Westfall Photography

2009-03-10T22:40:00.000-07:00

We have moved our blog

We updated our website and moved our blog to serve you better. The new blog allows us to be able to search, navigate, and post larger images.

http://westfallphoto.com/wordpress/

Our new website

www.westfallphoto.com

2009-03-09T14:01:00.000-07:00

Better Sex Talk

Did I get your attention? Of course I did. Well it's not what you think. Tricia and I were on the radio this past week on Chrystal Bougon's Better Sex Radio Show. We spoke about our new line of Diva Within Session. We are all about making real women feel beautiful about themselves because you are gorgeous. We had a great time on the show. For those of you who missed it, you can check out the segment at Better Sex Radio Show.

For those who missed our Pleasure Party from Bliss Connection, let us know if you want to come to the next one. We will probably have another party in August 2009 and if you want to be placed on the waiting list let us know.

We will also be doing Diva Parties soon which I am so excited. We have a few artistic makeup artists and hair stylist that we are lining up to work with. This going to be so much fun. Imagine getting dress up, pampering yourself, drinking some delicious wine and eating chocolate, and having some fun girl time. How does that not sound great? What we'll be doing is hosting parties at your home or in our studio and the host gets the free session and prizes depending on the sales for that evening. If you are interested in hosting one, let us know and we'll put you on the waiting list.

We have a promotion going on from now until April 20th. Only $89 for a 30 minute Diva Within Session and a FREE 5x7. Looking forward to seeing some sexy ladies at the studio. Whooo...shake it girl!!!

2009-03-04T11:00:00.000-08:00

Haven't posted in forever!!!!!
Sorry everyone. I know we haven't been posting lately except for our promotions. It's not that we don't love you and want to stay in touch, we have just been busy creating a new website. We have been working hard in updating our website at www.westfallphoto.com. The site was great 7 years ago when I created it after I left my position as a web developer, but now it's just outdated and sad. So, we went out and got a new website that should be going live in 2 days. I'm really excited about the new site. It has new images, music, more information, and just a great update. It matches with all of our marketing material and is just pretty. You have to tell me what you think.

Here is what our site home page currently looks like

Here is what our newsite home page will look like.
There will be an introductory slideshow too!

We will also be creating 3 more subdomain soon for our high school seniors, wedding, and Diva Within (boudoir). We will also be updating our blog with a new blog as well that will look nicer, be easier to search, and have larger photographs.

Now since we did all that work, we of course want you to take a look at all the sites and tell us what you think. Many of you rave and tell us how much you love your portraits, but now we need to have you help tell the world, so we have some incentives for you. They range from portrait credits, portrait pillows, jewelry, and wine basket. For a limited time, you help us tell the world about our beautiful portrait work and we'll give you a little gift as a thank you. Just email us and we'll tell you how to help out.

2009-02-19T18:29:00.000-08:00

Wine Tasting Date - CANCELED

Hello everyone. Due to the low response of interest of attending the wine tasting, we decided to cancel the event. The new website will still be launch and we will still be giving away a wine gift basket, but we will post more about that later. Thank you everyone.

Please note the wine tasting is on Feb 24 which is a Tuesday. We accidentally sent out an email stating the wine tasting will be on Wednesday. Sorry about that.

The wine tasting will be to celebrate our new website and we will be giving away a wine gift basket. We'll tell you how at the party. Please come celebrate with us

Date: Tuesday, Feb 24
Time: 5:30pm
Location: Studio (145 Dillon Ave, Ste C, Campbell, CA 95008)
Please RSVP

2009-02-17T21:14:00.000-08:00

Is your child America’s Cutest Kid?

Westfall Photography is participating in the National Charity Model Search to select “America’s Cutest Kid” and to raise funds for charity.We’re looking for cute children ages 18 months to 14 years old to model for a portrait to be entered into the contest.

Finalists will be determined by online votes. Anyone may vote. Each vote is $1, and all proceeds from votes benefit the non-profit Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. Grand prize national winner will be determined from the 50 city finalists. Winners selected by photography and modeling industry experts.

If your child is selected the national winner, you’ll receive many prizes, including a $5,000 US Savings Bond and a Canon PowerShot G10 digital camera.

