See, here’s the thing… when I go somewhere with the intent of taking pictures with my good camera, the general routine consists of me walking a few feet, stopping when I see something cool, checking/changing the settings on my camera, snapping the picture, checking the picture, and then walking a few more feet. Repeat this a few more times, and whomever I’m with tends to lose their patience. I usually reserve these camera trips for when I’m with my husband, because he seems to have gotten so used to this over the years. However, even he has his limits… particularly when it’s after 2:00 and neither one of us has eaten lunch yet.

So, I compromised… and decided to challenge myself, as well.

I still stopped to take pictures along the way, but decided to do so ONLY USING MY iPHONE!

That’s right… ALL the photos you see in this post were from the camera on my iPhone, and the editing was done in-phone as well, with a favorite app of mine: “ShakeItPhoto.”

Besides sharing some SWEET images just for the heck of it, I’d like to use this blog post to dispel a myth that we photographers have to face ALL the time…

you don’t necessarily need the most expensive equipment out there to capture a great image;

AND

just because you DO have the expensive equipment, it doesn’t necessarily make you a good photographer.

I’d like to dedicate this post to all those people that are scared to pick up their camera and use it because it’s not the “best” and they’re afraid they won’t get the greatest shots… just DO it. Work with what you have available to you. Remember: you’ll always miss the shot you didn’t take.

And this post is is ALSO dedicated to all those people who have said to me and others: “I like that picture you took. What camera did you use?” Um, yeah… the camera doesn’t do all the work. Just because you push an expensive button doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get a good image. There’s a creative eye behind that camera… and that creative perspective is what will win each and every time.

So here, to prove my point, are some more of my favorite  iPhone shots from the OC Fair:

Especially when there is no special reason to do so. No birthday, holiday, or other occasion to mark. Other than the fact that it was a beautiful day and the perfect time to celebrate everyday life with some new photos.

Just because.

Exhibit A: my nieces and nephew.

I hadn’t taken pictures of them in a while, and decided to “borrow” them for an impromptu shoot. Their hair was a mess, and they weren’t dressed to impress, but that was okay. I captured them as they really were at the moment.

I put them in charge of finding the “cool” places to take pictures in front of, and so we wandered through the neighborhood, playing tag along the way. And this was what I saw…

I love being able to capture beautiful pictures of them in their “natural habitat.” I love that we PLAY along the way, so that they can relax enough for me to have the chance to capture their natural smiles, not the forced ones you so often see when the camera comes out.

And then there are the true “quirks.” These aren’t necessarily the photos that will be hanging on the wall of your home, but these are the ones that you can look back on with a sense of nostalgia, and see the kids as they REALLY were at that age.

Here are my favorite QUIRKS from the shoot:

She makes this face a lot when she is pondering something. It’s her “whaaaaaat?” face.

She makes this face a lot, too. (ugh.) She thinks that it’s hysterical.

He likes to show off his muscles.

And here, I think he is a bull. Or maybe it was a monster. Whatever it was, it was L-O-U-D!

Ah, yes… the attitude of a “tween.” It’s coming out more and more lately. Gotta love it, right? RIGHT?!

She started to get frustrated. Ah, yes… the first signs of meltdown. But I’m a PRO in deactivating those types of bombs. The solution for the moment was to give her even more control of the situation. How? By handing over my camera.

I gave her a quick lesson and let her take a few shots…  and they turned out to be A-MAZ-ING! What can I say? The girl’s got a great eye.  (I think I might have to HIRE her in the near future!) Here are the faves, as captured by my 10-year old niece:

(p.s.: must give thanks to my husband for helping to wrangle the kids along the way; no one is as magical to them as their “Tio.”)

Okay, my turn with the camera again. Some favorite family shots. I love to see the connections between the 3 of them.

And when you play, and just let the kids be KIDS… that’s when the magic happens.

I’ll leave you with my absolute FAVORITE of the day…

So, I went to the gym yesterday… and it had been the FIRST TIME I had set foot in there since JANUARY.  (yup. I’m one of “those” people…)  I wish that I could tell you that I had some big breakthrough and decided to change my ways; to eat healthy and exercise every day.  But it wasn’t so grandiose an occasion.  I’d been trying to talk myself into going back to the gym for a while now (I mean, I PAY for it every month, so I SHOULD be using it, right?), and I had some extra energy.

So I went. And with the aid of Lady Gaga on my iPhone, I worked up a sweat on the elliptical machine.

