What does a photo mean to you? To me it is a moment in time, a memory, a glimpse into someones life. A single image can stir up so much emotion. That is just that happened to me this morning. My mother scanned and loaded several old photos to face book. Upon seeing them I was immediately over joyed and on the verge of tears all at once. All the memories of my childhood came flooding back, along with the sad feeling of loos. My children will never know my Grandparents nor did my Grandparents ever get to see me and my sisters as adults; with focus and goals, I know they would be so proud. I lost both my Grandparents six long years ago. I still miss them more then words can explain. They were both driving forces in my life. My Grandpa was always willing to help with homework or make my best friend and I a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. He taught me the value of a dollar and how to punch, should I ever need to defend myself. I will never forget the tree house complete with a ramp for Tillie (my beloved golden retriever) that he helped my sister and I build. Grandma was always willing to listen and offer a kind word of advise. She was an amazing cook. Much to my husband dismay, he just can not get her spaghetti and meatballs right. Because of her a fried egg sandwich still makes the world a little less scary to me. For the first years of my life Grandma and Grandpa were the best neighbors a girl could have. I can not even remember how many time I “ran away” from home. Little did I know that as I was hiking across the field that separated our house my mom was calling ahead to let Grandma know I would be there soon. Sometime around 4th grade they moved to a house next door to my elementary school. That is when my addiction to the soap opera All My Children started. Grandma set up her VCR to record it everyday and she would watch when Grandpa took his afternoon nap. When that last school bell rang I was out the back door down the ally and in Grandmas kitchen as fast as my legs would get me there. She would make me a fried egg sandwich as Grandpa handed me a soda. He would go settle on the couch in the front porch as Grandma and I got cozy in the living room to watch our beloved soap. I still 25 years later watch that dang soap opera. The day they announced it’s cancellation I immediately thought of my grandma and all the fond memories I have of watching it with her. I could go on and on forever about all the emotions and memories that seven pictures brought back, but I will get to the point and show you the pictures. So I want to know what is a picture worth to you?

Wow has it been crazy in the craft household! We are trying to wait patiently  for Spring but we are really starting to wonder if it will ever make an appearance. We had snow yesterday, YES snow in April.  So with my cold and windy days spent inside I have been working away at all the cool things that will be coming soon. First up is my senior site which will be launching in May along with a pretty sweet deal for the month of June. I am so excited to be moving into the senior market this year….Don’t worry tho I am not leaving behind my families and kids by any means. I have some awesome families lined up for shoots if that pookey Spring shows. Next up is the plotting for the amazing workshop I am hosting. Locations are being scouted and detailed casting calls are being organized. Make sure you like Kate Craft Photography on face book  to keep up with all the happenings. Believe me you won’t want to miss a thing! Ok enough about all that lets get to the pictures ….As promised my lil Rae Rae in black and white.  Oh I love her so …..

And for the big finish her RAWR face LOL

He is all mine! Not often lil’ P asks to have his pictures taken so you bet I jump at the chance, especially when he gets a new hair cut.  Really could he be any cuter in these images? He is learning all about emotions and expressing them….so we practiced happy, sad, mad, and the wink!  Next up …his sister, wish me luck:)

This weeks amazingly  wonderfully talented friend is Clarice Hendel of Orange County, Ca and her work is breathtaking! When I first jumped into photography Clarice was always willing to help and gave some of the best advise in those first few months. She kept me going when I was feeling oh so defeated. She’s the whole package folks a great talent and a great person through and through.

Name: Clarice Hendel
Studio Name: Studio Cee Photography
Location: Orange County, CA

10 Questions
About the image…
1) Why do you love this image?
She just looks so peaceful and content there and I love the contrast of the fur surrounding her little self.

2) What were your settings with this image?
ISO 800, f/2, 1/500ss, 50mm lens

About Photography…
3) What do you love about Photography?
I love the creative freedom that I have when picking up a camera. It really provides endless amounts of opportunity for me to explore new creative ideas. Not only can I photograph newborns but I can also photograph all ages, groups, landscape and macros…it’s endless!

4) What type of Photography do you specialize in and why?
I specialize in newborns. When I first ventured into the world of photography it was soley due to an experience that I had with a local newborn photographer that I had hired to photograph my darling son at 8 days old. I was so fascinated by what she was doing. When I saw the final images I was even more captivated and I knew it was something that I needed to explore in the future.

About your life?
5) What are your favorite hobbies and pastimes?
I love traveling. My husband and I traveled a lot before we had our children and a trip to Kauai was always on our agenda each year and still is as parents something we try to do every year. I also recently took up knitting and I enjoy that a lot.

6) Who or what inspires you?
Oh gosh where do I begin? There are so many photographers that inspire me! But I am also inspired by the creativity I see in magazines, just browsing around etsy but I think nature inspires me to see beauty everywhere.

