Welcome!

Welcome to my blog and portfolio. Please take a look around the site and let me know if you have any questions. View any of my galleries above or go directly to the Birthday Party Portfolio to view some of my favorite moments.

Give me a call at 310-985-0959 or email me.

I'd love to be a part of your next event!




Music Stars and Masters’ Drum Circle

Posted on November 1, 2010

My children have been going to Music Stars and Masters since March of 2008 (to be precise), one month after they opened their amazing store/school in the Westside Pavilion Mall in West Los Angeles.

Music Stars and Masters has become a home away from home for us, as well as for countless other families in the area. They are a true family within their own staff, and welcome us all warmly within.

This morning they had an amazing Drum Circle, where kids learned how to explore their rhythmic selves, be creative and judgement free and just let loose and have fun. I was asked to take some pictures to help the world see what a warm and welcoming place Music Stars and Masters is, and I can’t think of a better example than these snapshots. What struck me as so funny is that the kids were so focused on their drumming that I could barely get them to look up at the camera – fine by me, you know how I love truly candid moments!

Parents, to view the full gallery and order prints please visit this link – please ask reception at either location for the password.

Oh and did I mention… Music Stars and Masters does birthday parties?



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Trick or Treat!

Posted on October 31, 2010

When Leesa from SeNd iN tHe ClOwNs asked me to shoot some prep photos of the Halloween party she threw for her daughter today, I jumped at the chance. A, because Leesa has become one of my favorite people on this planet, and B, because her party details are candy for the eyes.

Leesa included a treat table and a trick table – I believe they speak for themselves so I won’t insult you by explaining it further. Candy for the eyes and the mouth were presented tonight with the most impeccable detail, the most whimsy and the most love for her daughter and her daughter’s friends. Leesa tapped into her own genius with her crafting and styling skills: hot gluing where she needed to, taping, spray painting, glue dotting, clever ribbon tying and a plethora of other resources from her super secret stash of party finds, as well as some items from the growing resource of genius that is Etsy. From ghost shaped marshmallow treats to a scarecrow in a swing, a custom cematary to mummy cup carrot holders, the details and the treats (and tricks) did not stop.

With a psychic in the front yard, a magician on the back porch and a great DJ in the backyard, the girls were running around in their fantastic costumes truly enjoying every inch of the party.

I normally trim this down to about 15 pictures, but 36 pictures later…



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Santa Monica Pier Carousel Birthday Party

Posted on October 24, 2010

The Reis family invited me to join them at their son’s birthday party today, located at the Santa Monica Pier Carousel. A fantastic time was had by all, both large and small, while we all enjoyed unlimited carousel rides, delicious food and amazing cupcakes – not to mention the company.

Personally I learned a valuable lesson – standing backwards on a carousel to capture the faces of all of the joyful children and adults does not do well for the easily motion-sick. I am the easily motion-sick. Luckily the radiant joy from everyone at the party came through with or without my standing backwards on a carousel.

Thank you Reis Family for a wonderful afternoon with you today!



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Racing to a 6th Birthday

Posted on October 18, 2010

What happens when you have a rainy day, a room full of Hot Wheels cars and a gaggle of 6-year-old boys? A heavenly birthday party for a lovely 6-year-old boy. With the amazing help of PlayParty.Net in setting up the tracks and providing the cars, I am not sure who had more fun, me or the guests. There were these amazing cars that he gets from “a guy in Japan” – you charge up the cars and then let them loose on the track. While he suggested 10 seconds of charging per car, the boys all determined 23 to be the perfect count for charging for the most optimum speed. I love this age!

The birthday boy shared the most magical moment with his mom that I loved capturing. As soon as we were done singing Happy Birthday he planted a wonderful appreciative kiss on his mom while giving her a big hug just after blowing out his candles. His baby brother put the smackdown on a cupcake – he looked like that toothbrush commercial where the guy unhinges his jaw and opens up wide, stuffing the most massive piece of cupcake I have ever seen go into a tiny little mouth. ADORABLE. The entire family had different Hot Wheels Cars shirts on, which was this perfectly subtle detail that showed how much effort they put into the party as a whole. I loved that. And even though we got the first rainfall on this day in 6 years (we know this because the last time it rained on this day was the day, 6 years ago, when the birthday boy came into this world), the party didn’t suffer at all. If anything they gave every family at that party the great gift of NOT having a stir-crazy 6-year-old stuck inside from the rain on a Sunday.

The family was beautiful, loving and warm and everything about this party had the same feeling. I was really tickled to be there. My birthday is in January and my desire for an iPad may have swayed a bit when I started yearning for a Racecar Birthday for myself. That’s how awesome this party was!

A few of my favorite moments:



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Toy Story with a Twist

Posted on October 12, 2010

10/10/10 was a very cool date for many reasons. For me it was awesome that I got to be a part of a very special family’s youngest child’s first birthday party at the Japanese Cultural Center in West Los Angeles.

This little girl’s parents went all out, it was clear that they not only love their children fiercely, but that they also love Toy Story! Some of the features:

  1. a “toy box” area with toddler ride-ons, sit-ins and play-withs
  2. a photo booth with a custom Toy Story cloud background
  3. celebrity chef (of Next Food Network Star) Doreen Fang and Apropos Opulent Culinary Design catering (can I just say, the creamy refried beans – pinto beans simmered with smoked bacon and a blend of cheeses, nearly made me weep with joy. I’ll be first in line when these things end up in jars on the shelves, trust me)
  4. an absolutely wonderful music video parody of “Gotta Feeling” (I’ve got a feeling, that tonight’s gonna be a long night. That tonight’s gonna be a long, long night”) in recapping this sweet girl’s first year.
  5. shaved ice! Oh wait, that has nothing to do with Toy Story. But MAN did it look yummy!
  6. Really EVERYTHING was so wonderful and detailed.

Normally I promise families 5-15 shots in these blog post/sneak peaks, but with over 600 pictures to choose from, how could I possibly narrow it down? Here are my top 20 memories:

I would be remiss in not thanking SeNd In ThE cLoWnS for referring me to this job, but also for sending a WONDERFUL Woody and Buzz to the party. They were so entertaining!



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