Family fun in Encino!

It's been too long....I know, but I've been shooting alot which is a really great thing! My maternity leave starts next week and then I get to really start working on my website and hopefully get most of it done by the time the baby arrives.

A few weeks ago I got to spend some fun time shooting this family at their home in Encino. They were expecting a new baby boy at that time, but I know for sure have now welcomed him into their lives because his due date was March 31st. I hope they are well and am wishing them so much fun and love.

And one last picture of my girl, Alice (the dog) because you know I can't resist!

Lola, revisited

Not sure if any of you remember, but a few months ago I did a photo shoot with the incredibly beautiful 2 year old Lola. After doing a first round of editing of her pictures, I lost them in a weird sort of way on my computer(long story) and had to start the edit over from scratch so that I could provide her parents with some beautiful pics of their little girl. I'm actually very glad that I got a chance to edit them again because I have learned so much in the last few months and looked at the pics in a completely different way. I'm very happy with the final product.

This is my favorite picture of the bunch!

some Rocky love

I have been so busy editing pictures for my website that I don't have that many new pictures to post. Lee's sister Debbie and her kids were visitng last weekend and I did take some shots of them, but again - been busy making them look pretty. I wanted to at least post ONE picture today, so here is the Rockster taking a nap.

Making lemonade out of lemons...

Not sure if anyone remembers that my friends April & Lindsey of Sweet Monday Photography let me tag along with them to a wedding in September, but they did and it was such a wonderful experience. They are amazing photographers as well as amazing women. Spending a whole day with them shooting was such a valuable experience that I can't ever thank them enough for. I feel so lucky that they haven't just been mentors to me over the past few months, but friends as well. Thanks ladies for letting me tag along and for dealing with all of my questions - I had such a blast!!

Unfortunately, it took me months to start editing the wedding pictures which was unexpected, but being pregnant and sick, working full time, and moving took a toll on me. Everything photography unfortunately took a back seat for a few months, but I'm BACK and ready to go with my work. In going through the pictures, I've found some incredible surprises and a few disappointments, but I know that comes with the territory. One picture in particular that I was certain I could not salvage was a shot of the bride and groom as they had JUST walked down the aisle. Lindsey suggested that I wait for them to exit the ceremony space while she and April got them kissing, walking down the aisle, etc. Well, I was perched - ready and waiting for the bride and groom to come around the corner. I had taken a test shot of the space to check my camera settings and THEN my flash didn't recycle quick enough - AH! Right as they walked around the corner, they kissed (they're FIRST kiss that wasn't planned), and my flash didn't go off!!! Oh, and they got married later in the day so it was pretty much dark by the end of their ceremony. I was so bummed, but I realize that these things happen and you have to move on.

Well, as I was going through the pictures, I decided to play w/ the exposure in Lightroom and see what would happen to the image if I manipulated it a ton. By bumping up the exposure significantly, I was able to capture an image, but it is SO grainy. Instead of throwing it out, I decided to embrace the grain and try to give the photo a vintage look. I've gotta say that I'm happy with the result and love the fact that I took an unfortunate situation and turned it into something wonderful!

Until I have more pictures to share, here is the "vintage" shot. Thanks again to Sweet Monday Photography!!

Happy New Year!

I'm a few days behind on this post, but want to wish everyone a very happy new year!! 2009 is going to be an exciting year, not only because of the new edition to my family, but because of the strides I plan to make with my business this year. I have many resolutions and plenty of goals and you'll all get to see just how realistic they are after giving birth to a little baby boy :) 2008 was an amazing year of learning in so many ways and although it wasn't always easy, I wouldn't want to erase it from my "history" or change 1 thing (ok, maaaybe 1). Last year has brought me to this moment in my life where I couldn't be happier or more excited to embark on a new journey of love, happiness and lots of hard work. I hope that when I'm sitting at my computer a year from now writing a blog post about 2010, that I will have met my goals and made myself proud, not only in business, but in family and friendship. Here's to 09!

As for pictures this week, I wanted to blog something fun and I think I've picked the perfect subject. When Lee & I were in SF celebrating Christmas with the Sestili's, the whole family toured the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park. They have a great aquarium where we got to see some VERY cool fish. I took a bunch of pictures, but these jellyfish were hands down my favorite. So while I go through all the christmas pictures and decide which to keep, please enjoy a few of my favs.

