Caitlin & Tim ~ Wedding Mission Viejo, California
Congratulations, Caitlin and Tim! This heartfelt Lake Mission Viejo Wedding was bursting with love leading to a timeless wedding. Tim knew from the moment he met Caitlin that this day would happen. The Canadian Olympic rower did what he does best, he focused on getting the girl, and he succeeded!
After a long week of cold and rainy weather. Caitlin and Tim’s wedding day was just beautiful with the nicest Southern California weather you could ask for. They had their ceremony with close to 200 family and friends at Caitlin’s childhood church, Vineyard Community Church of Laguna Niguel. After a sweet ceremony, they celebrated with a short reception before heading over to Mission Viejo Lake in Mission Viejo for a more intimate reception with mostly family.
Every detail about Caitlin and Tim’s wedding day felt super elevated and classic. They filled both venues with beautiful white and cream roses supplemented by white balloons and the specially lit Mr and Mrs sign created a stunning backdrop for their day. They not only made for a gorgeous ceremony backdrop, but we also used them as a backdrop for some of their beautiful photos. But most of all, I love all the emotions these two experienced on their wedding day and how they embraced them and then transitioned to party mode at the reception. These two were so present on the dance floor and their guests loved it!!
We ended the night waving them off to their new life as husband and wife. It was beautiful! After knowing Caitlin and her family for almost two decades, I can’t express the joy I felt to be part of their beautiful day. These two are seriously the real life Barbie and Ken, just look how gorgeous they are and they both are the sweetest of souls. With all of these incredible portraits, I know their wedding album is going to be epic! I can’t wait to see it. Congratulations again, Caitlin and Tim!
Venue | Vineyard Community Church - Laguna Niguel and Lake Mission Viejo
Photography | KLJ Studios
Cake | Mother of the Bride
Introducing Addyson: Newborn Portraits
On the morning of Friday, December 4th, 2020, KLJ Studios had the pleasure of capturing Newborn Family Portraits with Ashley, Miguel, and beautiful little Annie. This was an in-studio Newborn Portrait session at KLJ Studios, located at 424 1st Street in Historic Downtown Woodland, California. The session was booked to capture Annie’s newborn stage. This is the first time we have had the pleasure of photographing this family. They found KLJ Studios from a newborn model call to test out some of our new newborn poses. The Lead Photographer for the session was Kelly Lynn and the Photography Assistant was Beckie. Makeup was provided by Veronica Gersalia Makeup Artistry.
On the morning of Thursday, April 11th, 2024, KLJ Studios had the pleasure of capturing Newborn Family Portraits with Stephanie, Seth and their newest addition, Addyson. This was an in-studio Newborn Portrait session at KLJ Studios, located at 424 1st Street in Historic Downtown Woodland, California.
During the session Addyson was a complete dream and let us get through a total of 4 different looks by herself and two family portrait outfits. We couldn’t have asked for a better outcome. Stephanie and Seth are first time parents and should receive parent of the year awards. Let’s just say, they were actually on time! For those of you who ever have been first time parents you know what a big deal that is. Stephanie let me know Addyson hadn’t been sleeping well the last couple of nights and it worried her. So we made sure we set up the session to be successful. We had Stephanie and Seth wait to feed her until they were here, that way Addyson had a full belly when we started the portraits. This was exactly what the Doctor, and photographer, ordered.
Stephanie and Seth, thank you for trusting me with your precious bundle of joy. Addyson was the perfect model newborn and so sweet. I can’t wait to capture more memories for the three of you.
~ Kelly
Photos by:
KLJ Studios Lead Photographer: Kelly Lynn
KLJ Studios Photography Assistant: Nathan
KLJ Studios Makeup Artist: Lela Rose
Boudoir Style Guide
Something for THEM ( or YOU! )
Bring something that belongs to your partner, if you have one. One of their button up shirts, part of uniform, a sport jersey, anything you can wear or hold that adds something more “special” to the image. A basketball for an NBA fan, hockey stick for the hockey fanatic, a guitar for the music lover. Be creative! The more you put into it, the more they will be blown away. The same applies if you are doing this session for yourself, bring something that represents who YOU are.
LOOKING FOR MORE INSPIRATION CLICK ‘MORE OPTIONS HERE’
Think outside the box
Have fun with your outfit choices and accessories. You can choose bright colors and even be super wild by wearing mismatched bra and panties. Wear your favorite cowboy boots and hat. Something that shows who you are in a playful way.
LOOKING FOR MORE INSPIRATION CLICK ‘MORE OPTIONS HERE’
in the closet
Look through your closet for a see through or lace top, soft sweater you can pull off your shoulders or unique crop top that can be paired with panties or adorable booty shorts. Have a silk robe that flatters? Bring it!
LOOKING FOR MORE INSPIRATION CLICK ‘MORE OPTIONS HERE’
all about the curves
Bustiers are a great way to create curves and enhance in all the right places. If you like, you can find a bustier that has built-in lifts in the cups or if you are especially proud of your derriere, than a high cut bodysuit or bottoms can showcase those curves nicely.
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LEGS, LEGS AND MORE LEGS
Let’s make sure to show those legs! The more leg the better. Panties like thongs can sometimes shorten the leg so check the mirror when deciding what to bring. don’t forget the appeal of garters belts with fishnets or stockings. But, most of all, what counts is what YOU feel attractive in.
LOOKING FOR MORE INSPIRATION CLICK ‘MORE OPTIONS HERE’
THREE MORE INCHES OR NOT
It doesn’t hurt to have a killer high heel! Nude and Black heels can be staples. The higher the better because higher heel makes the leg look longer. Platforms and wedges can make the body and legs appear shorter so steer clear. Bare feet can look fantastic and will allow you to go up “en pointe” for great posture and long lean looking legs.
LOOKING FOR MORE INSPIRATION CLICK ‘MORE OPTIONS HERE’
YOLO SPOTLIGHT – Jenni Biggs and the Do Good Shop
Who doesn’t want a place to go where you can find unique, one of a kind gifts, that are also ethically sourced and provides funding for great causes world wide? If this sounds like you, the Do Good Shop was designed just for you. (dogoodshop.org)
The online shop sells clothing, handbags, jewelry, home and garden items, food and gifts for everyone. Purchases allow donations to charitable causes such as human trafficking, poverty, homelessness, and the environment. The Do Good Shop is a registered 501(3c) nonprofit organization.
Who is behind this great idea? Jenni Biggs!
FUN FACT #1
Jenni grew up all over, mostly in California, and settled in California when she was nine years old. She eventually went to University of California-Davis and married her high school sweetheart. They have been married 30 years and their kids are almost 25, 22, and 14 years old. Jenni was very social and chatty in high school, yet hated public speaking (like most kids, right?), but now she does it all the time to support and promote her organization. She was supposed to work on the shop for 20 hours per week, but we can tell there is much more effort put into it than that! In her spare time (?), she enjoys reading memoirs, going out to dinner with friends, having TV/movie nights, and doing jigsaw puzzles.
FUN FACT #2
Jenni left her job working with teens and started the Do Good Shop in 2016. She has been shopping fair trade for years and had the idea to make it easier for others to shop this way as well. She used to have to go to different stores to obtain different items. But Jenni has always been a big dreamer and realized she could develop an online store where people could do it all in place. Her friends and family backed the idea and she took off!
FUN FACT #3
Pre-COVID, most of her sales were small pop-up shops. She opened Labor Day weekend in 2016. COVID slowed down the pop-up concept and the online store and catalog took over. At first, Jenni reduced her work and took Mondays to work on the shop and take care of the administrative work needed to obtain non-profit status. Now, most days find her processing orders, planning social media, contacting artisans, taking care of compliance needs, and paying the bills. Once a week, there is a live sale and once a month she still has a pop-up shop. Jenni loves to talk to people for a few minutes and tell them about the shop and what it is about. She tells them that there are the same kind of items that you would find at Target or craft fairs. She is especially proud of the shop’s ethically sourced, personalized, gift baskets.
