During the last two photo sessions here, I learned how to utilize and maximize a small area within one location. It was so much fun running down the residential area a few steps from downtown San Juan Capistrano. Such a cute little area, I’ve photograped a wedding at the Mission nearby last year and keep forgetting to come back to explore more.

Again, I really want their accessories oh and their braids are super fun.

Love the sweetness that was captured here.

I must learn how to smile with my eyes like Kristin.

Dang, she makes that floor look so good. Love her confidence!

Credits

VENUE: The Tangled Vine http://www.thetangledvineonlosrios.com/

LEADERS:

Matthew Saville www.matthewsaville.com

Erin and Gavin Wade www.gavinwadephoto.com

Pye Jirsa www.linandjirsa.com

Joe Barnet www.barnetworkshops.com

Salvador Ceja www.studioceja.com

Corina Shauntele www.photogsunleashed.com

VIDEO: Kiera Faye and Joshua Voelker of Jakfoto Productions www.jakfoto.com

STYLISTS:

~ For Models: Heather Skelton www.thesoundoflace.blogspot.com

~ For Tablescapes/Venue: Kaylee Sizemore http://www.twoworldsphotographyandart.com/

HAIR AND MAKEUP:

Makeup –

Jeanette Pulecio  – www.jennettepulecio.com

Heather Renee – http://www.mirroredimages.org/

Hair -

Diego Ortega – http://DiegoOrtega.net

Assisted by: Kristen Macchio

My friend Melissa had told me about it first because she knows this is totally up my alley. A Gypsy themed photo workshop? Yes, please. In the past I’ve always been skeptical about using models versus ordinary people that are not models. However, after attending this workshop I am a little more open to it, depending on what I am learning. I’m amazed at how much I picked up new tricks from some of the fabulous leaders that day. Plus, these models really bring on the posing skills and I really learned tons in that department, something that is always helpful when posing your clients. Love their confidence. It’s great to see women with so much confidence in their own skin.

I came home so inspired by all the jewelry and hair-dos that I braided my hair the next day, photos soon. The hubby loves it, if I dressed like a hippy or gypsy everyday he would be super happy! If only I could own half of the accessories… the stylest for this shoot said that it is mostly from her personal collection, mostly from Spain! Not jealous at all.

For Blayke’s shoot I learned how to use my custom white balance to adjust for the blues and green that I would get shooting on auto white balance, so simple and amazing! Thanks to Erin and Gavin Wade. Check out her loveliness, such a nice & sweet gal too on every level.

This is Maisha, her eyes are to die for! I thought I was confident… this girl just exudes confidence every moment. During this session I learned how to meter my light to get an exact exposure on the first try. Thanks to Pye of SLR Lounge.

Credits

VENUE: The Tangled Vine http://www.thetangledvineonlosrios.com/

LEADERS:

Matthew Saville www.matthewsaville.com

Erin and Gavin Wade www.gavinwadephoto.com

Pye Jirsa www.linandjirsa.com

Joe Barnet www.barnetworkshops.com

Salvador Ceja www.studioceja.com

Corina Shauntele www.photogsunleashed.com

VIDEO: Kiera Faye and Joshua Voelker of Jakfoto Productions www.jakfoto.com

STYLISTS:

~ For Models: Heather Skelton www.thesoundoflace.blogspot.com

~ For Tablescapes/Venue: Kaylee Sizemore http://www.twoworldsphotographyandart.com/

HAIR AND MAKEUP:

Makeup –

Jeanette Pulecio  – www.jennettepulecio.com

Heather Renee – http://www.mirroredimages.org/

Hair -

Diego Ortega – http://DiegoOrtega.net

Assisted by: Kristen Macchio

This sweet girl has the most beautiful brown eyes I have ever captured, seriously Mackenzie? I was really touched by the relationship she has with her older sister, Kim. She knows what she wants and wants to have fun along the way. Her style and pretty braid in her hair makes me want to play dress up. I had so much fun with her because not only did she crack me up with saying her ears hurt from smiling, but she just knew how to rock the camera and have fun with it – SCORE!

So proud to add her to my portfolio.

My favorite. Mackenzie, you so pretty!

Anyone else thinking to themselves “I want a re-do my senior portraits?”, these gals make it look so darn good!

