nichole.bremer.photography

NBP on Facebook!

2012-02-01T20:08:00.000-08:00

sometimes, i blog. sometimes, i Facebook.

so make sure you check things out there, too, cause right now, there are two adorable little faces being featured! ;)

watching families grow.

2012-01-29T11:32:00.000-08:00

this family has only gotten cuter since the past year. little millie was only a few months old when we first met, and she's walking, talking in her cute little baby voice, and is all smiles. it's always such a pleasure to watch client's families grow and change, and to be apart of people's lives in such a unique way.

thanks again, carol, ken, and millie! you are always such a treat to photograph! xo

the website.

2012-01-25T20:43:00.000-08:00

is finally, finally

HERE.

birth story: everett michael

2012-01-18T21:25:00.000-08:00

there are no words that i can write or say, to express what photographing this beautiful baby boy's birth means to me. i've been documenting my best friend's pregnancy on my Facebook fan page, (semi) weekly, so his birth was highly anticipated, although a month early.

kendal, i am moved and incredibly honored to have been there with you, to watch you deliver everett, and to see what strength women have to give birth to a child.

i am so proud of you.

the stuesser family.

2012-01-11T22:13:00.000-08:00

a really, super huge, ginormously big THANK YOU.

2011-12-30T11:14:00.000-08:00

photo by the rockin' jessica giblin photography

this year, has been one of those years. i took a few leaps. a few jumps. and one really big BOUND.

this year, i officially opened for business. i step i was terrified to take, because me? a businesswoman? and while i am still learning, still growing, still making mistakes and learning, my happiness factor has jumped by 110%.

this year, i photographed more than i have in years' past. seriously, october through last week i was runnin' on peanut m 'n ms & coke zero for energy. & i LOVED it!

this year, i met some seriously awesome people through my lens and i am truly, truly grateful for each of YOU. i've worked with wonderful people, learned much from experienced friends, and found that i have some of the BEST CLIENTS AROUND. i feel so privileged to meet new people, each year. to watch families grow and loves blossom.

this year, i got business cards & opened a Facebook fan page. i know. wooooah, mama! speaking of fan page, a big mercy beaucoup to those frequent page viewers, the likers, & commenters there. you make my day with those thumbs up.

next year. next year, there are big dreams on my heart.

wishing you & yours a beautifully fantastic new year.

xo,

nichole

the mccauley family

2011-12-18T18:06:00.000-08:00

baptism of baby kayla

2011-11-22T21:27:00.000-08:00

'let the little children come unto Me, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.'

~ Luke 18:16

..and just because i love her lots.

'the old Irish when immersing a babe at baptism left out the right arm

so that it would remain pagan for good fighting.'

happy birthday, miss hadley!

2011-09-11T14:09:00.000-07:00

call me biased. but i'm pretty sure my family (all 133 of them - we have two large families between my husband & myself!) have made some of the CUH-YU-TEST babies in this world.

little miss hadley is one of them. she's a heart melter. she has one of the sweetest & cutest personalities ever. but when she's unsure or serious, those brows furrow, and you know you're being observed.

we photographed her with two ideas. one, her first birthday celebration was cowgirl themed (oh, you should have seen the adorableness that was her birthday party! her mama really knocked it out of the park!) so we went with hadley-the-cowgirl, and the second was your more traditional cake-smash!

aaaaaand now, a little cupcake celebration. she's the first baby i've come across that looked at the sugary goodness (that all us adults were practically drooling over) and snubbed her cute little nose at it!

northstar-at-tahoe: sara & gavin's wedding day

2011-09-06T22:29:00.000-07:00

sara & gavin were married on an absolutely beautiful evening in august at the northstar-at-tahoe village.

the weather could not have been more perfect.

the groom more handsome.

the bride more lovely.

you know that movie, 27 dresses when the characters are talking about their favorite part of a wedding? how they love to watch the groom watch his bride walk down the aisle? that, my friends, was something do at this wedding.

when someone is so in love, it shows. and on a warm afternoon at the end of august, love abundantly overflowed.

congratulations, sara & gavin! i am so honored to have been asked by you to photograph your wedding day & to not only be your photographer, but also your friend.

we wish you a lifetime of love & happiness. xo

the keaton raphael memorial gets a new home

2011-09-05T22:52:00.000-07:00

september is childhood cancer awareness month.

the keaton raphael memorial had an open house event last week to celebrate the move to their new home & to thank so many partners & supporters to their cause.

