Pupcakes and Pet Portraits

If you know me . . . you know of my love for furry faces.  Much to the chagrin of my husband (who conveniently faked liking animals while we dated) we have our own little menagerie.  This little zoo includes but is in no way is limited to Ginger, the couch-eating-Dalmatian and Buddy the Chi-? mix from Tijuana.    They are both rescue pups who lived on the street and now rule our couch. We love them and can't imagine life without them.   Even John (my husband) adores them . . . most of the time.   He even enjoys their treats that are shaped like little realistic-looking cupcakes*, but I promised I would not blog or FB how he mistakenly consumed one of these recently, so don't bring it up if you bump into him ; )     

*Our yummy pupcakes were purchased at Le Woof Bakery in Yorba Linda www.lewoofshop.com  

A Bit of Sunshine in the City

We decided to do a session in downtown Fullerton.   There are lots of cool walls and doorways where I like to shoot.  Her mom said she was going to be shy and that it might take a while to get her to warm up. Little "S" didn't seem to have any problem with getting her portrait done.   I'd say the warm up time was about 2.2 minutes at most.  She was such an beautiful little girl and so sweet.   This was one of the most fun photo shoots I've ever done.  We kept right on going with wardrobe changes until we literally ran out of good light.   Don't you just love her funky high tops with the urban background?   

Cruising for a Cause

It's no secret that I'm a big animal lover.   Additionally, I just turn to mush for big brown eyes of almost every kind.  So this summer, I've donated a session/portrait package to the silent auction to benefit the Pacific Marine Mammal Center.  The fundraiser is called the Sea Lion Sunset Cruise Fundraiser and it's a 3-hour harbor cruise that takes place on Thursday, July 23rd 2009 from 6-9pm aboard the Endeavor Yacht in Newport Beach. If you are interested in going the tickets are $45 and include dinner, a silent auction for really cool stuff (including a session and a 16 x 20 wall print from me), gaming tables, and a great raffle opportunity. All funds go towards the purchase of fish and medication for those big-brown-eyed cuties, the marine mammal patients.  To find out more about the fundraiser call 949-494-3050 or go to www.pacificmmc.org/events.html.   AND if you go, please bid lots of money on my portrait package so that we can hook up and make some really amazing portraits of your cuties (no matter what their eye color).  

    

Not my photo but these are two sea lions that were treated at PMMC and released.  They lived happily ever after : ))

Christmas in July (or August) Promotion

Yes, I'm giving you all a hearty nudge with egg nog* in one hand and my camera in the other. Why not get your Christmas portraits done now?   You're not shopping for 78 gifts.  You are more rested,  a bit tanned and less stressed.   The sun sets later in the day so we can even do outdoor sessions with good light after work hours.   And if all that isn't incentive enough . . . I'm offering $100 off the session fee or package to anyone who completes a session in July or August.  

Now you're saying how very nice of her.   She is such a giver.    In reality, I'm just trying to get a jump on things so that I'm less stressed right before the holidays.   You see, everybody wants portraits for the holidays.  The thing is everyone puts it off until the very last second and then it's a mad rush . . . a rush for you, a rush for me, a rush for my labs.   So I thought I'd try this "summer incentive" thing and see if I can give everyone the gift of peace (and more time to shop later when it all gets crazy).     * I lied, I can't find egg nog anywhere this time of year.   

Mama's got a ring flash . . .

. . . Daddy can't sleep at night.   Remember that old song? (Squeeze Box)  OK, so it's really old.   I got a new ring flash and I just had to tear it out of the box and start shooting right away.   I bribed my resident model to do some quick posing for me.   For the non-photo geeks - a ring flash is a circle of  light that provides a soft even light on the subject.  It's very distinct lighting and it's really fun for a change of pace.  You see it in a lot of fashion mags.  It provides a soft shadow that seems to envelope the subject.   You can see it really well on the top images where my model is sitting near the background.   It also makes a ring of light in the catch light in the eyes which you can see if you enlarge an image or if the close up is extreme.   The bottom images were again just for fun and my little firecracker felt the need to jump for joy and for her country . . . of course.   Happy 4th of July!!!!  

Paramount Ranch

OK,  so I've been reminded by a few folks,  I'm behind in my blogging.   I've been busy.  Got a backlog of fun images to post.   Just a couple of weeks ago, a photographer and friend, Jen May, organized a photo session at Paramount Ranch.   What a fabulous spot to do a portrait session!!! Without too much convincing and bribery a friend agreed to make the trek with me to get her portraits done and I'm  so glad  she did.  Not only is she incredibly beautiful, but her look just seemed to fit in with the whole country feel of the place.  (although when you look like Olivia, you look good ANYWHERE and you make anywhere look good).   

The ranch is a state park now, but many movies and TV shows have been filmed there over the years. If you're interested mosey on over to http://www.seeing-stars.com/studios/ParamountRanch.shtml for the full back story.    Olivia and I had a lot of fun out at the ranch taking pictures and enjoying the great facades.   Here are just a few of my faves.   

Cute Little Sisters

Late last week I did a session with two very sweet little girls. In addition to their sweetness though, I got to get a glimpse at their budding personalities which is what I love to do. I wanted to break free from the typical "all pink" type of background and attire, so we went for bold use of color and a damask patterned background. I like mixing it up a bit and who could possibly strike out with such adorable faces as the subjects.

The baby was spunky and all about running the show. You can tell she had us all in the palm of her chubby little fingers. The Big Sister was smart, sensitive, reading each comment and situation and thinking it all through. While she was so very quick to smile and look exceedingly girly, there was this one "Mona Lisa" smile that summed up her personality so very well.

The Little Cowboy

Been rustling up some cowboys.  Little ones.   Couldn't you just squeeze those cheeks . . . and he is such a patient model too.  He is just one of those kids who gives you a range of emotion without much need for direction.  But that is the way I like to create children's portraits. None of that "do this, look here and smile" stuff really works well when you are trying to capture their soul.  Just let them be "them" and wait until they have that certain look that is just very simply who they really are.