TOP 10: Christmas Pictures

From Thanksgiving until now, I have taken roughly 10 sets of family portraits for family and friends. I have hesitantly avoided prematurely posting anyone's Christmas pictures, but now that Christmas has come and gone, I would like to share some of my favorite shots.

I think the secret of being a good photographer is having beautiful families to take pictures of. That way all your pictures turn out beautiful regardless of the level photographer you are!!!

1. JENKINS

2. SOUZA

3. WILSON

4. SCHMIDT

5. TJERRILD

(photo come come at a later date)

6. HUMRICK

7. PELLANDA

8. O'BRIEN

9. MCCANDLESS

10. DELTON

Photo Session #8

The McCandless Family Photo Tour

More pictures coming soon...

Doggie Kisses

Our Boxer, Tenaya LOVES her littlest baby brother. I was trying to take some pictures of Brady but Tenaya wanted to be a part of the action. I accidentally got a picture of Tenaya giving Brady a nice big slobbery doggie kiss.

Check out more furry faces at:

Mr. & Mrs. Burton Cheatham

My cousin Burt said his "I DO's" to Markie this past weekend at Blackhorse and Bayonet Golf Course in Monterey. It was a delightfully beautiful wedding. I am super happy for the newly wed couple. I was able to snap a few photos at the event. The lighting was a little less than desirable due to an unexpected event that delayed the start of the ceremony. We did the best we could with the little light that was available. I got a couple decent shots, whereas Stacey and Dean gathered quite a few. It helps when the bride is rather photogenic. :)

To see more pics click here: Stacey's Blog - Third of Six

Sweet Dreams

This weeks challenge on the I heart faces blog is "Sweet Dreams." As I was looking through my recent pictures, I came across this one and it made me smile.

This is how I found Carson asleep at nap time.

I hope it brightens your day as much as it does mine.

Tooshies Gone Wild

I have a feeling Suzanne is going to kill me for posting this, but that is what friends are for. Just an innocent little photo shoot with one crazy pose that is the perfect picture for this weeks entry on the I Heart Faces website. This week's challenge... Tooshies!!

I do have to mention that this weeks judge is Patti Schmidt. I think I should at least make honorable mention for having her same name!! (hint hint)

Bass Lake Portrait Session

I had the honor of taking several families Christmas Pictures over the Thanksgiving holiday.

1. The Souza Family

2. The Wilson Family

3. The Humrick Family

4. The Tjerrild Family

5. The Schmidt Family (us)

I can't wait to share with you some of my favorites but don't want to prematurely post anyone's Christmas Card Picture.

I Heart Sun Flare

I Heart Faces blog photo challenge this week is: SUN FLARE

I searched and searched through my photos and came up with some really cool sun flare pictures but only one that included a face. Her face happens to be the one and only Suzanne who is glistening in beautiful Fresno sun as it sets on downtown. It may not be a perfect "sun flare" but it definitely has a sun effect. I love it and I heart faces.

If Looks Could Kill...

... I'd be dead.

Suzanne is seriously the best friend a person could ask for. I asked her to model for me today while my photography class held a photo shoot downtown, little did I know, my entire photography class would be snapping pictures of her. Opps!!!

We started downtown then headed to the Japanese Garden at Woodward Park. I had NO idea how beautiful it was in there. I traded Suz for my neighbor and friend Jordan.

Here are a few of my favorites from today.

Please leave comments and let me know what you think.

Dia de los Jenkins

I took on my first official photography gig today with the Jenkins Family. We settled for a classic photo shoot at Woodward park. I think the photos turned out pretty good but you will have to wait until after they send out their Christmas cards for me to reveal the "one." But if you must, I will give you a sneak peak...

After the Jenkins photo session and some IHOP, Suz and I headed to downtown Fresno so I could do this weeks homework for my photography class. The assignment: Evening or night shots. Well, we really didn't want to hear the "night SHOTS" of downtown Fresno, so we stayed as long as the evening would allow.

Being a good photographer helps when you have a beautiful subject. I was fortunate to have Suzanne as my hot model for today. I can hear Hollywood calling now.....

Portrait Photography

Last night I attended week 2 of my 5 week photography class. It going just OK. Our teacher is a great photographer who specializes in commercial photography. He does amazing work, however isn't the greatest teacher. I am learning some new things and meeting some interesting people.

Our first assignment was to take some portrait head shots at an 85mm focal length and an aperture setting of 8. I struggled a little, considering my primary subject is a 2 1/2 year old boy who refuses to pose for pictures. I had to bribe him with a new truck and some fruit snacks to get him to even barely cooperate. I then resorted to a neighborhood friend, Jordan.

Here are a couple of my favorites that I turned in:

1. I found this really cool garage doors in downtown Clovis. I pulled over, grabbed Carson out of the back seat and took this ONE picture. It was a class favorite.

2. After a few shed tears, I finally convinced Carson to let me take a few pictures of him with his costume on. (I had to remind him that if he didn't let me take his picture, I would have to take away his new truck and fruit snacks.... I hate bribery, but man, it works!!)

3. Darling Jordan. I felt that the sun was a little too bright in this picture, but apparently it is "Rembrandt," so we will just go with it.

4. This wasn't taken at the correct camera settings but is my personal favorite!!

Les Poissons

Little Brady is sporting a darling lobster costume this year for Halloween. Thought I'd give you a sneak peak as I enter his picture in the i ♥ faces website.

Photography Class

It's official, I just signed up for my first photography class. I am taking a portrait photography class that emphasizes on the use of lighting and technique. I have never taken a basic photography class and hope that I don't regret taking that first. I would have taken that class first but it had already started.

Class starts next Tuesday, October 20th at 6:30 and goes for 5 weeks!!

A Day on the Ranch

We took a little drive today to my dad's ranch to test out my photography skills. I also wanted to see if the ranch was a good place to take portraits. I didn't get very many that I liked. It was the end of the day, my lighting was limited and my favorite subject was less than cooperative today. Here are a few of my favorites. Fell free to criticize.

Feeling Inspired

I have recently become obsessed with photography. I have decided to develop one of my favorite hobbies. I am declaring my decision right here and now to take some photography classes.