:: janet & derek : engagement ::

Thursday, March 4, 2010 at 6:58pm Posted in Engagements

I’m not entirely sure how it is that this engagement session slipped through the blogging cracks, but it did. Whether it falls into the category of Mommy Brain or just a casualty of the sheer insanity my life has turned into during the past 2 months, or possibly into the Pneumonia Abyss of January (I came down with pneumonia the day after this shoot) I’m not sure, but regardless, I’m excited to show it to you now!

I’ve known Janet since I was a bratty pre-teen. If you had told me then that she would choose me to shoot her destination wedding, I definitely wouldn’t have believed you (accompanied by the obligatory 12-year-old-eye-rolling I’m sure…). But I can’t tell you how excited to be documenting the unique ceremony that Derek and she will be having come June. I’m also happy to not be a pre-teen anymore, but that’s quite another blog. ;)

The details I’ve been told so far have both excited me and floored me. They are putting so much care and so much thought into every detail and making sure every minute represents them as a couple and their individual spirits. It’s truly a beautiful and down right courageous thing.

After the conversations and coffee we’d shared discussing details and signing contracts, I was practically itching to work with them.

After spending a few hours with them in gorgeous Placerita Canyon with a camera in my hands, here’s a few things I’ve come to learn about the two of them.

1) They make each other smile and/or laugh virtually non-stop.

2) They tease each other in the best possible way. And if you know me, you know that I think that playful teasing is practically a requirement in a healthy relationship. :)

3) They are as confident of their own identities separately as they are as a couple. The bring two wholes together to make something much greater than themselves.

4) They love life.

5) Together they are fearless. Even when their photographer tells them to climb barefoot through a wild are that probably has bugs and snakes just to stand on a fallen tree trunk. :)

6) Simple things, like water or a beautiful natural setting bring them joy.

7) They see beauty by choice. Even in a rusty old pipe.

8) And they love each other deeply, courageously, and fearlessly.

Janet and Derek – thanks for letting me begin to document your love story. You have beautiful spirits (as well as faces!) and I’m truly thrilled to be working with the two of you! I can’t wait for June!

by brienne2

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:: sloes and shippers ::

Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 8:33pm Posted in Personal

I own a lot of shoes. No really, like, A LOT. My husband *ahem* teases me about the number of shoes I own and the fact that he never recognizes the ones I’m wearing. Usually I casually toss a “What, these? I bought these when we were in college” (which is true), usually followed up by a “You probably don’t remember because I haven’t worn them since I was pregnant” (which, staggeringly – to me at least – means it was AT LEAST 13+ months ago….). That exchange is usually followed by dual eye-rolling and we move on to more important conversations.

But I have a confession to make. My favorite shoes? The ones I wear every day (literally) and don’t know what I’d do without them? Yup, you guess it. That little cloth polka dot number up there. My sloes (or maybe shippers?) – half shoe, half slipper, any time I’m NOT wearing “real” shoes, they’re on my feet. Unless I’m sleeping. And then I have another pair that are similar for when I absolutely must have something on my feet to sleep. I’ve gone through a variety of these little pairs (thank you Target for the $5 obsession). I had a black and orange argyle pair for around Halloween, a red, pink and white striped set for the holidays, and now these (just to name the last 3 sets…).

I love them. They complete my feet in a very NON-Louboutin kind of way. They make me forget that the nail polish on my toes is in serious need of attention. They make me feel like I have stealthy-ninja-super-quiet-sneak-around-the-house-while-Cam-is-napping skills. They make me want to tuck my feet under me and curl up with a good book. They make me forget that my feet are always (ALWAYS) cold. And I swear I work better when I wear them. F’realzzz….

All of that to say, deep down, I just love comfort. I use my shoes to live vicariously for an afternoon, an evening, a date with my hot hubby and daydream about my life as a fashionista, but ultimately, when I’m really just being me, all I need is a sloe/shipper, a few polka dots for style, and maybe a bow for kicks.

