Hope to Capture Photography

Love Textures, Brushes & Actions?

2010-07-14T17:35:00.000-07:00

If you love textures, brushes and actions then you will love Nicole Van's website. Be sure to check it out and sign up for her emails too. She is always giving something free away and who doesn't like to win stuff right? You won't be disappointed by her products. I love them!

Click on the title above and it will take you right to her website or if the link isn't working then go to: http://shop.nicholev.com

New Blog will be coming soon!

2010-07-14T17:28:00.001-07:00

Sorry that I have not posted in such a long time folks. But a new blog will coming soon so I've been "saving" all my photos for the new blog. So keep a watch out and with the new blog I will be announcing a new contest too!

Trash the Dress with Michelle

2009-11-01T08:16:00.000-08:00

Michelle is quickly becoming one of my favorite people to photograph. She is just lovely and beautiful from the inside out. We met up at Folsom for this shoot and the weather was just perfect!

We have our Facebook Winner!!

2009-07-29T09:53:00.000-07:00

Boy that sure took a while, but I finally made the 100 fan mark on our Face book Page! Our winner was Valarie and she was referred by Tiffany. I have to tell you all that Tiffany was my biggest promoter. She was writing on her wall constantly about how many more fans I needed and encouraging all of her friends to become fans. She definitely deserved to win the referral part. Thanks for all your kind words Tiffany!!!

Aspiring Model

2009-07-22T15:09:00.000-07:00

Emmanuel contacted me for some portfolio pictures. This is one great kid and I think he's going to have one hell of a career. Oh....and he's single ladies!

On Vacation

2009-07-10T21:03:00.000-07:00

I'm headed off to Tahoe for a week with my family. After such an emotional day I'm glad we scheduled our family vacation for this week. It will get my mind off of missing my sister and I can spend quality time with my kids.

It just so happens that my daughter Adrianna also has a softball tournament this weekend in Tahoe so it really worked out to our advantage.

I'm going off the grid for a week. The only time I will pick up my camera is to take pictures of my family. I've promised everyone that I will not work, just spend time reading, playing games and relaxing with my honey and our kids.

But once I get back, watch out! Because I have a few neat projects that I'm working on. Wait to you see where Hope to Capture Photography is going!

My Sister

2009-07-10T13:00:00.000-07:00

Well she finally left. About a year ago she said that she wanted to move to Chicago. She never really liked it here in Modesto, but being a single mother it was easier for her to be near family to help her with the kids. Now my nieces are older and they are ready for an adventure.

They have the same adventurous spirit as my sister Becky. I love them so much, but I will especially miss my sister. She has been a constant in my life. She is a constant pain in the @ss but more importantly she has been a constant best friend. She keeps me grounded, encourages me to follow my dreams, and always makes me laugh at myself. She is the one person who will always be honest with me and who I know will be on my side no matter what.

I am so proud of her. She is such a wonderful example to all of us. Becky is following her dreams and showing our girls how to follow theirs. Chicago is so lucky to have such a cool girl coming their way.

I will miss you sister. I cry just thinking of how much I will miss you. But remember how proud I am of you and how much I love you. You rock!

-Sister {i'm giving you a virtual hug right now}

A few more amazing tattoos

2009-07-07T13:56:00.001-07:00

I was just amazed at all the wonderful artwork on her body. These are just a few of my favorites.

Awesome Tattoo's

2009-07-04T12:23:00.001-07:00

I had a photo session recently with this great couple. There will be more pictures to come, but I just couldn't wait to post this one of Chad's tattoo. I LOVE TATTOO'S!

1/2 way there!

2009-06-22T10:29:00.000-07:00

Don't forget that Hope to Capture is having a contest for (2) FREE portrait sittings. All you have to do is become our fan on Facebook. Click on the Facebook link to the left and become a fan.

Tell your friends about it too!!!

More Dress Trashing

2009-06-18T17:38:00.000-07:00

Trashing the Dress with Niki

2009-06-17T10:27:00.001-07:00

What can you say about this beautiful girl? I LOVE her curly hair and smile.