these are just a few of the photos taken, but all of the people in that room have some of the largest hearts in our community. we are all here for one cause.

please be sure to visit KRM's website for more information, and if you're able, to make a donation. xo

cupcakes by jonesing for cupcakes

catering by jimmy t's bbq

carley & patrick: convalidation of marriage

2011-08-25T22:11:00.000-07:00

our very dear friends, carley & patrick (you know, that ultra cute couple that went & eloped in san francisco last year & totally let us tag along?!) had their convalidation ceremony a few weeks ago.

for those of you who aren't catholic, the Church will only recognize or consider your marriage a sacrament, if you are in fact, married in a catholic church. so, since they had that super fabulous elopement at city hall, carley also wanted their marriage to be a blessed sacrament as well.

lovely, right?

i brought my camera along & captured a few little moments. informal, yes. but beautiful and another way to celebrate love? oh, yes.

xo.

just because.

2011-05-28T08:54:00.000-07:00

sometimes, my heart feels so full like it might burst.

burst from happiness, love,

& an overwhelming feeling of being so blessed.

wishing you a happy, happy long weekend

with family & friends,

food & music,

& love.

corporate world: media solutions, inc.

2011-05-24T20:49:00.000-07:00

back in april, i was contacted by the ladies of media solutions who wanted new head shots for their new website! we used their beautiful backdrop of their office complex & the gorgeous natural light that flowed through the trees for their photographs (we've had some very strange, cold, rainy weather here lately!).

media solutions is a media buying firm located in sacramento, california. they're a talented group of professional women that are great at what they do! be sure to check out their new website!

carol m., cynthia, carol g., michelle, debi, kaitlin, cindy, karlee, & olivia, it was a such a treat to photograph you all! i had such a great time & the new site looks fabulous!

personal | a baby shower

2011-05-22T20:15:00.001-07:00

"a new baby is like the beginning of all things -

wonder,

hope,

a dream of possibilities."

- eda j. le shan

we threw a baby shower for my dear cousin-in-law michelle this weekend (yes, totally blogging this on time & dare i say, early!?). her sister-in-law, my mama, & a few aunties & friends helped to throw one of the cutest, love-filled showers i've been to.

our family is thrilled to welcome baby kayla.

we love her so much already.

more over at the facebook page!

elizabeth, class of 2011

2011-05-08T12:26:00.000-07:00

"there is a good reason they call these ceremonies "commencement exercises." graduation is not the end; it's the beginning." - orrin hatch

i'm pretty sure i've been blessed with photographing some of the most talented, smart, & photogenic high school seniors northern california has to offer. my most recent session is no exception. the only difference here, is that this beauty is one of my younger cousins.

we got together on Easter Sunday of all days & we were provided beautiful, warm natural sunshine & temps that were fairly uncommon for us this time of year. we shot in old town folsom where there are little gems of back drops that only nature (& people from way-back-when) could provide.

elizabeth, i love you & am so, so proud of the person you've grown into. i know that your college career & beyond will only hold the most beautiful of journeys for you. congratulations!

personal | a wedding shower

2011-04-21T21:20:00.001-07:00

so, my best friend is sorta getting married in a few days. well, not so much as "sorta" but you know, so-totally-awesomely getting married in a few days. i love love. i say it all the time so it's no secret. it's also no secret i've become a complete sap the last few years.

complete.

so, every so often, the girl threatens to shank me. you know, it's that whole domino effect: i mist up, she mists up. then i tear & have to walk away out of fear of being shanked.

anywho, my mom & i threw her a shower a few weeks ago, & being the stellar blogger that i AM, i am not blogging a few images. my mom, being the master crafter that she is, totally & completely helped me out with all of my ideas & my severe lack of cooking [thank you, a million billion, MOM]. we hosted brunch, complete with red velvet waffles, homemade muffins, & two different types of casseroles that still have my stomach growling.

kendal, so totally excited. just a few more days. xo

this banner? handmade by mom. completely FABULOUS, huh?

personal | sammi

2011-04-06T10:40:00.000-07:00

alright, social media. do me a favor. this beautiful girl, samantha ashburn, will be sixteen years old this saturday. doctors are saying this could be her last birthday. sammi has terminal osteosarcoma.

we want eminem to her a call by then.

trend it on twitter #eminemcallsammi

katie + ryan, so in love

2011-03-27T20:46:00.000-07:00

katie & ryan are truly in love. i not only had the honor of photographing them for one afternoon, i have the honor of also being family to them (katie is my husband's cousin, if you wanted to know!).

