Kait Emerson Designs... Fall Commercial Shoot {2}

Awwww.. I cannot even stand all of the cuteness that is Parker! We held an open casting on our facebook page for Kait Emerson Designs Fall Commercial Shoot a couple of weeks ago and we knew this 19 month old cutie was the real deal! She was busy, full of spunk and just too cute to pass up! She did a great job with all of the clothing changes she endured and we had a blast searching for Nemo and all things Halloween along Oceanside Harbor.

 More gorgeous Kait Emerson Designs and one absolutely adorable little girl = the perfect way to start the weekend.

Thank you again to Simply Chic Headwear for the adorable accessories!

And....if you want to book an awesome stylized shoot before the end of the year to support Breast Cancer Research, please check my post out HERE. Only 2 days left to donate and  all session fees go directly to Images for a Cure in support of finding a cure for breast cancer.

Kait Emerson Designs.. Fall Commercial Shoot

Some designers are just special, when they create it's magic. I have done a few commercial shoots for Kait Emerson Designs, and every single time I walk away thinking "wow" these are amazing.

 I had the opportunity to do a couple of shoots for them this week and I never leave uninspired by the kids we shoot or Feanna at Kait Emerson!

This little model happens to be Tank's BFF's sister. She is gorgeous!! and as sweet as honey. I **heart** her in this KED dress/tunic. And those boots... I asked her if she'd share but she politely informed me that my feet are just a bit bigger than hers. Darn it!!

 A special thank you to Simply Chic Headwear for the adorable headband!! They make gorgeous headbands, beanies, and accessories. We have a bunch of custom pieces that were made to match the twins Kait Emerson Design outfits. Love them!!!



{Big News} We're Looking for an Intern/ Assistant!!!

Nicole Benitez Photography is expanding!

 After talking about it for months, it’s finally time... Currently looking for an intern/ assistant to move us into 2011! We are looking for someone who has a very strong interest in photography, design and fashion. The position is being offered as an assistant/ internship {with school credit being provided for high school junior or senior, or toward college credit} and pay will be determined based on qualifications. The internship will begin on November 15th and will continue through the spring. At that point the intern could potentially be offered permanent part time employment.

{Details, Details}

- Must have your own car or transportation.

- Must be comfortable working in a home office environment.

- We are located in Fallbrook.

- School credit will be provided if you are participating in a work study program.

- We are looking for a 5 month commitment that could potentially go longer.

- Must be able to work 2-3 days per week (approximately 10-15 hours per week).

{the Job}

Tasks may include:

- Placing client orders

- Packaging, shipping, and delivery of client orders

- Errands (Post Office, Office Supplies, Coffee runs, etc.)

- Helping with scheduling and organization

- Creating Studio Spreadsheets

- Filing, Client Folder Creation

-  Marketing

- Guest blogging

- Studio promotion

- Assisting at shoots {as schedule permits}

-Culling images

-Session styling

-Newsletter / Mailing List creation and maintenance

{ the Qualifications}

-Working knowledge of Photoshop a ++ {but not necessary}

- Must have own computer

- Excellent people skills

- Excellent communication skills

- Positive, friendly, and outgoing attitude is VERY important

- Self-starter and motivated

- Preferable knowledge of Microsoft Excel

- Time management skills

- An enthusiasm and willingness to learn new things

 - A genuine interest in photography and fashion

How to Apply:
Send me an email and I'll get you an app.
nicole@nicolebenitez.com
Put ASSISTANT in the subject line and I'll get back with you asap.
Serious inquiries only!



Obsessions... San Diego Chargers, Tailgating and Christian Louboutin's

 This weekend I may have witnessed one of the worst games of the current NFL football season... in person! We hit up The San Diego Chargers game against the New England Patriots at Qualcomm and to say that I was disappointed in the Bolts is a bit of an understatement. I actually feel asleep at the game... twice! Despite the disappointing season, I am still obsessed with the Chargers and even got myself a new scarf to sport this season! Win or Lose.. I prefer win, but after this week, I might have to start my Super Bowl dreams over for next year.

What's better than a Charger game at Qualcomm? Tailgating of course!!! I spent my Saturday night prepping all of our deliciousness for game day. On the menu... Emeril's Breakfast Casserole, Monkey Bread, Buffalo Chicken Dip {I know, not really breakfast food- but requested} and mimosas. This week I have to say that the tailgate was better than the game. 

 To make my football weekend all better, I was searching for shoes to go with a Marine Corps Ball dress that I still don't have and found myself on the Christian Louboutin site {a girl can swoon, right??}. I was secretly hoping for some inspiration on finding something that could resemble an item that I might use for the upcoming occassion.  Only Christian Louboutin can make me wish I was not 6 feet tall. If I was 5'7" I think I would wallpaper my closet in them!

Do you think I could sell Erik on the "need" for this??!! {Seriously, the clasp is a set of stilettos!} Be still my heart!!

After the Wedding Day... Scarlett Lillian

My mornings start much the same every day. Snooze, snooze again. Begrudgingly wake up, make sure that Kailyn and Madison are getting ready for school. Get Harley and Liberty up and dressed against their will. Make sure everyone eats. Bus stop. Tank and Mommy snuggles. Talk myself out of snuggling Tank under the covers of my warm bed instead of starting my day {have I mentioned I am not much of a morning person??}Off to my office to do a quick email check, facebook check, peruse a few of my fave blogs {limited to 5 at a time.. or I get sucked in}, then time to edit or work on my never ending business to do list.

This morning while in line with my routine I was intrigued by a facebook post from the fabulous Scarlett Lillian : "I hate getting emails like the one I did last night." It doesn't take much to suck me in, so I had to check it out!

