Meet Kate!  We met Kate through Erika who also made an appearance during the session and acted as Kate’s personal stylist and expression coach.  We decided to do her session in her own backyard,  which was a great location with  fantastic views.  There was lots of running, jumping and of course acting.  Erika was particularly good at bringing Kate’s personality out…and also a great singer.  We all lost track of time (of course) and before we knew it, it was getting dark and we were all hungry.  Thank you Penny (Kate’s mom) for the delicious sandwiches and your hospitality.  Another great time.

Faves.

It’s been a couple of years since we photographed Miss P and Sir N, so we were thrilled when we received a last-minute request for a Mother’s Day surprise for their mom!  We started at the studio and then headed down to the historic district in old Roseville.  A change of scenery is always fun, but it was especially fun when we heard the gray building they were standing in the doorway of used to be original jail down there.  N and P actually seem to get along and {insert gasp here! } really love each other! 🙂  Thanks for sharing your darling kiddos with us, and we can’t wait for a fun and creative family session still to come!

When I first spoke with the Garrettson’s on the phone, I will be honest that I was a little nervous when they told me they wanted family portraits with their 17-month old; nervous only because that can be one of the most difficult ages to photograph a child.  It seems that between about 14 months and 2 1/2 years, kids realize that they can move at their own will and exercise their independence.  Most importantly, they are too young to be bribed at this age!  Well, once they came in for their design consultation and we met little C, my concerns started to wane dramatically.  He was the cutest, sweetest little boy ever!  The day of our session was no different; C was picture perfect in every way.  He did everything we wanted him to with no resistance (or complaints).  I love to be proven wrong, and this was one of those magical sessions where I was over and over.  Now, this isn’t meant to discourage anyone from having children this age photographed, but for those of you who have kids this age, you know that it can be a gamble, which is what makes those million-dollar moments being captured even more precious.  This is what I love so much about photographing families and kids!  Meet the lovely Garrettson family:

Incoming seniors, it is that time.  Senior portrait season is here.  Meet our class of 2011 Spokesmodels!  Now is the time to schedule a consultation to discuss the look and feel of your senior session.  If you recognize any of our Spokesmodels, make sure you contact them about some special offers if you book your session this summer.  More information can be found at our regular Senior site HERE.

Meet Melinda.  Another wonderful marriage of style & attitude.  Melinda’s “everywhere” session started in our studio and finished in the delicious evening light out in the fields.  Tina(mom) was on set as fashion consultant, hair advisor, and mobile clothing rack.  This session was a real adventure, marching through trees, bushes and a creek, Melinda was game to go wherever needed to get the shot.  Her subtlety in expressions were just perfect and completely natural.  Another magical experience for me.  Thank you!

Some faves.

Baby D gave us everything we could hope for in a newborn session–asleep and awake moments to capture!  He was such a good baby I don’t think he cried even once during his session, which is a rarity for babies this age.  He was slightly older than some newborns we photograph, as they had to wait for daddy to return from being away on military duties to come for his session.  We’re glad they waited for him, because we just love this family image!  Can’t wait to see them back in a few months for his 2nd Bebe session.  Meet baby D and family:

Meet Gina.  Part two of the Gina & Taylor experience.

As you can see, Gina was a star in front of the lens as well.  In the city, then off to the fields for some sun drenched loveliness, I though she did a fantastic job matching her expressions with her outfits/looks.  Thank you Gina (and Taylor!) again for such a unique experience, you both were wonderful!

p.s.  I LOVED that hat.  Take notes girls…more hats!

Some faves.

When Chris called and said she wanted us to photograph her grandchildren, we were so excited!  Chris is not only our financial planner, but she was also largely responsible for me (Stef) becoming a financial planner as well over ten years ago.  I met Chris before James and I were married and I was living in San Diego; she was my mom’s financial planner, helping her to plan wisely for her future.  I credit so much to her, even though I am no longer practicing in the field.  She still talks about how I was supposed to come to work with her when we moved back to Sacramento, but instead somehow started a photography business with James!  Sorry about that, Chris, but just think, you wouldn’t have these beautiful portraits of your adorable grandchildren! 🙂

It’s a sad thing that I pretty much only see my college roommate, who now lives in Stockton, when she brings her babies for portraits!  Her latest addition to her brood of boys is this redhead little sweetie, Mr. A.  I still can’t get over how different all 3 of her boys look, and if you saw her, you would never in a million years think that this fair redheaded blue-eyed baby could be hers, but alas, he is!  Little A was THE sweetest baby–I could have played with him all day.  Big brothers E and G did a great j ob during their cameo appearance as well.  We are so grateful that the Jewart family comes to see us for portraits, and we wish we saw each other more!  Love you guys!

The Beard’s have been visiting us since they were expecting Baby J (you might remember mom in hubby’s firefighting turnouts in her maternity images).  When they told us they wanted to do something a little different for their second Bebe session, we were all ears.  They mentioned their pea coats and wanting to go to historic Roseville; we were excited!  We just loved those shots, but were just as excited about photographing J in dad’s turnouts.  We photographed him in his helmet as a newborn and they want to continue the theme throughout each of his first year sessions.  Can’t wait to see him standing in the boots next time around!  Meet the Beard family (again):