Maternity Portraits Sneak Peak

Last weekend I had the honor and privilege of photographing this beautiful mother-to-be. We were able to get the daddy-to-be in several images as well.

I hope mommy-to-be is able to enjoy this sneak peak before her baby arrives. I want to wish her all the very best. I can't wait to photograph the new baby with mommy and daddy.

Any Camera to Capture the Moment

I don't always have one of my Nikon SLR cameras with me. Sometimes I have my Canon Point-and-Shoot. Other times, the only camera I have with me is my cell phone. That's probably not good to tell the world--I don't carry my camera around everywhere I go. I have two young children and that's just life. Sometimes I want a day off.

Although, it seems to be those times, that I don't have my SLR with me, that I see something I want to capture.

Here are two of those times. I took these two images with my cell phone.

Just goes to show, it's not the expensive equipment that takes a good photograph. It's the talent and training of the artist taking the photograph.

Fall Colors in San Jose, CA

Smith Center at Ohlone College, Fremont, CA

Happy Halloween

I absolutely love Halloween. I love everything about it; going to the pumpkin patch, decorating the front porch, costumes, school parades and parties, handing out candy, going trick-or-treating, and carving pumpkins.

I hope you capture some wonderful Halloween memories.

Special Mini Session for November 2008!

Special Mini Session

 for Holiday Cards & Gifts

For the Month of November 2008 Only

$250 session fee includes:

• 30 minute session for up to 4 subjects

($25 for each additional subject)

• personal online gallery of 8 to 10 images

• $150 print credit

(Print credit can be used toward any item on price list.)

Contact me to schedule your session.

theresa@TheresaLePhotography.com

(408) 226-1211

Finger-Painting Fun!

I am lucky enough to be able to volunteer in both my daughters classrooms. Last week was finger-painting day in my daughters Kindergarten class.

All the kids had so much fun. I just had to share this image I was able to sneak in, of my daughter, between helping kids with their paintings.

Charlotte

Charlotte lives at my parents house. Right outside the kitchen window at the front porch. What a beauty.

My girls and I went to see her today. I had to show her off to you. My parents have been watching her grow for a month or so now. Charlotte is about 1 inch long from the tip of her back legs to the tip of her front legs. I have no idea what type of spider she is. From what I can see on the web, Charlotte is a common garden spider. I've never seen one so big. My parents must have better bugs than I do.

Charlotte disappears for a little while then returns with a nice lunch in her web. I found out where she goes. In the Camellia bush right below her web. She's got a prime spot. No wonder she's so big.

California Poppy

My husband and I take a walk one morning a week while our daughters are in school. I look forward to that walk all week.

On our walk we see squirrels, turkeys, lizards, and birds. There is the occasional bicyclist and jogger.

Today, there was a single lone California Poppy. Glowing in the sun. It was beautiful.

A Tribute to a True Adventurer

A week ago today my step-uncle, Tim Johnson, was killed in a motorcycle accident. This man lived to ride. He drove over 700,000 miles on his motorcycle since the 1960's. Adventure was his middle name. On his website he says,

"Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely and in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways totally worn out, shouting..."Holy shit, What a Ride!"

This was Tim. All of Tim's friends, family, co-workers, and even a mere acquaintance will miss him terribly. The one thing we have is that Tim died doing what he loved....riding his motorcycle. He lived by what he said. He did what he loved. He loved his family and told them so often. If he said he would do something, he did it. He didn't do anything half way.

The stories his friends and family told at his funeral service last Saturday were wonderful. What a man. His motorcycle friends gave him the most wonderful tribute. Forty-two motorcycles were escorted to Tim's funeral service by the CHP. What a sight. I'm not a motorcycle rider, but I respect the bike and can understand the love and the passion. As I took these images of Tim's friends I was crying. Crying for the wonderful tribute they paid him, crying for the loss of a life cut way too short. (he was only 53)

I'm sure he is in heaven right now riding like the wind. May Tim rest in peace.

