sneak peek for little P

Only a few hours after the reception, here is a sneak peek of little P's wedding.

I know I know

I know I said I would post the results of my contest today, but I need a few more days to figure out some details. Don't worry you will not be disappointed.

-T


What is a post without a picture? Guess who got makeup for Christmas?

And for you camera geeks out there.
Here are the details.
ISO 4000 (nice huh)
f 4
1/320

comments for cans final

After totaling up all the comments I have gotten in the last week I made a trip to costco to purchase the cans for each comment that was made. I was feeling in the holiday spirit and decided to match each comment that was made with an additional "can" aka a cup of Roman. I hope to be able to deliver this to a local food bank on friday if not monday at the latest (Shooting Little P's wedding on saturday). Thanks for all the comments. I would love to hear some more stories of those that you would like to enter for $500 (value) of my photography services.

Canon 5d MII test drive

As many of you now know I couldn't resist buying the new canon 5d MII after I saw the ISO specs. One of the things I hate most is grain that happens at a high ISO. Being able to capture the softness of a child's skin is so important to me.

Before the MII I hated shooting above an ISO of 400, but with the MII I was able to shoot the following pic at ISO 1000 without a trace of grain. I have seen grainless pics over 3200 with this camera.

I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship.

Giving is always the best

Growing up one of nine children we grew up with just the basics and sometimes less then that (thanks mom for the homemade underwear). I can remember several Christmas were bags of toys were left on our door step from Santa. I try each year to help be apart of that Christmas spirit. This year I have tried to mostly give of the talents I have and stay away from the malls.

I came across a blog that really touched me from Kara May Photography and I would like to also join in.

Here are the details.

You know someone who's experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. Someone who can't afford custom photography, but who would cherish it this holiday season. Someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family's spirit, love and beauty.

I want to know who they are and would like to provide them chance to experience complimentary custom photography - $500 worth, to be exact. Whether it's an album, prints for grandma, or a bunch of large prints.. it's in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season.

The person you nominates the winner receives a $100 print credit. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be?

The Rules:

You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely in incapable of purchasing my services. (Being able to make a mortgage payments for a two million dollar home does not qualify as sincere financial need.) If you have recently modeled for me you are also exempt from being nominated, sorry.

The nominee must reside in southern California, maximum of 40 miles from Newport Beach. Tell me who you know, what they're experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.

Comment on this blog entry to let me know you've entered, and email me the full story: tanni@lovebugportraits.com

The winner will be announced on Christmas day! So get nominating! I can't wait to read all your entries!

Open your heart to someone this holiday season and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

Additional credit for this project can be found at Kristen Kalp's website.


Don't forget about the can's for comments drive also.
I would hate to show up with only 10 cans!

Cans for comments!

In the spirit of giving I thought I would follow suite with a few other photographers who are donating one can of food for every blog comment.

Chris+Lynn

Leave me a comment before December 22 and will donate a can of food to the local food bank.

Thanksgiving with chickens

Things are slowly getting back to normal. The Chickens have gone home and I have started in on my christmas presents. It was so fun to have the Chickens down for a break. While they were here we explored the beach and they met fun new people like Aunt Gina.

Your Tia Tanni loves you guys so much!

together once again

The northern chickens are coming to praise the "Mighty Bird" this weekend! Don't know if it will be warm enough for the beach but it will be to take a few hundred pictures!

the wait is finally over

After many many sleepless hours I would like to announce the redesign of llovebugportraits.com

In trying reach more clients I have also purchased balboakids.com (mirror of lovebugportraits.com)

Check out the new site and then leave me a comment on what you think.

I still would like to update the music, so if you know anyone that can play the guitar and has access to recording equipment I would love to hear about it.

thanks and happy monday!

tick tick tick....

For those of you who read my blog regularly you might remember a few months back about how I blogged about a change that I was working on. Well after many late nights, it will soon come out of the oven. The reviews that I have received so far, have called it fresh and artistic with a sense of style.

If you can hold out a few more days, you will be glad you did.

-T

Sun for Seattle

Many of you guys know I am originally from the Seattle area and after following the weather reports there I felt you could use some sun. These were taken several months back but decided to save them for a rainy Seattle day. This is Hotel del Coronado in beautiful San Diego.

For those of you that like ghost stories here is a snip from the Hotel's website:

What Victorian resort would be complete without a resident ghost? Kate Morgan checked into the resort on November 25, 1892, and never checked out. Reports of ghostly happenings, all thought to be connected to the death of this beautiful young woman, have been circulating at The Del ever since.

It was close, but Yes 8 won.

