Happy Birthday to ME!

Come! I'd love it!!
Flights aren't THAT expensive right now,
right?
It'd totally be worth it, I promise.

xo,

Nat

It's July!

It's officially July, and you know what that means. . . it's time for cake of course! July is my birth month, and around here birth months are pretty special ones. I LOVE BIRTHDAYS!!! So WATCH OUT!! It's time.for.FUN!

Be sure to check back soon, because July is going to be FILLED to the brim with EXCITEMENT here on Pics and Kicks: beautiful images, giveaways galore, session discounts and awesome photo tips to boot! We may even have a guest blogger or two drop in to give us the scoop on their mad photo ninja skillz . . . See you soon!

Happy July!!!!

**Quite a few of the giveaways will be time sensitive. . . as in the FIRST to comment will "take the cake" (frr), so now may be a good time to add me to the reader of your choice. My subscription method is Google Reader. Subscribe to Pics and Kicks through Google Reader here.

Aloha from Aspen.

We had so much fun visiting our old friends from Hawaii, the Naivalu's, at their new home in Aspen. They have 3 boys too, so we were a very energetic bunch!!

Here are the older boys. . . betcha can't guess which ones belong to me. . . hardie har har!

Rest Stop.

Greetings from a potty break in Price, UT.

xoxo,
Nat

PS. Aspen, well, it rocks.

Rockin' Things Right.

Leo Patrone, me and Jonathan Canlas
at Jon's wedding up in Park City last Sat.
If you haven't checked these two crazy photo ninjas out, go. NOW.
You'll thank me later.

xo,

Natalie

Aloha.

Dear Hawaii,

Leaving you, even for just a short time,
makes me all the more aware of the zillions of reasons I love you.
But for now, I must bid farewell to Musubi's in the morning and you,
dear Sam's Store.
See you soon sweet friend of ours.

Aloha,

Natalie

To My Hawaii Friends.

Hello All. . . we have 5 spots available in the house we rent out here in Laie for Summer Term. . . July/August. We generally rent to males, but if you know a group of female students looking for a place we'll happily consider renting it to females. We had planned originally to put a family in there beginning in July, but as plans have changed, we will now be re-opening the house to students. Rent is $375 for a shared room $400 for a private. If you're interested, or know someone who's still looking for a house for summer term, please let us know!

We also have a studio apartment that rents for $800 a month which is also available through July and August.

Spread the word!

Thanks!

xo,

Natalie

Guess Who?

Guess who I ran into last week.


Good thing I recently started riding the "Lost wave," otherwise he would have just been the big guy standing next to me at the book store. . . . I'd never have known. We chatted it up for a few minutes. He was very gracious and kind. His girlfriend was ESPECIALLY darling and sweet.

And well, there you have it.

The end.

Today I Love: Utah and California.

So friends, the response for sittings in Utah and California has been astonishing. Thank you for loving me and wanting me to photograph you! It makes me so happy! I honestly can't wait!! The only dates I still have available for the month I'll be in town are:

May 24th: California
May 26th: California
May 29th: Utah {Edited to include: DATE FILLED}
June 18th: Utah {Edited to include: DATE FILLED}
June 19th: Utah

Details: Sessions are at my regular rate of $300 HOWEVER during my trip this cost will also include a high res disk of images (valued at $100) with a signed release so you can print wherever your little heart desires AND a $100 print credit through my professional lab!!

"Don't you live in HAWAII??" Yes. You miss a day around here and you're a mile behind. Get the scoop here.

Hope to see you on the mothership. . . ie the Mainland. . . ie the continental US. hmmmf. silly.

Oh and more info coming soon on our lunch date: don't worry, you're invited too!! Yes YOU!

On the Agenda/Your Chance to WIN.

Read to the bottom for your chance to win.