we set out for their engagement session on a chilly overcast day in northern california. we wanted the feel of the session to be natural, with the focus on the two of them. & their love.

ryan makes katie laugh with ease & they are complete naturals in front of the camera, ladies & gents.

katie & ryan, i am so, so happy for the two of you. i wish you nothing but happiness & love for the rest of your lives together. & i cannot wait for august to come! xo

alex, class of 2011

2011-03-19T10:12:00.001-07:00

um, who says boys are shy in front of the camera?

because this boy, ROCKED IT. we shot alex's senior portraits on a fuh-reezing day a few months ago (yeah, i'm that far behind on blogging!) & despite the cold, cold temperatures, he rocked it. out. it was one of my hardest sessions to edit, because there were so many that i loved! (it's certainly not a bad problem to have)

alex, i had such a fun time with you! thank you for letting me be your photographer for your senior portraits. i wish you all the best as you finish up your last year of high school - i know big things are in store for you!

two photos.

2011-03-15T22:39:00.000-07:00

this is what i did with (part of) my weekend.

& i couldn't have been more honored.

want to know more?

www.childcancer.org

we.are.a.GO!

2011-03-07T20:10:00.000-08:00

we are officially on facebook!

eileen + chuck: wedding day

2011-02-02T20:04:00.001-08:00

this wedding.

eileen & chuck were married on a rainy sunday evening on december 19th in sacramento, california. i'm not sure what it is, really. maybe it's because i've been friends with eileen since we were seventeen-year-old girls in college; maybe it's because after they got engaged, chuck dedicated his life to serving his country - but i have a hard time articulating my appreciation for these two people.

chuck's mom gave a toast during the reception, and reminded every guest there, that it's not only chuck who's sacrificing for our country. eileen, now being an army wife, sacrifices just the same. i am amazed, always, at the bravery people have to give.

their love is something that the camera captures with ease. they are comfortable with each other, protective of each other, & love one another with their whole hearts. it's in the way she looks at him & how he holds her. their love is a beautiful thing.

i am so honored to have photographed your wedding, chuck & eileen. i am honored to be your friend. i am even more honored, that you asked me to document your love.

congratulations, my friends.

a birth story: bryleigh reece

2011-01-17T21:34:00.000-08:00

remember this couple? they only make pretty babies. how do i know? welp, i was there for the birth of their second little girl.

bryleigh reece was born september 26, 2010 at 6:45am. she weighed six pounds, 15 ounces & was twenty inches long. a whole bundle of love & happiness in one tiny little package.

when jordan & i spoke about my photographing bryleigh's arrival, i'll admit, i was scared. i'd never seen childbirth before (i even turned my head in health class in high school), & my expectations were frightening, to say the least!

but when i got the call in the middle of the night that it was GO TIME, i was ecstatic. jordan did beautifully & bryleigh came out healthy, beautiful, & instantly stole our hearts.

adam called their daughter brenna to tell them she had a sister, & jordan got choked up.

a beautiful new year & the start of things to come

2011-01-15T15:22:00.001-08:00

this year is shaping up to be very exciting, indeed! last year, i was asked by a couple to document their child's birth, to photograph not one, but three dear friends' weddings, & captured countless adorable, loving families.

its always such an honor when people ask you to capture moments of their lives - to open their doors, let down their walls, & embrace you. this year, i hope to be able to learn more, work more, love more.

this year, i'm challenging myself. i'm pushing myself. i'm stepping out of my comfort zone. i'm going to be fulfilling my dreams.

welcome, 2011.

a peak into the beautiful wedding of eileen & chuck, so check back soon!

family love: mark, kendal & our favorite kiddos

2011-01-08T16:06:00.000-08:00

i really like this family. well, i mean, i love them as well (they are in fact, my family), but i like them lots, too. we got together during a chilly december afternoon for their yearly Christmas session, complete with a few ducks & a red wagon.

mark & kendal are also getting married this year (yay!) & i think you can tell by the portraits of the two of them together, they're quite in love. plus, they have really adorable kids, which is reason enough to keep having more! (hint hint guys!)

love you all.

a surprise backyard wedding: hayley + justin

2011-01-04T22:16:00.000-08:00

we, apparently, have sneaky friends.

hayley & justin planned her college graduation party. but really, it was a disguise for their wedding day. pretty j-lo & marc anthony of them, huh?

