{Nicole Benitez Photography}

Kainoa... He's Magic || San Diego Children's Modeling Portfolio Photographer

2012-01-26T20:58:00.000-08:00

I know that I have said it a million times before, but I seriously have the best and most ridiculously beautiful {handsome} clients... EVER!!!

Case in point.. meet Kainoa! We met up a couple of weeks ago to work on a new set of head shots and modeling portfolio shots for him and WOW! He is adorable, super fun, smart and we had the best time.

His little smile just melted my heart and if I thought I could smuggle him home with me without his mom noticing, he would totally be kid #6 in my household!!

This little man needs to do Gap campaigns {that I'd LOVE to shoot!!} and anything and everything else.. he's just pure magic!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

Getting an Agent... Guest Post by Aubri of Minikin Model & Talent {part 1} || San Diego Modeling Portfolio Photographer

2012-01-25T09:24:00.000-08:00

GETTING AN AGENT

Pursuing agency representation for your child does not have to be a daunting task! But it's important to understand what you're looking to have your child do, why they need an agent to be successful, what kind of agents are out there, and lastly, how to effectively reach them. Your child's participation in the broad world of entertainment can be in a variety of capacities. Whether you hope to see your child grace the next Target billboard or star in the next Coca Cola commercial, having an agent is your gateway to these possibilities. However, this does not mean your child cannot get a start in entertainment without an agent.

Establish profiles for your child in a variety of casting web sites and submit for student projects, low-budget films, stock photography shoots, anything to get your child out there and experienced with working on set. It's possible for agents to discover your child through this completed work. Even if they don't, the experience and portfolio and resume additions you are able to garner will make your child more desirable for agency representation.

Reputable talent agents make money when your child makes money. If you are presented with an opportunity and it involves upfront fees (in the form of registration, interview fees, headshots, etc.), decline. Research licensed talent agencies on the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE) web site in your local area and find out how submissions are accepted by each agency. Some agencies require mail-in submissions, others permit them electronically. Photos are critical in this process, as they are serving as the sole representation of your child as agents are reviewing submissions. Ensure the photos provide a clear, close-up shot of your child's face with no distracting hats or backgrounds. Yes, that shot of your child with cake covering half their face is adorable, but not suitable for submitting to an agency. Aim for good lighting (preferably outdoor) and keep it simple.

Once you have submitted, you simply wait and hope that your child is invited in for an interview. If you have submitted to a variety of agencies with no luck, try again in a few months. Remember, "never say never" just keep the process going. Things have a way of falling into place when you persevere!

- Aubri Almendariz, Director of Youth Talent, Minikin Model & Talent Agency

We are so excited to announce that Minikin Model and Talent Agency is doing a four part

guest post blog series right here! Next installment up.. next Wednesday.

More info coming soon on What's In a Headshot, The Audition Look and From the Trenches.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

And Baby Makes 3... Melissa and Mike's Maternity Session || Temecula Maternity Photographer

2012-01-23T17:38:00.000-08:00

I absolutely ADORE Melissa! She is the genius behind gorgeous hair accessory line LovMely Accessories. We became fast friends a couple of years ago and I could not have been more honored when she asked me to do a maternity session for her and her handsome husband Mike.

Baby Mackenzie is due next month and I have to say that I am a little jealous... Melissa may be one of the most gorgeous pregnant mommy's to be!! I cannot wait to meet their new little miss soon!

Melissa and I were talking a couple of weeks ago and I have to say that one of my few pregnancy regrets was that I never did a maternity session. She makes it look sooooo easy!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

Daydreaming of Summer... With Kangacoo Designs Swimwear || San Diego Commercial Photographer

2012-01-23T09:30:00.000-08:00

It is so dreary and rainy today, it kind of has me wishing on a daydreaming vacation morning somewhere warm and tropical or at least a little trip down the street to the beach. Unfortunately for me I can't take the morning off to day dream or go play at the beach {with or without this rain}.. Instead, I have my fire place going in my office as I am tethered to my desk for a morning of working away, but I am lucky enough to offer you all a discount code for Kangacoo Designs Swimwear pre sale so you can daydream of summer for me!!

My girls ADORE these suits and get more compliments on them than any others that they own. Katie is offering 3 days of swimwear pre sale and they sold out last year.. quick! So jump on it and use

code: NBPSWIM at check out to get 10% off of your order!

Check out the Kangacoo swim shop HERE

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

Happy Birthday Harley and Liberty... and an Art and Soul Boutique Launch || San Diego {commercial} Photographer

2012-01-20T10:44:00.000-08:00

I am blessed beyond belief with 5 amazing kids and sometimes I wonder how on earth God had this planned for my life and how He decided to bless our family with the gift of these amazing kids. 7 years ago today Harley and Liberty were born at an itty bitty 4 and 5 pounds, and our lives were changed forever! I never imagined funnier, sweeter or more loving little girls than the two I already had.. but somehow they followed right in their big sisters foot steps and are just as funny, sweet and loving.

Last week I took the twins out to do a commercial shoot for the gorgeous Art & Soul Boutique by Bercot, and those girls gave me a run for my money. They are hilarious and sometimes it is hard to keep a straight face when they are sharing secrets, having strong man competitions and laughing hysterically at me trying to get them to focus.

Today Art and Soul Boutique launched their Spring 2012 line and we are honored to be featured on their site! In honor of the twins birthday they are offering FREE shipping using the code: nicoleb at checkout.

Happy 7th Birthday to my beautiful Twinsers!

I'm not going to lie, I am a little jealous of how gorgeous my friend

Megan looks modeling the Art &Soul skirt with my girls ;)

It seems that Roxy is getting more and more commercial work lately, maybe I should offer

puppy portfolios. Ok, maybe not.. I'll stick to people, but she is awfully cute.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

My Bridal Session... with Betsy Blue Photography || San Diego Bridal Portraits

2012-01-13T11:19:00.000-08:00

Things have been blessedly crazy the last few months and now that I am {almost} slowing down to work on some major 2012 goals, dreams and business plans, I am catching my breath and finally finding time to post a few personal things.

I thought it would be fun to finally share some pictures that one of my favorite friends {and photog extraordinaire} Betsy Blue did for a few months ago.

Betsy wanted to update her portfolio with a new styled bridal session and I had never had bridal portraits done even though it feels like Erik and I were married forever ago. I was lucky enough to have my dream dress from Bonny Bridal and one of my absolute favorite makeup and hair people on the planet- Brooke from A Pretty You- doll me up for a fun shoot.

Bets,

Thank you so much for being my partner in crime, one of my dearest friends and for making me feel absolutely beautiful! **Love you!!**

Bonny Bridal,

You ladies rock! {Especially Kerrie} You seriously make dreams come true in so many ways!

