from paintbrush to lens

I have moved! www.sarahmaizlandblog.com

maizlandphotos — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 07:41:57 +0000

My new and (seriously) improved blog is up! It is now at: www.sarahmaizlandblog.com

This will be my last post here, all future posts will be at my new blog! Yipeeee!

Jacob, Caitlin and Babies, Family Shoot, Roseville Ca

maizlandphotos — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 07:36:06 +0000

It was raining. Not sprinkling, raining. Caitlin calls me, she is on her way. Most photographers would have canceled days before when they saw there was a chance of rain. Most clients would have canceled when they got in their car and saw rain. Apparently we are not like most people. I have this thing about canceling and making things work. It comes out when I am loading up the dishwasher and it is admittedly full but I still have dishes in the sink. What do I do? Make them fit. Determination. Caitlin has it also.

The all time trooper of the year award goes to Caitlin and Jacob. Here is this lovely little family all dolled up out in the not so nice weather following me into a muddy field while the rain goes in and out. Oh and did I mention I looked a little like the cat lady, with my over-sized orange tote bag, sneakers and long trench coat, complete with a mismatched scarf. Yet they followed me full of trust, smiles, laughter and a great attitude.

Both children were amazing. Ella is 2 years old and sweet little Dean is 8 months. Ella is a doll. Seriously–a doll. I wanted to take her home and adopt her as Eden’s not so twin sister. Dean has these huge bright eyes that light up and sparkle when he smiles. No joke, they literally sparkle, I swear I saw little fairies dancing around in them. Gorgeous.

I can just see her little wheels turning…..Dad, what are you doing to Mom?

I love this one. Her tiny hand under his chin.

Why don’t double chins look amazing on adults also?

I cannot handle her cuteness.

Do you see the little faires?

For more images from this shoot or to purchase prints Click Here!

Bryce + Holly, Lovers, Roseville & Old Lincoln

maizlandphotos — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 23:33:17 +0000

One year anniversary just came and went for Bryce and Holly. Married for one year.

Bryce and I are cousins….sort of. Second once removed…..or maybe it is first cousins, once removed. I have no idea. All I know is that since I can remember Bryce has been part of my family. A few years back he told me about a girl he was interested in, (I bet you can’t guess what her name was)–Holly. They were just friends at the time but he had plans. Around a year after that he brought his “special friend” over to my parents house. Within minutes of talking to her I learned that she grew up on an Almond Farm and then she proceeded to make fun of herself. This was when I knew I liked her. Holly is sweet, humble, smart and funny. She has this light demeanor about herself that lends easy to laughter and puts people around her at ease. Old people adore her and children flock to her (mine especially). When she left our house that day my sister and I exchanged some form of all-knowing comment about how we had just met Bryce’s future wife. Thankfully, we were right.

Since Will and I moved up to Sacramento we have gotten to spend more time with Bryce and Holly. All of my suspicions about how amazing Holly is were true (Bryce: we already knew you were amazing, hence the emphasis on your lovely wife). I am pretty sure that Eden wants to be on some kind of long term loan to Holly. She ADORES her. Shooting them was so much fun and apparently I can now add “model” to the list of things that these two are good at. No joke. Models.

Ummm seriously? This was like the second photograph I took.

Who starts a session looking that amazing? They do.

I can’t handle this. So sweet.

Gorgeous. Simply gorgeous.

How do you not just love this couple?!?

I almost died when he pulled out this look. Apparently my cuz is all GQ.

Look at you two. So stinking hot.

You can take the almond out of the farm but you can’t take the girl out of the almond.

Yes I know, perfect logic.

Click Here for more images from Bryce and Holly’s shoot, or to purchase prints.

For more information on sessions go to: www.sarahmaizland.com

Eden is two

maizlandphotos — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 17:54:06 +0000

Eden turned 2 yrs old on October 2nd.

My memories of her birth are scattered. I remember the first thing I learned about her was her hair color. The doctor announced it as she was coming out. I remember what a good little nurser she was in the hospital. This girl came out hungry and just knew what to do. I remember taking her home from the hospital. She had a huge diaper explosion the second we got in the car and I remember wondering if the hospital would consider taking her back. What?!? Not permanently, just temporarily until they had cleaned her up. I didn’t get my wish. She was mine at that point. No going back.

Eden is a little girl after my own heart. Over the last two years I have watched her little personality emerge. She is full of joy, delight and a lover of all things beautiful. She is just perfect.

