Where do I start with Rosemary Beach. . . It’s a small town near Panama City Beach and it’s breathtaking. I swam in the warm ocean for hours, we saw a pod of dolphins from the beach, and I got to hang out with 20 of the most amazing women in the world. I cannot tell you how lucky I feel to have these women in my life.

I have a TON of photos to share and shame on me but I didn’t take my camera out once so these are all IPhone photos.. Prepare to be amazed!

The Flight in, just in case you didn’t know Southwest just started service to Panama City Beach and ticket prices are not half bad!

The first day on the beach, weather reports said that it was going to thunderstorm the entire trip and I was considerably bummed about that prospect but the Floridians assured me that there was nothing to worry about because in Florida it rains hard for 20 mins and it’s done and that’s exactly what happened.

Calm before the storm, about 10 minutes later it was pouring rain like I have never seen before.

This is what most of my trip looked like.

Me in the middle and my two besties on either side. The amazing Phreckles Photography and Fresh Sugar. Jealous? I kind of am just reliving this.

Lazing on the beach was top priority but Marie said we HAD to rent bikes for her daily Starbucks run. We tricked Brandy out on a ride and I am pretty sure she regretted every single second.

While on our ride we scoped out the Hilton house.. I could live there.

Afternoons were always the same, sandwich, salad, and awesome drinks at the Cowgirl Kitchen

Brandy’s amazing Prada sunglasses. I know a few people had their eyes on these beauties..

Our last ride to Starbucks

Amazing photographer Amy Mcteague

Our last night was spent at this amazing restaurant in Alys Beach called Caliza the food was sooooo delicious!

I had a Key Lime Pie Martini it was amazing it seriously tasted JUST like pie in a glass.

Bottom line this is the most amazing time in my life. I feel so unbelievably lucky to be doing what I love and have some of the smartest and most amazing women in the industry by my side. Girls I cannot wait until next year!

I was looking at my youngest the other day and realized that my baby is growing up. The time is flying by and it’s depressing… He is my last baby and maybe that is why it’s especially difficult. I remember with my first I just couldn’t wait for the next milestone and now she is in middle school! Since I am a photographer it’s easy for me to document his life. I try to stress to my clients how important it is to document more than just newborn photos. It doesn’t have to be professional photos it can be just a simple point and shoot, although, it is a good idea to get professional photos at least once a year.

if I could keep him four forever I would.. I love four because…

Because he’s not a baby but he isn’t a big boy either.

Because mommy kisses are not gross.

Because he’s honest. “Mommy you look fluffy.”

Because he he forgives me when I take a picture before wiping the soap out of his eyes.

Because he tells me I am “cute” at least three times a day.

Because he likes peanut butter and jelly in critter shapes.

Because he still has chubby baby knuckles.

Because he wants to be just like his daddy.

Because he can’t relax until he has his hand on my cheek.

Because no matter how hard I try he can still kick my butt at Mario Cart.

It literally does do everything. I have to tell you though, I wasn’t really digging the camera but who cares its a phone. I had a couple of photo apps that I would play around with but I wasn’t really impressed with the results but like I said, it’s a phone so I wasn’t expecting miracles or anything.

Well, two weeks ago my friend, Amy Boring was in town and I thought it would be fun to hang out in San Francisco. She had been taking pictures with this super cool iPhone app and of course I asked what it was, she tells me, “shake it photo” so I download it and start playing… it’s blowing my mind. Love it, love it, love it.

I brought my 5D Mark II to the city for some shots but the poor thing never left the bag because that app is addicting! Since then, I have taken no less than 300 photos, it’s quickly becoming a problem.. if you have me as a facebook friend you already know this and are thoroughly sick of seeing all of my mobile uploads. For those of you who are not sick of me… Here are some of my favorites.

Side note: there is this cool contest going by Adorama for iPhone photo’s if you’re as addicted as I am check it out.

Ok so SOME is a relative term… I couldn’t narrow it down. I love them all!

A couple of exciting things in the next couple of weeks. GIVEAWAYS by two super awesome companies.

1. Sheer Addiction by Tamara Lines – She makes some of the most beautiful necklaces EVER! Check her out and stay tuned for your chance to win.

2. Sticking to my green lifestyle a giveaway for kids! Yubo lunch boxes! Really rad company, completely new idea regarding lunch boxes. Check them out.

I have had a pretty awesome year.. I have made some new life long friends, I have had THE BEST clients ever this year, and we moved from the sunny south to the foggy north. I can’t wait to see what 2010 brings in my new city!  

As for my wonderful San Diego you will be seeing a lot of me in 2010. I will be in San Diego January 16th-18th and again at the begenning of March.  Inquire about special travel pricing.

