The Blog

Lifestyle Family Photographer | Shooting a Shooter | Napa Family Photographer

admin — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 06:35:01 +0000

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.

In Your Eyes | Napa Children’s Photographer | Napa Black and White Photographer

admin — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 05:13:39 +0000

I’m a photographer, I love people, I photograph people. I’m also known as a children’s photographer and I love that association. I tend to chatter a lot, and I’m trying not to here. I want this to be brief and about the art. The art of children, the art of photography, the art of really seeing someone. Seeing them whether you’re with them for a number of hours, minutes, days. Do you see them? I was with this lovely little person last week photographing her expectant mother, and we’ll get to that in a few weeks when I’ve had time to look it over, edit, etc. But tonight, I just wanted to share this beautiful little person, this moment caught right here. We were just goofing off when I took this image and it was a total distraction tactic on my part to get her to cooperate with what we were about to do next with her momma. It was brief and it was beautiful. You know what they say, life is what happens when you’re making plans. As someone who has been photographing for a long time now, I know what I’m doing, I know that what I cherish most in shooting is the moments in between moments. The in between places is where’s it’s at for me. Ask anybody who’s worked with me, that’s where the magic is and that’s where I go.

Get lost in the magic that is this precious child. She’s in her moment. They’re fleeting and we’d better hang on or we’ll miss them. Miss them as photographers, but most importantly as parents and people who appreciate the magic that is the child. And, I mean no matter the age. Hang on guys, enjoy it all.

‘In your eyes
the light the heat
in your eyes
I am complete
in your eyes
I see the doorway to a thousand churches
in your eyes
the resolution of all the fruitless searches
in your eyes
I see the light and the heat
in your eyes
oh, I want to be that complete
I want to touch the light
the heat I see in your eyes’

Peter Gabriel

| Sydney! | Napa Senior Photographer |

admin — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 03:19:23 +0000

Hey, this is Syd. Isn’t she just the sweetest young lady you’ve ever seen? I’m a little partial as I’ve known her mom for a very long time. I was lucky enough to photograph Syd for her senior pictures. We had a great time hanging out, her mom in the background cracking us all up, ha, ha! Turns out Syd is going to France too. I can’t believe we’re both going to be in the same areas, but flip flopped timing. When I’m in Paris, she’s near Toulouse, and vice versa. Oh well. She’s touring with her choir from high school. What an opportunity. She’s a great student, an awesome athlete (you should meet her mom!), and just a very special and sweet girl.

Syd, I love you honey.

A Girls and Her Critters | Napa Children’s Photographer | Lifestyle Photographer

admin — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 03:14:05 +0000

I’d like to introduce you to a very fun family that I have been photographing for quite some time now. Meet Laleh, she’s fantastic! The first time I photographed Laleh, she was only 6 months old. I’ve been fortunate enough (thank you) to watch her grow and photograph her for oh, about 7 years now. Her parents are two very creative people and I find myself taking in everything I can when I’m in their home, or on their property. It’s such a visual feast. Well, anyhow, this particular session was about documenting Laleh and her chickens, very cute. I was first introduced to her caterpillar though. You can see, this little guy does tricks, yes, that’s the caterpillar walking the tightrope while Laleh looks on. And, is typical for me, I even climbed up into a tree with Laleh. It’s not that I do that at every session, but, where they go, I go, not a problem at all, more fun that way.

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

The Finale, as promised | Napa Children’s Photographer | Napa Lifestyle Photographer

admin — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 07:15:20 +0000

And, I do deliver. Here’s the finale, as promised, of some of my favorite girls. You may think I’m showing a lot, and I am, but believe me, this is but the tip of the iceberg with this session. The awesome images were too numerous to count, thanks to my unbelievable subjects. Truly beautiful people, in every way.

It’s late, so here you go and enjoy.

Keeping it coming! Some more of my girls | Napa Child Photographer | Lifestyle Photographer

admin — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 04:46:46 +0000

As promised, albeit late today, some more of my favorite girls. No introduction needed, they are simply splendid! Feast your eyes on these beauties my friends.

Some of these next ones crack me up. You’ve heard of, excuse me, but ‘talk to the hand’, and I mean that in a very innocuous way, well, how about ‘talk to the foot!’

And, let’s just finish this off with some random beauty.

Yep, a brief grand finale of my beauties tomorrow. And you won’t believe this, but even a double post tomorrow. Ha, the winds of change are coming!

Bits of them, Bits of Me | A Blog-a-Day, Until France Takes Me Away | Napa Lifestyle Photographer

admin — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 03:45:09 +0000

Keeping this short guys. This is the beginning of my blog-a-day project until I leave for my first destination wedding in France in July. Like everyone, I have a zillion things to do, places to be, yada, yada. But, I never blog like I’d like to, not even close. I dream of all the sessions that I haven’t posted, that I will, but never get to. So, here they come. This first one is so very, very, very overdue. You don’t even want to know! I love this family, really love them. I met their momma by chance at a local restaurant when she was expecting her second baby, the happy little baby you see below. I loved this session! Love her daughters and count myself lucky to photograph them. Get ready, here’s the first dose of some sweetness. More tomorrow of these little beauties.

Oh yeah, one other thing. I decided that I wasn’t going to get crazy with each little image. That’s another thing I love to do, the editing, or in my old terms ‘the printing’, making the print. I can spend quite a bit of time sometimes just working it one way or another, just because it’s fun. These are pretty raw (and I don’t mean that in the photographer/digital lingo either), quick and dirty with loads of feeling.

Have fun, I am!

