Not a Very Good Blogger............

Okay, so confession time.....I feel like I've done this before - that is explain that I am not a good blogger. It has been MONTHS! But it also turns out for the last several days I am a decent Facebook'er SO..........visit me there......become a fan......GOOD things happen to Bubble Gum Portrait fans.....don't believe me? Give it a try and you'll be hearing from me!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bubble-Gum-Portraits/86784652882?ref=ts

As you can see from the photos above from Wednesday's Baby on the Mirror session I am a better photographer than blogger.......enough groveling and back to working on images.

Can't wait for Baby Cruz's Newborn session tomorrow. Then off to Tahoe for a few days (with the family but I'll try to remember to take pics worth sharing!) and back on Tuesday for a 10am session with Laticia B., her lovely baby bump and son. Can't wait! 'Til then be sure to check Bubble Gum Portraits out on FB!

The Ocons and NILMDTS

The Gift of Photography By Elizabeth Donham

Pregnant women often worry about the health of their unborn baby and most babies are born with little drama and perfect health. There are times, however, when the unthinkable happens. It is parents’ worst fear. For Manuel and Sarita Ocon their worst fear was realized on October 10, 2006. Manuel was running errands and Sarita was at home preparing to feed their 3 young daughters. She was pregnant with their fourth child when she went into labor - but this time it felt different. Heavily bleeding she called Manuel and begged him to hurry home to take her to the hospital.

Once there Manuel thought it would be a few hours before she delivered so he took his three hungry girls to the hospital cafeteria. He had been through this routine three times before and was confident the doctors and nurses would help get Sarita comfortable and he would rejoin her with the kids once they were fed. The idea that anything was even remotely wrong was far from his mind. When he returned a short time later to her room, expecting to find her hooked up to an epidural and sitting (more or less) comfortably in labor, he was instead greeted by a doctor with the horrible news that their son “did not make it." It happened all so fast.

“…..they (the nurses) brought my son to me wrapped up like a newborn baby and handed him to me.” Manuel shares. “I just started crying and telling God, “Why him? Please help me, please revive my son!” “My husband came in - the whole family did.” Sarita tells of the hours after her emergency C-Section delivery of their full-term still baby boy Jonah Manuel Ocon. “Manuel and I cried so hard. I just remember saying sorry and blaming myself. I was supposed to be the Mom and not let this happen.”

“Later I was asked if I would like a volunteer photographer to take pictures for our memories,” says Sarita. “I said yes….it would be the only way to ever look back. When I met our photographer the tone in her voice was so understanding, soft and just reached out to me. I was so happy to know that she did in fact capture every moment, of every feeling and our whole story though her pictures. I will never regret holding my son and saying yes to my son’s photographer. I could not thank her enough……”

When a family is faced with the loss of their baby, professional photography is not often the first thought they have on their minds. Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep volunteers work to inform and educate hospital staff of our services so they can share this gift with families. With the parents’ consent, a local NILMDTS area coordinator is notified that a photographer has been requested. The photographer sensitively and compassionately creates portraits of the baby and family. Within a few weeks these images are delivered to the families. There is never a charge for this service - it is always a gift.

“As a healthcare professional, specifically in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit," says Rebecca A. Bratcher, Child Life Specialist at Sutter Memorial Hospital in Sacramento. "I feel overwhelmingly grateful for having the ability to offer parents and families the gift of 'Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep'. Time captured…of the most beautiful and intimate of moments…between parent and child is precious and sacred. These images celebrate and honor the existence of life without end…and what an honor it is to be able to offer this gift. Time and again I hear from families of how thankful and indebted they feel for receiving the everlasting images of their beautiful baby. A parents’ ability to express gratitude in the depths of grief continue to validate the importance of this foundation. Although no one could ever imagine being faced with such a situation, this is an invaluable service available to our community and to preserving the legacy of a child’s life.”

The NILMDTS Foundation is centered in Colorado, however, over 6,000 NILMDTS volunteers now photograph in all 50 states as well as 25 international countries. It is our goal that all families that might benefit from our services be aware of this organization whether this is through hospital staff or family friends. If you are interested in more information about NILMDTS please visit their website at: http://www.nilmdts.com/

Happy New Year!!!

Sweet Lana......

Sweet, HAPPY Lana.....

One week old Reed with Mom and Dad....

Reed safe in Dad's arms......

Little Reed..........

Okay, so it is half way thru the month of January and so I probably should stop saying Happy New Year now.....but I am truly happy for the new year. I am very excited about 2009 both personally and professionally. Personally I am happy that my family is healthy and well adjusted and professionally I couldn't ask for a better job. Just recently I had the honor of photographing the two cuties you see above. Nothing beats this to wake up to in the morning!

