{Celebrated} Mothers Day

 

I know I'm a day late but I was out enjoying my day with friends & family. I hope all of you moms out there had a fabulous day and were spoiled with lots of hugs & kisses from your little ones. Here's a virtual hug (()) for my mom and mother-in-law too.

Here's a Mothers Day Recap. I started the day with a family session in Huntington Beach. I was so nervous for this session because it was for a Washington photographer that was visiting Disneyland with her family (three kids five and under). It always makes me nervous to shoot for another photographer, no matter how much experience I have. Luckily for me the session went awesome and I was off to celebrate the day with my family and friends. We enjoyed brunch at McKenna's on the Bay and then set out on the boat for the day. Boating makes me so nostalgic. I have so many early memories of boating with my family in the Puget Sound. We had a blast venturing out to the ocean and visiting Shoreline Village. It was especially wonderful because my husband got to take the day off, which is rare occurrence. It was so nice to celebrate as a family.

Brookie loved being on the water. One of her favorite things to do is jump on the bed or couch. So she loved the movement of the boat and the motion didn't stop her from jumping then too. I still can't believe I'm a mom to the coolest little kid ever. We are having so much fun with her these days and are amazed daily with all her new words and sentences. On Friday, she said "I shiver" in the car as the A/C was blasting. Kristi & I looked at each other and laughed, thinking where in the world did she learn that? Other recent faves are "I'm coming", "I march" (as she marches up and down the hallway), "it's stuck", and it really cracks me up when she calls me "CharChar" (which is what all my nieces, nephews, & friends' kiddies call me). She likes to sing Itsy Bitsy Spider, Twinkle Twinkle, & the alphabet with us. She's also counting to 10.

I ran back to our car before brunch to grab my DSLR camera but stopped and decided against it. I already have so many images from this past weekend's jobs; I just didn't feel like creating more work for myself. Instead I captured the days' events with my iPhone. It's a good thing because it would have been my camera that could have been ruined on the boat versus my phone. My poor phone got wet while on the boat, thanks to a giant wave & me sitting on the bow. I'm off to the Apple store tonight to see what my options are for replacing. In the meantime, I'm phoneless which is incredibly frustrating. Please email me (charla@charlablue.com) or connect with me on Facebook to get in touch.

Here's our day in images (taken with the Cross Process app)...

 

It's fun to have friends with a boat! Donovan, KrisD, & Kruiz.

 

 

{Celebrate} Easter

Hope that you all had a wonderful day with family & friends. I saw so many comments on Facebook & Twitter stating what do bunnies, chicks, & eggs have to do with the resurrection? Well, I'm pretty sure nothing. But if you really think about it...someone somewhere might have been thinking about how they may bring the resurrection of Christ to the masses. So although it may be a marketing ploy, families everywhere are celebrating this day and I can only hope that the message of hope is creeping into their hearts too. And any day that brings friends and family together, is a day to celebrate and cherish. Pics from our day will be posted soon...

{Happy Holidays 2009} from CB to YOU!

Wishing all my friends, family, & clients a very Merry Christmas! I hope you have a wonderful celebration with all of your loved ones. May you find peace, hope, joy, & faith in this holiday season. Enjoy a few images shot today on my parents property in Olympia, Washington.

 

 

*NOTE: After taking this "hope" image of a twisted willow, my dad informed that it was a branch in an arrangement given to my mother when she was going through chemo. They planted it and five years later, it is a flourishing in their yard. As is my mother....cancer free!

 

 

{Semaan Family} Cerritos, CA Family Photograher

Sunday I met up with Samira and her parents for a little holiday portrait. They are always a fun bunch to capture, but Samira really made me work for the shot this year...but most toddlers do! I'm starting to realize that with Brooklyn now too...as there are fewer and fewer pictures of her. I miss the 6-9 month stage when they can sit up and smile and laugh but not crawl yet. That's the best time for lots of awesome images! At any rate, Samira is still as cute as can be and is the best dressed 2-year old I know! I'm jealous of her wardrobe!

{Celebrate} Thanksgiving

I hope you all enjoyed a day full of laugter, love, and delicious food! It was really awesome reading everyone's texts, Twitters and updates on Facebook for all that they were thankful. Here are a few that are near and dear to me...

Me: Thankful for an awesome night with friends last night, a day with family & friends today, & my cute little girl!

Cora: Love and thankful for my husband, our home, and our amazing baby girl. Life is seriously perfect!

My mom: Turkey's rubbed and ready for the oven, giblets are boiling on the stove, sale flyers are half read, football's on TV -- ahhhhhhh, it must be Thanksgiving! Happy Turkey day to all our friends and family and don't forget to count your blessings!!! Everyone has them -- sometimes you just have to look around for them! Love and peace to you all!

Kristi: Happy turkey day - I'm thankful for the love of my family n friends

Brian (my little brother): So t day with no bro and sis and kids. Just mom dad and a big turkey. First time in life the Avery family house isn't overcome with people. Should be intresting. Hope everyone has a great day. Oh and to the people that shop on Friday I hate you. Thanks for ruining my night tonight. Smiles

Isn't amazing how much Facebook, Twitter, and blogs can make us feel so much more connected and close. Especially on the holidays, when we wish we were all closer! Although I'm extremely blessed to have so many wonderful friends and in-laws in Southern California, I also get a little sad when I'm not with the Avery Family in Washington state during the holidays. The holidays were always such a big deal growing up and I long for them still as an adult. However, my favorite holiday is Christmas and I will be back home with Dan & Brooklyn this year. We can't wait and are counting the days.

