Category: Family

What Can You Mark Off Your To-Do List?

Posted on by cathleenmcgrathphotography
family photo in oak glen
Oak Glen

It may only be September, but this is the perfect time to start thinking about and scheduling your holiday photos for October and November.

The slightly cooler weather and gorgeous colors of fall make for the most beautiful backdrops. With the holidays coming sooner than we think, why not take advantage of the extra time to go ahead and have at least one thing marked off your list.

We get booked up very quickly from October on, especially the weekends, so it’s best to start arranging your family photoshoot now to avoid the last-minute rush later.

Below are a few top tips for planning and creating the perfect fall family photoshoot.

  • Pick the perfect location. Spend some time picking out the perfect location for your shoot. If you really want to take advantage of the current seasonal changes, pick a spot with lots of trees so that you can incorporate those lovely fall colors into your photos. If you’re unsure about locations, just ask! We are happy to offer suggestions.
  • Add a few action shots. While it’s great to get some posed shots for your holiday card, throw in a few action shots and decide which shot you like best afterwards. Kids playing in the fall leaves make for some beautiful photos.
  • Plan your outfits. Matching outfits are no longer something you need to incorporate into your holiday photos but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t plan what you’re going to wear. Opt for solid, complimentary colors and stay away from busy patterns and logos.
  • Use the golden hour to your advantage. The golden hour takes place around 15-20 minutes before sunset. The light is soft and flattering.  If possible, plan your photoshoot around the afternoon golden hour.

This Month’s Promo:  To celebrate family, I am offering 10% off any size
fine art canvas or acrylic print.

Currently Scheduled Family Mini-Sessions:

October 15 – 2:00 – 4:30 – Yorba Regional

October 29 – 2:00 – 4:30 – Yorba Regional

November 19 – 2:00 – 4:30 – Murphy Ranch Park

November 26 – 2:00 – 4:30 – Yorba Regional

Or feel free to schedule a full hour family session!

BOOK YOUR SESSION

family photo at yorba regional park
Yorba Regional

How to Bounce Back After Your Summer Break

Posted on by cathleenmcgrathphotography
family photo mom and two boys having fun

Are you experiencing some post-vacation blues?

Here are some tips for getting back in the swing of things.

Work and School Routine Can Be Fun Too!

Transitioning from a blissful vacation to work and school again might seem like quite a daunting task but with the right planning and a little motivation, it can be done – and fun!

Here are a few tips to help get you started:

  • Set some goals. Outlining exactly what you hope to achieve in the coming month will allow you to break your to-do list into smaller, manageable tasks while still keeping the bigger picture in mind. Be sure to include “me” and “family” time in your list of goals!!!!  
  • Start your day right. How you start your day can make all the difference to how you feel about getting back into your routine. Waking up early enough to take your morning slow and eating a good meal can really turn your entire day around. Intentional deep breathing, meditation and stretching can really let you ease into your day and clear out the overnight cobwebs.
  • Refresh your space. Clearing away any clutter and getting organized is one way to get motivated about getting back to work and into your routine, and this is something that the whole household can get involved with. When this task seems overwhelming. I focus on one space at a time. What is bugging me the most right now?
  • Tackle that inbox. Sometimes your email inbox can be the scariest part about heading back to work but avoiding it will only leave you feeling more stressed. Don’t rush. Take your time to work through each email slowly, making a list of important tasks and notes as you go. Another tip is to sort you emails alphabetically, then you can get rid of groups of emails from the same entity.
  • Have some fun. Just because your vacation is over doesn’t mean you can’t still have fun. Set a date with friends or family, book tickets for a show or plan a hike. Having something to look forward will keep that vacation high going. Schedule a photo session . . . haha just saying!

When it comes to getting back into routine, start small, start slow but start! Once you get going, you’ll very quickly own your days and routine once again. Also, don’t dwell on it. Just do it one step at a time.

