A New Photo Blogsite!

So for good reason I have abandoned this blog lately. I am sad to end here, sort of, but will be now posting shoots and posts at my new photo blogsite...www.dawncooperphotography.com. Please visit me there and be sure to give lots of comments and feedback--I'd love to hear it and appreciate it very much!

Here Comes Baby Number 4 | Sonoma County Maternity Photographer

My friend Nicole, her adorable 3 kids and fun hubby and I decided to venture out to the beautiful St. Vincent's School for Boys for her maternity pictures. Being this is her fourth pregnancy I thought for sure she'd be, well, a whole lot bigger than she is! That baby must be tiny in there! But it was so fun to hang out with this awesome family and get some pictures at the same time!

Marissa and Clark {Wedding}

I am not exactly a wedding photographer...but I LOVE this couple and LOVED their wedding! They were married on May 28 at Fernando's Bed and Breakfast, which is close to Bodega Bay. We had no idea what the weather was going to be like, and of course it was the worst for photography but perfect for the actual ceremony-- bright sunshine-- followed by pouring rain! Bishop Nathan Tanner did a beautiful job on the ceremony and Marissa and Clark were a very gorgeous couple! A huge thank you to Nitny as my second shooter--I will post some of her pictures soon! Here are just a few...

The Bridal Session | Sonoma County Portrait Photographer

So here it is. I've been super excited to blog Marissa's amazing bridal session photos. We met at the amazing St. Vincent's in San Rafael and she was glowing, beautiful and RADIANT! Marissa is a natural model and we could've taken pictures for hours! She brought along her besties, and I brought Miss Nitny to meet Marissa as she was my second shooter for the Big Day, which was yesterday. Now...SOOO glad we did these bridals. It poured rain during the wedding and photos were cut short. So. Take a few minutes to enjoy these photos...there are a TON and I could've posted way more! Thank you so much Marissa for allowing me to be a part of such an amazing time in your life! 

Marissa and Clark {Engagements} | Sonoma County Portrait Photographer

Meet Marissa and Clark. I feel like we have spent so much time together in the past month with prior shoots and the wedding yesterday, not to mention all the communication in between, and I LOVE them! They are a super laid back and fun couple that have a very deep and amazing connection. They have been through a lot together which I think will strengthen them for all the many, many years ahead. Due to their super busy schedules we did the engagements two weeks prior to the wedding, and were lucky to have a brief break in rain to do so. We headed up to the Marin Headlands and found some really cool spots for their pictures!

8 weeks old...| Santa Rosa Children's Photographer

So, the Aunty of Little L of my last post contacted me when she saw her niece's pictures, and we squeezed her in before her little one could grow much bigger! We had to work to get this beautiful baby to sleep for some newborn-type shots, but it was worth it! She was SUCH a sweetie and I love the shots we got! Patience is so worth it!

Little L continued...| Santa Rosa Children's Photographer

Here are a few more images of our adorable one year old and her parents from a few weeks ago. She reminds me of my own daughter when she was the same age--the super cute but serious face, but a ham when she gets going! We had such a blast at this beautiful Santa Rosa park.

6 Days Old | Sonoma County Newborn Photographer

He finally came! Remember his beautiful mama, here? Well, after anxiously awaiting his birth..and preceded by a couple long weeks of lots and lots of contractions and expectations..well, he came. 8 days late. But when he came, he was ready and made his way into the world quickly and effortlessly. His mom is a champ. She rocked that labor and delivery!!! So...you can see he isn't a dainty, little newborn-- we were seeing the linebacker in him already! He is the sweetest, mellowest baby and totally cooperated for us today...until he decided to be done with napping that is. But he's 6 days old, so that lasted about 30 minutes when he conked back out again. I am so thankful that I was able to be a part of his first amazing week of life! Here, of course, is a quick look into his session. Many more to come!

Little {L} is One! | Santa Rosa Portrait Photographer

Last night I had the opportunity to photograph one of my favoritest little clients! She just keeps on coming back and I LOVE it! Of course the weather was perfect all week, until last night when it was cold and windy and even rained for a minute! But we made it through and got some great shots of our little one year old--well, next week. Here's your sneak peak, guys!

Chris and Crystal {Engagements Part 2} | Sonoma County Engagement Photographer

A few more shots of the beautiful couple!!

