Spring Baby & Child Photo Contest
Posted on February 22, 2010
I’m so excited to be participating in Miller’s Baby & Child Photo Contest this year! Here’s how it works: I submit one photo from our session to the contest ~ if your child wins, YOU get the prize. And it’s CASH, people. Yeah.
$2,000 for First, $1,000 for Second, $750 for Third, and $500 for each Honorable Mention. One portrait from the Final Round will also receive the highest of accolades — Grand Prize Winner.
The cash prize will be $5,000 for this lucky winner!
In addition to this sponsored contest, I’m going to add my own twist to it and donate half my normal session fee to a local nonprofit near and dear to my heart ~ Santa Clarita Autism and Asperger’s Network (SCAAN). As some of you know, my son Reece has autism, and this organization has been a constant in my life since moving to the SCV back in 2003. I have learned so much from other parents, networked for resources, and my son has had the opportunity to be involved with other children like him. It’s a wonderful group and they need donations to continue to help kids and families affected by autism in our community.
Soooo, who wants to win some money? All kids 12 and under are eligible. Contest runs from March 1st till June 15th. I’m also going to do my own mini-contest via my facebook fanpage and this blog. All the kids I enter into the Miller’s contest will also be entered into my own contest and viewers (your family and friends!) will vote for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners ~ and there are prizes! (tba)
Email or call me today to book your session! Now is the perfect time to start thinking about Spring pictures ~ gonna be a beautiful year for wildflowers!
check out these other great photos of Miss Dylyyn from our shoot last week:
Hannah’s Bat Mitzvah
Posted on February 20, 2010
People ask me all the time, “Why do you shoot bat mitzvahs and bar mitzvahs?” Honestly, I never planned on it…just sorta happened. I’d been shooting portraits and head shots and a few weddings…and a friend of mine asked if I would shoot her daughter’s bat mitzvah. Now, you have to understand that for a girl from WAY South Louisiana, I was brought up very Catholic, and didn’t have much exposure to any Jewish people – or any other religions for that matter! I distinctly remember being in second or third grade, sitting in church during school (we went to church on Wednesday mornings – fun times, I know) and noticing that the new girl in class didn’t get up to take communion with the rest of us. When I asked my teacher, who was a Nun, why, she said, “She’s Baptist”. Gasp! I had NO idea what that meant…I thought maybe she was deathly ill, or was some kind of super sinner or alien. I had a pretty vivid imagination, people. Anyway, I was pretty sheltered and it wasn’t until I moved to CA that I widened my awareness, which brings us back to the bat mitzvah question. No, I never planned on shooting these events….but I’m kinda hooked. I mean, they’re more fun than a wedding, hands down. I really love kids at this age – I know people think 13 year old kids are brats, but not so! The kids I’ve had the pleasure of working with are absolutely the most respectful, sweet natured young people I’ve met. I LOVE witnessing and photographing the adoration these parents have for their children. There’s this bittersweet elation just oozing from them….their “babies” are turning into their own people; they’re growing up and taking their first steps on the road to adulthood. The parents are excited, proud, and also a little sad to see their babies grow up. And the planning that goes into an event like this is colossal! All this emotion just sorta rushes out and I get to be there for it. And let’s face it, what’s more fun than a room full of pre-teens? 
Hannah had a really fun party for her Bat Mitzvah ~ she had it at a skating rink! Skateland in Northridge, to be specific. No, I did not get on skates with my camera in hand. I thought that was probably not the smartest idea….for many, many reasons. Here are some teasers from her party – and some formal shots of her family.
I kinda wanted to give some of these a retro feel, with the whole skating rink thing going on
These are just so cute – did I mention I love girls at this age? So fun.
This is one of my faves
I’m a sucker for little boys with their mamas
These were SO cool – they hired a guy who was making these for the kids – how amazing is this?
love, love, love these
