Kimberlee West | Blog

NEW BLOG!

2008-07-16T18:09:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's true... my blog has a brand new home. I won't be posting anything else here, although I am going to leave it up & running in case anyone is interested in reading any of my old posts. Go check out my new one! (CLICK HERE!)

Finally!

2008-07-15T11:38:00.000-07:00

I've had this project on my to-do list for about 2 months, and I (finally!) forced myself to take a little time away this week to work on finishing up my new blog! I'm pretty happy with it, and can't wait for you all to see it... so - check back tomorrow! I just arrived back home to San Diego, so I will be catching up on emails and phone calls today. And to my amazing clients, thanks for your patience the past few weeks with the craziness of my travel schedule. :) I will be posting tons of images from my recent shoots on my new blog in the coming weeks... so if you're wondering if I'll be posting some, the answer is yes! I've been waiting to post my recent shoots because I wanted them to be displayed on my brand new blog. (yay!)

Chinatown

2008-07-13T21:15:00.000-07:00

My favorite part about walking around Chinatown yesterday was hearing my dad chat it up with the people we met on the street. Take, for example, the wrinkled old man selling lychee fruit on the corner... I just loved watching his face light up with a huge smile as my dad busted out his near-flawless, near-fluent Mandarin. (Ok, so I don't speak Mandarin and therefore can't really be a judge as to the fluency... but it sure sounded great to me!) I have such a rich family heritage, and I know that my family has played a huge part in giving me this passion I have for traveling, cultures, and languages. My dad was born and raised in Taiwan, his dad was raised in Ethiopia, and my great-grandparents on the other side of my family lived several years of their life in Africa. There must be something in my blood, because I'm already itching to head overseas again! This week of vacation is making me realize how very blessed I am to have such an amazing family. San Francisco was great - just one more day in Monterey, then headed back home to Socal (such a quick, whirlwind trip!)

My favorite man

2008-07-11T13:25:00.000-07:00

The best part of this week of vacation is that I get to spend so much time with my family! I'm especially excited to spend some quality time with the most special man in my life... my little nephew! ;) I just love this guy.

Road Trip!

2008-07-10T23:56:00.000-07:00

That's right - gotta love long car rides with the fam! :) My parents are here in CA visiting, and that means that we all get to take a road trip up to visit my little bro in Monterey. And then a sight-seeing trip to San Fran (I've never been!) It's gonna be fun. I will have access to email along the way, but please allow up to 48 hours to get a response from me. Thanks!

Congrats to the Newlyweds

2008-07-06T23:58:00.000-07:00

Nicci and Ryan, your wedding was absolutely beautiful; thank you for letting me be a part of your day! Hope you have an amazing honeymoon... can' t wait to show you the rest of your pictures! Love, Kimberlee

New blog coming soon...

2008-07-04T14:23:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I'm SOOO very excited about the launch of my new blog! It should be ready next week, so make sure you check back. On my way to the rehearsal dinner right now for my friend's wedding, and then tonight we're going to see the 2nd biggest fireworks show in all of the US. Happy 4th, everyone!

I love airports!

2008-07-03T14:51:00.000-07:00

Is it the people-watching? The fact that I love to travel? The excuse to just sit with coffee and read a fashion magazine without feeling guilty? There's just something about sitting at an airport that just makes me feel so happy! Here I am at Lindbergh Field in SD, getting ready to head across the country for my first visit to Nashville. I've heard it's an awesome city, so I'm excited to check out all the sights. Plus, I'll be shooting a wedding for a dear friend of mine who lives out there. Can't wait! To all of my lovely clients - I'll have limited email access the next few days, but I'll be responding to all emails next Tuesday. Also... stay tuned -I've got something coming soon (I'll be announcing it tomorrow)!!!

Star Wars Dorkiness

2008-06-27T11:29:00.000-07:00

Disneyland is the best place ever! My friends and I usually go about once a month, thanks to the sweet SoCal year pass. Unfortunately we've been blocked out for the summer, but we did get a chance to head up there one more time last week before the black-outs began. We were also celebrating Marissa's birthday, so that was tons of fun (happy birthday, Riss - love ya!) In an attempt to avoid the long lines, we tried taking the road less traveled on this Dland trip... doing a few of the things that you wouldn't usually think of doing. Things like canoeing around Tom Sawyer's Island (which brought on scary flashbacks of my near-death canoeing experience in Zambia!). We also took the liberty of participating in one of those crazy-nerdy photo things where they put your faces into a Star Wars photo. So if you've ever wondered what I'd look like as an alien, here's your chance. :) Marissa just posted our pic on the boudoir blog...

Beautiful Bride

2008-06-26T11:03:00.000-07:00

Crystal's wedding was absolutely gorgeous, and it was so much fun to be a part of her day! Marissa and Weston shot the wedding, and I wasn't planning on shooting... but how could I resist snagging some shots of this gorgeous bride? So I got to tag along and shoot from the sidelines (thanks for letting me shoot, M&W!). Here are a few of my fave shots of the bride (isn't she stunning?!?)

And here are a few shots of the wonderfully talented, superstar husband & wife wedding photography duo... Marissa & Weston Boucher! Congrats, Crystal & Brian! Check back soon with the Boucher's blog - they've got some awesome shots from the wedding that they'll be posting very soon!

Faces of Zambia

2008-06-25T13:42:00.000-07:00

Just a few shots of some of the beautiful people I met in Zambia...

The Revolver

2008-06-24T22:53:00.000-07:00

"The Revolver" is a really cool art show/live music jam sesh on Tuesday nights at different coffee shops around SD. Tonight I had the opportunity to show some of my work from my recent trip to Africa, so that was pretty sweet. If you live in San Diego and want to get connected with some awesome musicians and artists, you should definitely check out 1825's "The Venue" on Monday nights, and "The Revolver" on Tuesdays (at Milano's in Mission Valley - click here for more info).

SD Style Wedding Shoot

2008-06-19T16:17:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I had the awesome opportunity to participate in a [very cool, very "fashion-y"] photo shoot with my good friends Marissa and Weston (of Boucher Photography... that's french, pronounced "boo-shay") :) They were asked to shoot for San Diego Style Weddings, and I got to join them for the fun! Amazing models, gorgeous gowns, wonderful stylists, beautiful flowers... all of this and more. Everything was absolutely perfect, and the shots we got are pretty rockin! Here's one of my shots from the day:
...And a shot Marissa got of me "crouching" (aka being lazy & trying to relieve my feet at the end of a full day of shooting whilst wearing 4-inch heels). ;) Be sure to check out the Boucher's blog for some more shots from the day!

Riley

2008-06-18T11:16:00.000-07:00

This cutie was SUCH a joy to photograph! Meet miss Riley, the happiest little gal with the CUTEST little cheeks. I actually knew Riley's parents from my days at Biola (Riley's mom and I played on the soccer team together way back in the day!). It was so much fun to see you again, Becky! Thanks for stopping by the studio and letting me meet your sweet daughter... hope to see you guys again soon. Here are a few of my favorite shots from our session:

I love discovering new favorites!

2008-06-16T05:15:00.000-07:00

Would you just look at those beauties?! It's no secret that I have a secret love affair with shoes. The other day as I was picking up some new equipment at my favorite camera store, I just happened to come across this adorable little shoe store that has now become one of my new favorites. Tons of funky shoes, and purses (I have my eye on this amazing little clutch that's made of upholstery from an old car)! If you live in San Diego, you'll have to stop by this place - if you're obsessed with the accessories that you wear on your feet, you'll fall in love too, I promise.

KATE ROSS SHOES. 3827 30th street in Northpark, right next to George's Camera.
Check it out.

Freakin' Fun Shoot

2008-06-13T15:57:00.000-07:00

I absolutely HATE being in front of the camera, but I have to admit that I actually had fun during this shoot yesterday! I thought maybe it was the chance to wear some of my favorite pairs of shoes... but really, it was the chance to hang out with a friend who made me feel comfortable and let me just be myself. Thanks, J*, for bearing with me yesterday (I'm seriously amazed that you got some decent shots of me). ;) You are awesome! xoxo, Kimberlee I'm so excited to use these images in some upcoming projects... especially the shoe shots. I really wanted something fun and original - and something that will show my clients a little glimpse of who I am. And Jasmine captured my vision Perfectly. Like with a capital P. *CLICK HERE to see the rest of the images from my fab photo shoot. (PS, Jasmine Star is the most amazing wedding photographer in Orange County - and she also just launched a brand new website, so you'll have to check it out!)

