Category Archives: Children

Children 18 Months and up, playing, swimming, laughing, being serious, at birthday parties, painting and anything else they do!

“Celebration of Smiles Day” April 21st in Ashland, Oregon

Hello Friends!

I thought you would want to know about a very special promotion we will be participating in with other photographers from around the country.  On April 21, 2012 we will host “Celebration of Smiles Day”  in Ashland, a wonderful opportunity for you to update individual portraits of your family members and at the same time support the work of Operation Smile, which treats children around the world who suffer with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

Along with other participating members of Professional Photographers of America (PPA), we have pledged to donate 100% of each $24 donation made to PPA Charities, which has chosen Operation Smile as its charitable partner.

Evoking and capturing the smiles of children is our ultimate goal. That’s why we believe so strongly in the work of Operation Smile. Each year this incredible organization of more than 5,000 volunteer doctors, nurses, dentists, and special­ized health care professionals, perform free reconstructive surgeries for children suffering with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

Every three minutes a child somewhere in the world is born with a facial deformity. One in ten will not survive to see their first birthday. Those who do survive often live in isolation and pain. More than 100,000 children are born with a facial deformity each year in Operation Smile’s 26 partner countries.

I hope you will join with us in helping to make this vital work possible.  As always . . . we look forward to creating some truly wonderful portraits of your children!

Warm wishes,

Crystal Garcia

Click here to download the poster.  Click here to register for the event!

View full post »

At Home in Your Body: Talent, Oregon Child Photography

This week I got a bladder infection that I avoided going to the doctor for and tried to get rid of via water and cranberry juice, which meant that I let it get really bad and painful before I got any relief.  Anyways, while I spent several days in or around my bed I was thinking up in my mind about the human body, movement and awareness.

One thing that I love about the stage that Autumn is in, is that she is so comfortable in her own body. Something I hope will not change, but likely will given, our culture. I love how she moves in order to get her body to do things for her. She doesn’t think about sucking in her tummy, unless her body requires her to do so for balance. She doesn’t worry that when she bends over she may show the world her undies.

I struggled last week when Autumn fell in love with a pair of plastic princess “heels” she wanted from Goodwill. She has been wearing the things all around the house and even to bed (I don’t let her wear them outside because I don’t want her to fall and because I want her to run). I personally hate heels and never understood the point of causing yourself discomfort for the sake of fashion, so I really didn’t understand why Autumn would wear something that limited her movement, are hard and surely must be uncomfortable. I may never know, but it seems the fad is dying down. At any rate, I hope she never chooses heels because she thinks she needs to to make her legs look better, fit in or to feel taller like girls in magazines. I guess I will cross that bridge when I come to it and model a different attitude along the way while I am at it.

Today however was about photographing Autumn in some of her beautiful, natural movements. I didn’t even get half of them. In fact as soon as we got home I immediately noticed some tippy toe stands as she reached for things just out of reach and a pointed toe on one foot (for whatever reason). I imagined these photos taking place in this cool place I had seen in Talent, but when I took Autumn there this time it just didn’t seem like safe enough place to let her be free to move and explore so I opted out. I think they turned out to be a nice capture of her being comfortable in her own skin in a simple way though.

 

“And though she be but little, she is fierce.” -Shakespeare

And a little happy color to end the session. :) Of course we followed up with a cupcake at the Cupcake Daily here in Talent. The prefect little Mama/Daughter date!

View full post »

Tired of cheesey character Valentine’s?

Josiah and Autumn helped me do some test shots today for Valentine’s day. We used a random strand of all red Christmas lights (that I have no idea where they came from) and set up a fun little area in my bedroom and made these. They thought the way the hearts came out was really cool!

If you would like to book a mini session before Feb 4th to get a few fun pictures to send cards or e-cards to friends and family or for your child’s school Valentine’s party just click the contact button! We can do this same set up in your home or mine, or one of man other love themed ideas that are simple, fun and relaxed.

For now, Happy (early) Valentine’s Day form Josiah and Autumn!

View full post »

Creative Family Christmas Card Pictures: The Cherry Family

Last night I had so much fun photographing the Cherry family out beside their new house that they built. The wanted to have their Christmas card photo taken on their land roasting marshmallows in front of a fire. Little Rowdy had a blast and so did I, with all the smoke, fire and embers! It was just the perfect setting for this family! Plus there were some awesome clouds and a beautiful moon out. :)

I can fit it one more family next week in the Rogue Valley (Oregon) for family pictures in time to get Christmas cards in. Just shoot me an email and let’s set up a session! Crystal@CrystalGartcia.com. I am on the lookout for a person to trade a sewing project for their family session. If you might be that person, let me know! (I love to barter!)

View full post »