The Future's Looking Bright

I love this image I got of Jeremy this past weekend. Can you guess what we were up to? Hint: Changes are a' comin' and we're very excited! =)

Stay tuned...

~Heather

Happy Love Day!

I want to wish everyone a Happy Love Day! If you've found that wonderful someone, I hope you will fall in love all over again today. Remember that flowers and chocolates aren't what make people fall in love. Was it his eyes that drew you in? Was it her laugh that captured your heart? These things first brought you together so celebrate them! If you haven't found that Mr. or Mrs. Right, no worries! Why not celebrate the love you do have in your life? Think about the people who show us love every day: parents, children, friends, sisters, brothers, mentors, collegues - even pets (they love us oodles). Why not take a moment to thank them? I bet it would totally make their day!

I challenge everyone not to let their Love Day stop at the flowers and adorably stuffed teddy bears. When you have love in your life, embrace it! Cherish it! Celebrate it!

As for me, I would like to thank my sweetie and hubby for his love - of which I am in awe of daily. Without you, my life would not be the same. :) Thanks Jeremy!

Happy Love Day! ^_^

(photo by Jose Villa - a super awesome photographer!)

New 2008 Collections

Goodbye, 2007! Today marks the official debut of our new collections - circa 2008! What's the difference? Well, lots!

First big news: we are now accepting weddings through 2009. That's right, everyone that has asked me about their 09' dates can now contact me to reserve your wedding and get a copy of your 08' rates before the 09' ones come out. ...lol Thank goodness those are still a year off!

Second big news: wedding negatives are included in all of our collections. We have four of them now(instead of three) - and also what we call base coverage. This is our standard coverage for every wedding and this is where we give you the wedding negatives. ^_^ Base coverage is included in all of our pre-made collections. But it can also be used as a starting point to create your own custom collection. If you are interested in hiring us for your 2008 or 2009 wedding, email me soon to receive your own custom quote.

I'm really excited to announce our cutest parent album ever! Look at this adorable 5x5 (mini) album! It's made exclusively in Japanese silk with a wide range of colors to choose from. And it can be created with traditional matted or flush mount pages. With its twenty images, the mini is the perfect length to give to your parents or even to yourself as a brag book!

(photos courtesy of cypress albums)



We first announced our online slide shows this past fall. This year, copies of the slide shows can be purchased on DVD for home viewing - complete with their own custom case :)

In 2008, our albums receive a re-vamp. The original any size album now becomes four: 5x5, 8x8, 10x10 and 12x12. We will continue to offer our custom album option - where you can choose your album's size and shape. Albums come standard with the silk bookbinding covers (but you can still have the option to have them made in leather, suede, (new) acrylic, or metal). We will also design your flush mount album by the number of images rather than the number of pages. This way, we can design the best album for you without being confined by a limited amount of space to tell your story.

I love creating albums for our clients. To me, an album is just as important as the pictures themselves. I'm that in love with albums! It is my hope that by offering four new sizes, everyone can create their first family heirloom. Seriously, everyone should have an album to remember their wedding day :) Oh, and these albums aren't just for weddings. Engagement albums, bridal portrait albums - whoa! Your pictures can look hot in these - especially when I design them! Does anyone remember that amazing 10x20 titanium beauty at our show last fall? That was an engagement album, ladies!)

If you are interested in seeing our full 08' collections and options, email me here or through our website's contact form and make sure to include your wedding date.

If I may stray off topic in this last bit, I'd like to give the movie, The Last Mimsy two thumbs up! I got to see it last night and, although I wasn't expecting much from it, I actually really liked it. It's whimsical, it's fanciful, it's in Seattle, and it's a neat twist on a classic tale (another favorite of mine). I love movies that encourage you (and children) to use your imagination and forget the humdrum of our everyday known world. And there's some great humor too! My favorite line of the night, "I haven't eaten in 8 hours." "It's called sleeping." ^_^ Don't expect all of the movie's mysteries to be answered. I guess it's like it's own modern fairytale in that way. Some things should just be believed and enjoyed. Oh! And the bunny's cute too.

~Cheers!

Last Day

Hey guys! I wanted to remind everyone that today is the last day to book us with our 2007 rates. They will permanently be retired tomorrow to make way for our 2008 collections and goodies. If you've been considering us for your wedding photography, you can still talk to me today and reserve us under the 07' rates. Although, the 08' collections are pretty sweet too :}

Switching things up, I wanted to share a little surprise I got yesterday. Jeremy came home from a random run to Home Depot (don't ask) and says, "I got something for you". "Oh?" I get nervous when he starts pulling out Beware of Dog and Exit signs - reaching deep into the bag. "It's an early birthday present," he tells me and hands me a chunky black box. Mind you, my birthday is this month but not for a few weeks. I think he's realized by now that it's pretty tough to surprise me. I am one of those kids who on Christmas morning knew exactly what type of present I got by the weight, sound, and shape of the present. Well, this time he got me! And just look at the little treasures inside that little black box!