Baby Loves Disco - June '08 San Diego

2008-06-12T07:34:00.000-07:00

Such a fun event! Thanks to all of you who stopped by for your complimentary portraits in our "photo booth." It was great meeting each of you - and I'll be in touch with everyone this week to let you know who won the raffle for the photo shoot. Here are a few shots from the photo booth:

Father's Day Gift

2008-06-12T06:31:00.000-07:00

If your dad is like my dad, shopping for holidays is one of the hardest things in the world. What do you get for the guy who says he doesn't need or want anything (and he really means it!)? I think I've gotten him a new book for every birthday, Father's Day, and Christmas for the past ten years or so. This year, I'm doing something a little different - I'm making a donation to a non-profit organization in his honor. For a long time, my heart has been completely burdened with the issue of child sexual exploitation, and I always love supporting organizations that are combating this problem. I feel so blessed, that I was able to grow up in the most safe and loving home ever. My daddy was always there to protect me, and it just breaks my heart to know that there are children out there who have never experienced this kind of love and protection. This organization (Love 146) is one I've been following for years - and for Father's Day, they're offering these awesome e-cards that you can send as a gift to your dad.

If you're stumped and want to get something new for your dad this year, check out these e-cards (click on the image below). Dad- I know you and mom are my number one blog followers (probably the only ones, actually!) - so now it's no surprise as to what you're getting this Sunday. :) Wish I could spend the day with you, but I'll see you in a few weeks! I love you so much!

Africa photos - coming soon

2008-06-11T09:24:00.000-07:00

I know, I know... I NEED to post more images from Africa! I will SOON, I promise. First, I have quite a few shoots that I need to post about - but I truly will post some Africa pics in the next week or so. Until then, here's just one more for now:

Buzbee kids

2008-06-10T22:26:00.000-07:00

Last week I had the pleasure of hanging out with these three "kids" who wanted to take a few shots for their parents. We designed an album for them and I think it's going to be a great surprise gift for their parents' anniversary. Megan, Brandon, and Whitney- you three are so much fun! It was great meeting you, and I hope we'll have a chance to hang out again soon.

My June Playlist

2008-06-09T07:06:00.000-07:00

"Without music life would be a mistake." ~Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

I love music! Every week I have a budget set aside to get new music on my itunes. I love changing my playlists constantly (I usually make a new one every week so that I can have lots of variety while I'm working and imaging photos). Here are a few songs from my most recent playlist. Enjoy!

Oh, and the Joel Auge song is a free download right now on itunes, so go grab it!

(I usually just list artists and songs when I talk about music on my blog, but I saw that Fred Egan uses these imixes - thought it was a great idea, so I'm shamelessly copying his great idea... thanks, Fred). :)

Crystal's going to the chapel!

2008-06-07T05:17:00.000-07:00

Today is Crystal's wedding day! It's hard to believe this day is already here. Crystal joined our boudoir studio almost a year ago, and let me just tell you, she is by FAR the best studio manager in the whole world (and she's also become a great friend). Marissa and Weston are shooting her wedding, so all of us are driving up to Cabrillo this morning. Deena's my official date for the wedding, but I'm hoping for some hot single groomsmen. Haha, just kidding. Sort of. :) Crystal, I'm so happy for you and Brian! Congrats!
On another note, I just had to share these photos I found the other day. Almost 2 years ago, when I was a complete newbie, Marissa & Weston let me come along with them to a wedding they were shooting. Here are a few fun images I shot of them that day (you guys are rockstars!)

Prego cuteness!

2008-06-06T06:41:00.000-07:00

My friend Maria has GOT to be one of the cutest pregnant gals around. After meeting for coffee yesterday, I forced her to do an impromptu photo sesh when I saw this beautifully-bright, delightfully-blue wall across the street (can you tell I love this color?) ;) Thanks, Maria; I'm so happy for you and Brett; you're going to be great parents. I'm excited for your real maternity session next week, and I also can't wait to take photos of little Tristan in a few months!

Such a great day.

2008-06-05T19:40:00.000-07:00

Local coffee shop -- perfect for good conversation with a friend. A bench at the beach -- perfect for sitting, reading, and people-watching. Thrift store full of funky furniture -- perfect for treasure-hunting for my studio. Nothing necessarily spectacular or particularly interesting, I know, but it was just a great day. Since coming home from Africa, I'm doing my best to bring a little bit of "village life" back to my life here in America. Not so much the carry water on your head/start your own fire/pee in a hole type of life. But the laid-back, slow-moving, taking time away for yourself, stopping to spend time with God, and with people you love-kind-of-life. That is one of the things that I appreciated the most about my month in Africa, and it's something I'm trying to incorporate here. So in the midst of shoots and editing photos and networking and all of those things that come along with starting a business... I also want to be making a conscious effort to slow down and just enjoy life. So right now I'm off to make some guacamole and enjoy the sunset from my roof. I encourage you all to take a little time to slow down your pace of life - it's so refreshing (and fun!) PS- this book is amazing!

Hope to see you all on Sunday!

2008-06-03T22:28:00.000-07:00

Next Sunday

2008-06-01T15:45:00.000-07:00

Hey San Diego families! If you're looking for something fun (and different) to do with your kids next week, come to the Baby Loves Disco event on Sunday the 8th, from 2-5pm, at Aubergine downtown. Tickets are $12, although I'd suggest buying them online before you get there, since last time the event was completely sold out! (Buy your tickets here). What it's all about: music that everyone will enjoy - dancing - face painting - snacks for the kids - drinks for the parents - tons of stuff to do, and tons of fun. AND, since I'm one of the sponsors for Baby Loves Disco, I'm going to be offering a "photo-booth" style portrait for you all during the event... so if you'd like a complimentary photo at the event, stop by my table on Sunday!

For the Love

2008-05-30T17:10:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had one of those days where everything just seems completely magical and almost surreal? Today was one of those days for me. A day where I look around and have to practically pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming. I mean, seriously - I get to do something I absolutely LOVE, and this is my job?!? It's days like today that make me fall in love all over again with photography. And honestly I'm just so incredibly amazed and thankful, knowing that I'm able to do something I love. (click here to see a few of my shots from our workshop shoot at the beach this morning.)

No blogging this week...

2008-05-27T08:50:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone, just letting you know that I'll be taking a little hiatus from blogging this week. Why? I'm co-leading a photography workshop here in San Diego for pro photographers who want to learn how to incorporate boudoir shoots into their wedding business (if you're interested, stop on over at The Boudoir Divas blog - that's where I'll be blogging this week). Also check back here next week - I'll be sharing more Africa images after the workshop is over. xoxo, Kimberlee

Jet lag Sucks.

2008-05-24T04:57:00.000-07:00

I thought I had it beat, but - alas - jet lag is getting the best of me (seeing as how the past two mornings I haven't been able to sleep past 4:30am). Yuck. Oh well, since I'm wide awake long before the sun is up on this fine Saturday morning, I figured I might as well post a photo from Zambia:

Almost Home

2008-05-21T15:28:00.000-07:00

Africa was amazing! It's been a long few days, with 45+ hours of traveling; and now I am (finally!) about to board one last flight on my way home to San Diego. Can't wait for a hot shower and my comfy bed! :)

Benzu

2008-05-14T04:14:00.000-07:00

(Caitlin here again)...
Kimberlee was given the Tonga name “Benzu”, meaning visitor, within the first minutes of meeting friends from my village. She has proven to be a great visitor, easing into life in the village and shining like a rockstar throughout! She has picked up lots of Chitonga words and spews them out like no one’s business.

After only one week in the village she can now teach all of you back home how to:
-Roll out tortilla dough using a Starbucks travel mug
-Carry water on your head
-Make nshima for you and your neighbors
-Sweep your yard with sticks
-Pick ticks off your dog
-Teach you and 40 African children how to do the chicken dance
-Jump on a bench when you fear a rabid dog might bite you (*click here to read the whole story)
-Pay no attention to a heard of cattle walking through your meetings
-Make up totally illegitimate Boggle words
-Pee in a hole while strategically preparing to run from bats
-Allow your cousin to win a few rounds of Rummy so she will still play cards with you
And probably anything else you may need for day-to-day survival.

Except for making a fire. This is one area where Kimberlee will be focusing this next week. Past visitors have struggled as well...Erin and Brittany to name a few. We both laughed for a while at the following conversation that took place while Kimee was attempting fire making:
Kimberlee: “How do you....? Oww!”
Caitlin: “Know when the charcoal is hot?”
Blog readers, word to the wise, to check if charcoal is hot, it is best to place your hand near, but not directly on, the charcoal. I am sure Kimee will ace this within the next week and you will be calling her to your next bonfire in no time. I am sure the blisters will have gone down by the time she is back home.

We have one more week together. Time is going too fast! We have been laughing a lot, talking about everything, and just enjoying all the amazingness of life in Africa. If you play Boggle soon, just know that “amazingness” is a legitimate 10-point word. The word “Dif” however will get you 0 points.

Photo Shoot in Choma

2008-05-13T14:38:00.000-07:00

So what if we're in the middle of Africa? You know I'm still gonna make my cousin model for me... here are a few pics of Caitlin yesterday while we were in "town" (Choma - although this so-called town has no stoplights- yeah, it's a pretty small town).

