The Hutchins Family {Sonoma County Family Photographer, Family photos, rustic family photos}

So I mentioned our group of friends in the last post. Well this family is the family that started it all. Pat and Laura were the first to get married and have kids so in a way they have led the way for us. I "joined" the group when Sophia was just over a year old and Laura was pregnant with Audrey! I was at the hospital when Audrey was born. It was the first time I'd ever been at a birth. Although I lasted about 60 seconds and quickly bailed to the hallway where I resumed my job of setting up the photo printer and getting the video camera and camera ready to go! It was hands down one of the most incredible moments in my life to be apart of the first moments of a child's life. To watch the reactions of the Grandma's, Aunts, friends, and especially her now big sister, Sophia. At one point shortly after Audrey was born and well after she had perfected "the Audrey eyes" I moved in with them while I was in between apartments. I always knew I wanted to have a family life just like theirs. Lots of love and daily celebration for each other. It has been such an amazing experience to be apart of their family and to watch those girls grow up! As I went through these images I had to pick my jaw up off the floor just looking at Sophia and Audrey and how much they have matured and grown! I feel like it was just yesterday when I woke up on Easter morning to a red head with a binkie asking for Doo-ra and watching them enjoy their Easter basket treats. Now I get to watch them as they bond with my children (who are now close to the same ages as the girls were when I lived with them) It's simply surreal. I almost feel like I am living the life I envisioned for myself back then. And 5 short months ago, (yes that TANK of a child is only 5 months well 4 months when I took these pictures) Harley joined the Hutchins Clan to help restore balance to the pink glitter, baby doll, justin beiber loving, barbie infested household!! We never thought it would happen, we always thought Pat was destined to be the Father of all girls as some sort of divine pay back but he got his boy! and boy did he! Harley is 22lbs at 5 months old! but he is as cute as can be!!! Well I just have to end by saying my life and my children's childhood memories would never be as amazing as they are because of the Hutchins Family. We're truly grateful to have them in our lives.

here's Harley! I love the one on the top right, he is at that age where he lets out these coos that just melt your heart! If you know what coo I'm talking about you can see it in his face that he was making those adorable little coos when I snapped that shot!

The Clark Family {Sonoma County Family Photographer, rustic family photos}

5 years ago if someone would have told me that I'd be photographing family photos of Bud, Melinda, and their 3 kids I would have invented the term LMAO! If you would have told me that Ben and I would have a 3 year old and a 1 year old I would have died from laughter! But it just goes to show you that some of the best things in life can't be planned. Things do happen for a reason. And in the end all that really matters is good friends, family, and good health! I normally write a little story about the people in the photographs I've taken and tell you a little about them and how I know them, etc. There isn't enough space in one blog for that! The Clark Family is nothing short of our family's best friends. I have not clue how to even word that correctly. There are a few family's that we all hang out with. Together we have 10 children and one more on the way! They are all a huge part of why we moved back to Sonoma County. There is nothing better than calling up your friends and inviting them over for dinner and while you sit and enjoy the company of your best friends you get to watch all of your children play together. We have a long, complicated, reality tv show worthy history and we would do absolutely anything for each other. I wouldn't trade it for anything else in the world!
We decided to do a little "pre mini session" with the Clark Family and the Hutchins Family so here are a few of my favorites from the Clark's portion of the session! Doesn't Carolyn just remind you of Cindy Lou Hoo from the Grinch?? She is sooo cute!!!

Katie and Chad's Sneak Peek {Sonoma County Wedding Photographer, Cornerstone Gardens Wedding Photos}

Katie and Chad had such a gorgeous wedding yesterday! I am drooling over all the gorgeous details and all the hard work that must have been put in just to pull that all off! I haven't even completely gone through all of the images and I haven't even collected the images from my wonderful and talented second photographer, Jihan Cerda. But I was able to go through and pick out the ones I remembered liking (while shooting through out the day) and pulled them out to put into a quick little sneak peek!
Sometimes I feel like the more gorgeous the wedding the dirtier and more jacked up my outfits get by the end of the night! I think I layed in gravel, dirt, bark, grass, and possibly someone's spilled drink on the floor! Oh and I popped a button off my shirt! But Katie and Chad were worth every bit of it!
In my full post I will be sure to show you guys all the wonderful details that were so creatively planned out and executed with such class and precision! But for the sake of this 24 hour post wedding sneak peek I just wanted to show everyone a few of my favorites (and ones that didn't need much (if any) touching up)

this one was too funny, the girls got ready at a friend's house, Lino, who happens to live nearby the beautiful wedding venue (Cornerstone Gardens in Sonoma) so as the girls were walking out, dress' in hand, "Katie's Ladies" shirts on, we wanted to take a quick picture. But this picture wasn't complete with out the "honorary bridesmaid" of the morning so someone slapped a dress over him and poof....our 9th bridesmaid!




