It’s my favorite time of year!

Not just because coffee shops start serving things like pumpkin bagels and spiced lattes, but because it’s a time to celebrate families.

This year to celebrate the families in my community I’m offering FALL MINI SESSIONS on October 22nd, 2011.

I’ll be offering 30 minute sessions for $175 (half the price of my normal portrait sessions) which will include 10-15 hi-resolution images to keep, print, or use for Holiday cards.

Spots are limited, and I will update this post as they filled.

The full price of the session is required to reserve your spot.

To sign up email me emily (at) gem-photo.com

MINI SESSIONS: OCTOBER 22nd, 2011 (location TBD – somewhere between Los Altos + Mountain View)

11:00 – 11:30 AM   BOOKED
11:30 – 12:00 NOON  BOOKED
12:30 – 1:00 PM BOOKED

2:00 – 2:30 PM
2:30 – 3:00 PM BOOKED
3:30 – 4:00 PM  BOOKED

Hope to see you there!

xoxo
Em

Meet the Ludwigs.

3 girls, 1 boy, and a whole lot of chaos. The best kind of chaos imaginable.

It’s a flurry of dance moves and hula hoops and laughter and whining and crying and singing.

It’s a beautiful mess.

I love every single one of these photos because they capture my friend’s lives right now : messy, but good.

And really, it’s just impossible to get everyone looking at the camera at the same time.

But you know what, I like it that way.

In fact, I never make any promises any more that I can get everyone to look at the camera at the same time. Not only does it never work, but I would much rather run around and play together and get a little messy.

That’s how these pictures happened : we made some time to play.

I am so thankful we did.

Dave + Victory, I love seeing you both raise these kids in your way. You are so gentle and firm and I respect you both so much.

One day : Aaron and I want to be parents like you.

my favorite photo of sofia:

favorite of little miss violet. little diva.

Xoxo,

Em

Calleigh, your name means beautiful. Your middle name means beloved.

And you are. Oh how you are.

You will realize when you grow up that from the very moment you entered this world you were, Oh, so greatly loved.

Your mom and dad are crazy about you, Calleigh.

They giggle at the funny faces you make and their eyes light up when they look at you.

Brownie, the first “baby” sits at your mom’s feet.  I can tell though that he’s not jealous.

He is a good dog.

Calleigh, this is your sweet family.

One day you will realize how lucky you are to have them.

For now, keep resting. And growing.

xoxo,

Em

I’ve talked with other wedding photographers who don’t like to do family portraits.

I will admit, taking group photos is NOT for the faint of heart : it can be challenging to find that one photo where everyone is looking at the camera, smiling, and not blinking.

But for me, I could never say NO to family photos, no matter how many weddings I have booked. The reason is simple: to be around families, and to document something precious for them, is IMPORTANT, and it’s worth it.

Chrissy Mata has been a supporter of mine since DAY 1. Chrissy, I have told you this before, but you are an incredible force for encouragement in my life, and I am so thankful for you.

Chrissy contacted me around Christmas because she realized all her family was finally going to be in the same place at the same time, and that hadn’t happened in a long time.

So despite the rain, and the hectic nature of this holiday season, we made it happen. This family made it happen, and it was worth it.

I am so thankful for all these people, thank you for sticking with me through the rain! And thanks everyone for not blinking at the same time…

Peter & Daniel are a part of the high school group that Aaron and I lead, and it’s fun to see these guys growing into their own personal style.

Heartbreakers, I tell ya:

This photo, this is WHY.

Why I do what I do. Cindi was trying to tell me at the end of our time taking photos how thankful they were that I was able to document everyone being together, and started to tear up a little.

Of course I snapped a photo.

To remember WHY.

Thanks, guys.

Xoxo,

Em