five on friday {San Jose, California, family photographer}

1. I'm squeaking in just under the wire for today's FoF.

2. There's alot of things happening around our house in the next few days and it's unsuspecting to a couple of people. Luckily, I (the knowing of all knowing) knows everything (Bwahahaha!!). One person (aka Sweetie) THINKS he knows everything about all happening things but he doesn't ;) And Early Bird doesn't realize she knows nothing about any of the happenings. Is that pretty cryptic or what?!

3. Here's a hint for you (and if we see you between now and Monday you don't know anything about anything... wink wink). Sweetie's birthday is Thursday but we'll be out of town (that's one of the secrets) so I'm throwing him a surprise party on Saturday... and he HATES surprises!! I haven't told Early Bird because she's not very good with secrets. The other secret is the trip we're taking, which Early Bird doesn't know about either. If you're keeping score that's 2 for mom, 1 for Sweetie and 0 for Early Bird. Thinking about it now there better not be any surprises for me!! Now, that wouldn't be very nice :(

4. A guess for where we're going next week: think small, round, black ears!!

5. Random photo of the week:

HAPPY FRIDAY!

monthly quote blog hop - may {san jose, california, family photographer}

It's time for May's edition of Monthly Quote Blog Hop.

This month's quote:

"You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes you just might find, you get what you need." - The Rolling Stones, You Can't Always Get What You Want.

A little explanation for my choice of image this month. I've been practicing yoga for about a year now. I originally started practicing as a way to reduce my back pain due to pregnancy a few years ago. I knew it would have benefits far beyond pain management but I never fathomed other ways it would effect my life. I'm definitely stronger, I tend to handle stress better (most of the time), and I can play with my 4 year old much easier. However, I don't always look forward to my yoga classes because sometimes there's pain involved. Pain getting into a new position, muscle pain, heat pain, etc. 

I had just come back from yoga class when I decided to work on my quote project. I decided to use juxtaposition with the pain of yoga but the calming nature of it. I've come to realize that is how yoga is for me and really it's what I need in my life!

Hop on over to see Tami Siriani's interpretation of the same quote.

spring/mother's day mini-session {san jose, california, family photographer}

Last week was my Spring/Mother's Day Mini-sessions and I had so much fun!

I loved that I got to see some old and new friends!

Even though Mother's Day is technically not until next weekend I'm thinking it should be changed to the entire week? Am I right?! I mean, why should we only get one day?! (And honestly, that's how I celebrate my birthday. It's a week-long event!) 

So, I'm making an executive decision. I'm officially (unofficially) renaming Mother's Day to Mother's WEEK! Who's with me?!!

To start off our Mother's Week here are a couple from the last weekend!

To all the moms, grandmas, and almost moms Happy Mother's Week!!

Just Us X 12 - April {San Jose, California, family photographer}

We're back for our April edition of Just Us x 12. 

Here's our family's April version. Taken out by the side of our house.

I can't wait to see what the other talented photographers from across the country come up with!

follow the circle by checking out what Julyssa Schenk's  posted on her Just Us x 12 April edition.

five on friday {san jose, california, family photographer}

1. So this popped in my Inbox the other day - GapKids and Diane von Furstenberg have teamed up. Yes, please!!  I immediately opened it and saw some maaaaaajor eye candy!! Can't get past the cuteness! Early Bird has way way way too many dresses so I may end up passing but I secretly wish they had them in my size (not like a wear alot of dresses but just seeing them in my closet would make me happy!) and maybe make me motivated to wear them.

2. My Spring/Mother's Day mini-sessions are happening this weekend. Can't wait!! I've got a great spot picked out but it's in a very "interesting" location. You'll have to wait until next week to find out why!

3. The P family (which is my family) has  a big top-secret, stealth trip planned in a few weeks and it involves Mickey, Minnie, their friends and our neighbors. And, best of all, it's top secret to three kiddos! We're hitting the road together with only the adults knowing where we're ending up. Can't wait. Oh, and we'll celebrate hubby's birthday while we're there! Bring on the singing.... and the embarrassment!

