For some people that is a lot to spend on a coat, for some it is little, and for others it is justifiable.  For me, it’s more than I usually spend on clothing.

Looking at myself in the fitting room, I liked it, but after seeing the price tag I wasn’t sure if I liked it enough.  So what actually made me buy the coat?

One of the friendly sales reps saw me and as he walked by he said, “You look like a world traveler…”

WORLD TRAVELER.  Those words shifted my thinking from “I’m not so sure…” to “YES!  This coat is AWESOME.”

I love traveling and I love adventures.  I identified with those words.  Now I felt inspired (and kind of like Indiana Jones) when I wore it.

When doing sales and branding for your own business, it is helpful to analyze how you operate when it comes to making purchases.  What was your last big purchase and why did you choose to buy it?

When brides choose a photographer, it’s because the photos/experience spark an emotion in them.  My brides and clients hire me for the same reason that I bought the coat.  I think about this most when doing things like choosing which of my photos to showcase on my website and blog.

I think – What would my ideal client identify with?

Overall I have come to learn that when it’s personal, when you make something YOU, that is when it stands out. 

P.S. In case anyone is wondering, the coat is from Cop Copine‘s Winter 2011 Collection.

Have fun with your engagement shoot.  It’s the way to go! 

Some other photos from Amy & James’ beachy engagement session here.

Valentine’s Day is awesome.  It’s the perfect excuse to wear pink and red, consume massive amounts of sugar, and be cheesy.

I think motherhood is a fascinating thing.  I look at the way my mom treats my sister and I and it is CLEAR that you never know what it means to be a mom until you become one.

My mom provides me with unconditional love without even trying.  It’s just there.  I don’t even know if I have the capacity to love anyone unconditionally yet.

My mom thinks I’m the best thing on this planet.  Really.  She doesn’t tell me things to boost my ego or make me feel better . . . it’s her reality and to her, there is no other way.

My mom puts my happiness first.

My mom ALWAYS makes sure there is food in my tummy.

My mom doesn’t tell me to be the best, but to always try my best.

My mom looks at me crazy if I ask if I can have or use something of hers.  What’s hers is mine, literally.

My mom is smart, level-headed, and gives the most practical advice.

I love my mom.

THIS DOCUMENTARY IS FREAKING AWESOME AND I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO WATCH IT!  It will inspire the heck out of you!  I purchased the DVD and I am going to watch it again tonight. 

Frank Ferrante, Jason Mraz, and the amazing folks behind the film.

About the film:

Frank Ferrante is a 54 year old Sicilian from Brooklyn living in San Francisco.  A lover of life, great food, beautiful women and a good laugh, Frank is also a drug addict, morbidly obese, pre-diabetic, and fighting Hepatitis C. He’s estranged from his daughter, single, and struggling with depression. Frank knows that life can be better than this, and is looking for a way out.

May I Be Frank documents the transformation of Frank Ferrante’s life. He unknowingly stumbles into a local restaurant in San Francisco, Café Gratitude, a raw, organic and vegan café. As he becomes friends with the staff, he keeps returning to the café where he feels welcomed and free from his collapsing personal life. On one such visit, Frank is asked by Ryland, one of the servers, “What is one thing you want to do before you die?” Frank replies “I want to fall in love one more time, but no one will love me looking the way I do.”

Inspired by the possibility of helping Frank, Ryland invites him to come into the café everyday for the next month. Armed with a camera and a wide open heart, Ryland soon enrolls his brother Cary, and Conor, his best friend, to participate in supporting Frank’s transformation. The final agreement is made that for the next 42 days, Frank will turn his life over to three twenty-something young men committed to his healing and prepared to coach him physically, emotionally and spiritually.  Frank will eat only raw food, practice gratitude, visit local holistic practitioners, and get a weekly colonic.  Ryland, Conor, and Cary get to support and witness Frank’s miraculous transformation.  Frank gets a new body, a clearer mind, and most importantly, a soaring spirit.

Over those 42 days, the four men go on the ride of their lives.  Setting out to help Frank lose weight and get healthy, no one anticipated the profound impact this journey would have on the lives of countless others.  Through Frank’s story of love, redemption, and transformation, the viewers witness the power of change for themselves and the world.  May I Be Frank documents the essence of the human condition and what it truly means to fall in love again.

You can purchase a DVD of the film here or rent/gift it to someone through Play It Fwd.

Elevate brought me on board to take pictures that evening.  I was ENTHRALLED when they wanted me to do my thang and document the event as I saw it.  My heart was on fire!

Life’s inbetween moments . . . it’s what I live for.

Mikki Willis and his wife Nadia.

Michael Beckwith.

It’s hard for filmmakers NOT to be behind the camera, even when they aren’t supposed to be!  I get it. 

Photoshoot with Patty Yuniverse.  She’s the one in the Shit New Age Girls Say YouTube video!  It is hilarious!

Some backstage photos before panel discussion.

Mikki & Nadia . . . You can feel their love from 100 miles away.  They just celebrated their 9 year anniversary. 

Jason Mraz performance.

I feel truly grateful that people see “me” through my craft.  It’s the reason I do what I do, and I absolutely LOVE IT.  Thank you so much to Elevate.  The night was amazing!

P.S.  Go see the film. 

Very grateful. 

One shot from last night’s event at The Esperanza in Cabo.

We did Amy & James’ engagement pictures on the beach in the Pacific Palisades.  The beach always make for super fresh photos!  You got breeze, you got water . . . there is no such thing as a stiff photo on the beach!  Or maybe there is.  If someone finds one, can you email it to me?

A&J are insanely photogenic.  I had a heck of a time culling their photos.  They ALL looked amazing.

We did some couple shots and then Amy thought it’d be great to have some pictures with the kids.  Blended families are so beautiful! 

Maddie and my dog Sammie.  Aren’t they cute together?  I came to the shoot straight from a hike at Temescal Canyon so I had her with me.  :)  Was going to leave her in the car but the kids had fun playing with her.  Amy was cracking me up.  She kept accidentally calling her “Paul!”

Maddie will be walking her mommy down the aisle on the wedding day!  How sweet is that????!

Griffin & Pops.

Splashing water . . . makes for great photos.

Amy is crazy strong!  James was like a feather and she could’ve carried him all the way down the beach.  Very impressive!

LOVE this.  Beauties.

Great little inbetween moment. 

Can’t wait for their wedding in Santa Barbara!  It’s going to be C-R-A-Z-Y fun.

I love spontaneity.  I live for it.  Well obviously, for some aspects of my job I have to be a planner, but at the core I believe in going with the flow and trusting that gut. 

I arrived at Jenny & Daniel’s place in the morning.  They were still in their pj’s.  He cooked us breakfast and then they proceeded to get ready.

Jenny asked if I could help with her hair.  Um, you are asking the WRONG person, but still I tried, and even lent her my sparkly clip. 

Daniel is a clothing designer so OF COURSE he looked sharp.  Check out his high-end line, Daniel Patrick.  He’s got celebrities like Usher wearing his stuff.

I loved this moment.  Doing paperwork in the car and Jenny was deciding if she would take his last name or not.

At the court, attempting to fix her hair one the last time.

Daniel’s two best friends got the memo in the morning and rushed over wearing their cute little suits.

The ceremony, right outside the courthouse.

Jenny’s co-worker said she wouldn’t be able to make it because she got a flat tire in Tarzana, but someone helped and she ended up making it right on time!

After the ceremony, everyone was HUNGRY so we decided to get some grub.  Eggs N Things – excellent reception choice.    Seriously, who doesn’t love breakfast?

There was some great conversation ranging from crazy diets we’ve all tried, to Tupac.

When I showed up at Jenny & Daniel’s place that morning, Jenny said, “Thanks for coming.  I know this isn’t very romantic.”

UM, are you kidding me?  This is one of the most romantic things I’ve ever seen!

I typically shoot planned weddings which are AWESOME and so much fun (love, love, LOVE them), but when you strip away all the planning, all the logistics (what time, who, where), all the details (flowers, linens, entertainment), you are reminded of the reason people get married in the first place – to be together.

Great, I’m teary now.

Congratulations Jenny & Daniel.  You are beautiful, beautiful people.