Imaging USA - Phoenix, AZ

Keep the wheels turning and creative juices flowing! Last week (good lord, was that just a week ago?!?!?) myself, Ryelj, and Regis Chen drove overnight to Phoenix, AZ for PPA's yearly Imaging USA photographers convention. We were hosted by my long time friend and fellow photographer Christine Valenzuela of Kiss The Camera and Heather (ya'll know her by now!) met us there on day two after spending her Sunday at the Golden Globes. We didn't get much sleep, but met a  lot of great new people, learned a lot of new things, drank a lot of Starbucks, and ate a lot of icecream!

  The convention center...

 Christine, Me, and Heather on the floor of the tradeshow.

Regis and his two loves ;)

Thanks to Jefferson Todd for these next few of the gang!

Us and JT-

Our last Starbucks run before hitting the long road home- the lovely Ryel and her twitternation friends Regis and Heather.

New York, NY

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! Just before Christmas Tim and I spent a week in New York hanging out enjoying the snow, wearing our coats, and marveling at just how many calories are in a sandwich at Cosi's. The last couple times I've been in the city for some reason I just haven't been inspired to take photos. I am not a fan of whipping out my camera for pictures of me standing in front of things and have always felt an odd sort of pressure in New York to get great photos, so I usually just don't bother. But this time I kept my camera in my bag and tried to see New York in a new way.

The view out of Timmy's brother Manhattan apartment.

Snow! Born and raised in California- give me a break, it was exciting :)

On the ferry to Liberty Island. There were about 10 other crazy people venturing out to see the Statue of Liberty that day. It was COLD.

 There she is.

Yours truly on the ferry back to New York, NY.

Merry Christmas- short and sweet- it's time for breakfast and wrapping paper messes!

Los Feliz Holiday Party

Had some friends over to the apartment for holiday cheer last week- drank some drink, ate some goodies, exchanged some gifts, and all around had a merry time. Happy Holidays!

 

Me stealing the Sham Wow cloths ;)

Jeff and Hunter got into a little scuffle over the sushi kit...

Victorious!

How cute is Timmy in his dress pants and chucks combo? :)

 Have a wonderful holiday full of cheer!!!!

Christmas Tree Cutting

Every year when I was little, to officially mark the start of Christmas, we'd drive up into the Santa Cruz mountains and cut down our tree. We'd spend hours roaming through the tree farm trying to find the perfect shape to appease our whole family. Dad would get the saw going and cut it down and we'd tie it to our roof or throw it in the truck, drive home (sometimes stopping for Christmas goodies), and poor dad would spend the afternoon trimming, shaving, cleaning, and setting up the tree for us all to hang our ornaments where we saw fit. Since Tristan and I are out of the house this tradition hasn't really included the entire family anymore but it was great to be home for this years trip! (Poor Emma even had to go to Home Depot one year... gasp!!!!) So, Happy Holidays - here's to hoping whatever you celebrate it's a good one!

Uncle Tim and Dad ready for battle, Emma and her Keds.

Dad

 I think this might be my favorite picture of my sister yet.

or maybe this one...

Here she is unleashing her inner vampire.

My Dad and Uncle Tim unleashing THEIR inner vampires.

and then we finally found "the one" ...

a little Uncle Tim to conclude the post..