Brooke,

I adore you! Thank you for making me look and feel so pretty!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

Then and Now... Confessions of a Momtographer || Fallbrook Photographer

2012-01-11T11:37:00.000-08:00

In a recent series of posts in a facebook group that I belong too {shout out to my p31 girls}, they were posting pictures from when they started their businesses compared to now. Holy WOW!!!! For one, there are so many talented women in the group and to see how far they have come from then until now.. it was nothing short of inspiring.

This morning I was looking through my backup disc drive and decided to take my own journey down memory lane. I started my business {I use that term very loosely for the first two years!!} in the summer of 2008 with a shiny new canon rebel camera, 5 kids ranging from 2-10 years old, a husband that travelled Sunday- Friday every single week of the month and a dream with no plan. Did I mention I had absolutely no experience and no idea what I was doing?! I looked through folders upon folders of pictures from those early days and alternated between laughing out loud and wincing at the horrible color, composition and just flat out lack of knowledge.

If I could go back and tell myself what I have learned in just 3 1/2 short years.. I would in a heartbeat. Being in business for yourself is hard!! Working from home is hard {especially with kids}. We think that starting a business and working from home is going to give us the freedom to bring in some money, be there with our kids and do something for ourselves.

It's true, you may bring in some money but you'll quickly learn that you are charging too little and end up burnt out or barely covering your expenses and making $.10/ hr. You'll be able to be there with your kids, but your kids are also there when you feel that you need to work. Stop, start, stop, start..mommy. mommy! MOMMY!!! and an editing session or replying to emails just took you a 10 hour day to complete.. never mind trying to market or connect with vendors. It will definitely give you the opportunity to do something for yourself, but what about all of the other things that we have to do for ourselves and our family.. grocery shop, clean, be a mommy or a wife?

I don't say these things to scare you off, quite the opposite. If you learn as much as you can from those that have already been through it and are successful, set boundaries and schedules for yourself and clients and learn and shoot as much as possible.. the journey is amazing and rewarding and you can be successful at running a true business, being there for your kids and doing something for yourself that you love!

This post is just the first in a series throughout the year to inspire and help your business succeed. If you have questions, please feel free to post them in the comments below, hit me up on my fan page or shoot me an email.

I am completely embarrassed to even put these out there, but maybe it will serve as a tiny bit of inspiration for other momtographers that have a dream, a drive and are just starting out.

THEN- Feb 2009

Now- Dec 2011

THEN- Nov 2008

This is one of my first ever paying clients

Now- Nov 2011

Praise the Lord that I had some awesome mentors to help develop my own style.

THEN- June 2009

Now- August 2011

THEN- Dec 2008

This picture hangs in my house STILL {in the most awful sepia color tone}, I can't make myself take it down. It serves as a daily reminder with how far I have come.

Now- My munchkins from Christmas 2011

I'm glad I am not sitting beside you all to listen to your laughter as you look through these. And THANK YOU to my clients and friends that have been there since the beginning and those we have met along the way!

Happy Hump Day!

oxox

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

Little Man Jacob... 6 months old || Temecula Baby Photographer

2012-01-10T10:01:00.000-08:00

I am blessed beyond belief to document my brides and grooms on their wedding day, and even more so as I watch them start their families! Jeff and Shawna were married in 2010 at the gorgeous Catamaran Resort in San Diego {you can see their wedding HERE} and welcomed their adorable son Jacob, into the world last year.

We met up a few weeks ago to do a session for Jacob's big half birthday and this 6 month old could not be any cuter!! I adore babies and he just stole my heart with his big grin and those dimples!

Meet Little Man Jacob...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

Modeling Portfolio Sessions...Kendall || San Diego Modeling Portfolio Photographer

2012-01-06T12:00:00.000-08:00

Well well well... 2012 is starting off with a BANG around here! We have so many fun things in store for the blog in the coming months, guest bloggers, new series and of course eye candy galore. I seriously need a full time assistant, a clone or more hours in the day and an IV of 5hr energy to keep up and get it all done.

Before our little Christmas siesta, we met up with gorgeous Kendall to help put some submission and head shots together for her. It was her first time in front of the camera and wow!! This girl was working it like she already knew what she was doing! She is definitely one to watch!

We're also working on a newsletter format and some posts to keep you up to date with all of the exciting things we have happening around here. First up.. After meeting and talking with some of the top execs in model management we have decided to restructure our modeling portofolio, headshot and submission sessions. If your dream is to be a model or actor {or if you are already working and just need updated shots}, we want to help get you noticed with killed pictures and get or keep you working.

If you would like info on our portfolio and head shot sessions, please feel free to contact us

at nicole@nicolebenitez.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

Looking Back... Our Best of the Best {2011 Part 2} || San Diego, Fallbrook and California Based Destination Wedding, Engagement and Couples Photographer

2012-01-03T11:43:00.000-08:00

2011 was full of amazing vendor friends, clients turned friends that allowed me into their lives and took us on amazing journeys across the country and amazing opportunities that I never imagined. We were featured on several amazing sites including The Wedding Chicks, Hostess with the Mostess, Project Nursery, Amy Atlas Events, A Blissful Nest, Celebrations at Home and several others. We were also featured in two magazines~ Babiekins and Model Life and things never slowed down for a second.

I have decided that for 2012 I am not making any resolutions per se, just setting goals. Since I am officially back from vacation today, I am working in my office and reflecting back on a past year of God's grace and daring to dream crazy things for our 2012 bucket list.

As promised, here's part 2 of our Best of the Best 2011.

Thank YOU for coming on our journey and supporting us every step of the way!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

Looking Back... Our Best of the Best {2011 Favorites Part 1} || San Diego Senior, Children, Modeling and Commercial Photographer

2012-01-02T20:56:00.000-08:00

WOW!!!!! I cannot believe that 2011 is over. I have no idea where the time went or how on earth I was so blessed with the most amazing clients and business year to date.

Every dream that I dared to dream in 2011 came true and we are ready to kick off 2012 with a bang and even bigger dreams!

First, a little look back at some of our favorite Senior, Children, Modeling and Commercial projects throughout 2011. Come back tomorrow for part 2~ Weddings!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

{Merry Christmas} From Our House to Yours

2011-12-23T10:43:00.000-08:00

2011 is coming to a close and we have so much to be thankful for!
What an incredible year we have had and I just wanted to say THANK YOU to you all!

We are taking some much needed time off for a couple of weeks and will have limited access to emails.

Enjoy your holidays and we look forward to an even bigger and better 2012. Look for some exciting announcements for next year!

Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year from our family to yours!

oxox,

*Nicole

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

Modeling Portfolio Sessions... Meet Kendall || San Diego Modeling Portfolio Photographer

2011-12-21T19:04:00.000-08:00

We finished up our last shoot of the year with a killer modeling portfolio session! Although it's just a quick sneak peek.. holy cow! This girl is gorgeous {inside and out}!!!

Meet Kendall.

This was her first time out and she nailed it!

There will be more of her coming soon,

but here's a quick teaser of a couple of my favorites.

Kendall, you could run your own Guess campaign! I would buy whatever you are selling

and I adore that jacket!!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

Surprises, Toddlers and Fun... A Week With Kennedy || Fallbrook Children's Photographer

2011-12-19T10:21:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago my niece Kennedy came to stay while my sister and her husband took a much needed vacation. Kennedy was an angel, but I forgot how busy toddlers are. For 6 days we played games, sang songs, counted, snuggled and shopped and even did a little photo shoot to surprise her mommy for her birthday.

I have been dying to share these and now that my sister got her present, I finally can!

Miss Kennedy Grace

{rocking some Kangacoo Designs ponchos and leggings}.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

Winner, Winner, Winner... Kangacoo Designs Mulberry Dress

2011-12-16T12:19:00.000-08:00

I **heart** contests, but I wish I could give a big hug and prize to everyone that enters!!

A HUGE thank you to Kangacoo Designs for the gorgeous dress for the giveaway!

There is a lucky little girl that has this dress headed her way..

Comment #46

Elizabeth M. you're the winner!!

Congrats! ~I'll be emailing you tonight to get your address.

Thank you again to everyone that entered!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

{{Featured}} Hostess With the Mostess... Alice's Mad Hattery {A Bridal Affair}} || San Diego Wedding Photographer

2011-12-14T08:56:00.000-08:00

Yippee, we're so excited to be {{Featured}} over on one of our favorite party and entertaining sites today for one of our absolute favorite shoots of the year!!!

Hostess With the Mostess has our Alice's Mad Hattery Bridal Affair featured on their daily blog and we can't thank them enough! Again, Rebekah of A Blissful Nest knocked the design elements out of the park and pulled together an amazing bridal inspired shoot featuring some of our favorite vendors.

You can see the feature on HWTM HERE

And if you want even more eye candy inspiration, you can see my entire post on the shoot HERE

A Huge huge thank you again to everyone involved!

– Styling/Printable Party Decorations: A Blissful Nest
– Photography: Nicole Benitez Photography
– Men’s Neck Tie: Kait Emerson Designs
– Poms/Pomettes: Pom Flair
– Wedding Attire: Bonny Bridal
– Hair and Makeup: Nicole Lennox
– Hair: A Pretty You
– Makeup: Aimee Jakes {Puff Mud Studio}
– Hair Accessories: La Couture Amore

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

{{Featured}} Model Life Magazine and... a Contest for a Kangacoo Designs Dress || Commercial Photographer

2011-12-12T10:11:00.000-08:00

We're {{featured}} in Model Life Magazine this month for Kangacoo Designs gorgeous Candy Cane Dress!

Jennifer of Forty Toes Photography included it in her monthly column of favorites and we're honored to be a part of it.

In honor of our feature {bottom right corner}, we've teamed up with Kangacoo Designs for a {{GIVEAWAY}}!!

It's not the Candy Cane dress, but you can win the Mulberry dress that was featured over on A Blissful Nest last week!

{Note** it is a size 7girls dress or 10/12 tween shirt!! No other sizes or exchanges can or will be made.**}

Contest will run from today through December 16th {THIS Friday} 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 Kangacoo Designs Facebook Page HERE

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

4* Visit Kangacoo Designs Etsy shop HERE

Come back and comment on what your favorite item is.

Also, Kangacoo is offering my readers a 50% off discount code to use in her shop on all ready to ship items. Use Code: 50FORNBP

Use it now {well after you enter the contest} for some killer last minute Christmas deals.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

Tiffany and Tim... A Christmas Session || Temecula Couples Photographer

2011-12-08T15:54:00.000-08:00

Things have just been flat out insane around here. I promise I have more gorgeous sessions to blog, more exciting news to share and more updates to post as we move into 2012, but the hustle and bustle of the last couple of months has kept me crazy busy {thank you to all of my clients!!}.

I'll keep this post brief and just say that I absolutely adore this couple! Tiffany and Tim met a few years ago, set up by friends and have been inseparable since! They asked me to do a Christmas Session for them and holy hotness.. if their real jobs don't work out~ I highly recommend modeling :) !!

Just a few of my favorites...

A few months ago I shot for Babiekins Magazine at Humprey's Estate and knew it would be amazing for a couple's session. I was blown away by the fall color and I adore all of the wild peacocks that wander around. Huge thank you to Holly for having us back to her gorgeous property!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

{{Featured}} Celebrations at Home~ My Christmas Wish || Southern California Commercial Magazine Photographer

2011-12-08T12:49:00.000-08:00

Seriously, December is shaping up to be pretty amazing and I am stoked {yes, all 80's like!!} to share that we're {{Featured}} over at Celebrations at Home today! We recently did a commercial project for Rebekah at A Blissful Nest {love you!} showcasing her new and gorgeous My Christmas Wish Collection {found in her shop HERE}.

Today, My Christmas Wish was featured by Celebrations at Home and the goodies are over the top!

A hot chocolate bar, kids table, adult table, dessert table and Peppermint Martini Recipe {yum}, but my favorite is the wishing tree. I need to figure out how to coordinate a wishing tree into a yearly tradition around my house.

More pictures and my take on prepping and shooting for commercial print coming soon, but head over and check out Rebekah's amazing collection HERE

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

{{Featured}} A Blissful Nest... For Kangacoo Designs~ A Mulberry Christmas || Commercial Photographer

2011-12-07T09:01:00.000-08:00

I get super giddy when our work pops up on one of our favorite party and home inspiration blogs A Blissful Nest. And even more giddy when we're featured in a guest post by one of our favorite designers... Kangacoo Designs.

Katie is guest posting at A Blissful Nest today all about holiday style. I don't know if I should be ecstatic or embarrassed to admit that we have almost all of her Holiday collections... either way, my girls {and Tank!!} love Kangacoo.

You can check out the entire article HERE.

And... coming next week, your chance to win the gorgeous Mulberry and Lace Dress below!

Details back here on the blog on Monday.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

Tape Recordings, Mariah Carey and Sister's... Isabella and Jessica || Fallbrook Children's Photographer

2011-12-05T11:46:00.000-08:00

I was about 11 and she was 5. We laid across my full sized bed with the blue, green and pink plaid comforter. I had received a new recording tape player with a microphone for Christmas and was so excited. We were determined to start our own all girl singing group. It didn't matter that I couldn't carry a tune and that she had a voice like an angel. We were sisters and we were going to hit it BIG with our awesome home recorded tape singing our hearts out to Mariah Carey.

