New Blog & Website for Linda Baylis Photography

It’s hard to believe it’s been five short months since we left California and headed for home-sweet-home New Zealand.  While things have been quiet here on the blog, all sorts of things have been happening behind the scenes. I’m excited to say the new (New Zealand chapter) of Linda Baylis Photography (with a new brand and website) is ready to launch. Here’s a sneak peek at what I’ve been working on…

Linda Baylis Photography - Wedding Photography - Hawke's Bay - New Zealand

Sad to say this will be my last post here but moving forward is always a good thing! You can visit my new site at www.lindabaylisphotography.co.nz

2011 – what will you bring?

I thought 2010 was a big year – raising two rambunctious toddlers, winning the Me Ra Koh Photography SOAR! Scholarship and launching Linda Baylis Photography. I had no idea 2011 would be even bigger and once again I’d find myself and my family about to take a huge leap of faith and follow our dreams. All the way back to New Zealand. Just a year or so earlier than planned, and not quite the way we’d imagined it happening. But that’s life, and sometimes you just need a little push to get you moving in the direction you are meant to be going in anyway. Our push, like so many others in this economic climate, came about from restructuring and downsizing and being presented with unacceptable choices that would only set us backwards. We are so blessed to have options.

As I write I can almost taste the salty ocean spray and feel the warm waves lapping at my feet. I can picture the delight on my children’s faces as they meet their cousins for the first time and the delight on my Mother’s face as she meets her grandchildren for the first time. I am excited to once again be with friends and family I’ve missed so much and begin to build the life we have talked of for so long. But it’s bittersweet. I dread the goodbyes that will have to be said. I am sorry to be taking grandchildren so far from grandparents but thankful good health allows them to travel.

I am sick of paperwork and red tape – citizenship, passport and visa applications.  We are living in chaos surrounded by boxes and piles of belongings as we try to downsize our own lives to be ready for the move. Linda Baylis Photography seems to be lost under one of those boxes but I promise there is more to come. Oh, so much more to come. The actual logistics of the move are at times overwhelming but I know I am up to the challenge. I have been here before. And to boot, my  SOAR! year with the wonderful coaching and mentoring I received, has prepared me for so much more than becoming a photographer. Yes, I am up to the challenge.

So in case you’ve been wondering, this is the reason I’ve been neglecting this blog. There is only so much multitasking this girl can do! November/December were actually fantastic months and I have some great client sessions to share. I promise to keep y’all posted!

Hugs,
Linda

Holiday Card Madness…

Finally, I have my holiday card designs finalized, and a beautiful set of family images from last weekend’s session to showcase in them! Last year I was determined not to leave it until the last minute, but here I am again. Last minute. Maybe I should see it as an early start to next year. And maybe next year I’ll even get around to doing holiday cards for my own family

This is a mix of my own designs and some templates I’ve purchased and adapted for client use.

 

Thankful

Yesterday I was sadly reminded how short life can be. That we are promised nothing more than the moment we are living in. It made me grateful that I am able to pursue a career that I love and it reaffirmed to me the importance of what we do as photographers. Capturing the beauty of life, fleeting moments, documenting family memories. This is a gift I am thankful for.

I am also thankful for Me Ra Koh and the incredible team behind the SOAR! Scholarship. Without them I would not be pursuing my passion. What’s more, I am so excited that the 2010 SOAR! Scholarship begins today! I can’t wait to get to know the next round of applicants who are ready to spread their wings and take a leap of faith. To make the most of the moment they are living in right now. Be sure to go to the SOAR! WEBSITE for all the details!

In the meantime, here’s a sneak peak of the fabulous family I photographed this weekend.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Baby Blue Eyes

I’m still not sure how I feel about taking pictures of another photographer’s child yet, but when I met Baby O for the first time, I just had to have those big blue eyes on my portfolio! Thanks for providing such a great little model Chris – I hope you enjoy the pictures. He is just so precious!

Holiday Mini Sessions – Sacramento, CA

I’ve been getting a few queries about holiday mini sessions so I have decided to open up a few days this month. It’s a great opportunity to update pictures of the kids or get the perfect shot for your holiday card.

Session Fee: $85.00, includes:

• Up to four people (+ $15/additional person)
• Private on-line gallery with 10-12 retouched images to select from
• 20% discount off additional a la carte purchases

Your choice of:

• 25 holiday cards
• 2 5×7 prints
• 1 high resolution digital image

Book together with another family or families and you each  receive a complimentary 8×10 image of your choice.

Saturday November 20th
Morning: 9am – 11am – William Land Park
Afternoon: 2.30pm – 5pm – Natomas Location

Sunday November 21st
Morning: 9am – 11am – Downtown Sacramento
Afternoon: 2.30pm – 5pm – William Land Park

Sessions will be casual and fun and will last approximately 20 minutes each. Locations are subject to change. Call or email for further information! Full payment is required prior to the session to secure your spot.

916-335-8111
linda@lindabaylis.com

Halloween Hijinks, Sacramento CA

Last month I had the absolute joy of doing a photo session with the children at my boy’s preschool. Everyone dressed up for the occasion and we had lots of fun!

Smart, sweet and sassy…

Meet little Miss B again. She is smart, sweet and sassy and totally immune to my charms and my bribes. She makes me work for the smallest of smiles but oh when she smiles… it is totally worth it!

An elegant affair…

With tables named after old greats like Frank Sinatra, Audrey Hepburn and Bing Crosby, plenty of champagne and bling for the bridal preparations, a stunning bride and a handsome groom and an incredible venue – this portfolio building photographer could not have been happier!

Once again my wonderful friend Melanie Soleil Jaramillo let me join her to second shoot a wedding in Grass Valley, California. I have learned so much shadowing Melanie as she negotiates the trials and challenges that wedding photographers face every day, from challenging lighting situations to brides running two hours late to having to make allowances for the photographer in the family. I love everything I’m learning and I love the images I’m capturing, yet I continue to ask myself if I’m really ready to take the next big step of going solo. Melanie thinks I am, and in fact, is ready to push me off the edge. I guess it’s swim or sink time!

Here are some of the images from Chasity and Ryan’s wedding on Saturday.

My little poser…

Trying to take pictures of him may be like pulling teeth, but this Mum thinks it sure is worth it!