The Smile That Went on Forever | San Diego Senior Photography
Shelly had this smile that just wouldn’t quit! She fell into her poses pretty naturally, and we had a lot of fun photographing her senior portraits in Balboa Park! One of the things we love about Balboa Park is how many backgrounds we can do for different looks. And we always encourage our seniors to bring a few outfit changes to mix it up even more! Enjoy the sneak peeks!
I love the look of fall in this first one!
Just look at those pretty eyes!
What We Did This Weekend | San Diego Photography
This weekend we had a great time working at the San Diego Kid’s Expo!! This was our first official expo, and we were impressed with all the great things they had for the kids, from diaper derbies to a rock climb, a skateboard area, 3 jump houses, face painting, clowns, and lots of vendors boasting some great products and services . . . not to mention a couple of cool photographers! 
They thought of everything – they even had a HUGE nursing area for the moms, and the dads got a lounge where they could check on the game – seriously!! We’ll be featuring a couple of the vendors in the near future here on our blog. In the meantime, here’s a peek at our booth!
The Prado | San Diego Wedding Vendors
If you live in San Diego, you are probably aware of the fabulous restaurant in the heart of Balboa Park, The Prado. The Prado offers fine dining, and hosts many weddings throughout the year. Weddings are held outdoors near a quaint wishing well, and there are several rooms available for a reception. Next month, The Prado will be hosting NBC Throws a Wedding for Stefanie and Jerry! The viewers and YOU will get to vote on the menu selection for the wedding guests. Below are a few images of each menu offering! (Please try to restrain yourself from trying to eat through your monitor!)
This dinner features charbroiled filet mignon with 2 jumbo prawns skewered with a rosemary sprig, over mashed potatoes, all atop wilted grazing greens. The first course is a butternut squash soup with foam and crushed walnuts. The meal includes a small, potted creme brulee!
This dinner features grilled yellowtail and charbroiled chicken, over sweet potatoes and greens. The first course includes grilled asparagus and frisee salad with tomatoes.
The final selection is quite the conversation piece, featuring beef short ribs and a lobster pot pie, accompanied by mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus. The first course is a baby spinach salad with sliced strawberries, and shaved parmesan, drizzled with a balsamic reduction.
Hungry? Well before heading to the kitchen, click here to vote for your choice! (Voting begins after the Friday morning news, 9.25.09.)
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Dario Salon | San Diego Wedding Vendors
We met up with Stefanie at Dario Salon in La Jolla while they created 3 separate, beautiful hair styles for voting, for NBC Throws a Wedding at the Prado. Dario and the girls, Jamie and Shannon, worked tirelessly, and their attention to detail was impeccable – seriously, not a single hair out of place!! Dario Salon is modern, yet comfortable, with comfy chairs and sofa, and plenty of fashion magazines. They offer a full line of services (cut, style, color, extensions, makeup, etc.) for complete pampering!
Stefanie was sooo cute – there were a couple times I noticed her looking into the mirror, or at the back of my camera, and she was REALLY seeing herself as a bride. It’s one of those moments that hits brides, and I never get tired of witnessing it. One time I noticed Stefanie looking down after she saw herself, and she had this huge smile on her face. I just let her have the moment. Then she looked up and said Jerry is just going to be blown away. I teared up for her (yes, I’m a HUGE sap)! It’s so great when we get to see the excitement and anticipation, and how tickled brides get at the idea of surprising their grooms!
Here are a couple of photos from each hair style. To view more on NBC’s wedding website, and cast your vote for your favorite hairstyle – click here. Voting begins after the NBC morning news on Friday, 9.18.09.
Style 1 – This style is mostly down – soft, flowy, and romantic, and accented with little white flowers in the back.
Style 2 – This style is half up and half down, with a little Spanish flair. The back is swept to the side, and comes over Stefanie’s shoulder.
Style 3 – This one is a traditional up do, with a very classic style.
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What we did this morning!
