Kindness - Session Giveaway | Sacramento Portrait Photographer | August 2013

Kindness can come in all shapes and sizes. It can be an action as simple as holding a door open for an unknown face, or as grandiose as an organ transplant. I know that example may be a little exaggerated, however, it is still an extremely kind gesture to offer another human being your kidney.... Just Saying!

I am not offering any kidneys, however, I am offering something similarly important in my world. I am offering my photography services! I have decided to give away one session, to give back the kindness that has been shown to me! Throughout my life, I have experienced great kindness from all sorts of amazing people who surround me everyday. Life doesn't always happen according to plan, as I talked about in a recent post, here. For that reason, to show my appreciation for all the kindness sent my way over the last few months (and years), from my friends, fans, and more important, my family, I am having a session giveaway!

As promised, here are the details! All rules must be followed in order to be eligible!

1. You must follow me on Facebook, Like my Facebook page here!

2. Past clients, in order to be eligible, you must write a review on Yelp.com. My yelp is lonely and could use a little love. Share that kindness! Keep it short and sweet, or give expanded details, the choice is yours.

3. Write on my Facebook wall letting me know what kindness you have either experienced from a stranger, or within your own social circle. (This way I know who officially wants this session giveaway! This is your official entry, so this step is crucial!)

That's it! 

Contest will close on September 30, 2013 at 10pm PST. Session must be held within one hour of Sacramento, and must be used before January 1, 2014. Session length will be approximately one hour. Families welcome! (Up to 9 people only. Each additional will include an extra charge of $25 per person.) Session will include $25 print credit for prints and other products sold in my online store only. All other prints and products sold separately.

This will make a wonderful Christmas gift! Just Saying!

Good luck! :)

Life has a funny way... | Sacramento Photographer | August 2013

 Some of my fans and followers are already aware of my ironic misfortune these last few months, perhaps you have seen if you follow my everyday life through Instagram. But for the rest of you, let me fill y'all in a bit... Sit back, and grab some popcorn, it's a good one! ;)

My misfortune all began to try and hold me down, with a broken kneecap in April... That didn't hold me down for long at all!! I proceeded to photograph a gorgeous wedding, only a few short weeks later, with a full leg immobilizer, and couldn't have been more pleased with the results! (See the beautiful highlights from that day here.)

Healing of my kneecap that was once cracked in half, came along very nicely, as I am fully healed and back at the gym! I love working out! Woot! :) Anyhow, the ironicism (is that even a word) that is my amazing life continues...

During the beginning of June, nearly eight weeks and fully recovered from my broken knee, my misfortunes traveled to my midsection one very interesting Thursday evening.

My very first surgery, at 27, (yes I am 27 and proud!), was brought on that very early Friday morning, due to the amazingly, stupid organ that has no purpose at all, but to cause pain... the appendix. Really, what is the purpose of the appendix? Some prehistoric appendage that is treated with antibiotics in Europe, when inflamed, and surgically removed here in the states (as was mine that Friday morning in June).

Three small incisions and one very ironic story later, things are beginning to turn uphill, extremely quickly! Life can happen very quickly as it has for me, and suddenly I have found myself moving to a house (from a very tiny duplex), where I finally have my very own office! Running a business from your home can prove difficult when your office is scattered all about your living space!

 Moving day came and we had amazing amounts of help!! From the old house...

To the new house! This front room has amazing light for portraits, and a working fireplace! Not to mention...

My very own office!! :)
Got some pretty cute new roommates too!! :)

I will be using my new space to have a session giveaway at my new home studio! I need some new canvas and samples to fill these walls! I am extremely grateful for all I have experienced, and all I have photographed. Details coming soon!! Happy Tuesday!

Charlana & Jon - Engagement Session, Folsom Lake, CA - January 2013

Growing up, everyone has that one friend who tends to keep you out of trouble, and help keep you in check. Charlana was that friend who kept me out of trouble, in high school. Not saying that I was a total trouble maker, however, I would have some questionable actions from time to time, and Charlana would tell me like it is and snap me back to reality.

Our teenage years are long gone, and now wedding bells are in Charlana's near future! I was super excited when I found out Charlana's long-term boyfriend, Jon, had proposed, on Christmas! Of course I had to be there to document one of my bestest friends and her honey, Jon. Their love and absolute happiness together really shines through in these photos we captured! (I had a really hard time choosing my favorite, and not just because she is one of my best friends.)

We chose Folsom Lake for our engagement session. It has been one of our favorite hang-out spots since high school, and after many summers spent out on the boat, we both decided that it would be the perfect location. It was a brisk, but very sunny, Sunday afternoon in January, and I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day.

The love between you two is amazing, and I am truly blessed to call you both my friends! I love you both so much, and with all of my heart, wish you many moons of love! :)

A few of my favorites from our engagement session...

LOOOOVVVEEE the ring!! Nicely done, Jon! :)

This was an out-take, but I absolutely love how Charlana looks in this one! Watch out, she's totally not tough... :)