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Feb 13 2012

how fast they grow…

I can’t believe its a year since the cold winter day I first met tiny little baby Ellie. She was a tad fussy despite her mom and dad coos and adoration. We caught in in this sweet sleep smile.

The next time Ellie came to my studio and was so plump and jolly. A real ham for the camera!

She loved being in the sunshine of the garden outside my studio.
And then last week, I came back to her house where we got to play and capture her home and daily life. She was such a happy cheerful little soul.

We ended the shoot with her sitting in the spot she spends plenty of time having snacks and and watching mommy cook.

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Jan 31 2012

Cutest Kid Contest!

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Three reason’s why you should sign up your very own adorable child:

1. Prizes are $1000 savings bond, a free camera, $500 airline gift card, $300 print credit with Christina Shook Photography

2. With your beautiful child and my great photographs, surely you’ll win!

3. ALL the money raised goes to Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (NILMDTS). And you will never love the small miracle that is your child as you do when you think about the families that have lost a baby.

FREE to enter – you just need to do a session with me before March 15th. We’ll choose the cutest – and that will be hard – to submit to the national gallery. Then we’ll get to work asking people to vote for you. Every vote will donate $1 to the cause.

Check out the competition here.

I can’t enter my own children. But they’re so darn cute! Here’s my 5 year old excited about a new umbrella on a rainy day.

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Jan 24 2012

Before and after – maternity and baby photos

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New life is never ceases to amaze me. One day I’m shooting a beautiful woman all roundness and anticipation. Then she’ll come back a few weeks later and instead of a tight round belly she is holding a tiny little human being.

This was one of my favorite maternity shoots last year. Her native african dress was a visual delight and her glowing bright smile and enjoyment made it a fun session.

She finally brought me in her beautiful baby boy on his exactly first birthday. He was such a good little fellow, totally engaged with whatever toy, person or object in front of him.

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Jan 16 2012

What I like about Martin Luther King Jr’s family photograph

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Its a hard for me to imagine Martin Luther King Jr. as a real person. He died before I was born and his words seem nearly like bible prophecy to me. But seeing his family photograph gives him a human scale that I’ve never quite felt before.

I love this picture because it is like any family I’ve every photographed. Dad fussing over his son’s tie, mom trying to keep smiling while her eye’s dart over to see what he’s doing, the shy little boy looking a bit anxious and fiddly, the little girl with a sassy pose hip out arm thrown around mom. This, my friends, is what family is.

Don’t you think this is a much more interesting photo than everyone in stiff smiles and perfect poses? Of the many Christmas cards photographs I took this year here are a few of my favorites that embrace the real moments.

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Jan 10 2012

3 simple rules on how to choose your wedding photographer

Along with christmas lights and office parties – romance and commitment seem to happen at the holidays. Matthew McConaughey and Justin Timberlake popped the proposal this 2011 Christmas. And January and February are key months I book weddings too.

Once you’ve got your date and venue – its time for the photographer. The range of price and quality is vast and seemingly random at times. There are mediocre photographers charging a kingly sum and fabulous photographers asking for a barely living wage.

While there are lots of website with ridiculously long lists of How to Qualify Your Wedding Photographer, I’m going to make it simple for your. There are essentially 3 things you need to know.

1. and this really is number one… LOVE their photography. Find a photographer who’s pictures touch you. Do you love photos of all the groomsmen jumping in the air? Do you love lots of photos of your guests or more fashion focused on the bride and gorgeous details. If you love dancing, how are their dancing photos… This should be the easy part – use your heart. Start with their website but be sure to see examples of entire weddings, not just their best shots.

2. Confidence and a good rapport. This is your big day, all your loved ones are there and its the best party of your life. Its critical you have trust and confidence in your photographer. Is she a total pro with a solid contract, good communication, organization, and at least a few years experience shooting weddings?
And do you like her? Your photographer is very present at the wonderful and intimate moments and can really influence the flow and vibe of the day. This is the person who will be talking to your mom, sister, relatives and she can make the family photo hour either fun and smooth or stressful and chaotic.

3. Budget. This is harder. But make a range and stick to it. If you’re really not loving anything you find, then maybe you are undervaluing what good wedding photography costs and you’ll need to bump it up or cut back on what you need. The general rule is 10 – 12% of the budget, but this can really vary in how much you personally love photography.

And let me ask you married people – what was the one thing that clinched it for you when deciding your wedding photographer?

So just for fun and because any photographer blog post needs some photos, here’s my favorite holiday wedding of my very sweet and couple, Kelly and Tyler at Saint Mary’s Church in Moraga and the Orinda Country Club: