Lately

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Into the second week of the new year and things are good. I am so glad that my ankle is mostly healed and I can go on walks again. I really love being outside with this guy, even if he makes a face when I take his photo. We try to get out for a walk at least once every Saturday or Sunday and even that's a challenge. With photo shoots, football games, waiting for washing machine repair men, the sun setting so early still, and just wanting to laze around with the kitties, some weekends sneak by without getting a walk in, which is disappointing. We are trying to do a workout video every other night, which has been fun. And we've decided that once a week we will make a big salad for dinner. This week it was red butter lettuce, quinoa, walnuts, green beens, and chick peas with a garlicky vinaigrette. We ate vegetarian three nights this week, on Sunday we had pasta in a red sauce, the bulk of which was julienned zucchini (made possible with our mandolin). Then I made mushroom bourguignon. And after three nights of vegetables we both craved burgers, so last night we made turkey sliders. They were delicious. 

I started a 365 photo challenge on instagram. If you want to follow along, you can find me at roseannbathphoto.

We booked tickets to visit my parents in Hawaii, and leave February 7th, which is four weeks from tomorrow! When we get back I plan on looking for more nanny work, so I have between now and then to get in as many photo shoots as possible. If you've been wanting to book something now is a good time! 

Even though it's been beautiful out we're hoping for rain! Hard to believe how much snow is falling all over the country and we can't get a drop. 

Empire Mine Couples Session // Sam & Christian

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We headed up to Grass Valley over New Year's to celebrate with friends, and while we were there I got to do a session with the lovely Sam and Christian. They have been married for a year and a half and are one of the most incredible couples I know. On the morning of the last day of the year we explored Empire Mine State Park together (and took a few photos).

That place is full of history. If you're ever in Nevada County, check it out. Thank you Sammy and Christian for being such incredible models and for hosting us for new years! We love you guys!

Highlights from 2013

My goals for 2013 were to take as many photos as possible and to enjoy weekends off with Jeffery for the first time. Looking back, it was an incredible year. I experienced a lot of professional growth and am grateful for all of the beautiful people who got in front of my lens. I feel really lucky to be pursuing my passion. 

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In January I visited my parents in Hawaii and Jeffery and I spent our first wedding anniversary apart. When I was there, I did portrait sessions with both my mom and dad and had my first child portrait shoot with Miss Maile. It was that session that reaffirmed my love for photographing children and inspired me to pursue a career in family portraiture. 

In the Spring we enjoyed a weekend wine tasting with good friends friends in Napa, where I bought a hat and took lots of photos. 

For my 25th birthday, Jeffery and I celebrated with a getaway weekend to Anderson Valley. We stayed at the Boonville Hotel, took a day trip to Mendocino, hiked through redwood trees to the Navarro River, wine tasted at Toulouse Vineyard, toured the Philo Apple farm, beer tasted at the Anderson Valley Brewing Company, and dined at Table 128. It was the best birthday I have ever had. The bar is pretty high for next year. 

In April I had my first paying gig and photographed this little lady's 4th birthday party. (I shot a total of six kiddo birthday parties in 2013!)

In May, with the help of my mother and grandmother, I coordinated a Russian Easter Celebration with family and friends. I also launched my new website (!) and for Memorial Day we went camping with friends on the Eel River.

In June we went up to Willits again for Jeffery's ten-year high school reunion and then ventured to Grass Valley where our friends Jen and James got married! 

In July, my friend Sadie and I road tripped to Colorado, where we stayed at her grandparent's ranch in Grand Junction and visited Aspen and the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. It was so interesting to see how the light and Colorado landscape differ from California. 

In August I was hired to work as a photographer at Dead on the Creek, a three day music festival up in Mendocino County. 

Over Labor day, we camped on the banks of Blue Lake in the Tahoe National Forest with some of our favorite people. It was where I did my first engagement session with our friends Josh and Katie. I didn't take any other photos that weekend, I felt the need to be present and experience it through my eyes instead of through a viewfinder. It was also so beautiful that I didn't think my camera could do it justice. I hope over time I won't regret taking more photos. If the memories fade, we'll just have to make some more. :)

This year I shared ten family sessions, and was able to shoot another six that never made it on the blog. I loved working so much this fall.

I had four fashion shoots with beautiful friends who got all dolled up for me. It was fun creating beautiful images together, collaborating with other creatives is so different than photographing children. 

In the new year I intend to be more organized with my business goals, to plan ahead and ask for help more often. Reaching out is challenging for me, but always worth it. 

I want to say yes to new adventures, while working and saving towards buying a home. 

I want to continue working at creating balance. I want to breathe deeper and have more patience. 

I want to cook more and go on more hikes. 

I am not going to be intimidated by the unknown. I am going to face things head on and learn from my experiences. 

I want to have more conversations. Life keeps getting better, and I have all of you to thank for that. So thank you. I am very excited for 2014.

P.S. Highlights from 2012

Photo Session Giveaway! (Closed)

Congratulations Malia for winning the giveaway! I will get in touch soon to schedule our session. Everyone else who entered, thank you for your interest and I hope to be able to work with you in the future. 

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I am very excited to announce my first photo session giveaway!

