Sometimes it's fun to just get in front of a camera and PLAY.
LOVE what you see? Share the love by simply leaving a comment below. If this blog post receives 25+ comments, Hannah will receive an 8x10 print of her choice.
And if you think you'd like to PLAY with a photo session of your own, be sure to sign up for my newsletter (just click the red tab to the left). I've got something incredibly FUN coming up in 2013, and would love for you to be a part of it when the announcement is made.
My niece and nephew just turned FOUR years old. And their parents decided to celebrate by taking them to DISNEYLAND for the FIRST time. (squeeeealll!!!) Living in Southern California, this is a HUGE rite of passage, and one that I was excited to be a part of.
It was quite a little party we had. The twins, their parents (my step-bro and sis-in-law), a set of grandparents (my mom and step-dad), and myself (the cool aunt). And I don't know which of us was more excited... the kiddos or us grown-ups. Because, while I'm at Disneyland quite a lot (hooray for annual passes), it is something quite different to see it through a child's eyes... especially when seeing it all for the first time.
Everything was so shiny and new. And incredibly fantastic. The twins moved like little pinballs, their eyes bouncing from sight to sight. And we weren't much better. "M," look here! "E," look here! We were all wanting to share our own favorites with them as we went along, and were so happy to be a part of their BIG day.
"E" was SO excited to meet the characters... until he got up close and it was actually HIS turn. (Let's face it... they CAN be quite scary.) But "M" was fearless and dove right in for the hugs.
"E" plans our next move...
While "M" strikes a pose...
...aaaaaand, there's the KID again.
"E" was so amazingly brave and rode a roller coaster for the FIRST time.
Proof that I actually WAS here, though behind the lens (as usual)
Making faces.
love love LOVE this shot. They are SO amazingly wonderful with each other... especially when they don't think that anyone is watching.
The grandparents got to spoil them with LOTS of sweets that day.
But it's hard NOT to... I mean, just look at how CUTE they are!
Click here to see even more images from their day at Disneyland.
Many thanks to my family for letting me be a part of your BIG and wonderful day. (And for letting me stick a camera in your face for most of it.)
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They might not remember the details of how they met, but they DO remember liking each other from the start. Jason & Nicole met at work, flirted a bit, and even played on the company softball team together. Five years later, they're about to say "I do." I've been friends with Nicole for about a year now, so I was thrilled to capture some engagement photos for the two of them.
Nicole came to me with a fun idea. She wanted her engagement session with Jason to be timeless, in a FUN sort of way. Something not too posed or traditional. And something that was totally THEM. Which meant a trip to one of their favorite places... the beach.
As Nicole, herself, put it... "we just have great chemistry - and he makes me laugh constantly."
I LOVE that they wanted to stop for a bite at this pizza place. Jason grew up in New Jersey, so this was like a little slice of home.
Nicole said that she would LOVE to have some pictures that looked like they could be a funky 60s album cover. I think we NAILED it.
Jason & Nicole, you are two amazingly wonderful people and I wish you all the joy in the world. I can't wait to see you become husband and wife next month!
Here's to a beautiful future together.
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This past Saturday, I had the privilege of second-shooting Matt & Timree's wedding under Hanh Nguyen Photography. All those who are familiar with Timree know that it was bound to be a glitzy affair. From "glitter girls" who threw large pieces of gold confetti (instead of the traditional flower girls with rose petals), to a ceremony exit under a confetti shower, to a dance floor filled with LED light rings ("so everyone would look like fireflies as they danced," as Timree said), to a sparkler exit for the night... it was definitely filled with glitter and sparkles galore.
More pictures to come soon. In the meantime, check out their FUN engagement session from a few months ago.
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The first time I ever went to Knott's Scary Farm I was 15 years old, a sophomore in high school, and newly in love. I've never been much of a horror fanatic, but I'd heard that Halloween Haunt was THE place to go on a date. I mean, c'mon... I got to play damsel in distress while he got to hold me close while protecting me from the monsters? It was a win-win. I wasn't a huge horror fan, but it was SO much fun to cling to the back of my boyfriend's shirt as he bravely led us through each maze, our hearts racing all the way. -------------------
Flash forward (many, MANY years), and I was JUST as excited to be heading back.
I was a little bit older, a little bit wiser, but still very much still the scaredy cat. But I put my brave face on and gave it a go. And I'm SOOOO glad that I did.
