Cindy & Shelly - Wedding Slideshow

We have finally finished Cindy and Shelly's wedding! Only three more portrait sessions and we are done for the year! Which means baby is on it's way! Wow!

The following are just some of my images from Cindy and Shelly's wedding. I left a lot of my favorite "artsy" images out, because like I said before, this day really was about their family and friends and I wanted to portray as much as that as possible. I absolutely love the shots in here of Shelly giving great big bear hugs to family and friends - that is the Shelly that obviously everyone knows and loves and like I said in my first post, Al and I were lucky to receive one of those big hugs at the end of the night too. :)

I used the song "For Good" from Wicked for their slideshow. I have never seen that musical nor have I heard any of the songs, but the girls singing in this slideshow sang that song for them during the reception. It was BEAUTIFUL and I knew that song had to be in one of their posts.

Congratulations to Cindy and Shelly!

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Are you ready for some football?!

This family is!

Thanks to our friend Amy for referring this fun family! When Elvia e-mailed us saying that she didn't think that "white shirts and jeans are us", I loved that she knew that about her family. A lot of photographers want families or subjects to wear a certain color or avoid certain colors or patterns or whatnot, but not us! We want you to be comfortable in what you are wearing and to wear something that represents you!

We went back and forth and I suggested that they wear their football jerseys for some images if they wanted and they went for it. I loved it! This is a football loving family and although we have some shots of them wearing "normal" clothes, I decided to post a few shots that represent "them".

We had two sessions today and we have a lot of editing to do to get some images in gear for holiday cards, so here is a sneak peek for Elvia and her beautiful family...

Can you believe this beautiful young lady is a "mom"? I can't!


Some fun with sun...


The family that plays together, stays together...


Probably my most interesting "headless" shot yet. I love this one.

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Family, Advice and Giving Thanks

Just a quick little backyard shot of my cousin and his beautiful family. You might remember images from Ali's baby shower. Well, Ali had beautiful baby Lucy not too long after the shower. Ali has been so informative and helpful through this pregnancy. She has bought me lollipops from Trader Joe's that helped her with her nausea when I told her I didn't feel well, given me great advice (one piece being don't buy a breastfeeding pump, rent one at first - the baby might not take to breastfeeding) and today she gave me tons of baby girl clothes that Lucy either has outgrown or didn't wear. Even though we don't know if we are having a girl, she wanted me to have them just in case. That was very sweet and I really appreciate everything she's said or done.

Anyway, just a shot to put up until our other sessions this weekend. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and took some time to think about what they are thankful for. I have SOOOOO much to be thankful for and I thank God for all of my blessings - this might have been one of the best years of my life. And thank you to my blog readers out there in cyberspace. ;) Thank you for stopping by and giving praise or critique. I really do appreciate you all too. Happy Thanksgiving!

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My biggest baby splurge...

People can't seem to believe that I haven't really bought anything for the baby. I've bought some pictures off of Etsy for the baby room, but that's about it. And I think I paid between $4-$25 for the three of them. Also, our family and friends have blessed us with most of the items we have needed/wanted. I almost bought bedding since we didn't get any in our shower, but our "Baby Care Basics" and "Baby Safety" class nurses advised against pillows, blankets and bumpers in cribs, so we decided that we don't even have to buy that right now. Also, we don't know the sex of the baby, so it's pretty easy NOT to buy when you haven't a clue what sex to buy for. A baby can only have so many duck outfits. ;)

Well, when Al coaxed me to go shopping tonight at Babies R Us to get myself a diaper bag (he got one at one of our showers - Diaper Dude!, but I didn't get one!), I relented and went. Again, we got the basics: Infant Tylenol medicine, burp pads, changing table mattress, and a couple of pacifiers. And the diaper bag. Hopefully, by the end of the weekend, the "his" and "hers" diaper bags will be complete with all the "necessary" items they say you should have in them. Everything is bought, we just have to wash and sterilize. Fun stuff. ;)

But I did have what Al called an "impulse buy" on the way out. I couldn't resist. There were TWO of them. Not three, not one, not ten - but TWO! So it was meant to be. I had to buy one for my bag and his. The baby won't even be using it right away, but at least I know we have them. :) A whopping $6.99 each later, I now feel I have "bought" something and I'm good until the baby gets here. Until then...I think this is a fine and safe start. :)

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It's a Dog's Life...

truly, it was today.

