It's been a while since I posted a Totally Rad Recipe on this blog, so I thought today was as good a day as any! One thing that I really focus on in my post-processing is consistency, and trying to use the Actions to create a unified look and recognizable style. So I often process everything from a particular shoot in the same way, using just a handful of TRA goodness to bring out the best on my photos.
It seems I am always trying to balance Mommy time and Photographer time, so what better way to demonstrate than with some photos of Maxfield playing in the yard last week?
delightfully,
Chenin
It seems I am always trying to balance Mommy time and Photographer time, so what better way to demonstrate than with some photos of Maxfield playing in the yard last week?
And now for the recipe:


delightfully,
Chenin
Karen Lisa said:
He is just adorable! Thanks for the recipe. ;)
(08.11.10 @ 10:37 AM)
andy rea said:
1 - Awesome images of Maxfield! It's so cool to see you guys with a kiddo! I guess kiddo(s) soon huh!?!
2 - Great recipe. This is a good solid look to simply give an image that extra umphhh. (Did I spell that right?) Anyway, thanks for the recipe and nothing but Smiles & Blessings to all the Boutwells.
(08.11.10 @ 10:46 AM)
laura im said:
I've used that recipe before myself, varying intensities, but those same base ingredients! small world! :-P
(08.11.10 @ 10:55 AM)
Doug said:
You know that every time you post pictures of my little boy having fun, you make me wish I was home playing with you guys, right? Miss you two (three)!
(08.11.10 @ 10:59 AM)
Jen said:
Adorable pictures! Some of those bubbles in the pictures are so clear and sharp that they looks like small balls!
(08.11.10 @ 03:53 PM)
Maria Longhi said:
What a handsome little guy. Love his face soooo cute!
(08.13.10 @ 02:49 PM)
Maria Longhi said:
What a handsome little guy. Love his face soooo cute! THank you for the recipe.
(08.13.10 @ 02:50 PM)
lane dittoe said:
Max is such a cute kid, and the processing looks great! thanks Chenin!
(08.20.10 @ 09:57 AM)
Alicia Swedenborg said:
adorable!!!!!!
(08.24.10 @ 03:17 PM)
Brandon said:
Wow, love these! Amazing as usual.
(08.27.10 @ 11:14 AM)
Last Tuesday I had the pleasure of teaching another StyleLab Workshop, along with my fav bloggers, The Wedding Chicks. Amanda Auer of In The Now Weddings designed a crazy-cute nautical themed wedding for the attendees to photograph. After lots of business talk and some awesome style-soul-searching, we headed out in the gorgeous sunshine to photograph this adorable "wedding."
I was so proud to have these amazing vendors working with us on this project. It was a best of the best list of artists and service providers and I was tickled pink to work with each and every one of them!
The awesome people team that put this together:
Venue: Bella Collina Golf
Styled By: Amanda Auer of In The Now Weddings & Events
Stationary: Paper + Thread
Floral Design: The Vine's Leaf
Rentals: Classic Party Rentals
Rentals: Found Vintage Rentals
Dress Designer: Jenny Yoo
Makeup & Hair: Nyrie Aitken
Deserts & Goodies: Erica O'Brien Cake Design
Film/Cinema: Crafthouse Productions
Coffee Bar: Annabelle's Coffee
Linens: La Tavola Linens
Jewelry: Amourbijou.com
Models: Ryan and Kelli of, Be Inspired
And now, for some photos! be sure to check out Wedding Chicks for lots, lots more -
I was so proud to have these amazing vendors working with us on this project. It was a best of the best list of artists and service providers and I was tickled pink to work with each and every one of them!
The awesome people team that put this together:
Venue: Bella Collina Golf
Styled By: Amanda Auer of In The Now Weddings & Events
Stationary: Paper + Thread
Floral Design: The Vine's Leaf
Rentals: Classic Party Rentals
Rentals: Found Vintage Rentals
Dress Designer: Jenny Yoo
Makeup & Hair: Nyrie Aitken
Deserts & Goodies: Erica O'Brien Cake Design
Film/Cinema: Crafthouse Productions
Coffee Bar: Annabelle's Coffee
Linens: La Tavola Linens
Jewelry: Amourbijou.com
Models: Ryan and Kelli of, Be Inspired
And now, for some photos! be sure to check out Wedding Chicks for lots, lots more -
Courtney said:
Absolutely beautiful. LOVE the Nautical theme and LOVED StyleLab! Thanks for doing what you do and continuing to inspire others! I am so thrilled that I was able to attend! Absolutely inspiring and your girls were the best! Thanks again, Chenin!
(05.13.10 @ 04:45 PM)
gladys jem said:
this is amazing chenin. you are incredible and im so excited that this style lab went perfectly :) no rain at all! im sure it will just keep getting better and better! love it!
(05.13.10 @ 06:07 PM)
gladys jem said:
this is amazing chenin. you are incredible and im so excited that this style lab went perfectly :) no rain at all! im sure it will just keep getting better and better! love it!
(05.13.10 @ 06:07 PM)
Crafthouse Productions said:
Wow Chenin! It was so great to meet and work with you on this. The pictures turned out amazing! I love your eye and style. The honor was truly mine.
(05.13.10 @ 06:23 PM)
Daniel Balboa said:
Long time listener. First time caller. Chenin, It was a pleasure to meet you and your family. You are such an inspiration and I thank you for offering this workshop. I
(05.14.10 @ 11:07 PM)
Happy Monday! I am thrilled to share that my work was featured in this month's Photo District News, along with a nice article on how I use Photoshop to help create a signature style. I thought it would be a perfect time to answer a few common questions from fellow photographers that I get about post-processing my images.

