Elana's Sneak Peek

How cute is she?!?!

I had her bring her guitar to the shoot.
(This was her guitar. So cool, huh?)

I had the pleasure of taking photos of Elana last Friday evening.
I had so much fun, I just kept shooting until there was no light left to be found.
I LOVED the lighting on the lake, so soft and romantic.

She was shy at first, but quickly got comfortable!
I like to chat it up with the lovely clients while I am taking pictures,
and get to know the beauty inside and out.
and maybe crack some jokes...
(so she had no choice but to feel comfortable!)

I was so impressed upon finding out that not only is she so pretty,
but she is at the top of her class, AND very musical.
In fact she learned to play the piano at 5, and currently plays the guitar as well.

She has happily been excepted into Cal Poly,
so that is where she plans on going college!
Congrats Elana!

Thanks Elana! I had fun with you!
(I was so excited to take some feminine photos
since I get my fill in the boy department :)

PS.
Thanks to all of you lovlies who commented on my post yesterday!
I am still going back and forth with the name,
but I think I am leaning more towards Wildflower Studio Photography,
and I can just put my name in there somewhere (or all over my upcoming site) as well.
Here's what I wrote to my web designer (hi Ryan!) when he asked about the name:
I LOVE my original biz name as Wildflower Studio
because it really sums up how I am personally and my creative style:
free spirited, natural, romantic, feminine, fun, colorful, whimsical, nature lover, etc.
Also my photography is usually taken in a natural setting, in natural light,
and candid, natural/unposed, etc.
I Like that the word "Wildflower" is kind of yin and "Studio" is kind of yang (fem/masculine combo) and also the idea of Studio being a small intimate creative space, a home, a place of love. I like the combo because it reminds me of a creative happy bungalow set some place in nature.
It really is what feels true to my style and biz and my personality."

But I am still open to suggestions and thoughts!
And thanks Ryan for the input today!

Juicy Changes Coming Soon, need your advice! (pretty please?)

{taken in my mom's magical garden, she grows the BEST organic food!}

Hi Lovely Friends,
OK, I was just curious about a few things, and need some advice.
If you have been following along lately,
you'll know I am in the process of getting a new blog site for my portrait photography biz.
That site just so happens to be a Wordpress site, not Blogger.
I am thinking about keeping this blog and also importing all of this blog content
over to Wordpress, rather than ending this blog.
I am not sure how it will all work with 2 separate blogs,
but
I am so comfy here and wouldn't want to loose any of you sweet things
due to a change like that.
What do you think?

Second of all,
I was going to call my new site Wildflower Studio Photography,
but many a people think I should call it Shell Dransart Photography
because it sounds more professional and personal.
{May set me apart from any other Wildflower Biz's out there}
What do you think?
AND
if you have any other names or suggestions I am open, and all ears!
Seriously! Let me know :)
Thanks Friends!
xoxo Shell

PS.
We are quickly approaching the 100th post on this blog!
Stay posted,
Giveaway coming soon!

For fun~Slideshow of my portrait photography!

I have been looking for a way to make a slide show to display some of my portrait photography, and found this one for free.
Its not exactly what I want, but its fun for now
until I am ready to pay for something with a little more pizazz.
So here is just some of my work I rounded up on the spot to try out.
More to come Soon!
Enjoy! :)
PS If you are interested in booking a session, you can leave me a comment or e-mail me, or contact me through my Wildflower Studio website.
Oh, and right now I am having a fall special on photo sessions for my Facebook Fans, but its open all of you lovlies too! :)
Thanks!

Spoons can be tricky...

More on the chronicles of G!

{I think he got more yogurt on his face than in his mouth, but the attempts are cute, never the less!}

I have been trying to be better about posting, so I am using the my everyday photos, which means you will be seeing a lot more of my domestic life on this blog.
Also, I am feeling like my kids are just growing before my eyes, so I am posting these for me, and also for my family, who live too far too see them often.
But honestly, my kids are 2 of my favorite subjects, of course :)

{This is actually amazing being able to take photos of him sitting still, the majority of my photos of him are the back of his head,
he's always running away from me!}

Actually, he did pretty darn good for his first time using a spoon!

