Valerie Ackerman Photography

I'm moving!

2009-03-02T11:16:00.000-08:00

...to a new blog, that is! I will no longer be posting here, so come check out my new digs!

Make sure to update your google reader, bloglines, whatever you use!

Here is the new address:

http://valerieackermanphotography.com/blog/

~V

I've been a very bad blogger

2009-02-19T14:59:00.000-08:00

I haven't blogged in almost a month! There really is no excuse for that. I promise I will get some pictures from Jamaica up as soon as I find some time.

I've been working on something very fun that should be revealed on this blog in a couple weeks (maybe less) so stay tuned!

I just returned from WPPI (photographer's convention) in Las Vegas, and am also getting rid of a stomach bug that's been around for a week or so.

So now, I leave you with a picture from my latest session. I have a wedding to share soon too!

Studio Closed through 2/1/08

2009-01-23T17:59:00.001-08:00

We are taking a much needed vacation to Jamaica. I will have limited (if any) access to e-mails while there, so please be patient with me if I don't respond to your e-mails until next weekend.

xoxo

Val

Baby Luke - Riverside Newborn Pohotographer

2009-01-12T07:46:00.000-08:00

You may remember Becki and Andy from their maternity session in Laguna Beach. They were honestly one of my favorite maternity sessions. Well, I met their new bundle of joy, Luke, last weekend and he was perfect. This little guy was so wide awake most of the time I was there, he didn't want to miss any of the fun! Congrats A&B, Luke is amazing!

Winter Wonderland - Rancho Cucamonga Maternity Photographer

2009-01-08T08:27:00.000-08:00

I had a great time photographing Katie and Eric's maternity session at Victoria Gardens recently. It was a cold, cold morning, but Katie was such a champ and willing to trust me and my whacky ideas! : ) I had fun you two, thanks for letting me spend the morning with you. I can't wait to meet baby K!

Meet Miss Mary

2009-01-06T06:43:00.000-08:00

I had the pleasure of photographing little Mary recently. She arrived just a few minutes before Christmas Eve and is so, so precious. J&K, enjoy the mini sneak peek and congrats on your beautiful baby girl!

Cousins! - Redlands Children Photographer

2009-01-06T06:21:00.000-08:00

I am blogging this session a little late, but I photographed these cuties over Christmas break in Redlands. Enjoy your sneak peek!

Giving is Awesome Update!

2009-01-05T06:34:00.000-08:00

I've decided to extend the deadline for the Giving is Awesome contest posted below in an effort to include more participants. The new deadline is January 31st, 2009 and the winner will be announced on the blog on February 1st, 2009.

I hope everyone had a wonderful New Years!

Giving is Awesome

2008-12-22T08:46:00.000-08:00

I am joining in an effort with hundreds of photographers across the country to GIVE BACK this Christmas! Here's how it works:

You know someone. You know someone who's experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who can't afford custom photography, but who would cherish it this holiday season. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family's spirit, love, and beauty.

You know someone. I guarantee it.

I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography -- $700 worth, to be exact. Whether it's canvas or prints for Grandma, or a slideshow to watch over and over, it's in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season.

Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a $200 print/digital credit. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be, people?

The rules:

* You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services.

* The nominee must reside in Southern California. Tell me who you know, what they're experiencing, and why they deserve this gift. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.

* You must e-mail me the full story at valerie@valerieackermanphotography.com

*You do NOT need to be a past client of mine to nominate somebody.

*The sessions must take place in 2009

The winner will be announced on New Years Eve -- get nominating! I can't wait to read all of your entries!

Open your heart to someone this holiday season -- and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

To learn more about Giving is Awesome, visit their website here.

With love,

Val

And what's a post without a picture? This is my son, Eric, posing for the picture we used on our Christmas cards this year.

Newborn baby "E" - Rancho Cucamonga Newborn Photographer

2008-12-14T12:13:00.000-08:00

I had so much fun photographing this beautiful, beautiful baby girl this weekend. She was all of 12 days old here and made my job so so easy.

Mama-to-be - Pasadena Maternity Photographer

2008-12-04T11:13:00.000-08:00

I had so so much fun meeting up with Brandy last weekend for her maternity session. She drove all the way down from AZ to meet me! (ok, she was here to see her family over Thanksgiving but we can pretend, right? : ) )
Anyways,we met in Pasadena with her husband, Paul.

B, enjoy the sneak peek : ) Cameron is going to be one lucky kid!

