Vegas Baby, Vegas!

What a crazy few days I've had trying to get ready to attend WPPI in Las Vegas, but I'm sure they'll pale in comparision to the next 6 days!  I don't expect this Vegas trip to be anything like the bachelorette party/Vegas weekend type of Vegas trip.  Sure, there will be parties and lots of friends, but there is also SO MUCH education.  I am excited -- and a bit nervous -- for days of classes starting at 8am, hours in the trade show, and sponsored parties at night.  It's going to be a blast!  I going out days before the platform classes actually start because my friend and colleague Karen ReVelle asked me to assist her at a wedding!  I'm super excited to shoot my first Vegas wedding on Friday night!  Viva Las Vegas! ;)

I'll be away from my computer for the next 6 days, but you keep up with my Vegas happenings on Twitter:

Vintage Temecula Photography

On the morning of Super Bowl Sunday, a handful of photographers trekked to Temecula for a vintage photoshoot at uber-fabulous Edge Restaurant & Lounge.  I want to give a giant "thank you" to Nikki Evans for putting the shoot together, and to all of the models, hairstylists, and makeup artists.  The shoot was a lot of fun, and I even made it to my Super Bowl party in time for halftime (which is good enough for me, since, lets face it, I don't watch football.  You might catch me looking at the tv, but I don't actually process what happens during the game!)

Without further ado, here are some of my favorites (most of which were processed with my new TRA Lightroom Presets!) 

Anaheim Hills Maternity Photography

There are many reasons why I love photographing pregnant women.  It could be the love between husband and wife; it could be the curvy pregnant glow; it could be the joy of an event that most women experience only a few times in their lives.  Pregnancy is such a special time, and it goes so fast (well, this coming from someone with no children -- maybe it doesn't go so fast when you're actually experiencing it!).  It's one of those times in your life that has to be photographed NOW, as you can never go back and re-create the moment.  I truly encourange all women who are expecting to have a maternity session done! :)

I was so happy when Tracie contacted me for a maternity session while she was visiting California.  I loved the chance to spending the morning with Tracie & John, and celebrate the upcoming birth of little Emily Grace!

Here are some of my favorites:





This backlit clearing was one of my favorite nature spots. Ever. :)

Fullerton Family Photographer

I've been a bad blogger lately.  I'm going to remedy that with several blog posts today and tomorrow, and then my blog will sit idle (again) while I go to Las Vegas for THE photography convention of the year!  It will be my first time at WPPI, and I am super excited for all the information I am going to soak up.  I've heard that it could take a year - or two - to fully soak in all the information I will receive.  I am READY!  I'm also ready for all the fun times with friends new and old!

I recently had the opportunity to do a family portrait for the Noble family.  They were such a photogenic group, and a pleasure to photograph.  I am so glad that I was able to document the family just days before their daughter moved halfway across the country.  I am so glad that my images will help to bridge the distance between the family, now that they live in separate states!





Up next: Tracie's maternity session!

Palos Verdes Estates Wedding Photography: Wendolyn + Dustin

I recently had the opportunity to photograph Wendolyn and Dustin's wedding.  It was a wonderful, intimate wedding where they were surrounded by close friends and family.  Wendolyn got ready at the incredibly chic Huntley Hotel in Santa Monica.  The ceremony was at St Timothy Catholic Church, the most gorgeous church I have ever shot at.  The gold alter was absolutely stunning.  According to the church's website, the alter was shipped from Spain to Mexico in the early 1900's, bought by an art dealer, held in storage, and eventually acquired by the church.  The majesty of the alter made a timeless backdrop to Wendolyn and Dustin's vows.

The amazing thing about Wendolyn and Dustin's wedding what the mix of high end and DIY choices.   The day started with Wendolyn's Christin Louboutins, and ended with a delicious wedding cake and maccaroons that Wendolyn and several friends (all graduates of Le Courdon Bleu) baked themselves.  Everything was personal, real, and woven together to celebrate the joining of their lives.

Wendy and Dustin - Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your wedding day.  I had an amazing time documenting the beginning of the rest of your lives together.  After tasting your delicious wedding cake, I can't wait to see "Bake With Your Cake Out" succeed, and will definitely refer my brides to you! ;)

I also want to send a big "thank you" to my second shooter, Jennifer Owens!  You did a great job, and I appreciate you being there with me!  :)

Christian Louboutins? Yes please!

