Creative Reflections Photography by Doreen

Matilda’s Quinceañera

2011-08-31T18:13:00.000-07:00

I have been terrible about blogging this summer, both business and personal. I’ve been busy but you’d never know it by my postings. I’m going to say that I’ve been so busy shooting and having fun that I haven’t taken the time to update my blogs. At least that’s my story and I’m sticking to it! I am going to try and do better (wait that sounds so familiar). Don’t know if I will go back and try and catch anything up but for now I will just start from here.

Got to capture memories from Matilda's quinceañera party.

She had a cool masquerade theme.

It was too cute. This little frog came hopping up to her dinner. I am sure it was hoping for a kiss from the beautiful princess.

She decided she better not take any chances and gave the little frog a kiss in case it was her prince charming but alas, it was not. Guess she'll have to kiss a few more frogs before she finds her prince.

The toasts were moving and special.

The waltz with the chambelanes was so cool! Loved it! After the waltz with her Dad and then the family the place starting rocking and everyone danced up a storm.

If you know Matilda her full gallery can be found at: www.printroom.com/pro/crphotos

Happy Birthday Little Cutie!

2011-05-11T14:10:00.000-07:00

What a fun 1year old photo session this was! This little cutie pootie was such a little doll. We had some fun at the park and got some cute shots of here there.

I just cracked up at how she was always sticking her tongue out to one side.

She probably would have been content sitting here for hours reading her favorite little book of colors.

After the fun at the park we headed back to my home studio for a birthday session. The parents weren’t in a hurry so we got a few with the rubber ducky and tub first.

The most fun though was with the birthday cake. She decided the cake wasn’t so bad.

Notice her tongue again as she tried to feed a bite to her Daddy…too funny.

She was such a doll and even after all that time still being so good. You can see she get her good looks for her gorgeous mother.

Rachel and Thomas "Marry Me"

2011-04-27T22:42:00.000-07:00

Rachel and Thomas engagement video is done and sent off.

Thought you might like to share a quick video of them.

It’s only 3 ½ minutes, so a quick view of a really cute couple.

They took so many great pictures that I couldn't get them all in their video. Here are a few from their afternoon.

Fun day, adorable couple.

Randi’s senior session and an accident!

2011-04-19T11:54:00.000-07:00

Oh don’t worry we weren’t in an accident…the gawkers were (See below)

Playing catch up after a week on vacation with my family. It’s nice to unplug from our electronic world and re-charge my own batteries. The only down is that I spend the first few days back playing catch up before I can get onto new pending projects.

Here are just a few from our session I did with Randi right before I left on vacation.

What a beautiful young women to work with. I wasn’t the only one to think this. As we were taking some pictures in front of a flower bed a guy in silver SUV was whistling out the window at her and honking his horn I suppose making the guy behind him in the green Subaru look too. The problem, he didn’t stop looking and failed to see the cars in front of him stopped for the train. You can’t see too well but the whole front of his car was smashed up.

I felt sorry for him but no one was hurt so we really laughed all the way home on how she was so like that hot babe in the Geico commercial causing cars to crash.

This is one of the announcement cards that I designed that she might use.

Heather- Valedictorian Class of 2011

2011-04-02T22:11:00.000-07:00

Wow…my second Valedictorian in two weeks. Heather has scheduled her senior session during her schools spring break. We set it for last Thursday (March 30th) several weeks ago planning on some beautiful spring weather. We had a warming trend and hit just over 100 for the high on Thursday. The good new was with no mist or humidity in the air her curls held nicely, the bad news… it was HOT, but we took our time and got in a great session. Here are a few from Heathers session.

If you know heather you can go to www.printroom.com/pro/crphotos and see the rest of her gallery but you will need to call her first for the password.

To Protect and Serve

2011-03-29T09:39:00.000-07:00

I got to do a quick portrait session for a family who's Son is leaving to serve our country ½ a world away from home for the next 18 or more months. To say their last family portrait was outdated would be an understatement. The boys really don’t like taking pictures but their Mom really wanted a current family portrait to have up while her son is so far from home. Being good Sons (and figuring this covers them for Mother’s Day) they were good sports and by the end even admitted it really wasn’t too bad. The fact that their Dad was going to take them all out to dinner after probably didn’t hurt either.

May the Lord bless this family and keep their (and all) serving our country safe.

Old Wood Boxes

2011-03-26T10:33:00.000-07:00

Take a bunch of old wood boxes add four good looking children, mix in two hats and you come up with a bunch of adorable pictures.

On a walk through the hills by my house a couple of weeks ago I spotted these old wood boxes that someone had dumped. They were in terrible shape (all busted up and broken but I just knew they would make a great photo opportunity. We don’t have big open hay fields and such here in Southern California so we have to do with what we can find. It took about two weeks between the rain and being able to get a family there but I think they turned out so cute.

I have a lot more pictures to go through but had to just share a few.

