Form submitted successfully, thank you.

Error submitting form, please try again.

Wordy Wednesday

“Itsy Bitsy Spider went up the water spout…But why does Itsy climb the spout?”  This is the question we want an answer to!  All is revealed in this fun, colorful tale by Kate Toms.   She tells the story of a spider who finds clever ways to climb the spout, even when the rain is coming down and washing her out!  And her lesson for the story? “Don’t wear a frown- even when the rain comes down!”  How fitting for this rainy day afternoon.  I love books that rhyme, and this one just flows.

itsybitsyblog

Jess Hardy - Precious! I love the illustrations!!!! I also love the little sweet fingers :)March 3, 2010 - 11:00 pm

Turning four…

I can’t say that I remember much about turning 4…but I’m pretty sure it didn’t involve pink cowgirl boots (maybe?) and definitely not a bunch of balloons in a California meadow!  I had so much fun capturing these images of this little princess (she should look familiar from the previous post.)  I did these for a good friend of mine, as a personal project.  LOVE this location…and the sun was just perfect.  Finally!  I’m ready for the rain to go away, so I don’t have to keep rescheduling sessions.  I’m hoping to get back here soon!!!

Thank you again Miss T and Co. for a another fabulous shoot!!  :)

balloons2balloons1balloons3

XO, Helene

laura - beautiful work, amazing location-wow! pink boots and balloons, what could be better.March 2, 2010 - 7:08 am

Cassie S. - WOW, could leave it at that.........everything is perfect, the color is amazing and it looks like you captured the little girls personality! Great JobMarch 2, 2010 - 9:35 am

Susan - oh. my. goodness. what lovely, dreamy photographs. and all that gorgeous green grass?!?!? makes me miss NorCal mucho.March 2, 2010 - 10:22 am

Rachel Clare - I ADORE these, in every way.March 2, 2010 - 12:11 pm

Gina - LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE these, so awesome!!March 2, 2010 - 12:52 pm

Jen - Absolute perfection Helene. I LOVE LOOOOOVE them. I want some of my little girl like that!March 2, 2010 - 1:18 pm

Marci Yochum - Helene these are gorgeous! Can't wait for spring to come alive around here.March 2, 2010 - 1:19 pm

tara k - these are absolutely unbelievable, helene. seriously, girl! i am BLOWN AWAY. your images make me so very happy. :)March 2, 2010 - 1:56 pm

tamara - As wonderful as always but the family is so beautiful in and out; you captured this beautifully!March 2, 2010 - 2:09 pm

Johanna - Love everything about these images. And that family shot is sa-weet! Nice work Helene!March 2, 2010 - 4:14 pm

Kristi Larson - I am in love! Seriously, amazing.March 2, 2010 - 6:17 pm

karen jacot - love these! they are gorgeous. so light-hearted and fun, and the light is incredible.March 3, 2010 - 11:11 am

Carol K. - Beautiful!!! I love the location and the happy, sweet 4 year old helps a lot too!March 4, 2010 - 8:57 am

Emily - Oh my goodness! Such sweet memories you have captured for this beautiful family! Lovely!! :)March 8, 2010 - 8:02 pm

Wordy Wednesday

I was recommended this week’s book by a good friend of mine.  The title of this book had caught my attention before, but since I don’t have girls, I never really looked through it.  ”Do Princesses Wear Hiking Boots?” by Carmela LaVigna Coyle is a fun, not too serious, look at a girl’s questioning of her own identity.  Another simple rhyming book that gets to the heart of what really matters inside.

