Warm Pears

With the New Year coming up and all ...

2011-12-28T09:05:00.000-08:00

As many of you have discovered ... Our Warm Pears Blog has a new home HERE ... see you on the other side!

Warm Pears redesign and a party!

2011-12-05T14:10:00.000-08:00

WARM PEARS is getting a make over and will be unveiled soon! (she's so pretty I can't wait to show her off) I have the lovely and talented Heather, redesigning it.

Almost a year ago today I launched Warm Pears and while doing so I reached out to many creatives who inspired me, along with colleagues I wanted to work with. I'm overwhelmed with how successful I feel, completing my first year!
I recently spoke with one of my brides and we talked about "PLANTING SEEDS" and how you may not know where it might lead, how or when but when we reach out, put ourselves out there, and nourish relationships They reward in more ways than one. Don't be afraid to be vulnerable, it's how you know you're really living!

This past August I had the pleasure of photographing Anna and Victor's wedding in Trastevere but the night before the big day they had a gathering with family and friends on a rooftop... during sunset... in Rome! You know ... no biggie :)

better together

2011-11-30T10:10:00.000-08:00

Betinna & Jay

2011-11-23T12:40:00.000-08:00

Falling

2011-11-20T12:00:00.000-08:00

Gabriela & Isabela

2011-11-17T15:47:00.000-08:00

Last Sunday's photo session was photographed at Sunshine and Daydreams, a gorgeous Horse Ranch in Riverside, CA.

Happy Days

2011-11-16T17:33:00.000-08:00

Nazar came into town for a visit ... it was short and sweet but my heart is happy with moments spent with loved ones and reconnecting with each other. We shot a lifestyle session with a sweet family at a Horse Ranch in Riverside, CA. I'll be blogging that hopefully tomorrow. Naz does Super8 cineamatography for weddings world wide and is launching his new company site December 20th! www.nazfilms.com - I as well will have a new website, I'm very excited about :)

Here are a few photographs we took with Instagram

Veronica & Ricardo

2011-10-18T14:40:00.000-07:00

A little sunday warmth

2011-10-16T18:04:00.000-07:00

Like Dreamers Do

2011-10-06T11:00:00.000-07:00

Vaina & Andrea

2011-09-22T16:17:00.000-07:00

se ami devi amare forte

2011-09-09T03:21:00.000-07:00

"Lord and Lady Darcy"

2011-08-31T15:43:00.000-07:00

Monday's wedding at La Bandita... Krystyna and Peter ♥

Pienza {2}

2011-08-30T09:11:00.000-07:00

I photographed a wedding yesterday in Pienza, Tuscany. Besides the gorgeous views and the amazing villa, I had a great time with my Bride and Groom! I'll be posting their sneak peak soon!

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Lucca

2011-08-28T08:01:00.000-07:00

Happy I was able to visit Lucca again. It's such a charming city!

Monti - Rome

2011-08-25T09:10:00.000-07:00

20 more days

2011-08-24T03:37:00.000-07:00

I'll be leaving Rome in just 20 days. I thought I would be a bit more melancholy about leaving but the truth is, I'm looking forward to seeing my loved ones and although Rome feels like a second home, my heart is somewhere else. I'll be returning to Italy for weddings next year, which is something I'll be looking forward to the minute I leave here. I just know it. :)

I'm very excited about the remaining 4 weddings I'll be photographing before I leave and the engagement session I'll be posting soon. Also... Last week, Kate and Andrew's wedding at La Bandita was featured on Style Me Pretty!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer!

Summer days {1}

2011-08-01T02:08:00.000-07:00

overcoming

2011-07-28T13:08:00.000-07:00

Ciao!

2011-07-28T00:14:00.000-07:00

The best of both worlds, a dream and a livelihood to make it possible.

A born and raised California girl. I love my home. The summer nights with a loved ones, a surplus of avocado slices on your tacos and sunlight that compares to no other. Mix that with the sweet life in Italy; art, and history, tomatoes that will change your life. It's people who make it feel you're always in movie and the landscapes that will bring you to tears.

