Fashionable Family

So here is the coolest thing about blogging - I get to publicly (or at least for the few people who read my blog) tell everyone how much I love my friend Lisa, and show off some pics of her and her sweet family.

I have known Lisa since junior high school.  She was cool and confident even back then - to the point that sometimes she wasn't liked because of her confidence; made her seem like a snob, but she's not in the least.  We were cheerleaders together, in each other's weddings, at each other's side for so much stuff.  I adore her and appreciate her.  What I love love love about her, is she can handle any situation, at any time.  Case in point - I took her along with me for my first shoot for the dance studio, shooting their dress rehearsal.  She volunteered herself to come and help, "even if I just upload your memory cards, I'll be there to support!"  Well I threw a camera at her set in manual mode, and said get to work!  Not only did she handle the camera beautifully, she captured some great stuff.  She has owned a bridal shop, been a wedding coordinator, a bookkeeper, a waitress,....and is currently an international marketing guru for Meguiar's, and travels all around the world.  During all of these experiences, she's had her two sweet boys who are the apple of her eye.  They adore her, and what's cool is that they appreciate how hip their mother actually is.  During her travels, she met her husband Cedric, who absolutely adores her.  It's really fun to watch :)

She is the type of girl that really can do anything.  She'll do anything for those she loves.  When she heard that I took my daughter to the urgent care on Thanksgiving, she called and asked if I wanted her to come down and sit with me in the waiting room.  Her offering to do that meant the world to me.  She always calls and leaves me messages of encouragement, and I know I can use her as a fair and honest sounding board.  She calls me out when she thinks I'm making a mistake.  And I always know she's right.  Did I mention she was our Homecoming Queen?  That was such a cool moment!

So my payback to her for years of support is to shoot her family whenever she wants it.  I threw out some ideas for some pictures, and she pointed out that her family isn't very beach and park-like.  She wanted a fashion-type family shoot, so this is what we came up with. 

Love her awesome boys...

Obviously I could go on for days about this girl!

Love you Lisa, you're as good as it gets.

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Studio Lights!

I have really wanted to get a set of studio lights for sometime.  Don't ask me why - I normally shoot using available light, and have always felt it was my niche.  In fact I believe I have uttered the phrase "I will never own studio lights."  Though as a mom, I do like to have a studio portrait of my kids from time to time.  I have even taken them to kiddie kandids because it is a GREAT CHALLENGE for me to photograph them.  I have to say the photographers there were really patient with my kids and I liked that.  I did not like that I only had 5 shots to choose from - especially when they were all subpar.  So I'm expanding my business to include family portraits, headshots, etc with the use of studio lighting.  So far I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!  And having a ball with everyone!  The only thing I'm not that keen on is the paper.  It's ripping way too easily (especially with kids dancing on it), and it's pretty cumbersome.  I am going to get some new fabric, and that will be cool.   All of my equipment is easily portable...so "have lights will travel."

Here's some recent fun with my kids, and it turns out I can get a great shot of them.  It only takes about 200 to get there! 

I love how soft the light feels - even though he's bumming around in sweats and a comfty shirt, these still are fun....and he's being himself!

My first "sitting" went really well, and had a ball shooting these guys. 

She was so much fun!  Getting her to smile was easy, just had to let her be a little goofy and she felt real comfortable in front of the camera.

He just a cute little stinker!

So my son is normally a pill about getting his picture taken, but it seems he needs to always take one with our guests!

Love getting Halloween costume portraits!  We spend so much on these costumes for who to see...the neighbors when we trick or treat??  This was a custom Snow White, and was so pretty.

There's that stinker again...as a skunk!

....and Beyond!

The Higgins family got some portraits done as well.  I was surprised when their daughter wasn't really into getting her picture taken.  For some reason I thought all little girls would love to get their pictures taken, but not so.  She was being as sweet as pie, but not giving me a great smile.  Her mom chimed in and said she loved games, so we started "Simon Says," and she fell right into her adorable self.  Good girl!!

Their son needs no encouragement, and is the cutest, sweetest boy ever!!

Anyone interested in studio portraits, please give me a jingle!  Have a great week!

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Steve and Catherine

So this blog is about my friend Catherine and her fiance Steve.  Great looking couple, and so so so cute together.  She's the chatty one, and he's the quiet one....or he just can't get a word in! HA!  Kidding!

I have known Catherine for a very, very long time, and our relationship has changed a lot over the years. 
First, I was her dance teacher, then we were teachers together, then I took some of her dance classes, then she became my client....my biggest client actually!  She gave me my first break into photographing their dance studio portraits this past July.  I really appreciated her giving me a chance :)  All the while I have always considered her one of my dearest friends, even though she is nine years younger than me. I adore this girl, and am so proud of her!  She and her mom (who I absolutely love) own Impact Dance Center in Cypress, which is formerly Kindorf Dancers (where we all met!).  Still blows my mind to see her as a business owner, teacher, director, etc. etc.  I am going to shoot their wedding in January, and I don't really know how I'm going to get through it without bursting into tears.  I can't even watch a dance she has choreographed without getting choked up. 

We spent the afternoon at Yorba Regional park hoping for some awesome fall leaves for them to play in, but they had been raked!  We enjoyed the warm light, and beautiful colors.  Who says Californians don't feel the seasons?

Steve really is a cutie, and it's clear he adores her!

Gotta love the pointed toes - once a dancer, always a dancer!!

Can't wait for your big day!

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Model Shoot

Last Saturday I got together with some talented photographer friends NeTonya, Romina, and Margo to photograph Serene.  She's a model looking to build her portfolio, so went spent the day with her and had some great fun!

Beautiful girl!

What an awesome day, can't wait to meet up with these ladies again.

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Twins!!

These little guys were so much fun!  They are the same age as my son, and I got a kick out of seeing how similar they were to him.  We met up on a warm morning in downtown Orange and got to work....if you want to call it work, it was more like play!

Such cuties.....

I loved working with their mom Cari - actually she did most of the work that day.  For those of you who aren't moms or dads to preschoolers, you can't appreciate how difficult it is to have them sit still and keep their interest.  Cari was soooo good with them!  She kept asking them all kinds of questions about school, their friends, their neighbors, what they would be for Halloween, etc etc.  She's done this before!

Best buddies!

Underneath the handsome shirt, tie and sweater, a cool shirt....

Thank you Cari and boys, you were such fun!

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