Lizzie Jane Photography

PSA: the end . . . for a long while, anyway.

2011-12-31T00:00:00.000-08:00

**This is a sticky post. All new blog updates can be found below this permanent announcement.**

Lizzie Jane Photography is no longer scheduling photo sessions. Liz is on a photography hiatus until her kids graduate from homeschool high school. :D Liz would like to focus on her munchkins while they are still in their formative years (and still like to hug and kiss her). She wants to read with them, play with them, talk with them, cook with them, explore with them, cuddle with them, laugh with them, sing with them, dance with them, experiment with them, travel with them, and just generally soak them all up and bask in their fleeting youth. Liz loves her kids more than photography, which is why she has to give up something she loves for something she loves more.

*Note from Liz: to any and all who have recently mentioned scheduling a photo session with me in the near future, I offer my sincere apologies and beg for your forgiveness and understanding. I also wish I could recommend another photographer for you, but I don't know any in this area. Sorry!

More Ashley

2011-10-15T22:20:00.000-07:00

Because you just can't get enough of this girl! Ashley = awesome.

Ashley . . .

2011-10-07T12:15:00.000-07:00

. . . is simply stunning. Don't worry, there are more, Ashley. I just couldn't wait to share this one. You are BEAUTIFUL!

Sneak Peek: Poulson, Poulson & Co.

2011-09-27T22:44:00.000-07:00

What a pleasure to meet these wonderful, happy, hilarious people! Their little family is darling, with kids ranging from three girly girls to a scrumptiously rolly mini man. These folks were game for anything, even asking for some of the more energetic photo ops like vaulting into the air (both parents doing so with little ones in tow)! So, so fun. I can't wait for them to see these. I know I say this every time, but there really are so many more good ones! I curse blog etiquette for demanding that bloggers do not share 200 pictures in one post. Here you go, Lyric. I *FINALLY* finished your sneak peek. :D Enjoy!

For Amber

2011-09-09T23:26:00.000-07:00

Amber has been my #1 fan for as long as I've known her. She comments on all my photography session posts and praises me up the wazoo. Everyone needs a fan like Amber! She makes me feel like I'm the best photographer in the world (which I'm not - not even close!). So I gifted Amber a photo session to show my appreciation for her wonderful encouragement. I tracked her down in Utah while I was there and made her drag her sweet family out to the mental hospital for some photo fun. I got so many awesome pictures. I cannot even tell you. So this is sneak peek #1 for my #1 fan. There will be more. I just can't help but share with the world the awesomeness that is the P family. :D THANK YOU, AMBER!

William

2011-08-31T21:30:00.000-07:00

What a big name for such a little guy. Mom is gunning for Liam as a nickname, but so far it just doesn't jive with Dad. So, for now he's sticking with William (and sometimes Will, I am told). Here he is in all his chubby infant glory. What a darling, darling boy.

Big sister (who apparently normally loves to smother baby with love but wouldn't go near him when I showed up, camera at the ready, begging her to - go figure.) :)

Big brother

Baby toesies. Don't they just beat all?!

His grandma made him this amazing baby blanket. So cute!

Gorgeous mama

There were MANY, MANY more that could easily qualify as favorites (I have a hard time weeding out pictures), but I did my best to spare my blog visitors. You're welcome. :D

Crystal | San Diego Senior Portrait Beach Photographer

2011-06-03T22:47:00.000-07:00

Crystal is one of THE BEST babysitters around and we are going to be so sad to lose her to college come fall. Gorgeous and talented, whimsical and fun, Crystal lights up a room with positive energy as soon as she walks in. She's friendly and happy and absolutely one of those enviable people who draws others to her just by being comfortable in her own skin.

Crystal is beautiful inside and out. It was a pleasure and honor to be entrusted with the responsibility to capture that beauty with my camera.

{Photographer favorite right here. Absolutely STUNNING! I love it!}

Be still my heart

2011-04-25T22:01:00.001-07:00

He loves me. He really loves me. I hug him and kiss him and squeeze him to death. He slobbers, drools, and climbs all over me, and squeezes my neck when I try to put him down. He fills me up. We have a symbiotic relationship, he and I.

Happily Occupied

2010-12-02T22:01:00.000-08:00

I have been happily occupied taking and editing photos of my best friend's brand new, beautiful baby girl. She is a mini (and feminine) version of her older brother, bleats like a little lamb, and has now joined the ranks of my favorite people by birthright. :D

Isn't she darling?!

Christmas at the Park | Poway Children and Family Photographer

2010-11-19T22:47:00.000-08:00

I have a special place in my heart for this particular mama. We got to serve in Church together and ever since I was released and ushered on to the next great Church service assignment (and I mean that sincerely since I am now the ward photographer!), I have missed interacting and chatting with Laura. I admire her ability to plan and prepare like no one you've ever known before! She is amazing. And a wonderful mother. And every time I see her baby, I think of my baby, since hers was born just a week before mine! They are doing all the same things at the same time. It's so fun.

P.S. The head shots are for their stockings. How cute is that?!

Check out these sweets! | San Diego Children and Family Photographer

2010-11-19T18:02:00.000-08:00

Funny parents, adorable kids, beautiful Fall day. It just doesn't get better than this.

Halloween Sneak Peek | San Diego Photographer

2010-11-01T22:48:00.000-07:00

The weekend before Halloween, I got to spend a morning with these two ADORABLE kids! Their parents set up a regular family session, but they toted their Halloween costumes along and just LOOK at how cute these two are! We had a little bee and an astronaut who liked to hunt for Gronkles (which are the stubby dragons from How to Train Your Dragon). :D

I Heart Faces: Photojournalism

2010-08-30T23:44:00.000-07:00

Mission Bay, Valentine's Day, 2010. Love was definitely in the air. :D

Incidentally, I LOVE Grandma's sweater. Too perfect.

See more stories at I Heart Faces.

I Heart Faces: Beach Fun

2010-08-24T09:14:00.000-07:00

What could be more exciting than being engaged? Being in love at the beach, of course!

See more beach fun photos at I Heart Faces.

And baby makes three

2010-08-02T14:02:00.000-07:00

All I have to say is that I love him and life is pretty CRAZY (busy) with three!

Sneak Peeks are the BEST!

2010-05-31T10:31:00.000-07:00

Quid Pro Quo: You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours. Miss Amanda is doing me a HUGE favor with a homeschooling project, so I got to do this little ditty to pay her back, so to speak. Though, in truth, I really think I'm getting the MUCH better end of the deal!!! Thanks so much, bestie! You truly have the cutest family in the world (after my own, of course). :D

Miss Shelley's Brood

2010-05-28T15:51:00.000-07:00

With no new photo sessions (being three weeks away from d-day and all), I've been taking some time to edit some pictures from older shoots. This particular batch is for my dear friend, Miss Shelley.

Dear Miss Shelley,

Thank you for the afternoon chats, the homemade jam lessons, the homemade bread slices smothered in the aforementioned homemade jam (and butter, of course), the teepee and cars for the boys, the emergency preparedness talks, and SO much more. You are a fabulous person and I'm lucky to know you!!

Love,
Liz

P.S. Please tell Cheryl never to call me Sis. A____ again; that's my mother-in-law. :D

I love the following sequence! So awesome!

And everyone needs to have a jumping family picture. :D

I ♥ Faces: Celebrating Mom

2010-05-10T12:23:00.000-07:00

I couldn't help but join in the fun at I ♥ Faces this week since the subject matter is so dear and since I have a kazillion darling pictures of beautiful mothers. This one, however, stands out above the rest. Mom is smitten, that's clear enough. And the reflective nature of the mirror lovingly intimates an eternal connection between mother and tiny baby daughter.

Go check out more mom-tastic pictures over at I ♥ Faces!

Potty Training: Check!

2010-05-09T21:32:00.000-07:00

We He finally figured out the toilet training thing and is charging happily after his big brother in cute little dinosaur underwear these days! Hip, hip HOORAY!

Stephanie Nielson

2010-05-03T21:57:00.001-07:00

What a beautiful, beautiful person, wife, mother, daughter, etc, etc, etc.

Sunday Buddy

2010-05-02T18:19:00.000-07:00

Meet Malia. She's my best friend's oh-so-scrumptious baby girl and my Sunday Buddy. Well, really she's my all-the-time buddy, but we're especially close on Sundays when I take her for two hours while her mom plays the piano for the Primary kids. Lucky for me, church occurs during Malia's nap time and she inevitably falls asleep as we bounce our way through the halls. The pictures below are taken by Malia's multi-talented mommy and the darling babe is featured on the very swollen, very pregnant belly of yours truly. (Here are your belly pictures, Lindsey. :P)

This is one of my favorite things ever. I can't wait to have my own sleeping baby draped across the outside of my torso, but there will always be room for my Sunday Buddy. We're tight. :D

Up to my eyeballs

2010-03-27T10:45:00.000-07:00

What with being pregnant and all, this particular milestone isn't coming at the most ideal moment, but it sure makes for cute pictures. Alas, despite the hopeful nature of the last photo, no progress was actually made (except for their progress through Robots on the portable DVD player). :D Even so . . . I think I'll keep these little guys.

Color Me Katie

2010-03-11T15:38:00.000-08:00

I love this blog. Not only is Katie a fabulous, fun, whimsical photographer, she is just such a talented artist all around! She has a zest for life that is very apparent at first glance. She brings splashes of color and life to her New York neighborhood, along with smiles, youth, and introspection. And even better, she inspires me to think more outside the box! Bravo Katie! Keep doing what you're doing and I'll keep innocently blog stalking and benefiting from your amazing creative spirit. Deal? :D

Vintage vs. Modern

2010-03-01T21:12:00.000-08:00

I take after my dad. Completely. Wholly. Unabashedly. We are both verging on obsessive/compulsive about preserving memories: journals, photographs, videos, scrapbooks (more me than my dad on this one, I admit), speeches, art/school projects, and whatever other meaningful tidbits we accumulate along the way through this exciting life of ours.

What I have noticed lately, however, is this constant struggle between the vintage and modern world. It can be noted in practically every facet of life. While we go forward with bounding advancements in the fields of technology and medicine, clothing trends tell a completely different story; kitchens are remodeled with modern appliances, fixtures, and cabinetry made to look retro/vintage; and hair styles mimic the 30's starlets. On the flip-side, there are clothes and hairdos so radical as can only belong to this new millennium and home renovation is sometimes so sleek and streamlined that one feels as though they've stepped 100 years into the future.

As a photographer and purveyor of memory, I experience this battle of the decades daily as I pour over old family photos (taken almost exclusively by my dear father) and grapple against my desire to edit every single picture I now take with a worn sort of vibe and coloring. There is something so poignant about aged photos, vintage apparel, and antique furniture and automobiles. For me, these blasts from the past embody everything that photography attempts to accomplish - mainly the preservation of memory. They stir something in me. They speak to me. The modern world seems so cold, impersonal, and distant. The vintage seems to whisper of barefoot, apron-clad prairie women sweating lovingly over delicious home-cooked meals prepared on epic scales for husbands and farmhands alike. The vintage carries with it the promise of hours and hours of quiet speculation of days gone by and unique people long since deceased. The vintage evokes collective, historical memory and ties generations together the way modern accoutrements never will.