In the spirit of gratefulness, I want to take this opportunity to thank every client, friend, and family member that has supported and encouraged me on this photography journey. I can't believe that this is the 3rd holiday season that I will be capturing the same families. It is so special playing a part in each of your lives. Thank you for your loyalty!

And from the Ford family session yesterday, here's a little fall fun & colors for the holiday!

 

{Holiday Mini Sessions} Long Beach Family Photographer

One last opporunity to capture your family this year for your holiday card or for family gifts (see details below). Please contact me ASAP to book your session. The following times are already BOOKED: 10am, 2pm, 3pm.

 

Here's a fun image from my most recent session with the Ruiz Family.

 

Contact Charla / View my portfolio

{Happy Halloween} 2009

Well, I must admit it's pretty fun having a little one to dress up for Halloween. I've never been a fan of this holiday...finding the right costume, creepy-crawly-gross decorations, ghosts, goblins, and scary people. I just don't get it! Well, I have a feeling this will be the beginning of a new appreciation of the day. We're off to trick'or'treat and celebrate with friends! Enjoy the day and be safe everyone. Here's our little "B"!

 

{Captured} Leon Family

Sunday I got to capture the coolest family ever! They are seriously the sweetest, most lovable family. I was so impressed with this family of seven for so many reasons. First, I come from a family of seven too and I remember the only family photo shoot we ever did growing up was disastrous. It was actually disastrous because of me and my stubborn self not wanting to wear the same thing as the rest of the family. HaHa...go figure! I never heard a complaint nor a whine from any of the five children (ages ranging from 4 to 19) during our entire session. AND they were all smiles and seemed to be enjoying themselves. I always get a little nervous for family shoots and this one was an absolute blast. Thank you Kristyn for introducing me to your entire family and hope to be seeing you all very soon now that we're neighbors. Enjoy your sneak peak...

 

 

One more thing we have in common, my dad's name is Leon! And mom Gigi and I are both 4'11"! :)

 

I almost forgot to mention that is was Zack's birthday on the day of our shoot. Hope you had a happy birthday, Zack!

 

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{Announcing} Holiday Portrait Dates

The holidays are just around the corner already! There is a chill in the air and it looks like fall has finally arrived to Southern California. What better time than to remind you to think ahead this holiday season. After a crazy hectic 2008 holiday season, I'm encouraging you to plan ahead for your family portrait session. My time is especially limited this year so I will only be doing sessions on the dates listed below. I will also not be doing any sessions after the last November date so that I may have time to edit your images and get your cards ordered in time for the holidays. Please send me a email ASAP with the date you're interested in and I will confirm.

 

Contact Charla / View my portfolio

{Celebrate} Independence Day

I hope everyone had a fabulous 4th of July! I know we did. We celebrated by beaching and boating at Marine Stadium for the day. This is the 2nd year in a row we've done this with the Maugas, Volkoffs, & Fords. We set up camp beachside for the day and took turns exploring the canals of Belmont Shore by boat (thanks to the Maugas). For those of you that have never been through the area on this holiday, it's insane! We had no idea what we were getting into last year and were shocked (and angered) by the attack of water balloons and guns that doused us with water from every angle. This year we knew better but still braved it and got attacked even worse! Luckily there weren't any kids on the boat this year but that seemed to work as a great excuse for us last year. Oh well. It was a great day and wonderful to spend it with my hubby for the first time in 5 years! Seriously. Hope you had a wonderful day with your friends and family!

 

 

Thanks to my 14 year old niece Lindsey for these next two shots. She's been staying with us for the last two weeks.

 

 

Happy 2009!

Happy New Year everyone! We finished off the year with a bang. We hosted a party at our place this year so we could be home with the little one. This is the third new years that we have spent with Kristi, Donovan, & their cousins Jana & Bo. The highlight of the evening was the photo booth we set up in the studio. As you could imagine, the pictures got better and more fun as the night progressed. We're going to have to do that at every party now. I'm so excited for a new year and all that it brings. Cheers to you and yours.

 

 

 

 

Merry Christmas

Greetings from the Brummel family! Just wanted to take a moment to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. I'm especially excited and grateful our "little present" this year. Not only does Brooklyn get to celebrate her first Christmas...she gets do it in a snowy wonderland. Yes, it is still snowing! We will be spending the time at my parents home in Olympia, Washington with all of my siblings, their families and a bunch of extended family members who will be stopping by throughout the day. It's been a while since a baby has been in the Avery home, so Brooklyn has become quite an attraction.

Card designed by Cora of Apple by Day.

From Brooklyn - Third month

Gingerbread Houses

Yesterday Brooklyn & I attended our first gingerbread house making party at Cora's house. In my 33 years I can't say that I've ever made a gingerbread house. And I still can't! We elected to hang out and take pictures instead during the festivities. It wasn't a contest but if it was Dana won! Her house is the bottom left of the collage.

 

The highlight was baby Brooklyn meeting baby JET (short for Jude Everett Travis). They had fun hanging out on the floor while I got to play with my new cam snapping shots of them. (Whoa...watch it Jet where you're putting your hand.)

 

 

Lewis Fam

Meet 3 year old Lawton and one year Theo. (Don't you love their names?) They have the bluest eyes and the cutest rosy cheeks.

 

Brotherly love! They like to play cars and wrestle.