Portraits While You Play at Gymboree

Over the next few weeks, I will be photographing at several Gymboree Play + Music locations, including, for the first time, Gymboree Anaheim Hills/Yorba Linda. If you have children five years old or younger, this is a perfect opportunity for them to explore all the fun that Gymboree has to offer, while I capture the moments in beautiful black and white portraits. The kids are generally so engaged in all that Gymboree has to offer that I am able capture their true personalities. It is always lots of fun.

The event is $10 per child and always sells out, so be sure to reserve your space soon. If you are interested in attending, or getting more information, contact the Gymboree location nearest you.

Gymboree West of Bridgeport Village, 503-670-1683
Thursday, March 15

Gymboree South of the Streets of Tanasbourne, 503-645-8080
Friday, March 16

Gymboree Anaheim Hills/Yorba Linda, 714-283-4386
Thursday, March 22

Gymboree Tustin/Irvine, 949-852-8855
Thursday, April 5

March Mini Portrait Sessions at the Beach

Our March mini sessions at the beach fit easily into your busy schedule and are a fun way to capture lasting memories of your family. There are only seven mini sessions available, and they are scheduled on a first come first served basis, so be sure to schedule soon.

Mini Portait Sessions are $100 and include
• Approximately 20 minutes on the beach in Long Beach (Belmont Shore area)
• Just the kids or the whole family (up to 5 people, more for $25 each)
• Free 8x10 print ($35 value)

Dates Available
March 8, 9, 10 at 5:35 pm
March 20, 23, 29, 30 at 6:45 pm

Specially Priced Add Ons*
4x6 Proof Prints (approx 30)...$199
11x14 Mounted Print...$79
16x24 Canvas Print...$199
6x6 Brag Book...$249


The session fee is due in full when booking and is non-refundable, but may be applied to a future session or purchase if you need to cancel. In case of inclement weather, a mini session will be cancelled and rescheduled at a future date and time.

*Special promotional pricing is available from the date of the mini session to one week after the proofs are posted.

Happy Leap Day!

Photo Tip: Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO Oh My!

Do you have an SLR camera? Do the words aperture, shutter speed and ISO strike fear into your heart (or even just bewilderment)? Getting a better understanding of these controls, how they relate to each other and how to use them can greatly improve your photographs. The SLR Simulator provides a basic description of each control, but best of all, it includes a simulator that shows you exactly how each control and setting impacts a photograph. It even includes Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Manual settings. Sound familiar? They will after you muster up your courage and go explore.

Autumn Window Displays

The green leaves are turning
To yellow, red and brown
And when the wind comes whistling by
they'll all
.....come sailing
..........down

Here are a few autumn leaf projects to try on a cozy autumn day.


An autumn tree with leaves made from painted coffee filters at Frugal Family Fun Blog


Classic leaf rubbings painted with watercolors by Maya*Made


Tissue paper "stained glass" leaves from Mom on Timeout

Portraits While You Play at Gymboree Tustin/Irvine

I am excited to announce our new partnership with Gymboree Play + Music in Irvine/Tustin. I have been photographing at a couple of Gymboree locations in Oregon for over ten years, but this is my first time working with Gymboree in Orange County.

Our first portrait event is Saturday, December 3 at 3:00 pm. If you have children five years old or younger, this is the great opportunity for them to explore all the fun equipment that Gymboree has to offer and for you to get great portraits, without all of the pressure of posed studio portraits. The children are generally so engaged in the environment, that they barely notice I am there, allowing me to capture their true personalities in candid black and white portraits. It is always a great time and is only $5 per child. If you are interested in attending or getting more information, contact Gymboree Irvine/Tustin at 949-852-8855.

Portraits While You Play at Gymboree Tustin/Irvine
Saturday, December 3, 3:00 – 4:00 pm
Reserve your space today, call 949-852-8855

We love to use our imaginations at Dodgen Photography and we love low tech toys that give us lots of room for creative expression. You can imagine how excited I was to discover the i-Wood. It reminded me a bit of our own iBox, but with even more room for creative input.

via swiss-miss

Photo Tip: The Best Camera

There is a saying that the best camera is the one you have with you. Your DSLR may be great, but it won't take a very good photograph if it is at home in your closet. Of course, most of us have our phones with us all of the time, and the quality of the cameras inside is getting so much better, that if you know how to use them, you can get excellent results. Macworld recently published an article with tips on getting the most out of your phone's camera. Many of the tips apply to any point and shoot camera, so you don't have to have the latest iPhone to benefit from reading it.

Portraits at Gymboree

I will be photographing at a couple of Gymboree Play + Music locations next week. If you have children five years old or younger, this is the great opportunity for them to explore all the fun that Gymboree has to offer, while I capture the moment in black and white portraits. It is always a great time. The kids are generally so engaged in all that Gymboree has to offer, they do not even notice that I am there, allowing me to capture their true personalities. If you are interested in attending or getting more information, contact one of the Gymboree locations below.

Lake Oswego/Bridgeport Gymboree
Reserve your space today, 503-670-1683
Thursday, September 29, 2:45 – 3:30 pm

Cedar Hills Shopping Center Gymboree
Reserve your space today, 503-384-0542
Friday, September 30, 3:15 – 4:00 pm

Inspiring "back-to-school" words from Mister Rogers:

Those of us who are in this world to educate -- to care for -- young children have a special calling: a calling that has very little to do with the collection of expensive possessions but has a lot to do with the worth inside of heads and hearts. In fact, that's the domain: the heads and hearts of the next generation, the thoughts and feelings of the future.