May's Sneak Peeks & Blog Post Previews - Northern California Wedding & Portrait Photographer

Apparently, I let this month slip away from me as far as blogging goes.  Between birthday celebrations, bridal appointments & everything in between, I seem to have lost track of the month of May.  I can't believe that tomorrow is June, and the year is nearly half over!  Well, to tide you over until then, here are a few selections from what went down this past month, and the future blog posts that are going to happen in the coming weeks. I promise!
Just hang tight, I'll be blogging again before you know it!

Jessica & Adam Maternity Session - Sacramento, CA

Two years ago this month, I photographed this couple on their wedding day.  Jessica & Adam were my first full wedding I photographed, and are my example couple of the kinds of relationships I like to have with my clients.  Well, I shouldn't even use the word "clients" because these two are truly some of my greatest friends.  I photographed their engagement session, wedding, one year anniversary & family photos last November.  Now, in just about two months, they'll be officially welcoming "baby JAM" in to their little family!  I surprised Jessica at her baby shower with the maternity session, and we had a fantastic time picking out her wardrobe options and making sure that little baby bump showed! Adam & Jessica grew up in the Elverta/Antelope area, so Adam took us to this little park near a creek that was very secluded and in my words, awesome!  Such troopers, with Jess climbing through grass and sticky weeds at 7 months pregnant :) Adam snuck this next one in out of nowhere, so of course it HAD to be included! A quick outfit change, and then it was REALLY time to show that belly off! This next one totally reminds me of a "new version" one of their wedding photos, which I still love love love and have on my business cards and sample products! We then headed back towards Jessica's parent's house where the baby shower was held at, with a stop at the local feed store for a little bit more of an "urban" background. I totally love these blue stripes! Check that baby bump out! Again... Love this next one! I totally cannot pick one single favorite out of all of these... I just can't do it! Of course, I had a FANTASTIC time photographing these two, and I cannot wait to do their first family photos once baby JAM arrives! It would be a potential road trip, but well worth it. Congratulations again Jessica & Adam! Baby JAM is going to be adorable as ever, and very well loved :)

March of Dimes 2012 Donation Raffle Winners - Northern California Wedding & Portrait Photographer

Well I survived the crazy weekend, and I'm excited to announce that the final amount raised from the donation raffle was $360! Through sunburns and leg bruises (yeah, I wasn't totally coordinated that morning and walked right in to a railing right as the walk began)  we made it through the sacramento route, which was slightly changed this year.  A huge amount of the donations came from the parents of my dance students, and without them I probably would not have even reached halfway to my goal for the year! I had my phone out, instagram-ing random little things along the way, so here is a peek in to our March of Dimes experience! So now it's on to the long awaited prize drawing! All names were placed in to a cup (because I still do things old school) and shaken around. Drawn out in the following order. Winners should be recieving an e-mail later this afternoon, where they will be able to claim their prize, or allow it to be passed on and redrawn for another person to have a chance at it.
Banana Cherie Pettiskirt Winner: J. Sheng
Little Penelope Lane Hair Accessory Winner: A. Fong
Botanical Seductions Bath & Body Collection Winner: J. Peters
Apprehensive Films DVD #1: J. Carroll
Apprehensive Films DVD #2: M. Benson
Freeze Frame Portrait Package: A. Orilla
Freeze Frame Portrait Package w. 16x20 Canvas: S. Jenson
Thank you SO much to everyone who donated, and I will be in contact with all of you very soon!

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! :)

Del Oro Winter Guard & Winter Percussion - Northern California Wedding & Portrait Photographer

Yes. I could totally get all cheesy and sappy about how I remember the days when I did marching band and winter guard, but I'll save those posts for my personal facebook where I can tag each and every person in the photo ;) A few weeks ago, I was asked to take the group photos for both the Winter Guard and Winter Percussion groups at Del Oro for their Winter Spectacular Competition Programs. I adore working with large groups for some reason. Besides Weddings, it's probably my next favorite thing to photograph. Today, these kids are off for their Championship competition in Stockton, and then off for Spring break. They've been placing in the tops of their divisions everywhere else, so I'm sure they'll do fantastic today!

Tristan turns 3! - Red Bridge Portrait Session - Fair Oaks, CA

A few weeks ago, I met up with another one of my Aunt's co-workers for a portrait session. This time, it was to celebrate the fact that this little guy turned three! Tristan was a little ball of energy to work with, and so much fun! Our session took place in Fair Oaks by the red bridge, and wound our way down to the river. The location was fantastic, the family was awesome, and the weather was perfect! What more could a photographer ask for?Tristan loves his little cars, so of course a little "off roading" in the sand was a fun way to bring them in to the sessionAfter tired out by his cars, Tristan got a little fishing 101 from Dad, and he was good to go to "catch" those big fish! We even saw a giant salmon swimming down stream!We snuck in a quick family photo before he was right back to having a good time around the water. Tristan was super excited about seeing the rock splashes in the water!Then, it was on with the rainboats and after a little bit of convincing, in to the water for some super puddle splashing.We raced back to the cars, but a quick play with the sand and a family photo came first! Tristan totally beat me up the hills... BOY is he a speedy little guy!Hey Tristan! -plus Mom & Dad, of course :)- I had a fantastic time playing around with you and taking pictures of you fishing and rock throwing! I hope you had a good time, and I hope Mom & Dad had some fun as well too :) I hope to get to do some photos for your next birthday, if not sooner!