Just a little peek...

... at the ever fantastic Laura and Jeremy.


I love when I have an image in mind, and clients just go there with me. 


So many more to come. 

Commitment.

It's not often that I ask my clients to trample through fields of thorny bushes, snagging their clothes and skin, causing possible scarring and bleeding. 


But when I do.....

It's totally worth it. 

Thanks for committing to the image with me, Katey. 


I'll send you a package of Band Aids. :)

Candy Canes

Are yummy.

(I hope you're enjoying my eloquent blog entries as of late.:) )

Somebody waits for you...

.. kiss her once for me. 

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas. 

Just Like Mommy. {Lifestyle Portraits}

My mother was the making of me.
~ Thomas Alva Edison

The trouble with muses....

... is that they never stop inspiring you. 

Okay, I guess that's not necessarily trouble. 

Shine.

What's that? Three blog posts in one week? What is happening? :)

I just wanted to take a second to say for all the interwebs to see... I love my family. I am so beyond blessed to have a partner who works hard and does so much for our children. Kids who are funny and smart and loving. A home that, while we've outgrown it, meets the necessities- keeps us warm, safe, and protected. My hubs, Ivan, is on a new project at work and travels at least one full week out of the month. It's difficult to be without him for that amount of time, but it's worth it financially and in knowing that his career is secure and stable. Our kids are young, and I don't have any help. It's just me and three kids, including two little rambunctious boys who think the word 'No' is a direct challenge. This business of mine has taken off in ways that I can't even believe. It's provided so much for my family- even beyond what we need. I know how lucky I am that there are so many people who want to trust me to do this for them. I don't take it for granted. Every session I do feels like an honor. That's the truth. But with Ivan being gone so much, my business thriving as it is, and my kids refusing to stop growing and eating (ha!), I've been struggling to get it all done.

I am so grateful to those of you who understand that this business of mine is personal to me. It's not Walmart. You don't get to just pick something off a shelf and take it home. It's long hours of me sitting in front of a computer, trying to edit just a few more photos while my kids are waiting for lunch. It's storing the beautiful new packaging under the dining room table because I don't have my own studio yet. It's receiving dozens of emails a day that need and deserve replies, and me doing my best to reply to six or seven of them in between washing dishes and picking up my 7 year old from school. I work on every single image that you receive. It's a labor of love, not commerce. The photo of your little girl tilting her head to the side? I spent real time making sure the color was corrected, resizing, sharpening, smoothing skin, making sure you got not just the visual but the emotion from the shine in her eyes. 

I know it's the holidays. I know you want to share these images that we've created together. But when you're growing impatient, please take a second and remember that I'm doing the same things you are- consoling sick toddlers, waking up at 3am to give them medicine and trying to get them back to sleep, making three meals a day for them, cleaning up after those meals, doing laundry, changing diapers, trying to pottytrain a stubborn three year old, trying to get grocery and Christmas shopping done, helping a gifted seven year old with math that already eludes me, missing my partner and feeling alone. There's a reason why you chose me. Why my style of photography is what it is. I'm a mom. I see the world through the eyes of my children. 

Thanks for listening, and don't forget to look for the shine in your own kids' eyes.


Here's a little peek at my little family.

 

Nighty Night.

A moment.

I'm trying to get more images up here on the blog, so I thought I'd share one of my recent favorites. It's been a rough couple of weeks in my household, and many times through the day I need to take a second and just be.

This image of Jaime with her brand new son, Dylan, just radiates peace and tranquility in a way that inspires me to take that deep breath. 

Pause.

The other day when taking my own kiddos out for some photos (the first time I've ever actually done that with my own three) I asked my sister to come along. After we were done, we were driving around the perimeter of the park, and this little arch in the foliage over the road just spoke to me. So, yes, I will admit it. I stopped the car and asked her to get out and hit the spot with her gorgeousness. 

Totally worth it. Love you Aunty Sarah! 

Holiday Canvas Sale!

I rarely do promotions, but my lab is having a great sale on canvases right now so I thought I'd pass the love on to you!