This morning we were present for the NBC 7/39 San Diego morning news – what an early wake up call. I don’t know how those newscasters and technical crew do that 5 days a week. Thankfully, this was a special occasion for us! This morning, they taped the cake segment for the upcoming NBC Throws a Wedding at the Prado, coming up in just a few more weeks. Don’t those cakes look spectacular! The 3 vendors competing are Sweetcheeks Baking Co., The French Gourmet, and Heavenly Cupcake. Here are a couple photos from this morning’s broadcast:
Sweetcheeks Baking Co. | San Diego Wedding Vendors
UPDATE!!! 9.18.09 – Just announced: Sweetcheeks Baking Co. wins the vote!
Sweetcheeks Baking Co. is one of the competitors for the NBC Throws a Wedding at the Prado event in October 2009. The ladies there are friendly and creative – and truly enjoy their jobs! They were working on a huge cake while I was there, and they excitedly showed me all the various elements they had been working on prior to assembly. They are truly passionate about their job, and it shows!
This is the cake they’ve designed for Stefanie and Jerry, the lucky winners for the wedding!
Check out all 3 competitors, and click here to vote for your favorite.
Here are some photos from my “behind the scenes” tour:
This zoo-themed cake was for triplets. The attention to detail is impressive – from the sugar animals, to the scaly snake with a forked tongue, to the chocolate palm tree topper!
The French Gourmet | San Diego Wedding Vendor
San Diego’s French Gourmet is another competing vendor in the upcoming NBC Throws a Wedding at the Prado. The French Gourment, located near La Jolla, has a small cafe, pastry shop/bakery, and also produces many fine wedding cakes.
Here is the cake they’ve designed for Stefanie and Jerry, the lucky winners of the wedding giveaway!
Check out all 3 competitors, and click here to vote for your favorite.
While I was there, Richard, who oversees the wedding cakes, was putting the finishing touches on a different cake:
The restaurant is charming, complete with brightly colored shutters, and the pastries inside are just as eye-catching!
Heavenly Cupcake | San Diego Wedding Vendors
Heavenly Cupcake is one of the competing vendors in the NBC Throws a Wedding at the Prado event. The will be providing a cupcake towers with white and chocolate cupcake, and a small cake for the top tier, allowing the couple to still cut the cake. There are fuschia sugar crystals on the chocolate cupcakes to compliment the flowers, and the bridesmaid’s dresses.
Check out the competing vendors’ work, and go here to vote.
I had a “heavenly” time visiting San Diego’s Heavenly Cupcake store in the beautiful East Village.
They have a cool retro, whimsical look throughout, including a fun lounge area to hang out and enjoy a cupcake or two. They feature many different flavors, with varying daily selections. I think the red velvet with cream cheese frosting was my favorite, but it was a tough call! They have “minis”, too. AND – for weddings, Heavenly Cupcake makes cool cupcake tiers that are very fun!
Below are some images from my tour.
Isn’t the “lounge” cute?
And this is Rosemary and her husband who run the show!
Introducing Eduard | San Diego Newborn Photography
Here’s our latest little baby boy to grace the studio. He was just a week old, and so cute!! About half-way through, he zonked out, and he let us pose him however we liked. I just can’t get enough of tiny, curly, squishy, babies. They’re so sweet!!
I think we just mixed up a bowl of sweetness!
Happy momma!
The curious case of Eduard . . . wondering who those 2 photographers are and why they find him so fascinating.
How awesome is this! Dad loved it – but about 3 shots from this, baby sprung a leak. It’s all part of the process . . .
We love that when children are 8, 10 years old, or in college, they can look back on photographs like this. Not only are they amazed at how tiny they were, but they see just how much their parents treasured them. Sends tingles down my spine!
Stefanie + Jerry | San Diego Engagement Photography
So we finally got to spend some time with Stefanie and Jerry for their engagement session. What a fun couple. They are very much “into” each other (translation: lots of “unauthorized” smooching) – haha! too sweet!!
We started at La Jolla for some lovely ocean blues, and Jerry was happy to be at the beach. He hasn’t been surfing in some time, and the sound of crashing waves and scenery was a welcome sight. It was exceptionally hot, muggy, and breeze-less (strange, but true) – so there were no complaints when the waves came up and got us all wet – well, Nikkie may not have been jumping for joy!
Then we did a quick switch, and headed to the Gaslamp Quarter. Stefanie and Jerry cleaned up real nice – and looked like supermodels walking the streets!