Just as important in the session is being sure the kids have a fun time so that they are willing (and even wanting) to have another “fun time” taking some pictures. Not only did we let them break it up during the session with some silly faces,

but when the session was over they got to roll an old tire down hill and play with the baseball we found. Good times for everyone.

Leah's Senior Session

2011-03-21T19:14:00.000-07:00

I got to do a senior session for Leah this last week. Not only is she beautiful and sweet, but smart too! She is her class valedictorian. I got to do a senior shoot this week for Leah and had a great time with her and her mother just talking about her high school interests and the things she has been involved in all the while finding some fun locations to capture some wonderful pictures of her.

This is one of the three samples I designed that she might use for her name cards in her announcements.

Here are a few pictures from our session.

Her Mom said the only negative to the session was that Leah took so many cute pictures it was going to be hard to decide on her favorites.

If you know Leah you can go to www.printroom.com/pro/crphotos and view her whole gallery but you will have to call her for the password.

Looking forward to the two senior sessions I have this next week.

Boutique Bridal Show

2011-03-14T07:20:00.000-07:00

Creative Reflections will be here. Come join us!

Free Boutique Bridal Show, this Saturday March 19th from 10-2, rain or shine at Ann’s Classic Affairs 1622 Illinois Ave #14 Perris, CA 92570.

There will be drawings for free items including a Catalina trip and products from vendors, KATY radio will be broadcasting live plus lots of the newest dresses for you to view.

I’m trying to come up with a little handout that’s unique but not too pricy as I hope to be handing out lots. If you have any creative ideas I am open to suggestions.

San Marino Senior Session

2011-03-08T19:35:00.000-08:00

So sorry I have been neglectful about keeping up postings on my blog. I will try to do better. I did a fun senior shoot last Saturday in San Marino. Since I am not familiar with the area we drove around and found some great spots for pictures. The area is full of great places to take photos. One of my favorite spots was this home with the wrought iron gates and the aqua shutters that matched her shirt. What a great spot.

The home was for sale and currently empty so it made the perfect location.

We also had some fun with some mosaic in the business area.

Who doesn’t love some great brick work for texture and to add a little grunge.

And what are the chances of finding a tree with blossoms to match her butterfly shirt? I would say for the day we were batting a thousand.

Great day...fun session!

Senior Sessions Booking Now

2011-02-11T10:28:00.000-08:00

ATTENTION SENIORS….You’re on the home stretch. Graduation will be here before you know it. If you haven’t done so already, now is the time to set your appointment for your Senior Portrait Session. With session starting at only $150.00 dates are filling up fast! Call now to secure the best session time for you. 951-522-0302

From traditional to artsy, backdrop to beaches let us capture your senior passions with a personal senior shoot. Earn a free Senior Session with referrals, call for details.

You can go to: http://www.crphotosonline.com/portraits/ and click “seniors” for a slide show of senior shoots or see a small album of facebook at Creative Reflections Photography by Doreen.

The Winning Card

2011-01-21T20:36:00.000-08:00

I am doing a Bridal show in February and needed to order some cards to hand out. I did two completely different style designs and then I couldn’t decide which one I liked better. I turned to my Face Book page and asked for a vote. Wouldn’t you know it the vote was split almost right down the middle so it was still a hard decision. The deciding factor was that I already had a vertical holder that the Brick red cards would fit in for a display so the brick red card has now gone to print.

Even though the vote was split the great thing was that I got lots of good suggestions, many of which I incorporated into the card designs and now I like them both even better.

Because the votes were split and I like the blue card too I have decided to get a horizontal display holder and I will order these for my next show.

Happy 5th Anniversary to Steven and Candace

2011-01-07T22:53:00.000-08:00

I have so much to get caught up on after the holidays but just couldn’t miss wishing Candace and Steven a happy 5th anniversary. Here is a short video I did to remind them of their special day. I can’t believe how quickly the time goes. It is interesting to look back and see how much my work and shooting has changed and progressed in the last 5 years but also to see how this couple has grown and changed.

There are still happily married with two adorable little kids, a boy and girl. If you want to see the wonderful changes to this family you go to the March 12th post titled Abby and Family and you can see some pictures of this adorable family that I got to take about 10 months ago.

Many couples that I have the privilege of capturing their wedding day memories once they have their photos and albums, unless they stay local and contact me for family pictures or something I really don’t know what or where they are or how their lives are going. (though this seems to be changing with Facebook). With Steven and Candace it was different. I have known Candace and her family for the last 12 years and have watched her grow into this amazing woman and mother.

Steven and Candace got married in January at 4PM coming out at 5) which if you looked out your window today you know that didn’t leave much light. You will see that after the family and group photos I got to really test my skills and we were shooting in very low light. Not bad except we didn’t want to shorten up the depth of field as we still needed shots with the temple in focus. It was a lot of changing setting but I got some of my favorite shots of them as the sun went lower in the sky. In the pictures at the end with the golden windows behind them, those are the window of the celestial room at the Redlands Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day where they got married.

