Heather Avrech Photography

San Jose Children’s and Family Photographer | Brooke and Sophia

HeatherAvrech — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 02:31:55 +0000

I can’t tell you how much fun I had at this session. I honestly felt like I had known this family for years! Erica and Dean are such a sweet couple and just really easy going…just my kind of people. Brooke, there oldest, is absolutely gorgeous and always ready with a smile for the camera and little Sophia is so adorably precious that I had a twinge of baby fever spark up while taking her pictures! When we first met up, Sophia was sleeping on her daddy, so we started off with some pictures of little miss Brooke. I really love the pictures we got of her…and for some reason, I’m loving black and white with her images which is pretty unusual for me as I typically stay in color but WOW, she is just stunning and in b/w, she, her eyes especially, just pop.

This session was just for the girls but I did manage to get a couple of shots with mom too because I know that mom’s tend to be behind the camera and so while she wasn’t really paying too much attention, I grabbed a couple of sweet shots of her with Sophia. Oh and the last picture of the set…I just LOVE. I love it because it’s just totally her. The way that Sophia is sucking her fingers is the way she always sucks her fingers and I just think it is too cute! It’s one of those things you don’t want to forget and something mom and dad will want to show her when she is older. Looks like she may be a little rock and roll baby. It really was such a great session and I am super excited to share these images with you all!

San Jose Children’s and Family Photographer

Cupertino Children’s and Family Photographer

San Jose Portrait and Wedding Photographer | Cheeky Lime Classic Camera Bag Review

HeatherAvrech — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 12:33:53 +0000

I haven’t done a review in a long while, and actually never on this blog, but I have been getting many emails and Facebook messages from many mom friends and some photographers who are wondering what camera bag I recommend and, so with that, I decided that I would review the latest camera bag I have purchased, the Cheeky Lime Classic Camera Bag.

I wanted to do this review because when I searched on the internet for a review for this particular bag, I didn’t come across much. And actually, I really wanted to see a video of the bag, much like is shown for the Kelly Moore Bags, and I found nothing. So hopefully this review will help someone who is looking for more info on this bag, as I did a picture review and also a video review.

First of all, this bag is CUTE! I really love the color (I got green, obviously) and style of this bag. And it also has this cute little tiny camera key chain that gives the bag a little special touch. My 3 year old Lilly, thinks the little key chain is awesome and is constantly putting it up to her eye and snapping pretend pictures…which I think is adorable!

So when I was searching the internet for reviews for this bag, I really wanted to get an idea of how much this bag could hold, what kind of pockets it had and just how functional the bag was all together. I looked at the pictures on the Cheeky Lime website but really couldn’t tell much…I think with camera bags, a video is the best way to really show how much it holds and all the little pockets that it has. I went ahead and ordered the bag without finding much on the internet about it because a few photographer friends had told me that they really loved theirs and that it held quite a bit of gear. And since it was at a good price point at $98, I figured I’d give it a shot.

When the bag arrived, I was SO impressed. Shocked almost. I couldn’t believe that this bag was only $98. It is really well made and it has SO MANY POCKETS! I freaking love all the pockets..I am able to organize everything…it’s a.m.a.z.i.n.g. I have used quite a few camera bags and they can get really pricey…for $98, this a steal of a bag! And as I mention in the video, I think this would be great for photographers, moms, pretty much anyone who wants to bring their DSLR with them. Moms can very easily put their DSLR in with some diapers, snacks, and extra shirt, keys, wallet, phone, etc.

If you don’t want to watch the video, I’ll just go ahead mention all the amazing pockets on this bag.

Front Pocket- could easily fit a small wallet or keys

2 side pockets- these are tight but a nice little addition. I use it to put my white balance target in. You could also fit your cell phone in there too.

The back pocket- this a smaller pocket but you could put some small things in their like a granola bar, cash, etc.

Inside of the bag clutch- their is a super cute little attached clutch on the inside of the bag. In there I keep my extra CF cards and SanDisk in their little carrier.

Many velcro pockets on the pull-back top- the top of the back is a pull back type top and along that top are 3 separate velcro pockets. In there I keep my extra batteries, remote and trigger and other little knick knacks.

