The Best Part... Newborn Baby Claire {10 days old} || Temecula Newborn Photographer

Sometimes the best part of my job isn't the obvious one that allows me to capture a moment, a feeling, a special time or a just because in some one's life. Sometimes it is watching the way a new mom  looks at their baby in wonder and whispers how much they love them.. . Sometimes it's the way they pray over them and take every opportunity to hold them close.

I remember the day that I brought Kailyn home from the hospital, as a new mom I spent days watching her breathe, looking over every little roll on her body and just holding her close to me. I don't think much changes as they get older, or with having additional children. I still sneak into their rooms late at night to watch them breathe, to pray for them and to hold them close at every opportunity.

Meet Little Miss Claire.. she's 10 days old and just beautiful!

I know her mommy is going to hold her close for as long as she can.

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

contact me HERE

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Couture Children and Families Sessions... A Sneak Peek || Fallbrook Children and Family Photographer

 What if you could merge fashion, couture fashion, custom boutique and professional styling with your own children or family pictures?? You can! Katie from Kangacoo Designs came up with the beautiful idea of teaming up local Southern California designers to create a custom collection of gorgeous items to "borrow" for your own Children's or Family {Christmas} Couture Styled Shoot with me!!

We have some insanely talented vendors that have sent us items to use for our Couture Children and Family Sessions:

Kangacoo Designs

Kait Emerson Designs

GumDrops Hair Candy

Tutulicious

Kirra's Boutique

Adisten's Closet by Modern Chic Tots

Set Styling by
 A Blissful Nest

Here's the scoop:

Session dates are October 9th and 23rd in Fallbrook with a limited availability. Rebekah from A Blissful Nest is creating completely gorgeous styled sessions for us. Once you reserve your date, I'll help coordinate outfits, clothing, accessories for a completely customized Couture shoot and you are welcome to build your outfits around our loaner items from our fab vendors!

These sessions will sell out quickly.. this is the only time of year that I offer family sessions! If you want to book, have questions or want additional details.. please feel free to email me HERE 

{nicole @ nicolebenitez dot com}
Session Investment  $250~
Includes 1 hr 30minute professionally styled Couture Session, allows for a total of

two clothing changes, 25-30 fully edited
images, blog preview, personal ordering session, 1 year archived gallery, 10% Nicole Benitez Photography boutique discount {can be used on all products offered.. prints, cards, gallery wrapped canvases, digital images ect}
and an 11x14 wall print.

Ready to book your Couture Children or Family Session? Contact me here
**The fine print**
These sessions are not intended for Newborns, Modeling Portfolios, Seniors or Engagement. All sessions are booked on a first come, first served basis. Sessions are to take place on one of the above specified dates to remain eligible for the Couture Children and Family Session Promotions. Other session dates are available through the end of the year but will not be eligible for any part of this promotion.

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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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And The Winner Is....... MelissaJane Boutique Giveaway || Commercial Photographer

Thank you all for making this such a successful giveaway!!
 I wish I had enough to send everyone that entered.

Without further ado... the winner of the gorgeous MelissaJane Boutique

Masquerade Princess Dress is

Meredith!!!

Congratulations! I am sending an email out to you today.

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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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Meet Zeke.. A Teen Dream || San Diego Modeling Portfolio Photographer

I am often amazed by the clients that contact me for modeling portfolios. Some are working models/ actors that want to freshen up their headshots, some want to put together a portfolio to submit for agency representation.. but all of them end up just blowing me away! I am so honored that they trust me and my vision to deliver images that will get them noticed in a tough industry.

Meet Zeke.. he is nothing short of a teen dream. :) Super smart, crazy athletic and one of the most kind hearted boys that I have ever met with good looks to match! Did I mention that he's only 14?! Look out because he is going to do BIG things!

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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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Confessions of a {Dessert} Junkie... Homemade Butterfingers

I have been dreaming of candy corn since Monday while I was strolling the Halloween aisles of Target. I resisted {barely}, knowing that once I started there would be no supply end of sugary orange, yellow and white goodness in my house until after Thanksgiving.

 I am a candy junkie.. in the worst way, but since giving up candy for Lent {yes all the way back in February}, I have been trying really hard to limit my candy intake. I lasted 4 months without so much as a Hershey's kiss, then slowly allowed myself a treat here or there.  The biggest motivator was the near instant weight loss that coincided with giving up candy all together, but today I feel that I am definitely going to be spiraling down a black sugar hole.

While browsing pinterest this morning I came across the most amazing recipe for homemade Butterfingers. The best parts.. only 3 ingredients AND one of those is candy corn!! What??!! I am a little bit excited about trying this one out. It is taking every ounce of will power to not run out to get a bag of candy corn, some chocolate and hook this recipe up!

If you decide to make it.. please send me some!! If I am posting on facebook about eating the entire batch that I am going to make, feel free to stop by and take me out for a run after I come out of my confectioners coma.

Do you love candy corn or hate it??

