{SmugMug + Cora} Why I love you so

I've been using SmugMug for the past year to host my online client albums & Bay Photo to print my images. And now they have teamed up to deliver an even better customer experience to my clients. I am so impressed with these companies and their constant commitment to improving their service to both their photographers and ultimately the customers. They have recently added customized branding opportunities throughout their site and now on custom packaging to clients with stickers and thank you cards. Enter CORA! My friend & graphic-go-to-girl. I asked her with a "pretty please" plea today and she arrived at my house tonight with laptop in hand. 2.5 hours later, I'm one happy girl with all that she accomplished. I OWE HER LOTS OF PICS OF BABY LU! She is pretty much the silent partner of charla BLUE photography. And I so appreciate her time and sacrificed bedtime.

I always love to share this kinda stuff for photogs just starting out (there is so much too consider and so overwhelming with options).

This is the sticker that will go on the outside of delivered products...

 

And the fun thank you card that goes inside...

 

{Brooklyn + Luella} Thursdays with the Volkoffs

Thursday nights have become Dinner with the Volkoffs. We only live 2 blocks from one another, Thursdays are Dan's day off, and he LOVES to cook for others. So the Volkoffs venture to our home on Thursday eves for some grub and we are entertained by the little ones. Brookie & LuLu are exactly one year minus one day apart. They both get so excited to see one another, it's so endearing! And they just so happened to be matching in colors today, so what better opportunity for a mini-photo shoot. Brooklyn loves to tickle, hug, & kiss Lu. Usually Lu has wondered who this little person in her space is? But most recently she gets excited & is entertained by Brookie. It's so fun to see little ones interact with one another. I love these little girls...

 

 

 

 

{Brooklyn + Luella} The chaos behind the cuteness

I thought I'd share a little of the chaos that ensued while trying to capture Luella & Brooklyn this past weekend. These two are actually exactly one year apart, Brooklyn's birthday on October 2nd and Lu's on the 1st. These girls are going to have to forever compete for birthday parties (Brooklyn also has a cousin that was born on the same exact day as her). Anyways, here are some of the outtakes...but definitely some of the cutest...

 

 

 

Already playing dress up...

 

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{Luella, 6 months} Long Beach, CA Baby Photographer

I've been dying to share this session here on the blog but had had to post prior clients first. I cannot get over Lu's cuteness! She is such a little stud at the ripe age of 6 months. She's crawling, standing, and asserting herself like no other. She is the perfect combination of her parents!

NOTE to Moms: If you are interested in capturing awesome shots of your baby...do it as soon as they are sitting up on their own, and before they begin to crawl. Unfortunately, in Lu's case she started crawling BEFORE she sat up alone. I know, crazy...right?

I'm also excited to share a behind-the-scenes look at capturing this session in a future blog. Can you imagine a naked baby crawling away, all the while my 18 month trying to tickle and play with her. It was comedy and I only wish I had video of our session captured (we actually did grab the flip after realizing how funny it was). It's really so fun to see our two girls interact with one another. Every night as Brooklyn is going to sleep, she lies in her crib and goes through her list of names that she knows..."mama, dada, coco, lulu...". They are at the top of her list next to us. When the phone rings, Brooklyn exclaims "It's CoCo". When I'm editing images, she screams "lulu". It wasn't until recently that "lulu" was pronounced "wuwu". But she has now perfected the "l" sound. It kinda makes me sad, because it was pretty cute the way she pronounced it first.

But on to the images...BEWARE that the following images are full of CUTENESS!

 

 

 

 

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{Luella June} Long Beach Baby Photographer

Little Miss Luella June is getting big. So big that she is almost as tall as my Brooklyn (seriously...they are only like 5 inches apart, even though they are a year apart). I cannot believe how strong she is and how much she smiles and laughs ALREADY. This is such a fun age (3+ months) for a baby because they start doing so much and interacting with you. And although she is changing a ton, some things have not changed. For example, that crazy little tongue of hers that she loves to stick out. Silly girl. So glad I had a moment to capture her one more time...before she goes and changes on us again.

