Kids Session

Periodically over the last 6 months or so, my grandma suggested that I take pictures of my little cousins when they visit over the summer. "Absolutely," I said, "I'd love to!" Well the time came last week! My grandma booked a photo session, and I headed to her house last Thursday. I usually only see my cousins a few times a year, for Thanksgiving and a belated Christmas. It was so much fun to play and get to know them better.

Like most kids, they started off a little shy, nervous about my big camera. But before too long, there were rounds of "Tracy look at me" and "Tracy look at me." My grandma set out a treasure chest of beaded jewelry for the girls to play with. It's interesting to see how kids of different ages play. The older one dug into the necklaces and tried lots of them on, exclaiming which were her favorites. The younger one preferred to accessorize the cat and bunny statues. In my mind, the bunny statue has always been in my grandma's backyard. I can't remember her ever buying it or bringing it home. It's just always been there. I enjoyed watching my young cousins discover things that I am so accustomed to seeing.

One of the necklaces stirred a distant recollection in my brain, and at the end of the photo session I went into the house and asked, "Grandma, where did this one come from?" I never want to stop discovering.

San Clemente Art Walk

This Thursday, I'll have a few tables set up at the San Clemente Art walk. Stop by if you have a chance ... window-shop the boutiques, have a fantastic dinner, & check out the local artists!

When: Thurs, August 28, 5:30-8:30pm
Where: 165 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, CA 92672 (cross street: Ole Vista)
Why: Support your favorite photographer! ;-)

Hope to see you there!

New Business Cards

Along with the new website and logo come my new business cards! I've been so excited to get my hands on these babies! My favorite thing about them is the rounded corners. When I started thinking about re-designing my business cards, rounded corners just called to me. I think rounded corners are so classy, and they hint that something special is on its way. I can't wait to start passing them out!

Now I'm on the hunt for the perfect business card case. I found one I liked through a business gift website, but I would prefer to buy a well-made handmade one to support another artist. I've been lurking on Etsy all morning, but haven't found the right one yet. I know it's out there, waiting for me!

Away for the weekend

Today is going to be busy, but good. I'm off to a family photo shoot this morning, which I'm super excited about. When I get home, I have to get down to business: packing, getting gas, etc. Once Bob gets home from work, we're off to the river!! It's the last trip of the summer for most of our friends. We'll be staying with a two couples, then on Saturday we're taking the boat to Havasu to meet up with more friends!

After working so hard on the new direction of my business (website, price lists, contract, etc), it'll be wonderful to get away and relax for a few days.

We'll be back Sunday!

It's time ... the NEW Serendipity Images!

The time has finally come to announce my new website SerendipityImages.net. I have been working like a madwoman since Friday to get this new site up. I think it's a fabulous representation of my new work, lifestyle portraiture.

I always loved my old website, and used an absolutely wonderful designer, Galleria di Luce. I give Maria at Galleria di Luce major props to for creating the identity and website that I've used for the last year. I haven't decided yet whether I'm going to maintain my old website, or just forward it to my new & improved website. It seems like a shame to let Maria's beautiful work go, but it's time that I move forward into the new & improved Serendipity Images! And, as I pat myself on the back, I'll tell you that I designed the website myself (well, not totally by myself, I used PhotoBiz templates).

So, please, visit SerendipityImages.net. Look around and enjoy. The site will be continually growing while my business does.

Thank you to all of my friends, family, and supporters. I am continually uplifted by the kind words I receive from you. Thank you so much! =)

The most amazing song!

I am bursting at the seams right now because I just picked the most AMAZING royalty free song for my new website! When I listen to it, my heart swells with emotion. Here's a sneak preview of the chorus:

"Touch me while I sleep
Hold me in your dreams
Breath the air I breathe
And let your heart run free"

My new website & theme launch within the next week.

Stay tuned! =)

Anytime: Christy

Today I did a really fun photo shoot with my good friend, Christy. Christy and I have been friends since the 7th grade. We were on colorguard together during high school, so we pretty much spent every waking moment together. During college and the 'real life' that followed, we haven't seen each other as much as we did in high school, but we have the kind of wonderful friendship that never changes. We decided to do Christy's photo shoot on the Seal Beach Pier & the Main Street area. I love Seal Beach because it seems go genuine and 'small town.' Today was absolutely the perfect day: midly cool & overcast. I had a great time, and Christy got to see what a goofball I turn into behind the camera! =)Isn't the sign in this picture cute? We were in front of the absolutely adorable Fairy Tea Cottage. (Christy - someday we must go there for tea!)Christy vamped it up for me!
Such attitude! I love it!While we were in Seal Beach, we checked out the real estate ...