What about you? Are you more of a vintage person or modern? Maybe a bit of both worlds?

Finding My Place

2010-02-21T20:28:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, my husband and I cashed in on some massage coupons I came by a while back. We headed down to Pacific Beach to be lathered up with massage oils then kneaded out by experienced hands. Unfortunately, due to a misentry on the part of my scheduler, I did not get my massage. (It was not properly noted that I am pregnant and in need of pregnancy massage). Instead, I spent an hour browsing a photo magazine in the lobby while listening to the faint ambiance music escaping from my husband's session.

*Sigh* *Pout*

Truth be told, even without the massage, the relaxing, quiet environment was not wasted on this pregnant, bedraggled mother of two. :D And, wonderfully, through my magazine immersion, I made quite an enlightening discovery: I love photojournalism. Reading about the dangerous, inspiring, moving, and enlightening photographic journies of various decorated photojournalists stirred something in me. Oh how I would love to embark on a meaningful photography mission; one that might really make a difference to someone, really inspire someone! Don't get me wrong, I still love taking pictures of kids. In fact, they are some of my favorite subjects. But I've never, ever loved having to stage photos like family shots. I much, much, much prefer to be in the corner, the background, snapping shots as they happen naturally, in real life and real time, uninhibited by structure and expectation. I love to capture people as they really are, as they share their true selves. I am delighted when I can preserve character and personality traits as they are manifested without solicitation.

An example from my own repertoire comes in the form of the following picture accompanied by a comment shared by the subject's grandma:

{Liz...Morris and I loved looking at these pictures. Great job. [This] picture is a "look" that Travis gave me from the time he was a little boy ..into adulthood, and you captured it in Graham. Bravo!!}

Seriously, what could be better than tying generations together through the capture of spontaneous, inherited expression? This is what makes my job worth it. This is what makes me smile. Put a family in a natural setting with lots of natural light, make them comfortable and set them at ease, then snap away as they interact with one another naturally, happily, without direction or interference from me. Ahhhh. :D

But for a better example of what I'm talking about, take a look at photographer Pam Spaulding. She was given permission to photograph one year in the life of brand new parents with their newborn son, David. That assignment turned into 30 years of her life spent photographing this one family, culminating in an impressive work entitled An American Family: Three Decades with the McGarveys. She caught everything on film - new life, milestones, challenges, elderly care, engagements, etc. Everything. In the magazine I was reading, they showed pictures of a spritely grandma holding her new grandbaby, Sara. Then right below that there was a picture of a much older grandma, suffering from Alzheimers, with a grown-up, 20-something Sara sitting on her lap. The progression of life is amazing. And while Pam made excellent friends with the family, she did an exceptional job avoiding interrupting the natural evolution of their day-to-day family life. What an opportunity!

Now, I have to make exception here. While I love the thought of traveling the world to photograph various cultures or take pictures of exceptional suffering that lacks representation and awareness, I am not at all interested in photographing violence. I admire those photographers who do put themselves in extreme danger to photograph war and civil unrest, but I would love to uplift, not depress. I would love to bring the world images of light and happiness, even in the most extreme, unjust, and depressing of environments or circumstances. I would love to raise awareness and effect change where change is necessary.

What photography projects would you pursue with your camera if you had unlimited funds and time? (Which, just to be perfectly clear, I do not have. :D).

San Diego Life Photographer - Mission Bay on V-Day

2010-02-17T23:31:00.000-08:00

For St. Valentine's Day, my sweet family and I decided to head to Mission Bay for a warm Sunday stroll. This is San Diego in the winter, folks. So divine!

Holiday Break

2009-11-05T10:10:00.000-08:00

Dear potential customers and loyal readers,

I am taking a holiday break from photography sessions. I will still be posting pictures from previous sessions as I finish up processing them, but I will not be scheduling any new clients until after the new year. See you next year! :D

Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!! Hopefully you'll be with family, like me, because that is the very best place to be!

Love,
Liz

G Family Delight!

2009-11-05T09:44:00.000-08:00

Remember this awesome shot? Well I finally finished the rest of this family's photos. And I LOVE them! And I know their mom is going to just eat these up. This family has a brood of boys with the cutest little faces and funniest little personalities. As you can see, they had a blast goofing off at the beach and were quite in their natural element as I snapped away. Thanks for being patient with me, Kim! You are the best.

I Heart Faces - Excited!

2009-10-11T22:43:00.000-07:00

There is nothing quite like the promise of water play to excite a child in less than half a second. Every afternoon my kids head to the backyard to play and every afternoon, without fail, they come sloshing back to the rear entrance, dripping wet, after having rediscovered the hose and sprinklers. I have reluctantly resigned myself to the colorful pile of sopping clothes growing larger and larger on my kitchen floor. :D

This is the excited face of my oldest as he romps away in the sprinklers.

To see more excited faces, visit . . .

San Diego Engagement Photographer - Tyler and Julie

2009-10-08T13:58:00.000-07:00

A few days ago I posted this gem as a representation of my latest work post-processing an engagement photo shoot. Well, that work is officially finito completo. And, as you can tell from the amount of images I included below, the shoot went extremely well! I just couldn't help but share all these, they are fantastic! What a cute little couple these two make. Thanks for a wonderful evening at the beach, Tyler and Julie. And thanks for the laughs! I had a great time. :D

I Heart Faces - Favorite Things

2009-10-05T10:47:00.000-07:00

This week at I Heart Faces is a chance to present our favorite things in photo essay form. So here I go . . . .

- My very personal Savior and His gospel as restored to the earth by the Prophet Joseph Smith -

- My zany hubby -

- My precious, PRECIOUS, hilarious, intelligent, innocent, beautiful children -

- My awesome father -

- My beautiful mother -

- Fun, fun in-laws (and swimming pools) -

- Sleeping and reading -

- Arts and crafts time -

- The color green -

- Imagination and innovation -

- Father/son bonding moments -

- Babies -

- Sushi -

- Sunsets -

- Sprinklers -

- Old photos (this one features my older brother and me) -

- Beach play -

- Eyes -

- And, of course, photography -

Click here to see more I Heart Faces "Favorite Things" entries and get to know the photographers behind the cameras. :D

San Diego Photographer - Havin' a BLAST!

2009-10-02T17:22:00.000-07:00

So here's what I've got on my Photoshop plate for the next little while. :D It doesn't get much better than this, I tell ya. Friends, families, engagements, and kids - I'm in heaven! And they are ALL beautiful people, folks, inside and out. I love my #2 job!!! (Mom is still #1).

Meet the fabulous and sexy, Ms. E. We had a great time traipsing all over Balboa Park with a little flock of apples to act as our props for the day. This chica is a strong, strong, intelligent woman - and hilarious, to boot!

As far as family pictures go, it really doesn't get much better than this. Brave subjects, energetic ocean, perfect timing - CLICK! Flawless. I love that Mom and Dad know exactly what's coming, baby boy is completely oblivious, and older brothers are looking back wondering why their crazy parents aren't dragging them away from this impending saturation.

P.S. This wave was traveling up, more than forward. They didn't actually get too wet until it crashed and flooded the ground at their feet. :D Picture perfect, eh?

Pretty Hippos is a darling website specializing in a wide array of personalized bracelets for mom, baby girl, sister, daughter, grandma, etc. I have been blessed with the opportunity to photograph merchandise for this lovely site, so look for a new line-up of thumbnails and jewelry preview photos soon! But don't wait for that; go check it out now! These beauties are quality made with the greatest of attention dedicated to even the tiniest of details.

Ah the beauty of young love. These two will be getting married in December! As far as photography subjects go, they were patient and game for anything. Fun, fun, fun. And such a cute couple.

My friend Miriam. Mother. Photographer. Writer extraordinaire. Miriam is the whole package. The WHOLE package. I mean HELLO?! She is accomplished, intelligent, talented, dedicated, and BREATHTAKINGLY BEAUTIFUL! I told her during this photo shoot that she could be a model and all she did was laugh at me. I wasn't laughing. You hear that, Miriam?! I WASN'T LAUGHING! (Except that time I told you to act like you had an inside joke and your expression was so impish that I had to beg you not to share!) :D

This is Miriam's GORGEOUS daughter, Ava. My husband tells me on a regular basis that he wouldn't mind one bit if our oldest son decided to fall in love with Ava and marry her and give us stunning grandchildren. I wouldn't mind, either, but mostly because then I'd know and love my son's in-laws.

Cole's Blooper Reel. Fun times, fun times!

2009-09-30T16:06:00.000-07:00

Darn sand.

Yowza! Hello!

Our very own Schroeder from Charlie Brown. :D

Gnawing on his lip . . . a trait he inherited from his AWESOME mother.

*You're still taking pictures, Liz??!!*

*Exasperated snorting* Enough already! :D

San Diego Senior Portrait Photographer - Cole

2009-09-28T23:36:00.000-07:00

This is another of my favorite young men who attends our ward with his family. He is so spunky and funny (not to mention, GOOD LOOKING!). When he's not tormenting his younger sisters and goofing off with his younger brothers, he loves to surf with his dad and play soccer. While his mom and I had a great time with this photo shoot, I don't think I can say the same for him - though he endured our fussing well. :D Thanks Cole and Stephanie!

P.S. Stay tuned for Cole's BLOOPERS, a new feature I'm adding to my blog for each photo session. :D

He Bleeds BYU Cougar Blue

2009-09-28T22:37:00.000-07:00

This week's contest at I Heart Faces is "Blue." I can't think of anyone more "blue" than my dear, sweet hubby. He's blue through and through. As a dedicated BYU fan, he dons his Cougar blue every single Saturday during the Fall. He has taught our two adoring sons (4 and 2) the fight song which they now sing just as well as Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and ABC's. Their favorite part, of course, is at the end when all the fans pump their fists in the air and chant "RAH. RAH. Rah, rah, rah. RAH. RAH. Rah, rah, rah. Gooooooooooo Cougars!"

P.S. I love your blog and pray for you and your family every day, Sheye! Also, your photography is PHENOMENAL and I am the proud owner of your fantastic actions. Love them. Love you. God bless!

San Diego Child and Family Photographer - Carrot Top Tots

2009-09-06T20:42:00.000-07:00

SURPRISE, ERIN! :D

My dear friend is leaving. I have owed her a photo session for almost a year now and we've never made it happen. And now she is leaving. :( But she's also part of my babysitting co-op, so I took the opportunity last week to shoot a few parting shots of her adorable red-headed, curly-haired beauties. These girls are SO CUTE! They were also SO wiggly and silly, making it fun to catch some of their perpetual motion on camera (hint: check out the tongues). :0)

San Diego Newborn Photographer - Malia

2009-08-27T08:40:00.000-07:00

I don't even know where to start describing how fun this photo shoot was. Malia's mom is one of my dearest friends here in San Diego. What could be better than hanging out with a best friend for four hours while she allows your creative juices to flow into various arrangements of her tiny, perfect, newborn daughter?! Yeah, not much. Not much could be better than that. Malia didn't like being naked (even at just five days old!), but luckily her mother brought along an arsenal of darling cloth diapers. I closed up the house to bring on the heat for the babe. Mom and I were SWEATY by the end of the shoot. But baby was happy and that's all that matters. :0) We stopped frequently for nursing breaks and cuddles. Malia was a gem and her mom was SO patient with me. It was perfect really, simply perfect. And on that note, I'll just pipe down so you can enjoy the fruits of our labor.