Starting right NOW the next three clients (who have already had their session with me) can order a 16x20 Canvas Gallery Wrap at $199! (regular price is $295!)

*This promotion is only good through Friday Dec. 2nd, so hurry!*

This is a fantastic gift option for family members this holiday- or just a great way to deck out your own halls! Ask anyone who has one of these- they are just the best product out there. Frameless, modern, and they come ready to hang. 

To be one of the three lucky clients, just send me an email at stephanie@intuitiveimagesphotography.com and let me know which photo from your set you'd like. First two clients to order and pay will get the deal! Happy Holidays!

Some family love.

Well, I know I am the world's worst blogger. I post images from about one in every 15 to 20 sessions. The ones I post are random, and I really do need to get more consistent, as Facebook just screws with the quality of the image. But here on the blog, you have the opportunity to see photos in all their glory!

The S family are friends of friends, in the swing dance scene, and feel like an extension of my own family. You know, that cousin who moved out of state that you spent that one really awesome summer with, and now email occasionally? It was like a reunion with that person. Familiar, joyful, and nothing but smiles.

Truly, not only are my clients bringing the serious cuteness these days, but they are styling themselves like pro models! I love these guys, their style, their vibe, their joy.

Thanks for a beautiful day at what is quickly becoming one of my favorite locations!

 

So Very Thankful.

This year has been incredibly challenging for me, as this business has taken off in ways I couldn't have imagined. I have three small children, and a husband who travels for work, which means my time is limited more than you even know. Trying to run a business, respond to the dozens of emails and inquiries I receive a day, and still give my children the time and attention they deserve has proven to be a balance that I have not yet mastered.

But I will.

I love this job, I love this art, and I am determined to become more efficient to better serve my clients and my family.

To those of you who have stuck with me, and been patient in scheduling and in receiving your products, my heart just fills with love for you. Thank you for your patience, your support, and for letting me into your lives.

As a thank you to you, who have stuck it out and waited patiently, I've decided to do ONE more mini-session day this year! Spots will be on a first come first served basis, and past clients and those who have inquired in the past will be given priority.

There will be only 6 spots available, and this will be my last portrait availability until next year.

The details will be the same as the Fall Minis:

$99 for a 15-20 minute session

2 5x7 professional prints

5 high resolution digital images

with print release

The date will be December 3rd, location to be announced.

To book a spot, please email stephanie@intuitiveimagesphotography.com

http://intuitiveimagesphotography.com

I don't even have a title for this one.

I had a dream. Literally. And in that dream was this photo of Marilyn Monroe:

I wouldn't say I'm a HUGE Marilyn fan. I do love her, I do admire and adore so many of her photos and images. I enjoy her movies. But I don't know much about her, and I certainly don't spend much time thinking about her. That's why this dream was so curious. What was even more curious was that as soon as I woke, I had a flash in my mind of my friend, professional Lindy Hop dancer, Nikki Marvin, wearing her Lindy sneakers while posing as Marilyn. Weird, right? I know. What can I say? Sometimes creativity comes from weird places in the brain.

Lucky for me, Nikki was down for the cause. She threw together a vintage outfit (all purchased at local vintage shopping mecca, Elsewhere Vintage) and spent all day doing her own hair and makeup. Commitment, people. That's why I love this woman.

Here are just a few of our impromptu shoot. Nikki does such an incredible job of capturing not just the look, but the energy and essence of what I love about the original photo. She's casual, but elegant, and even though she spent hours in hair and makeup, she looks like she just rolled out of bed looking like a superstar. I couldn't be more ecstatic.

Thank you so much, Nikki. Love.  

 



2011 Fall Mini Sessions!

An Elegant Backyard Wedding - Part Two {Santa Ana Wedding Photographer}

I won't distract you with silly words when the images of these two celebrating their love can speak for themselves. I will say, however, that when the groom's wedding vows include the phrase 'smokin' hot', you know you're in for a good time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shawnee and Evan, my wish for you is that the love and support you were given by your family and friends on this day will carry on through your marriage, and that for the rest of your lives, you will look at each other just like this.

http://intuitiveimagesphotography.com