Megan!

Megan is my super pretty sister! (I’m sure you will agree by the time you get through this post).
Megan pretty much rules when it comes to most things, and it turns out that modeling for me is one of them! I came to the conclusion after taking these pictures that she should totally go into modeling, and it turns out that she’s very interested (Our great minds think alike) ;). So you will be seeing more of her beautiful self very soon as I start building a little portfolio for her :) .

Any way.....I have had some fun/bright/whimsical ideas in my head that have been dying to get out, so a couple rainy weekends ago we went out and took a few pictures. I don’t know about you, but I am pretty excited about them!
Feel free to let me know what you think in the comments section below :)

(click on any of the photos to enlarge)

(my second fave)

(My favorite! - worth opening up big! :D )

Gift Certificate Giveaway!!!

Hello Friends!

Just wanted to let you know that I am now selling cute little gift certificates for my photography services. Gift certificates make great gifts for new moms (new born or maternity session), newly engaged couples (engagement session), high school seniors (senior photos), Newlyweds (bridal or Trash the Dress) ….and the list could go on forever (since it’s a great unique gift!). If you are interested in purchasing a gift certificate just send me an e-mail and I can get it sent out to ya right away!

In honor of my brand new gift certificates….. I am holding a little giveaway for a free gift certificate for a portrait session.

So if you have wanted to have portraits taken for yourself or if you know of a deserving friend that could use a portrait session- this is the raffle for you!


The winner will be selected in early March and notified immediately. Their portrait session will hopefully be set up shortly afterwards, and of course I'll be sharing their photos here on the blog. Oh yeah, although I'm based in Orange County, you don't have to be :). However, if you're the winner and choose to have your session outside of the area, then some travel fees may apply. Questions? Comments? Let me have them below in the comment section :). The deadline is midnight of March 1st, 2009. Good luck!

How to enter:
1. Just click the “comments” link below and leave a comment telling me who you are planning on giving the gift certificate to if you win (or what type of session you would like if its for yourself)
2.Make sure you give me your name and e-mail address so I can contact you if you win!
3. I would also love to know how you found my giveaway if you are new to my blog!


P.s. Don’t forget to tell your friends!

2009 is here!

Edited to add: Okay as I said in this post ...I had written this blog a while ago, and it dissapeared. Today, it reappeared! This blog has a mind of its own! Sooo....umm....Happy New Year (even though its now February). This blog is seriously crazy....

I had plans to blog in November about my mine and my husband’s awesome birthdays, Thanksgiving with our fun/crazy family, and all the fun things we did over “Christmas break”….but I have no idea where the time went!

As great of a year it was, I can’t wait to see what 2009 has in store for me, my family, and my photo adventures!

This has been the first year that I have really been out there taking pictures for other people and trying to make a name for myself (and of course blogging it all along the way). Considering that it’s all so new, I feel like it was a pretty good first year! I have some ideas for next year, some “business ideas” and some personal photo projects that I am excited to jump into!

I have been working on my web site lately trying to put together something that really represents me (well, as best I can with my limited resources). It’s very much still a work in progress, but with my new headshots, growing portfolio, and a few very sweet reference letters from my clients, its starting to come together slowly but surly. It’s so exciting for me to know that this is only the beginning and I can’t wait to see what this next year has in store.

But most importantly,I want to thank the awesome people who have trusted me to take their pictures.But almost just as importatly- I wanted to give a gigantic thank you to the ones who have spent time reading my stories and checking out all the pictures I have taken – as that really has given me the push that I needed. The support from you has been greatly appreciated and taken to heart, and really makes me feel like I am heading in the right direction! Major thanks go to ohana photographers-david and kimi and Hanissie Trainor for always leaving me so much blog love; it really warms my heart to know you guys are always keeping up with me. And a big huge thank you to my amazing husband for always being so supportive , Matt and Molly Snelson for taking the time to chat photo with me, really wanting to help me out , and being such warm friendly people . And of course every one out there who I know check out my blog (feel free to introduce yourself so we can become friends too! :D ) .

Since it’s the end of the year, I have to post the photo that we used on our Christmas card that we sent out this year!
Yes, it’s a little dorky, but we love dorky and were totally going for that look ;)
(it was taken spur of the moment before going out, and let me tell you…it is really very difficult to get both the dogs in a little picture while trying to make it in time for the self timer!)

(click to enlarge)

[This last picture was not used on the Christmas card, but I think it was my favorite picture out of the set , so of course I had to post it too :) ]

Kristens Super Sweet 16!

Kristen and 15 of her closest friends got together to capture her 16th birthday in a very cool way.....a portrait session! These teens were very fun and it was a really cool new experience for me to shoot such a big group! Here are a handful of my favorites!

I pulled Kristen and her sister to the side for a few shots of just them!

Kristen is so gorgeous!

This would have to be my favorite from the session!

Such beautiful sisters!

These next 4 shots were taken when it was completely dark outside. The session went a little longer than anticipated ,I swear the night came out of no where! ....but I thought I would grab a few more on our way out.



A big thanks to Kristen and her family for letting me capture such a memorable time in your lives. I hope I will be able to take some more pictures for you when Kristen becomes a senior! :)

Los Angeles Wedding Photography - { Katie and David : Married ! }

Katie and David had a beautiful ceremony that was focused on them as a couple in Gods big plan for them - it truly touched my heart. Even though I don't really know David and Katie too well, you can tell that God has really brought them together to do great things, and I'm sure they have an amazing future to look forward to together.

This was my first wedding that I second shot (....well the first time I have been able to second shoot). And it was awesome. But any time with Mathieu Photography is generally an awesome experience, but its extra great when I can hang out when they are doing what they do - and learn in the process.

















Every one, be sure to head on over to their beautiful post of this amazing wedding.

Matt and Molly, I cant thank you enough for letting me tag along and pick up some tips along the way. You guys are the best!

Gift Certificate Poll!

Photographers, I would love to hear (in the comment section below) how you use gift certificates as promo tools - and other ways you have used them. Thanks to every one who has taken the poll and given me their recommendations! :)

La Mirada Portrait Photography - { Eva : Head shots ! }

So I just wrote this long heartfelt blog about 2008 and my appreciation for all who have supported me this year...and uploaded our Christmas card and all that fun jazz.....then my internet went down, and some how it completely disappeared. Major bummer! Hopefully I will get hit by the same inspiration and I can rewrite it all soon.... but in the mean time,I have a quick preview of a few head shots to share!

Eva and I went to high school together. She recently contacted me about snapping some photos of her for a few sample head shots, of course I was very happy to do so!
It was really nice to walk around the park next to our old High School and catch up .Eva was much more into a serious sassy look than the big cheesy smiles I usually get out of people....but I can totally roll with that too, and loved changing it up a bit.
So here are just a few images from our mini-session before I head out the door.......