I must admit,
I am obsessed with his feet!

A glimpse into the world of Gavin

Welcome to G's world!

Hi

feeling a little cranky...
He sometimes wakes too early before he's fully cooked.
Let's have a look around his room from G's perspective.

Isn't this cute?

another great gift from Grandma!
An old fashioned piggy bank with attitude!

G's view from the crib, big brother D playing with Legos on the floor

These are some art pieces I painted for his room to coordinate with the adorable Jungle bedding.

~Happy toys~

I put this bookcase together all by myself last weekend :)
{My boys thought I was so cool with the drill and hammer}

One of our snuggly places where we read books and sing lullabies

We'll that's it for today...

Thanks for visiting!

Brothers Forever

{Click to enlarge}

How cute is this!
My little D is always painting and drawing.
If I can't find him, I know when I do he'll most likely be making artwork.
This one is one of my favorites. Its a self portrait of him with his brother G.
I just love the writing too.
Precious I tell you!
PS. D's first day of Kindergarten (as seen in post below) was so exciting for him. Unfortunately, the magic has worn off, and he has decided he doesn't want to go anymore... oh boy. He cried so bad today the teacher had to pull him off of me and wrestle him into the class. I waited till they were inside before I let my own tears pour out. It was terrible. My heart broke. He was happy when I picked him up, but then again at bedtime he said he's done, and doesn't want to go back because its too boring and he already knows his ABCs and can write his name.
Long story short, he agreed to hang in there a little longer.
I pray tomorrow is better
My heart can't take it!
We are both being brave in the public school system and are feeling it out.
We'll keep you posted :)
xo Shell

My baby's off to Kindergarten!

An apple for the teacher! ~Never hurts to get on her good side the first day, right? :)

His innocent look...

If I could post his infectious laugh, I would! I love that face!

My little goofball is growing up!

Today was filled with many emotions. As I got my first baby ready for the "big school".
He was so excited to go, so I was excited for him, but my heart ached knowing that this was like the end of his babyhood, he was officially a big kid.
And along with that, I knew he will begin to discover the world of big kid stuff, stuff that isn't always sweet and innocent.
I have taught him how to be a good friend, right from wrong and not to hurt other people's feelings.
And I know not every child has been taught this, and I hope my Dylan preserves his sweetness. He is so sweet, and so sensitive, but loves to learn, and loves to make new friends, so I am sure he will thrive.
This blog is a great tool for my family members to keep in touch with our latest happenings, so I had to post lots of pics today for them.
Enjoy!

In front of the school before going in...
(he looks so angelic)


Daddy and Dylan walking through the campus


Me and my sweet Dylan


Going to the classroom


Dylan's new classroom


All of the colorful backpacks, all unique and different

One more phto for mom, I felt like the paparazzi!


There goes my baby!
My heart sank. I will never be in this moment again. He just keeps growing. Its bittersweet.
I hope he always stays true to himself and preserves his essence.
I will try my best to help him continue to be proud of his unique self.
I love you Dylan!

reaching out

I love how these are all the same photo, but just processed differently, creating different moods

I have some exciting things in the works right now.

First you should know, I have a problem with always trying to make and do everything by myself with little or no help, and its starting to become exhausting! My husband has a running joke with me about it because whatever he has said he wanted or needed in our 12 years I have always said back, "I can make that for you!", and I was serious, if it seemed half way doable, I would try (no matter what level of expertise I was)!
I had put together my current website www.shelldransart.com, a few years ago, and feel it could be better, but it has worked for me so far. I still don't have a logo or any kind of branding with my business, and I lack the energy and expertise, (and YES, that WAS why I took that summer school class on Adobe llustrator! I was thinking I would do the graphic design work myself -with NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE)! Now that I have 2 kids, (I am becoming less delusional :) and am finding its hard for me to always make everything myself, and I also want to look professional. So, I decided to be daring and hire someone to make me my logo and branding tools! This is huge for me, almost like therapy! Baby steps...
I also am planing on creating another blog that will be like a website for my photography. In the past, I just put my photography on my other site shelldransart.com, but I have heard from many people how my photography is sort of lost in the shuffle on that site, which I have to agree. It needs its own home, its own special space.

