Ever since I saw Natsumi Hayashi's Levitation photography I was inspired to try it. The above photo is an example of how Natsumi did her style of photography.
Marina is falling into a flower field (rare during the drought) in San Diego.
Dry riverbed falling Marina falling from the sky
The above pictures are examples of how the shot is set up. Basically you take your camera, put it on a tripod, set your exposure manually and compose your shot. Take one of the model (in this case Marina) and then remove everything and take the same shot again.
In the above photo, I wanted the dress to look like it was falling so we composed the image so that it looked more realistic.
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Check out some of the beautiful images that we captured and check out www.michaellagman.com If you are looking for a wedding photographer or need some family pictures give us a call...
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San Diego Boudoir Photography
Empowerment - Maybe you just want to capture your beauty forever. Or maybe you just want to flaunt your hotness and show off that inner sexiness in you that’s been dying to get out! No matter what size you are, you’re sexy in your unique way. Give yourself a gift to yourself with a boudoir session. You’ll leave feeling beautiful and more confident.
Boudoir Photography
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If you are looking for family photos in San Diego why not choose us? We love photographing families on San Diego Beaches, Balboa Park, Old Poway Park and the Grove of Trees.
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Visit us to schedule your family session at www.michaellagman.com or email us at [email protected]
Grove of Trees Beautiful family photos in Grove of trees in San Diego
Lyric laughing Lyric laughing at us during her family photos in San Diego
Sister's Love capturedA great moment captured by Michael Lagman Photography
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Michael Lagman Photography is a San Diego family photographer serving communities in San Diego, Encinitas, Carlsbad, Del Mar, Coronado, northern San Diego county and San Diego county.
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More to come later...
]]>If you want to see more of our work, click here
Mayrel and ScuttleScuttle came by
Mayrel on the beach in La Jolla
]]>Cailin and Landon posingSitting together on the train platform
Landon and BubblesLandon at Old Poway Park
Cailin headshotCailin posing for us.
Cailin and Landon Cailin and Landon playing with the luggage.
If you ever get a chance to visit Old Poway Park at:
Boudoir Photography
Typically shot in a Michael Lagman studio or luxury hotel suites, it has become fashionable to create a set of sensual images in a"boudoir style". The most common manifestation of contemporary boudoir photography is to take candid and posed photographs of the subject partly clothed or in lingerie. Nudity is more often implied than explicit. The genre is often used for brides to surprise their future husbands by gifting the images on or before their wedding day. Other inspiration for boudoir photography include anniversaries, birthdays, Valentine's Day, weight loss regimes, maternity, other form of body change and for servicemen and women overseas.
1. If you have never had a professional photo shoot then you are in for an addicting surprise! Makeup + Hair + Lights + Photoshop + Professional Photographer = Amazing results and a fantastic look.
2. Yes, you can be naked or implied and look great. Boudoir photographers knows how to get you to look sexy on camera. Photographers work with women every day that want to hide certain bits and flaunt others. It is their job to know every pose in the book that is going to do this. By the way, you DO NOT have to get naked!
3. You look perfect today, and today is the day to flaunt it. There is no sense waiting until you lose the baby weight, get the boob job or can afford the right lingerie for the shoot. If you think you are going to look better in 6 months you are wrong, because like I said, you look perfect today.
4. It makes the perfect gift for your boyfriend/husband/lover/girlfriend…Or even better just for you!
5. Putting together the outfits is so much fun! You get to choose who you want to be for an afternoon. Sexy black lace, schoolgirl, pinup, bridal white, the choices are endless. Plus you get to shop for something very sexy.
Continued below...
San Diego Boudoir Photography
6. Perhaps you have a milestone that you would like to celebrate? Getting married, just quit your job, pregnant, just had a baby, retired, divorced, just about anything really!
7. It’s a chance to be truly glamorous for a day. How many of us do our hair and makeup and put on pretty things the way we would REALLY like to? This is your chance to be as girly as you want to be.