Now for the actual bag itself, pictured below, I have my Nikon D700 with 85 attached, Nikon 24-70, Nikon 70-200, SB-600 Flash, and Rocket Blower.

The bag is a bit on the wider side so if that bothers you this is probably not the bag for you but it doesn’t bother me and I actually like that because allows for a bit more room and sits up on it’s own very well.

It fits a LOT of gear and it doesn’t feel heavy when you wear it either. I am really super impressed with this bag and would seriously recommend it to anyone…it’s a great bag and very versatile!

And now for the video…this is my first ever video review. And can I just say how awkward it is, at least for me, talking in a room where nobody is listening and just imagining the camera is the person…it’s just a little weird. My oldest daughter, Lilly, came in while I was filming it and I think she was looking at me like, who are you talking to? lol. Anyhow..I hope this helps some of you out!

Heather Avrech Photography | Project Inspired – Happy

HeatherAvrech — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 12:18:58 +0000

The topic for the project inspired blog circle this week is happy. I’m not gonna lie..this was a pretty easy topic for me! Instead of getting too wordy, I’m going to show where I see happiness in pictures.

Happiness is the beach. My family LOVES the beach. We go a lot. The crashing waves, the sand between your toes, the warm sun on your back with the cold water on your feet…ahh…we just love it. Lilly is never happier than when she is at the beach…ESPECIALLY when she is running around in the water with me or her daddy. She LOVES it and thinks it’s hilarious when the waves come and we get soaked!

Happiness is this girl. Haley is such a happy baby. She is happy almost all of the time. People notice and comment on it all the time..she really is one of the happiest babies I have ever seen.

Happiness is newborn smiles. Nothing is more sweet than a newborn baby. Even in your sleep deprived, not sure what to do state that you are in 99% of the time, nothing makes me smile or be more happy than your newborn baby….my heart seriously swells up just thinking about those sweet snuggly moments with my two baby girls as newbies.

Happiness is telling your toddler in the car that we are going to stop and get some ice cream

Happiness is your wedding day. And all those special moments it includes. There are so many highlights to a wedding day and so many moments that you’ll never want to forget. One of those many moments, for me, is the father-daughter dance. There is just something super special and sweet about that moment. And in the image below, happiness just exudes from Kira and her dad.

Happiness is finding your true love…

Happiness is finding your true love and being as in love as the first day you met, 60 years earlier.

Happiness is dancing and twirling around in your Aunties 1989 dance costume.

Happiness is family.

Just writing this post and looking at all these images makes me smile and I hope it does the same for you. To see more happy posts, follow this blog circle and head on over to the amazingly talented Cincinnati Portrait Photographer – Samantha Sinchek Photography to see her take on “happy”.

San Jose Portrait and Wedding Photographer

San Jose Children’s Photographer | Cousins

HeatherAvrech — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 22:14:24 +0000

I met up with my sister the other day so the kids could play at the park and I wanted to test out the video feature on my new DSLR…I’m still working on that, but I did take a few pictures of the kiddos and just wanted to share…I can’t believe how fast they are growing up! And I am LOVING this location.

San Jose Children’s Photographer

San Jose Family Photographer

Heather Avrech Photography | Project Inspired – Yellow

HeatherAvrech — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 12:00:22 +0000

I am part of a blog circle that includes many fabulously talented photographers and this week’s theme is yellow! I LOVE yellow. Yellow to me, is such a great color. I even tend to buy my girls yellow clothes and accessories because I just love the color so much! Since I had surgery yesterday for kidney stones, I wasn’t able to get out and get some new images with yellow as the inspiration so I am pulling these from my archives! And let me tell you, going through your old images is a lot of fun…It was great seeing some of these old images and bringing those those wonderful memories flooding in.

So why do I love yellow?

It can bring a pop of color to a dull day.

It’s Bright.

It’s warm.

It’s happy.

It lights up the night sky.