Models Search Special

$39 entrance fee, which includes a 30 minute model session and one image submitted to the national gallery. Deadline is March 28th. So call now to enter.
If you’re interested in entering your child(ren), please call the studio at 408-732-3122.
For more information about the contest, go online to www.sandypucmodels.com.

2009-02-13T17:45:00.000-08:00

A fun day out with my girls

I was looking at a CD of some images of my daughters when we had a day off. We went out the water park in San Jose and just let the girls run around. On a hot day, these park is perfect because of the water area. Only problem is that there is no playground at or near the park so the girls got bored fast. So we headed over to the city.

This is what happens when you let your daughter play in the sand

We decided to go fly some kites and headed to Ocean Beach in San Francisco. If you have never been to that area of San Francisco I would recommend it. It is a nice beach that is great for flying kites and if you are into wind surfing, there are plenty of surfers out there too. I also like that it's a place in San Francisco where there is plenty of free parking which is rare in San Francisco.

2009-02-12T10:40:00.001-08:00

Cutest Baby Contest - CANCELED
(see America's Cutest Kid posting. An even better contest with better prizes)

Alright the registration is finally open to sign up for our Cutest Baby Contest. We are so excited about this contest. We'll be photographing the cutest baby from Feb 23 to Feb 28 at the studio only and reservation is required. No entry fee and no purchase necessary. This contest is open to babies age 6 months to 1 year. We will be following the Cutest Baby Contest with 3 more; Cutest Tot, Most memorable Milestones, and the Funniest Tween Attitude. So you have a 25% chance of getting that college saving bond if your child wins the Cutest Baby Contest.

After your mini-session, that is a 30 minute session, the studio will pick their favorite image and the final winner will be voted by 3 other photography studios. The winner will receive a $50 gift certificate to Discovery Toys and be entered into the drawing for a $500 college saving bond that we will drawn in Winter 2009 after the remaining contest conclude. So do you think you have the cutest baby? I think I do, but since I'm the photographer my kids aren't allow to enter. So if yours is the cutest, call now for your free session and entry.

So here is a recap

Registration opens Feb 9, 2009 at 10am. First come, first serve and contest is limited to 50 entries. Reservation is required
Sessions will take place in the studio only from Feb 23 to Feb 28
Baby must be between 6 months to 1 year
One entry per family, so if you have twins then the two will be photographed together
No fee or purchase necessary
Winner receives $50 gift certificate to Discovery Toys and an entry into $500 college saving bond drawing.

Good luck to everyone and call 408-732-3122 to make your reservation.

2009-02-12T10:08:00.000-08:00

New Year Resolution Update

Amazingly enough I am still doing good on my New Year Resolution. I have been pretty good this year so far. I eat lots of veggie and fruits, lean meat, and still doing my morning jog. Although I will admit with our cloudy weather I have not been as good. When it's cold and wet outside, it is just a little too hard to get myself out of bed at 5am to go on the track. You know the feeling right? I hope I'm not the only lazy one who wants to snuggle down into my warm blankets in the morning.

So, here's the updates. Since Jan 1st I have lost an additional 10lbs. My goal was to get down to a size 8 by Valentine and I'm almost there, but not quite yet. My size 10 are much more comfortable around my waist, but to be a single digit sounds so nice. So since I started my diet in Oct I have lost roughly 40+ pounds. I follow a low carb, low fat, low calorie, low taste...ok, the taste isn't too bad. However the peanut butter that my kids eat smell so good that sometime I just want to kiss it off of them.

I'll post some new pix of me as soon as I get a chance to take some and download them so you can see the progress.

So here's a recipe below for you to try out. This is typical of what I eat for lunch and dinner with an apple for desert.

Taco Salad
1. Prepare the meat topping

Dice up 1 onion, 2 garlic cloves, 1c fresh cilantro, 1 green chile
Heat up 1/4 cup of chicken broth. Place onion, garlic, cilantro, and chile in the broth and simmer until it is soft.
Place 1.5 lb of ground beef into the mix. I use the leanest I can find which is 97/3% so I don't precook the beef and drain the fat.
Add 2 tsp oregano, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp paprika, 2 dried bay leaves, 1/2 tsp sea salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper.
Set aside the meat once it is done cooking.

