Winners are awesome | San Diego family photographer

Before I announce the winner of the Giving is Awesome giveaway, I just want to take a moment to thank all of you for your nominations. This giveaway turned out to be so much more than just being able to do something nice for a deserving soul. Reading all the entries really just reminded me about the basic good we all have within us - and for that I am the most grateful. It was such a difficult choice to make, as there were so many deserving families highlighted and all the nominees were very deserving of this giveaway. But alas - I can only choose one.

The winning nomination came from Annie, who will receive a complimentary CD with their next photo session. Our very deserving winner is Laural - a very good friend of Annie's who has been there for her during times of need and beyond; whose family is going through some of their own tribulation right now; and who is, in Annie's words, "...super helpful to me, and a genuinely kind, good person" and "...truly kind even when things are tough for them."

Congratulations Laural and Annie!

And with a full heart, I wish all of you wonderful readers a very Merry Christmas!

News team...assemble! | San Diego family photographer

I had a list of things I wanted to make sure I mentioned in tonight's blog entry, but after a loooong night of Christmas lights hunting, a heavy meal, and not realizing I left my wallet at home until it was time to pay for said heavy meal...my brain is fried. So it seems you are saved from suffering my usual long windedness and are left simply with the fabulousness of this FUN group's smizing, laughing, and their ode to one Ron Burgandy and the channel 4 news team ;)

The "news team" jumping into action...

If this isn't an indication of just how much fun we had, I don't know what is...

Cameron and Maricel - or shall I say hot and hotterer?

The extra fabulous miss Ashley...who promised to hook me up with the most amazing tattoo artist...in Ecuador. Now I just need to get someone to fly me down there! Any volunteers?

Brittany and her hubby Joey...working it out.

the siblings...

You stay classy San Diego! ;)

Sweet and Sour - the second installment!

Hi readers…

…just wanted to put out a couple of reminders and share the newest Sweet & Sour installment.
Friendly reminders:

Giving is still awesome! You can catch up on the details by clicking here. I’ve already received some heartstring pulling entries, but I’m still accepting nominations. So if you know someone who you think deserves to win, please submit their story right away. Even if you can’t think of anyone personally, feel free to pass this along in an email, post this link to your facebook or myspace, or even share on your own blog. Help me to help someone you care about! Deadline for nominations is in one week - December 22!

Fee increase alert! My prices will be increasing come the first of the new year (the new prices can be previewed here), but if you book your session prior to the new year – I’m talking even at 11:59pm on New Year’s Eve – you will lock in the 2009 session fee! So if you’re expecting in 2010, or already know you want to get some portraits done for your child’s June birthday, AND you want to save a little money, then book your 2010 session today! What are you waiting for?

THE SOUR
*dog kicking neighbor. Had to report a neighbor to the authorities because we witnessed him kick his dog...hard. Poor puppy (an adorable seven month old grey pitbull) squeeled in pain and it broke my heart. Don't know if anything was done by the auths but we shall see. Will keep you all posted.

*a jammed finger (so if there are any typos…blame the finger).

I don't know how it happened but for whatever reason, my left index finger is in pain. I'm walking around with a stupid splint on it and can't even offer up a decent excuse as to why I have it. Maybe I should make something up - like a freak mini-horse racing accident? Hmm...sounds better than, "I honestly don't know", right? Right?

*buyer’s remorse before actually buying. I saw these pretty neat pre-lit reindeer decorations for half off last week. I was super hesitant and talked myself iinto buyer’s remorse without even putting it into my basket. Gave myself all kinds of good reasons not to buy it. Alas, this is usually a sign that I really want something and of course, I can’t seem to learn myself. Anywho, OF COURSE when I go back into the store yesterday to finally pick one up – they’re sold out. Criminy!


THE SWEET

*The husband. My sweet man knows that I have always wanted a surprise birthday party. Of course...he should since I tell him every year. But alas he finally heard my cry and said surprise party ensued this past Sunday! Now for those of you who know me, you're probably scratching your head and thinking, "but your birthday's not until next month". Ah, see, now therein lay the real surprise. My hubbabubba threw me a surprise birthday party on HIS birthday. Now ain't that a suprise worth loving?

*Facebook fans! They're trickling in slowly, but at least they're increasing. I love logging in and seeing a new FB fan or two. It's like a sweet little present and affirmation that somebody digs me. ;) lol Have you fanned Sweetface Photography on FB yet? If not...it's never too late! Click here to join the party!

*Mixed Chicks hair products.
Particularly their conditioner. Have started using these products on the kid's hair and am loving it. The conditioner has really helped with keeping her hair soft and less tangled; the Hair Silk is great for keeping the frizzies at bay and adding some more shine. Will definitely keep buying from them!