Zam Pics - #1

2008-05-05T01:03:00.000-07:00

This is C again, posting for K. She is busy on another computer so I will put up some of her amazing photographs here. We are having a wonderful time and head to my village today. We should be back into town in a week or so to recharge batteries and upload more photos! Enjoy her work, she is so talented! Check out more pictures here.

ooh, aah, what an adventure....

2008-05-03T06:48:00.000-07:00

...here on the jungle cruise! First of all, I have to say that I'm loving Zambia! And a big thanks to my cousin Caitlin for taking over my blog yesterday. Ok so let me explain her comment about the Jungle Cruise. On an infamous family trip to Disneyland back in the '80s, Cait and I told our poor younger cousin Stacy that the hippos were real, and that they were going to attack our boat (I know, so mean, right?) Well today we had some major payback for that meanness. Let's just say that we thought we were signing up for a calm and peaceful canoe ride down a calm and peaceful river. Not so. My cousin did an amazing job of explaining our entire experience on her blog - check it out here. We've spent the last few days in Livingston; it's been amazing! Tonight we're going to watch the sun setting over one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World, and then we'll be heading back to Caitlin's village tomorrow. It's been so fun to see all the "tourist-y" things in Zambia, but I'm also very excited to see what Cait's life has been like in her rural village. She promises she's going to teach me to carry water on my head and cook over her little fire (can't wait!) She also says she's going to make me kill and pluck a chicken (no thanks!) I've got tons of pictures to share but it'll be a while until I have a chance to upload them. I promise I'll post some soon!

The Package Has Arrived

2008-05-02T07:29:00.000-07:00

Kimee made it to Zambia! In case you are starting to think she has taken to speaking in the third person, this is her uber-fabulous and humble cousin in my first attempt at "guest blogging".

I love this girl. She was waiting at the hotel for me once I had finished a conference, and we were eating orange chicken and sipping red wine within the first hour! And I haven't even touched on the enormous amounts of American goodies she had stowed away in her bag. I need to insert a "Thanks grandma" here too! When she returns you will need to ask her about the chaos she faced in London when they told her she could only check one bag. The check-in guy at Heathrow had little faith in her abilities to cram super-sized bags of Starburst into small compartments, but she really showed him. Oh, He of little faith.

So far we have only stopped talking to sleep, and it is so fun to speak English! Kimee advised me on her arrival that she knew she had been alone in London too long because she was talking to herself in a British accent. I love it! We spent today on the bus, laying by the pool, and buying fruit off of women's heads. I highly recommend doing all of those things as soon as you can!

Tomorrow we are off on a little real life Jungle Cruise...this time the hippos are really real, Stacy! We are doing a full day canoe trip down the Zambezi River, should be a wonderful time.

Unfortunately we aren't able to upload any photos yet, but they will be coming! Keep checking back for more adventures from C and K! Check out Kimee's perspective of the trip so far here!

I heart London.

2008-04-30T02:27:00.000-07:00

Mind the Gap

2008-04-29T07:14:00.000-07:00

This is my first time in London, and I'm absolutely in love! Even though I've only been here for half a day, I'm already smitten. The tube, the double-decker red buses, the gorgeous green fields, old buildings, gardens, museums - it's all I was expecting, and then some. There's nothing more exhilerating than exploring a new city by yourself, with no plans and no itinerary. I'm just hopping on buses and going for a ride, not knowing exactly where they'll take me. So far I think I've seen most of the big "tourist-y" stuff, like Big Ben and the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace, and now I'm trying to get to some of the back streets of the city to explore a little bit more. So much fun! (If you've never been to London - this is the warning every time the doors open or close on the "tube" - underground subway). Pretty amusing to hear it over and over all day long. :)

Harper Lane

2008-04-28T03:15:00.000-07:00

Two and a half years ago, my best friend Erin had her first baby exactly two days after I left the country for 2 months. I kept telling her she needed to have that baby before I left, but I guess Mr. Luke just wasn't keen on keeping with my traveling schedule. Well for some reason, my overseas trips seem to coincide perfectly with Erin's due dates! This whole past week, I've been hanging out with her and her family in San Clemente, hoping and praying that she would go into labor before I leave for Africa. After several days of waiting, I finally gave up hope yesterday and drove back to San Diego, my heart breaking knowing that yet again, I was going to miss seeing this new baby. But my prayers must've been heard ;) because today, my dear friend Erin gave birth to a healthy, beautiful baby girl named Harper Lane. Although I wasn't able to drive fast enough to see the birth, I did get to meet her - and for that, I'm very thankful! Congratulations, Erin and Jake (and big brother Luke!) Love you guys.

And here she is! Meet miss Harper Lane. On another note, it is 3am and I'm leaving in just a few hours! In an attempt to beat jet lag, I'm staying up so that I'll be able to sleep on the plane. Stopping for a day in London to explore the city... then on to Zambia!

*EDIT* - Click here to view a slideshow of images

After!

2008-04-26T16:57:00.000-07:00

It's finally ready! Here are a few photos of the shooting area in my new San Clemente studio (as you can see, it's come a long way from the "before" pic; amazing what some paint and new flooring will do to a place!) Look at the light in here - isn't it pure beauty? :) Even though I'm leaving the country in a couple days, you know I just HAD to shoot in here. (Can't let all that gorgeousness go to waste!) Here are a few images I took today in the prettiest, sweetest natural light. (Wanna see more? - click here for a slideshow).

PS- yes, "gorgeousness" really is a word, I promise.

Packing List

2008-04-21T14:56:00.001-07:00

In less than a week, I'll be on a plane, headed to Africa! I absolutely love pulling out my travel stuff; passport, backpack, etc... my heart is jumping with excitement! A few of the "essentials" I'll be squeezing into my pack:
-My trusty Rainbows (they've been w/ me to seven countries so far...)
-Deet (don't you just love that stuff?)
-Magazines (my cousin requested some gossip mags so that she can stay up-to-date w/ all of the important celebrity stuff happening here in the States!) :)
-Headlamp (I heard a rumor that there are local bats living in the village bathroom hut I'll be using, so I'm gonna have to use my headlamp to scare them off in the middle of the night... those of you who know me will know that this freaks me out even more than the possibility of seeing snakes!)
-S'mores ingredients (apparently they've been a huge hit w/ the kids in the village where Cait is living; check out the story here).
-The pink chitange Cait gave me (haven't used it here, but I hear I'll be using it almost every day - my choice of a skirt, towel, or head wrap!)

I'm going to be very busy this week, finishing up some projects, uploading some shoots, and packing for my trip - so to anyone who contacts me - I apologize ahead of time for my slow response time; it's probably going to take a few days for me to get back to you! And then I'll have VERY limited email access starting April 28th through the end of May. I'll try to upload a few pics and some updates about my time hanging out in Zambia, but I'm not sure how often I'll have internet access. I'll give more updates at the end of May, though, so check back then. Thanks! -Kimberlee

Baby Loves Disco

2008-04-14T07:02:00.001-07:00

If you've never heard of Baby Loves Disco, you have GOT to check it out! I had the privilege of being one of the sponsors at the Baby Loves Disco event in San Diego yesterday, and (of course!) I also had to snap a few photos of all the fun. The SD Baby Loves Disco event takes place at the posh Aubergine (which is normally a night club), but it's all decked-out with kid-friendly fun. Dancing, face-painting, and snacks for the kids... and of course, plenty for the parents as well. This event sold out (400 tickets!), and the next one in SD is coming up on June 8th. I have a feeling the next one's going to sell-out well in advance, so you might want to pre-purchase your tickets A huge thank you to Andrea Loyko, yesterday's host; you did an amazing job of organizing everything, and I know everyone had a great time. Andrea and her hubby Ryan are the owners of Rattle-n-Roll... the most unique birth announcements and party invites I've seen; perfect for those up-and-coming rockstars in your life. :) To those of you who signed up for my raffle - I'll be drawing the winning name later this week, and I'll contact you via email if you've won! Thanks! -Kimberlee

Before...

2008-04-11T07:57:00.000-07:00

Here's what the new studio looked like a few weeks ago... (Look at that horrendous carpet - yikes!) It's looking a lot different today, and I am so excited about that amazing rolling warehouse door! When that baby's open, it brings in the most gorgeous natural light! I can't wait to start shooting in here. Still a few more things to do to get the place ready, but it's almost done! Check back later this week for the "After" picture!

Plans & Dreams

2008-04-02T23:54:00.000-07:00

So many exciting things are happening... I almost don't even know where to begin. In a previous post, I mentioned that there are going to be a lot of changes coming up for me this year. At times I don't feel 100% ready for all that is in front of me (it can be a little overwhelming!) However, I am also completely stoked about everything that's been happening. Here are a few of the exciting things coming up in the next few months:

1) Book sales & Boudoir Education:
Marissa and I had no idea our Boudoir Training Guide was going to sell so quickly! We definitely knew that we had a great product to offer photographers, but we were quite surprised at how fast the word has spread. When we completely sold out of our first shipment of books (in just a few weeks), we knew that things were about to get crazy. :) We've also got a few speaking engagements coming up in the next year, plus we're offering some boudoir workshops for professional photographers... so much fun! 2) New business plan & goals:
WPPI was awesome. I came away with tons of ideas and information spinning around in my head, and since then, I've really taken the time to sit down and prioritize my goals. One thing that struck me while at WPPI was the encouragement to shoot what you love. So, after some soul-searching, I've come up with a mission statement for myself, and I've got a lot of exciting plans for my business. The thing I'm most excited about is my decision to focus on a few personal photography projects that I am passionate about. More to come on that later... 3) Moving to a new city:
I'm moving! Ok, so it's only an hour away from where I live right now, so it's not really a big deal. But I'm so excited to start my new business in a new place. San Clemente is an amazing city, and I can't wait to get up there! I've got an amazing STUDIO space lined up, and I can't wait until the grand opening. So exciting!

Zambia... here I come!

2008-03-31T16:55:00.001-07:00

It's official. (I just bought my ticket a few hours ago!) At the end of April, I'll be heading to Zambia to visit my cousin, Caitlin. I can't wait!!!

Spidey Max

2008-03-26T07:46:00.000-07:00

Wonder. Excitement. Anticipation. Energy. All of the things a kid's birthday party should be. This party was all of those things and more! Happy Birthday, "Spidey Max!" I had so much fun shooting and hanging out with these kids. There was so much going on, it was hard to keep up with them! The day was filled with a visit from Spiderman, a fun jumping castle, balloons, face painting, silly string, a Spiderman piñata, and so much more. Here are a few photos from the day.

Welcome, Kaitlyn!

2008-03-25T06:32:00.000-07:00

She gave everyone a bit of a surprise, arriving 3 weeks earlier than expected... ...but now that I've seen her, I understand why. That's just WAY too much cuteness to be kept away from the world any longer! My dear friends Jaime and Bryn are the proud new parents of this little sweetie. Congrats, you guys! And welcome to the world, Kaitlyn! A few weeks ago, I got to meet miss K when she was just a couple days old. I also had the privilege of joining the family as they gave Kaitlyn her first bath - it was so much fun to observe this special moment. This was too precious - when dad saw that Kaitlyn wasn't too happy about bath time, he brought over a little toy to help the situation... (isn't that just so sweet?)

Happy Easter!

2008-03-23T09:57:00.000-07:00

On a day of celebrating life and new beginnings... I thought it would be fitting to post a few images of my sweet little nephew. Happy Easter, everyone! PS- Isn't my little sis so cute? I love her smokin' new haircut! Love you, K! ;)

KISS 'n tell all

2008-03-22T08:51:00.000-07:00

Our boudoir photo shoot in Vegas was a total blast. We had a great turnout, and it was so much fun shooting in an area that is completely new and different than what we're used to. If you want to check out our boudoir work, contact me and I'll send you the info. Thanks to all of you who made it to the shoot, and thanks to the guys over at KISS Wedding Books for hosting us!

Bellies!

2008-03-21T22:58:00.000-07:00

The three of us were completely inseparable through four years of college. Walking to classes, eating meals in the cafeteria, teammates on the soccer field... we were pretty much connected at the hips. When people referred to us, it was usually all of our names combined into one: "kimeejaimeanderin." These 2 gals are amazing. Their friendship means so much to me; and I am SO very happy for them - they're both adding new additions to their families! Check out their cute bellies... Note: Jaime actually just had her little cutie (Congrats, you guys!)... But I just love their bellies, couldn't hold back from posting them. Love you, E & J!

Fun times at WPPI

2008-03-17T08:40:00.000-07:00

In Vegas right now for WPPI - such a whirlwind already! If you've sent me an email, please be patient... I'll get back to all emails and calls on Friday the 21st. Thanks!

Isn't love grand?

2008-03-10T23:19:00.001-07:00

I love hearing love stories... I love it when my friends fall in love... I just love - well, love. Here's a cute couple who's very much in love, going on five years of marriage! Yay! My good friends Zach and Lisa. They're so cute! So sweet, and so much fun to hang out with. When they were visiting San Diego a few weeks ago, I forced them to let me take a few pictures at the beach. Here's my fav:

Speaking of Anthropologie...

2008-03-06T07:37:00.000-08:00

If you're going to be at WPPI this month, stop by bludomain's booth! You just might be one of the recipients of blu's "random acts of kindness mission"!!!
(And if you get MY gift, you can buy my favorite candle!)

What a dork

2008-03-04T13:19:00.000-08:00

As soon as I smelled it, I HAD to buy it. As soon as I got in the car, I pulled it out of the crisp blue tissue paper and set it on my lap. And at every chance I could get - whenever I stopped at a red light on the drive home, I held it up to my nose for a big whiff. This candle from Anthropologie is the greatest candle in the world. I just bought it the other day, and it's currently burning in my office. In fact, I've been burning it pretty much nonstop since I brought it home. I'm in love. And yes, I do realize how utterly dorky it is to write an entire post about the love I have for a candle. ;)

Seriously...

2008-02-29T09:51:00.000-08:00

I mean, how COOL are these clothes? The designs are awesome, plus the fabric is super soft to the touch. I kept trying to figure out a way to fit into one of the t-shirts... don't think it would work, but if they came in my size, you know I'd be rocking these. My little nephew LOVES his Ooh La La Mama clothes (he even wore one of their onesies home from the hospital!) Not to mention... how CUTE are these kids? It was a lot of fun chasing these guys around yesterday. :) Here are a few more images from the photo shoot. This was one of my favorite shirts (if it was in my size, I'd buy it in a second!) A huge thank you to all of these adorable kids and their parents for hanging out yesterday and letting me take photos. Thanks! xoxo, Kimberlee

Ooh La La Mama

2008-02-28T21:29:00.001-08:00

Today I had the privilege of shooting for a kid's clothing line called Ooh La La Mama. These are by FAR the coolest kids' clothes I have ever seen! Here's my favorite shot from the day: (more to come soon)...

The Light Will Come

2008-02-23T08:45:00.000-08:00

Precursor: This is sort of an introspective post (I love how a blog can turn into a sort of journal for me to look back on) :)

So most of my weekends right now are spent driving back and forth between San Diego and Orange County. Which is a very nice ride, actually; it's pretty quick, and very enjoyable with lots of gorgeous things to look at (like the glistening Pacific ocean!) Have you ever noticed that as you drive by yourself, you have a lot of time to just sit and think? With the crazy pace of life, it's been a wonderful break to sit in a car by myself for a few hours each week. And it may sound a bit strange, but I've actually come to look forward to these little drives. Every time I hop in my car to head to OC, I somehow end up reflecting on life, God, and all sorts of other things. It's quite refreshing- you should try it sometime! Take a drive, put on some fun music, turn your cell phone off, and just take the time to let yourself think and reflect!

My drive up north always takes me past the areas that were affected by the SoCal fires last fall. I still remember that first drive after the fires, when everywhere I looked, it was completely black - charred trees and ash covered the hillsides. Since then, I haven't really noticed the small changes that have taken place, but then today, all of a sudden, it just hit me how much things have changed since then. The hillsides are now green and beautiful, with lush grass springing up and covering the hills like a blanket. And as I took it all in, suddenly I had a picture of what my life has been like over the past year or so. About a year ago, my life was completely burned, no signs of life. Have you even been in a place like that? Where no words can explain the pain, and it seems as though you'll never be ok again? And then slowly, through a process of healing and transformation, one day comes where you're able to look back and realize that what was once ashes is now green! I am so thankful that God has walked with me through a painful season of my life, and that I am now able to look at everything with a new perspective. So to anyone who is going through pain or heartbreak or just a low, sucky season of life... the light will come!

I love the lyrics from this Phil Wickham song:
To the one with the wounded heart
The years fighting have left you scarred
Wait, the light will come
To the one with the distant eyes
All this crying has left you dry
Wait, the light will come
Wait, the light will come
Lift your eyes
The sun has overcome the night
Come alive
As we shine in loves true light

Click here to see the rest of the lyrics to this song.

Books & Music

2008-02-20T09:57:00.000-08:00

This past week I started slowing down my pace of life just a bit. I took 2 days off and did NO work whatsoever. Let me just say, it was heavenly! I finally started reading a few books again, and it was wonderful to reconnect with something I love doing (but haven't taken the time to do). So here are a few books that are on my bookshelf right now (some recently finished, some are in line to be read next). Velvet Elvis | Blue Like Jazz | Redeeming Love | Rich Dad Poor Dad | Legal Guide for Small Business

And, on another note, as many of you know, working in front of a computer screen all day long can start to get a little tedious. Thankfully I get to work most days w/ some friends up at the Woman Captured office, so we get to chat and laugh as we're imaging photos. For me, as I assume is true for many of you, music is a central component to getting through the day whilst sitting in front of a computer. And so I have to make new playlists constantly. Here are a few songs I just added to the playlist I'm listening to at the moment... (no rhyme or reason to my choices - just a few of the songs I felt like listening to today!)

"New Soul" Yael Naim | "100 Round The Bends" Missy Higgins | "Tymps" Fiona Apple | "Mr. Brightside" The Killers
"Almost Lover" A Fine Frenzy | "Jenny Don't Be Hasty" Paolo Nutini | "Hallelujah" Paramore | "Foolish Friendless Cause" Melissa Vaughan
"Take Me Out" Franz Ferdinand | "In Love With A Girl" Gavin Degraw | "To Zion" Lauryn Hill | "Speeding Cars" Imogen Heap

WPPI

2008-02-18T21:30:00.000-08:00

SOOO excited about Vegas! I can't believe how fast this year is flying by - it's already mid-February?! March is just around the corner, and since this is going to be my first time going to WPPI, I'm quite a bit excited! Marissa & I are also doing a boudoir shoot at the KISS house on Las Vegas Blvd, so if you wanna come, check it out HERE! Honestly I'm still incredibly shocked that I'm going to be doing a demo shoot; sometimes I have to pinch myself and ask "is this really happening?" I never would've guessed that our "Boudoir Divas" thing would take off so quickly! It's exciting and yet truthfully, it's also a bit scary at the same time. Just so you know, I don't consider myself an expert by any means (we're all still learning, right?) :) I just LOVE what I do, and hopefully that will show during our shoot!

Be my Valentine!

2008-02-14T08:28:00.000-08:00

Now I'm definitely not into the cheesiness of Valentine's Day, with the typical red roses and boxes of chocolate and all that... BUT... Remember the anticipation of Valentine's Day when you were a little kid, on your way to elementary school? Who knew that passing out and receiving little heart-shaped pieces of paper could be so utterly exhilerating!?! :) Such a simple gesture, showing your friends that you appreciate them! So to all of my friends, I hope you know how much I love you! I am so thankful for all of the people who are continually pouring into my life with endless encouragement, laughter, and amazing friendship. So... happy day of red roses, candy hearts, and memories of exchanging little paper Valentines! xoxo, Kimberlee

Helen and David (wedding w/ Jasmine Star!)

2008-02-07T19:47:00.000-08:00

What a gorgeous day! Everything about it was just oh-so-beautiful! From the pretty pink roses & the delicate details on Helen's dress, to the dazzling sunlight pouring through the tops of the trees and perfectly lighting the ceremony... it was all just so gorgeous! And, of course, it was such an amazing privilege to be able to shoot this wedding with Jasmine Star! I had such a wonderful time. Thanks again for letting me be there, J*! (See a few of Jasmine's awesome photos of the day on her blog!) And thanks, Helen and David, for letting me help to capture the love you have for each other.

Jasmine Star- "anything for the shot!"

2008-02-07T19:33:00.001-08:00

Wondering how Jasmine gets her awesome images? Well... here she is in action!!! (Sorry, Jasmine, couldn't resist!) ;)

Our book is finished!

2008-02-04T17:22:00.000-08:00

Oh my goodness, I can't believe it's done! So exciting! I can't even explain how nice it is to be done... to finally see the finished product, after so many months of hard work! Celebrating at our "Book Release Party!" :) CLICK HERE to see more photos from the party!

Outdoor Shoot

2008-02-04T16:10:00.000-08:00

Just for fun... while we were shooting on-location for our Boudoir Divas' Workshop, I made Crystal (office manager and good friend) model for me! I think she looks so fierce! Here are some of my favorite shots... (Thanks, C, you're awesome!)

Heinous Photo

2008-02-03T14:33:00.000-08:00

This has GOT to be one of the absolute worst pictures ever taken of me! Oh, Jasmine*, I can't believe you posted this one; I'm laughing and yet inwardly CRINGING at the same time! It was SO much fun shooting with you, despite what my facial expression may display in this photo!!! It certainly is a heinous shot... touché. ;)

Little miracle!

2008-01-30T23:50:00.000-08:00

Ok, so it's been a very eventful week - and my little nephew has definitely been on his own time schedule! I was up here in L.A. all weekend with my sister, hoping that she would go into labor, but nothing happened! So Monday I drove back to San Diego in order to make it to our book release party (more on that later). And yep, sure enough, late that night I got the phone call that it was time! So I headed back up to L.A. once again, and after many hours of labor, last night, the doctors decided they wanted to do a c-section to get that little guy out.

What a surreal experience! I felt like I was in the midst of an episode of ER, putting on my blue scrubs and mask... scrubbing up with iodine... and entering the operating room to watch the doctors bring my nephew out into the world! The c-section was a very interesting thing to watch... and mere words can't even begin to describe what it's like to see a new little human life begin. Needless to say, I feel incredibly honored that I was able to see my nephew's birth last night!!! And it was so much fun to document the experience with photos. (Although through all of my tears, it's a wonder that I was able to get even one shot!) Here are a few of my favorites...
*Note: friends and family, if you want to see some more photos of Brody, check out this blog we started....

I'm an aunt!!!

2008-01-29T23:49:00.000-08:00

Wow, I'm completely speechless- what an amazing thing to experience! Meet my new little nephew, Brody...

2008-01-26T15:47:00.000-08:00

Click here to read the story behind this photo.

Boudoir Photography Workshop

2008-01-23T22:54:00.000-08:00

In the past few months my biz partner (Marissa Boucher) and I have really thrown ourselves into creating some fun educational resources for photographers who want to learn about boudoir... it's been a crazy few months, with the release of our book, website, and now, a workshop. I still can't believe it's all happening so quickly! The workshop has been a lot of fun so far, we've got 5 gals here for 3 days, learning all about boudoir! Today's focus was on our shooting style... here's one of my favorite shots from the day.

Shooting w/ J*

2008-01-21T23:43:00.000-08:00

This weekend, I had the amazing privilege of shooting with the wonderfully talented Jasmine Star! She's awesome.... so sweet, so humble, so genuine, and seriously, SO much fun to hang out with... I just love this girl! :) It was incredibly fun to watch her do her thing- shooting, interacting with her clients, and getting some amazingly stunning images! I honestly feel SO honored that she asked me to come help her shoot. Thanks, Jasmine*!

Excited...

2008-01-18T08:37:00.000-08:00

... because I get to shoot a wedding tomorrow with someone AMAZINGLY stellar. Who is it? Hint: She's a super"STAR" in the wedding photography industry! :) ... Can't wait, it's gonna be so much fun!

Come to Starbucks!

2008-01-17T07:21:00.000-08:00

If you like coffee... and you like music... and you live in San Diego... then you HAVE to come to one of these shows at Starbucks! I went last week and it was SO great! Awesome music by the super talented, super cute Melissa Vaughan, along w/ a few other local SD artists. Free show, but they're accepting donations to help support Bring Me Hope, which is this really cool nonprofit organization that's helping orphaned kids in China. Next show is tomorrow (Friday 1/18), at a Starbucks in Oceanside ( click here for address )... Check it out! Also, if you can't make it tomorrow, then check out Melissa's myspace page to see a list of her upcoming shows.
PS- I finally jumped into the 21st century and joined myspace; if you're there too, let's be friends! ;)

What the heck is Boudoir?

2008-01-14T07:33:00.000-08:00

"Boudoir." (pronounced "bu-dwar")... "A woman's private sitting room, dressing room, or bedroom." 1777, "room where a lady may retire to be alone," from Fr., lit. "pouting room," from bouder "to pout, sulk," which, like pout, is probably of imitative origin. In the photography world, boudoir is: cute/classy/cutting-edge photos of your female clients (brides and wives- intended to give as a gift to her hubby). I know that in the past, boudoir has had some weird connotations in this industry, (either creepiness, cheesiness, or 80's-style glamour shots... a la Deb's glamour shots from Napoleon Dynamite). But currently, boudoir is getting a new look. In my opinion, it's becoming the next hot thing in the industry, and the demand is SO huge right now! I know a lot of people have questioned why I choose to shoot boudoir photography, wondering if it's sort of a strange thing to do (as a Christian woman)... and so here's my stance on the issue. I LOVE helping women realize how beautiful they are! I love that through this experience, women get a renewed sense of confidence. I love that I can help spark a little romance between a husband and wife. I never would have thought I'd like to shoot boudoir sessions, but when Marissa (owner of Woman Captured) asked if I wanted to try it out, I decided to go for it. And surprisingly, after my first shoot, I was completely hooked. The greatest thing about this job is to hear my clients say "Oh my gosh, I'm so gorgeous!" :) I love capturing that beauty in a woman- no matter what shape or size she is. And I love trying to fight society's crazy views of what we as women need to look like in order to be beautiful. Women do NOT need to fit into a certain size jeans, wear the latest fashions, or try to squeeze into the mold our society has created. This issue runs deep in my heart, because I know what it feels like to hear "you're not beautiful enough" ... or tall enough or skinny enough or whatever... (fill in the blank)... as women, we've all heard messages like this; and I just love being able to show women that they are absolutely stunningly beautiful, just as they are!