2. Prepare the "rice"
I found that following a low carb diet, it made me crave carbs less. However I still love rice and the best substitute I could find for it was cabbage.

1/4 head of cabbage. Dice very finely.
Dice 1/2 onion and simmer in chicken broth. Once the onion is soft, place the cabbage in it. You can season it with oregano, paprika, cumin, etc...or use about 2 tsp of taco seasonings.

3. Assemble the salad

Chop up some lettuce, I prefer Romain. Chop up 1 tomato. Chop up 2 Tbs of purple onion
Place lettuce, tomato, purple onion, "rice", and meat and enjoy!
If I am going to spoil myself that day I will add some whole beans, avocado, and maybe a little bit of chedder cheese on top of it.

I hope this recipe inspires you to find more low fat, low carb alternative. I am not into the Atkins diet where you eat no carbs. This isn't Atkins because I eat lots of vegetables and fruit in my diet. Basically I avoid the whites, such as flour, sugar, rice, and other process food. I cook everything from stratch and avoid buying food that has ingredients that I cannot pronounce. It takes a little to get use to, but this works. If you want more recipes and ideas, feel free to comment and I will update with more ideas.

2009-02-11T06:53:00.001-08:00

Toy Playdate on Feb 18

With two young children, we are always searching for new toys. As a mom, the toys that I look for is to be fun, yet educational. I feel that all my daughter wants is Princesses and Dora toys, and while I don't mind her having a few of those, I want her to get something out of the toys that will tailor to her learning. So I found a company whose whole focus is making learning fun. Discovery toys is all about educational toys and as a mom, that's important to me. So we invited Ellen Hovey of Discovery Toys to come over and show us some new toys and letting us play before we purchase.

Discovery Toys will be holding a playdate at our studio on Feb 18 from 10am to 12pm. Ellen will be showing us the new seasons' toys and letting us play with the toys before we buy. It's a great time to let your children try out some new toys and seeing how they react to it.

Come join us for the playdate. We will also have some juice, fruits, and goldfish for snacks. Please call and let us know if you are coming so that we can be sure that we can accommodate everyone.

Date: Feb 18, 2009
Time: 10am-12pm
Location: Westfall Photography Studio

Also, the registration just open up this Monday for our Cutest Baby Contest. Limited enrollments for the contest, so be sure to make your reservation now. Enter our baby contest for a chance at winning a $50 gift certificate to Discovery Toys.

2009-02-01T06:39:00.000-08:00

Diva Within Special

So, all my life I thought I was not perfect and beautiful. I look at those supermodel magazine, and yes, as a photographer I know they are photoshop and airbrushed, but still. Here I am short and after two children, anything but thin. You can't help but long to be beautiful and gorgeous. Then, one day while my husband was talking to me, he stopped, took a long look at me and told me that I am beautiful. It took me 31 years to realize that I am beautiful. So I came up with a newline along with my partner, Tricia of Tricia Allen Photography, that celebrates women for who they are.

We believe that every women is beautiful and should be celebrated. Our session is about you, and how you are your own supermodel. We will capture those sexy legs you have, those captivating bedroom eyes, those sexy curves down your back. We understand where you are coming from, staring at those magazines and wanting to be sexy too. Well you are sexy and we are here to show that to you. This February to celebrate Valentine, we are having a Diva Within special that is sure to be the sexiest gift you can give your man.

The Diva Within special is for a 45 minute session and includes a 5x7 portrait for only $99. The session can take place at our studio or in the comfort of your home.

To hear more about our new line, check out the Better Sex Radio on March 4, 2009 from 11:30am or at http://www.wsradio.com/internet-talk-radio.cfm/shows/Better-Sex-Radio.html

2009-01-31T07:26:00.000-08:00

February, the month of love

Love, love, love is in the air. Isn't that a song or lyrics in a song? If you know the song, let me know. Anyway, we wanted to celebrate this month with some love, sexy gifts, and a little wine. Intrigue? Well read on.

Sexy gift
What is the sexiest gift that you could give your man this Valentine? Why, photos of you of course. Your man knows you are the most beautiful women in the world and he would love to have sexy, strong, seductive portraits of his woman. Come in, pamper yourself with some gorgeous portraits, and feel beautiful both inside and outside.