I should mention {again!} that I can't carry a tune.. to save my life! Our dream may have been a little far fetched, but I loved spending time with my sister then and even more so now that we're grown.

When a friend of mine asked about a session for her daughter's, I couldn't help but smile at the memory of all of the days spent with my sisters. As the oldest of 6, my sisters {and my brother} are some of the most important people in my life and I am so so lucky that God gave them to me.

I was blessed to spend an afternoon with these gorgeous girls and make some memories with them. Although it didn't include a home recorded Mariah Carey tape all kinds of out of tune, there was still plenty of laughter, secret sharing and more love than I could have hoped to capture.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

He Made Me Promise... Because They Were Always Watching Him || Personal

2011-12-01T09:12:00.000-08:00

He said that he felt like they were watching him. As he watched tv, when he walked across the room, while he ate at the breakfast bar. They were always watching him. Erik made me promise that at our next house, I wouldn't put any pictures of people in our living room. He could no longer take the 50 sets of eyes that watched him out of the 25 frames adorning our living room walls. He didn't care if I put up pictures of fruit, abstract art or pretty much anything else... other than people.

That was almost 12 years ago and when I first realized that I had a serious problem. Our Marine Corps family lifestyle had us moving every couple of years and I kept my promise that I would no longer plaster pictures of us in the living room. I resorted to a bazillion frames and lining our hallways, the family room, upstairs hallway, entry way and anywhere else that wasn't technically the "living room" with pictures. With 5 munchkins and wanting to hang every favorite, I had to do something.

I am a serial picture addict. I love pictures of my clients, I love pictures of my kids, I love pictures of Roxy {although Erik may oppose a 30x40 gallery wrap of just her :)}and yesterday I wanted to put up a couple of new framed pictures and didn't have any wall space left... except in the living room. I also had some new pictures to put up from the munchkins Christmas session. As I took the pictures off of the wall in the entry way to change them out, I felt a twinge of sadness. I felt guilty replacing them with the ones that were currently there.

I opened them up and took out the current ones and a slow smile stretched across my face. I left the previous years pictures in behind the ones that graced the front. Memories from days past... Kailyn and Madison's kindergarten graduation, the twins 4th birthday, school pictures through the years.

They were there waiting to greet me.

I have talked before about how bad my memory is, how I can't remember what happened yesterday, a week ago, a year ago, 10 years ago. My pictures are my memory, a little reminder to myself on what we were doing, what they looked like, their sweet faces from times that I was so caught up doing for them and being there, that I forgot to memorize God's day to day grace of being their mommy.

Erik laughs when I talk about needing another frame for the house. His response is always the same, "Are you sure we don't have enough?". Last night he walked in from work and the first thing that he said was, "They're watching me again. I thought you promised?!". Well, clearly I need a bigger house with more wall space, or for him to be okay with my desire to wallpaper random rooms throughout the house with my favorites from each year. Then I wouldn't have resort to invading the living room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

Happy 14th Birthday Kailyn... What I've Learned || Personal

2011-11-26T11:43:00.000-08:00

As parents we pray constantly that we are teaching our kids to grow into good and kind people. We forget that they teach us more than we each them.

I have learned more from you than I could have ever imagined as I started this journey as your mom.

I have learned to be patient, love unconditionally, hold you close even when you have errored. To stay silent and let you learn your own way and to pray in all circumstances.

The first time I held you in my arms as an infant, it was with tears streaming down my face. Scared to death on how to parent as you grew up but so full of love. Today we celebrate your 14th birthday and I am still scared to death on how to parent and but so full of love.

Happy Birthday Kailyn!

We love you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

I Heart Seniors.. Rachel's {Sneak Peek} || Del Norte High School Senior Photographer

2011-11-22T21:20:00.000-08:00

This is definitely the most incredible year of seniors! Class of 2012 is turning out some amazing kids that are living their life for God, making huge plans and ready to rock the world!

I was lucky enough to share some time with Rachel recently and she absolutely blew me away! I knew that I would love her immediately when I checked out her pre session pinboard, but I had no idea that her heart for Jesus and outlook on life would push me over the edge.

Here's just a itty bitty sneak peek into our urban senior session in downtown San Diego. So many more coming soon!

Want a senior session with us??!!

We're booking seniors and modeling portfolio sessions for December and January.

Email me at nicole@nicolebenitez.com for info and for available dates!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

When I was a Senior...They Didn't Look Like This! || Fallbrook Class of 2012 Senior Pictures Photographer

2011-11-15T21:19:00.000-08:00

I posted a couple of Lane's pictures on my facebook page a couple of weeks ago as a sneak peek and as I read through the comments, I couldn't help but laugh.. out loud! It started off with "When I was a senior... they didn't look like this!" No kidding! I thought the same thing {and no, it's not just because I went to an all girls school either}.

While I was in Northern Virginia shooting Brandy and Greg's destination wedding, I was lucky enough to meet up for a session with Lane. He is a little shy, super artistic and has a fantastic style! We wanted his session to be super urban and this downtown Fredericksburg location was ah-mazing for the vibe we were looking for. I know there was no San Diego sunshine mixed in, but a little change of scenery isn't too hard on this Southern California girl.

I told Lane that if his art career didn't work out,

I would jump at the chance to shoot his modleing portfolio!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

For Photographers... My Top 3 Favorite Resources || FAQ's and More

2011-11-14T13:21:00.000-08:00

When I started my business, I went in blind. To be brutally honest, I had no idea how much work it would entail. I didn't know that I would spend more hours on the business side of things than actually taking pictures and making memories. I didn't know what my style was, or even how to shoot in manual mode. My website was horrid {did I mention that I'm nearly computer illiterate unless it involves shopping or..uh, shopping?}. I was a hot mess!

When I got really serious about my business, I started asking questions {without being afraid of being laughed at for what I didn't know}. I spent hours and hours looking for answers to the questions I had. I wanted to know about the technical side, marketing, pricing, posing, networking.. all of it. I wanted to nail down the best way that I could make my business work for me and my family. I also learned to shoot.. for real. Not in auto, but honest to goodness figured out the hows and whys of my camera, lighting circumstances and posing.

