Our trip to Lincoln got moved up and extended due to a death in the family. We will be gone June 17 – July 11. You can contact me via e-mail at anita@anitamphotography.com. See you in a month!
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heading out of town …
- I'm so sorry to hear the news Anita. I will pray for you and ask the good Lord to keep an extra watchful eye on you and yours during these difficult times. We'll miss you.
more band pics …
So, this was the first time we heard this band, and I think we left with a little bit of hearing loss … I’m probably a bad parent, but I must admit, I like my music loud. We wouldn’t have even know about this group; however, when we were walking along, scouting out what would be our first food purchase, we ran into a band signing autographs … one member wearing a chicken head. We couldn’t pass that up! Got our autographs and were told to come check them out later in the afternoon.
I have to admit, while I couldn’t understand a word they said (I was a little close to the speaker), I had a great time photographing their band. I loved the lighting and they were quite wild 
LOL! I will have to check out their tunes online and see what they were really singing! Here are some shots from this group:
- Very nice images! I really love your work!!
- What was the name of the band?
a few from this weekend … Spirit West Coast!!
Actually, I should say “a lot” from this weekend, as I’m going to put these pictures up separately, since I had so many favorites! I had sooooo much fun this weekend with my daughter, Katelyn! For our birthdays (which aren’t for a couple of months), we decided to treat ourselves and go to the Spirit West Coast Del Mar Christian music festival. Katelyn and I both love music, especially Christian music, and thought this would be a blast! We weren’t disappointed in the least!
We barely made it in time for Friday night’s headliner, Newsboys, but I’m so grateful that we made it (regardless of the 6 hour drive from Bakersfield!!). They were a blast and I will add pictures in a couple of days. Saturday was spent eating yummy (but definitely not healthy) food, like garlic fries, funnel cakes and lots of lemonade, hearing some new bands (like A Rotterdam November and Starfield), and rocking out to some “old” favorites, like Addison Road, BarlowGirl and TobyMac.
I dared to take my “big” camera and lens with me, and I’m so glad I did, because I had so much fun photographing these bands. It was such a blast! I’m sure I looked like a complete geek with my big honkin’ lens, but what did I care? LOL!
One of our favorite groups is Addison Road, and if you’ve never heard of them, you HAVE to download their songs from iTunes! Seriously, great music and the concert did not disappoint!! We were almost front row (right behind the older white guy that was getting his groove on … LOL!), so we were rocking out! Their lead singer is so beautiful and just came out like a breath of fresh air, with a huge smile and a voice that matched! I couldn’t believe she had just had a baby! Seriously, I couldn’t believe it! They rocked the house, and below you will find some pictures of this great band.
We did hang out for autographs, and ended up getting Katelyn some Addison Road drumsticks to get signed, since she’s turning into a pretty great drummer (and guitarist!!). I’ll have to get some pictures of her rocking out with her new sticks! They were sooooooooooo awesome in person, just made you feel like they were regular people, which is so great for my daughter to see … LOVED it! Anyway, stay tuned for more pics from this weekend!
Oh, and in case you are bummed you missed out, there is another Spirit West Coast coming up in July that will be in Monterey, CA. I’m almost tempted to go again!!
- I'm jealous! lol I would have loved to have seen this concert! Lots of great artists! You took amazing photos of this concert!
furry kids …
I had to chuckle a little when I got an e-mail asking me if I would photograph this couple’s non-traditional kiddos … their dogs! I loved it and jumped on the opportunity! I’ve thought about getting into pet portraiture, so this would be a great way to get started. Sport and Roxy were so lovable! It was hard to take the time to photograph them, because I was having fun just playing and getting licked to death! So, during the session, the “parents” asked me if it was harder to photograph children or dogs. I had to think a minute, but I think it’s a close tie, especially if the children happen to be somewhere between 18-24 months! Which, thinking about it, I think the dogs were about that age! Did the same thing as toddlers … checked out everything in the studio, loved playing ball, did not want to sit where we wanted them too and licked a lot. OK, well the last one probably isn’t quite true for ALL toddlers! Ha, ha! Anyway, we did have fun … it was definitely a workout, but it was worth it … I mean, look at these guys … they’re adorable!!!
I had a good chuckle over this picture … Sport (dog on couch) was definitely the Alpha dog and so this appeared to me as the queen and her humble servant! Just the way she treated Roxy! 
pretty in pink …
How lucky was I to have these three beautiful girls in my studio! They were a lot of fun to work with … we definitely had our challenges, especially when it came to trying for a group shot … the last picture pretty much sums that up! But, overall, it was a great shoot! Thanks girls for the fun times!
