It should be said of this day that everything went as planned and nothing went as planned and in the end, it was all good. You see, I arrived at 8amish to set up, said hello to security, pulled my loaded car into Arco to start unloading and setting up and promptly - I do mean promptly - started off my day by locking my keys in the car. This is how it goes - toss keys on passenger seat so as to not set them down somewhere random and lose them (totally brilliant idea), get out to open back and start unloading, find back is locked, jog back to driver side, click the (I thought) unlock button, pop the door shut, jog to the back and whatdoyaknow…it’s locked.

Here’s the upside. I was down, thinking I had just dumped like bad mojo on my day. So, I went to security (who, I might say, had stiffled smiles on their faces as they had witnessed my mishap on the security camera along with, probably, a little girlie drama and heavy sighing and flinging of the hands in air) to call home and see if someone might drive me the extra set of keys. Was doable. But not for an hour. So, I sat. And talked. To these incredible nice guys (see below, I made them cheese it for me). For an hour. And it was great. Insights into life and all of that. Making me laugh. Making me see that my day was going to be absolutely fine. And reiterating - again - that truly the Maloof empire at Arco is filled with the most incredibly nice, down-to-earth, funniest  people. Thank you, thank you, thank you John and Shawn. Thanks for making my morning. :)

And onto our athletes! Let it also be said that these ladies are SO much fun! To see an athlete in action is expected, but to see them goofing around, cracking silly faces, putting aside any persona or such and just playing is pure cool. I hope they ask me back every year until I’m too gray and stooped to hold the camera. That’s how much fun it is.

Here’s an expression panel to show you how it flows..

And since, though I’d love to, I can’t post every single image we took, here’s a random assortment of some fun expressions…

We even made the head honchos do their thang. And man did they do it well.

Of course, they weren’t the only ones to get in on the fun.

A photo session wouldn’t be complete without the most rocking creative team who are truly willing to get down in it.

and of course our seriously sick cue cards (okay, I’m just not sure I can work that lingo - I think people might laugh if they actually saw that word coming out of my mouth but I do love it when I hear it). okay, okay, I get it - my kids could’ve helped me make these...thank you Professional Photographer, and featured artists, for providing the inspirational photos.

check out who got vogued (I’m stealing Heather’s lingo :)) I might of had a moment of feeling kind of cool (which obviously isn’t me considering I wear pink converse and fit the word awesome into just about evey sentence).

Stay tuned! Tomorrow I’ll be posting the images from a second setup we did - won’t kiss and tell but will say it included lotsa fog…

And yes, I’ve been sooooo deliquent on the blog. Been under water but surfaced today after several days of heavy editing and work. I promise to try to be better.

Today is about multi-tasking. Major multi-tasking. I am sitting amidst little torn sheets of paper with scribbled notes, order forms, inspiration clippings, a half-finished iced Starbucks coffee, a fog machine I’m getting ready to take out for a test run, upcoming session notes, orders to be packaged, foamcore sheets for cue cards I’m working on for Sunday’s Sacramento Monarchs’ Media Day shoot and a list of studio equipment that needs to be sorted and packed.

I’m excited - I love Kings and Monarchs Media Day - it’s fast-paced, planned and yet always a little unexpected. I’ve developed a whole new appreciation for athletes that has left me somewhat fascinated and in awe. I find myself watching sports at the gym while I work out - basketball is (maybe obviously and naturally) my favorite but football, wrestling, track, etc.,..also grab my attention. I’m not sure when I became so interested although I’m fairly certain it was when I began working with the Sacramento Kings and Monarchs. It’s hard to be around these athletes and not feel an intense appreciation for the work and dedication they put into the sport. It’s inspiring. When I’m watching sports at the gym, it makes me jog a little faster, push a little harder, stay a little longer. 

Speaking of weekends, last weekend I had the pleasure of photographing this beautiful family in Lincoln. We met in the am as there were two little people involved and usually mornings are best - but I have to say - these little guys were a DREAM. I think, morning or night, they would have been fantastic to work with. They were truly the easiest, sweetest children. Just look at those adorable smiles. Mom and dad were a blast too - so easy going and fun to be around - (I had a great time talking with you guys!). 

Here is a little sneak peek. I hope everyone has a GREAT weekend. Go enjoy that 105 degree weather (haha- it is still May, right?)