• You get a 13 page PDF as an instant download.

• There are twelve “cards” within the kit.  The first two are overview & technical info.  Each of the following 10 cards contain:
  • a sample image
  • lighting conditions
  • camera settings
  • my thinking about  how to set up and execute the picture.

• The pictures I used are pictures I’ve taken of my children in a very real environment.  No extra lights, no intense photoshopping afterwards.  I was working around laundry baskets, nap times, school schedules, and every thing else that seems to get in the way of good pictures.  These are real pictures.

• These cards are designed to let you into my thoughts when I am taking pictures.  You’ll find some of them focus on technique, some of them focus on what I think works best with kids, and some of it focuses on how to be present in the moment.  They all focus on designing and executing a strong image.

Currently, I have two sets available for purchase:

1. Guitar Hero – Images of my children creating & playing with cardboard guitars that we made at home.
2. Trim the Tree – Images of my children decorating the Christmas tree at grandma’s house.

Here’s a sample of one from the Guitar Hero set:

And here’s a sample from Trim The Tree:

Aren’t they cool?

You can purchase one set for $20 or both for $35.  Once you’ve made your purchase, It’s an immediate download.  Then you can view them on your computer monitor and/or print them as you choose.

You can buy them here! Just click the “add to cart” for the one you’d like to select first. Once the pop-up appears, you can click “continue shopping” to add the other one to your cart.

Photo Breakdown Set #1: Guitar Hero:

Photo Breakdown Set #2: Trim The Tree:

I want to empower you to take amazing images of your family!  I made these cards to support you in doing just that. Once again, I’m thankful for you all and the opportunity to take pictures.  Enjoy the rest of your Thanksgiving weekend!

Sara

I love Walters’ little grin.

Meet Walter’s family, Michelle and TJ:  Aren’t they beautiful!!??

People ask me what I love about my job and it’s simple.  I love capturing what my clients love about each other and what they love about life.

There are so many variables in creating a strong image – as a photographer I think about my equipment, my camera settings, and of course the light, but I love thinking about what inspires people, and what makes them light up inside.

I love “modern portraitre”…something other than say cheese and smile at the camera!  But a creating a strong emotional image is much more than unconventional posing or playing. It’s about connecting with people and finding out what makes them tick.  It was so fun to photograph TJ and Michelle with their sweet Walter…who they love SO much.  With Michelle and TJ, it’s obvious they love each other and Walter so much.  You can’t help be see all that love in their images!

Thanks for calling, Michelle!  I had a blast!!!

Sara

When I take family pictures, I want pictures that show personality, energy, love, craziness…I want pictures that capture perfectly the kind of family you have.  And when you have little ones…the only way to do that is to PLAY!!!!!!  Check out these playful family pictures:

Heckman family, thanks for coming ready to PLAY!!!!!  I had a blast taking your pictures!

I love albums in particular because it provides the perfect medium for showcasing images in different ways.  For example, some images are simply stunning and striking when showcased BIG and all by themselves.  But some strong images tell the story best when showcased in a sequence – when you can see similar images next to each other on the page.  And sometimes one image stands out when it is supported by small images off to the side.

Here are some examples:

Here are some photographs of my kids I took a few weeks ago on a trail in Clayton.  I’ve actually done lots of portrait sessions here – I think it’s beautiful!  I really love the Concord, Clayton – East Bay area.  I love taking pictures of kids (of all ages) in the middle of this amazing place! Sometimes I can’t believe I live in an area where such natural beauty is so close.  Yeah, yeah, San Diego has the beach.  But they can keep it .  I love this trail in Clayton.  I love Lime Ridge Open Space, I love the Eichlers (I’ll be posting some of the kids in front of those soon!!!) in my community…I just love taking pictures here!!!  It makes me happy

Did they make you as happy as they make me?

I’d love to photograph your family here!  Please be in touch with me if you want some pictures that make you happy.

Here are a few links to some sessions we’ve done here before:

Post 1 by Sara

Post 2 by Chris

Thanks for reading!

Sara

If you plan to attend, give me a call or send me an e-mail.  I’d love to see you there!

I think it’s hard to know about mothering because being a mother is about so much more than the duties of running a home – whether you work outside or strictly inside of it.  It’s so much easier to measure being a good housewife.  It’s much harder to measure being a good mother.  Being a mother is about the intangible things – and because of that, it’s really hard to know if you are making the grade.I would say that being a mother is about creating a safe place for your children to run to when they are scared.  It’s about teaching them that they are loved unconditionally.  It’s about fostering laughter and joy – even if the living room doesn’t get dusted again this week.  It’s about playing with the hose, even if everything gets full of mud, it’s about tomato gardens and planting sunflower seeds, and it’s about princess tea parties.  It’s about setting good boundaries and holding them accountable to high expectations.

