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

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 do believe.....

... it's Summertime.

http://intuitiveimagesphotography.com

Erika and Mark {Wed}

So, there's this girl. She models.

I started seeing her images on the facebook pages of the photographer's groups I've been involved with.

And from the first image I saw, I thought.. Yeah. She can model.

There's just something about her. Some models just want to get attention. Some might even be beautiful. And then there are the rare few who just emit a light from within.

Erika is one of those few.

Now, I hadn't shot with her, I hadn't even met her in person. So, when she informed me that she bought one of my Groupon portrait sessions, I was so incredibly honored! And so excited to finally get her in front of my camera.

She later informed me that her session would be her engagement session, and that she and her fiance, Mark, actually knew of me through my ties with the swing dancers over at Atomic Ballroom! How incredible!

Must be fate, I thought. :)

So, we went to Old Towne Orange and shot some beautiful images of Erika and Mark for their engagement, some of which can be seen on their wedding website, http://www.erikaandmark.com/. Take a moment and browse around there- you can also see the actual video of Mark's proposal, at our very own Atomic Ballroom in Irvine!

So, after our engagement session, Erika and Mark graciously asked me to shoot their wedding. Now, I consider myself a portrait photographer first, so I am always so blessed and grateful when a couple ask me to be a part of that big day. But for these two to ask me, I was even more blessed. When a couple knows so many photographers, it's a complete honor to be the one they choose. It's sort of like being chosen first at dodgeball in fourth grade. And I take that honor as seriously now as I did back then. (No, really. I took it SERIOUSLY.)

So, without further ado, here is a little look into the beautiful wedding of Erika and Mark Schwartz.

 

 

 

 

 

Congratulations Erika and Mark!!!

May you dance every dance hand in hand.

xoxoxo

Stephanie

  

By popular demand.....

A beautiful May Day in the park- and the option of horseback riding!

Session is open for portraits of babies, children, maternity, and families up to 4 people, horseback riding at additional cost.

Email for details: stephanie@intuitiveimagesphotography.com

http://intuitiveimagesphotography.com

March Minis!!!

***UPDATE- MARCH MINIS ARE ALL FULL!!! THANK YOU!!! ***

http://intuitiveimagesphotography.com

Impromptu Mini Sessions!

I haven't done a location Mini-Session Day in a while, and I've had some requests, so let's do it!

Ready, set, go!

Saturday, February 12th, from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

For just $99, you get 20-30 minutes shooting for up to three people (big or little:) ), an online viewing gallery, up to 10 edited images on cd sized for online sharing, and a $20 print credit!!

Can't go wrong!

 

Space is gonna go FAST, so if you want in, email me ASAP!

Location will be emailed to you at time of booking. 

http://intuitiveimagesphotography.com

Behind the Ballroom

As many of you know, Intuitive Images will be opening a new studio space inside Atomic Ballroom in Placentia. The Placentia location is the second Orange County location for Atomic, with it's first flagship location still rockin over in Irvine. Both locations are owned and operated by Shesha and Nikki Marvin, both internationally acclaimed competitive dancers and teachers, and pillars of the dance community here in Orange County. They've been my clients, my friends, now my partners in business and new opportunities, and it's time I introduce you to them.

Here's a little Q and A with the taller half of the First Couple of Atomic, Shesha Marvin.

1. When and how did you get started dancing, and what's your background with the late Frankie Manning (one of the founding fathers of Lindy Hop)?

I started dancing when I was dragged out onto the dance floor at Disneyland one Saturday night Jan 1996. A few months later I took my 1st class from Frankie Manning and I was instantly converted from a spazzy swing kid to a lindy hopper with a clue.

2. How did you meet your beautiful wife, Nikki, and when did you two acquire The Atomic Ballroom?

I met my beautiful wife Nikki at dance class in the summer of love 2003. She was my student. We were married in 2006 and purchased ATOMIC Ballroom in 2008.

3. If you could be born in another decade, which would it be, and why?

I'm happy with my decade. If I had to play your game I would choose the 1920s so that I could see the true progression of charleston to lindy hop.

4. What drove you to open the second location for Atomic in Placentia?

Opportunity knocks and you open the door. I've known it was the next step for me for over 2 years.

5. What class or program is most exciting for you at the new Placentia location?

Argentine tango is ON! I've been trying to get into this personally for years. Friday nights, me, and Tango.

(The Argentine Tango series will be kicked off on Friday Jan. 28th - click here for more info on a stellar night of Tango, including basics, musicality, and workshops.)

6. Favorite thing to eat at home, and favorite thing to order at a restaurant?

Spaghetti and Spaghetti. Why fight it.

7. Do you hope your beautiful daughter, Anjali, will take over the Atomic empire when she gets older?

Anjali might just hate dancing. We could sell it and retire, who knows. I think of the ATOMIC empire as a small stepping stone in my life.

8. What are your hopes for the future of social dancing?

I need to keep pushing my basics and fight for more freedom.

9. You're somewhat infamous for your 101 Hat Tricks. Any plans to teach others via class or workshop?

Teaching hat tricks to geeks has been a long standing activity for me. I'm sure I will continue as requested.

(Here's a little taste of Shesha's Hat Trick Magnificence)

10. What would you say to someone who wants to get into social dancing, but has no experience?

I can't imagine living a life without social dancing. It fulfills so many human needs at once while also being fun. Any hopeless, clueless dancer can achieve competency starting at any age.

Thanks Shesha!

For more info about any classes Atomic offers, visit http://atomicballroom.com/ , and look for more articles in the Behind the Ballroom series, as I introduce you to more of the friends of Intuitive Images.

~Steph