Because this is a couple that I have known for years and love them and their families I had to take a picture of myself with the couple just for me.

I hope I’m around to wish them a happy golden wedding anniversary.

Jared and Kelly's Wedding Day

2010-12-03T14:11:00.000-08:00

We had such a great time capturing this fun couples wedding day. They had lots of family and friends to share in their special day. You can tell from the pictures that she was one radiant bride who just couldn’t stop smiling the whole day.

I just love how this short video captures a little overview of their wonderful day.

Below are just a a few of my favorites that we couldn’t include on the slide show

Beyler Family Photo Shoot

2010-12-02T09:12:00.000-08:00

Here is a short 4 minute video of our fun family session.

I have so many great photo things I need to blog about but as you can expect this time of year I am getting lots of family orders taken care of but I just had to share this short video from a November Family shoot I did. I brought along a second photographer and added some short video clips of the session into their slide show.

Such a fun little family. Both the kids were so cute. Little Lilia reminded me of the Dog in UP that was always going ‘Squirrel” “Squirrel” except with her it was “Duck” Duck”. She loooved the ducks. She even caught one (and luckily we caught her before she when into the water). At one point if you watch closely when she’s on the bridge she dips her foot into the water and her Dad keeps a tight hold of her hand.

When their kids viewed the slide show and remembered the fun with the lake, lady bugs, ducks and dogs they wanted to go back and take some more pictures. I think this really adds a wonderful way to remember your fun family photo session and will start offering it as an option.

The wedding date I always remember

2010-11-10T14:08:00.000-08:00

Julie was one of the nicest brides ever! Anyone that knows her can confirm this. I was so impressed with how she wanted everyone to really enjoy the day. Both she and Brian wanted so much for this to be a wonderful celebration for everyone, not just for them. I could go on and on with examples of how some things didn’t go as they planed but they just rolled with the day and truly had an attitude of gratitude for all the friends and family that had made arrangements to take time out of their lives to share their day.

On of the things they “rolled with” was when we realized that everyone had taken off from the church to the reception and taken their car keys with them. They just jumped in with me and let me chauffer them and it allowed for this cool sunset pictures when we were going back after the reception

Julie and Brian were also the first couple that I had that did personalized albums for their parents. Even though it is less expensive for them to just have duplicate albums of their album, for their parents they wanted to really personalize them. Exchanging out photos for one they knew each parent would want and adding a personalize letter printed on the front of each album. What a special and thoughtful touch for their parents.

I remember that after the reception their whole bridal party was going to play miniature golf and Brian and Julie were going to change and head over to spend a little extra fun time with these friends. As you can see any of these things would have made this couple memorable to me, but the date…ah that sticks with me too. Why?

As I’m dropping the Bride and groom off (remember the missing keys) and leaving I get a call from my eldest daughter, she doesn’t sound good. She informs me that she is at the Hospital they are about to take her in for emergency surgery. Chris (her husband) took her in to the ER that morning very sick and she had a hot appendix that had to come out, stat! WHAT!!!, Why didn’t you call? “Well, I knew you had a wedding and there was really nothing you could do for me.” She was right. “Chris has been here and taken care of everything.” I headed over to hospital to spell Chris so he could eat and run home and shower. He was back before she was even out of surgery and I was on my way home after a long day, never even seeing my daughter but knowing she was in good hands. So November 10^th is a date that I will always remember. It is the date of a wonderful wedding and the date I found out just how wonderful my son-in-law really is.

My Two Favorite Brides

2010-10-25T10:41:00.000-07:00

I have shot some amazing, beautiful and wonderful brides but if I had to make a choice these would be my two favorite brides of all time. Now, I am a little prejudice as these two are my own daughters so they do have a slight advantage over all you other amazing brides that have allowed me to be a part of your day.

As I was finishing up Rebecca’s wedding photos and moving all the files to the back up drive, I was reminded that we had done a very quick bridal shoot and I needed to get those on the disc to her too. On the day she had made plans for her hair and makeup to be done we had an unplanned medical situation with a family member and were going to be very short on time. Instead of going to an outside location we just put up the back drops and did a mini session so she could check out her look. She’s as gorgeous as ever and we might even send a few of these to the bridal store where she bought her dress.

I went back and pulled a few from Elizabeth’s bridal photos. When she got married in March 2007 I had neither a blog nor a facebook page and missed the opportunity to share any pictures from her bridal photos. So here a just a few of her.

These girls have many things in common but they are also so very different. They are their own individual selves and have been since the day they got here. May they love and lean on each other long after I am gone.

Back on a protography thought. I recommend to all brides that they do a “dry run” of their wedding day. Make-up, hair, and dress with the underclothes they will be wearing that day whether or not they plan on having any bridal pictures done. It gives them a sense of long it will take them to get ready (so many brides underestimate this). It lets them see how everything looks together and if they really do like their hair that way. I had a bride who wanted to wear false eye lashes. She had been told by many that they really look good in photos (and they usually really do), but she had never wore them before so her eyes felt very heavy and she just didn’t feel right. Her own lashes were so long that they actually overpowered the false ones and it just wasn’t working. She took them off and her whole smile and facial expressions went back to their natural beautiful look. She was so glad she figured that out before the day of her wedding. I had another bride that underestimated the drop in the back of her dress and realized that she needed different underclothes. So my advice is to always do a pre-wedding day “dress rehearsal” just to be sure your wedding day is as you picture it.