Gorgeous Siblings - Valerie Ackerman, Claremont Family Photographer

2008-12-02T07:08:00.000-08:00

I had so much fun meeting with these two over the weekend. Seriously, they made my job so easy because they are just sooo photogenic! I'm sure their parents will adore these portraits for Christmas. Enjoy your sneak peek!

Happy Thanksgiving! (and a little reminder)

2008-11-28T17:57:00.000-08:00

First of all, I hope everybody had a wonderful Thanksgiving yesterday! I spent the day with my family and it was wonderful!

Secondly, remember that Sunday is the LAST DAY to book a session with me for FREE. Prices take effect December 1st. Also, if a session is booked before December 1st, all prints and products are 20% off!

What's a post without a picture? This is just a little cutie from a mini session a couple weeks ago.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Family of 4 (plus one on the way)!

2008-11-25T12:07:00.000-08:00

My good friend Krysta asked me to take their family pictures this past weekend. We had so much fun wandering the streets of Claremont. Here's a little sneak peek for you! Enjoy!

mama to be - Claremont Maternity Photographer

2008-11-18T06:43:00.001-08:00

I had so much fun shooting Stacia's maternity session on Friday night. We wandered the streets of Claremont and visited the colleges while there.

Stacia, enjoy the sneak peek! I can't wait to meet your little girl!

Party of 3 (plus one on the way!) - Rancho Cucamonga Maternity Photographer

2008-11-18T06:30:00.000-08:00

I had the pleasure of shooting Connie's maternity session this weekend. This will be their second daughter, and she is going to be one lucky girl! R, C, and little C, thanks for inviting me into your beautiful home! Enjoy the sneak peek from your session!

Expecting - Valerie Ackerman, Orange County Maternity Photographer

2008-11-10T06:59:00.000-08:00

I had the pleasure of meeting with Becki and Andy on Saturday night at Crystal Cove in Laguna Beach. They were such a fun, easy couple to photograph. I can't wait to meet baby Luke in January.

It was fun meeting up with you two, enjoy the sneak peek!

Gorgeous Baby Bump

2008-10-21T07:24:00.000-07:00

I had a fun maternity on Saturday morning at Oak Glen. K, I can't wait to meet your little girl in December/January! Enjoy your sneak peek!

Long Beach Family

2008-10-21T06:55:00.000-07:00

I had so much fun on Sunday meeting with this family. Their baby girl is just 12 months, and they have a gorgeous 8 day old baby boy. Here's a little sneak peek from their session. I had fun hanging out with all of you on Sunday!

Party of 16

2008-10-21T06:35:00.000-07:00

This was by far my largest session. Luckily they made my job pretty easy. I met with this family to do their family pictures while everyone was in town at the same time. I had fun meeting everyone, enjoy your sneak peek!

Special Rates through December 1st, 2008!

2008-10-16T09:50:00.000-07:00

Hello! I am in my last few weeks of portfolio building, and offering special rates through December 1st. Book a session with me before December 1st, and your session fee will be FREE!

Prints and Digital files are also available through the end of Novemeber at a discount. All prints are 20% prices shown on the website, and CD's of high resolution, edited images from your session will be available for only $100.

See my calendar for availability and book your session soon before the holidays!

Val

More of these cuties

2008-10-15T06:23:00.001-07:00

coming later this week! : )

Here are a couple to hold mom off for now! Look out for the official sneak peek in a couple days!

Jenn and Dave - Married! - Valerie Ackerman, Inland Empire Wedding Photographer

2008-10-14T07:07:00.000-07:00

Jenn and Dave were married in beautiful La Jolla at beautiful Cuvier Park on Sunday morning. The reception followed at Georges At the Cove. The day couldn't have gone smoother, and I couldn't have had an more gorgeous bride to work with. The entire day was filled with so much love between the two and happiness for them beaming from their closest family and friends.

Congrats Jenn and Dave, thank you so much for letting me be a part of your special day.

Eric

2008-09-15T07:46:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted any recent pictures of Eric on my blog. Here are 2 snapshots from this weekend. He is almost 16 months and growing WAY too fast : )

Family of 4!

2008-09-15T07:29:00.000-07:00

Our friends Ryan and Lisa welcomed their newest addition, N, to their family 3 weeks ago. I had fun photographing them, along with their 2 year old, K, on Saturday morning. Enjoy your sneak peek!

I couldn't decide between color or b&w on this one, I just love it!

Little "T" and his mama!

2008-09-15T07:12:00.000-07:00

I had so much fun photographing this little one. He is just a few days younger than my little Eric, and SO SO active. He really reminded me alot of my own little one.

Here are a couple from the session :) Enjoy!

My favorite, I just love the expression on his face!