My little weirdos

maizlandphotos — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 17:24:36 +0000

Kourtnee + Ian, Antelope

maizlandphotos — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 23:36:05 +0000

I have known Kourtnee since I was twelve. I have known Ian since last Sunday. So you could say that the cards were stacked against him. But seriously, he is amazing. Ian is kind, gentle, smart and treats Kourtnee like a Queen. He just has this vibe about him that makes little children and random animals like him. So naturally, I immediately loved him.

Kourtnee wanted one more hang out night before she flew back to Hawaii were she lives and works. So I threw out the idea of a mini shoot of the two love birds. I was super excited that she was game. I have secretly wanted to photograph Kourtnee ever since we were 12. Okay, I didn’t know in Jr. High what a shutter speed was or how to work a fancy camera….but the artist in me wanted to capture her beauty. She fell right into my trap. And as you can see, I was right. The camera loves her.

For more images of Kourtnee and Ian Click Here!

Claire + Kyle’s Wedding, Wine and Roses in Lodi

maizlandphotos — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 21:50:18 +0000

Kyle and Claire met in France. Love at first sight? Not exactly. They actually could not stand each other. This lasted about 2 hours and the rest….well these pictures tell a very different ending. They went on to date for 6 years before Kyle finally got up the nerve to tie the knot. Claire is strong and in control, she was the calmest bride I have ever encountered. Kyle is laid back and one huge goof. They are perfect for each other.

The wedding and reception was at a gorgeous venue in Lodi called Wine and Roses. I had so much fun second shooting for this wedding. Doug Miranda was the main photographer I shot with and he seriously is one of the kindest people I have ever met. He is very talented and I felt privileged to be able to capture so many beautiful moments on Kyle and Claire’s day with him.

Julie + David’s Wedding, River House, Bend Oregon

maizlandphotos — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 06:29:17 +0000

The meet at a party…..a nerd themed party that David and his roommates put on. There he was, suspenders a pocket protector and thick glasses. But she could see through his costume. They had chemistry. One look at that gorgeous smile of hers and this bachelor was toast. Soon after they first met, Julie in turn threw an ice cream social at her place. A clever way for their paths to cross again.

I have known Julie for almost ten years. I was at that ice cream social and I made a point to spend some time with this David guy…..I had some questions. You know the kinds of questions that you ask a potential love interest of your closest friends…..the personally invasive, perhaps slightly inappropriate for just meeting you, kinds of questions. David handled my interrogation with ease. He was kind, humble, smart and sensitive. All the qualities a girl can ask for in the man that her friend is interested in. I texted Julie that night and not to gloat….but I called it.

Fast forward around a year and a half later and we are brought to this day. This day that I was privileged to be a part of. Her wedding was in many ways a family affair. Meaning almost my entire family was in it. My son was the ring bearer, my husband the DJ and I was a bridesmaid who occasionally couldn’t resist picking up her camera. The day was perfect in every way…..from the gorgeous Oregon weather, adorable flower girls and ring bearer, to the song that Julie surprised her new husband with at the reception. Julie and David, I love you both so very much. You are both so special to me and every member of my family. I hope these photos are always able to transport you back to that beautiful day and the precious promises that were made on it.

Charity + Tim, Wedding, Medford Oregon

maizlandphotos — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 04:10:24 +0000

“I walked into my philosophy class at Talbot and immediately saw him sitting there; this cute, tall, red-head”. That was it for Charity. The girl that guys have swooned over for years was finally swooned herself–I can personally attest to this. I have known Charity for 10 years and I have seen the countless (literally–I actually cannot count them) men pursue her, heard stories and laughed at them (I know its mean….but we did!). But Tim got her. Her first boyfriend, her first love. I remember her telling me once that if a guy could make her laugh it was all over. She was in her own words a “humor slut” (yes Charity you said it…..I posted it for the world to read). If there is one thing that Charity and Tim do and do well together it is laugh. I am not sure if I have ever been around Tim for more than 5 minutes without seeing him draw my mature, sophisticated friend into a childish game that results in both of them loosing complete control, breathless laughter…and very possibly some other substance like water, food….whatever is available for the provoking.

I was not sure at first about shooting this wedding……because I was in it. Yes–in it. As in, I am a bridesmaid and the photographer. Thankfully, Charity had two other friends, Brad Cate and Melissa Cate who were also willing to shoot the wedding and be there especially when I was busy with bridesmaid duties. They both are amazing artists and I adore each of them;together we pulled it off. This was my second wedding and I am so excited about the images I got. Granted, it is hard to take a bad picture of these two but still….I am taking full credit.