What’s Happening at the Do Good Shop?
1. The vendor’s shops come in all sizes and can be found in both the United States and overseas. Jenni has quite a bit of contact with the vendors and feels it is similar to a mentor-type relationship. Besides the United States, you will find goods from Uganda, Kenya, and Tijuana. Jenni also helps facilitate the relationship between the vendors and stores. She is currently the Executive Director as well as being the founder.
2. She has had success placing the products in AirBnBs so people can see, use, then purchase the items. She would love to get into hospital gift shops and is pursuing Corporate sponsorships. She has also used her personal contacts to help make connections.
3. Ideally, her goal is to solid and consistent business for each of the artisans. Jenni has the most heart for the smaller, unknown vendors. She feels her two most important purposes at this time are to educate the public and show them how to connect with this special kind of shopping and to empower people who need a hand up and a consistent, steady paycheck.
Jenni’s motto is : One Christmas gift each year from the Do Good Shop makes a huge difference to someone, their family, and a worthy cause. You can shop at dogoodsop.org. Give them a try!
YOLO SPOTLIGHT - Keith rode
Mild mannered saver of animals by day, acting phenom by night? That would be Dr. Keith Rode!
Keith Rode, co-owner of Woodland Veterinary Hospital (WVH), is Napa born and raised. While attending UC Davis for undergraduate school and veterinary school, he met his wife, Jen, and they enjoyed the area so much that they decided to stay after graduating.
Woodland Vet Hospital opened in 1975 and was eventually purchased by Dr. Bruce Dennie in 1996. It originally was housed in the small building just south of the current facility. Dr. Dennie built the new building in 2000 and then enlarged the facility to include boarding and training space. He was the sole owner of the practice until 2012 when Drs. Ellie Johnson and Keith Rode joined him as part of the ownership team (Keith actually began working as a vet at WVH in 2006). The new doctors learned the art of running the business while working at the practice and eventually took over just recently.
The COVID19 pandemic made running a business more interesting and has required different ways of accomplishing things, but it has also forced business owners to make smarter choices that will help in the future.
Image provided by KLJ Studios
FUN FACT #1
Not surprisingly, Keith was a studious “nerd” in high school, loved science and always loved animals. He also enjoyed being in the choir and carried his high school love of music to singing in the UCD University chorus and was in an a capella group as an undergrad. He always liked going to the theater and his family is now very active in the historic Woodland Opera House, with son Noah being a breakout star during his last minute role in A Christmas Story and in Aristocats and daughter Abigail earning a role in the junior productions of Frozen Junior and Aristocats. Keith is also burnishing his stage creds with his walk on role in Elf at the Opera House and a role in A Christmas Story.
FUN FACT #2
With the addition of new vets at the hospital Keith is finally able to find more personal time such as coaching his son’s baseball team and becoming even more involved in the community. (As well as his stage debut as previously mentioned.) Keith firmly believes in the importance of being a supporter of community groups and is active with Rotary and other organizations. This commitment extends to professional groups as well, an important way to keep up with new advances in his field. Keith is also President of the California Veterinary Medical Association serving for one year. For the future, one bucket list item is to be on stage for a role in Les Miserables.
FUN FACT #3
Being accepted to UCD Veterinary School was extremely hard, but very gratifying. The class size was only 120 and there were 800 applicants. Keith explains there are more women entering the field now than ever before. In his class, only 20 of the 120 were men. He has said that if you go down the hall at the department at UCD that showcases the class photos you can see the ever-increasing number of women over the years in each class. Keith also reads a lot and loves to travel. The most unique place he has been is in central Africa for an externship. He has also travelled to Seoul, Australia, New Zealand, and northern Europe. Very infrequently, he is able to fit in a round of golf.
WHAT IS GOING ON AT WOODLAND VET HOSPITAL?
1. The start of the pandemic in March of 2020 really hit home for most businesses, creating an abrupt change in the way things are done. Considered an essential business, the hospital was able to remain open but had to make many adjustments. It didn’t take long for the national veterinary organization to develop protocols to keep pet owners and staff safe, such as masking during all contact, frequent cleaning and sanitizing (something already in their repertoire), and curbside drop off and pick up for all clients. It’s been easier since things have opened up over the past year or so and things are almost back to normal but there a larger volume of clients needing services. They set up a phone tree to triage calls (something Keith doesn’t prefer, but concedes is a necessary evil right now) and still offer curbside service for those who prefer it, as many people found it fits their needs. End of life services were allowed from the beginning and clients were always allowed in for this sad, but vital service. Clients actually liked some of the changes.
2. Keith loves being an independent business. It allows them to be a big part of the community and he loves the idea of being able to help your pets from puppy (or kitten) hood through their final days. So many vets have sold to corporations and Keith likes to see businesses remain local if possible. He particularly enjoys the cooperative attitude amongst the area’s veterinarians because they all help each other out by finding appointment times or exchanging the use of equipment as needed. While the pandemic changed many things, some of the new policies and innovations changed things for the better and they will maintain those items going forward.
3. There really is no typical day in the life of a veterinarian. Keith sees appointments in the morning then does procedures (teeth cleaning, spay and neuter, etc.), then sees appointments again in the afternoon. The most crucial thing is to remain flexible. Keith has found from experience, personal as well as professional, that the end of a pet’s life is the hardest time for everyone and is the most difficult decision a pet owner must make. Keith firmly believes your pet’s last day should be a good day. It is a delicate subject and needs to be handled with the utmost grace and dignity for all concerned.
While many people were delighted by the shelters having record numbers of pets being adopted during 2020, the down side is that many pets were not able to be properly socialized when everyone was home, working and/or in quarantine. And, sadly, many pets are ending up in the shelters again when people are going back to work at the office and their pets haven’t been trained to adjust to being home alone for periods of time. Before giving up on your pet, try finding a good trainer and see if both you and your pet can make the necessary adjustments for a happy life together.
On a lighter note, you can also catch Keith on Tuesday nights at Blue Note trying his hand at the weekly trivia challenge. Play some trivia, grab some local beverages, win-win!
UC Davis Arboretum Family Portrait SEssion
Do you want to know a secret tip for getting perfect family photos?
Keep things positive and fun for your kids! All of the getting-ready-on-portrait-day jitters can make everyone a little anxious. Start the night before by making sure that your kiddos aren’t up past their usual bedtime and keep everything low key. Lay clothes out ahead of time and check for wrinkles, stains, and such prior so you aren’t running around right before your appointment looking for another outfit.
Stressing over their behavior during the session or ordering them to smile is another surefire way to stress everyone out. Relax and let the photographer do her/his magic. Kids can sense when you are stressed and can start to act out even more, thus working against everything you are trying to accomplish during your portrait session.
Our goal is to help you keep the family vibes positive so your little ones will stay much happier and there will be good feelings, great smiles, and positive memories of your time together which equals good photos!!
With our recent family session at the UCDavis Arboretum the positive vibes started from the beginning and, as you can see from the photos, this family was definitely giving ALL the positive vibes! During the family’s consultation we made sure to do our best to get as much information about each of the kid’s personalities so we knew what to expect. The three kiddos were all under 8 years old. The 8 year old was so excited to be in front of the camera, mainly because of her love of being on stage. The 4 year old loved feeling like a princess in front of the camera. The 2 year old was another story, like most 2 year olds you never know what you are going to get. But knowing a little more in advance helped us have a better session. One specific characteristic that stood out to us was that we were told that she loved being involved in what’s happening around her. We were therefore able to make sure she helped with posing and got a sneak peek of what was on the camera from time to time.
Got a family photo session coming up and worried about how your kids will act? Don’t hesitate to reach out and I will share ALL my tips and tricks from years of working with little ones to get those natural smiles, organic moments of connection and finally, frame-worthy photos during your session!