When it comes to editing in Photoshop, my Number One Rule is "Garbage in, Garbage Out." I am a firm believer that no amount of editing can make a bad, boring or ugly photo good. Period. If the photo sucks, throw it out.
I also strongly believe that we should all develop one or two signature looks (i.e., ways of editing images in Photoshop) and stick to it. How can we develop a strong, recognizable style if we are changing the look of our images week after week?
And, lastly, I believe that Photoshop editing should be fast, efficient and consistent, which is why I use TRA. Although it can be fun to play with one image for hours, the bottom line is, I have hundreds of images to retouch, and TRA allows me to do that quickly.
If you would like to learn more about my take on Photoshop, how I edit my photos or how you can use post-processing to help develop a signature style, check out The StyleLab. We still have a few spots left for our May 11 workshop and I'd love to see you there!


When it comes to editing in Photoshop, my Number One Rule is "Garbage in, Garbage Out." I am a firm believer that no amount of editing can make a bad, boring or ugly photo good. Period. If the photo sucks, throw it out.
I also strongly believe that we should all develop one or two signature looks (i.e., ways of editing images in Photoshop) and stick to it. How can we develop a strong, recognizable style if we are changing the look of our images week after week?
And, lastly, I believe that Photoshop editing should be fast, efficient and consistent, which is why I use TRA. Although it can be fun to play with one image for hours, the bottom line is, I have hundreds of images to retouch, and TRA allows me to do that quickly.
If you would like to learn more about my take on Photoshop, how I edit my photos or how you can use post-processing to help develop a signature style, check out The StyleLab. We still have a few spots left for our May 11 workshop and I'd love to see you there!

