{Ashley} Lakewood HS | Class of 2013 Senior Photographer

There are just not enough hours in the day! Another wedding, another session, another moment has passed...and I've yet to share. So here I am playing catch up once again. Because I so long for balance in this life of mine...I'm dreaming up some new dreams and imagining a new direction for Charla Blue. Last night I had an amazing evening of brainstorming with the most creative gal I know, Lyndsey. She is helping me hone into my creative ambitions & endeavors...and I'm so incredibly grateful to have a gal like her by my side.

So back to catching up, here is Ms. Ashley. Shooting seniors is unlike anything else I do. I actually started my business shooting them and I have come full circle and LOVING it. Ashley agreed to be a senior rep for me and I'm looking for a few more in local high schools...specifically Wilson HS and Los Alamitos HS (I have many of the other local high schools covered). So if you happen to know any Class of 2013 or 2014 graduates that may be interested in working with me in exchange for their senior portraits...please pass my name on to them (charla@charlablue.com) or their name onto me. GRACIAS.

This girl is full of energy. And sass. And she is beautiful!

{Ryan} Class of 2010 - Lakewood HS Senior Session

Yesterday I met up with Ryan for his last minute senior session (but like I told his mom...better late than never!). Graduation is already next week! WOW...congrats to all you 2010 grads.

His mom mentioned that I had very few images of guys on my website. Which is true because this is only the 2nd senior session I've shot for a male. Crazy, right? I actually really enjoy it though. Guys are a total different experience and I had all sorts of fun ideas.

I was happy to get to know Ryan during our session. Would you believe he even sang "I'm yours" by Jason Mraz for me? He has an awesome voice and I was so impressed that he actually sang for me after asking him.  Thank you! Here's a sneak peak because I know how anxious you are to get this in time for the BIG day.

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{Tatiana} CSULB Graduation Photographer

 

Last week I met up with my former student Tatiana to capture a major milestone in her life...graduation from college! Woot Woot! I can remember how difficult those last months of college were for me. It's such a major accomplishment and I'm so glad she decided to hire me to remember the occasion. We were throwing around ideas on where to shoot her session, but since she wanted a couple of cap & sash images...I thought it would be cool to capture them on the CSULB campus. So we did! We started at the Japanese Gardens and then headed over to the pyramid (where we reminisced about a cheer competition we participated in there, when I advised her cheer team).

We had fun talking about college life, life beyond school, her boyfriend of 6 years, jobs, and working out. Tati - I've always been so impressed by your kind heart and determinition. I'm so happy you've included me on your journey. I know you have big things in store! Congrats.

 

 

 

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{Captured} Heather

Heather hired me to capture her and her family in honor of her graduation from CSULB. She found me online and we quickly discovered that we had many familiar friends. I love it when our world is so much smaller than it seems. Her parents traveled from New Orleans to celebrate the occasion. Her boyfriend Joe plays acoustic guitar at the Springbok in Shoreline Village, where two of my friends work. I hear he is amazing and I'm a huge fan of acoustic guitar. Hope to hear him play soon. CONGRATS Heather! I so remember the relief that came with the completion of college graduation!

 

 

 

 

{Personalized} Graduation Announcements

I'm happy to offer personalized photo graduation announcements. Make this moment one to remember and order your custom cards now. Colors, text, and photos are changed to meet your requests and style. Here is just one example but I'll be posting other examples throughout the week! The computer keeps crashing on me, so this was all I was able to post this evening. How cute are these, though?

 

 

{Captured} friends

Today I met up with friends Bee & Jess to capture them and their friendship for their senior portraits. We had such a blast walking the streets of Long Beach. I'm a huge advocate of grads doing their portraits together. You get some great shots together but more importantly you get genuine and natural looking portraits alone because of the interaction between you two. It, of course, takes the pressure off of me to make you more comfortable in front of the camera. Its a win win situation and we always have a ton of fun during our senior sessions! Time is running of, Class of 2009...book your senior sessions soon! My calendar is filling up and graduation is right around the corner.











What would a teenage girl be without her cell phone? I love this series!!!