I have been so blessed lately with requests for portrait photo sessions that I decided I want to shift more energy into that realm of creativity. I am so giddy with excitement. I just want to learn all I can, and provide my clients with the best experience and photography possible.

One thing I am excited about is a Photoshop class that I am taking-it starts today! It is specific to photography, and I am so excited to learn some new things. If you are wondering how I currently process my photos, ...its not with Photoshop! I just purchased Photoshop over the summer for this upcoming class! I just typically use this little program that is on our computer, I don't even know the name of it!
So that is my latest news. I have a lot to learn when it comes to reaching out (in many aspects of my life.)
Reaching out may be my newest resolution,
there is just only so far you can go on your own.
I am learning...
I will keep you posted on my progress :)
***********************
PS. My little Dylan starts Kindergarten tomorrow! I can't believe it! We had a Kindergarten Tea at the school today, which was really sweet. We went as a family and mingled with other families, he got to meet his teacher and the principal, see his classroom, find his desk. It makes the transition for the first day of school a lot easier for everyone.
I am feeling really excited for him, but its a bittersweet time for me as a mom. Its the end of an era with him, my first baby, and the beginning of a new one as my big kid, and I am feeling emotional about it behind the scenes.
So tomorrow is a big day for my Dylan, I plan on taking pictures, so I will post some soon!
xoxo Shell

Happy Thursday~ Be-ing in & with Nature

Hiking and being in nature makes me very happy.

I remember hiking as a child with my uncle and loving the feeling of exploration.
As a teenager, hiking made me feel at peace and whole
when the high school dramawas too much to bare.
After high school, as a young adult, it became even more of a spiritual connection with the earth and all of its beauty and living things, and with myself.
Now, all though I still feel a strong spiritual connection, when I get the chance to hike its mainly to get away, to clear my mind, to find inspiration, and to exercise.
One thing that I can't get over now is how often I use to hike alone, and with no cell phone. Now I always have my cell phone and only hike alone the less remote trails. I always notice the warnings for mountain lions and bears, but didn't pay attention to them when I was younger.
****
Hiking and just be-ing in nature heals me. It soothes my soul, calms me down, takes the edge off.
****
I pray more and more people do their part to conserve the nature we have left.
****
Happy Thursday!
May you find a bit of nature in some form to heal or inspire you.
****
I am ending Happy Week today, won't be around Friday to post.
Thanks Lisa for coming up with fun themes like this, always inspiring to read everyone's posts!
Ironically, it was also PMS week for me, but I was still able to miraculously
squeak out some happiness here:)
Have a great weekend everyone!
xoxo Shell

Happy Wednesday~Rascals

~These faces make me happy~

D livin' the dream~ driving a mac truck at the fair
(my boys love their trucks)


(Yes, he is watching a movie, still I just couldn't resist that face!)
My Sweet G
(and if you are wondering, yes, I do kiss that face all day!)


My adorable... oops! I mean really tough,
live-in super hero!
(He calls that his "shark-boy shirt")

He was still sitting still! I just had to take another photo!
Its a miracle when he is sitting still.
Those cheeks make me so happy!
****
I am blessed with my 2 rascals, never a dull moment!
Happy Wednesday!
xoxo Shell
***
Curious Girl Lisa declared this as Happy Week in the blogosphere.
(I am still trying to convince my PMS of this, with little success, ha! ;)
If you'd like to join us, or read some more happy blogs click here!

Happy Tuesday~Love

I was so happy to find this picture on my camera last month.
My friend Kayley took this of my hubby and I after the photo shoot I did of her family.

