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!
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!
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.
I’m sorry it’s been a while since I’ve posted. And I don’t want the blog to simply be a place for me to promote mini-sessions! But, time flies by and the next thing I know it’s been a week since I’ve been here. I was telling a friend last night about a smoothie she should try. She asked, “is the recipe on your blog?” Um, no. I have too much to share…so many good recipes, fall projects and of course hundreds of photo sessions. Now I just need to time to stop for an hour or two so I can blog it all! In the meantime, I wanted to share a newborn session that I did back in January. They wanted to keep the photos on the DL until they sent out their announcements, so I filed these away and kind of forgot about them. This is one of my favorite newborn sessions. I love the soft colors and just how sweet these big brothers are.
Which leads me to my next train of thought…older siblings. How do you prepare for a newborn session when you have older children?
First off, don’t stress. Your photographer should have ideas, plans and back-up ideas and plans! I assume that older children want to be involved. So, I’ll tell them I have an important job and play up the big muscles or how sweet they are with the baby. It really IS a big job. Newborns are squishy, but really heavy when you’re 2, 3 or 4 years old!
If an older sibling just isn’t into holding the baby, that’s OKAY. They’re going through a lot of big changes and sometimes holding a baby isn’t at the top of their to-do list that day. I try to put the baby into a static position, like in a basket on a bench or sleeping on a chair. Then I put all my attention on the older child. I’ll manipulate the situation so the older child is has is hand near the chair or standing next to it. Still a cute photo, but no one has to hold the baby. 🙂 Check out this example of a baby sleeping on a suitcase with her older siblings sitting next to it.
Lastly, don’t rule out bribes. Sometimes, it just takes a photographer 30 seconds to get a few amazing shots and if a child knows there’s a fun toy at the end, they’re game!
September mini-sessions have been fabulous! Want proof? Check out my Facebook page full of sneak peeks! I’ve added FIVE more dates for October…check out the details below.
Here’s how it all works…the mini-sessions are 20 minutes long. They are back to back at the specified location. Sign-ups are done via email or over the phone. Payment of the $100 session fee saves your spot.
This month, I will be running an October Special. It gives you the option to purchase a the flash drive of all your re-touched high resolution images, which is about 25 for $400 (normal price $650). If you sign up right now, you don’t have to commit to this special...you can just pay the $100 session fee and order a la carte (pricing on the left). But, it’s a great deal and only available for those that sign up for these October dates.
Once you sign up for a photo session, you’ll be emailed the directions and specifics. Also, I might be able to squeeze in one or two dates and locations in November once these are filled.
October 5th at a rustic park location in Lakewood (super close to Long Beach) 9:00am, 9:20, 9:40, 10:00
October 6th sunset at trails in a Huntington Beach park 4:20, 4:40, 5:00, 5:20
October 15th at Seal Beach Pier 4:20, 4:40, 5:00, 5:20
October 17th sunset at rustic trails in Irvine 4:20, 4:40, 5:00, 5:20
October 27th at a huge nature reserve in San Juan Capistrano 3:40, 4:00, 4:20, 4:40
Being able to explore different parts of the country is amazing! There’s something about taking photos in an environment different than your own. After taking Baby Palmer’s newborn photos in Newport Beach last year, they moved to the Bay Area. Fast forward 9 months and I met up with Amanda and her family over Labor Day in the Henry Cowell Redwood Park while I was visiting the area. Her style is gorgeous and I loved the products of our combined efforts!
The summer came and went in a flash. Weren’t we just in a pool eating popsicles? Oh wait, I guess we’re still doing that. Southern California doesn’t seem to get the memo that school started today and it’s time to cool the heck down! Regardless, September is here, which means it’s time to commence the holiday mini-sessions!!
Here’s how it all works…the mini-sessions are 20 minutes long. They are back to back at the specified location. Sign-ups are done via email or over the phone. Payment of the $100 session fee saves your spot.
Last year, I debuted digital collections to save you money on printing as gifts and for Christmas cards. This year, I wanted a little incentive for you planners, so I have an Early Bird Special. It’s a total of $475 for your session fee AND the flash drive of all your re-touched high resolution images, which is about 25. If you sign up right now, you don’t have to commit to this special...you can just pay the $100 session fee and order a la carte (pricing on the left). But, it’s a great deal and only available for those that sign up for these September dates.
Once you sign up for a photo session, you’ll be emailed the directions and specifics. Also, I’ll be coming out with more dates and locations in October once these are filled.
September 14th Garden Setting in Palos Verdes 9:00am-9:20, 9:20-9:40, 9:40-10:00, 10:00-10:20
September 15th Foliage and Trails in Palos Verdes 5:00-5:20pm, 5:20-5:40, 5:40-6:00, 6:00-6:20
September 24th Lake Setting in Long Beach 5:00-5:20pm, 5:20-5:40, 5:40-6:00, 6:00-6:20
This is one of those perfect photo shoots that starts out at home all cozy in your own bed and ends up with a walk down to the beach. I’m lucky to have clients that turn into friends and Katie is definitely one of those people. If you follow me on instagram, you’ve seen this cutie-pie modeling for me from time to time. And we’ve even managed to squeeze in an yogurtland play date this summer. But, it all started with this adorable 6 month photo session. Like you, I fell in love with those dark eyes and kewpie curls. What an adorable little family!
She found me through the post on Modern Parents Messy Kids. The one where I talked about how important it is to get in photos with your kids. Coming on the heels of attending an unexpected funeral, she immediately called me.
We hit it off right away over the phone and by the time I arrived to her Los Angeles home to start the photo session, we were like old friends. I wanted to start on their bed…just to let the kids get comfy and realize I was there to have fun. It was click, click, YES. This one. This one is now a huge canvas in their home. And doesn’t it just capture the life they’re living right at this moment? LOVE.
After capturing so many sweet moments with their kids, we moved the party outside for some more formal posed photos and like every good couple should, a photo without the kids. Remembering where it all started.
Last week, we got to try out the Goodies snack box with some friends! I’m on Modern Parents Messy Kids talking about it today.
While I was there I snapped a few quick pictures of our friends that shared the goodies with us…
