Hope ya’ll are having a great day with your families!

Ill be replying to all my emails tomorrow!

Update: May 2nd. It looks like 2 eggs didnt hatch and mamma goose has abandoned the nest to start a new one across the pond. So sad. But the four little ones are too cute. Its crazy to watch instinct take over between the mother goose and the father goose. The dad hung around and gaurded the nest from afar  before the eggs hatched. Any other duck that got too close to their nest would have heck to pay for! Honking and feathers flying everywhere. (thank goodness for my 70-200 lens!) Dad goose didnt really pay any big attention to the actual nest before they hatched but was watching over very proud the day they were born (above photo) Now whereever they travel the babies are in the middle of both of them. And they are even more protective than ever!

Well you know how my job is to document things? Well that SO didnt happen! I was so busy making sure everything was going right.. and their were copious amounts of bubbly refreshments in peoples hands… that I forgot to take pictures! However we did have the photo booth………..which wouldnt you know, half of my guests didnt make it to! Its ok, I remember you were there! But heres what resulted from the booth:

Elaine and John, from Elaine Bell Catering, they brought a beautiful spread of food that blew me and my other guests away! Did I mention it was delicious?! Matt and I in a traditional prom pose and then Matt looking like a goof ball eating one of Elaine’s desserts. Jennifer the incredibly talented owner and designer of Lush Floral. I so lucky to get to work with her as often as I do!

David Lew, The friend I’ve known the longest in life: since the 1st grade! Sierra and Derrick, old high school friends and clients. Yes, we all went to school together…. can we say yearbook nerds!? Love you guys!

I love this photo Sierra took: we were mocking the “now smell your bouquet” bride portraits from the 80′s. The bouquet was a sweet gift from Joanne of Boutique Events. She even made sure to match the studio with a blue ribbon!

Rose Hyc, James and Lisa Sanders both photographers of the greater bay area. Matt and I being dorks. Then my sister Leanne and her family who trekked out from Lodi!

You might remember Ashley, Matt and Alyssa from a few months back.

Kelly and I mocking an intimates pose! And last but not least…. Kelly and Ramiro who also drove a ways to come to the opening.

I was one of the privileged three in the room. I photographed for the first 10 minutes and then it came to a point where Ashley needed a bit of extra help. Matt and her mother took to the sides and I helped her curl forward. When the midwife said “this will be the last push and she’s here” I went in this mode: Like a stealth photographer (I’m laughing as I write this btw!) I let go of her shoulders for a sec and swooped down to grab the camera off the ground. As I stood up I pushed between her shoulders and started the rapid fire on my camera. I got THE shot. (not posted though… dont want child services coming after me!) My favorite shot from the whole day.

Its funny: the days leading up to her birth EVERYONE was asking me are you sure? Are you sure you want to take part in this and witness a birth? Do I really want to be even more terrified of having kids than I already am? (No joke, the idea scares the heck out of me!) I would not have had it any other way.

Ashley and Matt: I can not thank you enough. Really. I will remember this experience for the rest of my life and will forever be tied to you and your beautiful baby girl. Ashley, I am SOOOOO proud of you, looking back on the whole set of photos I cry again. (my Matt is standing over me chuckling right now) You will be one amazing mother. And Matt: I have no doubt in my mind Alyssa will grow up a comedian. There will always be smiles in the Aldridge-Baker household til the end of time.

She will be loved.

notice the death grip:

and what becomes of it:

smokin hot, even in labor!

The nurses totally staged this shot…. wrapped around daddy’s little finger already.

Unfortunately the UPS guy dropped it off when it was close to dark out, so I quickly shot the cherry blossoms that just started blooming out front. More photos to come from an engagement session I have this weekend!

Oh, and now with the new blog you will be seeing massive photos like this one from now on. Looks like a watercolor painting to me:

Here are a few from the show:

It feels straight out of Grace Ormonde magazine doesnt it?!

Here are some shots from my trip. My favorite is the detail of the barn wall, it looks like I photoshopped all the color out, but it was actually shot that way.