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

Puppy photos!

Meet Tiffany + Hula. I photographed them at home in Solana Beach. Hula is a lab and boxer mix. Such a sweetie.

Stephany + Damon: engaged + married!!

O! Stephany and Damon! This post is well overdue.

Engagement Session in Solana Beach.









Stephany and Damon were married on February 2, 2008 at Old Ranch Country Club in Seal Beach.

Damon's amazing momma, Marilyn Swartz worked very hard to coordinate and design this wedding.

Florals by Suzan M Florals

Videography by Ashley Video Productions











It was a wonderful sunny day and I'm honored to have been there to capture their big day!!

sarah + mike: engaged!

I'm always so interested in hearing about "the story" of how two people's lives come together. Sarah and Mike have a story of crossing paths for most of their lives. . .

sarah + alex: engaged!

I am SO excited to know these two. ADORE them and cannot wait for their big day in October! We spent a nice quiet evening in La Jolla last fall. I was so drawn to the way they look at each other. . . .you just know. . .this is a very special relationship.

Time for a recap!

I left off right before my journey back east for Thanksgiving. Originally, my quest was to spend time with friends and family and right before I left I thought maybe it would be a good idea to check out Boston for the possibility of someday relocating there. My parents just moved from Pennsylvania to Maine and I thought it would be a great base AND I could drive up to see my parents. The thought of having a Sunday dinner with my Mom and Dad is just too good. I've been out in California since 2001 so we only get the opportunity to have dinner together every so often. The idea was pretty tempting. . .

I stayed with my friends Mr. & Mrs. Marianne and Neil in Andover right outside of Boston. I photographed their wedding in 2005 in Boston and they just relocated from San Diego to Boston last year. I was very excited too see their new digs. We had an amazing time touring the city, enjoying lots of great wine and catching up.

Marianne + Neil + Madison




Next stop, Bernardston, Massachusetts to see my sister from another mother, Shelley. I had the opportunity to photograph her on a friend's farm in Vermont. We FROZE! Yet, it was so great to have her in front of my lens.







During my visit, I was invited to take part in the annual Hallmark Institute of Photography Alumni Roundtable. It was an exciting opportunity to come back and speak to the students about our journey's since graduation. Myself and 6 other Hallmark graduates took part and we had a blast!




My parents even made it to the event and straight from Hallmark we took off to see their brand new home in Maine.

Their new road home:



The day before Thanksgiving we took a ride together around Jackman. I hadn't been there since summer of 2000 so it was nice to see the area and Moosehead lake when it's snowy.

Ma and Pa on their new porch!! :)



This is one of my favorite shots of me and my dad!! Taken by my talented mom.



Our first Thanksgiving together in Maine.





My new bedroom.



The Mullens.




It was my parents dream to find a home in this area of Maine where we vacationed almost every year when I was a kid. They found and were able to make this dream come true. It's amazing to see my parents in this chapter of their lives. This trip was very memorable for me and I cannot wait to get back there! Currently, they have about 8+ feet of snow!!



Then it was back to California to take care of some major changes and enjoy our first family Christmas in California. My parents flew out on Christmas Eve and with the help of Mason we surprised them with a Christmas tree.





2007 was an amazing year for personal growth and accomplishment. I'm so thankful for all of my experiences last year as I was able to start 2008 off by moving forward, starting my own business and relocating to downtown San Diego. Life is GOOD!!