Mr. 3-Year-Old - Vignettes Photography, Tucson's on-location children's photographer

This morning I had the joy of photographing this 3-year-old cutie! He was full of energy (as is my 3-year-old boy!) and personality, which made for some very fun photos. His smile is so big and bright, I'm pretty sure it radiates from every part of his little body. =) Check it out....
He was lookin' pretty spiffy in his polo and jeans, with his hair all done, too. At one point he stopped to feel all the spikes very gently...I'm pretty sure that was the only time he slowed down all morning. =)

This boy loves cars, trucks, trains, trolleys, buses.... At the end of the shoot, his mommy pulled out a red Hummer from her bag of goodies, and Mr. 3-year-old was immediately in heaven. I absolutely love this shot of him engrossed in play, with no shirt on. If this doesn't make your heart melt, I don't know what would.

For some reason, that photo also really makes me think of July. It has such a summery look, and with his blue shorts and the red Hummer...it's the perfect photo to celebrate this dude's July birthday.

Thanks, mister, for letting me run around and play with you today! Tell your Auntie "hi" for me. And to his mommy - put your feet up tonight and relax! You deserve it! =)

Baby A. and Professional Head Shots - Vignettes Photography, Tucson's On-Location Photographer for Babies and Businesses

Meet beautiful Baby A. and her mommy. Baby A. was the winner of one of the free mini sessions that I gave out a few weeks ago, and I had the joy of photographing her today! She and her mommy have such striking eyes that just draw you in. Baby A. was incredibly easy-going, and even tolerated a few clothing changes and lots of handling as if it was no big deal! Look at how sweet she is....

Here she is cuddling with her bunny...we were all laughing because she squeezed it like she knew just what she was doing. =) In this photo she's wearing some awesome pink high-tops, too! (More photos that highlight the shoes are to come....)

Thank you for letting me come over today and talk baby-talk and snuggle my nose into your sweet cheeks today! You are absolutely precious and such a blessing, little one. (Also, thanks to mom and grandma for putting up with my continual stream of, "Awwww-she's-so-cute!"-type comments. =)

I also did some head shots for a company today for their promotional material and business cards. Everyone was such fun, and I especially enjoyed the extreme measures they went to to get each other to smile genuinely for the camera. (Let's just say you can tell that some of them have little kids at home...jumping up in the air is not typically a method used for grown, professional adults. =)) Thank you for having me today, and making my job fun.

If you would like professional head shots for your business, please contact me for convenient, in-office photos with a backdrop. (520) 825-1447

More mini session photos soon-to-come!

- elka

Favorite Things - Vignettes Photography, Tucson's On-Location Photographer for Maternity, Babies, Children, Seniors, Families, and Weddings

I just wanted to share some of my current favorite things.

1) My gallery-wrapped canvas. I LOVE this. I have loved it since the moment it arrived. I got it when my oldest turned one, and I have loved looking at it ever since. It is hanging in a wall gallery in the entryway of our house. I just ordered another 16x20" canvas - this one of my second-born. I can't wait to get it. =)
2) Cute burp cloths. I have finally been working on this project that's been in my head for a few years! I made several for my newest niece (two days old today!), and a few others for gifts for friends' babies that are soon-to-arrive. It's been so fun to pick out fabric and spruce up these handy essentials.

3) My aqua-colored mixing bowl, whisk, and spatula. My mom bought these for me when we first moved into this house three years ago, and they still make me smile every time I pull them out. They're just so pretty!

4) Cinnamon Bun Creamer. Seriously. This stuff is so yummy. My sister-in-law's sister, Shauna, introduced me to this a couple years ago when we were on our way to visit the wedding venue of a client. For some reason it always reminds me of fall, which makes me think of the holidays, which gets my adrenaline going and ultimately gets me excited about CHRISTMAS! Wow. Life doesn't get much better than that.

5) Fresh basil. This darling plant was given to me for my birthday a couple months ago by two dear friends. They even painted and decoupaged the pot so it was super-cute! I think basil is my favorite ingredient for our dinner menu these days....

6) Real Simple magazine. Also a gift, from my sister-in-law Michelle. Great recipes, great photographs, great decorating tips, and...seriously...have you touched the paper in this magazine? It just feels good!

7) And lastly, homemade baby food. Especially butternut squash. It's delish. You just roast it in the oven for about an hour,

scoop out the flesh...

and puree it.

This also makes the "Favorite Things" list for my 7-month-old. =)

Hope you all are enjoying the warm (okay HOT) summer sunshine, and your own favorite things today!

- elka

Cast Your Vote! - Vignettes Photography, Tucson's on-location photographer for babies and children

I have been playing with a few new techniques in post-processing, and want to get your opinion on what you like. So here's the deal - leave a comment for this post on which photos you like best, and why. I will randomly select a number from the comments for one FREE 8x10, from a past or future session (cannot be used in conjunction with free mini session; expires August 31, 2010).

For the first technique, I tried it on a photo with a location background, and a photo with a solid background. Which look do you like better?

For the second technique I used a color photo, and a black and white photo. Which do you prefer?

And for the last technique, I tried it across an entire image for the first one, and then just in a specific area for the second one. Which one do you like better?

Leave your comments with your opinions, and a winner for the free 8x10 will be chosen next Wednesday, July 14, 2010! (Contest runs from now until Tuesday, July 13, 2010, midnight.)

Thanks for your input!

- elka

Free Mini Session Winners! - Vignettes Photography, Tucson's on-location photographer for maternity, babies, children, seniors, and families

Congratulations to the winners of the five free mini sessions - Trish, Baby A., Blake, Miss A., and Kori! I am so looking forward to each of your photo sessions, and I cannot wait to feature you here on the blog, as well as on my newly designed website!

Also, I wanted to say "thanks" for all of the nominations for the mini session give-away. This was such a fun event for me to do, getting to read through the sweet, funny, and compassionate nominations. The winners are incredibly deserving people, and I am honored to bless them each with some beautiful portraits to remember this specific phase of life.

And now, here are some new photos for your viewing pleasure. =) I recently got a new white backdrop, and I have been LOVING it for these hot summer months when it's harder to do photo sessions outdoors. I have also been putting some new editing techniques to work - and I have been loving the look of color photos more than I ever have, I think! Aren't these nieces of mine gorgeous?! Those eyes....

Congratulations, again, to all the winners, and check back here to see their photos soon!

- elka