Monday, November 7, 2011

Pretty as a Peacock | Central Coast Newborn Photographer


This precious beauty was a delight to photograph!  I had be wanting to do a peacock-themed picture for quite some time and was thrilled when the opportunity presented itself!  Thank you for stopping by!





Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Girl, You're Amazing, Just The Way You Are! | Paso Robles Senior Portrait Photographer

I had the wonderful opportunity to do another senior shoot a couple weeks ago with this young woman.  She came with nervous thoughts and timid attitude. But, after a few jokes, some gorgeous pictures, and some new clothes.. this natural beauty was ready to shine!  She left saying she had the best time!  What a great shoot!  If I can make you feel beautiful, even for one second, then I feel I have succeeded.






Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Fast Cars and Freedom! | San Luis Obispo County Senior Portrait Photographer

With each and every shoot that I do, I try to grow in some way.  This Senior shoot was no exception.  My client, a young, smart, and talented Senior had some really extreme ideas of what he envisioned for his Senior Portraits.  I was excited to take on the challenge, and terrified that I wouldn't meet his high expectations.  Step One: find a location to meet these needs.  Step Two: study new photography techniques and practice practice practice!  Step Three: don't forget mom- she wants some standard nice photos of her son!  So, the shoot was done in 4 phases, let me know what you think:
Phase 1:  Running from a TRAIN
Phase 2: Cool bridge for some Longboarding shots- while also sneaking in a few "mom shots"


Phase 3: Show off the car he has worked hard on

Phase 4: Awesome mural wall for a few more "mom shots"

Monday, October 3, 2011

FLower Girl

A couple weeks ago, I was personally asked by the blog owner at Ordinary Inspirations, to join the blog and enter in the weekly photo contests!  Of course, I immediately rushed on over and became a member, and the very next Monday (this week) entered my first photo in her contest.  The contest works like this: photogs enter a photo they feel captures beauty, then Traci picks her top 3 favorites and everyone votes for #1.  Well, TRACI PICKED MINE!  I was so stinkin excited when I saw it this morning! Now, let me warn you, I am 100% sure I won't win, since I even think the beach scene is better than mine- but, it was so great just to be in the top 3 with these other 2 amazing photographers!  Thank you Traci!  So, head on over HERE and check them out, and, if you feel so inclined, vote for me! :)



This is my beautiful niece, Emma.  She just turned 8 last week and I was reminded of these beach-side photos I had taken this summer!  What a fun, vibrant, and beautiful little girl!

Friday, September 30, 2011

Coastal Wedding! | San Diego Temple Photographer

You know that moment, when you get to a location and your jaw drops, your heart begins to race and your trigger finger twitches with anticipation because you just can't wait to start shooting?  Well, I do.  The moment we stepped on the grounds of the San Diego Temple on September 3, I fell in love.  Now, don't get me wrong, I had seen MANY pictures of this temple and knew before-hand how beautiful it was, but seeing it in person and having the most AMAZING natural lighting ever in my life, I was ECSTATIC!  Here, let me show you what I mean:

Since I was so excited, I took a picture right away.  I know, may seem kind of lame, since there are no people in it.  But, you never want to forget the place that you were sealed to the love of your life for time and all eternity!!  So, when I got home, I turned this picture into this, so that Devin and Ambrey will have a memento of that beautiful place:

Okay, I hear you, bring on the Bride and Groom!  They were equally as gorgeous with the glow of love halo-ing them.  Here are my favorite moments:









Monday, September 19, 2011

A Touch Of Sun Entry


While driving down to San Diego, I decided one thing: MUST find a parasol before the wedding!  Luckily, with one day to spare, I found one and was able to make my dream a vision!  We really had a lot of fun shooting this wedding- beautiful people and an amazing location made for two happy photographers! :)

Monday, September 12, 2011

Back To School Entry

Back To School.. Back To School!

I wanted to do something ultra dorky, super schoolish, and totally fun for my back to school shoot!  First step: rummage.  My parents have this amazing room full of stuff behind their house storage facility that I like to frequent when looking for props.  This occasion was no different, so I headed on over and rummaged away.  And, as per usual, amazingly, I found EXACTLY what I needed, and some extras I didn't even know I needed!  First find: perfectly restored old desk.  Better find: horribly antique and totally amazing even-more-antique desk just WAITING to be painted and loved.  So, paint I did!  Then I found myself a globe and some old books and knew my shoot was just a click away!  After clearing out my house of the decor for the millionth time, I outfitted my boys in the most school-nerd-chic outfits I could put together and got on the road!  Here is what I put together:




This shoot is also being offered as a mini session this Friday, so if you want your own school split 8x10, head on over to the Little Looky tab and get the info!

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

If At First You Don't Succeed.. Try, Try Again!

One of my best friends upon getting pregnant, decided two things: first, I was going to do her newborn pics (well, duh, we are best friends) and second, she wanted something totally country.  So, for nine months, okay, eight months, we schemed and looked up photos and came up with some great ideas.  Then, the day came, and her little MR was born.  However, while little MR was being born, I was on my way out of town for TWO WEEKS!  In newborn photography, days are like years.. the older the babies get, the less likely they are to stay asleep.. and little MR was no exception to the rule.  I spent a lot of time sitting and waiting, hushing, and cuddling.. then, when we finally got the saddle ready- HE DIDN'T FIT!  I know, total let down.. RIGHT?  I had to give up on my friends dream.. RIGHT?  Not only did he totally hate the saddle, but he didn't fit.. what else could I do.. RIGHT?  WRONG!  lol, sorry, my own re-dramatization just made me chuckle.. please realise I am not the best story-teller!  So, this is what I had from my saddle visit (please be kind, as these are SOOC-straight out of camera):

So, you're probably laughing to yourself right now.. poor Cindy, and her crushed dream.. well, that's how I felt.  But, luckily for my friend, I'm not a quitter.. so, I sat, stared, (facebooked when I was bored) and thought about these pictures.  I started fumbling around with them to see if I could create something.. and then an AH HA moment caught me off guard.  I had already posted a not-so-flattering image of the saddle on facebook, ready to surrender and say that's the best I could do.  But, then it hit me.. if he's too big for the saddle, then make him smaller.. okay, so I'm sure all of you saw this conclusion a mile away (my dad is like that.. don't ever watch a suspenseful movie with him) but for those of you who find joy in this journey with me, well here we are, at the end:  Please, let me know what you think of my creation!




While I'm at it, I'll give you a few of the others that little MR was more than willing to participate in and that didn't take a whole lot out of me or Mr Photoshop!  (I do give respect to the highly-criticized, yet highly-useful CS5 who has changed my photography life with every shoot I take, every move I make, every single day.. no wait, that's a PDiddy song..if that's what he goes by now..) Enough babble, on with the show: