Brings Me to Tears Every Time

I have had the amazing opportunity on numerous occasions to donate my time to charitable causes. Most of them have been photographing events and other things with my wife's company, KLK Photography. We have worked with Heart Gallery of Orange County and tonight we photographed an event for Child S.H.A.R.E.

Tonight was a fundraising event to help children in need that have been abused and neglected. With over 300 people attending, they all gave their time as well as donating money towards this amazing organization.

Every time I photograph an event like this, I find myself emotionally overwhelmed once it is over. During the event, I am photographing just like any other event. Listening to the stories and speakers as I snap away, I am still absorbing the emotions of the entire event. When I'm photographing though, I hide all of this emotion away because my primary purpose is to capture on camera what is happening.

Tonight I drove home afterward from LA, about an hour drive. I finally could start to think about the event and all the emotions that I felt. So happy that all of these people give their time and money to such a wonderful cause. At the same time, very saddened knowing about all the children that don't have  many of the things that most people have. The support network we all know as our family and friends, the constant care and unconditional love, and the parents that most of us have had all of our lives to look up to and learn from.

About half way home I realized that I didn't have the radio on, complete silence. I also had tears of sadness as I think of all the things that some of these kids don't have that many people, including myself, haven't had to think about all of their lives.

I am happy to know that their are so many amazing people in this world that care about others. I am also extremely happy knowing that I could give my time to one of these great organizations. Thank you to all of the people that give to others. A special thank you to Erin Malone and Child S.H.A.R.E. for letting me be a part of your event.

Long story short, every time I have the opportunity to give to a cause that has anything to do with children in need, it brings me to tears knowing that I can give more and hopefully in some way it will benefit someone in need. And that's exactly what I want to do, give more. There are always children that need, and anything I can do to help, I will.

Emma 1st Bday Pictures!

Emma turned 1 and my wife, Kristi Klemens (KLK Photography), and I photographed her and her family. What a doll!

Family/Preggie Shoot- Field of flowers!

Awesome time shooting Kristen and her amazing family with my wife, Kristi Klemens (KLK Photography). For about a month each year we are blessed with a field near us in San Juan Capistrano that blooms what feels like a million yellow flowers. We love taking advantage of the flowers every year for pictures. Here are some of my favorites-

Kristin Family Shoot!

We love travelling to Puerto Vallarta! We had the chance to hang out on one of our days that we were there with our good friend Kristin and her family. We work with Kristin (The Dazzling Details) quite a bit on their weddings in PV. They are amazing coordinators / designers and put together fabulous weddings. We took advantage of our time and went out in Bucerias and took some family photos of them. Here are my favorites!

Mallorca TTD with KLK Photography

I had the amazing opportunity to travel with my wife Kristi (KLK Photography) to Mallorca off the coast of Spain. Natalie & Doug hired KLK Photography to photograph their wedding and it was amazing. I am so blessed to be married to an amazing wife, not to mention, takes me with her on these amazing opportunities! ;) They were married at Ses Cases de Fetget and the following day we went to Castell Capdepera nearby for a day after shoot. The views were amazing, to say the least! We were so thankful to be able to share in Natalie & Doug's special day. Here are some of my favorites from their day after TTD shoot!

Congratulations to Natalie & Doug!

Vintage Airplane Fashion Shoot!

I went with Kristi down to San Diego to assist and shoot on one of her photoshoots. We worked with maekup artist Elle Leary and hairstylist Travisean Haynes. They are awesome to work with and styled the shoot beautifully! Our models were Kirsten Asher & Torri Santander. Needless to say, they rocked it! Here are a few of my favorites from the day.

Amber Family Shoot!

When I was in Michigan, Amber asked me to take family pictures for her. I love shooting in MI because of the colors. Her baby was awesome and they even brought their dogs to the end of the shoot. Here are my favorites!

Colorado Trip!

My wife and I love Colorado... We took a 5 day trip, drove over 1200 miles through the mountains and stayed in Breckenridge, Aspen, Boulder, and downtown Denver. One of these days I would love to live in CO! The scenery is so amazing with the mountains, blue sky, and miles of nature as far as you can see. We went on a couple of hikes while we were there and here are my favorite pics from the trip.

Maroon Bells- beautiful!

Newport Coast Engagement!

I had the opportunity to shoot an awesome engagement session with my wife Kristi, (KLK Photography). Mukesh and Erika were in California for a conference that we were photographing. They fell in love with Newport Coast and decided to get there engagement pictures while they were here. We started at Pelican Hill where they were staying and then we went to Laguna Beach. They were great and we had an awesome time with them. Congratulations Mukesh and Erika!

Los Angeles Engagement!

I shot Namal & Shehan's engagement with Kristi and her company (KLK Photography). We started at Union Station, then went to the Art District and the 4th street bridge. LA has some awesome places to shoot and we took advantage of the beautiful scenery with Namal & Shehan. Here are some of my favorites from the day!

Gotta love LA!

4H Group Shot in MI!

My nieces, Morgan and Madison, along with my nephew, Jacob, needed a group picture for their 4H group. I was glad to be able to take it for them while I was visiting my family in Michigan. The kids are awesome and we had a great field near where the group keeps all of their horses.

Madison, Morgan, and Jacob!

Laguna Beach Engagement!

Gabriel works for Beco Baby Carrier. Kristi and I shoot all of their products for marketing for them. When Gabriel and I were talking during our last Beco shoot, he wanted to have some professional pictures taken of him and his girlfriend. I met them in San Juan Capistrano to start the shoot, then we went to Laguna Beach to get some nice beach shots. Gabriel & Dionne were great, such a fun couple. Here are a few of my favorites from the day!

Laguna Beach Engagement!

I was referred to Giovanna by her sister, Maryela, a model that I have worked with in the past. Giovanna & Anthony were great to work with. They were great in front of the camera and it showed how much they love each other. We started in San Juan Capistrano and then went to Laguna Beach to enjoy and photograph the sunset. Here are my favs from the day!