The Mini-Session location has been determined! We will be at the beautiful Hidden Valley Park in Martinez. Here is a glimpse of the woodsy, natural scenery we will be working with. There are still some openings on both Saturday and Sunday, so if you or anyone you know needs a great holiday picture, contact me ASAP for an appointment!

Mark Your Calendars!

Holiday mini-sessions are coming! Saturday, November 13 and Sunday, November 14, I will be taking 30-minute appointments so you can quickly and easily obtain a few special images for use on Holiday cards and gifts for family members (if my parents and in-laws are to be believed, grandparents really only want pictures of the grandkids anyway!). Session fee is $50 for up to three kids, and $65 for larger groups, up to 6 people. You will recieve a disk of 10 edited and processed images, which you are free to reprint as use as you wish. Location has yet to be determined, but weather permitting, it will be an outdoor setting. If the weather will not allow us to be outside, sessions will be held at my home in Martinez.

Since the schedule will be tight, it is important that you arrive 15 minutes early and be ready to roll when your time comes. Images will be delivered on disc within 3 days, so you can get your cards and other goodies made and ordered in plenty of time for the Holidays.

Don't forget to visit and "friend" Stinkyface Portraits on Facebook!

Thank you!

How I Got Started and How It Works

About 4 years ago, very early on in my parenting career, I was already getting fed up with portrait studios and the prices and restrictions of ordering prints through them. I felt herded through, just a nameless customer in their busy day. Then, at my Big Guy's Christmas picture appointment in 2008, I noticed that they were using the same camera I already owned at home! So, I swore off all chain studios, invested in some lenses and equipment, spent a lot of time experimenting and self-teaching, and voila! I am having such a wonderful time, I feel like I've found what I was meant to do!

My session fee is $200, which includes up to 2 hours of actual photo shoot time , processing of the photos, and a CD of 40-50 full-resolution images which you are free to print, share, email, etc, as you wish. I'm happy to travel for on-location pictures. Travel beyond twenty-five miles of Martinez will incur an additional charge of $25.00.

The main benefit to taking pictures this way, as opposed to a traditional studio, is that you have full access to your pictures and are free to make as many prints as you want, without the inflated studio prices. Plus, you end up with many more usable images at your disposal, not just a dozen or so that the studio might have you choose from. And, they will be on a CD that is yours forever. Many studios will delete your portrait session after one year unless you buy more prints. You will also get a more personal experience, and the pictures will come out looking more relaxed and natural because your family will be in the comfort and familiarity of home, and/or a fun location like a park or garden! I spend a lot of time after the shoot, going over every image to ensure they look the best that they can. Many images will be returned to you in black and white as well as color. If, for whatever reason, we don't capture what you're looking for the first time around (or if the little ones aren't having a good day), we can try again at no extra cost.

If you would like me to handle your printing needs, beautiful, professional prints are also available through Stinkyface Portraits. Prices are as follows:

8 wallets $8.00
4x6 $5.00
5x7 $8.00
8x10 $15.00
11x14 $25.00
16x20 $45.00

If you have a special project in mind, such as canvas prints, calendars, holiday cards, collages, etc, please contact me to inquire about pricing.

Maternity and Family Photos at Tilden Park

Last weekend, I got to photograph a good friend of mine and her family, as they come to the end of waiting for their little boy to arrive. What an amazing time to document in photographs! About to be parents of two, about to be a big sister, about to witness the miracle of life once again. We had a great time exploring the Botanic Garden, the weather was great, and the beauty of the belly was well-suited to the beauty of this lovely location. Like her parents, big sister is just as sweet as they come, and I can't wait to meet her baby brother!

The K Family:

Possibly the happiest little girl I know

I've known this little Missy since she was an itty bitty and I'm so in love with her. She says and does the cutest things in the cutest ways EVER! She and her whole family were lots of fun to photograph, and really, how could we NOT get great photos of a girl this beautiful and charismatic?! She just radiates joy and sweetness. It's rediculous, really ;-)

More Sisters

Here are a few more of my favorites from my fun afternoon with these two beautiful little ladies:

Sisters

I should really be going to bed, but I could not resist sharing this picture immediately. Only sixteen months apart, it's obvious that these sisters are as close as can be. They are adorable, and such a kick to hang out with. I had a great time with these two today!

I was playing around and put a "seventies" treatment on a copy of this picture, which I think is adorable. The sisterly relationship could not be better illustrated than it is here.

Miss E. & Miss H: