Hey folks!  It's been a very busy wedding season so far and posting pretty pics has been my main focus over the last few months.  But my good friend, Jasmine, reminded me last night that I haven't posted any photos of my Maxfield lately.  Which brings me to a whole 'nother can of worms, which is....


I know, I know.... why all the secrecy for the last 6 months?  No secrecy intended.... just been very, very busy (a full wedding season, a 17 month old toddler and growing another person takes a lot of time, y'all!)  But I can honestly say you're all caught up after this post ;)

So, in preparation for our little girl, I have been working on getting Maxfield out of the nursery and in to a fancy-schmancy-hopefully-won't-resent-his-baby-sister-big-boy-room!  Some of you may remember Maxfield's (ok, MY) loves of robots, which I carried over in to his very first big boy room.


So far, he loves his room, is doing great in his new bed and seems to be pretty much clueless that his world is about to be ROCKED in a couple of months ;)

In addition to Big Boy rooms, growing babies and taking pictures, I've been working hard to share more albums, little tips and insights and general photo *stuff* over on my Facebook Fan Page.  Yeah... I broke down and started one of those dumb pages.  I loathe the whole concept, but I can't keep up with friend requests (I currently have 641 sitting there waiting to be accepted - I really DO like you!) and I figure the friends I do have would rather see me post about photo-related stuff and be spared yet *another* photo of Maxfield playing in the sprinklers.  So hop on by and say "hi!"

Maxfield, channeling his inner Aquabat.

Hey all!  My dear friends, The Wedding Chicks, are holding a little contest to decide who will design and style the next StyleLab Workshop on May 11, 2010.  After pouring over some really amazing ideas and inspiration boards, we've narrowed it down to three talented designers.  Please hop on over and vote for your favorite!



To photographers: We still have a few openings for my May 11th workshop and would love to see you there.  I know there are a ton of choices when it comes to OC workshops, but I assure you that no other workshop offers what we've got to give!  At my workshops I promise:

-no nonsense answers to your questions; no B.S. and no ego
-in-depth discussions about identifying your style and developing a brand
-a hands-on shoot, styled by a high-end designer, including models, a gorgeous gown, and amazing details (oh, and did I mention you are welcome to use the images however you like?)
-experienced answers to your questions, from a gal who *actually* shoots weddings for a living
-small class size, good food and a friendly environment

Hope to see you there and head on over to the Wedding Chicks to vote!

delightfully,
Chenin

Contact Me * My Portfolio * Stuff for Photographers!

The big photo convention season is quickly approaching and I am getting so excited about meeting new friends and catching up with old ones!  One thing that always bums me out after convention season is how many emails I get from people who were too shy to come up and introduce themselves to me (believe it or not, some people are under the impression that I am one of the cool kids. lol.)  I thought it would be fun to sort of break the ice ahead of time and give you all a little glimpse of who I am (definitely not a cool kid!), so we have something to talk about in Vegas.

I am (embarrassingly) addicted to US Weekly and always love their "25 Things You Don't Know About Me" features, so I thought I'd make a little list for myself.

1. I am addicted to Burt's Bees lip balm.
2. I love Gin, but it makes me a crazy woman, so I don't drink it anymore.
3. "24" is one of my favorite shows, but it really bothers me that Jack Bauer has never, in 8 seasons, eaten or taken a drink of water. I am now obsessed with Jack's nutritional intake.
4. My parents bred Australian Shepherds when I was growing up and we always had at least 7 or 8 dogs.
5. Kids called me "Chenin the Dog Girl" in school :(
6. I met my husband, Doug, in middle school.  He was the best friend of my boyfriend at the time (woopsies.)
7. It took me 3 years to convince Doug that he was in love with me. I think he finally just gave up.
8. My son is named after the artist, Maxfield Parrish, and the famous Chicago Cub, Ernie Banks.
9. I secretly hope Maxfield grows up to be a dork.
10. I refuse to eat American cheese, because, in the 6th grade, a bully put it in my hair. (Told you I am not a cool kid.)
11. My grandfather was a photographer and used to let me play in his darkroom when I was little.
12. If there was plastic surgery for shortness, I would do it.
13. I am currently eating an Atomic Fireball for the first time in 20 years. It's spicy as hell.
14. I am sort of just making this stuff up so I have something to blog (don't judge. you do it too.)
15. I love Cat Stevens' music but right now I am listening to Ice Cube's "Amerikkka's Most Wanted."
16. I am an enigma.
17. My favorite book is "Franny and Zooey," by J.D. Salinger.
18. I love champagne and dark beer.
19. My heart has stopped on more than one occasion.
20. I am a sushi snob.
21. My first car was a 1987 Mazda RX-7, which I crashed at least 3 times. One time, I hit a Samoan lady with it and she almost kicked my ass
22. I have an irrational fear of birds. I am disgusted by their feet (which is why the bird in my logo has none) and I am convinced that they carry disgusting germs.
23. I am a germaphobe.
24. I am not a rock star.
25. I sometimes wish I was a bank robber, because I want to scale walls in a tight black suit.

So that's it.... 25 things you don't know about me. 

I will be posting later this week with my speaking schedule at WPPI!  Hope to see you there!

delightfully,
Chenin

Contact Me * My Portfolio * Stuff for Photographers 

I cannot believe that my sweet Maxfield is one year old!  It's cliche to say, but it seems like yesterday that Doug and I were leaving from the hospital (in a pouring rainstorm, I might add) to take our little one home.  And now I am posting about his first birthday. All I can really say is "wow."

On Sunday, Doug and I had our closest friends and family to our home to celebrate Max's birthday.  From the time that he was born, I knew I wanted to throw Maxfield a robot birthday party.  Something about robots says "all boy" to me and I thought it would be fun, without being too baby-ish (which I am always trying to avoid.)

I spent the last two months making every last detail of this party.  Every time I sat down to make paper bunting, or a happy birthday sign, or robot party garland, I wondered how the heck I found the time.  But the truth is, I had so much fun dreaming up projects and making them happen.  I am not sure who had more fun - me or Max (ok, let's be honest... I did!)

Some of my fun crafts, including the invitations, bunting and his birthday sign (which I hope to re-use), that I made.  I think my favorite project was the flower vases, which I made out of recycled glass jars and dryer ducting.  We also had a Make-Your-Own-Robot Station, where kids (and adults, it turns out....) could choose a blank paper robot and decorate him.