First day of school photo tips

With the first day of school right around the corner for some of us, I thought I’d update this previous blog post and provide a few tips for getting great photos of your kids before they head off to start another year. 

These are photos of our oldest two kiddos, who are now adults both living on their own. It goes fast I tell ya!

just do it.
You don’t need a fancy camera - your smartphone is great! Just remember to wipe off the lens. While you’re at it, consider getting a little video, too. (You can stitch it into your 1 Second Everyday app later if you’re into that sort of thing) Nothing is better than hearing those little voices years down the line!

think about lighting.
Find a spot where your child isn’t squinting. Full shade works best. Try turning them in different directions until you find the one where your child’s eyes shine.

scope out areas ahead of time. 
Time is always short on the first morning of school, so look for a suitable spot for photos a day or two before the first day madness.

don’t forget the details.
I still remember my Holly Hobbie metal lunchbox with the thermos I had in elementary school… it will be fun for the kids to look back and see what shoes, backpack or lunchbox they picked that year so make sure to capture those details in some of your shots.

go for scale. 
Find a place to take a photo that shows scale. I like to use the front door of my house, so every year it’s easy to see how much taller everyone has gotten. You could also use a tree, the sign out front of the school, etc.

go close up. 
in addition to a full body shot that shows scale, make sure to get a close up that shows those cute missing teeth/braces/freckles/etc.!

capture the journey to school. 
Do your kids walk? Take the bus? Ride a carpool? Whatever it is, a photo of that process will be fun for them (and you) to look back on in future years. Especially if it involves your older brother walking you to his school for the first time and taking you by the hand. 😭

consider getting in the frame. 
I am guilty of not doing this myself many years, but consider hopping in a photo or two with your kiddos. Your future self will thank you. If you want my whole take getting in the picture, read this post here.

Happy Back to School! #themostwonderfultimeofyear

there's no place like home

I love capturing new families at home. It can make the session more relaxed, since you’re not driving and parking anywhere. If someone needs a break or a new outfit, those things are just steps away. And I love capturing details like what your home looked like. I know I love looking at those types of details in my own baby photos!

This photoshoot was a newborn shoot that got rescheduled several times for safety, and I am so glad because we got to capture these great interactions and smiles that you just don’t get with a brand new baby. Enjoy all the adorable baby squish, drool and smiles in the photos below!

Would you like me to capture your own family story? I can come to your home or we can find the perfect Sacramento-area location. Book at 15-minute discovery call and you can hear all about how this process works!

Updated business branding photos for a Sacramento leader

I was thrilled to partner with Amanda Blackwood, CEO of the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce to update her suite of professional images. I worked with her and her team to determine the needs and use cases for the images, and from there, I put together a comprehensive shoot plan to make sure we were on the same page in terms of feel and vision. We shot at a variety of locations around the city to get a well rounded set of images she can use for all her needs. Our shoot had to be rescheduled several times due to the pandemic, but I’d say it was worth the wait! Here are a few examples of what we captured:

If you have a need for images of your own, let’s talk! I’d love to tailor a shoot specific to you.

Behind the shot

In November, I traveled to Southern California for a few sessions. While I was shooting this couples’ session in Malibu, a fun behind the scenes image was captured. I thought it’d be fun to see the image that was taken at the exact same time for a different view of the same scene:

There are so many more images from this session that I want to highlight, but this will have to do for now…stay tuned!

Full Circle

Names are such an interesting thing… You’re given your name by someone that’s just met you. Most people don’t even name a pet until they live with it for a few days! That’s a lot of pressure to get the name right. Will the name you choose allow this person to become anything they want to when they grow up? I had a friend who would try out names for her unborn child by prefacing it with, “Reporting from the White House, I’m ____” to make sure it seemed like it would match the job.

You have a first name and usually a middle name to choose, and the last name tends to be the father’s last name. And that’s the way it was with me. 

My mom tells the story that my first name was supposed to be Kirsten, but after a rough delivery she changed it to Christie as it was an easier name and she thought I’d already had a hard enough time. Turns out, Christie is not “easy.” Almost everyone somehow sees an extra “n” in there and thinks my name is Christine, or mis-hears me and thinks my name is Crissy, or Kristen… It’s kind of hilarious how often this “simple” name involves spelling errors and correcting people’s pronunciation.

