It rained all week long. My camera and I had not had alone time together. I needed some sunshine to brighten my day.
My prayers were answered with these adorable cuties! Kids rock!
January 27, 2010 - 8:59 pm
What sweet kiddos! Love the new blog design as well!
January 27, 2010 - 9:23 pm
Thanks Jessica!
Now I know that the comments section works!
She is growing like a weed!!!
2 comments
January 25, 2010 - 9:09 pm
What a beautiful picture. I love the color and the texture.
January 26, 2010 - 11:32 am
Great picture and texture! I love the colors!!
I love disneyland. Before I had children, I could care less. But now, I think because my children love it so much…so do I.
After Jonathan got sick (see October 2008), We didn’t go for about 6 months. First of all, he could not even sit in a stroller and secondly I had to carry him. But after awhile I missed it and decided to go. I usually go alone with my children, my husband does not have the patience for the sea of strollers and whining
OMG, I thought I would die! I carried all 30 pounds of him in line for every ride. I swore I would not return until he was walking. So I waited, and I really thought he would wake up one morning and walk out of his bedroom. swear!
Then came his birthday and the one year anniversary of his illness. Still not walking. So, I decided to try it again. It was SO crowded and the lines were so long! After a few rides, I was so frustrated, I began to cry. I was on my way out of Disneyland, when I passed the city hall. I thought, let me ask them if they will let me bring my stroller in line and then I can pick it up at the end of the ride?
So In I went, and Im sure I looked weathered and frustrated. I said, “can you please help me? My son cannot walk and I cannot bear to carry him in line. Is there any way I could get special permission to bring his stroller in line with me??” He looked at Jonathan and then looked at me and said,”Of course!” ”Just take this pass with you to the ride and enter through the exit with his stroller, and they will help you on to the rides”.
Oh my gosh! I seriously thought about jumping up over the counter and giving him a bear hug! But, I didn’t. I just kept thanking him.
Since then, we have gone to Disneyland 4 times.
But I get the dirtiest looks from people looking at us. I mean, Jonathan does not wear his “handicapped” t-shirt (no, he does not really have one), so people do not understand. I would literally give anything to wait in those lines with a squirmy 3 year old, who climbed all over.
What is the moral of this???
1. Disneyland Rocks!
2. The next time you are there and see someone in the handicapped line and think to yourself, they don’t look handicapped…..smile at them, cuz they would much rather wait in line with you
1 comment
January 21, 2010 - 9:56 am
just wanted to say that i FLIPPIN love your blog colors!
Hey everybody!
Long time, no talk….I know! I am so excited for 2010, I cannot wait to see what is in store for us!!!
I just want to remind everyone of the Valentines Day deadline. To receive valentines cards and albums by Valentines day…your session MUST happen in January. As a really fun bonus, all sessions in January include 24 Valentines with envelopes. SWEET!!! I also have the mini valentines again this year…those are so fun and perfect to hand out in class!
Smiles,
Danielle
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I was bummed because the day before was pouring rain and I had to reschedule a session I had been looking forward to:(. Luckily the rain stayed away the next day so we could have some fun! The rooms were SO colorful…it rocked my socks!
Smiles,
Danielle
1 comment
January 9, 2010 - 12:14 am
Sornos & Mayadees, oh jeez, there are no words to describe the absolute cuteness!!
I am a dork. Yup…I said it.
I was so CRAZY busy this season that I did not get a chance to photograph my own children for holiday cards. I know…..I have gotten all the hints you have been dropping mom“I can’t believe you didn’t do holiday cards this year , people count on them”. I thought I was going to get grounded
So, instead, I am sending out New Years cards. So, if you are a friend or family who expects cards from me, and are mad…get happy! If you are not on my personal mailing list…please enjoy these gorgeous children of mine, who believe it or not gave me the HARDEST time photographing them. Jonathan hates having his picture taken. I was even cursing (inside my head of course, yes I talk to myself, but that is a whole other post!).
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!
Smiles,
Danielle
3 comments
January 1, 2010 - 6:29 pm
gorgeous as always…my fave is the one where he is nuzzling her neck… awwww so sweet.
January 1, 2010 - 6:53 pm
Your children are adorable! The one with Kelsey kissing Jonathan made me smile!
January 21, 2010 - 2:38 pm
Gorgeous kids, great portraits!!
I chose a winner. To be honest…I had a pretty hard time deciding. True hardships. Real struggles. All of them warmed my heart. Not the part where they were struggling, obviously, but the part where the person who nominated them so unselfishly described their strength and perseverance .
Thank you to everyone who nominated.
I will share with you soon the winner
For now, here is a sweet pic of my daughter with her gingerbread house………
Smiles,
Danielle
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I am sick as a dog..(what does that really mean??)