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW LITTLE ONE!
Here’s some TIPS FOR HOW TO ENSURE YOUR BABY’S FIRST PHOTOS ARE TAKEN SAFELY.
Congratulations on your new baby! You feel as if your heart will overflow with the love you feel for this tiny, helpless infant. And, of course, this is the perfect time to capture these important first few days for all eternity with newborn photos.
We would like to help with some criteria you will need to know when choosing a newborn photographer. You may see many absolutely adorable images of the cutest babies everywhere you look. But there is a lot that goes into taking those images and safety may be the most important thing to think about.
At KLJ Studios, we have always considered a baby’s safety of the utmost importance. I don’t think there is anything that scares us more than reading someone on Facebook write, “I just bought my first good camera and I’m going to start being a newborn photographer tomorrow!”
Good newborn photographers are educated, certified, and experienced with the posing and safety of newborn photography. For example, our owner and lead photographer, Kelly Jordan, has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Sac State in photography and regularly attends the annual WPPI conference to keep her newborn certifications updated. (Unfortunately, COVID messed with conferences the past few years, but it looks like things are finally back to normal!) She also has over 20 years experience. we also encourage someone present being certified in infant first aid and CPR.
Newborns follow their own schedule. We stop frequently for feedings and changes and sometimes just to soothe a fussy baby. Depending on the circumstances we have finished a newborn session in one hour and have also had them go up to 5 hours. We have also stopped if the little one just couldn’t settle down and rescheduled for the following day. A new mom should not ever have to be stressed because the session isn’t going well.
An award-winning photographer we follow who is located in England, Lorraine Jardim, has raised the alarm there and pushed for newborn photography regulations and safety checks because several babies were actually harmed during sessions in that country by photographers attempting to copy difficult poses without the training and know-how. She published an article in Bokeh magazine which will be quoted here several times. (Lorraine has given permission for the use of her article to help promote safe newborn photography.) Per Lorraine, “parents will want to ensure not only that they receive some beautiful memories of their baby’s first few weeks, but that they are also choosing someone who will work safely with their precious new arrival.” Lorraine worries not only about amateurs trying to use complex poses without realizing they may actually be a composite image, but also trying to pose the newborn with siblings or pets without knowing that many of those images were also composited together from several images.
At KLJ Studios we have several safety guidelines:
1. We have decided to continue wearing masks during newborn shoots so as to not expose infants to ANY type of illness, including flu, colds, and, of course, COVID. This is the standard practice in many other countries and it makes sense to continue the practice here. Caring for a newborn can be stressful enough without having to handle a cold on top of everything else, right?
2. We always use a spotter, someone who stands right next to the baby and is ready to catch, prop, or otherwise watch for even the tiniest sign that there may be movement. Images with siblings or pets may be composited for safety. We also have a 3-point touch rule when posing baby with their parents.
3. We only wrap the baby in safe wrapping styles. And we only place the baby in safe poses. One example is the “froggy” pose, with the baby on its stomach and the chin resting on the hands. Looks so cute, but no one should ever actually pose a baby like that and step away. If the little one’s hands slip there can be neck or other injury to the infant. Professionals will have an assistant who will actually be gently holding the baby’s head in place, then edit the hands out during post production. Also per Lorraine, “parents may request a specific pose they have seen, however, all babies are different and some may resist being posed in a certain way. It is important for a photographer to recognize when a baby is not happy in a pose; a baby should never be made uncomfortable for the sake of a photograph….”
It is good to try and schedule your portraits from 7 to 11 days after birth, if possible. That catches them before they begin cluster feeding and makes for an easier time for all during your session. We will also try to schedule your session based on the baby’s current schedule. No reason to mess with that!
If you have any questions regarding newborn photography safety or would like to have Kelly discuss what questions you should ask any prospective photographer, call her at 530-723-5332 or email her at info@kljstudios.com. Kelly is always happy to help new parents.
And, again, congratulations!
Savannah + Cesar
Abele Farms Events, Woodland California
A few months ago Savannah gave me call to break the news that their wedding that had to be moved several times since October 2020 due to COVID was going to be cancelled because the wedding venue that she had booked decided to break their contract. She figured no venue no wedding. We had to jump into action and immediately called Sara with Rainbow Weddings & Events. Sara worked with Mary Jo of Abele Farms to secure this fabulous venue. Many other vendors and people came together to make this wedding happen.
After all Savannah and Caesar have endured with COVID and this venue letting them go, deserved to have an incredible day celebrating the beginning of their new life together. With all the changes ending up at Abele Farms was a dream come true. All of their family and friends gathered in front of the house decorated with beautiful fall decor to watch them say their vows and then in the barn to dance the night away. They had a beautiful day and it was an honor to capture it all. We felt so loved and welcomed. Sometimes weI still don’t understand how we have been so blessed with such incredible KLJ Couples. Savannah said during her wedding, “I will literally do anything you suggest!” and she did even if it meant going up the steepest hill to get the perfect shot. She trusted us completely and that honestly makes such a huge difference in how a day feels. It was a joy to create and capture their day in a KLJ-way! Enjoy reliving their wedding day with me visually!!
Thank you to the wonderful vendors we got the pleasure of working with for this amazing day!
Venue: Abele Farm Events
Coordinator: Rainbow Weddings & Events
Makeup Artist: Amanda
DJ: DJ Swanky
Catering: La Kora Food Truck
Desserts: Grandmother of the Bride
Videography: Timestamp Films
Rentals: Lorena’s Lopez Evas Table Chairs + Linens
Florist: Roxie’s Flower Truck
Luxury Restrooms Rentals: Elegant Restroom Rentals
Bartender: Chilled Bartending
Security: BSP Security
Carissa + Mathew
Yolanda Ranch, Woodland California
We met Carissa and Mathew this past summer when they came in for a wedding consultation. They had been referred to us from one of our favorite Woodland wedding venues, Yolanda Ranch. Carissa is the type of bride that you dream about working with. She was calm, cool and collective throughout the entire planning and wedding day. So we were confident we would have a blast the day of their wedding and that we did!
Everything about their day was incredibly photography friendly. Photographers, if you’re reading this, you’re not going to believe the amazing setup of this wedding venue. Together with their venue planner Cristina, we were given just the right amount of time to photograph everything that we know the bride and groom wanted. And, best of all, the wedding was on-time! (We have been photographing weddings for over 15 years and this is the only wedding we have photographed that were on time.) Needless to say we have now been spoiled! Carissa and Mathew really wanted their wedding to be memorable and mission accomplished.
Surrounded by their two little ones and closest family and friends, these two said their vows in this beautiful country venue. These two families coming together was a moving and beautiful sight. We are honored they chose KLJ Studios to capture their very special day for them. When all is said and done, the beautiful photos from your wedding day will be the thing that is there for the couple to enjoy decades into the future. Enjoy reliving their wedding day through these images!!!
Thank you to the wonderful vendors we got the pleasure of working with for this amazing day!
Venue: Yolanda Ranch
Makeup Artist: Veronica Gersalia Makeup Artistry
DJ: DJ Barnett
Catering: Serritella’s Restaurant
Florist: I Do Florals
Bartender: Megan Armstrong
Officiant: Vicky Fernandez
Our Senior Portrait Process
From the first day of classes to the final bell your Senior Year is a year full of meaning full events. One of those meaningful events is your Senior Portrait Session. That’s why you need someone that you know will be sure to make you feel at ease and can capture your spark in every image.