{N} Family Shoot! | Sonoma County Family Photographer

LOVE this family!!! I have had such a blast getting to know this cute family! I felt like I had known them forever during our shoot. It was funny when we discovered our kids go to the same school, and they just live a block away! It was super duper windy when we got to the location, but we decided to check it out anyway...and lucky for us there was no wind where we decided to shoot! Just a billion bugs that started showing up as we were leaving...so nasty! Thanks again you guys! 

Crystal and Chris {Engaged!} | Sonoma County Portrait Photographer

Meet Crystal and Chris! Here is a quick sneak peak of what is to come-- gorgeous couple, super fun session...can't wait to work on the rest!

At the Farm | Sonoma County Children's Photographer

You would think with all the warm weather we've been having, that these kids would've lucked out with their shoot. Of course not! It was freezing! Windy and cold! But both kids were SUCH troopers and soo polite and sweet and adorable!  We were all excited about the farm location and did some exploring while shooting! A huge thank you to Miss Frances of Bella Arianna, who provided the tutu! We had so much fun with it! And of course another huge thank you to Michelle Kane for her amazing actions that were used in the editing. As the mama of these two kids called them...her "Huck Finn, and Country Ballerina." Check them out! 

8 Months and Counting | Sonoma County Maternity Photographer

It was soo fun to take these pics of this beautiful pregnant Mama! She is a good friend (we so need to hang out more!) and it was fun to hang out with our little guys (I had my youngest with us to keep little M company) and take pictures! Her little one would only let me take her picture when her mom was out of sight! It was pretty funny actually! So. Enough chatter..here are the latest maternity pics!

 
 

Michelle Kane Actions!!!

So the other day, I saw via facebook that The Maternal Lens blog was having a giveaway of the fabulous Michelle Kane's actions! ...which I have coveted and drooled over since they came out a few months ago. So, as giveaways tend to go, you like the gift giver's page, and then maybe even post about it in your status. I already "liked" Michelle Kane's page, so I shared the giveaway on my status. And completely forgot about it. Cause I seriously never win anything. A few? couple? one? days later, I saw a post on my wall from the incredibly talented Melody White, congratulating me on winning the actions! Well I was shocked to say the least and couldn't believe it until I saw the actual posting of the winners...and as I was looking it up I called my family in to the office and wouldn't tell them why until I confirmed the glorious truth!!! (See it here) So after some freaking out...I haven't been that excited in I-don't-know-how-long...I contacted both the blog and Michelle and received the actions! (Yippee!) So I went back and found a couple of my favorite images to re-edit with the actions and see what I could come up with. It was so much fun! I'm thinking with the first image, her face is a little too white..but whatever. Here are a couple before and afters! I would love to hear your thoughts! Constructive criticism welcome...just be gentle! :)

Can't Resist...| {Sonoma County Portrait Photographer}

As I was about to post this..I see its my 200th post! Woo hoo! Hmm...how shall I celebrate?? Well I just had a diet coke, so I guess I've got nothin. Aw well...how about some more pics of the gorgeous Jenny and her "mini-me." They're just too cute not to post more!! 

One of My Own | {Petaluma Children's Photographer}

So last weekend, I had a photo session of my sister in law and her little one year old at the same place my husband had taken my kids to ride bikes and barbecue dinner. Only ONE (out of 4) of my kids would cooperate...so here are a few of our "testing out the location" shots. I had to pay him a dollar though. Don't ask how I'm going to bribe my 10 year old for pictures. (Well I actually don't know the answer yet anyway). But I refuse to buy the school pictures so I need to take some of the rest of them, and soon!! Wish me luck.

51 Golden Years {Santa Rosa Portrait Photographer}

This session was such a cool experience! This adorable couple received a gift certificate for a mini session, from one of my clients for a Christmas present! So I finally got to meet them when we hooked up in Santa Rosa at the Bennett Valley Golf Course where Mr. F loves to golf! We had a great time, and they had wonderful stories to share with me about their 51 years together...it was truly inspiring, and I had a blast with them. Thanks you guys!

Sweet and Sassy | {Santa Rosa Portrait Photographer}

Meet my beautiful sis in law and gorgeous niece! Usually I just take pictures of little M by herself (here)..but this time we got her gorgeous mom in some shots too! It was fun seeing the temper tantrums that start to emerge at this age...she's just so darn cute, even when she's ticked! More pics to come...just wanted to get a few going as a sneak peak!