Heather said:
Your work is amazing!!
(05.06.10 @ 10:49 PM)
Eeep! What could be better than an adorable couple, a gorgeous location and the (second) Cutest Dog in the Universe? I had a total blast photographing Jenn and Jonathan and their sweet Corgi, Bear, last week.
For the photo geeks out there, I am still loving my new Nikon gear. I feel like I can finally make the images that float around in my head, without the equipment holding me back.
I have a TON of images to share, so grab a cup of tea and enjoy :)
For the photo geeks out there, I am still loving my new Nikon gear. I feel like I can finally make the images that float around in my head, without the equipment holding me back.
I have a TON of images to share, so grab a cup of tea and enjoy :)
To Jenn and Jonathan and Bear: Thank you for a wonderful afternoon! I appreciate your openness to try anything and your awesome sense of adventure!
delightfully,
Chenin
Contact Me * My Portfolio * Stuff for Photographers!
delightfully,
Chenin
Contact Me * My Portfolio * Stuff for Photographers!
Amanda Rae said:
Love, love, love, love, love, love times one-hundred-thousand-million!
(03.23.10 @ 11:01 AM)
Kayla said:
SO beautiful!! Love their outfits, the locations and the delicious sun light :)
(03.23.10 @ 11:04 AM)
gina said:
These are perfection! I love them all! Nikon gear really is the best gear ;)
(03.23.10 @ 11:05 AM)
dan s said:
first NICE LEGS...it's ok I am a professional leg man, REALLY! I love that set of pictures, I do think I started to get a little bit of a stuffy nose from all the flora :>)
(03.23.10 @ 11:20 AM)
gladys jem said:
um. this is absolutely lovely. absolutely LOVELY. that's all.
(03.23.10 @ 11:25 AM)
Abra Michelle said:
A-MAZE-ING! Love them so very much. I had taken a break from blog reading and what a wonderful way to come back to find so many wonderful blog posts by you. I really love your work and the emotion and happiness it conveys.
(03.23.10 @ 11:40 AM)
Lisa Love in Madison, Alabama said:
Ohhhhhh orange groves, wildflowers & beautiful people = a trifecta of loveliness!
(03.23.10 @ 11:48 AM)
Lisa Love in Madison, Alabama said:
Ohhhhhh orange groves, wildflowers & beautiful people = a trifecta of loveliness!
(03.23.10 @ 11:49 AM)
camille deann said:
Romantic perfection. Love the use of pinwheels, very creative!
(03.23.10 @ 11:52 AM)
carmen said:
Beautiful session! No wonder that you love it! (and I love that you are loving nikon :o)
(03.23.10 @ 12:18 PM)
Tina Harden said:
So gorgeous Chenin1 I love spring wildflowers1
(03.23.10 @ 12:33 PM)
Nicole said:
Love this session! Jenn has AMAZING style (MUST know where she got that purple dress!). Great job, guys!
(03.23.10 @ 02:05 PM)
Meredith Perdue said:
I completely agree- there is little better than an awesome couple, beautiful setting and a super cute dog. These are incredible, Chenin! Absolutely incredible!
(03.23.10 @ 02:29 PM)
kyle said:
Beautiful session, as always, but I have to ask -- are you sponsored by Nikon?
(03.23.10 @ 08:06 PM)
Jessica said:
I could feel the love and fun in every moment you shot, beautiful
(03.23.10 @ 09:34 PM)
Taryn said:
Very cute shorts!
(03.24.10 @ 10:17 AM)
Erin Palos said:
Beautiful session! Jenn, I love your shorts! Where did you get them?
(03.24.10 @ 12:14 PM)
Catherine Guidry said:
Nice...I love the images where they are standing on the boxes. Such unique photos!
(03.24.10 @ 12:19 PM)
candice brooke said:
Chenin!!! These are amazing!!! I love every single one of them!
(03.24.10 @ 08:05 PM)
Paola said:
Wow, Jenn is gorgeous!! What a fun couple and furbaby! Fabulous shots and thank you for sharing a little photog geek info. Love my Nikon too!
(04.21.10 @ 12:00 PM)
Paola said:
Wow, Jenn is gorgeous!! What a fun couple and furbaby! Fabulous shots and thank you for sharing a little photog geek info. Love my Nikon too!
(04.21.10 @ 12:01 PM)
Manya said:
These photos are so beautiful! I hope to take photos as awesome as yours one day.
(04.23.10 @ 07:54 PM)
shadowbear Photography said:
I LOVVVEEE it!! I also love her outfits. :) So cute.
(05.18.10 @ 01:01 PM)
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!

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!
AmyPunky Photography said:
I've voted!!! Too bad I don't live in California, I'd love to attend your workshop. Have fun! :)
(03.16.10 @ 03:26 PM)