San Diego photography presents a dead computer...

So.. I had to say goodbye to my computer... I am currently blogging from my hubby's laptop. I have lots of sessions to blog about but you will just have to wait until my sweet man gets my new computer up and running... So glad he knows what he is doing. :) I will be back in a few days...

Much love yo!!




Love Capable Husbands.

San Diego Photography presents Random Thoughts...

- We just moved into a new condo.. I love the new-ness, but hate the process. I'm going a little mad not knowing where everything is...

- My daughter just brought me a $10 bill and said, "Here Mom. This is for you as thanks for all you do." I swear that girl can drive me to the brink of insanity with her attitude... but then reel me back in with her sweetness. Just today we were driving home from an errand, blasting some Taylor Swift, singing together, and I got teary-eyed sharing that moment with her.

- Can I just say how much I love a full size washer and dryer?? You don't even know how great it is to be able to wash more than 2 towels at a time. I am not kidding! Stackable washer/dryers are from the devil...

- My husband introduced me to the wonder/evil/insanity that is an El Aztec breakfast burrito. It is the size of a small baby.. No joke. In my defense, we share it, and I either scoop out the insides, or transfer it to a Gluten Free tortilla. (No wheat for me!) Thus, my arteries won't give out as fast as my husbands. I am not sure if this is good or bad.. :)

- I have a friend coming over for dinner in less than an hour, and I don't know where my cooking items are. So, I better go find them. Why.. because microwaved Chicken and Broccoli doesn't sound super great..

Love Sweet Moments..

San Diego Photography presents Senior Portraits in Ocean Beach...

A few fun facts about this latest senior...

She loooooves Taylor Swift and got tickets to see her this spring..

She has the most beautiful smile... and didn't even have to wear braces. Umm..lucky!

She (and her lovely mom) informed me of the best burger place this side of forever named Hodads! I wasn't hungry, but told them repeatedly that I would be back with my husband because it looked delish... Must plan a date night soon!

She made my job super easy..

Here are just 3 for a little sneak peek. :) Don't you just love editing a great session!! I do. :)

Thanks Miss S... you rocked it fo sho!!







Love Senior Year..

San Diego Photography presents a good friend..

Last week I had the privilege of meeting one of my sweet friends at Balboa Park for some family photos. This particular friend is from Washington and I met her a few years back when we lived up there. :)

She was preggers with Miss L when we met, and after Miss L graced us with her presence.. I could not pass up the opportunity to hold her every chance I got. :) We moved away over 2 years ago...so, you can imagine my delight at re-connecting with Miss L... now 3 and as cute as a button.

I'm not going to lie.. Her big brother was quite the charmer and he was thrilled that I let him use my camera to snap a few pictures of his momma and dad. :)


Click here under Clients to view your online gallery of pictures. :)









It was great to see you guys again! I hope I get to meet #3 very, very soon!!

Love good friends..

San Diego Photography presents a Bean Bag in a park..

I just love my clients and you know why??? They all have the sweetest children that I get to love on every week. Getting a rash from lying on the grass to get the picture is so worth it. I am re-paid in full by every squish and snuggle I get. :)

I also want to point out that the latest and greatest locations aren't necessarily the be all and end all. I took a bean bag to a park and was able to capture these little munchkins personality without a problem.

Oh and great gift idea alert...This mom was given a gift certificate for her baby shower!!

Here are a few of the little squishes.... Hmmm delicious.







Tell me you aren't dying for a snuggle now!


Love snuggles..

San Diego Photography presents some more sistas..

Just a few more faves as I finish up editing this session... These girls just seriously captivate me.. And you know what else??? There hearts are as sweet as their faces. I even bought them milk and cookies afterwards because I just had to.. I couldn't resist. :)













Love Sistas..

San Diego Photography presents The Stine sistas...

I had a blast photographing these beauties. Miss K is involved in lots of theater activities and new headshots are always needed. :) Her beautiful sis Miss J is a senior so we decided to double it up. Aren't they the most photogenic girls you have ever seen??

I was embarassing myself every time I took a picture because I was just in awe of how they looked on my screen! ;)

Here are just a few sneak peeks while I'm finishing up the rest. :)

Can you say fierce??







Love Sistas..

San Diego Photography presents Random thought time...

