Category archives: giving back

Fall Mini Sessions-Benefiting Jack’s Helping Hand

If you’re a Facebook Fan, you may  have already heard the news:  the once a year Mini Session Event is now booking!  There are so many reasons why this is the perfect chance to capture your family…

…you’re all tan and glowing from the summer sun  🙂

…everyone has had their hair spiffied up for school

…it’s just before fall sports begin

…you’ll be tackling the annual Christmas card on time

…it only happens once a year

…and you’ll be saving money

The best part is, the Mini Session Event benefits Jack’s Helping Hand, a local organization that assists children and their families in our community.   Sunday is completely filled, but there are still a few spaces left on Saturday afternoon. Just email to request a spot in this amazing event!

a difference | san luis obispo children’s photographer

For all those who participated in this year’s Fall Mini Session Event….for everyone who braved the heat…the parents who made it happen…and the children who made my day with their sweet spirits, smiles and antics:  THANK YOU!!!

You have made a difference…

…in the life of a boy and his family.  I just heard from Jack’s Helping Hand that TODAY the money from the Fall Mini Session Event was used to purchase a customized wheelchair ‘with all the bells and whistles’ for a boy in our community struggling with CP.  How amazing is that?!?

So often I feel like my donations and contributions are so tiny compared with all the needs in the world.  And rarely does one hear of exactly HOW moneys are used. But today is a different day.  And it makes my heart soar!

Again, thank you EVERYONE who participated and helped make it happen!

The Tognazzini Family

Jack’s Helping Hand

Verdin Marketing Ink

Amy Bakes Cupcakes

and it came to pass… | california children’s photographer

and it came to pass that on the 26th day in the month of september following the first day of fall that dozens of children flocked to a little historic ranch in cayucos.  there they played.  there they ate (amy bakes cupcakes).  there they frolicked in the sun.  and little ole me, i sat in wonder (actually i never sat), and watched the beauty of the little personalities that surrounded me.

thank you EVERYONE who came out to make the Fall Mini Session event such a wild success!  it was an honor to share the day with you…and  introduce you to my friends from Jack’s Helping Hand.  as exhausted as i was at the end of the day (the 104 degree day) i was so sad to have it end!

here is the first little peek for my sweet friends!

california commercial children's photographer lisa maksoudian specializes in newborn photography and modern kids portraits

.my heart. lisa maksoudian-california children’s photographer

hello my little blog readers!  i haven’t meant to neglect you all…i’ve just returned from a whirlwind week in Las Vegas!  the WPPI convention was great, as usual, and i had a chance to meet so many amazing photographers.  yes, it was a blast!  that said, i’m so glad to be home, to squeeze my kiddos…and to breathe fresh ocean air. (second hand smoke is truly brutal!)

this year, the trip to Vegas was not merely to attend international photographer’s convention.  in fact, i might have skipped the frenzy, but i had the chance to complete a training program for an organization that i’m so honored to be a part of.

in the past few years i’ve been able to contribute to some incredible non-profit groups, including the EOC Homeless Shelter and Jack’s Helping Hand.  these companies, and the people who run them, are modern day heroes.  the work is non-glamorous, but the results of their sacrifices are unmeasurable.  they truly impact the lives of those they serve.

and while i’m so delighted to continue to donate to these organizations, i’m very honored to announce that i am now part of a charity organization called Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep.

“Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (NILMDTS) is non-profit organization committed to assisting parents and families going through the difficult time when they experience an early infant loss.  the photographers are entirely volunteer and offer sensitive photography services to allow families to remember their little angels.  for more information, you can visit the NILMDTS website.”

i first heard of this group several years ago and thought it unique.  but i couldn’t go there.  the photographers for this group offer ‘infant bereavement photography’….and it sounded scary.  then my life took a number of twists and turns that i would never choose.  i’m not sure if could have faced it all if i didn’t believe that all things work together for good.  and now, a year later, the choice to join NILMDTS as a volunteer photographer is truly a privilege.

this might be a surprising post to some of you, as i showcase so many amazing, healthy newborns and babes.  but i believe that the work is incredibly important…and you never know who you’ll meet or the needs you’ll encounter in a lifetime.  again, for more information, please contact me or visit the NILMDTS website.

thank you for all of your support!

sweet dreams,

L