8. A boudoir photographer will have a team of hair and makeup. These people are all there to make sure you are the star of your photo shoot. Wewill help you with outfits, poses and looks.
9. It will shock your friends, they will be crazy jealous and they will all go do it after you. You will start a movement of women that feel incredibly sexy and have the photos to prove it.
10. Every woman should have at least one photo of themselves that makes them feel all giddy inside when they look at it. This would be that photograph…
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Yumi at windnsea in La JollaPolynesian photo shoot at Windnsea
I like the above image I love because of the contrast between the beauty of Yumi and the surf around her.
Yumi Tahitian postYumi standing on the ledge
From this angle you can't tell, but Yumi is on a ledge that is about 10' to 15' above the waves bellow her.
Yumi in the surfYumi posing in the surf.
Love this image of Yumi because the water crashing around her.
]]>Windnsea polynesian photo shootMarina at windnsea in San Diego Marin by the classic Windnsea surfing hut. I love how the picture is framed in this one.
Marina on the beachTahitian dancer at La Jolla
This image was captured as the waves were crashing all about Marina.
Waves crashing with MarinaMarina's photo shoot at La Jolla
Marina had hold this pose for a while because there were a lot of surfers and swimmers we didn't want in the background.
Marina on a rockSan Diego photographer Michael Lagman photographing Tahitian dancer Marina
The combination of Marina and the color of the waves really makes the image.
Mother and Daughter dancing Tahitian dancer in La Jolla's Windnsea beach.
Yumi and Marina did a little dance together and they really look look like they are enjoying themselves.
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As always I am looking for more people to be part of my book project, please contact me for more info.
Tahiti inspiredLa Jolla Windnsea beach photo shoot with Nani.
La Jolla beach photoNani on the beach Beautiful sunset image Photo shoot at La JollaThis was one of Nani's idea and I like it.
]]>If you are interested in my Polynesian book project, email me and let's talk!
Kaela's portrait photoCheck out the awesome tat
Kaela at La JollaTahitian photo shoot in La Jolla Kaela's portrait shotPortrait shot of Kaela Polynesian dancerTahitian dancer photographed in La Jolla
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I need a few more Polynesian dancers for my book please contact me at www.michaellagman.com or email me at info [at} michaellagman [.} com
Brianna at La Jolla
Polynesian Dancer in San Diego
Waves crashing around Brianna
]]>Along the way we share some good laughs which makes for some great images…Check out our site at www.michaellagman.com
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Example of a speedlight in full sunlight off camera flash using PocketWizard TTL on a sunny day. 1/1000 at f / 3.5
During a hot spell I decided to try my Einstein (by Paul Buff) in the high noon sun and see if I can get some great shots. The setup was my camera, Speedlight EX600, Einstein, PocketWizard TT1, and a MC-2. I recently did a firmware upgrade from PocketWizard so that I can test out Hyper Sync and High Speed Sync .
Einstein shot at full power, 1/8000 sec at f/2.8
We like photographing short depth of field, usually at f/2.8 and because of that, our shutter speeds needs to be set high which usually limits what we can do with our strobes. I decided to push the Einstein so in this picture I shot at 1/8000 at f/2.8 @ 70mm. This picture I thought turned out great.
Einstein shot at 1/8000 sec at f/2.8, note the bright light on the right side of the photo.
However in a wide angle shot, you can see that there's a bright spot occurring in the photo which did not give me the results I wanted. There could be two reasons why the bright light occurred; the beauty dish kicking out a lot light which needs a snoot. The second reason for the banding may be that I need to fine tune the TTL1. I believe that I need to adjust the tracking in on the pocket wizard.
I think based on my results I will be using the Einstein a lot for outdoor portraits, engagement sessions and weddings. All pictures are straight out of the camera without any adjustments.
]]>Often as photographers we are always trying to get our clients to feel comfortable in front of the camera and sometimes we need to step in front of the camera to have a customer experience. Being in front of the camera was a bit unnerving, because photographers don't like to have their photos taken. We had a lot of fun and as we are getting ready for 2013, you will see more of us.
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If you are expecting or would like some family photos please email us at i[email protected]
Erica and Adrian maternity photo at Balboa park
Erika looking beautiful
Baby's first set of shoes.
Beautiful day in Balboa Park with an equally beautiful Erika in one of Balboa Park's Gardens
Love this photo, it looks like a fashion maternity photo.
Stunning maternity photos in Balboa Park
Little Adrian's first photo
Please let us your comments and contact us today for your maternity session. Want to know more about Michael Lagman photography? Click here
]]>-It’s not about matching; it’s about creating a cohesive look. What this means: you should all look like you’re in the same season (if your child is wearing a winter coat, your husband shouldn't be in shirtsleeves) and like you could arguably be going to the same place.
family photo session in coronado
San Diego Family photo session in Balboa Park
- For you: Choose necklines that frame your face, like cowl-neck sweaters or boat-neck shirts…but avoid turtlenecks. Style your hair away from your face to avoid shadows, and choose jewelry that doesn’t distract.
- For your baby: Teeny-tiny suits are cute, but even cuter is a baby who’s not crying, so I’d go for comfortable, relatively casual layers that you can take on and off as the weather requires.
- For your husband: Few things look more awkward than a man who has been trussed up for a photo in an outfit that he’s uncomfortable in, so don’t try to stick your husband in a suit if he’s more of a tee-and-sneakers kind of guy.
- For all of you: Skip the patterns in favor of solid colors, and avoid shiny fabrics, as well as red, white, and black (white and red are too bright for the camera, and black absorbs too much light). Bright colors can look pretty and “pop” depending on the background, but I like the idea of warm neutrals for a family photo.
Family beach photo
Twins are always fun to photograph. San Diego newborn photographer Michael Lagman
Zeus peeking over and checking out what was going on. Visit us at www.michaellagman.com and see more newborn photos.
Odysseus peeking up and looking at us.
The whole family together after a day of photos. To see more family photos, visit us at www.michaellagman.com
Why not leave a comment and book us for your next family session? Visit us at www.michaellagman.com
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Lyric's photo shoot at Balboa Park
I love the big smile that Alegra gave us for this photo at Balboa Park.
Just love how Lyric is looking back at us.
Both Alegra and Lyric at Balboa Park taking their family photos.
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Gunnar loved playing with his beach ball
Gunnar playing in a big tire at Balboa Park
Guess who's turning one....
Gunnar loved being on the swing...
]]>If you are a junior and want to participate in our high school senior rep program (free senior session and images) email us at for more details [email protected].
Congratulations to the class of 2014
Senior Pictures at Balboa Park
High School Senior pictures
Senior photos
High School Friends
High School Senior Friends
High School Prom 2014
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Botanical garden reflection at night. Camera EXIF 16mm 8 seconds at f 8 ISO 50
I learned photography by taking a class with my friend Julie and we would explore San Diego with our cameras trying to one up each other (Julie would often win). For a class assignment once, we had to photograph something at night, so we went to Balboa Park with her dad, because back then Balboa Park was not a safe place after dark to photograph the fountain, bell tower and other landmarks. The picture above was taken recently when I was helping another friend understand their camera and how it worked.
La Jolla with a long exposure. Camera EXIF 35mm 2.5 seconds at f 22 ISO 50
When digital photography became affordable, I decided to pick up photography again and try to have some fun with it. I immediately fell in love with photography again and taught Suzanne how to use a camera and we found out that she is a far better photographer than me. We started taking images of landscapes and wildlife, which brought us to Yosemite, Yellowstone, Denali and Katmi. The picture above was taken in La Jolla using slow shutter speed.