What about you? What represents the REAL you in your life?

by brienne2

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Brenna Round - The REAL me? That would be the the old pair of old navy jeans I bought when I worked there. The pair that were marked at $24.99, but when I took them up to the cashier, they rang up at $6.97 AND I got my 20% employee discount. Plus, when I was trying them on, I found a $20 bill in the pocket! Those jeans, a comfy t-shirt, and my brown flip-flops are all I need to feel like the REAL me. :o)

Brienne Michelle - Hands down, those are the best.pants.ever., Bren. ;)

Jenifer Francis - The Real me is in dark blue J Crew Jeans (the kind that stretch), a t-shirt, and either my Stanford or CLU Hoodie. Must have my hair in a pony tail, and MUST have socks expressing how I feel that day. That's the real Jen. Loved the sloes!

:: sherri & matt : CELEBRATE LOVE ::

Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at 1:00am Posted in Creative Couture, Specials

She’s a photographer and still kind of new to LA. He reminds me of Jack Black (or maybe Dane Cook) and plays the guitar. And their love story started 1 year and 4 months ago…

I say it every. single. time. I work with another photographer, but miraculously, in the nearly 5 years of professional shooting I’ve got under my belt, it still gives me the woozles. Yes, woozles. Which, in case you were hoping for a definition, is something akin to the wuzzies but without the nausea. I’m nervous as all get out that about trying to capture the true them on film (albeit digital). Humbling to say the least.

But as I’ve had to remind myself, oh, I don’t, a bajillion-gazillion times in the past 5 years, we photographers are pretty much exactly the same as anyone else. With the possible exception that we might be even more afraid of being in front of the camera. I mean, come on, what better excuse is there to get out of being in photos than oh no no, you go ahead, I’m taking the picture (usually followed by a frantic waiving of the over-sized camera in our hands).

Maybe it’s just me.

So whether or not Sherri was as terrified as I was to have family photos done OF me and my little family a few weeks back, she and boyfriend Matt managed to do exactly what they needed to do – look good, not pass out, and enjoy a nice sunset together.

Which, of course, meant that I got to enjoy one of my favorite things in all the world – lens flare. Which, I have it on good authority, God created on the 8th day. It’s in the Bible. Trrruuuuuust meeeee….. ;)

I don’t usually wear my glasses out in public very often, but I was in love with Sherri’s. They rocked. Loads of personality and adorable to boot. Win.

Ok internet, tell me it’s not just me seeing the Jack Black thing. Of course, maybe it’s part of the voice too. Studly none the less.

Work. It. OUT.

And since she’s a photographer, we had to get the moneymaker in there. :)

I HEART FLARE.

Sherri & Matt – thanks for letting me spend an hour celebrating the love between you and (hopefully) capturing it for a few minutes. And thanks for helping me deal with the woozles.

by brienne2

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:: the TRUTH about motherhood : part 11 : happy valentine’s day ::

Sunday, February 14, 2010 at 5:51pm Posted in Kids and Family, the TRUTH about motherhood

I know, I know. Valentine’s Day isn’t actually a happy day for everyone. To be honest, we don’t actually really celebrate it in our home very much. Now before all you conversation-heart-loving people pass out from lack of oxygen due to your GASPS OF HORROR (kidding) (kind of), we have very good reasons. Hallmark-created-the-holiday-to-sell-cards arguments aside, we opt to celebrate the 15th instead, because it’s my husbands birthday. And when you’ve got a budget to live by (you know, the kind that TRULY deserves the aforementioned GASPS), celebrating 2 days in a row just ain’t happening. Can I get an amen.

BUT it’s not like it goes by unnoticed. Single, dating, married, divorced, or widowed, rest assured that if you live in the US, you notice it. Many of my friends growing up, especially in college, no, correction, especially at MY COLLEGE liked to refer to it as “Single’s Awareness Day” (I’m pretty sure that being single was significantly worse at APU than failing out and not getting a degree…). But either way, you noticed. I remember coming home from my Valentine’s Day date with my pretty hot boyfriend of just over 3 months (who I would eventually marry) to my dorm room and being flabbergasted at the crowd of 18 and 19 year old girls in the common area crying over NOT getting engaged or at least a date that night. Literally.

So, though we rarely do more than exchange funny cards or, if we have the money, we might even have a nice dinner out, I still find myself, like most of you, thinking about love today.

