It's a Beautiful Day

So if you are ready my blog today.. then you must be stuck indoors or from somewhere else. If you are local- stop reading! Get out and enjoy this beautiful day!

For those who are stuck inside, I wish you could be here enjoying a fabulous day in Long Beach.

So far my daughter and I have gone to Justin Rudd's Bull Dog Beauty Contest. Kruiz assisted me as a 2nd shooter and shot over 300 pics with my Canon 10D- what a pro.

We then headed over to the farmer's market for some sunglasses and more pics for fun.

To fill our tummies, we went to Taco Surf for some $3 tacos.

The day isn't even done and it's been truly amazing!

Next stop, a fabulous eSession of a great couple in downtown LB.

Here's what you are missing if you aren't in LB....

SMPS | Corporate Event | Orange County Photographer

I have shot for a great marketing society quite a few times. I'm not sure why I haven't blogged about them before now... maybe I was a bit busy.

So why now, well I realized these are some great moments of a casual setting, people enjoying themselves and network that really does good for our counties, cities and each other.

The SMPS (Society for Marketing Professional Services) is a fabulous network of people helping better each others' businesses, knowledge of our surroundings development, and improvement of environmental development.

I was asked to be apart of this society as a sponsor; little did I know how much I could learn and benefit from the knowledge of these people, their corporations and their hand in the development of California.

Congrats to all the members and how much you contribute!

Cheers!

Front Page Feature | Bridal Crate Magazine | Destination Wedding Photographer

I found this adorable, user friendly site for brides- The Bridal Crate Magazine.

I loved the layout and design of it. It really drew me in and I was hooked; as I'm sure many brides are and will be!

It's located in NY and I thought it would be a great way to do some East Coast marketing & networking.

So I joined their Clique and built a page. A few days later, I was asked to be featured- WOW! Love that!

So here it is my front page feature! Thanks Bridal Crate Magazine; you are fabulous! Cheers!

Or as the Bridal Crate Girls like to say SMOOCHES!

Brides make sure you check this site out; it's quite fabulous, fun and full of information re: your BIG day!!!

Contact KrisD Mauga | View KrashingMotions Gallery

Glass Slipper Guild | Fundraiser | Orange County Photography

Last Thursday, was bobble and bling at the Black, Starr & Frost in South Coast Plaza!

The Glass Slipper Guild of CHOC hosted a fabulous affair to raise funds for the hospital, which benefit the Neuroscience Institute.

"The Glass Slipper Guild is an extraordinary group of dedicated women involved with community awareness and fundraising to support theChildren's Hospital of Orange County. We are one of 12 guilds that support CHOC with our primary focus on the CHOC Neuroscience Institute and their families."

We were dazzled by all the jewels that draped the necks of many fabulous ladies! Beyond the diamonds and stones of Black, Starr & Frost were amazing appetizers from Marche Moderne.

We were surprised to have guest speaker that holds a very special place in my sister's heart Dr.

William Loudon, Everlee's doctor! It was great to meet the man who has improved the life of my niece.

I'm not sure of the amount sold, but 10% of all sales that night went to the Glass Slipper Guild.

If you would like to help to raise funds or contribute to the upcoming Gala, sponsorship is still available. Here's the info for their upcoming Gala:

"The Rat Pack Is Back!

Save the date! Join us Saturday, May 8th at 6pm for our annual gala and silent auction! Come experience the 1960s on the Strip at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa. All proceeds from the event will benefit the CHOC Neuroscience Institue!

Download a Save The Date card.

When:		Saturday, May 8, 2010
Time:		6:00pm
Where:		Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa
Price:		$185 per ticket (a portion of the ticket is tax deductible)
Inquiries:		GSG Rat Pack at gsgratpack@gmail.com

Do you have a donation for our annual gala? Or can you help with underwriting? All the information you need is listed below.

• 2010 Sponsorship Form
• Donation Agreement Form

Preview our list of upcoming Events and Fundraising Activities."

If you would like to view all the photos of this event you can at http://krashingmotions.smugmug.com/Events/Glass-Slipper

Prints are also available through the gallery.

View KrashingMotions Gallery | Contact KrisD Mauga

ShootSac Can Make Dreams Come True

Shoot Sac, Jessica, & Keats!

I love my ShootSac so much that if possible, I would have dreamt of it as a child! Something to make life easier, comfortable and much more fashionable as a photog!

My daughter Kruiz who is not yet 5 took the pics of me with my 40D and she apparently has RAW talent!!!

