I See Beauty Blog » News

New Beginnings for a New Year

Jamie — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 18:30:11 +0000

First off, a belated Happy New Year to everyone! The end of 2011 came with a mixed bundle of delights and challenges. Looking back on the year I accomplished everything I said I would, and more. I launched an updated look and website for I See Beauty, as well as being certified as an Eco-Friendly photographer forwarding my commitment to the betterment our children’s future. I took a two month journey to Australia and New Zealand establishing some very deep friendships, creating life long memories, and capturing some amazing images. But the thing I accomplished in 2011 that is the most dear to my heart is that I became the foster mother of a very special 6 year old little girl.

The hurdles of mothering a child with a high level of special needs forced me to take a step back from my everyday life and business, to refocus my time and attention on stabilizing her. I am happy to say that we are making progress, and in this very short period of time my daughter and I have come a long way. The strides she has made is encouraging and I am hopeful for her continued success.

Now that it has been more than two months since motherhood came knocking at my door, I am working hard at achieving the balance so crucial with new mothers. How do I give my daughter the time and attention she so desperately needs, along with fulfilling my necessities, keeping the business I am so passionate about thriving, and finding a little break every now and then? These questions are all on my mind daily. I haven’t figured it all out yet, but I have been carving some much needed time out each week that is dedicated to I See Beauty.

With all that being said, I am excited for 2012 and where the unforeseen adventures will take me. The great news is I am back to photographing again after my unexpected break, so do not hesitate to contact me for pictures!

A special thanks to my friend Marcy for taking these beautiful images of us.

Feliz Navidad

Jamie — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 18:36:29 +0000

Mele Kalikimaka, Joyeux Noel, or Merry Christmas to all my friends in whatever part of the world you live in.

Glimpses of Motherhood {California Childhood Photographer}

Jamie — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 19:33:43 +0000

I have a very good reason for my blog absence lately. Not because I am not busy, or have nothing to post… on the contrary I have many things to share with you. For today I wanted to pass on the good news that nearly 3 weeks ago I took my first foster care placement making me a mother of a 6 year old little girl. It has taken so much time for the two of us to adjust. We are taking things one day at a time and have had many ups and downs. I wish I could say more, but there are many confidentiality limitations to being a foster parent, understandably.

While going through this adjustment period, I have had little to no time to sit behind a computer, because my nights are cherished for sleeping and my days are consumed by a child with many needs. Being a single parent, while working from home is not easy… But the good thing is I am slowing getting back on track and things are beginning to be accomplished. It is the little things that make me happy these days. Here is a picture of her, that was approved to be posted on my blog.

Spreading Cheer with Holiday Cards

Jamie — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 19:07:42 +0000

Introducing my ‘CHEERFUL’ holiday card collection, new for the 2011 season. This collection of three playful cards are flat 5×7′s, rather than the folded cards of prior years, which means you save money! All the card backs are interchangeable, and match each of the fronts. This new flat holiday card collection is added to my three other folded sets of holiday cards: CLASSIC, ELEGANCE and MODERN.

MAKING SPIRITS BRIGHT

OH JOY

PEACE LOVE CHEER

Time for Fall Mini Sessions!

Jamie — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 22:49:13 +0000

It’s that time of year, lets capture some updated family pictures for the holidays! This season I am doing 30 minute mini sessions for $125. Each session will have 10-12 images presented in an online gallery from which to order from. And there are special discounted print packages including holiday cards and gift prints too! Sign up for one of two available dates between 9am and 12pm. Email Jamie to reserve your spot : jamie@iseebeauty.com

Saturday October 15th ~ FULL!

Saturday October 22nd ~ FULL

Join me for Photos at the Beach!