*Starbucks Caramel Brulee Latte.
Holy canoli! I'm not really a big Starbucks person, but I go during the holidays for their Peppermint Mocha. Well, this past weekend on my way to a photo session, I stopped in to get the P'mint mocha again but my eyes (and tastebuds) were quickly sidetracked by the little chalkboard drawing of a little latte called Caramel Brulee. My lips ordered and then they fell in love. This latte is pretty much love in a grande cup. Highly recommend you try it folks!

Just in time for the holidays | Carlsbad newborn photographer

You met Leah and Mike, and big sister Addison, a couple of months ago for their maternity session. Now they're a new family of four, having just welcomed handsome little Preston into the world last week. Such a sweet little guy; Preston just went with the flow of things and never fussed no matter how many times we repositioned him or changed his clothes. Once again I found myself wanting to put down the camera and just melt in and enjoy his delightful newborn-ness. Thankfully I didn't because [1] that would probably have freaked his parents out (lol) and [2] you all wouldn't get to see just how beautiful he is...

...from his fingers...

...to his toes!

Talk about perfection...

Look at those eyes!

In the adorable hat that Leah's mom made for him...

And in the spirit of the upcoming holiday we captured what are probably my favorite images of the season......

Big waves and bigger love | la jolla family photographer

I was very excited when Alice told me she wanted to do her family session in La Jolla cove. I'm one of the few San Diegans, I'm sure, who had never been there. Not that I didn't want to - just never found enough motivation to go. But thankfully she picked this spot because it was just beautiful - almost as beautiful as their growing family. Try to keep an eye out for Alice's little bump - she's just over halfway to welcoming their second cutiepie.

We're gonna post a lot of the fun, sort of out takes so we don't ruin the surprise of their holiday cards this year...

Kisses for daddy...

Seriously, and I mean, seriously adorable...

Giving is Awesome! | san diego county lifestyle photographer

You know someone. You know someone who's experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who can't afford custom photography, but who would cherish it this holiday season. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family's spirit, love, and beauty.

You know someone. I guarantee it.

I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography. It's in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season. The winner of this contest will receive a complimentary photo session AND a high-resolution disc of the images from their gallery!

Oh, and the icing on the cake? The person who nominates the winner receives a complimentary CD with their next photo session (including sessions already scheduled for a future date). What better reason to show some love could there possibly be, people?

The rules:

* You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-vacation-home in Paris does not qualify as sincere financial need.)

* The nominee must reside in or be willing to travel to San Diego county. Tell me who you know, what they're experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.

* You must e-mail me the full story: info@sweetface-photography.com

All nominations must be received by 11:59pm on December 22, 2009. The winner will be announced on Christmas morning -- get nominating! I can't wait to read all of your entries!

Open your heart to someone this holiday season -- and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

With love,

Gwen

Note: I wish I could take credit for this idea, but the amazing talent that is Kristen Kalp started this quickly growing project, Giving Is Awesome! Three cheers for Kristen!

A star in the making | San Diego family photographer

Laihla's mom, Lisa, contacted me because, like most moms, she wanted to get some good photos of her two-year old daughter. What she didn't tell me beforehand is that little miss Laihla was such a great entertainer! :) She was just singing her little heart out while I snapped away. On top of that, she is just as cute as is humanly possible, so yeah...me thinks this is a star in the making guys.






Laihla and big sister, Destiny. I see two pretty girls...and a world of trouble with the boys for mom and dad ;) lol




Of course we had to get some shots with the entire, beautiful family, too. And I know what you're thinking - I couldn't believe she was mom to a 17-year old either. Work it out Lisa!




And I'll leave you with this, because she killed me with this one and I just love it!

Party of 5 and our 100th post | La Jolla Family Photographer

It's kind of nice to have my 100th blog post feature a family I've watched grow - from watching Allison plan hers and Marc's wedding, to their pregnancy, to the birth of the twins, and up until now. Their family has graced my blog twice before - once for Allison's maternity session, and again for the twins' newborn session. This time the family wanted to get together for some holiday portraits. So I met up with Allison, Marc, Brendan, Easton and Aven at their BEAUTIFUL home in La Jolla and managed to capture some great shots of this BEAUTIFUL family. The twins have grown so much since the last I saw them, and were just adorable and sweet; Brendan the handsome guy, was also sweet and I loved that he was so helpful and contributed lots of ideas for spots to shoot in. I also want to send a special thank you to Allison's parents! They were my unofficial assistants, jumping around like wonderfully crazy monkeys helping me to keep the twins' attention. I tell you there's nothing like grandparents - they are the best!

Since these images are going to be used for their holiday cards, I don't want to post too many and spoil the surprise for their family and friends. Without further ado - here are the sneak peeks!



I couldn't resist posting it - isn't Easton's upset face the cutest upset face pretty much ever?




Daddy had to sneak in some love for his little girl. Can you blame him?




Their dogs, Nitro and Nasher, are just as sweet as the rest of the family and couldn't resist sneaking in for a picture!


Check out the killer view! I want to live in their backyard! lol