this one is a sort of "behind the scenes" photo. I'm sure I look like a crack fiend looking for a fix as I'm feverishly searching for the perfect spot to take the bridal pictures in the short window of time that I have. I must have especially looked crazy when I peered at the massive aluminum table underneath this tent in the far corner of the parking lot and pointed and shook my head yes at Katie as if I just found destiny! And sure as the day is long Katie and her Ladies with out a single hesitation happily welcomed this fun idea! So the hoisted her up there, amazing dress and all! Then getting her down was the fun part! It inspired an entirely new "Broadway" idea that we decided to save until later and then sadly forgot about! (Mrs. Katrina we still need to do this....I'm holding you to your promise!)







sometimes I just can't decide!

ok if you don't have kids or aren't around kids then you won't get this so just move on past this little paragraph but if you do, you will soooo relate! Katie and Chad have 2 kids, a 4 year old boy and a 13 month old girl! wooo! aren't you already tired for them!?! Neither had napped and it was a big exciting day outside of the normal routine so by 5pm family photos they were let's just say less than their cheery selves! (yes 1 and 4 year olds have cheery selves! ...sometimes) so we just went with it and captured them at their 5pm best and let the bride and groom enjoy their day in the background! Katie and Chad, thanks for being such good sports and letting me attempt to get some good pics of you 4 together!


and I had to throw this on in cuz I'm a sucker for a good Father and Daughter love...



A big thanks to Katie and Chad, their family, and their amazing bridal party for such a fun and exciting day! I hope these hold you over while I finish up the rest!!

A Sneak Peek to the much better sneak peek later this week....

I saw these and HAD to share them even before I shared the normal "sneak peek" Katie is nothing short of stunning! She is absolutely beautiful and once you get to know her you realize she is one of those women who is strong, confident and I don't think there isn't anything this woman could handle or conquer! But there is something about a woman who is no longer just that strong, confident woman but a Mother. There is a strength that can only be momentarily broken by the sheer love for your child. It's the most beautiful love, the love between a mother an her child. When Katie's son, Sean saw his Mom for the first time in that gorgeous dress he stopped right in his tracks and lit up brighter than the sun! And if you know Sean, him stopping in his tracks takes something powerful!!! (energetic little guy!) I have no clue how I caught this picture because I cried the second I saw Sean's face!! Just had to share them....

Reception Book {Guestbook Alternatives, creative guestbooks, Wedding Guestbook}

If you've been to my home office or seen me at a bridal show then I'm sure you've seen this product of mine but I thought I'd share it with the rest of the world as well! =)

Often I take a series of engagement photos, sometimes I get a small handful of favorites and other times I go crazy and I end up with hundreds! There are many things that factor into the outcome of the shoot. Location, the couple, creative inspirations leading up to the shoot, etc.... Sometimes I think the couple and I get so wrapped up in having fun that I forget how many images I've already taken and I'm just off in my own head going to the next pose or idea! But what do you do with 200 or more engagement images??? You aren't going to fill up your wall with them because you know in a few short months you will have a thousand or more wedding images!

This is where the Reception Book comes in! It's a creative way to replace your standard guestbook (the one that everyone just signs their name on a line). This is a 10x10 book with 10 lay flat,matte finished pages with anywhere from 40-90 images from the engagement session strategically placed on the pages to allow for messages and signatures from your friends and family.

You're never going to keep every wedding card you receive, or will you ever be inspired to open that plain guestbook when you know all that is in there is people's signatures. So with this book you will have a way to save all of the wonderful messages and words of advice from your friends and family AND you will have a way to show off and revisit your engagement session. The matte pages are wonderful because all you need is an ultra fine permanent marker and your guests can write freely with out worrying about smudging like they would on a photo-finished type page.

I start with a few standard questions along some of the pages such as "What advice do you have for us?" "How do we keep our marriage going strong?" "what are some good date night ideas?" things like that. But everything is completely customizable so I can swap out any of those questions for ones you guys might have that fits your family and friends a little better!

The 10 spreads make room for anywhere from 100-125 signatures. Extra spreads can be added for as little as $15 a spread! Well enough of me rambling on.... here are some pictures of Chris and Becky's Reception Book that I just got in the other day!