Napa Portrait Photographer Loves Her Black & White | Mod Pod Salon Display | It’s a Hanging!

admin — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 17:35:37 +0000

Oh yes, it’s a hanging! I’m so pleased to announce that you can find some of my work hanging in the coolest petite salon in Napa, Mod Pod Salon, located at 1414 Third Street, in downtown Napa, just one block west of the newly renovated Uptown Theatre. This salon is owned by Chris Bell, who is one of the sweetest, most creative individuals I’ve met in a very long time. Chris is, simply said, a gifted stylist. You won’t find anyone who knows color and design (I’m talking hair, but her interior design efforts are stellar as well) better than Chris. Mod Pod is this very sweet little salon that is loaded with character. Chris really thought of every detail when designing this understated, yet very posh salon. It has a very cozy feel that rings of a 50’s modern era. Yes, go see for yourself. You will also find her lovely stylist, Jenika, who is also very talented.

So, when thinking about what I wanted to display in this uber cool space, I was totally pulled back to my first love: black and white photography, baby! I’ve been in love with photography forever; and yes, I learnt my photographic skills on a film camera (Nikon FE2) and pride myself as one skilled darkroom printer. Loved the darkroom and painting with light, watching the magic that happens in the trays. I’m sure you’ve heard that before, eh? Well, I no longer print in the darkroom, but I still love, love the black and white medium. In fact, that’s all I did professionally for years, black and white only. Obviously, I offer color now as well; however, I still have a pretty huge following that only wants black and white from me. Makes me smile, they know who they are and I love you all. OK, OK, I love my color folk too! Anyway, the journey to this display at Mod Pod was so fun. It was quite amazing really. I had decided that I wanted the work to shine in antique/vintage frames. I had two sitting around my place, and that’s what gave me the idea. So, the hunt began and that’s when things got really fun. I met so many new friends, and found some really great new places to shop that I will be visiting, most likely on a weekly basis because I love them so much! One of those places is Alice’s Consignment Store. The majority of the frames I used for my display were from Alice’s. Alice is so lovely, and helped me scour and discover every nook and cranny in her store. It’s a great place to explore, again and again, and again, …… and again! Then, I went on to visit Ferrini, Custom Framing Design, owned by two incredibly creative people, Marie and Ced(ric). I had been wanting to stop in there for some time, and finally did while on my search for my vintage frames. The atmosphere alone will soothe you and you won’t want to leave. This is where I will be sending all my clients from now on for custom framing, it’s really that good.

Anyhow, it was a fun journey from start to finish and I’m looking forward to the Artist’s Reception that will be announced soon. You all have to come, it will be a fun event, so stay tuned for that.

Here are just a few shots I took before I left Mod Pod after setting up the display. You’ve got to stop by the salon to see the rest! Includes one of me, hiding behind my camera of course. When you come to the reception though, I’ll not have the black beastie camera that I love pasted to my face, but rather a great big Kathi smile and a hearty laugh that I appear to be known for.

Been gone for awhile and it’s nice to be back.

Soon ……………

Kathi

Napa Baby Photographer | Hello and a Smile | Napa Family Photographer

admin — Tue, 11 May 2010 21:29:47 +0000

Hey there, I’ve been busy shooting, editing, getting ready for some hangings in various places and just needed to pop in with this sweet little baby girl. I’m in the middle of editing her images for her proud new parents. She was just a wee 5 days old here. I can’t wait to share the rest of these with her parents. I know they’ve been waiting anxiously for them and I thank them for their patience. I love the crinkled up brow and huge yawn she exhibits right here, we completely wore this little babe out. I must admit, I’m doing a bit of the same at the moment. The big yawn that is, but I don’t look nearly as cute as she does. That’s what happens when you burn your candle bright, right? I have to say though, if you’re having fun, no problem. And I do have fun! I have fun meeting with my clients and slipping into their world for a time. I have fun getting the first glimpse of the images I’ve captured for them (and selfishly for me too), then unveiling those images to these special people. I have fun dreaming up and envisioning how my next photo shoot will unfold. It’s all good, you know? Yes, life is good. Where’s that cute little stick figure ‘life is good’ guy? If I had him, I’d post him right along side this post to make you smile. Although, I’m guessing that this sweet baby girl has made you smile anyway. Works for me!

Have a good day you all and leave me a comment and let me know what makes you smile if you feel like it. My smile list is very long. It begins everyday with the beautiful boys I call my family, my ridiculously cute shelter/rescue dog, my Mommy and siblings, the itty bitty frogs I saw on my morning walk with my ridiculously cute dog and a whole host of other delights.

Alrighty then, it’s back to work for me. Keep smiling.

Kathi

| Spring Sale | Kathi Cook Photography Spring Sale | Napa Family Photographer

admin — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 21:22:11 +0000

It’s Spring in Northern California, and I want to celebrate with a Spring Gift Certificate Sale! A wonderful gift for Mother’s Day, right on through the rest of Spring, with all of its incredible sunshine and blue skies, green hills and wild flowers and general bliss. So here are the details:

For the rest of April through May 15th, each time you purchase a $200 gift certificate to Kathi Cook Photography, I’ll toss in an extra $50 print certificate FREE! Yep, for every $200 gift certificate (which can be used toward session fees, prints, albums, canvases, digital collections, or any other product I offer) that you purchase between April 23, 2010 and May 15, 2010 — you will receive an additional $50 print certificate totally FREE to use toward print and product purchases from your session! What a great gift for Mother’s Day —plus, these Spring Sale certificates never expire — so you can use them later this month, or later this year (buy a bundle and use them for birthdays, Christmas…..). Just send me an email or give me a call at 707.226.1688. The only fine print is that this offer is only valid for gift certificate purchases completed (ordered and paid in full by cash or check) by May 15, 2010.