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April 1, 2011

The constant stream of water coming down from the sky did nothing to hinder the excitement in the studio. Clothes hanging from backdrops, a table covered with jewelry, and the coolest assortment of boots just added to the crowded busyness. Holy Cow Couture was hosting a model shoot to launch the Racing Red spring collection, and the designer, Brittney Coomler, invited me to come along and shoot a little! With Michele as the main photographer, I got to focus more on the details and atmosphere. Austin from Cowboy Fresh was also there to show off his creative western wear. If you can’t tell by the pictures, we had a lot of fun!

April 10, 2010

I have a theory. While we can spend hours working out, buying every beauty product available, and spending all our free time perfecting the outside, the inner beauty of a person will always shine brighter.

A grandmother of nine, mother of four, wife of 35 years, and home-based business entrepreneur, Robin Longacre is one of the most active people I know. Her heart for helping others led her to purchase my services in an auction that went to benefit our local Child Evangelism Fellowship chapter. The focus of our session was to chronicle her journey to better health. The progress she’s made in so little time is amazing! And yet while Robin’s outer beauty cannot be discounted, it’s her inner beauty that endears her to all those that know her.


Lifestyle outdoor portraits with a tree in Grass Valley, California
Lifestyle outdoor portraits sitting on the grass in Grass Valley, California

Tea in a pretty cup with dark chocolate makes any day better!
Lifestyle outdoor portraits  with a tea cup in Grass Valley, California

The love of her life: Steve.
Lifestyle outdoor portraits with bushes and trees in Grass Valley, California

Yes, two of Robin’s adorable grandchildren are Shaylin and Chloe Lydia!
Lifestyle outdoor portraits with little girls in Grass Valley, California

Favorite!
Lifestyle outdoor portraits in Grass Valley, California

March 24, 2010

I walked around the room, chatting with old friends and making new ones. When I got to Leah of Illuminated Invitations‘ booth, I fell in love with her work. At the end of the table sat one of the neatest save the date cards. To create it, she had her clients go home and take a bunch of pictures and send them to her. She then took those pictures, lined them up vertically to made them look like an authentic photobooth strip, and fixed on to the main card with a ribbon. So ingenious!

It was fun to be able to spend a little time getting to know Leah and taking some updated pictures for her business. Leah, I can’t wait to photograph more of your work at a wedding!


Commercial shoot for Leah of Illuminated Invitations
Lifestyle shot of Leah of Illuminated Invitations standing in front of a blossoming fruit tree

Headshot of Leah of Illuminated Invitations

I just couldn’t resist little Sam and his cute smile!
Leah loving on her baby son Sam

Eggplant and taupe colored invitation set showcased outdoors on a bird bath

Periwinkle and royal blue invitation set wrapped in raffia

Vibrant green and purple invitation set held together with a grosgrain purple ribbon

These last two sets show designs Leah has created for her clients based on their preferences. They can choose the one they like best or take their favorite aspects of each design and create a new card!
Retro red and baby blue graphic invitations

Pink and khaki floral folded invitation set

February 27, 2010

My favorite thing so far about these shoots is getting to know the people better. It’s one thing to make a little small talk every couple of months at a meeting and another thing to spend time in real conversation–even if it still had a lot to do with weddings… I think at least half the morning was spent talking, laughing, and eating yummy scones. Thanks girls for making the event a success! I look forward to working with you again in the future!

We shot more than faces this time as Mary brought along some of her beautifully fragrant products.

Commerical shot of Mary Elizabeth products

Michele, of Turning Leaf Photography, graciously allowed us to meet in her studio!

Lifestyle pictures of Michele of Turning Leaf Studio

February 19, 2010

I couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day or more wonderful people to spend it with. It was the first official Grass Valley/Nevada City photo shoot with the subjects being some of our area’s wedding vendors. Rachel, Carola, and Phyllis were so easy to shoot! I so enjoyed getting to hang out with them outside of our usual get togethers and just chat it up! Thanks girls for trusting me to capture a little of you! I hope you love your pictures as much as I do!

We started out with some more typical head shots…

Headshot of Phyllis of Studio 9 Design in Nevada City
Headshot of Rachel of Art in Bloom in Nevada City

…but quickly moved into more of a real, lifestyle, you pictures!

Makeup and Hair artist Carola May

Commerical shoot of makeup and hair artist Carola May in Nevada City

Studio 9 Design‘s graphic designer Phyllis

Lifestyle picture of Phyllis of Studio 9 Design in Nevada City

Rachel of Art in Bloom

Lifestyle shoot of Rachel of Art in Bloom in Nevada City

Favorite of the day!

Lifestyle picture of makeup and hair artist Carola May in Nevada City

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