Family Photo Time w/the Montgomerys

I had a great time taking Christmas card photos for Jen and her family. They gave me so many great shots, it's hard to decide which ones to put on here! The kids had some cool ideas for poses as well. Sometimes, when someone in the group has a lot of ideas, the other people (especially when it's a parent) start looking kind of embarrassed, like, Oh my god, we are so sorry, we know you probably don't like being told what to do. But I don't really mind. I've gotten some GREAT shots from other peoples' suggestions, so I just roll with it.

Here are some of my favorite shots from the day:



















It was a great day. Thanks to Mary and Aidan for some fun, creative ideas, and to Jen and Mike for being such troopers and laying down on the stillalittlemuddy grass! : ) Well done, team Montgomery!

Tis the season - It's Xmas Card Time!

Here are a few xmas card samples I made recently... Thanks to everyone in the photos below for letting me use your cute pics.

I'm doing a Christmas Card / Family Portrait special this month - just $99 for 25 professional, high quality prints, viewable and downloadable via a Flickr link. You can use the files to create your own prints via Shutterfly, Costco Photo, Snapfish, Picasa, etc.. If you need help with this I can show you how, or do it all for you for $25 (fee for one hour) + the cost of individual prints (which are 13 cents each through Costco right now).

If you're interested just let me know. Thanks! And Happy Holidays everyone!!

Some photos of my neighbors - Kristin and Gavin

I'm testing out a new feature of Picasa - uploading a web album / slideshow to a site. I took these photos the other day after seeing Gavin scooting around on his tricycle - I knew there were some good potential shots just waiting to be had! It was really touching to see Kristin's face as she watched her son. She said she felt grungy but she looked beautiful - just the expression on her face, looking after her son. I'm glad I got to take these pictures.

Kendra and Holly

Speaking of dogs (as in my last post) - I just got a great doggie photo-op last weekend. While driving through Oakland, I saw an open house sign and decided to take a peek at the listing. The house was cute, but what was even cuter was the dog that was sitting outside (who was named Holly - she belonged to a gal named Kendra who lived next door). I think I must have squealed when I saw her. She looks like a Golden Retriever with little Corgi paws. Omg she was so cute it hurt. I asked Kendra if I could take a few photos (I have to show my friend Gaylen, who is a big Corgi fan) and then while I was at it, asked Kendra if she wanted a few photographs with her dog.

It's not uncommon for me to take a photo of someone whom I've just met, when they're with their pet, if I think it would make a nice photograph. I mean, if I have my camera with me, why not? I wish I had more photos of me and my dog Coco, when she was still alive, so I think this is part of the reason I enjoy doing this for people.

Thanks Kendra for letting me post these. I'm flattered that you might want to use one for your Xmas card!

Lookit those little Corgi paws!!

Gotta Love Dogs!

Although I am only able to have kitties right now, I have to admit - I've always been a dog person at heart.

When I was a teenager and early adult, my family had the most wonderful dog named Coco. She was a German Shepherd / Airdale mix, and I still miss her. I put her through doggie training school when I was 19, and I used to take her for long walks around my hometown of Kahalu'u when I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. Coco was like a best friend to me, and ever since she passed away, in 1999, I have had this thing with dogs, where my heart just lurches when I see one... I always want to give them a big hug!

I was just dogsitting for my neighbors, Kristin and Brian. Their dog is named Bodie and he is soooo cute and funny, it's ridiculous. So much cuteness rolled into one little ball of a pug. Pugs are kind of funny looking but that's part of their charm. And those grunting noises they make! They are a riot!

Anyway, this is Bodie, and I'll include some other photos of dogs that I've taken over the years. It sure does help to have a professional (fast snapping) camera when taking animal pictures!


Bodie



Parker and Nikki, my favorite German Shepherds, whom I get to dogsit for on occasion:

Good Doggies!!!

Parker

Nikki

"Mr. P"
Bij




Angus

I also love to photograph people with pets. I know that for many people, their pets are their kids. Thanks to Rebecca for letting me post these photo I took, for her website:

Below are some pics of Angela and Miska, right after she got him. When she told me she was adopting a new puppy I really wanted to take some candids right away, because I knew he wouldn't stay that tiny for long! I'm so glad I got to take these photos (and Angie I can't wait to photograph your wedding - I feel super honored that you asked me!).

Angela and Barzel with Mishka:

Angela and Mishka at the dog park - they grow up so fast!

Audrey and Angus

Angus belongs to Kristen - a good friend of the family, and is the same age as Audrey, 

so they're like siblings : )

If you are looking to take some dog photos (or pics with any other kind of pet), 

contact me at 650-260-2269.

Laura

A Night at the Baseball Park

I was fortunate enough to score some baseball tix for a Giants vs. Dodgers game a few weeks ago (thanks to Mr. Roberts, the big boss at the company I worked at) and ran into Alex, one of the sweetest gals who works at the company I was temping for. She was there with her husband and son and a few friends. It would always warm my heart to walk past Alex's desk and see all the photos she had of her family, and when I saw how cute her son was being with his Dad, I could not resist taking a few more to give to Alex. I love it when I see kids being really affectionate with their parents. They grow up so quickly, it's nice to be able to capture some of those sweet, candid moments on film. I have a few really nice candid pics of my father with his Dad (my Grandpa), and also some of him with his Mom (my Grandma), and they are among my most cherished photographs. So I like to take "parent and child" photos whenever I get the chance!

I am also wanting to schedule something with Alex and her son. I know they will be sooo cute together. I've wanted to do Alex's pics for a while now. They were sitting too close to get good shots at the ball park because I only had my macro lens with me, and you have to be at least a few feet away to get a good pic, but I look forward to doing Alex's pics one day. I know she and her son will look beautiful together.

Here are some more pics from our evening at the ball park. I am so glad I had my camera with me. Thanks to Alex for letting me post these on my site!







I love how you can see the smile on Alex's face while she's looking at her boys! : ). I made these last 2 pics a little smaller because they were a little more grainy than the others. I can't wait for the day where I'm able to afford a camera with 3200 ISO!!






And, just for fun, I would be remiss not to include a photo of the guys I came with. Unfortunately I missed getting a pic of my friend Karen but here is one of the dudes... what a fun night!

Family Photos: Jen, Mary and Aidan

I took these last November at CSM, and it could not have gone better. Jen asked me to do some pictures for their Holiday greeting cards. She and her kids, Mary and Aidan, were so easy to photograph - they are all so animated!

(Side note): Poor Miss Mary is still on crutches. From what I hear she's being a brave little trooper. Get well soon, Mary! I hope to see you soon. xo

Here are some of my favorite shots from the day...





Jen commented on the photo below: "I love this one because you got the toothless/ teeth growing in fully. They will only look like this once in their lives...(hopefully!)"