Summer Days are Family Days at the Beach

So much to blog about!  I am so thankful to be as busy as I am, but I am getting behind on the blogging!  If I could just get this thing to read my mind as I try to go to sleep!  I guess I should be careful for what I wish for.  You never know what technology is popping up these days.  ;o)

Now back to the purpose here, FAMILY PORTRAITS!  Yes, I love the feeling of creating a beautiful family portrait.  That type of portrait you are excited from the moment you order until long after it is hanging on the wall proudly.  I have had the pleasure of working with some great clients who have that excitment!    I worked with this family a little over a week ago and I can't wait to see their wall portraits come in!

I was so excited to process these that I posted a few on facebook but have been waiting to get a moment to post them here on my blog.  Love the spot we shot at to get this awesome reflection in the water.

I love this image with the grandparents and the grandkids.  They seemed to really adore these kids!   It was very sweet!

We got so many great shots that day.  The kids were wonderful to work with!

I hope you all enjoy your portraits!

To book your family session call 757-692-8138 or email:

Monica Martin
http://www.cocoabeanphoto.com/
monica@CocoaBeanPhoto.com
Facebook Page

Summer Beach time fun!

New preview today! Starring the beautiful Cassi and her cute as a button daughter Mackenzie. It was an absolutely gorgeous day at the beach but wow, that wind really made it a challenge.

These two faced that challenge with big smiles. Of course, I took out the ones where we were laughing so hard because Cassi’s hair was completely in front of her.

If you are a “fan” on my facebook page you may have read my post about them putting a little gift together for Cassi’s husband who is deployed right now. I know he will love it!

ADORABLE!

Hope you all enjoy the preview as much as Mackenzie’s Daddy will!

Thanks Cassi!

Monica Martin

http://www.cocoabeanphoto.com/
monica@CocoaBeanPhoto.com
757 692-8138
Facebook Page

Winner of the Cocoa Bean Photography session and gift card!

Congratulations to Eve and her family!

Eve signed up in hopes of winning the free session and a gift certificate in the silent auction at the “Race for Autism” a few weeks ago. I’m so excited that Eve and her family won and took advantage of the session!  She quickly got her family together for a beautiful afternoon at the beach with her husband, children and luckily we were able to include her mother and brother into the shoot as well.

I so enjoy capturing moments like this, you could tell there is a lot of love shared freely in thier family.

Nothing beats Grandma hugs!

You have a gorgeous family Eve! It was a pleasure to take these. I hope you enjoy the sneak preview!  Best wishes and prayers for your family.

Ashley and Gerry at Smithfield Station

Beautiful location with a beautiful couple.

I have a suspicion they like traveling to beautiful locations. Once headed out to Smithfield Station I met up with Ashley and her fiancé Gerry who just happened to be leaving on deployment a few days after. My heart goes out to them as they had to put up with me in their cherished moments together.

 I love what I do though and glad I got the chance to meet you both.

(One of my favorites!)

I had an idea that it would be more personable to hear from those I photograph. Here is their story of how they met in Ashley’s words.

"Our story" isn't the most glamorous, but we actually met when we were both down at the Outer Banks for the weekend. He was on a training trip and was supposed to leave on Friday Morning to return to VA. We met on Thursday night and instead of going back to VA to spend his birthday weekend with his friends, he and a couple of the other guys decided to stay in the Outer Banks to celebrate and to spend the weekend there instead. We hung out every day and night that weekend and have been inseparable ever since! One of the guys he was with actually ended up marrying one of the girls I was with for the weekend that I've known since elementary school.

He asked me to marry him in February when we were in Salt Lake City for the weekend. We are getting married next April in the Bahamas....

One joke we had going for a while is that we'd never met anyone with the "same eyes" which I guess you could say is what drew us together in the first place...

Congratulations to you both!  My prayers are with you until you are together again.

