A beautiful day with my family

I have been enjoying the holiday with my family and just having fun with the kids and D and trying to stay away from work things until 2009, but my poor blog is sad and lonely so I am sharing some photos from a hike we took this past weekend up into the hills around our house, pretty sad that we have lived here for more then 4 years and just started hiking the hills that are our backyard!
Gorgeous views and a beautiful day with cool breezes and the clearest sky fresh from a good rain made the hike perfect.
It was also a fun way to break in my fun new fish eye lens that will be making its way into use in upcoming sessions!
Have a safe and Happy New Years and don't forget that tomorrow I will announce the big winner in the Giving is Awesome blog contest!!

Giving is Awesome!!

The incredible people at Essential Imagery came up with the amazing idea that I had to jump on board with! How could I not? What an awesome opportunity to give back!

Here's the deal!

You know someone. You know someone who's experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who can't afford custom photography, but who would cherish it this holiday season. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family's spirit, love, and beauty.

You know someone. I guarantee it.

I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography -- $1000 worth, to be exact. It's in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season.

Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a free session as well($175 value) . What better reason to show some love could there possibly be, people?

The rules:

* You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-vacation-home in Paris does not qualify as sincere financial need.)

* The nominee must reside in San Diego County. Tell me who you know, what they're experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.

* You must e-mail me the full story :info@rebeccahelpling.com

The winner will be announced on New Years Day -- get nominating! I can't wait to read all of your entries!

Open your heart to someone this holiday season -- and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

With love,

Rebecca Helpling


PS So far over 350 Photographers world wide have donated over $383,000 what an incredible show of kindness and generosity from all those involved! I am proud to be a part of this!!

Have A Very Merry Christmas!

update as of this afternoon it is up to 444 photographers and $478,310

Published! Operation Love ReUnited san diego photographer Rebecca Helpling

Many of you are familiar with the wonderful group Operation Love ReUnited. A group of amazing and generous photographers donate their time and talent to the men and women who so bravely serve our county, I am humbled to be a part of this organization and have met some wonderful families this past year who have been photographed as part of this program.
This year the first annual album is being published with some of the wonderful photographs taken by various photographers who participate and one of mine was chosen!
Jaime and Bryan who were photographed not long ago will be appearing in this album!
If you go here and scroll down about halfway you can see the entire layout. My photo is on page 19/20 in the upper right corner.
I am very excited about this and will be gifting them a print of the chosen image :)

Also stay tuned because in the next 2 days I will be announcing a huge Christmas give away that I am really really excited about! I am just finalizing the details before the announcement is made!!

and because you can't have a blog post without a photo I am sharing one of the photos taken of my family by a good friend and fellow photographer for the holidays :)

Happy Holidays san diego children's photographer rebecca helpling

The Holiday Rush is slowly dying down and soon I will be able to spend more time with my kids during this season of celebrating.
Please remember that if you haven't placed your order it needs to be in ASAP in order to have it in time for Christmas. Orders placed after the 12th with be subject to rush fees.

And now a little bit of fun, my sweet son wants to cut off his beautiful hair so I took him out for a pre-cut photoshoot. So far he hasn't had it cut off but I fear the inevitable and it looks like we will be going in this afternoon, I'll be sure to post some after shots.

Gorgeous B Family san diego children's photographer Rebecca Helpling

A big Thank You! to the B family who were the winners of the auction to support our kids elementary school at this years fundraiser!
They are beautiful and fun kids who were real troopers fighting for spots with me at a very busy park this last weekend. Last minute crunch for local photographers and the half a dozen or so besides myself at this park was a hoot!
It took a little while for the littlest to warm up to me but I think we got some great shots once he did!
The 2 year olds really worked me this week but I would say its worth it! I love my job no matter how hard they make me work!
B family enjoy your sneak peek!

Little T San Diego Children's Photographer Rebecca Helpling

It is hard to believe that the first time I met T he was just about a month old, he is now 2 and full of that 2 year old energy. If you have had a 2 year old or have one now, you know what I am talking about. They just keep going and going and going, its fun to watch and exhausting to keep up with and I don't think you can get a better workout :)
S family enjoy your sneak peek and your gallery will be available in the next few days.

Lovely san diego urban photographer rebecca helpling

I love this girl! We have been friends for practically my whole life so I was so excited when she asked me to take some fun pics of her!
We headed downtown and had a blast just walking around taking photos and then we headed to Coronado and caught the tail end of an amazingly gorgeous sunset! I'm so glad to have these pics since she recently moved out of state and spends a lot of time traveling the world.
M, I miss you already! Enjoy the sneak peek :)

Rockstar Red San Diego Family Photographer Rebecca Helpling

I am loving the feel of these images, the red makes them sparkle for me along with the beautiful family! I am sure you will recognize this family from previous sessions, I do believe they are my most photographed family! I love that! I have loved watching these kids grow, the twins from beautiful Miss K being pregnant with them to now almost 2.
We had fun running around and playing during this session which stresses out the parents but the kids and I have lots of fun :)
So remember that when you come for your own session, kids running around happy is a good thing, it doesn't stress me out in the least *unless they are headed for the street* and it shouldn't stress you out either. Our sessions should be fun and full of love and laughter, it really does make for the best images that have captured the true joy and meaning of being a family!

Holiday Sessions are in Full Swing san diego family photographer rebecca helpling

This is such a fun and busy time of year for everyone and I love seeing everyone all dressed up ready to be on the front of a beautiful christmas card that will no doubt pale in comparison to the beautiful children or family in the photograph!
The H family is no exception!! Little Miss E was a newborn just a few short months ago and is just the cutest little baby you could imagine, she looks like a perfect little round doll and has the most easy going personality too, and she needs it with as much love as her big brother and sister have for her! I love when siblings actually want to be the one to hold the baby!
They were all troopers in their Christmas attire, even though someone forgot to tell San Diego that it is after all November and time to cool off a bit!
Enjoy the sneak peek H family, your gallery will be along soon.

Meet Austin san diego family photographer rebecca helpling

This is Austin and his family, this was an amazing shoot for me with some pretty special people! Austin has leukemia, he was diagnosed in June of 2006, on this day he was feeling good and looked great. He is still undergoing treatment and will be for much of 2009. Please keep him in your prayers.
Austin and his three sisters and parents were so fun to be around and the love that comes through this family is something special. You can view Austins story by visiting his website that keeps family and friends updated on how he is doing,
Austin brought his saxophone and basketball to our session so we got some fun shots with those, but check out his page I saw a photo of him on stage with Kenny G. How awesome for him to be able to do that!
G family, it was truly my pleasure to photograph your beautiful family! Enjoy the sneak peek and I will have a full gallery for you soon! Austin will be in my thoughts and prayers!!

Boys will be Boys! san diego family photographer rebecca helpling

I love little boys, so much energy and mischief! These three were no different and make my job lots of fun! I should say these 2 since baby T was sweet and smiley and sleepy and didn't do any of the running and playing :)
I had a great time with you all, thank you for a fun afternoon!

Lovable Baby Elephant san diego baby photographer rebecca helpling

How cute is this little guy?!?! C has the yummiest cheeks, I could chew on them!
Happy Halloween :)

Jaime and Bryan San Diego Photographer Rebecca Helpling

You guys are awesome!! Thanks for putting up with plane chasing and sitting in random bathtubs!
I hope you guys had as much fun as I did :)
Enjoy the sneak peek and Bryan be safe!!