My good friend and FANTASTIC musician Jake Kongaika of Cubworld is a comin' to town! He's splashin' in to his home town of Laie on Friday May 23rd. This concert is NOT to be missed. He's been hopping all over the globe and creating quite the name for himself with sold out concerts galore, television appearances and radio spots, but don't you worry, he hasn't forgotten his roots. Jake, I can't wait to have you back on your stompin' grounds!

Here's the concert info: you can also download free tunes there so check it out. There's ticket info as well. Be sure to grab tickets quick . . . this is SURE to sell out fast!!

Out of state? You can join in the fun by checking him out at the following links:

www.cubworld.cc
www.sellaband.com/cubworld
www.myspace.com/cubworld
www.myspace.com/cubworldacoustic

Buy a ticket to the show, comment below to let me know, and I'll randomly choose one lucky winner to receive a Limited Edition Cubworld CD! No anonymous comments will be entered in the drawing.

Hello New Week; Shall We Dance?

I have a few goals this week:

1. Order the last of my new equipment.
   
2. Get caught up on the laundry.
3. Clean the awful pile out of the corner of my bedroom.
4. Enjoy my scheduled week off from shooting and get all caught up on my editing.
5. Rock as a mom, HARD CORE.
   

What do you hope to accomplish?
BEWARE: I WILL HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE.
Comment with your TO DO LIST below.
Get your jobs done because one lucky commenter will win a surprise,
BUT ONLY IF THEY CHECKED OFF EVERYTHING
ON THEIR LIST!

And what's a post without a picture?

Raleigh, mommy loves you!

Uh Oh.

Uh oh. California availability is filling up fast! This is what I have left:

May 26th
May 24th

Then I'm off shooting in UT for a couple of weeks, then. . . it's back to CA where I have one more date open:

June 13: Edited to Include: This date is now FULL

Then it's back to UT. Utah is still pretty wide open. . . because I'm going to be there a lot longer! I'm still going to be limiting my sessions though. . . it is after all. . . a vacation! YEAH!

Just FYI: Sessions are at my regular rate of $300 HOWEVER during my trip this cost will also include a high res disk of images (valued at $100) with a signed release so you can print wherever your little heart desires AND a $100 print credit through my professional lab!!

What's this all about you are asking yourself? Oh, you must have missed it: here you go.

It's Official.

Design Credit: Jake Kongaika

Ok folks. It's official. I'm off to Utah/California from the end of May to the end of June. I've got some exciting things lined up for my trip, but I'm reserving some time for portrait sessions!! AT A SPECIAL PACKAGE RATE!! The dates I have available are FILLING UP FAST, so if you're interested, please email me at natalienorton{at}gmail{dot}com to reserve your date. Also. . . if you live in UT/CA and have a blog of your own. . . I would love you to the moon and back for linking to this post :).

ALSO, I'd love to have a lunch date with some of you faithful readers of Pics and Kicks! We can chat up photoshop, gear, business, family, love. . . elephants for that matter! I'm an open book. Zupas anyone? I dream of Tomato Basil at least twice a week . . . YUM! More on the lunch date to come soon!

My Lovely Yesterday: Part I.

Today I Love:

Today I love. . . YOU Rykel. We had so much fun spending your birthday with you! You're going to make an excellent 3 year old. I'm certain.

We started things off at TVA park. Whoot whoot. Who doesn't love a good Capri Sun on a hot Hawaii morning?

Then we went to paint pots.


Apparently some of us think paint is for eating.


Then it's off to Chuck's.

Shae did NOT love Chuck. This was taken right after he gave him a good ol' wack in the noggin. It was hilarious. Chuck got closer and closer and Shae held off in terror as long as he could . . . then he swung at him and bopped that mouse right.
He got over it. Don't worry. We ended our day with take-out from Chili's enjoyed at the park.

Tire swings. . . remember that pukey feeling they used to give you? I sure do. Rykel and Raleigh didn't seem to mind.

Rykel,

Happy birthday!

Your Auntie Nat sure does love you!

xoxo,

N

Photography in this post by yours truly with select images by my man Richie.

Taylor.

Happy Birthday Lovely.

