"The Little Mermaid" Kinetics Academy of Dance

Mark and Nikki have the studio out at the Elk's Lodge this week, photographing the dancers from Kinetics Academy of Dance as they rehearse for their show this weekend.  If you are hanging out this weekend, go down and watch, it is sure to be entertaining and enjoyable.  Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 7:00 pm at the Manzanita Place at the Chico Elk's Lodge.

"You got your own style, now let it come through.  And remember no matter what, you got to be you."

Sebastion, The Little Mermaid

Outdoor Studio - This weekend's sneak peak

We are beyond fortunate to have access to our outdoor studio right now.  We can tie in formal studio shots with a beautiful outdoor setting as well.  It's the best of both worlds.  Here's an image from yesterday's senior portrait shoot.  Hard to believe they accomplished this and the formal tuxedo shot in an hour shoot.

"To be free is to have achieved your life."

Tennessee Williams

Little Patriot

"We know what we are, but know not what we may be."

William Shakespeare

We had this handsome 2 year old in for a mini session this week.  It was a home run.  Happy kid, great images with an unique twist and it was all done in a time frame that worked for him - quickly!  If you are looking for a quick studio session to get a couple quality images, this is the way to go.

Little Things

One of our favorite families came out for a quick spring outdoor studio shoot last week.  These "Fab Four" siblings missed spring picture day at their school, so we improvised here at the studio.  Every so often it's great to get a group shot of siblings and their individuals as well.  It doesn't have to be torture - just schedule a time to drop by the studio and you'll be in and out in under 30 minutes!

Throw in a couple different crops and an Easter card to send out, and it has the feel of an hour long session without the headache!  After I saw these images, I finally rallied and sent our kids over for a quick "school shot" on the traditional backdrop.  We usually do it in September - but March works for me!

"Enjoy the little things in life for one day you will look back and realize that they were the big things"

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?

Reflection

"Time, which changes people, does not alter the image we have retained of them."

Marcel Proust

When I flip through our personal images from 2013, there is an obvious trend, more and more pictures from sporting events of our kids.  Mark loves taking the camera out to games.  We can share the images with teammates and so much personality comes through.  And it keeps him quiet, which he prefers!  

However, for this post, I collected a group of images that shows who they were in Summer 2013.  In one look, I can see the girls' ultra long summer hair and tans that come even with obsessive sunscreen application.  I see Kendal's huge hoop earrings, and Delaney's hair tie on the wrist.  It sums up summer for them - outdoors and in the water as much as possible!  I can see Mason's hair - actually styled as he figured out how to use a mirror this year, and his relaxed confidence as he is up for whatever Mark suggests - swimming in an freezing lake?  No problem, sounds fun.  Kendal's patient "yoga pose" and her full speed sprint up a hill, showing off her can do attitude and a love of running that she discovered this year.  And then Delaney, oh so typically flying off a rock with no concern of where she lands, confident that she will be fine, while driving her more thoughtful brother INSANE.  While I need a portrait of their faces every year, these are the images that I'm glad that I have.  The first step in hiring a photographer, is to CLEARLY convey what you are looking for, and to be sure that they can accomplish it!  If you are interested in a similar shoot, LET'S DO IT!  You'll look back happily.

Images are from Convict Lake, CA (just south of Mammoth Lakes) and Saddlebag Lakes (just outside of Tuolomne Meadows, Yosemite).  Both are amazing family hikes.   Convict Lake is around a 2 mile loop with a few swimming areas.  The Saddlebag Lake area has various hikes, we chose a short ferry ride and a 5 mile loop that turned out perfect for all.

LOVE THESE 3!  @ LAKE MARY