Renee Whiting/Nana's Empty Nest » Outdoor

Sweet Little Belly~Santa Cruz Maternity Photographer

Renee Whiting — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 05:13:57 +0000

I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon in San Francisco this past Sunday photographing the cutest little belly! Seriously, she does not look like she is 8 months along. In fact, her due date is exactly one month from today! We (my husband and I) met up with Matty & Kate mid morning. I was hoping for a little more fog or cloud coverage, because although it was quite chilly, it was bright and sunny! Not great for photos mid day, but sometimes it is what it is and you make the best of it. They had a couple of great locations picked out which was fun because all I know of San Francisco is Union Square and ATT Park. After photos, we had a great late lunch at the best little neighborhood cafe! Everything was delicious, especially Kate’s smoked salmon breakfast pizza. Oh my delicious goodness!

I could go on and on about this couple, explaining their cute little love story, how he’s a East coast college friend of my son-in-laws, how he lived in SC and we got to know him like family, her fulfilling career as a pediatric oncology nurse or how beautiful their wedding on Cape Cod was, but I won’t.

Here’s a little sampling of our afternoon and Kate’s cute little belly!

Matty & Kate, thank you so much for the fun afternoon and wonderful lunch! Kate you are glowing and look beautiful (and I know Matty is in love with your cute belly)! Little Baby “I” is beyond blessed to have the two of you as parents! And of course, to have her West Coast Nana & Papa too!

Featured Session-The B Family~Santa Cruz Family Photographer

Renee Whiting — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 00:55:57 +0000

Do not overshoot, do not overshoot, do not overshoot! That is what I kept telling myself going into this session! But how could I not? It was a family session w/ an 18 month old and a maternity session. And, we were at Wilder Ranch which is so much fun! I could have shot all day! With all that said, I over shot and their gallery is about 2x a normal gallery. And since I had so many images, I figured I should feature the session with a slideshow.

**Please allow a minute or two for the slideshow to fully load prior to viewing!

The B Family (Fun Family Session)~Santa Cruz Photographer

Renee Whiting — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 21:43:17 +0000

I met up with the B family on a drizzly summer morning for their session. They were so much fun and up for anything, including hauling their red adirondack chair to the session. We did a little bit of everything: maternity, couple, family and just their little guy! I must say the maternity/couple part of the session was a breeze, the family photos were simple enough, but to get Bryson alone and to get him to focus on me for just a few minutes was out of the question. There was too much to explore and there was no stopping him! I got some wonderful shots of his back (while he was checking out the goats or chickens) and a few of him enjoying the apple he found in the orchard. We might have to “corral” him in studio for his two year old photos!

Congratulations in advance on the arrival of your daughter, I can’t wait to meet her!

Here’s a little sampling of our time together at Wilder Ranch.

Welcome Sunshine!

Renee Whiting — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 22:27:21 +0000

I LOVE the sunshine and everything it brings! I love the warmth of being in the sun. I love that our business, Whiting\’s Foods at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk is busy (that makes my husband happy!). I love BBQ’s. I love the beach. I love not turning on the heater. I love wearing capris and flip flops. I love being tan. I love the mood it puts everyone in. I love outdoor photo sessions, which is what inspired these photos. I’ve been scouting our town for some colorful park locations. Don’t get me wrong, I love the beach (I grew up spending many many hours at the beach), but when it comes to photos, I love parks. I love the color of the green grass and flowers!

Here’s a little of what I loved today, while stopping by Harvey West Park.

I even think the sunshine makes the weeds look good! Unless of course, they’re growing in my yard!

The B Family, All of Them!~Santa Cruz Portrait Photographer

Renee Whiting — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 01:30:58 +0000

First scheduled appointment, it rains!…….Cancelled! No problem, except that some of the family lives out of town and two of the girls are in college and it’s Christmas week. Ok, not a biggie, we schedule for two days after Christmas. Well, guess what, we wake up in the morning and it is WET! We chatted and decided to go for it! Well, about an hour later I arrive at their house for the session and we gather everyone up, all 15 of them, and guess what? Rain? Nope, BRIGHT BRIGHT sunshine! You know the really bright kind that you get right after the rain? The kind where you need to squint to see? Yep, bright sun and a family of 15! Oh my gosh, I feel like my sessions are never textbook. Oh well, you do what you gotta do!

We make it through the large family group shots, then do a fewer smaller groups! I will admit to enjoying the smaller groups a whole lot more, maybe it has to do with the fact that we found a little shady area in the backyard that was perfect!

We did a few somewhat traditional group shots, but this is my favorite! I think it shows everyone’s personalities and I just love the smiles on their faces and the way they are checking each other out! I should mention that when you spread out a family of 15, you aren’t going to crop it to 8×10, a number of my shots are 10×30′s. I think they’re kinda fun and if this was my family I’d order this in a canvas!

When I told them all to line up in age family order, then hold hands and walk towards me, I do believe they thought I was sort of nuts! Oh well, it’s who I am!

Here are the four separate families:

And my very favorite of the day, aren’t they adorable??