It wasn’t the photo session that we had tried to schedule, but it worked.  They got the worn out photographer traveling home from an out of town shoot, but we were only looking for a few fun shots.  I think we got ‘em.  And, no one rolled in hidden dog poo either, always a plus!  I thought it would be fun to show Camp Kaywoodie (as they’re known by the loads of people who love them) their proofs from that day as a slideshow gallery here on the site.  So you’re seeing everything.  I even kept in some of the in between shots, the ones that are blurry.  To me, they have meaning too.  It’s kind of like real life, don’t you think?  Life is fast, life is full of these blurry, fleeting moments of squished noses from pressing our foreheads together with those we love, messy and unkept snippets that we wouldn’t trade for anything.  That’s what I’m after.  There’s no fancy background here, you see the neighborhood cars, bicycles, blah, blah.  Mostly, you see love.

Kari, I’m glad I happened by.  See you soon.

Kathi

3039 Text Slide 1 3040 3041 3043 3044 3045 3049 3052 3053 3054 3070 3071 3077 3083 3084 3085 3086 3088 3089 3090 3093 3097 3098 3099 3100 3103 3108 3109 3115 3120 3123 3126 3133 3134 3137 3149 3150 3153 3161 3168 Text Slide end Family in the Yellow Leaves Family in the yellow leaves

As a mom of two teen boys in our school district, I can tell you that there are no words to express my gratitude for everyone involved with this event.  My husband and I been always been involved with schools that require parent participation and volunteer hours.  We have done everything from simple classroom participation; helping the teachers with anything they need, to science presentations (my husband is a sweet geek), we’ve helped build playgrounds (funded by the awesome Kiwanis Club!) and beautiful gardens, participate and start artist’s programs for the children, the list goes on.  We are just two out of many, many people who do this every day.  And I will say, we’re still needed.  More than ever, in fact.  The schools need our support, the kids need our support.  Everyone wins when we participate.  I’m sure you’re all familiar with the staggering and heartbreaking cuts that we keep getting hit with in education.  Now is the time, the race for eduction doesn’t stop here.  Please keep supporting our educators and schools.  And to all of you that I saw on race day, THANK YOU!

And now, here’s little slideshow featuring some of the images from that incredibly fun day.  Please head over to Kathi Cook Photography’s facebook page hereto see over 200 images from the day.  And, if you like them, ‘like’ me as well, I always appreciate new fans.  Here it is, have fun and keep moving!  Well, one more plug here, goRiver School, go Napa!  Hey, I am a proud mom right?  Yes!

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]]> http://kathicookphotography.com/the-race-for-education-powered-by-napafit-benefiting-the-napa-valley-education-foundation/feed/ 0 http://kathicookphotography.com/st-helena-family-photography/ http://kathicookphotography.com/st-helena-family-photography/#comments Thu, 13 Jan 2011 20:38:46 +0000 admin http://kathicookphotography.com/?p=1279 Hey my local friends!  If you own a really great bike, chances are that you bought it from Jake at St. Helena Cyclery. And, if you didn’t, next time you’re in the market for a bike, go see Jake. The selection, service and way nice people will make you customers for life!  I love my bicycle, and it’s pretty too.  Almost looks like it has these pretty henna tattoos on it.  Sorry, didn’t think about photographing it and it’s raining at the moment, so no can do.  Yep, thought about searching the web too, but nah, just use your imagination, or go see Jake.  Anyhow, St. Helena Cyclery is a great resource for upcoming riding events and a lot more.  Click on the St. Helena Cyclery link here and check it out.  And, just for a bit of added background, if you’re not aware of this organization, DCN, Developing Communities in Nicaragua, it’s pretty amazing.  Based in St. Helena, Jake is the organization’s founder, and it’s a coalition of volunteers who’ve partnered with residents of Empalme de Boaco in an effort to help the community towards a better future.  It all started long ago out of Jake’s passion for baseball and a trip to this community after college.   It has, with the help of many, assisted with housing, education, recreational programs, jobs, and firstly, that coveted baseball field.  If you do click-though to the DCN link, please watch the brief, but incredibly moving video, ‘Diamond in the Rough’.  See how our own San Francisco Giants got involved.  I challenge you to keep the moisture out of your eyes!  I’ve only vaguely known about this ongoing project in Nicaragua until recently.  After our photo session, I asked Jake more about it and was completely drawn in by the story of how it all began, the steps forward and his then, upcoming December trip with Amanda (that’s his beautiful daughter in these photos).   Jake and I talked about the community in depth and I am hoping to see this place and meet the people for myself in the near future.  Just an amazing bunch of people, all the way around.