I am in no way the authority on how to start and grow your business, but some of the things that I have learned may help someone else and save you some headache in the searching and investigating.
Here's my top 3 favorite resources {and a few extras thrown in}.
1. Served Up Fresh~
Common Sense Business Tools for Portrait Photographers
Alicia has come up with so many resources under her Served Up Fresh series including Easy As Pie, Happy Place and LuxUndercover to fine tune the pricing, perfecting a business life plan and creating a luxury customer service experience to keep your clients HAPPY {and talking about you to their friends!}.
If you just don't have a clue where to start with your business, she also offers a FREE business 101 e course. It will get all of your little ducks in a row so you can be legit!
I can't even share with you how happy her system has made my life! I have all three e books and recently did the business e course to make sure I had everything in line and hadn't missed any major steps in making sure my 3 year old was in deed where it needed to be from the beginning. My only regret was not finding Alicia at the beginning of my business! I could have avoided about 50 million hours of pricing research and trying to figure out who or what I wanted to be in my business life {and creating the boundaries between work and life!}.
2. The Joy of Marketing
Sarah Petty is simply amazing! Her knowledge and experience at running a super successful boutique portrait business has crossed over into one of the most generous and biggest resources for photographers of all levels! I first found Sarah last year and reviewed The Boutique Experience HERE, then had the opportunity to talk with her last winter One on One {you can read my blog post HERE} and she gave me some great advice on marketing myself locally in a new area. I have to say that I put her ideas into action and less than one year later.. my fears of moving to a new community and having to start my business over have been out to rest {Thank you Sarah!}. She knows her stuff and runs tons of online seminars!! You can learn so much from The Joy of Marketing and taking advantage of all of Sarah's knowledge!
3. Pinterest
Pinterest, you say?! Yes~ pinterest!! What is better for figuring out what you are drawn to, deciphering your own personal style, inspiration for posing, locations and session styling than a visual virtual place to store all of your favorite things?! I am not a fan of copycats, but I think that we can appreciate a beautiful or creative image and sometimes those images spark our own imaginations when we're running low on creative juices. Use pinterest as a place to book mark all of the things that make you... you! Use it to communicate with clients their vision with yours. Use it to figure out what types of images you are drawn to, then go out and practice and define your own style through inspiration.

If you still want to spend a bazillion hours reinventing the wheel, by all means go and rock it out.. but if you just want to run a killer successful portrait or wedding business~ Network and develop genuine relationships with those that are willing to help! Talk with other professionals, ask questions and learn what they use to make themselves stand out, ask them the hows and whys of how they came up with their systems and pricing, ask about the technical side. There are so many people willing to help steer you in the right direction, just make sure you pass it on when someone asks you!

If you have any questions for a future FAQ, feel free to leave them in the comments or email me
nicole@nicolebenitez.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

I am in Love... MelissaJane Boutique {sneak peek} || Children's Commercial and Modeling Portfolio Photographer San Diego

2011-11-10T17:35:00.000-08:00

I am a little biased, but I am pretty sure that I am completely in love. MelissaJane Boutique sent over a gorgeous dress and coordinating shrug and between my little Miss Harley, our fabulous location and the outfit..

It's L-O-V-E!!!

Just a quick sneak peek for the night.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas... Babiekins Magazine || Children's Magazine Editorial Photographer

2011-11-09T21:03:00.000-08:00

Babiekins Magazine launched their Winter 2011 Issue {issue 7} last week and to say that we were ECSTATIC to be included amongst some absolutely amazing photographers in this issue is an understatement {read about it HERE}.

I had a blast working with the Babiekins team {hi Priscila, Jessie and Heather!} and our adorable little models!! So so much fun and some of my favorite winter images to date!

These definitely put me in the mood for the Christmas Season {even with gorgeous sunny 75 degree Southern California weather}.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Heather from Three Ring Circus is just insanely talented at vintage clothes finds and styling and paired this gorgeous dress with a custom creation from Pom Flair. I was IN LOVE!!

A huge thank you to Babiekins for featuring my work throughout Issue 7.

<3 you ladies!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

Marissa... Class of 2012 Seniors || El Camino High School Senior Photographer

2011-11-07T16:37:00.000-08:00

There are people that you meet that you know are destined for great things! Marissa is that one! She has a heart that shines for God, a love for her family that is evident in every consideration and is drop dead beautiful on top of it.

I want to be her when I grow up. <3 <3 All kidding aside, I am honored to have met her and her amazing family a few weeks ago to do her Class of 2012 Senior pictures and cannot wait to share her with you!

Marissa wanted something super fun for her senior experience. After talking with her and her mom and putting a pinboard together, we decided that this old train line aboard Camp Pendleton was the perfect backdrop for color texture and a whole lot of fun.

Marissa had some outfits in mind and did an awesome job of putting together accessories and clothing pieces that were trendy and completely her! I have to send a HUGE shout out to Jeanette Crutchfield for an amazing job on hair and makeup! She made Marissa look fab!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

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

2011-11-07T12:57:00.000-08:00

The winner of the gorgeous MelissaJane Boutique Leopard Train Dress is...

# 57~ RORY

Congrats!!! I'll be sending you an email shortly!!

Thank you all so so much for entering! I promise to have more goodies in the coming weeks, so keep checking back for tips, tricks, sneak peeks and a few giveaways!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

{{Featured}} Babiekins Magazine... Issue 7 || Commercial and Editorial Photographer

2011-11-06T17:26:00.000-08:00

Sometimes it is scary to dream big... but my dreams are surpassing anything that I ever imagined when I started my business a little over 3 years ago. My timing was not ideal with a 2 year old, two three year olds, and a 9 and 10 year old that were crazy busy with school and sports {yup, you read that right, certifiably crazy starting a business with 5 kids~ 3 of which were toddlers}.

All in all, it was the right time for me. I wanted to do it, knew in my heart that I could make it work and was blessed with a husband that supported what I wanted to do. Although I have had to work incredibly hard at the work/ home life balance {there was a lot more unbalance before the balance finally came}... it has come along and I am learning to be unafraid to dream as big as I can, and pray for more.

In my dreams.. shooting and being published in a magazine were up near the top of my business bucket list and this past week that dream came true.

Babiekins Issue 7 is out and we're featured in a few spots through out the magazine. I can't tell you how much I love the Babiekins team! They are an incredibly talented bunch of women that balance work, family and home life and are unafraid to dream big! I am honored to have worked along side them!

You can check out the entire Babiekins Issue 7 HERE

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

Happy Halloween... It's a Sweet Giveaway!! MelissaJane Boutique || Commercial Photographer

2011-10-31T20:18:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween! We're headed off on a mini vacation and won't be answering emails until next week, but I wanted to leave you with a sweet Halloween treat!

We are hosting a giveaway starting NOW with this gorgeous MelissaJane Boutique

Leopard Print Train Dress!!

