Amy Shertzer Photography | Los Angeles Photographer » Families

Seeing Double {L.A. Beach Family Photographs}

admin — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 05:11:03 +0000

I had an absolutely delightful time on the beach last week with a couple of adorable little girls. Twin sisters, two years old, who most definitely gave me a good workout!

They also gave some other folks a great workout. . . Grandma and Grandpa!

This session was special for several reasons. . . Mom surprised Grandma with the photo session as a Mother’s Day gift earlier in May. The grandparents were going to be visiting later in the month and it was a gift that Grandma truly would cherish. Watching the magic between grandchildren and their grandparents is so fun. So, twins, with their grandparents, and a surprise gift session. . . you can see why it was so special!

Even though it was a Mother’s Day gift, Grandpa got a little bit of sweetness, too!

And then they were off! The girls were having such a great time, the only way they agreed to leave was with the promise of a return as soon as they went home to get bathing suits!

A Dapper Duo {Los Angeles Family Photographer}

admin — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:12:56 +0000

I had the absolute best time with this awesome family recently. We met up at one of my favorite spots for family photos in El Segundo and not only were the handsome little guys dressed in the most adorable outfits ever, they brought their fun-loving, full-of-joy attitudes, too!

This is one family that loves to laugh and have a good time together!

And I mentioned how adorable these boys are, right? Well, it’s worth saying again. . . I just love these smiles!

I mean, seriously, I just can’t stop grinning at these boys!

Spring Mini Sessions! {Los Angeles Photographer}

admin — Wed, 01 May 2013 04:54:41 +0000

It’s one of the most beautiful times of the year right now — all those lovely spring blooms are a perfect backdrop for portraits of your family or children. And with Mom’s special day coming up, there is no better gift than the one that will last a lifetime and bring a smile to her face every day. Just in time for Mother’s Day I am offering Spring Mini Sessions in El Segundo. It’s a wonderful opportunity to create memories, with a fun morning in front of the camera and cherished images that can be preserved for generations — capturing the most precious parts of your family.

Join me on May 11th for a fun, sweet mini-session. I’m so excited to be including this brass photo necklace (with your favorite image from your session) with each mini-session booked.

Contact me TODAY to book your mini-session for May 11th. Limited spots will fill quickly! amy@amyshertzerphotography.com | 424.261.2691

Certified Professional Photographer

admin — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 17:45:02 +0000

I am delighted to share the news that I just earned my Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) designation!

The Professional Photographers of America (PPA) formed a Certification Commission that developed and monitors the rigorous standards for earning your CPP. In order become a CPP, you must pass a tough written exam as well as submit images that meet specific professional standards. The images submitted must show work created for clients that excels in artistic and technical merit. You can read a little more about what certification means here.

Last year, I set my goal to become a CPP. So, I declared my candidacy and started on my journey. Unlike my previous career field (engineering), I did not go to school or earn a degree in photography. I am entirely self-taught. That doesn’t mean I haven’t taken numerous classes and workshops or spent countless hours producing, processing, and finishing images in the past 4+ years. I have a shelf full of books on photography, all dog-eared and highlighted from late night reading and studying! What it does mean is that unlike the end of my time studying and practicing engineering, that resulted in Bachelor of Science degree, I didn’t have any sort of official paper declaring my competence in photography. Until now. Now, I can proudly say that I am certified. Certified as a professional in my industry.

As one of my clients, you can have confidence and peace of mind that you are working with a professional. The Certification Commission states that their mission is to validate a consistent standard by which professional photographers can achieve and maintain a recognizable mark of excellence. You can count on that excellence not only in your beautiful images, but in all aspects of working with me.

Earning my CPP was a personal and professional goal of mine, but it is also a gift to my clients. A promise that you are working with a true professional.

Delightful {Los Angeles Family Photographer}

admin — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 05:24:32 +0000

I met this wonderful family on the Redondo Beach Pier a little over a week ago. They hadn’t done family pictures since the addition of their newest member, a handsome little now-4-month-old boy. Not that you need more reason than that, but Grandma was in town visiting, too, and it was a fun morning to get some pictures in the Southern California sunshine by the beach! We may not get the colorful foliage you find in other parts of the country during autumn, but when we have a good fall day, it’s downright delightful. And this day definitely goes into that category!

A beautiful family with 2 handsome little boys. . .

. . . just so much goodness to soak up!

Jumping for Joy! {Los Angeles Family Photographer}

admin — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 06:09:06 +0000

I had such a great time with this family! Loved their styling, the location, their pooch (Ruby!), and just how amazing they are together.

