Be sure to check out Ros’ new book next year, and if you haven’t already, think about gardening! I can’t wait for my group of Early Girl tomatoes to come in this summer. Should be about 4 weeks!

However, I also wanted to take some photos that were a bit more fresh, energetic, and reflected some of the intricacies of who I was photographing. Pregnancy photos can be contemplative, but I figured that they could also be sexy, fun, and energetic too. In fact, when talking to Darlene, she basically wanted to document this important stage in her life, but though photos that showed off different sides of her persona, only one of which was the obvious “pregnant.” So we spent some time, shot lots of photos, and used a variety of backdrops from Darlene’s awesome retro kitchen floor in a knockout green dress, to playing with the last of the fall leaves outside, to a bit of classic portraiture by the window (yes, I can do that too .

Thanks so much to Darlene for giving me this opprotunity. I couldn’t have found an easier, more fun, or more photogenic mom-to-be to work with.  Below is a small selection of what we came away with.

My dad and I just came back from a walk out onto the ridge behind our ranch, a little to the north of San Luis Obispo. There was a wonderful sunset and a beautiful view over the hills towards the ocean, and over Cal Poly. I really liked these silhouettes.

And a few more from a little walk along the beach near Cayucos after we had done some wine tasting in the Adelaide Mountains (hint: try Whalebone and Halter Ranch Vineyards if you are ever near the Paso Robles wine country).

So yes, we do a lot of walking as a family. That and eating. I guess that explains my propensity to take all my clients for long walks into the California hills in our photo sessions. Don’t worry though, after 6 years in the Bay Area I’m kind of getting into the city thing too.

I’ll leave you with a final shot of Rosie and I, just after we finished reading the newspaper together. Photo is by the talented Colleen Rosenthal. Growing up I had a pug and a ridgeback. I loved my pug (Wrinkles) dearly, and would often say that I could tell right away if I was going to be friends with someone by how they felt about Wrinkles. For those who didn’t think that pugs were cute, they were on a slippery slope! I’m in a doggone good mood right now (sorry), so I’ll go ahead and offer a little thank you for those of you reading my blog. If you are a past or future client and would like to write a comment to this post to the effects of “Rosie is cute” or other favorable notes about her striking profile or running form, I’ll offer a free print up to 20×24 (a $100+ value) with your next print order. Disparaging remarks will result in a 20% price increase. 

Nancy did a spectacular job, the kids were adorable, and I think the shoot turned out wonderfully. Here are a few favorites that I grabbed from the day. Like family snapshots, only better!

A typical Baja landscape on the way up North.

Ian introduces hand sanitizer to the cooks at a boarding school, and the dispensers that will be in the dining halls as well.

Giving a talk to the health educators for Comondu.

We stopped at various Ranchos in the northern region, stopping near Las Barrancas, San Juanico, Cadeje, Carambuche, and many other small towns. Here’s a typical rancho, creating a little oasis in an otherwise bone dry valley.

There was even a wine maker (they make wine in Baja!) near San Miguel de Comondu. His ancestors came from Italy in the 1800s, and he still uses their 200 year old press to make his wine.

We also got stuck in the mud on the way out, and spent 3 hours pushing Zorro (the red Toyota) around in order to get out. Here’s a quick photo I took before being called into service.

For 2 days we rolled along bumpy dirt roads while I marveled at the raw beauty of the Baja backcountry, and the incredible stamina of the ranchers who can scratch out a living from this very hot and dry place. It was really and eye-opener when we found that a two family ranch that we visited makes about 30,000 pesos at year ($3000). It really helps to put things in perspective.

I’m really enjoying working with Cantaro Azul documenting this project, combining my public health training and photography career at the same time. I’ll be heading out again for a 3 day trip tomorrow, and will be able to post more at that time. Until then, here are a few photos from the trip.

Here’s a typical (good) road, and a view of the picturesque canyons in the Sierra region of Comondu.

Hand sanitizer introduction at the ranches…

More photos to come when I get back from the field on Wednesday!

We left from La Paz on an overcast Saturday morning, with a wonderful break from the heat and headed into the mountains to the South. The ride wound along a dirt road, climbing up into the mountains and then back down into an oasis-like river bed. We had some spectacular views, and I was quite surprised at how green this region of Baja was. Apparently a lot more moisture is caught by the mountains here, and at an elevation of about 1000m, the temperature was noticably cooler as well. What a wonderful place for a ride! Here are a few photos from the day:

The Baja Challenge team…

I took some liberties with Photoshop on this one. No, it wasn’t snowing. Quite the opposite in fact. But I’m having fun this afternoon.


And a great shot of your intrepid photographer. Thanks to Lenin for this great image. It’s not often I get to be in front of the camera!