Away

Sorry I won't be around for the next two weeks. I am going to Scotland on October 20th, returning to San Francisco on October 29th and flying out to Connecticut a few hours later to shoot a wedding on Halloween.

Unfortunately, my trip to Scotland is not one for fun or weddings, but to see my grandmother who has been struggling with dementia for the past few years and now looks to have lung cancer. She is actually my namesake as her maiden name is Lindsay. I'm looking forward to seeing a lot of my family since my grandmother had 12 children and I have lost count of the cousins I have all over the world.

Hopefully I'll be back with a few pictures of the beautiful green countryside and some of my relatives too.

Please keep my family in your thoughts.

Thanks,
Lindsay

O flower of Scotland
When will we see
Your like again
That fought and died for
Your wee bit hill and glen
And stood against him
Proud Edward's army
And sent him homeward
Tae think again
Flower of Scotland by Roy Williamson of The Corries

Free Photoshoot + DVD

Here's a deal for you…

My grandmother in Scotland is very sick and probably won't be around much longer. I'll be flying out to see her this Sunday. When I get back I'll need to turn right around and fly to Connecticut to shoot a wedding on Halloween.

This means I'll need to be away from my sweet pooch for about 2 weeks. I just hate to board her so I want to offer this awesome one-time deal: a Lindsay Docherty Photography Photoshoot plus a DVD of the images in exchange for looking after Emma for me while I'm away. This is an $875 value ($325 session fee + $550 DVD).

Details on Emma: She's a 5 year old Jack Russell / Beagle mix. 16 lbs. She's incredibly sweet, loves to cuddle, gets along well with cats, dogs, and children. She's well trained and extremely good natured. She's not a biter and rarely barks. She's fed twice a day, sleeps in her kennel at night, and is a pretty lazy sack of dog for the majority of the day. She's very loving and attentive. She can't be trusted off leash so she'll either need a fenced in yard or to be walked on leash.

Looking for: Someone with a house or a landlord who allows dogs. Obviously a pet-friendly person who can feed her and take her out a few times a day. She can be in her kennel for about 8 hours during the day but it's great if it's less. A fenced yard would be a huge plus. You'll be watching her from October 18th to November 3rd.

The offer: A normal photography session in the San Francisco Bay Area. They usually last 1-2 hours but no real time limit. Outfit changes are okay. Up to 5 people. Can be a pet, family, maternity, high school senior, engagement, bridal, or general portrait session. You'll receive at least 60 edited images on a DVD within two weeks of the session. This is a great opportunity since the holidays are coming up. Use this as a gift or for yourself for making holiday presents. Must be used by November 28th.

If you're interested, contact me asap at info@lindsaydocherty.com. Subject: Emma.

Really, how can you say no to this face?


Thanks,
Lindsay

p.s. Thank you for all of the kind words of condolences. My grandmother is a pretty amazing woman having raised 12 (no, that's not a typo!) children in a very poor household. She's in her mid-80s and has lived a very full life. She has dementia now so she won't be the same grandmother I know but I look forward to seeing my aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Rilene + Lawrence: Wedding in Livermore with Julie Cheshire

Full commentary coming soon.

Until then, please enjoy these pictures from Rilene & Lawrence's beautiful wedding at Garre Winery!

Family Session in Palo Alto

Last Monday I photographed this beautiful family at their home in Palo Alto. Keith and Mariela are the proud parents of adorable Ethan and Hailey.

I got there a little early and was able to grab some pictures of Keith and Mariela alone while Hailey was still asleep. Not a surprise, but they haven't had too many pictures of the two of them for about two years now.


We got the whole family outside on this perfect day.


Hailey is a fabulous big sister to little Ethan.


I just love these collections below. Mariela tickling Hailey was just so cute. Those are the most genuine smiles and giggles you will ever see.


And Keith tossing up Ethan was priceless. Total baby bliss.


Ethan and Hailey are just so cute and check out the eyelashes on Ethan. To. Die. For.



And there's not much cuter than hands and feet. Check out all those fingers!



I think everyone was pooped by the end of the shoot but we had a great time.



Thanks so so much. You guys were awesome!

The happiest moments of my life have been the few which I have passed at home in the bosom of my family. ~Thomas Jefferson

Rock the Vote

Pacific Weddings Magazine recently ran a contest to see which image they would print on the back page of their 10 year anniversary Winter/Spring 2009 issue.

They were looking for an image with a NOSTALGIC feel (note: not necessarily an old photo, but one that has a nostalgic sensibility). The photo was to capture a magical, emotional moment in a wedding celebration. It can be any extraordinary shot that instantly conveys emotion. This full page picture will appear on the Last Word page facing the back cover of the magazine. I entered a shot from Amanda and Justin's wedding from this summer that I second shot with FC Wong.

It's a very simple voting process, just post a quick comment with the number and image name (#9 Tenderly) with a brief comment. I am honored to have won a spot amongst these top 10 finalists!

click here or on the image below to cast your vote!



I'm so surprised at how many people have already voted so get out there and get me that spot on Pacific Weddings!

Bridal Session in Oakland with Julie Cheshire

Bridal sessions aren't very common outside of the south but they're great fun. The bride gets a reason to wear this beautiful and expensive dress more than once and usually show the pictures on the wedding day.

Julie of Julie Cheshire Photography and I spent some time with Rachel the other week at the Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland collecting some really awesome bridal pictures of this fun and feisty bride.


Rachel used to spend a lot of time here to just walk around and think because of the beautiful surroundings and peacefulness of the place. I'm so glad she suggested it because it really was spectacular (and different)!
Check them out!







We then went around the corner to the Morcom Rose Garden to make use of the last moments of daylight.



If you love the idea of wearing your dress more than once but are a bit hesitant about putting on before your big day, consider a trash the dress session. No, you don't really have to trash your dress but it's an awesome opportunity to wear that gown again and get some unique pictures without much worry of the dress getting a little dirty. These are great for just the bride or the bride with her new hubby!

After all there is something about a wedding-gown prettier than in any other gown in the world. ~Douglas William Jerrold

October Desktop Images

Every month I feature a new image for download for you to use as your desktop background. Click to download it and see it at its huge size and resolution.

A full moon seems fitting for October. I'm also digging this orange rust I got from a roadside sign; I just love photographing anything that's old and grimey. Enjoy!

“May you have warm words on a cold evening, a full moon on a dark night and a smooth road all the way to your door.” Irish Blessing