Category Archives: Personal

Day to day ramblings..

growing up – Ashley McNamara – Bay Area Photographer

Something I don’t do very often is post pictures of my kids. I don’t know why, maybe it’s the constant complaining about having their pictures taken, the refusal to look at the camera, or the irritated looks they give me when they do look.

I was looking at my youngest the other day and realized that my baby is growing up. The time is flying by and it’s depressing… He is my last baby and maybe that is why it’s especially difficult. I remember with my first I just couldn’t wait for the next milestone and now she is in middle school! Since I am a photographer it’s easy for me to document his life. I try to stress to my clients how important it is to document more than just newborn photos. It doesn’t have to be professional photos it can be just a simple point and shoot, although, it is a good idea to get professional photos at least once a year.

if I could keep him four forever I would.. I love four because…

Because he’s not a baby but he isn’t a big boy either.

Because mommy kisses are not gross.

Because he’s honest. “Mommy you look fluffy.”

Because he he forgives me when I take a picture before wiping the soap out of his eyes.

Because he tells me I am “cute” at least three times a day.

Because he likes peanut butter and jelly in critter shapes.

Because he still has chubby baby knuckles.

Because he wants to be just like his daddy.

Because he can’t relax until he has his hand on my cheek.

Because no matter how hard I try he can still kick my butt at Mario Cart.

personal ashley mcnamara bay area photographer 4 years old growing up   Ashley McNamara   Bay Area Photographer

personal ashley mcnamara bay area photographer 4 years old 1 growing up   Ashley McNamara   Bay Area Photographer

personal ashley mcnamara bay area photographer 4 years old 2 growing up   Ashley McNamara   Bay Area Photographer

IPhone Photography – Whoda thunk it? – Ashley McNamara

The iPhone is the most awesome phone ever! Who ever says it isn’t is lying!:)

It literally does do everything. I have to tell you though, I wasn’t really digging the camera but who cares its a phone. I had a couple of photo apps that I would play around with but I wasn’t really impressed with the results but like I said, it’s a phone so I wasn’t expecting miracles or anything.

Well, two weeks ago my friend, Amy Boring was in town and I thought it would be fun to hang out in San Francisco. She had been taking pictures with this super cool iPhone app and of course I asked what it was, she tells me, “shake it photo” so I download it and start playing… it’s blowing my mind. Love it, love it, love it.

I brought my 5D Mark II to the city for some shots but the poor thing never left the bag because that app is addicting! Since then, I have taken no less than 300 photos, it’s quickly becoming a problem.. if you have me as a facebook friend you already know this and are thoroughly sick of seeing all of my mobile uploads. For those of you who are not sick of me… Here are some of my favorites.

Side note: there is this cool contest going by Adorama for iPhone photo’s if you’re as addicted as I am check it out.

ashley mcnamara san francisco photographer 4 IPhone Photography   Whoda thunk it?   Ashley McNamara

ashley mcnamara san francisco photographer 8 jpg IPhone Photography   Whoda thunk it?   Ashley McNamara

ashley mcnamara san francisco photographer 1 IPhone Photography   Whoda thunk it?   Ashley McNamara

ashley mcnamara san francisco photographer 2 IPhone Photography   Whoda thunk it?   Ashley McNamara

ashley mcnamara san francisco photographer 3 IPhone Photography   Whoda thunk it?   Ashley McNamara

ashley mcnamara san francisco photographer 7 IPhone Photography   Whoda thunk it?   Ashley McNamara

ashley mcnamara san francisco photographer 6 IPhone Photography   Whoda thunk it?   Ashley McNamara

ashley mcnamara san francisco photographer 5 IPhone Photography   Whoda thunk it?   Ashley McNamara

ashley mcnamara san francisco photographer 9 IPhone Photography   Whoda thunk it?   Ashley McNamara

ashley mcnamara san francisco photographer 10 IPhone Photography   Whoda thunk it?   Ashley McNamara

ashley mcnamara san francisco photographer 11 IPhone Photography   Whoda thunk it?   Ashley McNamara

ashley mcnamara san francisco photographer 12 IPhone Photography   Whoda thunk it?   Ashley McNamara

ashley mcnamara san francisco photographer 13 IPhone Photography   Whoda thunk it?   Ashley McNamara

ashley mcnamara san francisco photographer 14 IPhone Photography   Whoda thunk it?   Ashley McNamara

Ok so SOME is a relative term… I couldn’t narrow it down. I love them all!

