In order to keep my blog as diverse as possible, I want to start throwing in something I have entitled “Local Flavor.” This will be an editorial section about places and people in Northern California that are unique and inspiring.
Today’s Local Flavor is Lange Twins Winery in Lodi, CA. One day I was on Twitter and saw that I had a new follower from this winery and it turns out they are local! I chatted with Joe Lange a few times and he invited me out to tour the winery.
When I rolled in, I didn’t even recognize Joe because he was riding around on a beach cruiser with flip flops. Immediately I knew I liked this guy.
I was so impressed by the Lange Twins brand, the winery operation, the family and Joe’s vision for the family business. This is a large scale winery that has such an awesome, inspiring story and a progressive vision for the future! They have an amazing sustainability program that really works and puts money in their pocket. Check out their website some time and check out their fine wines. I’m all for supporting and spreading the word about people who are making an impact in the community and doing things on a grand scale. It was also cool to meet Aaron who was hard at work, making things happen. Joe and Aaron it was great to meet you guys and I look forward to hanging out in the future!

Ok this blog post is a memo to all clients current and future, make sure you schedule your engagement session for New York City. It is officially the city of rad, fresh places to photograph beautiful people. I was on such a high last weekend when I was there, Rinkal kept asking me “man, you’ve gotta be tired from the flight and all that.” My reply was a beaming, “no way, dude, this place is insane!” So to say the least, it was a highlight of my career to shoot in Times Square at night, in the Subway tunnels and all over Central Park. Cheryl and I are planning to go back in the spring, so anyone from there or from elsewhere wanting to do a shoot in the Big Apple, let’s do it! I think every American should check this place out some time in their life. It is a testament to capitalism, democracy, free market, human will, ingenuity and sheer determination.

So I was recently accused of not blogging about my kids enough. I won’t mention any names (well maybe), but I stand guilty as charged and I will strive to blog my beautiful children (and maybe even some of my gorgeous wife if you’re lucky) more frequently. So Leah, I told you to check it out this week and here you go.
Eden turned FOUR today. I can’t believe it. Dude, I’m only 27! She is the brightest star in my life, full of life, energy, smarter than any other 4 year old on the planet, cuter than any kid ever to breathe, can quote the full 100th Psalm, knows all 50 states in alphabetical order, can play “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” on the piano, loves skittles and can eat a whole bag of Hot Cheetos without a drink of water! Yes, my kid rocks your kid’s world! She is daddy’s little petite sized bottle of awesomeness!
So when you’re a little girl who is smarter than Joe Biden by the age of 4, what kind of party do you throw? You guessed it (or not) PIRATES! Yes, my little princess who is infatuated with Belle, Snow White and Cinderella wanted to throw a pirate bash. Actually, it was pretty funny and we had a great time! Here are a few photos for those of you who couldn’t make it. Enjoy.
Pretty Princess Pirate.

Papa Shoemake and Huntley

I am truly a privileged human being. To work with the amazing people I work with, see the things I do, do what I love for a job and experience the awesome things I get to experience. My super cool clients, Sheetal and Rinkal are getting married next June in California, but they wanted to have their Garba (think Indian engagement party) on the East Coast so family out there could participate. I’m not kidding when I say that this couple is so thoughtful of other people, so considerate of their families, it is so refreshing.
So I flew out and was able to learn a few Garba dance moves (which I actually did get to use a little bit) before the big event last Saturday. A Garba is basically an engagement party with amazing music, choreographed dancing, killer food, and fun galore! I am still in disbelief that 200 people (there were probably about 350-400 in attendance) were all dancing at one time, in unison and not completely hurting each other. It was a sight to behold. The colors, the smiles, the dance moves…simply awesome! If you’re ever privileged enough to be invited to a Garba, GO! Here are a few images to tell a little bit of the story. Enjoy.

So a few of you that follow me on twitter (those of you who don’t, it’s easy, click the link on the right and sign up….NOW will know that I absolutely had an amazingly, speechless good time in New York (even made it over to Jersey for a day). Hanging out with the most wonderful clients really made this trip special. I don’t know if I’ve ever met any sweeter people or a family so kind as this one. It is trips like this, and the people you build a relationship with, that make my work worthwhile.
I’ve been itching to get a blog post up, but I took yesterday off and just spent time with my family (I missed them sooo much, absence definitely makes the heart grow fonder). Daddy being gone for 5 days= HUGFEST at the Shoemake residence! So I’ve been working away on the gazillion pictures I took on my trip and I wanted to get atleast one up, but here’s two. Enjoy and check back in the next couple of days for some more.