 Leave a comment below and I might just send some lucky blog reader a bag.

recipe and image from Plain Chicken

Candy Corn Butterfingers

1 lb. candy corn
16oz jar peanut butter (I used Peter Pan Honey Roasted peanut butter)

16oz pkg. chocolate candy coating

Melt candy corn in microwave on high 1 minute. Stir and continue cooking in 15-second intervals til melted, stirring after each interval. Stir in peanut butter. Spread mixture in an 8x8 pan lined with parchment. Cool completely. Cut into squares. Dip in melted chocolate candy coating. Lay on waxed paper to set.

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

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{{Giveaway}} MelissaJane Boutique Halloween Masquerade Princess Dress || Commercial Photographer

I am so excited when I shoot products that I fall in love with! And even more excited when I get to do a giveaway!!!

We are hosting a giveaway starting NOW with this gorgeous MelissaJane Boutique Masquerade Princess Dress!!

The Masquerade Princess dress is absolutely gorgeous and we are giving this one away along with the mask!!

{Note** it is a size 3/4!! No other sizes or exchanges can or will be made.**}

Contest will run from today through Sept 26th {next Monday} at noon pst.

Winner will be picked using random.org and announced later that day. 

 How to Enter:

Leave a Comment {below} with your name and email address.

That's it!

Extra Entries:

1* Like my {Nicole Benitez Photography} Facebook Page HERE

Come back and leave a separate comment telling me that you did.

2* Follow {Nicole Benitez Photography}on twitter HERE

Come back and leave a separate comment telling me that you did.

3* Like MelissaJane Boutique's Facebook Page HERE

Come back and leave a separate comment telling me that you did.

4* Visit MelissaJane Boutique's Etsy shop HERE

Come back and comment on what your favorite item is.

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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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I May Be a Little Biased... || Fallbrook Wedding Photographer

I am working behind the scenes this week prepping blog posts, editing galleries and styling for some awesome upcoming shoots and couldn't help but post a tiny little sneak peek of some cuties from this past weekends wedding.

Recognize these munchkins??!! I might be a little biased, but they may be the cutest minis from a wedding party.. EVER!

My beautiful Jr Bridemaids- they are growing up! :(

Seriously.. how cute are they??!! Tank with Seth and Dylan.

The twins were the cutest flower girls.

Such cute little minis!

{Tank, Harley, Seth, Liberty, Dylan}

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

contact me HERE

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{Obsessions}... Braids, Puppy Clothes and Christmas Shopping

Our weekend was a little busy around here and our week is already moving at mach speed, but we are gearing up for some fun fall and winter projects that will be announced soon. In the mean time I have been doing a little research on pinterest for upcoming shoots, fall inspiration and hair ideas for my sister in laws wedding this past weekend for the girls. It's official.. I am obsessed with braids! So much so that the twins, the older girls and I are all wearing them almost daily! You can check out my pinboards here and let me know what you are loving lately!

Speaking of almost daily.. Roxy has been in a new outfit every morning this week! With the cooler morning weather she has been rocking some adorable new coats and sweaters. I am almost a little bit embarrassed to say that she has her own spot in the house to hang up all of her clothes and pretty soon she may need her own closet. Is it wrong that I am praying for a brief rain shower so that I can put her in her purple plaid rain coat??!!

I did draw the line at the little UGG looking booties that the twins tried to buy her a few days ago. It is still SUMMER {at least officially for a few more days}, but I keep thinking about those pink sherpa lined little boots and well.. she might need them for Christmas.

As we transition into autumn in most parts of the country, it is still gorgeous and warm in San Diego but my mind has already hit fast forward into Christmas! Can you believe that there are ONLY 100 shopping days left??!!

My weekends are completely booked until November {except for the Couture Kids and Family shoots.. info next week!} and I know that this is my busiest time of the year and my shopping days will be limited to online. I am pretty sure that you already know about my love affair with shopping {for anything and everything..even groceries}, so it's no surprise that we are already shopping and stashing goodies away! 

 I have no idea what to ask Santa for, I couldn't even think of anything to ask Erik for for our anniversary this weekend. What's your most wanted Christmas item on your list this year?  Share your ideas in the comments.. I need some inspiration.

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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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The Luckiest Girl in the World... MelissaJane Boutique {commercial} || San Diego Children's Modeling Portfolio Photographer

Seriously, sometimes I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. I certainly can't carry a tune to save my life {except in the car when I sound ah-mazing to myself} and am not a world class chef {although I can bake with the best of them}, but when someone as insanely talented as MelissaJane Boutique trusts me enough to send their creations for me to shoot.. seriously, the luckiest girl in the world!

I just don't know where to start with how much I love this session. The outfit, mask, hair piece, our little model.. all of it! Jane {of MelissaJane} outdid herself on this Halloween inspired dress and even created the coordinating mask and hairpiece herself. 

 Kailee is represented by the amazing Zuri Model and Talent Agency . I knew that she would be a perfect fit for this shoot as soon as I saw the gorgeous dress. We met up in San Clemente and Kailee was pure magic in front of the camera!

Just a few of my favorites...

Kailee is just beautiful!!

See more of MelissaJane Boutique on Etsy

Become a fan of MelissaJane Boutique on Facebook

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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