Aviva Photography Blog

I proudly present another new product… custom-designed and beautifully crafted photo boxes.

When my clients order this little beauty, I will custom design the cover with the photograph(s) of your choice. This item does take 4-6 weeks to create and ship, however, it’s worth it. What a precious keepsake this is for any family’s coffee table!

And the best part? A 4×6 copy of every photo from your online gallery is included.

In other exciting news… I’m going to have an exhibit of sorts at our local coffee shop near the sea wall; Coffee Casa!

Coffee Casa serves up delicious java, delectable breakfast, yummy lunches and more! They will be open again after a few days of cleaning house this Thursday, April 2nd. I’ll be there in the later morning for a cup of coffee – and if you’re around, I’d love to see you there!

I’ve decided to time the exhibit with the launch of the Aviva Photography online print gallery. Many of you have asked, and I’m so proud to deliver – you’ll be able to buy prints of my photography online. Prints like this:

…and this:

…and THIS:

And of course many more.

Do you have a favorite photograph that you want to see on the gallery? Well then I want to make it available for you – leave a description in the comments or email me! When you place an order, I will ship your prints to your APO/FPO or to the states. Another huge THANK YOU to every single one of you who has been so supportive and encouraging. Without you none of this would be possible. That’s why there will be a discount for my blog readers, and an additional discount for my Facebook fan base thru May 2nd, my birthday.

Stay tuned…..More later this week!

Stephanie and John had baby A on March 16th. He was a healthy 8 lbs 1 oz! And on his sixth day, I got my camera on his adorable little self and his gorgeous mom & dad.

I walked in, and John and Stephanie asked if I thought we could take photos of him in Daddy’s helmet. Uh… YEAH! But I’ll tell you, if he’d be 2 ounces bigger, we would’ve been greasing him out of it! Perfect timing and an ALL TIME FAVORITE! (It’s not my kid and I want a huge canvas of this one on MY wall.)

I arrived at the house and saw it; the BAT signal. You know me… inside the house it went. (thank you, John, for removing the spiders)

Ok – last one. This is for you, John!

I’m still in awe that this kid was asleep for all this. Maybe because he’s used to being bundled up inside mom’s tummy.

Mom warned me that he was crabby, but he was really easy for me! Not much for being put down or for having clothes put on, but while he slept it was all good.

Oh I love his little forehead wrinkles. (SMIRK!)

So very peaceful while his parents were holding him. Stephanie and John have so much love for each other and for this little sweet boy – he’s a very lucky guy.

Yes. I melted when I saw his little fingers on Daddy’s big strong hand.

He only woke up for a moment to check me out. At first he looked concerned, but he relaxed after a few minutes.

Daddy’s work isn’t the only thing going on around here – the family is moving back to the states this summer, and I think A will be joining him on fishing boats in the future…

He is a strong and healthy young man – but I think we wore him out. I love baby yawns!

Last but not least – another hand photo… this was my last shot and it just gives me the chills.

Congratulations to you and your family, Steph & John. He’s glorious. Keep doing what you’re doing – I couldn’t be happier for you both! See you soon.

Last time it was just about one-year-old O. Well O has two sisters. They’re gorgeous too, no surprise. Sandy said there’s a shrine to her son in her home, so we certainly need to remedy THAT situation!

H is the oldest. She’s so great with her brother… (how delicious is this?)

…and seems to be the one kid who got blue eyes. Hm. Wonder what’s up with that? Luckily she had a friend along who was helping me a ton with making her smile naturally. (THANKS, E!)

Middle kid, A, is in kindergarten and she’s a beautiful and bright little lady. Sandy & I think (and MANY agree) that she and my daughter look a lot alike. When we’re together, they look like sisters!

And O. Well ya know I can’t take a bad photo of this kid! Even when he’s got a cold and we woke him up for the photo shoot. This guy has the best temperament. And that smile…and that hair… those eyes. SIGH.

I love the goofy side of kids.

Owen is just about a year and a half old. As I remember it with my kid, that was early terrible twos. He has his moments, but doesn’t any kid? During the shoot we were trying to sit him down (not an easy task with so much to see), and he didn’t want to face my camera, he wanted to face the water. Well of course he did. A simple way to make lemonade out of his lemons…. (See, Sandy? Told you to trust me!)

Sometimes you have to work around the tough part. That’s life.

I like when things happen with groups of kids. I think you can figure what happened in order out of these three.

And last but not least – all three kiddos in a row. I think O’s shot is pretty indicative of his stage right now. The binky and the blankie pretty much soothed him throughout the shoot. Don’t we all wish it was that easy for older kids?

Lots of things to share. Another post tomorrow for sure!

Well I have a little break in sessions and thought I’d post to tell you about another product that is offered by Aviva Photography. Photo books!  They’re fantastic quality and they’re a great way to have 20 or more photos on display in your home.

There are several options. All books are available in 5×5, 5×7 (both of these sizes are the same price) or 8×8, 8.5×11 (both of these are the same price).