Hope to Capture on Facebook!

2009-06-16T23:13:00.000-07:00

Hope to Capture Photography is now on Facebook and we need fans!

I'm giving away (2) FREE PORTRAIT SITTINGS to two lucky winners. All you have to do is go to our facebook page and become a fan. First prize goes to our 100th Fan and the second prize goes to the person who "referred" that fan!

So start emailing your friends and ask them to become a fan of Hope to Capture Photography on Facebook. They just have to follow the link to the left. Good Luck!!

Trashing the Dress!

2009-06-16T09:35:00.000-07:00

Here is my first of many pictures to come! Of course I had to start with my baby Adrianna. She was so cold in that water....what a gamer. =)

High School Graduation!

2009-06-06T21:40:00.000-07:00

Jeff and I with our graduate Adrianna. We are so proud of her!

Adrianna was giving a friend a "high five" after they got their diploma's.

My baby knew the camera would be on her!

Adrianna Justine Duffy - Class of 2009 - Grace Davis High School

8th Grade Graduation

2009-06-03T22:04:00.000-07:00

We just came home from our youngest daughters Graduation from Jr. High. Gabrielle is just a goofy kid. She brought those dumb glasses so we can take her "nerdy" pictures. Geez!

Cadet Ball 2009

2009-05-07T22:50:00.000-07:00

Victoria went with Manny to the Cadet Ball again this year. Of course Jeff and I drove down to Fresno for a little photo shoot. We had so much fun with the kids!

New Postcard

2009-05-03T14:09:00.000-07:00

I don't know why I'm still messing with Adrianna's pictures...but here is a post card I just designed for her as a surprise.

Adrianna's Night Out

2009-05-02T19:27:00.000-07:00

Adrianna was invited to yet another prom. Of course I took plenty of pictures so here are just a few samples of my favorites.

Senior Session for Kasey

2009-04-26T14:18:00.000-07:00

How cute was this senior? Just too cute for words! I love her big eyes, dark hair and sense of humor! This girl will go a long way in life....I see it already.

Jenny & Johnny

2009-04-26T14:14:00.000-07:00

Here are some more of my favorites taken at Pebble Beach!

Baum Engagement

2009-04-18T09:25:00.000-07:00

I couldn't have asked for a better couple to work with. Johnny & Jenny were AMAZING. I loved spending the day with them and their family. The weather was perfect and we had a blast!

Pebble Beach here I come!

2009-04-16T22:57:00.001-07:00

I love my job. Tomorrow I'll be in Pebble Beach for an engagement session. The weather is supposed to be beautiful and I can't wait to spend the day doing what I love. Stay tuned for previews of the photo shoot.

Portland Workshop

2009-04-10T11:56:00.000-07:00

Mandy was so great to work with. I can't wait to show off the pictures I took of her.

Mike giving us tips on things to look for and how to pose our pin ups.

The make up artist was a good sport considering we were all shooting around her. We just could'nt wait for her to finish!

I just can't say enough about Mike and Andy and the wonderful photographers I met during the workshop. I learned so much and it was so worth it! Stay tuned for my photographs coming soon!

The Yearly Countdown

2009-02-24T11:44:00.000-08:00

If anyone knows my sister Becky, then you know that during the month of February and March she will start to send out her "Birthday Countdown" via email. Every time she talks to you she will somehow work in the conversation a reminder of her upcoming Birthday and gift ideas so you wouldn't be at a loss when shopping for her. Her birthday is on March 17th (St. Patty's Day) but it feels more like her Birthday Month!

Sometimes I tease her that she "drives me crazy". And for the most part that is true. Her stupid countdown emails DO drive me crazy. But I can't deny that it brings a smile to my face because I can just picture her sitting at her desk thinking up of all kinds of gift ideas for herself and wanting her birthday to be here soon. She is just as bad as a little girl. That's probably one of the reasons I love her so.