La Jolla looking south. Camera EXIF 16mm 4 seconds at f 16 ISO 50
Landscape photography is not easy easy thing to do, it takes a lot of patience and you are often exposed to the elements for extended times. If you are patient enough and sometime willing to endure the elements, you will be rewarded with some amazing pictures. The picture above was taken on an incoming tide and water would often swirl around the base of the tripod and splash our camera.
Long exposure with incoming tide. Camera EXIF 35mm 1/2 seconds at f 16 ISO 50
]]>Cesar had wanted to surprise Edelen by sending her out on a treasure hunt ending up at Sunset Cliffs with a wedding proposal.
Edelen was greeted by her family and friends.
Cesar quietly walks up to Edelen. Edelen still doesn't know what is going on....
Cesar waiting for the right moment...
Edelen finds Cesar
Cesar proposes to Edelen...
Edelen says "YES!"
Release of the balloons!
Congratulations to Edelen and Cesar
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I did a newborn composite photo of the Carino Family in San Diego
Michael Lagman Photography does Maternity and newborn photography. Spring is almost here and why not schedule an appointment with us for your family session? Visit us at www.michaellagman.com or see us at http://michaellagman.zenfolio.com/
]]>For this photo shoot in the gym it was very challenging because of the mirrors surrounding the work out area made lighting challenging, but I think we got some great images. All images were taken at Go Fitness in National City, Ca. Check them out.
Doing fitness photography with Edna was a lot of fun and if you would like some pictures done, please contact us at [email protected]
Edna is doing one of her competition poses for us.
Fitness photography - Michael Lagman Photography
This is a great image we took of Edna as she is doing one of her squats in the gym. I love the intensity of the photo in this one.
Visit www.michaellagman.com for more info
You can see the definition in Edna's shoulder muscles in this image.
San Diego fitness photographer - Michael Lagman
I love this photo because it is a very strong cross fit photo of Edna. This photo really shows how her physique
Edna holding herself up balancing on a kettlebell, she makes this look easy.
commercial photographer - Michael Lagman Photography
The intensity on Edna's face is very intense.
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Michael Lagman Photography does fitness photography.
Edna is sponsored by Nutrition Zone
Edna is showing some of her upper muscle.
San Diego Fitness Photographer Michael Lagman
Edna flexing the jump ropes.
Michael Lagman photography photographing Edna
]]>Contact us if you would like to schedule us for a maternity session.
Be daring for the dramatic maternity photos. This was done at La Jolla where we wanted to create a great maternity image.
Props such as baby's first toy is great to bring to a session. This was done at our studio.
Something simple such as creating a heart for the baby. Presido Park always servers as a great location for us.
Babies initial are always a great way of keeping family and friends guessing the baby's name. Presidio Park was the location of this maternity shoot.
Playing it up and having fun is always makes a great maternity portrait. We took this picture at Balboa Park.
We wanted to create some drama with lighting and show off Aly's beautiful baby bump. This was at a North County beach.
Sometimes it is your passion like in surfing. This was taken in Cheryl's back yard with Ulysses
This one reminds me of being in touch with nature. Balboa Park gardens.
Another photo of Aly having fun with her maternity photo shoot in San Diego
Don't forget to visit us at www.michaellagman.com or if you have any questions, feel free to email us at [email protected].
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Looking into the Pacific
As with all photographers I have a personal project that I have been working on here in San Diego. I have been involved with photographing the local Polynesian Community in San Diego for many years and I have always been mesmerized by the different dances that each culture brings.
Beautiful image of Israel with the sun setting behind her
Michael Lagman is a Lifestyle photographer in the San Diego area whose primary focus is on family and wedding photography. Michael has been a professional photographer since 2007 with some of his work has been presented in San Diego Magazine and Lexus of Escondido. Michael’s has traveled from Alaska, Hawaii and to New York for his photography projects.
La Jolla shoreline with a Polynesian Dancer
Intense Polynesian dancer
You must select a collection to display.
