Bakersfield New England Style

Every year I spend about as much time at Hart Park as I do at home, and every year I say "this is way more beautiful than last year." And while I do have memory issues lately (old age I suppose), I think it's an exceptional year for Fall colors. Everyone needs at least one family portrait in the Fall foliage. While I'm a very big fan of thinking outside the box when it comes to portraits, "Fall pics" is just one of those things you've just got to do at least once!

I'm going to be out at Hart park this Saturday and Sunday (November 14-15), as well as the Saturday after Thanksgiving (November 28). Then, one more weekend out there December 5-6--so one of those has GOT to work into your schedule!

These families were just taken yesterday afternoon and this morning, so this is currently how amazing it looks out there. You'll be able to see the rest of their images next week sometime on my website. Deadlines to order for Christmas cards and gifts delivered by Christmas is December 11, so schedule those shoots before it's too late!

So Cal Beaches still the best

Now that I'm a transplanted OC to Bakersfield girl, it seems that the central coast is the place to go for a family beach day (and a beach photography session). I've learned my way around Pismo, Morro Bay, Paso and even Cambria and yes they are stunningly gorgeous. But, after this weekend's beach shoot at Newport Coast, I realized that I still feel most comfortable shooting in my old backyard. The fresh, blue sky and the smoothness where the sand and water meet was home to me...sigh. Now, if we could just do away with the traffic that stands (literally) between here and there!

The Schonauer family made that trek this weekend and it was so much fun playing in the sand and water. These two girls were about as cute as they come in little white dresses. I won't be making another trip down (or to the central coast beaches either) until the new year, but if you like this look let's talk and make a plan for the New Year.

Christmas Card Time!

Can't believe it's actually November, time to get going on all those Christmas cards. If you had a shoot this past year, I can repost your images so you can order your Christmas cards. My cards range in style and price depending on the look you'd like and budget you have to work with.

My custom Christmas cards are so much fun (if I do say so myself!). The three most popular are the 5x7 postcard style, the 5x7 fold over card and the fun 5x5 tri-fold card. Take a look at these images to see what style you like best. The fun thing about these is that you can use multiple images with some of the fun stuff we shot. The press printed cards are $3 and $4 with an art fee of $25 (waived if you purchased a portrait collection).

If you still haven't done a shoot with me this year, what are you waiting for?! I can still fit you in this month, but call to schedule right away! The final date to order prints/cards for Christmas is Friday, December 11.

Call me to start your Christmas card order today!

Who Knew???

Who knew cotton could be so beautiful or that a junkyard could produce so many colors? Still on the constant mission to find new places to shoot in Bakersfield and what I'm finding is, I've barely scraped the surface. Three recent engagement shoots are proof. Most recently we went hiking with Richard and Amanda through the Southwest weeds to find some awesome crops that made for great pics. Bailey and Jessica as well as Will and Shanna trusted us enough to shoot them at a junkyard and none of us were disappointed with what we found. I loved it so much, this is where I'm going to do my own kids' Christmas card pics, so watch for those later! Lastly, with adorable couple Mike and Kelli we wanted a new twist on a traditional spot. Hart Park, although it's easy to fall into the same type shoots since I shoot out there so often--we went this day with fresh eyes and found some fun new spots to shoot.

Engagement shoots have become some of my favorite types of shooting, because creativity is a front runner and my couples have been so much fun to explore with. Kudos guys!