Pettis, Hats and German Shepards - Bay Area Photography, Children

For the last few weeks I've been telling everyone that would listen "Hey I've got a session coming up with 2 German Shepards!!! YIKES :)" You see, I never had a dog growing up, and though I love them....I was just slightly concerned as to how they would react to some lady with a big black box in front of her face the whole time. WELLLL, they could not be sweeter. Of course it didn't hurt to also have the cutest little munchkin, 19 month old 'E'. Not only was she beautiful, but her mommy had seriously the best outfits for her. (You'll see what I mean). We met at Holbrook-Palmer Park in Atherton. It was my first time shooting at this location, and I think I love it! Good thing, because we have another session coming up in a few week there in that same spot.

2 dogs and a toddler....Yes, we were exhausted by the time all was said and done, but it was so much fun! And we got some awesome shots!!!

Z&R, here is your sneak peek!!! Enjoy.....

Let's start with my favorite so far! This shot looks like it could be out a storybook page....I love this spot at the park


Look at these brown eyes!!! (and yes, the hat is beyond fabulous!)


This is what I call love....E just sat on Sasha (the doggy) and sasha was totally cool with it! :)


Oh the cuteness.....this is towards the end of the session, when little E was starting to lose steam...she wandered off away from mom and dad and I just followed her...got some great shots here


Smiley girl!


And one of the whole family....this was quite a production....let me tell you! It's no easy feat trying to get this crew to all look at the same direction :) But it was totally worth it!


And we have to end with one of the Girls, Katya on the left and Sasha on the right .

Help! - Bay Area Photography, Children

Help! Our little monster (uhh, I mean munchkin)...has learned how to jump out of his crib! And i don't mean climb out..I mean jump out...like within two seconds. :( You know what this means don't you??? This means that my days of 3 hour breaks in the middle of the day while he naps are G.O.N.E. No...NO.....NOOOOOOO. That was the time to get everything done. To catch up on all of the photography stuff....to cook...to clean....do all the stuff that's impossible to do with a toddler attached to you.

To cheer myself up...i'm posting a couple more shots from our last two sessions.....

Here is the lovely Ms. J....gorgeous as usual...



Ok, I love and adore this photo...and the fact that she's totally flippin' the bird here just makes it even funnier ;)


And last...just one of beautiful U&M!

Humming Birds - Bay Area Photography, Children

Sorry for the slow blog week guys :) I've been busy trying to wrap up my last two sessions (more sneak peeks of those coming soon).

But in the meantime, here are a few from tonight.

We had a family dinner at grandma/grandpa's house. I'm continuing to get to know and love my new lens (see two posts down)....So here we go....

My boys :)


I love this...even though the composition is off, Isaac's head is cut off, but it's the pure joy that's on his face...


Now, it's been a while since this pretty lady made an appearance on our blog....Hi Ma! :) (She was helping me do a focus test with the new gear....since Isaac is definitely not one to sit still for a portrait)


An finally....right outside my parents front door....there is a little birds nest with two humming birds sitting quietly on their eggs. All they do is sit still and blink their eyes. SO COOL! This is as close as I could get (standing on a ladder, by the way)

Shirley Who? - Bay Area Photography, San Jose

I've been lucky to photograph some awesome kiddos in the past. All gorgeous in their own ways. But I gotta say, this little one from this morning....just takes my breath away. Such a beautiful girl....in that classic Shirley Temple way. You may remember seeing her on this blog about 6 months ago. I think it was in January when I photographed her along with 4 of her best girlfriends. It was toddler madness....with lots of pink tutus and fluffy things.

Anyway, this morning we got together with J, her mommy L and daddy A at the beautiful Gamble Gardens. The occasion was J's 3rd birthday! 3 Yr olds are so full of personality...attitude...charm...and ENERGY. J was all over the place, running, jumping, twirling, etc. But in between all the movement, I got some of my favorite shots EVER.

L&A here is your sneak peek! We had so much fun with you this morning...thank you :)

Towards the end of the session....starting to loose steam...which is good for me...moments of stillness


I tried to convince mommy to get this kid into some sort of modeling....this is why


I fell in love with this shot as soon as I clicked the shutter!


I loved L's dress! Especially that awesome yellow bow...


Yes, the classic V&J shot! Works like a charm...every time




So, when I asked L if there was one shot she wanted to make sure we got..what would it be?...Her answer was "A shot where all 3 of us are looking in the same direction..smiling"..Well, J sure did make us work for it...but I'd say we got the money shot


There are so many more I want to share...I probably will post a few more over the next wk :)

~Night All
V

In the words of the fabulous Carrie Bradshaw.... - Bay Area Photography

...Hello Lova...



Say hello to the new member of our little Lens family. I've been wanting this baby for years and for my birthday....i got it! Yahoooo.

Also, you've probably noticed that we've had quite a few clients choose to use backdrops for their little ones....and I LOVE shooting on the backdrop..but was getting kind of bored with the standard white/blue/pink and black. SO, here is something different :) I am so so happy with this color! It's sort of the perfect shade of Gray.