God Bless

Prom Night

After we came back from our family vacation I had a prom night photography job. What a fun night. It was a 5oth birthday party, which now, apparently, you need to have a fun, themed, party. (this is the second I've done) Well, this was fun! The birthday girl didn't go to her prom. This was her big night and what a night it was.

Her closest family and friends where all there, dressed in their formal prom attire. I was there with my backdrop, studio lights and camera. A giant moon was made especially for the portraits. 

Here is a portrait of the birthday girl and her wonderful husband. She looks absolutely wonderful!

Family Vacation

Yes, I'm still here. I'm sorry I haven't been good about updating my blog. I promise to be better.

The day after my Air2 photo shoot we went on vacation. We had a wonderful family vacation in sunny San Diego. We visited with friends, went shopping and went to the Air and Space museum. Here is an image I took of my girls at a mall in San Diego.

Photographing a Helicopter Pilot

Before I left for vacation I had the honor of shooting one of San Jose's finest. This officer (well, sergeant actually) is also a helicopter pilot! Pretty impressive. How many people can say they are a helicopter pilot, a police sergeant, and a woman? Not many.

I had a great time with J and SJPD's Air-2. She flew this helicopter for 5 years. I am honored she asked me to tell her story with my photography.

Happy Birthday America!

There is nothing like watching fireworks on the 4th of July. Celebrating America's birthday is one of my favorite holidays.

I hope you have fun with your family and friends celebrating America's Birthday! 

Kids/Family Photography Class

I just got back from my annual class at Golden Gate School of Professional Photography (GGS). GGS holds classes every June for professional photographers and people just starting  a photography business. They have classes to help us in every aspect of our business. It's also a great way to network.

This year I took a class from the award winning kids and family photographer Jennifer Wilson. I learned a lot and made some great new friends. I look forward to putting everything I learned into place.

Smile!

I thought I would share a few of my favorite images from some recent portrait sessions.

It's not always easy making children laugh and smile when you put a camera in front of them. They need to be in the right mood. They need to feel comfortable with the people around them.

The beads didn't make this beautiful one year old smile or laugh, but it kept her in one place. Which is another issue. Once they can move they move, and fast.

All three of these children were a joy to photograph. I look forward to watching them grow and photographing them in the future.

Loss of First Tooth

We all have those special events and moments we look forward to and remember. For a 6 year old one of the biggest events is losing their first tooth. It seems to take forever for that little tooth to fall out. When it does, it's the most exciting day.

That is one of the best things about my job. I have the opportunity to capture those special moments.

Art, Photography, and Family

I had the most relaxing, wonderful day on Wednesday. My husband and I took our two daughters to San Francisco for a family day. We went to several museums. Saw all types of art from Photography (Annie Leibovits) to Renaissance, 17th-19th Century Decorative Art to the Dead Sea Scrolls to modern art, complete with 3D glasses and everything. It was all a joy to see. I especially enjoyed seeing the art through my daughters' eyes. Everything so new.

Our daughters (5 and 6 years old) did wonderfully. They both enjoyed everything. Our 6 year old loved it and drank everything in. It was amazing to see. Both girls loved the 3D art 

and didn't want to leave. Our 5 year old kept looking at some of the art strangely. I would ask her what she thought and her response, with a peculiar look, was "I don't know." I told her that was fine. Although on one painting, I'm sorry I don't remember the artist, she asked why the women was sad and why the man's (dead soldier) hand was green. Good questions. I tried to answer them as best I could.

We ended our day with dinner in The Castro with my sister-in-law and her boyfriend. A wonderful end to a fantastic day.

Of course, I can't go to The City and not have my camera. These images are just a few from our day. I hope you enjoy them.

The next three images are titled: A Week Night Evening Stroll In The Castro

...and my blog begins

I will use this blog to post my favorite images from portrait sessions, as well as sneak peaks, and news about Theresa Le Photography. I will also add "just for fun" images. I hope you will enjoy my blog.

For my first entry I will leave you with a few of my favorite images from the Tour of California bike race.