Triple threat!

You know the saying, 'too many chiefs, not enough indians'? Well, for those who know this family (seen HERE and HERE) know that they already have too many indians and not enough chiefs. I love these little guys and have loved watching them grow up so quickly, in addition to their twin sisters.

In order to mark the spectacular occasion of their 3rd birthday we set out to get some great, fun photos with the amazing tee-pee their Nana made for them... gotta love Nana's!! As you can see we really only had one who was willing to wear his feather headband, but hey in this family one is better than none!

On the road again...

That's right, you heard it here folks! I'm taking the show (and family) on the road! This August we're hittin' the great wide open heading up to NorCal (bay area & central valley/Stockton area)... the birthplace of yours truly. Lots of destinations on the itinerary, but with only one goal in mind... NOTHING!!

So, naturally I thought while I'm there (and it ain't that often, unfortunately) if anyone wants to hook up for a photo session I can definitely make time for my peeps! I'm going to have an awesome travel session package that can't be beat! So call or e-mail me for all the details. Be sure to spread the word if you have any family/friends in NorCal, too.

Ahhhh, I can already hear the beaches calling my name...

How about another go at some OCF...

One of the biggest lessons I learned from this weekends webinar class with Mr. Arias was not to just practice, but to really put into motion some of the techniques he was teaching with regards to lighting setups. He even half joked that if you don't have a subject to shoot then take your vacuum cleaner to the top of some hill and shoot the heck out of it until lighting, shadows and everything makes sense. Well, fortunately for me I have at least one willing participant and my vacuum cleaner is spared any humiliating photos of it floating out there on the internet. ;-)

And by willing participant, I mean this one was all the way, 100%... see below...


I really wanted to get a better feel for that softbox; the photos above are from that small softbox...and who better to shoot then my tiny B.


Now with these photos I switched off the softbox and replaced it for my shoot thru umbrella... just lovely!

Thank goodness I have at least one I can call upon and is absolutely in love with getting her picture taken and wants to help her mama! One guess as to which one it is...

Testing, 123... is this thing on...

That's kind of how I feel about my camera lately. I've been so busy in other areas of my business and life that sometimes my camera looks more like a home decor piece sitting on my bookshelf.

A few months ago I picked up this nifty little softbox for my external flash to experiment more with OCF (off camera flash). I haven't had the opportunity to play with it too much, but after being so inspired by a webinar class I'm taking this weekend with the lighting guru himself I just had to get out and test a few ideas and lessons I've been learning.

Unfortunately, as you can see I had no control over wardrobe or hair... that's what I get when I'm spontaniously inspired after bedtime.




And so this begins my love affair with light... and not the natural kind... anyone wanna come out and play??!!

LUCKY are they! | Mesa Family Photographer

Meet this very lucky family! The mama entered my contest to receive a free session over at the Full House blog and she WON! As soon as I checked out their family blog I was even more excited for this shoot. I am still floored by the overwhelming positive responses I received from that contest - a girl likes to hear nice things every once in awhile - and I really do wish I could offer everyone a free session.

I love it when my clients basically give me free reign with their shoot. No expectations. Just fun. Those are the best and most relaxed, as you can see from these AMAZING shots I got of this gorgeous family. You guys hang in there...the starving student life doesn't last forever...I'm living proof!

And see mama, I told you I got some fantastic shots...xo! Enjoy!








There is something so metaphorical about the shot above that I LOVE... Dad catching daughter... always being there when you fall... trust me... loving, guiding hands...!

Photography marathon | Mesa Family Photographer

What do you say to someone who emails you a week ago and says she wants to drive to you, from San Diego, for a family/newborn/kids photo session? You pretty much say 'you complete me!' And then you freak out!

Seriously though... this woman is top notch in my book. She and her hubby are both marines, however he is currently deployed to Afghanistan and is due home very soon. She, on the other hand, is running the house with their two kiddos and one just happens to be a 4 week old baby girl who's daddy is going to melt when he meets her. I have so much appreciation for her taking care of it all (not to mention giving birth without her man) ... I flip out when my hubs has to work 2 days in a row... I'm such a wimp!

Anywhoooo, so here is the fantastic trio! I'm beyond words at how flattered I am that she drove here to have ME photograph her sweet bunch! We first started off with the newborn session; her little angel was so good and peaceful and pretty much let me do whatever I wanted. Then we moved on to the session of the handsome big bro rockin' his dapper tux and barefeet - gotta love that! Then, we finished up the day trying to squeeze out of the kiddos every last ounce of patience they had to do ONE more shoot as a family. See, I told you it was a photography marathon! I'm exhausted just recapping it all.