So, I am posting a few from this session, I want to post more, but I feel like my head is going to explode, and I know this family is dying to see a few images
Beautiful children…..{sigh}
Smiles,
Danielle
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As I drove up the drive, I came to their house. It was in the hills and had one of those driveways that you have to floor the gas to get up there. And then when you are up there…your not quite sure how you will get down. I thought for a moment….what should i do? Then said to myself, “self…this is no big deal…you used to drive an ambulance for goodness sakes” (this is one of those random weird facts about me ). So I did it, I gave it a lot of gas and I got up there. Just as I was getting out of my car, a lovely woman was walking up the drive. She laughed, introduced herself as “grandma” and told me there was no way she was driving up this driveway. (turns out grandma is an anesthesiologist….how awesome is that!!!! You rock Grandma! )
I turned to look at this amazing house. It instantly took me to my childhood, which I spent many summers in Germany. It was a very European cottage style home. Mom shared with me that the home was 8 years in the making and they have only lived here 2 weeks! It is gorgeous…It felt like a home…do you know what i mean?
Anyway…In this gorgeous cottage home lives 3 little girls. Each with their own distinct personalities….but with one thing in common…they are BEAUTIFUL!
Smiles,
Danielle
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Happy Thanksgiving!
I am so thankful. More so this year than others.
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 — $1800 worth, to be exact. It’s in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season. The chosen family will receive their session, one 16×20 portrait, all images from their session as 5×7’s, and all their images on CD.
Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a $250 portrait 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. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-vacation-home in Paris does not qualify as sincere financial need.)
* The nominee must reside within 100 miles of Rancho Cucamonga, Ca. Tell me who you know, what they’re experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.
* You must e-mail me the full story with the nominee’s contact information : danielle@daniellesimone.com
The winner will be called on Christmas 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.
Smiles,
Danielle
2 comments
November 26, 2009 - 10:05 pm
Hi Danielle,
Reading this it really made me think about life, and those that we touch each and everyday in the hospital. I thought of one person who has lymphoma he is only 22 or 23 yrs old and has 4 kids, who may not get to grow up with their dad, because he may not be around. He has been battling the lymphoma since the end of last year or the beginning of this year. He now has CNS involvement and is undergoing whole brain radiation. Something like this would be amazing for his children. Happy Holidays to you and your family.
Nicole
November 27, 2009 - 8:47 am
Nicole, get me their contact information as well as yours. Please email it and their story to danielle@daniellesimone.com
2 comments
November 21, 2009 - 8:48 am
You were right, they are a gorgeous family!
November 22, 2009 - 10:18 pm
Great pictures!!!!! Beautiful kids!!! How fun!!!
Yes…I did…I said fabulousness. Occasionally I like to make up words. Cuz…thats how I roll. You know exactly what I meant…right? Right.
More Fabulous portraits of this gorgeous family. This family is cousins with my last post…I guess fabulousness is genetic?
These little girls rocked the session.
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It was a late afternoon when I arrived. The sun was starting to set…and I was getting ready to photograph 3 families. A total of 17, 10 kids and 7 adults.
WHOA! I know what you are thinking…But it was simply fabulous. Gorgeous, gorgeous families. And so relaxed and happy. I had the best time…and more than once I paused and thought to myself…”self, (yes I talk to myself, don’t hate) I have the most awesome job in the whole world. Their happy, I’m happy, and I get to document the whole thing. Seriously…I am so lucky!
Here is part one of a simply fabulous session…..
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“Mommy, where are you going?”
“I have a session this morning, and you are going to go to Oma’s for some fun”.
“Who is the session with, do i know them?”
“it is with a family, and no, you don’t know them.”
“Well, when do I get a photo session Mommy?”
“Sweetie, I take your picture all the time.”
“I know, but I want a REAL session, just like the other kids that pay you.”
Well, maybe later when jonathan is napping, we will go outside?”
“NO! I want a real session somewhere different, not the backyard.”
“Let me think about it, OK?”
“OK Mommy, but…….what if I pay you one dollar?”
{My heart sank….I finally realized that she thinks she has to pay me…}
“SOLD….yes I will do it!”
{I got out my calendar and we scheduled it right there, and I told her she was a real client now, which meant she had to behave at the photoshoot and
that I was her photographer, not her mommy for the entire shoot.
“Deal Mommy!”
{she was so happy! Which of course, makes me happy too}
So, on the day of our photoshoot, Jonathan stayed home with daddy, we bought some new sassy boots and headed out.
Starbucks stop. {no coffee}.
