The miracle of Birth {Michael James - Blogged} Big Bear Photographer

Birth Photography is something that you don't hear a lot about {unless you are a photographer} but it's gaining popularity and I can see why. It's an amazing experience that builds anticipation for nearly 10 months and in a matter of hours it's over and gone. The emotions and the faces, seeing the baby for the very first time. The cord cutting and weighing and the tiny little ink footprints. It's all very amazing and capturing those fleeing moments is like making time stand still forever. I have to admit that I didn't think I would cry. I did. It was awe-inspiring that a new little person entered the world at one moment and now has a whole life ahead of him. A little person grew inside that tummy and in just 10 short months was ready to live a whole life. Wow. That's all, just wow. It was truly amazing and I'm so happy to have been a part of it. Congratulations to Mike and Summer and to their entire family on their new baby and first boy! Yay!
Here is a sneek peak into the day that Michael James McGee was born...

Baby Love Workshop {Blogged} - Big Bear Photographer

This past weekend I had the honor of hanging out with a group of professional photographers who are just as passionate as I am. They were wonderful and the weekend was a blast. I have been preparing for this workshop for months amidst a busy life and schedule so when it finally came I was so nervous. It was my first workshop and I didn't want it to be a disaster and I wanted to make sure that they all felt it was worth it. Oh the pressure!
I put together a Swag Box for each attendee filled with some of my favorite essentials from some of my favorite Etsy sellers.
Here are a few of the vendors...you don't have to be a photographer to check these awesome seller's out. I'm sure they would love to hear from you!

The Swag Box


Chic Baby Rose - Pettiromper
If you aren't a photographer just imagine how sweet your little ones birthday pictures would be with some of the special things in her shop.



Bekima Knits
I love these hats. The texture is awesome, the quality perfect, and the maker is sweet as can be. Use them for photography or keep your little ones head toasty this winter.


DolceVitaMia
These little headbands are seriously precious. They are well made and have just the vintage touch that I love. You've got to check out this store!



On Saturday we started out learning about parent contact and communication and then our first baby, Colin, and his awesome parents and big Sis Mackenzie arrived. Colin slept like a champ and gave the ladies some great opportunities for posing. I had a little fun editing them all differently...so here are a few from the weekend...


and his beautiful mama....


When we were finished playing with baby Colin our set of twins arrived. They were so teeny tiny and so sweet. Here are a few of Jenna and Jacob...



And here are a few action shots that I was able to grab, I wish that I could have gotten more but hopefully the ladies will share some of theirs with me. :)
Here is Lynnea doing a great job at calming Colin...


and Katie is enjoying a moment with Jacob after all the shooting wrapped up...


I cannot thank the parents enough for driving hours in the car with their new babies and enduring the heat of the house and allowing us to learn on their precious miracles. We really appreciated each and every one of you!! Thank you so much!!!!!!!!

More of the Felix family.... {Big Bear Lake family photographer}

Here are some more of the awesome Felix family!! Enjoy!

The Felix family grew by one.... {Big Bear Photographer, newborn, family, child}

And I got to capture them all together!
I just have to start this post by saying that I wish I would have been able to get to know this family sooner. They are moving {moved} across the country and we did this session just days before they were set to leave. They have the best sense of humor and are just a joy to be around. I laughed and smiled the whole time with them cracking hysterical little jokes back and forth. I know that we would have had a great time hanging out with our families together!
I loved this session, did I mention that already? I got to take them out to the forest after a little bit of studio time and got some really great images that I can't wait to share. This is just a little tiny tiny taste of what we were able to get during our session and there are a few special people missing from this post... Grandma and big brother too. But don't worry I will post more in just a few days. I just didn't want to leave the Felix family hanging in suspense any longer. Besides, I'm sure there are some lucky relatives that haven't got to see the new arrival yet so I hope you all enjoy! Thank you Felix family for coming out and spending some time in front of my camera, I loved every minute of it!

Catching Up....Utah Workshop Pictures {Big Bear Photographer, child, newborn, family, wedding}

Last week I took a journey out of my mountain bubble and went to Utah to learn some creative use of artificial light from an awesome photographer. I use mainly natural light but my passion for photography drives me to want to learn all aspects. I just love everything about it, especially the science involved with the light. Without light what would the picture be? The workshop was AWESOME. I learned so much and am so thankful to Nichole and her husband Dave for sharing their talent, business knowledge, and home with me. Oh...and it was like..the best food EVER! Ever.
I got to put my new knowledge to work yesterday on my own with my model Allie and I can't wait to post some of those.

But for now here are some from the workshop.....

Catching up......Miss Teagan {Big Bear Photographer, newborn, child, family, wedding}

A few weeks ago I headed over to the cutest little boutique in town, Paisley, and borrowed Miss Teagan from her mama, the store owner. I had in mind to get some really great shots that could be hung HUGE in the store. But I forget sometimes that i'm not superwoman and it quickly became apparent that the situation wasn't going to work. I was by myself, I had my camera, a bag of clothing, and a few props in tow along with Teagan on my hip. The odds were against me that day so I'll have to wait until I can snag her mama away for a few hours for a real hearty session. But in the meantime I was able to get just a few of Teagan's precious face. This girl is the cutest!







Big Bear photographer

Catching Up....My Little Man {Big Bear Photographer, newborn, family, child, wedding}

Ahhh, really? Should anyone's kid be this gorgeous? (I'm his mom...I'm allowed to say that! LOL!)
A few weeks ago when I took Ava out for her shoot I also took Connor to get some headshots. I've been submitting his photo to TheCuteKid.com recently and he got a call from an agent on the first try. (that reminds me, I need to call her back. Oops!) So I knew that it would probably be a good thing to have a great stash of headshots laying around. Connor has been my most difficult child to photograph. He looks everwhere BUT the camera. He thinks he's looking at the camera which makes it even harder to get him to ACTUALLY LOOK AT the camera. But something has changed and boy am I glad! He works the camera now. I tell him to look happy, cool, "GQ" (he knows what that means!), and other emotions and I'm really impressed with how his eyes seem to speaking for him so of course I had to show him off. It's my motherly duty right?

So here he is the GQ little man Connor. We will be having an autograph signing at the lemonade stand on the corner of Alta Vista and Mcalister later this afternoon...Just kidding!

And yes, he really is that pale. I think it's the Norwegian blood. :0)





{Big Bear Lake CA Photographer, newborn, family, child, wedding}