For the month of February, we are having our Diva Within Special. For only $99, have a private, sexy 45 minute session and a complimentary 5x7 enhanced Classic portrait.

Pour me some wine
For you wine lovers out there, come join us for a tasting on Wednesday, Feb 24 at 5:30pm. We will be having cheese, fruits, chocolate, and of course wine. Come taste some fine wine from Wine Shop at Home with Rita Archer. After the wine tasting, stay for our website launch party. We are going to be having a new website and blog soon. So come and learn how you can win a wine gift basket.

Calling all high school student models
Are you a high school student who would love the chance to model designer clothes? Come learn how you can be a model at our Model Alliance Pizza Party on Feb 26 at 4pm at the studio. Learn how you can not only be part of the Model Alliance team at Westfall Photography, but also a member of the Parti Squad who puts on quarterly fashion show.

Who is the cutest baby?
We'll find out soon. Enter our annual cutest baby contest. The contest will be from Feb 23 to Feb 28 and is limited to 150 baby. If you have a baby between 6 months to a year and you think he/she is the cutest thing in the world, join us for our contest. Registration is required and is open Feb 9. No entry fee or purchase necessary. Enter to win a $300 college saving bond or a $50 gift certificate to Discovery Toys.

2009-01-15T16:11:00.000-08:00

Come share the joy and move in with Westfall Photography

We love our studio space. It's such a cool building to be in and so conveniently located. If I want Sushi, I just cross the street. If I'm in the mood for chicken I just walk down to Sonoma Chicken Coop in Downtown Campbell and if I want Mexican, then I just walk over to El Burros in The Pruneyard. Hmmm, I thought I was on a diet.

Anyway, we love our studio and we want to keep the space, but times are a little slower right now and I know that our clients love our portraits, but everyone is on a budget including us. Therefore we are subleasing out both the bottom office as well as the whole top story of our building where our studio was. We'll still be doing tons of portraits, but in the lobby area now instead of upstairs. So, if you know anyone who is looking for a space right now to sublease, please send them our way.

Here is the lobby area where we will reside. You can see your balcony from here.

Your office with it's own balcony

There is a lot of natural light in this room with two big windows.

There is a full bathroom to share.
We are located close to LG Trials so consider jogging in the morning and then taking a shower to freshen up.

Included in the top office
- Private office about 27ftx10ft with interior balcony
- Sublease includes electricity and water, as well as separate ac unit within office
- Shared full bathroom
- Use of lobby area as available
- Close to Downtown Campbell and The Pruneyard
- $695 per month. No NNN
- Move in today and don't pay for January. First and deposit required to move in.

2009-01-01T16:51:00.000-08:00

New Years Resolution

So, can you guess what my New Years Resolution is? Think about it long and hard. You didn't guess to lose weight did you? Yep, me as well as the other millions of people out there decided that I want to lose weight for New Years. Well lose more weight at least. So after my birthday when I couldn't fit into a size 18 pants, I decided I had to do something about this so call "pregnancy weight". I mean, Violet is 18 months now. How much longer could I use the pregnancy as an excuse for my craving of chocolate, salty nuts, and Starbucks? So I went on a mission to lose the "pregnancy weight". I cut out everything but lean proteins, vegetables, and some fruits. I woke up at 5am every morning if not earlier, and hit the track running. Well I'm happy to say, I lost 25 pounds and went back down to a size 10 pants. I finally was able to donate my maternity clothes to Hope. So my resolution for this year is to lose another 25 pounds before my brother's wedding in May. Do you think I can make it? I sure hope so. I'll keep you updated with new images in a few months. I no longer have a need to hide behind the camera anymore.So what are my New Years Resolution?
1. Lose 25 pounds by May 30 for my brother's wedding
2. Keep my house and life organize for more than 1 day
3. Figure out what really makes me happy
4. Learn and forgive past mistakes, and move on to newer and better things
5. Spend quality time with my girls and husband

So are you curious to what the Top Ten Resolutions are nationwide? Here they are. How many of these are yours as well?
1. Spend more time with family and friend
2. Making time for exercise.
3. Lose weight
4. Quit smoking
5. Enjoy life more
6. Quit Drinking
7. Get out of Debt
8. Learn Something New
9. Help others
10. Get organized.