A few other images can be found on my facebook page. To check them out click here. http://www.facebook.com/CocoaBeanPhoto

Race 4 Autism Fundraising Event

Last Wednesday, I was invited by a friend to participate in a fundraising event for Autism. Thank you Tami! I found it a privilege to participate in an event that is so worthwhile. I offered up a gift certificate for photography for their silent auction. This is particularly near and dear to my heart as my son is effected by Asperger's Syndrome, a milder form within the Autism Spectrum disorders.

American Indoor Karting & Autism Society, Tidewater Virginia held the “Race For Autism.” It was put on at American Indoor Karting on Lynnhaven in honor of Autism Awareness Month. This race helped raise awareness and a percentage of the proceeds were given to the Autism Society, Tidewater Virginia.   There are so many ways to get involved and help out.  This was a great one!

As I was there, I of course had my camera that we affectionately have named "The Duchess." The duchess and I captured a lot of great people who helped out with the cause that night. I believe there were 8 teams participating including Tami's husband John with the T-Mobile team. The other teams included Valdez Family Team Justin, BB&T, Best Buy, Mythics, Just for People, Hooters, and Team Hunter. Congratulations to Best Buy who had a great race beating the other teams out.  Yes, even T-Mobile, sorry Tami!  Overall, it was quite impressive to see these businesses and all the people there supporting a great cause. 

My litle buddy JT getting sweet the Hooter's team.

More of the images can be viewed on my facebook page http://www.facebook.com/CocoaBeanPhoto.  If you participated in the event and would like a digital copy, please let me know.

For more information about the Autism Society, Tidewater Virginia. Call 757-461-4474 or visit http://www.tidewaterasa.org/.

New Senior Blogsite

It's Senior time and to celebrate that I have put together my new site for Cocoa Bean Seniors!
It has information on pricing, blogs, specials, and my new program called Cocoa Bean SpokesModels!  Check it out!  I am so excited to have something specifically for teens and to offer that "look" that oon to be High School graduates are searching for.  This product line offers a trendy, unique, fashionable photographic look that matches the Seniors personalities that come to me for it!

If you know a High School junior, or even those seniors waiting until the last minute for poraits, send them this link!!  If you are a junior or senior take a look!  Then don't hesitate to contact me!

Cocoa Bean Seniors-Check it out!

Welcoming the warm spring days!

I have been so excited to see the blooms come out on the trees and in my garden!  I am not one to be locked up inside!  Although I do admit to staying locked up on my computer a little too long and little too often.

I miss playing in the sun, getting my feet wet at the beach, and of course my warm outdoor sessions.  It's really is not quite as much fun telling people to smile and relax when it's too cold to unfreeze!  I can't think of a better way to hit off spring break than having 80 degree days!  In the spirit, here are a few fun, artistic shots just for the season!  Enjoy!

Make sure you do get out and enjoy the spring!

Bundles of Cute-ness! The Trent Girls

Mary sent me a message a while back.  She wanted to have Izzie's portrait taken as well as including her two older twins, Micayla ad Megan.  I was so excited!  I have know Mary for a few years now through church and our Mom's group.   She is an amazing mother and has such a spirit full of grace that I was lookin forward to spending time with Mary and her girls, especially if I get to have girly time!  And when Mary said I could get as creaive as I wanted, I was in heaven.

And Izzie, Megan and Micayla thankfully didn't mind too much either!

It's a joy working with such happy girls!

So adorable in the Longaberger baskets that I borrowed! Love these baskets!

Even in the not so happy moments she was adorable.  I LOVE this one below

...and it didn't take her long to change her tears into giggles! I don't know who was giggling more though, her or me watching her talk into the shells!

In the end we even got mom in on a few shots when Izzie was warn out!

Thanks Mary, for allowing me the joy of photographing you and the girls! I hope you enjoy!
BTW to givea little love to my wonderful friend who let me borrow her Longaberger baskets, please check her website out at www.longaberger.com/tamidicken
Thanks Tami!