Brian, my 10 year old took the picture here on the right and I just cant help but be drawn to it cause it looks so old. Thats way cool.

These two are so fun. Tug a war. Love it!! Who won though?

Enough said. :)

SUPER CUTE RIGHT?

Jens View.

My View.

O.M.G.

Check them out. Luke was doing the Ha-Du-Ken!!

Ok Jen, this shot is amazing!! WOW!

Love this!! Fun like I said........FUN!

They have a great sense of humor. Love this!!

Noknoy is BIG into tennis and Luke is BIG into computers...

So when they try to combine............

ITS A FIGHT TO THE DEATH!!! READY.........FIGHT!!!

And just for the record, Noknoy said that this is her favorite picture from the session when I showed it to her in camera......thats right Jen........Her F.A.V.O.R.I.T.E ;)

This was a great moment when they were just looking out at the river and talking. Love those moments.

The economy has affected all of us in different ways. Some have lost jobs, some have seen cut-backs in their businesses or wages (while bills have gone up), some have even lost their homes. It is so easy to get caught up in the media firestorm of doom and gloom and worry. There is so much going on in our homes, our communities, our states, our nation and the world!

And yet, through it all we have personally seen so many blessings. Sometimes they are blessings in disguise (a job lost by a friend who now can focus on and pursue their passion) sometimes they are clear as day (the exact dollar amount needed to pay a large bill provided by a new unexpected job).

Chris and I are continually challenged to not stress on all of these things out of our control, but know that it will all work out, and we just need faith to get us through. These last few months we have really worked to get back on track with our priorities and focus on those blessings we are seeing around us than just the negative.

I have to tell you, it's so freeing to give up that control of the un-controllable. To look for the blessings and seeing them all around you, both big and small.

I encourage all of you, our family, our friends, our clients who become like family and friends, to look around you for the blessings. Or better yet, be a blessing to someone around you. Call a friend and see how they are doing- how they are REALLY doing. Take someone out to coffee and just re-connect, be that person who will just listen and support if that's what they need, or someone who can help brainstorm answers (if that's what they need) but I encourage you to first find out what they want, an open ear, or a brainstorming friend? Or maybe you know a family that is struggling, can you drop off an annonomous gift card to the local grocery store (hey even $20 helps, if that's all you can afford yourself!), can you help repair that fense that fell in the storms?

Let's come around each other during these challenging times and support each other, and help each other! :)

Happy Monday everyone! Enjoy looking for the blessings around you, the blessings are there, all we have to do is look!

I have more photos, I hope to blog soon, but I had to quickly share this photo. This is my point of view most times when we are in groups with Aiden. He is so shy, until he warms up. That I don't even think about it anymore, I can just expect him to be close to my side, either holding onto my pant leg or my hand. I was taking photos of the Bella and Tezra's kids exploring and looked down through my lens and had to record this moment.

This is SOOOOO Aiden, holding my hand, looking up at me with a look in his eye like, "Get me the HE*L out of here." haha

I know this stage won't last forever, and it will be quicker than I'd like that he will be "over me" and be embarrased by my sheer presence. SO I'm glad I"ll have this photo to look back on to remember the days that he couldn't leave my side. :)

Here I am showing him the correct way to cut AWAY from yourself.

Now his turn with me.

Love these that Jen took.

What family doesnt like to play ball!! Love that!!

Meet Cole. This kid is a blast to be around. What you dont believe me........

See I told you!!!

Love this!!

Let me OUT!!!!!

Check out that air!!

Now check out the parents.......WAY COOL!!

Wet willies!!!

Love that!!!! GOTCHA MOM!!

So cute!!

Pee-ka-boo.................I see you!!

The kid has a natural Pitching form. Look at that High kick of his!!

Love it!!!!!

and love that!!!!!

Look at that kids eyes!! I love this family!!

Like I said...........

This is Cole's camera. He would put the bat up to his eye and squeeze the bat to take a picture. Love it!!!

check out the hot couple in this photo. Hmmmmmmm i know those two. ;)

Jen showing Brian some old photos and exlaining to him the process.

Meet David and Katie.

Jen's view of me setting up a shot. Dont I look amazing? ;)

My view

Love this.

HAWTNESS!!!!

Having some fun and trying something new!! Dig it!!

Ehhhh.....how you doin......

Oh Hawtness.........

Love this!!!

With the boys it was always a treat of chocolate, or stickers. But with Bella, the key to her heart is scented soap, and lotions! If given the opportunity, she would be in the bathroom all day washing her hands and slathering lotion all over, then coming out and having all of us smelly the yummy new scent on her hands.

So last week, I told her, she can wash her hands every time she goes in the potty. Guess what... it's worked! Every time she has a successful trip to the bathroom, she washes her hands, sometimes puts on some lotion as well, then walks around to each family member announces her success, and put our her hands for everyone to smell. Now out of context this may look odd, a 2 year old announcing she's gone "pee pee in the potty" and then puts her hands out for everyone to smell. haha But all the boys are such good sports about it, and patiently applaud her success and tell her how nice her hands smell! :)

Our family is well on our way to being diaper free soon enough!! You know what I realized yesterday... it's been over 10 years that we have been consistently changing diaper in the Stewart home!!!I'm so ready to no longer have to change diapers!

