San Francisco Children's Portraits - Whirling Dervish

My almost-two-year-old is such a whirling dervish, and this image captures it precisely!

Personal - Grace in the face of tragedy...

I have just returned from spending time with Casie's family after the memorial service and burial. Such a sad and difficult day, and yet her family and friends are filled with grace. Many of us all sit here and wonder, "How does a family live through a loss like this?" Through faith and love and honor. Casie was loved by so many, and helped so many. Her brother said that now our charge is to carry on, and keep her spirit alive in our kindness to others. As I stood in their home, at the same spot where I captured the image below, I am very thankful to be the one to have been chosen to capture so many images of one of the happiest days of her life. Yes, her death is unfair, and yes, there will be many pieces to put together again, but having known her, we all the better for it. Now we will hug the ones we love a little tighter, be in more family photos, take the time to slow down and be grateful for every moment we have with the ones we love, and we will move on one day at a time...

I promise the next blog post won't require a box of tissues...

In Memory...

Fillio, Constance Marie "Casie"

Constance Marie "Casie" Fillio 38, of Alameda, CA, passed away on Monday, January 26 at Alta Bates/Summit Medical Center in Oakland, of an unexpected heart attack. She is survived by her adoring husband, Colin, her two-week-old daughter, Dahlia Amélie Smith, and her three stepdaughters, Lily, Irene, and Colette; her devoted parents, Jack and Beverly Fillio; her sister Amanda Mix and her husband Jay; her brother Christopher Fillio and his wife Valerie; her nieces Ashleigh, Haley, and Zoe; and her nephew Alex; her brother-in-law Brendan Smith; and her nieces- and nephews-by-marriage Riley, Denali, Parker and Avery, and her parents-in-law Michael and Christine. Casie was born in Atlantic City, NJ on September 14, 1970, to Jack and Beverly Fillio. Their travels included wonderful friends from time spent in Alaska, New Jersey and New Hampshire, where she graduated from St. Anselm College. After college she worked for several IT firms and eventually relocated to the Bay Area, where she worked for RightNow Technologies. She married Colin Smith, a widower with three children, on November 10, 2007 in San Francisco. Together they made a home in Alameda where their love flourished. No one was ever happier than she was to discover that she was pregnant with her first child in the Spring of 2008, and her daughter Dahlia was born on January 12. In a cruel stroke of fate, she died almost exactly two weeks later. Casie was an avid Scuba diver who had explored many oceans and reefs. She loved paper handicrafts and often made handmade cards and favors for special occasions, including friends' birthdays and her wedding, a large affair. She was active in a number of charities: Habitat for Humanity in Papua New Guinea, Avon Breast Cancer 3-Day, Hike for Discovery, Hands On Bay Area and other groups that offered time to children in difficult circumstances. Friends and family alike remember her lovingly as an adventurous spirit, charitable with her time and resources, a passionate and joyful friend, an excitable and caring daughter and sister, an especially a devoted and loving wife and mother. A Memorial Mass will be said at St. Joseph Basilica in Alameda on Friday at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Heart Assoc. We thank you for your support and care through this sudden and devastating time. And though we may all be grieving, it is important to remember that "grief is the price we pay for love." (Queen Elizabeth)

Tragic Loss - Please keep this family in your thoughts...

I received some devastating news yesterday, and I am almost unable to type it out. One of my brides from 2007 who had just had a baby two weeks ago suddenly died. It's been really hard to get past the sadness I feel, and I can only imagine the pain and conflict at what should have been such a happy time in their lives. I have heard many sad stories like this from my colleagues, but until now I have never had to sift through wedding photos to find an image to be displayed at someone's funeral. As I looked at each and every image from the wedding I was grateful that my team and I were there that day to lovingly capture these images, which will likely be some of the only ones this child will have to know her mother. My "job" is an incredible honor, and a huge responsibility, and to each of you who has entrusted me with capturing your memories, I bow my head and thank you. I worry in this day and age of so many people cutting corners and not having professional photographers cover events like weddings and family gatherings and family portrait sessions. Imagine if I hadn't treated this "job" with the care and honor that each wedding or portrait I photograph deserves... Imagine if I just got a cool camera for Christmas, and decided I was a professional photographer. These memories could have been be lost forever...

