Archive for October, 2010

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iphone=ilove | Half Moon Bay Lifestyle Photographer

October 30, 2010

When my family session got rained out this morning, I decided I didn’t want to be stuck in “the cave” (how I affectionately refer to our temporary housing) all day cleaning, or editing, or laundering, or cave dwelling. I bounced the idea of heading down south to the beach, off of my husband expecting it to come bouncing right back to me with a “no thanks”.  To my surprise he didn’t relish the idea of cave dwelling either so we packed up the kids and the dog and the camera and hit the road.

As we neared the coast, the view was gorgeous, with the mist and the rain and the clouds and the lush vegetation.  I had spent the better part of our hour drive mapping out what kind of shots I wanted to try and couldn’t wait to get out on the beach and start shooting.  Unfortunately, come to find out as the kids were positioned smack dab in front of the ginormous pumpkin at the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay, I had left my camera battery in the charger in “the cave”.

Slap me in the forehead!

I did, however, have my less-than-24-hours-old-iphone with me.  My very first iphone by the way.  How I ever managed without this fabulous piece of technology I will never know!  !   !  It saved me today. Mind you, it’s the epitome of a point and shoot but I had a great time clicking away.

My grand plans of tinkering with new shooting methods at the beach will have to wait until next time, but for now, here are a few of the shots I captured today.

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Posted in Fun, lifestyle | 8 Comments »

Trick-or-Treat | Danville Child Photographer

October 28, 2010

I had such a great time meeting friends, new and old, at Dandelion – Unique Kids Threads in downtown Danville last weekend!  The rain held off long enough for lots of trick-or-treaters to come by and have their pictures taken.  Here a few of the fabulous costumes and adorable little people I got to meet.

danville photographer, wendy vonsosen photography

danivlle california photographer wendy vonsosen photography

danville photographer

danville california photographer

Have a fabulous Thursday!

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Posted in babies, Fun, Kids, Portrait Parties | 3 Comments »

20 on Tuesday: Kristy Lane!

October 26, 2010

Lifestyle Photography:  a style of photography which aims to portray real-life situations in a controlled setting.

Lifestyle photography has been around awhile but it has become more and more popular in the industry in recent years.  I love, love, love lifestyle! It’s my most favorite style of photography and one that intrigues and inspires me.  It may look easy, but there’s a true art to being able to master capturing the everyday moments in a way that they  look and feel like much more than snapshots, yet still look and feel as if the photographer was never part of the scene.

One of my favorite lifestyle inspirations is Kristy Lane.  I “met” this beautiful friend when I took the Bloom Workshop that she and Brenda Acuncius created.  Part of the workshop covers the art of lifestyle photography.  The examples of her work that she shared blew me away.  You might even say they spoke to me.  True lifestyle makes me feel like I was actually there or like I’ve been there before in my own life.  It brings out memories of my childhood when I see lifestyle of children and families.  Lifestyle captures the everyday moments that you hope to always remember.  Kristy’s work does that for me.  She is a master of vibrant color and emotive black and white.

I’ve been able to get to know Kristy better through the Bloom Forum.  I don’t know how she does all that she does with three gorgeous children, a husband, and her work with F8 Kids, but she is always replying to threads with encouragement and humor.  She and Brenda have created a home for photographers around the world to share, create, and inspire.

