just us - february {san jose, california, family photographer}

We're starting our second month of Just Us Times 12. Missed the first month? Here's a review.

A couple of weeks ago we traveled to beautiful Key West, Florida, for a fun family vacation. 

I tried my best to get a decent family shot. I precariously placed my camera on a chair, hoping it wouldn't fall off.

Of course my family was forced happily visited the southernmost point in the continental United States. 

Not the best shot (and way too posed for me!) but I had to (cautiously) pass my camera off to the next person in line after us to grab a quick pic of the three of us. I say it was somewhat successful! (And no, I'm not taller than my Sweetie, I just happened to be standing on a curb.)

Please be sure to visit Suzanne O'Brien, Bay Area, California photographer to see her version of Just Us February picture.

the S family {san jose, california, family photographer}

This family was so gracious and was up for just about anything and I LOVED capturing this cutie! She  was so serious but adorable at the same time. Of course having a Key West sunset in the background didn't hurt at all!!

the R family {San Jose, California, family photographer}

While in Key West a couple of weeks ago I was able to take some pictures of this very sweet and gorgeous family! I had the best time with them. I wish all my sessions could be in Key West but I'll definitely take these for now!

five on friday {san jose, california, family photographer

1. I've been taking an intense photography workshop this past week called Breaking the Mold. I won't go into too many details (it may bore you) but one thing we learned is to minimize the noise in order to let other possibilities in. You have NO idea how that has resonated with me since our instructor gave us this assignment. Has it been easy? NO! But it's been sooooo worth it!  I never realized how much "noise" I let into my daily life; constantly checking Facebook, constantly checking my e-mail, scouring other photography blogs, Pinterest etc, etc. It's been nice to be much more "in the moment" with my sweetie, with Early Bird, with my photography, with... just me! It makes me realize how much noise we let in ALL the time. Once this workshop is over I think I will continue to try to reduce my "noise" and ultimately I'll have my own journey instead of being on the sideline and watching everybody else's journey. 

2. Our fabulous instructor, Deb Schwedhelm, (really you must check her site out) gave us this video to watch on minimizing the noise. I think this holds true for everyone.... everyone... honestly! I love the message and the graphics! 

3. I have to toot my own Sweetie's horn (and I can't believe I haven't mentioned this before now!) For the past nine (sometimes loooong) months him and his business partner, along with Imangi Studios, have been working on releasing their new game on the iPhone, iPad, Kindle, and Android called Temple Run 2. It's quite a fun and addictive game. If you get a chance check it out and download it! I'm so proud of all them for all their hard work!!

4. I was scouring Pinterest again (the one time a day I've allowed myself since the start of my workshop) and I saw this INGENIOUS device. It's a wine glass inside of a sippy cup. I mean, why couldn't I have come up with that? Wouldn't you love seeing all the moms at a playgroup with one of these in their hands?! Too funny!! I know some of my mom friends and I have joked about putting wine in sippy cups before (only to be drunk by the moms of course!) but to put a wine glass INSIDE one! That's just a great big bag of awesomeness! Hmmmm..... I'm thinking that could be a great birthday gift ;) If you're interested it's called the Vino2Go (even the name is really cute/cool!) and you can find it here. (I didn't get paid for this. I just think it's a great idea!)

5. Random photo of the day: 

a beautiful family that I got to spend some recent time with!

monthly quote blog hop - february {san jose, california, family photographer}

We're back for another round of Monthly Quote Blog Hop - February edition. 

Not sure what it is? Check here for our January edition.

I love February's quote, "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." - Maya Angelou.

The photo below was a happy accident. My family and I were visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, California, recently. I had taken a new lens to play with and really was just getting used to its settings. We walked into the jellyfish exhibit at the very end of the day. I noticed how beautiful and delicate the different kinds of jellyfish were, just floating gently and gracefully through the water. This particular tank caught my eye. Since it was dark in the exhibit I had to really crank my ISO up. I wasn't hopeful for any good shots coming out of it. Luckily though when i checked the back of my camera this popped up. I felt myself gasp. The contrast between the jellyfish itself and the black background, along with the long graceful tendrils, it really did take my breath away for a split second. Watching all the different kinds of jellyfish float around was beautiful but a still image really does solidify how exquisite and delicate nature can be. I'm so glad this happy accident happened!

Don't forget to follow the circle and see how the talented Amy Hohl interpreted this same quote.  

happy valentines! {san jose, california, family photographer}

I hope everyone is having a super day! (if not, at least not a down-in-the-dumps day!)

sometimes you need a little ...

spring/mother's day mini-sessions {san jose, california, family photographer}

SPRING/MOTHER'S DAY MINI-SESSIONS ARE COMING SOON!

This would be a GREAT gift for a mom (maybe you?!) or grandma. Don't let time slip by without being IN the pictures, not just taking them!!

Limited spots! 

~ Two dates, April 27 & 28

~ $100 

~ 20 minute sessions, includes 10 hi-res edited images (up to 5x7)

~ up to 4 people ($25 for each additional member)
~ park location around Los Gatos, California

~ additional images and prints available for purchase

~ limited availability

Key West Vaca {San Jose, California, family photographer}

Last week the family and I went on a little vacation to Key West, Florida. What an AMAZING time we had! We ate, played on the beach, soaked up the sun, played on the beach some more, ate on our balcony and just relished every. single. second we had in paradise. However, I did sneak in a little work here and there, which I'll be posting soon, but for now here's some personal photos I captured!

The light there is just beautiful! So different than the light here. I can't quite put my finger on how and why it's different, it just is. Maybe it's a bit softer?! I'm not sure but it was such a dream to shoot in!  I'll be posting snippets here and there throughout the week. Here's a few I was able to get to today.

 These were some of the Hemingway cats. Many people believe some of the cats that roam the island are direct descendants of Ernest Hemingway's six toed cats.

friday's feature {san jose, california, family photographer}

It's the beginning of the month and it's time for our Friday's Feature featuring another talented photographer, Carli Adams from Sugar Snap Photography. She's come to us all the way from the UK! Love that an international photographer has stopped by!

Make sure to hop on over to Carli's Web site for more eye candy!

~ Tell us about you and your family.

My Husbands name is Dan, we have three children Morgan who is 13, Bailie who is 9 and Isabella who is 3 and boss of the house!

~ Name the places you have called home. Where is home now?

We have always lived in Hertfordshire, UK, mostly in and around St. Albans but have recently moved to a lovely little village called Wheathampstead.

~ Describe a day in the life of you.

Busy Busy Busy, as you can imagine, trying to run a business with three children isn't easy, Every morning we get up and do the usual breakfast etc get dressed school days the children all get dropped off (to three different locations) and i have three hours to myself. This is work time and I do all my paperwork and marketing in this time. I spend every afternoon with my youngest daughter, Bella we play games and go on walks i take my camera and we have a lovely time together.  After school is crazy making dinner organising homework it really doesn't stop.  If i am really busy i will work in the evenings as well. 

~ Describe your photography style and how it came to be.

I started out at photography after being quite seriously ill, i had always worked in law and was unable to do so after the birth of our third child.  My dad had a dslr and got me mucking about with it at a local charity event and i LOVED it straight away.  It wasn't long until my birthday and my parents bought me a dslr, a canon 400d i loved that little camera it taught me so much, My dad and i went to college for three years and i did a number of portrait sessions and started more external training with other local photographers. After a little while i was doing photo shoots on location with families, i shot my cousins horse (which i was terrified of lol) And then I got an opportunity to photography a newborn i had undertaken photography training earlier that year and loved it, but i fell in love with the uniqueness of it, the way i could comfort and reassure the infant and the parents and produce some really very good work.  I like my work to be more traditional i can't really describe my own style but I'm sure it comes through in my images.

~ What's in your camera bag and what do you use to carry it?

I have a gorgeous Kelly Moore bag its so stunning and i love it my camera sits in there very comfy throughout the year although it does have pride of place on my work desk most of the time.  I have a canon 5d Mark 2 and a 100mm macro lens, i also have my beloved nifty 50mm 1.4 lens and a 24-70mm.

~ If you could only watch one television show for the rest of the year, which one would it be?

Difficult but i love One born every minute, i remember being pregnant myself and the excitement and nervousness of the whole situation. I started training to become a midwife at one point but my life changed direction.  I used to spend hours watching these kinds of shows and i love hearing that first cry. 

~ Where do you find your inspiration?

All around me i have some wonderful suppliers who have gorgeous hats and i look in vintage shops for props that would be suitable, first and foremost they have to be safe. I use these items combined with something i have seen previously be it in a book or on the television. I love vintage styling.

~ Tell us something no one knows about you.

I don't think there is anything my husband doesn't know about me, he probably knows me better than i do myself. Something not many people know is i come across confident but all i want to do is please people. They never see that part of me. 

~ Name a place you have been and want to go back? What do you want to see or do there?

I can remember driving through Paris, France as a child and loving the oldness about it, the quaintness.  I'd love to go back with my husband and stay in a lovely old Parisienne hotel and eat cake as Marie Antoinette would say.

~ Tell us where we can find you on the World Wide Web.

My little home on the world wide web is www.sugarsnapsphotography.co.uk. I can be found on twitter and Facebook and also pinterest.

Thanks Carli for stopping by and letting us peek into your little world!

Everybody have a great weekend!