{Malia with big brother, Corban}

San Diego Family Photographer - Irvine and Laguna Beach

2009-08-24T22:44:00.000-07:00

I met Travis seven years ago on a sunny afternoon in a little white house on University Ave. in Provo, UT. His roommate, Andrew, was trying to teach me how to play the guitar. He didn't get very far after Travis came in. The jokes started flying as soon as he crossed that old, dingy threshold. Well, not jokes, per se, but humor anyway. Seven years. That's a lot of laughter and a lot of friendship. Through Travis and Andrew, I met my sweet hubby. The former even maintain that it was their kindness in declining to exercise with us that facilitated our dating, then engagement. I say they give themselves too much credit. :0) Ashley came into the picture not too long after The Chief and I were married. She's perfect. Perfect for Travis. Perfect for expanding our friendship. Then sweet Graham made his appearance and now here we are, seven years later, two married couples and three children between the lot of us. Still friends. Still laughing. Thanks for a REALLY great session and really great Saturday, friends! I hope we can hang out again soon.

San Diego Senior Portrait Photographer - Josh

2009-08-23T00:02:00.001-07:00

So here is Josh in all his glory. Believe it or not, these are just a few of the awesome pictures we got! Have a great senior year, Josh!

We goofed off a ton. Josh has such a fun-loving, laid-back personality. Very easy to photograph!

Here is Josh's cute mom who read a murder-mystery novel while we hiked all over the park scouting the best backdrops. She even hopped in a for a picture at the end of our session. They are obviously a very fun family!

Sneak Peek for Josh

2009-08-06T15:41:00.000-07:00

Hard to believe this fine young man is only a senior in high school. Look out, world, here comes Josh! This shoot was so much fun as I laughed and goofed off with Josh and his mom. They are too funny. And what a great sport he is! I would tell him where to go and he would oblige - even when it got the back of his white shirt filthy. :( Thanks Josh!

B Wedding . . . Finally!

2009-07-13T22:38:00.000-07:00

So, life has been extremely busy (who isn't busy come summer??!), but here I am finally posting pictures from my first ever wedding shoot that was back in May. Yes, May. I thought these turned out beautifully, but then, I'm sure it helped immensely to have had such a happy, funny, congenial, and beautiful bride and groom as subjects. To view all shots from the wedding, click here and find the corresponding link in "featured sessions."

The Fruits of My Father Project

2009-06-17T16:19:00.000-07:00

Fathers - Call For Photo Submissions!

2009-04-30T14:26:00.000-07:00

I would like to open up my father project to photo submissions. If you have any pictures of you and your father, your husband and your children, etc. that you would be willing to submit for use in a slide show honoring fathers, please send them, in their highest-resolution format, to liz@lizziejanephotography.com. I would be thrilled to work them into the video! Thanks so much to everyone who has participated thus far. This is a work in progress and I have high hopes for the finished product.

~Liz

Think "fathers" and send me what you've got! This rock climbing picture is one of my favorites from a recent father photo shoot. Below that is the first submission I've received with a few Photoshop tweaks from me. Thanks Kim!

Casting Call - Fathers!

2009-04-07T15:26:00.000-07:00

Calling all fathers! Calling all fathers! I am pursuing the fulfillment of a personal project and would like to invite all fathers, their children (if they have them), and their parents to help. I will be making a video slideshow for distribution on YouTube, blogs, Facebook, Twitter, etc. The purpose of this slideshow is to remind the world of the importance of fathers to the healthy development of families, children, and society.

Beginning this Saturday the 11th, at 8:30am, I would like to schedule one hour of "father photography" each Saturday and Sunday morning. There is no pay involved. In return for your participation (and permission to use the photos in my project), you will receive AT LEAST one high-resolution, fully processed image from the session.

Let me share with you a glimpse of my vision. Here is what "father photography" means to me:

Dad having a heart-to-heart with teenage daughter about boys.
Dad in the kitchen, helping kids make breakfast in bed for Mommy.
Dad teaching son how to fix something.
Daughter watching Dad teach son how to be a gentleman.
Dad leading the family in prayer and scripture study.
Dad wrestling with little kids.
Dad reading stories at bedtime.
Dad rocking infant.
Dad playing games.
Dad on an outing with kids.
Dad rubbing Mommy's feet.
Dad coming home from work in shirt and tie. Kids at window watching excitedly.

This should be enough to give you some idea of the message I'd like to convey. If you have more ideas, please pass them along, but most importantly, I need some volunteers to let me tag along as they go about tackling their day to day life. Staging is one option, but capturing and chronicling the "natural Dad" would be ideal. Also, I'd love for mom to be in the photos, but sort of on the periphery as we focus on Dad for a moment.

Here's a little quote that may provide some insight as to why this project, and its message, are so important to me:

Who Needs Fathers?

American children are in crisis and families are in need of assistance due to father absence.

Research results show that 24 million children (34 percent) live absent their biological father.

Other results show that children who live absent their biological fathers are more likely to be poor, to use drugs, to experience educational, health, emotional and behavioral problems, to be victims of child abuse, and to engage in criminal behavior than their peers who live with their married, biological (or adoptive) parents.