2008-12-28T15:47:00.000-08:00

2009 Calendar Now Available

Wall Calendar Cover

We are really excited to share with you the 2009 When I Grow Up Calendar featuring the cutest 13 kids (Yes, we can count. January is a brother and sister.) playing "dress up". Thank you for all of those who participated in this calendar.

The calendars are available to purchase at the studio with 10% of proceeds going to Operation Smiles. If you are interested in purchasing a calendar, please contact the studio at 408-732-3122.
- Desk Calendars are available for $11.99 plus tax each.
- Wall Calendars are available for $19.99 plus tax each.

Desk Calendar

Desk Calendar Cover

Desk Calendar Months Preview

Wall CalendarWall Calendar Months Preview

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

2008-12-24T17:49:00.000-08:00

Hong Kong

If you love to shop, dine, and are a size 4 or smaller, than Hong Kong would be a dream. The city is very crowded with locals dining in the many restaurants that line the streets and shopping in the many little boutiques. I stayed in the Mongkok district in Hong Kong. The city was lit up brightly at night with the many shops and restaurants that going outside you wouldn't even know that it was the evening. The food here was delicious and more the size that we are use to in America, especially in comparison to Vietnam. I would recommend coming to visit Hong Kong with an empty suitcase so that you can fill it with the many goodies you purchase. I didn't purchase anything here because my back was already breaking from the items I purchase in Vietnam.

10,000 Buddas.
I make number 10,001.

The best part of Hong Kong was eating. Yummy. The food and desserts there were realy good.
Didn't care for the stinky tofu though.

My sister posing on her campus. Ocean view. What a life!

2008-12-16T18:27:00.000-08:00

Saigon, Vietnam

My parents left Vietnam in the 70s and although for many years they have told me about their homeland, this week was my first trip. Saigon is a bustling city that is filled with motorbikes speeding through the city from every angle. In a city with over 9 million people, 6 million of them have motorbikes.
The part that I had the hardest time getting use to was crossing the major streets of Saigon. There is no clear traffic rules other than the occasional green and red light, which is not always followed. If you want to get from one side of the street to the other, you are to walk into moving traffic at a slow pace and look on all four sides of you. You walk cautiously, while dodging and praying that you make it across the street in one piece. The rule here is that if you are hit by a motorbike then you are responsible and must pay for all related damage. Luckily for me, I had my sister Monica to be my body shelter as we cross the streets. Having lived here for a few months, she would shiver less then me as we cross the streets.

My sister caught this image. She was like "look, there's a baby in the basket"

Local on the Meltong Delta relaxing

Meltong Delta

Me holding a Boa
He started climbing up and wanting to kiss me. eeek.....

Vietnamese Iced Coffee

I love Vietnamese coffee. It's really strong and flavor with condensed milk. This glass was only $0.70 for the drink. Yum!

Cobra alcohol

These bottles will contain various species including scorpion, birds, various insects, and of course a whole cobra.

Bananas

Orphan
This little boy was at the Orphanage in Saigon for children with HIV. He was a sweet little boy who just wanted to be held. I play with him for a few hours and was sad to have to leave him.

2008-12-14T23:43:00.000-08:00

Introducing Real Oil Portrait Painting

We are adding to our line of excellent product one that is sure to be a must have. A real oil painting of your children and family. Imagine hanging a beautiful portraiture of your family above your fireplace for all your extended family and friends to see. We are the only studio in the area that will be offering these heirloom. Below are samples of the oil painting taken from our artists' studio.Enjoy and please call the studio with any questions you may have. Price starting at $899.

2008-12-02T18:04:00.000-08:00

Smile, you're on camera

Congratulations to the Tsao family for winning a gift certificate to our studio from the Las Madres Winter Rendezvous event. We had a nice time meeting this cute little family. Their daughter was adorable and this is one of my favorite image from the session. Don't they just look so happy and cute. I was laughing while taking this portrait because laughter is so contagious. I found out later that mom was also tickling baby and that was why she was laughing so much. Go mom! Mom always know how to make their babies smile and laugh.

For those interested, our studio does do events as well as customized sessions. We also donate Gift Certificates to non-profits that meet our requirements.