Cousins

2 weekends ago, Rocky & Jones had their cousin Pikkle over for 2 nights and 2 full days which was SO much fun! Rocky of course doesn't like having any other dogs around, but funny that when they are around he acts more like a dog and less like a baby :) He and Pikkle took their walks together and he was very much a gentleman making sure that she was next to him at all times...so cute! Jones loves Pikkle so that is never a problem and he used to be so into playing with her (she's very playful), but this time he wasn't so interested. We think it's because of his older age. On the Saturday morning that Pikkle stayed with us, we took all the dogs over to the high school, shut them into the bull pen, and threw some tennis balls around so they could get exercise. Rocky doesn't chase the balls, but I can normally get him to run around the grassy area for a bit. After we got home that day, all of the dogs were VERY tired which was our plan. Here are some pics....

And since Jones doesn't get enough love on this blog, he gets his own photo

Living on the west coast

One huge benefit of living on the west coast is the AMAZING sunsets that we get almost every night...especially living close to the Ocean. Here is a sunset seen from our patio last week.

Happy Birthday to my Rock!

Yesterday, December 15th was my little Rocky's 9th birthday! If you've ever met him you are probably amazed at his age mostly because of his size - smaller than most cats. However, his true age shines through when he gets an attitude and acts like a 150 lb dog. Then you know he's just a grumpy old boy who is so little that he has to be on guard at all times ;) This old boy has brought me almost 9 years of so much unconditional love that I can't imagine what life would have been like without him. It might sound corny, but through many tough times, I thanked God for Rocky's love, friendship, and licks on my nose. He is going to have such a hard time not being the baby of the house in a few months, but he will always be my 1st little love.

Happy Birthday Rock Rock!

2009 Goals

I've been seriously thinking about my goals for next year, especially concerning my business. With the move and being preggers, I haven't had much time lately to really dedicate myself to my passion. For many months, so many nights were spent sleeping on the couch and barely making it out the door in the morning for my "day job" because I felt so sick. Now that I've hit the "good part" of the pregnancy, I have more energy, but most of it was sucked up by moving, organizing, and starting to get our place ready for the little boy. So in an effort to not forget about my dreams and passions, I have decided to make a list of what I'd like to accomplish in 2009 for my photography business. If I publish my list here on this blog then I'm definitely more accountable for it, don't you think?

1. Launch marketing campaign with a retailer
2. Launch ellenreinis.com
3. Print marketing materials
4. Shoot 3 weddings on my own
5. Blog more often
6. Network with other photographers in my area
7. Join more photography groups
8. Quit my day job!!!
9. Take a few design classes
10. Attend 3 workshops (1 of them about lighting)

That's it for now. I may add to this list as the months fly by like 2008 already has!

More of Graham's 1st B-day

A few weeks ago I posted a picture from Graham's 1st birthday shoot which was a blast. I finally got to sit down and work on more pictures from that day and here are a few of the best. If you remember, Graham was such a good sport digging into the cake until he got too much in his nose and didn't like that feeling very much ;) You can see his expression in the last picture...I think he was done!

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas

Lee & I are starting to get settled in our new place, however my new "office" is not set up yet. I am picking up my desk sometime this week from West Elm and hoping that it will look good in the apartment...we'll see! Last night I was able to set up my computer on Lee's desk in order to work on some pictures for Julie & Andrew's Christmas cards. I wanted to share two of the pics that I love most.

What happens when you move?

You unplug your computer, can't edit any pictures, your life is completely packed in boxes that you dive through frantically once you're at the new place looking for that 1 thing that you should have left out, and if your place has just been painted AND your preggers, you "camp out" at your old place until the fumes are gone and you sleep in your own bed. This is our camp site complete with a Rocky:

***this was taken w/ my blackberry...fyi

I will be back to writing and editing in the next few days once my office is set up at home and I feel a bit more normal.

Getting ready for Christmas

When I took pictures of Graham for his 1st birthday, Julie asked if we could do something for their Christmas cards as well. We had a ton of fun trying to get Graham's attention and get him to smile which didn't happen until the very end of shooting. The smiling pictures will probably be the ones she chooses to use, but I thought I'd post this adorable picture of him as a little teaser. I hope I'm not ruining any surprise Jules.

What a little cutie!

YES WE DID!!!

I haven't really expressed my political views on this blog (maybe subtly), but I just can't help myself to say 3 little words.....YES WE DID!!!! GoBama, GoBama, GoBama!!

Lee & I had a few friends over on Tuesday night to ring in the New Year with us (haha, that's what it felt like) and we had a blast. I only got a sip of champagne, but it was better than none at all :) Here is a pic:

A few more pics before I wrap up

I am finally wrapping up the edit of the pictures from my photo shoot with Sarah, Ryan, and Kia. It's taken me a while to get everything done, but it's all turned out great. I believe that Sarah is using some of these pics for her Christmas Cards, so I hope she loves all of them as much as I do.

