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Before I decided upon the "Danielle as a girl, Danielle as a boy" blog heading, this was the one I was going to use.
But for some reason, it just wasn't exciting enough. Maybe the lack of red lipstick and mustaches had something to do with it.

A few of my latest favorite things................

So, there are a few things that I have been really excited about over the last month or so.....when I have had spare time, I have discovered some new indulgences.
First of all, "The Dark Knight". Tonight I will be going to see the second Batman movie for the THIRD time.
Obsessed? Maybe. Rightly so? I think so.
As a huge fan of Christian Bale (in my dreams, I am Mrs. Bale sometimes), I was excited to see this new flick. Not to mention Batman is the best super hero ever created, and I grew up on the old Adam West series as well as the award winning cartoon on Saturday mornings.
BUT, to my surprise, as I watched this film, anytime that Heath Ledger's Joker was NOT on screen, I found myself wishing he was. I didn't even care much for Batman.....he bored me in this movie. It was all about the Joker. He was funny, he was insane, he was perfection. Everything that the Joker was originally intended to be, Heath Ledger was. The movie by itself was still fantastic, but after I while, I felt like offering Batman a throat losenge since everytime he spoke, it sounded like he had a frog stuck in there someplace. It was at times even difficult to make out what the heck he was saying. All this to say.....best movie I have seen in a very very long while. Go see it on the big screen. Please, for me.
Moving on. Rafael Nadal (my favorite tennis player ever to play the game) won Wimbledon a few weeks ago and beat the crap out of Federer who has won the last 5. It was about time for this young Spaniard (a.k.a. "the bull" and rightly so) to kick some old Swedish a**. And nobody thought he could win on grass. Well, I always knew Rafa could do it.....so HA to all you of little faith. Go Spain.
Thirdly, I have discovered this show that is our generation's Monthy Python. It's called "Little Britain" and it is quite truthfully the funniest thing I've seen on tele in probably 10 years. It's a British show written by the two actors that are in all of the skits. It's a social commentary on Britain's inhabitants, politics, pros and cons etc. It's lude, totally un-p.c. and incredibly hilarious. If you haven't seen this show yet, you need to visit Youtube and search for "Little Britain" skits.
I PROMISE you that you will not be dissapointed. Maybe offended. Maybe shocked. But entertained wholly. And afterwards, you will be saying "Yer but no, but yer, but no", "I am the only gay in the village", "Computah says no", and "Yah I know."
Oh you just wait and see my friend......

But Why Male Models???? Mike......

Zoolander is one of the funniest movies I have ever seen and I shamelessly quote it as often as I can.....so, for those of you who understand my tag line, BRAVO. You deserve a trip to a Day Spa....D-A-I-Y-E. Nevermind.
So, Mike is my cousin's boyfriend and I told him that in exchange for him starring in my silent film (which you will see some teasers soon enough) that I would take his head shots.
These pictures are the love children of that photo shoot. Of course, in respect for Mike, I did not post any of the nude ones. (Okay, there weren't any nude ones....but I had to at least throw that one out there).
I must say, it must be difficult being this really, really, really ridiculously good looking. Watch out, he may be giving you the Blue Steel in some of these photos.
But really, I shouldn't even be talking about it.

Engaged! Sarah and Jon

So, Sarah and Jon asked me something when we met that no couple had ever asked me before. They wanted to know if instead of shooting an engagement session with the two of them, if I would mind shooting some family pictures with Sarah's side of the family AND Jon's side of the family. As a family person myself, I thought "Heck yeah!" How fun! So, I drove out to Reedley to Jon's parent's home and photographed the lively bunch playing Bacci ball (I think that's how it's spelled), jumping up and down, running all around, hiding behind trees and a few standard poses for kicks.
It all ended with Sarah and Jon going out to the orchard to pick some fruit to send home with the photographer (that's me!) and I must say, I am still enjoying those plums, peaches and nectarines! And, I discovered a new fruit that I have never tasted: the yellow plum. Oh yum.
This was overall just a great shoot, regardless of my sprained ankle, I managed to grin and bear it and get some pretty nice stuff and I learned that when I need Jon to smile for a picture, all I have to ask him to do is frown.
Ennnnjoy!

Wedding! Valerie and Bo, July 5th 2008

So the day finally came and I couldn't have asked for a more exciting and energetic group of people! The wedding was spectacular, the weather was gorgeous and the ring pillow was lime green with flames.....unbeatable!
Val and Bo were a great couple to work with, and to photograph. Valerie's son Andre was just the sweetest thing.....following her around ALL day long carrying the train to her dress so it wouldn't get dirty! Awww! What an attentive son :)
There was a lot of dancing and drinking and bubble blowing at their reception, which I feel made for quite an ambiance. Not to mention that the Father of the Bride caught his toast on fire.....a right kerfuffle. Plus, we got to play with sparklers and do many, many "VOGUE" poses. As you will see......you get a little drink in someone, and they become a model. Photographers love that. Also, huge thanks to Jason Robbins, my wonderful and willing assistant who without him and his strobe light, these wonderful "model-esque" photos would never have been possible! www.jasonrobbins.com.
And as you can see, I was a little bit self-indulgent here with the photos, but that is only because I have SO many favorites, I couldn't decide. So, enjoy......
and Congrats you guys!
Oh and p.s. Amy, if you are reading this, I am still available for a wedding shoot in Italy.....just book me a flight and I will be there in a jiff ;)
Anyway.....