Daisy Varley Photography [based in San Diego : traveling all throughout Southern California, Destination Wedding Photojournalism + Portrait Photography] L O V E . L I F E . A R T

Last Fall, I visited Sedona, a picturesque town in Arizona surrounded  by red-rock monoliths and all kinds of natural beauty, with my friend, Lynn. You can see my photos from this trip here.

Originally, I was undecided about whether to post this video, much less put the work into it. But recently, I realized people that I know are going through a tough time in their lives right now, either from the loss of a loved one, heartbreak or just emotionally distraught by words or actions that have effected them. When someone I care about is hurting, I hurt too. And so, I felt motivated to make this short film. I hope if you are one of those people that you have some sort of outlet…some way of relieving the stress and burden that you may be carrying. For me, I’ve always felt at peace being in nature, taking things slow, noticing the little details that make this life of ours so very special and fragile. So, if you’re still reading this, I hope that you feel some sort of calm while watching this film and really take the time to be still, pray and heal.

Sedona from Daisy Varley on Vimeo.

Much love,

Daisy

10 years ago, I called a little town out in the middle of California home. Looking back, I remember anxiously awaiting the day I would graduate so I can escape the cows, the gossip, the endless fields, horrid heat, boredom and lack of so much more…or so I thought. Now traveling back, which I find myself doing more, I realize I took it for granted. What I really could’ve said to summarize my experience growing up there was “simple.” The town thrived on mom and pop shops and restaurants, where everyone knew everyone by name. Although it wasn’t the coziest of occasions between folks, it was comfortable and familiar. As a kid, your backyard was a gigantic field to build forts, run, wander and explore. Every summer we spent at the river. Jumping from trees, floating on tubes, swimming and barbeques. We had very little, yet we had more than we realized.

Walking through downtown today almost seems eery. Many of the businesses have closed down and new modern chains have taken its place. My favorite restaurants are struggling but that doesn’t hinder me from returning to them time and time again to relish my favorite meals and remember what it was like way back when. The only difference now is we have little ones with us. It makes me smile every time knowing we get to share our memories with them while their making some of their own.

When I returned last August, I did the usual…visit family, friends and eat! Lots of eating! My family is made up of women who make the yummiest Filipino food. I watched my aunt cook, remembering the countless times I would watch my grandmother cook in that same kitchen. She would always tell me to measure not with a measuring cup but by your hands. So simple. After she would prepare the most delicious meals, she would sit at the table and watch us eat, which I realize I tend to do too.  Like many cultures, cooking is a social event among women. You cook, you talk, and eat and talk some more. It’s one of my favorite things to do.

I love my home in San Diego. In my mind, there’s nothing that compares to it. But there will always be a special place in my heart for the little town I once called home.

HOME from Daisy Varley on Vimeo.

I met up with Patricia and Mark at their lovely home near Culver City last month. I enjoyed getting to know these two. Patricia’s son, Jacob, joined in for a few of the photos. Such a fun family!

This one flower decided to bloom that day.

A little basketball…

We had fun exploring a little corner of Culver City, which was full of amazing art!

They never thought this day would come.

Why? Because he can.

So looking forward to seeing you three again in July!

Daisy

In November, I traveled back to my home town in central California. I always joke that I can smell my way into town. There’s a distinct smell when you’re passing all the dairy farms. It makes me cringe yet smile with a bit of giddiness knowing I’m going back to the place I once called home.

I enjoy spending time with my family – I feel like they bring out my inner dork the best. But one of the wonderful things I’ve been discovering is how beautiful this place actually is…especially in the Fall. Growing up in one place makes you almost blind to what’s in front of you. You’re always desiring to escape to far off places. I know I did. And this is why I appreciate this place, this little town in the middle of nowhere so much more.

On my way to a family shoot, I parked my car by a fence on a dirt road. The clouds were that gorgeous puffy white, swirly types [cumulus] – the kind that as a kid, you would point up and guess which animal shapes or objects they formed. Those clouds that make you stare in wander. I pointed my camera, not just at the sky but at the cows that wandered about in the field. I never took the time to notice them before, but I couldn’t help but watch them. I’m sure the other drivers that I was a bit crazy or odd for taking photos of cows that they pass by everyday, but today was a new day for me.

This is my niece, Destiny. She is beautiful.

White Top. One of the last few mom and pop restaurants in a sea of fast food chain drive-thrus.

Every time I’m in town, I go here.

As a kid, my mom would bring me, my sisters and my brother here for a shrimp basket and a banana split. An older German couple owned this restaurant for many years. Every time we came in, which was quite often, they would greet us with a smile and always asked to see how we were doing. That kind of genuine care and attention is so rare these days.

We stopped in with our little ones and it made my heart (and my tummy) happy.

Awww…it seemed like just yesterday we were running amok in this place and driving our mom crazy.

The next morning, as we were waking up, I captured a few frames of my family.

Adorbs.

Much love,

Daisy

Last month, Sophia and I traveled to our first Girl Scouts camping trip at Whispering Oaks in Julian. We LOVE to camp so this weekend trip was a must.  Aside from the crafty activities and endless amounts of hot cocoa and s’mores…this was valuable time with my daughter.

The raising and lowering of the flag at dawn and at dusk.

We hiked up to Inspiration Point and took a minute to appreciate nature.

The folks here call this shack “Mister Mister”.

Everyone slept in bunk beds!

What fun would eating s’mores be if it didn’t get all over your face?

I made this little fella. Cute, huh?

Unforgettable times…

Daisy

I spent a week in paradise and I cannot wait to share more images with you…

[image above photographed by my wonderful husband. <3]

Daisy

I am not afraid to admit that I’m not a huge fan of V-day. I’m not into the flowers, although the chocolates aren’t bad…I think love should be celebrated everyday!

There are many things I claim to “love,” but here are two things I truly love —->

Last Sunday, my sister, Christina and I traveled up to one of my favorite wedding venues in Southern California, The Condor’s Nest Ranch [Thank you Lisa + Bob for being great hosts!].

We ate, we mingled, we wandered around and ate some more! So much fun!

We have fun whenever I bring my camera, so we took this opportunity to take a few photos at this beautiful location. Isn’t she a natural? And notice the bump? She’s 18 weeks preggo



Much love,
Daisy

She is very playful…among many things.

Much love,

Daisy

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter, whether it was attending church, decorating eggs and hunting for them, eating peeps and other chocolate goodness or just hanging out with friends and loved ones. Hope your day was joyous!

This was a fun Easter because Gianna was finally old enough to go egg hunting.  I love my little bunnies.

Their Nana brought some awesome goodies like this magnifying glass.

Much love,

Daisy