Aileen Turns 16! - Downtown Loomis Portrait Session - Loomis, CA

The last week of March, my little sister turned the big 16. We were both on spring break last week, so between my quick trip to SF, her room painting, & other projects here and there, we were able to get out for an afternoon and document her at this age. Unfortunately, not ALL parties involved were thrilled with the idea of the first part of the project, as you can tell by the stressed out cat on the leash. I promise you, he is TOTALLY chill with being on a leash, but apparently when it wasn't HIS idea, he wanted nothing to do with the word cooperation :) Whiney baby cat got a break for a bit, and so I made Aileen get down and (not so) dirty for probably one of my favorite portraits of her in a long time... and that was just the START of the shoot. After an outfit change, and allowing Mushu to go back inside, we headed in to town for some more casual photos. I've seen this wall time and time again outside of my dad's office, and I was FINALLY able to put it to good use. Be prepared, the second one is another FAVORITE :) We crossed the road over to the train tracks because what is a teenage portrait session without a rockin' train tracks shot or two? LOVE this next one! One last stop around another building in town, before calling it good. Or maybe I should say before calling it EXCELLENT. It's hard to believe it has been over 5 years since I first photographed my sister, and the comparison between then and now is crazy! I think it's pretty safe to say she's aged well, and that my photography has also improved!
I'm hoping to get her back in front of the camera to show off her Drum Major "L-Pattern" accomplishments. That may take some bribery though. :)

3rd Annual March of Dimes Donation Raffle - Northern California Wedding & Portrait Photographer

So crazy to be able to say that this is the THIRD year of the March of Dimes Donation Raffle! I couldn't be happier with how last year turned out, and couldn't WAIT to get this year's going. A few more vendors have joined the party with their gracious donations from their businesses, and I couldn't begin to explain how grateful I am for them. The entry process is the same as it was last year, but here it is again, as a reminder:
HOW do you enter?
Click here! that will take you directly to my personal walker page. From there, you are able to donate in any amount. For every $5 donated to your name, you will receive one entry to the raffle. Example - donate $15, you will get your name entered in to the "hat" (3) times for the raffle. BUT if you donate $20, you'll receive an additional entry, giving you FIVE entries in to the raffle. Please be sure to use your first and last name, as well as a valid email address so that I can contact you once the drawing is complete. Through the March of Dimes website, they will have you pay through a credit card or even paypal account. If you would prefer to meet me in person and pay by cash or check (checks payable to March of Dimes) please email me at photogbyem@gmail.com and we can figure out somewhere to meet up! Just a reminder - not a single cent will be entering mine or any of these gracious vendors pockets. All proceeds will go directly to the March of Dimes foundation.Lisa of Banana Cherie has another super fun purple pettiskirt this year! One of the girls at our dance studio won the skirt last year, and she LOVED wearing it to class all the time.
=Sarah of Little Penelope Lane has donated a goodie bag full of fun hair accessories! I stumbled across her personal family blog somewhere, and their story is totally amazing. AND she has three of the cutest little kids ever! Be sure to "like" Little Penelope Lane on Facebook I'm donating two different portrait session collections. The first one is a FULL portrait session on location with a mini print collection (8x10, (2) 5x7 (8) wallets of the same image). The second is all of that, PLUS a 16x20 gallery wrap canvas. You can see samples of those right over here Botanical Seductions have offered to donate a set of three of their all natural bath & beauty products. A sea salt, soap & smoochies lip balm. I met these ladies at the Roseville Bridal Show I did last month, and they are super awesome! Of course, be sure to "like" them on Facebook Last, but certainly not least, Apprehensive Films has offered to donated two copies of the dvd "Hidden Elements of Cartoon Drawing by Larry Scholl". To learn more about this DVD, which features an artist who has worked with many different studios, check it out by clicking here!
Be sure to check out all of these awesome vendors who have taken their time to donate for such a great cause. I would not be able to offer such great things without their help! My personal goal this year is $350, so with your help, I'm hoping to blow it out of the water again! The link one more time for donating is available by clicking here. Thank you SO much, and I can't wait to get the ball rolling! :)