And the winners are...

Carrie & Brett! We received a bunch of entries and I had a hard time selecting, so I consulted my in-laws, who we're visiting up near Sacramento for a long weekend. I look forward to meeting you both this week! Check back for their photos & slideshow!
~allyson

Just a few more day!

Wouldn't you love to have a portrait like this one....
Just a few more days to enter our photo session giveaway - we've received some great entries but would love to hear from you - enter today for your complimentary photo session! allyson@allysonmagda.com

Win a Portrait Session With an Internationally Award Winning Photographer!

Couple's Photo Session Giveaway!

The Prize...
One photo session with the infamous Allyson Magda, at the location of her choice, in SLO county - it's a surprise location, certain to be a hit. The winner receives the session (a $400 value) complete with a proof book, yours to keep from the session. PLUS, you'll be featured on this lovely blog with a slideshow from the shoot, which makes you nearly famous!

The Criteria...
A fun-loving couple who enjoy being in front of the camera - or at least are not camera shy! If you know of a couple, feel free to submit them and tell me why you nominated them. Be sure to include your name, phone number and email address so I can get in touch with you!

The Details...
Send a photo of you together, along with a brief story on why we should choose you as the lucky winner. The winner will be announced on this blog by Sunday the 29th. Please send all submissions to: allyson@allysonmagda.com be sure to include names, phone number and email address.

The Date...
The shoot will be sometime between July 30 - August 3rd in the late evening.

Good Luck!
~allyson


About Allyson...
Allyson Magda Photography was established in the Bay Area, CA in 1999. Since the beginning, Allyson has been recognized for her achievements in several print competitions including; Awards of Excellence, Professional Photographers of Santa Barbara County & California Mid State Fair. To see more samples of Allyson's work please visit: www.allysonmagda.com

Gaby, Max & Issie

It's been a bit of a wild weekend/early week. I had a wedding up in Carmel on Saturday - super fun and really beautiful and then headed home late that night to hop on a train Sunday morning for Newport, where I attended a seminar, visited my mom and had a session with some of my favorite little people - Max, Gaby & Izzie. Here's a slideshow from their shoot.

Heather + Sean | Templeton

You might recognize Heather & Sean from their engagement portraits a few months back at Morro Bay. They got married at Heather's Grandparent's ranch in Templeton, it was one HOT day, but absolutely beautiful!





During the reception the party came alive with the sounds of Dawn Lambeth & the Usonia Jazz Band, the food was excellent, as usual from the lovely Jennie & Jill of Trumpet Vine Catering and the cake to round off the evening from Yarrow at The Cakery. Many of my photos you'll see a breathtaking display of haning orchids and jewels - creatively arranged by Flowers by Denise.

Congraulations Heather & Sean, I know you will be happy together for a lifetime!
~allyson

First place in Portrait Category!

This is Max, this photo was shot last fall down in Newport Beach. We had just finished the family portrait session and Max, his mom, two sisters and I were heading back to the car, Max in front of us. It just hit me what a cool shot this would be and so I quickly grabbed a few quick pics and this is what I ended up with - so contrary to how it may appear, this image was not staged at all!

I've always find print competition to be fun and interesting and a great place to be inspired, challenged and to learn. So when I get the chance to participate I look forward to it! Last night was the Professional Photographers of Santa Barbara County print competition at Brooks Institute.

There are several categories including, portraits, illustrative & wedding. My friend Tim Halberg won the wedding category, the image can been seen on his blog. A great image of a bride and groom with impeccable balance and symmetry.

Tim also won "Best in Show" - congratulations Tim! I don't think any of us had seen judges deliberate quite like they did last night over these 3 final prints - it was almost comical. I think each print was going to be the winner at some point in the discussion.

The winner of the illustrative category was one of the funniest prints I've seen in a while, called "Man and his friend." It was an older man's profile with a huge belly standing on the beach, the tie to his speedo or trunks was hanging over the top of his pants in a suggestive manner and there was a pelican that had decided to stand next to him, completely a moment that had just been caught by being at the right place at the right time. When the print came out with the title announced, everyone cracked up! To see all of the prints, visit www.ppsbc.com