Hello from the upper right corner of the map!!

We arrived in Dennistown Plantation, Maine on Friday, June 13. Our journey across 14 states has been amazing!! Colorado takes the cake for me. It's the most beautiful state - the light, the mountains, the overall vibe. Early last week, we headed North from Colorado to Wyoming to catch interstate 80 which took us through Nebraska where we outran a tornado by about 15 miles, got stranded in Des Moines, Iowa right at the brink of all the flooding and disaster going on there. We experienced storms beyond anything I could have imagined. I've never seen it rain so hard. It was coming down in waves with the wind. We made it through Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York to Massachusetts in these storms. We stopped in Mass for a few days and then headed to Maine on Friday.

It's so amazing to be back up here in the summer! It's hard to believe that a month ago they still had majority of the 16 feet of snow they had this winter. My mom's garden is in full bloom and everything is so green, lush and beautiful!

Saturday, my parents took Mason and I on a tour of the area to see close by waterfalls, towns out in the middle of nowhere and down to their friends camp, Cozy Cove Cabins. We sat along the Wood Pond [Lake] in front of their place where I spent many summers growing up. This is Mason and my Mom . . .



Of course there are many photographs from this trip. I have to admit I've been enjoying myself so much that sitting down at the computer has been tough because there is so much to do and relaxing to be had.

I hope all is well for everyone!!

Deanna + Corey : Palm Desert, CA / USA Roadtrip!

I got together with Corey and Deanna out in Palm Desert at the Desert Springs Resort on Sunday, June 1st. These two are getting married in San Diego in August and I was able to visit their hometown. It was great to get out of town and photograph a couple in their home town and of course new locations are always appreciated!

Thank you Corey and Deanna for spending your time with Mason and I on Sunday. You both did an awesome job bringing your love and letting me capture you two during this amazing time in your life. I can't wait for your big day!




This session was a great way to kick off our June 2008 ultimate road trip across the USA - California to Maine! We left right after this session with Deanna and Corey and made it to Phoenix for a night. Currently, we're resting in Steamboat Springs, CO after camping in Sedona, AZ, Grand Canyon, exploring Monument Valley & Moab, Utah . . . what I've seen in 24 hours is amazing. This country, the terrain, the weather, the people, the way of life is a combination of elements that I could sink my teeth into for MONTHS yet we keep going. . .

On Saturday, it's time for us to cruise [as fast as possible] across the mid-west, avoiding all tornadoes and arriving in Niagara Falls for a night. I'll be uploading photographs again soon! WiFi is hit or miss yet I'll be arriving in Maine next week and can catch up with updates once we get cozy there.

Now, it's time to go back to listening to the roaring Yampa River right outside our room and the snoring of Mr. Leo. Goodnight. : )

Claudia + Maik AND Anke + Steven = Double Wedding

These two couples traveled all the way from Germany to get married in San Diego. I had the pleasure of capturing their San Diego Wedding on Friday, May 30. It was extremely sweet and we had a great time.

Lynn Schuster of Pure Planning coordinated their event even with a huge time zone difference and language barrier. Reverend Powers married the two couples and it seemed we all laughed through the ceremony. He's an awesome, wonderful guy that makes me feel at ease every time I see that he's officiating a ceremony.

I grabbed one photo to post before heading out on a month long journey across the USA.



Congratulations Claudia, Maik, Anke and Steven!

Lauren + Ryan :: Married, May 25, 2008

Lauren and Ryan sneak peak! They were married at the The Dana on Mission Bay on Sunday. It was so much fun to witness Lauren becoming Mrs. Jett and her and I both agreed that the day went by so fast! Her father performed the ceremony which added a unique personal touch and had me laughing throughout. Then there is the intense chemistry that Lauren and Ryan have for each other. They didn't seem to take their eyes off of each other and when they were a part in the room they were looking at each other and whispering, "Baby, I love you."



Tara O'Bannon and team of Events by Design coordinated their event. **Thanks ladies!! I enjoy being around you and had fun through the whole process!!**

Summer :: it's HERE!

We're planning our big cross country trip today and it's the perfect day as it feels like summer! I remembered this photo and had to go into my archives. . .this reminds me of what summer is and how it feels.

Photo Booths :: Foto Cabina, Inc.

Photo Booths are one of my favorite things and I recently discovered a company based in Orange County who also serve San Diego County with their awesome rentals. Check them out!!

