It's FashionSAC time...

So we just wrapped up another lovely FashionSAC shoot last week for Lazio Boutique of El Dorado Hills. Sarah (Lazio owner) brought an adorable floral dress for Nicole to wear - which looked fabulous on her. I have to give many thanks to my aunt and uncle who allowed us to interrupt their Sunday for the photoshoot. They have such a beautifully landscaped estate - it was the perfect backdrop for this shoot. This is my favorite shot of the day - but not the image for the ad. Check out the May issue of SacTown Magazine to see the featured image. Toodles!

Children's Theather in El Dorado Hills

I did a wonderful shoot for Kidaround Mag last week featuring a very talented and creative mom - Debbie Wilson. Debbie Wilson is the Creative Director for the El Dorado Musical Theater. They are getting ready to debut their latest musical "The Wiz" which tells the story of the witches of OZ before their friendship went sour. Debbie's children Anjie Rose and Zachary are also starring in the musical along with many other talented children and from what they told me...it's going to be a great performance. The show starts April 25th - check out their website for more info on dates, times and tickets.

Constant Contact Blues.....

I'm so bummed!!! I just got off the phone with a not so pleasant rep from Constant Contact who made me remove all the lovely brides from my database that receive my newsletter. These are brides who have contacted a reputable wedding association (that I am a part of) and know that only members of that wedding association will be contacting them - which they all have agreed to. I'm so disheartened by the fact that I won't be to share my work with them - which they asked to receive! It just doesn't seem fair. But...I am going to make the best of it and still produce a damn good newsletter for those that still can receive it. So if you are a bride that would like to receive my newsletter, please add your email to the box on the lower right of this blog where it says "Stay up to date with Carmen. Sign up for her studio e-newsletter" If any photographers out there have any solutions or a better company for me to work with - I would love to hear from you.

Have a wonderful day all!

Hit the road...

I snapped this photo while visiting my dad and family in Fort Mojave, AZ, right before WPPI. We had driven past it earlier in the day and I had made a mental note to take the time to stop by later in the day to photograph her. She was surrounded by chain link fence so my dad helped me squeeze through the gate so I could nab this shot. This image makes me long for a good roadtrip. While down visiting my father, I photographed alot of his work. He is such a talented man. He owns his own business called Diamondback Masonry. He does the most beautiful custom stone work. Check it out! He is doing his first custom home show next week at the AVI an I am so proud of him. Good Luck Dad!

It's Here...It's Here...My Website is finally Here!

I am so excited to announce the arrival of my NEW website!!! This has been a labor of love over the last 3 months and it would not have been done so quickly were it not for the help of my lovely assistant, Crystal! There are still a couple tweaks that need to be applied but that will come later. When you have time, please take a look and leave a comment on my blog as to what you think. I would love any constructive feedback!

Simple Heroes celebration tonight at Revolution Winery

This is such late notice...but if you want to come out and have some great wine...listen to some great music...look at some great art and meet some even greater people - then please join us for the celebration party for Simple Heroes. I have worked with Nick, the executive director of Generation Fate, and he has done some amazing things for foster youth since launching is organization a short time ago. Tonight is a celebration of their achievements and an opportunity to meet the people behind the movement. The party is tonight at Revolution Winery from 6-9pm at 2114 P Street in Downtown Sacramento. There is a $10 tasting fee that will be donated back to the charity by the winery. I will have some work up and so will artist, Heather Martinez. Please join us if you can - Happy Friday!

Grace Foundation in El Dorado Hills

I am such a bad blogger! I have been so busy lately and have not been very good about staying on top of this…but I promise that I am going to go into blog overdrive during these next couple weeks to post on some of the projects I have been working on. I feel like I need to clone myself to be able to get everything done in a day!!! If anyone out that has a good system for staying organized…please share…I could use the help!

So to get me started on my blog attack – I want to share some images from my visit to a non-profit organization called Grace Foundation. This organization rescues horses, rehabilitates them and then will use them for therapy for children and adults with disabilities. Beth DeCaprio is the woman who runs this organization and she is absolutely AMAZING! I am so humbled by the depth of her heart and her willingness to give everything she has to help these animals. Her operation in El Dorado Hills is extensive and she has a staff of wonderful volunteers there to help her take care of the horses, the dogs, the cats, the pony’s and the newly added Llama! I was just so happy being up there surrounded by these animals knowing how well they are now being taken care of and knowing how much help they will be giving children. Beth has many programs that help children with disabilities learn life skills from caring for the horses, and children that come from troubled backgrounds that are able to learn how to care for animals and really change their life for the better. I can’t begin to tell you about all of the wonderful programs she has on her ranch. I encourage anyone who is interested to check out her website or better yet – visit her ranch. I promise you will be completely moved and inspired by this woman like I was.

There will be a big fundraising event sponsored by Keller Williams Realty Fair Oaks for the foundation on May 17th. They are going to have a Texas Hold em tournament, silent auction/raffles, pony rides and lots of great food. If you are interested in volunteering, donating or attending – please call Greg Varozza at 223-6688 for information.

Enjoy!