Back into the Groove with Sneak Peeks!
I AM ALIVE!
Yes, after weeks of no updates, I finally have reminded myself there is a blog to post to. =)
Here are some sneak peeks from a couple photographers who shot with me for my March 1 shoot!
Photo by the ever-amazing Tricia Davidge.

Photo by the visionary Amy Jensen.
Photo by me. My sneak peek is a little purposely different to throw y’all off the trail. I saw this shot and couldn’t resist doing a little antiquing on the editing, I just love the vintage-y looking flower crown from Dark Pony Designs our little model Stevie is wearing.
Once our big reveal on the event website is up, you’ll be able to see final shots of everyone’s looks, and we are SO excited for it!!
My co-stylist and friend Emily and I got a bunch of local creatives/artists/vendors together for a free cross promotional event where everyone gets to have fun and network, and get amazing photos out of it. So we got nail people, dress designers, makeup and hair, we got a pony, more photographers, a venue… everything you need for a killer photoshoot.
The pure energy in the room at 6 am with 7 models and a ton of makeup and hair people just bursting with creativity, pumping the music up, etc., was incredible. Everyone had a blast and wants to do it again. And so do we.
And this is the way collaborative projects really gain speed— find creatives in town who are interested in doing more.
So often for artists when they build a business off of their passion, their passion becomes a chore because their income is based off of what a client wants, instead of that mad creativity that drove them into business. Personal projects and collaborative events are a great way for creatives to still pursue their passions in a very creative way, also network, and build the signature portfolio they don’t have time for anymore.
When I got all of my makeup artists, photographers, models, and stylists together in one place, the venue was bursting with rekindled creativity. Especially for makeup artists, who don’t get to do stuff like this very often, they loved being able to pursue a creative side of makeup and hair in this way. Each and every person involved had such a great experience working together and creating something entirely unique to their portfolios, every single one wanted to do it again.
So, check out these amazing photographers, makeup artists, stylists, nail techs, designers, and above all, the most amazing people to work with.
Amy Jensen, Photographer www.facebook.com/pages/Amy-Jensen-Photography
http://amyjensenphotography.com
Jamie Solorio, Photographer www.facebook.com/pages/Jamie-Solorio-Photography
http://jamiesoloriophotography.com
Tricia Davidge, Photographer https://www.facebook.com/TriciaDPhotography
triciadavidge.com
Models:
Kyla Olson, Yellow
Dani Vierra, Pink
Shayla Reyes, Blue
Veronica Shiell, Green
Bailie Altemus, Peach
Breana Rich, Purple
MUAHS (all Redding, California Area):
Nikki Gibson, Candy Nails Salon
Sarah Salinas, Crush Salon ( facebook.com/SalinasStyles)
Amy Thompson, Crush Salon (www.facebook.com/pages/Crush-Salon)
Alyssa Ecklund, Crush Salon(www.facebook.com/pages/Crush-Salon)
Cody LaFranchie, Painted Beauties
Jeremy Riley, Painted Beauties
(https://www.facebook.com/PaintedBeauties)
Shelly Herod, at the Nail Boutique, Anderson.
Tricia Davidge, at Regis Salon
Venue:
The White House At Churn Creek: http://www.whitehouseredding.com/530-221-3219 7335 Churn Creek Rd Redding, CA, 96002
Designers:
Ginger and Kirsten Mallard at Altered Wing Studios, Redding.
Dark Pony Designs darkponydesigns@gmail.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/darkponydesigns (Lace gloves, flower crowns, tutu dresses)
Karen Borden, little girl’s tule dress uniquelyhandmadeonly.com
Kristina, of Kris’ Sweet Cakes, whose fabulous treats you shall see on our reveal! www.facebook.com/KrisCakeNBake
Monday is here again?
What?! Monday is here already?
The storm has passed. While it’s blown away many of our fall foliage bunches, it didn’t take all of it. I’m excited to get out there again and take advantage of some sunny days.
And you gotta know that I love getting couples who are excited about their shoot, they come with their own ideas, and their own themes. Right now is the perfect time for the theme Veronica and her beau had: woodsy. We definitely got some super romantic outdoorsy shots that will make them feel all warm and fuzzy for many years to come.
In this little family shoot, one of their outfit changes gave a little nod to retro with happy bright colors, and it definitely brought out the fun!
If you had a shoot, what would your theme be?
Happy Monday!
My best friend did a crazy thing the other day…
She got married.