STEP ONE: CHOOSING YOUR SESSION
Your Senior Portrait Session is about celebrating who you are. Our Ultimate and Deluxe sessions allow us to capture your story with more outfits, more poses and more options to choose from. The Ultimate gives you both in-studio and on-location options and our Deluxe is all in-studio. With these sessions the wide variety allows for more portrait product options and multi-print
ULTIMATE SESSION - $75
120 minute session with 18 to 20 images to select from with a Yearbook Outfit plus up to 4 additional outfits. This session includes both In-studio and On-location. Digital files and portraits to be purchased at Viewing and Ordering Appointment
DELUXE SESSION - $50
60 minute session with up to 10 to 12 images to select from and a Yearbook Outfit plus up to 2 additional outfit. All images are In-Studio ONLY. Digital files and portraits to be purchased at Viewing and Ordering Appointment
STANDARD SESSION - FREE
30 minute session with up to 5 to 8 images to select from and the Yearbook Outfit ONLY, No additional outfits included. All images are photographed In-Studio ONLY. Digital files and portraits to be purchased at Viewing and Ordering Appointment
STEP TWO: PLANNING
Once your session date is booked the fun begins. You will receive a welcome email that has a senior style questionnaire
filled with questions all about YOU. This questionnaire will give your photographer an insight into who you are. During this planning process it’s always a great idea to book a consultation with your photographer during the consultation we will help you pick the best outfits and then we will dish about EVERYTHING – hair, make-up, tips, poses, etc... This is also the perfect opportunity for you to bring your ideas to the table about props or posing.
STEP THREE: PORTRAIT SESSION
It’s picture day! If you have booked one of our KLJ Beauty teams hair and makeup artist you will start off your session being pampered. Enjoy the pampering and most importantly have fun!
STEP FOUR: BIG REVEAL!
This means your portraits are ready for viewing! This is where you view and select what images and products you would like to purchase. We assist you through the whole reveal. We are there to answer any questions you have or help you decide on what products are best for your needs.
STEP FIVE: PRODUCT DELIVERY
Once your payment has been finalized. Your printed products will take 3 to 4 weeks to be completed, once completed our team will connect with you to come and pickup everything. As far digital files, your digital products will avalible within 24 to 48 hours after the final payment.
5 DO’S AND DONT’S FOR SCHOOL PORTRAITS
It’s Back to School time, which means picture day is right around the corner! School portraits and Bad portraits go together like coffee and cream. Here are 5 Do’s and Don’ts to help make the experience and result more bearable.
5 DO’S FOR SCHOOL PORTRAITS
DO DRESS THE PART. Back to School portraits aren’t always the greatest, but at least your kiddo can be dressed for the part. Your school’s portrait photographer will most likely have vibrant backgrounds. Remember those 80’s dappled backgrounds. Yes those! Neutrals always work well….you know: whites, greys and browns. You can also get away with plaid shirts, but always remember stripes are WAY TOO MUCH! Solid colors are definitely the way to go. Let’s put that old art class knowledge to work. Primary colors (red, yellow and blue) are one way to go, but you can always opt for solid colors in secondary colors (green, orange and purple). I forgot to mention primary colors create a lively palette that we associate with childhood fundamentals, so anytime you can incorporate red, yellow, and blue in a photo, you have an eye-catching winner.
DO RESERVE OUTFITS FOR PICTURE DAY. Yay! You and your kiddo have decided on an outfit for Picture Day. Now it’s best to avoid wearing those pieces before the big day. It can be tempting to wear this awesome outfit beforehand. But avoiding unintended rips, strains or snags for your best photo. Set the outfit aside and make sure it's hung and pressed for a fresh look in front of the camera. Afterward, wear that look whenever!
DO GET A GOODNIGHTS REST. No matter if your little one is in preschool or a graduating senior, getting to bed at a reasonable hour the night before Picture Day is always a great idea. They call it Beauty Sleep for a reason! After a full night’s rest your little one will look fresh, plus it will help keep the crabby attitude away if they tend to get a little ornery when tired. This applies to both Pre-K and High-schoolers…Am I Right?
DO HAVE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE. Reinforce a positive attitude by sharing with your children how wonderful they are and how much you’re looking forward to seeing their portraits. Let them know you trust them to work politely with the photographer to create a portrait they’ll be proud to share.
DO GET GROOMED. Schedule a hair cut for at least 10 days ahead of photo day. Bang cuts should be at least a week old. Neat, shiny hair always looks best. Keep in mind that complicated hair styles can not withstand recess, and school schedules do not allow much time for hairstyling for their school portrait. And no “bed head.”
5 DONT’S FOR SCHOOL PORTRAITS
DON’T PACK A MESSY LUNCH. While some schools have portraits scheduled in the morning, many schedule them throughout the day. So you may not know what time during the day your little one will have their portrait taken. So being cautious of what you pack for snacks and lunch can avoid foods that can drip, smear or otherwise be messy to hopefully keep their picture day outfit clean and tidy.
DON’T STRESS YOUR KIDS. It’s easy for Picture Day to morph from excitement to anxiety especially if we put too much pressure on them to have the perfect picture taken. Try to not to worry too much about the final result, if you do it can stress your little one too much. It’s best to just look at it as a time to document your child at the age they are and if you don’t like them you can always have your local photographer retake them . (wink wink)
DON’T OVER PRACTICE SMILES. Fresh is best when it comes to smiles! Having your little one practice their smile over and over again can create a forced look in their portraits. I know we all strive for that perfect smile you love so much, however, when your little one feels the pressure to have the perfect smile for you they have a tendency to over do it to make you happy. And we know you love them no matter what!
DON’T WEAR OVERSIZED OR GRAPHIC TEES. We know that all of our little love specific super heroes, games or the newest musical artist, however when it comes to their school portrait you want them to be the star! Oversized outfits or t-shirts can take over making your little disappear in the portrait, while graphic tees can be quite busy and distracting. When looking at your little’s portrait you want their face to be front and center not what they are wearing.
DON’T FORGET TO BRAG. When it comes to portraits of your little ones it’s okay to brag. Portraits are just so important and build self confidence!
YOLO SPOTLIGHT - NEATWORKS!
People have spent much more times in their homes the last few years, even using their home as their workplace as well as their home base for family and friends. Many have realized that they love their house while many have looked around and shuddered at the accumulation of “stuff” that has happened while they weren’t paying attention. Some have noticed their house is almost perfect, but there might be room to tweak certain areas that would help make them absolutely perfect instead of just so-so. NeatWorks can help with that!
And those who have returned to the physical workplace after months of working from home may have recoiled in horror after seeing the disorganization and chaos in their office space. NeatWorks can provide assistance to businesses as well.
What does the average person do when they try to find time to insert self-organization into their already hefty schedule? Panic!
Well, if you live near Yolo County, you can easily solve that problem by calling NeatWorks! NeatWorks provides home and small business improvement services to Northern California by specializing in organization, downsizing and workflow.
FUN FACT #1
NeatWorks LLC is the brain child of sisters Lori (Carrion) and Kelly (Rogers). Both sisters grew up in Woodland and participated in 4H both as kids and as adults. In their previous employment, Lori was actually Kelly’s boss for eight years, proving that they can get along under any circumstances! They realized that the pandemic was the perfect time to change gears and fulfill their longtime desire to put their skills to work while helping people be able to enjoy their homes. Their clients are glad they did!
FUN FACT #2
Lori and Kelly thought about it for a few months and asked themselves several questions. How can we accomplish this? Is there a need in the community? What essential values do we want to bring to this business? What’s the best way to use our skills to help others? By October 2021, they were able to answer all of those questions and took the big leap forward by launching their business. Clients have mentioned they really don’t say much to each other while they work which always makes them smile. This is because the two have such a history of being sisters, then co-workers, that they can operate almost by knowing what the other needs without having to verbalize. They acknowledge that this quality leads to an incredibly efficient team.
FUN FACT #3
They began spreading the word on Facebook, Instagram, and word of mouth and have built from there. As longtime sisters and friends, they know one of their greatest assets is the ability to feed ideas off of each other and to agree on a game plan going into a new job. They are each other’s yin and yang, with Lori wielding the clipboard and Kelly the measuring tape. While sometimes finding themselves at opposite ends of a concept, they are always able to meet in the middle to fulfill each client’s goals.
WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF NeatWorks THEY WOULD LIKE YOU TO KNOW?
1. Kelly and Lori strongly believe in reusing and repurposing items. They feel that if you liked this piece of furniture or article of clothing once, you may appreciate it if you can use it somewhere else in your life. Your project is not complete until everything is in its proper place or donated to a charity or to the dump. They insist, and most people will agree, that everyone feels better when things in their lives are organized.
2. Kelly and Lori have a specific process in place for their clients to follow. You will receive a written estimate which includes the cost and time frame. Most of their gigs fall into one of three categories: people want them to just come in and get it done, some clients want to be involved but need an expert to walk them through the process step by step, or, most commonly, people want a hybrid process of the first two. Kelly and Lori stage and separate items into piles, the client comes by and checks the piles and the progress, then NeatWorks finishes up.
3. Lori and Kelly have found the key to organization and what works for them to help you discover what works for you. They understand that disorganization and chaos can leave the average person overwhelmed. NeatWorks knows that creating organization can create space, in your home, business, or your life. Having control of their space can inspire people to be their best and to do their best. As Lori and Kelly say, “Our time = your peace of mind”.
As organization specialists, NeatWorks can ease your burden of clutter and disorder and challenge you to do your best work in an organized space free of chaos in your home or business.
YOLO Spotlight - Gayle Norman Barry from Thriving Pink!
About 1 in 8 U.S. women will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime.
While that fact sinks in, think about the people in your life. Chances are you know someone who has had to deal with breast cancer or possibly even you yourself has fought this battle at some point in time. If you are ever diagnosed, at some point in your journey with breast cancer, one of your calls should be to Thriving Pink.
Thriving Pink is a non-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to helping those in Yolo County who have been impacted by breast cancer. Their services and resources are dedicated to helping those facing breast cancer, and those who have conquered their cancer, to thrive amid a network of compassion and partnership.
As chair of the Mentoring Program and a board member, Gayle Norman Barry is passionate about giving back to help others through this difficult time in their life by sharing her story and offering encouragement and support.
FUN FACT #1
Gayle grew up in Bozeman, Montana and is still a partner in her family’s cattle and wheat ranch that was originally settled by her great grandfather. Her background, and her degree from Montana State University, has led to a career with the United States Department of Agriculture, specifically with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The NRCS works with private landowners to implement conservation practices to improve the nation’s water, soil, habitat, and air quality on private lands. Gayle has worked for the agency in Oregon, Arizona, California and Washington, D. C. Gayle’s expertise in developing national programs, having strategic and legislative know-how, and having the roll-up-your sleeves and get to work ranch work ethic has made her a valuable board member in the Thriving Pink organization.
FUN FACT #2
Gayle had her annual mammogram yet found a painful lump in her breast nine months later. It was discovered she had the most aggressive form of breast cancer (triple negative) that is harder to treat and has a low survivor rate. Yet here she is five years later, free of cancer and grateful she is able to help others navigate through the very individualized experience of breast cancer. Initially, she kept quiet about her diagnosis because she didn’t want others to give her that “look” that people give someone who says they have cancer. Or possibly they wouldn’t think of her as much of a professional as they used to. Then Gayle realized that there were others also going through cancer, or other difficulties, who benefitted from her being open and upfront about the struggle. So she started speaking up.
Gayle likens breast cancer to COVID-19 in that you sometimes can’t predict who gets it and who doesn’t or who suffers a more severe case and who doesn’t. Everyone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer asks themselves what they did to get this, because you don’t want to go through it again. And many times there is no answer to that question.
FUN FACT #3
Gayle’s diagnosis in the spring of 2017 forced her to take a hard look at her life and reassess her priorities. She has always been career driven because she is passionate about conservation, but the two hour commute to work and the necessary travel left less time for her to focus on her health. Gayle decided to take a step back, focus more on her family, and fortunately, after she was done with her chemo, radiation, and surgery, was able to transfer to California. Her family loves the area, her daughter is thriving and an article about Thriving Pink in the newspaper led her to volunteer. Gayle felt that her family was more scared than she was and she was determined to be brave for them, but she has always been a fighter! She fought to go to college, she has held her own in a male dominated profession, and she felt like a warrior as she beat breast cancer. (Hence the pink tutu and combat boots!)
Want to know about Thriving Pink?
1. The most important part of Thriving Pink is the realization that no one is in this alone. There are other survivors always willing to reach out and lend a hand. Gayle found chemo to be tiring and, from talking with others, realized she needed to take it one step at a time and fight each battle as it comes. She feels more strength now and continually finds herself learning more and more every day. Every one is different and may need different services or resources. Some may want to talk about their experience during the process, some find it difficult talk about even 20 years later.
2. Whatever you need, Thriving Pink has it! Getting outside for a walk with others? Check! Peer-to-peer mentoring? Check! Zoom meet ups? Check! A speaker series to keep up with experts in the field? Check! Financial resources for those in need? Check! There is even the Stitches of Love group who sew quilts and seat belt pillows for those who need them. Comfort bags? Check! Workshops, an annual retreat, and a spring gala? Check, check, and check! An emerging outreach in Spanish? Check again! Not bad for a volunteer organization!
3. Five years from now, Thriving Pink would like to be providing services and resources to an even larger group through expanded outreach. For now, they hope the Pink Gala on April 22 will once again be a fun way to celebrate their volunteers and community partners. Though the survival rate for breast cancer and the treatments offered are better than ever, the diagnosis still feels like a death sentence to those who hear it. Fortunately for those diagnosed in Yolo County there is a place to go to find a group of women who understand and are there to help in every way from the initial diagnosis throughout your entire journey. As Gayle says, a strong base of support can have positive lifelong impacts.
KLJ Studios has partnered with Thriving Pink to raise funds by donating a portion of the profit from boudoir (and family!) photo sessions done through February. As Gayle reminded us, many women are in charge of making sure family photos get taken and sometimes do not manage to actually appear in them. But when the camera focused on her during her personal photo session she suddenly felt like a warrior.
In Gayle’s words: In reflecting on my own photo session--it was one of the top 10 best things I have ever done for myself as a woman, wife, and breast cancer survivor. I was a little nervous going in (not many things more unsexy than breast cancer in this life) and I came out of that so filled with joy. My husband who has stuck with me through those super scary days now has an amazing thank you! But for us--I took a photo in my Thriving Pink Shirt, a pink tulle skirt and combat boots! (Note: Once a warrior woman, always a warrior woman!)
Find out more about Thriving Pink here: https://www.thrivingpink.org/
Interested in a session?
YOLO Spotlight - Historic Woodland Train Depot with Ron Burch
Woodland has had several iterations of a train depot, the first was near Lincoln Avenue and College Street and was built by the California Pacific Railroad in 1869. This was followed by another depot in 1872 when it was relocated to East Street, just south of Main Street. This depot was heavily used, but in 1911 a newer one was built with updated features and larger waiting areas under the auspices of the Southern Pacific Railroad.
Along the way, the depot saw several historic events. Two Presidential candidates, Charles Evans Hughes in 1916 and Franklin Roosevelt in 1932, stopped at the depot and gave campaign speeches. Many troops from different wars deployed and returned via Woodland by train.
But after World War ll life changed in the United States and less people traveled by train. After years of declining service and passengers in 1991, Southern Pacific dismantled the signal lines at the depot and the depot was officially no longer in service. The years preceding that event, however, included the community of Woodland working with the Railroad to sell or lease the depot for the community to refurbish. The eventually resulted in Southern Pacific selling the depot to Sacramento Valley Historic Railways for $5. But that was only the beginning!
