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Shelly & Family {A Lifestyle/Portrait Session}

Heather — Thu, 09 May 2013 19:13:03 +0000

I’ve known Shelly since we cheered together for our high school (just a few short years ago…cough, cough…)!! Go, Yucaipa!! Of course, we lost track of each other until that great social network called Facebook brought us back into each other’s lives! It’s always fun to see where people are & how they are doing after so many years! I got to meet Shelly & her family & just had a blessed day. It’s not always easy to make a blended family (he had a child, she had two children) work, but they’ve really done such a tremendous job with their children. These are some of the sweetest boys you’ll meet & they were just so well-mannered (honestly, you don’t always find that with teenage boys!). They were still boys…trying to beat each other up & all…don’t get me wrong! lol… But honestly, I was just so impressed with them all & hope my son will be just as sweet as these boys! And watch out…they’re gonna be heartbreakers. Sheesh. Watch out, ladies!!

We spent our day locally, near downtown Redlands (near and at the old train tracks), at the University of Redlands, and at their home…

Poor Trenton was so tired that day…he stayed up half the night hanging out with his friends!

Alec said he’s not a smiler. He was so happy that I didn’t make him smile in every photo!

Adam was caught being goofy (I guess I told him to smile too much…well, I got what I asked for right? Then he had to laugh when I told him I caught his goofy look on-camera!). His smile can light up a room though. I love it!

But here is a studly one too…

Told you boys will be boys. They were in the process of beating each other up.

There is love… lol…

The most amazing misty rain started to fall…loooooove this! <3

A few last shots at home…showing off the things they love. Shelly told me this photo of Adam (below…on the left) was possibly the best photo ever taken of him.

Can’t forget their gorgeous (or should I say handsome dog, Luke).

The last, and one of my favorites of the day for it’s “family-ness”…

Wedding Feature on The Bridal Detective Blog

Heather — Tue, 07 May 2013 22:05:41 +0000

Jenn & Jonathan’s wedding has been featured. Check out The Bridal Detective blog post for more!!

Cherry Blossom Styled Bridal Shoot

Heather — Mon, 06 May 2013 08:02:08 +0000

I recently had the pleasure of working with the extraordinary Michelle Hébert yet again. She is a couture gown designer & I’m constantly astonished by her creations! Honestly…I know how to sew a straight line & I think that’s pretty exciting stuff! So to see her DESIGN & sew such detailed gowns just takes my breath away. They are so flowy & feminine & spectacular! I can’t speak enough about them & I’m determined to see her be the next couture wedding gown designer (no matter whether or not that’s her dream!! lol…)!

Add to that some super sweet & GORGEOUS models, Angel Lin & Libby Carlton, along with the fantastic hair & make-up of Raquel Makes Faces & the loveliness of a cherry orchard in bloom…ahhhhhh, it was a FAB day! Thanks to all who participated. And an extra special thanks to Cherry Acres, who allowed us to shoot in their lovely cherry orchard in Beaumont, California. Let’s not forget Shawl Dawls, who let us borrow their gorgeous Beaded Wedding Shawl!!!!

Here are some of my favorite shots from the day…

I’ll start with a little BTS (Behind-the-Scenes) shots…

And a few lovely shots of our designer! Because she makes these gorgeous gowns, I decided she must don one for a photo!!

And one more set of the lovely Michelle…

We also had a wonderful contribution from Amber Winters, owner of the etsy shop, Alarish. She designs invitations and I thought it would be nice to incorporate a lovely cherry blossom themed invite! She did a fantastic job & here are a few shots of the invite! More photos to come in a separate post…

After our time in the cherry orchard, we came back to my home, changed to two other dresses, also designed & crafted by Michelle & had a few more minutes of fun! The last few are edited a bit differently than my normal style as I felt it gave them a more magical, mystical fairy-like feel. To me, they looked like pixies spending their day trying to make mischief!

Here are the few with different processing…I felt I had to do something more whimsical & I think it works here.

The Kraft Family {Beach Portrait Session}

Heather — Mon, 06 May 2013 05:39:47 +0000

I was so honored & blessed to get to meet a gal from a fantastic photography group I’m in. Corrie is an amazing photographer from Colorado, who wanted to schedule a session for her family while vacationing here in Southern California. (Talk about nerve-wracking…this was my first time photographing another photographer…eeeeekkk!)

Corrie, her husband Leigh & their little man, Noah met up with me in Newport Beach. We started at Balboa Pier, then moved over to the beach. We wished for sun-drenched photos, but alas, the sun did not come out to play that day! It was actually a bit chilly, but we had an amazing time & I’ve made a wonderful new friend!! <3 I’m excited to say that she’s already ordered 6 canvases, and is ready to order 5 more! Which means that we made something beautiful that day! (Whew!!!)

Here are some of my faves from the day… Thank you for the chance to do this, Corrie! I’m soooo glad to have met you & can’t wait to come visit y’all in Colorado!!

We took a few quick headshots for Corrie’s photography business too! Throw in a few vintage cameras & it’s extra fun!

“My camera is not working, Mommy!”

Someone **may** have been laughing at me for getting soaked to get this last shot.