I love how she puts her feet straight out to read a book as she waits.

THe Urban Hive is so Amazing!!!

Jen rocked it out big time!!!!

The last time I photographed their family, they were expecting their 3rd child, Stella, and I was pregnant with Bella (who by the way, the 2 girls are only 1 month apart in age!) :) Wow, I can't believe it's been 2 years since that session! They are now anxiously awaiting the arrival of their 4 child, and I can't wait to meet this little one!

I had such a great time hanging out with you guys and catching up! Enjoy your blog teaser, the rest of your photos will be ready for you soon! :)

Today we will be talking about why engagement photos are important to the wedding day. Sure they provide you with beautiful photos, photos that may be able to capture a different side to you and your fiancandeacute; and your relationship, than can be shown on the wedding day. But there are benefits far greater to the success of your wedding day than just beautiful engagement photos!

By the time you have decided on and hired your Sacramento wedding photographer, you've probably put a lot and time, energy and research into that important decision. I'm sure you've looked through their online portfolio, possible sample wedding albums, full wedding galleries, and their blog. You hired them because you are confident in the work that they produce. But is there still a nagging question in the back of your mind, "how will I look in their photos??" That is a normal question. Heck when Chris and I have been photographed, buy photographers we love and trust, and WE had the same nagging questions in our heads. It's not until you see firsthand what those photos look like, of YOU that you truly have that question answered. The engagement session gives you that opportunity, before the wedding, day to answer that question.

The engagement session gives you an opportunity to get more comfortable with your photographer(s) and being in front of the camera. It gives you a chance to see firsthand how they work, what it's like working with them.

It also gives your photographers an opportunity to get to know you better. Not only your personalities, but your comfort in front of the lens, and how you two interact together. Everyone has different angles, expressions, etc. that they photograph best at, and your photographer(s) can have the opportunity to perfect the best way to photograph you and your fiancandeacute; so you look your best. :)

This also gives all of you a chance to get to know each other better. Our goal (as I know many other photographers feel the same way) is to get to know our clients personally so that they feel comfortable around us and like we are old friends by the time the wedding day arrives. There is nothing worse (or awkward) than the feeling of a stranger with a camera in your face, on your crazy emotional wedding day.

Another benefit that will translate into your wedding day photography, is you will be relaxed and at ease with your photographer. This comfort and trust will trickle down to those loved ones that will be with you and in your wedding day photos. If your wedding party and family can see and sense your comfort and trust in your photographer, they will feel more at ease and trust your photographer's lead and ideas throughout the day.

So as you can see, the engagement session provides you with far more than just beautiful photos of you and your fiancandeacute; prior to your wedding day, and are and important benefit to the overall success of the wedding day photos. Again, thank you for following our blog series thus far! I hope you are enjoying it! As always, if you have any tips you'd like to add, or any questions, please feel free to add them in the comments below.

Be sure to check back for the final installment of our blog series, "Trusting your photographer and having fun!"

Enjoy your teaser; the rest of the photos will be ready shortly!

This little bear is SO cute! Lauren told me that it was a gift for Brad this Christmas; it was made from his grandmothers mink coat that she wore often. I was so excited to take some photos of Kapri with it for Brad!

Kapri can now hold on to furniture and stand. She was SO PROUD of herself showing off her new tricks to me!!

We take a few photos each time we get together to show how much she's grown. This one is always one of my favorites to take!

Look at Kapri go with the Crawling!

Lauren, you look fabulous rockin' the dark hair, I LOVE it!!

After all that playing, Kapri was done, and ready for a nap.

You may be confused by the blog post title, and asking yourself, Didn't the 1st post in this series (and day 7) originally say that today would be "Why engagement photos are important to the wedding day"?

Well I decided, after talking to Eric Upton of 916 Entertainers, that it was important that I add another day to the series! As well as working with 916 Entertainers where they focus on "providing entertainment that reflects your unique charm and character", he also just got married this last summer! So Eric has a fresh perspective on wedding vendors both as a vendor as well as recently being the groom!

Eric shared with me, "I've noticed that a great way couples can help achieve amazing wedding photos is to choose wedding entertainment that is sensitive to the needs of the photographers as well as the desires of the Bride and Groom. When choosing your entertainment spend some time asking them how they work with other vendors. What do they do to ensure that all the vendors can work and communicate with one another during the event? As it pertains to the photographers specifically, will the DJ communicate with the photographer throughout the event to let them know when and where things will happen (i.e. the cake is about to be cut, the Bride and Groom will be having their first dance, the toasts will be in five minutes, etc.) Having wedding entertainment that allows for cohesion between the special events and the photographers will ensure that your photographers will be prepared and able to get all the shots that are important to the bride and groom, as well as the family members."

We couldn't agree with Eric more! It's very important that ALL of your wedding vendors share this vision, that your wedding day is a team effort, not just the DJ or photographer, or wedding coordinator. We try to work closely with the DJ, the wedding coordinator, the venue, your videographer, etc. If there is one vendor that is just focused on their agenda, it can not only affect their success, but possibly negatively affect rest of your vendors success at providing you the wedding of your dreams.

