I love it when my clients are blown away with their images.  I feel like I’ve done my job right. Most of the time, my clients say thank you a million times and smile and wave goodbye. Once in a while I get a client who goes out of their way to give me feedback like this…

“Stacey’s talent is undeniable.  She worked so well with my 2 year old, and truly captured his essence in her photographs.  When my daughter was born, I didn’t hesitate to entrust Stacey with her newborn photos.  Because her fees are so reasonable, I’m looking forward to having Stacey capture my children’s milestones in the future.”

When I read this, I just about burst into tears!  I was SO thrilled!  Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Here a few images from this client’s newborn portrait session.

Stacey

Photography Basics Course – May 2012!

Are you afraid of your camera?  Have you ever wondered what all those buttons do?

Face your fear – Be Afraid NO More!

Just $49, this 2-hour course will open  your eyes to the world of cameras and light and, hopefully, make those buttons seem a little less daunting!
These classes are limited to 10 people so book early to secure your place

Dates for Spring 2012…

To reserve your place, email me at courses@staceyfphotography.com

I look forward to seeing you soon!
Stacey

To all my clients in 2011 – thank you for letting me into your lives to capture the special moments you’ve enjoyed this year! I am SO thankful to have been a part of your lives

Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Happy Holidays to everyone! May your 2012 be filled with good health, prosperity and lots of wonderful memories! See you in 2012!!!

Stacey

PS: Have a look at this quick slideshow I put together of my favourite moments in 2011

2011 In Review.

With Autumn very definitely on our doorstep, this means the Holidays are right around the corner. 

If you’re at all like me, you end up procrastinating and doing everything last minute, vowing to do better the following year!

Well now is your chance to envoke that change!  Get in early and cross one thing off your list!

For all sessions held in October, a complimentary CD, printable to 5×7″ will be included. What a great deal!!!

Only 8 sessions available so book yours today!

Stacey

It’s baby season at the moment!  I’m seeing SO many expectant mothers around – it’s wonderful!!!

So why and when would an expectant mother have a maternity portrait taken?
Why: to capture this amazing time in your life.  You’re only pregnant a handful of times and, once the nausea wears off, most women feel great.  It’s also baby’s first pictures (albeit in-utero).
When: The 7th month is ideal beacuse mum’s belly has taken on that glorious matenal shape but (hopefully) is not yet getting uncomfortable.

So if you’re expecting or know a woman who is, share this tidbit with her.  This is a perfect time for a portrait, even if it doesn’t go on the wall.

Till next week!
Stacey

Well I had to take a hiatus last week as I was going a little crazy preparing for my older son’s birthday so today’s tip is about children’s birthday parties.

Tip 1 – as mums we all go a little nuts trying to make sure everything is perfect for our children’s birthdays.  Honestly, I have found that simpler is better.  Sure they have a blast at crazy party places like Pump It Up but it’s not necessary.  I took my son’s friends to Skipolini’s Pizza in Walnut Creek, gave them a bunch of quarters for the trinket machines and let them go for it.  It was SO easy!!!!

Tip 2 – when we’re photographing a child’s birthday party, it’s important to anticipate moments.  If you see kids running round and can see where they’re heading, get ahead of them and jump out with the camera – you’ll get some great expressions and maybe even get involved in the game!

Have fun with the kids! 

Till next week….

Stacey

Welcome to Wednesday Wisdom!

Each week I will share a tidbit of info, mostly on photogpraphy, but I’ll throw in any cool places I’ve come across, fun things to do with the kids….you name it.

This week’s wisdom is about photographing children….

As adults, we see the world from a naturally higher perspective. Obviously, unless you’ve got teenagers, children will not attain the same heights as us adults for quite some time so try literally getting down on their level (or lower) when you’re trying to capture that ice-cream covered face, or playdate with their friends. By getting down on their level, it not only helps to see the world from their perspective (and maybe even bring out the inner child in you), but also helps to make them feel less intimidated about having a camera nearby.

Have a great 4th of July weekend and stay cool!!!

…till next week!
Stacey

With the number of smartphones on the exponential rise, there are new privacy and security threats every day! There are so many features built into these devices, including a lot of behind-the-scenes features, that it’s increadibly easy to have the wrong settings selected or not know what settings to use and not use that before you know it, you’ve got a major security threat on your hands.

As a parent, I’m always cautious about the amount of information about my children that’s available in the public domain. You’ll never see me refer to my kids by name when I post blogs, pictures, comments. They are still so young and innocent, they do not deserve to become targets of sick individuals.

My chiropractor, Dr Geraldine Mulhall, showed me an TV news article this morning about uploading pictures from your smartphone and how the information embedded in the post can be used to trace the location the image was taken, your children’s names, where you live, where they go to school, where they like to eat, etc. I found this alarming to say the least.

Please take the time to watch this news article and check your phone settings! Our children are precious and innocent and they deserve all the protection we can give them!

Stacey

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2vARzvWxwY

Thanks to Dr Geraldine Mulhall of Mulhall Family Chiropractic for sharing this article with me!

Wow, what an amazing family!  This sums everything up!  I photographed the mother over 2 years ago for her maternity portraits as she expected her second child and was able to capture some breathtaking images.  The mother is a wonderful lady, an old school-friend of one of my closest girlfriends, not to mention a successful realtor/broker, and has been itching for me to capture their family in portraits.

She was truly inspired by one of my signature images, a scene of a family walking down a tree-lined path, and really wanted me to capture that scene for her family so we chose a park in San Ramon with a beautiful avenue of trees. 

On the morning of the session, we spoke and she told me her older son had become ill overnight but he was ok to continue with the session.

What a Trooper!!!!  This 7 year old boy was an absolute pillar of strength!  While “off camera” he was definitely under the weather, he brought it together when he needed to and in such a way that every expression was so increadibly natural.  As a result, I was able to capture the images the family truly wanted and here are some for you to enjoy.

Stacey