Wow, have I been a bad blogger! I’ve been doing a bunch of newborns and the moms I’ve worked with want to keep the new photos under wraps until the announcements go out – so I haven’t been posting as much.
Winter is a bit slower with the big kids photography. I think it’s a mold that should be broken! Outdoor sessions can be so much fun – playing in snow, big furry hats, snowball fights and rosy cheeks… It’s a fun way to think outside of the box when it comes to family portraits – especially if you’re an outdoor type of family!
Here’s a few to show what I mean. This one is a tough subject – he’s mine! Always a challenge for photographers to do sessions with their own children. They know all our tricks and have a love/hate relationship with the camera for sure. He’s getting better though – a LOT can be accomplished with promises of lollipops!
Hope that you’re staying warm but getting outside to enjoy the snow!
An expression only a mom could love…
my favorite…
and a throwback grainy one for you…
Interesting, I feel like all my posts have been about giving lately. It’s funny because I think motherhood has made me a little more aware of what is going on in this world I brought my son into. I try to do what I can, and photography is what I live and breathe – that’s how I can help and maybe get someone else to help too.
Valentine’s Day has never been a favorite of mine. I know, bah humbug. My hubby is in a business that means he has to work that day – we usually celebrate it the night before or after so I’m no too sentimental about it.
So how to get in the spirit? I thought it would be nice to do something for Valentine’s Day and help Haiti out the only way I know how.
Book a Valentine’s session before January 31st and I will only charge half my sitting fee. That half sitting fee will go directly to Haiti. You can match it if you wish (hint, hint) but your still getting my time free – the half session fee is now a donation that will make your heart feel all warm and fuzzy. Just in time for Valentine’s Day! Perfect!
The details -
Normal fee of $150 is reduced to $75 and ALL OF IT will all go to a Haiti charity (I am still checking to make sure the money goes to a good one, leaning towards Red Cross right now)
1 hour session booked between now and Feb 14th of you and your honey. Maybe you just got engaged, celebrated an anniversary, or just because you haven’t had your portrait done in a while! Session must be shot before April 10th and will include 10-15 images in a online gallery. Valentine package is $500 and includes 10 gift prints, and an 16×20 print.
To re-cap – you’re getting a session for $75 bucks and that’s going to charity. Cool! Then, $650 worth of prints for only $500? That’s a pretty sweet deal, if I do say so myself.
Book today! It’ll be so much fun I promise. Plus, you won’t have to think of a Valentine’s gift this year – it’s all done for you.
xoxo! (I’m getting in the spirit -see???)
I’ve decided on a winner!!!!! This family has had a REALLY tough year. They are deserving in so many ways and I hope this will be a small step to start 2010 with a smile.
This has been such an amazing experience, I am completely humbled by the nominees and the amazing obstacles they have overcome. I am contacting the winner today, I want to check with them before putting their story on here, but I thank everyone who nominated someone. YOU are inspiring also for caring so selflessly!
This has been an amazing year. I have been blessed with amazing family, friends, and now a career that completes me in a way I didn’t know possible. Thanks to all of you for your support – I couldn’t have done an inch of it without you.
The following is a video of my favorites from this year – you’ll see a bunch of my little man (he is my favorite, after all) and a bunch of friends and family – but the majority is my clients who I would like to thank for letting me document your life. All my love, Cristina
*****To see my thank you slideshow, click HERE! 
*****
Well, I am SO behind on blogging! The holidays were crazy and now things are slowing down to a perfect pace. Besides, I had to post this beautiful mom and her new arrival.
Lori was so patient waiting for this blog peek. She is a “belly to baby” client – meaning we did a maternity and newborn package combination. It’s a great way to remember your pregnancy, and I do an album so that you have the maternity pictures along with the newborn shots all together. It’s so beautiful, even more so when a mom is as natural as this to photograph.
I’ll take you through our little journey!
I wanted to do a more artistic texture for this, as there was a lot of cream wall. She’s just such a beautiful mom to be!!
I love seeing the before and after. While pregnant she looks so ready to meet her little girl – the after shot in the same nursing chair is all warm and happy now that she’s arrived!
Honestly, is it fair that someone looks this great 6 days after a C-section? Sheesh!
A little story board of the new family and big brother…
And introducing the newest addition to Lori’s family… isn’t she as beautiful as mom is?
Thanks Lori for letting me share this special time with your family. It’s been great getting to know you!
C
I’ve been so blessed and have had a great year with Cristina Coco Photography. I’ve met amazing clients, created some images I’m really proud of, and been so lucky to have such an amazing job.
So the best way to say thank you is to give back, share a little something that has made me so happy with others who might not be so fortunate.