I thought last year was different. It was the first time Preston and I went out with out Cameron ever. We left our sweet little barely-three-week-old baby boy with my parents and had fantastic Chinese food. In our exhausted stupor, we talked about how “love” had taken on so many new meanings in just 3 short weeks.

I had no idea how much it would keep changing.

See that little cutie patootie with the “Cupid is My Homeboy” shirt? Yeah. It’s his fault. He. changed. everything.

I laugh at things I never thought I would – like when he decides he wants to investigate my teeth so he pulls my lips out of the way and pushes on them with his little thumb. I have conversations about things I never thought I would – like whether or not he pooped today (the parents out there know what I’m talking about here). I look forward to things I never thought I would – like little milestones and big ones (who would have thought I’d ever be so excited about something like rolling over). I cry about the silliest things – like those darn P&G commercials for the Olympics! But in the end, it all comes down to this new category of love.

I love seeing my husband’s knowing smile when I tell him “You’re the #2 Man in my life”. I love knowing that he loves Cameron as much as I do so it’s ok that Cam sorta knocked him out of 1st place. Cuz I got knocked outta 1st place too.

So however or wherever you experience love in your life, here’s to learning about knew ways to love. And Happy Valentine’s Day.

by brienne2

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Jen Francis - I SERIOUSLY loved this post. So cute. And so creative! As a woman in her first year of marriage, I find what you say to be so true - that there are so many more ways to love than I ever thought possible. And I don't even have one of those little guys yet! Cheers to you and Preston (and tell him happy b-day from us!) for the love you all so obviously share. Happy V-day!

:: michelle & richie : CELEBRATE LOVE ::

Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at 11:54am Posted in Specials

Here’s the thing about having your photos taken – it’s really nerve racking. Preston and I recently had family portraits done for Cameron’s 1st birthday (more on that later) and I once again found myself sympathizing with my victims clients. It’s not easy to be on the other side of the camera! But here’s the thing, if you’re going to be nervous, the best possible reaction to your nerves when a camera is pointed at you is exactly what Michelle & Richie did. They laughed. At me, at each other, at themselves… but they laughed. And THAT, my friends, makes for great photos.

I love this one…

I love my clients…. *sigh*

You know I love me some staircases…

I can’t decide if I like the backlighting or the flare better. Thoughts?

After a quick wardrobe change to show off their mutual team spirit, we grabbed a few more!

Michelle & Richie, thanks so much for giving me the opportunity to capture and celebrate your love! Oh, and thanks for laughing at my lame jokes too. You made my day!

:: b ::

by brienne2

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Alyse L. - yay for Michelle and Richie; it's a lovely small world when your old co-worker ends up taking photos with the same amazing photographer that has been so involved her family photos :-)

Brienne Michelle - That IS amazing Alyse! I had not idea you were connected to her! She found me through someone else I know at our church!

:: because sometimes you just have to have a little fun… ::

Tuesday, February 2, 2010 at 12:03am Posted in Uncategorized

Sometimes I do strange things to break up the monotony of my day. Well, let me rephrase that. The monotony of my EDITING day. Cameron keeps me on my toes pretty good and, despite the fairly regular schedule, every day is a little different and a lot of fun with him. HOWEVER. I have this whole other part of my life where I live in the photo editing world. Between editing my own photos and editing several other photographer’s work for The Post Chicks, I am working on A LOT of photos. So, sometimes, I want to have a little more fun than just color correcting, sharpening, converting to black and white, etc.

So, as you may have seen from one of my tweets today, I realized how lame I am while going through some of MY OWN photos. Let me translate “lame” for you. In this situation, it’s referring to my “wow, this is going to look soo cool and awesome” photo setup with a great couple turning into me realizing I’m a doofus and totally re-created the meadow scene from Twilight.

My shot:

The Twilight shot:

Go me.

Ugh.

SOOOoooo… I had a thought. I thought to myself, well, since we’re here, might as well go all the way, right? So my friends, I quickly You-Tube’d a video tutorial on how to sparklify and twilight-vampire-ify my photo. Et voila!

Sorry Michelle & Richie. I had to do it.

Not my best photoshop work, but hey, I figure (read: HOPE) this is my only time trying it out. If I get a whole bunch of photoshop-my-fiance/husband/boyfriend-to-look-just-like-edward-cullen requests, I might have to call myself a word other than “lame.”