She ordered a mint mocha frappachino with no coffee please. when she started drinking it , she told me “I think they put alcohol in it mommy, it tastes funny”. So, I asked the gal, and sure enough, she made it with coffee. Kelsey went into this long conversation with the girl about how children should not have coffee because it makes them hyper and this has only happened one other time, so she should not feel bad about giving coffee to a child. {like the frappachino does not make her hyper…I was dying with laughter}
Smiles,
Danielle
6 comments
November 10, 2009 - 11:01 am
What a fun idea, and of course the photos are beautiful.
November 10, 2009 - 11:28 am
Oh My Goodness what a cute story!!!!!!! I love it! She is beautiful! I would love to see Kelsey and Kaitlyn in pictures together… they look so much alike. LOVE the one with her rolling her eyes!
November 10, 2009 - 11:41 am
Yes Allison, they do look alike, especially with the same haircut! There was ALOT of eye rolling going on!
November 10, 2009 - 3:35 pm
Love them! How fun! Quality time with your daughter and your camera, oh and Starbucks!
November 10, 2009 - 9:06 pm
What a beautiful daughter you have! Cute story!
November 12, 2009 - 7:24 am
That story warms my heart. Beautiful photos of your girl. She’s gorgeous!
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Met this brother and sister duo for the first time today. They came ready for fun, and I totally love that!
Smiles,
Danielle
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When I was growing up, I had cousins. But I never really saw them. I had one set in New York, one in Denver and another in Germany. So I thought it was uber cool that these cousins got together for some fun today.
Smiles,
Danielle
4 comments
October 24, 2009 - 7:17 pm
LOVE THEM!! We will be contacting you soon!
October 24, 2009 - 7:18 pm
Great photos!
October 24, 2009 - 7:19 pm
Very cute!
October 24, 2009 - 7:20 pm
Can’t wait to see the rest!
It was a year ago this last saturday that Jonathan woke up from his nap paralyzed from the neck down. We decided to celebrate by having his birthday party on that very day. I have mixed feelings on the entire experience. I am sad because he is not where I thought he would be physically. But I am so joyful to have him here with us and that he has made so much progress. He has an adorable spirit and is such a hard worker.
He is still going to physical therapy, only 3 times a week now, and we are searching for the right preschool for him. He can stand alone for about 30 seconds, and he is very proud of that. He is a great crawler, and LOVES cars. Cars the movie, cars to play with, cars to sit in, you get the idea…
I have absolutely no doubt that he will recover. I cannot explain it, mothers intuition maybe? I pray every night and have faith that he will be healed.
Thank you to everyone who has prayed for him, continues to pray for him, and for everyone who sends me encouraging emails.
Happy 3rd Birthday to my beautiful son!
Smiles,
Danielle
3 comments
October 13, 2009 - 2:51 pm
What a little stud!
October 13, 2009 - 4:45 pm
He is so awesome, and you are a wonderful mama!
October 13, 2009 - 5:28 pm
He is such an amazing kid! Love those eyes!
This Family is GORGEOUS! Now, I know i say this all the time, but seriously….just stunning. And fun and talented!
Here is Cousin “K”, she came along for moral support. Happy Birthday “K”!!!!
The Kids and I headed to the pool house for a jam session. All the Children are talented pianists and singers!
After our Jam session, we headed outside to enjoy the amazing sunset and of course…have fun!
Brother thought it would be hilarious to put ice down “S”’s dress…
or throw it at her…
He is pretty fast!
these images melt my heart…(sigh)…
Smiles,
Danielle
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I am so blessed. Whenever I start to get down about my sons’ disability, God shows me what I have to be thankful for. I am thankful that I have the most wonderful opportunity to share my gift with children like Joaquin.
I want to share a story with you.
I was contacted by Loma Linda Childrens’ Hospital to photograph Joaquin for their charity campaign, and without hesitation, I said YES. So, the session goes great and I post a few pictures on my facebook. I totally bonded with this mother and son. Anyone who has had a sick child and knows the thought of losing them….well, it just sucks.
Then I get a message from Barnard. He is my childhood best friends (Darby) husband, and they live in Texas. He tells me that he saw my post on Joaquin. Joaquins’ mother whom I bonded with is his cousin! Like first cousin, their parents are brother and sister! Holy moly! What are the odds of that…so random, or is it???
So I email Joaquins’ mom to tell her the story and she emails me this:
I remember Darby sending me a link to B’s (Darby’s daughter that I have photographed since birth) photos a loong time ago. I remember thinking how beautiful they were. I remember thinking they looked to expensive for our own family photos! Isn’t it funny how things work out. That sneaky God..anyway sorry I get wordy sometimes. yay, jessica
OMG! I cant deny this
Smiles,
Danielle
1 comment
September 25, 2009 - 3:43 pm
Your pictures of Gianna Antonelli are excellent. She is a beautiful little girl, and you certainly know how to showcase it.
Mary Webb
by daniellesimone
2 comments