A couple of exciting things in the next couple of weeks. GIVEAWAYS by two super awesome companies.

1. Sheer Addiction by Tamara Lines – She makes some of the most beautiful necklaces EVER! Check her out and stay tuned for your chance to win.

2. Sticking to my green lifestyle a giveaway for kids! Yubo lunch boxes! Really rad company, completely new idea regarding lunch boxes. Check them out.

Goodbye 2009 – Ashley McNamara – San Francisco Photographer

2009 is coming to a close and I just want to thank everyone who has supported Ashley McNamara Photography. I feel so blessed to be doing what I do, THANK YOU!

I have had a pretty awesome year.. I have made some new life long friends, I have had THE BEST clients ever this year, and we moved from the sunny south to the foggy north. I can’t wait to see what 2010 brings in my new city!  

As for my wonderful San Diego you will be seeing a lot of me in 2010. I will be in San Diego January 16th-18th and again at the begenning of March.  Inquire about special travel pricing.

The McNamara Family Resolutions

Colin – “Get another CCIE.”

Ashley – “Shed some pounds and blog more”

Kylie (11) - “Be true to myself.”

Topher (4) – “To bounce my ball into space.”

new years 2009 16 Goodbye 2009   Ashley McNamara   San Francisco Photographer

new years 2009 15 Goodbye 2009   Ashley McNamara   San Francisco Photographer 

The holiday season is in full swing – Ashley McNamara – Danville Photographer

What happened to 2009? I cannot believe it is almost over. I swear the older I get the faster time fly’s.

Christmas time is my favorite time of year.. What’s not to like? Eggnog, Hot Chocolate, Presents, Snow, and did I say presents?

I like everything besides that 10 extra pounds I gain eating baked goods. As soon as it starts getting cold I get the urge to bake, I don’t know why because I don’t bake any other time of the year except during the Holiday’s and if one day goes by that my house doesn’t smell like fresh baked cookies it feels weird.  I made sugar cookies today, nuff said.

I never post personal things on my blog, mostly, because I was always so busy but since my move to the Bay area I am enjoying some down time for the first time in four years and it feels good to be able to spend some quality time with my kids and actually take some pictures of the little boogers.

This year I decided that our tree wasn’t eccentric enough and while I was shopping at Target I found the perfect tree topper, Yoda! Tell me that Yoda isn’t rad?!

christmas 2009 The holiday season is in full swing   Ashley McNamara   Danville Photographer

christmas 2009 4 The holiday season is in full swing   Ashley McNamara   Danville Photographer

My daughter, who doesn’t let me take her picture as often as I would like. She thought she looked cute today and decided to give me 5mins so I took 10 and then she pouted but I like it anyway. One of the things I missed most about the bay area was the fog.. oh how I missed you fog. Looks good in pictures too.

christmas 2009 2 The holiday season is in full swing   Ashley McNamara   Danville Photographer

Blog Giveaway!!

Since my specialty is Maternity Photography I thought it would be fun to giveaway a gift certificate to my favorite maternity boutique Modish Maternity in La Jolla.

Just because your pregnant it doesn’t mean you can’t be just as stylish as you were before and I know that finding fabulous maternity clothes can sometimes be hard I often found myself going online to find big brand names like OlianMomzee, and True Religion.. Modish is one of very few maternity boutiques in San Diego.

I am so lucky to work with Tammy at Modish and she was generous enough to give away three $25.00 gift certificates to my awesome blog readers!

We will give away one gift certificate a day for the next three days to win just leave a comment in the comment box and I will draw numbers to choose a winner each day. While Modish is a maternity boutique they also have awesome clothes and accessories for nursing moms.. Some of the prettiest nursing bras I have ever seen.

modish maternity Blog Giveaway!!

modish maternity2 Blog Giveaway!!

modish maternity 3 Blog Giveaway!!

Today’s Winner is Lisa Wynne!! Congrats!! Two more day’s two more winners! Good luck!

Today’s Winner is Mary K!! One more to win! Good Luck!

Our Final Winner is…  Jaclyn Alvillar! Congrats!

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