The beautiful bride


The handsome groom

The tender couple


Ooh la la!

 The luscious cake   I had far too many favorites for the blog alone.  Please enjoy the slideshow!


If you know the couple and would like to order prints from their wedding, please click here!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Los Angeles Wedding: Wendolyn + Dustin ... Sneak Peek!

Yesterday I had the chance to photograph the marriage Wendolyn and Dustin at St Timothy's Catholic Church.  It was such a joy to see them wed, and see the happiness of the family around them.  After the ceremony, we stopped by the historic Malaga Cove Library for some portraits of the bride and groom.  There will be many more images to come, but for now, here's a peek at one of the images I can't stop looking at! :)

Getting started as a photographer, crafter, or artist?

When I started Serendipity Images in 7/2007, I wanted to photograph flowers and nature.  I kept the bed of my husband's truck loaded up, and drove all over Southern California to sell my art at craft fairs and street festivals.  I spent more money than I care to admit purchasing my booth set-up, and hours figuring sketching different configurations of my tables so that customers could easily flow through my booth.  I thought about having "take-aways" for my customers, and found battery-operated fans to blow through my booth on hot days.  During the early days of Serendipity Images, you could find me in a booth like this:

Sometimes I got lucky and had a corner booth!

It was fun to meet new people and chat with my "neighbors," but both me and my business soon grew away from the craft shows.  Once I discovered that I LOVE photographing people, and specifically, couples, craft shows became a thing of the past for me.

I am cleaning out my office and have a TON of stuff that I don't need anymore.  I'd love to sell it to someone locally to a crafter, photographer, or artist.  Please contact me if you want to buy anything -- I'm no longer using it, and am sick of looking at it!  If you're in Orange County, we can meet up so there's no postage fee -- I accept PayPal or cash on delivery.  If you're not local, I accept PayPal and there will be reasonable shipping costs.

Here's what I'm selling:

(NO LONGER AVAILABLE) Strathmore Photo Mount Cards: Black with Embossed Frame, envelopes included, set of 10
These are beautiful, heavy cards by Strathmore, one of the leaders in paper products.  They are perfect to adhere photographs to or use for crafting.  The enclosed envelopes also have a deckled edge and feel very fancy.  (They're in slightly different packaging than shown below, 2 are NIB, 1 has been opened but not used)
*Retail price is $9 per set. I am selling 3 sets together for $12*  NOW $6

 (NO LONGER AVAILABLE) Strathmore Photo Mount Cards: White with Embossed Frame, acid free, envelopes included, set of 50
These are beautiful, heavy cards by Strathmore, one of the leaders in paper products.  They are perfect to adhere photographs to or use for crafting.  The enclosed envelopes also have a deckled edge and feel very fancy.  I used to make photo cards with this kind of set, and they sold well at craft shows. 
*Retail price is $36. I have 1 unopened set available for $18* NOW $9

(NO LONGER AVAILABLE) Strathmore Photo Frame Cards: White with Die Cut Window, acid free, envelopes included, set of 40
These are beautiful, heavy cards by Strathmore, one of the leaders in paper products.  They are perfect to insert your photograph or art into.  The enclosed envelopes also have a deckled edge and feel very fancy.  I used to make photo cards with this kind of set, and they sold well at craft shows. 
*Retail price is $33. I have 1 unopened set available for $15* NOW $7.50

Greeting Card Rack: I am selling the metal greeting card rack that you can see in the craft show pictures.  I have to double-check, but I believe it has 48 wire "pockets" that hold 5x7 greeting cards or brochures.  It disassembles easily for transport.  One of the "pockets" has been bent since I got it.  It comes in a cardboard box, but the box is very beat up from using it every weekend!
*This retails around $80, but I'll sell it for $30* (Free to anyone I personally know who will pick it up from me by the end of April!)

