Since I shot the family session with “The 3 Little Monkeys” a number of people have been asking if I am for hire.  And the answer…of course I am!  I am available for anyone wanting portraiture.  In addition, I have been second shooting for couple pretty cool wedding photographers.  I have been truly blessed to be hooked up with them as they have really taken me under their wings and have taught and inspired me.  One of the things I have learned from them is that we can always be better, so we should always be learning and refining our skills and knowledge.  I think that can apply to life in general.

If anyone is looking for a wedding photographer give me a shout because I might know one that meets your needs.  As a special offer, if you book through me, you can get a discount off of Scott Robert’s normal $10K + rate.   Plus you would get me shooting as well!  Of course this is dependent on his availability.  

So if you need some photography drop me a line at:

eric@wmericimages.com

In the mean time here are a couple of shots I took of the kids at church the other day.  One because I think the guys just made a pretty funny image and the other because amazingly all the kids are looking at me.  If you’ve shot a group of kids you know how rare that is.  I should have bought a lottery ticket.  =P

I know for most of the world Father's Day seems to be less celebrated than Mother's Day but I guess since I am a father it has more meaning to me.  Obviously especially the last 16 months or so since my daughter arrived.  She is a ton of work but she is also the greatest joy in my life.  Ask me if I would feel that way 17 months ago and I would have laughed at you.  But she has been a great blessing in my life.  So here's to all you dads out there, I hope that you have a great day!

Here are a couple of pics.  The first is a picture of my daughter her very first day and the other is just a shot I snapped of her yesterday for the heck of it.

Well at least that is what their Mom calls them sometimes.  The other day I got a chance to go out and do a family session with Wayne, Jodie, Ally, Zach, and Little (or maybe not so little) Keegan.  It actually seemed a little more like “Survivor”.  First off it was hot!  Then there was a hand getting stepped on, attack of the killer bees, stepping/falling into the pond, crazy natives (aka other kids), and did I say it was HOT!  Everyone looked a bit wilted by the time we were done but I have to say that they were all real troopers.  We focused a bit more on the kids but managed to get Mom and Dad in a couple too.  Thanks to each and everyone of them for hanging in there and letting me get the shots.  They did such a good job I don’t think you can even tell that it was such a grueling trial filled afternoon.  Way to go guys...thanks.

Keegan's got his superhero flying position down!!

Whew...Time for a Jamba Juice. Thanks for the treat!

After almost 16 months of fatherhood, one thing that I have come to know is that I just don’t know.  I now don’t even try to think I know what will amuse my daughter or what she will like.  For example she has this Sesame Street book titled “Bubbles Bubbles” My wife and I thought it was sort of a lame book, BUT my daughter totally loves it.  She grabs it all the time and wants me to read it to her.  And of all the books this is the one that she tries to say the words out of.  Cute I must say, but baffling.  So in the end I guess all I can do is watch, learn, and enjoy the ride. 

Here's my daughter giving me "The Book"

So in honor of the book here is Diana blowing bubbles.

Here is C with her stuffed lamb.  She loves this thing...I think she loves it more than me. =I

And of course she loves her Mama!

A couple of weeks ago I the great opportunity to second shoot with Scott Robert at Jenny and Tom’s wedding.  As I have endeavored to take my photography to the next level Scott has been a great teacher, friend, and mentor.  Aside from his great talent what really makes him special is how he gives of himself to his family, friends, students, and clients. 

Jenny and Tom had decided not to have a formal ceremony that day but instead opted for traditional tea ceremonies and a great banquet instead.  So an added bonus of the day was that unlike some couples they did not over pack the schedule so there was time to take care of everything and still have a moment here and there to breathe.  Scott and I even got to have some of the best homemade Chinese Beef Stew Soup we ever tasted.  I think they could have gotten a discount on Scott’s rate if they offered him the recipe. 

Well here are some of the shots that I took that day.  I am sure Scott will have his up at some point but his schedule has been so crazy I don’t know how he keeps going and gets everything done.  Thanks to Liz who was also on this shoot with us.  She really cracks me up and showed us a great place for a late night burrito with some awesome creamy salsa.  I gotta go back there and buy some of that salsa.  

Congratulations Jenny and Tom.  All the best in your new life together and may it be filled with blessings.

Okay so it is not really South of the Border but more like South Bay up in the Bay Area.    Last Saturday I got a chance to second shoot with Scott Robert at the wedding of Jenny and Tom.  It was a great time to hang with Scott and take in more of just how he works his magic in capturing amazing images.  This is just a little teaser as I really liked this whole sombrero thing.  Scott and Liz saw these and just went with it, and I think it resulted in some great shots.  This was not really the theme of the wedding and I will get more up as I have the chance but in the mean time make a run to the border.

