Melissa & Cody

Please meet Melissa Felix and Cody Wilson of Sacramento. They are engaged, with a wedding date set for 2008.

I love engagement sessions as they are the perfect time for us to get to know each other before the wedding - after all, what couple would want to spend the day with a stranger? Melissa and Cody consented to let me do their photographs at a couple of locations of my choosing. (I prefer to go to places that are unique, with interesting textures and color in the background) We had fun, and they were up to everything I suggested and even added some ideas of their own.

Thank you for making my day fun!

Mel

Paige & Tyler

I would like to introduce to you Paige and Tyler Hankins of Clovis, CA.

I first met Paige (now two years old) about 18 months ago. She is a miracle in my book - as she was born three months premature, but you would never know it now! Cute, funny, talking like a pro - and a typical two year old. She now has baby brother Tyler to love (and later torment!). It's fun to see what makes the little people smile and interact with the lens. Today, Paige was prompted by little cheese crackers, and Tyler - well he just slept. Go baby! I am looking forward to watching these two wee ones grow up.

Merry Christmas to the Hankins family!

Announcing: Mr. and Mrs. David Esajian

Just a couple of weeks ago I had the privilege of being the photographer for the wedding of MaryAnne Hung to David Esajian. (November 10, 2007 at the Holy Trinity Armenian Church - reception following at the Fresno Exhibit Hall.)

The day began in fun as MaryAnne and her bridesmaids had hair and make-up done at her parents home. Then we were off to the Boone residence for the "formal" session - what a beautiful landscape as backdrop to the beautiful and elegant MaryAnne.

Mike Reinhold met David and his groomsmen at his parents home for their formal session.

While the bride and groom and bridal party stayed for more photographs, the guests enjoyed cocktails and appetizers in the lobby of the Exhibit Hall while listening to beautiful music provided by the Philharmonia Strings. Once we were finished at the church word was sent ahead and the guests were introduced into the Exhibit Hall, and I am sure they were wowed by the elaborately decorated and transformed building - compliments of Karen Esajian (David's mother). I certainly was! The attention to detail was amazing.

The cake (Sweet Dreams) was at center stage as MaryAnne and David danced their first dance as husband and wife around it. After - guests were invited to join the dance floor, and they danced throughout the evening.

My thanks to Mike Reinhold and Janine Sanders for the invaluable assistance. And thank you to MaryAnne and David and their families for their warm hospitality. Congratulations!!!!

Kris Mendoza - Campus Ambassador

Welcome to Kris Mendoza

Clovis West High Senior

Kris and his mom Katie wanted his senior portrait session at a location that was meaningful to the family, and chose Shaver Lake. I love doing senior sessions at different locations, and this was a real treat for me. Of course having a handsome young man didn't hurt either!

Kris is a member of my Campus Ambassador program - he will receive a mounted 16x20 wall portrait and as many wallets as he wants to distribute to his friends, as well as a $10 cash card for every student he refers to Garden Gate Photography (of course, they must book the session with a deposit).

Yosemite Wedding

My husband and I had the distinct privelege of photographing JoAnn and Russ's wedding in Yosemite National Park this past week-end. The weather was outstanding, only two minor disapointments, not many trees were in color and the forest service had just the week prior performed a control burn on the meadow neighboring the chapel. No worries though, I was able to shoot low and across the meadow so the burn didn't show. There are so many photo opportunities throughout the park - what a treat!

JoAnn and Russ live in St. Helena and chose Yosemite for their destination wedding. Family and friends traveled from places such as the bay area, Wisconsin and New York. For many of these guests this was the first trip to California and/or Yosemite - what a great introduction to our State! I hope they went home talking about how beautiful the wedding, and the Park were!

We stayed at the Yosemite Lodge - for me a pleasant surprise. The beds could have been just a little softer, however the doe and fawn grazing just outside our deck doors more than made up for that! We had the buffet breakfast at the Ahwahnee Hotel which as always was superb. Every time I walk into that dining hall I am awed!