Charity, thank you for believing in me enough to place your one and only wedding day in my hands. I love you both and I hope you love these pictures as much as I loved taking them!

Stephanie, Portrait, Old Sugar Mill–Wine tasting

maizlandphotos — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 03:25:27 +0000

My sister is beautiful. But not just beautiful she is also really, really cute. That is a hard combo to pull off but Steph does it. Steph and I went to the Old Sugar Mill to go wine tasting and saw these amazing old buildings and barrels and decided to do an impromptu photo shoot. She was really worried about her “sexy face” (aka: any picture where she is not smiling). We worked on her this and by the end of this shoot she was pulling out these sexy faces and soft eyes that would make any and all heads turn. Stephanie is good at everything she does. Its no surprise that taking a good picture is one of them.

Your killing me. My favorite sexy face…..ever.

Torrie + Matt, Wedding, San Juan Capistrano Mission

maizlandphotos — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 04:59:35 +0000

“We met at church 4 years ago….” she simply replies to my question of what their story was. That simple. That was it–they just knew. Matt is very quiet but straightforward–in Torrie’s words “he marches to the beat of his own drum”. And she loves him for it. Torrie is bubbly and sensitive–full of life and passion and she has this way about her that puts people at ease. They make a perfect match. Their ceremony and vows radiated and spoke of a love that is not of this world–Christ’s love. It was beautiful. I was so excited when I realized that my first real wedding was of a couple that knew Christ and wanted a ceremony that gave Him glory. Right before Torrie and her Dad walked out to a field full of people who loved them, I started to cry. She jokingly asked me how many times I had done this (thank the Lord it was a rhetorical question!). I hope that I never loose that though–no matter how many weddings I do. The ability to feel things deeply that are meant to be felt deeply. Things that are serious, whimsical, beautiful and somber all at the same time.

This wedding technically was not mine. I tagged along as a third shooter for a photographer who really didn’t need me there. But to Torrie and Matt I was one of her photographers–treated equal by her, to these greats that I was shooting along side. She lavished me with praise and had full confidence in me. Torrie will never read this. Out of respect for the main photographer I let her believe that we were all one. But I know I was her favorite –what!?! I totally was. Regardless, I am going to pretend that she will. Torrie and Matt: Thank you. Thank you for being you. Thank you for sharing precious moments with me and letting me into one of the most sacred days of your life. I didn’t just take away pictures for my portfolio….I took away an experience of real love. Real commitment. It was a perfect start this new chapter of my life.

LA Shoot This! Balboa Shootout

maizlandphotos — Sat, 29 May 2010 23:00:50 +0000

This was a shootout that I attended the night before escalate….the afternoon of a work tradeshow….oh yes and the same week as the Style Lab. Needless to say I did not have it in me to stay for the whole thing. But I showed up and got some great shots of some amazing models for about an hour before I retired to a bowel of ice cream and a chick flick with my hubby.

A very special thank you to the following for making this event happen :: LA Shoot This! 5.16.10 event – Sponsored by Canvas on Demand. Event produced and organized by http://JoelleLederPhotography.com/ ::
Canvas on Demand – http://CanvasOnDemand.com/
FolioMojo – http://FolioMojo.com/
ProPhotoBlogs – http://www.ProPhotoBlogs.com/
…ShootQ – http://web.shootq.com/
HAIR and MAKEUP ARTIST TEAM:
*Michelle Cheng – http://www.facebook.com/pages/MichelleCheng-MakeupHair-Artist/113652721993382?ref=nf
*Shirley Vazquez – http://www.ocbridalartistry.com/
*Shannon Ely – http://ochairstylistshannonely.com/
*Katie M & team -http://katiem.com/
Location for the models to get ready:
Salon TM 2 – in Irvine, CA
website – http://www.salontm2.com/
facebook page – http://www.facebook.com/pages/Irvine-CA/Salon-TM2/134948444776?ref=ts
Clothing Provided by:
Joanna with Blue Violet Boutique in Beverly Hills, CA
http://www.bluevioletboutique.net/
Kim with BabyKakes in LA
http://store.ustrendy.com/babykakes
facebook page – http://www.facebook.com/BabykakesInLa?ref=ts

Ali + Tim’s Birthday Bash–Found Vintage Rentals, Fullerton Ca

maizlandphotos — Wed, 26 May 2010 02:12:31 +0000

No one does parties like the Howells. Alli is one of those people who thinks to herself: I want to make a chocolate pie….first I will plant a coco tree in my garden (does coco even come from trees?), harvest the coco powder and then milk a cow, make butter, buy a chicken that will lay some eggs. Ok– I exaggerate. But so far I am aware of them making bacon…*yes–making*, vanilla extract and brewing beer. The list goes on. So you can imagine what kind of a party someone like Allison throws. Um…amazing ones. When I throw a party I think to myself: what would Alli do? Then I attempt some amazing Martha Stewart feet and…fail. Usually the night ends with me in tears and some grandiose plan that has crashed and burned with a husband who I owe many apologies to: “I am sorry for….throwing the measuring cup at you….. not listening to you when you told me that 4 desserts was more than enough….ordering you around like Hitler PMS-ing.” I could go on but you get the point.