their love is beautiful. its seen in their glances at one another & the way they take each other's hands. i love to photograph people in love, because happiness just beams out of them, from the tips of toes to the ends of their hair.

they were married back in may, but i am such a bad, bad blogger that you're just now getting to see them. (eek, so sorry!) hayley graduated in the morning of their graduation-party-but-really-wedding-day, & came back to her parent's house where the couple surprised friends & family with their announcement.

we walked a short while to the park where they exchanged vows & professed their love for each other. & rode a tandem bike. how cool are they?

thank you, hayley & justin, for asking us to photograph your very special day. we love you both & wish you a lifetime of happiness.

sharing a kiss & enjoying everyone's excitement, right after the big announcement!

i love everyone's reactions to their first kiss:

hayley's parents dancing. aren't they sweet?

a little toasting, a little dancing:

sneaky sneakersons: a san francisco elopement

2011-01-03T20:15:00.000-08:00

there is something about the way carley & patrick are together. they don't call each other by name, always, "love". they share a love of pirates & scotch, vintage music & riding on pat's harley.

their wedding day began at the fairmont hotel in san francisco, california in early december. we feared for rain, but san francisco opened its heart to them & gave them a beautiful, crisp morning. we drove to city hall where they exchanged vows with a sassy justice of the peace & tearfully said their 'i do's'.

the city holds a special place for them, & so we ventured around its streets, restaurants, & shops that hold special memories for them. carley & pat brought the city into their love, & it made their day that much more unique & special.

carley & pat, we are so honored to have been with you on your wedding day. i cannot put into words how happy i am for you. i wish you a lifetime of love & trips to san francisco, where you truly left your hearts.

carley wore prada heels at the beginning of the day & ended in these adorable converse shoes.

kevin took this one, & we love the way it feels - full of love & excitement, just after the ceremony:

they shared their first dance under the golden gate bridge & danced to music from carley's iPod from pat's jacket pocket:

'tis the season for giving back.

2010-12-07T08:38:00.001-08:00

with the holiday season in full swing, i've been busy with holiday portrait sessions galore! i decided to do what i did last year, by taking $25 of my fee & donating it to a charity. i was able this year, to donate to the placer spca's gaurdian angel program.

the program is with the placer spca - they care for the animals who are in need of medical care while they are awaiting a family. the spca pays for the surgeries or treatments regardless of funds, thankfully. oh, those little faces.

i'm meant to have a farm and have 123, 456, 929 animals. i'd take 'em all.

so, if you can, they still need some help. below is where you can help, or you can visit their website.

a thankful month.

2010-11-23T12:17:00.000-08:00

november, friends, has been quite busy. my weekends are packed with adorable, loving families with holiday visions in their heads!

i've been absolutely swamped. and absolutely thankful for it. this seems to have caught up with me, as now i am working a most awful cold.

while many of the pictures i've been shooting are marked as "gifts" and i know people would rather they not be shared until after Christmas, i just had to share, just one! this is millie & her mama. isn't she the most precious thing?

i wish you all a happy, healthy, thankful thanksgiving. many blessings to you & your family.

oh, hello baby | hadley

2010-10-18T21:15:00.000-07:00

so. this little beauty? well, she's my family. she's my husband's cousin's first baby. & isn't she just bee-ee-auti-ful? we did a super quick session, mainly because her mom & dad wanted a picture for her announcement, so we did a little improvising. the basket was placed in their flower bed. (i've never been so happy for warm weather this late in the year, because we actually had flowers!)

i'm really blessed with an amazing number of lovely family members. mister has two large families and my own family is big - so many people, so much love.

it was my absolute pleasure to be able to help introduce this little bundle to the world.

six months | josie-fay

2010-10-08T17:28:00.000-07:00

my friend jessica, who's an ah-may-zing photographer, once told me, "my favorite is when i get to photograph a "rubber band baby." you know, when they have those rolls that look like they've got little rubber bands on their arms and legs."

um, yes. i would have to agree 110% that this is now a truth for me as well.

josie-fay, her mom and i had a super-duper quick shoot one day, right after she turned six months. you know, to document her in all her "i'm so cute and now i'm six months" glory. josie-fay is such a beautiful, happy, laughing little girl. she gets it from her parents.

enjoy the melt-your-heart cuteness.

maternity | adam & jordan

2010-10-06T19:31:00.000-07:00

this, my friends, was my first maternity session. & i loved every single minute of it.

i have to say - this session - was one of my favorites to date.

we had our photo session on a warm, warm day with jordan about a month away from her due date. her tummy was perfectly perfect. when you photograph people in love, it's easy to get gorgeous pictures. & i love photographing love.

plus, jordan & adam already have the cutest little three-year-old you ever did see! adding her cuteness on top of it all, was just the cherry on top of the sundae. (maybe with a little bit of sprinkles, too!)

jordan & adam, thank you for letting me document your growing family. it was such a pleasure.

