BRIAN : UKIAH HIGH SENIOR PORTRAITS : HOPLAND

It's been a VERY long time since I've taken my own Senior Portraits...2012 marks 20 yrs to be exact! I recall heading to an indoor Studio in a ladies' home out in the Albion area somewhere...not sure, exactly, what to expect.

I'd actually NEVER taken professional photos of me - outside of those silly School ones in the gym!

With a couple horrific outfits in tow...a positively scary hair-style done up...the rest is now documented for all eternity! I'm sure some of you out there still have that photo-copied Wallet picture floating around somewhere...as I just couldn't afford to order many from the Photographer herself...wow...times have changed!

Now? We have FUN! Well, maybe I'm the one having all the fun - - but, it's GREAT!!

An extra special THANK YOU to Brian & his mom, Debbie, for sharing the day with me! We 1st met back in June of 2011 when Niels & I shot his big-sisters GORGEOUS Wedding at Brutocao Cellars! So, for me, it's really fun to get to see each other again & feel like part of the Family! Baby Brian's all grown up! xo

Sorry it was sooo cold out...77' on Fri...58' on Sat!? Who knew? But, THANK YOU for being such a Trooper!

Oh! Heck...for those of you just dying to see...here's mine! Go Timberwolves! "-)

SONOMA WEDDING STYLE SHOOT : CLINE CELLARS

Driving through the almost GLOWING rolling hills of green yesterday throughout Sonoma County, I must've talked myself out of stopping to take photos no less than 10 times! Blue skies, newborn animals - it was just so peaceful & breathtaking!

Then, I pulled up to Cline Cellars - which is nestled right in the middle of all that amazement!! What a GORGEOUS Venue to spend the afternoon with past + new friends!!

For those of you that have taken the time to reach out & chat about Photography with me...you know I'm not a big fan of Model Shoots. I've never done one...

I feel Brides should get an honest vision of what to expect from their Photographer - - not perfect 'Brides' in perfect Locations with their perfect 'Grooms' in perfect conditions with perfect Instructors helping them find the perfect camera settings...you get the idea! "-)

BUT - - doing a Style Shoot? Sure! Let's give it a shot!

Now...certainly this will help you get a perfect idea of what to expect should you hire this Team of phenomenal Vendors for your perfect day!! "-)

Thank you all for including me in your vision & I'm so looking forward to working with you again soon! ~ Stay tuned! Our fun & funky outdoor shoot at Jacuzzi Winery is coming soon! xo

(head on over & see it HERE!)

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Venue | Cline Cellars

Event Coordinator | Alex ~ Quintana Events

Floral Design | FloraLisa

Lighting Design | Just De'Lights

Linens + Decor | Wine Country Party & Events

LAUGHING OUT LOUD...

I feel like chatting...to someone out there...anyone around? I know one of my girls is! You keep doing what you're doing, dahling - - it's BEAUTIFUL!!

Since I finally have a quiet moment...the little one's been home sicky all week & has been needing my full attention - I'm pretty spent...and Mommy's sicky, too! Luckily, some Winter Storms have finally arrived - and I LOVE the rain...ahhh...

But, what's on my mind is this.

I wasn't actually going to even publish this post (I had typed it up quite differently)...but, when one of my fellow colleagues contacted me for my opinion tonight - I literally laughed out loud (yes! I sooo do that!!) - and here we are!

This Photographer sent me a couple beautiful photos & asked me my opinion.

Not knowing if they were actually HERS, I was hoping not to offend her - but, certainly wanted to critique with honesty!

Phew! We're on the same page! "-)

I'll admit : I spend entirely too much time surfing Wedding Blogs, especially now that I've been working sooo hard on getting all the wonderful Vendors & Clients we work with Published...!

The Photography market I currently see there most of the time?...It's not me - it's not us - it's not Larsen's.

Their Inspiration boards are full of super soft, washed-out, sunburst, airy imagery - - quite often not even in focus...and I stop to think...do we need to change things a bit? We shoot bold, we shot sharp - we try to capture & document just as we see it with our own eyes...

Which, I guess, kinda answers all my own questions, doesn't it? - - Do you want to do this like everyone else?! Or do you want to be "YOU?"...an artistry such as this should be about showcasing YOUR vision. And, well, I've always been a little 'ready to take on the World!' vs. conforming to the latest trends...

So...JUST IN CASE the 'trends' start to get to me & I consider my vision differently...I'll revisit one of my fav photos from 2007! Bold, crisp, colorful! THAT's Larsen's! xo

GETTING PUBLISHED : WARM & FUZZY

EVERY photographer (and most Brides, too) want to see their names in lights! Isn't that the point? "Look at MY picture!! Look what I can do!!"

So, it's sort of an 'OMG OMG - I'm 10' Tall!!' moment when you get your 1st Submission Published! (especially when it's on your very 1st try!)

I was so excited to be featured in the San Francisco edition of Ceremony Magazine with our Sept. 2011 Wedding at the Kenwood Inn & Spa! YAY! (full post here!)

As soon as I'd gotten my feet wet, I was hooked! I've been submitting to Wedding Blogs like crazy all month!

One thing I've noticed in a hurry as I cruised around to see which ones I love most? ... Wedding Blogs aren't really about the Photographers at all...or their quality. They're about inspiring Brides! To help them plan their day & find all the amazing details that will be exclusively theirs! Ok - Got it!

Sooo - - no worries, adorable Brides of mine...we'll be working on getting your names in lights, too! xo