Dan and Rebecca's Wedding Video

2010-10-22T15:45:00.000-07:00

Here is a video of Dan and Rebecca’s wedding day. It is about 6 ½ minutes. I did a full length one (about 26 minutes) that had a lot more pictures and music but it too long to share on the blog. Finally getting everything done and shipped off to them. I was reminded how important it is to sync your cameras if you don’t want to spend hours trying to inter sort pictures. I ordered a new pictured cd/dvd cover that I custom designed.

These custom printed cases are a little pricey but I really like them and are going to start offering with my full day packages or as an add on to the smaller packages. I will still carry the leather cases but I think these are just another great way to personalize things.

Anaheim Wedding Album

2010-10-09T08:33:00.000-07:00

Anaheim Wedding Album
Click link for slide show

With brides getting back to us with their pictures choices we have been doing our best to get albums designed and ordered so that we can beat the fast approaching Holiday deadlines from the album companies. Here is a look at and Anaheim wedding album that we ordered from Graphi Studios. Is was a larger (9x13) album which allows us to put a few more pictures on the pages. The album turned out wonderful. Can you tell what the brides favorite color is?

We all work for incentive.

2010-10-08T15:24:00.000-07:00

These are four of the cutest and most energetic kids you’ll ever meet. (I can say that because they are my nephews and niece. Have you ever heard the expression “herding kittens”? That can off times be accurate when shooting kids at these ages. Out in a new fun place (Botanical Gardens in Riverside) with lots of cool bugs and trails to explore.

The Cristales had put off taking a family photo (see below post about when it the perfect time) and Rod was going to be visiting relatives that he hadn’t seen in over 30 years. They really wanted to have an updated family photo so we were under the gun to get these pictures taken and couldn’t “wait for a better time” so after a long hot day of having to “be good” at school we were now going to be challenged to get these guys to cooperate for a quick family shoot.

Well as you can see by these cute photos, we did it.

You get this great side shot when the children you are shooting are your 2nd photographer’s kids and she quickly takes the second camera and does what she does best, starts taking some pictures.

Some people use that ugly word “bribes” I prefer incentive. We all do things for “incentives”. Even at our jobs, promotions, advancements heck even our very pay check is incentive. How did we do it? What did their Mom use for incentive? Coldstone Ice Cream. Hey, that would even work for me.

Here is a picture of me and four of my favorite kids!

Is there a perfect time?

2010-09-29T13:50:00.000-07:00

When is the last time you had a family picture taken? Before your youngest even had their first tooth? Two children ago? 25 lbs ago? What has been holding you back from booking a family photo session?
Is there ever a perfect time to have photographs taken of your family?
It’s so easy to say-
“We have so much going on”
“I’m too fat”
“Sue is still in braces”
“We’re too busy”
“Maybe next year”

I just want to say STOP IT! We need to take the time to appreciate the value of family photos, if not for ourselves (because we’re too fat or whatever), then for our children. In 20 years, your children are not going to say, “I really love this photo but I wish my mom had waited until she lost some weight or that my sister was out of braces.”

I have had occasions in the past where this has been brought up with a sad reminder to me. Like the call I got just a few weeks after a wedding. We had some time before the reception and per the brides request we had taken some individual shots of the families that were there. One of those family shots was of an Uncle and his family. They called me wanting to know if they could get that picture right away as they wanted to use it at his funeral services. He had been out trimming a tree and taken a fall that was fatal. This was the only family pictures they had all together in many, many years.

I have had some humbling reminders of this again last week as I got a call to please come and take some family portraits before a beautiful and beloved daughter; sister, mother and friend had to have immediate surgery to remove cancer and then started immediate chemotherapy treatments.

We never know what tomorrow will bring. Life is quickly racing by. So my answer to my own question is, there is no “perfect” time to take a family picture, so as Nike would say, “Just do it”.

Thanks, to this family who allowed me to again share some special moments and trusted me to capture the language of love that their family speaks. Thanks for reminding me what is truly important.

Kevin and Bree's Album

2010-09-21T19:47:00.000-07:00

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

This is quick look at an album I designed and ordered last week from a Newport Beach LDS Temple Wedding from a while back. It will be a 10x10 Art Leather Album. It’s smaller, only 10 pages (20 sides) but I think they did a great job of picking pictures to tell the story line of their day. I know it’s hard to see the details in the little slide show pictures but it gives you an idea of what a beautiful bride Bree was and talk about gorgeous colors.

It been a while since I’ve had a wedding in Newport but I just love photographing there as there is almost always an ocean breeze to keep things pleasant and except for early in the mornings you are usually blessed with blue skies.