7)Do you have happy and depressed moments during your creative cycle?
Oh yes. I think it’s just natural to feel that way. There are always ups and downs in life.

8 )A good portrait means ….
Something that evokes emotion or relays a story.

9) What would your ideal day be like?
It would be 1/3 day of accomplishments, 1/3 day with family, 1/3 day for myself.

10) If you weren’t a photographer, what other profession would you like to pursue?
It would definitely be something in the creative field. I am a graphic designer and worked freelance for many years and loved it. I have studied interior design and I love that too. I am also interested in designing a kids clothing line someday. I use to design and sew all my clothing when I was younger.

Please visit Clarice’s Websit at www.studiocee.com and her blog at www.studioceeblog.com to see more of her beautiful work.  And don’t forget to become a fan on facebook at http://www.facebook….33046918?ref=ts!

“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is

Youer than You

Dr. Seuss

It’s Friday! It’s Friday! It’s Friday! That means another installment ….

Caffeine is my boyfriend! Shhh don’t tell my hubby, although I am pretty sure he has noticed the love affair we have been having for the last four years. I get my caffeine fix with regular old coffee or Mt Dew most days. but then there are those days when I get to have Starbucks! It’s like the clouds have parted and the sun is shining just for me. There is a happy tune playing in my head and life is grand! In the words of  Charlie Sheen it is EPIC! I know I may need to seek help for this silly lil problem of mine, but I am not to Sheen’s level of whacked out just yet. Although today I think I may have surpassed my caffeine limit with the iced camel macchaiato the hubster brought home yesterday. See I do know my limit I suck that bad boy in the fridge (and had sweet coffee dreams all night) till today.

I photographed Lakyn last week. Even though the session was beyond cold Lakyn was a trooper and we got some great images.  I’m pretty sure that smile lights up any room she walks through. Although she is not a senior she agreed to help me with some portfolio building before the busy season kicks in  There are a few more of these sessions in the works once the weather starts to cooperate more, and I am so excited for them all. Hope you enjoy my first girl “senior shots”.

This week I am featuring the very talented Laura Morita-Yeun. Let me start off by say I love this ladies work. If I could have anyone capture images of my kiddos she is on the top of the list. Laura posses the unique ability to capture kids as they are …fun and quirky. She has also become a good friend over the last year and with ever passing day I realize she just maybe one of the coolest chicks I know.  If you missed installment number one featuring Jen Snyder click here.

Name: Laura Morita-Yeun
Studio Name: Laura Morita Photography
Location: San Francisco Bay Area

10 Questions
About the image…
1) Why do you love this image?
I love this image for a lot of reasons. First, because my son is in it, and I love that boy to pieces. BIG love for that little guy. Secondly, I love the whole concept of it. He was turning five, and I wanted to do a special shoot to commemorate the big occasion. I love the composition and the colors. And lastly, because I’m in it with him, loving him. I am almost always behind the camera, and have very few images of me with my kids. The image evokes a lot of love and excitement for me.

2) What were your settings with this image?
ISO 400, f5, 1/640. I was using my Canon 5d Mark II and my 24-105 f4 lens. My camera is set up on a tripod. I have a remote that I can set to do a 2 second delay, so I can hit the trigger and then have two seconds to hide the remote and strike the pose. That was getting tough, so I had my daughter hold the remote right near the camera and would just tell her when to hit the button. That way, she wasn’t accidentally moving the camera. Worked beautifully!

About Photography…
3) What do you love about Photography?
I love that it captures a moment in time and can convey very strong emotions. I love that it can make you think, make you feel, make you laugh, make you cry. I love the creativity it sparks in me. I love looking through the lens and composing a shot. I love how it has made me appreciate light. If I never picked up a camera again, I would still always have the gift of seeing light in such a miraculous way. I love that.

4) What type of Photography do you specialize in and why?
I specialize in child and family portraiture. I love connecting with a child and getting them to trust me and my camera. I love making it a fun experience for the child and family. I take pride in the fact that I am almost always able to connect with a kiddo and get genuine emotions captured. The innocence of childhood is completely beautiful and pure to me. As we age, we lose that wonder, which is such a shame. When I’m working with a child, I get that wonder back. Seeing the eyes through a child and knowing what I need to do to evoke that energy really makes me feel alive.

About your life?
5)What are you still learning?

Um, everything. If you stop learning, then what are you doing?

6) Who or what inspires you?
People who love what they do inspire me. I think when you truly love what you do, it can be noticed. There’s a spring in their step, a twinkle in their eye. I am often inspired by other photographers–those that capture the now. I am especially wowed by those that can capture the innocence of childhood in a fun and different way.