Money was raised and the effort began to move the depot to its present location at Lincoln Avenue and Sixth Street. Once accomplished, the Woodland Train Depot committee was formed and restoration begun.
FUN FACT #1
Ron Burch is quite active in the Depot committee. He grew up as an Air Force brat and liked playing at the railyards. He loves to travel, particularly by train. He always had model trains as a kid and still loves hearing the train whistles at night as they come through town. He finds steam locomotives peaceful to see and hear and is amazed at their design and construction. He has two grown sons so he does have some time to tinker and dabble with his passion for all things rail.
FUN FACT #2
Ron worked at UC Davis for 30 years and began by designing a warehouse for all of the crafts. He then transferred to the electric shop and then became a lighting technician. He learned so much from the other craftsmen and has a smattering of skill in many things as a result. When he heard on the radio that the depot needed volunteers, he noticed that other craftsmen at UC Davis also volunteered their time and signed right up. He did odd jobs for the group then made a full commitment and joined the board when he retired.
FUN FACT #3
Ron is very excited about the depot’s upcoming fundraising event when Santa will be visiting the depot! Santa will arrive at 10, rain or shine, and, for a $10 donation, each child gets a visit with Santa and gets to make an ornament. Bring your camera to record this fun visit. There will also be family fun, activities, and refreshment. This will all happen on Sunday, December 5 from 10 to 2 at the depot at the corner of Lincoln and Sixth. See you there!
WHAT ELSE SHOULD YOU KNOW ABOUT THE WOODLAND TRAIN DEPOT?
1. The steam locomotive (#1233) on the depot site was originally in Oakland and was sold and moved to Woodland. A group, Friends of the 1233, formed and began the depot’s journey towards restoration. John McMahon organized the effort to move the depot 30 years ago when it was scheduled to be demolished and they were able to move the building without breaking a window! Having been abandoned for some time, the building was in a state of disrepair and there has been painstaking progress to not only refurbish, but to track down original and historic items to keep the depot as authentic as possible.
2. Square One at the Woodland Public Library is making a replica of the depot building using a laser cut printer. One of the missions of the depot group is to teach railroad history and this replica will be an excellent tool towards that goal. In the past, boy scouts could actually earn a railroad merit badge that was taught by the depot group. People have also donated family memorabilia, photos of railway depots and Woodland residents to use as props or décor and enhance the personal history of the depot. And Southern Pacific even shared its blueprints.
3. Pre-pandemic, the depot was opening up for booking small weddings and events. Parties for people with an interest in railroad history and trains were also becoming popular. The board is preparing for this again and adding public tours, club meetings and school tours in the future. The only requirement is that the building and its contents are not damaged in any way, though a small donation may be required depending on the event.
The Woodland Train Depot is a fun place to visit and even those who do not think they have an interest in railroad history will be fascinated by the true-to-life setup. The ticket counter, the waiting room, the steam engine, there is something to intrigue everyone. Join the gang for the Santa event December 5 and it is guaranteed you will want to visit this important part of our history again.
YOLO Spotlight - Maria Olmedo
In 2013, Yolo County began the Neighborhood Court Program, now known as the Yolo Restorative Justice Partnership (RJP). The program uses community volunteers who act as panelists and facilitators during conferences to sit down with people who have committed low level crimes and work through a process where the crime is discussed, accountability is resolved and appropriate actions are agreed on. Since its beginning, the program has diverted over 2,000 increasingly serious cases from the normal court setting, taking pressure off of the system and providing restoration of trust rather than only punishment.
Why is this important?
Because our Spotlight today is Maria Olmedo, who provides community outreach for the RJP in her role at the Yolo County District Attorney’s office.
Maria moved to Woodland when she was six years old and is part of a large family who have all played various significant roles in the Woodland community, especially in local sports. It was a pleasure to discover more about Maria during our session.
FUN FACT #1
With four sisters and one brother, Maria learned early on the importance of working as a team and helping each other out. (Maybe this is why so many of them turned to positions in coaching sports?) When her dad broke his arm when she was younger, all of the kids pitched in to help the family. The family opened a bakery when Maria was a senior in high school but sold it when her mom got sick. An upbringing of hard work and teamwork ensured that all six of the kids turned out to be successful in their own right. In fact, all six of the children in her family graduated from CSU-Sacramento. Maria also feels it is important for her try and make a difference in the Hispanic community.
FUN FACT #2
Maria has been a cross country runner since 7th grade and still enjoys athletic activities such as indoor soccer and fun hikes with the family. All her siblings also enjoy playing soccer, so family gatherings are probably pretty active! Maria loves watching movies to relax and trying new places to dine out (an activity that has been harder this past year.) She has two children, one who has born right before the pandemic began and her new little one who is only one month old. And while she has much support from her husband and family, a nap is always welcome.
FUN FACT #3
As if a toddler, a pandemic, and a newborn didn’t cause enough turmoil, Maria and her family recently bought a house, just a few weeks before the baby was born. Maria calls it a crazy time and she gets total agreement here. Some new moms have horror stories to tell about giving birth during the pandemic, but Maria’s experience was not as traumatic because dad was able to come and go and to be there for her. The maternity rooms are now in the old ICU area so the rooms were different, but Maria still enjoyed her delivery and time spent recovering.
SO, WHAT’S HAPPENING AT RJP?
1. Maria’s background in community service and nonprofits has served her well in her outreach position. It provides her with a nice mix of service to the community and helping in the local government. She enjoys her job immensely and looks forward to going back after her family leave. She began as an intern at the DA’s office and parlayed her degree in social science into helping with victim services.
2. At RJP, Maria acts as a volunteer recruiter, an important role because the program is heavily reliant on volunteers to act as community panelists and facilitators. She also handles the scheduling of volunteers, staff and participants, an enormous job similar to herding cats. Her outreach activities include letting people know about the program and setting up training sessions so volunteers can be properly trained in restorative justice techniques. She is still working remotely because county facilities are still closed to the public, forcing conferences to also be virtual for now rather than in person.
3. Maria acknowledges that everyone associated with RJP, volunteers and staff alike, are committed to the program. It is important, Maria said, to know that people who have made a mistake in life can repair their mistake and move on to do great things. She wants the community to know that there are other options out there besides court and how vital it is to restore justice back into the community with the input of community volunteers. Maria noted that everyone walks out of a conference with the feeling that they just did something good.
Five years from now, Maria would love to still be working with the RJP, potentially with an even heavier workload. She has learned to step aside and breathe when she gets stressed and it appears to be working because she has a calm demeanor even amongst the chaos. If you would like to learn more about the Yolo Restorative Justice Partnership you can check it out here: https://yoloda.org/progressive-programs/restorative-justice-partnership/
Interested in a portraits session?
YOLO Spotlight - Shauna Fox
Once upon a time, Shauna Fox opened a microblading business in Pleasanton, CA. How did that happen and what has happened since that opening day? And, an even bigger question, how has she been able to have a successful business in Woodland when she opened her place just one week before the COVID19 shutdown in March 2020?
It is quite a success story, but even more so for a troubled teen who grew up in Santa Cruz and had a baby at the young age of 16. Preferring a small town feel for her daughter, Shauna moved to Tracy. She ended up having three daughters by the age of 21. She lived in Tracy for 20 years before moving to Woodland when she married her current spouse.
Shauna loves living in Woodland and says she feels so welcomed by the people. Her daughters are mostly grown, but she also now has a six year old son and appreciates the small town feel for raising him.
FUN FACT #1
During her troubled teen years, Shauna actually failed all of her classes one time, but absolutely loved her art class. Before opening her first studio in Pleasanton five years ago, Shauna did many jobs, sometimes all at the same time, such as waitressing. The commute from Tracy to Pleasanton could be a pain, but worth it because she was finally doing something she is passionate about. She feels her business is a form of art and because of that she attracts many different types of people. She enjoys meeting them all and feels as if many of them become friends as well as clients. Shauna says, “I’ve been poor, I’ve had money, so I can always find something to relate to everyone.”
