Ideas are a brewin' - Redding CA Photographer

I got my sensor cleaned at Crown Camera this last week. I can see the difference in the clarity of the images so I kinda got a little carried away sitting on my front porch the other morning on an overcast day. Click on the picture & you'll see the same surprise I did. Kinda scared me a little since I was concentrating on the bee & didn't notice it until I edited the pics. That bee was almost a meal.

The photo above is a bee critter that scares me more than the sneaky spider in 1st image.

Without getting all technical on you (that's honestly not likely to ever going to happen, lol) it has a trunk like thing, that got inserted into the pollen areas of the flower. It's body reminded me of a mosquito or mean fly but the trunk could be more like an elephants trunk, I just didn't see it flex. I kinda figured it was a bee though, as long as it's pollenating my beautiful blooms, that's all I care about.

The photo above has the teeniest bee I've ever seen & this next specimen below, I call, the Elvis bee, his tooshie was stripped like old time prison clothes & shakin' all over the place, it made me think of his song, "Jail House Rock".

Thankya, Thankya very much!

The super colorful flowers above are the Arizona Sun Blanket Flower. so happy, colorful & full of pollen, no wonder the bees like it. I didn't even notice how many variaties of bees we had in our front yard, until I started taking pictures of them. These photos show about 8 different kinds.

That's not a bee in the photo above, (Duh, I know you know), that's just a jumping spider checking me out. I think he was upset cause I was invading his personal space but I wasn't scared. I can take him. (Sometimes I wonder if anybody ever really reads blogs anymore, haha. If you actually read these, I'm so sorry, lol).

I planted this bleeding heart from a bulb not long ago & I can't believe I got to see it bloom this year, I was sure I'd planted it too late in the Spring. Well, I love little surprises & this was just a day full of them. It really makes me realize how glad I am to not be a small bug enjoying a flower right about now. Hope everybody has a great day.

I've got some creative portrait ideas sparking, it's time to see them come through. I just need the right people, like you, to help me.

Visit my page on facebook

Come visit my page on facebook & see what I've been up to & what I've already done http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kimberly-Kester-Photography/113161385442478

Winner of the Contest!!! & a fav of Katies family

Oops, did I say I would post the results early this morning?....Well, it is Saturday & I took advantage of sleeping in a bit (til almost 6am, I know it's not really sleeping in to some people but it is for me). I started my morning off with a little Lady time (our golden retriever) while Jon slept in (even more) & I totally forgot to post the winner of the contest, my bad. At least I did it before noon so it's still technically morning, lol.

Before I announce the winner, my sister told me (yes she gives me her opinion often, lol), it was a little difficult entering my contest & I'm sorry if anybody else had the same difficulty, it was the first time trying to go through fb & wasn't sure how it would turn out. I will try to make it simpler in the future contests. I hope to be doing another one soon.

So,....THE WINNER IS RHONDA T. CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Please get ahold of me before midnight October 5, 2011 to schedule your Free session. I can't wait to meet you!

No, this is not Rhonda in the photo below. This is Katie, Brandon, Abi (the cutie on daddys lap) & Emi (the cutie on mommys lap), we all went to the Sundial Bridge for a few family photos last night, this one is my favorite. I love this family like no other, they are super special in my heart, Love you guys, thanks for giving me this time with you & the kiddos. I'm hoping to go back & have a little tea party lunch with Abi soon. She makes the most delicious pretend cake ever ;) Mmmmm Mmmmm!

Have you scheduled your family photo?

Free Session contest ends tonight & my niece Kayla

Within the next 24 hours, my FREE session contest will come to an end. I can't wait to announce the winner, this has been the longest contest Ever, lol. It's not to late if you're just tuning in,...If you want photos for holiday cards, senior portraits, maternity, child turning 1 year older & etc...then this is an awesome opportunity for you. And Yes please, if you're a friend or family member, don't think you're exempt (as a few have voiced concerns of), I would love to see you again, please enter away, you're not being selfish I promise :)

All you have to do is enter below with your name (they don't get displayed) & state that you're entering the contest. I will announce the name within a week so stay tuned (you have a deadline to contact me after winner is announced).

I can't post without a photo & realized I don't think I ever displayed these photos of my niece, Kayla & her man, Johnny Mack ;) I often don't post all of my sessions, I need to change that.

We only had a few minutes in my sisters backyard & that was all we needed. The light coming over the fence was really soft & going down fast. These were taken back in July, yeah like I said, I think I forgot to post them here, she already seen them on my fb page.

Kayla said she hung her photos up in their apartment & that totally brightened my day. I love it when I go to a families homes & my photos are all over the walls (or displayed in a different way like collage & such) but it's so nice. It almost made me cry when I walked into a customers home about a year ago & seen my photos everywhere on the walls, I had a hard time choking back the tears, what a wonderful surprise. Thank you so much to those who do that, I love you more than words can say.

I can't wait for this fall, I've been talking to some friends & family members about doing some unique family holiday photos, engagement photos, 1 year old photos, & so many more. I love being creative & tonight is one of those sessions. I can just be myself & Katie trusts me, she thinks I'm a little weird when I'm doing it but loves it when she see's the final product. I love these sessions, I can't wait to show everybody what Katie & I turn out (cause hey, we're mom's, we can move mountains, little lone tackle a little photo session together).

