A few weeks ago I did a fall Neige shoot with a friend. I love the classic simplicity of the clothes. Plus it was fun to watch Jillian model with her friend…the girls were so sweet. We are doing another line this week…I can’t wait!
You’ve got to love a contagious laugh! They say kids laugh out loud an average of 150 times a day. I think she probably doubled that…just during our photo session! Oh to be a kid!
A curl of hair, an open-mouthed laugh and a pensive look…documented forever. This is why I love my job.
…and it all changes in the blink of an eye.
Loving at home photo sessions and my sweet subjects. They make me want to cozy up in bed and cuddle warm bed-headed children…
I made this painted gray canvas backdrop last year and I’ve become quite fond of it. It gives a nice clean crisp look to black and whites, but with the seams and un-even paint, it has a perfectly unperfect feel.
I’ve been using it in my recent newborn sessions and must say I’m loving it!
The stores are out to get us. They have us yearning for what’s next. Valentines decorations the day after Christmas, Easter baskets before Valentines even happens, swimsuits when we are still wearing coats and school supplies for the next year the day after school gets out. And forget about Thanksgiving, we skip straight to Christmas. TARGET, I’M TALKING TO YOU. Summer is one of those times that I don’t want to be rushed. I want to spend my days outside. I want to plan out the days we have without work or obligation to include the optimal amount of sunshine. Yet, it all goes by sooo fast. Summer is slipping out of my grasp as I speak!
I decided to write a list of a few things that I want to make sure we savor before school starts and the hustle and bustle begins. Tonight kicks off the list!
1. Go to a concert in the park. Last year I was introduced to the Long Beach Municipal Band Concerts at El Dorado Park. It’s such a great feeling of community. Everyone walks over, packs a picnic dinner and spreads out blankets on the ground. They only happen on Fridays and tonight is the last one. So, I’m making it by the skin of my teeth!
photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarrelibre/2628049454/
2. Make ice cream. There’s nothing like homemade ice cream. Especially in the summer. It’s worth the extra time it takes to simmer whole milk and cream, then wait while it chills and churns. Yum…I think maybe that needs to happen this weekend. I’m also thinking a cherry ice cream is tailor-made for this item on the list!
photo credit: http://sugarandspice-celeste.blogspot.com/2011/05/irresistible-fresh-cherry-dark.html
3. Read a chapter book to the kids. Last year I read Farmer Boy and Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder. It was such a nice way to spend the afternoons and on road trips, etc. I have wonderful memories of being read to in elementary school. So, this year I need to choose a good chapter book for ages 7, 9 and 10. Any suggestions??
photo credit: http://julia.blogg.se/ and http://designlovely.tumblr.com/post/698417019/via-qomaspeakup
4. Go to the beach. This one kinda sounds like a no-brainer, especially since we live 5 minutes from the water. But it’s hard to pull it together long enough to pack lunches, towels, chairs, sandtoys, sunscreen and boogie boards!
photo credit: http://www.muralsforkids.com/products/Bali-Breeze-Beach-Mural.html
5. DO NOTHING. So, I’m kinda reminding myself of my type-A 10 year old with this list making business. I’ve promised myself to fit in an hour at the pool doing nothing. An unplanned day or maybe even a nap, or something crazy like that.
photo credit: http://blackeiffel.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2011-05-17T06%3A00%3A00-06%3A00&max-results=5
Hey all…just a quick update that I have filled all the 8 spots for August 10 underwater photo sessions. Woohoo! If you’re interested in being added to a wait list or the possibility of adding time slots to the day, please send me an email. info@kristineldridge.com Don’t miss out on this one…my cousin a crazy talented surf photographer and the two of us working together is going to result in some epic photos!
He also does some amazing videography. Here’s a little taste of what he recently created…
Attention water babies! I’m doing a very special limited edition summer promo on August 10. I’ll be teaming up with my cousin/surf photographer, Kyle MacLennan, to offer underwater photo sessions.
Here’s the scoop:
$120 for 30 minutes and 1/2 off all digital images if you order within a week of proofing.
Kyle will be shooting underwater and I’ll be shooting above water. The location will be at my pool in Long Beach. Parents will need to get in the water if their child is not a proficient swimmer (but you don’t have to be in the photos unless you want to be!). We will be heating the pool, so it’ll be nice and comfy!
This is a totally fun way to document summer…we can’t wait!
**Times will start at 3:00pm and the last session will end at 7:00pm. We will need a minimum of 8 clients to make these sessions happen. I’m happy to add on more time slots if we fill the 8!
I’m dropping by the blog for a quick second to say hi…week two of being away from home has started and we are having a blast. I’m lucky to be able to carry my laptop wherever we go and fit work into the cracks of family life. That’s what summer’s all about, right!?
The kids are off to an insane game of dodgeball…at 9pm. Again, only in the summer… Tomorrow we’ll be doing things like spending hours at the pool, making crafts and taking hikes. What a great life!
As I run off to the game of dodgeball, I’ll leave you with a few adorable pictures of twin boys and their super sweet big brother. PS- I love how their mom dresses them. Perfect mix of color/prints!
Here’s a handful of pictures from Rascals to Rebels 2 weeks ago. I was so happy with the way the backdrop turned out. My brother-in-law found me the barnwood…perfectly distressed and my father-in-law worked it into a backdrop that perfectly fits into our SUV so I can truck it around town and such. He even gave me a little training in how to lift and carry it so I don’t hurt myself. 🙂
Anyway, between this fabulous century old wood and the festive bunting, I was extremely excited to meet all the kids that were going to be photographed over the weekend. And can I just say that the moms BROUGHT IT in the outfit department. I mean cuter than I could have styled myself. Simply adorable.
I’m so lucky to be able to work with Rascals to Rebels and photograph so many cuties in their clothes!
-Kristin