My name is Tracy Norred and I am an Orange County Photographer. I specialize in capturing real moments between families. I absolutely love getting to know my families, and watching children grow over time. It is a joy to capture happy moments.

I'm a mom myself, and the best way to get information is to contact me by email. I'd love to give you more information & find out if I'm the right fit for your family!
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Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Destination: New York

Earlier this month, my mom, sister, and I went to New York for a girls trip. It was a lot of fun to explore NYC. We did most of the New York "musts" -- like walking over the Brooklyn Bridge, visiting the Met, visiting Central Park, and seeing a show. We also did fabulous but lesser known activities like take a food tour through Greenwich Village and tour the United Nations (where we left U.S. soil for about an hour). We also had a chance to visit family & meet their twin babies. I'll be honest, I did a little shopping too. I was on an earrings kick ... I bought 4 pairs.

One of my absolute favorite things was hitting Serendipity3 for AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS frozen hot chocolate!! I had seen the frozen hot chocolate featured on travel shows for years, and it was my one "must do" for our trip to NYC. It was every bit as good as I knew it would be! =)

Here are some highlights from the trip!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Moving Downstream

I saw discovered this clip on Facebook tonight, and it got my heart racing...



For years, I told friends that -- although I knew it was totally unlogical -- I firmly believed that what's best will happen. I remember talking about this during high school & college. I have always believed that what's best will happen. In more recent years, my beliefs have evolved into the knowledge that I always get what I expect. What's best will happen for me PRECISELY BECAUSE I expect it. I try to maintain positive thoughts, and incredible things have happened in my life. I'm not perfect, and there are certainly days & weeks when I get off track & spend time shooting off new rockets of desire, but the core of me believes that people are good & good things always come to me.

I totally resonate with what Will Smith says because it has happened to me. I made the choice. I know who I am and who I am becoming. The downstream things in my life have come to me, and obstacles have moved around me, just like water.

I feel extremely fortunate for the birth & re-birth of Serendipity Images. Serendipity Images was born as a photography business specializing in macro & floral photography. Over the past year, Serendipity Images was re-born specializing in photographing couples. I decided what I wanted, and the Universe brought it to me. Case in point: I booked 6 weddings before ever shooting one. It is my first year of weddings, and I love it. Not only that, I think I'm pretty darn good at it. I am always getting better -- I hope that if I'm still photographing weddings 20 years from now, that I still continue to grow after each & every wedding I photograph.

I know who I am. I can create whatever I want in my life. I love juicy tangelos, mint tea, & red wine. I love lazy days in bed, reading a book with the window open & rain falling outside. I love giddily walking hand-in-hand with Bob on weekend-getaways. I love the thrill of discovery. I love listening to my intuition & ending up somewhere unexpected & fabulous. I love the way my heart speeds up when a bride walks down the aisle, and again at the first kiss. I love the connection I feel with my awesome clients, and how naturally they each came to me. I am patient. I will let cars in front of me in traffic. I can often be found staring up at back-lit clouds. I love the smell of spring in the air, and seeing a hummingbird delicately perched on a branch. I love the feel of my freshly washed bamboo sheets. I love live music & the way I can feel it course through my veins. I love the knowledge that what's best will happen, now & forever, because this is my path.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Sarah + Nate: Married ... Sneak Peek!

On Saturday I had the pleasure of photographing Sarah and Nate tie the knot at Newport Dunes Resort. After the morning rain & drizzle passed, we had an utterly gorgeous evening with Nate & Sarah's awesome family & friends! Here's a sneak peek ... I love the kayakers! =)

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Jocelyn + Ryan: Married

It was the little things: The way their faces both lit up when they saw each other for the first time. The way she buried her face in his neck for quick kisses. The way he gently cupped her elbow with his hand while she pinned on his boutonniere. It is amazing how much love these little moments show.

Jocelyn and Ryan choose to have a First Look before their ceremony. I absolutely adore when couples choose to have a First Look. The first time a bride and groom lay eyes on each other is a moment they will remember forever. The First Look allows allows the bride and groom to truly soak up each others' presence before they get busy with wedding formalities and spending time with their guests. For the First Look, I arrange a private location, and have either the bride or groom wait there while I bring their future spouse to them. For Jocelyn and Ryan's First Look, Ryan waited in the gazebo, and Jocelyn approached him from behind. As she approached and touched his arm, he turned to see his bride for the first time. This is a truly special moment to witness.

The First Look allows a relaxed period for photographs while the bride's hair and makeup are still fresh. Just as important, the bride and groom can also get to the reception quicker because most of their photographs have already been done!! I have also been told that the First Look eases nervousness -- both because the bride has already seen her groom, and because most of the bride/groom and wedding party photographs are complete.

The First Look has many benefits, but whether a bride and groom choose to do one is a completely personal decision.

Here are some of my favorites from Jocelyn and Ryan's First Look ... without even a hint of 'fake fancy'! ;-)
To view Jocelyn & Ryan's wedding slideshow, CLICK HERE!
If you know the couple, you can also CLICK HERE to purchase prints!

