a blog from a Southern California child, family, baby, engagement, wedding and event photographer | San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles
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Yes, this sweet little girl turned two. TWO! I can hardly believe it. I started photographing her when she was just sitting up and now look at her! Cowgirl boots and pig tails and just growing up right before my eyes. And this birthday party kind of puts all over birthday parties to shame. The details and the colors and the food and LOVE surrounding this little missy — it was amazing! I’m just grateful they all let me in on her special day. It’s fun to be the fly on the wall!
                      Maybe you’ve noticed some crazy stuff going on around here. (Or if this is your first time here, welcome!!) I’m making a lot of changes around here, because if there is one thing I like, well, love really, it’s CHANGE! First, let me say, this holiday season was AMAZING everyone!! I know I’ve said it a million times, but THANK YOU!! Truly. I had more sessions and clients than I really even knew what to do with! Everyone was so great about scheduling around my crazy schedule and putting up with my spotty customer service skills. The art of photography comes easy to me, naturally. The fundamentals of business do not. I’m a total trial and error person with a LOT of errors. Normally, when I’m not great at something, I just quit doing it (I know, right?) but I love taking photographs and I love working with families and children and brides and models. I love it all!! And because my time is valuable, a business is kind of a must. And that’s a good thing! I just wish I was better at it — for your sakes! But new things are happening here, starting now. Nothing really drastic. Business-wise some new things: 1. Introducing www.theblackbirdink.com — the new “blogsite.” Now my blog and my website are in one place! Want to check out my portfolio? Click on the link to the left and then on any of the galleries to check them out. Everything is streamlined into one spot and I’m LOVING it!! 2. New pricing options. Nothing majorly different. I’m still updating those pages so stay tuned. To find that information you can click on DETAILS on the left or INFO at the top. 3. New package and print options. Stay tuned for those! 4. New regular posting rituals! Including a 52 Faces Each deal and a 10 on 10 (explanations to come!) So, true to form, I’m also making some personal changes that might influence things over here a little. Good influence! I will be photographing my children more and posting their everyday photos here. I want to do more daily life photographing and blogging. I want to be real with my blogging. I want to blog about my business woes and my photo shoot triumphs. I want to photograph families who get my style, who get me and my sense of humor. I want to be more organized in how I communicate with clients. But mostly, I want to make it clear that my priorities are my kids, my husband, my family. I tend to lose sight of that when I get really busy or stressed out. I tend to plop my kids in front of the TV more or snap at them for no good reason. I want to not forget that my first job is to be a mom. So expect to see more photos of my sweet little babies and my life and my ups and my downs. And maybe the only person who reads this or looks at my photos or cares is my husband. And that’s fine. Like I said, my business skills seriously lack. But I’m doing this for me. I’m not afraid to share my life with you fine readers! So get ready for 2012!
 no comments My favorite poem as a child was “The Swing” by Robert Louis Stevenson. I would beg my grandmother to read it to me out of A Child’s Garden of Verses every day. I can remember sitting by her and imagining myself in a swing rocking back and forth staring at the sky. Movement has always calmed me. And swings have always made me smile. I love that my own children love the swings, too! And I was delighted when little Liam and his parents wanted to take some photos at a play ground they frequent as a family. Can you tell he loves the swings?
                    The SwingHow do you like to go up in a swing,
Up in the air so blue?
Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing
Ever a child can do!
Up in the air and over the wall,
Till I can see so wide,
Rivers and trees and cattle and all
Over the countryside—
Till I look down on the garden green,
Down on the roof so brown—
Up in the air I go flying again,
Up in the air and down!
no comments The light in this session was so warm and lovely. It wasn’t quite the coveted golden hour but it was still pretty and windy and golden. I love shooting at Bonsall Bridge. It’s usually empty. No people milling around or traffic to get in the way. It’s a lovely stretch of road with a gorgeous backdrop — perfection!
             no comments I’m really loving doing lifestyle newborn photography these days. I think it gives the photographer a kind of freedom that the posed more traditional newborn photos don’t allow. Dont get me wrong — I LOVE LOVE those amazing newborn photos of babies with adorable hats in baskets and beds and slings. Seriously — LOVE. But I get much more out of the experience as a photographer when I can utilize someone’s home to photograph them in their comfy surroundings. A bit selfish? Maybe. But inspiration is a huge part of making art. This little baby was such a little sweetie. Just a few days old and squishy and lovely. I can’t say I don’t get baby fever every time I encounter one of these. It’s terrible really! But I love this session. Oh and their dog. AND the Italian blanket they wrapped him in. Italian love goes a long way with me!
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+ - 2 comments
Kyna - You, my friend, are never just a fly on the wall…you are an awesome friend that helps bring the “amazing-ness” to her parties! :-)
Erica Reed - You have some absolutely PRICELESS shots in here!