McGill Family Portraits

Happy Holidays!

I'm pretty sure not everyone got the 80s Awkward Family Portrait theme we were going for this year. We didn't want a traditional family portrait for our holiday cards this year even though we do need a decent portrait of us.

Juku and Kami nailed it though. Amado was owning the "very clueless, staring off into nothing while awkwardly excited" look. Me on the other hand, let's just say someone (Amado) was impatient and didn't want to coach me or give me directions. I wish at least had a funky sweater on to tie up the whole theme together but I was not about to pay for one unlike someone I know who drove around to every used clothing store looking for the perfect ugly sweater over the weekend, ahem Amado.. He said, he "needed" one for his company party.

Like have a

totally gnarly Christmas

and

a bitchin' New Year!

Getting ready for Christmas

This year Amado and I felt a little bit more festive than usual. Stockings are hung on top of the fireplace also known as our TV. I just have to fill them with something. Windows are trimmed with garlands but it's still missing something. I might add more ornaments to it this week. We both agreed to include ourselves in our Holiday cards this year. Kudos to USPS for next day delivery! This is the first time you'll hear me praise USPS publicly.

We tried to be a little funky with our Holiday cards. I hope people get that we were going for the Awkward Family Portrait theme. Amado's expression in our photo is priceless. He had the "too happy while gazing off camera" look pinned down while Kami (wearing reindeer antlers) was clearly not having it.

Made our very first gingerbread house. Trader Joes have some really cool and easy to put together kits. I kinda wish we bought 2 because we finished decorating the one we bought so quick. 

We also got a Christmas tree, well kinda. We have Ikea to thank for our glow-in-the-dark Christmas tree curtain. I didn't realize it was glow-in-the-dark until I was shutting down everything before going to bed. They were sold out at the store closest to us and online so Amado insisted that we drive all the way to Costa Mesa that same day or else he wouldn't have been able to sleep.

Happy Holidays!

Trying to continue what I did last year, somewhat of a wrap up for 2012 via Instagram. Again, copped this idea from JStar.

Happy Holidays!

Seeds Family

Another Seed added to this portrait. Anna was still pregnant with Henry when we did last year's holiday family portraits. Chunks (Henry) is now 8 months old and definitely growing bigger and bigger everytime I see him.

This year Ron and Anna came down to our side of town at Polliwog Park in Manhattan Beach for their portraits. AJ (Anissa) spotted the playground and did not hesitate.

Chunks!

Anna and Ron doing the lift and sit method again to get some laughs from AJ. They're getting really good at it.

Anna wanted to make sure this particular portrait was posted. AJ and Chunks, not havin' it.

"Merry Christmas to yah, punks!"

Holiday Cards

I almost skipped making our holiday cards this year. Primarily because I didn't have ideas and that made me feel lazy. Thanks to Holly for giving me an idea for a theme!

I didn't want to buy ornaments since it's unlikely that I'd use them again so I just googled origami ornaments and searched for the easiest one to make. Most of them were too technical and again, I was being lazy and didn't want to bother with thousands of folding instructions. Thought these paper balls were pretty easy. Six squares pieces taped together.

I used the left over strips to make a chain. Back to basics, serving you all some grade school project realness!

I found these awesome blank cards from Michael's. If you've seen how I prepare my packages for clients, you'll know that I like things minimal. Raw materials, simplistic look, SOLD!

Here's one of the final images that I chose. Kami, the attention hog she is, would move with every click from my camera while Juku stayed in that same position for about 5 minutes. She freezes on the spot whenever you put anything on her.

Seeds Family Portraits 2011

Around the same time last year, I did the Seeds' family portraits.
Since Anissa is bigger now, Ron and Anna also had to come up with new ways
to keep her entertained while I photographed them.

Jumping still did the trick. I barely realized that we had a similar shot last year.

It's pretty cool comparing the two and seeing how much she's grown.

Her favorite song right now is "If you're happy and you know it".

Works like a charm!

Holiday Cards

Yey! We can finally start with the Holiday stuff.
Our cards finally came in and we're ready to start with the rest of the holiday preparation.
Don't worry, Juku and Kami are used to it by now.

Packaging

When it comes to photography, I push myself really hard to never settle for "good enough".

 I'm applying that same rule when working with clients. 

 From when the first contact/inquiry is made, up to the day they receive their images.

Shipping a disc of images in an envelope seems dull.

I want a simple and clean way to package my images.

Amado helped me narrow down the look I want.

The packaging I prepared for Candy and Evan's engagement is pretty much

the look I'm going for but with a few changes.

For the Cates' session, I prepared something a little festive.

Aaaahhhh its December! (I'm so not ready for the holidays..)