The only way I’ve found to measure those things is through pictures.  When I’m frustrated or lacking confidence, I take out my camera and snap a few frames of the kids.  That way, I have something to look at, something I can use to step back and see the my children for who they are.  I end up with evidence that I am doing a good job.

This year, I compiled some of my favorite mother-child images to share with you and made it into a slideshow.  It makes me cry   and they aren’t even images of my children!!!  If you’re an RSS subscriber, you may need to go to our blog to see the show.

I bet that you could use some updated images with your little (or not so little) ones.  I’d love to set up a session to capture you with them.  Consider it an opportunity to acquire some tangible evidence that you are doing a great job.  Call me and book a session before June 14 and receive an additional $50 print credit with the package your choose!!!  Please forward this blog post to any other mommy who could use a little tangible evidence of her amazing-ness.  I’d also love to give anyone who refers a friend that books by June 14th a $50 print credit, too – either for prints from a previous session or a future one.

So don’t worry about the laundry.  It will be there Monday I promise (it will even be there on Tuesday…)!!!   Listen for laughter and enjoy those kiddos! (if you don’t see a “slideshow window”...click here to play!)

Happy Mother’s Day,

Sara

http://saragoetzphotography.com

Why, you ask? Well, the surface reasons are obvious. EJ photo is confusing, most people thought I worked for someone else, and every one who called asked for Elizabeth.

Originally it made sense to use Elizabeth and James: it blended both me and Chris – (our middle names are Elizabeth and James respectively) and was truly a tangible representation that it takes both of us to run the business. (and I mean that – this business would FAIL with out Chris!!!) Plus, it’s easier to say and spell than Sara Goetz.

But the real reason I feel compelled to change the name is a little bit more personal.

Three years ago our Pastor posed the question, “If you could do something and you knew you would not fail, what would it be?”

Immediately I knew I would want to have a photography business.

Jumping a few months ahead, after much prayer and reflection, I was confident that I should move forward in this dream of mine. Under one condition – that my endeavor always be an exercise of faith rather than the running of a business.

When Chris and I discussed names I told him all my reasons for something more like EJ Photo than Sara Goetz Photography…and he willingly went along. But what I never really made public was that I didn’t believe that any one would want someone named Sara Goetz to take their pictures. It didn’t sound artful, elegant, or sophisticated. Sara Goetz couldn’t possibly be successful. So I hid behind someone else…someone who didn’t even exist.

So much for a venture of faith, huh!?!?

Well, here we are, starting our 3rd year in business, coming off of our busiest Christmas ever, even after having a baby and relocating 500 miles, and we’re thriving.

It’s about time I acknowledge what God has done for ME – not for Elizabeth James.

And that’s it. The next time you get my voice mail – it will say, “Thank you for calling Sara Goetz Photography.” An acknowledgement not only of who I am, but what God does for those who take a step of faith and show up.

Every time (and really, I mean EVERY time) I do a family session, there arises a fear that goes something like this: “There’s no way we’re going to get any good pictures because my kids aren’t cooperating!” Moms, you’re not alone when you say or think this! I think that Raquel could definitely identify with this feeling. She is an amazing mother. Her dedication to her children is deep and you can tell that she seeks to shepherd their hearts. She wanted all the sweetness and all the love that she sees everyday captured through the lens and was concerned that it that might not be happening. Sound familiar? I’m sure you’ve had the same experience with your kids at some point!!!

I learned though, through the sitting, that it doesn’t matter what is going on in the sidelines. All that matters is what’s in the viewfinder of the camera. That’s the photograph – that’s what matters. So – remember those fears and take a look. And keep in mind that much else was happening in the moment, but this is what we took away. Here is their slideshow and a few images I love:

It amazes me how much photography is like life! I get so distracted by what is happening on the sidelines and I lose sight of the fact that all that matters is what’s in the viewfinder. I define my life’s viewfinder by what God has directed me to do and focus in on. My responsibility is to stay true to that and unhindered by the distractions. Easy to say, harder to do. I encourage you to really evaluate how you define your viewfinder . Are you true to that?

Post a comment and let me know what you think!

Sara