This time around, I wasn't hiding behind a boyfriend. Sheesh... I'm waaaaay too mature for THOSE games. (not really.) In actuality, this time I was hiding behind my best friend, Michelle. She's MUCH braver than I am (and a HUGE fan of the scary, gory stuff), so I invited her to be my guest for the evening. And made her go FIRST through the mazes so she could guard me from the spooky stuff. Ha!
Here are a few highlights from the evening:
If you've been to Knott's Scary Farm before, then you know that one of the highlights of the evening is the "hanging," where they mock every current social reference you can possibly think of.
Here they are getting ready to hang "Kristen Stewart."
....aaaaand, now back to the spooky stuff.
Our first maze of the evening. My heart was racing, and it felt like I was about to board a rollercoaster. It was awesome.
Michelle fell in love with the Snoopy sipper.
Michelle and I joined forces with Desi and Tammy of Dez+Tam Photography for the evening. Because there's safety in numbers, right?
We were told that there would be a "gangnam style" flash mob during the evening. I didn't know that Ted Nguyen would be leading the pack, however.
Even the monsters got into the fun...
Tammy had a "little" someone sneak up behind her.
While Michelle was quite happy to be clowning around.
And what would a trip to Knott's be without some yummy funnel cake?
(Thanks for sharing, Desi!)
Even ghouls have gotta get their grub on... right?
Once bitten, twice shy?
This was an awesome moment. Michelle had NO clue that this guy was right behind her till it was too late.
Many, MANY thanks to Knott's and GigaSavvy for the invitation. I hope to come back NEXT year!!!
See even more images from the evening here on Facebook.
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On Saturday I had the pleasure of meeting the O'Brien Family, and I instantly fell in love. With all of them. Matthew, Ashley, their new son John and even their cute dog Mo. They welcomed me into their home, put a hot mug of coffee into my hands, and made me feel like a beloved friend. All in an instant. And it was that kind of caring that I was looking forward to capturing during our photo session.
I was at their home for my first Red Thread Session. Ashley and Matthew had recently adopted John (You can read more of their story here on Ashley's blog), and I was there to capture some of their first family photos.
And this wasn't your everyday newborn session. Because it wasn't just about John (even though he was amazingly adorable.)
Here's just one of my favorite images captured that morning:
Want to see more? Check out the rest of the sneak peek by clicking here to access their custom mobile app*
LOVE what you see? Share the love by simply leaving a comment below. If this blog post receives 25+ comments, the O'Brien Family will receive an 8x10 print of their choice.
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*Each client of mine receives a Custom Mobile App containing images from their session. It can be viewed using any computer but is soooooooo much more awesome when viewed from a mobile device (such as iPhone, Android or iPad), as the image gallery can be saved to the device to be viewed offline for an instant photo album ANYTIME.
Looking back through the family photos makes me cringe a bit. I see that habit I had when I was younger of sticking my tongue out just a bit when I smiled. I see the horrible gold lamé dress my mother had me wear for Christmas pictures one year. I see the horrible fashion choices I made on my own. (And crimped hair? What was I thinking?) But when I am able to look past all of that ego-centric stuff, I am able to see something quite fabulous. My family. I can see... and I can remember.
And I often wonder... what if I didn't have those photos to rely on? Would my memories of them be a bit different? Or maybe a bit more vague if I didn't have something to SEE in order to spark the recollection?
Some people don't have the pleasure of having a single family portrait, or any pictures at all. There are plenty of people who lost past photos due to fire or other natural disasters. There are those who have fled bad situations, leaving everything behind. There are single parents and underprivileged families who simply can't afford photos. And plenty of other people and other circumstances, as well.
Which brings me to this:
Help-Portrait is a community of photographers coming together across the world to use their photography skills to give back to their local community. In December, photographers around the world will be grabbing their cameras, finding people in need and taking their picture. When the prints are ready, the photographs get delivered. Just like that.
In 2010, I had the pleasure of volunteering at a Help Portrait event at the Orange County Rescue Mission. Each family was escorted to a room where services were being provided by local hair & makeup artists who had donated their time, tools and expertise. Then the families were led to one of eleven photo stations that had been set up, where each family received a quick family portrait session. A few days after the photographs were taken, each family received a family portrait in the form of one 5x7 and two 4x6 prints.