FUN FACT #2
Shauna is so passionate about her work that she never really winds down. She talked about loving nature, gardening, and meditating, but the conversation always returned to her work and how she feels she is helping people. Her bottom line mission is to make women feel confident and beautiful and she wants to make that happen for everybody. Shauna gets very excited with the idea of helping people enhance who they are. She doesn’t believe in changing you, just providing you the best version of you! Her thought is that people who feel good about themselves are more vibrant and will confidentally find other people with similar interests, making for great friendships and relationships.
FUN FACT #3
Shauna’s passion for what she does means she spends quite a bit of thought on where to head in the future. She recently added a location at College and Main in downtown Woodland to have enough space for everything she wants to do. In five years, she sees herself in the same location with more services offered and an established clientele. Shauna wants to be the “go-to” place in the region. She admits that there is more to owning a business than many people realize, especially when you have a brick and mortar establishment, but her eyes are wide open and she was savvy enough to survive so far under unique circumstances (pandemic, anyone?).
WHAT’S HAPPENING AT SHAUNA FOX PERMANENT COSMETICS?
1. Even though she opened her Woodland business one week prior to the COVID shutdown in March 2020, Shauna never slowed down and adapted to the changes needed. It didn’t hurt that she operates as a health department approved facility and already had in place standard safety protocols. She got creative and developed an online class teaching microblading that became very popular and successful.
2. Her original studio opened in Pleasanton five years ago, and she kept the Pleasanton facility for a while after moving to Woodland, but she has since sold the Pleasanton location because the new Woodland location is working out so well. Since the start of her business, almost 50% of her clientele traveled to her, some from out of state. Since her clients were always from all over a wide area, they were loyal enough to follow her to the new location in Woodland.
3. Because Shauna’s mission is to help women feel good about themselves, she feels the “sky’s the limit” as to how she can build the business even bigger and better. She has many ideas that’s she would love to implement in the future. She has added a makeup line to her website and anticipates adding in person classes as the pandemic permits. Keep an eye out in the future for body contouring services.
Shauna is a vibrant example of a confident woman whose goal in life is to instill confidence in others. She is proud to call Woodland home and pleased to be a part of downtown. Kudos to this small business owner who survived unusual circumstances this past year.
Interested in booking a session?
YOLO Spotlight - Lacey Hillard
Many people know Lacey Hilliard for her work as a real estate agent and property manager at Lyons Real Estate in downtown Woodland, but do you know she is also the driving force behind local non-profit F.I.R.E. (First In, Relief for Evacuees)? F.I.R.E. has helped numerous victims of California’s devastating fires and has been especially crucial the last few years with each year bringing a new “record breaking” blaze. Lacey began the nonprofit in 2015 and through a combination of meticulous planning and some crazy ideas has built the organization into the “go-to” for victims. You can learn more about F.I.R.E. here: https://firstinrelief.com/
But what else did we learn about Lacey?
FUN FACT #1
Lacey grew up in southern California, mostly in Costa Mesa. Her dad raced Indy cars, first based in Los Angeles, then relocating to El Dorado Hills. The family relocated when Lacey was 10 years old and it came as quite a culture shock. The shock lasted until she graduated high school and she promptly moved back down south to Seal Beach. She began racing spec trucks for a while before moving back up north to El Dorado Hills. Lacey thinks she grew up in an adrenaline junkie household; besides her father and herself catching the racing bug, her mother played competitive volleyball and her grandfather held records at UCLA for track and field. She met her husband, Josh, at a party in 2008 and eventually moved to Woodland.
FUN FACT #2
Over the years, Lacey has become experienced in several professions. She worked in finance for a while, ended not being excited about it and moved to Hawaii where she went to school for holistic medicine. When she moved back to California she worked for a repossession business for six to seven years, but that ended up not challenging her enough either. It also become more heartbreaking after the recession because the people being repossessed all of a sudden became just average people who had merely gotten in over their heads. She went to school at night and became a neuromuscular therapist, but this eventually became too hard on her body. (At one point she had wanted to become a professional snowboarder and had an accident where essentially everything from the hips up was broken, making leaning over a table and using strong pressure was not something her body was willing to do anymore.)
FUN FACT #3
Not surprisingly, considering Lacey has done a huge variety of activities and jobs throughout her life, the way she winds down (I think it may be too much to say she actually relaxes?) consists of a broad number of things. She loves exercising her brain with Sudokus, puzzles, reading, and solving mysteries. (She is now intrigued by the idea of an escape room.) She loves to study things she is interested in and will study them to death. Lacey loves all crafts and also has two mini Bantam chickens (who live in Cluckingham Palace), ducks (who live in Quackington Pool), a saltwater fish tank, dogs, cats, and a huge garden. She feels best when she is creating. She also does lots of running and has an amazing therapist who helps her keep her mental health in good shape.
WHAT ABOUT WORK?
1. At one point, Lacey met a realtor who talked her into starting real estate classes. She found the classes yawn-inducing, but she was bored and needed something to do so she stuck with it. She found a part-time job with Lyons in Davis and discovered she loved it. She was able to socialize and being around other professionals pumped her up. She finished the test for her real estate license in 35 minutes and passed. She also embraced property management because she found it appeals to her problem solving side, every day she gets to help people and must work to make both home owners and tenants happy. The pandemic didn’t even put a blip in real estate. In fact, the number of people looking for homes is at a record high. Lacey knows that people need a place to live where they feel safe and stable without price gouging pushing them out of the market. She believes you must show compassion while still making money.
2. Lacey’s motto is to go for your dreams. If it seems impossible, just break it down, get to work, and stop worrying about the obstacles. She believes many things began as a wild idea and became reality. (One example: how people probably thought the Wright Brothers and the idea of human flight was nuts at one time.) In high school, Lacey was both a jock and a theater kid and even now acting is kind of a wild dream for her. After going through the typical “would she ever be good enough?” agonies, Lacey decided to pursue acting. She landed an acting gig in a political commercial, and while the director seemed impressed with her work, it wasn’t until she watched the commercial that she realized she could be good at this.
3. Lacey quickly recognized that the only person holding her back was herself. She wants to be so many things in life-attorney, gymnast, FBI agent-but she also wants to be the best at everything she does. She realized that acting allows her to be all of those things, and more, in the various roles she can play. She signed up for a six week acting course and vowed to do at least one class. She describes the first class as mortifying because each person had to sit in a chair alone in a spotlight and answer questions. But she stuck it out and is still taking the course. Like everything else in her life, when she decided to pursue acting, Lacey has gone all in, taking voice, piano, and acting classes. She is proud to say she has booked some paying gigs. This is not surprising because at KLJ Studios she is known as Miss Fierce since she looks so fierce in all of her head shots.
As if all of that wasn’t enough to keep her busy, Lacey is aware of the housing crisis around the country and is looking for ways to solve it in Yolo County. With her track record of successes, it would not be surprising if she figured out a solution.
Interested in booking a session?
Family Portrait Session - Woodland California
On July 31st, we were proud to welcome Heidi, Atique, Nayani, and Magdalena to the studio for a family portrait session. The session took place at our boutique photography studio at 424 1st Street in beautiful downtown Woodland, CA. The photographer was Haylee and Kelly and Adam were the photography assistants. The makeup artist was KLJ Studio Beauty Artist Jazlyn Hilliard.
Family sessions are always special, especially when, like in this case, the children are still small and delightfully unpredictable. The family wanted images now because they missed out on newborn photos for Magdalena and wanted to make sure they captured her in photos while she is still little.
And talk about the fun unpredictability. Nayani is a natural “ham” and loves to pose. But she also loves to lick her little sister’s head! (We think it is Nayani’s version of showering her little sister with kisses or “muahs”.) Nayani was easily persuaded to allow Magdalena into the photos with the promise of Paw Patrol stickers. We also heard she can be bribed with McDonald’s cheeseburgers, so we will remember for next time.