What she had to say was so poignant to choosing a great photographer who is a perfect fit for you. Custom Photography for a wedding, lifestyle or stylized session is an investment and no matter where life leads, your memories, {those snippets into your life at that moment or series of moments} are so important.

Shared with Scarlett's permission:

I too have received the emails saying that a client had wished they had decided to invest in what they really wanted, but went another direction. It is so important to choose the perfect fit for you and make it happen because you can't go back in time.

Thanks again for letting me repost this Scarlett!

Behind the Scenes... A Newborn Session

This week I received the sweetest email from one set of grandparents from a recent newborn session. They were visiting with their son, daughter in law and new grand baby Benjamin from Texas, when their newborn session took place. I love the families of my clients almost as much as my clients and this family was no exception. Her words made my heart happy and also gave me an idea.

I realized that if you are new to custom photography, especially a stylized sessions such as a newborn session, many clients have no idea what to expect. I send out a ton of information upon booking, have consultations about what my clients expect from me, what I expect from them, clothing, hair and makeup recommendations if they want them, styling and the flow of the day. Even with all of that, it may still seem a bit overwhelming. But... it's not!! It's fun and should be as stress free as possible.

Baby Benjamin's grandma also sent me a couple of pictures with her beautiful compliments and I asked her permission to share them so that you would be able to see a little bit of me in action and what the finished product looks like.

We don't need a ton of space, just beautiful light, styling that fits your ideas and happy {or in this case, sleepy} clients. 

We follow the light. In this case, I went to their home in the desert, it was incredibly warm {which is what we need to keep a newborn comfortable and cooperative} and the diffused light on their back porch was gorgeous! The garage, a master bathroom and sometimes the dining room offer the best light in the house.

This shot was in another spot on the back porch.

They also had gorgeous light in their living room. The baby was able to be fed and back to cozy, and moved to a spot right in the center of the living room.

This little guy was nearly a month old and did great, but the optimal time for a newborn session is under 10 days old. They are still in their most sleepy newborn stage and super cooperative and posable for all of those creative shots.

Thank you again Gayle for sending these action shots to me and for sharing such a wonderful afternoon. Your family is a treasure and I am lucky to call them friends!  

The Vega Family.. Waiting for Baby.. Sneak Peek

I feel like such a tease. All of these sneak peeks and no full posts!! I promise to have some very soon, but I couldn't help but share a couple from the Vega Family's recent session. They are waiting on a baby girl to join their family early next year and so excited.

More of the boys, baby belly, and the incredible truck soon!

Kristin and Donovan...Hitched... a Sneak Peek. Marbella Country Club || San Juan Capistrano

It's another fast and furious week and I just finished downloading Kristin and Donovan's gorgeous wedding at Marbella Country Club in San Juan Capistrano. A quickie sneak of whats in store!

This week Images for a Cure dates are being launched. I have one session open for this Saturday, but all other dates will be announced soon! email me if you want the info or to secure a spot nicole@nicolebenitez.com .

Urban Kids... Albert and Abb

ey I adore Urban Kids Sessions. I adore Albert and Abbey even more. They are the kids you wish were part of your own family. Happy, sweet and full of a love for life. It's a good thing that I adore their mom too, or I would be tempted to adopt them as my own.

When we started planning their session, I was in love with the idea of an urban session for these two. The colors, the contrast and a whole lot of fun! We headed to downtown Fredericksburg to one of my favorite spots to shoot. The kids rocked it out and these are some of my faves for the entire year!

I cannot wait to see them again when I head back to Virginia in the spring.

I have a few Southern California sessions left through the end of November and booking for 2011. Booking in Northern Virginia for the end of March, these sessions are extremely limited and almost full. If you would like to book a session in North San Diego County or in Northern Virginia or for more information... please email me. nicole@nicolebenitez.com 

Lawson and Hannah...a quickie Sneak Peek

It's Wednesday. It's Wednesday??!! Where is my week going? I am furiously trying to get some of our recent sessions edited because there is too much goodness not to share!! If you aren't a fan on facebook, you're missing out on some great sneaks and news.. so make sure to "like" us.

I did a session while I was in Virginia for the Horner Family. They are all gorgeous... we hit up one of my absolute favorites spots to shoot and I am dying to share the entire family, but I'll leave you with these two of Hannah and Lawson as we run out the door to soccer practice..

{Featured}.. Shawna and Jeff's Mission Beach Engagement Session on Emmaline Bride Blog

Yesterday I flew in from a whirlwind week of amazing shoots, a 10-10-10 Wedding, seeing great friends and locating a new favorite cupcake shop in Georgetown. I was feeling a bit on the fritz as I thought of the insanely busy week ahead of emails, orders, editing and being wife and mommy. I sat at LAX as I waited for my next flight that would take me just 20 minutes to my family, sweet cozy bed and DVR. I opened my computer for a quick email check as I chowed on some airport Wolfgang Pucks and found an email from Andrew at Emmaline Bride.

They had featured my summer engagement session of Shawna and Jeff! What??!! What!!! I was beyond elated. This is the only wedding related submission I have ever sent in for consideration and I could not believe they picked it! Another huge thank you to Stephanie Boardman for Shawna's hair and makeup and to Renee at OC Propgirl for the adorable styling {and feature on her blog too!!}

Thanks Emmaline Bride for making my travel day so much brighter!

Tiffany and Charles' Wedding on the Chesapeake Bay... Sneak Peek

I just flew in from Tiffany and Charles' wedding on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland and could not wait to share a few of my favorites. Herrington on the Bay was an amazing place for them to start their lives together surrounded by the love of their closest family and friends.

More coming this week from this gorgeous wedding.