Thus, reducing father absence via supporting and encouraging fathers to become actively involved in their child's life offers significant potential to reduce the adverse effects of father absence and to empower individual lives, foster families, and contribute to community wellbeing.

[Quote Reference]

Either comment here or send me an email if you'd like to participate. Thank you!

Meet Story

2009-03-11T23:29:00.000-07:00

At the beginning of February (I know, I know . . . still behind here, folks), I had the pleasure of photographing this man and his majestic horse, Story. The two are well suited to each other - tall, calm, pleasant. Story is a gorgeous horse with an equally beautiful personality. He is also very, very aged in horse years. For this reason, I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to capture his personality and his unique bond with his friend and owner, M. This was my first attempt at photographing a horse (or any animal, for that matter). What do you think?

W Family Preview

2009-02-04T15:08:00.000-08:00

Whew, I'm finally putting up Christmas pictures! :-) This darling family is my family. No, not me and my children, but my extended family. And what could be more fun than an early morning photo shoot with a fiery red head and her bounding, blonde brother? We had a great time exploring this wash and getting cozy for the camera. Thanks guys!

Yes, I know I'm the queen of the rear end shots. I can't help it.

I love them - the compositions, not the tooshies (those are cute, too, though). :-)

C Family Beach Day

2009-01-09T18:17:00.000-08:00

I love shooting at the beach. It's probably my most preferred location to capture families acting completely natural. Who isn't gripped and inspired by the raw, natural beauty of the oceans and cliffs; seaweed, surfers, and crashing waves? It is as if I, the photographer, cease to exist. This is a very good thing.

A Happy "P" Family Christmas

2009-01-09T18:04:00.000-08:00

Some of you may remember these kiddos from a previous session we had together. When their mother called up to ask about Christmas pictures, I was more than happy to oblige. In addition to being graced with darling kids, this family also boasts a hard-working, dedicated, and deployed military father. I am a huge fan of our country's military men and women, fathers and mothers. I felt humbled to be able to take pictures of these kids at Christmastime for their dad. I wish him all the best and express my sincere gratitude for his service and sacrifice. Thank you, P-Dad.

Body Shots Pt. 2

2008-12-01T14:01:00.001-08:00

Body Shots

2008-12-01T13:55:00.000-08:00

Eyes

2008-11-30T00:41:00.000-08:00

This kid is one of my best little buddies. And he's a photographer's dream come true with those huge, sparkling, blue eyes. We had a lot of fun, didn't we, Eyes?! You little stinker, you. I just want to wrap you up and take you home with me.

The Holidays Are Here!

2008-11-14T23:14:00.000-08:00

That's right folks, it's Christmas card picture time! (Or, if I must be PC, Holiday card pictures). :P Being good friends of mine, I obviously had a great time with this family. It was fun to see two very ambitious, business-savvy, corporate types get down and dirty in the sand with their kiddos. Hope you like the pictures, my friends.

This one was my idea. :) Love it! (You guys are such good sports).

Connor

2008-10-22T21:53:00.001-07:00

This little guy is so sweet and so loved! He was accompanied to this photo shoot by his mother, brother, aunt, and grandma. He snoozed and ate and snoozed and pooped. Typical baby stuff and oh how I envy him the simplicity of his life! :) Connor is so darling and so perfect. I just loved taking his pictures. Thanks Jen and Co. I had a great time!

Lovebirds

2008-10-18T15:15:00.000-07:00

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!!!!!!!!!

2008-10-07T19:54:00.000-07:00

I had the great opportunity, a few weeks ago, to attend the type of soccer game that my husband fondly refers to not as soccer, but "swarm ball." That is a fairly accurate description for how these kids attack and stick with the ball. It was so much fun capturing these intense moments. Thanks boys!

Sneak Peek for Jen and Brent

2008-10-01T11:18:00.000-07:00

Get ready to feast your eyes because this little guy is so dang cute there are no words...just no words. I tried to keep the photos down since my posts are always monstrous, but I just couldn't help myself. I had to share. He's just so...cute! I-guy and his mommy hit up the beach with me, but we got some bonus shots in the grass where a nice lady was blowing bubbles, all by herself, passing the time. I-guy had a great time popping those bubbles. He is the friendliest, happiest, most passionate toddler I've ever seen. He was waving at everybody whether they looked at him or not. He was afraid of the water, but LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the sand! He was scooping it up and throwing it right and left, handing it to his mommy, wiping it on my pants, rubbing it on his face, etc. It was awesome! Thanks for a great morning Jen. I love this happy kid and I can't wait to meet his little brother in a few weeks!

The T Family

2008-09-16T00:33:00.001-07:00

Wow, what can I say? These turned out great! How could they not with two adorable blondies and a couple of attractive parents?! Not only did the pictures turn out great, but the morning was awesome. It was so much fun to spend time with you guys and it gave me an excuse to explore another beach. Thank you!

The Jude Gallery

2008-09-01T15:54:00.001-07:00

Pictures I took of my nephew while on vacation in the Northwest.

Baby A

2008-07-30T21:05:00.001-07:00

Sweet baby boy. Awesome family. Good friends. Thanks for a great morning, Christine!

I love this picture. They were so finished. :)

I'm Still Alive!

2008-07-17T20:48:00.001-07:00

...and taking pictures, to boot! :) These are the adorable kids of one of our US National Guardsmen who is currently serving at the border of Pakistan and Afghanistan. They were a joy to photograph and though we went super early in the morning, the kids perked up quickly once we hit the park. Thanks for a great morning, Wendy & Co.!

P.S. I had a really hard time narrowing the field down to these 12. We got so many great ones!