I traveled to Italy in Spring of 2009, my intention was to stay 3 months. At the end of my 90 days I couldn't leave. I knew it wasn't done with me and I wasn't anywhere near finished. I stayed for a year and half. I lived in Florence, the Tuscan seaside and finally, Rome. Before I went back home I began photographing people in love and decided in order to enjoy Italy a little bit every year, I would come back during the summer and photograph weddings. PERFECT!

My clients are down to earth couples, desperately in love. They don't take life or themselves too seriously. They know family and friends are what's most important. They're fun, stylish and often sarcastic. So, wherever you are in the world, if you're getting married and my style moves you, contact me and let's talk!

Click Here to view my recent work or Here to see my website.

Anna & Victor

2011-07-22T08:50:00.000-07:00

I was so happy to photograph Anna and Victor's wedding. They were my one and only wedding in Rome this summer. They had a lovely garden ceremony followed by a walk through a cobble stone alley to the Ristorante San Michele that sits along the Tiber river.

Claudio & Jennifer

2011-07-19T08:14:00.000-07:00

I posted a few portraits of Jennifer and Claudio a few weeks back but here is their proper sneak peak!

Pienza

2011-07-17T13:16:00.000-07:00

Katherine & Andrew at La Bandita

2011-07-14T12:49:00.000-07:00

I've been looking forward to this wedding since last year when Kate booked. It was a pleasure photographing her intimate affair at La Bandita a beautiful, stylish, villa in Tuscany.

Italy | Antigua

2011-07-11T09:13:00.000-07:00

Naz is currently in Antigua; sunbathing, drinking coconut water, sailing and ... well, I see him rolling around on white sand beaches while the locals point and laugh at the Canadian who's slowly sun burning. Not far form the truth :) Meanwhile I'm in Rome; doing as the Romans do with a twist of Americana. Like, drinking acqua frizzante with ice.

We are both Instagram floozies - keeping up and trying to be a part of each others "good lives" thousands of miles apart.

Sabina & Daniel

2011-06-29T04:26:00.000-07:00

sweet, bitter, Italy

2011-06-26T13:08:00.000-07:00

This is not going to be a a bitter rant, I promise. I left early Saturday morning to head up to charming, Lucca. I had a wedding to shoot and would be returning on the midnight train back to Rome. Simple enough, right? No, no.

I love Italy for so many reasons; getting stuff done is not one of them. Nor is being prompt or efficient. So I suppose I was only setting myself up for disappointment when I booked a train ticket to get me from point A to point B and it not working out without notice and reason or when I asked the train attendant what Bin the train would be leaving from and she says, "Binario 1" but doesn't specify "Binario 1 EST" And I suppose it's silly of me to ask a taxi driver how much it would cost to take me to my destination and he tells me 45 euro, I ask the next one and he tells me 30. Okay, maybe this is a bitter rant. Sorry, I'll move on ...

The wedding I photographed yesterday was beautiful. The bride and groom were joined along with close family and friends in sweet Villa Catureglio who's nestled up top the hills of Lucca. The rustic and soothing atmosphere left you wanting a glass or two of white wine on the warm summer night, your dear ones near and the pleasure of taking in it's nature and beauty.

At dinner time, my second photographer and I ate with the members of the band who were very kind and spoke english about as good as we spoke italian. Communicating this way is always fun. Turns out they were heading back to Rome in the morning and would be able to give us a ride. I was SO relieved I could have kissed every single one of them. (there were 8) I stopped myself and realized a, "Grazie mille!" would suffice.

Kate from the Villa, who is just lovely, booked us a room at a nearby hotel. A hotel I will not mention because my mom taught me if you have nothing nice to say, stai zitta! So... we slept a whole 5 hours, had a lousy breakfast and hopped in the car with the guitarist and drummer. We drove for what seemed like hours upon hours, stopped at every Autogrill. We finally arrived and I took a 30 min metro ride into the center had myself a long, hot walk before I finally made it home.

I'm now showered, sipping an iced tea, and listening to a saxophone being played down below on my street. That right there alone is why Italy can knock me down and throw me around a bit. Because at the end of the day it will bring a Roman breeze through my window, fresh basil I plucked from my windowsill to drop in my tea, and free live music.

hope everyone had a great weekend!

tutto bene? tutto a posto!