On a side note....oh what a night last night was!!!! OMG....President Obama!

Here are the last few pics of Sarah and her family...

So far behind....

I am officially and completely behind and swamped with pictures that I have taken in the last few months. Finding the time to sit down at my computer these days and edit has proved almost impossible!! Since August 1st, I have become pregnant, watched Lee start grad-school and study sometimes 8 hours a day, got a new car, went on 2 vacations, started the initial process of 2 new businesses, and am moving on Dec. 1, all while working a 40+ hour/week day job!! Needless to say, my "to-do" list does not have too many checks on it ;) When I do find a free moment to sit down on the couch and watch a little political news, I end up falling asleep 5 minutes later and sometimes sleeping through the night. So, a good friend of mine recently (just on Tuesday) told me that I need to schedule even more - be militant about it and treat even my free time like a job. Starting this weekend...that's what I'm doing. All of my editing time will be scheduled as will laundry, cleaning, and even watching "Countdown" w/ Keith Olberman. To all of my clients that I owe pics too...you will get them soon, I PROMISE!

Happy Halloween everyone!! Maybe I'll have the chance to take some pics of Lee & I dressed up tomorrow night.

It's Monday...I mean Tuesday!

Wow today for some reason really feels like Monday to me, but I was happy to realize just a few minutes ago that it's actually Tuesday! Whew, I guess Monday passed me by pretty fast! Maybe because Lee & I were away over the weekend in beautiful central coast wine country; Atascadero to be exact. We stayed at our favorite hotel called The Carlton and actually attended a murder mystery dinner that they offered on Saturday night. We thought it would be something fun and different to do and that's just what it was....something different :) I have to say that as much as I love The Carlton, the food at the dinner was not what we expected and neither was the "show". We were a tiny bit bored, but managed to salvage the night by hitting the bar for a nightcap (hot tea for me) and a piece of heath bar crunch cake!! Nothing really makes me happier than heath bar in my dessert.

We also made a stop at Lee's favorite winery (Turley) where he got to taste a few zinfandels and buy a bottle of delicious wine that he promised to hold until I can share with him...whata guy! I watched as he drank and I bought a coaster. I guess if you can't drink - SHOP!

So I've been working away on a ton of pictures and will continue to do so for probably the next month after which I hope to launch my new website (keep your fingers crossed for me!). I thought I would post a picture today of the kite event for the Beverly Fund. You will see more of these soon!

What are you doing with your dash?

I went to an amazing marketing seminar last night that I HIGHLY recommend to any photographers out there. It was incredibly informative and will definitely define the way I run my business. Mitche Graf was amazing and I can't wait to implement everything that I learned from him. For anyone who's interested, he's going to be at WPPI in February also and holds seminars around the country.

So at the end of the seminar last night, Mitche put a series of numbers on the projector screen for us to look at. Numbers like 1915-1989, 1825-1916, 1957-2008. He asked what they represent and someone correctly replied "birth and death years". He then asked what the dash is in the middle and explained that it's everything in between - LIFE. There was a question on the projector that asked "what are you doing with your dash"???? That question rocked me to the core and really hit home because life really is a dash - a series of events that pass us by SOOO fast. When was the last time that you looked back on the last year and said "wow, that year went by really slowly". We move through this life like a blot of lightening (fast and fierce), so we mine as well enjoy EVERY second no matter how happy, painful, difficult, simple, or challenging and do something that is MEANINGFUL and keeps us in the moment. That is what I'm doing with my dash right now - giving it some meaning. So food for thought this week: "what are you doing with your dash"????

A refreshing Monday....

It's Monday and lately I've been so tired on Mondays that I can barely keep my eyes open at my desk, but today is different. I had such a relaxing weekend at home - sleeping in, watching movies, napping on the couch, editing pictures, baking apple pie, going to the pumpkin patch, and actually spending some time with Lee...it was great! So needless to say, even though I am extremely tired still, I feel rested and content. I even ate apple pie this morning for breakfast...talk about starting the day off right!

Tonight I'm attending Mitche Graf's marketing bootcamp because I think I'm finally ready to get myself out there and launch a "marketing campaign" for myself. I should learn a ton, so I can't wait.

http://www.powermarketing101.com/

Here is a picture that I worked on last night. Meet Kia:

Another blog??

Yep, you heard it! My new blog is called "my little bun" because, well....I've got a little bun in my oven :) I have started a blog for my pregnancy mainly for my family to get daily and weekly updates on my pregnancy, but also for me - so I can enjoy every moment of this amazing experience. I hope you'll join me :)

http://mylittlebun.blogspot.com

Of course, this blog will still remain intact with photographs and other details of my life and business.