For Alli’s sisters 30th birthday party she got together with Jen who owns a vintage rental furniture company called Found and collectively they made an un-forgettable display on her front lawn. It was a French theme (Oh yes–all of Alli’s parties are themed)….she had home made french fries (there was boiling oil in a pot on their front lawn frying potato strips–fire extinguisher close at hand) to a menu all in French and a live band. Every detail perfectly executed. As always the party was a huge success. Here are a few of my favorite pictures…….

Chenin Boutwell + Wedding Chicks, The Style Lab, San Juan Capistrano

maizlandphotos — Sat, 15 May 2010 18:19:11 +0000

I did it. I decided to fork out a pretty penny to spend the day learning from one of the best in the industry. Chenin Boutwell and The Wedding Chicks got together and put on an intimate workshop with around 15 other photographers. The night before the workshop they rented out a small Mexican restaurant in San Juan Capistrano and had everyone meet there for a little pre-mixer. I thought I was really going for it and stepping out, making sacrifices….then I met the other photographers. The conversations went something like this:

Me: “Hi! I am Sarah, nice to meet you! Where are you from?” Photographer A: “Oh its good to meet you! I just flew in from Canada to be here”.

Me: “Hi! I am Sarah, nice to meet you! Where are you from?” Photographer B: ” Good to meet you also! I am from Wisconsin”.

Me: “Hi! I am Sarah, nice to meet you! Where are you from?” Photographer C: ” You too Sarah! I am from Arkansas”.

You get the idea, right?I drove 45 minutes, they flew 4-5 hours. I left that evening feeling blessed to be so close to soooo much talent and just a tiny bit spoiled. The workshop the following day was awesome. I felt like a sponge that someone was dumping buckets and buckets of water onto. I sat in the 2nd to front row and apparently made weird faces when I was confused. Amy Squires, one of the co-owners of the Wedding Chicks, called me out on this on multiple occasions. It was a day well spent. I learned about branding, how to get published, the client experience and it ended with a mock wedding shoot lead by Mrs. Chenin–who is by the way, amazing.

Below are some of my shots from this shoot.

A many, many thanks to all the vendors that made Style Lab possible……

Founders Of Style Lab

Boutwell Studios: http://boutwellstudio.com/;The Wedding Chicks: http://www.weddingchicks.com/

Vendors Involved With Style Lab; Venue: Bella Collina Golf: http://www.bellacollinagolf.com/

Styled By: Amanda Auer of IN THE NOW http://inthenowweddings.com/;Stationary: Paper + Thread: http://www.paperandthreadstudio.com/

Floral Design: The Vine’s Leaf: http://thevinesleaf.com/; Rentals: Classic Party Rentals: http://www.classicpartyrentals.com/

Rentals: FOUND Vintage Rentals: http://www.vintage-rentals.com; Dress Designer: Jenny Yoo: http://www.jennyyoo.com

Makeup & Hair: Nyrie Aitken: http://www.symmetrybeauty.com/; Deserts & Goodies: Erica O’Brien Cake Design: http://www.ericaobrien.com/

Film/Cinema: Crafthouse Productions: http://www.crafthouseproductions.com/

Coffee Bar: Annabelle’s Coffee: http://www.annabellescoffee.com/

Linens: La Tavola Linens: http://www.latavolalinen.com/

Jewelry: Little Angels’ Jewelry: http://www.etsy.com/shop/littleAngelsJewelry

Estes: http://www.etsy.com/shop/estes

Andrea + Daniel, Engaged Paintballers, Huntington Beach

maizlandphotos — Sat, 15 May 2010 15:27:55 +0000

Andrea and Daniel are pros. Literally Pros. Pro Paintballers to be exact. They traveled the world together on their sponsor’s dime doing what they love. Paintball. “What happened next!”, you ask? Surprise, surprise, they fell in love. When I first met Andrea and Daniel at the pier in Huntington Beach one of the first things that stood out to me was their height difference. It was adorable. Here is this super athletic woman who was half her partners size. They were so relaxed around each other and clearly at home. It was a refreshing and energizing afternoon.