2011-06-24T04:00:00.000-07:00

Naz who was recently interviewed by Kodak, came to visit for a couple weeks and we traveled to; Florence, Siena, Rome, Castelli Romani, Cinque Terre and took lots of trains. I had a beautiful time. It's inspiring to travel along with another creative. Many ideas come about ...

These pictures are a collaboration of his and mine and were done with the iPhone app, Instagram. Some of the photographs here along with others will be used for a fun Art Book that will be for sale in late September so stay tuned it's going to be pretty cool.

drumming

2011-06-23T01:14:00.000-07:00

Jennifer & Claudio

2011-06-21T07:58:00.000-07:00

lil of this lil of that

2011-06-14T05:32:00.000-07:00

afternoon with Nicolee

2011-06-07T11:00:00.000-07:00

Panella not Panera

2011-06-05T05:55:00.000-07:00

A lovely morning spent with my roommate, Jaquline, at Panella, a wonderful bakery serving much more than just pastries. It was the perfect atmosphere for a Sunday morning.

My camera is being serviced so bare with me and my instagram addiction

Le Quattro Fontane

2011-06-02T08:02:00.000-07:00

new neighborhood

2011-06-01T11:43:00.000-07:00

June 1st.
I woke up from a nightmare and it left me feeling nervous most of my morning. I went to the garage where I had parked my bike while I was away. I come to find that they have misplaced it or someone has stolen it. I'm going with the latter. It was a pretty bicycle :( - That was my morning and my afternoon didn't get any better. lack of communication always gets me into the worst of situations. After that found its resolve I packed my things up from Eleonora's. If you haven't seen this beautiful foodies blog do yourself a favor and check out her website which will be undergoing a makeover soon. So, I packed bags, stepped out and hailed a cab. If you know about my cab rides you'll remember how they are always memorable, always. This cab driver, Dominico, scraped a wall getting me to my destination to which he replied with a "Va be... Non mi piaceva quella parte della macchina" which translates to, "Oh, well... I didn't like that side of the car, anyway"

As he turns the corner to my street I look up and see the Colosseum. It's one of those moments I remember having the first time I moved to Rome; It almost feels like a mirage. Here I am, in what I'm finding to be one of the sweetest neighborhoods in Rome. Last year around this time I was determined to return. I was going to shoot weddings and live in Rome for the summer. Dreams fulfilled are what life is about. As my dreams are taking a different path I'm confident in my heart that whatever they may be, they will be.

I leave you with a few images from around the corner. I was so excited I threw my bags down and headed out with my camera while there was still light. Lucky for me it doesn't get dark here until around 9pm.

sunday walk

2011-05-29T11:03:00.000-07:00

alessandra and antonio

2011-05-28T13:35:00.001-07:00

Italia via Instagram

2011-05-27T03:36:00.000-07:00

I Haven't taken my SLR out very much. (bad gina) I do plan on it once I'm settled into my place, Which by the way I found in the paper, by luck. It's a cute place in Monti off of Via Nazionale.
So yes, I move in next Wednesday. Until then I've been taking photographs with my iPhone and playing with a very addictive app called, Instagram. It's my favorite thing to do on my iPhone. It also allows to share with everyone instantly.

I'll be posting the Bari wedding tomorrow. I was thinking of taking a little road trip into Tuscany but realized I have much work to catch up on. Instead, this weekend I'll stay roman and have a picnic in the park with friends. I hope everyone has a wonderful Friday!

Anita & Brian (2)

2011-05-26T09:50:00.000-07:00

Bari weekend

2011-05-23T00:58:00.000-07:00

I had an amazing weekend in Bari, Italy this weekend. I photographed a wedding at the historical Basilica, San Nicola . The couple then had their Reception at Il Trappatello , a gorgeous residence situated in the hills of Monopoli, Bari overlooking the Adriatic sea.

I'll be posting their sneak peak this week on the blog.

For now, I'm off to get back to lots of editing. Taking my laptop to the park since they have added free wifi in Villa Borghese =)

to be in rome again

2011-05-17T12:05:00.001-07:00

... so much more coming tomorrow!

summer photo sessions

2011-05-16T10:29:00.001-07:00

Nisha was in Florence for the summer and wanted to take home a different kind of "souvenir" Something she would remember always.

We rode bicycles up the hills of florence until we found a beautiful olive grove. There, she let her spirt go free for a bit while the sunset over the valley.

If you're in Italy studying, on vacation or backpacking and would like a photo session, take home a beautiful set of memories with you. This can be done with friends, a loved one or just yourself.

I'll be booking sessions in Rome and Florence. inquire for available dates to info@warmpears.com

the last 48 hours

2011-05-14T02:17:00.000-07:00

My flight was fine - arriving to Eleonora's was fine - my jet lag is fine - having my bank account frozen will be fine - my first cappuccino was just fine - having money wired western union was fine - receiving that money in the back of a tabacci from Marcos pocket .... fine.

Being back in Rome feels amazing and will feel even better on the long walk Ill be taking shortly. Until then Ill leave you with a few pictures from my phone.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

luz

2011-05-05T11:03:00.000-07:00

♥

2011-04-11T01:00:00.000-07:00

Anita & Brian

2011-03-29T08:57:00.000-07:00

open heart

2011-03-23T10:16:00.000-07:00

In just seven days I'll be leaving town on a redeye. I have my bags packed and ready to go. Truth be told, they've been packed for weeks now. A few months back, January to be exact. I met an incredible man with charm, wit and a gusto for life that matches my own. He found me through my blog before shooting a wedding in Italy last summer. I came back to California a few days before he was expected to arrive and we didn't get a chance to meet. Some time went by and we left each other the occasional comments via Facebook. The story gets better, I promise :)

Early December, he called me and after that we spent day and night connecting until we were finally able to meet face to face at the end of January. It was a late night in Santa Monica. I parked near the coast, waited, got nervous, burned about 3,000 calories fidgeting, he showed up, I crawled out of the backseat, we locked eyes, then lips and the rest is all a beautiful blur.

We spent 2 weeks watching sunrises and sunsets ... god ... the sunsets! There was an amazing Cat Power concert in there somewhere. Followed by a drive up Pacific Coast Highway that ended on a bittersweet note in San Francisco; where we had a wonderful time in one of my favorite cities in the world. We said our goodbyes. He flew back to -10 weather and I came back to sunshine and smog.

you can visit his site here (yes, this is a shameless plug) And here is one of my favorite pieces he did recently in Palm Springs

I'm smiling ear to ear as I write this. He's amazing... and has brought back something to my life I thought was going to take decades upon decades. He brought me hope in Love. While my heart is still and maybe forever a bit guarded; I know, right now, I want to spend my days next to him. It was enough for us to settle on me journeying over there for a month before my Summer in Italy.

It's been a difficult month apart for the both of us. And while, much more incomparable, tragic events are happening in the world it brings perspective to the small things in our own lives. Like, simply wanting to be with the ones we love.

If you're still reading :) I'll be in Toronto from March 31st - May 11th. I'll be in Arriving in Rome on May 12th and will have two glorious days to get rid of jet lag before heading up to Bologna for Federica and GG's Wedding!

If you'd like to schedule a session while I'm in Italy - Let me know, as I am beyond excited to shoot my heart out while I'm there!

Hope everyone has a beautiful rest of the week.

Abby & Nikki

2011-03-17T23:45:00.000-07:00

Dear Abby , you're growing up to be a lovely young woman. You talk more sass than I could have ever dreamed of!! I'd like to take credit for some of that :) You're a kick ass kid with the whole world at her feet. Keep dreaming big and keep God close to your heart. I love you.

ps. boys lie.

Anita and Brian

2011-03-16T16:42:00.000-07:00

Early Spring Sessions

2011-03-04T08:46:00.000-08:00

Hey Everyone!

I'll be leaving California on March 30th. Heading over to Toronto for a look around and then its off to Italy for May, June and July. Here is some information if you'd like to schedule a Lifestyle session.

www.ggphotographie.com

:: To view current sessions: Click Here & Here

:: Scheduling sessions - March 8th until March 22nd
:: Weekday Session (Monday-Friday) $325
:: Weekend Session (Saturday-Sunday) $350

Email: info@ggphotographie.com
Phone: 818.397.5183

Have a wonderful weekend!