Hi Kristy,

Where are you from?
Texas, Virginia, then Texas again.
Where is home now?
Carrollton, TX
Are you formally educated or self-taught in photography?
Both. I started out in college when it was still film. I was consumed by it…shooting, developing and printing all of my own work. Then I picked it back up after I had my first son. I was lucky enough to tag along with Gary Donihoo on some weddings where he would show me things and give me little pointers. Just watching him work actually helped a lot too.
How did you and Brenda end up together with f8 Studio?
Brenda and I immediately clicked the first time we met. She’s the big sister I never had, she takes care of me! I think she mentioned in her interview that we ended up getting pregnant at the same time and have babies with birthdays just a few weeks apart, so that brought us closer too. Once we started teaching workshops, we knew we wanted to have a studio together some day in the future. In the mean time, f8 was wanting to expand into children’s photography. I had always secretly wished Gary (he shot my wedding in July 2003) would ask me to come work with him as f8 kids and about a year ago, it became a reality. Bren and I are sort of a package deal so I literally begged her to come on board with me and that’s how we became f8 kids!
I am a proud former Bloomie and have reaped the rewards of all of the knowledge shared.  What has been the best part of teaching for you?
I honestly think that the best part doesn’t have anything to do with photography. We have met so many amazing people through our workshop and have remained close to a lot of them (as you know!).  Brenda and I are surrounded by an online community of some of the sweetest women ever and it has been–in large part–due to the workshop.
Talk to me about personal projects.  Are they important and what have you done lately?
Personal projects are high up on my list and usually include at least one of my kids. I love documenting what they are doing in their lives, especially if it’s a “first” for them. I guess my latest little project was capturing my daughter’s first day of dance class. She’s two!
How do you stay motivated and your photography current?
Unfortunately, I’m not sure that I do! Sometimes when I’m not motivated, just having the camera actually IN my hand does the trick. I love shooting so much, once I start seeing through my camera, I get motivated all over again. And I think the workshop really helps us to stay current. We discuss style and inspiration often so I end up learning from our students!
If you could be invisible for one day with your camera…
Well I’d need two of me because I would want to photograph my family interacting…but I’d want to be involved too! I’d love to capture the times when we’re all hanging out together laughing or when my husband is rocking my little girl at night before bed while I read books to my boys. Probably a cheesy answer but true.

Name a photographer you would like to take a portrait of?
Barb Uil. And I would hope that in doing that, some of her amazing-ness might rub off on me!
What’s your best advice for balancing work and family?
When I can come up with something actually worth saying, I’ll come back and answer this one! I’m exhausted most of the time because I try to not work at all when my kids are with me. Once they are in bed, then I work.

What’s in your camera bag?
Canon 5D MarkII, 85mm 1.2, 50mm 1.4, 100mm 2.8 macro
Talk to me about your lifestyle photography. Do you have a plan before you start or do you let the moment happen on its own?
I like to have somewhat of a plan or some sort of idea about how it will go but it doesn’t always work out that way. I tend to email quite a bit with my clients before our session so we can discuss what sort of things we might do. It’s hard for people to be in front of a stranger with a camera and still act “natural” somehow. Some of my most favorite shots are from the ends of sessions, after everyone has warmed up to the idea.
If not a photographer what would you have been?
I guess a psychologist since that’s what I got my degree in. (I think this is more fun though!)
If you could live anywhere on this awesome planet where would you build your dream home?
Right here. Well…close to here. I have a lot of family here and lots of really great friends so I’m happy right where I am. Plus, I don’t like to fly!
What talent would you most like to have?
Singing! My voice is awful. Really bad.
What are the three words your spouse would use to describe you?
I asked him and it took him forever to finally settle on: smart, driven, passionate:)
Something that is over rated…
Lazy husbands and dads, lol! I’m pretty spoiled by my husband and I think there should be more men out there like him!
Your favorite movie of all time?
Father of the Bride
If you could change one thing you did while starting your photography business, what would it be?
Not start it! I never really intended on having my own business and I’m not sure that I did everything the right way. It was pretty stressful. I really like working with f8 now and having people to bounce ideas off of or ask advice when I need it.
If you had one photograph that depicted your favorite childhood memory, what would it look like?
Kristy’s work can be found HERE
Bloom Workshop info can be found HERE
Bloom Forum information can be found HERE


And one more for the upcoming holiday:
Thanks, Kristy!

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Posted in 20 on Tuesday, lifestyle | 16 Comments »

Family Life | Danville Photographer

October 24, 2010

danville california photographer

Just a snapshot of today.  Sunday October 24, 2010.  These are  truly the moments I love to capture.

Have a great week!

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Posted in black and white, Families, Fun, lifestyle | 2 Comments »

20 on Tuesday: Jenny Froh!