Promo: If you schedule your family October or November mini-session by August 31, you will receive a complimentary mounted 11×14 print.

Holiday Porch Portraits Victorian Style

Posted on by cathleenmcgrathphotography

When the porch portrait craze started at the beginning of COVID, I thought it was a great idea.  I considered joining in, but two things stopped me – I don’t like to do things that are trending and social pressure from other photographers to not do them – that’s all I’m saying about that . . . flash forward to the fall and we are still in a COVID scenario and it is family portrait season. 

I LOVE the Kellogg House at the Heritage Museum of OC!  I must have had a previous life in the Victorian era because I am so drawn to it.  Not everyone has a “porch” – I don’t – so I thought I would combine good ideas and passion, and create a porch portrait experience at the Heritage Museum of OC using the Kellogg House; while giving back to the Museum. 

WIN-WIN-WIN

The house will be decorated for the holidays and you are welcome to bring props. 

Date: December 5, 2020
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Address: 3101 W. Harvard St. Santa Ana, CA 92704
Cost: $175 – $50 being donated back to the Museum.
Includes:
15-minute session, three digital files printable to 8×10 or $125 print credit

YOU MUST RESERVE AND PAY FOR YOUR SESSION
PRIOR TO THE DATE OF THE EVENT
(No refunds if canceled five days or less prior to event)
SORRY – NO DROP-INS

Schedule Appointment

Tips for Beautiful Fall or Winter Photos

Posted on by cathleenmcgrathphotography

Tips for Beautiful Fall or Winter Photos

There is a special kind of magic that comes with outdoor, seasonal photo sessions.  The snow lightly falling and icicles hanging from the branches . . . wait – what?!  We live in Southern California!  Snow or no show – So Cal is gorgeous and there are plenty of places to host a seasonal family session!  And I will travel to Big Bear, etc. for snow! Here are some tips to make your seasonal photo sessions go smoothly.

  1. Dress for the weather. You will be surprised at how often this is overlooked.  Since you’ll be standing outside for a long period of time, short sleeves, thin fabrics, and open toe shoes will not be comfortable for very long in cold weather – as well as when you want a cozy look and it’s 80 degrees outside.  Shivering or sweating makes it hard to look happy and pose properly.  If you want to look cozy in the warm weather, simply layer – wear comfy clothes and just add the cozy scarf and sweater when we actually take the pictures.
  2. Wear sunscreen. Protecting your skin should be a priority throughout the year, not just in summer.  Use a good moisturizer to protect your skin from chilly winds.
  3. Watch the weather.  If we do head up to the snow . . . warmer days may seem more pleasant, but melting snow can change the entire look of your backdrop. If you are looking for light snow flurries, try and keep an eye on the weather forecast to make sure that you don’t end up with melting or heavy snow.
  4. Be flexible. If the weather isn’t exactly what you had hoped for, see if you can still make the photo session work.  I had several sessions in one day that was overcast with light rain and the images came out beautiful as the light was so even.
  5. Incorporate color. Even though fall and winter have some amazing colors to work with, why not wear a splash of color to really stand out in your photos?  For example, vibrant shades of blues and greens look amazing among crunchy brown leaves.  Keep in mind, if we have sunshine, you will not want to wear anything too bright that will reflect on someone else’s face.
  6. Plan your day. Taking your photos just after the sun rises or just before it sets will provide you with amazing lighting so try and plan your session around those times.

Take some hot tea, cocoa or coffee along to make your photo session even more enjoyable and get ready for some beautiful results.

(We can also just create snow in PhotoShop!  LOL)

 

How to Pick the Perfect Professional Photographer

Posted on by cathleenmcgrathphotography

What you need to consider before you pay that photography deposit.

If you’ve started the search for a photographer then you’ll know just how many options there are.  Before you go ahead and book a professional photographer for a shoot though, there are a couple important things to consider.

What style are you looking for?

