[b. family ]

this was a very bittersweet photo shoot because it was the last time i'd probably ever be at a place that held 27 years of amazing memories to me! we decided to take pics at the buscemi home which had recently sold to a new family that were starting their lives. my dad built this home for the buscemi family when i was 3 years old. i grew up directly next door. my bestest friend in the whole world, kate, grew up in this home. i will never forget being 7 years old dancing on their kitchen table with kate when my parents called from the hospital to let me know that my little sister holly was just born. i will never forget our late night michael jackson dance parties in the family room with the whole buscemi family where we moved all the furniture and rocked out. i will also never forget when this beautiful couple alex and andy set up a tent in the back yard and said their "i do's". i will never forget. we had the best childhood, the coolest parents and amazing homes that my dad put his sweat and tears into building. it's true that he doesn't just build houses...they are magnificent homes. i had a great time taking pics of kate's brother's family here. they are a beautiful family who are more than just friends to me. the best part about growing up and about moving on is that there are more memories to be made, more little babies to be had and wonderful stories about how we got to where we are : )

{ d. family }

these are my friends amanda and ethan from high school. aren't they picture perfect?!?!

amanda decided on this awesome maryland location...annie's playground. annie was a beautiful little girl who was hit by a drunk driver in baltimore after leaving the circus with her parents in 2003. this playground was built in her memory. it is more than just a playground- it's a child's dream land!!! you can make a donation and read more about the playground here.  i recommend to all my maryland friends with kiddos to spend some time at this amazing place!

 the kids obviously had a blast as we ran around laughing with them and chasing after them! this family and their little cousins couldn't have been more photogenic! we had a great crowd at the photo shoot and amanda's parents even helped to rein the kids in! i loved editing these pictures and hope they enjoy them as much as i do : )

(brianna)

4 years.

i traveled to baltimore last month and photographed this sweet little one. we skipped and held hands and laughed...she's a gem! i've known brianna's mommy, jen, for 25 years! how incredible? we rode the bus together since i was in kindergarten. As you can see, her daughter is amazing! We met early one morning at my aunt and uncle's farm in monkton where we got to see chickens and horses and kitties. Most of all I loved seeing the Maryland state flower- the black eyed susan!!!! i wish there were more farms like this in san diego but than again i'm sure the people in maryland wish the spectacular pacific ocean was in their back yard as well! i guess we can't have it all in one place : ) 

the littlest graduates!

the littlest graduates!

our NICU held it's annual little graduate picnic this year at mission bay in san diego. UCSD puts on a great event that just gets better and better as the years pass! old and new friends were there to spend some time in the sun, eat some yummy bbq and to be amazed by how incredible these little ones are! it's an event that always reminds me how lucky i am to have found such a beautiful passion in life!

here's a link to the online album with hundreds of photos i took at the event- check it out! click here! password is: nicu

daisy love

daisy was a sweet baby that i had the honor of caring for and loving in the NICU. daisy miracle passed on but left an incredible network of people with generous hearts. lauri and bill, daisy's parents, started a foundation in her honor that provides our NICU with financial support. you can check out their amazing work and some beautiful photos of daisy here. i am so lucky to have the brennan family in my life. enjoy the photos of this year's silent auction fund raiser. it was held in a breath taking location and the day couldn't have been more daisy-sent!

i.love.my.job.

tomorrow is our annual ucsd nicu little grad picnic. it's an amazingly special event. there aren't many words i can use to describe how awesomely rewarding it is to see these families all in one place enjoying the day and each other. i have met some the best and most important people in my life in the nicu and a lot of them while i was caring for their sick babies. i love watching these babies grow and become little people. stay tuned for pics from the event. all of the pics below are from last year. this year, i was asked to be the official photographer and can't wait to capture all the sweet smiles that will fill the day!

Your profession is not what brings home your paycheck. Your profession is what you were put on earth to do. With such passion and such intensity that it becomes spiritual in calling.

                                                          ~Leo Buscaglia