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12-12-2009

Good Charlotte

Chicago, Illinois

I met Charlotte on a hot Chicago day. Here she is chillin’ on the couch.

Los Angeles baby portrait photographer

This baby likes to fly.

She loves her mom…

and she loves her dad.

And she loves playing with her doggies Ricky and Lucy.

What doesn’t Charlotte love? The grass. I think it may have been too scratchy so we only took a few photos on the grass, then took the rest either on her blanket or indoors.

Charlotte has the best expressions. She’s just a baby but she looks so grown-up in some of the photos. This is my favorite photo of her.

Then again I love this one, too.

Isn’t she a cutie pie?

Thank you for a super fun portrait session! Charlotte is a darling!

Los Angeles family portrait photographer
Posted in baby,Chicago,portraits
FL&R
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12-12-2009

Wishes Do Come True!

Chicago, Illinois

I thought I’d catch up on posting family and baby portrait sessions from this fall.
This is Ava. And yes, she is that cute.
Los Angeles baby portrait photographer
I met Ava’s parents, Sandy and Albert, when I photographed their Vegas wedding. I also met Ava’s grandma, who wrote a special wish for the couple.
Los Angeles wedding photographer

Well her dream came true, and Grandma loves her new grandbaby.

The photo session was very relaxed and we talked about life and photography and even movies. This photo was unposed and I love the casual aspect of it. When I look back on my favorite photos from childhood there’s one of my grandfather and me in his backyard. As a photographer I want to create photos of real memories, not just poses.

Grandma calls Ava a perfect angel, and I’m inclined to believe her. Ava is the perfect model.

I met the family in the Grandparent’s home. It was a special treat to photograph Ava with her Great-Grandparents as well.

Great Grandma holds happy Baby Ava.

Then we went in the backyard for some more photos. I treated this photo with a vintage 70’s look.

Isn’t she adorable?

I love all of her funny faces.

Here’s the happy family.

Ava loves her doggie!

She’s starting to get sleepy….

Daddy and baby…

Time for good night!

Thank you Sandy and Albert, and Grandma and Grandpa, and Great Grandparents, and of course Ava! It was so much fun to meet your little bundle of joy!
Posted in baby,Chicago,portraits
FL&R
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11-27-2009

Giving Thanks – Polka Photos Referral Program

Polka Photos has a lot to be thankful for this year. Michael and I have enjoyed meeting and photographing so many wonderful couples and families. And we appreciate all of your referrals. We love seeing you again at another couple’s wedding or party.

As our way of saying thanks for referring us to your family and friends, Polka Photos is happy to announce a new referral program. For every new client referred by you, we will give you a gift credit that can be used to purchase prints, albums and canvas wraps from your online gallery.*
$100 gift credit for every full-day wedding
$25 gift credit for every half-day wedding or other event
$25 gift credit for every portrait session
Los Angeles wedding photographer
As an extra bonus, I’m going to share my cranberry recipe with you. (I couldn’t let my thank you cranberries go to waste.)
1/2 bag of cranberries from Trader Joe’s
1/2 cup of water
3/4 cup of sugar (more or less depending on how sweet you’d like your sauce)
1 bag of frozen strawberries also from Trader Joe’s
Boil water and sugar. Add cranberries. Bring to a boil. Let simmer 5 minutes or so. Add frozen strawberries. Simmer 30 minutes or so.
Great with turkey, panko breaded tilapia (from Trader Joe’s – can you tell I shop there often?), or waffles.
* If your online gallery is expired but your event was a year or less ago it can be reactivated. If your event was more than a year ago, we may still be able to activate your online gallery. You can also use your credit towards prints, albums and canvas wraps from a new portrait session.

Posted in Uncategorized
FL&R
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11-23-2009

World Famous City by the Beach

Santa Monica, California

We met Mackenzie and Allan on the Third Street Promenade for some engagement photos. Couldn’t resist a photo by the awesome newsstand, where you can find magazines ranging from wedding planning to MMA fighting and everything in between.

Santa Monica wedding photographer
Instead of starting out with posed photos, I started by following Mackenzie and Allan on their walk. This gave them a chance to relax and forget about the camera.

Halfway down the block we saw the cutest chocolate lab puppy. Who can resist a face like that?

Mackenzie and Allan are naturals.

Quick stop by their favorite Santa Monica restaurant, Anisette Brasserie. I wanted to give these photos a more vintage, dreamy feel.

I love the shadows!

The cute couple did a quick change of clothes for a different look. They are so adorable!

We headed toward the pier.

Of course we had to take a photo in front of the famous Santa Monica Pier sign.

Awwww!
The many faces of Mackenzie and Allan…

The sun was quickly setting.
Pier with a view…

I wanted to shoot this a little differently. What do you think?

Santa Monica engagement portrait photographer
I decided to give one of the photos a vintage postcard feel. I know there are Photoshop actions that accomplish a similar result, but each of my images is custom made by me. I may put together actions for my own use but I like the creative aspect of deciding what mood each photo should have.

Mackenzie is truly a Polka Photos bride – just look at her toenails!!!

We went down to the beach for a couple of quick photos.

Michael took this gorgeous shot of the ring in the ferris wheel.

Then it was time to say good night. Thank you for an awfully fun engagement portrait session! We can’t wait for your wedding next year!

Posted in engagement,Santa Monica
FL&R
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