I am so excited for both of you and your up and coming marriage!

David’s Swim Tournament, Cal Poly Pomona

maizlandphotos — Sat, 01 May 2010 17:41:58 +0000

My brother David is a fish. That kid has swam since Kindergarten. I can remember seeing a picture of this small boy wearing a blue speedo, two front teeth gone with a bunch of gold medals around his neck. Not to anyone’s surprise, David at age 20 is still competing. I don’t think he does it for those gold medals anymore, but because he loves it now. I was so excited that one of his Sierra College Swim tournaments brought him and my Dad down to my neck of the woods here in southern california. I hopped at the chance to go see him and re-live my own glory days. Here are some of my favorites!

Oh and did I mention my sister was there also?

Charity + Paul, Trash the dress, Laguna Beach Ca

maizlandphotos — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 00:35:58 +0000

I know Charity well. We were college roommates. If there is one thing that everyone who has ever met Charity knows about her it is her love of pictures. I do not think I have ever known or met someone who adores photos as much as she does. So naturally she is up for just about anything when it comes to getting a good picture. When I suggested that we do a “trash the dress” shoot she was all game. ***disclaimer: we did not literally trash her dress. It just got really dirty and maybe a little wet.

Venice Beach Art Wall Shoot Out

maizlandphotos — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 22:59:35 +0000

This was my first shootout with LA Shoot this. These was taken at the Venice Beach Art Walls. It was a blast. Take a peek at some of my favorite shots of our amazing models!

Andrea + Lydia, Kid shoot, Crystal Cove Beach

maizlandphotos — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 02:55:50 +0000

Wendy and Tim adopted these two sweet little girls. They are sisters. I have so much respect and love for this sweet little family. I was thrilled to get to capture these children at Crystal Cove. Towards the end we did some “dress up” pictures where Lydia put on some of her mommies clothes. She is a beautiful little woman.

Charity + Paul, Engaged, Fullerton Ca

maizlandphotos — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 05:24:35 +0000

The first picture I saw of Paul he was wearing makeup. Lots of eye makeup. Paul was Mr. Darcy in a Biola re-make of Pride and Prejudice. Charity was Elizabeth. I have known Charity for about ten years. She is amazing in every way. Charity is one of the most loyal, kind and self-sacrificing people I have ever encountered. She is fun loving and has a lightness about her that draws people to her. When she first told me about Paul it was classic. She mentions casually that she thinks she has a crush on this guy named “Paul” who she had known for awhile and done this play with. I was not totally sure what I thought about this Paul character. Did he deserve Charity? I mean, come on–this is Charity! Then I met him. We did a double date out to B.J’s and both Will and I feel in love with him. He was this super outgoing, red head who shared some errie similarites with my husband….same taste in music, movie, humor, a mutual love of beer and all things sushi.

So it was no surprise to me when Paul filled me in on his plans to propose to my dear friend. I was ecstatic for them.

Julia, Jared and Tommy, Kid Shoot, Laguna Beach

maizlandphotos — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 16:43:54 +0000

Jared, Julia and Tommy are Colleen’s children. I have worked with Colleen for about 4 years. It is a funny story because when I first started working there I don’t think she cared much for me. In fact, I drove her crazy. I was this loud, energetic newbie filled with questions. But over time I wore her down–waaaay down. She adores me now. We talk every day and share details about our professional and personal happenings. Colleen is super hard working, full of integrity, has a great sense of humor and the cutest kids. There is nothing more important to her than her children. I was thrilled to spend the better part of the day with them and capture who they are together.

Juile + David, Engagment, Old Town Pasadena

maizlandphotos — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 15:18:33 +0000

I have amazing friends. Seriously, they are the best for millions of reasons. One thing that I adore in them is their un-wavering confidence in me. I have realized over the years that when it comes to my art I need a small handful of cheerleaders. People who believe in me and my ability to create something beautiful. Julie is one of these people. She is probably the most picky person when it comes to…..well everything–but she chose my paintings to decorate her apartment with. There is just this assumption that she carries into all of our discussions about things that I create that says: I know, you can do this.

Julie just got engaged. I have never shot an engagement before……before this one that is. The trust and utmost confidence that Julie gave to me by having me shoot her engagement spurs me on and makes me think that maybe I can do this whole photography thing. After taking hundreds of images of these two the one thing I did know with certainty was that they do not take a bad picture. They are born models. Seriously.