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Who's in charge around here, anyway?

My name is Karen Schmautz and I live in beautiful El Dorado County of Northern California.  I am a photographer specializing in weddings, portraits and events. 

A Retro and Pin Up Kind Of Day

I had a great time Saturday at the Heinrick Agricultural and Hays Antique Truck Museum in Woodland, CA.  Lookpw.com put on a great workshop with fabulous models at a fabulous location.  A great group of gals called the Vicious Betty’s dressed up in their pin-up finest and other models who came with their retro (1940’s) style.  There were also many fantastic photographers along with some newbies.

I attended this same workshop last year and although I got a great many good shots, this year’s workshop was a lot more fun for me.  It could be that I had more experience under my belt…probably.  The models were just wonderful.

The retro style really suited the above model’s personality.  She just came alive and she was a lot of fun.

I’ve always thought this particular model should be photographed in a 1940’s backdrop because she has that classic 1940’s beauty.  She worked the part and her photos are beautiful.

Valentine’s Day this year was a little out of the ordinary.  The hubster spent most of the weekend at a lovely local winery cooking for a two-day winery release event.  The winery is called Paravi and it is located in Camino, CA.  It was a sit down dinner for about 350 people at 4 sittings.  They offered 5 courses…a pear, blue cheese and sugared walnut salad, butternut squash soup with creme fraiche, chicken stuffed with lemon scented goat cheese and asparagus, beef wellington with a wine reduction sauce and baby carrots and a wonderful chocolate lava cupcake with whipped cream and chocolate sauce.  Amazing meal.  I helped with the prep and plating.  I also got to take some photos.

Here are some of the salads that I plated.  I enjoyed working with the winery owners and the staff that were there to help (both volunteers and hired.)  It was a lot of fun and a LOT of work.

The above picture is my hubby and one of the winery owners checking the temperature of the beef wellington.  There are several other staff members washing a trillion dishes.  As I mentioned above, it was a lot of work, but it was very satisfying.

Maternity Bliss

This is Brittany and she is pregnant and beautiful. I’ve photographed her before about a year ago and she just gets more beautiful.  And she is as gracious as she is beautiful.  Congratulations, Brittany…you will be a great mom.

Alisha

I had a great time with Alisha, who is a senior in high school.  She was fun and comfortable in front of the camera.  We took this series of photos in Old Town Sacramento.

The forecast of rain made for some beautiful skies for this shoot.

I loved working with Alisha and her adventurous spirit made for some wonderful results.

Old Town Sacramento

I participated in a photo shoot on Saturday in Old Town Sacramento.  What a fabulous place for pictures. We were able to get some fabulous shots, even though it had been raining on and off all day.

Towards the end of the day, the sky began to break up and we were able to get some great shots with fabulous sky.  Take a gander at the one above one with the Delta King in the background.

This was my last shot of the day.  What could be better?

More photos later.