It's a very happy birthday!

Last Sunday, Grandma Sel (ok, not MY grandma, but she's LIKE my grandma since I've known her since I was like 4!) turned 29! (we like to think she's as young as she looks.) I brought my 5d over and snapped away! How can I NOT get a good picture with this family? Cayden was a huge ham and Ronni as beautiful as ever!! Love it!

Valentines Special for the kids!

This offer is only valid from now till Feb. 5th! Give us a call or email to reserve your spot.
Note: no sessions will be able to be scheduled January 31-February 4th. Sorry about the inconvenience!

Boudoir Day!

Today was the long awaited boudoir day. We had SUCH a great time and got some AMAZING images! These girls are beautiful and I am happy they trusted me enough to capture them!
We did them at the Sophia Hotel and I have to give them MAJOR props for the outstanding customer service I received. The rooms are adorable (tiny though) and totally redone.
For the next set of sessions we will be having them there again!

Check back in about a week or so for an image or two from the session (once I get the ladies' approval).... email me if you are interested in scheduling your own!

It's a new year...a new beginning.....

WOW is all I can say....
I just got back last night from one of the best weekends of my life (minus those when I was younger and when I got married...). I attended for the first time the Digital Wedding Forum convention in Tampa, Fl. From Friday to Monday we were given SO much information on how to grow our businesses, tips, techniques, children's photography information, wedding photography information, concepts, inspiration and so much more. One of my favorite seminars was by the amazing photographer Lena Hyde whom is SUCH an inspiration. She is creative, smart and so business savvy. I learned SO much in that 90 minutes about how I should be doing things in my business and how things should be going. I also had the same from the amazing Tamara Lackey. If I sat here and wrote everything I learned, I would be typing for days and not to mention you all don't care so much!
There was more to it then just the children's photography. The wedding information and skills I have picked up... wholy moly! I am so excited to go out and shoot my next wedding and blow you all away with my talent :)

Here are some upcoming changes I have made to the studio in order to keep up with my competition:

1. Price increase. It has to happen. I am talented and produce amazing pictures that you will hold onto for life. In order to continue to produce the work I desire, there was a slight increase.
   
1. Weekday sessions are $185. and weekend sessions are $225. I have added back on online viewing and ordering ONLY if requested.
2. Weddings: I have created 3 packages and they begin at $2350. I have taken away hourly at this point unless someone requests it. I will also travel for your wedding.
3. Print rates: After knowing the amount of work that goes into ordering, packaging, delivering, etc., I have upped the print rates. They are still affordable don't worry!
2. Viewing sessions: For weddings and family/children sessions, you will receive 10% off your entire print order for what you order and pay for at the viewing session. This can save some good money!
3. Traveling: I will be selecting a few cities to visit this year and will be scheduling portrait sessions! Email me if you are interested... if you want me to come to your city and help find at least 4 families/children to photograph, I will give you a very VERY generous discount on your session :)

I hope you all understand! Keep in mind, if you have purchased a year of portraits or already sent in your retainer for your wedding, your rate does not change! This is for anything not already scheduled.
I was going to post the links for all the amazing photographers I met. But seriously after like 10 of them I realized I can't fill the whole blog with everyone it was taking FOREVER! If you need a photographer recommendation in another city, please let me know and I have a name to 2.

Thanks again for a GREAT 2007 I appreciate you ALL!
Here's to an AMAZING 2008!!!!!

Steppin out to Santa Cruz

For the holidays, we took a visit up to Santa Cruz to visit my husband's side of the family. Of course I snapped more pictures of Jessie Jean and my sister in law's dogs. Enjoy!

Happy New Year!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! My husband and I went to visit his family and I have more pictures to post but I have been so busy getting ready for the photographer seminar coming up it has passed by every day!

Here's to you having a wonderful new years and be safe!

Out of the office

Here's wishing you and your family and Merry Christmas!
We are unavailable from Saturday the 22nd till December 26th. We are available via email and will be checking messages. If it is urgent please email rather then call as we will get that faster.

"....and a merry christmas to your family......." -RENT

Family sessions: Galynsky's

You will notice on one of my pages the picture of the little cutie in the ball pit with the big blue eyes. Now, he's a big kid with a little sister! I shot some pictures of them a few weeks ago and just got around to posting. These were in Beverly Hills.

Family Sessions: Monica & Family

Due to privacy, I will not state the family or children's names. This was at Woodglen Vista Park in Santee. These kids were too fun! :) The group shots were a bit tricky but with the help of photoshop and taking MANY shots, mission was accomplished.