So I leave you with a few images we took this beautiful day, in this beautiful place we call home.  Every year when Jake calls, I’m so happy and grateful that I get to photograph the two of them once again.  I’ve had the opportunity of photographing these two many times over the years, watching Amanda grow into the pretty young lady that she is today.  And wow, I’ve known her for a long time!  Amanda and my oldest son, also in high school now, spent some time together as toddlers in a wonderful, super small in-home daycare in St. Helena.  Now that does seem like a very long time ago, and I will not cry.

Thanks,  Jack and Amanda (He told me I could call him anything I wanted to on the blog, ha, ha.  There was this one typo in some correspondence) !

Anywho, for anyone in need of some sunshine, smiles and just feasting your eyes on a little person who absolutely, unequivocally knows how to have not just a good time, but a GRAND time.  Well then, this post is for you.  When I know I’m going to be photographing my friend Lilla, I know I need to have my running shoes on, knee pads ready for the ‘army crawl’, really whatever it takes, because this girl moves very, very fast!  I LOVE photographing Lilla!  She just makes me so happy.   And, she’s the luckiest little thing.  She has this great property to run all over, gardens with more flowers, fruits and vegetables, goats, chickens, horses, dogs and cats, as well as her sweet mom.  Can’t wait until next time!

Have fun,

Kathi

I believe I probably talked you all out in my last post, so I’ll keep this brief and only throw in a few lines that might help paint the picture for you in a more detailed fashion.

Enjoy…

And, this would be that little quiet moment that Yannick and Susan stole together before the ceremony.

We’re getting ready now …. Fabian’s fabulous shoes

Susan and Yannick’s son, Theo, one of the groomsmen, as well as some sweet views of the little ones

The ceremony.  Charles translates.

The little red booklet you see in Susan’s elegant hands, contains a song she is singing to Yannick, in french.  It was quite moving.We’re going to get right down to the fun that the wedding party had after all of the formal pictures were complete.  Uh, remember that Susan is an accomplished Yoga/Pilates instructor.  I couldn’t say about the others….

Why France you may ask?  Not just because it’s one of the most beautiful places on earth; but it is also Yannick’s home.  Maybe you could tell from his name, Rousseau, hmmm.  Yes, Gascony is Yannick’s home turf.  His entire family, and his childhood friends reside there.  Susan, while living in California for many years, is a Texan through and through.  I know, I’ve had her authentic chili, and it’s good!  And, I have to say before I get into trouble, people came from not only Texas and California, but North Carolina and beyond.  Yannick and Susan have the most dedicated, loving friends and family.  Really, they do.  I feel all gushy as I type this post because I made so many friends, and I miss many of them.  Can we go back every summer and have a reunion?  Pretty please?  Actually, even though some reading this might not know them, click on this link to stay informed on upcoming Yoga/Wine Retreats that are happening in the near future.  I’ve heard that France might just be on the horizon for one of these lovely retreats.  Just saying, get on their list and you might be in for an incredible treat.

The wedding was held at a 12th Century Chateau that was incredible!  Susan and Milady Sue, one of her attendants, went to France a year before the wedding to scour the french countryside looking for just the right venue.  They found it.  The Chateau was home to all but a few who attended the wedding during that long and wonderful weekend.  Probably in another post sometime, or somewhere, I’ll share my library of images of that fabulous place.  It was, simply put, magical.  The people, the place, the venue, it was a once in a lifetime event.  Just amazing.  The first order of business upon arriving at the Chateau, was relaxation by way of sipping incredible wines, swimming in the grand pool, pétanque, all manner of recreation.  And then, there was some cooking to be done in the dreamy kitchen.  I think it was just kind of dreamy because it was in the Chateau, we were in France, big window looking out into the vast courtyard where the reception dinner would take place the next night, there was french music playing, wonderful food laid out for all, you get the picture?  Don’t worry, I’ll lay them out there for you anyway.

And so, the first night began. The Texas meets Gascony Barbeque.  This was an event for family members and close friends.  The main dishes of duck and duck sausage, were provided by Yannick’s dad, who owns a Boucherie in Condom.  Don’t poke fun of the name of that town now.  Honestly, we did, and it was fun.  Some fun pictures in Condom too, just not in this post.  At any rate, I didn’t even know I liked duck, or duck sausage.  But I do, if it comes from D.Rousseau Boucherie.  In fact, I’ve never eaten so much duck, ever.  Ducks aren’t safe in France, so don’t go there if you’re a duck.  I have no sympathy for you.

It was a spectacular evening, enjoy the images.  I wish I could show you more, but you’d never leave my site, it would take so long.

Thanks for looking and come back real soon, next up is the wedding.  You don’t want to miss that!

I love you, Rousseau Family, both here and France,

Kathi

We’ll open up with a tiny peek of the front of the Chateau.  Seriously, this is a narrow view from the front.  Stay tuned at a later date to see more of this beautiful estate.

Friends, what else is there to say?

Susan is so smart!  She works very hard, but she knows how to relax.  For anyone who so desired, you too could enjoy a mani/pedicure.  That lady approaching in the back there, is Claudia, the wedding planner.

Did I mention that there were record-high temperatures in France at this time?  It was unbelievable.

These women worked so hard; and they looked beautiful whilst doing it.

Oops, we need more bread!

Charles, one of Yannick’s oldest and dearest friends.  That’s the Colombard he’s carrying out.  Love that wine!  There was also some very good beer tucked away over there in the pigeonnerie.

Yannick’s Papa!  And, his sweet and beautiful sister adjusting the ever-so-handsome papa’s lapel.  I’m so excited, I get to see him in a week!

Ahhh, the bride and groom arrive.  Susan is a fantastic dancer!

OK, there are no words for Fabian and Charles.  Yannick’s childhood buddies.  All I can say is, I’ve never laughed so hard in my life!

Susan and her parents.

Pétanque.  My husband is now planning our Pétanque court in our backyard.

Some of the local littles.  They are absolutely dreamy.  The two littlest girls below, are Yannick’s nieces.  Wait until you see them in the wedding!

Watch out, duck!

There was some pretty amazing light that evening.

You will find my husband in this next set.  The poor man, I made him come along as my tech-help.  It worked out pretty well, he’s good at what he does.  He’s the good looking guy sitting on that rock wall.  He’s also doing a speed brush-up-on-my-french-session with Yannick’s Pepi, another frenchman that I fell in love with.  In the bottom left, you will see Yannick’s beautiful maman.  She, however, is a moving target, hard to get!  You will see more of this lovely woman in my post of the third and final day together.  What fun that was!

More happy guests, including Suse’s mom, Dixie, dancing with her handsome husband Lordes.

This is a very special set of images.  Yannick, his papa, and his Pepi.  Yannick is presenting his newly released Y. Rousseau Merlot ‘Pepi’.

That’s all for now.  Please come back for the rest of this magical event.  I guarantee you, the images are worth the wait and re-visit.

]]> http://kathicookphotography.com/destination-wedding-gascony-france/feed/ 5 http://kathicookphotography.com/fun-on-location-family-portraits-in-the-napa-valley/ http://kathicookphotography.com/fun-on-location-family-portraits-in-the-napa-valley/#comments Thu, 21 Oct 2010 22:59:39 +0000 admin http://kathicookphotography.com/?p=1122 I believe my very favorite request that I get from people contacting me for family photographs, is on-location photography, in and around their own home.  And, the only other thing better than that, is when they preface that request with a statement about what’s important to them and how they go about their day at home.  This is what they want to capture.  Whether that means everyone is looking at the camera or not.  Splendid!  Lets do it!

This beautiful family was gifted a session with me as a result of an auction/fundraiser at the amazing Castello di Amorosa, here in Napa, for what is now, my oldest son’s former school (sigh….., I miss them) Stone Bridge School. We spent some time talking about what the family typically does on a weekend day, thus the tea party, as hosted by the very cute little girl with the blonde curls.  The very same cutie loves to search the backyard for acorns and play.  Their son gardens, loves legos (lucky guy, check out all those LEGOS!), tetherball and goofing around.  The parents are both very easy-going, warm and friendly, and I think it’s apparent that they love their children and family life.

As always, I want to thank this family and all of my faithful clients for allowing me into your lives and for all the fun we have capturing moments that you cherish.

Kathi

]]> http://kathicookphotography.com/fun-on-location-family-portraits-in-the-napa-valley/feed/ 7 http://kathicookphotography.com/napa-maternity-newborn-family-photographer/ http://kathicookphotography.com/napa-maternity-newborn-family-photographer/#comments Fri, 24 Sep 2010 18:15:10 +0000 admin http://kathicookphotography.com/?p=1094 Yes, I’m sneaking back on my blog after having a super busy summer. I have so much to blog, I wasn’t sure where to begin. In the end, choosing wasn’t that difficult and this beautiful growing family got top bill, hands down! I went ahead and combined both their sessions, maternity and newborn.