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Modern Pinup done by Michael Lagman photography
Hula Girl pinup
Japan poster pinup style by Michael Lagman
Modern Pinup with hula girl tatoo
The modern pinup is something fun and if you are interested, please contact Michael Lagman Photography
]]>-It’s not about matching; it’s about creating a cohesive look. What this means: you should all look like you’re in the same season (if your child is wearing a winter coat, your husband shouldn't be in shirtsleeves) and like you could arguably be going to the same place.
family photo session in coronado
San Diego Family photo session in Balboa Park
- For you: Choose necklines that frame your face, like cowl-neck sweaters or boat-neck shirts…but avoid turtlenecks. Style your hair away from your face to avoid shadows, and choose jewelry that doesn’t distract.
- For your baby: Teeny-tiny suits are cute, but even cuter is a baby who’s not crying, so I’d go for comfortable, relatively casual layers that you can take on and off as the weather requires.
- For your husband: Few things look more awkward than a man who has been trussed up for a photo in an outfit that he’s uncomfortable in, so don’t try to stick your husband in a suit if he’s more of a tee-and-sneakers kind of guy.
- For all of you: Skip the patterns in favor of solid colors, and avoid shiny fabrics, as well as red, white, and black (white and red are too bright for the camera, and black absorbs too much light). Bright colors can look pretty and “pop” depending on the background, but I like the idea of warm neutrals for a family photo.
Family beach photo
Porsche leading in the lead coming out of the curve
Porsche on The Streets of Willow Springs
Porsche on the hunt
Porsche running fast at Willows Springs
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Camero at Willow Springs
Coming out of the Bowl Turn at the Streets of Willow Springs
Side view of camero during car days
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Eric at Willow Springs
Checker flag at Willow Springs
Subaru at Willow Springs
THe Streets at Willow Springs
Subaru panning at Willow Springs International
The Streets at Willow Springs
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San Diego Maternity Photographers
Beautiful maternity photos on the beach
Aly's Maternity photos in San Diego
Sunset Maternity Photos on the beach
]]>When I saw the work of Kim Taylor Reece I knew as a photographer I wanted to capture images and put together a collection of prints and books. I am looking for Polynesian dancers who are interested in my project, please contact me at [email protected]
If you are interested in taking a look at more of my Polynesian project check out my work at www.michaellagman.com/polynesian-photo-book Also, take a look at the video below to see what a photo shoot looks like...
My favorite photographer is Kim Taylor Reece and I love the images that he captures and he is color blind!
Scroll down to see some of my work...
Polynesian dancer Brianna from San Diego taken by Michael Lagman
Example of some of my work
Fire and Knife dancer Janelle on the beach...
Classic sunset image
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Rachel kissing Landon during a special moment
Newborn Landon looking at the camera. San Diego Newborn Photographer
Tiny feet. Newborn photos by Michael Lagman
Hayden and Don sharing a big smile
Landon getting ready for the winter
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Modern Pinup done by Michael Lagman photography
Hula Girl pinup
Japan poster pinup style by Michael Lagman
Modern Pinup with hula girl tatoo
Thank you Ryan, Andrea, Jeff and Adam for allowing us to capture Ryan's Bar Mitzvah
Ryan's Bar Mitzvah at the Temple Adat Shalom
Reading of the Torah
Ryan looking up
Ryan's Bar Mitzvah party at Carmel Mountain Country Club
Candle lighting ceremony at Carmel Mountain Country Club
Jeff, Andrea, Ryan and Adam having fun
Having fun
Winner at the bubble pop
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Competitors going through their routine before going out on stage. Some behind the scene at Heiva San Diego 2012
"It's not just the effortless motion of the dancers' hips as they sway in perfect unison with their hands, shoulders and feet, or the mesmerizing beat of the music, or the beautiful costumes. It's the way all those pieces fit together with an easy grace, making it hard to take your eyes off the dancers."- The beauty of Polynesian dance, by Dance Sprit Magazine
Competitors on stage at Heiva 2012
Competitor backstage at Heiva San Diego 2012 posing for the camera
As a photographer I was struck by how everyone was oblivious to my presence as they were getting ready to go out on to stage to compete. To me, there was a contrast between and how serious this competition meant to them the beauty of it all and I consider this collection as one of my best.