I am trying hard to get a pass- one at a time through those who have passes. Time spent in hopes to benefit from the amazing knowledge of those like you! I'm going regardless to Vegas, now it is just a matter if I actually get to attend WPPI!!!!!

I hope so!!!!

3rd time is hopefully the hat trick of getting my pass!!!!

Cheers!

102 Post from Jan 09- to present! | WPPI or BUST! | Long Beach Wedding Photographer

SO today, I have multiple reasons as to why I am making this post! 1st this is my 102 post since starting my blogger acct; I had a previous blog for 2008 and I think I had about 40 post. In just over a year, I have doubled that and this post number 102!!!!! Thanks to everyone who follows my silly takes on life, my portfolio of work, and inability to type every word that goes through my mind!

No what is this post all about?

Well every year there is a convention for photogs, wedding photogs in particular but open to all photogs and it's in one of my favorite places..... VEGAS BABY!!!!

I had plans to go to WPPI with 2 gal pals....hhhmm should I keep them nameless or shall I be shameless- you know who you are.

Anyhow they both backed out!!!!

What? The only way I was going to be able to go was if they shared the cost! We had it all worked out, a trip to Vegas to meet some fab photogs, learn some new techniques, get advice on our businesses, and most important a time for Mama to get the hell out of dodge and have some "ME" time- the first "ME" time and trip since, Charla and I went to Rosarito to get centerpieces for her wedding; that was over 3 years ago...maybe 4!

AWE!

SO new plan!!!!!! I found a kick-ass deal at the Palms ($47 per night, plus 2 VIP ticks to the Playboy Club)...so it's booked!!!! I'm going no matter what! I wanted to stay at the MGM since, that is where the tradeshow is, but the Palms was phenom deal and it holds a special place in my heart as well! The last time I was in Vegas was with my husband 5 1/2 years ago and there we partied like rock stars, saw No Doubt and guess made a baby- Kruiz...our one and only, our miracle child!!!!

So Palms it is!

Now how to get there...plane which is $150+ ouch or stick out my thumb and hitch a ride. Amber Fox is so sweet, she said I can hitch a ride- thanks girl!!!!

One more thing to do...

get my WPPI Pass!!!! Well that's where (I hope) Lawrence Chan comes in!!! He has 10 free passes and all I have to do is blog about my story today and hopefully he will choose me!!!!

So here it goes my shameless begging attempt!

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, pretty PLEASE with SUGAR on TOP!!!!!

Thanks Lawrence!

If you don't choose me, no worries- I'm going to be there no matter what; you will see me and you will be like damn I should have given her a ticket!!!

WPPI or BUST!

Lawrence you have my email...but just in case here it is again

kris@krashingmotions.info

Thanks to Picnik! | Valentine | Lifestyle Photography

OK so today, I forgot it was Kruiz's Valentine Party, thankfully I have Picnik! In 5 minutes I was able to create adorable Valentine cards for Kruiz to bring to all of her friends today!

So if you are in a jam and need a Valentine card on the fly, go sign up for picnik!!!!

Since I'm posting I want to wish you all a Happy Valentine's this weekend. If you have love, cherish it; if you want love, be open to it; if you've lost love, don't worry someone loves you always~ everyone is loved in some way by someone!

Krash Course 2 | Photography Workshop | Lifestyle Photography

It's Official!

Sunday, March 14, 2010

2:30-4:30

$45

Long Beach, Ca

Mom's Workshop for DSLR users!

Back by popular demand, I am hosting my 2nd workshop for mom's who want to step out of the box and take something more than just a snapshot. We will be shooting, honing our skills in manual and aperture priority using natural light.

After some hands-on training, let's go check out what you captured!

I will be giving away some tips and tricks for post-procesing so you can make your photos stand out!

Book now- spots are limited.

http://krashingmotions.info/

You can book through the "book-me" tab and cadd workshop to you your cart.

email me if you have any questions @ kris@krashingmotions.info

Everlee #1 | Birthday Party | SuperBowl Sunday | Lifestyle Photographer

My niece Everlee just turned 1! When a child turns one the party is usually for the adults more than the kids.

As parents it is the birthday we usually will remember the most; the lil ones probably will have no recollection of it at all. The great thing about blogging is we now have a moment in time recorded as if a photojournalistic diary available to the world and our lil ones!

This B-Day is especially special and one I want Everlee to know about, one for her parents and sister to cherish. My niece Everlee was born with special circumstances; turning one, thriving and being absolutely amazingly strong means the world to anyone who has ever met her! Everlee was born with Spina Bifida ("Spina bifida is the most common of a group of birth defects known as neural tube defects, which affect the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord").

