We even got to stop off at the Goorin Brothers hat shop in Berkeley on the way home for Dean to show off his swanky sense of style (and hat throwing technique).

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!

I first stopped off in the valley to visit the Ahwahnee Hotel, and got lots of ideas for Katherine and Ryan’s wedding there in November, then grabbed a campsite and waited for my parents to arrive. Even though I came in on a Tuesday, the park was completely full. Absolutely packed- and I literally got the last campsite in the park.

We stayed up in the high country to avoid the crowds, and found some really wonderful areas of Yosemite park that few will visit.

A view towards Tioga Pass, right by the Yosemite National park east entrance station.

Here’s a classic from Glacier Point

A quick hike along the Tuolumne River

And on our last day I took my parents along a grueling (in a fun way!) hike to May Lake, and then through the snow fields and off the trails to the top of Mount Hoffman, at 10,850 feet.

Here’s May Lake (the midpoint) looking up at the Mount Hoffman peak.

Great views on the way up

And there is no question that I have the most fit 61-year-old parents ever. Here’s my dad bounding up the final stretch.

A view back down towards Yosemite Valley

I’m now back in Berkeley, finishing all of my processing for the past few weeks. I’m taking off with Nancy for Erika and Andrew’s wedding in Negril, Jamaica on Wednesday and am working like mad to get all my photo shoots processed before then.

Here’s a fun photo that I dug up of me hard at work. Gotta love being able to work with bare feet out on the beach.

A full slideshow is available HERE.