Smooch Spot!

Sisters and Friends...

2012-02-12T17:59:00.000-08:00

Meet Alex & Cate...

Two beautiful young women, sisters, daughters, students and best friends.

We had a great time shooting this "sisters" themed photo session on a very chilly December morning and I am thankful for the invitation by their equally beautiful mother.

Hugs and best wishes to two of the most accomplished, polite and amazing young women I have had the pleasure to photograph! You make the future look so bright and I found myself very encouraged just by being with the two of you!

I very much look forward to seeing what you decide to do in your lives and become in the future...

Hugs & enjoy!!!!

Into the Wild...

2012-01-29T19:16:00.000-08:00

Oh, how I loved photographing this lovely family!

I loved the location, the kids, the parents and the fact that they were so excited to be there and were willing to try and anything to get great photos.

I think we did it! Here are a few of my favorites :)

Thank you to the darling and photogenic Allen family for trusting me with...well everything!

Love you guys...

Enjoy!

I Heart Faces Photo Challenge "By The Book"

2012-01-23T09:14:00.000-08:00

My I Heart Faces photo contest submission for this week. The contest title is "By The Book".

Winning is not the goal but would sure be nice :)

Enjoy and see the full post of this adorable lifestyle shoot here:

http://www.smoochphotog.blogspot.com/2011/03/sweetest-thing.html

Dreamy Little Angels...

2012-01-14T09:01:00.000-08:00

This was a wonderful little session with some new clients who had been referred to me for a holiday photo shoot. It is always exciting to work with new clients and watch their personalities unfold in front of the camera.

These two sweet girls were no exception. They were a bit hesitant when we started but we had such fun pretending to be Fairy's in the forest and catching "Fairy Dust" in the sunlight that before long, they forgot the camera was even there.

I loved meeting and photographing this family and am excited to see them for a full family session soon (mom...that means YOU in the pictures!)

It is always so much appreciated when a client refers me to their family and friends. It is the ultimate compliment.

Thanks to these two sweet little fairies for making this shoot so magical, it was a special day!

(The dreamy bit of sunlight through the trees did not hurt the magic of the shoot either ;)

HUGS!

Photo Challenge

2012-01-09T09:02:00.000-08:00

One of my goals for 2012 is to work more for myself in addition to working and creating for clients.

One of the most fun parts of photography is sharing my work with other like minded folks and being inspired by those who share theirs.

This week, I am entering a photo in this "I Heart Faces" weekly photo challenge. This week's theme is "Best Faces".

In my opinion, the best faces are not those that are perfect, smooth, balanced or flawless. I love those that are aged, weathered and full of life and wisdom. My post for this weeks contest reflects what I love the most in a face. The photo was taken with permission on a street shoot in Los Angeles in the Olvera Street district. This gentleman was a street musician singing and playing the harmonica with a Native American Band.

Enjoy!

Abundance of Light...

2012-01-07T10:15:00.000-08:00

Ahhh...Marshall family. How I love you guys and the fun we have together. I laugh so much and get so dirty when we hang and your family gives me insight of what life with THREE boys (because dad counts) would be like....

Certain to be full of hugs, laughter and LOT's of wrestling :)

There is SO much gratitude in my heart for knowing you!

ENJOY!!!

The case of the REALLY big giggles...

2012-01-01T16:46:00.000-08:00

Ok, there is NOTHING better than hearing a kid giggle. Seriously, nothing. BUT a kid who giggles with abandon who can't stop for over an hour? HILARIOUS!

So much fun was had by all during this sweet photo shoot and you have to know that any images without Lauren busting a gut was by sheer miracle.

Michele, Lloyd, Lauren & Jack...I simply love you guys :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

See image below for exhibit A of Lauren's giggle adventures...

Holiday Muses...

2011-12-10T10:37:00.000-08:00

Tiffany, Sky, Jake & B you have my heart on a string and every time we're together,

you make my camera sing.

Merry Christmas to four of my favorite muses and

BIG hugs to you all!

*Previous session with this family here:

http://smoochphotog.blogspot.com/2011/01/beach-boys.html

Singing in the Rain...

2011-11-29T22:15:00.000-08:00

"I never liked the rain until I walked through it with you,
Every thunder cloud that came was one more I might not get through.
On the darkest day there’s always light and now I see it too,
But I never liked the rain until I walked through it with you.
I hear it falling in the night and filling up my mind
All the heaven’s rivers come to light and I see it all unwind
I hear it talking through the trees and on the window pane
And when I hear it I just can’t believe I never liked the rain..."