Option one is a fabric-cover book, available in chocolate brown (pictured) or black.

These aren’t ordinary books, they’re hard-bound books and the pages are printed on thicker stock and hinged at the spine to lie flat.

Please be aware, if you order a square book, the photos will be cropped. I will do this myself, however some photos are not ideal for this cropping; if you have chosen photos for your book that will not work as well, I’ll let you know and we can order the other option (5×7 or 8.5×11) or create a combination of photos for that page.

As you can see, the print quality is excellent. I would offer nothing less! Leather-cover books are also available, also in chocolate brown or black. Leather books also have the option of custom foil stamping.

They’re beautifully bound with fabric hinges at the spine so that the pages lie flat.

I will personally design the book for your order, if you have questions or would like multiple shots per page – I can make that happen as well.

As with any product I offer, I guarantee the quality and I will work with you to design what you have in mind! Soon I’ll share another new product wtih you – PROOF BOXES!

GAMU potential students – I HAVE NOT forgotten you! Stay tuned, I’m nailing down a location and dates. Info to come by next week! I’m so excited. Hope you’re having the best day!

Matt and Amy. They’re popular folks on this island, I know a lot of you know them! Their daughter, E – well she’s stunning. I’ve photographed them before, about six months ago. And she is growing. FAST. She turns one – today as a matter of fact. Happy birthday sweet pea! (Prepare yourself, once again I couldn’t take a bad photo of this bunch, so this will be a photo-heavy post.)

First, Shannan (my assistant, who was in RARE form this day as you will see) spotted this pink garage door. PINK! YAY!

Then the headband went on. Amy said she doesn’t keep them on, but I guess we were so exciting to her that she didn’t realize it was there. Thank goodness – because she’s waiting for that head of hair to arrive and this was very girly.

Sigh. Amy. What I’d give to go shoe shopping with you. But online – it’s just not the same. SHOE SHOT!

E is just about walking. The bamboo was perfect to hang on to and she was SO proud to be doing it on her own!

This place is full of gorgeous spots and interesting doors and doorways. E had her run of the place, and as you’ll see she had half her wardrobe with her too. Here are a few with her Daddy, she’s wearing a dress from her grandmother. Matt’s a sweet and attentive father, obviously BOTH girls have him wrapped around their fingers!

Here’s the family of three.

Amy looks incredible. The camera obviously loves her! And we walked off so that I could take some photos of them together, and they told me they’re going on a trip to Cambodia and Vietnam together while E is with her grandmother! My prediction? E will have a brother or sister in about 9 months….

They’re crazy gorgeous!

So we walked back toward Shannan who was watching E while we were taking photos. And we see…. this!

We all gasped with delight – Shannan, it was so perfect. Not only cute, but she was SO HAPPY! Priceless and definite favorites!

(Can’t you just HEAR her?) (And are you KIDDING me with those eyelashes?)

After that we moved on – she had a snack – and then. THEN…

THE RED TUTU!! How on earth can I be expected to narrow down these photos when there are so many outfits? HUH? Tell me this isn’t edible. Just try.

Then after another change, I got Amy with E in some cuddly moments, which was lovely.

As we walk around the corner, I see a row of sun hats and I think everyone there will concur, I went a little bonkers. A Japanese class of little 4 or 5-year-olds was there! Only in Japan! (Especially on a Saturday morning!) They loved her. They were so sweet!

E loved the attention, but it was a little much. We walked on a bit and the light was so gorgeous I was snap-happy.

I’m done. For now. There are more, of course. See you soon to show you, Matt, Amy & E – and Grandma too! Glorious. Have a fantastic trip together, you deserve it! We had such fun – give that beautiful girl a smooch from me for her birthday.

I’m happy to announce that while I was in Thailand, Baby W was born. (If you’ve been following along, he’s the little brother of these two cuties.) He was 11 days old in these photos – and one ALERT guy! But we have ways of making him sleep…

Alert as he was, he was a pretty easygoing guy and very easy to calm down. Particularly with food and swaddling and rocking, as usual. I think Crista & Aaron are still trying to figure out where he got his cleft. It’s so very… boyish though, don’t you think?

Already thinking, “Oh boy. Two big sisters and a dog. When am I going to get any sleep around here?”

Crista looks fantastic. She’s an expert at this now, and I’m quite aware that on the 11th day getting makeup on and being in photos is something to be very proud of!

Aaron is a very easygoing and sweet father. He has got to be happy there’s another man in the house now.

This moment was a favorite of mine. They touched foreheads and glanced at each other and at W – it’s nice to steal a moment without the other kids I’d bet.

A definite favorite!

10 of my favorite things about newborns…

And finally. My favorite. An adorable smirk. See the dimple? There’s one like it on the other cheek too!

W was a great baby – and Crista tells me he slept away the rest of the afternoon! Glad I wore him out. I can’t wait to get my camera on your whole big beautiful family soon, Crista & Aaron. Congratulations!