Shannon asked the bride to swish her skirt, and this was my take on it… Thanks for the set up, mate!

My little baby is one! We celebrated his 365th day on the planet at Oma and Opa’s house for a wonderful dinner, and guess what…??? Josh walked! Once he got going, we couldn’t stop him! He loved walking around the living room, under the table, over to the book case, raiding the fruit bowl, and more laps around the living room. His birthday is tomorrow, but he’s a year old today (silly leap day!) This is how far he’s come… from a little preemie to my big boy walking! I couldn’t be a prouder mom… and see – even professional photographers take snapshots!

One of my very favorite ways to spend my “spare” time is to go and shoot with other photographers. This wedding was incredibly special because I got to work with someone who is an incredible friend; someone who I have watched (and helped) blossom into an amazing photographer and businesswoman, and someone who I am incredibly proud of… Shannon Stellmacher! We met four years ago at her brother’s wedding. She was a bridesmaid, and I was taking photographs of the flowers for my friend, Matika. I saw her with her camera as she photographed her new sister-in-law, and I was impressed enough to give her my card, and invite her to come work with me sometime. Since then she has learned so much about photography, photoshop, workflow, gear, and life. She has always had the heart to create, and is a very talented photographic artist. Her gallery of images gives me chills. It was a great honor to work “for” her yesterday at the wedding of Jody and Lillian. We both had great ideas and bounced off each other like rubber suits… We both have some amazing images… this is my favorite from the day. They were so sexy together, and who doesn’t love a corrogated steel tunnel (Bridges Country Club).

Yep, last week was my week. It was the first time I have been called to criminal court, so it was quite an experience. Civil court cases tend to be 6 months long, so I could never serve them and serve my clients and survive in business, but criminal cases tend to be shorter, so off I went.

The clerk of the court was Gus, a Filipino man with a charming smile and adorable accent. He said something on the second day that really resonated with me. He said that jury duty is a great honor, one of the only ways we can serve our great country without bearing arms, or putting ourselves in mortal danger. Interesting thoughts in this time of a war that just drags on… So I decided I wanted to serve. The process was slow, the young lawyers were diligent to their cause, and some of the prospective jurors were better than characters on a reality tv show. I wished for my camera, even though it is illegal to photograph in there, because it would have been interesting to document the “show.” It came down to the very last wire. I thought I was “safe” sitting in the gallery with the rest of the anxious seat fillers as they seated the twelve, swore them in, and then to my surprise, called six more so they could choose 2 alternates. Whew, made it through the first round of that. Oh no, was that my name he just called? I go up and take seat 14. There are six of us in the hot seats now. Questions, answers, lawyers meeting with the judge, and then the “verdict” for us… they have chosen #17 and #18 to be the alternates, and the rest of us are free to go! I was happy despite being interested in the process. After all, I didn’t want to miss Josh’s birthday by being in court.