- Clint Black

_____________________________________________________________

God Bless you Reid family! I adore each and every one of you and am so happy to be in your universe. Thanks for an amazing, sweet, loving and wet day together. You made my heart warm by just being near you.

HUGS!!!!

Kazoku (Family)

2011-11-18T16:38:00.000-08:00

How do you say "Family" in Japanese?

"Kazoku"

How do you demonstrate the love of a Family in a Japanese Garden?

You spend some time with these guys...

Thanks for an amazing day McNeal Family. My heart is fuller just by spending time with you.

Arigatou gozaimasu!!!

"To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right."

- Confucius

Using a bit of ring flash for fun :)

You made me gasp when I saw this image Silvia!

Pinkalicious!

2011-10-30T17:03:00.000-07:00

Lori & Hailey.

My most favorite mother & daughter duo to photograph. I got so excited when Lori called me to book another session for her Christmas cards with her newly 2 year old, sweetie pie Hailey.

Seriously, they are both gorgeous.

And Sweet.

And Fun.

And HELLO...they photograph beautifully!

You might remember them from a previous post back in March (http://smoochphotog.blogspot.com/2011/03/sweetest-thing.html).

I was not sure we could ever top that shoot. I loved every image and moment of that day.

But I think we did it!

The outfits, the SASS, the FUN and the beauty of these two rocks my world every time we are together and I am grateful to call them clients and friends.

Lori & Hailey, thanks a million for believing in me and for allowing me to capture your fantastic selves. I love you both to pieces...

HUGS!

In God's house...

2011-10-18T10:58:00.000-07:00

I LOVE full, traditional religious wedding ceremonies. Seriously. I do! So I was overjoyed when I found out the that Karen and John would be having a full Catholic ceremony in Malibu. (BTW: I count such weddings as a day spent in church :).

I spent a lovely, scorching hot Saturday afternoon with John and his buddies at Our Lady Of Malibu Church while Karen and her bridesmaids were primping with Rich and Christine from Yodsukar photography (they are rock stars btw). This groom and his guys were quite cool, but the day was seriously HOT so being the merciful photographer that I am, we decided to stay inside or in the shade (which was very slim that time of day) and do the groomsmen portraits. We were quickly melting and I did not want anyone to get cranky so we decided after awhile to do more shots at the reception site.

Back into the air conditioned room we went...

Then Karen arrived.

She was stunning and wore the most amazing wedding dress that looked as if it were designed for her body alone. She was breathtaking and I was thrilled to see John's reaction to her as she walked down the aisle with her father.

The ceremony was traditional and filled my soul with peace. It was truly beautiful. And loving. And heartfelt.

The god fearing woman and the photographer in me loved every moment.

The reception was held at the gorgeous Westlake Village Inn and we had a ball photographing this beautiful couple and their equally beautiful friends for hours.

So. Much. Fun.

The dance floor was rocking and John and Karen had the time of their lives. Documenting their day was a privilege and a really great time for us as well.

Best to you both Karen and John! I see many, many happy years in your future.

God Bless you both and a HUGE thanks to Yodsukar Photography for inviting me to shoot with them!

Tickled Pink...I Heart Faces

2011-10-16T21:24:00.000-07:00

Magically, mystically, sweetly, stunningly PINK!!!

More from this shoot here http://smoochphotog.blogspot.com/2011/10/pink.html...

Mon Bien-Aime Est a Moi et Je Suis Son...

2011-09-25T23:26:00.000-07:00

My Beloved is Mine and I am His...

He knew the moment he met her that she would be his forever. She said she knew too but still had to play a little hard to get.

They dated traditionally, met one anther's children and spent enough time together to know for sure this was a match made in the heavens. Once Maurice decided to make Isabelle his bride, he did something spectacular...he surprised he with a trip to France to see her parents and family for the Christmas Holiday.

Isabelle was stunned by such a gift but not as much as she was when Maurice knelt down next to the Seine and with the help of a very sly and very French portraiture artist...proposed marriage to his soulmate.

Sigh.

Thank GOD the girl said yes!

September 10th 2011

I was lucky to hanging out with the gorgeous Isabel while she got ready at the Ayers Hotel in Costa Mesa and she was a true joy! Sweet and calm as always, she was more worried about those around her than herself. Her darling daughter Madison helped keep her calm and down to earth by being the sassy and spunky pre-teen that she is and Isabelle's best friend Allison and Make-up/hair artist (and good friend) Janae stayed close by her side throughout.

I was also lucky to spend time with Maurice, his son Alexander and best man Max before the I do's as well. Maurice was cool as ice and sooo photogenic my camera would not stop shooting him (just wait till you see)! We had such fun wandering around the Ayers photographing these studly guys.