The banquet facility at the Yosemite Lodge prepared the reception dinner - GREAT food! Again, I was impressed.

JoAnn and Russ - thank you for allowing me to be your wedding photographer! I look forward to seeing you sometime next year when we visit wine country!

Kathy

Engagement Session(s) at Pismo Beach

If you live in the San Joaquin Valley, you may appreciate my eagerness to go to the coast whenever possible! After a busy couple of months with weddings, we took a week-end off and went to Pismo to photograph Andrea and Jacob's engagement session, as well as Alyson and Chris! I know on Saturday it was 107 in Clovis, and (eat your heart out) 62 in Pismo. With that however, came much fog. In fact, we never even saw the sun. No worries!

An engagement session is included with all wedding packages. This is the perfect opportunity to get to know the couple better before the arrival of the wedding day, and visa versa. This trip was a treat, and both couples were absolutely charming.

We stayed at "Oak Hill Manor" Bed & Breakfast in Atascadero. If you want to sleep good, have a most beautiful room (we stayed in the Athenian - big bed and bigger jacuzzi tub in our room!) and be pampered - you will find all that and more. This was our 3rd visit - and not to be our last! And of course - we had breakfast in Avila at "Fat Cats"... a great week-end!

Morgan and the Guitar

I had a new experience today - and it was 110% fun! Marc Moran builds custom guitars . He recently contacted me to do some "product" images. After a nice drive to the mountains, I found the home...and some excited young people waiting for me. (Three energetic, young and upcoming music stars from Oregon, and a beautiful young woman named Morgan from the Shaver Lake area who was to be the model for the morning - her job to hold the guitar and let me play!) What I thought would be a fairly standard and possibly uninteresting assignment turned into an amazing session. I fell in love with Morgan and her spirit, and was truly impressed by the incredibly beautiful guitars Marc creates. I know nothing about music, but I do recognize beautiful handwork, and he excels at his trade. I was treated with kindness and country hospitality, all the coffee and smiles a photographer could ask for. The young men were extremely helpful - hauling big pieces of wood up and down the hill and keeping lovely Morgan cool and entertained. To top it all off, at the end of the morning I was treated to a very interesting, entertaining and yes, loud session in the recording room while I did a few candids of the boys singing and playing. A great morning. Thank you Marc, I love the photographs and hope you will as well!

Studio 2 Now Open!

Today was a great day!!! Two new launchings...1) my new website, yeah! and 2) my new studio space at Broadway Studios at the corner of Broadway and Tuolomne (Cultural Art Center). Art Hop is the first Thursday of every month...(today) and with the help of my wonderful husband Dean, who was hanging artwork up at the last minute, my space looked great and we were ready in the nick of time. Thank you Honey!

I met more interesting and fun people than I could have imagined, and received much positive feedback about my space and work. Thank you to everyone who visited, I hope to see you again.

Campus Ambassadors Wanted

Attention all Fresno/Clovis High School Seniors!!!

I can accept two more students on each campus to act as Ambassadors for Garden Gate Photography.

What does that mean to you?


Well...you receive your senior portrait session at no charge. I will provide you with one 16x20 for your parents to hang, and as many wallets as you can hand out. In return, you distribute the wallets to your classmates (especially those who haven't yet had their senior photo session yet) and tell them how happy you are with your session and photographs.

Bonus: For every senior referral who has a paid sitting with Garden Gate Photography - you will receive a $10 American Express gift card - spend it any place you like!

Call (559.930.3151) and schedule your interview to become an Garden Gate Photography Campus Ambassador.

New Website

Yeah! I am so excited about my new BluDomain website. I hope you find it easy to navigate. Any input you have would be appreciated so please feel free to contact me.

One site is designated for weddings and the second site for portraits and events.

On the portrait side I will have a gallery dedicated to Kathy's Brag Book - with current photographs of my grandchildren "God's gift for being a parent". However, Kelley and Leslie - you were are a gift - every day!