My daughter Cassi will be turning eleven on friday…I hardly remember my life “B.C.” (before Cassi). I know I had a lot more free time on my hands but I don’t remember cherishing the moments as much as I do now.

Cassi and I met friends up at Petunias and Pomegranates in Alpine to see how the new owner had changed the gardens and while we were there we took advantage of the gorgeous grounds and pumpkin patch they have there. As a photographer it is always a fabulous find to go to undiscovered picturesque places for portrait sessions. Petunias and Pomegranates was no exception! We were able to wander the grounds and enjoy the setting…all while photographing our daughters. The wonderful ladies working there encouraged us to let the children run around and play which is a refreshing change from other places we have been to!

Here are a couple of the pictures I took of Cassi (and her friend Lexi) today. Lexi and Cassi have been friends since birth….actually before birth. Lexi’s Mom Lori and I told each other on the same phone conversation that we were pregnant. We went through our entire pregnancies together and had our daughters the same week (Lexi on Monday and Cassi on friday!). These poor girls have been tortured together since they were 2 months old and we laid them in the snow next to each other for a “picture opportunity”!

They have both turned into beautiful young girls and I can only hope they stay friends for a lifetime! Happy Birthday girls!
Enjoy!

Donna and I, like many San Diegans, love our home town. The weather is ideal and each area of the city has it’s own vibe. I (Geri) grew up in Lakeside, and have watched it grow and change over the years, and I’m proud so many people are doing so much to make this an even better place for everyone.

This last Saturday, we were proud to photograph the Once in a Blue Moon auction and dinner fundraiser for the Lakeside’s River Park Conservancy. It’s mission is to preserve and restore the San Diego River while integrating recreational, educational and cultural opportunities for all to enjoy.

The Conservancy’s Executive Director, Robin Rierdan, and her team have worked hard to make the local stretch of the San Diego River something everyone in Lakeside can be proud of. Lakeside’s River Park Conservancy is also supported of by many others, including Supervisor, Dianne Jacob. I’m not sure of any other supervisor who gets more involved in their district than Ms. Jacob does for our community.

Personally, I was proud to see the efforts of people whom I have been looking up to for years, continue to be driving forces in the improvements of Lakeside. People like my next door neighbors and high school teachers; and new positive people in my life like many other parents from my son’s school that supported this event. It was a blast sitting down with them and enjoying some fabulous food from a great local restaurant, Mario’s (which happens to be my son Charlie’s favorite), while supporting such a special cause for our community.

Jean Echelberger with the Observation Deck in the background that was made possible with a donation from her family trust.

Supervisor Dianne Jacob addressing the crowd, and again below with Robin Rierdan

Last night, I (Donna) had the pleasure of photographing the Honselaar hotties…the intent was to photograph the youngest for her birthday pics and the older two in their dance costumes. As a photographer, I believe that I have the responsibility to not only capture smiling faces but also to catch those single moments in time that you can never get back. Every once in a while I capture a moment that says what words can’t…the pleasure that Cindy gets raising three gorgeous, sweet little girls. I have photographed Cindy and family for almost 10 years and watched her girls grow from tiny infants into the sweet things they are today!

This was an impromptu shot of Cindy and Addison I came across while editing. I think it is my favorite image ever of Cindy! Thank you Cindy for trusting me to capture your daughters as they get older and more beautiful every year!

Enjoy!

Donna and I are both football fanatics, and Donna gets to feed that hunger this season photographing many of the Grossmont Griffins football games. Enjoy the slideshow.