BTW, I'll be doing a special Fall price package with limited appointments available, so stay tuned to that future post.

Isn't my niece so pretty, (maybe I'm a little prejudiced) I don't get to see her (or those cute little freckles) enough. She's grown up into such a wonderful, intelligent, strong woman. I can't wait to see what the next few years has in store for her. I love you girl & uh hey yuh uh, Hi Johnny Mack, keep cool! How cute are these two together.

FREE SESSION & it's Jons Bday....!!!

...but with a little KIM SPIN.

TO ENTER THIS CONTEST:

--Simply "Like" my facebook business page (Kimberly Kester Photography) & post a comment on THIS fb blog link or just comment below directly on this blog post. If you're a personal friend, you're welcome to enter using that fb page as well.

--You must state you are entering the contest & if you do so on my blog directly (& so there's no confusion), it would be great if you could leave me your full name. Remember, I don't show the comments on my contest blog posts so it's a little more private.

--Deadline to enter: September 30th...I know, I know, it's like forever from now & trust me, I'll want to cut the contest short a million times before then (you can thank my sister for this, she said the other contests didn't run long enough). So I'm trying to be more patient & I think I'm improving :)....after all...what better way to master patience, than to practice it.

--The winner will be posted here, early in the morning October 1st & I will link my blog post to my fb pages that morning.

--The winner has 5 days to contact me (before midnight October 5th) by email kimsartistictouch@yahoo.com.

--The session must take place within 30 days of the winner being announced (with special arrangements for newborns).

MORE DETAILS:

--The session is basically for family & friends up to 4 members.

--The session will include 1-2 hours of shooting (because I often get carried away & an hour may not be enough time if we're all having fun).

--Includes 1-2 locations, must be in Shasta County, Northern CA area & I'm open to new ideas.

--Includes 1-2 wardrobe changes (to be discussed upon winning & scheduling).

--a cd of 15-20 images you select, with a signed release.

The spin isn't using fb, it's YOU trusting in ME, it's letting me capture what I see (creating something unique to you, right down to wardrobe suggestions), it's taking photos at the perfect time of day for the best results & most importantly, it's blending your thoughts with mine to create something we will both absolutely love. Besides, spending this time creating memories with the ones you love isn't just priceless, it's FREE!

GOOD LUCK TO ALL!!!, I can't wait to meet you (or to see you again).

PS. As I said in the title, it's Jons bday today! Happy Birthday honey, I love you for all the support you give me & so much more.

Contest Winner! & Good-bye Winter

Contests are my way of paying it forward, to continue to give to others by using my time & talent (if I would be so bold as to say I'm talented) & I feel like I'm a better person for it. Whether it's my contest winner getting the photos taken of themself or to give the session to another, it's a good feeling to be a part of. So let me quit yacking & announce...

THE WINNER OF MY CONTEST IS ALICE B. You will be receiving an email today announcing you as the winner. Please contact me within 5 days at kimsartistictouch@yahoo.com, comment to this post or call me (530)356-0756. I'm looking forward to talking with you & Thank you to all who entered.

With everything else going on, it finally feels like Spring has arrived so I wanted to say a quick good-bye to winter. Jon & Lady will miss the snow dearly, me not so much. Although I love it when it visits, snow is better enjoyed for just a day or two then it needs to go & let the sun shine in. Just like camera batteries, I don't do well in the cold but love the beauty it creates.

These photos were taken back in February & Lady had so much fun rolling & digging in the snow. The best things in our life are sometimes tossed aside & discovered by others as treasure. So glad she's part of our family. So blessed for the little things.

A contest as easy as pie, no April Fools!....

Mmmmmm pie! To win a free session, simply leave a comment including your full name, email address, what type of session you want to have photographed & most importantly, why you want to win my contest. CONTEST RULES: OK, I can be confusing sometimes (so Jon says) so let me clarify the rules of this contest. To win the free session, comment to this post with required info (I never display comments on my contest posts), the contest will run for 10 days & after choosing, I will post the winners name on the 11th day. The winner will have 5 days to contact me (by email or phone, or a runner up will be posted on the 6th day), the session must take place within 30 days of your name being announced, the winner will receive 2 hours of session time, @ 1 location & 10 images on a disc from your session in a 4x6 print size. See.... easy as pie. BTW, this contest is for local Northern Ca, Shasta County residents only, sorry & please only comment on my blog directly during my contests, not FB. I like to control the comments containing personal data, I'm sure you understand & appreciate it. Remember, I will post the winner on April 11th. Hope to hear from you soon & Good luck!! Contest starts now!!! PS This is no April fools joke, just a coincidence I chose today to start this contest.

CONTEST WINNER!!!...& Little Miss Sassy

Thank you to everybody who submitted their comments. Sorry I didn't give much time to enter this contest but it was my first & I was really excited (and impatient) to have a winner. So, without further delay.... The WINNER is TAJSA CAMPOS. Please email me @ kimsartistictouch@yahoo.com, include your user name & contact information to the claim your prize. Please contact me prior to Tuesday, Feb 15, 2011. Again, thank you to everybody & good luck next time. I hope to do contests regularly (except wedding season) so keep checking back. Here are more photos of my great niece Andrea during her last visit to Redding. This first b&w is mine & her moms favorite. Little Miss Sassy!

Isn't she so cute. What a smile!

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!