K & J

2008-06-20T21:35:00.000-07:00

These are the two sweet kids belonging to that gorgeous pregnant lady from the last post! :) Aren't they so much fun?! Little K is so full of personality...I just love her grumpy face. Sorry these took so long, Jacqui.

The Many Faces of Pregnancy

2008-06-09T15:36:00.001-07:00

Sweet Pregnant

Sexy Pregnant

Pregnant Mommy

More Pictures From My Utah Trip...

2008-06-05T23:20:00.000-07:00

...because there are just so many cute ones. Jacqui, yours are coming up. I'm excited about them! K is extremely photogenic, as are you.

Photo courtesy of Jarem Frye (pictured below)

Faith, Hope, Charity and Grace

2008-05-26T14:25:00.001-07:00

More Fun With the Neighbor Girls

2008-05-26T14:18:00.001-07:00

Nate & Emily Engagements - Sneak Peek

2008-05-16T17:45:00.000-07:00

These two are so cute together! What a fun and gorgeous couple.

Thanks again, Nate and Emily, for letting me work with you. Your CD will be in the mail tomorrow!
Here's a teaser for you. :) I hope you like them.

(My favorite shot!)

Family Pictures

2008-05-06T23:53:00.000-07:00

"Girls" photo by Dan

"Family squeeze" photo by Dan

Easter Fun!

2008-03-28T12:25:00.000-07:00

Photo by Dan

My apologies...

2008-03-23T23:41:00.000-07:00

...to Blogger and to Scott Kelby. You see, I went back and reread his color settings/profile section and found that it really doesn't pay to skim over his material then start fiddling around with things as if I know what I'm doing. He actually says that if you plan on using a lab to print your photos (which I do since we can't really afford a professional quality photo printer at the moment) rather than printing them on your own printer at home, then use sRGB settings in your camera and in Photoshop. Go figure. This is a good reminder for me to just slow down and absorb things rather than plowing on full speed ahead. This whole situation could have been avoided if I had bothered to actually read Kelby's full text. Well, lesson learned. Apology extended. Please forgive. :)

Thank you, Joy and Amy!

2008-03-23T15:04:00.000-07:00

ProPhoto RGB - I've had my Photoshop color settings on this, ProPhoto RBG, because Scott Kelby recommended having it on this setting if I was using Photoshop in conjunction with Lightroom. Well, it's been desaturating my photos and I was getting frustrated with it. I didn't know it, but thanks to Joy and Amy , I now know that the better setting for posting to the web is sRGB. Thanks ladies! I really appreciate you taking a moment to answer my desperate questioning! :)

sRGB - This is how my pictures looked when I edited them on my computer. I am thrilled with the difference this makes online! I've been feeling like I'm showing people rough drafts instead of being able to share with them my vision for each photo. Thank you, thank you, thank you Joy and Amy!

I think I'll go back and repost all the yogurt pictures so you can see them as I saw them. Wow, I can't tell you what a relief this is. It's soooooooo much better! :)

Here's a few more for you:

ProPhoto RGB

sRGB (my vision)

ProPhoto RGB

sRGB (my vision)

ProPhoto RGB

sRGB (my vision)

ProPhoto RGB

sRGB (my vision)

ProPhoto RGB

sRGB (my vision)

ProPhoto RGB

sRGB (my vision)

ProPhoto RGB

sRGB (my vision)

Yogurt Pictures Revisited :)

2008-03-23T14:45:00.000-07:00

ProPhoto RGB

sRGB

ProPhoto RGB

sRGB

ProPhoto RGB

sRGB

ProPhoto RGB

sRGB

ProPhoto RGB

sRGB

ProPhoto RGB

sRGB
In summary: sRGB = tons better color quality online! :) Woo hoo and Hallelujah!

Bathtime

2008-03-13T12:22:00.001-07:00

Again, the color isn't up to par on Blogger. I'm getting irritated. I wonder if that's why so many photographers use Typepad. But I'm sure I've seen other Blogger photography blogs that have nice color in their pictures. They must know something that I don't...but fear not, I will figure it out! :) Until then, just imagine all these pictures looking 10 times better. :) These were really fun.

Simple Pleasures

2008-03-13T12:10:00.000-07:00

I can't figure out how to make my pictures look on my blog like they do when I finish editing them in Photoshop and Lightroom. It's frustrating. These, for example, are much darker here on the blog than they are when viewing them from a folder on my computer. Does anyone out there know the trick? At any rate, they're still fun. So enjoy! ...Oh, the goop all over Bugga is yogurt - Blueberry Yoplait. :)

UPDATE: YOGURT PICTURES REVISITED (figured out the color issue).

Little I Guy

2008-03-01T22:59:00.000-08:00

This little guy is such an old soul. He is so sweet and so tiny. Baby I's mom and dad are beautiful people. The camera loved them and loved this darling little guy! As you can see, Baby I's dad is the #1 Charger's fan, so we got some really fun shots with helmet, football, and Charger's jersey. Thanks for a great afternoon, M and S!

P. Family

2008-02-26T17:01:00.000-08:00

Two beautiful kids, a quaint little duck pond with a splashing waterfall, and a warm, setting sun. What more could you really ask for? This photo shoot went so well. The kids were cooperative and adorable. While I took pictures of her kids, L. watched mine, strolling Bugga along in the stroller and letting Buddha ride T's bike. Very successful! Thanks a million, L...for the practice and for the friendship! :)

J Dawg

2008-02-18T09:26:00.001-08:00

Sorry, I couldn't resist the reference to the favorite lunch stop for many BYU law students. :) This baby boy is the child of friends of ours - buddies from law school. We have the privilege of babysitting him every now and then (not nearly often enough for me). :) He is so, so, so cute with the most scrumptious, to-die-for cheeks. What a perfect little baby this guy is. He was so willing to let me take pictures of him in all these crazy little places - he was happy anywhere. Oh, and just so you don't think I'm creepy, I do get the parents' permission first before I take pictures of their kids. :) Hope you like these, T and E, there were so many cute ones to choose from! J is a doll.

