Justin and Ashley are engaged!

Not only did I get to hang out at another winery last week - I also got to hang out w/ some great people who are celebrating their engagement! We found ourselves at Bernardo Winery, where the great people that run the ol' place let us wander all over and just have a great afternoon. Thanks Annie!

I have to tell you (and yes, I know... it ages me to admit this...) I've known Ashley since she was maybe only 3 years old... and it's so great to see that she has blossomed into such a wonderful young lady. I got to shoot her graduation pictures a few years back ... and on that day I kept thinking to myself "BUT!!! She's still only 8 years old! How can this be?!"

Well, now the young girl has found herself a nice young man.... I'd like to introduce Justin and Ashley! Justin - you better take good care of her!











And then as we were walking out, past a wall we had walked by a dozen times.... I saw this... and knew it had to be a good sign...

Ian Charles Graff

A few Sundays ago I was given the opportunity, as Auntie Lori, to capture the moment when Debbie and Jon dedicated their son to the Lord. The Graffs were surrounded by family and friends - with the sole purpose of committing to do best by Ian Charles Graff. We prayed together for wisdom for Debbie and Jon as they raise their son in a godly manner. And we prayed that the days and years ahead for baby Ian would be nothing short of God's will.

Here are some of the precious moments from the day...

Welcome to a winery...

This past Sunday morning I awoke to lightning and thunder!!! And if you know me well you know this makes me a very happy woman! But my thoughts immediately turned to the wedding I had later in the day...


The morning rains were welcomed but they moved on rather quickly. Left behind was a beautiful wedding day at South Coast Winery in Temecula – just for Shane and Jennifer’s enchanting day. Below are some of my favorites from the day...


As you'll see, it turned out to be a phenomenal day...


Thank you, Shane and Jennifer for the opportunity to be with you (and your fun family and friends) on your special day!

Any many thanks to the boys of Studio 512 for a great shoot! It's always a pleasure!

Only blooms at night...

I'd like to introduce you to an amazing blossom - a Cereus Peruvianus (Peruvian Apple) Cactus Flower. I wish I could take credit for this - however, these beauties are growing on several of my neighbors' plants.

These blossoms are rather interesting. They are about the size of a cereal bowl - attached to a cactus that stands 9-12 feet tall. They blossoms open up at night... and when the day warms they start to close up. The blossoms in the picture above are about half-way closed at this stage.

This picture was taken around 7:15 am this morning... and the blossoms were going back into their "sleep" mode to protect them from the hot summer sun. Kind of like I do... stay inside and stay cool. At least until this cruddy, humid weather decides to wane into Fall.

Hangin' with the Marsheks

Loren and Jody surprised us w/ a very short visit a few weeks back... so while they were in town we figured there's no better time than to get together w/ the rest of the family. Hey Marsheks - thanks for your impromptu hospitality and all the great laughs! Each time we get together we ask ourselves "Why don't we do this more often?!" Let's make sure so much time doesn't pass us by before next time.... k?!

This is Heaven and Brooklynne hanging out for the first time!

Hey Gramps - I love your smile!

Loren - so good to see you and your family ... I miss you lil' bro!

Like I said - w/ the Marsheks there is always laughter! Thanks Uncle Paul for having us over on such short notice! You do good BBQ chicken!

Brooklyne is so curious these days... and if you couldn't tell by her tanned skin she LOVES the swimming pool! Her Daddy Jason is so playful with her... and she loves it!

Again, thanks for your hospitality and the use of your fire pit. Those s'mores were FABULOUS!!!

Victor and Lydia

Congratulations Victor and Lydia! Your wedding day at the Crosby in Rancho Santa Fe was just a gorgeous day! Thank you for affording me the opportunity to capture your day from behind the camera!

You really couldn't have asked for a better day to tie the knot! Or a better location!

Even Jasmine enjoyed it!!!

You two are ever so lucky to have so many fun-filled family and friends ... and for them to have stood by you on your beautiful day... wow!

I wish I could have stayed through the reception. Everyone looked like they were ready to have a nice time together... congratulations on your future!

I love my city!

Flying back into San Diego from ... anywhere really ... is just amazing. The plane descends on this city looking brown and gray and muted blue. But, as in life, the closer you get the more defined everything becomes. The browns turn into darker and lighter shades of life. The blue tones become varied between white to indigo. And life as we know it in this city is unique and troubled and yet troublesome and the same.

But from up here in this seat at the back of the plane it all looks like such a straight forward, simple but busy city. Which reminds me... I love my life in this city!

Even LAPD thinks Paris is special!

I would put money on the fact that we could find another woman who was admitted to the same jail Paris Hilton was taken to this past Sunday for the exact same reason.

However, if we walk through the "common" woman's treatment ... and compared it to Paris' treatment we would find major discrepancies between the two.

Paris was in a cell by herself.
The other woman was probably put into "Gen Pop" ... the general population with individuals who committed all sorts of various crimes... some more dangerous than others.

Paris had originally been sentenced to 45 days jail.
The other woman probably had a longer sentence to start with.

Before Paris even entered jail her sentence had already been reduced to 23 days.
The other woman is probably still required to serve her 45 days.

Today - if you haven't heard already, Paris was released from jail. Wait a second... that's only 3 days served!
And like I said, I'd bet my paycheck on the fact that the other woman still hasn't had her original sentence reduced at all.

There's such a double standard for anyone who is a celebrity. Whether it be holding such individual accountable for public nudity, infidelity, stupid-in-public.... oh, I could just go on.

I heard the press conference ... and still I don't know how ANYONE can justify allowing ANYONE (Paris Hilton or not) to get by on a technicality.

And if they say she had a pre-existing condition which allows her special treatment... I'll tell you what that condition is.... "stupid-in-public".

Who will stand up and take responsibility for their actions?! Who is human enough to do that?!

A Glimpse of Heaven (May '07)

Well, I'm back from my R&R... and I'd love to show you what I got to experience. This is Heaven Gabriella Lauren Haraldsen! And she took right to me.... it's almost as if, even though she'd never seen me before, that she knew she was supposed to love me and hug me and accept me for just who I was... Auntie Lori. Because the first time I held her she buried her head in my shoulder and hugged me back! (Ok maybe she was just tired - it WAS close to midnight!)

Oh! I couldn't wait to introduce her to everyone! I wish I could have brought her home and let everyone give her their own hug. Because Heaven loves hugs and kisses! She is such a delight.... such a delight... giggling, laughing, full of wonderment and surprise and love... she is Heaven...

And like counting on the clock to tick - when she's concentrating on something you can count on her little pudgy feet to start "going a mile a minute"... twirling and twirling...

Look at that smile! Can you tell she loves Auntie Lori (photographer extraordinaire)?! A photographer simply can't tell a baby to smile (say "cheese")... babies only smile at those who look funny!

And here is Heaven adorned in a dress and bonnet made by her Great Grandmother Helen Haraldsen!

Daddy - you're so mean...

So may I introduce you to the newest member of the Haraldsen household... this is Heaven and her proud mommy and daddy - Jody and Loren.

Images captured in a quaint old town of McKinney, Texas ...