Dan and Rebecca

2010-09-13T20:34:00.000-07:00

What a magic day. You take one gorgeous bride, one handsome groom; add in some wonderful friends and family and some picture perfect weather (Only 89 in mid August in Southern California) and it was a perfect day! I am only going to post a few pictures here for now. As you can imagine I have more than a few pictures to go through so I hope this will to do for now. A full blog posting will come later. For now if you want to see more of their pictures you can go to their online albums at www.printroom.com/pro/crphotos

Forever in our hearts...we will always remember.

2010-09-11T09:11:00.000-07:00

I don’t really put personal things out here on my photography blog but today I really feel like I have to take a moment to remind mostly myself to always take the time to spend with friends and love ones and to never forget the events of September 11, 2001.

As fall approaches and the weather cools I find myself getting nostalgic this time of year. For me, fall is a season for remembering. Yesterday would have been my brothers 45th birthday. I still miss him. Nine years ago today our nation was changed forever. I still cry. It was nine years ago today I found out I had a heart because it was ripped from my chest when the towers got hit and collapsed, as the pentagon got hit and as the heroes took that plane down in an open field to save the lives of so many others.

We are a strong and resilient people, but we must always remember. Remember that day, remember the lives lost and remember that life is short. Let us remember what is important and be thankful for the blessing we do have in our lives. One of my favorite sayings is, “Some things are urgent, some things are important…learn the difference.”

Today I challenge you to reflect on the things that are important in your life and to be sure to always remember. Remember this day of tragedy with an affirmation of life. Take today to remember who and what is important and take the time today to share a very precious moment of life with them.

Below is a clip that my brother carried around in his flight planner. You might recognize the last three words that Nike has taken for one of their slogans but now you have the rest of the story.

May we all step outside our comfort zone and really live life. I love you forever Bro!

Christian and Michelle's Wedding Day

2010-07-19T09:03:00.000-07:00

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.
I had so much fun sharing Christian and Michelle's wedding day. I have had the privilege to get to know Michelle a little more personal then I do most bride’s as she has been one of my daughters roommates at collage. When my daughter saw one of the pictures Michelle had displayed in her room, a picture from her brothers wedding. She recognized it as one that I had taken. Unbeknownst to them when they became roommates I had meet Michelle's family several years before when I had the privilege of capturing her Brother's wedding day memories. I had the opportunity to get to know Michelle better through my daughter and some wonderful roommate pictures that we took of all six of the roommates. I got to know Christian and see his tenderness towards Michelle when we spent the morning taking some fun engagement photos. (See posting from April)

What a compliment it is when a family is happy with your work and hires you for a 2nd time. Inviting you back to captures their special memories and share in their next child’s special day. I loved seeing the Chavez family (missing of course the son who is on a mission serving the Lord) and seeing how the family has grown (two adorable granddaughters…one brand new) and remembering all the fun that family is. Also it was great getting to know the Wagner family. What an amazing family Christian has. They came from far away to support him and were all so easy to work with. A special thank you to his wonderful Mom, Lorilee. My daughter loved Christian and Michelle’s sign in book and how they had used their engagement photos so much. Lorilee, even while busy getting ready for his open house helped us get a sign in book ordered. Thank you. Talk about a joining of two wonderful families.

Here are just a few more from their day. If you know Christian and Michelle you can view all their photos at www.printroom.com/pro/crphotos

The Main Event

2010-07-14T07:26:00.000-07:00

OK, so the title is a little corny. I have had the privilege of capturing several events for the Main Family. The most recent being Katie’s wedding (see previous post). Their other daughter now lives in England with her family and had flown over for her sister wedding and was returning at the end of the week with no real date on when she might be back to the states to visit her family. They really wanted to have some nice family portraits done before she left. So just three days after her wedding before she left on her honeymoon Katie and Luke were good sports and let us get together for some family portraits.

Cinderella’s Wedding

2010-07-10T17:02:00.000-07:00

Katie and Luke were ready to get married. They were high school sweethearts who's hearts have always been connected. Katie had dreamed about the perfect wedding and the day that she got to be the princess and start their lives as husband and wife. She truly looked like Cinderella in her amazing dress. With her hair done perfect and all the extra touches she was beautiful.

Luke and Katie choose to get married at a very special church. Not only is it the church that she still attends her Grandmother got married there many a moon ago and her Granddaughter wanted to follow in her footsteps.

Even her cake looked like a royal coach, white horses and all. She thought of every touch to really make it her magical day.

Dan and Rebecca

2010-06-12T11:30:00.000-07:00

They say “The shoemaker’s children never have shoes”. I totally understand this statement. So many times family pictures and projects get put on the back burner when you have paying clients that are waiting for your work. This time though the clock was ticking.