... & did some window shopping!
Thanks for letting me photograph you today Christy! It was lots & lots of fun! =)

Great Quote

I am a big believer of Law of Attraction & follower of Abraham-Hicks. I have always been a positive person (everyone from checkers at the grocery store to my sister-in-law comments on how I'm always smiling!). Since discovering Abraham-Hicks in January 2008, my outlook on life -- and life itself -- have totally changed. Because of my post this afternoon, today's daily email quote struck a chord with me. Enjoy!

"I like understanding that things are always evolving, and while there are many things that could be better where I am, it is not really a problem because 'where I am' is constantly changing to something better. I like knowing that as I look for the best things around me where I am, those things become more prevalent in my experience. It is fun to know that things are always working out for me, and as I watch for the evidence of that . . . I see more evidence of that every day." -Abraham Hicks

I am SO excited because the new Abraham-Hicks book, "Money, and the Law of Attraction: Learning to Attract Wealth, Health, and Happiness" comes out tomorrow. I pre-ordered the 8 CD audiobook on Amazon, and it should arrive on Thursday! I absolutely love listening to my Abraham-Hicks CDs while I'm driving. I'm really able to focus, and it puts me in an awesome mood! =)

Have a fabulous night!

Opening up

It's hard for me to be a vulnerable blogger. I want to express myself. I want to be informal. I want to be honest. But, I am afraid that if I show too much uncertainty, people won't want to hire me.

Ten minutes pass by. What do I say??

I am so grateful for the photographers who have "gotten there." I am grateful that they tell their stories. I am uplifted by reading their blogs from their early days. They were where I am now. The photographers I follow are all my age. How are they so far ahead of me? I sometimes wonder. Will I ever catch up? Deep in my heart, I know that it's not about that. I simply took a different path. After college, I spent 5 years doing background investigations for a government contractor. That field wasn't exactly conducive to creativity. After I quit in May 2007, I started my business. Why didn't I start doing weddings a year ago? I would be so much further ahead today. I kick myself for all the money and time I spent moving in the wrong direction. Deep in my heart, I know it wasn't the wrong direction. I needed that last year to become a better photographer. A Photographer. My skills have improved dramatically. Overly simplified: I went from Auto to Manual.

I'm mostly a one-woman-show. I have taught myself a lot by practice and long hours on the internet. Every now and then I find a site or a person who is willing to open up about how they got where they are to day. They save me from reinventing a few wheels. I was at Barnes & Noble yesterday, and found Anne Geddes' "Labor of Love: An Autobiography" on the sale rack. Look at how thick this book is! It's normally $50, but was just waiting for me on the sale rack at $12.98! I am ready to dive into the book this afternoon, Diet Cherry 7up in hand!
Ten more minutes pass by. I read early blogs from some of my favorite photographers for inspiration.

Here's the thing. I don't know how it will happen, but I know it will happen. As Dr Martin Luther King said, "Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step." That's what I'm doing. I don't know how it will happen, but I know that it will, and it must. No doubt.

Changes changes everywhere!

I haven't posted much over the last week, but there has been a lot going on behind the scenes. My business is in transition from art photography to lifestyle and wedding photography. I am SO excited about this transition! I resisted doing weddings for a long time. When I started my business, I considered weddings, but what afraid that I might miss "the" shot. Weddings seemed too high pressure and I was worried about bridezillas. Not anymore. I have absolute confidence in my work, and, oh boy, am I excited to start photographing weddings and doing more lifestyle photography!

So what changed? A few months back, I was at an event for my sorority. One of the girls told me that she was engaged, and asked if I do weddings. I cringed as I heard myself tell her "I don't do weddings." That used to be my default line, but it felt wrong as I said it. A little while later, I went back up to her and told her that while I hadn't photographed any weddings in the past, it was something that I was open to. During my drive home from Redlands, all I could think about was wedding photography. I wanted to start shooting weddings, but didn't know where to start. I believe that I create my own destiny, and that the universe brings everything I need & want to me. Fast forward a month. I was floating along in the lazy river at Casino Morongo, and recognized four of my sorority sisters about 20 feet ahead of me! Serendipitous, right? =) We started talking about wedding photography, and I was so pleased that my default line had changed! After that day and that conversation, I knew that I wanted to be a full service wedding photographer.

My first two weddings are scheduled for late September and early October. I'm definitely on my way! If anyone knows a bride who is looking for a wedding photographer, especially if the wedding is in the next few months, please let me know! My price for the first few weddings is low, but once I photographed a few weddings, the price tag will increase to match.

This week, I've also spent a lot of time in Photoshop creating a new look for my business. Nothing is official yet. Once it launches, you'll know! ;-)

Thank you so so much for your support!

Away for the Weekend

I'm packed & headed to a girls getaway weekend in Palm Desert. I am so excited to lay in the sun all weekend, and catch up with Megann and Jena. I'm ready for cocktails and deep conversations! =)

Have a fabulous weekend, everyone!