& a very big thank you to my assistant extraordinaire, kendal, for all your help. :D

stay tuned, because jordan & adam also had me document bryleigh's arrival!

blogging world, laziness & life as we know it.

2010-10-06T08:18:00.000-07:00

so, life's been pretty crazy for us lately, but isn't it for everyone this time of year? summer always moves by slowly in the beginning, and before you know it, it's october and we're searching for halloween costumes and thinking about thanksgiving! (fall is my most-favorite time of the year. i love, love, love every thing about it!)

i've done lots of shoots over the summer, but have been the worst.blogger.ever. i don't really feel guilty about it, because sometimes, we need a little time for ourselves! (taking a cue from stephanie fay ;D ) well, maybe a teeny, teeny bit guilty. maybe.

to tide you over until i get all the summer sessions up, here is the adorable josie-fay. do you remember her? she's now six months and oh-so-stinking adorable.

family love | emily, jeff & charlotte

2010-08-21T17:35:00.000-07:00

babies touch the world with love.

- unknown

family love | four generations

2010-08-19T20:40:00.000-07:00

the love of a family is life's greatest blessing.

- unknown

say hello | josie-fay

2010-08-19T20:34:00.000-07:00

i am pleased to introduce the beautiful josie-fay! isn't she just adorable?

personal | fairytales & fancy feet

2010-07-06T20:38:00.000-07:00

i have myself an etsy shop.

oh, yes. for a year or two now, i've featured twelve of my fairytale images i made in college called if the shoe fits (my very clever mama made the title up). i just thought i'd share a few of the photographs with you... if you'd like to see more (& there's lots more!) hop on over to my etsy shop at ahappyending.etsy.com.

happy shopping!

children with cancer | meet annina

2010-06-14T19:46:00.000-07:00

this is annina. she & her mom agreed to be apart of my project documenting children with cancer in various stages a few weeks ago. isn't she just a beautiful girl?

i am always amazed at the courage children with cancer have. it's something that's so incredible. & amazing. i see children battle cancer, all different types & stages of cancer, & i am always blown away at how adult these children are. their eyes tell a story that most adults have no idea. they are older than their years.

i am so honored to have been apart of your journey, annina. you are an inspiration & i am grateful to have met you.

*the scar on her leg is from when the doctors removed bone because of her cancer.

puppy photography | meet max

2010-06-11T21:16:00.000-07:00

say hello to max.

need i say more?

okay, he's not mine (though my husband knows, i could have eight or nine dogs, easily) - he's my aunt & uncle's new boy.

& isn't he just... a-dawg-able? i know, i know...

senior photography | say hello to brittany

2010-06-10T18:03:00.000-07:00

this beauty is brittany & she's a senior in high school (well, as of now, she's totally a college girl since she graduated in may!). can you even believe that she's a eighteen? how gorgeous is she!

we got together to do a photo shoot last month in folsom, calfornia down by the river. that place is one of my favorite spots to shoot because it's like it's own little village of hot spots. the weather & sun were on our side, since here in northern california we've had rain all through this year (heck, even yesterday it sprinkled!). bliss.

she had great ideas of what she wanted her images to look like & i am so pleased with how they turned out.

brittany, you were just a doll to shoot. i wish you the best of luck in oregon & that nursing program. (i hear nursing school isn't sugar snacks & naptime!)

family love | meet the cutie-pie family

2010-06-09T18:40:00.000-07:00

oh.my.goodness.

this is the cutest family ever. ever! lein & kyle's girls (who are beautifully named lira & luna - total originality & i adore) have stolen my heart. lira worked the camera in a very america's next top model sort of way, & she's five. five! the little thing was ready for her pictures!

i had such a wonderful time photographing their family. i know lein because she is my oh-so-fabulous hair stylist. she rocks it out every.single.time. they are the kindest, cutest, sweetest family you'll ever meet & i am so honored to have had the opportunity to document their family at this beautiful stage.

a gigantic thank you to my dear friend, carley, who let us use her fantastically naturally lit home. it never fails photographing there.