On The Agenda: Free Headshot Anyone?

Need a head-shot for business, acting portfolio, senior recital or just for the sake of it? Well, I am currently working on a "how to" piece for taking good head-shots, so I am offering 1 free slot (this week) and will charge only $30 for each additional person who's interested (next week only).

FREE SLOT: Wed. February 27th: 5:00-5:30pm.

Other Head-Shot Availability:

• Tue. March 4: 2 slots: 5:00-5:30pm and 5:30-6:00pm.
• Wed. March 5: 2 slots: 5:00-5:30pm and 5:30-6:00pm.

Interested? Email me at natalienorton@gmail.com.

** Edited to include: Above slots are booked. If you're interested in scheduling a head-shot, please email me at natalienorton@gmail.com. I will still honor the $30 rate if I receive your email by this Friday, 2/29.

Coming Soon: BRIDES!

If you're a bride to be or a bride who was and still have your wedding dress. . . check back soon for a chance at a free bridal session!

Chris' Photo Booth.

So for our good friend Chris' 30th birthday his lovely wife threw a big surprise bash at the "Shady Acres Retirement Home." The evening was complete with the "oldlywed game," bingo and even some swing and foxtrot! It was a rockin' good time, and I got to try my luck at a "photo booth" for the first time (an idea inspired by Nate and Jaclyn of The Image is Found. . . my favorite photography team EVER).

First the birthday boy. Owwwww!


Loving this guy's sticker. . . I heard that some crazy guy was randomly yelling "Mitt is More" all throughout Haleiwa today. . . just FYI. . .






Notice anything spectacular about this next one? Look closely. Ha ha ha. . . I love it!














That's me, Natalie, with the curler in my hair. . . This shot was taken by Erik Norton. . . of Erik Norton Photography. . . :)


A big mahalo to our wonderful team of nurses for helping us remember our meds and for serving us up cafeteria style. . .



The hat twins. . . sister was all about brother having both hats on at the same time. . . big important business. . .


Happy birthday Chris! We love you! And Jackie! THANK YOU for another rockin' party. Can't wait to see what you come up with next! (Remember Rachel's baby shower where we all had to come dressed as pregnant movie stars? You are a quack, and I LOVE YOU!). . .


Have a happy Sunday! Check back soon!

xoxo,

Nat

PS- For copies of the pictures above, please email me at natalienorton@gmail.com.

On the Agenda

Anaheim here we come!!! Merry Christmas to US!!

On the Agenda

Monday night we're off to Utah for Christmas and then San Diego to celebrate the new year like rock stars.

Things we CAN'T WAIT to do once we get to UT (listed in order #1 being what we're most excited about and 10 being what we're not quite most excited about but still feel ample excitement over):

10. Building a snowman.
9. Going Sledding up American Fork Canyon (or on Cemetery Hill in Alpine).
8. Wearing winter clothes: sweaters, mittens, scarves, BOOTS! Ahh.
7. Really needing to snuggle up under the covers at night.
6. Seeing the lights at Temple Square.
5. Going Skiing/Snowboarding in Park City.
4. Luminaries on Christmas Eve.
3. Having a fire in the fireplace of wood chopped from trees that fell in the yard.
2. Seeing friends and family.
1. Eating at Zupas.

Things we CAN'T WAIT to do once we get to CA (listed in order #1 being what we're most excited about and 10 being what we're not quite most excited about but still feel ample excitement over):

10. Staying in my pajamas all day with Shelly.
9. Going on a date to the movies (a block away!) with Richie while Shelly watches the babies.
8. Making resolutions.
7. Sleeping in Chelsea's AWESOME bed.
6. Jogging on the beach and pier.
5. Drinking Martinelli's.
4. Hitting Disneyland!!!! Thank you Santa!
3. I CAN'T WAIT to go to yoga every day (also like a block from the house)!
2. See family and friends (esp Erik and Kindsay!).
1. Eating hole in the wall Mexican (mostly Richie, me not so much loving the greasy measy).