Category Archives: children

Since the very first time I saw a picture of Tiger’s Nest (Taktsang Palphug Monastery), Bhutan has been at the top of the list of places I’ve wanted to visit. We began planning the trip this summer, and based on how fantastically thorough our tour company (Bhutan Scenic Tours) was throughout the process, Serene and I expected great things. From the moment we touched down in Paro until the morning we were dropped off for our return flight, Bhutan over-delivered in just about every way. The country is more beautiful than we’d imagined, even after having seen hundreds of photos. The people of Bhutan were more welcoming that we expected. And our guides, Rinzi and Tandin, were absolutely amazing. And in a stroke of 100% dumb luck, Serene and I actually met and had a private conversation with the King and Queen of the country!

Several friends have asked how we managed to wrangle the visas and other logistics for the visit. It was easy. There seems to be a lingering perception that visiting Bhutan is both cumbersome and expensive compared to visiting other countries. Neither is true. This was actually one of the easiest to plan and most affordable international destinations I’ve ever visited. I couldn’t recommend it more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FB|Tweet|Pin

Over the years, its gotten more difficult to keep up with friends.  But two things that can always bridge that gap are children and photography.  Johanne and Carlos brought the twins up to San Francisco, and we all met under the SF fog and the Golden Gate.  We rolled around in the grass for awhile, took some pics, and, even in such a beautiful setting, guess what the big hit was?  Yep.  A plastic footstool.  Thanks Johanne for letting me goof around with your kids for an afternoon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FB|Tweet|Pin

Prior to visiting Idaho for the first time, if anyone had ever told me that I would love it there…year round…I would have called them nuts.  I’ve been visiting Idaho for a few years now and it keeps getting better.  We just returned from a few days in Boise and McCall and I’m already looking forward to going back!  It doesn’t hurt that I experienced a few photographic firsts on this trip: my first bald eagle, my first hummingbird, and my first overnight shoot.  But as you’ll see, Oliver (Serene’s nephew), stole the show. Many thanks to Serene’s family for planning such a great trip and inviting me to join them!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FB|Tweet|Pin

This weekend we traveled to the east coast with extremely heavy hearts to celebrate the lives of a good friend, Tanji, and her son, Evan.  Tanji was a great woman and an even more incredible mother.  She could bring people together like very few I’ve ever met.  Yesterday was no exception, as hundreds of us gathered in her honor.  Though we mourned, we did it together, remembering how fortunate we were to have had Tanji and Evan in our lives.  One of my aunts recently said to me, “People want you there for the good times, but need you there for the bad times.”  We needed one another yesterday.   But it was also a great chance to appreciate and nourish lifelong friendships.  On Saturday, we spent a beautiful afternoon with some of my closest friend in the world.  Just being together.  We ate, we talked, we remembered Tanji.  And we even found a way to laugh between the tears.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FB|Tweet|Pin
  • Vaughn

    Thank You