Just wanted to share with you a bit of what I was up to last week! Sometimes the simplest locations can be the best. Even though the beach can be tricky with lighting, using the shade of the pier will take away the harsh light. I love the soft look of these photos. Parks are also a no-brainer for photo shoots. I look for big trees to filter the light. Again, no harsh light. And a little bit of sunset back lighting doesn’t hurt either!
I was all set to blog about a striped vase that I made today. But, I thought I’d save that for another day and keep it real with you. Sometimes getting ‘the shot’ is hard. Sometimes you have to be creative. That’s real life.
Check this out…
Doesn’t he look so excited to have a new baby sister!? The truth is, while he is loving his baby sister, he really just wants to play. Pictures were not on his to-do list for today. BUT. M&Ms were on the to-do list. Soooo, I got creative.
M&Ms can be photoshopped out of pictures. Smiles cannot be photoshopped. So, we had a win-win situation here. 🙂
And this photo of Lauren’s beautiful family would not have happened without an awesome Nana working her magic behind me!
Did you know a dollar can be exciting? So much of life is how you look at it and how you live it. I parent my kids under the rule that you can always let the reigns out a bit, but it’s a lot harder to take them in. For example, sometimes we will visit the candy store in the mall. You know with the big bins of sugar in every color of the rainbow? I let them pick three pieces each and it’s exciting. Each choice is thought out. If I started off letting them get a half pound of candy and then decided it was too much and they really needed just a few pieces, I’d be hearing some complaints. So, I guess my point is…start small. You can always add more.
Find out what we did this summer with a dollar by reading the rest of this post on Modern Parents Messy Kids. I’m guest blogging there today!
Thanks to all of you who signed up for the first round of holiday mini-sessions! I’m excited to do photo sessions at this new location!
I’ve opened up a 2 more dates and locations. These are favorites from the past. I love going back year after year!
Here are the details…it’s $100 for a 20 minute session. You can click here to check out the pricing for prints and digital images. Also, this year is the first that I’ll be offering digital packages! Think Christmas cards and gifts!!
October 8 (it’s Columbus Day, so you may have it off work and school) I’ll be in San Pedro doing urban sessions from 4:00-5:40. Email me at info@kristineldridge.com to book a session or call 562-980-6480. These fill up fast!
Scroll down to see the other date and location…
On October 20, I’ll be in Long Beach at the bay doing sessions from 8:00-9:40. This is another long-time favorite place to do photo sessions. I love the calm water and the sailboats in the background! There’s also a mini boardwalk across the street.
Sometimes home is best. Let’s face it. When you’re a mom, everything takes at least twice as long as it used to. Just getting everything out the door can result in sweating, crying and possibly a melt-down. So, when you’re thinking about booking a photo session, consider your home.
Your home doesn’t have to magazine quality to be a good candidate for a photo shoot location. What I look for is good light (most important!) and a neutral background. Do you have windows? Then you have good light. The time of day might be a key factor as to getting the best light. You don’t want bright sunlight streaming directly into your home and you don’t want it all dark either. The nice indirect light happens when it’s light inside your home, but you don’t see harsh shadows on the floor. Just pay attention to what your home looks like at different times of day and you’ll know what time the photo session should take place.
Less is more. When it comes to photos, I like less. All white bedding is great. Solid color bedding is second best. I also love floors. Hardwood floors are my favorite, but tile is another second best. I might even ask you to clear clutter around the corner, so the focus is on the kids. Hey, I know how many toys kids have, so no judgement here!
The kids are back to school, which means that September is in full swing, which also means that the holidays are around the corner. Agh! Like how I turned that corner on you? I love to be prepared. I’m a planner. It just makes life a little less stressful. So, give yourself a head start this year and book your photo session now, instead of waiting until November. Stress-free Christmas cards!
I’ll be offering several different mini-sessions throughout the fall. This year, the location is at a park in Lakewood. Think winding paths, low trees for the light to filter through and patches of long grass. Perfection.
Here are the details:
$100 (+tax) for the 20 minute mini-session
-includes a pre-consultation (via phone or email), shooting time, 15-25 edited and retouched images presented in an online gallery
-all prints and digital images are ordered separately
Over the summer, I added new digital packages. These have been a popular item and will be great for this Christmas season! 5 images for $300, 10 images for $500 and all your images for $1200. They are high-resolution and ready to print as many and as large as you like! Think gifts and cards!!
September 25: 5:00, 5:20, 5:40, 6:00
September 30: 9:00, 9:20, 9:40, 10:00
Email info@kristineldridge.com to book your session or call 562-980-6480
I love it when you come to me with an idea. Don’t worry, it’s okay if you don’t have one. But, when you call me to book your session and you mention that you have a favorite spot, I do a little excited dance. It tells me that you are invested in this. You’re excited about photos and you’ve envisioned where you want your family to be.
This family drove and walked by these walls every day and thought maybe, MAY-BE, they would look good in pictures. We talked over the phone and via email. I assured them that this was a great idea! They love color. I love color! And, they were okay with their baby crawling on the sidewalk. Talk about being invested.
It’s newborn season and I’m driving near and far to photograph babes as they announce themselves to the world. Baby Maverick joined his spunky big sister and I have no doubt that he will be her equal. He’ll follow her around on adventures until he’s big enough to lead in exploring the world. I can just see at all unfold!
I loved being able to visit with the family before they head up to the bay area. New adventures ahead for everyone!
In other news…don’t forget about Rascals to Rebels Back to School photo sessions. I’ll be at the store this coming weekend, September 8 and 9. The photo session itself is free and the prints can be purchased a la carte. We have a few more spots on Sunday, so let me know if you want to sign up!!
I finally get around to sharing the rest of my sessions at the bay from the beginning of the summer. All these clients are babies and kids I’ve seen grow up. It makes my job doubly enjoyable!
This guy is going to a big brother this fall and I can’t wait to photograph him with the new baby!
One of my oldest clients! He was also one of my first photo sessions in Long Beach at Rascals to Rebels in 2009. He’s so grown up now!
When I see clients again and again, I know what makes them laugh and smile. The kids remember who I am and are excited to take pictures again. Win Win!
Love these two! Another Rascals to Rebels client from way back when. They are so sweet together. Love it when siblings give me lots of love to photograph!!
Babies and toddlers alike laugh at my jokes. 🙂
