Have you taken your summertime family portrait yet?

I read this poem once about different types of friends.  It really stuck with me through the years, and I would love to share it with you.

We all have many types of friends,
And in our life they come and go.
But if we can understand their roles,
Then it can be easier to let some go.

Some friends are there for you,
At a time when you are in dire need.
They have come into life for a reason,
Giving you what you require indeed.

But when this reason is resolved,
It often becomes time to part,
Because when the reason is gone,
Both may want a fresh new start.

Other friends are there for a season,
To laugh with and have lots of fun.
But just as seasons come to an end,
Sometimes these friendships are done.

Some people are very fortunate,
To have very special lifetime friends.
Who will remain in their life forever,
And that is a friendship that never ends.

I am lucky and have many lifetime friends,
Who came into my life for a reason.
We’ve enjoyed many laughs and shed tears,
But they stayed long after a season.

Why do I bring this up?  Because I think you can say the same thing about customers.  There are those that are a one time client.  Not because you didn't do a good job, but because they needed something specific at one time.  Then there are those who are with you for a while, you see them periodically until they move or find someone else who is closer or more convenient.  Then there are those who are a part of your life.  They may not book you every year, but when the need arises for a photographer, you are their first thought.  They are the ones who keep me in business and their relationships mean the world to me.  The Feldstein Family is one of those families.

 

 

Teressa and Rick Feldstein first contacted me about 16-17 years ago to do their first "family portrait."  It was of the two of them with their three dogs.  I was located in Vista at the time and we did their session at Warmwater Beach in Carlsbad.  Then in 2002, after I had moved to Escondido and started working out of my new home, they called me again.  They had moved up to Napa Valley and were down for vacation with their two young children.  I did a session in my home garden and was pleased to find out that Teressa was very good friends with my neighbor's daughter, Amy.  Amy lived up in Napa Valley too, and the fact that they met through a children's play group was incredible.  What a small world to not only meet people who are from your neck of the woods, but the fact that they both knew me was uncanny.

 

 

So fast forward to this past month.  Teressa called me to let me know they would be down in San Diego again and would love for me to do a family portrait of them with their three children at the beach.  Wow!  How happy am I to see them again and see how their family has grown over the years.  We decided on Windansea Beach in La Jolla and even though the weather wasn't ideal, we got some amazing photographs of the Feldstein family.  So a huge thank you to Teressa and Rick for having me be a part of your family vacation and allowing me to create some amazing memories.

Introducing our "Belladonna" Newborn Package

It was bound to happen.  I have been creating so many beautiful albums for my high school senior clients that I had to find the perfect design for recording "baby's first year."  I finally did!  It's a chalkboard design and features 30 images to be cherished by generations to come.

There are areas for to you write personal information about your new family member, something that he or she will absolutely love when they are older.  It documents so many important times during that first year and creates a perfect family heirloom.

My Belladonna Package includes five one hour sessions (newborn, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and one year,) plus a 10x10 album for the great price of  $1000, that's a savings of $350!  Just check out how cute this album is below:

Look...Newest Items!

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love finding new products to offer my clientele.  So I'm super excited to announce the arrival of Bamboo Shadow Boxes with Metal Prints & Wall Sized Metal Curves.  I'm including photos of both so you can get a better idea of what they look like.  The bamboo shadow boxes come in 4x4, 5x5, and 6x6 sizes and include a metal print.  They are made with sustainable bamboo in either light or dark wood.  If you want any pricing info or have any questions, just give me a buzz.  And I'll continue to my search for awesome things to show off your family photos!

Love Your Real Estate Professional...In April!

Lately I've been buzzing around my home doing projects that I've been putting off for years now.  You know those type of things...projects that are nice to have but aren't "MUST BE DONE RIGHT NOW."  It started me thinking how that is with most people and their professional portraits.  Yup, you might need a new headshot, whether for business, social media or even a dating site.  But hey, you've got one from 10 years ago that will suit you just fine, right?

Time to find a reason to do it now and I have the perfect excuse.  I'm promoting a great "LOVE YOUR..." business portrait special that will save you 35%, and the best part is, you get to have the high resolution file to do with what you want.  Make prints for friends & family, use for a website, social media, WHATEVER!!!

Normally $100, you can get a 20 minute session, online viewing of your best images, and one high resolution retouched jpeg file of choice for only $65!  And your file is personally retouched by me.  You may find a few people out there who can offer a little cheaper but I'm sure that any retouching done is minimal, if any.  Check out my sample below to see what a before & after is.  (If you click on it, you can see it larger.)

But there is a catch, I have a different category for each month and sessions must be booked on either a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday.

• April:  Real Estate & Related Professionals
• May:  Banking Industry
• June:  Medial Professionals
• July:  Corporate Professionals
• August:  Social Media
• September:  Beauty & Health Professionals

So call Heidi at 760-739-9580 to schedule your session today!

One Day Only! Chalkboard Sessions at the Park

So a couple of years ago I did a one day only "Couch in a Field" sessions on a Sunday with special pricing.  It went over very well and I've been asked if I plan to do anything like that again.  So I put on my thinking cap and decided it's time to do "Chalkboard Sessions."  What's this, you ask.  Well as the saying goes, a picture is worth 1,000 words.  Here's a sample:

 So when will this be, you ask?  We've designated Sunday, April 28th for this amazing special.  And what we're offering is a 20 minute session plus all high resolution files for only $175.  But space is limited, so call today to reserve your spot.  And if you don't like having a chalkboard in every photograph, no worries.  We're easy!  Call Heidi at 760-739-9580 to make your appointment.

Best Photobombs of 2012!

Definition of a Photobomb:

(verb) - to spoil a photograph of (a person or thing) by unexpectedly appearing in the camera’s field of view as the picture is taken, typically as a prank or practical joke.

(noun) - An otherwise normal photo that has been ruined or spoiled by someone who was not supposed to be in the photograph.

Yup, we've all seen them.  In fact, we've all been part of them too.  You know, someone is getting ready to take a photograph of you and your friends and then suddenly at the last second, some wiseguy jumps in and takes the focus off you and puts it on them.  They can be funny, they can be annoying.  But when animals get into the mix, they can be hysterical!!  So here is my New Year's gift of Heidi's favorite photobombs of 2012.

The Lee Family

Yup, I found another great spot for portraits.  I met the Lee Family out there recently and we got some great family photographs.  Angela really likes the more traditional portraits so this background made for some nice pictures.  I'm thinking of having a one day only special at this site so I'll let everyone know more when I find out when I plan on doing this.  Anyhow, here are some of my favorite images from the session.