Welcome Home Marine! - Thomas Homecoming \ Camp Pendleton Homecoming Photographer

This homecoming was different than any other homecoming I've done. The marines were due to arrive at 5:30 am and they actually ended up arriving earlier than expected! I was sitting in my car waiting for my client to call me and let me know she was there when I saw the buses roll up!!! My heart dropped into my stomach because I knew she wasn't there yet... I hauled my you know what outside as quickly as I could and I sprinted down the parking lot chasing the buses. Meanwhile, I was trying to figure out all my camera settings as quickly as I could to get pictures of the Marines stepping off that bus. I got the pictures. WHEW! And luckily, the marines had to go to the armory before they came back out, so she didn't miss him! Maria surprised her husband by flying all the way out from Alabama. He had a slight idea or suspicion that she might be there, but wasn't too sure. The look on his face when she called his name just melted my heart! He got to meet his baby boy for the first time and  couldn't stop smiling. Me, on the other hand, fighting to hold back the tears! I was so happy for Maria. What a great Mother's Day gift to have her husband home. Isn't baby Thomas just the cutest thing?! Welcome home Cpl Thomas! Your wife did a great job holding down the fort! Enjoy your time together and thank you for your sacrifice & service!!!

To watch the slideshow video of all the photos, click HERE

Tyler - Portrait Mini Shoot | Camp Pendleton Portrait Photographer

This was totally Chrystal's idea. ;) Tyler loves Johnny Cash, and we decided to get some Johnny Cash inspired photos while his hair was still long from his leave. Chrystal was watching Savannah for me while I shot Taylor's senior session, and we had planned to just throw something together for at least one shot when I got back. He had to check in the next day and get that dreaded hair cut. We had already planned this, before he even knew, while he was deployed in Afghanistan. Hahaha. I literally did this shoot in 5 minutes. Chrystal & Tyler, hope you guys like them!

And one of my little stand in for lighting. :)

Taylor - Senior Session | Murrieta Senior Photography

I love Spring! Minus my HORRID allergies, All the new flowers, grass, and colors just make for some really beautiful backdrops, props and locations for shooting. I really enjoyed my time with Taylor. I was honored to know that she traveled 2 hours for me to be her photographer! She was such a sweet girl, beautiful both inside and out. We both shared a love for lacey vintage things,  a fear of bees and a lot of laughs. She didn't want to be among the bees as much as I didn't want to, so we made it short and sweet and got some amazing photos! I pray that the Lord would continue to bless you as you start your new life outside of high school! You did awesome Taylor!

Officially a home owner! | Murrieta Portrait Photographer

My husband and I are officially home owners! We moved into our new home in Murrieta on the 9th and it's been a lot of work, but a lot of fun getting everything personalized to our liking. It feels so good to be able to decorate, garden, and do whatever we want to our house to make it really feel like home. We've been making daily trips to Home Depot, Lowe's and the local antique malls and stores. We are antique junkies! I love rummaging through what most people would think looks like a pile of junk to find something that is beautiful, or something that I can make beautiful again. Things just aren't made like they were before. Most of the furniture people get nowadays won't even last 5 years it's so cheaply made. Particle board is now the norm...how sad is that? We have a few projects to finish, but once they are done, I will post pictures of our home. So exciting!

These last [almost] two weeks, I have had a lot of time to spend organizing and unpacking since I had no internet or cable until yesterday. I was going a little bit crazy (I'm not going to lie) but it was definitely a necessity for things to get done around here. I get distracted a little too easily with the computer. :) I had some time to try and organize my computer folders...I am still nowhere near finished or how it needs to be, but at least I started to attack the beast of a mess my computer is. I came across some photos I took of my husband a couple of years ago. I don't know why this one isn't printed! I love it. Isn't he handsome? I just started my photography and had decided to use my husband as a model for a fun shoot during some leave days. On the drive down to the harbor, it got super foggy which was really random and I couldn't have been any happier about it. It added so much mood to my nautical theme that I had planned for. This was a really fun shoot. We coudln't stop laughing at him being "model." But I'd definitely hire him! ;) Anyways, just because every post needs a photo, here it is! :) Hope everyone has a great rest of the week. I have some exciting sessions coming up soon, so check back often!

Portfolio Call! | San Diego Portrait Photographer

I am looking to expanding & refreshing my portfolio once the weather clears up. I will be offering sessions fees at 50% off their normal pricing. There will be no obligation to buy your prints and the shoot will be a location of my choice. I will still take into consideration where you would prefer to shoot.

This is for the following types of sessions:
          Couples/Love/Engagement
          Newborn
          Military Homecomings
          Children
          Families
          Maternity

I am interested in doing some more weddings at a discounted price also! Depending the on the size and demands of your wedding inquiry, we can figure out what your discount would be. This will be a first come, first serve basis, so contact me at contact@larissmanibog.com with your info. Please include type of session you are interested in and all your contact information.

If you are military, you cannot combine the normal 20% discount on top of the 50% session fee, but you CAN apply it towards your print options if you choose to purchase.

This is a great deal to get professional, high quality photos at a bargain price! Spots will fill up quickly, so don't wait!

Huber Family: Reunited! | San Diego Camp Pendleton Oceanside Military Photographer

7 long months later, and the Huber family is finally re-united! It was a long "last day" for Chrystal. I spent the whole afternoon with her all the way until Tyler walked off that bus at 4 am. It's only fair that I did, because she spent the last WEEK with me before my husband came home from his last deployment. I did my best to keep her company, but there's no masking or "forgetting" how exciting and slow that day goes by. The time kept on getting delayed (Semper Gumby) so we filled up on coffee, coffee, Hershey's kisses, and split an 8 hour energy. Finally 2 am rolled around, and we headed to the parade deck where the buses were to pull up. Just driving to the area, I was already balling. I'm such a baby when it comes to homecomings. They are just so personal to me... I remember all so well the nerves, excitement and anticipation you always feel. It is the BEST, most rewarding feeling ever welcoming your husband home. Seeing Tyler meet his new baby boy for the first time was so awesome... Congratulations Huber Family@ I'm so happy for you all to be together again. Thank you for your service and sacrifices that you make for our country.

Here is a slideshow of the highlights along with some stills below. Enjoy! Grab a tissue for the link! :)

My Girly Girl | San Diego Portrait Photographer

My little girl just turned two at the beginning of the month. I know everyone says it; that the time goes by so quickly when you have children. But seriously...in hindsight, it's a blink. I love Savnnah's quirkiness, voice, growing vocabulary, humor, personality, and just everything about her. (Yes, even those "terrible two fits; her face is still cute!) The last few months, Savannah's been so interested in my makeup. I always gave her my powder brush and let her rub it all over her face to appease the whining and crawling toddler up my legs. Lol. But today, I gave her some old blush and obnoxiously bright pink lipstick I had to play with also. Can you tell she loved every moment of it? She was giggling, puckering, and looking at herself in the mirror less than an inch away. It was so funny.  I remember playing with my mom's makeup in the 80's and I was just drawn to her hot pink lipstick and blushes! Now...what I want to know is where the heck did my hot pink lipstick come from? Must have been in a sample gift bag...but Savannah can have it. :)

 Oh the joys of being a girl!