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

Contest will run from today through Nov 7th {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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

Did You Win? ... Starbucks Giveaway || Destination Wedding Photographer

2011-10-28T12:32:00.000-07:00

I landed in Virginia on Monday at nearly midnight to a brisk autumn evening. I checked my phone and the weather app assured me that Tuesday would bring sunshine and highs in the low 70's. Awww... flip flop weather for sure. Fast forward to today... overcast and a chilly high of 50 degrees. I am rocking a hat, scarf, my favorite coach fur lined moccasins, a sweater, jeans and wool coat. A bit bundled up? YES! My California bones are not used to this wintry weather.

Tomorrow I may be a bit more bundled up for Brandy and Greg's Shenandoah Valley Destination Wedding. The forecast... SNOW!!! In October?! Oh yes, snow snow snow. I am so excited!! Despite the frigid temps {ok, so it's not the Antarctic} I am so happy to be amongst the gorgeous colors of fall to celebrate with Brandy, Greg, their friends and families in the snow.

On to the giveaway winner...

VALENTINA, random.org says that I owe you some Starbucks!

Thank you all so much for sharing what you are thankful for.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

I'm Thankful for.. Starbucks! Want to Win? || Fallbrook Senior and Children's Photographer

2011-10-27T12:08:00.000-07:00

It's almost November.. which means life is about to get a whole lot busier. We have about 12 birthdays in my family between November and December {including mine and Kailyn's!}, Thanksgiving and only 58 more days until Christmas!!!!

I have been thinking about the things that I am thankful for in light of upcoming holidays and my list is getting pretty long. I'll only share a few today but next month the thankfulness is on like donkey kong {lame?! yes... and I'll take it}.

I'm thankful for...

My amazing husband.

I can chase my dreams and know that he is supporting me.

My kids.

They keep me on my toes and make life fun and worth the ups and downs.

My family and friends.

I love you guys!!

My clients.

I love you guys too! And truly treasure you!

Cupcakes.

Seriously? I just admitted that I am thankful for cupcakes and the sugary happiness that they provide.
Starbucks.
Oh yes!! You make so many of my days so much more productive!

What are you thankful for?

Leave a comment below and one lucky reader will be gifted a Starbucks gift card.

And a little eye candy for your day.. I couldn't do a post without pictures. Here's a little sneak peek of a recent senior session and one of the girls from our Couture Kids Sessions.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

Alice's Mad Hattery...A Bridal Affair {complete post} || Beverly Hills Wedding Photographer

2011-10-25T12:21:00.000-07:00

We have leaked a ton of teasers from our Alice's Mad Hattery {A Bridal Affair} style shoot on our facebook page and we were incredibly blessed to have it featured on The Wedding Chicks last week, now we can finally release them here!!

Rebekah of A Blissful Nest is one of my very favorite party and event planners {and decorator extraordinaire and incredible friend} in the entire world and when we started planning this styled bridal shoot, she had the most creative and amazing details to set it up perfectly. We were incredibly excited for the ah-mazing vendors {and models} that helped out with this shoot.. Here are my fave shots of the day...

Vendor Love:

Photographer: Nicole Benitez Photography Event Design: A Blissful Nest Hair/Makeup: Nicole Lennox Hair/Makeup: A Pretty You, Brooke Lee Dress Designer: Bonny Bridal Groom’s Attire: Kait Emerson Designs {ties}
Stationery: A Blissful Nest Bridal Hair Accessories: La Couture Amore
Custom Paper Poms: Pom Flair

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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 Pinteret HERE

The McDonough Fam Rocks Couture... Couture Children and Family Holiday Session || Fallbrook Photographer

2011-10-20T09:49:00.000-07:00

For the love of all things fashion, we are getting ready to kick off an insane whirlwind next 2 weeks of sessions, travel, friends, laughter and Vegas... baby! Most of it is work, with a little bit of play and I cannot wait!!

Tomorrow starts our weekend kickoff of Couture Children and Family Sessions and I am beyond excited!! Rebekah of A Blissful Nest has some awesome styling planned out and our fave local designers have blessed us with the most beautiful couture goodies for our kids and families to use!

A few weeks ago one of my favorite families came out for a Couture Session and they worked it!! We have used the kids for a few commercial projects and I knew they would bring their "A" game, but had no idea the fierceness mom and dad would bring too!!

**Swoon**

How cute are they??!!

I love when I ask the parents to kiss in front of the kids.. This is probably my favorite picture of the day!

One session spot left for this Sunday {11a} Details HERE

A little heads up.. we'll be hosting some fun "I'm Thankful" giveaways in November.. if you want to get a headstart on extra entries.. please stop by our awesome designers pages and leave them some love <3

Adisten's Closet by Modern Chic Tots

A Blissful Nest

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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 Pinteret HERE

Homecoming Queen with a Heart of Gold... Marissa's Senior Session {sneak peek} || El Camino High School Class of 2012

2011-10-18T10:25:00.000-07:00

I have said so many times before how much I love senior sessions! I love hearing their stories, what direction they want their life to go, seeing the drive, the desire and the fire that motivates them to take the world by storm.

Marissa was no exception! She has a passion and a drive that I just know will take her on to do amazing things and our time together made me fall instantly in love with her! She's infectious to say the least and her heart shines through in a way that touches people, you can't help but be happy in her presence.Did I mention that she's gorgeous??!! She was crowned Homecoming Queen last week and it's no wonder... she is just an amazing person with a heart of gold.

Here's a little sneak peek of Marissa's senior experience..

A huge thank you to Jeanette for Hair and Makeup. Gorgeous!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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 Pinteret HERE

Wishing I Could Make Time Stand Still... The Munckins Couture Session {sneak peek} || Fallbrook Children's Photographer

2011-10-17T11:58:00.000-07:00

Most photographers will tell you that their hardest subjects to photograph are their own! Most moms will tell you the same thing! Trying to photograph your own child is hard work, even for the pros! Try doing it x's 5. I am definitely not saying that one kid isn't as hard as 5, but mine are way too comfortable in front of my camera and I often need a martini by the time we are done {I kid, I kid}. I do photograph them individually pretty often for their sports activities, commercial shoots and to commemorate milestones, but coordinating schedules for five busy munchkins sometimes take a little help from the man upstairs, a whole lot of praying before hand and ends with something really good to bribe them with.

90% of my images end up making me laugh out loud as I look through them. The funny faces, purposely crossed eyes and silly poses kill me. If you recall our Christmas Shoot from last year, it took us 2 {count em}, 2 sessions to get a Christmas card picture that I could use that included all 5 of them. I take all responsibility for the first failed session and not treating them like mini clients {lots of fun, no stress = awesome time}. This year, no retake needed.. my kids were in superstar form {ok, ok, that may be the mom goggles talking}, but we had a blast! Build a tent together in the middle of the day, doll them up in awesome designer clothes, add in silly mommy time and our puppy + a super surprise treat at the end of the day. I am a happy mommy and it was pure bliss to spend the afternoon with them. Now I am just wishing I could make time stand still!
Here's our sneak peek...