My middle name is in honor of my paternal grandfather, Leon – Lee for short. It’s been said that he wasn’t looking forward to being a grandfather but then fell head over heels in love with me the minute he saw me. My whole life he would just look at me and beam and tell me in his Long Island accent, “Baby, you’re da greatest.” I don’t know why he loved me so much. Maybe because I had his name? 

My last name was my dad’s last name, Gimpel. The story goes that our original last name was longer but was shortened to Gimpel when Abraham Gimpel came through Ellis Island from Russia, but I’m still hoping to find proof of that in all of my ancestry research.  

My baby book got lost during my childhood but I do have the birth announcement that my parents sent out. There is a grainy photo of me at 3 hours old. I’m a little crosseyed, with a blanket covering my smooshed ear from a forceps delivery. Written in hot pink Flair pen is my mother’s neat block handwriting: Christie Lee Gimpel. And that stayed my name until I was 6. 

My parents divorced and my mom quickly remarried. The way I remember it, my little brother and I were told that “Mr. Ward and I are getting married and you’ll call him Dad and we are moving to England.” I don’t remember there being a lot of discussion around it. We got our first passports and there in block letters, our last name said Ward. From that moment on, our names were changed. I’ve heard conflicting reasons why. But the name Ward stayed, even when the abusive stepfather it came from left our lives for good while I was in college.

When I got married at the age of 26, I was excited to shed the baggage and the last name and take the name of my husband to be, Spencer. Two babies joined our little Spencer family in 1998 and 2001. When we got divorced I kept the name because it was the name of my children and I wanted to feel a part of them, even on the days when they weren’t at my house. We were a unit.

Three years ago when my wife and I got married, neither of us felt that sharing a name was necessary to share a life, and after both of us going through name changes previously, we were not interested in doing that again. 

And then. One day shortly before my 50th birthday, I woke up and was just simply ready to reclaim my name. As my children have grown into wonderful, independent young adults, my need to have a name that matched theirs has faded. And after working on my genealogy, I realized how much I wanted my name to reflect my history and my family. Whether it’s in my relationship or my name, I didn’t want to wait one more second to be the person I am supposed to be.

And so, life has come full circle. Announcing Christie Lee Gimpel. Should I send out announcements in hot pink pen? 😂

Family fun at the Ice Blocks | Sacramento Family Photography

I look forward to this family’s photo sessions every year! I first got to capture this little guy’s early life at home here. Since then I’ve been lucky enough to capture their yearly family holiday photos. When I saw them arriving, I crouched down to greet him on his eye level. He ran right toward me and gave me a hug so powerful he knocked me off my balance. It was the sweetest thing... I actually teared up a little bit!

The ICE Blocks in Midtown made for a perfect mini session location this year. There are so many fantastic backgrounds to choose from and families loved easy parking and being able to go shopping or get a bite to eat after the session. This particular spot is under construction, because it’s going to be the area’s first Shake Shack! I’ve never eaten at one but am suuuper excited to to try it when the world opens up!

This family always has the best outfits!

I love this old colorful brick background - it matched his outfit perfectly #bonus

The morning of this session they were thinking of rescheduling as he wasn’t feeling his best. But he sure rallied!

I love the way these moms are looking at each other in this last one... They told me at this shoot that they were expecting baby #2 and you can just see the joy and love between them. In fact, the new addition is now a couple of weeks old and I hope I get to meet him in person when we are allowed to get somewhat close again.

A colorful family session at UC Davis

One of the best parts about my custom photoshoot process is working with each client to create a custom, personalized experience. I remember when I was a kid our family would go to the photo studio in the mall to get family photos taken. The closest my Mom got to customizing our session was picking which one of the weird fake backgrounds and props she thought would coordinate with our outfits. Snowy scene through the windowpanes? Summer garden? Solid black? My process is a little different: I start by sending you an easy-to-fill out online questionnaire, and then we hop on the phone to talk through and collaborate on some ideas for the perfect photoshoot for you.

For this family session, I knew that they wanted to shoot in Davis. I knew that they were interested in somewhere where they could explore and run and have fun together, but not somewhere that was all nature. Challenge accepted! I suggested the UC Davis campus. We met one chilly fall morning and spent a delightful hour together. I loved capturing them enjoying each other and the experience of exploring the empty grounds. Here are some of my favorites from their session:

I asked them to create their album cover shot and this what I got. I love it so much!

This family had never had professional photos done before, and they were pleasantly surprised that it was fun and easy. I promise all my families that we’ll have fun and we definitely did.

