Emily Newborn Slide Show - Redding Newborn Photographer

Turn up the volume (and grab the tissues if you're a softy like me). Hope you enjoy, I Loved making it! Congratulations Adam & Jen!

Welcoming Emily Ann & Win a FREE Session - Redding Newborn Photographer

This is brand new, hot off the press, 6 lbs, 5 oz, 20 inches long, sweet, little, beautiful Emily Ann. Ann is most definitely after her great Aunt Kim, right Adam?! ha ha, yeah...no really, I'm serious, She is...Right?! :) Thank you Adam & Jen, You're the best! Because I'm so excited about this newborn session, I'm offering a FREE photo session to 1 lucky blog visitor.

• The first 3 people to leave a comment on this blog post, will be entered into a drawing to win a FREE 1-hour photo session.

THE HOW'S & WHY'S

1. Leave a comment to this post...include your real name & a screen name (they will be used when claiming your prize, make sure you point out which name is which, no kidding. I don't like to assume anything. Your comments will Not be published for others to see).
2. In the comment, explain in a few sentences why you want &/or deserve a FREE session. You can be as funny, serious or unique as you would like.
3. Winner will also receive 10 high resolution images on a disc with image release.

FINE PRINT (lol)

• Session must take place in Shasta County (CA).
• Contest ends Sunday, Jan 30th, 2011 @ midnight. I can't keep it going forever, I'm really impatient when it comes to gifts & surprises. Even when I'm the one giving them. Winners will be posted on my blog on Tuesday, Feb 1, 2011. Winner must contact me prior to Feb 15, 2011 to claim your prize. All the details will be on the winning announcement post.

GOOD LUCK!

Overcoming Perfection...& some Great News - Redding Newborn Photographer

I SUCK! I SUCK! I SUCK!

If you don't already know me, I'm a perfectionist & if I don't learn something new right away, I'm convinced that I suck & people don't like what they see. I'm constantly thinking how I should be a better photographer than I am & probably need to give it up all together...Right??? If I'm asking me, I'm screaming back with a "Heck Yeah!!!" but if it's Jon, he points out the fact that people really love what I create, that I'm only getting better with each session & how much fun I'm having doing what I love. I usually whisper back to myself "...I still suck" but I soak up his words of love like a thirsty summer flower struggling to bloom. I'm learning you can't rush something good no matter how bad you want it. Just like surgeons, pilots, fishermen & even old stinky cheese, they take time. Time to learn, fail, grow, experience, (or ferment) then sometimes fail again. Photography is no different, it takes 5+ years to perfect (sometimes even longer).

In light of overcoming my lack of perfection, I took a little time off from editing & decided to read a few other photographers blogs. They reminded me I'm not the only one who feels this way, (even the part of photographing my own foot when 1st learning camera settings, ha ha, can't believe I did that & admitting it to everybody), I really wasn't alone & while reading on, I stumbled onto some encouraging words to grow with...

-God, Jon & my kids love me no matter how good or bad of a photographer I think I am. This is always first & foremost & what I realized during the reads.

-"Stop comparing myself to other photographers, focus on myself." I'm not going to get any better unless I get out there, pick up my camera & keep doing what I love. One of my 2011 goals is to attend a local photography workshop/class & continue to grow, especially in much needed confidence.

-"Shake negativity, gossip & what others are saying (and in my case, what I Think they're saying). Consider the source, consider the value, if the source isn't in your 'inner circle' then give it no value". That's a revamped quote from Jasmine Star (an absolutely awesome LA wedding photographer, I Love her blog) & the hardest one for me to live by. I can only learn from my mistakes (and I do), of course everybody makes them so what makes me any different. I could keep feeling sorry for myself but reality is, I'm going to fail, that's just the way it is. But as I learn from those failures, I only get better & will keep getting better with time. I can't let peoples ideas & opinions of me, bring me down. I need to mentally walk away from the "office water cooler".

-"What I might think is a horrible photo, might be somebody else's best." I never thought of that way but realized, I too used to photograph my first child with an old 110 & I have so many blurry, up the nose shots of him. Really, whoever thought I would have come this far in just over 20 years (ha ha). In reality it's been just over 2 years since owning an SLR digital camera, purchasing over 30 photography books & realizing there's no limit when expressing emotion in a photograph. I really need to cut myself some slack, easily said than done.

-"Although I may not do photography the 'right' way, I'm not doing it 'wrong' either". I don't think I'm the best I can be (yet) so I keep learning the rules, applying them & throwing them out the window all in the same snap of the shutter. Everybody see's things differently.

Doesn't this advice work in everybodies life, just replace photographer with who You are.

Now, since I got that out of the way, I need to share some good family news & the real reason for this post. Yesterday I got to meet Jenifer (and her incredibly beautiful closed mouth smile), the wife of my nephew Adam & their brand new baby girl Emily Ann. From the moment I met Jen, she gave me that comfortable, easy going, whatever you want to do attitude. "NICE!" (as my daughter would say). And it was a nice, warm, welcoming feeling, (I thank you for that Jen).

I started seeing how they interacted with each other & I have to say...I was blown away. I love how much they love each other, the patience they have for one another, the kind respectful way they speak to each other, the way they absolutely LOVE being first time parents & how they have no idea how much photo stalking Aunt Kim will be doing on my brand new great-niece. I had the best time, I opened up verbally, told them what I wanted to "see" & the photos came out sooooo good. I am so proud of myself, Finally!!! Maybe there is a little truth to what Jon keeps telling me but I'll be honest, it's a good feeling when people accept my style of photography, maybe it's not so "weird" after all. I came so far out of my shell during this session, I felt myself growing in self confidence (insert long exhaul here).

This photo is my absolute favorite of the day & almost made me cry when I seen it for the 1st time on my computer screen, didn't I tell you Jen had a beautiful smile. What a sweet photo, I will post more soon. Thank you & Congratulations to Adam & Jen, what great parents you will be. See you soon, are you busy tomorrow? ;)

The little things

These are a few of my favorite photos from the last couple of years that I don't think I ever posted. Some from our yard, some from others, photos that got my motor reved up to capture it & helped me to relax & enjoy the rest of the moment while it was happening. 3 years ago, I would have never believed I would get excited over dew on a day lily, a mushroom, a common flower or a critter in the back yard, yet I did & I'm a happier person for it.

I need to get out & take more nature photos, it's good for my soul. Well, back to editing...

Jessica & Danny "Ten" slide show - Kester Redding CA Photography

Turn up the volume... I couldn't resist doing a fun little slide show of Jessica & Danny with the song "Ten" sung by Jewel. It made me think of them the first time I heard it. I wish them many many years to come. I hope each time they might get frustrated, that they remember these moments the most & continue to choose LOVE.

Jessica & Danny - Sundial Bridge - Redding Photographer

Due to the short time between meeting Jessica & photographing her wedding, I have been a little delayed in posting their Sundial Bridge photos but here they are. That's where I first met Danny & since we were out together, I decided to photograph them so they could get to know me while getting used to what style of photographer I am.

Words of Advice: Don't hire a photographer without seeing what their style is like & if it suites you. My style is not traditional & that's important to know prior to hiring someone you're trusting your memories to. Your photos are the only thing you will have left from the wedding, the most important investment & you should certainly enjoy viewing them.

I describe myself as an emotional photographer. It's not about standing, forcing a smile & getting your picture taken, it's about capturing a moment you will cherish forever.

Danny & Jessica were so fun during this visit & I loved photographing their wedding. What an awesome, happy couple. Thank you again Jessica & Danny.