Drum roll please...

Are you ready for this?

Because it's kinda a big deal.

HUGE.

I am proud to announce an exciting change here at Ciao Bella...

Please welcome:

Caitlin Sheffer Photography!

As you can see, there has been a name change. While I will always love "Ciao Bella Photography", it was time to take things in a new direction and simplify.

I've been working diligently for the past several months in preparation for this big change. I am thrilled to present my new website...check out www.caitlinsheffer.com to see for yourself! You will find my portfolio, individual blog posts, and other fun goodies. It was truly a labor of love. I am so excited to finally be able to share it with everyone!

Please stay tuned...there will be an amazing giveaway coming in the next week! Trust me...you won't want to miss it!

Love is all you need.

In honor of Valentine's day:

Available for purchase HERE.

Autumn

"Delicious autumn!  My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns."

~George Eliot

Whimsy

"Our State Fair is a great state fair
Don't Miss it don't even be late
(our state fair is great)
It's dollars to doughnuts at our state fair
It's the best state fair in the state"

~"State Fair", Rodgers and Hammerstein

Treasures: Part III ~ Letters

Today I found these. They aren't your ordinary, average, every-day letters.

They were written in 1944 an 1945 by my grandfather. 

In World War II.

"Dear Mom + Pop,

I haven't written in about a week or more, the reason being, I have been moving in all that time. I am now in Germany, with the 1st Army. I can't say very much at this time, because the censoring is very tight. So I'll just say that I am still in the best of health and hope and pray you both are the same.

Please don't worry about me, I am ok. Being in Germany isn't as bad as it sounds. God Bless you both.

Love, Dave"

I also found this little pocket Webster dictionary...bound in a little leather case. It is about the size of two quarters...absolutely teeny!

Inspired

Here are a few images that, to me, define this wonderful time of year.

Images taken at the Wildseed Farm in Fredericksburg, TX.

Treasures: Part II

Yesterday I posted a few images showcasing my mother's ceramic pitcher collection. After I put the post together, I thought to myself, "Hey Cate! Why don't you do an entire series on little "treasures" found around your childhood home?" I then became exceptionally giddy with excitement (that happens often when there is a camera around my neck) and knew that this would be a fun little project while I'm visiting home. You see, my parents have a plethora of unique and beautiful treasures that I just can't wait to share with you. Today you get a glimpse at some of my favorite vintage books that adorn the bookshelves in my family's living room. Aren't they beautiful? They just make me want to lay down in a grassy field and read all. day. long. 

With Elizabeth Bennett. 

We would be the best of friends.

Treasures: Part I

When my family lived in England, my mother started collecting beautiful ceramic pitchers.

She has dozens of them. 

Pink, blue, white, purple, green, small, medium, large, heavy, light; you name it, she's got it.

I just love them.

Want one?

Big things are happening here at Ciao Bella Photography, and to celebrate I'm letting one lucky person choose between one of the following fine art prints. {Wahoo!} Part of the reason for this celebration is that Ciao Bella is increasing its number of international sales and features, which is very exciting! What I want to know is if you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Just leave a comment to enter! Click "like" at the end of the post to get an extra entry (leave another comment so I know). Good luck!

Happy Wednesday!

Just because today is Wednesday, and it is a beautiful day. :)

One Fine Day

I treated myself to a lovely garden bunch while I was at Costco today. Coral, pale pink, fuschia, and white spray carnations...beautiful. And yes, I did call carnations beautiful. So many people dismiss them as a "tacky" flower (which I agree can sometimes be). But what they don't realize is when you group them together in monochromatic schemes, they look like gorgeous, ruffly roses or peonies! Who knew. :)

And the winner is...

Wow! What a week. It's been a whirlwind of engagement sessions, editing, and reading all of your wonderful comments. Thank you so much for all of the kind words...they mean so much to me! I can't tell you how much I love my job...photography is definitely my passion and what makes me the most happy! 

So, without further ado, I present you with this one-of-a-kind announcement video. Good luck!

You'll have to forgive the mustache, I was in a fairly comedic mood at the time. A bit too much? Maybe. Do I regret it? Not a chance. ;)

To further celebrate the end of this summer-fun giveaway, I'm offering a $50 discount off my session price for the next two weeks. You do not have to have your pictures taken within that time frame, just have it on the books!

Email hellobeautifulphotography@gmail.com to schedule a session. I can't wait to see your beautiful faces!

Ciao Bella!

Americana

Park City, UT

For my dad

I know, it seems a bit ironic to post something in honor of my dad on Mother's day, but as I was editing these pictures I couldn't help think how much he would appreciate them. Thanks dad for always reminding me to enjoy nature, especially when it comes to trees! 

Peony

If I could marry a flower, it would be a peony. Just saying.

Thanks to Lindsay Orton for allowing me to tag along to this wedding! 

la vie en rose

Have you taken some time for yourself today? Did you stop and enjoy the beauty around you? I get caught up in the day to day routine and forget to look for the good in my life...and then something small reminds me...like a crinkled up, dried, little rose blossom.

You can buy this print HERE.

Color

Color.

After a long and dreary winter, any color is very welcome.

I'm taking a friend's advice and shooting for myself this week. And I'm going to find what little color there is in Utah this time of year. You just wait.

Spring

My favorite flower. Mmmm welcome Spring!

ghost girl.

What do you get when you mix slow shutter speed and low lighting? A fabulous, eerie ghost image! This is a single photo taken straight from the camera...the only post processing work was a black & white conversion and an applied texture. 

If you'd like more information on how I achieved this shot, email me at hellobeautifulphotography@gmail.com.

Mexican Plum Tree

Have you ever smelled something that made you think, "That smells GORGEOUS."

Not "good".

Not "great".

Not "wonderful".

"GORGEOUS".

If you ever find yourself in a botanical garden, nursery, or Mexico for that matter, make sure you take the time to smell the blossoms of the lovely Mexican Plum tree. You will thank me.

Honestly, I wish I could post how GORGEOUS this tree smelled instead of just an image. I guess you'll just have to use your imagination. :)