Thanks so much, Kraft family, for trusting me to capture these family heirlooms for you!! You guys were so fun & I look forward to seeing you again in the future!! xoxo

A Good Sammy {A Recipe}

Heather — Mon, 06 May 2013 05:06:16 +0000

I’m a gal who loves to make multiple meals out of one meal. For example, make a ham (that’s one meal), use leftover ham in your morning eggs (that’s another meal), make ham sandwiches with more leftover ham (on Hawaiian rolls with homemade honey-mustard…that’s a THIRD meal), repeat several of those (that’s several more meals), then use the ham bone to flavor bean soup! Seriously…it’s the epitome of frugal & food loving! lol…

That being said, another fave in our house is corned beef. I typically boil it, with the seasonings it comes with, for about 3 hours. Then, you trim off the excess fat and cut across the grain (just trust me on that part). For leftovers, there’s always Ruben Casserole (recipe to come some other time). And then, for a quick (and might I say AH-MAZING) dinner…Ruben Sandwiches!

Super simple. I toast & butter some Jewish Rye bread (though French bread will work in a pinch). I warm up some sliced corned beef with some swiss cheese (til cheese is melted). Place on one side of toasted bread. Add sauerkraut (I preheat with a little bit of brown sugar…so it’s not overly sour). I occasionally add mustard. Place together & you are ready to go! Mmmmmm….mmmmm…deeee-LISH! <3

**Instagram Photo**

Cherry Blossoms {A Bridal Styled Shoot}

Heather — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:26:49 +0000

The cherry blossoms came out to play…and so did we! Loved this fabulous day, featuring gowns by the amazing Michelle Hébert, fab make-up & hair by Raquel Makes Faces, and modeling done by none other than the gorgeous gals, Angel Lin & Libby Carlton!

Here are a few preview shots, with many more to come! Thank you, ladies!!

A “Behind the Scenes” shot of what it takes to get this kind of thing going. Just so y’all know…we were up at about 5 am to make this happen early. Unfortunately, things happen sometimes & we still didn’t get to start shooting until after 10am. It was pretty crazy, but I’m still happy with the results, even though it wasn’t my typical preferred shooting time. You just gotta roll with the punches sometimes!

One preview from the actual shoot. Many more are on their way. Soon. <3

Kraft Family So Cal Beach Session {A Preview}

Heather — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:11:08 +0000

Here’s a quick peek of the Kraft family’s beach session. They came from Colorado & I had the pleasure of photographing them & I cannot WAIT to see the canvases on their walls…they’ve already ordered 6 canvases!!

Field of Dreams…

Heather — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 07:00:36 +0000

This field was too, TOO amazing. Also very short-lived. It was actually a field of weeds. But for two weeks, it was a field of dreams. It was so lovely to see those tiny little, yellow buds! After taking my oldest daughter out by way of bribery, my third (and much less camera-shy) daughter dragged ME out to the field. We grabbed our things & headed down our road, at a time MUCH different than my typical sessions. We were in the harsh, midday sun. (I typically prefer soft, sunset-y golden light.) But, I was up for the challenge & so we gave it a try. I was so surprised at how much I loved this session! Even with her basking in the full sun in all its glory! It was too much! Canvases need to be made & hung. It’s choosing the photos that will be the hard part! Here she is…little miss Emma.

I MIGHT have grabbed some leafy stems & crafted a hair wreath… just maybe…

She still digs through the dirt. I kinda dig her.

The photo below WILL find its way to a canvas gallery wrap. I mean honestly. I ADORE her & this photo. She wasn’t even aware that I was still photographing her. She was just skipping through the hills, full of smiles & fun. I still can’t believe how awesome this is! lol…

Sugar & Spice {My Girl…}

Heather — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 06:07:25 +0000

Here is my sweet Caitlin…13 years old & growing up WAY. TOO. FAST. I dragged her out to this field to capture this small window in time. I hope she never forgets it, because it will be etched in my mind forever. My first baby…now a teenager.

A Sweet DIY Wedding: Jonathan & Jenn

Heather — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 23:34:45 +0000

It was one of those precious moments in this business. I’m not sure quite what it was. They were both young…about the ages of my hubby & I when we got married. Surrounded by family, friends & their extended church family. They were giving themselves to each other before God & for God’s purpose. Whatever it was…it brought tears to my eyes as I was driving to meet Jenn the morning of her wedding. For some reason, it took me back 15 years to my own wedding day. Even the tiniest bit of soft, sweet rain that fell that day just to have the sun come out in time for the ceremony! I loved my wedding day…and Jonathan & Jenn’s. <3

Something borrowed, something blue…getting ready to say, “I DO!”

Her Grandmother’s pearl-edged handkerchief…

The hair & make-up artist, Renee Loiz, was amazing…

The wedding gown was a custom gown from etsy. To compliment the gown, some beautiful lace trim was added to the bottom of the gown, along with a stunning bridal sash & lace bolero made by none other than the bride’s mother!

Jenn was on her way to see her groom for a first look in a nearby rose garden…but first his mother got to see her & this moment was too sweet! They adore their new daughter-in-love!!

A few quick bridal shots in the rose garden…

How stunning is she? Wow!!

Oh Jonathan, you clean up real good kid…

Sorry to subject you to this, Jonathan…it was all Jenn’s idea… Just until she gets into her special spot… No peeking!

Both of their fathers had a chance to speak a little something at the ceremony… I’ve known Jenn’s father for years. And I found out that Jonathan’s parents knew my grandparents way back in the day!

Yeah…for his vows, he serenaded Jenn. **Not a dry eye in the house, including mine…** (Total brownie points, Jonathan!)

Some of the amazing homemade (color coordinated, of course) treats…

The details were too much! Look at the little handmade pouches in the middle photo…they were labeled, “Mixed Nuts from the McNutts.”

The cake was made by a friend whose parents USED to own a bakery. Guess someone paid attention! One of the most beautiful wedding cakes I’ve seen! The flowers were amazing!

Nothing like a bubble exit to end the evening!! Best wishes to you both, Jonathan & Jenn!! xoxo