xo.

personal | bad blogger

2010-06-04T18:21:00.000-07:00

i promise, promise, promise, this month i will be a better blogger! a month is just wayyyyyy too long to go without any pictures or updates! i do have a good excuse though, i've been really busy. which i guess, is a good thing! (right?)

at the end of may, i photographed my first wedding (details & all those goodies will come, again, promise!) & then we took off for a bit of vacation. much needed vacation. so, i will leave you with an image from their surprise wedding day (yes! they surprised their guests!) until i can get the full-blown post up & running!

cheers!

photo booth | gracie's glamour party

2010-05-01T16:49:00.000-07:00

a gaggle of eight-year-old girls sure makes for an interesting party! a few weeks ago, i was able to photograph a party for my little cousin, gracie, (whom is best known to be "luhu" by me) where she hosted a few friends for her birthday. they got their hair & make-up done, along with the fabulous outfits from hanna montana's line. totally.awesome.

it was so.much.fun!

these girls knew how to work the camera & rocked some seriously cute photos! hellooooo, america's next top model - in a few years, these girls are gonna give tyra a run for her money! love you, lu, & hope your birthday was super fun.

they were brave! they went bald!

2010-04-25T19:40:00.000-07:00

here are images from this year's saint baldrick's event, held at the westfield galleria at roseville. the keaton raphael memorial helped organize the event & it really was a huge success with over 300 people shaving!

if you would like more information on saint baldrick's, visit their website at http://www.stbaldricks.org/! it's such an awesome event to participate in (or if you're like me who's a little too chicken to shave my head), donate to! i'm so honored to be apart of this amazing event!

baby love: hunter

2010-04-25T16:06:00.001-07:00

this, ladies & gentlemen, is my nephew. isn't he just adorable? (i do believe i may be a bit biased when it comes to his cuteness!) these photos were taken when he was just ten days old & super small. being born under eight pounds, he is the perfect sized little man.

i photographed him in his home on a warm, sunny afternoon with his parents joining in for a few photos. this is the first child for my sister-in-law & her husband & i think by the look of these photos, one can tell they're pretty smitten with him. unfortunately, hunter didn't like the fact that his auntie was all about photos when he was trying to sleep, so he tried his darnedest to stay awake.

oh well, he'll learn soon enough, the camera is a friend. (& a frequent one at that!)

baby love: gracie

2010-04-10T09:17:00.001-07:00

wow. it's been a bit crazy here, and a month is waaaaaay too long not to be updated!

we've been surrounded by babies lately - sweet, sleepy, adorable little babies. it's been calculated that june seems to be the month for conception of all these children, so watch out! june is around the corner already!

i had the pleasure to photograph baby gracie at six-weeks-old, and man, she's a teeny tiny little lady. she was born prematurely, at the small amount of four pounds and a few ounces! so even though we photographed at a month and a half, she still looked as small as ever!

thank you, chelsie and timmy, for allowing me the pleasure to document your beautiful baby girl! i wish you many, many blessings in your family's future.

sneak peak: saint baldricks 2010

2010-03-14T18:52:00.000-07:00

all i have to say is, saint baldricks was such a huge hit this year! the event took place last night, so i am just now starting to pour over the images, but wanted to leave you with a sneak peak!

kailey: baby love.

2010-02-15T17:15:00.000-08:00

there's something about a brand new baby.

their smiles. their smells. their little teeny tiny feet.

it makes my voice get into this high-pitched tone that i swear, my dogs can hear from miles away.

i had the adorable pleasure of photographing kailey, a sixteen-day-old baby girl this weekend. talk about a valentine treat! she didn't really want to sleep for me, which is probably why they recommend babies to be no older than ten days old. but, i was still able to get some gorgeous shots of their little family.

i also had my first experience with a baby who only eats breast milk & who doesn't have a diaper on. eek!

many, many thanks to my dear friend carley for all your help. & your house. & your towels.

headshots: robyn, california's newest lawyer

2010-01-30T15:14:00.000-08:00

let me introduce you to robyn. she's just been sworn in as one of california's newest lawyers & she's so awesome, she's started her own law practice. robyn is one of the smartest people i know & along with her beautiful heart & witty personality, she's a triple threat. i feel so privileged to have been able to help her in this next step in her life & career.

robyn asked me to take some photos of her for her new website, which launched this month! we couldn't have asked for more perfect weather (perfectly overcast skies with touches of sun here & there). her make-up & hair looked flawless, thanks to the talented christi reynolds - she's done my make-up for a few photo shoots & also for my wedding & i think she is so fabulous!

robyn, i wish you much success with your practice.

st. baldricks: a worthwhile, bald cause.