M and R

2008-02-14T11:01:00.000-08:00

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

And what could be better on this day than pictures of a beautiful baby boy? This little guy is so handsome and so cuddly. As soon as I got him into my arms I realized that the hardest part of photographing babies is putting them down in order to take pictures of them. I just wanted to hold him all day! Thanks, Mommy, for being willing to stay a while after the pictures were taken so that I could cuddle with your bundle o' love a bit longer. :-) This was a fun, yet surprisingly challenging photo shoot. We lost our sun when a storm rolled in soon after mommy and baby arrived. I couldn't get the close-up shots that I wanted (gotta get a new macro lense, I guess). :-) It was interesting, educational, and fun. I love this little guy and I'm sure you will too. Mom and Baby are both darling.

C and R at Sea World

2008-02-11T21:27:00.000-08:00

My good friend graciously allowed me and my boys to tag along with her and her boys to Sea World so that I could follow them around, annoyingly snapping billions of shots of her kids. It was a lot of fun taking pictures of someone other than my own kids (though they managed to wiggle their way into many a shot). Shamu was surprisingly photogenic and camera happy while we were spending time in the shade of his underwater viewing area. We were delighted by his friendliness. Thanks for a fun day and tons of precious pictures! C and R are so photogenic. It was a breeze.

Sunset at Torrey Pines - Photographer's Favorites

2008-02-10T00:09:00.000-08:00

Okay friends and fellow photographers, I got so many awesome, AWESOME pictures during this photo shoot with my family (ha ha...Dan is mocking me for calling it a photo shoot) that it was practically impossible for me to limit myself to putting just a few on my blog (as you will soon find out as you scroll down). :) It's a beautiful thing when your subjects can forget that you are there and you can capture them being...well, themselves. Once again, please note that for some reason the pictures lose a bit of their beautiful color saturation as Blogger resizes them for posting. If you want to see the vivid colors as they should be, just click on the photo and it will take you to a larger, more vibrant picture. I hope that I'm not delirious and that you enjoy these as much as I do. I feel some framing coming on! :)

Beach Bums

2008-02-10T00:01:00.001-08:00

Serenity

2008-02-09T23:26:00.000-08:00

Sneak Peak - Sunset at Torrey Pines Beach

2008-02-08T22:06:00.000-08:00

Many more pictures to come!

(By the way, the pictures look much better when you click on them. Not that you have to, it's just that they seem to lose some of their color saturation when they're fitted to proper picture size by Blogger.)

A Little Bit of Lightroom Magic

2008-02-05T22:20:00.000-08:00

I've been feeling like my pictures are a bit drab. They're flat and "pop"-less. So, I played in Lightroom with this one. What do you guys think? It's hard to make brown eyes pop, but I think I've succeeded. He melts my heart.

Before

After

Or how about this?

My Favorites from the Zoo

2008-02-04T22:08:00.000-08:00

Me at the Zoo

2008-02-04T22:07:00.000-08:00

At the Zoo with Granny & Grandpa

2008-02-04T22:01:00.000-08:00

At the Zoo with Bugga

2008-02-04T21:58:00.000-08:00

At the Zoo with Buddha

2008-02-04T21:52:00.001-08:00

A Force to be Reckoned With

2008-02-03T19:24:00.001-08:00

San Diego Zoo - Animals

2008-02-03T19:17:00.000-08:00

Like Father, Like Sons

2008-02-01T23:36:00.000-08:00

These are also from the science center, in case you couldn't tell. I just forgot to post them along with my 50 other posts from the science center. These are really too cute to forget, though, so I'm of the better-late-than-never school of thought.

Balboa Park

2008-01-29T22:12:00.001-08:00

My friend, Lindsey, took much better Balboa Park pictures than these a few weeks ago. The science center is located in Balboa Park and I couldn't help but take a few pictures of the surroundings on our way out. It really is beautiful there!

My Favorites

2008-01-29T22:09:00.000-08:00

Goofing Off

2008-01-29T22:04:00.000-08:00

Nothing like a quality photo to show off some filthy, massively finger-printed mirrors. :)

The spring Buddha is reaching for is not really there. It's a crazy illusion because it looks so completely real that it takes you quite by surprise when your hand passes through the air.

Gorgeous Granny

2008-01-29T22:02:00.001-08:00

A Little Bit of Vintage Flare

2008-01-29T21:02:00.001-08:00

Hands On

2008-01-28T15:16:00.000-08:00

Peek-a-Boo

2008-01-28T15:00:00.000-08:00

Coming Soon...

2008-01-26T22:03:00.000-08:00

...more wacky, fun, and, of course, precious pictures from our Monday trip to the Fleet Science Center with Granny and Grandpa. Proofing pictures has proved to be much more time-consuming than I originally thought. Or maybe it's that I just have a hard time choosing between all the good shots, so I end up proofing and using a ton. I'm sure proofing will get faster as I play with my programs more. I hope you guys like pictures, because there's lots coming. Now, off to bed with me and my sick self. Ta ta.

A Sunday Stroll - The End

2008-01-24T23:58:00.000-08:00

I have to explain this picture. Every time we go to this park to walk, Buddha makes us stop in front of these while he spells out each word and then reads the whole thing. So, to make him happy, I snapped a picture of his favorite hitching post. He was thrilled when he saw this on the computer. :)