Baby J turns one! | {Sonoma County Children's Photographer}

Well the past couple of weeks have been a blur. We have had some seriously nasty illnesses run through our household, and I was hit the last and of course it lasts the longest on the mommy! So..I have slacked in EVERYTHING! I am finally getting around to blogging this little cutey pie...I have taken LOTS of pictures of this little man's fam and his big sister is next! Little J had a blast with this cake--didn't eat much but sure had fun smashing it! My kids sat behind me as I clicked away and laughed and cheered and sure enough..dug into that cake once little J was done with it. I didn't notice until I came back to clean it up and it was almost all gone!! Wow.
 

A Bun in the Oven | {Sonoma County Maternity Photographer}

So finally after months of anticipation and false alarms and nasty weather...everything (including anxious baby boy!) cooperated for us and we were able to get this gorgeous lady's maternity shots taken! Nicole was a trooper and hiked up hills and valleys for some of these shots, even though she's been on strict bedrest for the past several months. And of course now that we've taken the pictures, she will probably go full term! Baby boy pictures to come!

Another {C} Family...2nd this month! | Sonoma County Children and Family Photographer

After emailing back and forth for over a month and waiting for the perfect weather--this adorable family and I finally connected! Even after talking to mama C on the phone for 2 minutes I felt like I'd known them forever! I had a blast with these adorable kids and their very easy going but way fun parents.

Francypants Academy!!

Kelli France, the owner of France Photography is getting ready for her next mentoring session in March...if you are an aspiring photographer and want to learn from the best...click on this link and it will take you to her blog. I learned incredible amounts from this amazingly talented lady. Become the boutique photographer you want to be. Seriously. I'm on my way!

I Heart Faces | Best Face Photo January

Oh I'm so excited!! I used to love doing i heart faces contests then just kinda got too busy and forgot..but I just saw this one and HAVE to submit one of my fave pictures from January! I'm sure there will be TONS of really cool photos submitted, clink on the link to check them out!! So here the lovely girl is again!

{Sonoma County Newborn Photographer} | Precious Baby Girl

So a few weeks ago I blogged the cutest pregnant lady...here... and a couple weeks later she brought her precious baby girl into the world!! It was so amazing to hold her and feed her a bottle and see her new-ness that really will pass so quickly. Even though her mama is a photographer, us moms know how exhausting the first couple weeks are..so even though they're the best to photograph, you sure as heck don't want to do it yourself when its your own. So she gave me the honor and I LOVED it!!! So welcome baby A! You will be spoiled by your 3 older sisters, that's for sure!

{Sonoma County/Petaluma Portrait Photographer} | The {C} Family!

So I am finally blogging this adorable family that I had such a fun time with last week! I have known them through our neighbors/good friends for years and so was so excited when they asked me to take their family photos. I have been loving their pictures and so my last couple posts were images I just couldn't stand to not post right away..but here are some more that I love! These guys were so much fun--I could hang out with Mama C all day long..she's an amazing person! I definitely look forward to more sessions in the future! Thanks guys!

Twins {Sonoma County Children's Photographer}

Well. After hours of using the wii as my babysitter and messing with this blog like a maniac..I'm going to leave it as is until I get some major help with my blog header--so its NOT going to look like this for long!!! That said..I'm hungry and I've got insane children to feed and get ready for bed...

{C} Family {Sonoma County Family and Children Photographer}

Speechless. Look at this girl.

Mist and a Grumpy Girl

So as I was driving home from the gym today in this crazy thick fog through town, I passed an area that looked sooo cool and I knew I had to capture it! At least attempt to, since my ideal little model doesn't like me taking her picture anymore. So after some persuasion and bribery I got her to the location but...as you will see by the photos, she sure didn't want to cooperate. So...these photos are okay, but each edited differently, and each fun in its own way...but well, what do you think?

 

Nitny's Freezing (but fun) Maternity Shoot! {Sonoma County Maternity Photographer}

So Nit and I braved the cold and took some shots of her adorable little belly yesterday...I sooo cannot wait for that baby to get here!! Keep an eye out cause I will for SURE be getting pics of that little lady soon! Nitny was SUCH a champ as she braved the cold for these shots--a photographer herself she knew it would be worth it! Here are a few...more to come in the next couple of days. Plus images of her adorable family also!