WEBSITE: New Design and Functionality

HURRAY! THOMPSON and SPRING Photography's new website is up. It features a streamlined design, a tweaked logo/identity, but most importantly the the new website has two important new elements:

1) It has a Shopping Cart which allows you to pick and choose the photos you want, the dimensions, etc. It even allows you to pick from our great print packages which provides substantial savings. With the shopping cart you can pay via credit card using paypal, or send the order for payment to be sent offline. It isn't the most sophisticate online shopping cart you will find, but at least it's a shopping cart... meaning no more faxing or mailing of order forms.


2) It's completely HTML, which may be seen as both a good or not so good thing. The not so good, is that it doesn't have the fancy flash element that allowed you to have a slide show experience. With HTML you have to click on each image to view it, there's no pause/play button. On the positive side, an HTML site makes it more internet friendly. Easier to load and easier to search. So, if you are looking for a Los Angeles photographer, or a Los Angeles Maternity Photographer, or a Los Angeles Family Photographer, or are looking to purchase a photo session as a gift certificate for a friend's baby shower you are more likely to find THOMPSON and SPRING Photography.

In addition, the new design also features custom background colors. Not an important feature in my book, but it does make the site more vibrant.

Oh, and you may also have noticed that to keep the identity consistent this blog has a new header. I'd love to know what you think, so leave us your comments.

SUMMER FUN - SPECIAL

Summer is officially here and that means it’s time to kick back with the family and create some memories that will last a lifetime. To help you remember those moments in years to come, capture them with photos... timeless shots of your kids jumping around the backyard, or eating an ice cream on the boardwalk or having their first swim in the kiddie pool… All moments you will want to treasure forever.

To celebrate summer, THOMPSON and SPRING Photography is offering a $100 Summer Fun print credit for your next session. Sessions must be booked by July 31, 2009 and must be scheduled in either July or August, 2009. Summer Fun special cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts. Value of the offer cannot be exchanged for cash.

A QUESTION OF LIGHT

As a natural light photographer the beauty of my photographs depends not only on the subject I am photographing, but more importantly on the light.

Having just returned from Europe, I couldn't help but notice the difference between the light in Southern California and the light in Northern Europe. Here the light is brighter more direct much like the stereotype of the American personality; there the light appears to be permanently diffused even on a sunny day, much like the reserved nature often attribute to folks from that part of the world. This quality of light gave my photographs a softer more contemplative quality, regardless of the sitter's own state of mind.

See below to see what I mean.

Color:

Black & White:

SUGAR AND SPICE

They say little girls can be mean, but the little girls that I recently met for a shoot were all sugar and spice and all things nice. They were intelligent, engaged, funny, yet demure. Their parents are patiently awaiting the arrival of number three, and unlike me, have the patience to wait to find out if they are having a boy or a girl.

Here are some of my favorite shots of this lovely family, that welcomed me into their home, into their hearts and ...into their kitchen. Thank you for a great morning!

A candid tender moment

DIFFERENT STROKES

You can share the same genes and the same upbringing, but siblings display remarkably different personalities from a very young age. This was certainly true of the fun threesome I recently shot. They were aged 8, 6 and 4 and from the minute I walked into their home their distinct personalities revealed themselves and there was a palpable energy between them.

While the shoot was comparatively short (due to children's expectantly shorter attention span) it was fun and lively. Here are some of my faves that celebrate the sibling bond and hint and each child's personality. Enjoy!

FAMILY TIES

I recently shot photos of a great family, super easy going with lovely kids. They live in Northern California so had schedule their shoot months ago to coincide with a family trip they were taking down to Los Angeles.

Though the shoot wasn't blessed with the usual Southern California sun, I still think the wait was worth it.

Check out this adorable family.

CALIFORNIA SUNSHINE

As I was sick most of last week, I've been back logged and have been meaning to post a few photos from a recent shoot with a super cute, super cool family.

Their eldest daughter, just over two, was having a blast running around and playing in the sand. Is it just me, or is there something so magical about a child laughing? While you can't bottle up the laughter, the laughing photo below is pure sunshine bound to shine warmth for years to come.

SUPERMODEL IN-TRAINING

I had the pleasure of photographing a delightful 18 month old for her modeling portfolio. As you can see from the photos she is not only photogenic but has a lot of personality. She was also very friendly considering I was a complete stranger just snapping away with my weird machine. But she didn't mind and she happily ran around.

The only challenge (aside for the fact that you can't give direction to a toddler) was how much energy she had. She was running around so fast, she made me feel like I should be spending more time at the gym.

Here's a peek at our photo session. Maybe she'll autograph them for me when she gets famous.

I think the one in the cowboy hat is the proverbial "money shot". Wouldn't you just do anything for a face like that?

LOVE ME TENDER

There is nothing quite as wonderful as the love that is shared between parents and their children. This was certainly true with the family I photographed recently. There were such lovely tender moments; moments that unfortunately are all too fleeting as little ones become big before we know it. Hopefully some of these photos well help them hold on to these precious moments for just a little longer.

They say the best thing that you can do as a parent is to nurture your marriage as it provides the foundation for everything else. This wonderful couple is doing just that, and their kids are obviously benefiting from it. Check out this loving (and might I add handsome) family.

FATHER AND SONS

They say good men are hard to find. Well, I had the opportunity to photograph a dad and his two lovely boys, and I can tell you they are all good men/boys. In spite of a busy schedule this dad manages to be really hands on and it shows from the bonds he has with his boys.

Check out these great lads.

KID CHIC

I'm always on the look out for great classic kids clothes that would also look great in photographs. I was very happy with myself when I discovered a French brand of clothing called Cyrillus that carries the most chic clothes for kids. It's such a bummer though because they aren't available in the U.S., but since they do sell their clothes online and have a catalog, they may just be open to international purchases. That's the global marketplace in action.

Take a look at these über-chic clothes. Little girls are known to want to dress like their mothers, but with clothes this cute, you'd want to dress like your kids.

All photos copyright of Cyrillus.fr

SIBLING FUN

I had a wonderful morning with the most delightful family; a family I had met at the birthday girl's party. While the weather for the shoot was more overcast than I would have hoped, the kids' bright and sunny personalities made the photos shine. The kids were so adorable, I found myself telling them I wanted to eat them... and I meant it! All three of them were absolutely delicious.

We ran around, hammed it up and just had a giggling good time. I have so many pictures from the shoot that I love, it's hard to pick my favorites, so here are just a few of the many.

FUN IN THE SAND

Can you believe it's February and we can go to the beach? That's one of the great things about living in Southern California and every time I pause to think about that, it makes me smile. Here are just a couple of pictures that make me happy we don't have to deal with snow.

For readers in other parts of the country, or the world. Don't be too jealous, we do have earthquakes after all.