Back to our regularly scheduled programming tomorrow… ;)

by brienne2

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Jen Francis - Hahahahahahaha. This made me laugh out loud.

:: michelle & richie and alexandria & vince : sneak peeks ::

Sunday, January 31, 2010 at 12:35am Posted in Specials

I had two Valentine’s Day Special sessions today – check out a few sneak peeks! I really really enjoyed myself and I’m hopeful that the two couples I worked with today had fun too – I love love love how some of the images came out! Can’t wait to share more!

Up first, Michelle & Richie::

Quickly followed by Alexandria & Vince::

If you’re still interested in booking a Vday Special session, there are just a handful of time slots available between now and the 5th. So book fast and let’s CELEBRATE LOVE!

by brienne2

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:: benjamin : newborn portraits ::

Monday, January 25, 2010 at 11:23pm Posted in Kids and Family, Personal

Ok, ok, I know. I’m like WAY WAY WAY behind on blogging. I had this fantastic idea that I was going to, oh I don’t know, hit the blog with a BANG at the beginning of the year. Watch OUT 2010, me and my blogification skills are comin’atcha! BOOM-SAUCE!

Yeah. And then I got pneumonia.

Ok, I’ll be honest though. I didn’t get pneumonia till like the 7th or something, so I technically had a whole week of non-sicky feeling days this year that I could’ve been getting my BOOM-SAUCE on. Buuuut……

And it’s not like I didn’t have good ideas. OH INTERNET did I have IDEAS for these awesome, amazing, blow-your-mind-and-your-socks blog ideas. It was seriously going to be epic. But I have discovered something about myself.

I am not 19 anymore.

Now, most of you are probably thinking, “uh, yeah. I hope not. You have a kid and you’ve been married for going on 5 years, so umm, yeah, that’d be weird….” But somehow this is very recent news to me. Or at least to my body. Because, see, I’ve always just assumed my body can just bounce back from things if I just tell it that it has no other choice. Like “hey you. body. yeah you. I know the holidays are exhausting and you just want to throw in the towel, but don’t you know that January is supposed to be a crazy, high energy festival of excitement and resolutions and PRODUCTIVITY for crying out loud?!?”. Despite Twilight-induced obsession with the age of 17 somehow being the epitome of life and health and vitality, I actually preferred 19 to 17 by quite a huge margin…. And usually, miraculously, my body listened to my demands somehow.

Until now.

Because somehow in the mix of this whole, oh I don’t know, HAVING A KID thing, my relatively respectable closer-to-30-than-20 age became a liability instead of a bonus. Which is kind of a huge bummer. Especially for my blog life.

And so it is that I find myself JUST NOW posting these photos from sweet, beautiful, perfect little Benjamin’s newborn session from 3 WEEKS ago. Sigh. Sorry Matt & Cherise!

Isn’t he ridiculously adorable? Holding his sweet little tiny cute body sent nostalgic chills through me.

Oh my! What a NOSE! Scrumptious!

Apparently, I’m not the only one who appreciates a cute little button nose. :)

Oh baby yawns. I love them.

Not to be outdone, Ben’s big brother had to show me he can be ADORABLE too. :)

Aren’t they a beautiful new family of FOUR? :) Congrats and the perfect new little addition to your family Matt & Cherise! Sam is probably the cutest 2.5 year old I’ve ever met, so I can’t wait to see Ben’s personality develop too.

And here you all thought that I wasn’t going to post pictures with that start to the blog, huh?

BOOYAH.

by brienne2

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laurie shepard - so so so cute! love these guys!

:: valentine’s day specials : CELEBRATE LOVE ::

Friday, January 15, 2010 at 1:36pm Posted in Back to School Deals, Business, Creative Couture, Engagements, For Photographers, Happily Ever After, Kids and Family, Personal, Publication Shoots, Uncategorized, Weddings

That’s right! Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Brienne Michelle Photography is running an incredible 75% OFF DEAL for couples sessions!!! I’ll be honest, I’ve never done this before, but I’m looking forward to working with couples of all shapes and sized to CELEBRATE LOVE through photography! Not married? Just dating? Been married for 35 years? I don’t care how long you’ve been together – 2 days or 25 years, it’s time to CELEBRATE! Book before February 5 and the cost for both the session AND the copy of all the images (ALL) is only $75! And in case you were wondering, YES, all sessions are in Santa Clarita.