Thank you to my little princess, Miss T, for helping me out with this book!

blog2

Rachel Clare - Okay, so I don't let anything "princess" in our house (seriously), but I may have to check out this book- because I do love to hike! ;) Cute pictures!February 24, 2010 - 11:45 am

Jessica - She is SO CUTE! I love these. Where did you find such AMAZING green grass?! I miss grass. xoFebruary 24, 2010 - 2:03 pm

Jen - LOVE! I have a princess (ok she is REALLY not...more of a tomboy) who adores hiking...I must pick this up.February 27, 2010 - 1:45 pm

Wordy Wednesday

This week’s book is “Tickle Monster” by Josie Bissett (that’s right, the same Josie Bissett from the TV show “Melrose Place”…who would have thought?)  I have to say, this book really makes me smile :) It was so much fun to read this book together with my son,  and he loved the cutesy rhymes and pictures…and being tickled!  Obviously, the cover caught my attention…and I’m so glad that it did.  It’s already high up there on my favorite books list!

ticklemonster2

Rachel Clare - These book images with little T. are priceless!February 17, 2010 - 12:11 pm

Jess - You are so inspiring! I love your book reviews, it makes me want to add to our collection. This book looks especially adorable!February 17, 2010 - 10:55 pm

Jen - Makes me want to go grab this one. Sounds fun. Darling images too!February 20, 2010 - 10:37 pm

My funny Valentine…

Happy heart day to all!

be-minei-heart-youthis-muchdone

Jessica - I absolutely love this. He is gorgeous, Helene- moreso every day! Also... that field is dreamy :) xoFebruary 13, 2010 - 10:20 am

Jen - Love love love. These are darling. Super creative & cute.February 20, 2010 - 10:37 pm

Introducing “Wordy Wednesdays”

I was inspired today while tackling Borders with both babes in tow.  While searching for a new book for my son’s ever growing book collection, I thought it might be fun to do a little book review here on the blog every Wednesday. I love the idea of a weekly blog that will challenge me in a different way, and  I love children’s books.   I love all all the crazy titles, all the different sizes, all the different ways a children’s story can be told…and I have to admit, I fall in love with book covers.  Some speak to me more than others, and I’m guilty for judging a book children’s book by it’s cover!  I especially love a matte cover (as opposed to a glossy cover….weird, I know.)  But I’m a visual person, and so books have to LOOK appealing to me before I give them a chance!  So, not only will these books be good reads (because, yes, I do eventually READ the books to make my final decision) but they will look nice sitting on the bookshelf!  :)  If you have any good book recommendations, please leave me a note on the blog or email me.  I’m always looking for good finds!

So, here is our first book to kick this off.  I thought in the spirit of Spring blooming right around the corner, I’d pick a book about the season’s.  This is a short picture book that beautifully illustrates the seasons in Old Bear’s dreams.  Check it out!

**note: my son is helping me out with this post.  I’m hoping to get some other kids to sit and read my books in the future!! (Hello…..friends?!)

oldbear1 oldbear2

Rachel Clare - I LOOOOOVE this idea! So excited to see what you come up with! (And, most certainly, my book list will grow!) :)February 11, 2010 - 1:58 am

Jessica - Fantastic idea!! I may choose to go Wordy rather than Wordless from now on- credit goes to you! Books are my kids' entire world right now, and we're always at Borders looking for new ones. Love it!February 13, 2010 - 10:21 am

Jess Hardy - Beautiful idea Helene! I love these pictures. They make me want to curl up and read with my kids!February 13, 2010 - 11:26 am

michelle e. - hi there!! love, love, love this idea!! i adore children's books and especially kid monster books. they remind me of my son and his little boy phases. thanky ou for sharing and the birthdya session with the balloons is precious!!March 2, 2010 - 2:21 pm

Rain rain go away…

I think the sun is finally coming out from hiding now!  I love the rain, but it’s not always easy to photograph in it!! :)  So in the meantime, I’ve been enjoying snuggling this little one!  He’s getting bigger and smilier (is that a word?) by the day!  I couldn’t help myself snapping a few of him in his bassinet.  He smiled at every click of the shutter :)  A dream baby!!