I’d love to help you plan your own personalized session. If you have any questions, let’s talk!

a beautiful at home newborn session

The past session spotlight continues with this adorable newborn session from a couple of years ago(!). I love capturing those first days as a family is finding their groove. Often I am the first non-family member welcomed into this little family cocoon, and it’s an honor I don’t take lightly.

In-home sessions are so wonderful because we can follow the baby’s lead and take as much time and as many breaks as needed for feeding, changing, burping, and all the things a little one needs.

I just love how they are gazing at each other here:

These first days go by in a sleep deprived haze and it’s another reason I love to capture this time. With some sleep and some perspective, these images will be even sweeter. It will be hard to believe she was ever this teeny, and without photos it’d be easy to forget she ever had adorable little peely feet.

I take the time to capture the details in the nursery and around the house, because I know they will be such fun details to look back on in the future. Such care was taken on this adorable, colorful nursery and I want this little one to be able to look back at it when she is older.

Those little faces! I make sure I get it all. I also make sure I photograph your first babies, of the furry variety.

This family is going to be welcoming a new member of the family this year. I’m so glad they can look back on these images from when they were just a little unit of three.

Fun headshots at Happy Road Farm!

Well hello, is this thing on? I’ve been wanting to highlight all of my previous sessions for a long time – and apparently it just takes a global pandemic to get me to start posting some of them. Without further ado, here is the first of many many sessions I’ll be sharing here!

This is such a super fun session to start off with. Last year, Lisa of Happy Road Farm was in need of some environmental headshots for her website launch and for an upcoming Instagram takeover.

Lisa has such a fun story – she followed her dreams, deciding to start a flower farm in her backyard. She traded in cubicle life for this beautiful “office!” Her passion and joy for what she is doing is infectious and I hope you can see it coming through these photos.

We talked by phone prior to the shoot and Lisa sent me some inspiration photos. I was so inspired to see her Loomis farm and make these ideas a reality! We had to be efficient with our time due to some scheduling challenges, and so we did these portraits in about a half an hour. We got so many fun shots in that short time and these are just a few of my favorites. Enjoy!

What do you think? Does Lisa’s story make you want to go after something you’ve only been dreaming about?  If you’d like headshots or a personal branding session for your business, drop me a line so we can chat!

Midtown Magic

Last year our session was in the natural beauty of tall grasses and oak trees. This year they wanted to mix it up and chose this super fun city session. I am so glad we were able to capture all the special things about them right now...like how tall these kiddos are getting, and those adorable little front tooth nubbins she has coming in. Or how hard he laughed when I asked if he was thirteen and he showed me his age with his fingers, as three-year olds are prone to do. These are the little moments they'll be so glad they have forever.

This spot in midtown Sacramento was as vibrant and fun as this family's personalities, with plenty of room to run and play. I hadn't shot here before, but this might be a new fave spot!

Those eyelashes. Come on.

Thanks again for a great time, guys! See you next year!

Ready to capture your family's special brand of magic? Let's plan your session!

downtown fun

I love working with my clients to craft the perfect session for their unique family. In this case, we decided to revisit their former Midtown Sacramento neighborhood to walk familiar city streets and end the session at their favorite coffee shop. I love that when they see these images, they'll always remember this fun-filled morning spent spinning, jumping, waving at passing trains, tickle fighting, shadow dancing and eating and drinking things with chocolate in them. : )

The early morning hour gave us such fun shadows to play with!

Look at the joy on brother's face as he runs into his big sister's arms! Priceless.

I love the sentiment of this mural. I love their shadows. But that little foot sticking out is my favorite. I die.

The way Mom's hands and his hands are both folded the same way...  The way she's looking back to make sure her brother can keep up... these are the moments I am glad they will have forever.

This is one of my favorite images ever! You can just tell how much fun they're having.

Let's create a session that tells the perfect story of your life. Contact me so we can start planning!

Color Factory!

Somehow I heard of the Color Factory way in its early stages, and from the get go I wanted to experience it. Because I found about it so early, there were even tickets available – but my schedule wasn't aligning to allow me to go. Cut to the opening, the ensuing excitement surrounding it and sold out tickets for the run of the show. I was so disappointed that I couldn't make it happen, but was resigned to just live vicariously through the #colorfactory hashtag instead.

But then! My dear friend and blogger extraordinaire, Kachet of The Kachet Life swooped in with a fantastic surprise - an invite to join her at Alaska Airlines' private event! #yesssssWe left Sacramento on a Thursday afternoon and had an easy drive into the City. (Can I just also add that in addition to all of Kachet's other skills, her city driving and parking game is STRONG?) We enjoyed some drinks and toasted her recent engagement (!) nearby at Pacific Cocktail Haven before heading in.

