Here is a family I have photographed from the very beginning. From there wedding and down to their first child.  They are great friends and I’m happy to give them family portraits they will treasure for years to come. Here is the beautiful family now.

Join us this weekend for the Grand Opening of Belle Bottom Baby located in Tarzana (click for map) when we will reveal the images for the winner of the Belle Bottom Baby model search.  The new images will be on display in the store this Friday and Saturday December 4th and 5th.  Many things will be on sale 40-50% off.  There will be refreshments and activities for the kiddies while you shop and share a visit.  Visitors to the store will also receive a gift certificate for your next portrait session valued at over $280.

I am once again sharing in the International Charity Model Search benefiting the charity Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. This year we are photographing Families so start thinking about updating your family portraits.  The winning family receives a new car! This is a great time of year for getting the whole family together and making some memories so make your appointment for your family portrait today!  For more information on the charity and the portrait event just see this link. http://imagesbydesiree.com/blog/?p=664

I’ve come across some good online resources for moms lately.  Here’s where I’ve been visiting.  Mamasource.com It’s free to join and you connect to local moms with the same questions you have.  I love that it’s local so if you’ve got questions on local schools, doctors, activities… it’s nice.  I have it email me updates and I can scan the latest discussions.  I’ve also been turned onto Jen’s List. It’s a free newsletter.  This girl is so smart.  She has become the center of what’s up around town.  She sends an email everyday with local info useful to moms in and around the Los Angeles Area.  Recommendations for babysitters and nannies… handymen.. activities and for kids and special offers.  Worth a few minutes of your time.

Once again I am very happy to be taking part in the (Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep) NILMDTS now “International” Model Search. I had a great time doing this last year. I had the privilege of one of my boys be the top model for my city. Here’s a little about last years contest.

This year we are looking the the cutest FAMILY to represent for Los Angeles and North America.

Are your loved ones North America’s Cutest Family? We’ll give you the opportunity to prove it! Many exciting prizes will be awarded, and the grand prize winner receives a new car!

Model Search Special:

$45 entrance fee includes a 90-minute model session and one image submitted to the national gallery.

Finalists will be determined by online votes. Each vote is $1 (no limit on the amount of votes you can cast), and all proceeds from votes benefit Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (NILMDTS.org).

Grand prize international winner will be determined from the 52 city finalists. The winners will be selected from the finalist gallery by photography and modeling industry experts.  The winning family also receives a session with the renowned portrait artist Sandy Puc’ and international recognition.

Call 818-585-1621 now to enter your family in this exciting contest.

*Contest open to residents of the US and Canada. For more information, visit http://sandypucmodels.com/.

So all you families out there thinking it’s about time to update your family portrait it’s time to Seize the Day and take advantage of this perfect opportunity.

Announcing the newest Model Search.  Do you have the cutest kid in the Valley?  Belle Bottom Baby and Desiree Durang Photography have partnered together to hold a portrait event in the store August 15th and 16th.  YOU MUST come in the store to reserve your appointment.  Appointment slots will fill up fast.  The winner will get the full model treatment when we conduct a modeling session and use those images around the store and future advertising.  The winner also receives $2oo in portrait products and $50 to use in Belle Bottom Baby. 

I’m very excited to partner with Belle Bottom Baby  the grooviest kids boutique in the Valley.  She’s got a great eclectic selection of fun and unique kids clothes.  I’ve found some super cool stuff for my son over the last couple of years.  I bought my son the coolest vintage Duran Duran concert tee there.  It’s going to be a fun event.  Mini portrait sessions will be held inside the store so don’t wait to make your appointment.  Click here for more details!!

I photographed this session a little while back but I just have to post some of the pictures because they are too stinking cute. This first one is my favorite. But they keep getting better This one with the dog needs a title.  If anyone has a good one post a comment.  If I choose your title I’ll have to give you an award.  How ’bout a gift certificate to The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf?  That’s my favorite place

Two toddlers and a bottle of “beer” and we had a little drunkn’ show down…. (they walk like they’re drunk anyway right?) 

 On another note, I’m heading out to assist portrait and fashion photographer Matt Haines on a shoot this evening for a sunset beach model shoot.  Sounds glamorous doesn’t it? 

I’ve also received some updates on the Now I Lay My Down to Sleep model search.

There is still time to enter models!  We will accept submissions through March 25th, 2009 and voting will continue through 11:59pm on April 2nd, 2009!  Get your votes in soon because the top model of each city will be asked to do a live model shoot during the city tour happening March 18th for Los Angeles.  Then the top votes for each city qualify for National Judging later.  So get in and vote and there is still time to enter your son or daughter between 18 months and 14 years. 

I’m getting geared up for the Spring YAY! So start booking your outdoor shoots! I’ve already got plans to shoot at the Huntington Library again which is one of my favorite places.  So start thinking about family pictures or spring pictures for your little darlings.

On another note I am always looking to learn and grow as a business and as a person and I had the priviledge of meeting Dane Sanders face to face at one of our CIPPA Meetings last week.  I have read his book Fast Track Photographer and I was delightfully suprised it was more of a self help/self discovery type of book to help understand my own personality and how to be true to myself.  And I was delighted to find that face to face he is a genuine person who makes an effort to take an interest in the people around him.  So Dane, I enjoyed meeting you and your presentation was empowering and ever since I have been working on stopping automatic and not talking myself out of stuff.  And I will make strides in my business one step and a time and enjoy the journey.  Thanks Dane!

If you’ve been keeping up with my newsletter then you know about the National Charity Model Search benefiting Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep.  Click [ here ] for more information about this fun opportunity.

Well now it’s your turn to take part.  Come vote who you think is America’s cutest kid. Each vote is only a dollar and goes to this very unique charity organization.  Here’s how:

Go to the site http://sandypucvotes.com

Look for Los Angeles, California and select View Gallery or just click [ here ]

Slect F-H to access the thumbnails.  or just click [ here ]

Who should you vote for? May I suggest Akane Gonzalez, 2 years old from Van Nuys Ca?

Or Ashton Hallock, 4 years old from West Hills, CA?

There’s still time to enter your child into the modeling contest.  And if you’ve been thinking about getting portraits of your kids this a great opportunity to get prints at a special rate just for this event.  Don’t wait! Contest ends in March!

Blog Announcement:

Is your child America’s Cutest Kid?

 I’m very excited to be participating in the National Charity Model Search to select “America’s Cutest Kid” and to raise funds for charity.

 We’re looking for cute children ages 18 months to 14 years old to model for a portrait to be entered into the contest.

 Models Search Special:

$50 entrance fee, which includes a 45 minute model session and one image submitted to the national gallery.

 Finalists will be determined by online votes. Anyone may vote. Each vote is $1, and all proceeds from votes benefit the non-profit Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. (NILMDTS.org)

Grand prize national winner will be determined from the 50 city finalists. Winners selected by photography and modeling industry experts.

 If your child is selected the national winner, you’ll receive many prizes, including a $5,000 US Savings Bond and a Canon PowerShot G10 digital camera.

 If you’re interested in entering your child(ren), please call the studio at 818-585-1621. For more information about the contest, go online to www.sandypucmodels.com.

This charity is directed at families who’s babies are terminal. It is a charity created out of a labor of love and I’m happy to have a part in it.

http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/about_us/

For families overcome by grief and pain, the idea of photographing their baby may not immediately occur to them. Offering gentle and beautiful photography services in a compassionate and sensitive manner is the heart of this organization. The soft, gentle heirloom photographs of these beautiful babies are an important part of the healing process. They allow families to honor and cherish their babies, and share the spirits of their lives.