So, I haven't shared my random-ness in a while.. and I just know that you have been sitting there on your computer, biting your nails in anticipation of my next post. Thanks for waiting. ;)

- I think the Barefoot Contessa and her husband are the cutest thing since chubby puppies... She cooks for him.. he happily enjoys the offering. They stand so close to each other and she giggles... I bet they "cuddle" every night... ;)

- My daughter turned 7 this past week. Words cannot express the vast emotions I go through when I watch my children age. I will post about that soon...

- I shudder/cringe/die a little every time my son gleefully, and with wild abandon, shoots someone on Halo 3...

- I love this salad or any variation thereof.. and would eat it every day if I could afford the sashimi. It's expensive yo...

- My husband and I just finished this series and I am utterly and profoundly sad about it.. I feel lost not knowing if Rory and Logan ever got back together, or if Luke and Lorelai ended up married... *Sad sigh*

- I have never been so thrilled to get an email from Kaiser about test results... because I am anxiously, feverishly, hopefully awaiting a diagnosis of the pain that has been plaguing me for a few years...

- I have a deep desire to learn how to play the guitar and my rockstar husband who has played for over 20 years will not teach me... So I am probably going to figure out how to do it myself...

- This site is SO.MUCH.FUN... My husband should be very glad I am not the spender in the family...

Post some random things about you in the comments! I love learning new things about people...

Love unplanned..

San Diego photography presents A girl turning 7...

If you have read any of my blog... You must have heard me moan and complain a time or two about the bittersweet-ness of birthdays... I love the celebration of the day.. I love baking favorite goodies and taking the birthday person out for a special dinner. But, my kiddos getting a year older.. that I could do without. Each year marks another milestone closer to when those little babies of mine fly the coop... Dang! I wish I could freeze time.

But I can't.. so I will just tell you that I love this little girl of mine so much it hurts. She turned 7 and is full of joy, sass, and attitude. It is a daily effort to teach her how to say what she needs nicely..

Also you need to know that she has the softest cheeks I have ever felt, and I caress them every single night.

Happy Birthday baby...




A shot of the two my my squishes...




Love hurts..

San Diego Photography presents A Little Italy Session...

I had the absolute pleasure of taking this family's pictures back in December. We all went to college together and it was so fun to get re-connected with old friends... It didn't hurt that A and J's kiddos were just the sweetest little peaches! They made my job super easy! J works here.. so if you live near there.. Check it out. :)








Be still my heart... Isn't she precious??? She said she wanted to go home with me..And I would have taken her in a heartbeat..


Look at this little munchkin face..


She's a middle child. I sooo get her.


Seriously.. I cannot be held responsible if by accident, I pick this kiddo up and squish her sweet little cheekies...


Thanks guys for letting me capture you and your sweet girlies...

J.. I want a tour soon. ;)

Love together..

San Diego Photography presents A belated Christmas Session..

So this little one had nothing but serious faces for me. Her mamma and I were singing, and dancing and playing the tamborine to no avail. I was even down on the floor with her on my sprained knee, and she had no sympathy for me... I caught one smile at the end, but Little Miss wasn't cool with me that day! :) I still loved how the pictures turned out, and so did her mamma...

Here's a collage of favorites. And Y, thanks for the homemade enchiladas girl.. Delightful!!




Love sweet cheeks..

San Diego Photography Presents Portland Part 1

I had such fun on my little getaway a few weeks ago, and with the busy-ness of the holidays, I haven't been able to post these!

So here are a few from our first full day there. :)

My beautiful sis and bff with her cute beanie!


Where we had a beautiful luncheon...


Pumpkin Risotto with Fried Sage... I die!


French Onion Soup with about a mile of cheese on it.. (it was my sister's)


The best dessert ever...


All of us after lunch.. And I didn't take the picture, so don't blame me for the blurriness!!


And finally.. some really cool textures and scenery that I couldn't resist taking a few snaps of..


>

Stay tuned for more Portland Wedding pics.... :)

Love family..

San Diego Photography presents A few things...

2008 taught me that...

God knows, even when I do not.

Giving is awesome.

Running away from something I am scared of is stupid. (unless it's a tiger or predatory animal.. and then, I think, running is ok.)

A journey back to health isn't immediate.

My children will continue to grow up whether I like it or not.

I am loved just as I am.

A year (of growth, struggle, success, failure, hurts, healing) can make a big difference.


I don't do resolutions. If I see one more New Year's diet on a magazine , I might just scream. Or maybe just rip the cover off of the front. :)

But I do go into the beginning of every year with fresh hope and a new perspective.
I have hope that I can love better, live with more intention, laugh louder (that might not be possible) I am excited to see what 2009 might bring...