My sister and I are such complete opposites. She is spontaneous, carefree and is "excited" about EVERYTHING! Oh and she tries to hug me way too much. I'm a planner, always with my lists and can't stop working or planning. I want things done now and get irritated when I'm not accomplishing a task. Sometimes I'm jealous of her and her carefree ways. Maybe jealous is not a good word. No...I'm not jealous, I ADMIRE her for her ways and I LOVE her for her wonderful qualities. Yes, those same qualities that "drive me crazy" but I think it's because I don't understand what it's like to be her.

So even though I roll my eyes when I see her yearly birthday countdown beginning, I also don't want those emails to stop. Who would "lighten me up" if it wasn't Becky? God made us sisters for a reason and I love that!

By the way, as of today the countdown is 20 DAYS TILL BECKY'S BIRTHDAY!

Sneak Peek - Roxy & Manuel

2009-02-17T13:48:00.000-08:00

Here is just a sneak peek of Roxy & Manuel's wedding album. I just LOVE this couple...they are both such a cool couple and Manuel just cracks me up!

It's finally here!

2009-02-03T08:48:00.000-08:00

My website is finally up and running! Please go to www.hopetocapture.com and check it out. I'm having a "Show the Love" contest and will be giving away a free photo shoot. Check my website for all the details.

New Logo and Website Update!

2009-01-27T09:32:00.000-08:00

Have you seen my new logo? Thanks to a wonderful teacher, Tom Weber, for creating my logo.....I LOVE IT!!!

I have finished my official website and it should "go live" by the end of this week so keep an eye out for it.

To help celebrate the launch of my website I will be giving away a free portrait sitting. Please visit my website for more details.

Winning News!

2008-12-29T09:42:00.001-08:00

Our winning picture. There had to be more than 6 people, 3 of them had to be wearing scarves and it needed to show the "Spirit of Christmas".

Michael & Monique - December 24, 2008

I hope you all had as wonderful Christmas as we did here in the Duffy House! Of course I was doing a lot of last minute stuff so I felt rushed, but I get it wouldn't be Christmas if I wasn't rushing around trying to get things done.

My cousin asked if I could take some pictures of them as a surprise to their mother. So on Christmas Eve day we were out in the rain taking lots of pictures. I couldn't believe that we did everything so fast, but that night she opened her gifts and from what I hear she LOVED them. But of course she would, they are both gorgeous!

While at my Aunt's house for Christmas Eve I gathered some family for a picture so I could enter a contest. As you all know I've been working on a new website and I had decided to go with this rockin' company called Blu Domain. They specialize in photography websites and I love their stuff. So I've been saving my money and hired a graphic designer for a new logo. I was hoping this was going to be done by October, but things just didn't work out and now I was looking at January 2009 to launch my new website. So I'm online checking the Blu website when I see they are having a contest. I figured it wouldn't hurt, so I entered one. AND I WAS ONE OF THE WINNERS!!! Woooo Hooooo!!!

Stay tuned everyone....my new website is just a few weeks away!

Happy Holidays!

2008-11-30T11:28:00.000-08:00

The Duffy Family Christmas card picture - 2008

Wishing everyone a blessed and safe Holiday Season!

Senior Pictures of Adrianna

2008-11-23T09:05:00.001-08:00

Here are some samples of the my beautiful Adrianna during her Senior photo shoot. Of course since I'm the photographer we'll be visiting many other locations. These were shot at Stanislaus State University. I think our next photo session will be downtown. Stay tuned for more!

Christina & Ryan

2008-11-03T09:17:00.000-08:00

Christina & Ryan are such a fun couple! Just a sample of the wedding album I'm working on.

Maui

2008-10-26T19:46:00.000-07:00

Jeff and I went for a long deserved vacation. No kids, no bills, no worries. The week went too fast, but we sure did enjoy ourselves. I've promised the kids that we will take them on our next trip to Maui. I guess I better start saving my money now!

How long has it been?