First Dance…
Father/Daughter Dance…
Here’s the beginning of the rest of your life, Emmy and Kodi. Your wedding was beautiful, now enjoy the ride. =)
Happy Monday, guys!
Okay, fall is here, the days are way more comfortable, and I am in a much better creative mind now!
Soo… Is it Christmas yet? I can’t wait! Plus, since the Papa’s Place event, I just can’t help but feel a little more Christmas-y!
Those little mirror present ornaments on their tree really enchanted me,… I’m going to have to make some as little gifts… what do you think, mirror on one side, and some photos on the others?
Pine cones and nostalgia also makes me all Christmas-y. =)
I want to go to the snow so much to shoot! I am looking for a handful of models to do some shooting with me up in the snow, I can’t wait to start shooting winter scenes (in Siskyou county!)
It still needs some work up there, but it’s gettin’ there…
Shasta sure is looking gorgeous with some powder on it.
Feeling chilly yet? Does the thought of sugar houses make you feel all cozy? I’ve gotcha covered. =)
What’s that? You’re TOO COLD now? Here, take a look at smokin’ hot Lisa in the summer Nor Cal sun!
There. That should do it. =)
Happy Wednesday, everyone!
My nephew on the blog! (Plus leaves!)
Hey! It’s Monday! Imagine that. =)
November is coloring me excited in all the great ways, all the leaves and bright light coming through in hues of orange and red just makes me feel all warm and cozy. Shayla did some modelling of leaves we spotted the other day in the park. Hey, who doesn’t love the occasional goofing around in big leaves?!
Plus, a bonus silly/”serious” model pose, haha. She’s rocking the stripes. Anyone who can rock stripes, I salute you!
Halloween has passed, but my sister came to visit this weekend with her little one, Jude. I couldn’t pass up the chance to get a couple shots of him in his little bee suit.
As he gazed off, daydreaming bee dreams of honey and sunshine…
We got the cutest little smile for his mama. =)
Today I’m very happy to show everyone my nephew with Santa over at the Papa’s Place event I shot on Saturday!
Trying on Santa’s hat, a little unsure..
Telling Santa how good he’s been..
“Mama, this guy just gave me a candy cane! He is AWESOME!”
Oh yeah, he knows he’s a cutie. =)
Go celebrate the outdoors and change of season today. If you don’t, who will? Plus, you’re totally missing out.
Happy Monday!
Text Rich Monday!
While some of my friends back east are battening down the hatches for Hurricane Sandy, I wish you all warm and cozy days. We’re still having sunny days here in Nor Cal,so I can show you these from the arboretum the other day.
I am so excited that it’s finally SOUP WEATHER!!! Also, MORE COFFEE WEATHER!!!
Some of you know that I absolutely adore foxes. I am crazy about them, and they’re my favorite animal. Some of the best fox things I have are functional gifts with foxes on them, like the awesome sweater with headphones and the bleached fox E did for me last year, or the adorable fox ring from Em. I have a little clutch wallet with a fox on it. Well now, to add to the collection, Em and I found this yesterday while we were window shopping. It called out to me. Since it’s my birthday on the day the Berlin Wall came down (look it up), Em got it for me. And, there’s nothing wrong with having two cups of coffee just to show off how cute your new mug is….. nothing wrong at all.
Also, I am excited to be getting things done. With the change of seasons especially I don’t feel like I’m as stagnant as I am in the long California summer, so getting prints to clients, designing package frills and delivering work has been more gratifying. I found the perfect folio for a couple print boxes, I just know the receiver is going to be thrilled to open it up to see her prints.
And don’t forget, if you’re a facebook friend of mine, November is the month to get a couples mini session with a print package AND a 16x20 canvas wrap. I’m scheduling my weekends, if you’re a facebook friend and you haven’t scooped up this offer, you’re missing out. Canvas wraps are so gorgeous, and what a great way to bring in a new season than with a gorgeous shot of you and your honey to beautify your walls.
And, since this monday post is text rich anyway, let me just say that with Em’s wedding just weeks away, I can’t wait, but she needs a photographer. I can’t do it, because I am a bridesmaid, so while I will be shooting her first look and that other fun stuff, we need a photographer who can shoot the ceremony and bridal party. Her wedding is November 16. If you are a local photog who could shoot Em’s wedding on a budget, please don’t hesitate to visit my facebook and shoot me a message. facebook.com/andreabordenphotography
Have a BEAUTIFUL Monday, everyone!
CAROUSEL GIRLS NIGHT OUT!
Helloooo glam squad! Check out some killer shots from Girls Night Out at Carousel!