Company :: Foto Cabina, Inc.

I'm really impressed and hope to see them at an upcoming event!

Example of the quality, lighting and fun of the booth!
Featuring the lovely Lynn Schuster of Pure Planning
and the talented Jason Taylor of Taylor Films
and me!

That Big Sur Feeling

We are back from our lovely getaway to Big Sur. We dropped the pooches off with their grandma in Orange County and headed North to Ventura. First stop, Natural Cafe right off the 101 in Ventura. That place is BOMB. WHY don't we have one here in San Diego, why?

Picked up delicious lunches to go and off we went. One of our first stops in Big Sur was to check out Salmon Creek Falls. Short hike in from the 1 to get a closer view of the waterfall. And to kick off this trip, Mason had a snake fall onto his head and then attack him. The attack is on video. He had gone off to get closer to the falls and came back with this story. Too too too funny and luckily not a poisonous snake.

We spent two nights in Limekiln State Park. Our camp spot #30 was ridiculously perfect. When we arrived, the ranger asked the name the reservation was under and Mason said, "Magruder." She made this long groan sound and slowly turned to get her paperwork and we thought uh - o! But it was fine I think she was just groaning because she mentioned that they gave us a great spot. We were right above a rushing stream, tucked away by a forest of redwoods and only a short distance away from a beautiful waterfall and a secluded beach.

SO, if you ever have a chance to experience Big Sur we suggest - spot #30 it rocks! Here is one shot from spot #30. . .



This trip was just what I needed to reJUVE and I find it so important to take these quick trips to balance life. Of course, being gone for several days means there is A TON to catch up on so I will be posting more photography/video from our trip soon. Mason and I are both nursing wicked colds yet we have that Big Sur feeling to get us through.

Hudson Falb Turn 1 !!

This little man has grown so fast!!
I photographed Hudson when he was a month old last May with his Mom and Dad at their home. Precious little man with two really amazing parents.



Last weekend, I had the honor of capturing Hudson enjoy a party to celebrate his 1st Birthday. I'm showing the best sweet part of the day. His Mom and Dad let him go to town on his very own cake.




Happy Birthday Hudson!!

Jennifer and Drew Engaged!

When I first met Jennifer and Drew, I had a really big feeling that they were the perfect client for me to work with. You know when you just know?

They are both really intelligent, have very interesting careers that brought them together and Jennifer's laugh is contagious. I dug them from the start. We did a two part engagement session. The first part I can't share until their Save the Dates go out yet here is one or two from their second session.




I'm really looking forward to their intimate wedding in the fall!

Off to Big Sur . . . .

One of my favorite places on earth that I have visited is Big Sur, California.
Mason and I are taking a trip tomorrow to camp in two amazing spots up there and to kick off this trip I wanted to post a photo or two from my trip up there last September. This shot is one of my favorite photographs of all time. It's a view from Esalen :: right outside of the room where I attended an amazing week long workshop. The tin roofs that you see are the natural hot springs AND where you can have one of the best massages in the world - all right on the edge of a cliff above that massive ocean.



Esalen is located on a pretty large piece of property and in the center is an entrance to a canyon hike through the redwood trees. Here is the fall canyon floor and Highway 1 goes straight through.



This camping trip is to KICK OFF a pretty exciting trip we are planning that starts June 1. We are leaving in the very early morning with our two dogs and heading to Maine. Along the way we plan on camping, hiking and seeing friends in Sedona, AZ, Grand Canyon, Moab, UT, Boulder, CO -- cruising through the mid-west unless someone has suggestions of what you do there -- heading north to Niagara Falls, Western Massachusetts, Dennistown, Maine, PA, NJ, NYC. We have tickets to see Thievery Corporation in Central Park on June 26 and then we're heading back. We're planning on going pretty fast on the way back because I have weddings on the books but we are SO STOKED!! It's a photography video adventure and the awesomest thing is that I can pull into my parents driveway in my car with my little family! I haven't been able to do that in almost a decade!!

Coachella Music Festival 2008

Well. . after much debate I decided to go to Coachella Music Festival last Wednesday. I'm SO glad that I went. Music and crowds have always been a great way to refuel my creativity. They don't allow SLR cameras in so even without my camera I found myself taking pictures and watching for right moments between people, couples, reactions, lighting, etc. It's a hot, loud environment yet it's a great place to just "look, see, think".