Al and I helped with our no-kill shelter's Paws for a Cause event. Animals and their humans were welcome to come and participate in PAWtrait paintings (paintings on canvas with their paws!) and have their picture taken with Santa and just enjoy some time at our shelter. Donations were collected for certain events and it will help our little shelter get through some more months of vet bills, food, beds and general all around care for our homeless animals.

In our short year of business, Al and I have worked with the two things that they say are most unpredictable (and sometimes difficult to work with): children and dogs. LOL Today was a definite first for us as we have only photographed pets within their family portrait sessions - on location. Not on Santa's lap. On a bench. With holiday decorations on them. :)- It was a unique experience to say the least. We let our shelter friend Chela know that we might not be the best choice for photographers for something like this and she was OK with that. Although I don't think that we will be branching out in the pet photography field anytime soon, it was nice to do something for our shelter besides walking dogs.

Here are some of the images that make me smile or laugh. My images pale in comparison to Al's - his are AWESOME with faded edges and all! Hopefully he will post some of his - they truly look like holiday images.

Anyway, as always, if you are looking for a pet, please remember to start at your local shelter first. 25% of animals there are purebreds and the rest are just great animals that fell on hard times and are looking for love and a good home. And who cares if you have a purebred? Cesar Milan says "a purebred is just an ordinary dog in designer suit"! So true! :)

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Jenna and Brian - Wedding Slideshow

I sent Jenna and Brian their images, but almost forgot to post their slideshow!

If you read my original "sneek peak" post about their wedding, you might remember me saying how wonderful they were to each other. Looking through all of their images the other night reminded me again. They are so respectful, caring and loving to each other that it's just beautiful. They are truly best friends and I love seeing that in a couple.

Jenna and Brian's wedding was a bit of a challenge in regards to light. It was close to pitch dark pretty much after the ceremony started! Someone brought out flashlights so that when the reading part of the ceremony came, they could continue! :) That was a fun moment with them and the family/guests. That, and signing the marriage license on a golf cart by flashlight. :)

Congratulations again to Jenna and Brian! I'm pretty positive they are going to have a long, loving marriage and I'm grateful to have been a part of a fun engagement session with them and a very special and unique wedding day!

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Paul, Wendy and Baby Ginger - Slideshow

I finally finished Paul and Wendy's images. I'd like to thank them for waiting so patiently with other editing jobs, work, school, and my own baby stuff going on. ;)

I loved working on these photos. I told Al tonight, "Maybe I will love all maternity sessions...I loved the last one we did and I love this one." But then I thought about it and was thinking that it could be because both pregnant ladies were my FRIENDS. As I watched the slideshow I teared up a bit. I am so honored to document this time for them and so excited to meet Ginger, watch her grow and say, "I was the one who took those photos when you were in your mommy's tummy!" That's just incredible to me.

Wendy and Paul, you already know how much we think of you two. I can only thank God for crossing our paths through work. I absolutely adore you two and I cannot wait to see beautiful baby Ginger come into your life and watch the two of you and her grow. It is an amazing thought and I am thankful that we will be a part of it.

Love you two!
Kymberli

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Upcoming Events...

If you have a pet or know someone who does (or know someone who is looking for a pet!), Al and I will be helping with our shelter's "Paws for a Cause" on Sunday. We will be taking photos of humans with their pets and Santa! The majority of the donation goes to our NO-KILL shelter. There will also be a silent auction and raffle prizes throughout the day. Please contact me if you would like more information!

