Grin and Share It Photography bio picture
  • Welcome to Grin & Share It's new blog! My name is Tessa, and I'm a professional photographer in gorgeous San Diego, California.

    Grin & Share It was born in January of 2008, thanks to the support of my family & friends who encouraged me to follow my dreams. I am an on location photographer who simply adores what I do. My style is a mix of both posed & candid shots, and I personally touch every single image that is given to my clients.

    Please take a look around, and leave some love if the mood strikes. Comments always put a Grin on my face!

    Enjoy,
    Tessa

Playgroup Picture Parties are BACK!

These were so popular last summer that I’ve decided to bring them back again this year…  Playgroup Picture Parties, for those of you who aren’t familiar with them, is a GREAT way to get a handful of beautiful images of your kiddos (these are JUST for the kids, NO families please).  I used to do PPPs at various parks around San Diego County, but now that I have the backyard studio here at my home where I know the light will be just right, and there is plenty of room for your kiddos to play, I thought this would be a great way to offer them!!

Here’s how it works… your playgroup would schedule the party on a weekday of your choice here at my home here in La Mesa.  While the kids in your playgroup are playing, I will take one child aside at a time (or more if there are siblings) and spend up to 5 minutes with them taking their picture.  Once they’re done, they would join their friends for more play time while I take another kiddo aside to take their picture.  I would do this with each child until every kiddo has had a turn.  I will have all of my props here on hand so you get to choose exactly which sofa, chair, suitcase, bucket, etc that you’d like to use for your images (one prop per child please).

The cost per kiddos is only $10.00.  The playgroup captain will also be responsible for collecting the money for each child whose picture is being taken, and also for keeping a roster of which child is next so that things run smoothly & on time.   To book a party you will need a minimum of 6 kiddos, and 24 is the maximum I can do in one PPP.

Within 10 days of your party I will forward the playgroup captain a password protected online gallery for her to share with everyone.  This gallery will include approximately 5 images of each child who attended the PPP.  Each Mom will then have the option of purchasing prints, canvases,  a CD which includes all images of your child (5 minimum), or full sized high-res files of specific images (which I will send via email delivery), directly from your online gallery.  There is NO obligation for purchases after the picture party!!

If you have questions, or to book your playgroup’s party, please email me at:  tessa@grinandshareitphoto.com

Picture parties will be held in June, July & the 1st half of August only, before my busy season starts!!  Kiddos THREE MONTHS AND OLDER ONLY PLEASE!

Below are some examples of what sort of images you can expect from your PPP,

Enjoy,
Tessa

 

 

 

 

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2013 Wild Flower Minis

It’s time for my favorite sessions of the year… my Wild Flower Mini Sessions are back!  The wild flowers at beautiful Lake Murray bloom only once a year and they last for about 3 weeks, but that’s only part of what makes these sessions so special.  April brings lovely weather to inland San Diego, right before the heat kicks in and the green fades to brown.  The sunsets are amazing, and the warm light mixed with the yellow flowers makes for some incredible images.  Just like last year, I will be doing one mini per day at sunset, so that each family can benefit from doing their shoot when the light is most beautiful.  Plus with the parking being so close to where I shoot, I can take requests for a specific furniture prop when you book your session.  The green sofa, my black & white baroque sofa, a chair you’ve always loved…  you pick one, and I’ll bring it with me!!!

These Wild Flower Minis are great for families, milestones (birthdays, 6 month photos, engagement, anniversary, etc), and most especially Mommy & Me photos If you’re wondering what to get your wife for Mother’s Day next month, look no further!!!!!!!

To book your session, please email me at: tessa@grinandshareitphoto.com.  A $50.00 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your session, and as always with my minis, I will book these on a 1st come, 1st served basis (please scroll to the bottom of this post to see dates/times available).

