new year

happy birthday

to me! image courtesy of amy atlas

merry christmas

mini session

i was so happy to hear from the m. family as it has been quite a few years since we have done photos. it is always fun to see how much the kids have grown!

first night

happy first night of hannukah! even if you don't celebrate the holiday, you should try some latkes (potato pancakes). they are absolutely delicious. not the healthiest food in the world but super yummy!
trader joes has some latkes in the frozen section. just warm them up and then add some sour cream. mmm..mmm.

friday

here are a few more photos of sophie. this little one is so sweet!
have a beautiful weekend!
thank you so much to everyone who has submitted a nominee for the photo give-away. each story is heartbreaking in its own way. there is no way that i will be able to choose one person over another as everyone is so deserving of a special gift. i will probably have to pick a name out of a hat. the winner will be announced on january 1st so you still have time to nominate someone if you have not done so already.

8 miles

**team in training update**
i have decided to stick around town and do the san francisco 1/2 marathon instead of going out to new orleans. as much as i would love to visit my sister (a med. student at tulane), the first week of february is not a great week for dana to have a visitor. so, i will do the 1/2 marathon here and then go out to new orleans when she is not in the middle of midterms!
saturday was the first long distance training and i managed to walk and run for 8 miles without a problem! hooray!
fundraising is going well. i have to admit that i was nervous about asking people for money but it hasn't been so hard. i truly feel that i am asking for a whole bunch of people - for anyone who has had cancer as well as anyone who has lost someone they love to cancer.
go team!

t.g.i.f.

we end the week with a few photos of malakai. absolutely adorable!
thank you to those of you who have sent messages regarding the photo session giveaway.
i also appreciate the comments for the canned food drive. if you haven't done so already, leave a comment! the contest ends today (friday) at midnight so you still have time.
enjoy the weekend!
(thank you to meg at a practical wedding for spreading the news about the photo session give away! if you have not been to her blog....go! now!)

giving is awesome

I have decided to participate in an AWESOME give-away project. Jasmine Star (an amazing photographer in Orange County) wrote about it on her blog and I could not resist.
Giving is Awesome consists of over 100 photographers (see map of participants above) who are offering services and products to people who need some holiday cheer. The premise is simple: think of someone you know who deserves custom photography but can't afford it. Nominate them to win it. Sit back and bask in your own awesomeness.
So, put on your thinking caps.
Can you think of someone in your life who is struggling to stay afloat? Do you know someone who has experienced a tragedy or is experiencing some tough times? Someone who volunteers selflessly? Do you know someone who can't afford custom photography, but who would cherish it this holiday season?
I want to know who they are, and I want to give them a photo session plus prints and enlargements.
Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a $250 credit towards a portrait session, reprints or a wedding photography. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be, people?
The fine print:
* You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-vacation-home in Paris does not qualify as sincere financial need.)
* The nominee must reside in California - preferably the San Francisco Bay Area. Tell me who you know, what they're experiencing, and why they deserve a photo session. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well. (Please note that you may choose to remain anonymous to the recipient. I wouldn't want anyone to feel uncomfortable!)
* You must e-mail me the full story : loren@lorenwphoto.com
The winner will be announced on January 1st.
I can't wait to read all of your entries!
Open your heart to someone this holiday season -- and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.
Cheers, Loren

baby girl

this is sophie. so beautiful!
more photos coming soon...
please come back tomorrow for a wonderful giveaway!

Cans for Comments Food Drive

All week long, for any comment left on this blog I will donate one can (or non-perishable item) to a local food bank! I have been a bit lonely lately - people have not been leaving comments. So, for every comment that is left I will pay it forward and give to someone in need. A little bit of love goes a long way. If you are not sure what to write for your comment..here is a question to get you started...
What is your favorite canned or boxed food?

All responses on this blog from now until Friday, December 12 (midnight) will turn into donation for a local food bank.
Don't be afraid to pass along to friends, family and co-workers! The more, the merrier!< br>

mini session - sneak peek

i must start out with a big thank you to all of the very generous people who have given donations to my team in training campaign! thank you! you made my week! training is going well. i have been doing 2-4 miles a day. this feels like a good start although this is a far cry from my goal of 13 miles! have a great weekend! more adorable children from the marathon of mini sessions....

mini session - sneak peek

yet another super cute family from the pre-school.
this little guy has a great personality! what a sweetie pie!

mini session - sneak peek

last saturday, i spent an entire day photographing families from menlo park children center. i had a great time with all of the kids and we lucked out with an absolutely beautiful gingko tree right behind the school. the tree had dropped a lot of leaves and it looked like a beautiful yellow carpet.
my day started with the very cute boys from the r. family. what a treat!

sneak peek

the j. family is so much fun to photograph. the photo session didn't start off so well as the first venue was closed (oops!) but we drove to stanford and found some great spots around campus.
i love this family! the twins are so sweet and their big brother is so gentle.
enjoy

just do it

i need to share something personal...
i have tried my best to keep this blog light and avoid any big issues but something big has happened in my family. my brother was diagnosed with hodgkin lymphoma this summer. his life has been turned upside down as he has moved back to california from d.c. and is getting treatment at stanford.
when someone you love is sick, there is a feeling of helplessness. what can i do to make him feel better? what can i do to make the cancer disappear? we know that the team at stanford is amazing but i want to do more. team in training approached my brother about being an honoree which means people train and complete athletic events to honor his battle with cancer. so, i signed up with the team.
this is a big challenge for me. i enjoy walking and will get on the treadmill or walk around the neighborhood for exercise but i have never come close to 13 miles! this is a personal challenge for me yet i also feel that it is something i have to do for my brother. he did not have a choice about getting cancer.
the 1/2 marathon takes place on february 1st and i have a lot of walking/running to do before the big day! i will let you know how things are going with my training.
if you have any advice or words of wisdom on completing a half marathon..please share with me!
if you feel like giving to the cause, here is the link for my fundraising page: loren's team in training page.

thanksgiving

i am thankful for.... - my two children; they bring pure joy to my life. their smiles and laughter make my heart sing. - my husband; for his constant support and patience - my family; their unconditional love and support gives me strength - my brother who is the strongest person that i know - my friends who support me and look after me - my home; i am so grateful for a space to come home to every day have a wonderful thanksgiving holiday weekend! "May gratitude continue to take over your heart -- crowding out worry, fear, jealousy, envy, hate and the litany of other useless emotions." [pumpkin pie image from 101cookbooks.com]

sneak peek

this truck was a perfect addition for our photo session....we drove out to an orchard in portola valley and the truck (a.k.a. lucy) fit right in!
have a fabulous thanksgiving holiday!

sneak peek

i had a lovely photo session with the w. family. we met at ardenwood which was perfect since the extended family lives on both sides of the bay. if you live in the bay area and have never been to ardenwood, it is a beautiful park!
they are four boys and another little boy on the way! all of the cousins were running around and having fun together. everyone in this family is so sweet!
here are a few of my favorites...enjoy!