Please take a moment today to tell the ones you love how much you love them... we never know how long we have. If you have been putting off getting a family portrait, call someone ASAP, and get it scheduled. This is not something you can do once it's too late. Also, take a moment to send some well wishes to this grieving family.
Thank you!
Kim

Photography Mentor - Strategic Planning meeting

As many of you know, I am on the Board of Directors for the Professional Photographers of the Greater Bay Area (PPGBA), and we had our annual brainstorming meeting today! So great to have an exciting board that is enthusiastic about coming up with ways to help our members during tough economic times! As in all volunteer organizations, when fresh perspectives come along, we need to nurture and honor their input! This is going to be an exciting year! We're working on the website, exciting educational opportunities for everyone, and some hip fresh events!!

Couture Fashion Photography - Enough about me... back to the imagery

Just processed this one from Tiffany's session... Enjoy!

Award Winning Photographer - and from the paparazzi!

This is the actual degree getting pic... Thank goodness friends break the rules for you... there was supposed to be no photography... Looks like President Craft is chasing me to get it back! LOL! Special thanks to the shutterbabes, Anna, Jeanne, and Stefanie, for celebrating with me! (oh no, this degree thing sooooo doesn't match my after party outfit... hmmm...) Photos courtesy of Joerg Lehmann - thanks!

Award Winning Photographer - Official Degree Photo

Here's me with PPA President Dennis Craft, and my sponsor and mentor, Zee Bezabeh for our official degree gettin' portrait! You should have seen the crazy scene of trying to herd over a hundred professional photographers in for the big group shot. There was much more yelling because so many of us like to be BEHIND the camera, and some don't pay attention as well as your average wedding party member or guest. LOL!! All I can say is that I am thankful that when I photograph photographers (and I have done several photographer's weddings) I am glad it's usually one at a time!

Bay Area Children's Studio Portraits - Valentines

Just worked on two of my favorites from today's session... Enjoy!

Children's Photography - Our Annual Valentine's Day Promotion!

Keep your eyes here for the dates of our annual studio Valentine's Day portrait Studio Day! We will be doing complimentary mini-sessions with special image products and collections!!

Eiley came in early to model my new pettiskirt I bought in Phoenix from the MOST amazing prop shop, Design Revolution!! Isn't she just super cute??? Amy, thanks for bringing the girls over for the studio madness!! Looking forward to getting together again this week!

Award Winning Photographer - Happily Home from Phoenix

It was so good to see the San Francisco skyline as we flew in last night! Even better to see my baby and my hubby whom I missed terribly while I was away!

Today Josh and I went shopping, and to his favorite place, Starbucks, for some coffee. He can actually say that now... Starbucks? Coffee? Mommy?

I gained a lot of knowledge in the past week, and had a great time hanging out with old and new friends. It's an honor to be a part of the PPA class of '09... I was joking with Julia Woods, saying we should have all taken each other's "senior" photos... it was an impressive crowd... Jeff & Julia Woods both got their Master's, and so did Jerry Ghionis, Marc Benjamin, and David McKay.

Award Winning Photographer - Greetings from Phoenix!

Or should I say Tempe... we're here, and sadly the distance from our hotel has kept us from the really cool party tonight with the PPGBA crew, but tomorrow, we'll be hangin with the rockstars for sure. Saw the incredible full moon rise over the mountains on our way home. Of course this snap from my blackberry cameraphone does not even do justice to how amazingly cool it was. Tomorrow I promise myself to have my "real" camera.

Award Winning Photographer - I am off to Imaging USA!

Ok, I think I am all packed, and if I forgot anything, it's too late now! I am off to Imaging USA, which is the Professional Photographers of America's annual conference and awards ceremony. This year for me is extremely special as I will be receiving the degree of Photographic Craftsman (Cr.Photog.) which is awarded in recognition of service to the profession as an orator, author or mentor. It's a great honor, and one I am very proud to have achieved!

Thanks to all of you who inspire and enable me to keep learning, teaching, and improving so I can serve my clients with the best possible skills!

Oakland Fine Art Photography - Back to the train station...

click here for Slideshow

I haven't shared enough images from this amazing shoot... So I processed some of my favorites of the details and textures I photographed at the station... This is such an amazing location, and I am still pinching myself that I spent the day there... Enjoy!

San Carlos Family Portrait Photography - At the Park

I have been photographing the Kemsley-Bennett Family for many years, and was so glad to see them again this year. This time Bill's mother, brother and sister-in-law, and their daughter joined us. We had a terrific time running around the park, and it was great to see how the kids have grown!! Here are some of my favorites for you guys!!