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.

I have always been told by my parents to surround myself with good people in my life. I will admit to making some choices over the years that might not have been as healthy for me. I have recently come to the realization that time spent with people who aren’t “good people” is a waste of my time.

What prompts those words in this post? Geri and I seem to have been truly blessed by all of the people we have encountered since starting Reminisce. Every single one of my experiences photographing with Geri has been a laugh out loud, fun time. We always go with the intention of getting in and out of our sessions and it NEVER happens. Anyone who has been photographed by us can attest to the fact we end up in endless conversations with our subjects, learning about their lives and truly making them a part of our business. I see us “reminiscing” with our customers years from now as we continue to photograph all of the events in life that are worth reminiscing about.

I love that Geri and I have been able to combine our lives on this blog and share it with, not only our family, but all of the friends we make each day doing what we love. On Monday, Geri and I photographed the Davis family at Griffin Park. {See the post prior to this one!} We absolutely had a blast! The boys and I talked baseball, we shared stories about the unusual times we capture on a camera, and we became friends. Geri has already posted those amazing pictures on here which made me realize I was remiss in not sharing Sandi and her family’s amazing session!  

Sandi just glows. We were blessed to be chosen to photograph Sandi and her family. You can tell how much this family loves each other. Constant hugs and kisses all around. There was tons of laughter and fun during our session at the beach. The sun had completely gone down by the time we left the beach that night. Once again we shared stories, laughed and made new friends.

We are blessed.

Enjoy!

It was a beautiful day at Harry Griffin Park in La Mesa. Not only was the weather great, but the people in front of the lens were a blast. The Davis boys were perfectly wiggly, and the parents were relaxed enough to remind us to focus on the things that really matter. It’s always a treat to be around people who can reflect the depth of enjoyment a family brings.

Donna and I photographed a smaller wedding today on Coronado Island, and since it was on the smaller side, I stayed behind and got some photos of the ship pulling out for their Harbor Cruise reception. We’ll be sharing some photos from that wedding in the near future but until then, I had something else very moving I wanted to share with you.

After the ship pulled out, I was pretty hungry and very thirsty. It was a hot day to run around in all black snappin’ pics, so I decided to check out the new Candelas  restaurant at the Ferry Landing. While there, a group of men came wearing bright tie-dyed shirts. It’s something you don’t see everyday, even in a fun and laid back city like San Diego. Since I had my camera I couldn’t resist taking a photograph.

After taking the picture, I had to meet these guys. Now I want to share them with you.

Meet Travis and his Army buddies. I asked them why they were all dressed up and they replied it was a “celebration of life” in honor of their friend, Travis. Mid June, Travis was seriously wounded while in Iraq. I don’t know the actual extent of his injuries, but his scars revealed why these gentlemen felt a celebration was in order, and necessary.

I love photography, but right now I wish I was a writer. I want the perfect words to express how honored I feel that I met these gentlemen. This team!

Life’s funny. I had my schedule and I thought I knew what I was going to be blogging about this afternoon. But meeting these guys, seeing their bond and their character with each other…  I’m deeply thankful for all that Travis, his team, and all the other service men and women give for our freedom. I fear the words I place here may over simplify how thankful I am to have been at the right place at the right time today. But than again, the simple thank you I want to type might be uncomplicated, but it is straightforward, and I mean it with the highest respect. So, to Travis and his buddies, thank you for all you’ve already done and given. It was a pleasure to meet you guys.