Jen & Billy ♦ Santa Cruz Engagement Session

When I woke up yesterday and saw that the sun was shining and the sky was clear, I knew it would be a beautiful day for a beach engagement shoot. As I drove to Santa Cruz to meet Jen & Billy I was so excited that I wouldn't have to try to work with another drizzly damp day at the beach, but I have to admit that I was still a bit nervous about driving all the way to Santa Cruz to shoot a couple I'd never met. When I shoot engagement sessions, almost without exception, I've met the couple at least once or twice before. But I had no idea what I was in for with Jen & Billy. Boy was I relieved to find out that they are a down-to-Earth, fun, relaxed couple! In fact, I quickly felt as if Jen was an old friend. We strolled the boardwalk and the beach and enjoyed a relaxed session in the sun. And as if things weren't good enough, Jen & Billy have this love for each other that is almost palpable, which was just amazing to capture.

Lorna & Declan ☼ Modesto Children's Session

Just thought I'd share a little teaser from a recent session in Modesto. These two little cuties didn't like sitting still, but I had a ton of fun chasing them around! I love the outfits their mother Nickie chose for them. The touch of the hat on little Declan was just so cute!

Casey & Dave Santa Cruz Engagement Portraits

Casey & Dave met in high school. Normally at this point I would tell you that they were high school sweethearts who fell in love during their formative years and have been together ever since, but that's just not the case. Casey was just way too cool to go out with Dave in high school. Then they met up again after high school. Okay, I know you're thinking that this is when she realized what a great catch Dave is and fell in love. Nope. It's a good thing that Dave is a tenacious guy. When they met up again after high school, Dave hounded Casey for a month & a half before she gave in. It's a good thing she did too, because these two fit together so well, it's hard to imagine that there could have been a time when they weren't a couple. They have this amazing chemistry, you only have to be close to them to see how in love they are. The thing that amazed me the most about them was his ability to make her laugh. As you can see from the pics, Casey has the most amazing smile- but when she looks at him, her whole face lights up in a way that would melt your heart!
I had a blast shooting their engagement session yesterday in Santa Cruz at Lighthouse Field State Beach. It was one of those days when everything just came together perfectly. The weather was fantastic, the beach was beautiful and the couple was a ton of fun- what more could I ask for?

Here's a little Q & A from the happy couple:
How did the two of you meet?
Casey: We met in high school, he kept asking me out & I kept blowing him off
until after we graduated.
What initially attracted you to him/her?
Casey: His determination and dry sense of humor. His eyes.
Dave: Hard to get.
How did he propose?
Dave: Our fifth dating anniversary I had planned dinner at a restaurant where
I planned to propose. We had to cancel & attend a funeral. I ended up
proposing in our bedroom at the foot of our bed.
If your life was a movie, what would the title be? What would hers be?
Dave: Mine would be "Take it Easy." Casey's would be "The Big Sideways Cracker."
Casey: Ours would be "Always & Forever through thick & thin."

Lino & Christine's Valentine's Day Wedding

Lino & Christine chose the most romantic day of the year to get married because it was the one year anniversary of the day he proposed. So sweet, right? They really are an all-around sweet couple- just nice people to be around, and so in love! They were married at the beautiful Our Lady of Assumption in Turlock, California. It was a pleasure spending their special day with them!

The weather had been awful in the days leading up to the wedding, but the sun came out for their special day & it was beautiful (although very, very cold)!

Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas! I've emailed the winner of the "Giving is Awesome" Christmas giveaway, due to the sensitive nature of the entry story, I've chosen to keep it private, but I want to thank Denise Martinez for submitting the story of this deserving family!

Nominate a family in need...

Today is your last chance, if you know someone who could use some cheering up this holiday season, I'll be taking nominations through the end of the day today, and the winning family will be notified tomorrow (Christmas Eve). So see the full details, read the full blog post here.

Giving is Awesome!

Help me give away 1K worth of photography and products to a deserving family this holiday season! I'm joining photographers across the country who are trying to spread a little joy (check it out here http://www.givingisawesome.com).

You know someone. You know someone who's experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who can't afford custom photography, but who would cherish it this holiday season. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family's spirit, love, and beauty.

You know someone. I guarantee it.

I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography -- $1000 worth, to be exact. One deserving family will receive a full portrait session, a full set of 4x6 images from the session, a DVD slideshow they can watch again and again, and a $250 print credit- altogether a $1000 value. It's in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season.

Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a free session and a $80 print credit (total value $200). What better reason to show some love could there possibly be, people?

The rules:

* You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-vacation-home in Paris does not qualify as sincere financial need.)

* The nominee must reside in California. Tell me who you know, what they're experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.

* You must e-mail me the full story : info@beccahamilton.com

The winner will be announced on Christmas Eve -- get nominating! I can't wait to read all of your entries!

Open your heart to someone this holiday season -- and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

With love,

Becca

A little baby love...

Madison just turned 6 months old, and she is soooo cute. I seriously think this kid belongs in magazines! I mean look at that smile, and amazing eyes!

It's been a while...

Okay, so I know I've been a bad blogger. Nearly a month with no blog post is just plain lazy! So to make up for it, I'm going to share some pics of 5 really good lookin' kids ages from 5 to 16 that I took recently at a family session I shot for a friend of mine. Seriously, these kids are easy on the eyes, take a look...