North Family Portraits

A couple weekends ago I had the privilege to photograph David & Sarah's, my former college roommate and whose wedding I was honored to photograph in 2007, family.

We met in Huntington Beach at the beautiful HB Central Park. If you've never been there I highly suggest it - it's just huge and gorgeous.

Anyhoo, sister and brother-in-law, Heather & Matt, were in town on furlough from their mission post in Cambodia with InnerChange so it was the perfect time to get the family together.

Enjoy! And if you like what you see, leave a comment!

Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

Dreamy Linen Albums & Guest Books are Here!

Try not to drool on the desk...

Guest book layout - yum!


Slip case (included) in matching linen - sample color: Robin's Egg.


Traditional book binding.


Dreamy marbled end papers in coordinating colors.


Matching embossed case and cover.

For ordering or detailed information just leave a comment and we'll get right back with you!

SPECIAL: mention this blog post and get 15% off your first album or book!

Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

PUG - May 2009

Last night I fell in love with my job all over again.

We had our second Pictage User Group here in Long Beach at my place and it was wonderful. Last night was particularly wonderful because the new CEO, Jim Collins, came to speak and share his vision and his story. It was wonderfully inspiring.

I'm so excited for the direction Pictage is taking, and am even more excited about this year's PartnerCon (Pictage hosted conference) in New Orleans this November! Woot!

Share a thought, ask a question or just leave a comment!

Casey Figlewitcz does a studio spotlight; it's a great opportuinty to introduce yourself and your business to the group.


Jeremy Dodgen

Pictage CEO Jim Collins

Danny Faccini

Charla Brummel

Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

Ade's 2nd Birthday Party!

We just got back from our adorable god-daughter's 2nd birthday party. She has the best parties, I swear. This year's theme was "Dance Party."

I'll let the pictures do the talking, but I must say fun was had by all - adults and kids alike.

NOTE: the final two pictures are a bit gruesome, including a beheaded pinata Elmo. Viewer be ware. ;) In her adorable fashion, Ade made sure to apologize to Elmo before each strike.

If you like what you see, leave a comment!

Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

My New Mind

A few weeks ago at a life-changing conference I attended the discussion leader, author Sally Morgenthaler, recommended a book to us: Daniel Pink's (poor guy) book A Whole New Mind. She described the book as one that discussed the future of the right-brained. Okay, you've got me intrigued.

A few weeks ago I perused the book at a local B&N. Scanning the pages left me uninterested and so I left the title on the chair and didn't give it a second thought.

Fast forward to last week - again at a local B&N - I was picking up another book I had previously overlooked, Lovemarks, and saw A Whole New Mind sitting on a display table. For some reason (like I don't know) I picked it up and bought it. Without a second thought I just bought it. That is so not like me. Just today I spent 20-minutes in Target trying to decide between Shiny Green Champion Cheer Shorts or black.

So last night I picked up the book for the first time since buying it. In just the first two chapters I've had a number of revelations - why I am a great photographer, and why I photograph people so well (and landscape photography doesn't have the same appeal to me), why my husband struggles with details, and why it's totally okay.

For anyone who's never felt quite normal, in the L-Directional society, I challenge you - no, I urge you - to pick up this book in one manner or fashion and give it a read.

Being only two chapters in I can't vouch for it in its entirety (yet). But I have a feeling it's going to be great. ;)


If you like what you've read, or if you have a thought/question about the book, leave a comment! (I love comments!)


Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

Sep & Jenn's E-Session

I had a blast this past weekend with Sep & Jenn! We had so much fun shooting their engagement session in Santa Monica at the Downtown Farmer's Market.

It didn't take long for these two to warm up to the camera and to let loose their super-fun personalities. Within a short time they were jumping, piggy back riding and laughing...a lot. It was great!

At the end of the session Sep & Jenn did the sweetest thing - they gave me one of the bouquet's of sunflowers they bought during the session. How sweet!

I'm so excited to photograph their wedding this Fall. With the ability they have to enjoy life and each other anyone can see they are going to have a wonderful adventure filled life together.

Congratulations you two!

By the way, if you like what you see, leave a comment! :)

Fashion Side Note: Jenn's shoes were so cute! She shared how she bought the beaded Steve Madden shoes just the night before at one of Santa Monica's 3rd Street Promenade great stores. I may have to get a pair myself...

All images © 2009 CLSPhotography.com. Be kind and please do not copy and paste, or screen capture these images. They are copyright protected. If you'd like to use one, please just send us an email to request permission. Thank you!

Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

Hubby Got A Promotion

Today my blessing of a husband got a promotion.

He was honored today, along with 14 other candidates, for pastorate at the conference level as a CMC (conference ministerial candidate) within the Free Methodist Church of Southern California conference.

So what does that mean? He got a promotion. If you want to know the details of all that it entails I'm happy to take you out to coffee and explain. :)

We have an amazing church family (and by church I mean a body of believers who believe our God is big and does big things for His glory).

Pictured (L-R): Superintendent Steve, Hubby Matt, & Bishop Matt.

Congratulations Hubby! I love you so much.

If you like what you've seen or read, or want to wish Matt a congrats leave a comment!


Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

Todd & Kelsey's Super-Fun E-Session

Shooting down in Crystal Cove is always fun - with the waves, the beautiful landscape and the sea breeze. But this past weekend I had a super-fun time photographing with Todd and Kelsey's engagement session!

These two are a hoot. Plain and simple - just fun people. Their love for each other is seen in their constant smiles.

Not only that, but they braved the treacherous rocks and waves to get some beautiful photographs for their session.

Congratulations you two! Can't wait for the wedding later this summer!

Enjoy... and if you like what you see, leave a comment! Thank you. :)

All images © 2009 CLSPhotography.com. Be kind and please do not copy and paste, or screen capture these images. They are copyright protected. If you'd like to use one, please just send us an email to request permission. Thank you!

Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

Deserve a Free Wedding?

Hi Blog Readers,
I've got some exciting news to share! I just got an email from WPJA saying that the show "Wedding Day" is looking for deserving couples, planning a wedding in 2009, who can't afford an amazing wedding due to tough economical times.Here's the scoop:

From Mark Burnett Productions:
Do you know of a couple who are planning on getting married or would like to marry Summer or Fall of 2009 who really DESERVE an amazing wedding but cannot afford it in these tough economic times?

"Wedding Day", a new prime-time series premiering June 16th on TNT, is seeking to cast inspirational couples for our next amazing season!

You can view a promo of "Wedding Day" here:
http://www.tnt.tv/dramavision/?oid=47477

Teachers, real-life heroes, survivors, volunteers, social workers, charity workers, etc., we want to hear from you!

If you had to downgrade or delay your wedding plans due to job loss, injury, illness or deployment, we want to hear from you!

If you know of a couple who is so busy helping others they deserve someone to help them out, we want to hear from you. Nominate someone today!

Here's how to nominate someone, or yourself! Just leave a comment on this blog post, be sure to include the following:

Send a brief paragraph about your situation, or another couple's situation, the current wedding budget, and your contact information (see below for details).

Deadline is May 12, 2009 at 9am Pacific Time. I'll be picking the best entry to enter as a nomination, so get your friends to comment in your support! The couple chosen for nomination is required by the production company to submit a recent .jpg photo.


And now, for the fine print: Leaving a comment is in no way a guarantee for nomination. The chosen nominee is not guaranteed an appearance on the show or any other prizes. Chosen nominee will only be submitted for consideration to the show, and must participate in providing required materials in a timely manner. Delay on behalf of the chosen nominee will result in disqualification.

Best of luck everyone!

Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

Love Affair Workshop

Hey ya'll! I'm so excited! Tonight I found out that a women's photography workshop, called Love Affair, is offering a scholarship for this summer's workshop in Atlanta. I've wanted to attend this workshop since I first heard about it last year.

Love Affair is for women photographers who want "to have a love affair with everything and most importantly with life."

I love this quote on their blog, I think it summarizes well what they're all about: "Don’t cheat yourself out of life beyond business. You’re going to love life more deeply and love photography and business all over again."

I get excited just thinking about that concept! The idea of learning how to intentionally re-integrate my life with my business (co-habitation is good) and come away with a revitalized perspective on both is my motivation for wanting to attend. :)

So I'm applying for the scholarship (crossed fingers)!

I can't wait! Think good thoughts for me. :)

Thanks!

Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith

Jeri's Bday

Last night we celebrated my step-mom's birthday at Buster's Longboard in Long Beach, down near the marina (next to Khory's). Had such a great time talking, hanging out and listening to the house band "Flyer."

Here are a few of my favorite photographs from the evening (had too much fun dancing!).

If you like what you see, leave a comment! :)

One of Jeri's girlfriends.


My dad.


Birthday girl!


Kurt, Jeri's son, and the birthday girl.


Kurt and his awesome wife, Jenn.

Blessings,
Christine Lee Smith