Children's Holiday Portraits - Mill Valley

How can I forget the Hardy Family??? That's what I get for being "organized" on my computer... and then here is our latest additions to the Mill Valley crew, Mr. D and his mom and dad (Kindra, there are soo many great ones!!), and last but not least... a redhead in the redwoods...

Location Family Portrait Photography - Mill Valley Mini-Sessions

Whew... I think I am finally caught up!!! This little miss and her family joined us at the Mill Valley Inn for our Mill Valley Mini-Sessions!! There are so many great images... I don't know how they will choose... :^)

Location Baby Portraits - Brothers in the window light

I love it when I get to work in a home environment with babies! Here's baby G, who's mommy I met in a cafe after we went to the Tea Collection Sample sale... (oh boy, there was so much cute stuff there...) The whole family came by to model for me, and let me tell you, these boys are super cute!!

Studio Baby Portraits - Cammi's first session

I photographed this little miss's parents' wedding, and I am so happy that they returned to the Bay Area so I can meet their little girl!! I enjoyed having her in the studio, and seeing mom and dad was a treat!

More Family Holiday Portraits - Inside and Out!!

I first photographed Jack when he was only 5 days old!! He just celebrated his first birthday (Happy Birthday Jack!!) and his mommy brought him down to the studio for some photos! We also were able to get the whole family into the picture at the mini-session event in Mill Valley! Don't despair if you missed that event... I will definitely do it again in the spring! Watch here for more details!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Despite this year being rough for many of us, we still need to remember how much we have to be thankful for!!! I am completely thankful that I get to photograph special members and moments in your lives, and preserve those memories for the years and generations to come. It's not an honor I take lightly, and I know that the clients who choose me know the priceless value of these images as well!

Children's Portraits - Milestone for Josh

What's new with Josh, you ask? Well, he's growing like a weed... really into how things work, and playing with the vacuum. And he had his first haircut... I am struggling with posting these pictures... it makes me sad to see him so upset, but it was the perfect shot to capture that angst that almost always goes along with a first haircut... Here's my baby getting his locks trimmed...

Holiday Family Studio Portraits - One of our Website Contest Winners!

So excited to have this gorgeous family in the studio! Avid blog readers, they immediately knew the answer to the Partridge Family Trivia question and they earned their free session!!! Lucky we did the session that day, as daddy hurt himself doing yard work (that's why I leave my yard like a jungle...) and had to go to the hospital. Luckily no major damage, and he'll recover well! Healing thought go out to you, and here's another custom card example too!

Baby and Children's Portraits - Mill Valley Event

Early last month, I had a booth at a really fun festival in Mill Valley called Babes & Babies by Appel & Frank. I was lucky I had to work, or I would have gone nuts shopping... So many cute vendors with clothing, strollers, decor ideas, and of course glamorous bellies and babies galore! Special thanks to my friend and awesome event coordinator, Amy, of Oaks & Acorns, for photographing the event, and for coordinating our drawing for the free session (more news about this after Thanksgiving)
Here's my booth!

Holiday Family Studio Portraits - Cute Kids on Holiday Cards - New for 2008

Next we have the adorable Rachel "modeling" one of our latest custom designed holiday cards! These cards are still available for delivery by 12/13 if you order now! Call the studio for custom design pricing.

Also, we have the handsome Connor, modeling his family's holiday card, chosen from our online catalog! These cards can be customized with your text, and can be ordered and delivered to you in time to still get the last minute cards out if you order by 12/15!!

Holiday Family Portraits - I have been a busy elf!!

Oh poor neglected blog... it's hard to believe I have been blogging for almost a year now, and I really love it! I think is just a great way to share sneak peeks with my clients and showcase work for potential clients. I want to say that I am very thankful for my regular readers and I vow to try to keep it interesting into the new year!!!

Without further ado... the next few posts will be like a fashion show... they showcase images from the MANY family portrait sessions I have done in the last month, both studio portrait sessions and location sessions in Mill Valley, San Carlos, Santa Cruz and more... whew! So let's get started!

Here is the gorgeous Wood Family, complete with their snuggly warm lap dog, Chewy, who is a King Charles Spaniel, and very photogenic in his own right!!

Skyler also gets a snuggly baby award, posing in the green Zooni and custom handmade baby snuggler from Cottage Industry!