Another thing that this discussion brought to mind is that most vendors will have a "Preferred Vendors List". Check with your venue, DJ, Photographer, or Coordinator, etc., as to why they have those vendors on their list, and if anything is required of those vendors that are referred.

While many vendors in the area list vendors that they work well with, respect their work, and know they provide an exceptional service to their clients, we have heard of other vendors that require a "bonus" or even "membership" to be included on their preferred list. This we see as a huge conflict of interest, and basically is a "kickback". The vendors that require such "gains" are not giving you the vendors that they most respect, but the ones willing to pay. Now there is nothing inherently wrong with a vendor paying for advertising, many wedding websites have paid listings. But that information should be revealed, and not appear or be perceived as anything other than a paid advertisement.

Make sure ask your vendors how others get on that referral list, and what it is about their service that they find valuable. This will give you helpful information, not only to make sure that these are quality leads, but also give you some insight into the vendor you are talking to, as well as the vendor they are referring.

We often share vendors with our clients, and love talking to the couple about what it is about that vendor's service that we think would be a good fit for that specific client's wedding. We are very particular about the vendors we pass along to our clients. We value the service we provide our clients so much, we find it of utmost importance that the other vendors we refer also provide an exceptional service. Because like mentioned above, to provide you with the best service possible, all your wedding vendors need to work together as a team on your wedding day.

Below is a photo in the photobooth provided by Artistic Imagery, of the wedding team from one of our May 2009 weddings. In this photo is the bride and groom, Alan and Amber Silva from Artistic Imagery as well as Doug LaVine and Jara Harmon from Music On The Move DJ's This was a perfect example of a group of vendors who truly got the "team effort" mentality!!

Again, thank you for following our blog series thus far! I hope you are enjoying it! As always, if you have any tips you'd like to add, or any questions, please feel free to add them in the comments below.

Be sure to check back for the next installment of our blog series, we will be talking about "Why engagement photos are important to the wedding day". (for real this time! haha)

I remember when Chris and I got married. I wanted to see him so badly before the ceremony, but at that time, the only experience we had had with weddings was that was a big "no, no". I remember my mom working double time to make sure that Chris and my paths did not cross before the ceremony. But I remember thinking how I just wanted to get a glimpse of him, see how handsome he looked, and get a hug and kiss from him before taking the next step in our lives together.

I now wish we had bucked tradition and went with our guts on this. Especially when we see our clients experience that moment privately before the ceremony, without a million eyes watching. It's one of our very favorite moments to capture in photos! The pure emotion, excitement, joy, anticipation, all able to be felt freely and shared with the one you love! Nothing beats it!

We encourage all of our couples to consider seeing each other prior to the ceremony. This is a very personal decision for your wedding day, and it isnandrsquo;t something everyone wants to do. But there are many benefits to this if you are open to it.

If you are meeting first, your wedding photographer can arrange for a private location for you two to see each other for the first time. For our clients we find a place that is beautiful in photos, and we set it up so that we can ensure capturing those ever important first reactionsandrdquo;. We generally use our "long lenses" to allow us to take those important photos, and yet still give you a sense of privacy.

Seeing each other before the ceremony gives you and your fiancandeacute; an opportunity to have 10- 15 minutes alone, privately on one of the biggest days of your lives. It will probably be the only time you have alone together during your wedding day. We have literally witnessed any stress that was felt by the wedding couple visibly melt away as soon as they saw each other. After those few moments alone, they were able to relax and enjoy the rest of the day fully.

Seeing each other before the ceremony also allows for your wedding photographer to get all your wedding portraits done before the ceremony. This way you and your wedding party can go straight to the reception and not keep your guests waiting.

Another benefit to taking the photos prior to the ceremony, is you can plan for ample time for your "Bride and Groom Portraits" as well as your "Wedding Party Portraits". By giving your photographer this time, it allows your photographer to take creative beautiful photos without you, your wedding party and your photographer feeling stressed about wanting to get you back to your waiting guests. Donandrsquo;tandrsquo; forget if you plan to take ANY formal photos prior to the ceremony, to let your florist know what time you will need the flowers by.

If you choose to see each other prior to the ceremony, we suggest you make sure to let your wedding party, and any family you need for photos know what time you will need them ready for the photos. Remember what we mentioned in the post on planning your timeline, and pad some extra time in to the time you tell your friends and family to be ready for the photos. Itandrsquo;s inevitable that someone will be running late, but if youandrsquo;ve padded some time in, you wonandrsquo;t be stressed!

As I said, this a personal decision for each couple. We encourage you to consider the benefits of seeing each other prior to the ceremony, and talk to your fiance about it and decide what is most important to you.

Again, thank you for following our blog series thus far! I hope you are enjoying it! As always, if you have any tips you'd like to add, or any questions, please feel free to add them in the comments below.

Be sure to check back for the next installment of our blog series, we will be talking about "Why engagement photos are important to the wedding day ". (change of plans, we added another post to the series, before the engagement photos post.) "Do ALL your vendors see your wedding day as a "Team Effort?"