My daughter Rebecca and her fiancé Dan flew in to get some wedding things taken care of. Among other things there was a trip to LA fabric district for material, a marriage license and of course a few beach pictures for this true California Girl. I did have to put their pictures on hold for a week as I left before they did to spend a week in San Diego, but as soon as I got back to my computer last Monday I was fitting these in trying to get them processed.

On Saturday morning as we headed to the Mission Inn to take some pictures and of course the wind was blowing like all get out. Hair and skirts were flying everywhere (see below).

Luckily Dan’s sister Emily is a wonderful photographer and I knew she would taking pictures of them back up in Utah so knowing that they had her taking pictures too, the pressure was off and we just had some fun. (If you would like to see some of Emily’s photos of the couple go to her blog at www.relivingthemoments.blogspot.com you will be so impressed with her work.
This was kind of how the morning went.

They as so cute together and never boring!

Here is just a quick sampling of the day.

OK, so I was spending too much time playing with overlays and textures.

Did I mention how much we love Dan? He is the perfect eternal companion for Rebecca.

Bowers Family = Fun

2010-06-10T13:21:00.000-07:00

This family wanted to get a “family” photo before Josefine had to head back to her home in Germany. If you look carefully you might find one or two “family portraits” but mostly you’ll just see how much fun they were. I should have known when they showed up in those bright shirts that they were at the park to play.

Fun times for all!

A busy but wonderful week

2010-06-08T09:00:00.000-07:00

Coming off a busy but wonderful week. Lots of fun and lots of pictures to process. These are the two weddings that I had this last weekend. So totally different, but both so wonderful. One very fun and informal and one was the picture perfect embodiment of old Hollywood glamour. Both couples were great but will have different pictures that of course capture and reflect their day.

Also I have my own daughter’s engagement session and a family shoot that had to be done before their “new daughter” a German exchange student who has been living with them for the school year goes home to her family in Germany. Also on these weddings, the first one’s Mother is leaving for England to see family in a week and the second is having an open house out of state in two weeks and both would love to have some of their wedding day photos available to share. Guess I better stop blogging and get busy! Hopefully more posting soon.

A Beautiful May Wedding!

2010-05-27T08:45:00.000-07:00

If you want a perfect weather day to get married for 2010 it was May 1st. The chill of spring was gone and it was sunny with a little ocean breeze keeping us cool and keeping all the LA smog away. Brittany chose bright oranges and pinks that just popped against the black and said, “Welcome to a California summer”. They had a beautiful backyard reception surrounded by friends and family. It was such a welcoming and relaxed reception that I felt more like a welcomed guest then the photographer. Sometimes it’s hard to believe that I am so blessed to be doing what I love and sharing these most special moments with the couple and their families. Josh and Brittany, thanks for letting me share in your special day!

If you know Josh and Brittany and would like to view the rest of their wedding day photos go to www.printroom.com/pro/crphotos and scroll down to their gallery.

Congratulations Seniors!

2010-05-17T08:12:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to all the seniors who will be graduating these next couple of weeks. Here are a few fun pictures from Kayla’s senior shoot that we just did in the end of April. She is very athletic but took too the posing very quickly and as you can see by the photos was a pro in no time.

I have some other seniors that I missed blogging about and will try and post some pictures from their shoots up when they get their orders in. Seniors you are only finishing a chapter, the rest of your life is still waiting to be written. Make it a great story!

Newest Client Arrives Healthy and Happy

2010-05-06T13:31:00.000-07:00

Just a few weeks ago I got to take some mommy-to-be photos of a couple that I had taken their wedding pictures several years ago. She had the most perfect round little belly. We had a hard time getting the little blocks that said “baby” on them to be on her belly when she was leaning back as her belly was so perfectly round they kept falling off. It was quite entertaining. She and her husband took very, very beautiful belly shots but those are private so sorry you won’t be seeing them here but trust me they are amazing.

We did get over to the flower fields before their gone for the summer and had a very colorful backdrop for some beautiful and relaxed photos of them.

We also took a cute little shot with both a girl bear and a boy bear with one on each knee as she didn’t know what she was having. Well I got a call today. It’s a healthy baby girl and mother and baby are doing well. We set up an appointment to take newborn pictures in about two weeks so be sure to watch for those. Congratulations to the happy family on their new family member and welcome to my newest client.

1+2+3= variable plethora of pictures

2010-04-10T07:28:00.000-07:00

Take 1 Saturday morning + 2 in people in love + 3 locations and you end up with a “variable plethora” of adorable pictures. (Yes that is from Three Amigos…sorry). This couple is currently out of state but will be getting married here in California in July. Right during the busy end of school year happening they made a quick trip to California to take care of some wedding stuff, including getting their engagement photos done.

It was cool and perfect overcast lighting for taking pictures at the park. We didn’t take very long at the railroad tracks but still had not one, not two but three freight trains come by. Who knew a Saturday morning would be such a busy shipping day. The couple was such good sports and we headed to old downtown Riverside to use some of the wonderful old brick work and wrought iron in their photos.

I can’t wait to capture this couple’s special day. Here is just a sample from each location.

Here are just a few more of the hundreds taken.