And yellow always reminds me of the song, “You are my sunshine” which always reminds me of my two beautiful girls.

photo by: Kristin Dokoza
Ok…obviously you can tell how much I love yellow as I even wore them for family portraits. Head on over to Londonderry, NH Photographer – BMP Photography to see her view of yellow in our inspired project circle!

San Jose Portrait and Wedding Photographer

Project Inspired

San Jose Children’s Photographer | Mine

HeatherAvrech — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 21:58:40 +0000

I can’t believe how fast the last year has flown by. I feel like Haley’s first year went by even faster than Lilly’s. They are both growing up so fast!

I still need to go out and grab a few more 1 year shots since this was literally a 10 minute shoot but I do love what we got! I LOVE this location. I was a little sad that the cherry blossoms were not in full bloom…I think we had just missed it but it was still pretty nonetheless. Last year when we took Lilly here for some portraits, Haley was just 3 weeks old and asleep in her car seat!

San Jose Children’s Photographer

Morgan Hill Children’s Photographer

San Jose Family Photographer

Los Gatos Family Photographer | The Johansson Family

HeatherAvrech — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 02:15:24 +0000

I always have such a fun time with this family! Time just flies when it comes to children. I had a session just a few months ago with this adorable family and I can’t believe how much change there was in such a short time…especially Lukas, who is now walking all over the place! Henrik was adorable as always and I have decided he is my number one photo buddy! Mom, Brandy, set up this session to celebrate Lukas’ first birthday and Henrik’s 5th birthday was just 2 weeks later! They even brought an adorable smash cake that was rainbow layered on the inside! Both boys were able to enjoy the delicious cake! We really had a great time walking around Vasona Lake Park in Los Gatos and we really got some great pictures of the boys and the whole family!

Los Gatos Family Photographer

San Jose Family Photographer

San Jose Newborn Photographer | Kimberly

HeatherAvrech — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 14:06:58 +0000

Kimberly was a dream baby for a newborn photo session. She slept like a champ and is just a doll. And I loved spending time with her mom and dad, Ann and Steve, as well!

Ann had many cute ideas and props for our session and I think we got the shots just as she imagined! She had her veil from her wedding day and we wrapped it around little Kimberly in a few different ways and Kimberly even flashed the SWEETEST little grin while in sleeping with her mama’s veil draped over her. I about melted right there in their living room…SO sweet!

Ann and Steve are also huge San Jose Sharks fans and they had a little sharks beanie and miniature Stanley Cup to put right next to her in one of our composite shots. Ann also had a bee hat which matched her bee themed baby shower and vikings hat which is a little running inside joke within her family. Oh yes, and a pearl necklace that belongs to Ann as well. I always think it is really cool to incorporate things that are really meaningful to you into the photos….it just makes them that more special.

San Jose Newborn Photographer

San Jose Family Photographer

Gilroy Newborn Photographer | Gunner

HeatherAvrech — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 13:42:35 +0000

Little Gunner was a doll! His cheeks…I just loved his cheeks! Dad was able to hang out with us for a bit before he had to head to work so we were able to get some family and lifestyle shots as well as posed! Oh and dad had a onesie he use to wear when he was a baby and he wanted a picture of little Gunner in that shirt so we made sure to get Gunner in the “Mister Man” onesie!

Little Gunner also sported some new up-cycled pants and hats I had made the night before our session!

Gilroy Newborn Photographer

Gilroy Family Photographer

San Jose Newborn Photographer | The Littlest Queen | Abigail

HeatherAvrech — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 13:13:47 +0000

As soon as Chrissy emailed me wanting newborn taken of her new baby girl, Abigail, I KNEW I had to run over to the craft store so I could make a special prop just for her! You see, Abigail’s last name is Queen and what better prop than a crown for the littlest Queen in the new family of 3! So that’s what I did…I headed over to Joann’s, picked out some lace, came home and made her a crown! I also grabbed a sweater and up-cycled it into a cute pair of pants and matching hat and headband!

Abigail was a dream and slept like a champ. She was just the sweetest little thing and those lips…I just loved her little lips! Oh yes, and daddy is a firefighter so we set up the last shot (a composite) in Abigail’s nursery since this was a shot that daddy really wanted to have!

San Jose Newborn Photographer