Jamie — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 19:03:25 +0000

Want to get out of the heat, enjoy the fresh ocean air and capture great memories of your family all at the same time? Join me on the Central Coast for a special beach session. It is $260 for a two hour session, and all return clients will receive a special 8×10 print. I have 3 time slots available each day from July 29th through August 1st! I am just announcing my summer family beach sessions now, but only have 6 spots left. So email me asap to get into my schedule! jamie@iseebeauty.com

So Hard to say Goodbye…

Jamie — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 17:49:04 +0000

A month after I arrived home, I am finally making my final post from my grand trip to the Southern Hemisphere. What an amazing experience this was for me. I have gone up in hot air balloons, swam in the Great Barrier Reef, hiked through the worlds most ancient rainforest and up the side of a volcano, swam in natural hot water springs, visited countless amazing beaches, played with the bees, met unbelievable people and fostered new friendships. My pictures from the last 3 months on this blog are evidence to the lovely lands I have had the great fortune of visiting. And even more spectacular than the landscape of Australia and New Zealand, are its people.

While I have so many more places on planet earth I would like to visit, I do not think I am done with Australia or New Zealand. I have so much more I want to see. I never had a chance to visit the true Outback of Australia, and I want to go and hike through the Fiordland of New Zealand one day. For now, I will relive my journey through my images and memories. Thank you to every individual who made my trip possible, from those at home, to my hosts and new friends throughout my trip. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

The above image is the very last one I took during my trip and is my last glimpse of Hot Water Beach as we were walking away. I did have one more day in New Zealand but did not take my camera with me. We went to the worlds largest Polynesian markets. It was great to get a little culture in before I had to go home.

Hot Water Beach, again!

Jamie — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 17:30:04 +0000

Since our big plans for the day got canceled due to bad weather, Star and I ended up hitch hiking the 45 min drive to and from Hot Water Beach. It took two rides each way, so we were able to meet 4 different friendly kiwi’s and learn a bit about their life on the ride. “Thumbing it” as the locals call it, is pretty common in this area and when in pairs and using your intuition, it is fairly safe. We loved it!

It was a quiet day when we finally arrived at the hot springs, with only two large spas dug out and about a dozen people. It was cold, windy and overcast, yet the hot water bubbling up to the surface made it well worth striping down and taking a dip. I did not take many pictures here, because most of our time was spent getting to know the other travelers. The young lady on the far left of the picture below is from Switzerland. She just happened to be our roommate that night, and took the long journey from our hostel to the beach via bike! Wow, I thought we were ambitious sticking our thumb out and getting rides from strangers. She was so tired when she got back from her long bike ride that Star and I invited her to join us for dinner, and we ended up having a fantastic conversation with her that night. If I ever make it back to Switzerland, I will be visiting her!

Flaxmill Bay

Jamie — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 22:40:26 +0000

Our plans for the day were interrupted by the incoming storm and rough waters. We were supposed to go out on a small boat and explore all the islands and coves via the water, but it had to be canceled. I had told Star about Hot Water Beach and she expressed some interest in going, but there was no public transportation that would take us the 45 minute drive down to the area. So, we bravely set out on foot, hoping to get a ride from some friendly locals. About 30 minutes into our walk we discovered quaint little Flaxmill Bay at low tide. Like much of the coastline in this area, made out of soft limestone, Flaxmill had its own water carved rock that was simply amazing. We enjoyed our time in and around these rocks, and I had a field day taking panoramic photos.

I turn my back for one second and Star goes into my bag and sneaks a piece of chocolate…

Although it was low tide, we still had to cross some flowing rivers to get to the limestone rock. I just took off my shoes and waded through the water while Star decided to leap across. Nice form!

Whitianga Sunrise with Star

Jamie — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 19:48:15 +0000

It has been exactly one month since I arrived home in California, yet I still have more travels to share with you! The last 4 days of my journey to the Southern Hemisphere was spent with a good friend of mine named Star, whom also lives in Fresno and is like a sister to me. Since our time in this beautiful country was limited, I ended up taking Star back to The Coromandel Peninsula to show her the amazing coastal wonders that are abundant in this area.

Within 4 hours of Star’s arrival into the country, the two of us were on a bus taking another 5 hour journey to our destination, Whitianga. Needless to say that we went to bed early that night since she was exhausted… But early the next morning I was eager to wake Star up and go watch the sunrise. I could hardly wait after my last sunrise experience earlier in the week, and this one certainly did not disappoint! Our 6:30 am wake up time was well worth the effort and we were able to see the start of a glorious day right there at high tide on a beach piled with tens of thousands of shells! Magic.