Of course I had to have a little fun with some textures.

Beautiful Spring Flower Fields

2010-03-30T22:33:00.000-07:00

Of course life has been super busy and I am falling behind on my postings but though I’d get this up in case anyone wants to go and see (or take pictures) in the beautiful spring flowers before they are gone. I had the opportunity to take some pictures of this adorable little girl. We meet up at Fairmount Park in Riverside but so much of the park in under construction and lots of the “good places" were not accessible but we found a nice little spot in the shade and took some great pictures of Leah in several cute outfits. At first Leah was not very cooperative but after a little playing and putting her at easy and of course once she figured out that her Mom was staying there and not leaving her with me she really let her personality come through. We then headed over to the flower field to take some pictures in her lime green tutu with those bright pink converse high top. What a bright beautiful field of flowers. If you want to enjoy this beautiful fragrant treat it’s in Riverside on Blaine and about Watson. They won’t last once the California summer sun gets here but what a great treat for now.

Baby Abby and Family

2010-03-12T14:20:00.000-08:00

I haven’t had a chance to go through all the pictures I took of this precious little girl yet, but this is my favorite so far. Abby was only 21 days old and was so precious. When I was giving instructions to her Mom on how we would go about taking her diaper off for some shots she warned me that she pees and poops almost constantly. I assured her that all little ones tend to go when their diaper is off and I was ready with wet ones and cloth wipes to absorb and it would be fine, just don’t drop her and we will “clean as we go”. Well she really held up her reputation and now holds the record for the most clean ups in one shoot, but also the record for some of the cutest pictures. At one point her Dad (who had laughed at his wife when she got “wet”) was to hold her without the diaper and I jokingly said to little Abby “If you tinkle on your Daddy I will throw in a free 8x10”. I wonder which pose they will choose for their free 8x10.

The real star of the day though is the big brother. I have never had a 2 ½ year old that was so corporative in being posed and being so good between shots. What a great little guy he was. The shoot took a little longer than normal as topping off Abby made her happy and we defiantly wanted a happy girl. What a great family that took some priceless pictures.

Austin's Senior Portraits

2010-03-02T18:58:00.000-08:00

Had the opportunity of taking Austin Senior pictures Tuesday night. He is the Drum Major at his high school and is so busy with rehearsals and school activates that the only time he had was the evenings which meant inside with only backdrops and lights. His Mom was really interested in the “classic” type senior photos but we still got to take some more “artsy” ones mixing the classic with the fun to capture some of Austin’s interests. As you can see he is really into music and we had some fun with that guitar. It was a pretty instrument. I was thinking about trying to talk him into some sort of a trade but then remembered I don’t play and it would just be one more thing for me to dust. We did find a few minutes in his schedule for next week that we can get together before it gets dark and we are going to meet at the railroad tracks to capture a few with his guitar and leather jacket on the tracks. I think they will be neat. Watch for them to be posted the end of next week. If you know Austin and would like to see the rest of his senior pictures click the printroom gallery on the side bar and scroll down to his gallery.

Here is some of the fun we had with his guitar.

And just a few more fun ones.

Senior Portraits

2010-02-26T18:48:00.000-08:00

It seems like August and March are the two busiest times for senior portraits. In keeping with that I have received many requests lately in reference to information on senior packages. I have posted a new gallery on my facebook fan page (Creative Reflections by Doreen). You can also follow the gallery link on the side to the printroom gallery to see additional samples. Please forward my information to anyone you know that is looking to have their senior photos taken. Below is a price flyer. As you can see I have senior packages as low as $150.00

Garrett and Kerra's Wedding Day

2010-01-09T18:22:00.000-08:00

What a beautiful day! Only in California can you have a January wedding with perfect weather. This wedding was very special to me. Not only am I friends with the Bride’s Family and have watched Kerra grow up to the beautiful Young Women she is today. It was extra special because she trusted my work enough to allow me to capture the memories of her wedding day. Her colors were elegant. She used peacock feathers in her bridal bouquet and in the centerpieces at the reception. This was the first time I had seen peacock feathers used in the decorating but I’m sure it won’t be the last. So many people made mention of how beautiful they were that I am sure she may have started a new trend. What a beautiful day. Congratulations to the wonderful couple.

And by the way I fell in love with this adorable little girl.

Justin and Crystal

2009-04-25T09:24:00.000-07:00

What a fun and absolute picture perfect day for these two to get married. The day was perfect for taking pictures at the Redlands Temple and they were both so cute and so willing to quickly move around the temple to get some pictures taken so we could make it to there luncheon in the upper desert on time. The luncheon was so beautiful and they had lots of friends and family there to share in their celebration.