The McNamara Family Resolutions

Colin – “Get another CCIE.”

Ashley – “Shed some pounds and blog more”

Kylie (11) - “Be true to myself.”

Topher (4) – “To bounce my ball into space.”

Christmas time is my favorite time of year.. What’s not to like? Eggnog, Hot Chocolate, Presents, Snow, and did I say presents?

I like everything besides that 10 extra pounds I gain eating baked goods. As soon as it starts getting cold I get the urge to bake, I don’t know why because I don’t bake any other time of the year except during the Holiday’s and if one day goes by that my house doesn’t smell like fresh baked cookies it feels weird.  I made sugar cookies today, nuff said.

I never post personal things on my blog, mostly, because I was always so busy but since my move to the Bay area I am enjoying some down time for the first time in four years and it feels good to be able to spend some quality time with my kids and actually take some pictures of the little boogers.

This year I decided that our tree wasn’t eccentric enough and while I was shopping at Target I found the perfect tree topper, Yoda! Tell me that Yoda isn’t rad?!

My daughter, who doesn’t let me take her picture as often as I would like. She thought she looked cute today and decided to give me 5mins so I took 10 and then she pouted but I like it anyway. One of the things I missed most about the bay area was the fog.. oh how I missed you fog. Looks good in pictures too.

Just because your pregnant it doesn’t mean you can’t be just as stylish as you were before and I know that finding fabulous maternity clothes can sometimes be hard I often found myself going online to find big brand names like Olian, Momzee, and True Religion.. Modish is one of very few maternity boutiques in San Diego.

I am so lucky to work with Tammy at Modish and she was generous enough to give away three $25.00 gift certificates to my awesome blog readers!

We will give away one gift certificate a day for the next three days to win just leave a comment in the comment box and I will draw numbers to choose a winner each day. While Modish is a maternity boutique they also have awesome clothes and accessories for nursing moms.. Some of the prettiest nursing bras I have ever seen.

Today’s Winner is Lisa Wynne!! Congrats!! Two more day’s two more winners! Good luck!

Today’s Winner is Mary K!! One more to win! Good Luck!

Our Final Winner is…  Jaclyn Alvillar! Congrats!

Example 2: ISO 6400 | I used my Soft Cross Process action

(Buzzed photographer friend makes the photo that much more interesting..)

ISO 6400 has grain.. obviously. The grain is fan.freaking.tastic though! Totally useable and a welcomed change from the 40D who’s highest ISO was 3200.

Example 3: Now for the 5D Mark II’s highest ISO 25600

While I am sure this camera offers a million reasons to love it, the ISO was certainly my biggest issue with my 40D. The color and clarity on this camera is un-freaking-real! I’m absolutely satisfied!

“Is the video feature difficult to use?”

While this is an amazing feature, it is a little hard to get used to. I am by no means a videographer (although in my spare time I like to pretend). Right now I have my video set to facial recognition which I thought was pretty darn fancy. So for the most part it gets the focus.. At the moment the only things I am recording are my children fighting over which t.v. shows to watch…. IN HD!!! Think I can list that on Pay Per View?

“Gripes?”

Only One! The battery life is crap, people! I mean it, CRAP! If you buy the camera buy an extra battery! 

With only ONE measley gripe, dare I dream that Canon is making it’s comeback??

#4 The 70-200 2.8L Remember back in my last post I said I didn’t like this lens? Well turns out I just didn’t like it on a crop sensor. Kicks butt lens on a full frame. But still #4 on my list because it gives me wrist cramps… hehe!

What kind of bag are you Using to store that bad boy? (I didn’t actually get this question but I am sad about my bag!)

I have the Crumpler 7 Million Dollar Home and I am sad to say that I might have to part with this bag.. I love my Crumpler bag but this BIG ole’ camera just isn’t liking the tight constraints of the Crumpler. I have moved the inserts in about 6 million different ways.. Bye bye crumpler.. I might have to reunite with the Jill-e Roller.. 

Hopefully this was more than just a ramble.. 

Last year I told myself that THIS was the year that I would attend WPPI and then 2008 came along and it looked like this was just not going to be my year. 

 About a day into WPPI my friend Marie calls me to rub err…tell me what an awesome time she is having and I cracked! I was on a plane to vegas the next day with the help of two good friends who babysat for me and I had THE BEST TIME!! I met so many wonderful people. I wish I had made it just one day earlier because I heard the Blu party was a lot of fun.

If you have not gone to WPPI you really should..there is so much to learn and so much to see. I just wish I had more time.  I still cannot believe how much I packed into just one day..hehe…

Here are a few pictures from my trip.

This is my good friend Marie Cox, Me, and Jamie Schultz

I love this picture of Marie and Jamie..they might kill me for posting it though.