Category Archives: Uncategorized

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In a Blue Moon

August 5, 2010 – 12:31 pm

In a blue moon a lot of things can happen…like I win the lottery. Or fall head over heels in love and run off to the Bahamas to get married tomorrow. Or my kids look at me adoringly and say “mom, you are the best mom in the whole entire world and I appreciate you so much. I know I am only four years old and typically at a very ego-centric time in my life but I just want you to know that I see all you do for me and someday I am going to do things for you like take you shopping at Nordstom’s just because and cook you pancakes and bring them to you in bed with fresh brewed coffee.” Ahhhh, to dream….

And once in a blue moon you have someone walk into your studio to book a session and simply say “just make me look good.” That’s it. Period. Requirement simple. In your hands I place my trust - now go at it.

Right on! I have to say I love all my sessions, I really do, but some simply glimmer with fairy dust so sweet and special that I practically float during the whole session. Such as Cheryl’s.  And wow, what an incredible session we had! Cheryl - quite simply - besides being beautiful and full of laughter and the best humor ever has this incredible free spirited, uninhibited view of life that made her session a complete and utter blast. I love it. I am inspired by it. I aspire to it! :)

Big thank you to Cheryl for this fun opportunity and treat of a session, to Christi Reynolds for beautiful hair and makeup, to Charlie of Platinum Auto for use of his shop and to Rudy Baptista for the hot bike!

*I’m posting only what I feel is appropriate here but Cheryl has given me permission to share the full session which I’m excited to do especially for other women considering a session of this type. If you’d like to see the whole session, please email me your birth date and name and I’ll send you the login info!

By admin | Comments (5)

Let’s Talk Dog

July 29, 2010 – 5:25 pm

ag More, Bark Less.

I saw this bumper sticker today awhile sitting in traffic and had a smile over it. And had an honest to goodness moment of - well, yeah. What a perfect analogy. And dogs are the best to model this - truly, when did you ever come home to a grumpy dog? They’re always so happy - tail wagging, tongue splashing overzealous love saliva everywhere, eyes big and happy with anticipation.  Wag More, Bark Less.  I love it.

And I’m embracing it. I read this book not long ago called The Traveler’s Gift. It was recommended to me through my good friend Armon who I love talking to because, among other things, it always puts me in a happy mood - every single time, even when he isn’t having the best day which is all the more amazing. Big spirit, big heart.  So, it’s appropriate that he recommended this book. Lots of good things to be absorbed in it but one simple one I like: Today I will choose to be happy (the fifth decision for success). So, among other things, if you wake up grumpy you smile until you’re not. Easier said than done on some days unless you’re packing for the Bahamas in which case - good for you! Go away! Just kidding! Oh hey, that is…unless you’re looking for a fun person to travel with and in that case, let’s talk (just kidding again :)).

Okay, fun sessions to post a’coming but a few fun behind the scenes (BTS) from a FUN FUN FUN FUNNNN fantasy fashion/boudoir session today with one of the coolest ladies ever! I’d like to step into her closet and just play! The accessories and outfits…oh my. A photog’s a dream!And seriously, every woman should do this for herself at least once in her life! I want to do it (okay, maybe after I reach my fitness goals…ya know, the ones that find me at the gym on Friday night. Doesn’t get much cooler than that! cracking myself up…)

On hair and makeup -  Sacramento Professional Bridal and Editorial Makeup Artist Christi Reynolds.

champagne all the way…

working the baby oil! and I love this car - just wanna sit inside and pop open a coke…or something like that. :)

i wanna be her for a day!

and thanks once again to The Man, the one and only PD. Thanks for the studio, thanks for the pics! :)

By admin | Also posted in For Fun | Comments (0)

All You Need is Love…

July 20, 2010 – 11:30 pm

(make sure your sound is on)

Cindy and Robert = Love. Pure and simple. Last month I, along with my Pixel Chick girl Alli Gaulin of Alli Gaulin Photography (who is also responsible for my new profile pic - thank you Alli!:), photographed their wedding in Georgia. It was a love filled affair and the next week I found myself just wanting to relive it moment by moment.  Now, please excuse this rambling post but as I was editing tonight I was thinking about these two and what makes them so special to me. I started writing down thoughts as I edited - I guess this might be considered a little tribute to them and their friendship and my thankfulness for being a part of their lives…

I love Cindy for her open and generous heart. I love her for her ability to mesh with those around her both emotionally and physically. To be Cindy’s friend is to sit thigh to thigh editing into the late hours peering over at each others laptops, glancing up to welcome the dozens of kids that treat her house like a second home and plop down beside her to say hello and catch up before heading down to the basement. To be her friend is to live with open doors, sharing hearts and lives, tears and joys.  To be her friend is to love and give 100% - to know that words will never be left unspoken, that friendship endures no matter what and that forgiveness is always available.  It’s a gift to be a friend at her side receiving of her love and friendship, time and ear and talent and guidance.

