If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that I’m a professional photographer and a San Francisco local. So what does that mean? That I know all the best places to shoot!

Fun fact: I found yoga in ‘04, when I was 18 (this was before the internet was hugely popular and everyone knew everything at all times), and have practiced on and off ever since.

Everyone knows the LBD (little black dress), but tbh I prefer a LBR (little black romper)! Anyone else? 

I've been getting lash extensions for the past year, and every time I bring it up in conversation, I always get a ton of questions. So here's a little personalized FAQ for my lash extension experience.

Ya'll know I've been gluten-free for years, but recently I added vegan to my dietary choices. I don't know if you've noticed, but it's actually not that easy to find restaurants that are both gf AND vegan - seems like most places offer one or the other. So here's a little guide of my favorite restaurants to grab gf/vegan healthy fresh meals in San Francisco.

If you watch my stories regularly, you've heard me talk a bunch about switching over from mainstream skincare products to all natural, organic, plant-based brands and how it's done wonders for my skin.

I'm sad to say that the concept of sustainable and ethical fashion is pretty new to me, but I jumped onboard as soon as I found out about it. We have to learn to be more intelligent consumers in all areas of our lives, and an easy way to start is fashion.

Ya'll already know I love floral prints, and they were so in for Fall. So I figured... why not keep it going into winter?

Little-known fact about me: I'm not a huge fan of fiction in movies and books. Nor do I drink alcohol. So, Julia, why did you want to go to the Napa Valley Film Fest, you ask? Because: nature, gorgeous venues, documentaries, food presentations, and celebs ... duh.

Ya'll must know by now how much I love interactive art, so of course as soon as I heard that the Museum of Ice Cream was coming to SF, I knew I had to go there (duh!). MOIC LA didn't disappoint, and I had a feeling SF would be even better. And ... I was right! Here's a little peek into the experience.

I recently discovered an amazing treat in the middle of downtown San Francisco... affordable glasses made while you wait!

One of my favorite things in the world are interactive art exhibits, so when Color Factory opened up in SF, of course I had to go. As a former Burning-Man-attendee and a lifelong believer in fun and imagination, I find it to be the most amazing experience to step into someone else's creative landscape (how do people come up with this stuff?!).

The cool thing is, if I've learned anything in life, it's that there's never a reason to give up on your goals. Even if you fail at completing your goals for months, or years, or even decades, you can pick up at any time and JUST. DO. IT. Just do it. It's that easy (Nike got it right). It doesn't have to be perfect. It doesn't have to be anything other than what you can put out there. But just do it. Because what's worse than failing? Never even trying.

This morning I woke up to major sales from 3 of my fave brands! So I had to share the excitement (and savings) with you.

This edition of Julia Recommends is ... (drumroll please) ... my nail salon! I usually just go for a pink/nude/grey color, but this week I was feeling extra saucy so I got this adorable (schizophrenic?) mixed canvas kind of deal. Take a look for yourself (and notice that pretty much anything I hold, ever, had to do with boba tea, obvs):

One of my favorite things to do is take photos of bloggers who haven't worked with a professional photographer before. The vibe is a mixture of excitement, anxiety, and endless possibility, which is intoxicating. It's so fun to answer questions and guide them through the experience, while also watching progress into getting comfortable, having fun, and finding the rhythm of being in front of a professional camera.

I love working with new bloggers because I get to help them feel comfortable in front of a professional's lens for the first time, and to figure out their esthetic. Last week, I got the chance to photograph Dita, a young, super fashionable mom who recently moved to San Francisco from Stockholm (@sf.stockholm).

Unlike my NYFW experience, winter weather in San Francisco is generally what you'd call Fall weather anywhere else in the country. So what does that mean? Sweaters and warm drinks and scarves, oh my! Amanda of Mela Moda wore the epitome of this season's winter sweater for this shoot. It was comfy over-sized, over-the-shoulder, neutral color, and had bell sleeves. What more could you want?

One of my favorites Valentine's Day sessions was with Shannon of Style by Lolly. She went girly, but still edgy. Instead of roses, she picked tulips. No dress, but jeans and a tee. She did keep the red lips and glittery heels, but they were wedges and she paired the whole outfit with a statement necklace.