If you’re not sure you want to do couple’s photos, but you still want to do a Romantic session or want to get cute photos of the kids for Grandma as a present for Valentines, solo sessions are only $50 til Feb 5 as well!!!

How to book — email me at briennemichelle at gmail dot com to get started and we’ll get it on the calendar! Last time I did discount sessions, they went fast so email me quickly! I’m looking forward to celebrating LOVE with you!!!

by brienne2

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:: michelle & richie and alexandria & vince : sneak peeks :: » Brienne Michelle Photography Blog - [...] had two Valentine’s Day Special sessions today – check out a few sneak peeks! I really really enjoyed myself and I’m [...]

:: the TRUTH about motherhood : part 10 ::

Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 11:20pm Posted in the TRUTH about motherhood

:: To My Lovely Child ::

I hardly know words to write to you, baby boy. I love you, but that doesn’t seem enough. I adore you. Every morning since you were 10 weeks old I’ve woken to the sounds of your babbling to yourself. When I walk into you room in the morning or after a nap, you literally jump up and down in your crib with a huge grin. I can’t help but sweep you up and kiss those cheeks. OH THOSE CHEEKS! You’ve learned to help me put on and take off your shirts, to straighten your legs nice and straight when I close up your diaper, and to pull your arms out of the straps on your high chair or car seat when I say “arms out”.

You love books – oh MY do you love books! You’re perfectly content to climb up onto my lap with a book and wait for me to begin reading. You’re also happy to “read” them to yourself. Upside down or right side up, it doesn’t matter, as long as you can flip pages and pretend to know what the pages say (and usually SCREAM the words in excitement). You laugh much more easily now than you used to and you smile all the time. You’re a happy boy, Cam-man!

Your Daddy and I look at each other almost every day and ask the exact same question – Where has the time gone? Everyone, and I do mean EVERYONE told us that would happen. And it’s not that we didn’t believe them, it’s just that it really is that mind boggling. We’re constantly amazed by you. Your Daddy used to prop you up on his legs and just stare at you staring back at him and making small little practice movements with your mouth. It was better than TV, seriously, and you entertained us for hours like that. Now you “talk” (sometimes for real), play with toys, cruise around the living room, steal Mommy’s food, and tell your own baby version of jokes.

You have fun chasing around the furry little critters we’ve adopted into our family and grabbing their leashes whenever possible. You literally squeal in delight when Kipper comes and gets you after a nap with me. Don’t worry, I promise you that someday they’ll let you play with them.

We’re so blessed by you, kiddo. I know it’s cliche, but you bring a lot of joy into our lives. For reals. I think I’ve laughed and smiled more in the last almost year than the entire rest of my life combined. My heart has doubled in size and I find myself looking forward to the next stages with you.

Next week is your birthday. Which I’m still having a hard time admitting to, but I’m slowly coming to accept it. Nobody thinks you’re one when they first meet you – you look like a toddler who’s closer to 2 than 1, but maybe that’s because you got your Daddy’s head of hair. ;) It’s been an awesome first 11 & 3/4 months!

Oh, and by the way, you’re officially the cutest little boy EVER.

by brienne2

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Tami Case - Bri, What a beautiful letter to your sweet little boy who will soon be a year old and the photos capture exactly how you must be feeling right now. I have known Preston even before he was born and I see a lot of him in your little boy. It has been wonderful watching him grow in your photos over the last year. Thank you for sharing them with all of us. Happy Birthday, early Cameron ! Love, Tami Case A friend for a very long time of Laurie and Family

laurie shepard - awwww Bree -- you made me cry!!! I fully understand how your heart expands with love when you have a child. We love you and Preston and Cameron so much -- the heart keeps expanding.

Jenifer Francis - What an awesome tribute. Still can't believe he's a year. I totally agree - where did the time go??? Crazy. He's adorable times a million. Congrats on a successful first year! Happy Birthday Cam!

Kristen Leigh - Awwww, that was so sweet. Awesome post :D Seriously, lady, enjoy every.single.second. of him being "little" haha (even though he's a giant.)