Ok, so I guess I'm a little passionate about this issue. ;) Getting back to my opinion on boudoir photography. Our boudoir studio (Woman Captured) strives to create classy, fun images for a wife to give her husband, and I think that this is something that completely aligns with my faith. Our mission statement really reflects our hearts' desire for this business: "Our God grants us beauty and love everyday. He gives us strength and wisdom to create a life that will benefit those around us and those he asks us to help and give to abundantly. He gives us the resources and creativity to create a classy and romantic piece of art that ignites confidence and excitement in a bride or wife and reinforces beauty in a woman and romance in a couple. With praise and deep gratitude we thank God everyday for the blessings He gives to us. We have nothing to fear because Christ Jesus sustains us."

About six months ago, Marissa and I decided to create some resources for other professional photographers who want to add boudoir to their list of services. Thus, we began "The Boudoir Divas". And let me just tell you, the past few months have been insane! Like whirlwind, roller-coaster, better hold on for dear life kind of insane. We really had no idea that this concept would take off like it has, but it's been SO exciting! I know I've been slacking in posting images, and this is why. In just a few weeks, we're releasing our brand new BOOK all about boudoir photography! We've also got tons of [unexpected/absolutely awesome] stuff lined up for The Boudoir Divas in the coming months: workshops, speaking at photography conferences, getting published in some national magazines... the list just keeps getting bigger. I don't know what else is going to happen, but I'm excited to see what God's going to do with this. What a fun adventure!

Delayed Holiday Post

2008-01-13T14:50:00.000-08:00

Started writing this on Jan. 1st, and here we are about two weeks later. Can you tell my life is a tad bit busy right now??? Oh well, better late than never.
Highlights of my holidays...
-Family being together again (w/ my baby brother home from Iraq- mom was in heaven with all of her kids here this year!)
-Finding out the name of my nephew (arriving next month... can't wait to meet you, Brody!!!)
-New Uggs- yay, thanks Santa! (And yes, I FINALLY threw away my trashed Uggs from 8 years ago... I wore those poor things out... and P.S., I was wearing them way before they were cool!) ;)
-Hanging out w/ family and friends at a baby shower for sis/welcome home party for my bro (so much fun to see everyone!)

What good times! So I just have to end by saying that I have the greatest parents in the world. On the day they headed back to TX (last week), I got home from work to find these awesome surprises all over my place. They left me a cute little plant, a mini rice cooker, some of my favorite groceries (including hummus, soy milk, and veggies), and to top it all off, a Trader Joe's Gift Card! How awesome are my parents? I started crying when I saw everything. Seriously. I was just so overwhelmed with thankfulness. Not just for the things that they left in my room, but for a million little things... countless prayers, hugs, talks on the phone, endless encouragement... and just everything that they do for me. God has blessed me with AMAZING parents who have poured so much love into me. Their support through my entire life (and in the past year especially) has been so incredible, I know I won't ever be able to thank them enough with my mere words. Love you, mom and dad! :)

Misc. Monday

2008-01-07T23:24:00.000-08:00

I love so many things! I love music, art, & fashion... I love traveling, meeting new people, and trying to learn new languages... I love hearing about people who are fighting against injustices around the world. I love snuggling up to read a good book when it's pouring rain outside... or blasting my favorite song on my ipod and singing as loud as possible (as long as nobody is within earshot). Anyway, absolutely no point to the above rambling sentences. Just a few random thoughts on this Monday evening.

Here are a few of the miscellaneous things that have inspired me recently...
1) Awesome Music: Like "In My Arms" by Plumb (amazing!) [Click here to listen!]
Also- "Invasion" by Eisley (love them!) [Click here to listen!]

2) Gorgeous Clothing: I watched "The Atonement" this weekend, and I have to say that I am absolutely smitten! Seriously. I have fallen head-over-heels in love (ok maybe it's infatuation)... with the green dress that Kiera Knightly gets to wear in this film. It's so gorgeous!

3) Socially-proactive businesses: Development projects that are more than just "projects" ... instead, they are truly PEOPLE-focused, making a direct impact in the communities and individual lives of the people they interact with. Like Acholi Beads and Tamar Cards.

4) Other Photographers: Like this awesome gal, Esther, whose website I just happened to come across today. What an inspiration (especially because I really want to be able to use photography for nonprofit/travel work more in the future!) Seeing her website has challenged me to really get going with editing and posting some of my images from the time I spent in Asia.

1-1-08!

2008-01-01T11:22:00.000-08:00

The start of a new year is always a great time to reflect on the past and look forward to the future. My 2007 marked the ending of a very significant stage of my life. Painful and sad in one sense, and yet at the same time, I can't help but feel an overwhelming sense of peace and anticipation about what is to come. Now, on 1-1-08, I'm looking forward to a year of change in more ways than one. In my personal life, my business, my plans and goals and dreams... I'm expecing a lot of changes throughout the next 12 months... and I am very excited about what is to come! Happy New Year, everyone!

Office Christmas Party

2007-12-30T14:56:00.000-08:00

Our Boucher Photography / Woman Captured office Christmas party this year was based on none other than my favorite show, The Office. Seriously. Complete w/ a memo from Angela & the Party Planning Commitee (aka our office manager, Crystal). I love working w/ this studio! It's the best job- because I'm able to do what I love (shooting boudoir photos & designing albums)... and at the same time, I'm ALSO able to shoot child/family sessions on my own. I'm so blessed that I'm able to work w/ 4 amazing people who have all become wonderful FRIENDS! I'll be working w/ this studio through the spring of '08, and after that I'll be making a few changes in my life/business (more to come on that later). I'm just LOVE working w/ these people! Check out the WC blog for more pics.

My Zambia Dream

2007-12-27T08:16:00.000-08:00

Since my interview on blu, I've received a few emails from people wondering why a plane ticket to Zambia is on my wishlist. Well, in the spring of '08, I'm hoping to take a trip to visit my cousin Caitlin in Zambia! Catie is in the peace corps, and I'm so excited to join her and live with her for a few weeks, getting a small taste of what her life has been like for the past year and a half. It's a huge dream of mine... I've been working like crazy, saving up to buy my plane ticket, and then I also got a sweet bonus from my great bosses at Boucher Photography ... so my dream is starting to look like a reality! :) My cousin and I have shared so many experiences together throughout the past twenty-odd years... eating under our picnic table-turned-tent/imagination wonderland... creating endless dance performances in the garage and synchronized swimming routines in her backyard pool... building drip sandcastles at the beach... borrowing each other's clothes... and then we even shared the whole college experience together when we went to the same school!!! I'm excited to add Zambia to our list of experiences. I love you, Cait! See you in a few months! To read about Caitlin's Zambia adventures, check out her awesome blog! Hope you all had a WONDERFUL Christmas!!! I'm having a blast hanging out w/ my family (they all came to visit me here in SD!)... more on that soon. :) This is a photo my cousin sent me- I love it! Isn't this an amazing image???

I'm on Blu's Blog!

2007-12-20T13:04:00.001-08:00

Click here to see my interview on blu!
I love bludomain! They asked me a few questions for their daily blog featuring photographers... so if you want to know a little more about me, check it out! :) Thanks, blu- you're the best! I love my new website!

Family Christmas Album

2007-12-18T14:26:00.000-08:00

Last week my dear friend (and fellow photographer) Deena asked me to take some family photos at the beach (with her 2 brothers & her 2 adorable kiddos). It was such a gorgeous day- the sky had cleared up after a huge storm, and the beach was so nice! (Although just a little cold!). Here's an album I put together for Deena...

New Portrait Website!

2007-12-13T11:03:00.000-08:00

It's finally here! Now... I have to preface this by saying that my site is still under construction, and I know I have a lot more work to do for it still. But with that said... I'm pleased to announce the official launch of my new portrait site!!! Check it out and let me know what you think! www.kimberleewest.com

Slacking...

2007-12-12T23:56:00.000-08:00

I know I've been slacking a bit in my blogging lately. The reason? I've been focusing a little more on my website... which [hopefully] will be launching SOON! Check back tomorrow if you want to see my new site!

Lori & Scott

2007-12-04T21:43:00.000-08:00

"She was wearing this amazing red sweater!!!" That's what Scott said when I asked how they met, his eyes lighting up with the memories of seeing Lori for the first time. Lori, on the other hand, started laughing... apparently she had a little different first impression, as she didn't ever want to run into Scott again. :) But as fate would have it, they did see each other again. And over time, their love story continued to develop... which led up to a few weeks ago, when Lori happily said "yes" when Scott popped the question. I had the privilege of meeting this adorable couple last week for some engagement photos. They live in Encinitas, which is this fun little beach town with great shops, restaurants, and of course, great surf! So we took a walk around the city for a little bit before we headed down to the beach. This couple was so sweet- I loved hanging out with them! Congrats on your engagement, you guys!

