Stacia & Mitch engagement Part Deux - TBS Ranch

How flipping gorgeous is this couple?! We did a split session, some photos at Old Shasta (previous post from Nov 2010) & these at the wedding site.

I think the photo below is one of my favorites from the day, they look so comfortable & happy in each others arms.

This was my first time shooting at TBS Ranch & the first time shooting in the middle of a hot summer day. Stacia & Mitch did great, especially with the afternoon heat. We searched for shade but there wasn't much close to where we wanted to photograph but we made it work, I think the photos turned out pretty good considering & it always helps having beautiful people in front of the camera. Can't wait for their wedding next month, it will be #2 with Marissa. It's gonna be great!!

Tori still loves Chevy

I LOVE the photo above & even Tori said it looked like they are sharing a secret.

Tori & Marissa are friends & these photos remind me that it's Marissas b-day tomorrow & I need to take pics of her since she's only 17 once (of course). My baby girl is growing up but that's a whole different post. I hope everybody is having a great weekend.

Who's smarter than a 2nd grader?

School started for my kids this past Monday so I decided to show up at the teachers classroom that I have photographed for the past couple of years & take some photos on their first day for a change (& honestly because I was waiting for my own kids to get out of school so I didn't have to take the long trip back & forth to get them). I usually thought it would be too hectic on the first day, that's why I've never done it before but in fact I think things turned out pretty well. I'm not sure if it happens to everybody but I got a little hooked the first day & had to go back for more, now I've decided to volunteer a couple of days each week for more than just photography. Thank goodness it's only a 2nd grade class cause I wasn't able to help out much when I would volunteer for Matthews 5th grade teacher a couple of years ago...Who's smarter than a 5th grader, not me that's for sure, lol. I really stink at math, always have, I'm sure I always will & I'm living proof if you don't use it, you loose it. I also didn't know Egypt was located in Africa....I know I'm telling everybody how stupid I felt when the teacher told me it was but I honestly thought it was over by Italy for some reason. Alright, so math wasn't the only thing I was bad at, lol.

Anyways, there's a sweet girl that has shown signs of needing one-on-one help especially with reading & how can I just look the other way. It was different when I would visit their class, take a few photos then leave but now...I've gotten personally involved & I miss the kids already. They seem to really like me being there to help as well but they're 2nd graders, they haven't gotten "tired" of moms hanging out in their classroom yet & besides, I'm not a mom to any of them so I think they view me differently. Anyhooo, I'm having a great time & still getting my photography kick fulfilled. You won't be seeing any of their photos on my blog though (except for these two), this is done for volunteer purpose & I respect their privacy. I did realize one thing though, more parents need to volunteer at schools & not just for the field trips. The kids love seeing their parents & the teachers could sure use the help, even if it's one day a month, your kids are worth it. I wish I could have done it more when my kids were younger, instead of working 8-5 & it hurts cause I can't get that time back.

What did you photograph today?

I read today on Facebook (Jasmine Stars post) it's World Photography Day & she asked what we took a photo of....Well, since my favorite subjects are in school & at work, I chose this tiny bee on one of my front yard flowers. I almost didn't even see it. I've seen honey bees, bumble bees, meat bees & wasps but this one was new to me, so teeny tiny, you may need to click on the photo to actually see it. It was actually flipping itself upside down to get to the pollen, I can't see a bumble bee doing that without taking out the whole flower, lol. I could have taken a photo of one of our dookies but this was unique so it felt more appropriate to post, since it's probably once a year occurance, just like WPD. Happy Friday & what did you take a photo of today?

More of Emily, with her family!!

This is my nephew Adam, his wife Jenifer & you remember my little obsession Emily?! (She says Hi, lol) Isn't she such a cutie pie....I thought I would create a new post, instead of adding these photos at the end of the previous one.

She has the most beautiful blue eyes, they're her daddys eyes. I seen a photo of Jen when she was a baby & Emily looks just like her except the eyes.

All that fun made the model a little sleepy,...with a little some'in some'in for the belly, it's time for a little shut eye.

I love her bedding.

I love capturing these cherished routines that will change almost every 6 months, they are missed dearly when they grow out of them, especially the naps, lol. Yep, a girl after my own heart.

My little obsession - Emily Ann

This is my extremely adorable 6 month old (approx) great niece Emily Ann. Remember, she's the one named after me (my middle name is Ann. See, named after me yep) & after seeing her today, it's confirmed....she's just as moody as I am too, especially we're tired, lol. I sure had a fun time with her today & I hope to never overstayed my welcome, I'm surprised Jen didn't kick me out sooner. Here are a few of my favs. I hope to have some up on my Kimberly Kester Photography Facebook page soon. If you haven't come by to like my page, please do, even if you're already a ppff (personal page facebook friend, ha ha, just made that up). Well, enjoy my little obsession!!

The photo above she looks like she has something really important to tell you but she just caaaaan't get it out & I can't miss that lip at this age, it doesn't work anymore when you have your own kids. Yep Jen, that means you, lol! Emilies got you on this one...

Yep, from her wrinkley nose to her clamped toes on the high chair, she's the cutest thing to me. I love getting out my baby photo fix on such a cutie & it's what Jen see's everyday but will miss as she gets older, she just doesn't know how much yet.

She's such a happy baby, the hard part is catching it on camera, let me tell you, she's not that easy. As soon as I put that big black thing up to my face, the smile goes away. I get the biggest smiles when she see's me, I think the trick is putting the camera on a tripod & use my remote shutter while giving her neck some kisses. She'll get to see me outside of the lens & I'll get those smiles. I'll try it next time I do the pics & we'll get to see the difference.

The photo below looks like she got her hand caught in the cookie jar or heard something she wasn't supposed to hear. I love this photo.

Yeah, I'm a little obsessed with my great niece but do you blame me? I already can't wait to see her again, even when she feels a little split in her personality...Aunt Kim knows how she feels, after all....she's an Ann. She'll be cracking herself up in no time, ha ha!!

PS. I just took some photos of Emily last month but haven't shown them yet, I will add them here in the future so check back. Anyways, when I seen all my photos from our first newborn session all over the walls, I tried not to focus on it so I didn't get emotional in front of them....Jon would be so proud, lol. I noticed them again today but kept my composure, it reminded me to say how much I Loved seeing that. It makes me so happy to see people putting up collages or my photos up on their walls. Thank you Adam & Jen for giving me that good feeling again.

Blooming front yard

To spare everyone from the boring photos I could show over & over again with our yard in transition, today I'm going to show you a few of our favorite plants that are blooming right now. My favorite plant of all time is the beautiful white wisteria, it reminds me of the Hawaiian pikaki flower, so incredibly pretty & I absolutely love the smell, but since it's already done blooming right now (and the fact we don't have one in our own yard yet), I have to settle with my second favorite plant which is lavender. I'm not the only one who loves it...See.

I want to plant a field of this stuff, right next to the house, I love it that much. Since we're still testing the yard with what will survive (not only due to the little bit of snow in the winter but also the critter destruction & the summer heat), we're not planting a whole lot right now so here are a few of what we do have & love.

Can't forget my salvias! I love our plants & can't wait to get more. We already have 2 purple wisterias but they're nothing like the white one, I hope to get some photos of those this next spring & maybe purchase the white one I want so badly, that will really make my yard complete.