Holiday Mini Sessions with Shipley Nature Center

I am pleased to announce a new collaboration with Shipley Nature Center in Huntington Beach!  Shipley Nature Center is such a beautiful locations, but their hours of operation are limited for photography.  After talking with them, we worked out a deal to allow me access after hours, and I could not be more excited!  I will be doing sessions on Friday November 24th - Sunday November 26th.  The package includes a 45 minute session, 25+ edited pictures with print release for $250, and 10% of each package with be donated back to Shipley Nature Center.  A gallery link will be sent to you with plenty of time to get those holiday cards out! 

Available times:

              Friday, November 24th              Saturday, November 25             Sunday, November 26

9 -9:45          available                                  filled                                         filled

10:15-11          available                                  filled                                         filled

1:30-2:15        filled                                        filled                                        filled

2:45-3           available                                  filled                                         filled

3:30-4:15       pending                                  filled                                         filled

Click the link below to book your spot, and please be contact me with any questions!  A limited amount of gift certificates will be offered at the holiday rate, and Christmas tree lot sessions will be added soon!

dress

ellie jean turns three under the sea, part 2

Oh, Little Mermaid party.  How I loved making you happen.  My sister in law, was Andrina, Ariel's sister, in the stage production of the Little Mermaid.  Thankfully, she ended her tour right near our home town and Ellie got to go to the opening dress rehearsal all dressed up in here Ariel finery.  Pretty much since that moment, Ellie has been in love with mermaids.  Especially Ariel, and Auntie Kristine.  She waited a good long time for this party! 

Henry appeased his sister, dressing up as Prince Eric, for just long enough to snap a few shot. Thanks for playing along H!

Then the guest of honor made her grand appearance! Ellie, got to have a sweet moment with just her and Ariel before the rest of the party discovered she arrived!

I can not say enough about Ariel.  She was amazing!

She enchanted every child (and adult) there, and was such a pleasure to have at the event!  I am told she hangs out at Happily Ever After Princess Parties, should you be looking for that special princess magic at your own party!

Princess story time, light makeup, and nautical inspired face painting! What more could you ask for?

The ladies then boarded their boat and a trip floating through a blue lagoon.

All princesses must learn how to curtsy and wave to all their adoring fans!

Ariel, even had a special crown for the birthday girl.  The perfect way to top off her special under the sea adventure!

Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate!  As much fun as it is to put these parties together, the fun really lies in being able to share the event surrounded by our closest friends and loved ones. You really made our Elliott Jean feel special!  And again, thank you Happily Ever After Princess Parties for making her birthday an event she will never forget!

For those who attended and would like to see more, please let me know and I'll send you a link to the whole gallery. 

Ellie Jean turns three under the sea, part 1

My daughter, Ellie, turned the big THREE at the end of January.  We celebrated with mermaids, her current favorite, and the twelve year old in me was over the moon!  Ariel, has always been a favorite, so creating an underwater wonderland was a-ok with me!  I've always loved the puzzle aspect of party decor.  Coming up with a vision, and then figuring out how to make that vision come to come to fruition with balloons, construction paper, fabric and frosting.  And hopefully, if it all goes well, a little magic gets created in the end!  Isn't that really the best part of being a parent?  Getting to create that look of wonder on your child's face? 

In the past, I've been terrible at taking pre-party pictures, so this time, I made it a point to pull out the camera before the guests arrived. Grab your snorkel and join us!

Photo a week

For 2017, I'm taking a photo a week of Ellie and Henry.  Here's what has been going on in our 2017 so far...

week 1

henry 1/52 New Year's day

elliott 1/52 happy birthday marky!

week 2

henry 2/52 rain all week!

elliott 2/52 puddle jumper

week 3

3/52 gymnastics review

3/52 hey there!

week 4

henry 4/52 color run aftermath

elliott 4/52 happy 3 little girl!

week 5

henry 5/52 bit by the film bug

elliott 5/52 bit by the mermaid bug

in remembrance of Ali

I met Sam just over three years ago through a #9month tag on Instagram.  We were both pregnant with little girls and from there a friendship began.  Ali was born two weeks before Ellie;  two beautiful little girls with doting older brothers and proud parents. Our daughters were hitting the same milestones together and it was fun watching the two of them growing up so quickly.  As they both approached their third birthdays we compared notes on their subsequent princess parties.  Ali went with Frozen, and she danced the day away with Elsa, Ellie's mermaid party is right around the corner.

Last week, Ali developed a high fever and flu like symptoms, leaving doctors searching for what was causing them. My heart broke, when days later, I read that Ali had joined the angels in heaven on Thursday night.  There are no words for the grief of the Pierson family.  For days I have been praying and worrying about Sam, currently pregnant with a baby boy, her husband Ryan, and son Peter, and trying to figure out a way to help this family I have grown to care so much for.  A YouCaring site was set for the Pierson family to help offset their significant medical bills.  In honor of Ali, I am offering a custom silhouette of your child for a donation towards Ali's medical and funeral costs. 

Email me a confirmation of your donation and a photo of your child's profile and I will create a custom downloadable art piece of your child.  You can choose between the two quotes, and blue or purple color scheme.   The file will be sent as at an 8 x 10 print size, but you will be able to size it to whatever size you choose.

Above are examples of silhouette photos.  Please get down to your child's level and get their entire head in the photo.  Think about how their hair is styled as well.  I will be able to start producing these on February 7th, with a three week delivery window. You can make your donation here:

https://www.youcaring.com/thepiersonfamily

Thank you in advance for helping this family during this devastating time.  Hug your loved ones tight. 

Thank you,

Karen

playing catch up!

After a whirlwind holiday season, it is time to catch up and show you a few of my favorite photos! 

The Bernd family is one that is close to my heart, so getting to shoot them really was a pleasure.