I was incredibly proud of myself… but that feeling only lasted a moment or two.

After my workout, I got off the machine and bent over to retrieve my keys and card from the floor… and promptly got my hips stuck between two machines. Seriously. There was no graceful way for me to get out of it… so I wiggled forward a little bit more (forcing my legs into an incredibly awkward pose with my rear end now sticking WAY up in the air), grabbed my stuff, and wiggled back out.  Only to find that there was a row of treadmills right behind me, with a couple cute guys working out on them!

Well, no one ever accused me of being graceful…

I’ve been getting some questions about these shoots, and thought I’d answer them here. (And if you have questions besides these, PLEASE feel free to ask.)

Q:  What, exactly, is a “mini-session?”

A: A mini-session is pretty much what it sounds like. It’s a mini portrait session.  While my normal portrait sessions last an hour, a mini-session lasts 15 minutes. You’ll spend that time with me in front of my camera, in an awesome location somewhere near The Wedding Pantry…using brick walls, ivy walls, trees, gazebos, storefronts, churches, and other places as backgrounds. Click here to see sample images from a mini-session.

Q:  What do I get for the price ($65)?

A: For $65, you’ll get the mini-session with me, plus a 20-page mini-book including the best images from your session. Click here to see sample pages of the mini-book.

Q:  Can I purchase additional books?

A: Yes. Additional copies of the mini-book will be sold for $35 each.

Q:  Can I purchase other items from you?

A: Yes. When I have finished editing the images from your session, I will upload them to an online gallery which will be available for 4 weeks. You can order prints and other products (such as books, accordion albums and digital images) directly from that online gallery.

Q:  It sounds like fun, but I REALLY don’t like being in front of a camera. Help?

A: I hear ya! I HATE being in front of a camera, too. But my style is different than most other photographers… I make things as casual as possible, so it feels more like simply “hanging out” rather than a photoshoot. One possible suggestion… I find that some people are more relaxed if they bring someone along with them to interact with (like a friend or family member). That person would remain off-camera as we shoot, but would be able to talk to you and help you to smile and laugh a bit more. But then again, there are some people that would be mortified to have a witness. Not a problem! Either way, my style is pretty much the same. We wander the area until an area catches our eye. I ask you to stand in a certain area, but relax and look around. For the most part, you don’t have to worry about standing still in a pose. I might ask you to “look to the left” or “look at me.” And for any pose that I ask you to do, I will demonstrate it myself first. Because it’s all about making you relax so that your TRUE SELF can shine through!

Q:  It sounds like a good idea, but I don’t think I need any pictures of JUST ME.

A: Are you sure? Before you dismiss the thought of taking pictures solo, you might ask yourself if they’d make a nice gift for someone in your life, like a significant other or family member. And even if you’re not sure about the mini-book itself, keep in mind that the price I’m offering for these mini-sessions is lower than my standard portrait session, so it’s a great time to think about using this time to simply update your headshot on your blog or social networking site!

Q:  I still think I’d rather take pictures with friends or family instead of just myself. Can I do that?

A: OF COURSE! A mini-session is a GREAT time to get friends & loved ones involved! You can purchase one mini-session for up to 5 people… just keep in mind that only one mini-book is included in the price (though you can purchase additional copies of the mini-book). Here are some ideas for group photos to get you started:

• bridal party (you and your GIRLS!!!)
• family photo session (or even just you and your mom… what an awesome gift a mini-book of pics of the two of you would be)
• you and your significant other (you could even use the mini-book as a guest sign-in book at an upcoming party or shower of yours…)
• just the kids (seriously, who WOULDN’T want updated pics of their kiddos?)

…I hope that’s enough information to give you some ideas and help get you excited. Seriously, it’s a LOT of fun… I promise. Hope to see you there this Sunday!

After “following” her on Twitter for a while now, I finally had the chance to meet Jane Jeon in person, as she was hosting a trunk show for her jewelry line, OneTen Jewelry. I had a blast just hanging out with her and a few others, trying on everything in sight…

Here are a few images I snapped that afternoon.

If you like what you see, head on over to her website; her pieces will soon be available for purchase online.

Here are a few of my favorites from the day:

I love being able to take pictures of babies in their own surroundings… their first home, with their first toys and blankets. These are things that will always be remembered, so I’m happy to be able to capture that memory for the parents (and even the child) to be able to look back upon in the years to come.