I LOVE tea! I'm a huge fan of green tea - especially hoji-cha (or roasted green tea). There's something special about taking time out of your day no matter when it is and slowing it all down for a slip of tea in the prettiest little tea cups! It was such a sweet gift from my sweetie and it really made my day! ^_^

In need of a giggle?

I've been slacking a bit in my blogging. So I'd like to dedicate tonight's post to everyone out there who needs a giggle. And I'd also like to preface this video with this disclaimer: I do not support the biting of children's fingers nor support the children doing the biting. But I do find myself laughing at this baby's reactions to his brother. The way he chuckles gets me every time. ;} You know the baby's really the one in charge! Diabolical genius baby, lol. I do love the simple things that children do to amuse themselves. I try to keep up my childish musings as much as I can. But I promise - I won't bite.

Click here to watch the video!

Leave me an Email :)

Hello everyone. I'd like to let you all know that the fastest way right now to reach me is through my email. Because of my schedule, I am able to check my emails more easily than my voice mail. And since Wednesday, with the release of my newsletter, I have received several phone messages that I have not yet returned. I do apologize for this. If you have left me a voice mail and haven't heard back from me yet, don't worry. You will by the end of today. ^_^ Thanks for your patience!

And just as a heads up, remember the awesome documentary, Confessions of a Superhero that I posted about in November? Well, it's being released on DVD this Tuesday, January 22nd. Click here to see the trailer and here to catch my post and review about this really neat movie. It's definitely worth a rent if not a buy!

Cheers!
~Heather

The Holidays Part 3

After Christmas, I traveled up north to Eureka, California to visit my mom's family. It's a beautiful drive up through redwoods and hills/mountains. It flurried on the way (which is rare) but I didn't stop to shoot it. I'd seen enough snow in Maryland. ^_^

Our base camp was Grandma's house. With all of the endless trays of fudge and cookies and candy and cake (and an xbox for the kids), I think all of the family was there 24/7 enjoying the food and fine company.

This is my Grandma. I've wanted to take a portrait of her for so long.
I really love how it came out.


This is Grandma with my cousin Cassie.

Enter the willing model!

Cousin Liz in quiet repose.

The quiet didn't last long...

This is the brawl that ensued after trying to take a portrait of all the kids/cousins.
We're such a loving bunch. ^_^ It's ok though - these three are siblings.

This is the small apple orchard in Grandma's backyard. I had been wanting to have a shoot there but since I'd arrived, it had been raining and raining without end. So with a constant drizzle coming down and everyone being stuffed with holiday leftovers, what were we to do? Why, have an impromptu apple picking/photo session in the rain, of course!

Jump!


Cassie! More apples!

Liz, come join the fun!
I had to climb a very wet and slippery tree to get this good laugh.

Cousin Steph gave us moral support. Such a brave soul!

Grandma's backyard is magical. With an apple orchard, a bamboo forest and an amazingly old, distressed barn - it's a portrait photographer's dream to shoot (with some willing subjects, of course). ^_^ Cassie! To the Bamboo!

Did I mention she's a cheerleader? She posed herself!

Cousin Logan got pulled into the shoot too. He was awesome - tromping into all of those soggy apples and leaves without a single complaint. ^_^ Logan, you rock!

The GQ pose.

And this is my aunt Susie with her daughter, Cassie. Yes, I got her mom into the shoot too. Such a photogenic pair! She's also the mother of all 3 brawlers (see picture above). How does she do it?

----------------------------------

As always, my trip ended way too soon. I'm so glad I got to see everyone in the short time that I had. I hope it doesn't take another two+ years to meet up with everyone again. At least, there are pictures to remember the fun. I'm such a strong believer in capturing the memories because there's never enough time in the end. But there's always pictures! ^_^

Until next time!
~Heather

The Holidays Part 2

Now comes the best part of the Holidays - Christmas Eve and Christmas Day! I was lucky enough to spend both with friends, my Dad and two super cute four-legged buddies.

Everyone needs a Nun's Having Fun calendar!

He wasn't always like this. I was lucky enough to catch him on his 'just catching my breath to run amok again' moments. But can you blame him? It was Christmas Eve!

Awe! Christmas lights - decorating an orange tree. Yep! It's a California Christmas.

On Christmas Day, we got to have an awesome breakfast of Egg Nog French Toast and a game of Christmas Crackers over the breakfast table!

The Mrs. showing off her fashionable winnings.

Having a good laugh with the queen of improve herself!

Ladies, meet heartthrob number 2! Stealing the hearts of the young and those young at heart!

A-d-o-r-a-b-l-e!

If you're wondering, the answer is 'yes'. This is the traditional California Christmas Dune Buggy. (Complete with light-up Christmas tree.)

I hope you enjoyed Part 2!
Stay tuned for Part 3 as I head up to the far north of California - where it actually snowed.