Many of you know how I stood on California prop 8 that was voted on yesterday. This morning the news came in and the Yes votes on prop 8 stood a higher then No. I am happy to say that for now the definition of marriage will remain a traditional one, between a man and a woman.

I have a feeling in a few years Californian's will be back voting on this.

Peek Peek

Last weekend I met the N boys. I met them through a friend that raved about how cute and well behaved they are. Well boys you were exactly that. Very cute and well behaved.

What are little boys made of?
Snips and snails, and puppy-dogs' tails,
That's what little boys are made of.

Peek

Who would have though three kids could have been so easy. The W kids were some of the best to work with. The colors mom picked really worked with the natural colors of the island, thanks mom.

Hope you like.

Peek!

One of the many families I shot last weekend was a family that I met a few months back. These are the cutest kids but don't let them fool you twins can be a handful. Love you guys!

Thanks for coming out guys. I hope to see you again when the baby comes!



-T

Sneak Peek

Last weekend I was able to meet two of the nicest kids. After the winds died down Mr J really began to love the camera. Hope you like Momma, so good to meet you guys.

YES on prop 8!

As most of you know I am not a very political person and usually run the other way when people are discussing politics unless it is on SNL. A while back I was made aware of a story that hits close to home. Many of you may have already heard this story but I think it needs to be repeated.

A New Mexico photographer politely refused to photograph a "commitment ceremony" and were later taken to court over the issue. The same sex couple claimed that photographer discriminated against them because of their "sexual orientation."

As a small business owner I feel I should have the right to say no I don't care to do business with you for just about any reason I wish. My business reflects who I am and what I stand for. I don't photograph "Nudes" because I don't want people to get the wrong idea that I like seeing naked people. Am I discriminating against people who like to be naked?

If I was a vegitarian and was asked to shoot a beef ad and I said no, would I be discriminating against the beef industry or people that like beef if I didn't take the job?


I think not.

Vote YES on prop 8 and protect your business!

http://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=75547
http://www.topix.com/forum/city/caruthersville-mo/TTVOJIS3K2G5VQN1F

Sneak Peek

Oh boy today was a long one, but I was able to shoot 5 different sets of kids. Here is a sneak peek of one of the families.

Thanks Amanda!

I had to share this with you guys.




It is recommended that you don't watch this at work or your might have your co-workers wondering why you are laughing so hard, not that I know from experience.

Look at the puppy!!

So for my Birthday I got a T-shirt from my friend Lezlie. Oh what a sweetheart. One of the biggest complaints that I get, John, is that I never blog or show any pictures of myself so I decided to take this opportunity to have a picture taken of me. The shirt reads "I'm a hard habit to to break". Those who have seen the shirt seem to agree. Happy Birthday to ME!



I also have to mention that Matt Costa and Lenka's new albums rock. You can't help but to be happy while listening.

Guess what I want for my birthday?

Ok so it could really be a lot of things one namely the Canon 5D mark ii. You have no idea how many times a day I dream about going full frame and have the ISO options to die for. I think my friends even know the specs by now by just listening to me talk about it. In addition to the 5d I also dream about owning a classic car or truck. A few weekends back I went to a classic car show along Route 66 and this is some of what I saw.

So if there are any high rollers out there some of these were for sale, hint hint.

I love roosters too mommy!

I think the heading says it all. Ha ha!

Searching for your little sticky models

On Monday October 13th I am looking for a few models between the ages of birth to 12 years old. In exchange for their time the family will receive one free 8x10 and 25% off my already super low print prices. If you think your little one has what it takes to be a model, email me a picture.

These sessions will be primarily done in a urban setting (Newport Beach area) but might break out the studio lighting if I get enough requests.

-T

Art in SF

One of my friends Nacco loves to take pictures of graffiti. So while I was in SF walking through the streets I came across some graffiti that caught my eye. So this is for you Nacco. I hope you like.

How do you swing?

Yesterday I went to my nieces 4th birthday party. The moment I got there she asked me to take some pictures of her swinging on the swing. I have have seen a lot of kids in my day swing but I have never seen anything like this before. I would like to say that she has my creative side to her. Happy Birthday Miss M! After the party was over we asked her if she had a fun time and she said yes, but added that turning five next year will be even better. I think it has something to do with going to school and leaving the boys behind.







This was her princess outfit for her princess party, yes no shoes. I don't think the girl even knows what shoes are. She might have been born in Utah but she is California through and through.



PS. I have been tracking the stats for this blog and it has been really neat to see all the places you guys live, but don't know who you are. Feel feel to give a shout out in the comments section when you see something you like.