Please enjoy the quickie sneak peek, mama!

So nice, you gotta see it twice...

Here are a few more pics of sweet baby Lyla... she is so yummy and scrumptious and was an absolute angel during the shoot.

Enjoy these mama... she's a definite keeper!





Be sure to book your newborn shoot as soon as you know your due date... 480.326.4134 or michelle@sweetmomentsdesign.com

Teeny tiny baby goodness | Mesa Newborn Photography

Seriously, I want one! I just about stuck this little nugget in my pocket to take home, but then I remembered... I LOVE MY SLEEP! There is actually quite a hilarious story about this little baby and my disorientated state of sleepiness... just ask!

You can literally count on 2 fingers the number of newborn shoots I've done so you can imagine when this mama had her baby I was ready to pounce... practically camping out in front of her house waiting to 'work my photo magic' on this little peanut. The mama did all the right things to make sure we had a perfectly smooth shoot. Baby bathed, check. Tummy fed and full, check. Eyes super sleepy, check. All the makings of a great newborn shoot.

I told the mama it would be a couple of days before I could get the sneak peek up on the blog, but seriously... look at this picture... I could not go another second without posting this delish pic!

Meet Miss Lyla...


I have a few more to edit and then I'll post more on the blog. For now, love on this one Mama!

Leaving on a jet plane...

I was beyond excited that I was able to capture just a *few* family pics for this good lookin' bunch before they head home across the pond. The mama is so uber-talented it's not even funny... in fact it's down right awe inspiring.





Seriously cute, right??!! Thanks for calling me up Linz... can't wait for your next visit!

Awesome family... cont'd | Mesa/Gilbert mini session

I did say I would post a few more - and I'm a girl who sticks to her word... ;-)

Love these little guys; each one is such a ball of energy... just try and keep up!

Sneakers...Peekers | Mesa Family Mini Session

You may recognize this cutie patootie here... she is part of the original Fab 4 and I completely adore her and her family... especially that smokin' hot mama of hers! ;-)

I don't think you could meet a more down to earth family; they are absolutely near and dear friends to me.




I know my sneak peek is pretty slim but I've got 17 things pulling me 27 different ways right now so I promise to get a few more up ASAP... but for now, nibble on this goodness...

It's GIVEAWAY time!

Hello all you wonderful followers, visitors and stalkers... you know who you are ;-)

I've teamed up with a dear friend and fellow blogger to offer one lucky (local, or willing to travel) person a free photo shoot with me. Ya-hoooooo!

So, whatcha gotta do is head on over to Viva Full House and check out all the details and simply leave a comment to win. Oh yeah, and if you blog, tweet or facebook about the giveaway you get even more chances to win. Sa-weeeeet!

OK, why are you still here when you should be HERE!

GOOD LUCK!

Oldies but goodies...

I was digging through my archive because I needed to send my bro and his wifey-poo some old pics of them and their young family - mind you these little ditties were taken back in '07 before I really KNEW that I wanted to be a photog. Back then it was just me and my camera.

This little guy is now getting ready to celebrate his 3rd birthday in a couple of weeks and he now has the sweetest and cutest little brother that joined their family 5mo ago - I can't wait to see them this summer... fingers crossed!

Don't let these first pictures fool you... this kid is a natural in front of the camera - he has an expression for everything. I know I say this a lot - but of my all time, all timers... the first photo on the left is hands down the best. Don't you think? Mostly because he is my cute little nephew, but also because that expression is killer! Totally hilarious! It needs to be the cover of some hallmark card with a caption 'You talkin' to me!'


This is at the San Francisco Palace of Fine Arts - such a beautiful place to explore and have a quick family photo session. Oh how I miss my NorCal!


Love you guys and miss you a ton! The count down is on for our Griswald family road-trip to Cali!

Pure sugar!

Need I say more...

Making family photos easy, fun and dare I say ENJOYABLE!

I really want to share with you some tips and tricks on what I think helps to have lots of fun during family photos... and no, it's not impossible!

The most common and popular type of family photography emerging right now is the candid lifestyle and I love it. It's a pure and raw sense of who you are as a family, a wife, husband, mother, father, son, daughter, etc. As I usually explain to my clients it's a true representation of who YOU are right now at this very time in your life. However, whether you like the candid lifestyle or the statement poses and setup shots (which I equally love) I want to help you achieve the same end result... a fun and happy family portrait that leaves you with warm memories of your session. So, in order to achieve some of those great family moments Moms and Dads listen up, here are some secrets!