In the box....

2007-11-29T21:38:00.000-08:00

Yay! I'm so excited, I can hardly contain myself. I may be spoiling myself big-time, but I don't care... so what was in the box? My new Mac Book Pro! Yes, I finally broke down and upgraded my computer (it's been a long time coming). My little ibook has been a faithful friend the past few years, but the poor little guy just couldn't quite handle all the thousands of Raw files I've been asking him to work with. Even the simplest photoshop task was like asking the little guy to run a marathon... I definitely over-worked my poor ibook, and he just wasn't able to keep up. But I'm so happy with my new macbook... this monster has SO much speed, it's going to make my life a whole lot easier (not to mention way more efficient!) Ok, and I have to confess, I got little carried away and also ordered a new 20-inch display screen. LOVE it! :)

So excited...

2007-11-29T09:29:00.001-08:00

... about what's in the box!!! :)

Thanksgiving

2007-11-28T10:00:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving here in beautiful, sunny San Diego... my sister & her hubby came down from L.A., and we had a big family Thanksgiving over at my aunt and uncle's house (thanks, guys- everything was wonderful!). It was a bit of a smaller group this time- only about 20 people (we have a pretty big extended family, so we're used to having tons of people gather for the holidays!). We had so much fun relaxing, talking, playing ping-pong, and, of course, eating. Here are a few photos from the day...

2007-11-22T11:51:00.000-08:00

I love Thanksgiving! Spending time with friends & family... celebrating all of the things that we're thankful for... it's just such an awesome time to stop and really reflect on all that God has done in my life. I hope you all have a wonderful day! Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Thankful

2007-11-20T08:14:00.000-08:00

A few days ago I was having a frappucino kind of day. Let me explain. I'm a pretty even-keeled, steady person... and I'm also pretty shy when it comes to just "wearing my heart on my sleeve." It's just not a strong point for me, and my close friends and family know that it can be very hard for me to open up and express when I'm having a bad day. (Seriously, saying I'm having a bad day can be like pulling teeth!). So... if you ever want to know how I'm REALLY doing on any given day, here's an insider's clue for you: ask me what I ordered at Starbucks that morning. Almost every day, I go for a tall non-fat Caramel Macchiatto. It's my steady favorite (just enough sweetness, without the insane amount of calories). :) On those days, everything's going great. I'm happy. Steady & even-keeled. Every once in a while, though, I'll step up to a tall non-fat white mocha. On those days, I'm usually extra happy, and I want to splurge a little- just for the heck of it. (If I want to splurge a lot, I'll even add whipped cream!) :)

And then there are my frappucino days. These days are very rare- they only happen every once in a while. But on the days that I order a VENTI caramel frappucino, WITH whipped cream... well, let's just say that I could use a little pick-me-up on those days. So yes, I was having a sort-of-rough-day this past weekend... and yes, I ordered myself a little "pick-me-up frappucino."

Since that day... let me just tell you, I have been SO encouraged and lifted up! (And it wasn't because of the frappucino). ;)My friends & family must know me by now- that sometimes when I say "I'm fine," it doesn't necessarily mean everything's peachy-keen. So I just wanted to say thank you to all of you who encouraged me this weekend when I needed it most. A belated birthday package that came at just the right time (including a Starbucks gift card- yay!)... a text message from my kindred-spirit-of-a-cousin, all the way from Africa... emails and phone calls and text messages from so many of you, sending love and prayers my way... wow, it was just awesome. So many little things from each of you turned into a HUGE gift that really made me smile.

Sitting here this morning, drinking my normal/steady Caramel Macchiatto, I'm realizing once again how incredibly BLESSED I am! I'm just amazed and completely blown away by my friends & family. And so... a few days away from Thanksgiving, I just wanted to let all of you know how absolutely thankful I am that you are in my life. I don't know where I would be without you guys. Thanks for all of your support and encouragement, thanks for just being there for me on my "frappuccino days," and thanks for walking with me through this season of my life- I love you all!

Boot Camp

2007-11-17T10:09:00.000-08:00

Some days I wonder what the heck was going through my brain when I signed up for this. Was it a moment of insanity when I said ‘yes’? "Am I out of mind?" ... "What am I doing?" These pondering thoughts usually stir through my befuddled brain as my alarm goes off at around 4:40am, abruptly waking me from my sweet dreams and forcing me to crawl out of bed and head down to Mission Beach.

For the past 3 months, 3 mornings a week, I’ve been part of an early morning all-girls "bootcamp," complete with plenty of running/cardio, weight lifting, circuit training, push-ups, pull-ups, sprinting in the sand, and basically an all-around crazy-insane, feel-the-burn workout that totally kicks my butt! One of my friends, Jessica Thomas, is a personal trainer and owner of Fit 2 Wed. I don’t know where this girl gets her energy from- she’s wide awake and completely happy to be working out at 5 in the morning, when the sun hasn’t even made an appearance yet! (I say NOBODY should even be AWAKE that early, let alone starting an intense workout!). Seriously, though, all complaining and whining aside- I really am glad that I joined. I’ve been wanting to get back in shape for a while now, and I’m proud to say that this bootcamp has been very effective! My biggest accomplishment? I can now do 30 REAL pushups in 60 seconds! (This might not seem like much, I know, but this is coming from a girl who couldn’t even do ONE real pushup a few months ago!). :)

And I know for sure that I couldn’t have done this on my own. Jessica is an amazing trainer, and she is so good at motivating us- yes, even at 5 in the morning. Not only that, but she encourages us to make healthy lifestyle choices that go beyond just “getting in shape” or "dropping a few pounds." Plus, having a group of other girls to work out with is so much fun- that in itself is a ton of motivation, too. (I’m just a little bit competitive... so if someone next to me is lifting 10-pound weights, you better believe that I’m going to kill myself trying to do the same!) Thanks so much, Jess- I loved your bootcamp! Any ladies in the San Diego area... her next bootcamp is starting up in a few weeks, so check it out!

Jess asked me to do a little photo shoot to get some pics that she can use for some of her marketing materials. Here are a few of the shots...

Disneyland

2007-11-16T23:31:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago, we all took a day off of work to celebrate my birthday at Disneyland! To say we “had a good time” would be the biggest understatement EVER! I haven’t been to Disneyland in such a long time, and it was just SO awesome to hang out with some of my friends at the happiest place on earth! Marissa & Weston (or “Westissa,” as we like to call them) got me a ticket for my birthday, and then I upgraded to the yearly pass. (Why not, right?) They also brought their little digital camera... and let me just say- some of the photos we took could definitely end up as major blackmail leverage in the future (don’t worry, I am not posting any of the too terribly awful ones here!). ;)

Marissa, me, & Deena- on our way to the happiest place on earth!Main Street! Me, Deena, Brian, & "Westissa" :) (kind of like"Brangelina") Marissa was just a LITTLE bit excited for this picture... So the "Finding Nemo" ride made me & Deena a little restless (aka bored)... and we all know that boredom & a camera don't mix- it's inevitable that you'll end up with some super-dorky pictures! :) Another dorky one... Me & Riss... Thanks for the birthday trip to D-land, guys- I had SOOO much fun!

Nick & Nicki (Wedding w/ David Jay)

2007-11-12T13:56:00.000-08:00

Here are a few of my shots from Nick & Nicki's wedding this past weekend (where I got to be a 3rd shooter for the famous David Jay - thanks again for letting me come along, DJ!).

The day started at forme salon in Santa Monica for some getting ready shots... And just in case I ever wanted to know what I look like while I'm shooting, Jasmine had it covered... :) Nicki was absolutely radiant, and her smile was SOOO contagious! Jasmine and I headed over to the awesome Viceroy hotel for some shots of the guys getting ready... Nick getting ready to meet his bride... Some of the groomsmen hanging out at the hotel I snagged these shots as Nicki was on her way to see Nick for the first time (isn't she gorgeous?) First looks... Nicki & her bridesmails - "twirling" ... Some detail shots of the reception at the Bel Air Bay Club (the flowers were absolutely beautiful- thanks to Tricia Haner, floral designer/event coordinator of The Hidden Garden Floral Designs). Congratulations, Nick & Nikki! It was such a privilege for me to be able to observe a little glimpse of the amazing love that you have for each other (and for God!). Blessings to you in your new life together! My new friends! DJ, Jasmine*, & Brett Austin (videographer)... it was so much fun hanging out with you guys- thanks for everything! :)

Awesome Opportunity

2007-11-11T18:00:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I had the incredible privilege of shooting with...David Jay!

I am so blessed to have been given this opportunity to learn, observe, & shoot w/ DJ- it was such an amazing experience!

David Jay is all about giving back and helping others in the industry- which is just so incredibly refreshing! (Check out OSP & Freedom Club). He had his live webcam on at different times during the day, and at one time I think over 50 people were logged-on to watch the action (so cool!). I also got to observe first-hand how easy & FAST it can be to create a slideshow of images at the wedding reception- using Showit Effects. I've decided that the Showit Products are definitely a must-have for wedding photographers!