Here’s my sweet boy at 10 weeks.

blog11XO, Helene

salina - My little dream baby tooooo! He sure is growing FAST ! What are you feeding him? LOLFebruary 7, 2010 - 10:58 am

Jess - He us the cutest, sweetest little chunk!! I want to squeeze him!!!!February 7, 2010 - 4:50 pm

amy p - Oh my goodness, he is so precious. And what great light he has in his room:) Great pics.February 9, 2010 - 12:21 am

Jen - He is SO yummy Helene! Just delish!February 9, 2010 - 1:06 am

tara k - oh, sweet boy. he is the DREAMIEST, helene! and love your bassinet. :)February 10, 2010 - 3:20 pm

Eli Skram Dyblie - Hei Helene! For en fin ide med blogg og barnebøker...ser ut som Tate koser seg masse..og Kai blir jo bare større og skjønnere for hver dag..Det går vel ikke med norske bøker..eller..? Klem Eli.February 11, 2010 - 12:06 pm

Jessica - He is SO beautiful! What a sweet little babe. Can't wait to see him again (although *sob* he will be so much bigger!)February 13, 2010 - 10:23 am

Adorable cousins…

I met the sweetest little cousins last week, when I went to La Selva to photograph this family.  They are so lucky to live in this quaint little sea side town.  After shooting around the house, they took me to their local playground to have some fun.  I’m definitely planning a trip  back to explore some more.   I’m so glad that the sun finally came out so that I could get back to work!  I had a great day!!  Here’s a little sneak peak…

blog2blog3blog1a

XO, Helene

Rachel Clare - So sweet! I LOVE the older girl's shirt. What great colors!February 3, 2010 - 11:01 am

Jen - Joyful! Lovely session Helene!February 3, 2010 - 11:23 pm

tara k - oh, helene! so vibrant and fun. great job!February 4, 2010 - 1:12 pm

christy - These are gorgeous Helene! Lovely colors :)February 5, 2010 - 3:04 am

Location search… = FREE SESSION!

Been spending way too much time cooped up in the house with all this rain!  I’m sure many of you feel the same way!  I’m so ready for it to dry up a little, just enough so I can go out and shoot!  I’ve been dreaming up new locations for this year.  I love shooting at the beach, and most of all, at my client’s homes….but I’m ready for a change!!  So…we are asking YOU for any good suggestions!  We are looking for a “downtown-urban” location that is colorful and that has a  little “edginess” to  it.  If you know of a cool location please email helene@hellybee.com with a picture (from you phone is fine) and a brief description.  If we love your choice of location and end up using it, you get a FREE SESSION on us!  How fun and simple is that?!  So start thinking, and ask your friends who work downtown or in any industrial area.  We’re looking forward to your ideas!!

Now for a picture…or a few!  Sweet child of mine….2 months already!!

blog8XO,

Helene

Rachel Clare - I just want to eat him up. He's so beautiful!January 26, 2010 - 1:41 am

tara k - he is just the dreamiest little guy, helene. makes me miss my own babies at that age!January 26, 2010 - 6:00 pm

Jen - Oh Helene he is so so sweet!January 27, 2010 - 1:47 pm

Spring booking now open!!

YES!!  I’m coming off maternity leave, taking a limited amount of bookings for Spring!   I’m excited to get back behind the lens and try out some new locations! To kick off a GREAT new year, I’m offering $100 print credit for those of you who book your session before the end of the month!!!  You will be able to have your session anytime in 2010…but you need to BOOK BEFORE JANUARY 31, 2010…!!  Sweet deal, huh?!  This offer won’t last long as sessions are limited. And for my previous clients, don’t forget about our $50 print credit for all referrals booked under your name!   I’m so excited to get this year started!!

And now, on a personal note…just have to share some images from a perfect rainy day building a fort at home with my little BIG guy…:)

blog3

XO, Helene

Chloe - That is one AMAZING castle! :)January 21, 2010 - 2:33 pm

tara k - what a great fort! we have some very similarly constructed ones going on over at my house, too... :)January 22, 2010 - 11:03 am

Jessica - Oh I just love this! Love the fort- SO COOL. King of the castle!!January 25, 2010 - 6:25 pm

Jess Hardy - This is the coolest fort ever!!! I, being a fort designer and architect myself am quite jealous of this fabulous structure! (Therefore I will not show my children these pics!) Love you guys!January 25, 2010 - 11:49 pm