Adam and Marla

2009-04-24T08:58:00.000-07:00

After having recording setting heat the week before (in the mid 90’s) I was worried that Adam and Marla’s beautiful “spring” wedding might be more like a summer wedding but luckily the weather cooled back down it was a beautiful day in Los Angeles for their wedding. This was such a fun couple and I really enjoyed being able to spend the day capturing the memories of their day. After being married in the Los Angeles Temple they held their reception later that evening at the beautiful Castaway Restaurant in Burbank where they spent the evening celebrating and dancing the night away with lots of family and friends. Here a just a few pictures so you can see the couple and the lovely colors she chose for her bridal party. They were gorgeous and vibrant and photographed great.

Adling Family

2009-04-08T09:54:00.000-07:00

I got to take Family pictures for a wonderful family today. This family is especially close to my heart as two of their older boys were very good friends with my younger daughter when they were all in High School. I have known this wonderful family for years and felt honored that they trusted me to capture the last family photos they will have in a while as some of the older kids are staring to head off in different directions and they are unsure how long it will be before they are all together again. It was a hard time to shoot portraits (early afternoon in the full bright sun) but with so many work, school and life schedules we had to work with what time frames we could. We got some great family pictures and had some fun too!

Here a a few of the "fun" one we did.

Chris & Elizabeth "Happy Anniversary"

2009-03-03T11:00:00.000-08:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I just wanted to post a little something to say Happy Anniversary to Chris and Elizabeth. Their 2nd anniversary was yesterday (March2nd). Only 1 day late…GO ME! You know the saying “The shoemakers kid’s never have shoes”, so it goes with the photographers daughter. I never did them a slide show (which I am now working on getting done for them) but thought since I need a little practice I would also do one of these short smile box music web share slide shows so they can post links to if they want. I’m also going to practice burning this on to DVD to see how it works on my regular player.
I choose this song by Clint Back “Something that we do” because it reminds me so much of their relationship with each other. They truly have the concept that “love” is a verb.

"Will You Marry Me?" Chris & Veronica

2009-02-27T21:38:00.000-08:00

What a beautiful day it was to take some pictures and what a fun couple! I can't wait until their wedding in June. I'm so glad I get to be a part of their special day.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

You could never tell by the pictures because he was such a trooper but Chris hadn't been felling very well the day of our shoot, but once he got moving around he started feeling better. I guess it didn't hurt that he was looking at Veronica. That seemed to make him feel better and put that wonderful smile on his face.

There are still trying to decide on their invitations so I did up a few ideas for them to give them some ideas. Who know they might not use any of these but hopefully will give them some ideas to get them started.

sample slide show entry

2009-02-24T10:46:00.000-08:00

OK, so I am not very good at this blogging thing at all but I am trying to figure out a way to make a short slide show for Brides to link to their Facebook and My Space pages. The slide show I credit for them are way to long and too large of file so I thought I’d try my hand at a short slide show on Smilebox. It turns out it is fairly easy and it’s made to be posted on the web but then the couples can download and burn to a DVD if they want to. If anyone else has a different program that they like for posting slide show to the web please let me know. I posted a sample slide show below. If you view it let me know what you think.

I hope to get better at this blogging...but hey, how could I get any worse?!?!?
Have a wonderful Tuesday.

2009-02-24T10:43:00.000-08:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Motorcycle Shoot

2008-12-11T14:44:00.000-08:00

OK, so I am committed to do better with this blog and keep updated on work, fun and friends. I got to do a quick shoot for a very fun couple (Rosemary and Howard Lee) who wanted a photo with one of their bikes for a matted sign in frame at their reception. These two were such good sports… literally. We had set up for them to ride out here to Riverwalk from Orange County and it was cloudy and threatened rain. I was sure they were going to get caught in the rain on their bike and kept waiting for their call to re-schedule but here they pull up ready to go. We had a great cloud cover for some gorgeous pictures and they were both so great to work with. Rosemary told me she seems to have a blessing of good weather whenever she really needs it. She told me later that they actually made it all the way back home before the rain started. I believe her “good weather blessing” because it started raining out here minutes after they left and they must have just been out running it the whole way home. You can see that they were both great looking but anyone who knows me knows I was drooling over the bike! I contemplated cutting my fees for a trade of taking his bike for a ride but it has been a lot of years and I thought it best to just look and not touch. What a fun morning. Here are just a few shots so you can see the hot bike….I mean couple…Tee Hee Hee!

Finally getting my blog started

2008-09-05T15:19:00.000-07:00

I’ve been reading and enjoying so many blogs now that I thought I’d start a blog so that the three people who might read this might find some entertainment value. Also, I though it would be fun to start posting my photography adventures. This is all new to me so be patience as I get this blog going. I love a good book and a good quote and I have acquired many of both over the years. Here are two quotes that might give you a little insight to me.

“We may be the products of our past but we are also the architects of our future.” –Unknown and “Don’t worry about the world coming to an end today, it’s already tomorrow in Australia.” Charles Schultz .

As the first quote might suggest I think more people need to accept reasonability for who they are and what they do and not try to excuse their behavior on their “past”. We all have a past… work on the future! And of course the second one is kind of my humorous way to remind myself not to worry about things I can’t control. Be prepared, pray for the best and trust!