Through my photography friends I’ve been in touch with a little group called Giving is Awesome. Pretty simple – give to others, it’s pretty awesome. This group encourages photographers to give back to their community by donating their time and images to people who might have had a rough year, not be able to afford their services, or really just need some photography in their life for a special reason.
SO – I’m asking YOU blog readers – please nominate someone who really needs this. Someone who has touched your life. Someone who needs a smile. Someone who needs a memory that otherwise might not be able to afford it. Maybe someone that has a special moment they need documented. Send me an email and tell me their story and why they deserve a special gift this holiday season. The email for this contest will be info@cristinacocophoto.com and it will be open until midnight on January 2nd.
The winner of the contest will receive $900 in prints and services. The nominator (that’s you!) will receive $200 print credit. Again, deadline for the nomination is on January 2nd and I will announce the winner on January 4th on the blog. The only rule for the contest is that the winner be in Westchester, Rockland, Fairfield, Bronx. Staten Island and Manhattan Counties, or Cape Cod, MA and nearby areas.
Thanks so much! Do your part – please forward to as many people as you can – even if you don’t know someone directly, maybe a friend does!
WOW. It has been a couple of crazy weeks here! I honestly haven’t stopped. I feel like one of Santa’s elves! With all the Holiday cards and albums, prints and canvases – my office looks like a UPS store.
I just wanted to post to all my clients – if you are looking to get prints in time for the Christmas – the order deadline is December 9th – a week from today. As for holiday cards, it’s too late, but I have a little store at Minted (click here for the link) with some nice options – their quality is excellant – nice heavy card stock, I prefer them over tiny prints, etc. I will be happy to upload your image for you as well! I wish I could design more cards, but time isn’t on my side!
Here is a little peak at a shot from my holiday card. This is all I’m showing for now, but he’s a cute little man. He loves this bike, given to him by my godparents! Thanks Uncle Bob and Aunt Lynn!
Monday, November 23, 2009 Posted in Sessions
I seem to do A LOT of three children families. And I love it! I think the kids are quicker to open up to you, and they are a little quicker to show you their individual personalities. Maybe it’s just because they are used to having a lot of different people around, or maybe they are just used to change everyday. Whatever it is, totally works for me!
These three were no exception. The oldest and I hit it off right away due to our fondness of Taylor Swift, and her little brother really liked my camera. The youngest, cute as a button and an adorable personality! Most of all, I meet A LOT of kids, and the manners on these were top notch. Nice job mom!
Did I mention there were lollipops involved? That always helps too…
Seriously, could she be any cuter? I love when I ask moms to bring fun hats and they deliver!!
Not to mention her beautiful big sister and brother…
My favorite shot of the day!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 Posted in Sessions
Or one that should have traveled anyway! I met these two sweethearts in my son’s music class last year. They are both really sweet girls and pretty friendly, so Mom and I were surprised when the little one wasn’t really a happy camper starting out. Turns out, we had put her in a jean skirt for the session and she hated it! If we had taken it off sooner we could have gotten a ton more smiles, but she was so beautiful with those huge eyes and chubby cheeks it didn’t bother me in the least!
Here are those two being perfect little angels! I know their mom will love this as much as I do!
Sometimes to get younger kids warmed up I play an expressions game. Basically I tell them a feeling and they show me what face they would make. In case you can’t tell – (DUH!!) first is a funny face, then a sad face, happy face, and a maaaaaad face. It gets great shots every time and they always loosen up for smiles after! 
Now, the skirt is still on here, so at this point the only thing that would make her smile was tickles from her big sister!
And then Mom helped out with having her point to her ears, eyes, nose and hair! Technically this is the “where is your hair” shot, but all I see are eyes!!!
I have this Daisy Buchanan vision with big sister… Beth, please forgive me that all your images of her are super dreamy – Great Gatsby is one of my favorite books and I kept going back to that while editing!!
Thanks for a fun time ladies! Beth, more to come soon!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009 Posted in Sessions
This is my beautiful god daughter – I am so lucky to have her in my life and she is so much fun to play with! We went on our annual Christmas card shoot, this time at the church where she goes to nursery school. I know, might seem a little weird doing a session at a church – but they have the most beautiful little courtyard with such amazing light. I noticed it when we went to the Harvest Festival there and as I’ve been picking up a lot of clients from Bronxville, I thought it would be a great easy spot to meet clients.
She is a complex little girl, which I love about her. She takes a moment to figure you out… (not with me anymore, but she does look sort of reflective here!) Not my normal black and whites. My friends and family have to put up with me testing new things. Let me know what you think of it, ok?
and then the craziness takes over…
I told you this was a pretty little courtyard! A lot of clients ask me what they should dress their kids in. This is a great example! Texture on the sweater, beautiful color, layers to take on and off. Oh, and really cool boots don’t hurt either! I love this shot!!
And here is litte Miss Fi doing what she does best – looking adorable!!
by Cristina
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