Thank you 2008

THANK YOU 2008...
Happy more memories in 2009

Happy 2009

Wow. What a year... Did this year just fly by like a speeding train?… well, I think so… but what an amazing year this has been…
I met some amazing people this year, some people that really made me think, some people that totally inspired me, and then there were the ones that totally cracked me up. I can’t help but think that if I didn’t have such amazing family, friends and clients, this year wouldn’t have been so rewarding. So, to all of you… thank you for making this one of the best and fruitful years of all…

And a special thanks to my amazing clients… despite this crazy economy, and some difficult times… you found a way to invest in something that really matters… memories….memories that will be cherished for many years to come… so thank you for trusting in me, believing in me and having fun with me… I think the most rewarding part of my career is that I get to meet so many wonderful people… I love it…

I also met some amazing photographers at the beginning of this year, and I feel so blessed that we have a network of many great talents to share, spin and rethink ideas with… and to laugh with, all at the same time. I can’t wait to travel to WPPI in Las Vegas again and see what great ideas we can come up with. So a special thank you to all of you who were there when I needed to just talk, share and maybe sometimes just vent…Thank you… you guys rock… and I appreciate you…

And the best part of this gig, was meeting all these amazing children you have… I cannot count how many children, families and newborns I photographed this year, but all were so special in their own way.
On a last note, I just wanted to say “thank you again” for your continued support in this fun journey…
I hope everyone has a safe, healthy and most importantly…. Happy 2009…



Stay tuned for more fun, more laughs, more quirkiness and new things in the new year...
Cheers!
Gina

Coming up.. 4 families, 1 newborn to finish up the 2008 season...:)

Giving is so awesome...

ADDED: a whopping $519,994 in services and product has been awarded to many, thanks to the 486 photographers who participated in the campaign.. That is just AWESOME.
..............................................................................

As I read all of these stories about such amazing people and to read some humbling and inspiring stories, I knew this decision was going to be hard... How can I pick the winner in all of these stories? ... All of these amazing people are so deserving of so much more... Thank you for inspiring me...

and thank you to all wonderful people who submitted a entry my way... I think all of you took time out of your busy lives to write down how special someone else is was a gift in itself.. Thank you... You are beautiful people...


Under the circumstances, I will not reveal the whole story of the winner, due to their privacy in such matters... but, just know that they are deserving in the most awesome way...

Congratulations Amy and Justin T. and family... It would be a honor to document your beautiful family. I think you are so deserving and so does Christine...
Isn't giving awesome? :)

Merry Christmas...
G.

Merry Christmas...

because to me.. It is much more than just a holiday.. It is CHRISTmas... :)



The Giving is Awesome winner will be announced on Christmas Eve.. so come back and take a peek....

~peace
G.

Time for some HOUSEKEEPING....

we are in the middle of December, and I have about 10% of the things I wanted to get done this month.. I should be at 50%, but we all know how that goes.. But, on a good note, I am spending more quality time with the family, so that is better news...

Just doing a little housekeeping here on this end, and getting ready for a fun 2009.
cleaning up all data on the computer, and managing my files a bit better...I think... Ha..
Christmas orders are all out, or in the mail on the way...

I am updating my own walls with frameless portraits.. it was a time for change... Love you standouts... ;)

Have started my new site building, and I am going to be launching a fun wedding site in the early months of 2009..Just thought I needed to separate my portraits with the weddings...so you can better find me to fit your needs...

and I am most excited about launching a new product which will be a hoot...quirky, fun,and bright.. just like me.. ha... Stay tuned for that...

On another side note.. I had this big, long post about COPYRIGHTED Images... which I was going to post here, but I did not want to come off harsh or mean..because I am just not like that, hope you know!... and I just could not put a clear post into words.. so here you go..PLEASE honor it.. Enough said... ;) a small note is posted to the right of this blog for a reminder.....Thanks peeps...

okay.. back to fun...
Lights are on..... come on by.. would love to meet you, see you again and visit with you... it will not go on if it is pretty wet outside though like yesterday...
I can not even count how many cars have come... we love it... another way to give back to the community... so fun...

a little fun from last year... ha...remember.. laugh with me..;)

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

and I am getting many entries in for the giving is awesome campaign...wow....
thank you.... you can still submit a nominee, CLICK HERE for more details...

well, I do not want to post without any images.. so here are the latest pictures of 2 of my 3 lovebirds...



Happy almost Friday day....
G.

because Giving is Awesome

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 -- $1350.00 worth, to be exact. a photo session with all the negatives and a beautiful archived DVD slide show. it's in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this Christmas season.

Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a $200 print credit. 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 does not qualify as sincere financial need.)

* The nominee must reside in Southern 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 leave a comment here on this post and e-mail me the full story to gina@ginaleephoto.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 Christmas season -- and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

Thank you Kristen for starting the Giving is Awesome campaign... because giving is just so awesome, I am doing the same. You rock....

With all my giving heart,
G.

meet the rest of the crew....

the senior crew...
This is a long one....

I know I have been a bad blogger lately, but I am spending more time posting my quirks and pics on facebook more so than here... Yikes.. sorry... but where else do you get to hear the latest on me working in my pajamas, my latest pimple and wishing I can play with another photog's camera?...Hee, hee... so look me up and be my friend, you get more of my silliness over there as well.. ;) Yikes... be warned.. it is addiciting... :- right, friends???? :)

anyhoo... I did not want to keep these kids waiting for their sneak peek any longer, so I am bundeling up the post into one, it's a long one...but a fun one.. Now, I can also play catch up on all my other silliness and shenanigans.. ha.. ;0

Stay tuned.. more ramblings, more sneak peeks, and more of just more...

Oh, by the way.. We are having OUR family professionally photographed next week...if all goes well ( kids cooperating, and all that good stuff) I will post all the goofiness we had planned... it will be fun.. ;)

meet Alex...







and his twin sister, Bree








and Beth...






have a great weekend!
G.

more seniors coming up....

and more fun stuff on the way, just have been a little crazy busy with holiday print orders and other fun stuff.. ;)

but I will share I have a new tool for my camera.. the 'hand strap" it is called.. I call it the relief strap...It seems every time I do a session, I rarely wear the darn strap, and it just seemed to get in the way most of the time...Don't get me wrong, I love all those cool straps and fancy patterns like the rest of you.. but when I am constantly firing away.. I rarely wear the neck strap.. so here is my new hand strap for comfort and ease.... so far, so good....

Note..not my hand... hee, hee... I could not find a picture of the exact one, so this will do...


and we had our holiday photographer Christmas party last night...so fun.. it is so great to hang out with about 20 different photog's in the area and catch up with old friends, and make some new ones, and to just share ideas.. what a great network of friends and fun this was...:)

Note: a reminder that this will be the last week to order prints to get them back by Christmas, so if you have not placed your order...Please do so this week to have in time for Christmas delivery...

Alex.. coming up...

Mr. Jared himself....

The "all American athlete"... yup.. and he is only 5....I told him he better get me tickets to the world cup, world series or the Superbowl... because he will be in one of those folks...:)

this session was so fun!.. because like many firsts, I never played a sport while taking pictures at the same time... yeah!.. That is me pitching the ball and kicking the ball his way.. yes indeed!... Not very good at it, but it was sure fun...I was just praying these balls did not land in my mouth or my lens, because he's good... ;)

Enjoy a sneak peek of Jared's 5Th birthday session...;)











G.

Coming up...

Happy Weekend...ing

well. we are in full swing for December already. Where did the time go? and it seems like I was going to take a mini break this month, ya, right!... I am sort of..

I do have a few sessions booked, so you will still get to see some more adorable children, and just random quirky stuff this month and more of my senior reps, but this month was all about spending time with my family and prepping for our light show and gearing up for 2009.. well... so far... I am 2% there.. geesh...
can they please put 13 months in the year? please.....

have a great weekend everyone.. and coming up next... a adorable all American athlete.. and he is only 5.. yup...

G.

Meet the crew... the senior crew...

Join me in a hip, fun and creative senior session.. In this case, a quad session...


First up...

Courtney O.
Fun, fabulous and fearless, but she refers to herself as crazy, creative and calm for C.. I do believe it.. ;) The calm... Hmmmmmmmm.. ;)

Courtney says...
I like to drown myself in my closet and pick out pieces for a different look for a new day, and i love it!!!!
I love hanging with my friends and family and doing new things!!!
I love the game of soccer and have been playing it all my life, but the running kills me!!!!!!!!
I don't like soda, but i love water!!!!!!!!
I love to paint, draw, and doodle pictures for fun!!!
I am fun to be around!
I love loving,positive,smiling,optimistic people... Gina: ( hey, that's me too...)
I love sour candy and can live without chocolate!
I want to live high school forever!!! Gina: ( i'll just stick to HSM)
I couldn't go a day without music...it keeps me alive! Gina: (for sure)
But most of all i love my wingman..God..i live everyday for him!!! Gina: (you saved the best for last)

Gina: (you rock Courtney!)
enjoy your sneak peek.. many more to come your way.. ;)...