***ATTENTION PAST BRIDES AND GROOMS: Take some pictures of your reception book with signatures in it and post them on my facebook page... share the love!!! =)

2011 Fall Mini Sessions! {Sonoma County Family Photography, Mini Sessions Sonoma County, Sonoma County Photographer}

These mini sessions are 20 minutes each, cost $175, and include the following:

•A mix of classic posed shots + interactive, natural family or just kids shots – as much as I can possibly get in 20 minutes!
•aprox 15-30 fully edited images in a password protected online gallery
•30 images of your choice from your gallery on a high-res CD with a print release
•One 30% off discount code good towards any one item of your choice. Nothing is off limits, albums, canvas wrap, 25 pack of holiday cards, any product I offer! The discount code expires 2 weeks after the date your images are posted on the gallery and you can only use the code for products that utilize the images taken during the mini session.
•10% off additional print/product orders totaling $150 or more.

BOOKING INFO: There will only be 6 sessions available for this event, so please reserve your spot early. All sessions are available on a first come, first serve basis so please contact me as soon as possible to reserve your spot!

Time slots available:
3:00 PM –
3:30 PM –
4:00pm-
4:30pm-
5:00pm –
5:30pm -
*depending on the demand I may open up the 6-7pm slots.

Please e-mail me at jenniferbagwellphotography@yahoo.com or call me 707-235-7088 to book your time slot.

IMPORTANT DETAILS!!! Please read before booking:

All sessions will require a $75 non-refundable retainer fee to hold your spot. Sessions will be considered booked upon receipt of this deposit. I accept cash, check and Paypal for your convenience.

*It is imperative that you arrive at least 10 minutes prior to your scheduled start time so that we will be ready to go when your session starts. Details on exactly where to park and meet will be provided after your booking and or as we get closer to the date of the shoot.

*Sessions will move quickly, so please ensure that kids are ‘prepped’ and fed prior to shoot as much as possible. Don’t forget goldfish/gummy bears/your happy treat that can often make a grumpy face happy again.

Don’t miss out on this one time seasonal event!! Who knows when an opportunity like this will come up again!

I will be offering custom holiday card design on a first come, first serve basis. Last year I got slammed with last minute requests!! This year you will be rewarded heavily for putting in your orders early! The above price on 4x6 and 5x7 flat postcard style holiday cards is nearly half off!!! and that price is only available to mini session customers! You must order your holiday cards by October 22nd to take advantage of that deal! If you wish to have holiday cards designed using images taken earlier this year please e mail me for special "early bird" prices.

Rock the Dress with Niki {trash the dress photos, cupcake bride photos, beach bride photos, rock the dress photos}

I really had no intention of blogging this evenings shoot until later next week when I had some time but when I uploaded the images I was in photog heaven! I just had to touch up a few of my favorites and share with everyone!
As a wedding photographer and friend to all my couples I try my best to be creative but to still capture those same images that drew you to me in the first place while still making each photo unique to you. So many times during a wedding will I find a great spot or have a cool pose in mind but the only road block is "the dress" and the potential for it to get even the slightest bit dirty. Even though I know by the end of the night that dress is going to be a MESS! Trash the Dress sessions, in my opinion, have been given a bad name by the over the top shoots that have been done that really just completely live up to it's over exaggerated name. To me, "trash the dress" sessions were designed to give the bride or bride and groom the opportunity to get some great shots that truly represent you and let you enjoy how amazing you look in the dress while still having a little fun! This requires a little risk. you might get the dress a little dirty or might even get it wet! but with out risk there is no reward! So I have decided to start referring to these shoots as "rock the dress" since I have no intentions on trashing any one's dress but rather I want you to "rock it"
I designed this shoot with Nicole in mind. She LOVES cupcakes, she loves to bake them and eat them! She LOVES coffee and well the beach, who doesn't love the beach? and what's a great "rock the dress" shoot with out a little water! So a HUGE thanks to Carolyn at Your Sweet Expectations. She let us stop by her bakery inside Sally Tomatoes in Rohnert Park and we got to have a little mini photo shoot on her bakers table! Then we headed over to the nearest Starbucks and had a little coffee! Then we headed out to pick up my trusty sidekick, Ayrjia. We couldn't pass up the opportunity to check out a grassy little helicopter landing strip before heading straight for Doran Beach!
I have to thank Nicole for trusting me enough to do this shoot with me! I had a fabulous time! I hope you all enjoy the images!!