Forrest + Kristen

A few months ago I had such fun photographing this newly engaged couple, Forrest and Kristen, at the Oceanside Pier.  The shoot was originally intended to be a family shoot with his parents and sister, but I spent a good portion of the shoot photographing these two beauties.   They were tons of fun and a breeze to shoot!

 The family!

      

  

Congratulations!

I hope you have a wonderful life together.

Holiday Shoots

Last month I was so busy taking and editing tons of photos - from families, to infants.  I have to admit, after taking photos of my own kids all the time, it's fun to take photos of other people and their children.  Kids are so delightful!  Their expressions, their personalities, and the dynamics of families are so fun to be a part of. 

Snapping photos is work, because it does require creativity, and the ability to get the shot, but after spending a couple of hours with people, it's really considered fun!  I truly love it and feel so grateful that people chose me to capture special moments in time for them. 

Let's face it, this little munchkin will never be this small again!  Isn't she delicious?  Just three weeks old, Emily Anne was the perfect model - wet accidents and all!

In addition to other families, I did manage to venture out to do a shoot with my own little angels - including our four legged boy - Clooney, who Ashlyn insisted on being in the photo!  Now this was a challenge.  Try getting your 16 month old to sit still for one second and look at the camera at the same time, while making sure the 3 1/2 year old holds onto the leash.  Good times!!! But look at this face.  Really????  All of that was worth it for this shot alone.  And this is why cameras were invented

Holiday Cards

It's coming up on that time of year again when you're actually looking forward to getting the mail.  The mail doesn't just consist of bills, catalogs, junk mail, and more bills!  It includes lots of little paper surprises from people you haven't heard from in a year.  It's fun to get photo holiday cards to see how their families have grown. 

 I do something unique with these cards.  I tuck them nicely in between the branches of my Christmas tree.  Not only does it fill in the holes here and there, but for the several weeks we have our tree, the kids get to study the faces of the friends and family members they haven't yet met.  

This year, I am taking photos for clients as usual, but I've also started designing holiday cards, baby announcements, invitations, party printables and more!  I definitely consider myself a jack of all trades!  If I see something, I say, "Hmm?  How can I make that?"  And so I try!  My husband tells me I should focus on one thing, but I can't.  I really like trying new things, and since I consider myself a creative person, if it consists of making something, I really like to do it.  It gives me such pleasure to see something that I've created come to life.  Whether it be a photoshoot, and it's location, and all it's possibilties, or a handmade good.  Being creative is the core of my being.

I absolutely understand the state of the world and the economy and how people are suffering.  Photos are not at the top of the list for most.  Capturing life's precious moments is my motto and why I started getting behind the camera.  And with the rate that children grow and families change, I encourage you to document those moments.  Keep in mind your children will never be this way again!  Next year, they may be going through that awkward stage and refuse to be in a picture because of a silly little pimple. This year, they'll wear what you pick out!  Next year, it's stripes, polka dots, and rainboots!  

So, if you're considering having pictures taken for your holiday card, gifts, or just a keepsake, if you book a shoot now, I'll throw in 25 custom designed holiday cards too!

To learn more go to:

http://www.christineblackburnphotography.com/ or http://www.christineblackburn.etsy.com/. 

Happy Holidays!!!

Christine

Chandler's Two - Birthday Shoot

Last week I had the honor of photographing Chandler, who recently turned two.  Before the shoot, her mom told me she didn't smile!  Uh, hello?

Stopping to smell the roses with mom and dad!  Life is good! 

And her mom insisted on getting those little chubs!  I agree.  This will prompt me to snap some pics of my girl's feet too!  At this age, it's okay to have cute and chubby feet.   

 

Chandler was probably one of the easiest kids to shoot.  Her mom seems to think that I have a knack for photographing kids, but in this case, it's pretty easy to get good shots when the subject is just so darn cute! 

 

Thanks, Chandler, for being such a great subject!!! 

Ashlyn's Ice Cream Party

I can't believe it's been 3 years since I had my first child, Ashlyn Rose!  Wow, how time flies.  Ashlyn loves ice cream and cake, and pretty much anything sweet.  I'm embarrassed to admit it, but her mama loves them too, so I'm not surprised.  I ate a lot of sweet and yummy fruit when I was pregnant with her, and you know, some other things that were probably a little less healthy in the sweets department.  So, for her 3rd party, I thought an ice cream party would be right up her alley, and mine, of course!  We talked about her party for weeks.  And when asked what she was most excited about, she said, "Ice cream and cake!"   I wanted lots of color and made everything with lots and lots of elbow greese!  I was eager to try out some new party ideas.  Here's what I did!