- Thanks, Doug! ;)
- Just when I start to think you couldn't possibly do better you come at us with this. Your mix of color, genuine expression, contrast, and composition are just spot on in every one of these Anita. I love the shot of the three of them cause it tells such a "sisters" story. The little one looks like she's had her fill and is taking it out on her sisters hair. :) I can't pick a favorite when their all this good but the one of the older sister hidden by the hat is absolutely stunning! If you care to share once again, did you use any fill on the side opposite the big window. (Assuming the window is their by the huge catch lights so feel free to correct me if I'm wrong there too) :) Your timing of this post is perfect as I'm leaving in 30 minutes to do my second photo shoot of the summer. I'm so inspired! Always in awe, Doug.
another fun shoot …
I always look forward to photographing these cutie-patooties! They are near and dear to my heart, and we always have great fun … a little crazy, but ALWAYS fun! I love their relationship with each other … and they are so silly and fun-loving!! LOVE IT!! Here are a few in Dorothy’s front yard … as you can see, there’s a good reason her store is called The Green Thumb … her flowers are AMAZING … I’m so embarrassed when she comes to my house, because I kill everything! Anyway, beautiful girls, beautiful flowers … what more could you ask for!?!?
- Thanks, Benita! You're so sweet! I appreciate your comments!
- I love looking at your blog! You inspire me! These are beautiful Photos! And beautiful Girls too!
- Hi, Doug ... we took this around 4ish, so the sun was still up, but when I shoot like that, I try to always keep the sun behind them, unless it's closer to sunset when it won't hurt their eyes. Otherwise if you turn their face toward the sun, they'll be squinting. Make sure to meter off of them, and not off of the bright spots the sun hits. I sometimes have my daughter hold a reflector, but that can also cause them to squint. One thing I do try to always do is to wear a white shirt ... weird, but I feel like it helps bounce back a little light in their eyes, so they have some nice catchlights. If you can, find some open shade ... at least that's what I've been told ;) LOL! I have not mastered off camera flash ... maybe someday. I'm a very simple photographer ... I try to watch the lighting, use what's around me, etc. Good luck on your shoot tomorrow!
- Anita, what perfect timing for this post. I am pretty new to photography and am set to do my first "Senior portraits" for a friend on Friday. I was worried because she has do to it in the middle of the day when the sun is high due to time constraints. Your photos prove that I can still get some good pop out of my photos in bright sunlight if I approach them right. I am curious though if you use a reflector, off camera flash, or any combination of the two to get these beautiful shots. I understand if you don't want to give away any secrets:) I will surely look to your examples either way as proof that bright sunlight is not as much of a limiter as I once thought. Amazing work as always Anita. Thank you so much for taking your time to share once again.
fabulous clients that I adore …
It’s hard to even call them clients … it seems too cold and unknown. They are not unknown at all … they have become my friends … friends I get to see once (or so) a year, but feel like it’s just been yesterday! What a joy it is to get to see this beautiful family! As always, it’s an adventure, but that is part of the fun!! You guys are beautiful, and I am so thankful for you!
I wish everyone could have been there to see what work went into some of these shots … let’s just say that Michelle (their mom) and my assistant (and daughter) Katelyn had to play a crazy game of Simon Says. I’m pretty sure Katelyn was looking around to make sure there was no one from her school at the park that day! ha, ha!!!
- Thanks, Melli! ;)
- Awesome work. Love looking at it. Keep it up and post more. ;)
- You guys are too sweet! Thanks for the kind words that bless my day!! Doug ... I'll try to be better about posting if I know someone is actually looking at my blog! LOL! I do need to do a little catch-up, so I'll try to do that over the next week! I really appreciate your words of encouragement ... they mean a lot to me!
- Anita, I have your blog feed right to my main yahoo page so I can get immediate notification of your updates. I'm so glad that technology has allowed me that option because I used to have to check back daily, just to be disappointed on the days where there was nothing new to see. Now I get notification and I get to get all excited like a little kid when it tells me you have updated. I am so absolutely in love with your work and I hope you know are the bar by which I measure a great "people" photographer. I know I have thrown you my praise before but I just have to say it because I love photography and I follow a few good photographers here on the net but your pictures are on a level all their own Anita. Thank you so much for sharing your work with all of us. I try to grasp your technique not so I can copy it, but to hopefully help me find my own look and feel. Thank you so much for sharing the love! This family must love what you have done for them. It's clear why they come back to you year after year. Great job!!
- wow wow wow what more can i say. the best ever!
2 sweet …
Two is one of the toughest ages … but I love it!!! This little girl was super sweet, but was definitely hesitant at first. Until we started sticking our tongues out and that was all it took! Kids love sticking their tongues out, but it works because they almost always have to pull their tongue back in and there’s usually a smile or giggle to follow!! And the other secret … BUBBLES! It almost always works to bring out the happiest faces!! I loved her bubble pictures!! So fun!
Thanks for the fun times, sweet Ava!
- You have got to be the absolute Queen of bringing out the personalities. Anybody that would like to contest that need only to see these few great examples. That is a talent I don't think can be taught Anita. You either got it or you don't, and you most certainly do have it!
- These are so cute Anita. I love it when you post. Do you have a bubble machine? That's a lot of bubbles!
ADORABLE tutu’s …
I happened across this website and LOVED their custom tutu’s! I thought I’d share the site with those of you with girls! Aren’t they cute??
love this age!
Well, next to 6 months, this is one of my favorite ages, especially if they aren’t too mobile yet! They’re sitting up and just so fun to play with! This little guy was adorable, and oh, so sweet! I start thinking how much I miss this age, but then the thought of my four crazy kids and the insanity in our house brings me back to reality! Ha, ha!
Thanks you guys for a great session!
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