4. I was browsing Pinterest the other day (I know, shocker!) and I came across this video: Recreating a  Tutu's Splendor about the New York City Ballet's costume department. It's a short (6ish minutes) but beautiful video on how they recreate vintage tutus. I highly suggest watching it. Beautiful visual and photography appeal as well. It's also very calming for some reason. Early Bird watched it over and over. 

5. Random photo of the day:

My sweet friend, Sarah, on a recent day trip to San Francisco. She is sooooo busted with two cups of gelato! 

monthly quote blog hop - april {san jose, california, family photographer}

I missed last month (we were in Texas) but I'm back this time for another round of Monthly Blog Hop. 

I'm pairing up with some other talented photographers from around the world to put our own spin on a quote.

April's quote - Having courage does not mean that we are unafraid. Having courage and showing courage means we face our fears. We are able to say, "I have fallen but I will get up." - Maya Angelou

Being a photographer means that I am afraid of failing All.the.time! Sometimes I'm afraid to take risks. Sometimes I don't want to take risks. Sometimes I just want to sit my camera down and walk away. I'm afraid of failing at a deep deep passion I have. Sometimes, yes, I do fail. And sometimes, I do just walk away.... but only for a bit. However, I've learned if I stop taking risks. If I stop picking up my camera. If I don't face my own fear of failure I'll never know the happiness that comes from seeing an image of mine that truly truly makes me happy, even if it only makes ME happy! 

I had taken this image last summer. I've looked at it several times and have always passed it up. I see the technical flaws, the chopped limb, out of focus, etc, etc. I've looked at it's failure, at MY failure. However, today, I decided to throw my own fears out the window and embrace the image. Not for what's wrong with it but for what makes it right, only if it's for me. 

Don't forget to head over to the next talented photographer, Kim Ebert, and see her take on Maya Angelou's quote. 

five on friday {san jose, california, family photographer}

1. I'm going to start this FOF off a little gloomy but end on a much cheerier note. This past week, within 12 hours, I found out two of my friends have cancer. Both are moms in their 30s, both have two young kids, and both have wonderful supportive husbands. All I could think of (and still do daily) is it's just not fair! Just not fair at all. It makes me so so so mad that their lives, and the people around them, are forever changed! One has invasive breast cancer. She caught it herself... thank goodness! I'll leave you with a phrase that she said, "Make sure to check your boobies!!" Pass the word on!

2.  Early Bird's Spring Break is next week and we're heading to Tahoe for a few days! Can't wait to go! I've never been in the spring, just the winter and summer. While we're gone we're having a little bit of work done on our house. And yes, I planned it that way! I'll get to come back to my own version of HGTV reveal!! (which reminds me, need to take before/after photos!)

3. Can you be in love with a pair of boots? While I was in Texas I broke down and bought a pair of boots. I have lusted after these FOR YEARS! I had been wearing my Target boots and every time I wore them I would look down and hate them more and more. They were reminding me of two evil step-sisters taunting me time and time again (Cinderella anyone??!)! I decided that if I was stiiiiillll lusting after the boots two years later that I needed to bite the bullet. So, I threw those evil step-sisters to the curb and let me tell you, my feet are happy again.  Every time I put them on they make me feel sassy! Now, isn't that what a good pair of shoes are suppose to do for you?! Oh, and when I wear them Early Bird says I look like a cowgirl. Well, I did buy them in Texas after all!!

4.  I have one spot left for my Spring/Mother's Day Mini-sessions on April 27 & 28. And because it actually feels like spring today and I'm a mom and I feel like we should celebrate all moms I'm going to gift the next person who signs up a $50 gift card to the Gap, so she can get some new clothes for the mini-session! After all, moms need to be the best looking ones in the pictures, right?!!

5. Random photo of the day:

This is Early Bird's version of being sassy. I think she was channeling Fancy Nancy. You can't really see it but on the floor she had lined up five different outfits for the rest of the week. Each had a hair accessory, tights or leggings and a jacket or sweater to go with it. That's my girl!!