2008-08-25T18:15:00.001-07:00

Ok I'll admit it...I'm horrible at blogging! I LOVE looking at other people's blogs but I always put off updating my own. I'm making a new resolution to myself.....start updating my blog at least twice a week! Please feel free to "call me" on it when I don't keep this promise. It's almost like a diet, I know I should do it, but I always tell myself "I'll start on Monday". lol

In my last blog I said I would tell you about my experience with "Wharf to Wharf". So here it is, the good, the bad and the ugly!

Early this year my sister convinced me to start training with her for my first run. Now anyone who knows me knows that I don't run. But it was the beginning of the year and as everyone else I had visions of myself "running and in the best shape ever". WHATEVER! In our 5th or 6th week of training (I'm still unsure because I think I was slowly losing it) I completely had a breakdown on the trail and confessed my HATERD towards running! So Christina said it was okay and I could walk the race instead of running it. I felt much better.

So I completely gave up any sort of training (even walking) until about a week before the race! So needless to say I was in no shape for it. It was a great day and we were so excited. My sister and my two other friends ran the race and waited for me at the finish line. When they asked why it took so long I confessed that I saw a fruit stand and stopped to buy something to eat. What? You can't stop for a bite during a race? Oh well.

I told everyone that I'm no longer interested in entering another race, ever, never, ever again.

My sister came by the other day and told me about the "Evening Run" in Palo Alto. She made it sound so good that I began to have visions of myself in the best shape ever. When do we start training?

Brides Against Breast Cancer

2008-07-26T20:47:00.000-07:00

Today was such a long and hard day. It was also so rewarding. As a local wedding photographer I was asked to volunteer for this wonderful event. It started for us at 6:00 a.m. as we helped set up THOUSANDS of wedding dresses.

I had so much fun getting to know the brides and helping them choose their wedding gown. Everyone knows I can't wait until I become a "mother of the bride".

This is a great organization and it was their first time in Modesto. I hope the event was successful enough that they will return again next year.

To read more about this wonderful charity go to: http://www.bridgesagainstbreastcancer.org/

Now tomorrow I'm off to help support another great event. The Wharf to Wharf 2008 in Santa Cruz, CA. Stayed tuned for more.

New logo and website coming soon

2008-07-12T20:16:00.000-07:00

At first I thought I would use this blog as a "replacement" of a website because building a good photography website costs lots of $$$, but there is just no way around it. How can I attract clients if I don't have a proper site? So far all of my business has been by referrals and I think that is great, but it's time take it up a notch and take my business to the next level.

I found a fantastic graphic designer who will be putting together a new logo for my photography business and website. Unfortunately she is so good that her back log is such that she won't have my stuff done until October. I guess that should tell you how great she is, so I'm willing to wait my turn.

In the meantime I'll be posting some of my favorite pictures of clients and family on this blog. I've also decided to write about my LOVE of photography. So whenever I learn something new....I think I'll share it with you all too.

My graphic designer will be giving me 3 samples for me to choose from. So stay tuned and in October I'll be posting those samples and asking for your opinions. I'm also not going to put to many client pictures on this blog for now because I want to save them for my new website. Hope to Capture is going through a MAJOR "remodel" and I'm excited about where my business and love of photography is taking me.

Maternity Pictures of Sara

2008-07-12T20:06:00.001-07:00

What can I say about Sara? She is a DOLL! I'm a little mad that she looks so great and she is so close to delivery. Why couldn't I look that good when I was pregnant?

I love it when my clients let me have fun and stray from "traditional" poses. Sara told me that she was craving lots of fruit with her pregnancy so we played with that idea and surrounded her with lots of fruit!

I shot about 250 pictures and it was very hard to choose my favorites because I think they came out great. But if I had to choose my most favorite these would be it.

I can't wait to shoot Sara and the new baby when he or she gets here!

