Little Miss Ashley and Happy Monday To You || San Diego Children's Modeling Portfolio Photographer

Happy Monday to you, Happy Monday to you, Happy Monday to You---oooooouuuuuu. Ok, so maybe my enthusiasm is a bit much for a Monday evening, but we are on Spring Break {did you get my spring break behind the scenes announcement here??} and I spent all day hanging and playing with the munchkins. I need a little adult interaction and since everyone else is already asleep, it's just me {and you}, entertaining me. So happy Monday it is.

Speaking of entertaining, I met up with this sweet girl a few weeks ago for a modeling portfolio headshot session and she had me in stitches. She is hilarious, sweet as can be and so much fun!! I cannot wait to see this little miss in her very first project!

Meet Miss Ashley and Happy Monday.

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To book a Session, Portfolio Shoot, Wedding or for more info

contact me HERE

View my Portfolio HERE

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Graduation and a Break... College Seniors || San Diego Senior Photographer

Vacation is a word we seldom use around here. In fact, I'm not sure it totally applies, but I am taking a little time over the next couple of weeks to work behind the scenes on some projects that have been on my to do list forever.. literally FOREVER! Also to spend some time with the munchkins while they are on

 spring break.

I will still be around and email may be a little slower for responses {sorry!}, but I promise that it will be well worth it. I'll still update my fanpage with some happenings and blog posts here, but I won't be tethered to my office and may even sneak in a beach work day.

For now I'll leave you with some eye candy... these gorgeous college seniors are just about ready to move on from their college days. They met what seems like forever ago and have been inseparable since. A couple of weeks ago we met up and did sessions for both of them and they killed it!!

Happy and Blessed Easter to you all! oxox



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To book a Session, Portfolio Shoot, Wedding or for more info

contact me HERE

View my Portfolio HERE

View more of the Blog HERE

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{{Castings}} Kangacoo Designs, Mentor Session and Personal Project || San Diego Fashion and Editorial Photographer

I have some {{Casting}} notices to put out there, so I thought it would be easiest to put them all in one place and give you all of the info here rather than just on my fb fanpage .

{Kangacoo Designs Juniors}

Kangacoo Designs is launching a brand new juniors line this year and we are so excited to be shooting their first fashion tween/ teen campaign!!

We are specifically looking for a few more girls: Blond and multi ethnic/ mixed racial ages 10-11 or 13-17 with great personality. Shoot next Tuesday afternoon {April 10th} in OC. Email me at nicole@nicolebenitez.com with one face shot and one full length shot with CASTING KANGACOO in the subject line {please include name, age ect}. No monetary compensation, but pictures for photosheets {and personal use} will be given.

{Mentor Session One on One}

Looking for a "bride and groom" to model fro a mentor session May 19th~ must be available mid day/ late afternoon/ evening in San Diego.

Hair and Makeup will be provided. All details sent once couple is booked.

We are looking for a couple to portray Old Hollywood Glam

similar to these shots found on pinterest.

If you are interested, please send your contact info  Email me at nicole@nicolebenitez.com with one close up of the two of you and one full length shot with CASTING COUPLE in the subject line {please include names, location ect}. No monetary compensation, but pictures for photosheets {and personal use} will be given.

Pinterest via Wedlux

Monique Lhuillier Vintage Wedding Dress

Pinterest via Kristen Weaver on Style me Pretty

{Personal Project Series}

Every year I set personal goals for myself and push my vision and ideas, this year is no exception.

I am casting for a series of personal projects to take place throughout the remainder of 2012 in Southern California. Looking for 5 women for character portrayal in styled sessions. Tall, slender {model or actess types}, all hair colors and ethnicity's. Ages 17-17

Email me at nicole@nicolebenitez.com with one face shot and one full length shot with CASTING PERSONAL in the subject line {please include name, age ect}. No monetary compensation, but pictures for photosheets {and personal use} will be given.

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To book a Session, Portfolio Shoot, Wedding or for more info

contact me HERE

View my Portfolio HERE

View more of the Blog HERE

Like me on Facebook HERE

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Find Me on Pinterest HERE

Setting Your Clients up for Success... and Kyle's {Style Session} || FAQ for Photographers

Last week on facebook I put out a call for questions for upcoming FAQ posts on the blog. I received some great questions, and over the last month or so I have been asked one question in particular quite a few times...

"How do you get your clients on the same page for your sessions and how do you know what they want?"

ohhh... I love this question. In my initial email, I arm them with all of the information, from start of the planning phase, to the finish on what to expect and when to expect it.  I set my clients and myself up for success by directing them to Pinterest.I introduce my pinboards if they aren't familiar with pinterest, and that gives them the freedom to look around without feeling overwhelmed.

Next, I ask them to create their dream board and share it with me. If they are having a difficult time deciding on location, this allows me to assess the feel of their ideal session and offer suggestions. If they need help clothing and styling, I know what their preferences are and make suggestions based on what they love. If they have a theme idea for a styled shoot, I can understand exactly what vibe they want to create and can work with them to find the perfect items to for our setting.

Kyle's {Style Session} was the perfect example of getting to know him through his pinboard {found HERE}. He was traveling from The University of Alabama for his final spring break and I knew through correspondence that he was an old romatic soul. Once I received his pinboard, inspiration hit! We had the perfect location, I grabbed the old vintage typewriter from my office and his clothing style was spot on.
Here's what we put together...

Kyle brought so much fun to our shoot and I already knew the direction that he wanted to go with it. Preparing with a custom pinboard and setting expectations from the beginning really helps take the headache out of guessing at what your clients wants.

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To book a Session, Portfolio Shoot, Wedding or for more info

contact me HERE

View my Portfolio HERE

View more of the Blog HERE

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Wordless Wednesday... Happy 1st Birthday Roxy || San Diego Photographer

As ridiculous as it might seem, today was a big day in our house. Roxy turned "1" today and the kids threw her a party. 

They her best friends and had a little fiesta.

Happy 1st Birthday Roxy!! 

She is still little, but oh my goodness she was a tiny 2.5 lbs when we got her.

My baby at 6 months.

Her first commercial shoot with Harley.

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To book a Session, Portfolio Shoot, Wedding or for more info

contact me HERE

View my Portfolio HERE

View more of the Blog HERE

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Modeling Portfolio Sessions.. Ashley {Sneak Peek} || San Diego Kids Modeling Portfolio Fashion Photographer

Happy Monday y'all. The kids are back in school after a week of sickies, and that means that I am out shooting and back in my office playing catch up.

Just a drive by quickie post today to share a quick sneak peek of Miss Ashley.

God was smiling down on us this morning at the San Clemente pier with gorgeous light and warm sunshine. I think that the day after a good storm is always amazing.. and today was no exception.

More coming soon of this up and coming little miss.

How cute is she??!!



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To book a Session, Portfolio Shoot, Wedding or for more info

contact me HERE

View my Portfolio HERE

View more of the Blog HERE

Like me on Facebook HERE

Follow Me on Twitter HERE

Find Me on Pinterest HERE

Wordless Wednesday... Teen Modeling Mini Sessions || San Diego Modeling Portfolio Photographer

Last month I launched Teen Modeling Mini Sessions and I cannot believe how much fun they are! More coming on what they are, how to reserve your spot and when the next one will be.. but for now, here's my girl Madi rocking it out for some updated headshots.

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To book a Session, Portfolio Shoot, Wedding or for more info

contact me HERE

View my Portfolio HERE

View more of the Blog HERE

Like me on Facebook HERE

Follow Me on Twitter HERE

Find Me on Pinterest HERE