2010-01-21T13:28:00.000-08:00

cancer is something that once it's in your life, its there forever. no matter the outcome.

personally, in our family, we've had two bouts with the awful disease & have had two different outcomes. my husband's cousin & best friend was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in 2005. i watched as the cancer not only changed his body, but watched how it affected our family. we were with him when he lost his battle in april 2007. a month later, my mother-in-law was disgnosed with breast cancer. thankfully, she is completely cancer free. a survivor.

as i've documented children & their families through my photography project, i've been impacted so greatly by the strength of these amazing people. i want to help them in any way i can, & i feel i can do that through the gift God has given me. i've watched as parents lose their children. i've also seen the joy of remission.

"st. baldricks" is an event that takes place all over the world to help fund & raise money for children with cancer, usually around march. it's absolutely amazing to watch as people - men, women & children - collect donations & get on stage & shave their heads. visit their website to find an event near you. locally, the keaton raphael memorial is who i work with during these events. they hold two events - one in roseville, the other in sacramento.

another upcoming event is the walk 'n rock. make sure to check it out!

together, we CAN find a cure.

happy new year, five days in!

2010-01-05T19:14:00.000-08:00

happy, happy new year!

the week ending our 2009 was crazy & busy, with a trip Christmas Day night to the mister's family in kansas. we were able to spend almost an entire week with family & it was beautiful. we got snowed in for two days, made snow people, visited, & with those we love. the holidays are meant to be with those you love & we try our very best to make it to see as many lovey-dovies as possible!

this year, my goals are simple. be happy. be healthy. focus on my photography. focus on my family. focus on my relationship with the Lord. i am truly grateful for every single blessing in my life. this year, i'm going to relish in the small things.

i hope your holiday season was beautiful! below, photos from the keaton raphael holiday party:

a few fun photos from our trip! we were delayed on every.single.flight we took & ended up on an adventure on new year's eve! we brought in 2010 in a cozy hotel room in frosty denver!

i love my iPhone. it's like an additional appendage.

mo & lu: portraits.

2009-12-23T20:43:00.000-08:00

i had such an awesome time photographing these two beauties! i love being able to get out my camera & just have fun... to photograph for the love of taking a photo & seeing the results. it's such an awesome feeling, especially when it's people you love love love.

...& a huge dog makes three!

2009-12-23T08:40:00.000-08:00

i've known john & robyn for seven years. basically, as long as i've known my husband. literally. john was there the night kevin & i met. kevin told john that night that he would marry me.

the adorable addition to their family is crumb. he's over 60 pounds & slobbers everywhere. he's completely huge & sweet & melts my heart. i'm a sucker for dogs. we did a quick shoot for their holiday cards & crumb definitely stole the show.

merry Christmas, you two! we both love you tons & tons.

the holiday rush & the cute boys next door.

2009-12-23T08:24:00.000-08:00

um, i have never, ever, ever been this late on my Christmas shopping before. ever. ever.

the mister and i were quite sick last week with this awful stomach flu that took us out for almost three days. then, he had shoulder surgery, which only made us more confined to our little home for the entire weekend. i'm not sure how time got away from me so quickly!

i photographed these brothers a few weeks go and, well, in the spirit of being late, here it is! this session was super fun photographing - these two boys and their parents live next door to my parents & i remember when they were teeny - & it's so strange that travis is now in high school [does that mean that i'm getting - dare i say - old?!]. we ventured to some of my oh-so-favorite spots in town and did a quickie session for their family's holiday cards.

happy day before Christmas eve [which also happens to be the anniversary of our first date! seven years ago today, i went on my last-first date.]!

families.

2009-12-20T14:10:00.000-08:00

these awesome people are my family. literally. aunties, uncles, and cousins. :D

i am the oldest cousin on my father's side of the family, but while my age makes me nifty, my height does me no justice. i am the shrimp of the bunch. coming in at under five-foot-five, i am the shortest. by a long shot.

these are just a few of my family members [i have a lot, a lot of family!]. some are in town, further away in the state, some are even across the country. around the holidays, you always wish those you love could be closer... i love my family with my whole heart.

enjoy!

the seidl family : a christmas session.

