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TallPOPPYPHOTO.COM HAS MOVED!

Find it at PhotoKamala.com

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Halloween 2015

I had so much fun seeing all of you on Halloween! How to your FREE photo:  Click here to view the photos. Mouse over, click, or tap the photo you’d like. Click or tap the download icon (down arrow with a line below it).  Don’t forget to make a note on where it is being saved! Feel free to share the images by click the arrow that points to the right! SPECIAL! I’m offering 10% of all sessions…

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Daddy-O

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Here’s another fun shoot from the fall of last year.  These two girls were so much fun!  This spring the whole area is covered with wild mustard, making this one of my late spring/early summer locations.

Summer Light Here's another fun shoot from the fall of last year.  These two girls were so much fun!  

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"Our Town": Newbury Park High School

“Our Town”: Newbury Park High School

Your photos are ready!  Until I have collected all the releases, the proofing pages will be password protected.  Please contact me at [email protected] or Mrs. Strange for passwords and pins.

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Click here to view and purchase productions photos, group photos, prints, & albums.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or…

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Every time I photograph Eli, it’s like a little anniversary celebration.  Eli was my very first Tall Poppy client and it’s been great watching him grow and grow and grow over the past two years.  These days he’s running all over the place and I was able to get some really fun candids in the last blitz.  Even managed to get a few with his big bros!

Oh Boy! Every time I photograph Eli, it's like a little anniversary celebration.  Eli was my very first Tall Poppy client and it's been great watching him grow and grow and grow over the past two years.  

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Turns out our family’s 2014 Holiday Card was a hit!  I have loved the MINTED selection for holiday cards for years, as well as, the idea that everything is designed by independent artists.  I just received a request from them to use photos from our personal holiday session for the 2015 Holiday season.  Can’t wait to see where they pop up!  I’m sure I’ll post to Facebook when I do:)

My kids had so much fun with my whipped cream and chocolate idea last year that I’ve decided to make it our HOLIDAY BLITZ THEME!   Mark your calendars for “Hot Chocolate & Hugs” on November 7!  Ash and I will be shooting 30 minute sessions for one day only!  Sign ups open Oct. 1 at a cost of $55.  This is absolutely the best deal of the Holiday Season.  Props are optional, however, for this one hugs are required.

  Tall Poppy Kids To Be Featured In Minted Holiday Card Promotions Turns out our family's 2014 Holiday Card was a hit!  I have loved the MINTED selection for holiday cards for years, as well as, the idea that everything is designed by independent artists.  

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Wow has it been a long time since we’ve shared any of our sessions!  Ash and I have been so busy the past six months and we have so many fun new ideas and locations.  Can’t wait to show you some of our latest.  This group includes our favorites from one of the 20-minute sessions out of the recent “Bubbles & Blooms” photo blitz!  Could Brooklyn and Braden be any more adorable?  And speaking of adorable…Brooklyn simply ADORES her big bro–it’s beyond sweet!

Sorry, “Bubbles & Blooms II” is sold out, but mark your calendars for “Sparkle ‘N’ Splash”!  Sign ups open May 15!

Sweetness Wow has it been a long time since we've shared any of our sessions!  Ash and I have been so busy the past six months and we have so many fun new ideas and locations.  

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Sedona, Arizona, USA

The Yavapai Vista Trail itself is a short little loop right off of the 179. (Less than a half mile.)   Most of these shots were taken in the 45 minutes before sunset.  I literally ran up this trail to chasing the light and it was a quick enough loop I didn’t mind negotiating it in the dark, wind, and light rain on the way down.  This trail is part of a larger interconnected trails, so if you wanted to spend a day in the area you absolutely could.  Here’s a link that gives you a nice overview of all the available trails you can take: http://arizonahiking.blogspot.com/2013/12/yavapai-point-trails.html

A few of these were taken just after sunset on the 179 heading back to town.

View some of my other Sedona posts here.

Sedona Late Winter: Yavapai Vista Trail Sedona, Arizona, USA The Yavapai Vista Trail itself is a short little loop right off of the 179.

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Purple Wildflower Study

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Color or Monochrome?

I have two sets of similar images I’m struggling with.  The first set is from a recent trip to Sedona, taken Arizona at sunset looking east.  The other is from Wildwood Regional Park, California at sunrise looking west.  I like the stark contrast in all the images, but I’m not sure whether I like the color versions or the black and white versions.

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Sedona, Arizona, USA–late February 2015.

This hike is a bit more strenuous because of the climb and it is not for the faint of heart.  Most hiking sources rate it Moderate.  You can hike to both the top and or the bottom of the bridge–we did both and you can climb to the top and hang out on the side if you aren’t up for walking out on the bridge.  I will tell you being on the bridge is not as scary as it looks, it’s actually quite wide once you get out there.

We cut the hike in half by taking the FR152 straight to the Devil’s Bridge trailhead.  You’ll need a high clearance vehicle to do that or you can take one of those jeep tours.  I’ve included a few more pictures of the trail in this post, so you can get an idea of the ascent.  I found going up a bit easier than going down.  I’m not gonna lie, there were parts I just kinda scooted down on my rear.

Once again, we highly recommend stopping by The Hike House went you first get into town–and don’t forget to pick up an oatmeal cookie when you are there!

Sedona: Devils Bridge, Late Winter Sedona, Arizona, USA--late February 2015. This hike is a bit more strenuous because of the climb and it is not for the faint of heart.  

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Sedona, Arizona, USA–Late Winter 2015

This is a don’t miss spot.  If you have a high clearance vehicle you can take the road up that parallels the Munds Trail. You’ll want to go all the way to the look out then come back down a bit and park to hike the Cow Pies Trail.  I believe most of the jeep tours can take you to this area, as well.  The hike for both Munds + Cow Pies is about 9 miles round trip if you are up for it–it is staggeringly beautiful and if you are looking for views that are more unique this fits the bill.  Being out on the “Cow Pies” feels a bit like visiting another planet.

Another tip–stop by the Hike House when you get into town.  They really know their stuff and can direct you to the hikes that fit the Sedona experience you are looking for.  While you are there, make sure you get one of their “sharable” oatmeal cookies.  We like the white chocolate cranberry the best, but you can’t go wrong with any of them.

Sedona: Schnebly Hill, Late Winter Sedona, Arizona, USA--Late Winter 2015 This is a don't miss spot.  If you have a high clearance vehicle you can take the road up that parallels the Munds Trail.

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Sedona, Arizona, USA–late February 2015

Not sure of the exact location–we are calling it Dead End Butte.  Took an off shoot of the road out to the Palatki Ruins that was marked “dead end”.

Sedona: Late Winter, Verde Valley Sedona, Arizona, USA--late February 2015 Not sure of the exact location--we are calling it Dead End Butte.  

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Sometimes an iPhone is All You Need

I’d just finished up a group of portrait sessions when I was graced with this amazing sunset. I snagged these two on my iPhone using Hipstamatic (John S) and using Camera+ (to dial down the exposure). Of course I’d left my real camera on the seat of my car when I was cleaning up and the magic had passed by the time I got to it.

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Express Yourself

Anyone up for trading a little sugar, spice, & everything nice for a bit of mischief, dare, and I don’t care?  Seems like a whole lot more fun…

  Want to play, too?  Weekly Photo Challenge: Express Yourself

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First Flight

There is a moment just before day break when the sky blushes and songbird feathers ruffle and take flight.  Everyday.  No matter what.

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