Isabel and Maurice were married at the BEAUTIFUL Talega Golf Club in San Clemente, CA and could not have been more romantic, calm or loving with one another.

They were married among 75 of their dearest family and friends and Isabelle's parents, brother and a few other family members traveled from France to witness the union of these two amazing people.

Isabelle and Maurice, your day was nothing short of spectacular as is the love I see between the two of you. Your wedding day made me feel this was is a romance meant for the movies and the stars and for eternity...

THANK YOU for choosing me to document such an important day. I am inspired by you both.

Special thanks to my assistant/second shooter Matthew Seville! You are the best.

Cheers to forever!

I Heart Kindergarden!

2011-09-12T09:13:00.000-07:00

My entry in the "I Heart Faces" weekly photo challenge features my little girl off to start her first day of kindergarden. She looks so self assured and happy and I feel like a puddle on the sidewalk as she walks away from me towards her new journey.

Such a precious and bittersweet day for her daddy and I...

Go get em sweetheart.

We are behind you 100% of the way...

Bubbly White...

2011-08-30T08:19:00.000-07:00

A sea of sweet bubbles, ton's of white light, a yellow rubber ducky and my sweet boy are featured in my entry for the "I HEART Faces" photo challenge this week.

Enjoy!

Hot day...cool couple!

2011-08-29T20:19:00.000-07:00

I was so lucky to have the opportunity to shoot my very first engagement session with the fantastic, very cool and very good looking Rachel and Dan at the University of Redlands campus last Saturday.

Rachel and Dan are both in law enforcement and have very busy and very conflicting schedules (even writing this is a serious understatement). We had a hard time making this shoot happen with their schedules but I am so glad we did because we had fun, got sweaty and they WORKED IT OUT in the 90 degree heat!!!

Rachel and Dan, you guys are a lovely, kind and loving couple and I cannot wait to photograph your beautiful wedding in 2 months! Thank you for a fun (albeit scorching hot) morning together and thanks for not drawing your guns or arresting me for my bad jokes...

See you in October!!!

The Majestic... (full)

2011-08-23T11:55:00.000-07:00

The Majestic...

2011-08-23T08:26:00.000-07:00

Little Flower in the Fields...

2011-08-20T10:17:00.000-07:00

One year old's are such fun to photograph and I seriously enjoyed this little muffin named Mariah.

We had fun following her around and watching g her explore the gorgeous surroundings and as she stopped to pick a wildflower or two I was reminded of how fast that first year goes when you are a parent.

So happy and so sad all at the same time...

Thanks Kristy for allowing me to meet and photograph your little angel.

You guys were such fun to hang out with!

Sweet Mariah, how you made me wish for another little girl to call my own....

Enjoy!

For your eyes only...

2011-08-13T11:45:00.000-07:00

Introducing the Smooch Photography Boudoir Portrait Session!

This Empowering experience can be as Fun, Expressive, Sexy & Risque as you want it to be...you are in charge!

These sessions are perfect for women of all ages shapes and sizes. Celebrate your amazing inner and outer beauty and love your body even more after you see your gorgeous portraits.

Book a session today or call to talk about a Boudoir party with Smooch Photography & some of your friends for a fun and memorable girls day/night out!

You will feel beautiful, sexy and empowered and your significant other will thank you for it!
(most importantly, you will thank yourself for it!)

Here are a few beautiful images from a recent Boudoir session I did in my home studio (these are the rated PG images).

I had so much fun with this wonderful client and she was simply gorgeous. She ordered a beautiful, timeless leather bound photo album and surprised her husband on their wedding anniversary...he LOVED it!!!

Yes...this could be YOU in these pictures!

Call Smooch to get your Va-Va-Voom on!!!

Rocking the Boat...

2011-08-09T07:21:00.000-07:00

I am a bit behind on my blogging but wanted to be sure and share this beautiful, fun and magical wedding from earlier this summer aboard the majestic Queen Mary in Long Beach.

I loved this energetic & loving couple who were so sweet and so genuinely in love with one another it was palpable.

When the groom recited his romantic and inspirational wedding vows by heart (without reading from any notes), it took our collective breath away and there was not a dry eye on the boat.

The bride was luminescent and elegant and so in love, she glowed beautifully all day...

With a day as beautiful and sun filled as this was and with so much love and support from family and friends, these two and sure to have a life together filled with laughter, blessings and lot's and lot's of love.

Cheers to a new Mr. & Mrs. among us!!!

Special thanks to Christine Walker with CW Photography for asking me to shoot this fantastic wedding with you!

Wedding in the trees...