~Tessa

 

 

 

Dates/Time Available:

Sunday, April 14th at 6:30pm – BOOKED
Monday, April 15th at 6:30pm – BOOKED
Wednesday, April 17th at 6:30pm – BOOKED
Thursday, April 18th at 6:30pm – BOOKED
Friday, April 19th at 6:30pm – BOOKED
Sunday, April 21st at 6:30pm – BOOKED
Monday, April 22nd at 6:30pm – BOOKED
Wednesday, April 24th at 6:30pm – BOOKED

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Happy Birthday Grin & Share It {Plus an Announcement}

This year marks the 5th birthday for Grin & Share It Photography.  I am very proud of what my business has blossomed into, and I count my blessings every day to be able to do what I’m so very passionate about for a living.  I smile when I think of all of the amazing people that I have met over the past five years because of my “job” (clients, fellow photographers, etc.)  some of whom I now call my closest friends!!!  Photography found me, and because of that, I am FOREVER grateful.

One of the great things about doing anything for awhile is that you figure out what works, and what doesn’t, for you & your business.  The same is true for me, and I finished off 2012 by doing a LOT of soul searching.  I sat down and really thought about what direction I wanted my little business to go in.  What my favorite subjects & locations are, what I feel like I need to improve upon, and what I’m most passionate about when I shoot.

So for now, I have decided to no longer shoot newborn sessions, but concentrate on my first love… kids & families.  There are so many amazing newborn photographers out there that do mostly only that, shoot newborns.  For me, I just love the challenge of a 2 year old who doesn’t want to sit still, or care that I’m there.  Or witness the birthday girl tasting cake for the 1st time during a Smash Cake Session.  I will also be doing more stylized sessions like my recent Kissing Booth Valentine’s Day Minis, and I have other super fun ideas that I’m working on…  so stay tuned!!!

I will continue to do Maternity & Senior Portrait sessions though, and look forward to shooting a couple of those later this month.

Lastly, a HUGE thank you from me to all of you for your loyalty, referrals, and amazing support during this incredible journey.   The last 5 years has been more than I ever dreamed for myself, and I couldn’t have done it without all of you!!!!!!

With love & gratitude,

Tessa

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2013 Valentine’s Day Minis

I am SO excited for this year’s Valentine’s Day Minis.  Not only did my Stepdad make a custom Kissing Booth for me to use, but I’m also offering some super cute new Valentine’s Day Cards, PLUS this year you’ll also receive a personalized Valentine themed Timeline cover to use on your Facebook page (six to choose from).

Once again these minis are short & sweet at 10 minutes long.  Ten minutes is plenty of time for me to get photos of all of your kiddos together & individually (up to 3 siblings please)!  As always, a CD of your high-resolution images w/ print release is included in your session fee, as well as a password protected online gallery for you to share with your family & friends.   You will also receive one (1) Valentine’s Day card with image(s) of your choice from your session (Valentine’s Day card is a jpg file that you can get printed at the lab of your choice).  These are perfect to send to family & friends, or why not skip the store bought cards this year and give personalized cards to your kiddo’s classmates!!  ALSO, new this year, you will also receive one (1) Valentine theme FB Timeline cover with images of MY choice from your session.

More information for these sessions can be found below.  As with all of my minis, the spots available are sure to go quickly, so book your session today!!

A $50.00 non-refundable deposit is required to book your session, and will be deducted from the balance due the day of your session.

 

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Annual Holiday Card Drawing

Did you use a Grin & Share It image on your Holiday card this year?  Would you like to win $75.00 off your next session??  All you have to do to enter is go to my Grin & Share It Facebook Page and click ”like” to become a fan, and then mail me your Holiday card. I will draw one card randomly & the winner will receive a $75.00 gift certificate from Grin & Share It Photography.  You can use this gift certificate towards your next session, or give it to someone else as a gift :)

Deadline for me to receive your card is next Monday, December 31st, 2012!  The winner will be announced on my Facebook Page on New Years Day, 2013.

Once you’ve liked my Facebook Page & status, please email me at: tessa@grinandshareitphoto.com & I will send you my address.  I can’t wait to see what you’ve all done with your Grin & Share It images and your beautiful cards!!!

Happy Holidays everyone and cheers to a healthy and happy 2013!!!

~Tessa

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