I got to see many of my favorite musicians. . . Sia, Stars, John Butler Trio, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, The Raconteurs, Gogol Bordello. The headliner for Sunday was Roger Waters who totally killed it with surround sound, political messages and a light show. During the middle of the show they brought this gigantic hot air balloon size Pig out into the crowd of approx. 35,000 people. "The Pig displayed the words "Don't be led to the slaughter" and a cartoon of Uncle Sam wielding two bloody cleavers. The other side read "Fear builds walls."

The underside of the pig simply read "Obama" with a checked ballot box alongside, referring to U.S. Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill."

The Pig was lead around the crowd and when it got to the right side it was released. I thought for sure it was an accident as I just can't imagine getting approval from air traffic to let this huge thing fly wherever yet everyone around me said that they probably have GPS so they can track the pig. Either way we watched it float out until it was out of sight. Around that time, a small plane flew over and dumped a trail of something out above us. All of this being a mystery we found out on Monday that the Pig WAS accidentally released and it was found in two people's yards in La Quinta. They received a $10,000 reward PLUS 4 Coachella tickets for life. Can you imagine walking up and seeing something like this in your yard??



The plane dropped a trail of confetti that had Pro Obama messages typed on it. The plane missed Coachella so the confetti decorated neighborhoods around the fields. None of this was approved so there has been controversy regarding these two major decision to pollute the air and land. It doesn't rain in the desert so these pieces of paper aren't going to just go away. Craziness!!

Either way it was a great time with friends and I highly recommend checking this out next year!

Life is Good!!

In my work, I have the opportunity to capture different stages of people's lives. I've been photographing twin boys now for almost a year. I spent a few hours with them the other day and it's amazing how quickly I'm reminded, being around little one's, that nothing, no matter how big of a deal you make it, is ever that big of a deal.

Simplicity. Laughter. Joy. Peace. I find here.




Sneak peak. I can't help but smile and laugh at these two photographs.

Wedding Professional Highlight!! Pure Planning - Event Planning & Coordination : Lynn Schuster

Pure Planning

Pure Planning is the success of owner Lynn Schuster’s years of experience in the wedding and special event industry. A graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology, Lynn’s passion for event planning and coordination began while serving as an assistant coordinator at fashion and bridal shows in New York City.

With her experience in hospitality, events, décor and fashion, Lynn addresses and customizes each portion of your special day to create a seamless event that reflects your personality, life and love.

Services

A Pure Planner will listen to your needs and customize services accordingly. We will start you off on the right foot; hold your hand until the end and everything in between.

With our endless range of skills and passion for our work we have the ability to view every angle of your event to create only what a Pure Planner can. A pure event will include unique décor, warm lighting, dazzling entertainment and culinary decadence. Vendor selection plays a crucial role in these characteristics, and with our experience you will select from the best the industry has to offer.

Organization, attention to detail, planning sessions, and countless hours of preparation are an integral part of the Pure Planning experience.

I highly recommend Pure Planning to help guide you to achieve your perfect day!

Photo of Lynn Schuster by Melissa Mullen

Downtown fun!

Baseball season has begun! The neighborhood is changing and it's just too ridiculous that we have this amazing view of the games.



We're taking reservations for those of you would who like to join us rooftop to watch a game. There are two big grills and a flat screen for a closer view so it's cozy! Come on down and join us!!

Also, just had to share our two boys. Roscoe the Rascal and Leo Mullen: : Mason took this photo opening night while I was at Morgan Run. This photo captures their personalities unbelievably. All Mason has to say to Leo is: : "Do you like Rick Rubin?" and Leo does that adorable well known Pug head tilt. We do that to him all day long. Poor dog.

Morgan Run Club & Resort in Rancho Santa Fe

Morgan Run is an amazing property with an expert and lovely staff. :)

I rave about the team of Private Event Managers - Meredith Grier and Anna Erickson who are two fabulous ladies who are a pleasure to work with. Actually, to be honest I love these two and can't wait to hang downtown sometime soon.

They worked extremely hard last week to host an Open House in which they opened their doors to an evening filled with great food and beautiful ambiance. Two days before the event I came out to capture some photographs to capture the property for display at the Open House event. Photographs from the Open House will appear here soon!

This team of wedding professionals designed and created beautiful work!

Floral design by Suzan M Florals and Jennie Bower

Fresh and innovative event design by Concepts Party Rentals