Family at Huntington Central Park

I spent a fun afternoon at Huntington Central Park in Huntington Beach photographing this family.  Mom wanted a lot of green and natural foliage in the images, and I think we delivered!

This was my second time shooting at this location, and I love the lake for portraits as there’s some real nice areas of trees and cattails for portraits.

We’ve already had their ordering appointment, and these are some of the images that will be going up on their walls.  One of the family portraits will be replacing a 7+ year old family portrait over their fireplace, and the rest are going into a collage frame.  I can’t wait to see the finished results in their home!

Brothers At the Park

This gorgeous family had just returned from a family vacation in Hawaii and went shopping for their portrait day clothes there (can you tell?)

They’re probably the only family I’ve ever seen pull off the “Hawaiian Shirt Look” and look great doing so!

(Next time, they just need to take me with them!)

Baby Shower at Chick-Fil-A

Last Thursday I attended the Chick Fil A North Orange Baby Shower event – my studio was a sponsor – I donated a Newborn Photography Session with 11×14 print –  and I was there to photograph the festivities as well.

Seven mommies-to-be competed in different games to win Chick-Fil-A prizes, and at the end of the evening as everyone was enjoying their desserts, they drew names for the raffle prizes…

Check out the Complete Slideshow of Images on the Facebook page!

Daniel {Foster Kitten Update}

Back in March, my husband and I took on a foster kitten through Cats in Need… and he’s still with us.

Little Daniel is now 9 months old, and for every bit of progress we make with him… he’s still scared of us.

For several months we pretty much allowed him to come and go from “UnderBed” as he pleased. We’d come down, reach under (he was always just barely in reach) and give him loves and cuddles.  He felt safe under there, would purr and enjoy the rubs… but never ever come out from under the bed for more love.

Last month, we decided that it was time for some changes, and Underbed no longer has the ‘fortress’ (aka the underbed storage boxes) that he could get up on and remain out of reach.  As such, he’s been forced to venture out from Underbed more often.

We’ve also decided its time for some enforced cuddling.  So he’s being cornered, loved and held… and for the most part, he’s not happy about it.

However, last night, we cornered him downstairs on the scratching post, and stroked his fur and rubbed under his chin… and he leaned into the caresses!

Just for a moment, and then he remembered that he wasn’t supposed to like us… and pulled away.

So that’s where are are with the little man – he’s playing and getting along with our kitties,  I’ve seen him sprawled out napping on the downstairs couch… he’s just struggling to overcome his feral habits.

I have hopes that soon we’ll get a purr out of him again…

3rd Annual Family Portrait Fundraiser

Images shown are from the 2010 Family Portrait Fundraiser… this is not the 2011 background.

Waiting for Santa {Special Holiday Set}

Waiting for Santa : A special Mini-Session event

This limited edition special set is designed for babies through elementary school age kids.

Capture the magic of Christmas Eve and the wonder in your child’s eyes as they wait for Saint Nick to come down the chimney in this 15 minute mini session… Pajamas & Props are encouraged for this whimsical children’s portrait event.

When: Friday Nov. 11 from 9am-noon by appointment

Where: The Creek Preschool in Orange

Choose from…
Session Only: $75 for 15 minutes
Reindeer Package: Session + 1 8×10, 2 5x7s, 1 Wallet Set:  $150
Digital Package 1: Session + 5 on CD: $300
Digital package 2: Session + All on CD: $500

Additional prints, files, & goodies will be available for purchase at regular prices.

To get signed up, and learn more about this special event, contact the studio 714 202-6113 or stefanie@stefaniecarlson.com

(*Note* Image shown is not actual set… it’s top secret!)

{End of Summer Specials} Mini Park Day

Sign up for a Mini Park Day Session!

A great way to get the family portraits done before the holiday rush!

Where: We’ll be meeting up at Pitcher Park, near Old Towne Orange, for their beautiful greens which always make for a wonderful background for portraits.

When: Saturday Sept. 3 from 1pm-4pm by appointment only.

Cost: $99 for 15 minute session & 1 digital file or 11×14 print

Details:  Session is for immediate family only.

Additional prints, digital files, cards, and more are available for purchase at regular price.

Session Package fee is due at booking and is non refundable.

To Schedule: Click Here to purchase your session.

Call or email the studio today to reserve your spot! (714) 202-6113 or stefanie@stefaniecarlson.com

Graduated!

Amber just graduated from UCLA, and her mom wanted to commemorate the occasion with photos.

It was time to replace the senior in high school portrait on the mantel with something new… so what could be more California than beach portraits to celebrate?!!!

At Home Portrait Session with Triplets

I recently visited the Robert home and met Anthony, Olivia, & Julia for their family portrait session.

It’d been ages since they had a professional family photo together, and so it was time to get casual’d up for portraits!

Oh, and Mom is thrilled that we took care of their portrait session over the summer… she’s already ordered her Christmas cards from me, and that’s one less thing to do once the holidays start!

Downtown Family

When Didi contacted me about getting a more urban look to her family portraits, I knew that Old Towne Orange was the place to go!

It has great textures from bricks, great colors, and an “Everywhere USA” feel to it, too.

Didi agreed, and we captured some great images that she loved – from the family posed against different walls and doorways, to the kids goofing off and having fun with sunglasses and hats…

Here’s a few of her favorites (and mine too- she has great taste!) – enjoy!