Aubry in San Diego.

There are so many people on this earth that have similar lives. Each day we all go through the motions of living yet each of us has our own version of the story. The story of life.

If I had a twin out there it would be Aubry. Our life stories are parallel in SO many ways. It's true- we are both directionally challenged! However, our similarities are mostly within the hardships we have experienced. You know, the part of life that chews you up spits you out and leaves you there with a choice. To be consumed by the pain or to get back up and stand. It's a choice. Aubry and I made the choice to stand back up every time the hammer of life would pound us into the ground like a tent stake. A simple decision to get back up is so pivotal because I believe it's the part of life that molds us, shapes us and makes us stronger each time we are tested. It defines who we are. If we didn't have an age difference, I would swear we were separated at birth.

Aubry is my cousin and I hadn't seen her in over twelve years. Last time I saw her she was still a spunky little girl. So, when she picked me up from the airport- I was in awe. When I looked into her eyes I saw my own. Before my visit I had imagined being a tourist while Aubry gave me a personal tour of the city. Aubry in San Diego unvieled something much much better to me. Instead of a city tour, we happily found ourselves stationary on her living room couch each day. We talked- that's it. She talked, I listened. I talked, she listened. Occasionally we breathed when we started to feel lightheaded. Oh don't worry, we took the occasional latte break to refuel before resuming our positions. After all, we did have many years to catch up on!

The second time I visited Aubry in San Diego we actually left the couch a bit more. We went to the backyard and took some pictures!

Here is Aubry in San Diego!

Gotta love her laugh!

She's a desert girl that surfs- it's total body work out. Here is the proof!! On a side note I must confess two things... 1. Aubry took me surfing and I learned that I cannot surf. 2. I am so jealous of her amazing surfers body!
This is a spin off of the classic cig shot- Aubry is not a smoker.

She is very flexible...

....and does this for her 'party trick.'
Spunk.

This is me and Aubry. The first photo we ever took together!
I love this one!

I am so proud of you Aubry. I know I should have told you this when I said goodbye to you at the airport or while leaving a permanent couch print in your living room. I admire you for breaking the cycles- for finding a way out of the hard circular patterns of life. Thank you for not compromising yourself or your values and for holding onto your spunk. I think about the words of Gandhi you hand painted on your wall: Be the change you wish to see in the world. Thank you Aubry! I love you for the person you choose to be.

Matt Esparza High School Senior!

I had only known Matt for 5 minutes when he began telling me the drama stories in the day of the life in high school. I found Matt to be mature beyond his age when he spoke of civil rights and I could clearly see that he is the type of person who stands up for himself with great confidence. He is also open minded and didn't think twice when I asked him to climb the side of a building- exactly my kind of customer! Many times during Matt's photo session, I found myself laughing so much that I had to stop to breathe normally for a few moments. Matt is a witty character who easily shares his life stories without hesitation of being judged.

lookin' cool here

Matt reminds me of a Hollister model in this one- minus the cologne. (Inside joke...heehee)I LOVE this shot- one of my most favorites EVER!!
lovin' the texture of this wall

His soccer ball matched the wall... who knew?

A huge thank you goes out to The Duus Family for referring Matt to me!! Thank you!!! Also, I want to personally thank Matt- thanks for being you. By the way, I am still chuckling when I think about your 'bowl-cut' comment.... you are too funny!

Cynthia + Shad are ENGAGED!

Cynthia and Shad know the meaning of loving something and letting it go. Their eyes met many years ago and neither one of them expressed they way they felt- so they walked away carrying their secret with them. Time did not stop and neither did their thoughts of one another. So when life's fork in the road led them together again it was meant to be. Some call it fate. So, if you truly love something just let it go...... love always finds it's way back to where it belongs. For Cynthia and Shad this time is for keeps.


They are so cute! WOW!
They look at each other with such love!I LOVE this last shot of them sitting on the edge of the road!
Thank you for the great chat after your session- you are wonderful people who deserve the love you share.We are going to have so much fun on your wedding day in 2009!

Jessica and Marc are gettin' married!!

We were greeted by a little black nose sniffing under a wooden fence. When the front door of Jessica and Marc's door was opened, there stood before us was the rest of the cute black nose. His name is Boston (named after the city where Marc is from) a friendly little dog! Jessica and Marc welcomed us into their beautiful home (lovin' the purple wall) and nicely manicured backyard. Pewter belongs to Jessica and he kept running inside the house to check on her- how cute!

Jessica and Marc are getting married this October! A beautiful time of year for their celebration!!