Cadet Ball 2008 - Fresno, CA

2008-07-12T19:54:00.000-07:00

My daughter Victoria is dating a wonderful young man named Manny. They both met at Fresno State and are both criminology majors. So of course Victoria was his date to the Annual Cadet Ball. I drove down to Fresno for a little photo shoot and that's exactly what it ended up being. Victoria was running late so we only had about 15 minutes for pictures before they had to leave for the ceremony. Well at least I got some great shots of them. Maybe next year we'll try to time it better so I can get scout the place out for nicer backgrounds.

The both make a gorgeous couple!

The Duffy Hams

2008-07-12T19:44:00.001-07:00

Okay, my two youngest daughters are big hams! They LOVE having their pictures taken. Gabrielle was a little bored and asked if we could go to the park and take some pictures for her "my space" page. Being a photographer...well I can't say "no" to pictures so off we went. When Adrianna found out of course she had to get prettied up for some pics too. We ended up at the MJC campus and I shot about 100 pictures. These are just my top 3 favorites.

Class of 2008 - Brett

2008-07-12T19:34:00.000-07:00

Brett has a wonderful personality and we got along great. Like most boys he was a little unsure what to expect, but after a while we got into a groove and moved right along.

Class of 2008 - Nicole

2008-07-12T19:18:00.001-07:00

Nikki is a big fan of "America's Next Top Model" and it showed! She was a natural in front of the camera and I didn't have to direct her at all. Her mom came along to the shoot and it's apparent that they both love and get along with each other like best friends. What a great afternoon we all had.

Class of 2008 - Jessica

2008-07-12T19:14:00.001-07:00

Jessica was so great to photograph. Those big blue eyes and lovely smile. A photographer can't ask for more.

San Francisco

2008-03-28T21:41:00.000-07:00

Love has no desire but to fulfill itself. To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night. To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving.

~Kahlil Gibran

Family Life

2008-03-28T19:56:00.000-07:00

They... threw themselves into the interests of the rest, but each plowed his or her own furrow. Their thoughts, their little passions and hopes and desires, all ran along separate lines. Family life is like this - animated, but collateral.

~Rose Macaulay

Class of 2008 - Justin

2008-03-28T19:42:00.000-07:00

Justin was a little shy to begin with, but after a while he got used to the camera and started to have fun.

I Love You

2008-03-28T19:32:00.000-07:00

I love you,

Not only for what you are,

But for what I am

When I am with you.

I love you,

Not only for what

You have made of yourself,

But for what

You are making of me.

I love you

For the part of me

That you bring out.

-Roy Croft

I Corinthians 13:13

2008-03-28T19:20:00.000-07:00

There are three things that last: faith, hope and love, and the greatest of these is love.

- I Corinthians 13:13

I love thee

2008-03-28T18:53:00.000-07:00

I love thee,

I love but thee

With a love that shall not die

Till the sun grows cold

And the stars grow old.

-William Shakespeare

The Rings

2008-03-28T18:44:00.000-07:00

"For years my wedding ring has done its job. It has led me not into temptation. It has reminded my husband numerous times at parties that it's time to go home. It has been a source of relief to a dinner companion. It has been a status symbol in the maternity ward."

- Erma Bombeck

2008-03-28T18:38:00.000-07:00

Brothers and sisters are as close as hands and feet.
~Vietnamese Proverb

Joy

2008-03-28T18:31:00.000-07:00

"Peace and war begin at home. If we truly want peace in the world, let us begin by loving one another in our own families. If we want to spread joy, we need for every family to have joy."
-Mother Teresa

Oh brothers!

2008-03-28T18:23:00.000-07:00

All for one and one for all
My brother and my friend
What fun we have
The time we share
Brothers 'til the end.

~Author Unknown

The Sweetest Thing

2008-03-28T18:11:00.000-07:00

When babies look beyond you and giggle, maybe they're seeing angels.

~Quoted in The Angels' Little Instruction Book by Eileen Elias Freeman, 1994

Just one more day

2008-03-20T14:41:00.000-07:00

Life is tough enough without having someone kick you from the inside.

~Rita Rudner

Can you believe how great Jen looks? She delivered her baby the very next day! I'm glad we didn't postpone the photo shoot.