Emily & Dan

2011-03-01T08:59:00.000-08:00

highway 1 ♥♥

2011-02-16T15:29:00.000-08:00

highway 1 ♥

2011-02-14T14:28:00.000-08:00

melting ...

2011-01-27T09:37:00.000-08:00

... over the Mediterranean

si, lo so...

2011-01-26T10:14:00.000-08:00

love at the Getty

2011-01-17T11:53:00.001-08:00

2011

2011-01-09T09:14:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone!
I know I've neglected my blog. My poor baby, she's looking quite lonely in the corner of the World Wide Web. My hope is to fill these pages once again with pictures of my travels and my journey towards... whatever. :)

I wanted to give an update.

So.... (deep breath) I was to return to Rome at the end of October and have stayed until the end of the Summer. Unfortunately, americans are only allowed a 90 day tourist visa and the Italians frown upon foreigners livin' it up on their cappuccinos and tomatoes. Who can blame them? I wouldn't want them over here taking all our ... all our ... um, hmm. Anyway, I will be in California until May. I'll then leave for Italy for 3 months, like a good American. and Return every summer for wedding season. I do wish I could live in the Italian countryside. One day, perhaps. Until then, May 2011, I am available here in the states. For, weddings, portrait sessions, cocktail parties, sleepovers etc.

I do miss being in Rome... immensely. I love Italy like one would love a best friend. It was incredibly good to me and remains a constant reminder of how beautiful life is when you let go of fear and live in love. It's almost as if it held my hand for those 18 months while I came to.

October was a monumental month for me. I let go of a weight that has been hanging on my heart for over 5 years. It saddened me to lose something I never really had; something that wasn't really even mine to begin with. I carry regret, unfortunately, but I left it behind and only look back with relief and with a love I don't think I'll ever be able to understand.

I'm a believer in all things happen for a reason and with time on my side something in the universe has shifted, along with my heart. I won't go into too much detail just yet. Let's just say, all the plans I had for the next 2-3 years have somehow been picked up by love and are now in the hands of fate. (God, i dont mean to sound so cheesy, it just happens. I swear)

I vow here and now to update a bit more frequently. I've made so many friends because of this blog and I have met some INCREDIBLE people as well... I look forward to 2011.

I hope everyone had a beautiful holiday season.

SD light

2010-12-23T17:01:00.000-08:00

look how they shine for you

2010-12-14T06:18:00.000-08:00

before we said goodbye

2010-12-08T09:56:00.000-08:00

Ninjabread Men

2010-12-05T17:11:00.000-08:00

YES!

Please don't hate on grandmas old school decor =)

Get all your ingredients together

2/3 cup of shortening

1/2 cup of brown sugar

2tsp ground ginger

1tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground cloves

pinch of salt

1 egg

3/4 cup of molasses

3 cups of flour

1tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

Quietly cream together the shortening, sugar, spices and salt

Add egg and mix into the night.

Sift in the flour, baking soda, and baking powder with deadly accuracy

OH yeah, I forgot to add the molasses... throw it in there

mix mix mix - i used my hands after I broke moms mixing thingy.

Oh... i also forgot the cinnamon. throw it in!

Place the dough in the fridge so it can chill out.

Roll your dough, cut your ninjas out and place them carefully on your cookie sheet.

Let the men cool

Once cooled, put them together... let them form alliances.

dress them and then unleash your ninjas ...

Finish him!!

Fatality.

xmas love

2010-12-04T18:35:00.000-08:00

my Sacramentinos

2010-11-30T16:59:00.000-08:00

oh yes... and The Lana

Yesenia & Eric

2010-11-29T11:47:00.000-08:00

warmly yours, the Kaspar's

2010-11-28T11:50:00.000-08:00

Thankful

2010-11-25T19:46:00.000-08:00

Holiday Promotion!

2010-11-05T18:21:00.000-07:00

Carin and Seth

2010-11-02T01:41:00.000-07:00

Orange Bata ♥

2010-10-26T23:15:00.000-07:00

:)

2010-10-11T13:03:00.000-07:00

Roma, mi manchi...