Mill Valley Maternity Photography - Lovely

I just want to thank my clients for the past week... I have had some wonderful people in my studio and in front of my lens. It seems like a whirlwind with 11 sessions in 7 days, but there are many amazing moments, and I can't wait to share them all with you! I just returned from two days in Mill Valley photographing my Marin County clients at a perfect location with redwood trees and perfect soft light. I have only downloaded one of the sessions here, so watch for more posts in the coming days... I know you guys are going nuts to see the images!

Linda and Roan came to see me this morning, and we had the best time! The moment I met Linda and her mom at the Babes and Babies event, I felt an instant connection with them, and couldn't wait to photograph Linda in those last special weeks with her son before she gives birth to her new baby girl. I find with my clients that this time is so bittersweet, and while it changes as your family grows, there just something magical about those last weeks with your first child just before your family welcomes the new baby. Roan was such a well behaved little guy, a little shy at first, but we all became best friends by the end. Thanks for sharing your family with me!

I just love the warmth of the tungsten light, another thing I learned from working with Mercury.

Kim

Children's Portraits - Josh in Zooni

Here's my little guy in his Zooni... It's a gorgeous day in San Francisco today...

Studio Children's Portraits - Zooni Mania

At the Babes and Babies show last weekend, I was lucky enough to be next to Michelle Jeong and her collection of absolutely adorable Zooni hats!!! Amy, one of my long time friends who photographed the event, and helped me tremendously in the booth, had to have a couple, and made me realize that of course I needed to get some too (we bought the Kate's Moss hat for Josh also, and he looks great in it with his red hair... hoping I can catch him wearing in when I have my camera handy) Malin is a big hit in Kate's Moss, and Little Miss Eiley got the Pretty In Pink, and feels it is fashion enough on its own...

Bay Area Bay Photographer - Babes & Babies Event

(click image above to view larger)

Hi all! I am super excited about a special event I am participating in on Sunday, and I wanted to invite my loyal blog readers!!! I will be showcasing some really exciting new products that none of my customers have seen yet!!! Appel and Frank know how to throw a party (see my post from the Eco-Chic event in San Francisco just a couple of weeks ago...) So, I'll look forward to seeing you there!

Appel & Frank "Babes & Babies" Shopping Event

Sunday, November 9th 10:00am – 2:00pm Mill Valley Community Center 180 Camino Alto
Babes & Babies brings together over 50 talented, emerging designers who create unique items specifically for modern moms and their trendy tots! Moms can outfit their little ones in high style as designers liven up traditional offerings of clothes, accessories and more, all at discounted prices. The first 300 guests will receive a fabulous goodie bag! A portion of door proceeds will be donated to FamilyWorks (www.familyworks.org/magazine).

Admission is FREE by entering the discount code DESIGNERMV at www.appelandfrank.com on the Purchase Tickets page.

Bay Area Portrait Photographer - Contest Results

Come on, get happy!!! The following winners have been chosen for the "Name That 70's Tune" contest in conjunction with our new kids portrait photography website, http://www.millcottagekids.com/!

Congratulations to the following people who are old enough to remember, or are nostalgia buffs and correctly identified the reference to the Partridge Family Theme Song (link to song/opening of show) and my little pinklebirdies paying homage to the feathered haircut of the immensely snacky David Cassidy (aka Keith Partridge.) I must admit, I have seen every episode, and many of the made for tv movies about the lurid things that went on behind the scenes, like when Shirley Jones went on a date with David... ewwwww he's playing your SON, Shirley!)

#1 Melissa McDonald

#2 Shannon Elder

#3 Amy Shat

#4 Michelle Korosy

#5 Rachel Wood

Please call the studio to schedule your photo session!!! Holiday session times are growing scarce!

(415)515-6370!!

Personal - Get out and VOTE!!

Ray and I took Josh to the polling place with us today! As I look at my young son, I think of all the sons and daughters over the past few hundred years who sacrificed so that we can have this awesome right to vote safely, and make a difference. In many countries people are held at gunpoint, coerced to vote for who the bullies decide, and are killed every day for standing up for what they believe in. As Americans we are very lucky, and we owe it to ourselves and our children to celebrate our right to vote, and to make the world a better place by not being complacent about our choices. This may very well be the most important election I have voted in since I turned 18. I am proud of my choices, and we'll sit and wait to see how it all plays out!