What do you hope for this year?

Love people..

San Diego Photography presents The Winners!

I had a very difficult time choosing which nominated family will get the free photo session.. so I made an executive decision to pick the top three. It is way easier that way. :)

The winners of a free session are....

The Orona Family

The family Vicki G. nominated (I didn't get their names...)

Alan and Jerrilynn Sweat

If you nominated these wonderful people, I need you to email me with a contact email address for the family. I will be back in the office January 10th and we can schedule the sessions at that time. :)


For now, please visit Here to view my family's virtual Christmas card! Merry Christmas.


Love giving..

San Diego Photography presents A few reminders....

1. I will be out of the office until Monday, the 15th. If you need to get a hold of me before then, please email me at tolsonhouse4@hotmail.com

2. Please keep sending in your deserving nominees. I have loved reading the different stories, and will have a hard time making a choice!!

3. You all rock.. Have a great rest of the week!

San Diego Photography presents When our family had nothing....

When we didn't have grocery money, people gave it...

When we didn't know how we would buy our kiddos a gift or 2 for Christmas, people gave it...

When we weren't sure we could pay our rent, people gave it...

And the Tolson family doesn't ever want to stop giving... ever! So, I am asking for you to nominate a deserving family for an absolutely free Portrait session with me. Because my Christmas portrait season is nearly over, this will be done in January. It must be someone who doesn't have the ability to use my services at this time, and you can't nominate yourself. Shoot me an email and tell me their story.. hurry though.. the nominee will be chosen on Christmas Day! :) (I have been known to give the nominating party a free session as well.. hint, hint...)


Here are a few more people who are listening to the true meaning of the season and giving to those who are in need....

She gave a goat...

They are donating cans galore for every comment they receive... Go!


So.. do you know a family who has nothing, and is in need. I am here willing to help them catch a memory..Please email me at contactme@sarahtolsonphotography.com and tell me about them. :)

People...Give it!


Love Blessing..

San Diego photography presents A renewed tradition...

Last year was a weird holiday season for us. We were unemployed, had nary a penny to buy things for our kiddos, and my husband was not with us for Christmas time. His dear grandma was in her final days and he went out to be with that side of the family for Christmas. I wanted to go, but we didn't want to leave our kiddos without at least one of us. My husband and I are excited to put that sad, but necessary part of our lives to rest and renew our annual Christmas traditions. :)

So you can imagine our gratefulness at being able to put a tree up... we didn't even get one last year.... And we blasted Pandora Swinging Holiday Mix, made some hot cocoa and tea, and just enjoyed being together. The kiddos did a great job decorating our little tree and we just feel so blessed. :)

I know life is hard! Trust me.. our family has been through a heck of a lot in 11 years, but I hope that you will create your own traditions. Listen to music, sip on some peppermint tea, don't spend more than you make, live, laugh, love, and make this season special for your family.













Love Restoration..

San Diego Photography presents WindandSea at high tide...

I am not an expert in beach photography (She is!!) and I have never claimed to be... but living in San Diego with gorgeous weather makes clients long for photos on the beach. I am happy to oblige. :) But I have had to learn a few things along the way too.

One thing I was taught was to always check the tide charts. Yep.. I agree.. that is a good idea. Because if you don't check them, or even maybe check them and ignore them (like I did) you will get to the beach, and there won't be much of it. And if you have decided to take portraits on a sunny day at the beach... umm... a million people will have decided to enjoy that sun with you.. Dangit!

It is only with creative angling and photoshop that I was able to take some of these pics for my dear friend the other week. Don't be like me!! Use the almighty tide chart.... ;)


Just a few of my faves of the day...












Love Rules..

Advent Conspiracy

I saw this video last night, and thought it was well put together, and really summed up the way I feel about the Christmas Season. Take 2 minutes to watch it, and then go here and do it !! :)

San Diego Photography presents Our Thanksgiving

My sweet momma wasn't feeling well, so I took over the cooking duties.. at 2 separate houses with 2 separate turkeys... I was a busy girl. Here are my favorite snaps from the day...


After snapping about 20 with her hands in front of her face.. I finally got this.


What is all this about?? Keeping it real...

I am not particularly fond of Thanksgiving food.. but since I cooked it all.. I wanted to document the occasion!


My Dad... He was in the middle of telling us what he was thankful for and just looked so handsome. :)

Gloria (soon to be new family member), Me, and my Momma. :)



Thanks for letting me share our day with you! I hope your holiday was amazing. :)

Love Family..