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Top 10 Reasons to do Family Holiday Photos in the summer.

Holiday photos in the summerLet’s face it, this summer Christmas is probably the last thing on your mind. But did you know that summer is the best time to take family photos for those holiday cards? Here are my top ten reasons why you should book your family portrait session today.

#10. Easier to book. It’s easier to get a weekend appointment (or an appointment at all).

#9. Sun-kissed skin. You will still have that fresh, summer glow instead of that winter pallor.

#8. A chill photo shoot. Your session will be more relaxing, because you don’t have to worry about fitting it in to your busy holiday schedule.

#7. Bragging Rights. You can tell your friends that you got your holiday cards finished early!

#6. Clothing Sales. Fall clothing is on sale. You can pick up a really cute outfit for every member of your family at a discount. Check out www.peekkids.com for amazing outfits for kids 12 and under.

#5. Beautiful weather. The weather outside is amazing this time of year–and oh those spectacular sunsets.

#4. No Crowds. You won’t have to fight the masses at the popular holiday portrait spots.

#3. Holiday Card discount. You will get 20% off of your holiday cards when you place your print order at the same time.

#2. The Savings. My Christmas in July package (good thru 8/31/15) is only $299 (reg. $499), so you’ll save $200 right off the bat.

#1. Those Family Portraits. Because you aren’t holiday shopping, cooking for holiday parties or traveling to grandma’s house, you will actually make the appointment. And you’ll finally have creative, contemporary portraits of your family that you will enjoy for years to come.

Contact me today to book your summer holiday photos: kristin @ blueskysstudio.com or call 949-510-3862

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Beautiful Carolin

I am so inspired by the amazing people I get to photograph each day.  Especially those people who face adversity with a smile and have a beautiful spirit.  Carolin is one of those unique, beautiful individuals who can really light up a room with her gorgeous smile.  She is an only child whose Mom is a survivor of brain cancer.  Unfortunately, Carolin’s mom is in wheelchair as a result of an injury suffered after the cancer treatment.  Carolin’s amazing Dad is super supportive, but still has to travel for work.  This doesn’t slow Carolin down at all.  She comes home, helps fix dinner and hangs out and keeps her mom company and still manages to find time to act in her school plays and get all her homework done on time.  A truly warm, sweet, bright and loving person.  I am so proud to have had an opportunity to capture her beauty, inside and out! Enjoy!

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See more by watching her slideshow:

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Fun in the Field with the Collins Family: San Juan Capistrano Family Photographer

Sometimes you have to plan while the flowers are a blooming!  And since I have no idea how long they are going to stay around, you may see lots of flowers in my sessions in the near future.  These gorgeous yellow blooms are the perfect backdrop to a fun, earthy, family photography session.  The Collins family dressed just right to blend in with the beautiful wild flowers, trees and other earthy elements.  Not to mention the fact that their kids are gorgeous…. even if Ryan thinks he can’t smile….. and I have pictures that prove he does have a great grin!  This family is near and dear to my heart, as I can totally relate with Sue and having a husband obsessed with the Eagles.  If you, like me, love the wild mustard, now is the perfect time to book a session.    Be sure to check out the slideshow at the end of the images for a little behind the scenes action!

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What have you been reading lately?

For the first time in my entire life, I went almost three months without reading a book from late September to late December.  I can’t believe that the time just flew by and I was so busy with work, kids, friends, family, etc. that I just never picked anything up.  Over the years, I have been in a few book clubs and always was the go to gal with my friends for book recommendations.  In fact, my biggest problem in book clubs, was almost every book they recommended, I had already read.  People are always amazing that I read so many books with my busy schedule.  Honestly, if you followed me through my typical day, you would be amazed at how many moments there are to just grab a few minutes to read.  For example, you would never find me waiting in line at the post office without my book in hand.  The best part, is my Kindle is now on my phone, so I am never without something to read.

So you might be asking yourself, how come I went for so many months without reading???  I asked myself the same question, and it is honestly because there were too many other distractions.  I watched more Netflix while I was touching up images, so that felt like my break… even though I was working.  But the reality is, watching something doesn’t have the same effect on me.  Reading allows me to relax and unwind and it quiets my mind.  I missed it!  I was feeling anxious all the time and I didn’t know why.  On December 21 after an incredibly busy family photography season, I escaped for a few days to my folks place, in Arrowhead.  There my Mom and I lite the fire, settled in under some warm blankets, and read some amazing books.  Finally, I felt totally relaxed.

If you are like me, and love to escape into a great novel, you should follow my Goodreads.com page.  I try to updated it frequently with what I am reading.  I would also love to get input from you on great recommendations.  Here the link to my page:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2843345

Last year I did and art piece called “Love Story” based on my book obsession.  Here is the final piece:

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Shipwrecked: Styled Session for Autumn Rain

2014 has been a year of creative growth for me up to this point.  While I adore working with families, kiddos, wedding parties, event and corporations, sometimes a gal just needs to do a personal project.  In June of this year, I made the commitment to myself that I would do one project every 6-8 weeks just for me.  To have fun, explore a subject, work with a beautiful model, expand my portfolio and so on.

As is usually the case when I get an idea, a name immediately popped into my head, Denyse!  My friend Denyse Angus is an amazing stylist and has some seriously stunning kids.  While she has primarily done styling for friends and family (including me for a family session several years ago), she is as gifted and talented as any professional I have ever worked with.  I shared with her my vision for my first several styled ideas and she set right to work.  Initially we were just going to do it with one model and focus solely on being creative and then, boom, another friend popped into my mind….Deseree Burjakowsky and amazing jewelry designer.  I called her up and asked if we could borrow some of her jewelry for the session.   Please go to her Facebook site and like Autumn Rain Designs!  It is truly stunning. Also, Denyse suggested we use her son Dustin in the background and my story came to life.

Here are my favorite images from the session.  I am also doing a couple of art pieces, that will take some time to create, but I will share with you in the future.  I want to give a big shout out Thank you to not only Denyse & Deseree… but to my beautiful model Ava, the handsome Dustin and to Jeff, Eden and Madison for helping me put this all together and dragging props down to the beach at 5:30 am!  Enjoy!

 

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