Mother/Daughter Bond, originally uploaded by lmentler.

This is one of my oldest and dearest friends with her daughter. The beauty of their relationship shines through in this picture - that's why I love it so much.

What's Important

What's Important, originally uploaded by lmentler.

This is the photo that really got me thinking about professional photography. I submitted this for my second homework assignment for Ken McCoy's photography class at Fresno Adult School. He was very impressed and said that it was a great stock photo. I haven't tried to sell it or anything, I just love this pic. The assignment was to photograph something important to you ... I think that the picture speaks for itself.

Sweetie Pie

Sweetie Pie, originally uploaded by lmentler.

This is a picture I took of my youngest niece back in November. I am drawn to her eyes in this picture and I feel like she is looking right at me. I like to get close to my subjects so that they fill the frame and I don't always like my subjects to be centered in the frame.

I am very excited because I will be taking some newborn shots soon. My friend is due with her son very soon!

Yummy!

Brandon's Birthday Cake, originally uploaded by lmentler.

This was taken right before Brandon's first birthday. It was the first time that I actually practiced my photography on anyone besides my family. He had so much fun with that cake. It was everywhere!

In Memory

Total Boy, originally uploaded by lmentler.

Brandon Everett Beatty
Sept. 2, 2005 - Dec. 26, 2006

I was sitting here for the longest time trying to find the best thing to write. Brandon was a very special, amazing little boy. He had the most beautiful blue eyes and was such a bundle of energy. I feel so lucky to have been able to see him so often and spend so much time with him and his mommy. He was my son's best friend.
Sebastian looked at this picture of Brandon on the monitor this afternoon and said three words, "Dindin" (meaning Brandon), he paused and then said "fwriend", and finally "bubbles". I don't know how he remembers the day this was taken in October when they were playing with the bubbles. Or maybe he just remembers that Brandon loved bubbles. I don't know.
I do know that we loved him very much, we miss him everyday and I will always remember and cherish the times that I spent with him and his family.