Photographers have different styles so you need to decide on someone who can help you achieve the end result you are looking for.  This applies to everything from wedding and maternity shoots to family and corporate shoots.  Ask the photographer for some examples of their latest work to evaluate whether they can cater to your needs.
Research and review.

Before you invest in a professional photographer you need to do your homework.  Get online to find a few customer reviews, browse around their website to view their latest work and have a look around their social media pages to find out what others are saying about them.  These platforms will also give you a good idea of their personality and style.  Some other important points to consider when researching photographers are:

  1. Budget.  Do their services fall within your price range?
  2. Expertise.  Are they experienced enough to give you the results you are looking for?
  3. Location.  Are they based in your area and are they willing to travel to a specific location if need be?
  4. Quality.  Is the quality of their photos good enough? Look at aspects such as sharpness, exposure and saturation.

Create a short list.

Once you have done your research, create a short list of professional photographers that stand out for you.  Get in touch with each of them to discuss your needs and to ask any questions that you might have.  It’s important that you chat with the photographer over the phone if not in person as this is the best way to get to know them and find out whether you’ll be able to work with them.  Feeling uncomfortable or stressed out around your photographer makes for bad photos.

It’s important that you pick a photographer that you have confidence in.  Your photos are there to last you a lifetime so while there is nothing wrong with helping out your photographer friend who has just started out, it’s best to choose an experienced photographer for important events and occasions that you can’t relive.

IF NOT NOW – THEN WHEN?

Posted on by cathleenmcgrathphotography

I know I’ve written on this subject before, but it’s a conversation I have often with friends.  “It’s just so hard getting everyone together.”  I bet if it was a wedding or a funeral, everyone would figure it out.

Family photos and individual portraits are so so important to our lives.  I know I’m uber passionate about photographs – I can’t help it!  When I find an old photo I haven’t seen before of one of my ancestors, I feel like they are reaching out to me from beyond to say hi and connect.  I get very excited and curious.

How special it would be to have a generation photo for future generations to know who we are and where they came from.  I treasure this photo.  This is my dad, grandfather, great grandmother, and great-great grandmother.  These are my people.  I feel a connection just through this photograph and the stories my dad would tell.  This is where I came from.

There is such a huge focus these days on our DNA – our heritage.  When I get started, I spend hours searching on Ancestry.com for hints of my ancestors’ lives.  Why make your descendants search and wonder who you were and where you were from . . . what you were like.  (#Existinphotos) Have portraits done and print them – regularly.  Photographs are representations of your life – freezing life at that moment.  It is our history that we can leave behind for future generations – not selfies that are just going to die with our phone or computer (#printyourphotos).

About a month ago I was talking to a friend and I said I wanted to do a photo shoot of her and her daughters for marketing materials.  We set a date. Then a week before the session, when discussing what to wear, she casually threw out there the idea of wearing authentic Khmer outfits.  Needless to say, I was like, “Oh heck yeah!”  THEN, completely on a whim, her mom to her, “Well I want to do it too!”  Then BAM – I had a gorgeous group of women (and a baby) – three generations in authentic clothing from their country of origin.  My friend’s extended family wanted to do a shoot after they saw the images – my friend is so happy they did this.

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Friends, this is so so so important.  Don’t use the excuse that you have a hard time getting people together.  Pick a date a few months out, give me a call and just schedule it.  Another famous excuse is, “Well I want to lose weight first,” . . . really?  If you’re anything like me, that could be when you’re dead.  Your family loves you and wants you in their photos – don’t “weight” to be photographed.  It is my job to make you look the way everyone else really sees you – beautiful.  If you want to lose weight – great – take the photos and then schedule a special “look at me now” session when you lose the weight – problem solved.

Life is too short to not honor yourself and your life with beautiful photos of you and your family.

Don’t wait to be photographed.  If not now – then when?