To see more of my works please visit my website at www.michaellagman.com and if you are interested in being part of my book project, please contact me at [email protected].
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Shot with natural light with a short depth of field. Suzanne used her 70 - 200 at f2.8
When we photograph our models we make sure that everyone is aware of their surroundings and respectful of the people around them. We make sure that our equipment doesn't block the sidewalks and that we can move fast.
In the photo on the above, Suzanne took as a test shot, but I thought it turned out great. The day was over cast with diffused light.
85mm 1/320 @ f/1.8 using two flash set up . Fashion photo shoot in Downtown LA
I really wanted to try filters on this shot to give it a nice "club like" feel to the photos. When I did some research on these types of photos, I noticed that the pictures were done in clubs but there was a lot background noise, I thought this cleaned it up a bit.
Three light set up using two flashes and our Einstein as a fill.
With this photo, I wanted to use a 3 light setup I used our Canon 600RT with Pocket Wizards TT1/TT5 and Einstein as a fill. I really like how these photos turned out because of the edge lighting.
Looking back on this photo, I really like how it looks like it was done in a studio not outside using a roll up door as the backdrop.
Below, the flash was pointed back at the camera to add not only the rim light, but also giving us a little flare to the photo. I really like this one because of how this one looks. The red dot on her left I left in as a distraction or interest point.
Canon 85mm 1/125 at f2.0 , this is an example of firing the flash back at the camera.
85mm 1/250 at f5.0, use of shadows in photography using strobes.
I usually don't like shadows in my pictures, but I do like to experiment with lighting. So this was a two light set up with the Einstein using as a fill and the flash on the Aimee's right to manipulate the shadow. I though this created an interesting photo
So that's it for now, if you have any questions or would like to work with me, drop a note.
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Suzanne, Eric, George and I was practicing with our Einstein light
On the picture to the right is a picture of me,(not very pretty), and Erica. But before we brought in Erica, we went out into the field and tried to balance the ambient light with our flash while bringing in the sun burst. The photo of me was done at f/9 at 1/100 using an Alien Bee 400. The photo with Erica was done f/18 at 1/160. The photo with Erica came out with better colors because of the ambient light.
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Maternity Session on Pacific Beach
Maternity Session on La Jolla
Maternity Humor San Diego
Tender Maternity Session
Sunset Maternity session
Loving hearts Maternity photo
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Today I had an opportunity to photograph Olivia today at a Pinup style workshop. I learned how the modern pinup style is very popular and it might be something we may offer as an option. During the workshop I learned about the clothing (contact me if you want to know where to find them), lighting and posing. Very interesting.
Modern Pinup Photography
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A little about myself, since I was in high school I always had an interest in politics and my actual major is in Political Administration. While in high school, I was in a sociology class where we had to go out and do some volunteer work and so my teach had sign up sheets to do volunteer work for city officials or at the time the Presidents race. So I signed up to volunteer and the closest thing to me a grocery store in Paradise Hills to hand out fliers for Ronald Regan. After doing that for a day one of the organizers asked if I wanted to go to downtown San Diego to watch a political rally and sit behind Regan to fill up the seats on the bleachers and add young people. I said no because I couldn't drive myself. As it turned out, that was Regan's last political spot while campaigning and he was elected President.
While I was studying in College I really wanted to work in the public sector and maybe even run for political office. I received a degree in Public Administration and with a lot of determination I wanted to work as a city planner, however life had other challenges for me and I never went down that road. So when our friends invited us to attend the ceremony and go to one of the many Inaugural Balls, I decided to jump on it.
Hopefully I get to tell my journey through pictures and comments. #barackobama #presidentialinauguration2013 #SanDiegoPolitics #sandiego #photography
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