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Happy Birthday Luella

Today is Luella June's first week birthday. I can't believe it's already been a week since I witnessed the most amazing thing in the world...her entry into this world! The Volkoffs are coworkers, neighbors...but most importantly, the best friends a girl could ask for. I was so honored to be a part of their labor and delivery. It's a good thing it's taken' me a whole week to blog this, because otherwise, I would be a blubbering mess. I cried for days after! Seriously, it was such an emotional experience. I can only tell you my account but you should check Cora's blog for theirs.

It all started last Wednesday, Back to School night, of course. I actually got some sort of stomach bug that day and went home from work so sick! I was in bed by 7pm, missing Back to School night as a result. I was awaken around 9pm from a phonecall from Aaron and debated whether I should answer it or not. I only did because I quickly wondered if they were in labor. They knew I was sick and I'm sure hestitated to call. As I suspected, they were! I had been asleep and told Aaron that was the only reason I answered. We had always planned on me being there so that I could capture the experience on camera. Aaron asked me what I wanted to do and my reply was...I DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS..I WILL BE THERE! I rolled out of bed and got myself and camera gear ready and met them at the hospital.

By the time I got to LB Memorial Hospital, Cora was already changed and in bed giving info to the admitting nurse. Becky soon arrived too and we awaited the news if Cora would be admitted or not. Meanwhile Aaron and I were making jokes, only to be reminded by Cora that we were not funny! LOL. I can remember the annoying factor being multiplied by 100 when I was in labor, so I was forgiving. Cora was already experiencing contractions and was dialated to 1cm. The doctor agreed to admit her and encouraged her to walk around to help induce labor. At this point, Cora was shaking and even began to vomit. It's seriously the worst thing in the world to watch someone go through pain. Cora quickly dialated to 3cm by midnight and was moved to the labor and delivery room. The rest of the night was spent there watching Cora experience labor...WITHOUT any drugs. She was such a champ breathing through each contraction and trying to rest in between.

By the early morning, Cora had advanced to 7cm dialated and it became evident that this baby was coming SOON! The L&D nurse was bragging all night what a stud Cora was to the other nurses that this was Cora's first baby, that she wasn't using drugs, and she was so mellow! Unfortunately shift change was at 5am for the delivering doctor, which is about the time that Cora felt compelled to PUSH! The nurses tried to delay the process and encouraged her to relax and breathe. Meanwhile Becky and I were freaking out because we could tell the looks on their faces meant Lu was coming sooner than later. Ultimately they had to call the doctor on call and little Luella made her appearance. There was really only one place for us to stand and that was at the feet of Cora's bed. We got to witness the most beautiful thing in the world. I might add that I tend to be on the squimish side and don't particularly like blood. I was not phased in the least and only felt emotion, tears, and love for the Volkoffs and little LuLu. It was truly amazing! I'm so happy and proud of the Volkoffs.

We welcome little Luella June Volkoff. Born on October 1st, 2009 at 5:27am. 8lbs. 7 oz. 20.5 inches. See the baby story here...


And little LuLu's first photo shoot at one week old...

 

 

 

 

{Manic Monday} is actually Tardy Tuesday

Well Monday was so Manic that I didn't have the time nor resources to post a blog. So welcome to Tardy Tuesday! Did you miss me? I definitely missed you and my blog! Since we moved and Verizon decided not to show up to our scheduled appointment, I have been without Internet or TV since Thursday! YIKES! I feel so disconnected with everyone and it's going to take me days to catch up on all my work and of course all of the blogs and sites I follow. Not to mention that I missed the premieres of Desperate Housewives, Brothers & Sisters, AND Dancing with the Stars. Yes, I live an exciting life and they are my guilty pleasures.
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Operation Move was a success! We love love love our new home. It's so homey and quiet. I didn't realize how loud it was at our last place until lying in bed this weekend in absolute quiteness. It was so strange...no dogs parking, parrots chirping (yes parrots! There is a colony of wild parrots that live in Belmont Heights and they are so LOUD!), people rummaging through our recycling bin outside our window in the alley, nor cars soaring by. Brooklyn is digging the peace too because she has been sleeping in until at least 7am. We even had to wake her up on Monday! That was a first. She seems to have adjusted just fine to our new home, in fact, she loves it. She literraly does laps from the living room to the kitchen and back! I still can't get over how cute she is walking!