Meet Kristen and Paul, both local chiropractors here Napa.  You can find them here, at Giles Chiropractic.  Really, click on their link and check them out.  They are so passionate about health, sharing their expertise on health and wellness not only through their daily practice, but also through fitness classes and loads of great tips on their facebook page.  You can catch free Turbo Fire workout classes with doctor Paul right now on Saturdays at Giles Chiropractic.  Let me tell you, these people walk their talk, you won’t be disappointed.

Anyhow, we began the maternity session, at their home with some fun about-the-house kind of shots, and some very tasteful fine art images of the beautiful Kristen.  This post is already on the large-ish side, so those images will just have to wait for another venue. You’ll have to settle for the images of doctor Paul down there with his sweet little Sydney.  You’ll know the ones I’m talking about, you will definitely see the results of his current Saturday morning Turbo Fit classes!  Go doctor Paul.

Kristen and Paul are blessed with two sweet little girls and I had a blast with Kierra, their oldest daughter, when we met for the maternity session.  She was sharing her cute little stickers with me, her play jewelry that I got to wear throughout the entire session.  She cracked me up on so many levels, so playful, sweet and fun.  Apparently, she was taken with my rickety old wooden step ladder that I haul to most of my sessions.  Did I mention that I’m 5’2″?  Just about everybody is taller than me.  I have nicer looking ladders, but this old wooden one is kind of like an old teddy bear security blanket and I just can’t make myself use the new, shiny ladder.  Kristen told me when I arrived at their home for the newborn session, that Kierra asked if I was bringing my ladder.  Ha, ha, why yes, I did.  This brief post here, is a quick pic I took of Kierra sitting on my ladder.  It was a specific request at the maternity session that I stop what I was doing and take this picture of her on my ladder.  Of course, I granted her request.  I loved these images of her.  She’s got those big beautiful eyes, just like her mother’s.  Well, we moved onto another location for some lovely scenery and play for the rest of the maternity session.  The newborn session took place in there home, which is always nice.

I loved photographing your family Paul and Kristen, and look forward to many more sessions with you as your beautiful children grow. Thank you for sharing your time with me, it really is an honor and a privilege to be invited into your lives.

Kathi

I hope I don’t embarrass Paul, but look at those eyelashes up there!

That dog sings, and I’m not kidding.  Love the dog.  Remember when our pets were our first kids?

This next image is one of Paul and Kierra’s favorite things to do.  Airplane!

When they were a sweet family of three.

Cute!

And now, no words necessary, just a gorgeous glowing family (and some silly faces courtesy of Kierra, thanks fun girl)

]]> http://kathicookphotography.com/napa-maternity-newborn-family-photographer/feed/ 7 http://kathicookphotography.com/family-photographer-napa-photographer/ http://kathicookphotography.com/family-photographer-napa-photographer/#comments Thu, 01 Jul 2010 06:35:01 +0000 admin http://kathicookphotography.com/?p=1022 My favorite thing to do is photograph people just living life, documenting the little things in their daily lives.  Turns out for most people, these little things are loaded with meaning. Think of my job as sort of a visual journal, a way to go back and look at an image and remember what was going on that day.  Really, telling a story, the story of you.  Someone said to me recently that they felt that my photographs felt true and full of life.  The images they saw made them want to be there, where ever that was.  It almost made me cry.  I just about floated away from that meeting.  How nice.  It’s what I hope for whenever I pick up my camera and set out to photograph my sessions, that I will tell a story.  That I will be that fly on the wall, unobtrusive and watching the story unfold and tell it in a way that will be remembered always.

That leads me to this session with someone who knows what I’m talking about.  Please meet my friend,  Jennifer Chaney, photographer extraordinaire  from the East Bay. Jennifer invited me in to capture some very sweet and meaningful moments in her life.  She has such a sweet family!  There’s ‘the crazies’, I mean the kids, the handsome husband and a gigantic dog (who managed to not be in any of these shots, whoops!).   It was fast paced and so much fun.

Thanks for the fun and the laughs Jen, can’t wait ’til next time.

Many thanks to her lovely parents, Bill and Toyoko.  I continue to feel extremely lucky that I get to take part in your lives this way.

Kathi

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