Concepts Event Design | San Diego Wedding Vendors
Linens, chair tie-backs, place settings, and other fine details for the NBC Throws a Wedding at the Prado Event will be provided courtesy of Concepts Event Design. I recently stopped by their studio in National City, and was amazed by the endless supply of innovation and design options. The consultation room is clean, bright, and beautiful, with a rainbow of colorful linens hung like clothing in an upscale boutique. There are also several pull-out drawers that showcase dozens and dozens of napkin choices. Concepts is run by Haydee and her husband, Federico, who has a background in construction, interior design, and architecture. I was allowed to the “behind-the-scenes” area and saw several custom designed lighting fixtures, bars, and lounge furniture, that were just gorgeous!!
Here’s more about Concepts Event Design:
“Opulence can easily define the elements of your occasion and we, Federico and Haydee Alderete, are here to assist you in creating the most awe-inspiring event imaginable.
Family operated, Concepts Event Design has led the event industry for over seven years, providing the San Diego area with unprecedented professionalism,
customized event design, specialty linens and hand-crafted lounge furniture. We signify event design excellence, where tailoring your dreams
into reality is our business.
Concepts Event Design utilizes decorative elements, pristine craftsmanship and unparalleled experience, bestowing a magical feeling that will enhance your
surroundings and transform any setting before your eyes! No matter what your budget, our creative team of event professionals will transform your ideas
into a custom and unforgettable display.”
In the center of the showroom, they have a display table, that is changed frequently, and each place setting is different, to feature several different looks.
Concepts Event Design collaborated with each of the competing vendors for the current NBC floral voting category. With Haute House Orchids, Concepts provided lovely aqua table linens with white napkins to compliment the graceful white orchids. To view, click here.
For Magnolia Flowers, burled wood charger plates and chocolate brown napkins were provided to set off the autumn colors – green, dark red, and brown. The table linen in green, was accented by an organza ribbon that winds about. View here.
And for Embellishmint, Concepts provided a sweetheart’s table and rounded bench for the newlyweds. The draped fabrics, in silver and pewter, set off the antique white roses and pales shades of pink, peach, and blue. Silver charger plates, abalone shells, and a jeweled embellishment accented the napkins. View it here.
And, here’s Haydee, the creative genious behind this innovative company:
All Aboard! | San Diego Child Photography
Check out this little guy with his conductor’s overalls and cap – too cute!! As child photographers in San Diego, there are so many great locations for portrait sessions. We recently enjoyed exploring the Old Poway Park during this session, and so did this little fellow!
What a fun family, too – this was Taylor’s turn for the spotlight, as we have been capturing his little sister’s first year. He enjoyed the attention, and gave us all a giggle when another little boy at the park came over to see him, and Taylor announced “Hey I’m getting MY pictures taken!” Haha – the honesty of little ones. Here is your close-up Tayler!!!
This next one was so funny – Taylor likes to makes roar like a dinosaur – so after several “roars”, he looked over at me. You’d think he was mad, but he was just totally in “character!”
Well it can’t all be about Choo Choos! Sometimes we need to throw in a little of America’s favorite pastime…you guessed it…BASEBALL!!!
We hope you enjoy these mom and dad!!! Leave us some comment love!
Haute House Orchids | San Diego Wedding Vendor
Haute House Orchids is one of the vendors for the NBC Throws a Wedding at the Prado event. Haute House Orchids, located in north San Diego County, has been is business for 26 years, and as you may have guessed, they specialize in beautiful orchids. Operating several greenhouses, they provide both wholesale and retail services. Here is the floral scheme they have designed for the upcoming wedding for Stefanie and Jerry, the lucky recipients of NBC Throws a Wedding at the Prado, coming up on October 9th:
The centerpiece showcases large white, flowing orchids, which are set against an aqua blue tablecloth. On the table are small vases with more white orchids and roses.
The napkins are adorned with a small orchid – an elegant touch!
Haydee, at Concepts Event Design lent her creative touches, and provided the linens, chargers, and chair tie-backs!
Check out all the vendor submissions, and cast your vote here (after the morning new on Friday, 9.4.09).
Here are some photos from my tour of Haute House Orchids. Soooo many orchids – and I was only in 1 of the greenhouses!
