Taking a year off.......

Hi everyone!

Gosh, it has been a looooong time since I've updated and SO MUCH has occurred!

First of all, we are expecting!!! I am about 24 weeks pregnant and we are pretty sure we'll be adding a new little girl to the family sometime in April. I was very ill during the first trimester, so if you tried to contact me during that time and I didn't get back to you, I deeply apologize. My brain was not functioning properly those first few months as all I could seem to focus on was the constant nausea and vomiting. So glad that's over! :)

Second, I have decided to take the year of 2010 off in order to be at home with my new little one, and also to have time to pursue a few personal projects that have been on my heart for a while now. Hopefully by 2011 I will be rip-roaring and ready to go again with Barefoot Photography.

Thanks so much for understanding and I wish everyone the best 2010 possible!

May God richly bless you in knowledge of and nearness to Him this year!

Sincerely,
Cyndi

Tap...tap....is anybody still out there?....

Oh Blogland, how I have neglected you....

Well...I'm back! :) Haven't much time. Lots going on today, but wanted to share one real quick.

More to come later.

Bakersfield Family Photographer--Sneak Peek

Just a really quick sneak peek for a GREAT family. I don't have much time to post right now, so come back for more later this week! :)

Power of Photos

Just One.....

I love finding cool random things in the environment we're shooting in. :)

A Dear, Dear Family....

I've been blessed to know this family for a few years now. (As is everyone who know this family is.) Let me introduce you to the Champions.

They actually were one of the first families to ask me to do portraits for them. Way back when I still had no clue what I was doing. Their faith in my abilities back then hugely helped my confidence and my desire to learn and get better at photography.

2 years ago

In the two years since then, their family has faced some VERY serious challenges and trials with two of them facing a battle with cancer at the same time. Through it all, they have been such a bright light with the faith and trust they have shown in God.

I took these photos of the kids a few weeks ago, but last week their father John, passed away after a long fight with brain cancer. He was a wonderful man, full of kindness, humble and meek to the core. He deeply loved his family and was fully devoted to Jesus and was the kind of person most people hope they can be someday. He was the kind of person I hope to be. His memorial service was on Tuesday and it was a testament to the kind of man he was that hundreds of people showed up in honor of him. I am glad I was able to know him.

2 years ago

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." ~2 Timothy 4:6-7

His family is a beautiful reflection of him. They are all loving, giving, humble, kind people. If you think of it, send up some prayer for them as they are facing more than I can imagine.

http://www.championclan.blogspot.com/ Here is a link to their family blog.

Couldn't help myself.....

I have several other sessions in the cue before this one, but I couldn't resist proofing and previewing just a few from this most.awesome.session.ever. that I had this afternoon.

What an awesome and random prop to find on a sidewalk in an old residential neighborhood! And it matches her shoes! LOVE IT!!!

*click on picture to see it bigger!

And would you check her out?! That's what I call smouldering. We actually had a harley biker comment on how sexy her pregnancy pictures were going to be. Yeah. The smouldering eyes rock!

Bakersfield Photographer-- *ah, l'amour...*

Man, I need to get better at the blogging business...It's been a month since I last visited you, dear blogland!

Just popping in real quick to share two for ya since it's been a while...but I'll hopefully be back later tonight with a few more to share. :) Till then, happy weekend to you!

Bakersfield Family Photographer-- For Ireen

Seriously, how many pretty genes can one person get? 'Cause I think she got more than her fair share.... ;)

And one of Ireen with her (and my) favorite little Bug....

I only have time to post two right now but there are LOTS more to come.....

Bakersfield Family Photographer--I LOVE THIS FAMILY

Yes. I said LOVE. In all capitals. L-O-V-E.

(*click on images to see them bigger*)

I *LOVE* THIS FAMILY. :)

Of course it helps that they're all wonderfully vibrant, giving, servant-hearted, hard-working, funny (SERIOUSLY, you have no idea...), and LOVING people. And the family bonds with these guys....man, there is no questioning their love for and genuine enjoyment of each other.

They're probably the most entertaining family I've ever met, too. Every time I have talked to the Dad he tells me true stories that either amaze me or put me in stitches. And one story ALWAYS leads to another story...... it's great. :)

Anyway, one branch of their family is moving across the country this week, so we all went out and braved the DENSE fog this morning to get some shots of them all together.

And would you check her out?! How freaking cute is she?? Can you believe she's due next month?? I *heart* this gal. And I am sooo going to miss her little boy when they move.

She was laughing when we took these and everyone else started laughing, too because her baby bump kept bouncing every time she laughed, which would make us laugh, which would make her laugh some more, which would make her laugh harder, which would make us laugh harder....you see how it was. Good times. :D

These are just a quick few since I have one other session I need to be finishing up first, but I couldn't resist.

Bakersfield Newborn Photography --What a beautiful time in a person's life....

*sigh*


I remember these days so well. Learning how to become a family of 4. Marveling at the newness and tinyness of this new little member of your life. Miraculous, precious, quiet moments in between the diapers, and visitors, and laundry, and feedings. Moments where you all revel in just being *together*. Your family.

