I wanted to take this time to personally thank all of my wonderful clients for choosing me to photograph both your children and your families this year. I take the job seriously as I know we are creating photographs that will be shared and enjoyed through the years, so I’d like to thank you all so much for trusting in me. It was great getting to know those of you who were new to my studio and it was wonderful seeing all my repeat clients again. I have enjoyed all of you!

On a personal note, this has been an unusual year for both my husband and I. We became empty nesters this August! It is truly an odd feeling and quite honestly it took some time to get comfortable with the quiet house. Both boys are now in college and are doing really great. My oldest joined a fraternity this year and my youngest has really come into his own. It has been really wonderful to watch. I am very proud of each of them, all their accomplishments and the men they have become. I look forward to watching their lives unfold as they continue on their own paths. Being a mom to those two boys has been the best!

On a sad note late this year we lost our beautiful Golden Retriever dog. He went in for a simple but necessary surgery and the doctor lost him on the operating table. My family was shocked and devastated. We had him for twelve beautiful years and he gave us so much love and joy and he will be extremely missed.

There will not be a new puppy for the Teurlings home this holiday but instead we are spending the Season away in New York City.  It will be a nice time to be together as a family and just hang out together without face book, text messaging, t.v, computers, video games, girlfriends or any other distractions…just quality family time. I am looking forward to the great times we will share together and we’ve all got our fingers crossed for a white Christmas.

I wish you all a magical Holiday Season and a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

 

Warm Regards,

Holiday Special

Lil’ Sweetie

This little sweetie is special to my heart. She is a precious 8 months old and very good at crawling. I photographed her parents Leanne and Sean’s wedding about 8 years ago. They are such a lovely couple and very loving parents. I was thrilled to hear when mom called me that they had a baby and that they wanted me to photograph her. She has the most beautiful hair and she was soooooo ticklish. Below are  images from their wedding back in 2002 or about that…followed up with a few peek photos from the shoot I did with the baby.

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Special

This week I had the great pleasure to photograph Dedria  Brunette, Miss Teen California Int 2010.

Dedria  was so delightful, caring and inspiring. Her story was a surprise to me and proof that you can achieve anything you put your mind too. Your circumstances never need to prevent you from achieving great things in life.

Dedria was a very young girl who was first found homeless and eating from dumpsters. She then went from foster care home to foster care home. She ended up at Casa Pacifica where a volunteer there adopted her and brought her home and became part of their large loving family.

Dedria started a nonprofit organization at 15 years old called “LUGGAGE OF LOVE” The organization raises money to purchase new luggage and donates it to kids in the foster care system and shelters.  www.luggageoflove.org

This nonprofit organization was inspired by Dedria by the foster homes and her personal experience of never having luggage but instead transporting her belongings from home to home in white plastic bags.

She has now graduated high school early with straight A’s and plans to compete for the next title. I am certain Dedria will continue to inspire people as she continues on her life’s journey. She certainly inspired me! Her heart and passion are larger than life. Below are a few images I took of beautiful Dedria.

A question once asked to Dedria:

what is your favorite word ?
HOPE…This word kept me going on the nights I was homeless trying to find food and shelter. HOPE is what found me a family, and what brought me to where I am today. No matter what life throws your way HOPE is something no one can take from you.

Father’s Day Special

I am so excited to share my newest line, The Ultimate Collection.

My passion for photography has always consisted of creating a warm, comfortable environment for my clients as well as continuing to create beautiful, innovative and artistic lines of portrait photography.  The Ultimate Collection is absolutely visually stunning!   Each portrait is unique with special attention given to gorgeous detail.  Customized text of your name, a favorite quote or poem can be added to personalize your images.  I hope you love it as much as I do!

The two images I have posted are of children I have been photographing since they were infants.  Thank you Hunter, Lily and Harrison.  You look amazing and are always a pleasure to photograph!

My gift to you with any paid portrait session through April 15, 2010.

A beautiful, personalized portrait from my new Ultimate Collection. Call for details.

Happy Holidays

I would like to wish everyone a beautiful Holiday Season! I hope you are able to really relax and enjoy your families. At the end of the day family is what truly matters.

My boys are ALL grown now. My youngest son turned eighteen this past November. My older son is in college at USC.  Having my family together will be wonderful. The boys agreed they would go to Disneyland and see the light show /Christmas Parade with me and not ditch me. They also promised me they would go to the Wild Animal Park over vacation. I have always wanted to go and have never been. I am lucky they are still willing to do these things with me and deep down I think their looking forward to the quality time together.

Sometimes I wish they were still small. I see these darling children walk through the doors for photos and I think to myself HOW WONDERFUL THEY ARE SO YOUNG AND PRECIOUS and then I look at my boys who are now men and I think THAT’S REALLY GREAT  TOO.

I guess being a parent is just fabulous at ALL stages and we should enjoy each of them . It goes fast!

Wishing you all a New Year that is blessed with happiness, good health and prosperity.

Monica Teurlings

New Background “The Barn Wall”

I have just completed another new background for the studio which I LOVE. I call it “THE BARN WALL”. I have posted some images from a shoot I did. The sweet girl in the photos is a child I have been photographing since she was an infant. Thank you Bella….You are GORGEOUS!!!

Holiday Cards!

My Holiday card line is now completed. The designs are beautiful and I am really excited to be able to offer my clients such unique holiday cards along with such a large selection to choose from.

Doing this business for Fourteen years I have learned that clients enjoy the tradition of sharing their kids and family through Holiday cards but they really want a beautiful card that really makes a statement. That’s why I created so many fantastic cards that will be exclusive to my clients only.

BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY PORTRAIT SESSION NOW

All of my Holiday Cards will be part of my Holiday promotion. Clients can choose any card style they want in any papers (we have 5 fabulous paper choices) they want and as a gift with purchase you will receive 25 holiday cards free with a purchase of a package two or greater or any canvas print.

Here are a few examples of my many designs…

Have a wonderful day and see you soon

Monica Teurlings