October 19, 2010

I have a long list of photographers I hope to one day meet in person.  On the top of my list is Jenny Froh of Pear Street Studios.  I “met” jenny when we were both regular contributors to the I Heart Faces photo challenges.   I was always impressed with her entries.  When I found out she had a passion for interior design, she is the mother of boys, and she loves dogs, I knew she had BFF potential!  She loves dogs so much, if fact, that not only is she an amazing portrait photographer, but she also specializes in pet photography!  And her images of dogs are spectacular!  I have an extremely enthusiastic goldendoodle that I’ve tried repeatedly to photograph, with absolutely no luck.  I admire Jenny hugely for her ability to capture the personalities of these animals for her clients.  (Oh, and she owns my very most favorite logo in the entire world.  Check it out!)

Hi Jenny!

Where are you from?

I was born and raised just north of Chicago in a town called Glenview.

Where is home now?

I now live in Flower Mound, TX (pretty name, huh?). We moved here in 2001 just after my first child was born so I could be closer to my parents.

Are you formally educated or self-taught in photography?

Aside from a high school black and white film photography class and one college photography class I’m pretty much self taught in the digital age. Of course I’ve the help of a few workshops, some great photography forums, and my local photog friends.

What words would you use to describe your style of photography?

Clean with a smile.

What inspires you as a photographer?

Home Decor Magazines. I’m not sure how that fits in with Pet photography though! LOL!

What is your favorite kind of session to shoot and why?

I love to shoot outdoors. I love running and playing shots of dogs. Being in their natural state and capturing those action shots makes me happy.

What made you decide to specialize in pet photography?

I love animals. I have 2 dogs and 3 cats of my own. I’m drawn to them. I’d have a hundred if I lived on a farm (oh and had a LOT of money). I guess it was just the most natural direction to go.

What’s the biggest challenge you face when photographing animals?

I haven’t faced any big challenges in outdoor shoots. However, since I started doing studio work…. THAT is challenging! Getting them to sit still and look at the camera has been crazy! I love eye contact though… so that’s what I strive for.

What would your “last meal” consist of?

Mom’s homemade Lasagna!

What’s your best advice for balancing work and family?

I waited until all my children were in school full time before starting a business. I do most of my work while they’re at school. My house is a mess all the time.. I’m not sure there really is a balance yet! LOL

What’s in your camera bag?

Canon 7D, 50 1.8, 85 1.8, 70-200 2.8, Tamron 28-75 2.8

When you’re not photographing, where can we find you?

I can be found in a few places. Right now I’m doing the Couch to 5K program so I’m out running quite a bit lately. I also own a preschool and I’m there twice a week,  If not there, I’m at my kids soccer games or just at home doing laundry or cleaning.

If not a photographer what would you have been?

An Interior Designer… My idol is Candice Olson of Divine Design. When I make my first million, I’m hiring her!

If you could live anywhere on this awesome planet where would you build your dream home?

Hands down on the beach… probably the California coast or Hawaii. It would have to be warm year round.

What talent would you most like to have?

A photographic memory!

What are the three words your spouse would use to describe you?

Okay, I had to ask him… because I really wasn’t sure!  He said energetic, creative and beautiful (can I get an awww?) He makes me blush :)

What photographer would you most want to second shoot with?

That would have to be William Wegman. I wish I had a tenth of his creativity!

Your favorite movie of all time?

You know… I LOVE movies! I watch them all the time, but I never watch a movie more than once. The only movie I’ll watch over and over again is Gone With The Wind… there’s just something about it I love and it will always be my favorite.

If you could redo something about your business when you first started, what would it be?

I don’t think there’s anything I would redo. I think I took it very slowly and was careful not to rush into it. I’m very happy with how my business has developed.

Name one blog you stalk regularly

Besides Wenderful!!? … Cowbelly and Barbara Breitsameter… sorry I couldn’t pick just one! :)   I stalk them both equally!

You can see Jenny’s work HERE.

Thanks, Jenny!!!

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Posted in 20 on Tuesday | 22 Comments »

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