Bellingham Photographer

The Marlia-Larsens

September 25, 2011

Since being in Oregon we have had the privilege of meeting some great new friends. Unfortunately it seems that just as we begun our friendship some of our awesome friends are leaving! They are going to do an amazing work in Peru with a mission organization and we could not be more happy to share their joy in following God’s call for their lives and praying for them.

Their primary focus will be to assist in the development of an outpatient medical clinic, spearheaded by a Peruvian doctor who shares the desire to impact the lives of those whom are too easily forgotten and trampled upon. They are passionately committed to serving those people in the outlying areas of Tacna, Peru who are removed from access to healthcare.

Brian and Lori Jo have been working as nurses and saving up their own living expenses for the year they are in Peru! However if you would like to send them a gift to help with unforeseen expenses or to to help with the construction of the medical center they are helping with you can do so here. Click the Paypal button on that page and enter “Marlia-Larsen Tacna” in the notes. Thank you!

Here is this beautiful family: Brian, Lori Jo, Nick (12), and Cielo (5) from our time together at Lithia Park in Ashland, Oregon yesterday.

I was taking pictures of the boys and spotted this “private moment” that I invaded with my lens. I love that they are barefooted.

Donâ€™t forget if you havenâ€™t become aÂ fan on our Facebook page, you can do that here and the MommyLens Photography workbook page here!

Plus it is almost time to start thinking about Christmas card pictures! It is never too early! Book your session now, we are already booked until the middle of October! Email me at Crystal@CrystalGarcia.com for details!

by Crystal

First Day of Preschool

September 21, 2011

My Josiah and Autumn started preschool today! Josiah tried preschool while we were in Dallas, but it wasn’t a good experience for him or us, just not a good fit and we ended up moving anyways. This year he is going to a 3 and 4 year old program at The Preschool at SOU, which is fabulous! Both kids has a great first day and I had a great first day of 3 hours of quiet in my house! Win win!

My little girl is getting SO big! Josiah wasn’t in the mood for pictures after school, but I will get some “back to school” shots at some point this week of him too. I don’t stress about doing them at the same time if one isn’t up for it.

by Crystal

Barefoot until the street lights came on

September 19, 2011

Yesterday I had an amazing time with 9 really fun kids and a really cool fort. I really can’t tell you how much I love my job during projects like these. 🙂 A big thanks to my brother Josh for helping me build the fort, the ladies at Cute as a Button Designs for their awesome hand made accessories,Â Kate, my beautiful neighbor and friend for helping with face painting and listening to me ramble about my ideas while planning for this, and for all the parents who brought your kids out to play yesterday!

The idea behind this shoot came to me when I remembered a book called, The Berenstain Bears No Girls Allowed that I had as a kid. I remember reading this book and thinking to myself: “That is the coolest fort ever, in the coolest spot ever!!!” Once the thought of the images in the book entered my mind, I immediately bought the book (Kindle edition that night! I am so impatient.) The I started envisioning this fun, real life scenario where kids build a cool fort and get out and play in it. Not the kind of play most kids do today, where we make sure they are dressed in layers with socks and shoes, stay withing 5 feet of a parent or paid caregiver and play in a fenced yard (if outside at all) until no later than 2 hours before dark. The kind of play I am thinking of is where kids drag stuff out of their rooms, wearing whatever mismatched get up they put together made from last year’s Halloween costume, something you wish they wouldn’t get dirty and some of other hand me down piece of play clothes they wear until it is 2 sizes too small. They take all their favorite things to a spot in the neighborhood, just outside the view of mom’s kitchen window and play until the street lights come on wearing no shoes, a little dirt, and some craft paint, creating the most fashion forward outfit a child could image.

This is the kind of play I wanted to create for these kids. Sure their were lots of parents watching and chatting, but for the most part the exploration and genuine fun went on until the street lights came on. 🙂

Happy Monday! Don’t forget if you haven’t become aÂ fan on our Facebook page, you can do that here and the MommyLen Photography workbook page here!

by Crystal

The Cupcake Daily

September 14, 2011

A few weeks ago while out with Autumn, we stopped at the cutest cupcake shop in Talent, Oregon, called The Cupcake Daily (Click to find them on Facebook:). We shared a Mint Chocolate Cupcake and it was SO yummy! After talking to the owner and finding out they were relatively new and a sweet little family operation and needed some photography, I was instantly interested! I don’t really have a lot of food photography experience, but it was something new and fun to do. Last week I set up on a table in the shop and shot several different flavors and then my little Josiah and Autumn and one of their friends came in to enjoy some of their “create your own” cupcakes. The kids love being able to choose a blank cupcake and add fillings, icing, and toppings. They couldn’t have been more happy.

I can’t wait to do Autumn’s birthday cupcakes here! If you are in the area be sure to check them out, they also serve a yummy breakfast and lunch and their Facebook Page can tell you what specialty flavors they have each day!

There Smore’s Cupcake is to die for! It has tiny little graham cracker crust, melted chocolate, marshmallow creme (which the toast, not pictured) and it is just amazing!

Notice Josiah in the black and white on the bottom row, doing a “happy dance” for getting a cupcake “with marsh-mewows.”

by Crystal

Teach a Photography Class for Moms Near YOU!

September 3, 2011

Are you a professional photographer interested in helping other moms learn how to use their digital SLR cameras to take better pictures of their children? Do you think that collaboration and learning is more important that competition? If so you may be eligible to take MommyLens to the moms in your community!

If you are chosen as a teacher your will be given permission to use my materials to teach your own classes,Â workbooks at a discount for your students, one for yourself, PowerPoint slides that you can insert your own logo and images in or use them as is, a well as my pricing, scheduling and location recommendations and over the phone help getting your classes set up.

The getting started kit with all of the above is $600 and after that you may purchase workbooks in sets for additional classes at a discount. To apply to teach in your area email me at Crystal@CrystalGarcia.com.

Teaching packages and permission will be given to applicants who are experienced photographers and demonstrate a thorough working knowledge of photography. Consideration will also be based on your location so as not to have competing teachers in your area.

by Crystal