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…
Crawling babies have all the moves. It’s as if everything they do was meant as a pose for the camera. There’s never enough rolls on chubby arms and legs, either! Sophia had her newborn session with me, her 4 month session and now her 7 month session. It’s been so much fun to see her grow and I can’t wait for her next session, when she’ll be walking around! Here’s a look back…
//newborn photo session at home in Orange County
//4 month photo session at my studio in Long Beach
//9 month photo session at a park in Long Beach
Alright, friends! It’s back! I’m teaming up with my cousin Kyle MacLennan to bring you underwater summer sessions. Kyle is a surf photographer. He’s super talented and has all the underwater housing to take amazing images below the water. I get all crazy and (get into the pool with my camera-what!?) capture all the action above the water.
Want to see some samples from the last few sessions? Click here to see more underwater photo sessions!
Here’s the details…we’ll be shooting on August 1 throughout the day. Each session will be 30 minutes long and we’ll take a 20 minute break in between sessions. Last time the sensor overheated in Kyle’s housing because we didn’t take a break and it was no bueno. The pricing will be a little bit different this time. It’s $150 for your 30 minute session and $350 for all your high-res digital images (which will be at least 30).
The pool will be heated and if your children are swimmers, you don’t need to get in with them. If they are not swimmers, you will need to get in the pool. For non-swimmers, we take photos in the shallow end. You can be in the photos with them, but you don’t have to.
If you are pregnant, this would make an AMAZING maternity photo session. Just a thought!
Last year I photographed this family in Santa Monica, surrounded by loads of color on grafitti walls. If you missed the post, I wrote about it when I talked about how to choose a photo shoot location. We were both inspired by the color and decided to take it a different route this year. They chose bold punchy colors, which was highlighted with gorgeous light and tons of greenery.
If you’re around Palos Verdes and looking to take some family photos, definitely check out the South Bay Botanical Gardens. The gardens are gorgeous 365 days a year!
Summer Mini Photo Sessions! This Orange County location (Tustin) is perfect for warm weather photo sessions. I’ll be there July 18 and 20 from 5:00-7:00pm offering 20 minute sessions. It’s $100 for the session and the pricing for prints and digital images is available on my website.
Click the contact links on the side or email (info@kristineldridge.com) to book your session. Limited availability.
Want to see more summer photo session? Check out this fun location for photos in Huntington Beach!
Having a baby can feel overwhelming. Everything is new and unfamiliar. That’s why it’s so important to plan your newborn photos beforehand if possible. I talked here about when is the best time to photograph newborns. Ideally, you will want to schedule newborn photo sessions within the first 2 weeks. Here are some tips that will help you get the most out of your photo session.
Do your research. Months before the baby arrives, you should talk to friends about referrals or look online at the portfolios of your local photographers. There are many different styles of newborn photography, so choose someone who’s style meshes with yours.
Talk to the photographer ahead of time. This is important for several reasons. This is the person that’s going to be caring for and holding your baby for a few hours. You want to feel comfortable with and trust your photographer. Chatting via email or over the phone will give you a good idea of their personality and whether they will be a good fit for your family. You can also communicate what you’re hoping to get out of the newborn session and what you want to focus on. Sometimes newborns say ‘that’s a wrap’ before the photographer is done, so make sure to get your top priority shots first.
Budget for this expense. It seems like photographing a newborn should be easy as pie, but it’s actually difficult to photograph a newborn in a relaxed state (awake or asleep). An experienced photographer (and especially one that specializes in newborns) will know how to handle every situation and be able to get beautiful shots of your newborn. Experience usually means a more expensive photo session, which is why it’s important to start saving before the baby is born.
//These photos are from a recent newborn photo session in Los Angeles County. (Love this sweet family!)
This photo session was a long time coming. And it all started before this baby was even born. I did a photo session for one of his mama’s co-workers almost 2 years ago. They work together in Los Angeles and she saw the pictures and thought some day she’d like to have photos like that. Fast forward to this baby being born and quickly on his way to a year. His mama found me again through her co-worker and the rest is history!
I love the vibe of this park in the Los Angeles area. It’s just full of long grass and big trees and winding paths. Perfect for a little free-spirited family.
Today I’m over on Modern Parents Messy Kids talking about being a fun parent. You know the kind that breaks out in song, does a silly dance and is not afraid to embarrass themself. I have to work hard at being a fun parent. I’m the one that is thinking about what we’ll have for dinner and how I’m going to fold that mountain of laundry on my bed before it’s actually time to go to bed! But, it can be done. I have learned to be sensible and FUN!
While we’re on the subject, how cute is this mama and her little girl. This is a share from one of my recent Mother’s Day photo sessions in Long Beach.
For the past 4 years, I’ve done mini-sessions by the bay every June. I look forward to it. Long Beach’s bay is calm and serene. In the mornings, it’s like a water color painting. (Overcast is a good thing!) I hope you’ll join me this June 8 for a photo session down by the bay in Long Beach. To switch things up just a little, I’m also offering evening mini-sessions at the Seal Beach Pier the same day. If you like golden light over pale colors, this is your place! And the wood pier is a favorite of mine.
Here are the details…30 minute session (I’m adding more time so we can walk around a bit) $100
(check out the website for print and digital prices)
The first four clients to book their session get not one, but TWO free digital images!
June 8 8:30am-10am
June 8 5:00pm-6:30pm
Here are some sample photos from the bay, including the little life guard chair and the old wood boardwalk. Also, here are some other photos from Long Beach’s bay from last year.
Here are some sample pictures from the Seal Beach Pier…including the rustic wood pier and that lovely golden light over the water!
When is the best time to take newborn photos? Well, as a photographer, I would answer within the first two weeks. Why? Newborns under two weeks old tend to be very sleepy and easy-going. If they are fed and warm, babies don’t mind that they are not being held during the photo session. They also don’t mind being held by siblings. As newborns get older, they start to mind these things! They want to be held at all times- and preferably by an adult, thankyouverymuch. Another reason that babies are best photographed within the first two weeks is they look more like newborns. They curl up with their legs tucked under and their tiny little hands like to be up by their face. As newborns get older, they stretch out and don’t like being confined so much.
But, sometimes, for whatever the reason, newborns can’t be photographed within the first 2 weeks. And that’s totally okay. Of course newborns can be photographed at 4 weeks, 6 weeks even 8 weeks. I might have to work a little harder to get the baby to sleep, or into a curled up pose, but oh-is-it-worth-it. Older newborns have filled out a little more, so they have chubbier cheeks and baby rolls. Adorable!
This sweet little newborn is the daughter of a client and friend. She was 4 weeks old at the time. For other ‘older’ newborns, see Baby Michael’s newborn photos at the end of this post. Also Baby Coco’s newborn photos with her big sister.