N's Family

2008-09-15T06:25:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of doing family pictures for a new friend, Noosh, just a few days before her wedding. Here is (finally) a sneak peek from the session. Enjoy! I had a great time with all of you!

Jenn and Dave - Engaged

2008-08-17T12:45:00.001-07:00

I had the pleasure of meeting with Jenn and Dave yesterday. They were so much fun to photograph. I can't wait until the wedding in October. Enjoy the sneek peak!

Jenn and Dave - Engaged!!

2008-08-17T12:37:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of meeting with Jenn and Dave yesterday in downtown Claremont. They were two peas in a pod, and so photogenic! I can't wait for the wedding in October!

Here's a sneek peak of the session from yesterday.

Meet Pierce!

2008-08-13T08:22:00.001-07:00

I had a great time with Amy, George, and baby Pierce last week! He was only 5 days old here and so so sweet!

Mamarazzi Workshop

2008-08-04T07:21:00.000-07:00

This weekend I attended the Mamarazzi workshop. I did come home with a couple new tricks up my sleeve. I learned Adobe Lightroom, so now I have the option to touch up my photos with Lightroom or Photoshop. There was really a great group of girls there.

Here is our adorable model for the weekend, T. He is almost 9 months.

Just a few more from M and K

2008-07-28T07:26:00.000-07:00

Just edited a few more...

Maddison and Kayla

2008-07-24T06:58:00.000-07:00

I had the opporunity to practice on a friends daughters yesterday. Maddison (almost 2) and Kayla (3 months) were the perfect models. I only had a chance to look through a few last night before I knocked out : ) I promise to post more tomorrow.
Enjoy the sneak peek!

I couldn't resist posting this picture

2008-07-16T14:58:00.001-07:00

PRICELESS!

Baby Bump!

2008-07-15T06:52:00.001-07:00

It was so much fun photographing Amy and George! Little P will be here in less than a month!

Here are a few from the session.

2nd PB Session

2008-07-07T06:58:00.001-07:00

I had the pleasure to shoot Carlee (3) and Kaelyn (11 months) over the weekend. These girls are so photogenic! This was my first try with the seamless paper! I have had it forever, but Eric just won't sit still for a minute so I haven't had the chance to practice with it until now! Here are a few from the session! (Ok, alot!)

Carlee and Kaelyn

2008-07-02T08:09:00.000-07:00

Meet Carlee (3, soon to be 4) and Kaelyn (10 months). They are our friends' daughters.
Here are a couple of the girls at the 4th of July celebration at church this weekend.

Eric and Kaelyn got their first tattoos : )

Eric

Kaelyn

The girls

Bowl Take 2!

2008-07-02T07:51:00.001-07:00

So we tried the "bowl" pictures again last night. Eric is cutting a new tooth, so he was not too cooperative. Here are the best two of the shoot. At least now they were on the correct settings, but he sure did put up a fight this time around! : )

and the color version

Trial and Error

2008-07-01T06:57:00.000-07:00

So I decided to take Eric's 13 month pictures yesterday. We took these outside. Not once did I think to check my ISO speed. ARGGG! ALL of these were taken at 1600. I did notice that something was a little off (and it was probably more than the ISO). I woke up this morning and a little lightbulb turned on in my head. I turned on my camera and checked the settings, and BAM! ISO 1600. : ( I will most likely attempt to take these again today, since I might want to enlarge one.

Here are a few....I need to do a better job at trying to hide the diaper today also!

My first PB session

2008-06-27T08:08:00.000-07:00

I wasn't exactly thrilled with the results. I think I did OK. I was just so nervous shooting a complete stranger for the first time. We'll consider this a practice session before I start PBing. (portfolio building). Well it's a good thing I am not in business and charging yet!

On a more positive note, this little boy was such a doll! He was so easy to work with. Crazy to believe he is only 11 months!

It's Official!!

2008-06-27T08:05:00.000-07:00

Hello! Thanks for visiting my blog! I am a custom, lifestyle portrait photographer serving the Inland Empire, CA. What exactly is that? It's modern, fresh, memorable, personable photography. I am not a "smile and look at the camera" type of photographer at all. Invite me into your lives for an afternoon so that I may capture the true personailty of your family and create portraits that you will cherish for years to come.

I am a mother, so I understand how important it is to have pictures of your little one. After visiting chain portrait stores when my son was young, I simply was not satisfied with the results. I began taking my own pictures of him, and the ones of him exploring our yard and playing at the park quickly replaced the ones hanging on my walls from the chain portrait stores. I began taking pictures for other people and their children, and my love of photography grew each day. Valerie Ackerman Photography was born shortly after!