A huge thank you to our local designers that have sent amazing clothing, accessory and custom items to use for our Couture Children and Family Sessions
{{psst... they are almost sold out! One full session or two mini sessions left on October 23rd!! Contact me ASAP at nicole@nicolebenitez.com if you want to book}.

Adisten's Closet by Modern Chic Tots

Set Styling by
A Blissful Nest

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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 Pinteret HERE

{{Featured}} Wedding Chicks... Alice's Mad Hattery || Fallbrook Wedding Photographer

2011-10-17T08:05:00.000-07:00

I have been talking about bucket lists a lot lately... and today I get to cross another one off of my list! I am so so excited and honored that we are featured over at The Wedding Chicks today for our Alice's Mad Hattery {A Bridal Affair} Style Shoot!!!

We can finally share all of the details and inspiration {my post coming this week}, but go HERE to check out the feature and please leave us some love if you stop by!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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 Pinteret HERE

Babiekins Magazine... Sneak Peek || Humphrey's Estate Photographer

2011-10-16T14:52:00.000-07:00

My business bucket list is growing rapidly! There are things that I am daring to dream and I am just so so incredibly blessed that some of those dreams are coming true. I'll get around to putting my bucket list up one of these days {ummm.. just as soon as I put it all out on paper :)}, but I wanted to share a big one.. with a bit of a sneak peek.

I am a fashion and style junkie and one of the biggest parts of my business brand identity incorporates my loves straight into every element of what I shoot. I pour my heart and soul into creating completely beautiful and custom stylized sessions and shooting weddings with a bit of a fashion twist. Last week I crossed a huge item of my bucket list by shooting for Babiekins Magazine- the most stylish mag for all things baby and kid related with eye candy galore.

Now, the winter issue has not been released just yet.. but they leaked one of our images and I am dying to share it too!

I shared one of my top 10 on my bucket list, feel free to share yours in the comments section below too! If we are dreaming together and encouraging one another, there is nothing we can't achieve!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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 Pinteret HERE

Parties, White Patent Leather Mary Janes and Fancy Hairstyles... MelissaJane Boutique {commercial} || San Diego Children's Modeling Portfolio Photographer

2011-10-14T14:09:00.000-07:00

I loved to throw parties for my dolls as a kid. I remember going into my closet to search for my fanciest clothes to pair with tights and my favorite white patent leather mary janes. I didn't care that they hurt my feet, I felt like a princess in them. I would sit in front of my mirrored closet doors and do my hair in what I am sure were insane styles, then methodically match and hairstyle all of my dolls. There may or may not have been an incident or two of scissors finding their way into a doll haircut {and my cousins once} to prettify them up before the big shindig.

A few things have changed since I was 5... I am making sure that no one in my house gets a hold of the scissors for a little makeover {which may or may not have already happened the time that Kailyn tried to give herself bangs in first grade}, I am no longer wearing white patent leather mary janes {although the shoes obsession remains}, and I definitely didn't have fancy clothes like the ones from MelissaJane Boutique hanging in my closet {begging to be worn EVERYWHERE!!}.

Oh MelissaJane Boutique, you make my heart flutter!! I would have worn your clothes to every party that I ever planned, every event that I attended and probably would have tried to sleep in your gorgeous creations!!

Seriously, how lucky is any little girl that gets one of these??!!

Did you see who's getting in on the modeling action??!! Roxy begged to come with me.. she's a sucker for cute little girls!

Find MelisaJane Boutique on Etsy HERE or on Facebook HERE

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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 Pinteret HERE

Moving at Mach Speed... a Look Ahead || Fallbrook Photographer

2011-10-11T14:15:00.000-07:00

Whooaaaaa... Life is moving at mach speed right now and it is just going to keep up at this pace until sometime around December! I am so excited and blessed that we are meeting and connecting with so many new {and old} friends and just can't thank you enough for helping to grow our business beyond our wildest dreams!

Looking forward we have some amazing things in store and I am just dying to share them all with you! I thought I'd do a quick snippet of upcoming events covering the next few months.

October~ Couture Kids and Families Holiday Sessions

{all of the details are HERE! Our last event date is Oct 23rd and there are only 2 spots left!}

November~ Holiday Sessions {Full and Minis available!}

December~ Modeling Ports {with new pricing} and Class of 2012 Seniors Only event dates

January~ One on One Mentoring Sessions and all regular sessions

February~ Our first ever Boudoir Marathon!

{email me to get on the list for details when they release}

March~ Shooting with Style {Group Workshop}

All about connecting with your dream clients, how to prep them for Stylized Sessions, how to style effectively and beautifully, and our secret weapon to a successful business.

Whew.. are you still with me??!! If so, THANK YOU!

Here's a look at what we have been working on this week {full posts coming soon!}

Custom Couture Cape~ Kangacoo Designs

Dress and Ruffle Leggings~ Kangacoo Designs

Petti Top and Petti Skirt~Tutulicious

Ruffle Leggings~ Kangacoo Designs

Custom Couture Cape~ Kangacoo Designs

Mini Top Hat~ Chickapee Creations

Couture Dress and headpiece~ MelissaJane Boutique

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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 Pinteret HERE

My Top 10 List to Live By...and a Sneak Peek || Fallbrook Photographer

2011-10-06T12:34:00.000-07:00

We constantly worry about body image as women {and men} and unfortunately as young girls. Last week one of my girls and I were talking and she shared that she had been ridiculed by some other girls for her body {which is beautiful by the way}. My heart sank in an instant. As a mother we want to protect our children, to lift them up and make them always feel beautiful about themselves. We walk through all of our insecurities and pray that our children don't live out the same ones. If I could make a top 10 list of advice to live by {to pass along to my girls and Tank too}, to pull out and remind myself when I am feeling the lowest of lows, to put on a sticky on my monitor as a constant reminder.. this is what mine would be.

1. God made us the way that He wanted to and we are perfect in Him.

2. You ARE beautiful!

Even with an extra few pound and with the lines that are beginning to wrinkle your face.

3. Where you are right now is right where you are supposed to be, if you don't like that place.. learn and move forward without looking back.

4. Take the time to celebrate you in every phase.

Document it with a picture and leave your legacy.

5. Mean girls don't matter, they will always be ugly on the inside!

I would rather be kindhearted that a pretty b-i-t-c-h.

