The Horsey Hilton… Premier Equestrian Boarding and Training Facility Loomis Ca

I recently spent some time photographing the Horsey Hilton Equestrian Boarding Facility in Loomis California which my Aunt Mimi and Uncle Bill own and run. With gorgeous barns, ample pastures, covered arena, a full sized dressage court with wonderful boarders and world class instructors and clinicians, I couldn’t imagine keeping my horse anywhere else when living in the Sacramento, Roseville and Loomis areas. I took a lesson on my Aunt’s horse Fosco on a hot day under the covered arena and was surprisingly cool.

With the amazing full care that horses get here, I’m surprised that they didn’t call it Horsey Heaven. If you’re interested in boarding, call Mimi or Bill at (916) 652-8055 for information.

The main barn

The wash rack

Inside the covered arena

A rider enjoying the covered arena

The front barn

Covered feeders in one of the pastures

Fosco my love

A rider taking a clinic

A few of the four legged friends at Horsey Hilton

Black Friday to Cyber Monday – Support A Local Small Business

Black Friday to Cyber Monday – Support A Local Small Business

True Blue’s 1st ever Black Friday to Cyber Monday Sale! Buy one session gift certificate for a friend, get one free for yourself. Portrait sessions for families, new babies, maternity, graduates and fur babies are $125. Intimate sessions for maternity, your sweetie or simply for you are $195. Buy one, get one – today through Monday only. Contact the studio at info@truebluephotography.com or by phone at 562-299-2506 to get your gift certificates.

Happy Holidays!!!

It’s been an amazing year at True Blue.  So many families, babies, fur babies and boudoir sessions in our studio this year – I feel so blessed. As I was preparing holiday cards for my clients I realized that I’ve been so busy that not only have I been lax in blogging, I haven’t done a holiday card of my own for several years. It was definitely time to do one of my own.

This year has been a true whirl wind. My youngest daughter graduated from high school, my oldest daughter got married (& I gained a new son), we added a dog to our lives and lost him to kidney failure 6 months later, then our hearts were filled back up with the indefinite fostering (if needed) of one of my closest friend’s dog Jake.  I wrote a book that came out right after Thanksgiving that teaches other photographers and am speaking at DWF Convention in San Antonio Texas in January. I am a very lucky girl indeed.

Thanks to all my family and friends for putting up with my crazy schedule and for all the clients that I now consider friends. I couldn’t have done it without you all. Now for some photos…

My little graduate

My beloved Gucci – he is so missed.

My oldest daughter getting married. (image shot by my 2nd shooter  Richard Agajanian) Yes – I shot my own daughters wedding. Well… I did part of it – through lots of tears.  Thank goodness for great 2nd shooters – I couldn’t have done it without him.

My book…

And finally… our holiday card featuring Michael and I and our fur babies – Shadow (horse), Odie (champagne lab), Jake (black lab center & Kona (black lab at right).  Thanks to my friend Joy for not only hauling Shadow to our home which is not in an equestrian area but also taking the photos.

Happy New Year everyone. May 2011 be your best year yet.

Jodi, Nick, their horses & the Rose Parade…

New Portrait Special with lots of goodies…

Just in time for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and the summer.

Session, 4×6 brag album, 3 matching wallet sized accordion albums and 10 web sized files – perfect for sharing.

ETI Corral 8…

April through September of 2009 I photographed ETI Corral 8s  five charity horse shows at Ernie Howlett Park in Rolling Hills Estates. I had the help of my BFF Traci and eldest son Donald who stood out in the hot sun for 11 hours at each show and shot along with me. The fabulous Lawrie Margrave photographed these shows for many years prior and taking on the job meant that I clearly had very big shoes to fill.

Photographing this show is a labor of love for me. It’s been many years since I’ve shown myself but just being there reminds me so much of how badly I want to show again someday. Here are a few things I love about the ETI horse shows along with some photos from the 2009 season.

Little Leadliners practicing – even when they aren’t on their real ponies

Leadliners patiently waiting to talk to the judge

Leadliners winning blue ribbons and a gift from Karen at The General Store.

Trainers giving last minute instruction to their students

The volunteers

The judges

Seeing victory in the eyes and smile of a little girl

Determination, drive and passion – these kids are serious about horses

Working hard… really hard

Jumpers!!!

Inner city kids riding from the Compton Jr Posse

Getting the shot even while cheering on one of my closest friends

Ribbons…

And seeing my boy Shadow there kicking a little booty!

Finished for the day waiting for his trailer ride home

I’m looking forward to seeing everyone at the shows this year.

Special Project… Joy & Mindi

Suzi and her babies…

Suzi was sending her girl Silky out to retire in the lush green pastures of Colorado. After a long life as a camping, trail and rehab horse, it was time for Silky to have a well deserved retirement. Of course we had to do a portrait of Sinbad and Cheyenne as well.

The Equine Avenue Girls at Hummingbird’s Nest Ranch…

When Aryn of Equine Avenue and her students asked me to come out to the Hummingbird’s Nest Ranch in Simi Valley to photograph them with their horses, I had no idea what was in store for me. I can honestly say that I’ve never been in a barn with chandeliers before. It is truly an amazing place and the girls had a fabulous time hacking and jumping on the grass course.

Aryn & Dimitri

Last week I headed up a neat little barn across from the Paddock Riding Club in Los Angeles to meet up with Aryn and Dimitri for some portraits. I’m pretty sure that Dimitri knows that he’s Aryn’s best friend but he got more than a few treats during this session as a reminder.