First off, bribery, oh sweet bribery! I'm sorry, but it truly is a beautiful thing. Kids (and husbands, too ;-) need to know that all their hard work will get some kind of reward. I usually come prepared with a goodie/treat to give them, but what they really want is to know from YOU that they did great... and you do that by paying them off!! Seriously! You know what works and what will get their attention so use it. Exploit it.



Next, it's really, really important that I can connect with your kids so they feel free to have fun and to be playful - not stiff and unsure about what's going on. I will act just as silly as they do and in the end I really just want them to have fun. So rather then tell them all the things they can't or shouldn't do, tell them what they can do. They can play games, they can run and jump and climb on Dad's back (if it's OK with Dad), they can explore and make funny animal sounds. Anything that will keep the laughter flowing.



Now believe me I know, I hate the word relax, too. It's hard to have someone pointing a big black camera at your face and to be told to relax, but it's necessary. If you let your kids play and have fun then that allows me to be able to capture some beautiful moments of your family. So, be relaxed and donʼt always be so concerned that not everyone is looking directly into the camera – it is more about the moment you are having together and creating those lasting memories.



Try to keep the day and/or time leading up to your session as calm and stress free as possible. Having a 7 year old and 3 1/2 year twins myself I know that a task like that can seem virtually impossible, but your kids will feed off of your stress and anxiety. Come into your session pumped and excited! I promise you that your all clothes will look great, I will get THAT shot you want and your family will be the cutest I've ever seen!



And finally, at the end of the day it's all about the connection. Let your kids have the freedom to be kids; this is the time to engage and interact with them. Husbands and wives this is the time to show your kids how much you love each other and remind yourselves what family is all about.

Oh what fun...

Love the colors. Love the family. Love the setting. More to come later.

Better late than never!

I suppose since we're related I'll let this one slide, but next year I'm putting you on my calendar months ahead of the holidays... 'Lil Miss Procrastinator'!

But seriously, this year is about to close and I'm grateful to be able to end it on a high note with such an awesome family... love you guys to death. I'm sure glad our long drive paid off...







So this wraps up photography sessions for the year... yes, I said YEAR! I am dying for a little break... my kids have gotten to know the back of my head very well - that would be what they see of me as I'm sitting at my desk for hours on end these last few months. I will be ever so grateful for some much needed mommy time with my kiddos, oh and I guess the hubs, too. The other day I saw a home decor wall sign that read 'If the house is clean is must mean the computer is broken.' Ummmm, yeah, I'm gonna need a sign like that... Kelli (aka Miss Lolly Jane), can you get on that... ;-)

But for reals, thank you everyone for all of your wonderful support and comments and good times this year; I hope 2010 brings many more fantastic moments together. And just so you know, I still have some fun projects and lots more photography to post while I'm taking my 'business' hiatus, so don't stray too far... come back and visit soon!

Taking care of business...

Don't know if you've noticed this yet, but at the top header I've added a link titled 'Interested in taking a class'? I've been giving this a ton of thought lately and after some "gentle" persuasion by persistent friends I thought I would at least put this out to the great world wide web. So, if you click on the link above it will take you to a quick poll/survey I'm conducting to see if there is much interest out there.

The Beginner's Photography Class would consist of reviewing gear, settings, terminology, lighting, composition, and most importantly just how to take better pictures (of your kids, pets, anything).

With the Beginner's Photoshop Class I can offer 2 types of focuses; Class A would consist of using Photoshop for photo editing and we would learn the basics to editing including layer masks, adjustments and enhancing. Class B would focus on using Photoshop as your design software for making invitations, announcements and digital scrapbooking - we would cover topics such as brushes, creating and using elements, masking and layer styles

In either class scenario experience is NOT necessary, nor is a high-end camera or the latest/greatest version of Photoshop. However, I must warn you now... I am not a trained teacher! I will probably get off topic, I will probably make up words on the fly and I most likely will learn something new from you before the day is over. Guaranteed. So go HERE and let me know if you're interested.

And since I just finished editing this family session I thought it's only appropriate to post a few more - other than their 'outtakes'.

Enjoy!



and this one has just become a personal fav of mine... it's kind of sweet and simple!

A doozy of a sneak peek...

I am beyond grateful to have been part of this wonderful family - if only for 2 short hours. Not only was this a big occasion because it was family picture day, but it was also a reunion as some of this extended family had just arrived into town for the holiday.

So, THANK YOU for the moments I was allowed to capture!

Enjoy!