i'm a little behind on posting (as usual), as we are moving into winter already, but i wanted to share some images from my recent trip back to north dakota.  it was the first time i had been back for thanksgiving in about 30 years.  i wasn't sure what to expect as the earth began to go dormant.  as much as i adore the crimsons, golds and pumpkins of mid autumn, i found the dry, amber and silence of the edge of autumn, cusp of winter in the dakotas to be equally as inspiring and a true beauty in itself.  i was just lamenting to myself today as i drove and drove around for several hours today looking for locations that "fit" with me here in california.....it's very difficult for me, as i could throw a rock in any direction in the midwest and find a beautiful place to shoot.  so i'm offering all of my clients a special airfare package with their booking in the new year.....aw shucks...just kidding, but please let me know if ya wanna fly on out of here. :) 

a side note on the orange boots.....they are my son's "pumpkin boots" (and 1 of 4, about to be 5 pair of hunter wellies that we now have -LOVE hunter wellies!!). - i was taking him to one of my favorite hidden spots to shoot and it was a bit cold.  he wouldn't get out of the car, but instead took off the boots, handed them to me and told me to "pretend i'm there, mom".  oh my john, i don't have to pretend at all....you are always there.

so i have a secret to share...... ;)  it's the bohemian secret, and it's awesome.  simply wonderful.  and because it's so wonderful, i have 10 secret tickets to give away so you can find out too.....all you have to do is leave me a secret message on this post - but please only if you intend to purchase the secret from sonia....i only have 10 tickets, and they will give you a fantastic discount off of the secret.  BUT I ONLY HAVE 10!  once they are gone....they are gone. leave me a fabulous message, and be sure i have your email, and i will send you a secret ticket.

below are some examples of how the secret works.....gorgeous black and whites, back in time vintage finishes, old film processing such as platinum, palladium, selenium, cyanotype and more!

tell me a secret and i'll share mine.... :)

in the meantime, check out sonia's beautifu sites to see a bit more.....

www.bohemiansecret.net

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long time no blog!  oooo i'm going to use the excuse that i have been away all summer with really no internet connection, but truthfully, as you all know, i'm not the best blogger.  BUT! the time has come to begin posting sneak peeks to all of my summer sessions.  it's hard to believe that this first session to peek at was WAY back in july! ha! seems like yesterday.  i'm already missing the summer nights where the sun doesn't set until almost 10 pm, the beautiful golden haze of the midwest, and all of my family and friends.

i had the pleasure of shooting a family whose mom i knew when we were wee little girls!  how wonderful it was to see you holly and your beautiful family.  you live in an absolutely gorgeous location with your backyard rolling right down to the beautiful mississippi river. (say...is the house next door still for sale???)   i had such a nice time visiting with you all, your children are not only beautiful on the outside, but inside as well.  here is a sneaky peek at your session.  i will have a full gallery for you in no time.

so, yes, it's been too long since i've blogged....but it's been a whirlwind spring so far. 

i just returned from a fantastic spring portrait party in minnesota.  i was priviledged to work with 8 fantastic families over 2 days, and be blessed with the most fabulous hostess i could ask for.  debi has been such kind to help plan such a successful event, complete with gorgeous fresh flowers, food for all, clothing and prop organization, an unbelieavable location (her 100 year old dairy farm), and a comfy bed for elizabeth and i to collapse into each night (special thanks to breydon!).  we had such a wonderful time, and elizabeth has not stopped talking about the new kitties (cora and peanut butter), her rooster friends, wobbly calf buddy, and go cart driving experience.....say....who let that kid drive when i wasn't looking?????  she was also quite taken with the "big boy" and the "smaller boys" as well......

a special thank you to troy, who kindly pulled my grandfather's 1952 chevy pickup into the field for photos.  i'll never get over coming down the road and see it there with the sun shining on it.  also, not many husbands would be at the ready with tarps and all the help you offered during our on again, off again rain that rolled through.  i very much enjoyed spending time with you, learning about mayflowers, eating "tuff jacks" in the woods, and learning about your beautiful family farm. 

below is a sneak peek for all of the families.  i so very much enjoyed your children - each one so different and fun to work with!  i'm hoping they had as much fun as i did.  

if hosting a portrait party is something that might interest you, contact me to find out the details.  i'm willing to travel to other states during certain times of the year.  currently, there is a party being planned in the boston area the first week of october.  if you live near there, and would like to be on board, let me know, as we have room for 3 more families.

ooo can't forget elizabeth and little "cora" :)

a beautiful gift idea for your mother, grandmother, or most importantly, yourself!  i will not be offering a father's day special this year, so this would be a wonderful gift for dad as well.

 i will have 3 different days of sessions, but each day only has room for 5, so i will be scheduling on a first come, first serve basis.  to hold your spot, you will need to contact me to schedule and get me your session fee of $150 no later than the morning of april 18th.  those on the waiting list will fill spots left unpaid. your session fee is non refundable. 

saturday, april 19th - the fullerton arboretum session - appointments filled between 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. 

the fullerton arboretum is a gorgeous location filled with little wooden bridges, a beautiful stream, new spring flowers, children's garden, duck pond and grassy lawns.  this is a lovely location if you are looking for something soft or dreamy...a location perfect for beautiful dresses as well as a pair of jeans.

sunday, april 20th - the montage resort, laguna beach session - appointments filled between 2 and 6 p.m. 

if you've never visited the beach of the montage resort, now is the time.  a gorgeous beach location with mossy rocks, sweeping sandy paths and beautiful blue water.  the beach is a perfect spot for old white dresses, as well as something funky and color popping.  traditional and romantic, or fun hip and vibrant.  one of my favorite places to shoot.

 monday, april 21st - the "sweet and shabby" session - appointments filled between 2 and 6 p.m. 

looking for something a little different in your portraits?  this is one of my favorite new sessions and a great way to find beauty in the unexpected.  should you chose this session, i will be letting you know of our location chosen.  it will be in our local area of long beach, and most likely make you say, "we're going to shoot THERE?" this is a great opportunity to pair up all of your child's favorite funky clothes, or swish around in a bouncy petticoat.  i have a list of online boutiques that i love to find my favorite clothes if you need some suggestions.

**after our session, you will be provided with an online gallery preview by friday, may 9th.  your gallery will be available for viewing and sharing for one week.  after that time, we will need to schedule an ordering session or have your order ready to be placed.  your gallery will consist of 10 proofs from our session to choose from.  there is a $50 archival fee to display your gallery again, so please be ready with your order or appointment by may 16th.

**important to note!!!  although your gallery will be ready in time for mother's day, your filled order will not arrive until 2 weeks after you place your order**