Also...Wendy and Paul's maternity slideshow coming sometime this weekend! So check back late this weekend or later next week for that and maybe some Santa/doggie/kittie pics! ;)

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Can a girl have too much flare? You tell me...

because I love it - even it mass quantities.

Anywho, here are a couple of the flare shots that I loved during our family session on Sunday. I uploaded some of the images to a slideshow because I loved this song and wanted to use it on a show one day. This is not all of their images from me, or any from Al. We'll save ALL of them for the family to see first. :) So I guess this is a "sneak peek" slideshow, but you can see some of Al's images on his blog!

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A, R, and C - Family Session SNEAK PEEK

This has to be the shortest sneak peek ever! LOL There are just too many cute images and we have been gone all day and this girl needs a break! But I wanted to get at least two up...

This is such an awesome family. I forgot to ask if I could share their names on the blog, so when I forget to ask, I just use the initials. Anyway, A, R, and their sweet little C were wonderful! They were just so warm and becoming new parents themselves, had some great advice for us. Little C is just precious! I just want to nibble his little cheeks - he is soooo cute!

A, R, and C, it was great meeting you! You have a beautiful family! And Happy pre-Birthday to Mommy tomorrow! :)

On to the shortest sneak peek ever! I will hopefully have their slideshow up by the end of the week!

I'm a big fan of lens flare. And with me, I either don't get any or it almost fills up my frame. There's a lot of flare here, but I still loved the feel of this shot.


Could this little guy be any cuter? I think not!

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Wendy & Paul (and Ginger!) - Maternity SNEAK PEEK

We had two sessions today, the first being one of my friends! Wendy and I met at work a few years ago and although she has since left for new adventures, we have kept in touch and are just a few weeks apart in due dates! Wendy is having a girl - Ginger Lauren! We always joked that we were twinsies because we'd randomly talk about something and the other had either done it, seen it, or loved it too. When I announced on my blog or MySpace that I was pregnant, she wrote something along the lines, "We really are twinsies! I'm pregnant too!" :) Crazy!

Wendy's husband Paul is wonderful. He is so "cool", yet sweet at the same time. I hope I didn't blow his cover. ;) The guy is a SICK artist (and I rarely use the word 'sick'). I'm not sure of his exact title, but he airbrushes major projects and I wish the boy had a website because I'd be linking to it from my blog and sharing it again in this post. I cannot even begin to tell you how unbelievably talented he is. He has been forewarned several times that when I'm ready for my next tattoo, HE is going to be the one to design it. That's all there is to it. I could sing his praises all day. Paul is just crazy cool all around - he's going to be a great daddy to Ginger and she is probably going to have him wrapped around her little, tiny finger. ;)

It was such an honor to help document this part of their lives. I cannot wait to meet Ginger Lauren. She is going to be so blessed with loving, caring, and especially, FUN parents!











The name that Daddy will make famous someday:


To be continued in a slideshow...hopefully later this week...

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Aunt Donna and Uncle Earl - 60 years!!

I haven't blogged lately because we've had a busy couple of weeks with friends and family. We do have a family portrait session and a maternity session this weekend, so check back later next week for those!

This last weekend we celebrated my family baby shower on Saturday and then on Sunday we celebrated my aunt and uncle's 60th wedding anniversary! Can you believe it?! 60 years! I can't even fathom that!

They have such a wonderful marriage full of love and friendship. All of our family gatherings are still held at their beautiful home (my baby shower was even held there on Saturday!).

I posted a few of my detail shots although I only took about six or so. The portraits are courtesy of Al.

Happy Anniversary Aunt Donna and Uncle Earl (although they don't have a computer so my Mom or cousins will have to share this somehow ;))! May everyone have such a great example of love and devotion in their lives.

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I didn't get everything I wanted from this election...

but I will take this as a small victory. Thank goodness Californian's can mostly agree on this. It may be a silly victory in the eyes of some, but it's a great one in my eyes...and in the lives of our farm animals. Let's hope the standards go into effect sooner rather than later. God Bless those who can't speak up for themselves and have suffered so much already.

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