San Jose, CA Maternity Photographer: Hometown
When C proposed we meet at the San Jose Tech museum for our maternity session, I’m gonna be honest: I stumbled across feelings of excitement and anxiety. I enjoy urban environments, but from my Google Maps scouting I was worried about foot traffic and unsightly backgrounds. Excited too, because Hello! Have you seen the vibrant colors??? I’d never visited the museum before so I really had no idea what to expect.
I arrived early, which was a good thing because I circles the block 3 times before giving up on finding access into the parking structure next to the museum. I ended up at probably the most expensive parking option there was, but clearly this is what I get for not researching parking ahead of time ;p
To C this location was special. As a San Jose native, she wanted her growing family to reflect her (and their) hometown. I think it’s wonderful! Plus the vibrant colors of the museum were a perfect match for C’s personality and D’s (the very soon to be big brother) charisma. Plus what better way to photograph and highlight a beautiful baby belly?
Enjoy this sneak peak. Clearly I had a hard time choosing my favorites 🙂
Blurb Photo Books: Sample and Discount Codes
Have we talked family albums yet? Ok! Relax, I’m not trying to sell you anything! Well, OK, I’m kinda lying on that one: I’m telling you about a product I’ve been using for about 9 years now: I hope you will try them, but it’s of course your choice.
It’s Blurb! Yep, funny name. But it’s a good product.
I have a family blog I’ve been keeping for the last 6 years. While having an online journal has been a wonderful way to brain-dump, and share stories with our families, having something tangible to reflect on has been surprisingly rewarding. Blurb gives you an option to take all of your online blog entries and turn them into a book. Their default process takes about 5 minutes (although if you’re anal like me, you’ll take a week’s worth of evenings to position everything just so). I incorporate our blog entries and our photos. I love going back to stories of even just a few months ago, and re-living those moments. It easier to browse through our past in a book, than a web-site, I gotta admit. Plus, think of all the future dating-life opportunities I have to embarass our children. Oh, who am I kidding — physical books will be so 20th century by then!
I’ve made 13 blog books to date, a number of pure photo-books, and also 8 art books of my boys’ project each year.
YOU can make cookbooks with your family recipes (or maybe use it as a fundraiser idea for your school?)
You get the idea – lots of options.
Wanna see what they look like?
I’m very pleased with the quality. The pages feel good, and even the standard pages feel like a high-end magazine. For the price and quality it’s a really good combo. I’ve seen Target’s, Costco’s and Shutterfly’s sample books, and I’m just not won over.
The Booksmart application is pretty easy to use. It’s free. It comes with a wide array of templates, but if you’re anal retentive like me, you’ll love the custom template option too.
If Blurb’s cost feels a little high to you, I have a way to help you. I occasionally get some coupon codes I’ll share on this page. So bookmark it and come back when you’re ready to give Blurb a try and want to order your book.
Happy book-making!
Current Blurb Coupons:
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New Customers Get $5 Off on Blurb Orders of $20+ with Code GIVE5
New Customers Get $5 Off on Blurb Orders of $20+ with Code GIVE5
At checkout enter in coupon code: GIVE5
Expires: 11/30/2015
Los Altos, CA Family & Maternity Photographer: Two babies
Although we didn’t know it at the time, the last time I photographed M and her family, we weren’t doing family portraits for three. We were taking pictures of a soon-to-be-family of 5! Just a few weeks after our session, M found out there were twin baby boys snuggled up in her belly. Big Sis, H is happy to tell you about her two baby brothers, and I’m pretty excited to welcome them into this world in a few months.
Today, though? We met to celebrate this beautiful baby bump. I know M said she feels huge, but I don’t see it. She looks pretty perfect the way she is.
We met in the afternoon at Hidden Villa. I haven’t been there in a few years, and was really excited to see that the extra thorny plants that usually grace the floor of the olive patch just haven’t kicked in yet. Score for us, and bare legs! It was a great spot, and honestly, we didn’t even leave the 20 sq. ft radius. As awesome as the property is, I’ll leave the rest for another day. I love re-discovering old spots. As my style matures I feel each time I come back I get something new out of locations I haven’t visited in awhile.
Enjoy our photos!
San Mateo, CA Family & Maternity Photographer: Fun in the rain
No joke, I came home after my photo-shoot with these guys and bought myself a pair of knee high rain boots. Why? Because how many chances in life do you get to be this joyful jumping in puddles? After seeing N and A embrace the rain and wet and just have pure fun with their little man: how can you NOT want to do that too?
Our session hit over the only and probably heaviest rain storm we’ve had all season. N was a trooper and trusted me when I said: I have a place we can go that will keep us dry. So they came out and we got some great photographs in honor of little N’s second birthday and N’s own growing belly. This is our second session together, and I’ve really enjoyed looking back on how much N has grown in the past year. I’m already looking forward to photographing their newborn session as they welcome another little one into their home. Stay tuned!
Now… think it will rain again before the end of the season? Did I just get my boots for next year?
Belmont, CA Child & Family Photographer: Peek-a-boo!
Ok, really, does it get any cuter than a naked toddler playing on mom and dad’s bed? Not really! So prepare yourself for some giggles. I know many people are looking for a way to lighten their mood, so use this for help.
I’ve said it before, but I can’t get over how much I love photographing families in their home. It’s intimate, unique and just plain fun. I get to photograph kids amongst their toys, and families where they are the most free to be themselves. I get to use elements like chairs and couches that not only allow me to photograph a different perspective, but leave everyone cozy. It flexes my creative muscles and like I said: it’s fun all around. I really appreciate that D was up for doing her session at home, and with their beautiful place, I don’t blame them.
Thanx for the wonderful morning!