(NO LONGER AVAILABLE) Box of Cut Mats: I have a box filled with mattes that I am no longer using. The box weighs approximately 40 pounds and holds approximately 50 double-cut mats that hold a 4x6 print,  30 single-cut mats that hold a 5x7 print, 85 single-cut mats that hold an 8x10 print, and 60 single-cut mats that hold an 11x14 print.  Most of the mats are cream colored, but there are some black and assorted colors included.
*I paid over $200 for all these mats, and am selling them for $65 OBO (Free to anyone I personally know know who will pick it up from me by the end of April!)

Customer Bags with Die Cut Handle: I have 2 boxes of bags that I gave customers their matted prints in.  The bags are translucent "frosted" and have a die cut handle.  I have a box of 9x12 inch bags and a box of 12x15 inch bags.  Both boxes originally contained 500 bags and are practically full.
*I paid $35 for the 9x12 bags and $40 for the 12x15 bags. I'll sell them for $18/box* NOW $9/box

Woven Baskets: I used to use pretty oval woven baskets to hold my matted prints.  There are a total of 5 baskets.  1 large basket (approximately 18" long, 13" wide, 11" deep), 1 medium basket (approximately 20" long, 7" wide, and 7" deep), and 2 small baskets (approximately 17" long, 8" wide, 6" deep).  They're totally multi-purpose baskets that would be great for magazines, towels, shoes by the front door - whatever!

*I bought the set of 5 baskets for $65 at Marshalls, and am offering it for $25* NOW $12.50

IKEA Shoe Shelves: I used to use these galvanized steel shoe racks from IKEA as risers to hold my framed photographs at an angle.  Each is approximately 23 inches long, 12 inches deep, and 5 inches high.  These shelf are seriously heavy & heavy-duty. 
*Each shelf retails at $5; I'm selling the set of 8 for $15* NOW $7.50

(NO LONGER AVAILABLE) "Crafting for Dollars: Turn Your Hobby Into Serious Cash": This is how Amazon describes the book: Consultant and craft-based business owner Sylvia Landman takes readers step-by-step through every aspect of starting and managing their own craft-based business. Including interviews with all kinds of successful crafters, the book offers the solid advice you need to launch your own home-based business.
*Retails for $14.95; I'm selling it for $3*

(NO LONGER AVAILABLE) "How to Start a Home-Based Photography Business" (4th edition): This is how Amazon describes the book: From estimating start-up costs and outfitting a darkroom to staying profitable once in business, this completely updated and revised guide includes the author's experiences and advice on every aspect of setting up and running a thriving home-based photography business. His handy worksheets, quizzes, and checklists serve as practical steps toward achieving this dream.
*Retails for $17.95; I'm selling it for $3* NOW $1.50

Amertac Utility Lites:
When winter approached, I bought some battery-operated fluorescent lights for my booth.  I didn't need all of them, but never got around to returning them to Lowes!  I have 2 sealed packages each containing two 6" lights, and 3 sealed packages each containing one 12" light.  All are battery operated and have an on/off switch.  I don't think they'd be effective to light a bride, but they're great little multi-purpose lights for a closet, garage, pantry, etc!
*I paid about $40 for these, and will sell them for $20*

Thank you so much for looking. There is nothing wrong with anything that I am selling, I just no longer need it and am cleaning out my office!  Please email me if you are interested in making a purchase!

Haiti Relief Mini-Sessions

Hi everyone!  I am so excited to announce that I have teamed up with Thomas Frank and Karen Revelle to do Haiti benefit mini-sessions this Sunday!  Check out our video & the details below, then make your appointment to join us for this Sunday! :)

Please contact me or email our group to set up your mini-session!

A little help?

Hi guys!  I'm hoping for a little help.  I'm in the process of refining my business.  There are some major changes coming -- they're still in a conceptual stage, but I'm hoping to make them official sooner rather than later.  Serendipity Images is going to be honed and simplified to the essence of what it has always been -- me, Tracy Norred!  As part of this project, I think it's important to know how my images are perceived.  I can't take credit for this exercise -- I was just listending to a Dane Sanders interview where he talked about doing a process similar to this.  He put his favorite 7 images up on the wall and asked photographers for words that described them.

I've posted some of my favorite images below.  I would be forever grateful if you could scroll through then leave me a comment with the words that best describe these images!










Thank you in advance for your comments on the words that best describe these images.  I appreciate your help!  You are an important part of my business! :)