Had to make an entry to commemorate our little girls first time walking.  She has been cruising but has never really taken steps without holding onto something.  I mentioned in an earlier entry that she has been standing a little but that was it.  Well today she was standing there by one of her toys and I decided to hold out my arms and call for her to come to me.  Well to my surprise she sort of squared herself up and then walked over.  Okay, maybe it was only like 5 steps or so but it was truly exciting.  Of course once she starts walking we will probably wish she was less mobile but for now we will relish the act and be beaming parents.

Okay, just a quick entry.  A couple of my good friends happen to be off on a romantic vacation in Italy.  I think this is sort of their delayed honeymoon, although, I could be wrong.  If I am, who cares, they are in ITALY!!  Plus today I got this e-mail informing me about the “special” summer rates for the Bellagio Hotel in Vegas.  I do like the Bellagio but did you know there is a real Bellagio?  Bellagio is a small resort town on the shores of Lake Como in Northern Italy.  It was one of our stops when Diana and I went on our honeymoon.  If you have never been up to Lake Como try your best to make it up there someday.  It is absolutely beautiful there.  If you want an idea of what it looks like, they filmed part of Star Wars Episode II there.  It is the part when they go to the Lakes Region of Naboo.  On top of all that beauty, I had the absolutely best porcini risotto in my life there. 

So indulge me, things just reminded me of Bellagio so I had to reminisce.  Here are a couple of shots from there, actually a couple are from neighboring towns but they are all in that area of Lake Como.  Sadly when we were there I only had the ole Nikon Coolpix 950 with a screaming 2.1 megapixels.

People say that once in awhile you need to stop and smell the flowers or maybe go out and watch a sunset.  Somehow those statements don’t always seem to fit into our lives these days.  There is always so much to do and not enough time to do it.  We must always be pushing forward or we will fall behind and not accomplish our goals and get ahead.  But is that always what is best for us?  Quite awhile ago I found myself passing out and not knowing what was happening.  Well what was happening was I had a bleeding ulcer, so I was basically bleeding to death without knowing it.  When I tell people this they are usually surprised since I think most people think I am kind of a mellow easy going guy.  I think I am overall but unfortunately I also tend to internalize things. 

When this was happening, my plate was full to say the least.  Work was crazy for a number of different reasons.  My personal life was terrible too.  My folks were trying to rebuild their home after it burned down, and to make things worse they had a bad contractor to.  And the relationship I was in at the time was falling apart as well.  Whew…no wonder I keeled over!  I was emotionally bankrupt.  Obviously something needed to change.  During that time God really took me on a journey and taught me that even in those bad times he was there and that there is beauty and wonder around you if you can let go and see it.  So some of the best things are simple and in places you would not expect.  We just have to take the time to look.

Well I have to say that of late photography has become my haven more and more.  It allows the creative part of me, which has not always had expression, to come out.  It has also helped me to let go of things as I concentrate to see things around me and seek to capture them.  So here are a few shots that lend themselves to “Stopping to smell the sunset.”

This orchid is awesome.  Diana bought it on a whim for $25 and this little dynamo has pumped out more and more blossoms each year.  Check out how many there were this year!

Check out the size of this peony. 

And now the sunsets and almost sunsets.

The other weekend I got a chance to go out and second shoot for Brian Ng of Photograph(ng) at Melissa & Matt’s wedding.  I met Brian through my friend Pat, who knew that I’ve been trying to grow and develop into a better photographer.  So he put out a shout and next thing I knew I was going to meet up with Brian.  Well to be honest I was a bit nervous as I did not know what to expect, but Brian is a really good guy.  He is laidback and pretty mellow but with a great passion for photography. It has been great to hear what he has to share and see how he does his thing. 

I did not get to meet Melissa & Matt before hand but they are one of those couples that just make you feel comfortable right away even though you probably shouldn’t, if you know what I mean.  They are a totally fun couple and the thing that stands out even more than how fun and crazy they are is just how much they love each other and were looking forward to getting married.  We were at the SF Zoo and Brian and I were a little bummed that the animal’s beddie bye time was before the ceremony.  So sorry, you will have to settle for pictures of the “Lovebirds” instead. 

Congratulations Melissa & Matt!  May your life together be blessed and thank you for making me feel welcomed.