In celebration of the new year I will be giving away one family, couples, or portrait session! It will include a two-hour photo shoot and a disc of high resolution, fully edited images, a $350 value. The winner can enjoy the session themselves or gift it to a loved one. 

To enter:

1. Comment on this blog post telling me one thing you look forward to in the new year. (Be sure to include your email with your name, so if you win I will be able to contact you.)

2. "Like" Roseann Bath Photography on Facebook. (If you already like my page, great. Don't click again or it will unlike.)

3. "Share" the giveaway image that is on my facebook page on your own timeline. (The image below is only an example, be sure to share the giveaway image you can see at the top of this post, which can be found near the top of my facebook page.)

You must do all three to be entered to win.

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Details:

The winner will be chosen at random on Tuesday, January 7th at 9pm. Giveaway is open to anyone within an hour drive of Oakland, California or Hilo, Hawaii (or willing to come to me). I will be on the Big Island from February 8th-16th, so if the winner is in Hawaii you must be available to redeem while I am there, or wait until my next visit. 

Good luck!

Peppermint Ice Cream

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I met up with my friend Jeannine for an ice cream date with her kiddos on the Friday before winter break. 

After tasting their options, both kids chose peppermint.

This was such a fun and relaxed shoot, and I think we got some keepers. 

Christmas at C&S Ranch

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Marina was housesitting at a ranch in Tomales, so we grandchildren ventured up north to join her for Christmas. Austin and I drove up on Christmas eve, arriving after lunch, and Jeffery followed after putting in a half day at work. The only hiccup in the holiday was that soon after we arrived, the ranch completely ran out of water and we had to pull buckets of pool water to wash dishes and flush toilets.

I gifted Marina new lipstick.

At sunset I took the truck down the road to photograph the cows. I shot for a while, and they were pretty cute, all turning to look at me, inching closer with curiosity. When I was ready to move on I headed back to the truck and found the keys locked inside and the headlights on. I texted Jeffery, who was on his way from the city and had the other set of keys, and I went back to shooting the cows. When I was starting to lose the light and it was getting cold and I hadn't heard from him, I gave him a call. "Where are you?" I asked. "I just drove over a cow grate. Where are you?" he asked, and as soon as he said the words, he came around the bend. My hero. 

Lights on, locked out.

We enjoyed bouillabaisse for dinner and woke up to an incredible sunrise. 

I spent most of Christmas day with Coco Chanel, a beautiful Burmese kitty, on my lap, reading Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed. Pausing for turkey dinner and too much dessert. I finished the book just in time to watch the Warriors beat the Clippers and then we drove home. Good book, good Christmas. Without something going wrong there is no story to tell. Last year our heat didn't work. It just makes me appreciate all of the little thing we take for granted.

Family Session at the Edible Schoolyard, Berkeley // East Bay Family Portrait Photography

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This is one incredible family, and it has been a joy working for them and getting to know them this past year. I photographed them back in April, and I can't believe how much the girls have grown.

I feel lucky to witness this young family grow, to share in their milestones and challenges. The relationship these sisters share is special. They look after one another. 

Wishing you all the happiest of holidays and I'm excited to see what the new year brings!

Golden Gate Bridge // Marin Headlands

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Sadie and I planned a trip to shoot the Golden Gate Bridge from the Marin Headlands. I can't believe I had never been. Leaving Oakland it was really hazy, but when we crossed over to 101 it cleared up. And when the sun began to set the clouds came alive. 

The narcissus think it's spring.

It was an exercise in patience. And it felt like such a luxury to compose my shot and wait for the light to be just right. 

If you've never been I highly recommend going to watch the sunset. It would be a fun date. Be sure to bundle up, and maybe take a thermos of hot chocolate. There is so much to watch: tourists, seriously equipped photographers, boats (they go out just past the bridge and then make a sharp turn back to safety), container ships, cars without headlights on. The bridge itself really lights up when the sun is on the horizon. 

Clay, Julayne and Baby Viv // Hayward Family Portrait Photography

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I first met little Vivienne at a birthday party a few months ago and I couldn't get a smile out of her, so I was a little nervous about our family session. I had no reason to worry. This is one happy little girl. I think you can tell how much fun we had. So much laughter and smiles and good conversation. And those little teeth! Really beautiful people. Thank you Clay and Julayne for such a fun morning!

If you live in the Bay Area and are interested in a family session please contact me. I am currently booking for the new year! 

New Additions

Taking advantage of some pretty afternoon light to capture my newest additions. I started in on the dishes, but then got distracted by how good my plants look in the window. Priorities. On the left: button fern from the Half Moon Bay Nursery that we picked up on our way home from Santa Cruz. On the right: mistletoe fig from the Berkeley Horticulture Nursery, which I purchased almost two months ago (it hasn't grown much). 

I think they balance one another nicely. Jeffery and I have started stopping by our favorite nurseries whenever we're in the area, on the off chance something jumps out at us and we can't leave without it. It's kind of like checking out an animal shelter, but less risky. I recommend both of these nurseries. Fantastic and varied selection and knowledgable and friendly staff. (I purchased both pots from the Berkeley nursery as well.)

And a couple shots of the kitties. I think I really captured their personalities in their expressions. My wild little light catcher and my crotchety old man. They also balance one another nicely.