I love the intricate “veins” on this variety below:
The husband and wife owners are very sweet, too! They’re described as a “comtemporary mom and pop” business. Here’s more of what they have to say: “We believe in higher quality over larger quantity. Our goal is to offer you a highly personalized service in a simple format. We welcome special orders and can customize the size, color and variety of the orchid and the type of container, making up an arrangement as unique as your occasion, or yourself.”
Magnolia Flower Shoppe | San Diego Wedding Vendors
UDPATE 9.11.09: Magnolia Flower Shoppe announced the winner for NBC Throws a Wedding at the Prado! Congratulations!
Allison Stevens, owner of Magnolia Flower Shoppe, is an wonderful floral designer, who is also competing in the NBC Throws a Wedding event. Trained in France, she brings unique concepts to your wedding. She prides herself for thinking “outside of the vase!” Magnolia Flower Shoppe “creates bold designs that employ flowers and other organic elements in unique arrangements that are bold, striking, dramatic, and utterly unique.”
Here is the floral scheme Allison has developed for Stefanie and Jerry, winners of NBC Throws a Wedding at the Prado:
Allison chose fall colors as her theme. The centerpiece is eye-catching with the cascade of rose petals flowing down.
Check out all the vendors’ work, and go here to cast your vote (after the morning new on Friday, 9.4.09).
The plates are quite a conversation piece, made of wood. The chocolate brown napkins are accented with fresh rose petals, and a large green leaf.
And a round of applause for Concepts Event Design, who furnished all the gorgeous linens, and plates!
The tablecloth has a rich ribbon scrolling throughout.
Introducing Allison, the designer of Magnolia Flower Shoppe::
Embellishmint | San Diego Wedding Vendors
Embellishmint is one of the competing vendors for the first ever NBC Throws a Wedding at the Prado coming up in October! Dawn Stone is the creative designer for Embellishmint. Here is the floral scheme she developed for Stefanie and Jerry, the lucky couple who will be getting married at the Prado:
The theme for this presentation was “old world chic” with tones of silver and pewter, antique white, and hints of shell pink, light peach, and pale blue.
Kudos to Haydee of Concepts Event Design for providing the lovely linens, sweetheart bench, plates, and pillow coverings to tie the whole theme together!
Check out each of the vendors, and then click here to go vote (after the morning new on Friday, 9.4.09).
Abalone shells accent the florals, and also adorn the napkins. Also accentuating the napkins are small roses and a jeweled adornment.
Amid the draped fabrics and rows and rows of roses, are silver beads that trail to the floor.
The clean white bench and dozens of candles are romantic, and lend a modern touch to the vintage charm.
Here’s what Embellishmint has to say, “Our designs and concepts are innovative, dynamic and uniquely positioned to reflect our talent, to translate our clients’ visions and ideas into a truly inspired affair. Embellishmint harnesses the superb talents of the principle designer, master florist, fine artist and beauty/style consultant to develop the ‘essence’ that captures a distinct mood and tone to captivate guests and leave them with an unforgettable sense of elation and appreciation. Ever striving to produce an unforgettable scene, we strive to fill each event with exceptional attention to detail, creative and unique use of materials and team commitment to excellence in customer service.”
Here are a couple of photos from my tour of the Embellishmint studio, located in Coronado:
Shown here is a story board created to display the colors, textures, fabrics, and embellishments for a wedding.
And, of course, we have to introduce you to Dawn Stone, the owner of Embellishmint:
Everything’s Coming Up . . . Flowers! | San Diego Photography
Meet Allison Stevens, owner and designer from Magnolia Flower Shoppe in San Diego. We had an excellent “branding” session with Allison, where we incorporated her business (flowers) into her professional portraits for use on her website and social media sites. She brought a lot of outfits, and flowers, and was open to the creative process. For creative people like Alli, a standard headshot does not hold the same impact as a creative portrait that tells more of the story of who she is. We had a great time, and captured some wonderful images! Enjoy, Alli!
You can see from the twinkle in her eye that she LOVES to laugh and really enjoys life!
I just love this one – ultra soft and feminine. Allison had the idea of incorporating the “pillow” of flowers into her session. Brilliant!
Towards the end, we were chatting, and I suggested she do a “he loves me, he loves me not”. Allison laughed, and said she used to do that for hours as a little girl. Even then she was fascinated with flowers!