I found lots of free printables online.  I am in the process of learning how to design them myself.  Maybe even turning it into a business, but for this, I just used free designs. 

In keeping with the ice cream party theme, I was dead set on finding an ice cream cone cookie cutter and making decorated sugar cookies for favors.  None of the craft stores sell them, so I had to either get it online, or go to an cake decorating store/school.  And so I did.  They had everything there! 

I found this great blog http://www.thedecoratedcookieblog.com/ that gave me a cookie and frosting recipe and instructions on how to decorate them.  When the cookies came out of the oven, they looked like big blobs, and I was a bit worried.  But with lots of time and practically breaking my back, they were colorful and delicious and I think they turned out just right. 

A special princess cake for a special girl.

   

    Don't they look like ice cream cones?  They're cupcakes!  Easy breezy!  Just make your cake mix as usual and then fill the cones half way with mix and stand them up in a cupcake pan in the oven.  I frosted them with buttercream frosting and sprinkled with a little color and added printable cupcake toppers! 

                                                           Yummy!  I'll have one please!

The look on her face when we sang "Happy Birthday" to her.  Priceless!

Handmade pom poms!  Tissue paper, floral wire, and invisible wire.  And bam, you have colorful decor!

Handmade banner.  I handcut all the flags, the letters and the center scalloped edged circles.  Lots of work, but so cute.  I made one with just her name and hung that in my hallway as you enter the house. 

The birthday girl playing in the jumpy with her friends.  She was still one of the last to fall asleep that night!  This kid can party!  I think she had a great time!  Till next year when we do it again!  Said I wouldn't, but there's just something so fun about making your child feel special!  Afterall, it's her birthday!

Little Blanks Minky Blanket and Owl Set

As I've mentioned, I'm venturing into the baby business.  One thing I've always loved are little blankies.  Partly because I had one as a kid, and partly because they are just so soft and cute!  I received one for Ashlyn before she was born and she absolutely loves it.  It's name is Little Blankie and actually has a nick name for it - "Little Blanks".  When she has misplaced it, she calls for it.  I've thought of a device you can install in it to let you know where it is when it's gone missing.  Hmmm?  For now, we'll just keep looking around the house for it.  

And so I had a couple of friends ask me to put together a little gift set for them to give to someone who had or was having a baby.   Ashlyn's Little Blanks inspired me to make one!   Here's one of the sets! 

The blanket is made with turquoise dotted minky material, white minky material, and brown ruffled satin trim. 

The owl is made with cream chenille and brown, white, and turquoise corduroy material.  Felt eyes and nose to finish.  Isn't it precious?  I think so!  Doesn't everyone need one of these little loves perched on a shelf?

If you have someone in your life that is having a baby or just had a baby, please think of this set.  I can do it all sorts of colors and fabrics.  Just ask or visit my Etsy shop http://www.cpian406.etsy.com/.   It's handmade by me and it supports the handmade community.   No need to go out the door and look for the perfect gift.  It will arrive in the mail in no time! 

Because Red Is Her Favorite Color

In the last couple of months I set out on a new adventure.  It's one that I had been looking to embark on for a very long time.  But it was the itch to get back into photography that prompted it!  I was looking around at photography websites and seeing what the "latest" in photography trends were, when I came upon photos of infants wearing the cutest hair accessories.  Headbands, flowers, hats, you name it!  And it got me thinking.  "I can make that!"  So, I did!  And from then on, it's been like an avalanche of creative projects.  They started with cute headbands and handmade flowers and clips, and now I'm making baby blankets, stuffed owls, appliqued onesies, and onesie and tank dresses.  And the possibilities are endless!  I'm obssessed with looking at "tutorials" on how to make this and how to make that. 

I've been dying to get into the baby business for so long.  But something was holding me back.  Well, actually, as Betheny Frankel puts it, the "noise" was holding me back.  The little voices in your head that say, "You can't do that!"  Well, I'm here to tell you that yes, you can!!!  And here's the proof!

I took a simple white tank top from Old Navy and added the lace, the skirt, and made the head band.  When I saw this red fabric, this is what came to mind.  Ashlyn used to love pink, but her latest favorite color is Red!  Here you go, Ash!  This one's for you!

And on another note, and ironically in red, isn't she delicious?  But who was thinking when they made teething biscuits brown?  What a mess!