"In order to succeed, we must first believe that we can."

"In order to succeed, we must first believe that we can."

Nikos Kazantzakis

Another fabulous Senior Portrait shoot at our outdoor/indoor studio.  Formal shots in the studio and personality shots outdoors.  Love this combination! 

Some faces you see and personalities you feel just looking at them and with that knowledge, you can say with confidence "This one is going places!"  Good luck Remington!

Welcome Chloe

Here's a sneak peak at a newborn shoot Mark had fun with a week or two ago.  Mark went to the clients home for this shoot and it was a great choice for this new family.  Chloe was comfy at home and being in comfortable surroundings led to a very productive shoot.  

Love is life. And if you miss love, you miss life.

Leo Buscaglia

Taylor and Josie

We are knee deep in our "spring pictures" for schools around town.  This time of year, we set up an outdoor portrait shoot, get everyone's picture taken and send proof images home with an order form for each child.  Parents get to see the images before they buy them, and we get to add in a little creativity to the standard "school picture".  When the weather cooperates, it's one of our favorite times of the year.  These images are from "Stepping Stones", a fabulous preschool and day care in Chico.  With Spring Break this week, we had fun with all of the kids from infants to school age.  And Josie, the faithful black lab, jumped in with Taylor for some of our new favorite pictures!

“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves 

you more than he loves himself.” 

― Josh Billings

Can we bring our dog on the photo shoot?  The answer is YES!  Provided we are shooting in a dog friendly environment, Mark thoroughly enjoys throwing a four legged friend into the mix.  Pets are part of the family, and add a whole layer of love to the images.  Who wouldn't want a picture with their best friend?

Magic Numbers

Performance Packages, Lifestyle Shoots, Fine Art Portraits - it all has to cost something right? 

The Magic Number around here these days is $325.00.  

No matter what you call it, whether you need more time devoted to the shooting or photoshop, or if you want more from the product side of your investment, it all seems to work out to around $325.

1-2 Hours at a sporting event or performance and a solid bank of 15 digital images (likely more "bonus" images, but 15 is a safe start for all) = $325.00

2 Hour Lifestyle Shoot in your home or at a location of your choice, many poses, digital artwork on your favorite 5 Images = $325 

1 Hour Portrait Shoot in a Natural Setting shot with the intention of getting "that" shot for a 16x20 Fine Art style float mount print, plus 5 media style low resolution images for your use on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or however you choose = $325.00 (16x20 is an estimate of size, other options are available)

Consults before all of these ventures will help you convey what you want, how we'll make it happen for you and any additions or deletions you'd like to your package.  (Yes, of course we're flexible and customize packages - just tell us what you want!)

Mark is super excited to transfer some of his attention and energies to the portrait side of our business this year, so if you are wondering "do they do that?" the answer is yes.  We've realized that our best portrait shoots are those that Mark is allowed the time to really work with our clients and not rush everyone through.  We'll gradually start focusing more and more on this style.  And yes, that brings to question, so what about the ever popular mini-sessions - that is to be determined!

"The value of an idea lies in

 the using of  it."

Thomas A. Edison

Performance Package

'Tis the season in our life where we are chasing kids EVERYWHERE.  While we squeeze in our own fun and friends, there is also no shortage of choices for "what to do today".  Our business seems to evolve as our life evolves.  Our wedding pictures inspired Mark to start shooting weddings, our preschool needed a picture day (we just shot Laura's Daycare and Preschool last week to mark our 8th year), Little League and soccer pictures needed some quality management, etc, etc.

In response to the "action age" we've hit with our own kids, we've seen new opportunities. We were fortunate enough last fall to spend a day with the Durham Jr. Trojans shooting action throughout the day of games.  It was a monumental challenge to represent all of the players - perhaps not the greatest challenge for Mark with a slight perfectionist disorder - I'm not sure of a day last year that he worked harder.  But the pictures that came back were well worth it!  And it got us thinking, wouldn't it be great to be available to pop out to a baseball game, soccer game, piano concert, or ___________ (you fill in the blanks), and focus on one client and give them some amazing memories of these lightning fast moments of childhood.

Here's a collection from our day in Durham (And yes, imagine Mark attempting to get a collection for every player on the field, for all 5 games in the Northern California summer heat)

Give whatever you are doing and whoever you are with the gift of your attention.

Jim Rohn

Dream Jobs

"If you can dream it, you can do it."

Walt Disney

Caught in the hustle of everyday life with a family and small business, sometimes the "ah-ha" moments seem few and far between.  Mark loves to take off on photo journeys with any subject that will tolerate him.  One of the best is his brother, Matt, because unlike myself or our kids, Matt will just do whatever Mark suggests and is enthusiastic about it.  Mason's getting closer, but there's still a limit to his patience!

One of their best trips was a winter excursion to Death Valley.  Mark and I met there on a backpacking trip for Saint Mary's, and we've always specifically wanted to go back to the Racetrack Valley.  Look it up, it's worth checking out. The pictures that came back from this trip are everywhere - we've enlarged them up, sold them, given them as gifts, and hung them around the house.   Capturing people in the natural environment, doing what they love, is our whole new version of "lifestyle photography".  And yes, Matt is an ultra athlete, so this is a great reflection of who he is. 

"Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it."

Lou Holtz