The best part is the ONE minute it takes me to get to work and Brooklyn's daycare. It's so nice to have my life centralized. Since becoming a mom and working two jobs...I really need every extra minute I can find.

Can I just tell you that I have a ridiculous amount of STUFF? I have donated boxes of clothes, shoes, dishes, and total randomness and I still have more to sort through. I really want to use this opportunity to free myself from years of clutter and crap. I'm still trying to figure out what to do with ALL of my photo albums, journals, and miscellaneous keepsakes from my childhood and beyond.
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It seems that our little Brookie is becoming quite the little cuddle bug...with everyone except us! What? On Saturday Cora & Aaron watched Brooklyn while we moved. Aaron sent me a picture of Brooklyn sleeping cuddled up next to Cora in the rocker. She has not done that in 6 months, seriously! She is quite the independent little girl so I was so shocked to see this image...

 

And speaking of Cora, she is due in ONE day! She is seriously the most patient preggers I've ever met. At this point in my pregnancy, I wanted out of my body and the baby too! You should have seen her today at my house climbing on my couch to hang pictures and then moving furniture. Trust me...I didn't ask her too...she just did it! I'm especially excited because I get to be in the labor and delivery room and capture it all on camera. (Trust me...I'll be discreet in my captures.) I've never attended another birth, other than Brooklyn's, so this is going to be a real adventure for me. I'm hoping and praying for a quick and uneventful delivery. I can hardly wait to meet LuLu!

{Captured} Cora Expecting

And Because Cora is that beautiful preggers, I had to post more...

 

 

 

 

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{Captured} Volkoff's Expecting

Eeek...I'm a whole week behind on blogging. That woud be because I'm back to teaching and packing to move homes. Not the best timing and planning on my part. But that is kinda how life is.

So, last Friday, Cora and I made a date to capture her last trimester and month of being pregnant. She is just shy of 3 weeks from her due date and we can hardly wait to meet little LuLu! I have to say that I feel very priveliged to have been a part of it all and capturing every moment on camera. You might even recognize the red boots from their wedding day! I really wanted to find a big hilly countryside for our session, but who am I kidding? I live in South LA County. Instead I found an abandoned lot in Laguna. I actually think it made for some great pics. I might add that Cora is the best preggers ever. I'm so happy that she has had a great pregnancy with very little complaining (seriously!). I hope Aaron realizes how lucky he is! I'm even a little jealous.

The big surprise of our session was that Aaron even agreed to be a part of it! We've joked for years that he will have no part in prego pictures. Well, I'm thinking the new pops is softening a bit in aticipation of his little girl!

 

 

 

 

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{Captured} Cora Expecting

For all the work that my dear friend Cora has done for me (blog design, logo, and my all around go to girl for graphic design), it is so nice to return the favor and share my photography with her. She is 28 weeks pregnant now and is in her third trimester. It's officially the home stretch and the final countdown has begun. She is due only one day before Brooklyn's 1st birthday. It's so fun to think about this time last year I was exactly 28 weeks pregnant too. It's also been fun for her to think in one year her little girl will be Brooklyn's current age. This session was particularly fun because we did at her new home with all natural light. I think the images reflect her style and personality. Here's a sneak peak. Your comments are always welcome...

 

 

 

 

West Seattle

I've always loved the view of the city from West Seattle...

 

 

Aarons idea of maternity portraits...