And check out Kenzie here, modeling a Carousel dress and the Eryka and Brandon’s handiwork!
Did you get shots done at Carousel last friday night? Did you sign up on the email list? Wanna let us show ‘em off? Shoot us a message on my facebook photography page (https://www.facebook.com/AndreaBordenPhotography) or my email: andreaborden @ gmail . com
Interested in more community event photowork with me? Come to the Market St. Promenade at Papa’s Place November 6th with your little ones to meet Santa and take photos! We’ll have more info coming up soon on that, keep your eyes peeled!
And here’s a little personal shot I got in some getaway time I took this past week. I love nature, as most of you know, and sometimes I just take a little hike by myself to get away from the pavement. Reading in nature for me is one of the most relaxing things… so I did this:
The shot s are nothing special, but it sure was nice to get out for a bit.
This is a kindle screen of one of my nature shots (at Brandy Creek) while I sat in
nature (at Brandy Creek) reading about nature. Aaahhhh yeah. =)
If you enjoy reading about the powers of relaxation in the outdoors, I recommend any of Richard Louv’s books. I love reading his work, and in this photo I was (and still am) working on finishing his book The Nature Principle.
Happy Wednesday, everyone! Enjoy the rain!! Get cozy with a good book and some coffee!
Check out this awesome girl! Some of you may remember her glam portraits from my blog before, now here’s something a little more her style. She is an awesome musician and tumblr-er as well, here’s her music channel, she’s pretty incredible: http://www.youtube.com/user/mariahwester?feature=watch
And, on wednesday the Carousel Girls Night Out shots will be available for anyone who attended, you’ll get an invite in your inbox for the email you fabulous ladies provided. I had great fun meeting the gals who totally rocked the shots!
Here’s one of Eryka, posing for a test shot..
And of course, here’s the magnificent Brandon, our hair stylist for the night (and our hair stylist for all our vendor shoots, he is amazing!), goofing off for some test shots as well. They make an awesome team and are just plain fun to be around! They’re both such hams. =)
And of course, Eryka always looks so fabulous I had to put up just another killer shot of her:
FIERCE! You rock! =)
And this morning it RAINED!!!! YESSS!!!!
Happy Monday, everyone!
My wednesday post is fast and snappy and a share!
Here’s one I posted on FB yesterday, so all my tumblr followers can catch up with the fabulousness that IS Anne and Dillon’s day, and below is a fantastic looking groom’s crew (and I love that Dillon had a girl in his groomsmen crew!)
This is a new edit, and I sat down with Anne and her mom today to go over proofs, I am so happy they got a chance to see the bridal party photos like this one!:
I must have told them to look cool… or something (I’ll never tell!).
So many weddings in fall for Nor Cal, going to another one this weekend!
Happy Wednesday!
Check out the new boutique in town, Carousel. Super cute stuff! Carousel is gearing up for Girls Night Out, where makeup artist Nancie De Ross will be doing retro makeup demos this month!
I’m excited to let people know that NEXT MONTH *I* will be the guest over at Carousel, and we will be shooting fashion portraits of guests in the awesome pieces of Free People, Fluxus, BB Dakota and more! I’ll be shooting portraits and having a blast, and you’ll get a chance to model some super awesome fashion AND get those photos on our fan pages! My MUA (make up artist) Eryka will be with me as well, so check her out because she is straight *fabulous*!
AND NOW for something completely different!:
Picasso, my cat, on the Sigma 30mm. Gotta love primes!
And what do I find when I am done at my hair appt the other day but this on my car’s back window:
The words say “This chick is an EPIC photographer!” right under “I <3 (a drawing of a camera)”. Now this is graffiti I can go with!
Hey, I’m just shy of 100 fans. I KNOW there are more of you out there who love my work. Head on over to my facebook page and show me the looooove!
https://www.facebook.com/AndreaBordenPhotography
Happy talk like a Pirate Day!
Anne and Dillon
This past Saturday I was honored to be in attendance for a romantic, intimate wedding here in Redding. Some of you may recognize Anne as being on this blog before: Anne in the Sun.
This wonderful, sweet gal is now someone’s missus.
A fabulous someone’s, as it turns out.
Dillon is perfect for Anne, and together they make an extra sweet couple. With the bride’s discerning eye for d-i-y and touch of lace, the whole location said ‘Anne’.
For their first look, I just melted when Dillon started to walk towards Anne, blindfolded, and Anne just couldn’t stop peeking and turning around. When he reached her, she could have taken the blindfold off him immediately, but Dillon stopped her.