Contact me now for a consultation – we will create something special for you.

family portrait oak glen, ca

Looking for Christmas Gift Ideas?

Posted on by cathleenmcgrathphotography

Give your gifts some extra thought and meaning this year.

 

The hunt for the perfect gift is on, but what do you get the person who “has everything?”

The latest gadget will probably be outdated within the next six months and simply guessing what someone might need usually results in money being wasted on a gift that will more than likely be re-gifted in the coming months.

So instead of giving a physical gift, why not give the gift of memories?  Give the gift of photography.

Whether you’re a last minute shopper or you simply don’t know what to buy, this is the perfect gift idea that you’ve been waiting for.

Our photography gift cards are ideal because it allows your friend or family member to choose from an array of photography products and services, which include prints, engagement session, contemporary glamour session, senior session or a family session.  Scheduling and gifting a generation photo session for your parents or grandparents is a priceless treasure for the whole family.

Once purchased, we can either email the gift card to the recipient or you can give them the gift yourself.

Simply select a gift card to the value of your choice and place your order by emailing me at cathleen@cmcgrathphoto.com.  Christmas shopping has never been simpler.

Wishing all of my friends and clients a blessed holiday season and a prosperous new year!

Promo:  Mention the code “gift card” and get a $100 print credit for every $300 in gift cards purchased.

What Are You Thankful For?

Posted on by cathleenmcgrathphotography

I am thankful for family and the abundance in my life.  I am also thankful for all the special moments I have had the privilege of capturing this year and of all the clients I have gotten to know.  I loved discovering new places and sharing in your happiness and I look forward to many more of these moments in the coming year.

Thank you for making my days brighter!

Here a few tips to keep in mind this holiday season:
1.  While entertaining, keep your glasses, ice and beverages in the living room so that your kitchen doesn’t get too crowded.
2.  Fill big pots with soapy water after dinner so that you can soak smaller items such as utensils.
3.  Need to create space in your refrigerator?  Fill an ice chest with ice to store smaller items.
4.  Prepare any sides the day before to save some time the next day.
5.  Keep kids busy by getting them to help you with any desserts that require decorating.
6.  Remember your pets and the items that can be dangerous to their health:  turkey bones, sugar-free baked goods, chocolate, tinsel and ribbon, and holiday plants – i.e., mistletoe, poinsettia and holly.
7.  DON’T STRESS OUT!  Remember what is important in your life during this what is usually a stressful season, family and friends.  Your pup or kitty can feel your stress and get stressed out as well and act out – so for yourself and your household – take everything in stride, make lists and enjoy the season!

Promo:  When you are planning what gifts to give and you are going to be ordering prints from me, make sure to use the secret password “thankful” and get a complimentary 8×10 gift print of every canvas order you place during the month of November!

Together We Rise – Holiday Family Photo Sessions

Posted on by cathleenmcgrathphotography

 

 

“Every day, 1,200 kids enter foster care in the United States.”  Together We Rise is a non-profit that changes the way they experience the system.

On November 12, 2017, I will be hosting holiday mini-sessions at Yorba Regional Park.  The entire session fee will be donated to Together We Rise for their scholarship program.  See information here – as well as additional packages offered.

I cannot imagine for one second what these kids go through and I applaud the hearts of those that can and do open their homes and hearts for these kids.

But what happens to kids when they “age out” of the system?  I can’t even imagine the difficulty unless by some miracle they get lucky with a foster family that can continue to support them and pay for their school.  What are their options?  How are they going to work and go to school?  It must feel really hopeless and scary!  Together We Rise has partnered with the Fund ll Foundation (Family Fellowship) to support youth in foster care with financial, educational, and wrap around support.  They invest up to $90,000 per student.

I absolutely love the work that Together We Rise does for kids in the foster program and I hope you will join me in showing them some love this holiday season.

Also visit their website to see how else you can help!  There are a lot of really cool and fun programs for which you can volunteer to help!