The diagnosis was more than frightening when we heard the news while Karlee was pregnant with Everlee. The internet provided scary, dismal information. Despite what we read and heard, my sister Karlee and her husband Scott took it in stride and researched beyond the black and white, speaking and emailing parents of children with Spina Bifida.

What seemed once a life of little hope proved to show all signs of hope and positive outcomes! Everlee has proven to be sign of hope and positive outcomes. She thrives and grows and get through every moment in life, many good but some extremely challenging. Within her first 8weeks of life she had 8 surgeries; most due to complications with her shunt in her head to regulate her Hydrocephalus.

During this year we have watched her grow, smile, struggle, thrive and advance. Her spirit is one we should ALL aspire to have; for such a little one, she has experienced more hardship, more struggle than many of us, yet she smiles, laughs and shines more than any person I know!

I want to wish my adorable niece a most special Happy Birthday Wish~ you are an amazing person; we love you so.... oh and congrats Saints (how appropriate for them to win- another example of life overcoming challenges and coming out on top!).

Everlee I love how you amaze us!

If you wish to learn more or contribute, visit...

KystByEverlee

Spina Bifida Association

Glass Slipper Guild

Long Beach Wedding Collective | Fantastic Long Beach Wedding Vendors All in One Place

It's Official!!!!

The Long Beach Wedding Collective has launched it's site!

Engaged couples this is just what you have been waiting for...

a site where you can find all the vendors you need!

Vendors here can not just join and pay for a spot for exposure.

Each vendor has been hand picked by two of the industries best Candice Bradley of Dolcissima and Megan Gray of Honey & Poppies.

The girls wanted couples to be able to have one site where they could find a reputable vendor with exceptional business ethics, quality and STYLE!

Couples you will have options in multiple categories to find that perfect vendor for YOU!

Long Beach Wedding Collective — Fantastic Long Beach wedding vendors all in one place: "Introducing the Long Beach Wedding Collective: a community of fresh, talented, creative, wedding professionals based in Long Beach, California. We differ in services and styles but are each exceptional at what we do both in quality and in service. We are here to present a united group of the best that Long Beach has to offer in wedding services. Most of us serve all of Los Angeles and Orange Counties, but we are actually based in the greater Long Beach area, and as such we know the ins and outs of everything our city has to offer – whether it’s intimate familiarity with the best Long Beach wedding venues or secret spots to get killer engagement photos, we have the inside scoop!" ~Megan Gray

Check out the Collective and visit all of the amazing vendors sites!!!! I am honored to be apart of this collective and I look forward to seeing the contributions the collective will be posting on the blog for all couples getting ready to wed!

So check out KrashingMotions on the fabulous Long Beach Wedding Collective.

http://longbeachweddingcollective.com/

Krash Course

January 10th, I hosted my 1st Mom's Krash Course. I was fortunate to have such a great group of moms who are passionate about photography. It took me a couple of weeks to prepare for this and I couldn't have been happier with outcome! We went over EVERYTHING in 3 hours course. I'm sure there was a bit of an overload, but the ladies really seemed to be following and interested. After going over setting in aperture and manual, post-processing tools, and a whole bunch of goodie links for the ladies to find great deals, we headed out to take some fun shots of my own personal muse. Mommy loves you Kruiz!!!! Our shoot was stopped short due to a little rain, but I think the ladies were able to apply what they learned. I can't wait to see more work from them in the future. Here's what the ladies produced- great work girls!!!

Cheers!

"OMG thank you for allowing us to come into your home and eat all your hummus…yummm, I LOVE hummus!"

"I started working on the pictures last night and it was super fun. Now that I have all kinds of tricks in LR, Elements and Picnik, I didn’t know where to start. I really do think that yesterday gave me a boost and I really felt like I can take good pictures without dropping $1500(for a new lens). I am going to keep saving, but at the same time, I am going concentrate on what I have start editing like no body’s business." ~Dana

"I had sooooo much fun on Sunday! I will definitely come to a follow-up workshop..." ~Brandi

"Wow.. thank you! Today was wonderful!!"

Hi Kris,

Thanks again. I learned a lot yesterday... I can't wait until the rain clears so I can go shoot some more!! The pics are a little out of focus because of my shutter speed being too slow but some are still cute. Kruise is adorable!! Thank her again for modeling for us! :) ~Janelle

"Thanks again for a great workshop! Can't wait to retouch the pictures and for the next one!" ~Holly

~~~

Thanks Ladies for being so passionate!

As per your request and a few more, I will be hosting another workshop... details soon to follow...hint, hint~1st week of March is most defintiely in the works!!!!

Cheers!