We had fun piggy back rides and sweet moments between brother and sister. . .

A boy and his dog. . .

And even some jumping for joy before it was all over!

All I Want for Christmas. . . {Los Angeles Family Photographer}

admin — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 16:47:55 +0000

. . . is my two front teeth! I just couldn’t stop singing that little ditty in my head as I edited this sweet family’s pictures. Isn’t she just Adorable, with a capital A?!

I love getting to capture that age. . . she’s got lots of personality, little self-consciousness and loads of cuteness. And to capture that time when their mouths have a few toothless gaps is so fleeting and precious!

Although, even though little brother has a full mouth of baby teeth, he’s just as adorable! I love, love his sweater romper!

It’s easy to see where those kiddos get their adorableness. . .

Such a sweet, loving, good-looking family!

The Girls with the Curls! {Bozeman Family Photographer}

admin — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 18:37:49 +0000

I absolutely LOVE how this beautiful family looked for their mini-session! Mom did such a great job styling them — coordinating (but not matchy-matchy) colors, fun textures and patterns, and great accessories!

I also absolutely LOVE how well this trio of siblings got along! They were not only adorable, but so well mannered and sweet to each other!

And. . . those CURLS! Aren’t they just to die for?! Such beautiful girls!

Not to leave brother out, by any means. I first photographed this handsome guy at his preschool 3 years ago. Those pictures are quite possibly some of my favorite preschool photos ever. He still knows how to work the camera!

Such a great family and I was honored to have them in front of my camera!

One of the family. . . {Los Angeles Family Photographer}

admin — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 06:26:02 +0000

Continuing with peeks from my Bozeman, Montana mini-sessions, this beautiful family was the first one up on Sunday afternoon. We moved to a new location, “Hidden Bridge” and the fall color screaming from the trees with just a hint of snow on the ground made this the perfect Montana spot!

Like most good Montana families, theirs includes a dog. I absolutely adore this first shot of the entire family — color-coordinated leash and all! This pooch is definitely one of the family!

These two boys were like a glimpse into my own future. . . a few years old than my 2 boys, their personalities and bonds really struck a chord of familiarity! Older brother is a little more reserved and younger brother is full of spunk, yet you could see in one glimpse how much they love and admire each other.

As you can see, even without their canine member, they make quite a handsome family!

Montana Gold {Los Angeles Family Photographer}

admin — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 00:11:47 +0000

Fall is one of my favorite times of year, especially in Montana. The countryside gets this beautiful golden glow, that is really accentuated as sunset nears. It’s a beautiful scene any time of day (or year), but autumn sunsets are downright breathtaking!

This family was the perfect group to end my first day of shooting in Montana. Aside from the gorgeous scenery, the 3 kiddos were pretty darn spectacular (and adorable!) too!

Pure Montana gold!

The Brothers {Los Angeles Family Photographer}

admin — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 06:12:22 +0000

Count this crew as another set of familiar faces! I photographed these boys a couple years ago and they are easily at least a foot taller each! Still just as handsome and adorable!

The entire family was looking pretty good, in fact!

And despite the chilly temps, they were having so much fun that Mom suggest laying in the colorful fallen leaves. . . a great suggestion!

Go Bobcats! {Bozeman Family Photographer}

admin — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 18:44:29 +0000

One of the reasons I continue to travel back to Bozeman, Montana for photo sessions every year is that our family plans to make that our permanent home once my husband is retired from the Air Force. Another reason I go back is so I can continue to photograph so many amazing clients that started with me from the beginning! This is one of those families! And every year I just keep having more and more fun with them!

A perk of going to Bozeman in the fall is that you get to experience a bit of Bobcat football frenzy! Bozemanites love their Bobcats and when this family requested a photo in their team gear, I just couldn’t resist!

A chilly start. . . {Los Angeles Photographer}

admin — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 19:29:22 +0000

When I saw that it was snowing in Bozeman, Montana the day before I was flying in for the weekend to do family pictures for 16 families, I had a little panic attack. Thankfully the snow cleared out and we had sunny skies for my first morning of mini-sessions. With the gorgeous fall color, it was really a perfect scene!

Except for the fact that it was only 16 degrees F outside! My poor little 4-year-old client was absolutely too frozen to smile!

But, after some snuggles and kisses from mom and dad, he warmed right up!

Since it was so bitter cold, I offered them the opportunity to come back for a few more photos during my afternoon sessions. At least 30 degrees warmer, we didn’t even need mom and dad kisses to bring on the smiles this time!

I had such a great time seeing this dear family twice in one day — I’m so glad they were such troopers!

