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!!!!  

Cuteness Comes in Three's

This summer I've been trying to convince some of my clients to get a jump on Christmas portraits.   Here are some of my favorite shots from a session with three little cuties ages 6, 4 & 2.  The funniest part of the day was chasing the little girl, around the park with my camera and trying to fire when she would pause briefly.   I particularly like the shot of her looking over her shoulder at me . . . little diva!!   The boys competed for my attention which was a total crack up.  They would pose and try to get me to just photograph them alone.  In typical boy fashion, they tried to outdo one another in every shot.  When we tried to get them to pose together they would push and nudge each other right out of the shot.  Too funny . . . some of the outtakes are absolutely hysterical.   All in all, we got a ton of really adorable images and I was really liking the blues and greens set against all the dark foliage in the park.  I liked the color combo so much, I went out and bought similarly colored outfits for my kiddos and as soon as there is a break in the summer action, I'm taking my own adorable clan out for a session.  

Mama's Little Helper

Occasionally, I come across a book that makes me (and my kids) jump up and cheer.  This little hunk 'o paper is worth it's weight in gold.  My only regret is that I wish it would have come out sooner (and that I would have found it sooner.   With many tips on how to handle boredom (inexpensively and  without a lot of hoopla) in different situations, it can become a lifesaver for any mom or dad.   It will now be one of my standard baby shower gifts and I think I need to buy a couple of copies and use them for a contest on my blog.   Whaddya think?  If you just gotta get it right away go to Amazon and pick it up pronto.  BTW, this is not a paid advertisement.  The photographer recommending this book (a.k.a. me) is not getting any kind of perk from recommending this book.  I just had to tell all my mom/clients about it because it is oh so helpful.   From one Supermom to another . . . live long and prosper.  

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.   

Zoee's Slide Show

Since Zoee seems to be developing quite a fan base I thought I'd post her slide show. Those ears!!!!!

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.

Cookie Magazine Styled by Mom Contest

I love Cookie magazine because it's fun, hip and they put in extra effort when it comes to photography (which of course scores high in my book).   Here's something some of my clients might be interested in:  Cookie magazine and The Children's Place are offering a fun contest (that me and my pint-sized crew are entering too).  You simply send in your child's photo, with them fashionably dressed, and a paragraph on how your fashion sense is reflected in his/her look.  The grand prize winner gets a trip to New York City, a cookie photo shoot, and a $500 gift card.  There are other cool runner up prizes too.   For more info, go to cookiemag.com/go/styledbymom  And if you need someone to photograph your fashion diva or GQ dude for the contest . . . I happen to know a local photographer who specializes in children's portraits.   

Zoee the "Doggee"

I love dogs!  Love 'em.  All kinds of dogs . . . mutts, pure breds, big, small, energetic and lethargic.   We have two rescue doggies (Ginger, the couch eatin' Dal mix and Buddy the Chi-Terrier mix) and sometimes I get to "have over" a client doggie to photograph in the studio.  It's very much like a play date and so much fun for me!!   Yesterday I was able to combine two of my loves (dogs and photography) and we did a session with Miss Zoee.   Now let me tell ya, Zoee is absolutely the funniest little dog I've ever met.  She loves, loves, loves everyone and she has the cutest ears I've ever seen.   Her parents were very nice also and they were oh so helpful in the studio (ya know, dishing out the doggie treats and all).  Zoee is apparently very well loved.  Here is one of my favorite shots of Zoee in her bumble bee suit.