Here's Isaac modeling (begrudgingly) on the new 'Thunder Gray' paper. Love this kid....he'll put up with anything (ok ok, i promised him some cookies)

Joy - Bay Area Photography

Joy - is watching this boy blow bubbles :)

Sisters and Soulmates - Bay Area Photography, Family

Yesterday afternoon I had the great pleasure of photographing a really lovely family. H and her daughter, J have come out for a visit from Germany with her sister (an old colleague of mine) and her hubby. What better occasion to have family photographs taken. Oh, and I have a new favorite location....Wicchetti Winery in Cupertino. Such a beautiful place...I highly recommend it to any of you who are trying to pick a location for our shoot!

U, M and H (and J)...thank you so much for the opportunity to photograph you guys! You were fabulous models :) Enjoy your sneak peek....more to come.

Let's start with the sisters: How beautiful are they??? And super sweet too :)....


One more....makes me want a sister (though my brother is the best of course!!)


And now, on to the Soul mates...


What's so funny? I was told it was a code word....wonder what that was?? ;)


LOVE this shot :)


What a seriously cool tree! Makes for a perfect frame, don't you think?


And last but not least....because it was a weekday, and Isaac was awake..I decided that he (and my good buddy J, would come along for the shoot). He was cooperative most of the time...but towards the end decided that maybe it was time to get involved....show 'em how it's really done :)

Showing some sweet toddler belly

Wordless Wednesday - Bay Area Photography

So who can guess where this is?



(trying something new here guys...every Wednesday we are going to have a "Wordless Wed." post...where i'll just be posting a photo that we love...hopefully you will too)

To All the Moms - Bay Area Photography

This one is for all the mommys out there....

"A Mother is she who can take the place of all others, but whose place no one else can take." ~ Cardinal Mermillad

Happy Mother's Day dear friends. I hope that you are all being spoiled by your loved ones today. You deserve it!!!

Here are a few shots of our little unit.

The one that made me a mother




And a few of the 3 of us (thanks Dad for the great family shots!!)

A Day in the Life - Bay Area Photography

I've gotten a few complaints . Apparently, there hasn't been enough of our munchkin on this blog lately. And you know what....the complaints are totally warranted! It's been so busy on the professional side of this photography adventure (which we are so grateful for, of course)....that I haven't had a chance to talk about our little dude recently. And boy, is there lots to talk about...

So let's see...where should we start. He is now more then half my height. It's kind of hard to believe, considering he is not even 2.5 yet. Every day he says something new...and totally adorable. Fore example....a conversation two days ago:

Setting: I'm walking in to get him from his nap:

Me: Hi Isaac!
I (still half asleep): I want to play Hockeyyyyyy
Me: You want to play Hockey? NOW?
I: Yea! I want to play Hockey....
Me: Ok buddy, let's go play
I: NO! I want milk mama

Guess he was dreaming about the hockey playoffs...lol.

Anyway, he's learned to do somersaults...which scares the daylights out of me...but he loves it. And now his big things is saying "Please No!"..it goes something like this

Me: Isaac let's go use the potty
Him: NO! Don't wanna use the potty
Me: Isaac it's time to eat
Him: Please no Mommy...Just Stay right Here!

Ahhh, conversations with a 2 yr old...

On to some pics...these are pretty random from the last few months (like I said, I've been BAD about getting our personal pics up online.)

Playing in our driveway...the best "Chalk" area we've got. I love the calmness of this shot (it's a rare site around here)


Where's Waldo? HA! Nap time...Isaac and all his 'friends'....This makes me a little sad, as J and I are currently int he process of buying him a toddler bed. I know I know..it's time! Still sad though


A few months ago, but I never shared this shot. My little butterball...


And finally....the Umbrella :) This umbrella is 28 Years OLD!!!!!! Can you believe it? It's in awesome shape.....So when the munchkin started loggin' it around all over the house/yard..out came the camera.


Ok, I KNOW i'm totally embarrassing my kid :) But, this is just funny


Thanks for checking in everyone. I'll be starting a fun project next Friday (which will turn into a 'Every Friday' thing....so keep an eye out for that.

~V

p.s. My Birthday was fabulous....thank you all for the birthday wishes!

Gummy - Bay Area Photography, Children

Hi All! Happy day before Cinco De Mayo! (and happy day before my birthday :)

First, I'm happy to report that the munchkin is doing much better. Seems like he just caught little bug...but these days, it's better to be cautious! Anyway, he is back to his bouncy, happy, energetic self. Keeping mommy busy..at all times.

Now, on to some Monday photos.....

Remember this sweetpea from a wk ago? I am workin' away to get this gallery finished, but in the meantime, why not enjoy some more cuteness!

The title of this post is 'Gummy'...and it's for this photo...nothing beats a toothless, gummy, six-month old grin! NOTHING.




Look at this chunky monkey! Don't you just wanna squeeze her :) I know Isaac does...when he saw this picture he said...."OOOh, GIRRL!"....hahaha


One more family shot


And finally...i love this picture for many reasons. But most of all...because it reminds me of the times when Isaac used to give me those wet, open mouth 'kisses'...slobber everywhere..but it's the sweetest thing in the world.

Oh the Sweetness - Bay Area Photography, Families and Children

Just a little bit of sunshine to brighten up your day. Not sure about where you are, but here in Nor Cal we are having a gray/rainy May 1st. So what better way to start the day than this pumpkin?



~V