Smiles Chase the Clouds Away {Los Angeles Family Photographer}

admin — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 23:05:09 +0000

Another session from the summer that got buried in my files was with this great family! We had a little bit of ocean views (albeit on a gray day!) and we found an amazing blue wall — a perfect backdrop. Even though the sky was solid gray, the smiles we got made for a happy day. These just might be some of my favorite images from the summer!

Beach Babies {Los Angeles Family Photographer}

admin — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 23:13:49 +0000

Lots of families love to do photo sessions on the beach. When you live within 2 miles of the coastline, I can’t say I blame them. For this family, however, I can’t think of a more appropriate place for their pictures. . . both mom and dad are surfers. They met while surfing, just a little ways down the beach from where we did their session. Pretty perfect, I say!

Mom suggested bringing down a few arm chairs and I loved the idea! So that’s how we started. . .

Then we moved down to the water (what’s a beach without water!). . .

We even had a little time to play on the sand. . .

And then we wrapped things up right where we started, but with just a little more flair! Aren’t these just fab?!

We proved this morning that you don’t need a surf board to have fun at the beach!

2012 Fall Mini-Sessions are here!

admin — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 04:53:30 +0000

Fall is in the air, which means it’s time for holiday mini-sessions! I have dates set for Los Angeles and Bozeman, Montana, but space is limited so contact me ASAP to reserve your spot.

As always, your 15 minute session will yield a gallery of 10-15 images to review. You can purchase items a la carte or select one of my popular holiday collections. Included with your $75 session fee is a set of 25 custom-designed, full-color, flat, 5×7 holiday cards. I have some beautiful designs for this holiday season and will release them soon!

A Lovely Winner {Los Angeles Family Photographer}

admin — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 01:14:29 +0000

As a children’s photographer, with children of my own, it should come as no surprise that I am a big supporter of local schools. The El Segundo Ed! Foundation was started with the sole purpose of narrowing the gap between the state funds required to maintain excellence in our schools and what is actually provided by our state. Millions of dollars have been slashed from our district budget in the last few years. Ed! has stepped up, rallying community support and donations, to keep our schools strong.

One of biggest fundraisers of the year is the Ed! Gala, a night of food, dancing, and fun, including a silent auction. I was delighted to donate a photography package to the auction and this family was the lucky winning bidder!

Not only does their donation go to support our local schools, they’re going to have beautiful portraits gracing their walls — which sounds like a great big WIN for everyone!

Thanks to this lovely family for their generous donation and their generous smiles. It was such a fun session!

Boy’s Best Friend {Los Angeles Family Photographer}

admin — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 17:41:46 +0000

My last session in Bozeman almost didn’t happen. It was the night before flying back to Los Angeles and the rains started around 5 p.m. And they continued for another 2 hours. We went into standby mode and when it looked like the skies were finally going to dry up, I quickly called and said “let’s go!”

And all that worry was worth it! We had the most beautiful light and location and an awesome pair of brothers! Like all good Montana families, they also have a furry “sibling” that took part in the fun!

Yes, there were smiles and hugs and laughter, but these are boys, afterall, so there was plenty of mischief and silliness, too!

There was also something else super special about this session, but I’m keeping my lips sealed for now. Just one more week and I can share the fun — so stay tuned!

Under the Rainbow {Los Angeles Family Photographer}

admin — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 13:03:08 +0000

This family is a familiar sight in front of my lens. . . I’ve been photographing them since 2010! I love getting to watch so many of my clients grow throughout the years and these kiddos are no exception!

It almost didn’t happen this time, though. Our session was scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Friday and at about 5:00 p.m. the sky grew dark and the storms rolled in. Rain poured. It did not look good. I held out hope that like most Bozeman storms, however, it would quickly pass. Well, at about 6:45 it was still raining but we decided to meet, crossing fingers, sending up prayers, and doing every rain dance we knew. And sure enough, by 7:05 the drips stopped!

We were even treated to a fleeting rainbow — can you catch the light glimpse of it in this image?!

Even though it didn’t last long, it put us all in the perfect mood (with some pretty soft, flattering light) for an amazing session. Just take a peek. . .

Told you — amazing! Such an honor to have this beautiful family in front my camera yet again!

Friday Mini {Los Angeles Photographer}

admin — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 15:22:30 +0000

It’s Friday! Woo Hoo! Just as I promised, this week has been busy over here on the old blog. As we head into the weekend, I have one final sneak peek from a Mini Session I did in Bozeman with two little sweeties!

Sweet, smart, and spunky, these two sisters had plenty of adorableness to boot!

Happy Friday!