Thank you for choosing Eastbrook Studios to capture your moments of laughter and love! And also, a special thanks to Marc for not running us over.....heehee!! Seriously though, thanks.

so much passion!

i LOVE this one- so romantic and dreamy!

i love the random dog in this shot.... love makes everything but the person standing in front of you disappear.

The Romero Family!

Crystal, Adam and all five of their girls (yes, five- you read that right) are such a wonderful family! I have been photographing the Romero family long before they were seven in total. What impresses me most is how this family arrives fully dressed with matching attire and all the girl's hair combed perfectly for every photo session. I often think... Do the Romero's have hairdressers and stylists hidden in the back of their SUV?? I am constantly awed by the organization this family has- I suppose with five children it's crucial! Crystal is like wonder woman running around (selflessly may I add) making sure all the girls are primped and photo ready. Adam makes sure the girls have something to snack on and happily entertains his pretty girls. Talk about teamwork!


I am so thankful for Crystal and Adam trusting me to capture their girls as they grow! They are such a beautiful family and always a joy to see!

This was Christmas 2007 'pre twins'.
This one still cracks me up!

'Bellie' and Rosea at two weeks- so tiny!!

Here are the twins now- look how much they have grown!!

Jayden loves the camera!

Michelle + Jason are in love!!!

When April from Sweet Blessings called me to tell me that Michelle and Jason needed a photographer she said to me, 'I think you're really gonna like this couple.' April was wrong. I love them!! Michelle and Jason are the ideal kind of couple for Eastbrook Studios. You might ask, why so? To sum it up simply: They can be themselves. (And as a bonus- their wedding colors were black and hot pink. Totally awesome!!!)

The sun brightly shone down on Michelle holding her daddy's hand, as he led her each step closer to Jason. Her daddy happily led her up the isle to be given away, where waiting for them- the perfect gentleman. All of the guests could hear Jason's sincerity in the kind words he spoke to Michelle as she approached him, 'You look incredible.' And with that, Michelle comfortably flirted, which was followed by a giggle. When Jason and Michelle were given the cue to share their first kiss the guests were in for a surprise. Unknown to Michelle and everyone watching, Jason bent down and easily lifted all 82 pounds of pure cuteness up into his arms and they kissed. Everyone continued to smile and clap and they kissed some more! In between the two kisses they looked at each other and actually took a moment to flirt! It's who they are and exactly what they do!!

The interaction between this couple is loveable and I am sure that if you were to bump into them anywhere, chances are that Jason is carrying Michelle in his arms..... because after all, it is what the perfect gentleman does.

I am so tickled pink that Michelle and Jason chose Eastbrook Studios to capture their day! <3

Here is one of my favorites from their rockin' engagement session in the street!

i love LOVE this shot of Michelle on the playground + i also adore the little girl on the next swing over!

The best first kiss EVER.

The flirting between kisses!

The awesome polka dotted cake from Sweet Blessings Bakery. The guitar cake was so cool too!

Super sweet!

The rain poured on Michelle and Jason's day- a wedding day blessing for a long marriage!

9.11 I remember, do you?

It's hard to believe that seven years has past. Four years before Jaxon (pictured above) was born.

As I close my eyes, I remember....

The phone rang in the middle of the night, a typical humid New Zealand night. Peter answered, tapped lightly on the door and whispered, 'Sarah, your dad is on the phone.' I was half awake when my dad said, 'New York is being attacked.' In my half slumber (and being from New Mexico) I instantly thought of aliens. In dreams or in moments of half awareness things like that oddly make sense. I was confused, sat up in bed and turned the TV on to CNN. I shifted my eyes towards the glass paned french doors that led outside to the upstairs balcony. In the reflection of the glass, I could see my kiwi family all leaning towards the glowing television, where smoke bellowed from the first plane that collided with the tower. Everyone in the room was silent. Directing my attention back to the TV, the second plane hit and we all gasped in unison. I quickly looked away from the TV and stared outside into the darkness- twinkling lights sparkled off of the Auckland harbor water. Looking past Rangitoto Island, into black darkness, I imaged my family back in America and instinctively wished my family were safe with me, in New Zealand. I was more than 7000 miles away from my family. I was further away from New Mexico than I ever felt before, utterly helpless. Thinking ........why??? I clutched tightly onto my future husbands hand, instantly feeling safer.

I open my eyes, I remember.

Approaching my dad's house yesterday, I saw hanging at half mass, the strong colors of America. Two and a half year old Jaxon was running around the yard, laughing and rolling in the grass, oblivious of 9.11- as he should be. I grabbed my camera and asked Jaxon to hug the flag pole. He did. But as he let go, he quickly leaned towards the pole and said, 'Oh- and a kiss too.'