2011-07-16T16:44:00.000-07:00

She was my little cousin. We were 3 years apart. She would follow her brother and I around wanting to play with us and we usually did not let her. She was too "little" and too "dumb" and we could not be bothered...

Forward 30 something years later and she is getting married. I walk into the bright room where she is getting ready and she is stunning. A bride, a wife to be and oh, did I forget to mention? My little cousin has also just become a doctor (pediatrician). Not so little... Not so dumb...

This wedding was full of family, friends and overflowing love for the bride and groom. It was a beautiful, heartfelt day full of promises, hugs and plenty of kisses! (and lot's of fun references to the couples love of all things science fiction).

David & Valerie were a vision of love and pure happiness and gave the party of a lifetime in the most magical place I have ever been.
My heart and creative mind were full and joyful and the location of this wedding was nothing short of majestic...

Lucky me to be Val's cousin and lucky me to be allowed to capture her beauty on that day with my camera.

Love and happiness to you both Val and David.

May the force be with you forever...

Advice for Aspiring Photographers

2011-07-15T07:53:00.000-07:00

A terrific article for anyone thinking about entering the world of photography as a professional. I feel this applies to any business though and also much of it to life in general.

I don't know Cheryl Jacobs Nicolia (the author) but I do know I like her perspective a lot :)

My personal advice to add on to this: PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. I shot mostly my kids and family and friends (for free) for more than five years before starting my business professionally (and I am still only a year and a half into my business...I am new too!).

I am not saying you should wait as long as I did but with two babies and a full time job, I was simply not ready and I knew that. You must be technically sound before you jump into the deep end of this pool and should really know your way around your camera very well because (and you can quote me on this) you WILL have moments where things are not going well and you will need to know how to get yourself out of a bad situation and into a favorable one for the sake of your reputation and for your clients. In my opinion, this includes learning to use off camera lighting as well (just MY opinion).

Oh and one more minor detail...this business is BUSINESS so be prepared to put on your business hat on about 75% of the time (whether you like it or not...). Sadly, shooting is only part of it :)

Last but not least, once you are official and have your business running you MUST join the {b} School where and you will learn a ton, get fantastic support and have thousand of amazing photographer to inspire and support you and your growing business. Tell them Michele@Smooch sent you!

www.thebschool.com

Professionalism is key and professionals know their stuff and can navigate most situations expertly.

Now, read on then grab your camera, take it off the "Auto" mode and have a ball figuring it all out

(the most important part of all!).

Enjoy!

My Advice For Aspiring Photographers

By Cheryl Jacobs Nicolai

12 Mar 2008

I get asked all the time, during workshops, in e-mails, in private messages, what words of wisdom I would give to a new and aspiring photographer. Here's my answer.

- Style is a voice, not a prop or an action. If you can buy it, borrow it, download it, or steal it, it is not a style. Don't look outward for your style; look inward.

- Know your stuff. Luck is a nice thing, but a terrifying thing to rely on. It's like money; you only have it when you don't need it.

- Never apologize for your own sense of beauty. Nobody can tell you what you should love. Do what you do brazenly and unapologetically. You cannot build your sense of aesthetics on a concensus.

- Say no. Say it often. It may be difficult, but you owe it to yourself and your clients. Turn down jobs that don't fit you, say no to overbooking yourself. You are no good to anyone when you're stressed and anxious.

- Learn to say "I'm a photographer" out loud with a straight face. If you can't say it and believe it, you can't expect anyone else to, either.

- You cannot specialize in everything.

- You don't have to go into business just because people tell you you should! And you don't have to be full time and making an executive income to be successful. If you decide you want to be in business, set your limits before you begin.

- Know your style before you hang out your shingle. If you don't, your clients will dictate your style to you. That makes you nothing more than a picture taker. Changing your style later will force you to start all over again, and that's tough.

- Accept critique, but don't apply it blindly. Just because someone said it does not make it so. Critiques are opinions, nothing more. Consider the advice, consider the perspective of the advice giver, consider your style and what you want to convey in your work. Implement only what makes sense to implement. That doesn't make you ungrateful, it makes you independent.

- Leave room for yourself to grow and evolve. It may seem like a good idea to call your business "Precious Chubby Tootsies"....but what happens when you decide you love to photograph seniors? Or boudoir?

- Remember that if your work looks like everyone else's, there's no reason for a client to book you instead of someone else. Unless you're cheaper. And nobody wants to be known as "the cheaper photographer".

- Gimmicks and merchandise will come and go, but honest photography is never outdated.

