Looking for a YouTube Editor!

Hey there High School Students!  I am on the lookout for a Blog Assistant Editor to help me find funny and interesting YouTube clips to post to my blog and Twitter account.  So if you're a "YouTubeAholic," then maybe this is the job for you.  Call me at 760.739.9580 or send me an email at www.asliceoflifeseniors.com.  As the fastest growing high school senior studio in Escondido and Rancho Bernardo, your picks will be viewed by hundreds!

Serving San Pasqual High, Escondido High, Orange Glen High, Escondido Charter High, Westview High, Rancho Bernardo High, Mt. Carmel High and Del Norte High.

Be Unique...Be You!

Heidi at A Slice of Life Photography

Mikaela Giertta - San Pasqual High School

So I was having so much fun photographing Mikaela the other day.  I mentioned to her how closely she resembles Super Model Christie Brinkley, and I'm not sure if it's because Mikaela is an exchange student from Sweden or if it's because of my age, but she didn't know who Christie Brinkley is!  Ouch!  So for those of you who are just too young to remember her (and I even remember Super Model Cheryl Tiegs), go ahead and google her.  Then you tell me what you think, is Mikaela the next Christie Brinkley?

Mikaela decided to book the Downtown Session.  We started off on Grand Avenue and made our way to Grape Day Park.  I have some of my favorite spots but this time I came with a secret weapon, my collection of brightly colored paper parasols!  I chose the turquoise blue one for her and we had fun using it as a prop.  And yes ladies, you too can have fun photos taken with a parasol.  The colors I have in stock right now are Bright Fuschia Pink, Mango Orange, Turquoise Blue, Bright Grass Green and Off White.  I'll be stocking up on more colors soon.  Let me know if you have any suggestions for colors.

Mikaela is living with the McBride Family here in Escondido.  She will be returning to Sweden this summer and we will miss her a lot.  I designed a beautiful album with her images and even had "Import of Sweden" put on one of the pages.  You'll have to stop by my home studio to see it, it's incredible!

Daniela Vitobaldi - Escondido Charter High School

Last week I spent an hour and a half at Kit Carson Park with Daniela and her mom. We walked around the park and found some great spots for my Walk In The Park session. Daniela has the most beautiful long hair and I had a lot of fun showing it off in many of the photographs. Her easygoing personality made for some casual photographs, as I try to capture each senior for who they are. Here are some of my favorites...

Robert and Karisa - San Pasqual High School

How fun to take your senior portraits with your best friend!

That's exactly what Robert Burns and Karisa Masing did yesterday. We started with some really cool studio shots including some of Robert with a "Hollywood Glamour" theme of him in a fedora with a cigar. Okay, before you start calling me on the telephone to chew me out for endorsing smoking, realize I DO NOT condone cigars, cigarettes or smoking of any kind. I just endorse looking cool for your senior portrait! :-)

Since both Robert and Karisa are involved in school athletics, I decided to get some great shots of them in their uniforms in a natural sports environment. I'm really not into the studio jock shots, to me that just seems so fake. I'd rather be out there on the field or court taking photos of the seniors. To me that's a geniune portrait. Since I would rather have less senior clients so I can spend more time with them, I have the luxury of taking out the time to go on site.

By looking at these great photos, I think that we captured some wonderful memories of Robert and Karisa. And if you like what you see, don't wait too long to call for a senior session appointment. I only take a certain number of sessions per year and when they're filled, that's it. Of course don't forget my August Session Special, 2 free movie theatre tickets and a $5 gift card to Cold Stone Creamery with every paid session. Great photos and a movie & ice cream, what could be better??

What We Offer Seniors That's Unique...

So what makes us different from everyone else here in town? As the old saying goes, "location, location, location!" Although I have a nice home studio garden, (I've landscaped my 1/3 acre property with waterfalls, split rail fencing, stone walls, cedar sheds, etc.,) my main goal it to take seniors out and about their hometown for some cool shots that reflect their personality more than just taking pictures on MY property. I know it's all about getting a beautiful portrait of each individual and I do highly recommend my site for some students, but for those who are looking for something different, I've got some of the area's coolest spots. A perfect example would be Cache from Escondido High School posing on Grand Avenue. By bringing along her guitar, she not only incorporated her hometown into the photograph but also something about her personality.

There's also my Grunge Series, where I take seniors out to some of the weirdest place that most photographers wouldn't even dare go themselves. The look is totally urban with interesting backdrops and colors. Here's Cory from Escondido High School at a junk yard. What guy (or even girl for that matter) wouldn't love to have some great photos done here?

Or who would think a simple brick wall could become a piece of art with your photograph "painted" on it? Here's Mandy Morris from Escondido High School posing in the alley. Just wait and see, pretty soon other photographers in town will start offering similar things but just remember who started it first. There's something to be said about imitation being the greatest form of flattery but I'm rather partial to being unique.

And talk about retro! As usual, all old things become new again and with so many students into the Gangster Look or old Hollywood Glamour, we decided to create a type of session that would give seniors a chance to dress up and have fun. Of course you don't have to dress like the 40's or 50's for this type of session. It's all about the dramatic lighting so don't feel like you have to choose this session only for a retro look. It can work well in many different situations. Here's Sidney Schroeder from Escondido High School with a sample. Didn't she do a fabulous job on her make-up and wardrobe?

I really had so much fun working with all the senior models that applied to A Slice of Life Photography. Class of 2011, don't forget to check out our website and apply to be one of our Ambassador Models for next year. We take applications anytime and make our selections in the month of January during your Junior Year. There are so many benefits and freebies for becoming one of our models and only a chosen few make it every year.

Hello Class of 2010!!

So most of the students in Escondido haven't really heard much about A Slice of Life Photography. The studios that have been around for many years include Aaron Dennis Portrait Works, Robert Jacobs Photography, and Don Darrock Photography. So who are we and where did we come from?

Heidi Hopp and Grant Usell have been photographing wedding and families for many years now (too many to admit to, really) and last year we decided that we wanted to have more fun and create some stunning images that haven't really been seen in Escondido before. Previously, my company was called HRH Photography but in honor of starting out fresh with a fun twist to things, I renamed my company A Slice of Life Photography. It makes sense, you know. I am there to document all the different slices of people's lives...from maternity to newborn, children and family photos to high school seniors, and then on to engagement and wedding photographs.

In keeping with the fun side of our business, I've come up with this blog to showcase some of our students' best images. Bookmark us and visit weekly to see new images posted of your friends. Also, you can keep up with any specials we're having as well as some (possible) juicy gossip on what's happening around town.

Since we like to think our work is "outside the box," we came up with a great idea. For those students who want to make their session a one-of-a-kind experience, we are holding a contest for the most outstanding senior images with prizes of $250 VISA gift cards. From June 1st through September 15th, you can book an appointment with our studio and let us know you want to take part in this promotion. You will be responsible for one idea to incorporate into your session, including wardrobe and props, and you will choose your favorite image to be posted online. Invite all your friends & family to view the photographs and have them choose their favorites. Categories will include: Most Creative, Most Fashionista, Most Daring, and Most School Spirit.

Yeah, we know. We're different from the rest, so show us how you're different from all your friends. Please keep in mind that there are restrictions to what we can do, so make sure your ideas are legal and safe. But most important, make sure they show us who you are. Come on Escondido Seniors, give us your best ideas!

Visit us at http://www.asliceoflifeseniors.com