2009-12-08T17:57:00.000-08:00

i'm going to say it right now. these are some of the cutest children i have EVER come across. & i'm not just saying this because they are my family. i mean, i really think it. i want to squeeze their cheeks & wrap them in bear hugs & love. all.the.time.

these beautiful children belong to my dear friends mark & kendal. we did a quick christmas session a few weeks ago & i am so happy with how they turned out! i really could photograph them all day long.

also, can you tell i'm in love with plaid? i bought the kids' outfits specifically because i am so in love with gap's holiday ads, i just couldn't resist!

i love you, all four of you, & hope your christmas morning is filled with squeals of joy & plenty of hugs to go around.

kelsey, a senior session.

2009-10-27T21:22:00.000-07:00

she's totally adorable. really.

i photographed kelsey this past weekend for her senior session and it was so much fun! she's got a great spirit and awesome smile, it makes my job so much easier! i'm super happy with how her photos turned out, but we're not done yet! the girl has an awesome letterman's jacket coming her way, so we'll get together later on to photograph her in it, as well as her awesomely buff arms, courtesy of her varsity swimming.

kels, i had such a great time and i wish you many blessings in your future!

the beauty of a little life.

2009-10-09T08:10:00.000-07:00

i met samantha only this year, but her influence in my life began years before we even met.

i've been volunteering for the keaton raphael memorial for many, many years and have been touched by many families and cancer patients, each one teaching me something new and showing me the little beauties of everyday life. since i have no medical degree, no skills in math or science, no doctorate in psychology, i offer these families my camera and my time.

sammie sat for me for my kids with cancer project earlier this year, when she was doing marginally well. she was smiley and fiesty, and had just gotten oliver, her new puppy from the make-a-wish foundation. i was touched by her gentle soul and beautiful eyes; eyes that seemed to know far more than beyond her eleven years. this always seems to be the case with children who have cancer. they grow in more years than i think we even imagine.

i am inspired by her spirit, as well as her family's strength. the battle with cancer is not an easy one. it changes a person, a family, an entire community.

sammie's long, courageous fight ended early this morning with her family by her side. i pray for the hartsfield family, that they may be wrapped in the Lord's loving Spirit, that He will ease their pain. may He bless them always.

now, more than ever, my urgency to continue my project on children with cancer is at full steam. together, we can find a cure.

you can visit her caring bridge site here.

scott loves michelle.

2009-09-22T12:57:00.001-07:00

scott loves michelle. and she loves him right back. she's the cheese to his mac. the bread to his butter. it's completely apparent when you look at these photos, see their interaction with each other, even being around them, you feel it. it makes you feel all gushy.

i wanted to practice photographing couples, specifically couples in love and in their wedding attire. we trampled around different areas and at the end of the shoot, the sun was setting and created a perfectly perfect lighting senario for photographs. i think this shoot gets a "mission accomplished!"

thanks for taking the time out of your busy lives, mccauley's. you two are a photographer (and cousin's) dream. love you both!

Lulu.

2009-09-12T21:41:00.001-07:00

this beautiful little darling is lulu. i met her & her lovely parents through a friend & it was camera love at first sight! she was a little dream to photograph. baby photography has recently grabbed my attention & i love the interaction between subject, camera, & photographer with these sessions.

mom came prepared with an amazing selection of hats, outfits, accessories, stockings, and even little puffy baby high heels (that of course are purely for our amusement!). it really was so much fun! children posses such an amazing essence & to be able to capture that with a lens is simply amazing. i'm not sure what people did before the creation of the camera!

thank you, amy & ruben, for letting me photograph your little bundle of joy!

Welcome to Adulthood.

2009-09-09T23:08:00.000-07:00

sometimes, being a grown up can be, well, daunting. lots of new things are thrown at you, and you deal the best you can.

photography has been a passion of mine since i can remember. i was always staging photo shoots with friends and filtering through magazine after magazine looking for that one right photograph. i've graduated college with my degree and now, i'm feeling the fear and doing it anyway.

i've decided i'm ready to join in with the grown ups... anyone have a lollipop?

and since words are better accompanied with pictures, meet sara. she's one of the children with cancer i documented for my senior portfolio project in college. this photo won me the california state fair juror's award for 2009. it's such an honor & i am so proud to have been able to be involved, even for a few hours, in these children's lives.

childhood cancer is one of the causes i support with all of my heart. for more information and a local charity that i love, visit the keaton raphael memorial or peep the link on the sidebar. september is childhood cancer awareness month!

thanks for stopping by & checking out my little blog!