Mackenzie, thank you for introducing me to SOULTRY, you sure know how to smile with your eyes! Love it. Wishing you the best in the next venture in your life.

xo

Her sweetness and maturity have always amazed me, her smile contagious and her demeanor, admirable. Kim is one of those sweet gals that you crush over. You know, the girl next door and did  I mention she’s a good baker? Triple threat, right?

My heart practically melted as I edited these photos because I see much more than just the photo and if you look close enough, you feel as though you could reach out and touch her soul. Once again, the power of really knowing or getting to know your subject; a very organic and beautiful result if I do say so myself. The day had beautiful light, but partly cloudy as well so I love the contrast in colors we got from shooting in an urban setting then ending in the lovely trails of Fullerton.

Enjoy all the gorgeousness.

Kim, you are onto some great things and I’m rooting for you all the way! I hope these photos allow you to celebrate the greatness of this special time in your life. Plus, it will make mom and dad real happy to have one over the mantle, just guessing.

Much love!

I’ve had the privilege to capture her through my journey, you can check it out here, here and here. As I was editing these photos, it made me think of her own journey. Way back when she got her first SLR camera, in 2007. I still remember reading her blog for the first time and thinking to myself, she is creating and this will lead to something. Her blog is what got me hooked on blog reading, finding great artists that through a creative outlet had discovered a talent, a hobby turned business. This and for many more reasons she is an inspiration to me.

When she told me about her plans to start her business and launch her website, I immediately knew I wanted to play with my camera and I am so glad I did. We ventured out on a Sunday afternoon to the Fullerton Loop first with a blue chair and all, because we’re cool like that. Then we were off to the Fullerton Sports Complex and walked the hiking trails.  Although the sunset was not as pure and golden as the prior days and I felt a little off my game, it was still nice to connect and take a good shot at it. Here are a few of my favorites from the day. Somehow the story just flows through these photos.

Oh cuteness. Blue on top of blue worked marvelous, great job Trude and rockin’ this outfit with your pretty blue chair.

I knew I wanted to take this photo and it’s exactly how I envisioned it.

Sparkling necklace made by using her grandmother’s jewelry. Nice touch, Trude.

Gorgeous comes to mind.

Loving all the mustard yellow here.

Trude is a portrait photographer specializing in people and their pets, be sure to check out her website and say hello.

I’m so excited for her and the great things to come this year! She has been such a huge supporter of mine from the beginning and I can’t thank her enough. Like the nerd that I am, I’m already thinking of all the cool workshops we will be attending and hopefully big photo shoots or weddings I can hire her for. How lucky am I to have one of my best of friends as a professional photographer to collaborate with? To call my shutter sister? Counting my lucky stars.

My Trudes, I hope this was woodsy enough for ya and love ya!

For the second part of our photo swap we decided to shoot at the train station in old town Claremont. It has beautiful architecture and texture and it was the perfect backdrop to use my framed black board. We were good girls and did not take the typical train track photos you see with people walking across them. Don’t get me wrong, we would have loved to take that typical photo, but we do not like fines. No, thank you. We ended the shoot right outside a little vintage store with the cutest display on the side of their store. The lighting was still harsh that day around 5:00 PM so the shade at this location was perfect to get up close and personal on Beka. I love, love taking up close head shots.

Luckily for me I get to shoot her again later this fall along with her husband, so this won’t be the last of Beka you see around here.

My favorite. Her eyes really do sparkle, no photoshop here.

Love the off shoulder, it is always lovely and complimentary on any woman.

I had so much fun with this! Can’t wait for my next photo project, gotta keep the creative juices flowing while they’re here.

I met Beka a few months ago in Claremont at an Industry mixer along with her husband Craig. They were delightful and very warm. We had a great conversation that night, exchanged business cards and email exchanges began. They have been in the business for the 3 years and so I often pick Beka’s brain for info and she gladly shares. Their photography is beautiful and I love that they truly see it as just pure fine art, what a great team they make.

Beka is clearly fun, sweet and creative. I knew I was in for a treat when she invited open conversation during our email exchanges, was truly engaged in sharing ideas and clearly communicated the type of images she wanted. We started our day at 11:00 AM and did not stop clicking away until 5:30 PM! I can honestly say there were still many other places we wanted to shoot, but there was just not enough time in the day and I was too exhausted to continue.

I’m so glad I invited Beka along for this swap. It feels great to connect with others that are pursuing this full time, that truly love their work and are in it whole heartedly.  We both loved the idea of working in the mid-day hours with harsh sunlight, it’s good to challenge yourself and work in different lighting situations. I really learned a lot from her and enjoyed the experience very much, plus I finally got to shoot someone in a library like I always wanted. Photographers have fantasies too, you know. Thank you Beka, I had tons of fun!

