Aces Camera Entusiasts - ACES

It was my pleasure to once again judge a print competition at the Anaheim Camera Enthusiasts (ACES) photography club.

ACES is open to all Orange County photography enthusiasts, from novice to professional and meets regularly in Garden Grove.

Please go to their website for more information. http://www.aces-photo.org/

Girls Incorporated of Orange County

My wife, Karen and I were honored to join Elaine R. Levin, current Secretary and past President of the Board of Directors of Girls Incorporated of OC, at her table for the third year for the annual fundraising event at the Balboa Bay Club and Resort in Newport Beach on October 29th, 2010.

Joining us at our table was one of the girls that was featured at the event, Mitzi Hermann. After becoming a member of Girls Inc. of OC in 2000, she receiving a National Scholarship from Girls Inc. and now will be graduating from the California State University, Fullerton with a degree in Domestic Violence Counseling and Addiction Counseling in May. She will be entering a Master program in the Fall.

The Girls Incorporated Mission Statement is: Inspiring all girls to be Strong, Smart, and BoldSM
Go Mitzi, and all the girls involved with Girls Inc.,OC!
To see how you can get involved with this great organization visit their website, http://www.girlsinc-oc.org/

Sunwest Bank

I have had the pleasure of photographing several company owners who Sunwest has featured as part of their customer appreciation initiative. The images and a stories about these executives and their companies are featured as part of Sunwest’s advertising campaign which runs in the Orange County Business Journal. I really enjoy doing this work and later reading about these success and relationship stories in the OCBJ. November 1st, is another event that I am returning to photograph for Sunwest. It’s their Annual Economic Outlook Event at the Balboa Bay Club, Newport Beach.

Sunwest Bank, headquartered in Tustin, California, is the premier small and middle market business bank in Southern California. Its aim is simple - provide entrepreneurs with a banking experience akin to one found in a private banking environment.

To find out more, visit their website at http://www.sunwestbank.com/index.aspx

Hacienda Open House

It was great to be a part of the annual open house held on October 28th at the Hacienda in Santa Ana. I meet some wonderful couples with whom I hope I will be working as their photographer on their wedding day. I also had a chance to get caught up with all of my vendor “friends” with whom I have worked over the 28 years I have been referred by the Hacienda.

The Hacienda is owned and operated by June Neptune, who conceived the idea of turning this beautiful space into a venue that can be shared for many special weddings and events and has directed operations for over 25 years. Under June’s direction, the wedding coordinators and event planners are available every day of the week.
The Hacienda is an historic ranch estate built in 1901, complete with balconies, courtyards, fountains and grand staircases. It is the perfect setting for a romantic wedding and reception, corporate event and other special occasions.
To find out more about the Hacienda and June’s other wedding locations in Laguna Beach, visit their website at http://www.tivoli-too.com/TheHacienda/tabid/59/Default.aspx

Friends of Dorothy Guild of Aids Services Foundation (ASF) - Haunted Halloween 2010

Over the last three years, it has been my pleasure to contribute my time and talent to photograph all the events for a super organization called the Friends of Dorothy, which is a support guild of AIDS Services Foundation. This year, the 4th Annual Haunted Halloween Fun(d)raising party was held on October 23rd at the Village Crean Estate, and was a huge success. The Friends of Dorothy Guild raised over $62,000 breaking all previous year's records! 250 party goers had a great time - all for a good cause.
I was presented with my second “The Red Shoe Award” for my support of and love for the organization. As is often with things like this, when we are giving of ourselves, we are the ones who are really benefitting. So, “thank you” for giving me a chance to be with some really great people helping great people challenged by HIV/AIDS. It is truly my pleasure and honor and I have met so many wonderful people. At the top of the list especially is my friend, Tim Dunn. He invited me to get involved after working with him at the Orange County Performing Arts Center where he is head of PR. He plays that role as a volunteer for Friends of Dorothy. Our eight years at OCPAC and three at Friends of Dorothy working as a team have meant a lot to me and I know we will continue for years to come.
If you are looking for an organization to support that is doing great work in providing services to those whose lives have been touched by HIV/AIDS, I can highly recommend getting involved with Friends of Dorothy. You will not only be “doing good,” I promise you will have a really good time!
Please go to their website, http://www.friendsofdorothy.org/ to get more information on their upcoming events and I will see you there!

Ruff Family Portrait

Since 2005 I have had the pleasure of photographing Team Ruff: Jaritt, Erin, Jack, Max and Sam. Watching the family grow-up each year is one of the things that I have been able to do with many other families through-out my career. Thank you all for that honor!

Bergeson Elementary School – Reflections Judging

This year’s Reflections Program Theme: "Together we can," brought out a number of wonderful art pieces. It has been my pleasure to be a judge for this program the last several years for a couple of schools in the area.

The PTA believes all children deserve a quality arts education and encourages students to pursue artistic expression through participation in its annual arts Reflections Program. The program offers students the opportunity to create works of art for fun and recognition. Students in preschool through grade 12 are encouraged to create and submit works of art in six areas: dance choreography, film production, literature, musical composition, photography, and the visual arts (which includes art forms such as drawing, painting, print making, and collage). For nearly 40 years, the program has encouraged millions of students across the nation and in American schools overseas to create works of art. The Reflections Program was started in 1969 by then Colorado PTA President Mary Lou Anderson.