Bet you didn't know it, but I thought a lot about the armed forces when I was a senior in high school. But, more truthfully...I thought a lot about the armed forces GUYS that were in San Diego all around me. Marines, Navy, etc. I dated a few of them. Top Gun was so popular earlier and I lived near a Navy base...how could I not? Maybe Ice Man was waiting for me, right? Sadly, I can honestly say that there were never any groups of hot guys playing volleyball on base when I went by the barracks. Myth busted. And, the guys have to wear orange safety vests while on their motorcycles on base. Not nearly as sexy as Tom Cruise's black leather jacket and tight white t-shirt. Another myth busted. How did I start on this topic? Well, I shot Alex's senior photos tonight and he told me he's going into the Air Force after college...and it got me to remembering my senior year. A little different than his, but still worth sharing the memory. Alex laughed at my sad, pathetic jokes...so he's my friend now. Thanks Alex and Clare for hanging out with me tonight, I truly had a blast. Alex is in the Explorer program, and so we got a cool pic in his uniform. He was also kind enough to indulge me in a classic Reno 911 pose. Love that show!

In preparation for our session, Morgan told me that she was "the most unphotogenic person ever". Ummm...yeah right. As you look at the photos below, I think we could all call her crazy. She needs to see some photos of me to compare what unphotogenic really looks like. LOL! Morgan's a horse and ranch girl. She brought 4 of her horses along for the session...and if you know me, you'll know I'm not much of a horse girl. I know they eat carrots. I know people ride them. And I know they don't like flies. That's the extent of my horse knowledge. Luckily Morgan did the horse wrangling for the photos, and I just stayed behind the camera and tried not to back up into a horse. Good luck picking a single picture for the yearbook, Morgan. I had a hard time narrowing it down to less than 20 for the blog. Morgan's friend Alex (aka Erica) came along for the fun times. Always a danger that I'll put you in front of the camera too, if you tag along for a session. Thanks Erica!

Gina and Greg just had a second daughter about a month ago. Her name is... KATE Oh, I could just die. Kate. Ok, she might not be named *after* me in the strictest of definitions. BUT, it does mean that I didn't make such a bad impression from our family session last year that the name was tainted. You know how that is...that kid you just couldn't stand. My kids were never going to be name Abby or Mindy because of well, *those* girls from school. (My apologies to all the Abby and Mindy people out there.) Anyways, Kate is yummy cute. She is getting all sorts of cheeks and rolls...just adorable. I am absolutely kicking myself right now though...in the excitement of the photos, I forgot to sniff her little baby skin! ACK...that's one of the best smells in the world, and I never even sniffed her. I am so bummed. Do you remember when your babies could do that little disjointed hip, frog legs thing? Where did the time go?

Big Sister Sydney was such a great helper. She loves to feed her sister, pat her back, give her kisses. So sweetness.

Andrea (aka maid of honor at her sister's wedding recently) rocked it tonight. We plodded through some treacherous territory. I paid mother nature extra to bring me a wind machine and some killer light. And, the results are a set of Facebook worthy photos. She's gonna be able to change her profile picture to a new, cool one every week for a year! Thanks Andrea (and Sandy) for hanging out with me tonight. What a perfect evening...and I'll let you know if I find that lip gloss. =) By the way, if any blog readers are on Facebook...let's be friends! You can find me in there, Katie DiSimone. It's my newest fun zone! Just what I needed, another application on my iPhone to check on. Most used four currently are Facebook, 2Across (a crossword app), Quordy (a boggle game), and Tetris. If they get Pacman on it, I could be in trouble. LOL

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG...LOVE this one!

Amanda is a senior in high school in Seattle.  She's tasked with that dreaded chore of getting her senior pictures done.  Then, she had a brilliant idea to take the photos at a place she loves.  The California Beach.  So, on her trip to SLO this week, she and I hooked up and did some proper beach shots!  She truly is a California girl...swimmer, lifeguard, diver, surfer...so I think this was the perfect choice for her.

This sure makes me jealous of my crappy senior photos.  We all had to go to the same studio.  The girls had to take off their tops and wear an off-the-shoulder drape *HIDEOUS*.  The guys had a fake tuxedo that they wore like a straight jacket, there was no back to it!  Oh, the horror.  I personally think that the photo would derail any political aspirations for me.  Some snoopy reporter would dig up my senior photo and I'd be publically humiliated...never to win an election with a velvet off-the-shoulder drape and huge tan lines.  LOL!

and one special photo that I'm sure Amanda's parents will appreciate