Enjoy and be prepared to be amazed by Beka’s modeling talent. Seriously, I think she uses her photography as a cover up and obviously models for Anthropology.

Loved her pretty ring.

Don’t hate, but her hair is naturally that color and so are her eyes. Natural beauty always shines trough, especially when you have confidence and Beka carries both well.

She loves shooting with windows and vintage linens, we really lucked out on this one.

Off we were to the library to cool off and shoot, very quietly.

We were giggling half the time like silly school girls, afraid we would get caught and kicked out.

Yay for the orange VW van that was parked in front of the deli we had lunch at.

Lunch break at Claremont’s Juice Company for some yummy soup and sandwiches.

Stay tuned for Part II, you don’t want to miss it.

She is so talented and as she calls it has “ career ADD” because she enjoys many creative outlets. With a design background she enjoys design, event planning and photography. Aside from that she is just sassy!

Last week we decided we needed some creative mojo and so off shooting we went. Afterwards we enjoyed some happy hour at the Memphis Café in Costa Mesa minus the cocktails. When on a budget, food comes first. It is no surprise Betty and I work well together. She is on her game, organized, talented and most importantly a foodie of healthy food – perfect match. We then attended the OC Smug Mug meeting to hear Roberto Valenzuela speak (the man is a photo genius) and I learned so much from him in the short period of time.

Our shooting venture took place at Newport Back Bay, it was my idea since I needed to scout out the location for a family shoot next month. Finding new locations is almost just as fun as shooting the subjects.

Just beautiful, love her natural beauty.

I love movement and dance, these are some of my favorites.

Betty you are so fabulous, so glad to have met you and that we connected. Look forward to working with you in the near future, thank you for all the magic you brought to my camera. Artists just get it don’t they? 

I first met Jackie last August in Costa Rica (I know, pretty cool) while on vacation. She was sitting at the bar of the local restaurant we dined at that night. All I can remember is having the best passion fruit mojito, some really yummy thai pizza and great conversation with Jackie and her husband. We hit it off immediately, she told us more about Costa Rica since she grew up there and we talked about our life back in the states. Kris and I even asked her serious questions about settling in Costa Rica and living there, something Kris and I often think about (we are so serious!). After a great night of conversation before we parted we exchanged emails. I had promised her a gorgeous sunset photo I had taken, but we do this often when we travel and don’t always actually connect with people once back home. To my surprise the connection took place and we became online friends.She has been one of my biggest supporters and when she realized she would be in California for business she booked a mamalita session with me, I was and still am flattered.

She is a very strong, loving and successful woman. Currently resides in New Jersey and lives very close to most of her siblings and mom, but still has family in Costa Rica. Family is important to her. A foodie, traveler and art lover, just my kind of gal. Her smile is contagious and her gracefulness and love shine through her. I love that you can have a serious conversation with her, but then can quickly burst into laughter just because.

We planned her session at the beach in the late morning and the light there was just gorgeous, we then headed off the 133 highway in Laguna Beach and found a little conservatory or park that had lot’s of wild grass. After catching up, getting to know each other more and enjoying lunch we finished her session again at the beach. The light had changed and it was misty and chilly. I enjoyed every bit of our session, she was so much fun, willing and organic. During this session and after processing her photos (some are even straight out of the camera and untouched) I realized that shooting outdoors, especially at the beach which I love is really my strength. I can’t describe the exact feeling, but I get lost in what I’m doing and I love being barefoot and feeling the sand and water, it’s like home to me. Once again, another mamalita session that has left me feeling inspired and on a real high. Every time I see these photos I have serious giggles and a smile just remembering this day.

Her yummy long hair is so fabulous in this photo, it’s sick. .;)

I love how she smiles with her eyes, just beautiful.

Towards the end of our session, just dancing and having fun. Swinging her hair to rhythm of the wind.

So my fellow readers, which one is your favorite? Show her some mamalita love and leave a comment.

Jackie, you have such a beautiful soul and I am so glad to have met you, bella! I’ll have a mojito with you anywhere in the world that our paths may cross again, look forward to the next meet up.

Mucho amor y pura vida.

You haven’t seen anything yet. I have such a beautiful story to tell you of how this session came alive and all that is to know about this mamalita’s beauty.