2010-09-14T00:15:00.000-07:00

The first time I saw this view I thought it was a mirage. I could see Piazza Venezia coming into view, slowly. My jaw dropping lower and lower as I approached it. I remember standing at the edge of Via del Corso and thinking, "Oh My world... that thing is huge!" - And then an inappropriate joke popped into my head quickly after.

I was standing there alone so I wasn't able to share it... until now.

Gabriela & Isabela

2010-09-08T23:41:00.000-07:00

Big (small) update

2010-09-04T14:25:00.000-07:00

My Wedding website should be live this week; I'm so excited. Its way late so I'm antsy about getting it online. The website will turn into www.warmpears.com where you can decide to enter the site or enter the blog. (IF I can figure that out, of course)
Here's a sneak peek.

I'm spending today editing and keeping out of the triple digit heat. Tomorrow I have a wedding and Labor Day I'll spend with my family. Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend!

California girls

2010-09-01T15:26:00.000-07:00

Revisiting Paris

2010-08-31T19:33:00.000-07:00

lil bit of San Francisco

2010-08-28T14:15:00.000-07:00

Best friend and I took a small vaca in San Francisco.

"you're so pritty"

We met up with the lovely, Nycala =)

see you soon, SF!

cynthia,josh,jyllian,lil cyn,steven

2010-08-27T10:46:00.000-07:00

Getting in on the mustache action

Five in Focus

2010-08-26T08:14:00.000-07:00

I was asked by www.filminfocus.com about my views on five of my favorite Italian films and how they represent what I love and hate about Italy. You can read my submission here FIVE IN FOCUS .

Nycala

2010-08-25T10:21:00.000-07:00

Hotel Deev-uh

2010-08-24T01:05:00.000-07:00

here in San Francisco on business and a little pleasure... I'll be here until Wednesday evening.

All client emails and phone calls will be returned by Friday afternoon.

Lots of pictures of SF coming up. Hope everyone has a lovely week!

Crazy yet so delightful

2010-08-22T15:40:00.000-07:00

Jamie and her boys

2010-08-18T18:29:00.000-07:00

what a pretty mama =)

Walka Walka fam.

2010-08-17T08:43:00.000-07:00

It's kinda all about Lo.

Kim and Nancy

2010-08-16T10:45:00.000-07:00

McAteer's

2010-08-15T17:19:00.002-07:00

Lorelai & Mabel {1}

2010-08-11T20:33:00.000-07:00

keeping watch

2010-08-09T15:43:00.000-07:00

Kaspar's

2010-08-08T08:51:00.000-07:00

when it was all over...

Christen & Greg

2010-08-07T13:47:00.000-07:00

celebrating their 5th year anniversary in a few months

The high I needed

2010-08-05T12:24:00.001-07:00

Cynthia

2010-07-31T08:12:00.000-07:00

my didds

2010-07-26T22:23:00.000-07:00

Jessica

Close enough.

2010-07-24T20:34:00.000-07:00

I've been in California almost 3 full days. It feels so good to be here... I didn't think it would feel this good but it really does. I've been slowly visiting loved ones. It's a bit difficult to get around with no car and an expired drivers license. Luckily I have really good friends with spare time. My jet lag has me wanting to nap every 3 hours and I wake up in the middle of the night, bright eyed and bushy tailed. So... I'm slowing acclimating.

I was able to find a "pay as you go" phone. It's the best way to get a hold of me now. If you have a session booked in August. I will be making phone calls and emails to you this week.

mobile number: 818.445.8812
email: gg@warmpears.com

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

one more time around my block.

2010-07-20T00:31:00.000-07:00

Cortese Clan

2010-07-18T03:23:00.000-07:00

I met Anthony over the fabulous world wide web. You can find him HERE, HERE and if you really want to stalk him... HERE. This TWO TIME EMMY AWARD WINNING, father and husband (he's going to kill me) takes awesome photographs and edits film and "stuff" in NY.