Updates on Valentines special for the ladies....

The details are all coming together! Hotel: CHECK! Makeup artist: CHECK! Time selection: Coming together! I have 2 more spots open for the day. I have cut out Sunday so the only option is Saturday Jan. 12th. The time is every 1.5-2 hour blocks. There will be no one else in the room except you and me. The makeup will be done in a room next door.
If you are interested, PLEASE contact me ASAP as I am going out of town for vacation on the 21st, then again Jan. 3-7th for a photo convention! So there isn't much time left.
Thanks!

Studio changes 12-2007

Just an update on scheduling for the studio:
The deadline has past for sessions needing holiday cards & prints. Sessions can still be scheduled, however, no prints can be ordered in time for Christmas at this point.
We are not scheduling sessions for the weekend before Christmas up till the 26th. Then again from New years eve till the 2nd. We are available on the phone at any time for scheduling or questions... or just to say hello and happy holidays :)

January schedule:
We will be out of town from January 3, 2008 (EVENING) till Jan. 8th. I am going to a photography seminar & trade show in Florida! This is super exciting... all the new things I am going to learn to make my work even BETTER for all of you!
That 1st weekend back is the boudoir weekend!
This is the time to get your valentines day sessions completed. It's coming pretty quick I know!
I will then be out again from Jan. 31-Feb. 5. Then it's only a few days till Valentines day and orders will continue to poor in at the last minute. So please keep this in mind when scheduling.

Babies 1st year of portraits:
I have arranged 5 package options for your maternity, newborn and monthly pictures. They range from every month all the way to 3x a year (newborn, 6 mo, 12 mo). Please email about information.

Studio changes:
Please note we are no longer doing online viewing. The only time we will do this is if the client requests & pays a small fee for it and also for our out of town clients. We are in the middle of remodeling the studio (sorry for appointments that have been pushed out because of it) to add a large tv so you can come here and view your prints and order here. Sorry about any inconvenience this has caused. We also are fading out buying a cd of pictures. They are still available but we are not including them in any packages.

A family party....

A step out of business---we had a small Hanukkah party at my dads with our cousins from the bay area. Sadly we only get to see them once a year. My nieces had fun playing with the girls!

Boudoir scheduling!!

It's official! We have a hotel, date, cost, and some spots filling up quickly!
I am scheduling Saturday first as if that gets booked out then I will add Sunday. January 12th, 2008 is the date for Saturday. We have a makeup artist and hotel suite. The sessions will start at 11am and be in every 1.5 hour increments.
This is going to be SO amazing so book now! This is the perfect valentines gift---professional photography session in a beautiful San Diego hotel room. The only people in the room are you and me. The makeup artist and other client getting make up done will be in a separate room.
Also, you are asked to bring along a fun CD to relax you!

Fletcher Hills Santa pictures

Wow! I can log in! Sorry about the delay in posts... I have had issues for a few days getting into blogspot. Anyway...
A word about the Fletcher Hills Santa pictures... I put the order in Friday morning and the lab ships that day if ordered before noon (which it was). I received an email from UPS that there is a delay in delivery because of the harsh winter weather back east (lab is in ohio). I am praying they get delivered ASAP so I can get them to you in time for christmas! Please hang in there...
THANKS!

More details for Boudoir Session Scheduling...

I have been getting a lot of emails & calls about the boudoir sessions. I am scheduling a day of sessions at a hotel in town. The cost will include a wonderful make-up artist, a session in a hotel room with a wonderful and talented photographer, and a 5"x5" 12 page lab printed album for your loved one. You also receive a viewing session at my studio to decide which prints you want in your album and order any additional prints.
If you are interested in Saturday, January 12th or Sunday January 13th, PLEASE email me ASAP as I know these will fill up FAST.

The rate hasn't been determined yet, but it will most likely be about $250-300 for your session & album.

Please note... these sessions are not porn. You will be photographed in a tasteful manner and poses will revolve around your comfort level. You are urged to bring lingerie (up to 2 changes), something special of your lovers (a tie, hat, etc) and some music to get you relaxed.

Family sessions: Antoinette & Giulia

These little ones are the daughter of my hair stylist Vanessa... (Timeless Salon & Day Spa 619-265-4541)...This is the 1st time I've photographed them since Antoinette was a few months old! We had fun and what ham's they are! Their puppy also enjoyed his picture being taken (we will assume that)