- It's easier to focus on buying that next piece of equipment than it is to accept that you should be able to create great work with what you've got. Buying stuff is a convenient and expensive distraction. You need a decent camera, a decent lens, and a light meter. Until you can use those tools consistently and masterfully, don't spend another dime. Spend money on equipment ONLY when you've outgrown your current equipment and you're being limited by it. There are no magic bullets.

- Learn that people photography is about people, not about photography. Great portraits are a side effect of a strong human connection.

- Never forget why you started taking pictures in the first place. Excellent technique is a great tool, but a terrible end product. The best thing your technique can do is not call attention to itself. Never let your technique upstage your subject.

- Never compare your journey with someone else's. It's a marathon with no finish line. Someone else may start out faster than you, may seem to progress more quickly than you, but every runner has his own pace. Your journey is your journey, not a competition. You will never "arrive". No one ever does.

- Embrace frustration. It pushes you to learn and grow, broadens your horizons, and lights a fire under you when your work has gone cold. Nothing is more dangerous to an artist than complacency.

http://jpgmag.com/stories/3265 (full article here)

Littlest Minnow....

2011-07-04T07:52:00.000-07:00

Meet adorable baby Garrison. A long awaited miracle baby for my dear friends Kristi & Jeff.

Garrison and I met at the tender age of 2 weeks in his home and we immediately fell in love.

(Well, he fell asleep. I fell in love)

I was unsure about photographing newborns until I met baby G and now I am less unsure about it. I have a feeling however, that he went easy on me so I won't let my head swell.

Enjoy this sweet little bundle of joy.

Welcome baby Garrison.

You had us at hello...

The Sweetest Little Lemon...

2011-06-30T08:25:00.000-07:00

Meet baby Meyer (named after the lemon) and her darling mom Susan.

I photographed them in the park a couple of weekends ago and could not have had a more lovely and calm experience (and the light was to die for through the trees that afternoon).

As you can see, Meyer is a doll face and is a very sweet and charming baby.

She protested loudly when put down so we did most of the shoot in mama's arms, which is fine with me because being in mom's arms makes this lemon even sweeter....

Enjoy!

Two & A Half Men...

2011-06-23T22:12:00.000-07:00

LOVED meeting these two guys and their little man Noah Boston and had such fun photographing them in the park last weekend. Baby Boston was a wonderful baby and I loved his sweet face and personality...so chill!

Travis and Aaron, I loved meeting and photographing you and hope to see your handsome, happy faces again in the near future. Keep up the fantastic parenting... you guys make a great team!

Here's a peek at a few of my favorite images from our time together.

Short but sweet (just like Noah Boston)...

Enjoy!

Matt+Frankie=Married!!!

2011-06-17T16:13:00.000-07:00

I was so lucky to spend a blissful Saturday a couple of weekends ago shooting Frankie and Matt's amazing wedding at the GORGEOUS Bacara resort in Santa Barbara with Rich and Christine of Yodsukar Photography.

While expecting a beautiful, outdoor ceremony overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the rain decided to make a very un-welcomed (and very rare) appearance and force us indoors for the day. Now, think of some of those people you know and how they might react to such news on their highly anticipated wedding day...I did. I know more than a handful of people who would have cursed the weather and spent the day wondering what could have been rather than what was.

But...

The rain did not dampen the spirits of this wonderful couple one bit. They were just happy to be getting married and happy to have one another for eternity. I loved their perspective about the importance and significance of the day, and crying about a rainy wedding day was not on the agenda. What was on the agenda were many tears of joy, lovely, heartfelt embraces, one hundred very close knit family and friends, an amazing and fun reception and beauty all around.

The rain only added to the beauty...

Frankie and Matt, you guys simply wowed me with your grace and love for one another. I wish you a lifetime of all of the things present on your wedding day...but perhaps a little less rain :)

Huge thanks and compliments to the following incredible vendors:

Photography & Cinematography-

Yodsukar Photography - Rich & Christine

Photography - Smooch Photography by Michele Menier

Site - Bacara Resort and Spa

Coordinator - La Fete Weddings - Collette Lopez

Flowers: Santa Barbara Style

Hair & Make-up - Make-up by Samantha

Band - Dwight Kennedy Band

New Light...

2011-06-06T15:11:00.000-07:00

Some images from an AMAZING workshop I took last week with the incredible teacher, photographer and lighting guru, Zack Arias.

I am going to keep this simple for once and let the images speak for themselves.

I learned so much from Zack and feel so much gratitude to him for his simple but detailed way of teaching. He let us screw up and then get it right. He was there to support us but not to "fix it". I am anxious to practice what I learned and hopefully perfect these techniques and my off camera lighting as I continue to learn and grow in this journey & art which is photography.

Enjoy.