6. Take your biggest dream and imagine it a thousand times bigger... that is my wish for your life.

7. If he doesn't love you for you, he was never worthy of your time in the first place, not the other way around.

8. Don't let fear control what you do or don't do with your life.

9. Fail and fail miserably... then get back up and do it better.

You can only appreciate your successes if you have learned to fail.

10. Be You and never apologize for that.

Feel free to share your advice in the comments! We need to encourage one another to live the most beautiful lives that we can!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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 Pinteret HERE

Wordless Wednesday... Wedding Style || San Diego Wedding Photographer

2011-10-05T20:28:00.000-07:00

With only one wedding to go for the year, we're winding wedding season down and I am a bit sad. I thought I'd pay tribute to a little Wordless Wednesday.. Wedding Style of some of my favorite images over the last year.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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 Pinteret HERE

One on One with Lauren Nygard... Shooting With Style {Mentor Session} || San Diego Workshop Photographer

2011-10-03T10:25:00.000-07:00

I love learning and I love sharing what I know. A few weeks ago I met up with the talented Lauren of Lauren Nygard Photography for a one on one mentor session. Lauren and I chatted via email for weeks leading up to her mentor session so we could focus on exactly what she struggles with in her business, all of the things that she excels at and of course shooting.. with style!
Lauren wanted to focus on growing her business and setting up more styled sessions with her clients from the basic touch of style to elaborate shots. Gaining your clients trust and preparing them for every element of the journey of a stylized session takes a lot of work. Prepping your brand as a photographer to incorporate stylized sessions is also a lot of work and I wanted to make sure that Lauren was prepared on every front to take on a new offering for her sessions!
We had two gorgeous senior models join us for the shooting portion of our session and they rocked! I didn't do a lot of shooting with the girls, but was there for Lauren in case she had questions or needed anything. I have to say that she is awesome and we had such a fun day together learning and sharing.
Here's a few of my favorites that I took of our gorgeous seniors.

Lauren in action..

If you would like more info on mentor sessions or would like to book one with me contact me at nicole@nicolebenitez.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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 Pinteret HERE

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

2011-09-27T13:07:00.000-07:00

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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

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

2011-09-26T20:42:00.000-07:00

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:

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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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

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

2011-09-26T12:35:00.000-07:00

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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

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

2011-09-22T15:16:00.000-07:00

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!

{Nicole Benitez Photography}

Kainoa... He's Magic || San Diego Children's Modeling Portfolio Photographer

Getting an Agent... Guest Post by Aubri of Minikin Model & Talent {part 1} || San Diego Modeling Portfolio Photographer

And Baby Makes 3... Melissa and Mike's Maternity Session || Temecula Maternity Photographer

Daydreaming of Summer... With Kangacoo Designs Swimwear || San Diego Commercial Photographer

Happy Birthday Harley and Liberty... and an Art and Soul Boutique Launch || San Diego {commercial} Photographer

My Bridal Session... with Betsy Blue Photography || San Diego Bridal Portraits

Then and Now... Confessions of a Momtographer || Fallbrook Photographer

Little Man Jacob... 6 months old || Temecula Baby Photographer

Modeling Portfolio Sessions...Kendall || San Diego Modeling Portfolio Photographer

Looking Back... Our Best of the Best {2011 Part 2} || San Diego, Fallbrook and California Based Destination Wedding, Engagement and Couples Photographer

Looking Back... Our Best of the Best {2011 Favorites Part 1} || San Diego Senior, Children, Modeling and Commercial Photographer

{Merry Christmas} From Our House to Yours

Modeling Portfolio Sessions... Meet Kendall || San Diego Modeling Portfolio Photographer

Surprises, Toddlers and Fun... A Week With Kennedy || Fallbrook Children's Photographer

Winner, Winner, Winner... Kangacoo Designs Mulberry Dress

{{Featured}} Hostess With the Mostess... Alice's Mad Hattery {A Bridal Affair}} || San Diego Wedding Photographer

{{Featured}} Model Life Magazine and... a Contest for a Kangacoo Designs Dress || Commercial Photographer

Tiffany and Tim... A Christmas Session || Temecula Couples Photographer

{{Featured}} Celebrations at Home~ My Christmas Wish || Southern California Commercial Magazine Photographer

{{Featured}} A Blissful Nest... For Kangacoo Designs~ A Mulberry Christmas || Commercial Photographer

Tape Recordings, Mariah Carey and Sister's... Isabella and Jessica || Fallbrook Children's Photographer

He Made Me Promise... Because They Were Always Watching Him || Personal

Happy 14th Birthday Kailyn... What I've Learned || Personal

I **Heart** Seniors.. Rachel's {Sneak Peek} || Del Norte High School Senior Photographer

When I was a Senior...They Didn't Look Like This! || Fallbrook Class of 2012 Senior Pictures Photographer

For Photographers... My Top 3 Favorite Resources || FAQ's and More

I am in Love... MelissaJane Boutique {sneak peek} || Children's Commercial and Modeling Portfolio Photographer San Diego

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas... Babiekins Magazine || Children's Magazine Editorial Photographer

Marissa... Class of 2012 Seniors || El Camino High School Senior Photographer

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

{{Featured}} Babiekins Magazine... Issue 7 || Commercial and Editorial Photographer

Happy Halloween... It's a Sweet Giveaway!! MelissaJane Boutique || Commercial Photographer

Did You Win? ... Starbucks Giveaway || Destination Wedding Photographer

I'm Thankful for.. Starbucks! Want to Win? || Fallbrook Senior and Children's Photographer

Alice's Mad Hattery...A Bridal Affair {complete post} || Beverly Hills Wedding Photographer

The McDonough Fam Rocks Couture... Couture Children and Family Holiday Session || Fallbrook Photographer

Homecoming Queen with a Heart of Gold... Marissa's Senior Session {sneak peek} || El Camino High School Class of 2012

Wishing I Could Make Time Stand Still... The Munckins Couture Session {sneak peek} || Fallbrook Children's Photographer

{{Featured}} Wedding Chicks... Alice's Mad Hattery || Fallbrook Wedding Photographer

Babiekins Magazine... Sneak Peek || Humphrey's Estate Photographer

Parties, White Patent Leather Mary Janes and Fancy Hairstyles... MelissaJane Boutique {commercial} || San Diego Children's Modeling Portfolio Photographer

Moving at Mach Speed... a Look Ahead || Fallbrook Photographer

My Top 10 List to Live By...and a Sneak Peek || Fallbrook Photographer

Wordless Wednesday... Wedding Style || San Diego Wedding Photographer

One on One with Lauren Nygard... Shooting With Style {Mentor Session} || San Diego Workshop Photographer

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

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

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

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

I Heart Seniors.. Rachel's {Sneak Peek} || Del Norte High School Senior Photographer