California Photo Shoot–Giveaway.

Raise your hand if you LOVE California?

I do! I do!

Not only do I love it because it is a fantastic State, a great place to live and raise family, but it’s also my child-hood home. And I miss it, I long for it. There is just no place like it.

That’s why I am so excited to come home!  Yep, in a couple of weeks, I am heading to Cali. Unfortunately, I will be solo…but for good reason.  I am attending the Blue Lily-goPro workshop. You can read all about that excitement here. I won’t bore you with those details today.  Today’s post is to focus on one thing and one thing only.  A giveaway!!!

Usually when I make a scheduled trip home, not only do I see all of my family and so many of my wonderful friends, but I squeeze in photo shoots too.  That brings me to the bad news…I don’t have any extra time this trip to squeeze those shoots in. I don’t want to sacrifice my family and friend time on such a short trip.

Wait, but how can I come without photographing someone or something?  Especially because I am going to be soooo eager to shoot after what I know is going to be an awe-inspiring workshop.  I decided that I needed to do at least one shoot, but for whom?

That’s what I am giving away!! A full photo session—a one hour shoot plus a DVD of all chosen edited images from the shoot.

Who wants in? Who wants me to practice my new mad skillz on them?

 

The Rules:

  • The giveaway is open to anyone but the shoot will either be in Madera County or the City of Fresno, CA.
  • One entry per person.
  • The shoot must take place one day between Monday, Jan 16th through Wed, Jan 18th.
  • The shoot will last 45 minutes to 1 hour.
  • Expect a 3 week turn around time on your photos.
  • Winner will receive a DVD copy of all edited images (of my choosing).
  • Winner will be picked via random generator at random.org.
  • You can tell all of your friends but then less chances for you, so you might want keep this one on the DL.
  • The family must be limited to immediate family members only. Sorry, but just not enough time on this one to be bringing in multiple families so tell your brother’s, brother’s, cousin’s, sister…that I just don’t have time for that on this trip.
  • And finally, the only thing you have to do to enter is to tell me why you LOVE California too?

All right, let’s do it.

Giveaway closes at 11:59pm on Sunday, Jan 8th (Cali time). Winner will be announced on Monday, January 9th.

Good luck!

And because I can’t have a post with no pictures.

Here are tons of photos that I did over the past couple of  years in California, some of which I didn’t have a chance to post.

Thanks to all of these wonderful family and friends who gave me the opportunity to capture their families on camera.

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Blue Lily Workshop. Time to Get My Learn On.

Can I tell you all something? I am JUMPING out of my seat with excitement!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why?

Because in less than 3 weeks I will be spending a full weekend with Wendy and Tyler of Blue Lily in San Diego, on the beach, for a PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP!!!!!!!!! Their goPro Workshop.  I mean, I am so excited I can’t even contain it anymore.

photos courtesy of Blue Lily

Wendy and Tyler are one of THE most inspiring photography duos in the World. They travel the world, with their two beautiful kiddos, photographing families, and they also take time out from their amazing, crazy, busy schedules to teach!!! And I am SO lucky and feel SO blessed to be a part of that teaching experience.

photos courtesy of Blue Lily.

I have been a crazy person getting ready for this conference.  I sent all of my equipment into Canon for a full service and clean. I have been writing down a gazillion questions that I have. (Sorry Wendy and Tyler…my list is long.)  I have been shopping for new clothes. And for those of you who know me well….I LIVE in sweatpants and ball caps. For me to actually put effort in my wardrobe….BIG DEAL. I mean big.

I cannot wait to meet all of the other conference go-Proers. I cannot wait to party with them in a house…ON THE BEACH.

I have been dreaming of a workshop ever since I started this little blog. And finally I am taking the plunge. I cannot wait to LEARN all that they have to offer. I cannot wait to see them IN ACTION.  I cannot wait to be on the BEACH in Jan!

And to add to the sweetness, right after the workshop, I head to see all of my family in my childhood hometown. I get to snuggle with my nieces and nephews. I get to hang with mom, dad, sisters, and brothers.  I get to chill with old and dear friends. Oh how I LOVE going home.

It’s going to be a sweet start to a sweet New Year.

Thanks Wendy and Tyler for bringing your AWESOMENESS to the rest of us in this big ol’ World. I cannot wait to meet you. I am sure you are as cool and lively as your art.

photos courtesy of Blue Lily.

I think there is still room, if you want to come?

Did I make my point. Did you feel my excitement?  Did I use enough CAPS and !!!!!!

I think so……..

I think the only that would top this if Wendy and Tyler take me to Padres Stadium (have I ever shared my quest to see every stadium in America? Another post for another day..) and shoot an engagement session inside the stadium.  Cough, cough.  Alright. I know, beggers can’t be choosers. But it doesn’t hurt to ask?

Hehe. 🙂

Oh and thanks to Meg Duerksen of Whatever for pointing me in this direction. Meg, as always, you are the best.

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Holiday Baby

I know the Holidays are just about over. But I still have lots of shoots to show you. And here was one of my favorites!

She is so beautiful and could melt anyone’s heart.

Don’t you think?

Happy post Holidays, I am looking forward to bringing in the 2012 with family and friends!

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Arts and Crafts with Cousins

The cousins are in town for holiday celebrations. We were lucky to spend an afternoon with them before the festivities began and I took advantage of the art room for some fun with arts and crafts.

The first project we did was contact paper watercolor art. I found this via the Artful Parent who picked it up from here and she picked it up from here. Yay, everyone linked up!  We pretty much did the exact same project with no changes. The girls LOVED it.

2nd project–I am always picking up random projects at Michaels and decided to give Shrinky Dinks a go. My girls and I have done this before but today I decided to do a spin on the very popular stamped jewelry—Shrinky Dink style. So simple and so easy!

Each kid picked a template from the Shrinky Dink poster.  I then added a large circle with each of the girls’ initial.

I traced around the picture with a sharpie and the girls colored in their pictures with colored pencils.  The trick is to press really hard.

Next, I cut out each of their pictures.

They waited patiently as I did this (cough, cough).

Since we were not using jewelry charm holders, we punched two holes in each of their Shrinky Dinks.

We followed the instructions on the Shrinky Dink package, placed on a cookie sheet, and threw them in the oven.

I watched as the girls fought over real estate to see the magic happen.

Next they strung their now shrunk charms onto some hemp rope.

And voila, their own personalized Shrinky-Dink necklace!

A perfect post-holiday craft activity.

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