2008-12-02T14:16:00.000-08:00

Chubby cheeks always gets me

I met the mom, Kelly, years ago when she use to do Pamper Chef and I was so happy to hear from her years later. I remember bumping into her and she was expecting, but this session was the first time I met their little girl. She was so cute. I just fell in love with those chubby cheeks. Their son had also grown. I remember him being my daughter size now, and now he was taller and is no longer a baby but a young boy. I'm always amaze how children can just change so much before you know it.

Congratulations to Kelly on your two beautiful children. Thank you for letting me capture your memories, especially the ones of your children being who they are.

2008-12-01T19:04:00.000-08:00

Winter 2009 Newsletter

For my clients, this newsletter is dedicated to you. Thank you for letting us be part of your families memories.

Download Westfall Photography Winter 2009 Newsletter Winter08web.pdf

2008-12-01T06:15:00.000-08:00

Holiday Boutique and PJ, Cookies and Santa

Have brunch with us while doing some holiday shopping. We will be showcasing a variety of jewelers, toys distributors, candles, chef cookware, gift baskets, and many others. The holiday boutique will be on Saturday and Sunday, December 6 and 7, from 9am-1pm on Saturday and 9am-2pm on Sunday at Westfall Photography Studio. We look forward to celebrating the holiday season with you over some delicious muffins, bagels, fruits, tea, and apple cider.

Don't forget to bring the kids in their pajama’s to visit our special visitor from the North Pole. We will be setting out milk and cookies while waiting for our visitor. We will be photographing your children with Santa. Bring an unwrapped new toy to donate for a complimentary 5x7 Gift Portrait.

Holiday Boutique Details
Date: Saturday, December 6, 2008 and Sunday, December 7, 2008
Time: 9am-1pm

2008-10-31T04:46:00.000-07:00

Remember to Vote on Nov. 4th, Election Day

Your vote counts. Remember to vote this year.

2008-10-31T03:50:00.000-07:00

Bright little flowers during Winter

My first impression of the two little girls that I photographed this weekend was what little sunshine they were. I couldn't help but giggle, jump, and yes, even run laps around the building with these two adorable, 18 months and 4 year old, as we had so much fun. It was a really fun session to work with the family. I was sad when the session ended and I had to give the two girls a big hug as they headed home. Thank you Tina for sharing your family with me.

Tina and her family were the winning bid for the Yew Chung school fund raiser. For those of you who are always looking for ways to help raise money for their children's' school, please give us a call if you need some auction donation or setting up a fund raiser. Westfall Photography wants to support our local schools and is always willing to donate gift certificates or set up photo fund raiswer to raise money for local schools in the Bay Area.

2008-10-16T18:02:00.000-07:00

Me and my new hair cut

I was getting so tired of having long hair. I mean at night sometime, I thought I was getting strangled only to realize that I was strangling myself, with my hair. I was growing my hair out for Locks of Love and it grew almost down to my "buns". Although I was looking forward to being able to help out a child, I was looking more forward to getting my hair cut. So yesterday I had sometime between appointments and I decided that's it, today is the day. So I called up Rage Hair Salon and see if they had an appointment available. Sue at Rage was helpful and got me an appointment with Sara Bettencourt. I told Sara that I was at her mercy. Not sure what to expect, I was totally happy with my hair cut. It's kinda vain, but I loved it so much I decided to blog about it. So here's my new hair cut. I took these the next day and I had to style the hair myself. Sara made the cut easy to work with and I was actually able to make it cute without to much skills. Love it. I would recommend Sara anyday.

2008-10-15T11:46:00.000-07:00

Halloween Party
Join us for a night of treats and Halloween fun at Westfall Photography Studio. We will have treats for the kids and fun craft projects. So mark your calendar for Oct 26 to bring your monkeys, ghosts, and princesses to the Halloween Bash.
Halloween Bash

Dates: Oct 26th
Time: 5-7pm
Location: Westfall Photography Studio
145 Dillon Avenue, Suite C
Campbell, CA 95008

Lil’ Pumpkin Limited Edition
Don’t forget to come by the studio for your Lil’ Pumpkin Special. For only $59, you receive a Lil’ Pumpkin session, a 5x7 Gift Potrait, and a portion of your session fee is donated to Operation Smiles.

Dates: Oct 24th, 25th and 27th