal. While we were looking at all of the beautiful paintings on display, Julie Rogers was painting a little girl. Her paint pallet was gorgeous, so I photographed it as well. The paint actually looks like a landscape itself. I also discovered a new artist that I loved, Steven Lee Adams. Anyway, here are some images and I'm so excited to have discovered the tree lined drive! I've also included some other paintings that have always inspired me for Opal.

Marty Ricks

Steven Lee Adams

Steven Lee Adams

Ophelia, by John William Waterhouse

The Lady of Shalott, by J.W. Waterhouse

Julie Rogers at work

William Adolphe Bouguereau

first post

Here we go~ I am excited and kind of nervous about this post. I am excited to show what is going on behind the scenes, but I don't want to be boring either! I am going to just put it all out there and see if anyone is listening. I love photography of all things around me so I'll start with photos and see what else may come. This first entry will be photos from our first shoot. We took a spring break trip to Oceanside, California, where my family has been vacationing for 25 years. It was so fun! We discovered two new places to eat and I'm already wanting to go back! We have so many memories there. On the way there we love to stop and get avocados and oranges on highway 76.

My kids have been shooting with me since they were born, so they are some of my best models. Mia was the perfect "opal" girl, dancing in the waves on the sand. The photos are really beautiful, but I am including some of the "before's". Every shoot involves styling, pinning, hair, makeup (chapped lips!), and some complaining. This shoot also including a storm rolling in, a race against the sun, and lots of sand. Oh, and I can't forget Ryder on the beach with his scooter unconsiously appearing in the background of the shots!!! Next post will be some of the images from the opal shoot on the beach.

cute little flower stand on Hwy 76

where we get avocado's and oranges

Mia and Ryder tasting citrus samples

My family on the Oceanside Pier. Windy that day!

Cute!

They're always intriguing, but they never work!

Me eating hazelnut chocolate gelato outside our new favorite place, the Pier View Coffee Co.

Ryder waiting for the rain to stop....

Watching cartoons at the beach??? Still waiting for the rain to stop. Mia and her bunny look sleepy now, but later this same day she will trasform into a lovely beach girl for opal.

Case on the pier

Mia and Daddy people watching.

Dresses for the photo shoot waiting in the back of the car.

here are some of the images from the beach shoot

Notice Ryder in the background with his scooter!