I love all the teeny, tiny pieces. Tiny ears and tiny toes. Because they don’t stay that way for very long…

My father is a WONDERFUL dad. I have so many amazing memories of my childhood because of him. From the BIG moments (like the trips to various amusement parks) to the little moments that have taken me this long to truly appreciate… he has always been there.

He was always there for every event we ever had, silently cheering in the back row as he captured every moment with his video camera. He was the one to take us on adventures in the summer… weekly trips to the beach, and the occasional trip to Disneyland, Sea World or Universal Studios. And when we got “too cool” to hang out with just him, he let us bring a friend along (and even paid for them, as well).

In the mornings as we got ready for school, he would warm our socks up near the oven so they’d be nice and toasty when we put them on. And sometimes he’d move our stools close so we could warm our bodies, as well.

He took the time to not only brush my hair and give me pigtails, but curl the ends with a curling iron and even tie matching ribbons around each one.

On weekends he made us chocolate chip pancakes… with maple syrup for me and caro syrup for my brother.

He learned about the various art projects we did in school (or in Shaun’s cub scouts), then purchased the supplies so we could do them together again as a family. We learned how to make sand paintings with chalk and salt, holiday ornaments from sand dollars and napkins, and even how to create faces with nylons and cotton balls.

He chauffeured my best friends and I around when we were obnoxious pre-teens. (To this day, he STILL claims that we were more trouble than my brother and his friends.)

So, for all this and so much more than I could even begin to list here… I’d like to take a moment to thank my dad.

happy Father’s Day, Dadoo…

I recently received my sample mini-books from the printer’s, and was excited to show them off a bit. Each book is 5″x5″, and includes 10 pages (20 sides). Aren’t they CUTE???

There’s something fun about playing dress-up. I don’t care HOW grown-up we are all supposed to be… the idea of trying on something new is almost like trying on a new persona… testing it out; seeing if it fits. It’s what makes shopping so fun.

The Wedding Pantry gets this and are now holding special “dress-up days.” During a dress-up day, come wearing your favorite fancy outfit (or even bring your bridal gown), and finish off your look by playing dress-up with all of the accessories offered in the store. All dressed up and nowhere to go? I’ve got an idea…

mini-session + mini-book: $65
small on price…big on style. because everyone needs their 15-minutes of fame.

the concept: Not everyone has the time to dedicate to a full-blown photo session. No worries. Good things come in small packages, and a mini-session might be the perfect fit for you! At this time, I have teamed up with the Wedding Pantry, and am offering mini-sessions during their “dress-up days.” I will be on hand to document your style by offering mini portrait sessions. We’ll have 15 minutes together to wander the surrounding area and capture your fabulous shots. With plenty of places to choose from, you can customize the places we stop to fit your style. For an urban look there are brick walls,  parking areas, stairways, side streets, and various storefronts. For a romantic look we can use ivy covered walls, trees and other greenery, and even a nearby gazebo. Or mix and match. Whatever you want. This is made to fit YOUR style.

This is fun for anyone, but is also a great idea if you’ve always wanted some trash-the-dress pics or urban shots of yourself in your gown after the wedding.

what you get: (15 minute) mini-session + a mini-book showcasing your best images. All images will also be hosted in an online gallery for 4 weeks, where additional products and prints are available for purchase.

The first dress-up day/mini-sessions will be offered on Saturday, June 26th, from 3-6 pm at the Wedding Pantry.
click here for address/contact info for the Wedding Pantry

Please note: limited sessions are available. Walk-ins are welcome, but it’s highly recommended that you call ahead to reserve a preferred time for your session. Or simply sign up here: http://dressupdayminishoot.eventbrite.com/

To get things rolling, last week I held a few mini-sessions for some familiar faces…  this is for all of those people who say “but I’m not comfortable in front of the camera!!!” (Believe me, I understand. I’m not comfortable there, either.) But this is just for FUN! And remember… this is REAL LIFE. It doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.

Below are a few of my fave shots from the morning.

Eva (owner of the Wedding Pantry)

Darla (of Darla Marie Designs)

and her fabulous friend, Nicole!

Hope to see you on the 26th!!!

And bonus round… there is also a trunk show being held there on the 26th… for One Ten Jewelry by Jane Jeon of Olive Hue Paper. Jame Jeon has been known for her stationery design but she actually started out designing jewelry. Jane will be previewing her new line of jewelry perfect for everyday wear and bridesmaids. Her line is sold exclusively at The Wedding Pantry.

Hope to see you all there! Can’t wait to PLAY!!!