A few favorites...

Hi all! I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving, taking time to appreciate and give thanks for all the precious gifts in your life. :) I just wanted to pop in and share a few from a recent session that I just finished proofing. Then I'm off to the grocery store for our Thanksgiving feast ingredients.

This family's new addition has already arrived and is the little guy in the post below. They've been ever so patient with me on seeing these. Thanks guys!


What great chemistry between them!


Of course....a shot of cute little kid feet. Love it!


I love so many things about this image. The round belly, the red shirt, the pointed toe and crossed leg. The swing, the slight "s" shape of how she's sitting, the tilted head and happy, soft expression. I believe this is my favorite from the whole session. :)


Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Sneak Peek (newborn session)

Here's a quick sneak peek from a session I did this week.
*click on the images to see them bigger*




This wee one was only 6 days old and exquisite. Perfect skin, perfectly round head, beautiful face. And his temperament was just as lovely. He slept almost the entire session. I think I heard him cry for maybe a minute out of the whole session, if even that.

All of his family and extended family were there and you could just feel their love for him. The support. How precious he is to them. I love that. :)

*sigh* Sooo precious. I love when I catch newborn smiles.

Anyway, I promised mom I'd post a few this week so she wouldn't have to wait so long.

So here you go!

So....what have I been up to???

Oh, you know..... a little bit of this....
(*click on images to see them larger)

(inhaling that wonderful baby scent....nothin' like it....)

And a little bit of this....

(Recognize this little guy? Here he is one year ago... http://barefootphoto.blogspot.com/2007/08/thank-you-bakersfield-city-parks.html)

(And this is his new baby sister. I didn't think it was possible, 'cause he is about as cute as they come, but she's just as cute as he is!)

Quite a bit of this.... :) hehe

(Have I mentioned that laughter photos are my most favorite in the whole wide world???)

(Oh, and here's this little guys family one year ago.... http://barefootphoto.blogspot.com/2007_07_01_archive.html)

Some of this.....

A little bit of this....

(How gorgeous is that belly?! Seriously.)

(And with a face to match. Yowzer! So gorgeous.)

And even a bit of this!.....(SO fun!)

And for the first time, I did formal-style portraits for a local preschool. It was a big job, but a lot of fun, and preschoolers are beyond sweet, so it doesn't get much better than that.

(Parents, now that I have this pettiskirt, I'd be happy to let your little girl use it family sessions. Just let me know in advance, and I'll make sure I bring it with me for your session. It will fit anywhere from a 3-6year old. Or if you'd like to purchase one you can keep for your daughter, you can find them in lots of beautiful colors here...http://thebelovedchild.com/catalog/catalog.php?category=Sophie%20Bella%20Pettiskirts . They're great for adding movement, softness, and color to your photos, plus little girls feel so pretty in them and that feeling comes across in the photos.)

And now you know what I've been up to. :) I still have a few sessions that I haven't even shared anything from....and a few more coming up! So keep checking back. :)

I am soo lucky......

I really am so lucky to be able to do what I do. I have been blessed with this gift/talent/skill, whatever you'd like to call it, that allows me to join someone else's family for a short while and see it from up close. That is such an amazing thing!

These past two months, I made the mistake of overscheduling myself. I underestimated how much time a certain project was going to need and have been scrambling to meet deadlines ever since! (Thank you to my clients for being so gracious and patient with me....I have learned my lesson and next year will schedule myself accordingly to provide you with the best service I am able...) Anyway, you can imagine how rushed and focused I have been on trying to get everything done. Many, many long days (and nights) working to try and get things finished on time....

Well, I'm not sharing this as a plea for pity. More as a lead-in to this family session I am finishing up right now. This family contacted me last year for newborn family pictures of this little guy.


My, how he has grown and changed. He is now an indepentant, sweet natured, unbelievably adorable, makeseverygrownwomaninstantlywantababy, kind of child.

They contacted me again this year for a family session and I was so blessed by my time with them. I have been so rush, rush, rush lately. But watching them, and their ease with their children...it was so calming. They are relaxed and comfortable with each other and with themselves. Mom and Dad are very encouraging for their children to be who they are. They took their time letting the kids explore and wander. It was so refreshing and peaceful to be around.



I remember at one point, mom and dad relaxed against each other on a park bench and watched the kids just play. It was early in the morning, and the day still felt quiet. I was sitting there with my camera just watching for a good moment to catch on "film" and I was struck with this notion that I was in the middle of a beautiful family moment. Happy, relaxed, free. Beautiful. I was in their family bubble. It was a really neat experience.



So I just wanted to say thank you so much for letting me be a part of your family for a few hours. :) I really enjoyed it.

Heavenly....

Not much time to post, but sooo much to update you all on, (with LOTS of different images to share).





I just wanted to share one really sweet photo I managed to capture of my boys this afternoon.





So without further ado.....


**Click on the image to see it bigger and clearer.