As a bonus, I also got to hang out with Jasmine Star, who was DJ's 2nd shooter for the day. I just love this girl- she's so much fun! Here she is using DJ's 50 mm f/1.0 lens DJ & Jasmine* in action- capturing the bride & groom seeing each other for the first time Thank you so much for letting me shoot with you yesterday, DJ. I had a blast!

Happiness

2007-11-10T08:33:00.000-08:00

"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful." -Albert Schweitzer

Right now I'm sitting at a small round table at the Starbucks on Main Street in Santa Monica, CA. My nonfat white mocha was served to me this morning in a red Christmas cup, and there are red decorations everywhere I look. (Since Starbucks is displaying Christmas decorations, this justifies my listening to Christmas music, yes?)I'm so overwhelmed with this amazing feeling of contentment & happiness, and I think it has to do with the fact that I absolutely LOVE what I do! I'm so thankful that I'm finally starting to pursue photography as my full-time career. Sitting here this morning, I'm so excited that I'm really almost borderline giddy (I'm talking the "butterflies in your stomach, can't wipe the smile off your face" kind of giddy!). Why? Because today I get to assist shooting a wedding with two of my favorite photographers... and I'm SO excited! So excited, in fact, that I left my house at 6am- and now I'm here about 2 hours early. So yeah, I have a little time to kill. :)

Ooh, and guess what just arrived last night? My new 85mm/1.8 lens! I'm used to shooting with zoom lenses (the 24-70 and 70-200), but I've been itching to get some prime lenses- so this is my first one! I can't wait to play with it! (And now I get to use my shootsac to actually hold lenses, rather than just extra batteries and chapstick!)... hee hee. My friend Lisa sent this lens to me in exchange for designing a wedding album for her (I really love the design aspect of this job- almost as much as shooting. Almost). Thanks, Leese! I can't wait to try it out today. I'll be posting some shots from the wedding later this week- so check back if you're interested to see who I'm shooting with!

Amazing Grace

2007-11-09T20:45:00.001-08:00

While I was in Texas last week, I asked Grace if she would let me take a few shots of her as we walked around downtown McKinney. I have to admit, I had no idea how excited a four year old gal could be about taking pictures! She was so cute- I didn't even need to give her any direction. I simply sat back and clicked away as she smiled, twirled, laughed, and posed for the camera. Gracie, your spunk is so contagious- you amaze me! :)

Texas

2007-11-08T18:47:00.000-08:00

Here are a few more photos of my time in Texas. Here's my cute sister (and my little nephew- can't wait for him to arrive!!!)... The Fam...My little brother & sister (and yes, I know it's kind of a cheezy pose... but oh well, mom's happy!)
Meet the Soulier Family... Grace, Ryan, Caroline, & Maggie. Maggie and I have been friends since Junior High, and it just so happens that they now live in Texas, too! So I get the awesome privilege of seeing these dear friends whenever I'm visiting my parents. Here are a few photos of the Souliers...
Little Caroline has the prettiest blue eyes! It was so fun to see her walking around and playing with her big sister. She is such a sweetheart! Me & Grace (I can't believe how big she is! Seems like just yesterday she was still a baby!!!)

Shoe Addiction

2007-11-05T10:53:00.000-08:00

Confession: I have a not-so-secret love of (aka obsession with)... shoes. Patent leather or suede... flats or heels... classic or funky... I love them all. I have a dream to one day own a closet that’s just for my shoes. Someday... :)

Here’s my newest addition... a delicious little pair of heels that I found at The River, a great store in Pacific Beach, CA. Just perfect for fall! On that note, I have to share about this wonderful little boutique that I just discovered last week while strolling around downtown McKinney. This store is amazing! So many delicious shoes to choose from... not to mention, the style & look of the whole store is SO perfect. I felt right at home- I think this store was made for me. This is definitely my new favorite shoe store. (I might even make a few extra trips to Texas this year just to stop by PUMPS!)

McKinney, TX

2007-11-03T10:47:00.001-07:00

So my parents just moved here a couple years ago, and us kids have never officially called McKinney home. But still, it feels like home when we’re all here together, and honestly, I just love it here! Here’s a list of the reasons why I’m loving McKinney right now...
1) There’s so much open space! For this Southern California girl, it’s blowing my mind that we can drive by huge open fields with hay bales, cows, and horses.
2) People in the stores here could talk to you for hours- they’re not in any rush. McKinney definitely has a sort of a small-town feeling with a much slower pace of life- it’s a very nice change of pace.
3) Cutest, quaintest downtown with awesome boutique shops & restaurants.
4) The leaves are starting to change color now... so beautiful!
5) My parents’ house is so cozy... complete with glowing candles, warm fuzzy blankets, a fire in the fireplace, & freshly baked bread.
6) My mom, sister, & I are starting to listen to Christmas music already! (Much to the chagrin of my dad & brother- sorry, guys!) :)
7) I get to spend time with my family!

Surprise!

2007-11-01T20:54:00.000-07:00

The festive music wafted through the restaurant, playfully mingling with the happy sounds of families laughing and friends talking. Smells of delicious, gourmet-style Mexican cuisine filled the air, drawing a crowd of people craving some awesome food (at the best restaurant in all of Texas: Petra’s!!!).

Kelli and I stealthily peered through the small round window of the kitchen door & into the main dining room, awaiting the appearance of one very special person. We ducked down as we saw them all enter the room, and then as soon as they were seated, we quickly came out from our hiding places. “Would you like some chips and salsa?” my sister asked sweetly as we set our trays down on the table...

He did a double-take, then a triple-take, and then, after about 5 full seconds of looking back and forth between us, it finally started to sink in. A huge grin spread across his face, happiness mixed with a little hint of confusion, and in an instant, he stood up to wrap us up in a big bear hug.

My little brother is home from Iraq! He just arrived yesterday, and although Kelli and I weren’t able to be there when he arrived, we knew we wanted to fly out to Texas to surprise him with a little visit. It is SO wonderful to have Tim back in the US after serving in Iraq for over a year. After an awesome dinner (which we enjoyed with the wonderful owners of Petra’s- thanks, guys!), we headed back to our parents’ cozy house to spend some time together as a family. We all sat around the living room, listening to stories from Iraq, talking, laughing, joking... and all the while relishing the fact that we were finally all together as a family again. For me, the highlight of the evening was when my dad prayed with all of us- I have to admit that amidst all of the smiling and laughing, I’ve had to swallow back a huge lump in my throat several times tonight (I never knew it would be such an emotional day!). We love you, Tim-Bob! It’s so good to have you home! my mom left a little Christmas tree in the corner of the living room while Tim was over in Iraq... but now that he's home, I guess we can take it down... :)

Happy Halloween!

2007-10-31T23:30:00.000-07:00

All of us at work today- Weston, Marissa, me, Deena, & Crystal.

Bridal Bazaar in Del Mar

2007-10-29T22:20:00.000-07:00

Here are a few photos of our Woman Captured booth at the San Diego Bridal Bazaar. It was a busy weekend, but it was definitely worth it! (And I’m sorry, but I just have to say... our booth was pretty darn cute!). To see some more photos, visit our Woman Captured blog. Marissa & I setting up our booth... You know you’ve been working with someone a LOT when you start talking the same, thinking the same, and yes, even posing for photos the same... (no, I swear we didn’t plan this- we honestly didn’t even notice until someone pointed it out when we were going through the photos later!) I know, I know... we’re dorks. The Woman Captured team: Deena, me, Marissa, & Crystal On another note... Marissa and I are super busy right now with the educational side of the boudoir business. We're still in the process of writing our book, getting our album templates ready, and planning our first workshop (scheduled for Jan ‘08). To find out more info, visit the “Photographers & Press” page on the Woman Captured Website

Jade, the Office, & Blue Skies

2007-10-28T18:48:00.000-07:00

It’s been a long day, and tonight I’m ready to crash. I’ve got a nice glass of red wine waiting for me, and I just picked up some take-out from my favorite restaurant in the whole world. I’m set. And now... I’m gearing up to finish Season 3 of the Office!!!

For anyone who loves Thai food, you HAVE to try Jade Thai Cuisine- it’s this totally random hole-in-the-wall location (near Qualcomm Stadium in SD), but the food is the most authentic I’ve had here in the States (after living in Thailand for a few months- I'm a pretty tough critic when it comes to Thai food!) All of the employees at Jade know me by name now.... is it possible to become addicted to Thai food? If so, I am. :) My favorites: eggplant chicken & musaman curry. To die for!

Oh, and while we’re talking about the Office, I just have to say that I think this clip from Season 3 is (so far) my favorite episode opener ever! So hilarious. Oh, and one more thing- the sky is finally starting clear up! After a week of smokey skies, it was so nice to see blue sky today!