My favorite moments were working with the families, themselves. Seeing the apprehension and tentativeness turn to joy. And lots of smiles. Hearing the laughter and knowing that, no matter what else is in their lives, in this one moment they are truly happy. And THIS will be remembered when they look at their photo.
It was amazing to see how many people came together to make this all happen... not just photographers, but many other people who believed in this cause, as well. Each person donated whatever time and tools they could, and we were even able to gain some business sponsorships, as well... not just covering some of the photo printing cost, but also lending lighting equipment, backdrops and other necessary items for the day. This event could not have taken place with all of their financial support.
I'm gearing up to do it all again this year, as Help Portrait will be held on December 8, 2012 .
Here's how:
Today through September 26, Help Portrait is running a Groupon deal where you can donate $10 to the cause. Each $10 donation covers the cost of 3 prints and a frame for one family.
And even better, Wacom (this year's corporate sponsor) has agreed to MATCH all donations (up to $4,000). So your $10 donation is actually $20!
So your donation would provide new family pictures for TWO families.
Click this link to donate now: http://www.groupon.com/deals/dc-lgt-grs-help-portrait
And THANK YOU for your generosity.
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photo used is from Help-Portrait site.
There is an ancient Chinese belief which states: An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstances. The thread may stretch or tangle but will never break.
This is a commonly-used saying within the adoption community. It symbolizes the bond that all adoptive children have with their adoptive parents, even before they meet. An invisible “red thread” connects them to the people that are destined to be a part of their lives. With this in mind, an organization named Red Thread Sessions was created in 2011 by a group of photographers who wanted to celebrate the beauty and strength of adoption.
I am happy to announce my involvement with this organization, and that I will now be offering Red Thread Sessions.
What is a Red Thread Session?
As stated on their official website, a Red Thread Session not only captures family portraits of new families, it also capture the precious, happy, confusing, exciting, exhausting, traumatic, life-changing time that is so often brief and fleeting in the life of an adoptive family.
To many people who have never gone through the process (or have simply seen the tv-version of it all), adoption appears pretty straight-forward. But I can tell you... it's anything but that. Not only is it a big decision to make, but then there are the inspections. The questions. More inspections. And waiting. (Lots and lots of waiting.) Hope and joy when the announcement is made... and total heartbreak if an adoption falls through. More decisions, and more waiting. Lots more hope. And then joy (and normal parenting fear) when it all becomes real and an adoption goes through.
But this is just the beginning. There are adjustment periods on both sides. It's not a simple "happily-ever-after" kind of thing. it's deep, emotional, and sometimes pretty messy. But in the end, adoption is one of the most generous and rewarding things of all. In my eyes, adoption is one of the greatest gifts you could ever bestow upon someone. A chance to belong. To be loved. And to be chosen for these things.
To all of you who have chosen to adopt children as part of their family, I thank you.
For giving a child a home. For giving him a chance at a normal life. And for offering him your love.
In appreciation of all you are doing, I would like to thank you personally with your first family photos. Better known as a "Red Thread Session," these unique services are available for free to newly adoptive parents:
Please visit the website of Red Thread Sessions for more details/qualification information. Or if you are ready to get started, you can contact me directly. I will be offering up to 6 of these sessions per year (and more if my schedule permits). I look forward to meeting your beautiful family.
Why my involvement with this cause? Not many people know this, but before becoming a photographer it was my dream to be a psychologist/therapist/counselor of some kind. I graduated from Cal State Fullerton with my B.A. in Psychology, then went on to work in a few different children's group homes. I fell in love with the children's spirits (even when they were being their most difficult), but was heartbroken at seeing the reality of "the system" from the inside. I wanted to delve further into this field, but life had different plans for me. I am someone who takes everything to heart and found that I was just too "soft" to continue in this line of work. I wasn't able to leave things "at the door" and took the stress of the situation home with me. After months of insomnia, nightmares and near ulcers, I was forced to re-evaluate my path in life. Changing the direction of my life was one of the most difficult decisions I've ever had to make.
And so, I went on to pursue other dreams, never leaving this one far behind. I've continued to work with kids... volunteering, teaching and empowering them whenever an opportunity arises.
When I hear of an adoption... I light up with joy. Parents given a child they thought they'd never have, and children given a family they've always wanted.
One less kid who has to grow up in "the system," and one more family given the chance for happiness and love.
To all adoptive families... I thank you. From the bottom of my heart.