(After the ceremony, I handed Jocelyn and Ryan's photography coverage over to their friends -- also photographers -- who were in the wedding party. My photography ended after the ceremony.)

Friday, June 5, 2009

Off to NYC, and a sneak peek!

My bags are packed. Almost. Well, actually my clothes haven't touched my bag yet, but they lay across my queen size bed in neat piles. Some of my clothes haven't even made it to the bed yet, because I want to postpone wrinkles for as long as I can. I suppose packing (in the literal sense of the word) hasn't begun yet, but I feel like the hardest part is over. My clothes are picked out, my shoes are picked out, my camera gear is ready, and I printed out maps and travel information that we'll need. I feel pretty darn accomplished!

I've been looking forward to this trip for a while. It's a girls trip with my mom and sister, which is sure to entail delicious food, shopping, wine, and Broadway! And photographs ... definitely photographs! =)

I'll be gone until late on June 11th ... so if you leave me a voicemail, you'll get a call back on the 12th!

Since blog posts are dreadfully boring without a picture, here's another sneak peek from Jocelyn and Ryan's wedding! I absolutely love their soft smiles as they breathe each other in. There's no doubt about it ... this image makes me totally happy!

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Lucy and Dottie

Last weekend we sat in the backyard while my father-in-law grilled carne asada and vegetables. It was such a pleasant night; we opened a bottle of wine, relaxed, and I photographed Lucy & Dottie with the lens I rented for the weekend. Normally I just have the 70-200 f/2.8 for weddings and don't get a chance to play and experiment with it. Not so this time!

You may remember seeing Lucy in previous posts here and here, but this is the first time Dottie has made a cameo on my blog. Dottie has lost nearly 50 pounds in the last year or so, and now we can really appreciate her beautiful face!

LucyDottie
An unlikely friendship
P.S. I'm trying really hard to make up for only blogging 4 times last month. How am I doing? =)

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

It Arrived.

I knew it would arrive someday after Tax Day. For weeks, I listened for the knock of my UPS guy, hoping that Today Was The Day. Then I forgot about it.

This morning I went for a local hike with my sister-in-law and friend. Panting up the steep trails, my mind couldn't have been further away from it. I enjoyed the conversation, beautiful scenery, and feel of blood pumping through my veins.

Had I known, I might have rushed to get home after our hike. I suppose I am glad I didn't. In blissful unknowingness, we got coffee, took our time, and I eventually said goodbye and drove home.

I had no expectations upon arriving home (other than my husband being grateful that I saved him half of my giant blended coffee!). As I turned the corner to face my front door, I gasped. Literally, audibly gasped. There was no doubt in my mind what the green & damask box was. It was here.

The beautiful HipSlip that I won back in Febuary was here!!!

For those who haven't heard of it (and if you're not in the photography world & sporting your lens-carrying ShootSac, you may not have), the HipSlip the ultimate laptop bag. It is made of neoprene and has pockets for all of the paraphenalia that comes along with a laptop. Or it can just be used as a messenger bag ... it'll be perfect for that! It can be worn a black neoprene bag, or a cover can be attached. It came with a chic white cover, but I can customize it with the covers I already own for my ShootSac (and the custom Serendipity Images cover I am having made!).

I found a great quote online: "The HipSlip® is a design trifecta, with killer style, smart function and the quality to take the creative abuse your laptop endures. It's sleek, chic and superbly manufactured, delivering exceptional quality and value for millions of potential consumers. Each sleeve is beautifully constructed with smart, thoughtful details. And in true Shootsac fashion -- we always think function first -- HipSlip® takes the concept of sleeve simplicity, packs it with carefully planned details and arrives at a smart way to improve your computing life with some serious style. HipSlip's® distinctive use of the Shootsac fashion cover line also enables people to add elegance to their work with fresh patterns and color, transforming them from laptop case lemmings to style divas. HipSlip® thumbs its nose at the ubiquitous notion of 'pink for girls and black for guys,'" says Jessica Claire, cofounder of Shootsac.

I ripped into the box, eagerly opening plastic wrappers to unveil the HipSlip, white "Pointed" cover, and ShootSac shopping bag. It felt like Christmas.
I can use my HipSlip with or without the white "Pointed" cover, and with the covers I already accessorize my ShootSac with.
The details of the HipSlip are really fun. I love the reminder to "Update Your Status," and the built-in business card holder.
I am probably going to take the bag to New York with me next week, and hope to get some cool shots flaunting the HipSlip! =)

Thank you Jessica Claire for inventing this cutting-edge laptop/messenger/everything bag, and for choosing me as your first winner on the ShootSac blog! I appreciate it so, so much, and am thrilled to start using my HipSlip! =)

The images on this blog are the sole property of Tracy Norred and may not be printed without permission. However, you are welcome to include them on your own personal web sites (ie. MySpace, Facebook, or blogs) as long as you keep the Serendipity Images logo on the image. Please also provide a link back to SerendipityImages.net. Thank you for your cooperation!

Wedding Photography


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