Magdalena already shows so much personality. She tolerates Big Sis giving her head so much love and was a sweet little one. Mom and Dad are doing a great job with these two girls. It is always a pleasure to see such a lovely family in the studio.
Heidi, Atique, Nayani and Magdalena, it was such a blast photographing all of you. I appreciate your patience and understanding during the session and I can’t wait to see you again.
~Harlee
Interested in booking a session?
YOLO Spotlight - Dawn Borel of River’s Rescue!
Every summer KLJ Studios holds a monthlong pet portrait event. We will be doing so again this August so get your pets primped and ready! This year the pet event, Sit! Stay! Smile!, will be raising funds for River’s Rescue, a local pet rescue started and headed by Dawn Borel.
River’s Rescue is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that supports all dog breeds, with a focus on ranch type breeds. They fully vet and socialize pets to give them a fresh start and find them a forever home. They also occasionally have fully vetted cats/kittens available. The rescue received their 501(c)3 status three years ago.
This much needed organization was founded by Dawn Borel, whose path in life pretty much had to lead her to this time and place. Dawn believes her efforts are a labor of love and runs the rescue out of her home.
And who is River? The rescue’s namesake was Dawn’s much loved first border collie, whose image can be seen on their logo. Let’s learn more about the woman behind the rescue.
FUN FACT #1
Dawn grew up in the Los Angeles area and went to college at Sac State, majoring in Criminal Justice, a field she worked in or six or seven years. She then earned her masters and teaching credential in Special Education at Azusa Pacific University and began work in that field in Rosemead. Though she originally wanted to become a veterinarian, she has certainly found her own unique way to serve animals. She has also run a day care for over 25 years. It is a surprise that, with her wide variety of interests, Dawn describes herself as an average kid growing up who played with her dogs, rode bikes, and didn’t do much in the way of extracurricular activities. She does admit now that she wishes she had done other things in school.
FUN FACT #2
When asked about the difficulty of taking time off, Dawn admitted her most recent vacation was over three years ago when she had a ranch sitter come in and handle things. (Though she made sure the number of rescues were low at the time so it was manageable for the sitter. She even had the pups in mind while organizing a vacation.) Once in a while, she tries to grab a relaxing bubble bath or a margarita to wind down. And she appreciates the extensive help she gets from her daughter and boyfriend.
FUN FACT #3
Dawn’s day begins at 6 am when she lets the dogs out, (in rotation!), and has lots and lots of cleaning and scooping to do. Even the nightly feeding routine can take a few hours. With this kind of schedule, Dawn tries to find foster families to house the puppies that come in so more time can be spent with their socialization and early training. She couldn’t do this without the help she gets from her family and the community.
WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING IN RIVER’S RESCUE?
1. Dawn began her rescue efforts with feral cats, participating in TNR (trap, neuter, and release), which helps keep the feral population under control. She also volunteered at the local SPCA with the barn cat shelter program, where feral and semi-feral cats are provided to farms and businesses to help control rodent problems. One day, Dawn and her daughter found a littler of puppies on Craig’s List. Her daughter asked if they could take the litter, neuter them and find homes for them. And a vital rescue effort was born!
2. Dawn noticed there was a rush to adopt at the beginning of the pandemic as people found themselves at home more. There was actually a lack of dogs available for adoption at one point, though adoptions have slowed again. Sadly, many people are returning their COVID pets for various reasons, especially those who did not have the experience of owning pets before. The pandemic prevented people from attending training and obedience classes and dogs have not had the same opportunities to be socialized to other animals and people due to being locked down. It’s not a surprise so many of these pets now have behavior problems, yet it is sad the owners are giving up rather than taking the opportunities now to solve the issues.
3. Dawn prefers to remain local with potential adopters so they can visit the homes and hold out for the perfect match. When asked where she envisions herself in five years, Dawn said she sees continuing her rescue work as long as there is a need. Unfortunately, there will probably still be a need for organizations such as hers.
River’s Rescue is supported by money raised by “dump runs”. If you have things to get rid of that must go to the dump and you are unable for whatever reason to do it yourself, then give them a call at River’s Rescue to take care of that for you! It is important to make sure that when you pay someone to take things to the dump for you that the items actually get to the dump and are not left at the side of a road somewhere. River’s Rescue can take of it for you. Contact them at: riversrescueca@gmail.com or find them on Facebook.
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YOLO Spotlight - Susan Lord Bovey!
You may have seen Susan’s photographic work being displayed around town or at the Yolo County or State Fairs. Since everyone at KLJ Studios has admired her photos, it made sense to have her come in and get to her know more about her.
Besides working with photography, Susan has also worked in real estate since 1990 and is quite active in local groups and non-profits. She grew up in Pacific Grove and used to be quite the dancer; in fact, two of her five siblings joined ballet troupes.
In high school, she was one of the artsy kids and was very shy. As her interest in photography grew, she turned to landscape and fine art photography over portraits. Susan believes this was due to her shyness because “landscapes and scenery don’t expect you to talk to them”.
Susan came to Woodland in 1989 when her husband’s job offered the choice of Dunnigan or Los Angeles and she was adamant about not going to Los Angeles to raise her daughter.
What else did we learn about this vibrant Woodland resident?
FUN FACT #1
Susan has always been interested in photography, and was nurtured in this art by her father who admired Ansel Adams and took the family on trips to the Sierras and gave everyone a camera to use. The kids took photos of nature and shared them with each other after the film was developed. Her father knew many of the Central Coast photographers and she was fortunate to have some of them as teachers. (Including Ansel Adams!)
FUN FACT #2
It’s possible the shy high school girl has become more of an extrovert because, since coming to Woodland, Susan has kept busy joining the Woodland Camera Forum (trading off President duties), showing her work at the Viewpoint Gallery in Sacramento, doing a stint on the Board of Directors of Yolo Arts, being a member of the Woodland Opera House Guild, and yet somehow she still manages to find time to take pictures! Susan has also taught some classes at the Woodland Library’s Maker Space. And she is a member of the local group of the international Photographic Society of America. (Maybe she could also teach courses on time management since she is able to get so many things accomplished?)
FUN FACT #3
Susan is a consistent 1st Place winner at the state and county fair for her photography. You can view some of her landscape and fine art pieces here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bovey/. With all she does, she is still able to wind down by watching videos of animal rescues and roller coaster rides. Susan has enough sass in her personality to do what she needs, and wants, to do and has a diverse history, such as being a bodybuilder at one time, acting in a dinner Murder Mystery at a Woodland Library fundraiser, and whatever else she has squeezed into her life. (It’s very hard to keep up with her exploits and talents.)
WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON IN HER LIFE RIGHT NOW?
1. Five years from now she envisions being able to retire and travel to some of the countries she has yet to visit. She would like to be remembered in the community for doing a good job in all of her endeavors and hope she is known for being honest and ethical.
2. Susan remembers the days when she had her daughter and worked full time while going to college at night. She remembered those struggles as she dealt with a bout of breast cancer and realized that it was time to jump into her bucket list and not take life for granted. Which leads to #3……….
3. As a child, Susan wanted to be a vulcanologist or seismologist. While those dreams did not come true, she settled for another option-tornado chasing! Yep, for the past five years this sassy lady goes on group tours and chases tornadoes. She will fly into Oklahoma City or Denver or other place, hop into a van with up to 12 other people (though COVID19 has dictated some changes in protocols) and takes off after tornadoes during tornado season. She insists this activity is very safe, though as one who grew up in the Midwest I still prefer to hide in the cellar if a tornado comes to town.
This is one lady who attacks her bucket list with the same fervor she attacks her photography, with enthusiasm and fearlessness. In the future, try and see a showing of her work. You will never be disappointed.