I’m nearing the end of photo shoots for 2013. I still pinch myself that I get to do this job. I put a post on instagram that I have clients as friends and friends as clients. I guess that’s what happens after almost 6 years in the area! I and truly love each of you. I see family after family that love each other AND has style to boot! Life is good, friends!
Doing photo shoots at the beach in southern California isn’t always the easiest thing in the world. State beaches require permits and the ones that aren’t state beaches tend to have lines (literally) for the prime spots. Seal Beach is right on the border of Orange County and Los Angeles. It’s somewhat of a hidden gem for photo sessions. What I love most about it is the wood pier, which is seen here and here.
Yes, you might see another photographer here and there, but for the most part it’s not a crowded beach. If I’m not shooting at the pier, I like to head south on the beach to the little jetty. It’s neighborhood parking (instead of the lot) so it’s even quieter.
Here’s a recent photo session from a day with perfect lighting (morning overcast, but not too gray!)
I’m still keeping my 50+ holiday sessions under wraps, but once cards go out, it’s going to be share-time like crazy over here! This was a session I did last year in Ladera Ranch. I had so many of those perfect moments. I love it when families come together and their love for each other is immediately recognizable!
Have you done your family photo session yet this year? If not, you need to take a look at my FAVORITE accessories! Accessories are like the icing on the cake for a photo. You don’t have to add every single one to your outfit, but 2 or 3 will perfect your overall ensemble. I talk about my favorites and where to find them over on Tiny Oranges!
Side note: I’m always behind on blogging family photos this time of year. Partially because I’m so busy with photo shoots and partially because some families want the ‘big reveal’ to happen when they send out their card! So, I’m going to reach into the archives and share some perfectly accessorized families from 2012!
favorites…shoes, ties, leggings, hair accessories, flower pin
favorites…statement necklace, belt, coordinating prints, colored jeans
favorites…statement necklace, hair accessories, colored jeans
favorites…love the neutral look on both of these with careful thought to detail, tulle skirts, scarves, fun shoes and shoe laces!, hair accessories
There’s something about dressing up that makes people happy. It’s the idea of being someone else and sometimes that involves glitter make-up and fun props. Ending the night with a sack of candy doesn’t hurt the mood either!
This year we went retro. All 3 kids (two of which are in middle school) got into the fun and we couldn’t NOT dress up our dog as first year dog owners! Jillian had her outfit planned months ago. A quick trip to the downtown LA fabric district had me brushing the dust off my sewing machine. The boys’ costumes were thrown together a little last minute. With the help of my brother, my friend Laura and a trip to American Apparel for authentic striped tube socks, we were in business.
Oh and Pippa the dog? She’s Jane Fonda circa 1984. We wanted to play off her ‘permed hair.’ I made her lycra leotard, complete with tail hole. And if you’re in the mood for a laugh, check out last year’s Halloween costumes.
Oh and my afternoon at Rascals to Rebels was just about as much fun as Christmas! Here’s just a FEW favorite costumes that walked through the doors…
I’m playing off the gold trend this year! It’s a simple white backdrop with a white fur rug on the ground and tons of gold dots behind. This will be so cute for Christmas cards! Yet, neutral enough to enjoy in a frame all year long. Head over to Rascals to Rebels’ new location in Rossmoor to book your session! I’ll be at the store Nov 9 from 2-4pm and Nov 10 from 12-2pm.
Purchase $50 at the store to receive your complimentary photo session. All prints and digital images can be purchased separately.
This week, I photographed the loveliest family from Canada. We had gorgeous lighting and everyone was in a great mood! You just can’t beat that! In other news, I forgot to blog that I did add 5 new November dates and gave the heads up to my mailing list first. Guess what, they snatched them all up! So…I can add one more date, but would love to hear from you all if you are interested or if everyone that’s game has already booked. If you are up for doing a mini-session, email me at info@kristineldridge.com and I’ll see what I can pull together. Of course, if you want to book a full session, that’s always available. The mini-sessions are limited and I’ve learned they go QUICK!
Don’t forget to go to the new location of Rascals to Rebels (10680 Los Alamitos Blvd) for Halloween photos this year! It’ll be Saturday Oct 26 and it’s a drop by event. So, just bring your kids in their costumes between 3 and 5pm. It’s just $20 for 3 digital photos (emailed 2 days after the event). Looking forward to it!
This is a blog post about a gorgeous mama and a cute little boy and all the sweetness that happens between them. I love being able break from the family photos and get babies or kids with each parent. I feel like these are the special ones that they’ll have in a frame away at college. This is me and my mama.
Love.
Hey you. I see how you’re working on enjoying the last bits of this weekend. Do yourself a solid and make this pie tonight. You might even have all the ingredients. I’m not kidding, this is my favorite dessert ever. Please enjoy it. If not tonight, then sometime soon before an ice cream based pie is out of season. Oh, wait. It’ll never be out of season
Here’s your list…
1/2 cup karo syrup
2T. brown sugar
3T. butter
Melt these 3 items either over the stove top in a small pan or in the microwave.
Add 2 1/2 cups rice krispies. Spread this mixture in a buttered pie tin and freeze it for 10-15 minutes.
While it’s freezing, make the fudge sauce:
1/2 lb. butter
4 squares unsweetened chocolate
Melt these 2 things in a double broiler so the chocolate doesn’t burn. Add 1/2 c. cocoa and 3 cups sugar. Thoroughly stir together.
Cook for 10 minutes. Add 1 pint heavy whipping cream and cook on low until smooth. Take off the heat and add 1T. vanilla.
This is going to make a LOT of fudge sauce. You’ll only need about 1/2 cup for the pie, so you can eat the rest for breakfast tomorrow. (if you know what’s good for you)
Back to the pie…
Mix 1/4 cup fudge sauce with 1/4 cup natural peanut butter. Spread this mixture over the rice krispy pie crust. Freeze for 10-15 minutes.
Pack in 1 quart of high-quality vanilla ice cream. Drizzle with fudge sauce.
**Here’s a little bit of history on this recipe. My in-laws used to own the Naples Rib Joint in the Long Beach. My mother-in-law created this recipe in the 80’s it was called Girdle Buster Pie. Those were the days! (When a name like that wouldn’t deter every female customer from ordering it!) They wanted a dessert that would melt and quickly turn tables. Now, it’s just a birthday favorite among the family.