We met up top of the gorgeous hotel his family was staying at, Domus Sessoriana, and took a few family portraits. There was a gorgeous sunset while we had wine and cheese. One of the reasons I love and will miss Italy dearly while I'm gone; the small moments with breathtaking views.

This is his lovely wife, Maria and their beautiful daughter, Isabel.

We went to dinner later and Isabel said she'd like to go to the disco afterwards. Then she asked if it would be like the disco she went to in the Dominican Republic. Um... I want this kids life =)

The whole clan. Enjoy the rest of your trip!

Ponte Umberto I

2010-07-17T07:47:00.000-07:00

Friday Morning, sometime around 3:30AM, I was on the Tevere walking along Ponte Umberto. I watched the sunrise with a good friend and we shot some long exposures. The first thing I learned about shooting these type of photographs is you need a clean sensor. I mean, your sensor should always be clean buuuuut... It shouldn't look like a petri dish with little microbes swimming around. Here is a picture I took and then cleaned up a bit in post. My equipment is going into the shop as soon as I'm home and then I'll try this again.

It wasn't a waste though... being out that early and watching Rome slowly wake up was beautiful.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

updates

2010-07-14T15:06:00.000-07:00

Clarifying some things for my readers (ALL 8 OF YOU)

I'm not leaving Italy for good. How could I possibly? I'm taking a trip to the US next week and I'll return to Rome, Italy sometime in the fall... preferably before southern California gets its fire on.

While I am home in the states, I'll be working on my wedding photography website that will go live sometime in August. Word will spread like wildfire and I'll be booked for 2011 in Italy in like, less than week! uh huh! uh huh! Did you hear that world? BOOK ME!

I'll also be traveling to Seattle by car. That's right. The girl who hasn't driven in over a year will take a 1200 mile road trip up the coast. I'll have to get my drivers license renewed, of course.

Between launching my website, traveling, eating tacos, and photo sessions. You can find me in the arms of loved ones. They are definitely not prepared for the hugfest that will commence the moment I'm home.

After the sessions I had last month I haven't photographed much lately. Mostly because its so incredibly hot and carrying around a big black thing in 90 degree heat makes me feel faint just thinking about it. However, I plan on doing Rome up right before I leave.

Having said all that... everything is kinda up in the air.

Florence bound

2010-07-11T05:50:00.000-07:00

Orvieto

2010-07-10T11:35:00.000-07:00

Took a day trip to Orvieto today with my wonderful friend, Alexis. She's from Florida and came to Rome for an internship with IFAD. We set out early and enjoyed walking around the lovely city. It's a great town to see in if you have some time while visiting Rome. Takes a little over an hour to get to by train and the ticket one way is around 7 euro. We had a new gelato flavor that changed our lives. La Musa ... heard of it?

The bus to take us back to the station broke down and we waited for 20 min on a packed bus. It was probably in the high 90's and we were slowly melting in our seats. Fortunately there was a wonderful, older, French couple sitting next to us and after letting the husband finish the rest of the water I had in my canteen. His wife took out her water spritzer and sprayed Alexis and I all over. Thank God for nice french people .... =)

Hope everyones having a great weekend! I'm off to Firenze tomorrow and I'll be back Wednesday night.

we passed a small fruit store and this amazing avocado was sitting uptop on a pile of blackberries.

my 4th and yours

2010-07-06T03:17:00.000-07:00

One of my beloveds recorded their Firework Show. I was so touched. Anyone one who knows me, knows fireworks are one of my favorite things in life. They're magical and when shared with good music, loved ones and warm nights... It makes this girl all kinds of happy =)

I have so many memories linked to fireworks; as a child they were there at every fourth of July, New Years Eve and DisneyLand! There was also fireworks the night I lost my virginity (real ones not metaphorical ones) and the firework show I saw at Dodger Stadium was one of the last pleasant moments I had with my former spouse. I anticipate the next time I see those bang, bang Booms in the sky; I will feel warm, safe and loved.

Thank you again, Cynthia, for thinking of me. Can't wait to see you! xx

I hope those who celebrated the Fourth of July had a wonderful holiday weekend. Here's what mine looked liked.

Thank you Federica for the lovely visit I had in Bologna. You're a sweet spirit with so much talent.