Heritage Gala

My day job is with teens in a nonprofit residential treatment center, and every year they have a magnificent fundraising gala.  Here are some snippets of the gorgeous dedication and meticulous attention to details that go into this fabulous night.  If you're interested in knowing more about Heritage, visit their website here.

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The Garden at Sunset

It's Grandma Stella's 80th birthday this week, and friends & family the nation over are gathering for a celebration. We decided it was time for some official photos, and of course couldn't resist capturing spring thus far in their gorgeous yard.

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Digital Darkroom

This is usually what a good, raw digital photograph looks like straight out of camera:

What takes me so long to 'process' photos, is that I (a) find the diamond in the rough (example: this perfect photo came out of 322 tries) and then (b) turn the bland, full-of-digital-information negative into a full color palette with all the right highlights and shadows (for example, her face was too light and too bland in contrast with all the color around her, so that needed some digital magic. etc. etc.) and then (c) I have to choose from the different versions I come up with. Often times I give you all the options and make YOU choose what to print, so sorry, I can't help it that I'm indecisive.

A little cooler take, more drastic contrast:

This is the version I'm going to print. A BIG one:

(I changed my mind about her dress color :)

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I'm Lovin' Rugby

Congratulations to the West Linn Renegades on a season well played! My baby sister Mallory is becoming one tough cookie - I feared for these girls' lives! Only what, one broken wrist and some ribs and a a few other 'minor' injuries during Regionals? Go Renegades!