And I am SO inspired by my parents. My mom is a recent cancer survivor and how she has handled herself through it all brings me to tears. I am so proud of the strength she has shown. Even though my parents are divorced, my dad has been there to support her and us kids every step of the way. Words can’t even begin to describe how his dedication makes me feel.

7) Who are some of your favorite singers/bands?

I like a lot of different types of music. I don’t listen to music nearly as much as I used to, and that makes me sad. But some favorites are: Lily Allen, Mazzy Star, Pavement, Beastie Boys, Cowboy Junkies, Neil Young, MIA, Girl in a Coma, Beck, Cake, Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, The Beatles, Foo Fighters….

8 ) A good portrait means ….
You captured a little piece of their personality, you evoked an emotion, you get people to stop and stare a little bit longer than they normally would.

9) What is in your camera bag?
Goggles. A whole slew of them. I laughed the other day when I saw a pair of red, blue, and green goggles in there. I’m guessing that’s not the usual stuff? Also, my Canon 5D Mark II camera, 24-70mm lens, 24-105mm lens, 50mm lens, 85 mm lens, CF cards, whistles, smarties, random toys, stickers.

10) If you weren’t a photographer, what other profession would you like to pursue?
I’m a physical therapist, and I really do love my job. I work in a skilled nursing facility and love working with the older population. I love helping improve the quality of someone’s life simply through my hands and through education. It’s a great feeling!

You can see all of Laura’s beautiful work on her Website http://lauramoritaphotography.com, her Blog: http://lauramoritaphotography.com, or her Facebook page  http://www.facebook….ritaPhotography

Go look you won’t regret it for a second!

Next week I will be featuring Name: Kathleen Weibel
of Kathleen Weibel Photography.

I love the weekends, even tho my life as a stay at home mommy/ business owner is kind of like one big weekend.  This week was somewhat crazy in between baths and bottles and zumba and late night Tv watching with friends I caught up on my Willett Joy Of love shots (more on that later) and I stumbled upon this lil’ gem, Brand Camp ! It inspired me to get my hinny moving on the business side of things. Not only that but in made the process much more fun and way easy.  So here it is ….my manifesto!

I believe people are inherently unique. No family is the same, so why should your photos be? I think everyone should dance at least once a day and if you are willing to do this in front of me and my camera all the better! I know that fun is not always clean and if you take life to seriously you WILL miss all the good stuff.  I love laughter and want to show that in my images. Kate Craft Photography was developed from my love of family, fun, and preserving memories. I want to give each and every client my best. I strive to make each session unique to you and your loved ones. I want you to shine, not a fancy prop or cool backdrop. I want your friends and family to see the love, the happiness, and the quite moments when you show them your images. I value each and every customer and strive to provide the best possible service and products every time. I aim for your experience to be fun and easy. Kate Craft Photography takes a limited number of sessions each month to ensure that every client gets all the attention they need, along with keeping my lil’ loved ones from missing their mommy to much.

Ok so now on to the photos. For the newbies to my blog …read here for the info on my personal project this month. I was going to wait till the very end of the month to blog the rest of my favorites, but, well I’m inpatient and impulsive and I just wanted to share today.

Day 13: Routines

Day 18: Going out

So I was inspired a lot this week. I really don’t even know where to begin but I really want to give this photography my all.  Let me rephrase that a bit. See up until now I was doing just that, giving my all.  But what was this photography giving me back??? The answer is hard to define, I have gotten back a lot. I found my passion, I’ve met amazing people, I have beautiful images of my own children, I get to make others happy with my work, I have literally started looking at the world differently (emotionally and physically). But I want more.  What more is there? I want photography to be a part of me, not just what I do. I want my readers to know me and know what makes me tick.  I want to share more and hope that I get more back…..Maybe I am crazy, but maybe, just maybe it will all work out .  So the first step in my give more to get more is a weekly instalments of Friday favorites.  Every friday I will blog a bit about my favorite things I hope you will love them as much as I do and you’ll get to know me a little better in the process.

And the first official Friday favorite things is my new computer!!! I spent the last year and a half struggling to keep up with my work load.  Every night I would sit watching that little time capsule thingy spin around and around while I waited for my poor laptop to catch up. It took me awhile to get the courage for this purchase…it wasn’t just the money that scared me, although I officially have overhead now ekkk.  A big purchase to me means I now HAVE to make this work as my job.  I have put in the blood sweat and tears but a new computer just made it all real to me. I think it makes it more real to my hubby and father too. Anyhow back to my favorite thing …can I just say that getting a mac was the best decision ever.  It still doesn’t do the work for me but it sure makes the work easier and a lot faster!!!  I big puffy heart this thing  and did I tell ya I can watch Dexter while I work. Love it!!! And yes those are my lil’ tootsies in desperate need of a pedi.