100 Blog Posts, and a Cool New Wedding Venue.

As I posted this I realized this was my 100th blog post. Woo hoo! Saturday I shot with Mary and John of Digital Memories and was itching to see a new wedding venue not too far from me off Dersch Road called Ponderosa Ridge Ranch. It was really something special. It boasts the oldest standing house in Shasta County. Rolling pastures covered in wildflowers lead to panoramic views of Mt. Lassen. Beautiful horses grazing. The house is brimming with amazing antiques - the real thing, not something contrived. Flowers everywhere. The venue comes with its own horse-drawn carriage, handsomely turned out to fetch the bridal party around. There's a huge barn, a gazebo, covered dancing area, double swing, and seating area alongside a cool rushing creek. It is a pretty special place. This is their second year hosting weddings. Brides who haven't chosen a venue yet, check them out!

Jammin' at the Foothill Winter Semi-Formal

It's a bleak time of year for wedding photos. I'm upgrading gear, computer house-cleaning, and fairly itching to shoot something! My daughter Georgia and a couple friends got ready here last night for the annual semi-formal. Unfortunately for them, they fell into my crosshairs. She's the one in the black and white. I'm losing her to college this fall. How'd that happen??

The amazingly cute RCA puppy? That's Bella, my birthday present for Jim and an adorable heap o'trouble!

Seniors, Seniors Everywhere.

Regard the Class of 2010, Foothill High! A photogenic bunch, wouldn't you say? Owing to the number of outstanding senior portrait photographers in the area, I rarely shoot seniors and typically only shoot weddings. But this year my daughter and many of her friends became seniors and I've been shooting most of them for years anyway. So, like my daughter, they waited until about five minutes ago to get theirs done. Don't they look great?

Georgia, Class of 2010

Warning: I'm going to boast shamelessly and force you to see pictures of my amazingly beautiful daughter. I'm a parent, I can't help it. Yesterday we shot my daughter's senior pictures. We tried to find a place to hide from the blazing sun but it was tough. We tried to scale a locomotive, only to find it occupied. We settled on Library Park in Redding where there was at least a tiny bit of shade.

When you look this good, you can pose next to a dumpster and it still looks good. Go ahead and laugh, but we really did that. She held her breath.

Boys of the world, watch yourselves.

That's Just the Way It Is... Bruce Hornsby at the Cascade, Redding, California

Last night I had a chance to see Bruce Hornsby perform solo at the Cascade Theatre in Redding. He is a piano virtuoso. "The Way It Is" and most every track on that album made me into a Hornsby fan long ago. He played a lot of new songs and is more jazz and blues oriented than before, with a little bluegrass thrown in for good measure. He did indulge us by playing The Way It Is but it was so totally re-worked to suit his evolved style that only the piano was familiar. He mentioned early on he'd take requests, all except for one song. Naturally, I blurted out a request for "Every Little Kiss." Oops. That was the song. Though later he obliged, the original suited me better. To be fair to him, though, I'm that way - I always prefer the original. Our seats gave an excellent view of the piano, where he is as masterful as ever.

Sonja and James Engagement Shoot

In yesterday's balmy spring weather, I got to go shoot with my two favorite friends, Mary and John of Digital Memories Photography. I love those guys so much. I've almost got John converted to 100% Nikon. Almost. Resistance is futile. Anyway, we did an e-session for their amazing couple Sonja and James from French Gulch, my old stomping grounds. We started at the Old Shasta Ruins - a favorite spot of mine, except it's undergone a spiffing-up and shoring up which unfortunately ruined the annual poppy display and the cool graffiti is painted over. :( No matter, these two were so amazing to photograph you could have put them next to a pile of rocks and they'd shine. We wound up at the Redding river trail. Best of luck to you two and thanks for the invite! :)