I loved Robert first because he made Cindy smile and laugh and love with a gleeful happiness that filled her little corner of Cartersville with sunshine. Then I loved Robert because I met him and he is genuine and funny as all heck and a tower of strength and support that makes even friends at Cindy’s side feel loved and cared for under his protection. He is truly, said very simply, a good man through and through.  I love Robert now for all those things and for a yellow Eskimo Joe’s Stillwater hat he gave me after I wore and fell in love with it on a jeep ride home from dinner (I have a thing for hats that fit just so) and for having a truckload of Georgia boys ready to stand at my defense if someone is mean to me….as happened once upon a time. :)

Robert and Cindy I love you guys bunches and bunches!

Too many favs to name but here are (more) than few…

I absolutely LOVE all the colorful, vibrant details Cindy did…

three and six plus little girl Sky makes ten…talk about a house filled with love, laughter and noise! I love these guys! they all know how to set it loose and have fun!

Robert getting ‘the’ talk..

Me and some of my Pixel Chicks! From left: Alli Gaulin, me, Cindy Harter and Sherry Boles. Oh yeah, and in case you can’t tell, this is called MELTING Georgia style! GOODNESS! I felt like I was swimming all day!

And by the way, the show The Office is hysterical. How is that I’m just now catching on to this show? :)

By admin | Also posted in Weddings | Comments (2)

On the Burner

July 19, 2010 – 10:58 pm

Is that the expression? I swear when it comes to me and expressions, I say them backward, scrabble style, up and down and never quite right. Like the expression “she has a lot of baggage” which I usually say as “she has a lot of luggage.” See? Backward. Up. Down. Scrabble-style. Anything but right.

So, what I’m trying to say is…lots going on! Finishing up editing some fav shots from Cindy Lou’s wedding in Gawga that I’m hoping to post tomorrow. Finishing up painting some colors in the studio including an orange wall that I love so much I may just curl up next to and purr for awhile. Making a final decision on a chocolate brown wall and if the color really calls to me or not. Also, out with the old and in with the new (I know I got that one right!) - I’ve sold just about every item on the list from the post last week and it’s made room for a few new fun props…I’m don’t want to give it away b/c truly in this case, the pictures will speak better than words but the words fun and vibrant come to mind.  More to come on that…

And a new pricing structure is in the works and about ready to break out! After completing a client survey a short time ago, I decided it was time to make some changes. That’s also on the burner. And almost ready to be served…

Enough late night rambling! I’ll finish this post with a little sneak peek of what I’m editing…my beautiful friend… :)

By admin | Also posted in For Fun | Comments (2)

Girl’s Night Out Makeup Class

June 22, 2010 – 8:20 pm

Today I had an extremely fun and unique session - a beautiful 60 year old lady who had never had a professional portrait session - ever! Being a girl who douses herself in pictures it’s almost hard for me to believe! But that made it all the more fun and we did it up! Teshara Holmes of Skin By Teshara came and provided gorgeous makeup…which led to a conversation about the art of applying makeup. I pitched in how I’ve always wanted to learn how to do my makeup and us girls all to chatting and thought - why, wouldn’t it be fun to do a girl’s night out at the studio with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails and a makeup class taught by Teshara? Wouldn’t you love to know how to artfully apply your makeup everyday?! Wouldn’t you like to know what colors best flatter your skin and good products to select from? I know I would! More details to come on this shortly! And if you’re interested, shoot me an email at studio@llfotos.com so I can add you to the invite list!

Okay, so many fun sessions to post so make sure to stay tuned. Tomorrow I’m posting an adorable newborn session but for now - a few pictures from this past weekend. This wedding dress has a story and you won’t want to miss it - it’s hilarious. I’ll be posting it with the images a bit down the road but suffice to say, this is one COOL bride who can stand there holding her tattered dress and still be smiling (and joking about it). Just one of the reasons I love Cindy Lou Lou so much - she is a girl who knows how to roll with it (literally).  :)

Alli, Cindy and me - Alli and I had the pleasure of photographing Cindy’s wedding and it was a BLAST! More to come…

By admin | Also posted in Portrait | Comments (4)