From the minute we laid eyes on the building, visual treats were around every corner.

That olfactory wall! The balloons! Every room was more fun than the next.

That ball pit... There were 200,000 yellow balls in that thing. When I got in there, I started laughing so hard. All the weeks of stress just bubbled up and out of me. I felt so light and happy in there – I can't even explain the release. I had never been in a ball pit before and had very low expectations., but who knew it would be so fun?! That gif just makes me so happy.

There was a room where confetti rains down continually from the ceiling. You wouldn't believe where that stuff can get lodged. ; ) And getting that perfect confetti shot isn't easy, as evidenced below. In case you're wondering, this confetti tasted salty. I don't know if that was a special Color Factory treat or all confetti tastes this way, but I may never know. : )

All in all, this was one of the most fun experiences I've had in a long time. Hanging out with Kachet is always fun, but this took it to a new level. I don't know if they're ever going to open up tickets again, but if there's a way for you to get to the Color Factory, I highly recommend it! Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to go see if I can install a giant ball pit in my house. ; )

ALOHA

It seems like Mother's Day is the perfect time to post this sweet newborn lifestyle session I had with this little three-month old peanut recently. He chose to come into the world quite a bit earlier than expected, but if you had mamas as awesome as these, you’d want to hurry up and join them, too.  : )

There is nothing more enjoyable for me as a photographer than to be invited into a family's home to spend time witnessing them tenderly stoking their baby's forehead, snuggling him close, marveling at his every tiny and perfect feature and just generally loving on each other. <sigh>

Every room in their home was so fun and a great reflection of who lives here, but I think my favorite might be the nursery with its palm tree wallpaper, surfboard and cool gallery wall. #luckykid

Little Sheppard, I hope when you are older and look back on these photos you can see how incredibly much you are loved. Sam and Q, thank you for inviting me into your home to spend this precious morning with you. If you ever want to do a session in Hawaii, you know who to call! : )

If you want your own family captured in this way, let's chat!

A FALL FLASHBACK

As we head into spring it's fun to take a look at this session from this fall – how adorable is this little family? Oh man... I am such a sucker for little two-toothed baby grins. This was such a delightful session. More babies and doggies, please!

Want your own session? Let's talk!

Miss Millie

I was lucky enough to come and spend the morning with little Millie and her family. Many years ago I was on hand to photograph her older siblings, so it was so fun to be able to come back and see them as big brother and sister this time around. I had a great time listening to the running commentary from the older kids and seeing how this group is coming together as a family of five.

It may have been cold and rainy outside, but inside was cozy and snuggly and full of love. I'm so glad I could document those early moments so you have them forever.

Let me capture your family in this same way... contact me to talk about a session!

CATCHING UP

There are so many sessions that haven't made it to the blog! Here is another one of the minis from before the holidays. This little guy had us running all through the park:

That little curl. Come on.

So sweet. I wish I could get in a time machine and have images like this with my 18-year old, 6'2" little boy. Sob!

From the archives: Mama and me mini session

On the eve of doing more mini sessions tomorrow, I'm realizing I never posted a bunch from last year! Better late than never, right?

This little guy and his mama were so much fun. We basically let him loose in the park and we followed him around. He was full of curious energy! Seriously, I have the best job!

Mini session cuties

For all of you who wonder what we can get in a mini session timeframe, here is one of the families from one of my mini sessions a couple of weeks ago. Who knew you could have this much fun in such a short amount of time?

Permission Granted

I give you permission to embrace silly. 

To put your phone away and concentrate on your family completely. 

To get dressed up. And wade right into the river anyway. 

To throw rules out the window, just for the next hour. 

To show your love.

This guy told me right from the get-go that he wasn't smiling and definitely wasn't showing his teeth. OK. Sure. #gotcha

Magic hour is my favorite.

I couldn't decide if I liked this image better in black + white or color, so I'm putting both in. What's one more?

Before and after. Personally, I like the wet and sandy look better : )

I love how she is looking at her Mama.

He would still be in there throwing rocks if it were up to him. : )

On my getting to know you questionnaire, Mom wanted to remember how happy her family is and how much they love each other. I hope when they look back on these images, they will always remember this warm summer day at the river, and they feel this love.

Want your own session like this? Contact me so we can set something up!

JUNE RECAP

another month, another video!