Happy Mother’s Day to all you beautiful mommies out there!!! Do you feel as I do?? That I never knew how much love my heart could hold until someone called me “mommy”?! It humbles me every single day. It makes all those sleepless nights worrying about our babies worthwhile, doesn’t it? So about a month ago, my boys and I had a photo session with my amazing photographer friend Tara Rochelle. I seriously cried when I saw the images of me with my boys…!! To be perfectly honest though, the boys were NOT all that cooperative that day, but it really doesn’t matter because in the end the fact that they are here, and that I am here… and that the love between us was captured is all that matters to me. Give your babies a HUG and here’s to a happy Mother’s Day!!! xo -toki
I’d like to give a special shout out to a very talented make-up artist, Trisha O’Hara for doing a fabulous job with my hair and make-up!!! She traveled to my home and did such a wonderful job in doing both my hair and make-up in less than an hour! I cannot stress the important of hiring an accomplished MUA for your photo shoot… it seriously makes all the difference in the world! Be sure to look up Trisha and let her know that I sent you!
Happy Mother’s Day 2012!
Mother’s Day Contest Results
Whew!!!! That was SO much fun to see everyone voting for their favorite mom in our Mother’s Day Contest!! We apologize for taking so long to announce the results but there were several hundred names to check and it took much longer than anticipated. And because the results of the top two entries were so very close, we have decided to name not one but two winners. Thank you all for your patience and congratulations to both Amy and Linda!!! Please contact me to schedule your custom portrait session, and stop by FOR HEAVENS CAKES to pick up your dozen cupcakes!!
My Photography Lab Partner
How exciting! One of my images is being featured over at CPQ’s Facebook page. If you are a pro photographer, you will want to check out CPQ. I have been using CPQ for many years now, and they never cease to amaze me with their quality, quick turnaround and most of all… their excellent customer service. Go check them out and tell them I sent you! 
Contest is Happening Right Now!
You can click this link to see all the entries. Good luck everyone! https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150726806235267.401185.62291915266&type=3
Tyler ~ Los Angeles Actor Headshot Photographer
For actors and actresses, headshots are your calling card and serve as a first impression to industry professionals. Quality headshots can speak volumes about what makes you unique as an actor by capturing your sparkle, your intensity, your depth, and passion. Your headshot can literally be worth a thousand words! Perhaps because many of my clients live in LA and work in “the business”, I get asked to photograph headshots all the time. And I love it! Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting Tyler, a recent transplant from Texas. Tyler is extremely talented and has a super sweet personality! He typically gets cast as a “villain” so we decided to shoot both a darker look and then do a brighter, “hero” or boy next door look. If you have any questions about headshot photography, leave a comment and I’ll be happy to help you!
Ballerina ~ Thousand Oaks Teen Photographer
“Jump, and you will find out how to unfold your wings as you fall” -Ray Bradbury
The Importance of Being in Front of the Camera
Since announcing the Mother’s Day contest, I’ve heard from many moms and the recurring message is this…
Because mommy is usually the one taking pictures of their kids, they do not have any photos of themselves with their kids. It makes me so sad to hear this but I admit to being guilty of it myself! You know, to become a mother is one of life’s greatest blessings. It is a lifelong event that forever changes your heart, your thoughts, and your actions. And in my opinion, this should be celebrated and documented through photographs!
I know that for you brand new moms out there, the days are a blur with the constant feeding, diapering, burping and lack of sleep… you’re feeling tired and certainly not picture perfect. You’re enjoying taking hundreds of photos of your child and not thinking about being in front of the camera. But remember this… some day when you have gone up to Heaven, your children will wonder… what did Mom look like when I was little? How did she hold me? What did my nursery look like? I remember the way she used to stroke my back like she’s doing in this photograph…
I strongly believe that photographs leave behind a tangible legacy of your family history. Imagine how comforting and priceless it may be for your child to look at a collection of photographs and be able to see by your expression, your posture, your smiling face… how much you truly loved being his/her mom.
In closing, I would like to leave you with this following quote. Read it slowly and savor it.
“Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever… it remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.”- Aaron Siskind
Contest Time!
HOW PHOTOS WILL BE JUDGED
* To vote for a photo you MUST first “like” both Toki Lee Photography and For Heavens Cakes pages.
* Click ‘like’ for the photo you are voting for in the Toki Lee Photography album labeled ‘Mother’s Day 2012 Contest’
* Photo with the most ‘likes’ will be the winner. Comments permitted, but WILL NOT count towards the total number of votes
* Toki Lee Photography will verify that all ‘likes’ of the winning photo like both TLP and FHC pages, otherwise will not be counted.
*One vote per person
* Voting will close May 9, 2012 11:59 PM PDT
* Official winner will be notified and announced on both TLP and FHC facebook pages no later than May 10, 2012
* Photos will be accepted from 12:01 AM April 24, 2012 until 11:59 PM Wednesday, May 1, 2012 (PDT) via EMAIL
* Contest is open to everyone; however the winning session must be held at a location within 50 miles of Thousand Oaks, CA, otherwise a travel fee will be charged of 75 cents per mile, each direction, beyond 50.
WHAT YOU WILL WIN
* The photo that receives the most ‘likes’ will receive a custom portrait session with Toki Lee Photography plus an 11×14 wall portrait. Winner will also receive a dozen scrumptious cupcakes from FHC.
* Photo session must be booked within 30 days of winning, and completed before August 26, 2012. Cupcakes must be picked up within 45 days of winning, please call one day in advance to notify the bakery.
* Prize retail value of $375 (cannot be altered or changed in any way, and not redeemable for cash).
* No other promotions or discounts can be applied.
Please post any questions here or send me an email and I will be happy to answer them. I look forward to seeing your entries. Good Luck!
Kaylie ~ Thousand Oaks High School Photographer
I had the pleasure of photographing a beautiful young lady a few weeks ago in a stunning field full of mustard seed flowers. Kaylie is not only gorgeous, she is also very sweet, smart, loyal and kind. She is involved with the Thousand Oaks High School Dance Team who will be performing this coming weekend! Please show your support by attending their performances on the following dates: April 26th, 27th and 28th. All performances take place at the Thousand Oaks High School Auditorium. You can check out their facebook page for more info. Go Kaylie!
Jake ~ Thousand Oaks Teen Headshots
I had the pleasure of photographing a terrific young man a few weeks ago! Jake is an accomplished baseball player, a bright student… and it seems that he is interested in getting into acting which means headshots! We shot some standard headshots and then did some more “artistic” images as well. Thanks for an awesome session and good luck in your acting and modeling endeavors Jake!