I will not (I am not a fan of New Years resolutions) promise to do a better job blogging (although I do appreciate the friendly email reminders to update this blog - I loved to be loved!) but I do have a few things on my mind to update here. I will not elaborate more at this time but just check back or email me Elizabeth@BubbleGumPortraits.com to tell me to add you to my blog update email list. Also, keep your eyes open in your in boxes for another edition of the BubbleGumPortraits newsletter coming this week! (Hint, hint, special offers will be in there! I will update those same offers here, but next week after my email group has their first few.)

One thing I do want to mention today, however, is the most pleasant time I had last Friday speaking with the 20+ members of the MOM's group in Fair Oaks. They were fun and welcoming and eager to learn more about how Mom's can take better snap shots. We discussed lots of situations from bright light and low light shooting conditions to framing, cropping, and technical applications of their cameras. I also hosted a drawing where a lucky Mom won a free children session and prints. Their session is scheduled for the end of January so of course I will share some of their portraits after that session!

Sweet Myra

Myra on the Mirror

As I mentioned in an earlier post - here is beautiful Myra on the mirror but I couldn't resist posting the sweet one of her in blue either.  This baby on the mirror shot is especially fun for me because her big brother Ryan (he's three now) was my very first baby I photographed on the mirror.  At that time I wasn't sure about the technique but I had the portrait already created in my mind and was determined to photograph it to show his mom.  I figured I was in for a challenge.....not the case. Ryan simply sat down and worked with me.  It was truly magical.  Now, not only is his mirror photo a 20x30 in my studio but I have had the honor of photographing many more babies on the mirror.  It is so rewarding as an artist to have a vision and have such wonderful clients and models willing to let me play.  I love this job!

I can hardly believe it is only Wednesday because this week already feels like I fit at least twice that into it!  (I am not complaining - just marveling!)  Between photo sessions and proofing sessions and creating print orders I have had the extreme pleasure of meeting with Bernadette from Luxe Salon & Spa on J Street.  (You can visit their website at:  http://luxe-midtown.com/-.html) Luxe is funky and modern and sleek and they have a host of very talented beauty professionals there.  I had been experiencing a rough start to my day before arriving (you know the kind, all red lights, split coffee, trying not to run late!) but the moment I walked in there I took a big deep breath and just felt more relaxed.  Imagine if I had an appointment for a treatment or new do! :)  Bernadette and I are working on a project where Fred will hang some of his Sacramento CityScape images and I will create some fun portraits of their staff for the walls - and hopefully their website too!  She and I have a few more ideas of some fun upcoming events that are in the brain storming phase now but I promise to share as soon as I have more details!

Cooper - 2 Weeks Old

Cooper - 2 Weeks Old

Shaine - 1 Week Old

Shaine - 1 Week Old

Shaine - 1 Week Old

As you can see, these were two very sweet boys to photograph.  (Have I mentioned before how much I love my "job"!) 

Okay, so it is also so important to me to be involved in my community so last night Fred and I packed up our mobile studio and landed on our kids' elementary school for their annual Harvest Festival Dance.  We set up our fall themed background and had a great evening photographing some very festive kids.  I wasn't sure what to expect as this was the first year we photo'd this event - but the kids and costumes were too great!  I am hoping to get some permission from a few kids' parents to post their pics here because I LOVED THEM!

Tomorrow Fred and I are photo'ing a big old family gathering.  We've been told to expect 14 family members from 3 generations so we are ready!  We'll be meeting at a local park late afternoon.  Between all the people and the great fall colors I am excited.

It is not too late to schedule a great fall, outdoor session.  Call (363-5465) or email (elizabeth@bubblegumportraits.com) to schedule a session!

Okay, so it turns out that I am not a very good blogger.  For those of you who have noticed (and said something to me!) - thank you.  It is very nice to know that you've missed my little updates and photos here. I promise to make a better effort to keep this up. :) 

In my defense, I have been so busy doing what I love most professionally - photo'ing.  Today, I am meeting with a lovely new bride, Denise.  Fred (my husband and business partner) and I photographed her and her husband John at their wedding.  Today she and I will be selecting images for her album.  Denise has been so wonderful and so organized that I am really looking forward to meeting with her today.

I have also been busy photo'ing new little ones.  I PROMISE I will post some cute lil' one portraits over the next week.  For sure I'll post some of Shaine (1 week old) and Cooper (2 weeks old).  Oh!  And of course sweet Myra at 6 months sitting on the mirror.....TOO cute.  And if I can keep this pace up I'll even post some images from a great outdoor session I did recently with 2 year old cousins Richie and Gus.  

Busy, busy day but here's time for a Sneak Peak!

As I promised in an earlier post, here are a few peaks at the family and baby session with Miguel, Liz and Lacie last week. I'm sure you're clever and will see which ones might ultimately be framed on their walls vs. funny out takes. Actually, scratch that, with my wild and fun clients, you never really know which ones will make the wall! That is the true magic of art, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Hope you all enjoy these few images.