“Can we just.. not take the blindfold off yet, and just… enjoy this moment?” For a couple moments it was just so sweet to watch something so intimate and beautiful.
She took the blindfold off finally.
Anne and Dillon were all smiles and love, their day was truly a joyful one. Anne, when the time came for the exchanging of the rings, said “with this ring I GLADLY thee wed!”
Thank you for including me on your very special day, Anne and Dillon. Your love and joy was contagious at your celebration. I wish you all the best in luck and love.
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Happy Monday, everyone!
Lisa and Josh
This super cute couple were so fun! Lisa, as many of my photography followers know, is no stranger to this blog. So check out their adorable couples shots.
I love this shot- something so sweet as just holding hands with those smiles is just perfect.
I love using hi tech lights and flashes and I feel so awesome when I shoot in studio, but… I’ve gotta tell ya, there’s nothing as awesome as having a chilled out couples session in the open air, and gorgeous natural light. Sure, we could bring in all lights and softboxes, or do some backlit magic, but you don’t need all that to do a sweet session in the open air. My subjects know when we head outside it may get a little prickly (going through blackberry bushes!) but they always know their photos will rock. Plus, Lisa always looks killer in nature. The outdoors just love her. =)
Lisa and Josh are goin’ on 3 years and it was great to spend a little of that time with them on Thursday. Thanks, guys, you are a blast!
Happy Monday!
-Andie
Happy Labor Day!
So with my fabulous new model and all my recent photo happenings, last wednesday I didn’t update! So here’s my new update for Monday!
I’ve been playing catch-up with editing, so here’s a couple more shots that have been waiting to be uploaded.
Here’s another couple sweet photos from Kodi and Em’s session <3.
Check out Shayla’s gorgeous new portraits, hair and makeup styled by Eryka at Beaux Cheveux Salon in Redding. Dress design by me. =)
And I certainly have not forgotten about sweet baby Lily! I hope to have more time with her soon, her smile is so infectious!
So there’s your dose of cute smiley baby for today! For everyone who has today off, happy Labor Day!
It’s been a busy week. So you’ll have to excuse me for not posting my customary post on Monday. Yesterday morning we were so busy with appointments and vendor scouting, the next thing I knew I was headed to post, postless! From ending the shoot on thursday right to today at this moment, there is not an hour that goes by where I’m not thinking about all that has transpired.
Emily and I are very excited to bring our work to the generous vendors that contributed to the shoot. We are just as excited to announce our next shoot, but we’re doing one thing at a time here. Let’s wrap up all the work we’ve already done so far.
Our vendors can expect share-ability of their discs by the end of this week. Isn’t that crazy? It’s crazy to think that within one week we went from preparing for this shoot like laying down track while a train barrels towards us, and now we’re wrapping it up. (Please excuse the low quality of this next image, it was taken on my phone.)
In the next couple months we’ll be working on this process again. We’re looking for a wider audience, a broader vendor pool, more models, more fanciful design, and overall just bigger dreams. For now, we’re a little pooped, but we couldn’t be happier with our finished product. 
Expect an open call for vendors for our next shoot coming down the pipes sometime later this month. We’re open to anyone who has an idea and wants to contribute to awesome community shoots. Oh, and we encourage other photographers to get involved, too. The more, the merrier, and everyone wins. =)
Have an awesome Tuesday!
Monday!
This Monday’s post is yet another design post— somewhat. It includes updated self portraits and design smatterings for the paper goods for my upcoming shoot.
Also I definitely hit the jackpot when I found our new colors on sale, half off the sale price at Joann’s. I think I have pretty much raved to everyone about how excited I am to have found the perfect accent fabrics! Here’s a quick shot to show the color and gorgeousness of these new pieces. (When I say quick, I mean quick. I know it’s a tad crooked and not all smooth. =) )
Here’s how it will look (minus the white floor and twisted fabric, haha!) when I get a cushion for my vanity chair made and make a set for a fabulous intimate boudoir session… I LOVE how this looks!
I. am. in.love with this fabric!
This is sort of an amalgamation of ideas more than anything at this point. The frame, fonts, and colors are the ones I intend to use as ‘thank you’ cards and place cards, but not in concrete yet as that I am not a graphic designer, let it be known. I just make prelims, Emily tears them apart and then makes something prettier. As it stands, we are still interested in finding a paper goods designer for the shoot, if you know someone or if you are interested, let us know!
My new self portraits and facebook cover. =)
Visit my facebook for full size. =) http://www.facebook.com/AndreaBordenPhotography
About me: 