I love this picture and I am so excited we have a photo together, one where we are not gently wrestling our children to stay in the shot with us in a semi-chaotic family portrait.
Its just us, and we needed a this, a picture just of us, together, I love it! (Smile)
***
Life can get so crazy with jobs, kids, bills, and housework,
its easy to forget why or how it all came to be in the first place.
Even after 12+ years together there are a few things that still amaze me, namely the intensity of love I feel, (sometimes equally replaced with frustration).
I am still trying to get used to is this never ending cycle of ups and downs.
Its not always easy and sweet and fun.
I think we both just try and roll with it.
As the years roll by we are getting better at resolving our arguments,
and understand its all a part of the big picture.
I think the key is to not loose perspective of the big picture during arguments
when you feel at your wits end and are so intensely in the moment.
And realize its bound to cycle back into good times soon.
***
That's what I love about maturing along with my spouse, we aren't as hot headed as we once were.
And now I can laugh when I think back to our passionate arguments with slamming doors,
and running away from each other, thinking it was the end of the world, as we did at 21.
I am happy to be in love, and with the same person for 12 1/2 years straight.
I am happy to be married to my soul mate who gets me
(even though we are kind of opposites in a lot of ways).
And I am so happy my friend snapped this picture of us!
~Happy Tuesday!~
{Yay! you made it through my gushy sappiness! Congrats!
I hadn't planned for this kind of post, it just sort of came out.
So if you weren't in the mood, I hope it didn't make you a tad bit queasy :) }
*******
PS. Would you like to partake in Happy Week?
Join us by signing up on Curious Girl Lisa's lovely blog here!
xoxo Shell

Happy Monday

Welcome to Happy Week!

This picture represents so many things happy for me.
Aside for my LOVE of nature, and all her gifts, such as vibrant flowers, and magical butterflies, This picture also represents an outlook on life that keeps me happy, and that is that the idea of my life and self are constantly and subtly growing and evolving, rather that being stagnant or stuck.
My love of learning and discovery is something that when fulfilled, makes me extremely happy. I have found many different ways to satisfy this desire through out my life: Exploring the world and its exquisite cultures, by backpacking through different countries, going to college (when I felt ready) and getting my degree in something that I was interested in, rather what people wanted me to study, becoming a mother and experiencing the amazing journey of raising 2 boys, falling in love and experiencing selflessness and commitment, and of course continuing to evolve creatively,
~the list goes on and on...
as it should...
Like a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly.
I am so inspired by the magic and beauty of this amazing ordinary miracle.
And I have hope that that is really what LIFE is all about
growing, evolving, transforming
LIVING
and that for me
=Happiness
***
Happy Monday!
xoxo Shell
PS if you wish to participate, visit lovely Curious Girl Lisa's blog to be added to her list of participants, or to read some exquisite blogs!

Playful~Updated with the Morley Family

*playful girls from a July photo shoot of the Morley family*

First of all, I just want to say, I loved reading all of your beautiful dream comments and feedback in my last post!
**They were so good!**
I was too chicken to post deeper wishes and dreams, but reading yours made me feel like I can be brave and open about deeper dreams.
So here is one dream I am playing with right now, having to do with photography.
I am playing with the idea of creating a website separate from the one I have for my cards, etc. that focuses on my portrait photography biz.
I think it will look much more professional, and will be so nice to have a space just for my portrait photography (instead of hiding in the background of my other site which focuses on products like cards and prints, totes, onesies and tees), that I can post my portfolio on, pricing and categories.
I LOVE providing people with memories through photography, and feel passionate about it, so why not make this dream real?
I have the butterflies as I write this, excited and nervous. Your honesty and openness has left me feeling playful and more open about mine :)
Thanks for your amazing support. I feel it all the way over here in my little bungalow!
I will keep you posted!
XOXO
~Shell
***Updated Post with more pics of the Morely Family***
Permission has been granted and I can post more photos!
I love the photo above and I was so happy to take photos of those 2 adorable sisters, as well as their gorgeous family below.




Sara is pregnant with her third and looks amazing!
I had the privilege to meet her and her lovely family at the River this summer. She was ripping it up on the wake board and surfing behind the wave runner!
We took these photos in, I kid you not, 120+ degree heat in mid-day, and yes, Sara is pregnant and wearing black. Can you say beyond good sports? They were pressed for time and heading out of town, so we had to go with it and work with the environment we we dealt with.
Needless to say, They look gorgeous, and you can't even tell they were dying of heat! :)
Thanks adorable Morley's!
------------------
~Stay tuned for Happy Week beginning Monday Aug. 17th~