Newest Family Member

My sister recently had her 16th birthday. It's interesting to see her reach this age because two years from now she will be the same age I was when she was born. That's right, 18 years between us. Sixteen is a big birthday. With big birthdays traditionally come great gifts. Well, sis wasn't getting a car (you should all thank my family for that smart move (yes, I'm a huge hypocrite)), but she did get the (for lack of a better, more manly word) cutest little Shih Poo puppy you've ever seen. She named it Finn. Finn's about 4 pounds right now and is a female dog. I can't quite explain the name other than it's what Lexi liked, so that's the dog's name. I like it.

We have another family dog, Bandy, who's getting up there in the years. I think mom not only wanted to get my sister a great gift, and a dog she could grow with that would be hers, but I think she also is secretly looking forward to having Finn around when Lexi goes off to college in a couple years. Finn has been a great companion for mom already. Mom's home most of the week as she fights the good fight against pancreatic cancer and having a new puppy around the house has been great for her spirits. The two days a week she goes to work, Finn gets a little closer acquaintance with her crate.

Well, at long last I introduce the newest member of the family....

FINN:

Taco Time

I saw this SNL vid that just cracked me up, especially being from Cali.

Gina Steelman Teaser

I had a great time doing a maternity shoot for Mike Steelman's wife Gina today. We tried to go a little grungy first then softened things up at the park in the last moments of daylight. I'm getting sick and feeling like crap so I'll leave it at that for now and post more soon. Thanks Gina & Mike.

Gavin & Alexis (Blessed Twins)

At long last here is the slideshow for the shoot I did with Gavin & Alexis for their mommy Charlotte, who by the way, just had her first Mother's Day. Congrats Char!

This was my first fully baby shoot so I was very excited to do it and happy with the results. Gavin & Alexis truly are miracle babies and they were a ton of fun to work with.

You can see the previous posts about them and see a bit of the rough journey they went through while spending months in the NICU. It's amazing to see these current photos while looking back and seeing them on life support.
http://www.marksweeneyphoto.com/blog/2008/11/babies.html
http://www.marksweeneyphoto.com/blog/2009/01/twins-update.html

Enjoy, pass it on, and leave me some comments (I could use a little encouragement after my first real baby session!)

Thanks for watching and thank YOU Charlotte.

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Hendricks Family

Today the rain held out and the cloud cover worked perfect for a mid day family shoot for my friend Katie's family. It was a group of ten with three totally awesome little ones. We shot up at Katie's gorgeous home in Las Palmas. The garden was great for some nice backdrops. When we were done with the more formal stuff I had some fun shooting some candid pics of the kids. I have to say they are by far my favorite. Once again I'm finding myself having a blast working with kids, especially when they start hamming it up for the camera. They always get a kick out of instantly being able to see themselves in the back of the camera.

Here's a few for a sneak peak while I work on the rest.

Thanks Katie! I had a blast.

Gavin & Alexis

I had my first official newborn session with Gavin & Alexis last weekend. If you've followed the story of Gavin & Alexis you know they've had quite the journey. After being born several months premature and spending another several month in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, they are finally home. I'm so honored that my friend Charlotte has called on me to continue to capture their lives as they grow healthy and strong. They are both doing wonderfully. I'm including a few sneak peaks until later when I have time to include the rest. Enjoy the miracles who are Gavin & Alexis.

Fire Training

As some know, in addition to having a passion for photography, I also have another passion. I've been a full time firefighter for two years and a volunteer for five. It's a major part of my life. One of those careers that's not just a job but part of your identity.

I just wanted to share some shots I took the other night while we were training our volunteers. We simulated an injured unconscious person on the third story roof of a multi-level tiered building. They utilized a variety of equipment from a rescue litter (stokes basket) to ropes, pulleys, and ladders. It's fun to see them come together and use teamwork and adapt to situations to overcome whatever obstacle is put in front of them. Getting the victim down is not an option, so you use the skills you've developed in training like this to get the job done, whatever it takes.

Making a gameplan

Leo & Matt bringing ropes & pulleys up to the roof

Assessing the patient for injuries on the third floor roof

Matt, Mike, & Leo moving the patient in the stokes basket

Using ropes to lower the patient down the ladder from the third to the second floor. Anthony is on the second floor assisting.

Sergio prepping to lower patient down the ladder

Lowering the patient down the ladder with the rope

The patient is almost to the ground floor

Mission Accomplished

Nice teamwork on this one guys!