Engagement Session Part 2: Barbie and Ken

We took some of these pictures on my pink Cruiser bike (that's why they are all B&W-LOL!) on the streets in my neighborhood. My neighbors kept driving by and staring as these two rode back and forth between two photographers. It was pretty funny.

I totally think they look like Barbie and Ken. Aren't they sweet?!

Abercrombie & Fitch models??

I don't normally do Engagement sessions but since my brother-in-law is getting married, we did this session and I SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO enjoyed it! I will totally do Engagement portraits again if anyone ever needs it. It's like doing Seniors but two of them...with chemistry. And oh, was there ever chemistry.

I ADORE my new sister-in-law. She is EXTREMELY beautiful, not only on the outside, but on the inside. My kiddos followed her everywhere while she was here to visit. They kept drawing pictures for her and wanting to sit by her. She was so sweet and they totally sensed that.

Kay, and we had to do a couple "Abercrombie-esque" shots just for fun. Can you feel the love? Ashlee and I were joking that Ashlee captured the "ultimate kiss" shot and I got the "ultimate hug" shot. We make a good team.

I'll be posting some more tomorrow too so check back because there are some more seriously cute ones.

Family Session #1

We dragged this cute family out into a remote field and set up their living room (well, okay the Dad took the couch for us). We had a fabulous time playing around in the field. At the end, we rewarded the kiddos with some gargantuan lollipops and got some fun shots of that too. Thanks guys for humoring us. I think it was well worth it!

Why I didn't post the last 2 days.

This week my kids took turns getting each other sick. It was this weird 24-hour thing where they had a fever and just wanted to snuggle all day. I am pretty sure everyone is better now but it made for a hard week. It was really sad when my baby got sick because he was so snuggly and helpless. He fell asleep in my arms a couple times that day so I made Ashlee come take some pics of me and him because I never get to be in the pictures. This is what she got and it makes my heart melt.

First 2009 Senior!

This was SUCH a fun way to start the new season of Seniors. My sis and I LOVED this Senior and her Mom. They were so sweet and open-minded and fun! It also helps that she is GORGEOUS! Between the four of us, it felt like we were doing a model fashion shoot for a magazine with the double cameras and all the primping were doing with her. I am sure all the people driving by were thinking the same thing. Especially when we kept going in and out of the road (see the middle-of-the-road image) and even had a cop drive by and make a comment! I think they turned out very magazine-ish which is the style I always hope to acheive. Yay for my first rockin' Senior of 2009!

It's Magic!

At one of my photoshoots, one of my clients (thanks Kathy!) told me about one of the BEST parenting books I have ever read (and believe me, I've read a lot!) It is called 1-2-3 Magic and it is AMAZING! Not only does it have a specific discipline plan that is easy to carry out for almost every situation, it also has ways to improve your relationship with your children that have already made a huge difference in our family. It encourages parents to stop lecturing or getting emotional (which is VERY hard for me to do) and just use more actions. It really nips arguing, whining, and fighting in the bud. Basically, when the kids act out, you don't go off on what they did wrong (because they know when they are acting out), you just say "That's one." Then you count to 5 in your head and if they are still doing it, you say "That's two." If they are still continuing to misbehave, you finish by saying "That's three. Timeout." Then, without saying a word or showing any emotion, you escort them to timeout (for however many minutes they are old) and when they are finished you don't talk about it again.

I'm telling you, I LOVE this book and it really works. In fact, the other day I gave my daughter a count to one while she had a friend over and I heard her tell her friend, "We better do what she asked or we'll have to go to the garage!" (The garage is where they go to timeout in our house-- mainly so I can't hear the whining or crying ;0)) I checked this book out at the library but I am going to buy it because I need to memorize it. Just thought I would share with all you moms out there.

Girl Superheroes

My daughter found the capes I used in this last session and she and her friends put them on and transformed into some tough, girly superheroes. I HAD to get a couple shots of it because they looked SO fabulous with their swimsuits and their bats/swords (not to mention those supercool rollerskates)! I am LOVIN' their facial expressions in the last one. Seriously, I wouldn't mess with them. The only thing my kids friends are in danger of is being blogged when they come to my house-LOL!

Superhero Session

Duh, deh, deh-duh. SUPERBOYZ! It's a bird, it's a plane... no, it's SUPERBABY! This is a job for SUPERBROTHER!
*Can you tell I am having WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY too much fun with this? Maybe cuz it's 1:30 in the mornin'

This session started out with us doing a "Clark Kent" version of these cute boys before they took off their shirts and busted out their capes to save the day! They were SO happy the ENTIRE time even when we stopped at the side of the highway and jumped through the barbed wire fence (okay, we lifted the boys over it) only to find a field potentially full of snakes with no good spots to sit or stand but some jagged rocks. NEVER FEAR though it was all in a days work!

Me being my dorky self, pretended right along with the Superheroes and received the title of "Wonder Woman" by the three year-old. He probably didn't come out of character until he went to bed ;0). I just about died laughing when we were all finished and I gave him a high five and told him he did awesome and he very gallantly responded with a "Good job, Wonder Woman."

Andrew Bird -

While my sis was here, we went to a concert in Reno. I haven't been to a concert in forever and I must admit that I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I felt like I was in high school again. Andrew Bird is amazing too. He plays the violin, guitar, sings and has the most amazing whistling skills. It's undescribable. Seriously you have to watch just one minute of his video. He rocked!

Home on the range

We did this session right on these cute kids' ranch and had a blast. The kiddos were all so fun and would do anything to pick out of my new treasure box that I bring to all my sessions. I was amazed at how good these kids were with animals. I kept teasing them how their horses and dogs wanted to be in the pictures too because they kept sneaking in the shots but it totally added to the country feel of it all.

Family portraits sessions are full!

Thank you all for the overwhelming response to our Family Session promotion. All our slots are now full! Check back for all the Sneak Peeks of these fun family portraits during this month. We've got some creative ideas a brewin!

Limited Time Only: Familly Sessions

A lot of people ask me if I photograph families. I always tell them that I will only do their family session AFTER I have photographed individual sessions of their children. BUT.............

while my photographer sister is here to help me out for the month of July and early August only, I will be offering family sessions without having to get portraits of your children done first. This is a one-time offer only and is available for a limited time. We only have time slots available for 3-5 families.

This is an awesome chance to get your Holiday cards and gifts finished before the rush of school and the Holidays approach. Just think, you'll be the first one to send out your holiday cards and check that off your list.

SO if you are wanting some untraditional, non-posed, fun and funky portraits of your family, email me at francephotography@gmail.com.

The first 3 people to email me and book their *session will get their session fee waived ($200 value!!!). The very first person to email me will also receive a complimentary box of custom-designed Holiday cards.

*Minimum requirement still applies. Sessions must take place on a week night. Session fee covers up to 6 people. Additional family members will cost $50 each.

Beautiful blonde

I know Thayne Jasperson!

Last night we stumbled upon the TV show "So You Think You Can Dance" and I realized that my friend from high school, Thayne Jasperson, was on the show! I couldn't believe it! He and I were Lifeguards together at the local water park and he was the nicest guy. He smiled just as much as he did when we were in high school. I hope he made it to the top 10. I think I am addicted to that show. I just LOVE to watch the dancers!

{Purse envy}

Check out this gorgeous RED CROCODILE photo bag that a client recently purchased from me! I ADORE this thing!