imagesmith photography

Moving time!

2010-08-28T16:40:00.001-07:00

This blog has moved! We are now at:

www.imagesmithphotographers.com/blog

Melina is a Senior!

2009-09-28T10:33:00.001-07:00

Manteca, California: Imagesmith senior session around town...

Melina is a senior at Sierra High School. She's an awesome girl and a lot of fun to be around. We went to a few spots around town and got some sweet shots here and there. Special thanks to Kristina for helping me out 8)

Here are some early edits...

Alexis and Steven Are Getting Married!

2009-09-23T16:56:00.000-07:00

Knights Ferry, California: Imagesmith in Modesto!

We have had these engagement pictures scheduled since July...but due to a campaign fire I was at and an illness on our re-schedule we had to do these pretty close to the wedding. We started at McHenry Mansion in Modesto where we absolutely rocked the whole venue inside and out. We moved on to Knight's Ferry up Highway 108 and finished off an awesome session. I am so stoked for the wedding in October...

Here are some early edits...

Sarah is a Senior!

2009-09-03T20:20:00.000-07:00

Manteca, California: Imagesmith Senior Session...

Sarah is a senior at Sierra High. I have known her family for years and her dad was my jr. high Sunday School teacher...and that was a while back. She is an awesome worship leader and young lady. It was a great time and her sister Jamie is a great assistant.

Here's some of what we came up with...

Baby Luke

2009-09-02T21:32:00.000-07:00

Manteca, California: Imagesmith and a newborn session!

Because of the wildfires in Santa Cruz I had to postpone several sessions. Baby Luke was one of those sessions. His parents, Josh and Jessica, were awesome about it and when I got back they were at the top of the list to reschedule. I met Luke's brother Noah earlier this year and had a great time with the whole family again...

Some quick edits...

Cory and Phoebe are Married

2009-08-09T19:38:00.001-07:00

Santa Cruz, California: Imagesmith in Aptos and Santa Cruz!

Phoebe and Cory are a great couple that love each other and more importantly love God...It was a refreshingly simple and elegant ceremony with tons of personality. Beautiful flowers complimented the sweet colors and the church up in Aptos was a perfect backdrop. The reception in Santa Cruz was fun and capped a great afternoon on the coast of California...

Here are some early edits...

Trash the Dress...

2009-07-13T17:08:00.000-07:00

Washington: Imagesmith After-session and Trash the Dress (kinda)...

Back in the day there was a Digital Rebel. I shot my sister in-law's entire wedding with the Rebel and a 50mm f/1.4. This past week while on vacation we wondered out loud as to whether or not Janee could still get on her dress. I offered to take some pics if she could get it to fit. I pulled out the 5d, a 580ex, and a couple of pocketwizards. We drove around the beautiful area surrounding my in-laws and I got pretty lucky with the lighting...

Here are a few...

There were so many thorns in those flowers...apparently they are some sort of wild berry. Flip flops were not a good idea...

Loving the blue skies...didn't see much of them while I was there.

Original bouquet as well...

And I had to throw in her husband Jack...since he held the flash for the others...this one is sans flash.

What I did on Summer Vacation...

2009-07-13T16:38:00.000-07:00

Washington: Imagesmith R and R in Washington...

My In-Laws live in Southwest Washington and in what has been at least an annual pilgrimage, we travelled North for a visit to Grandma's house. The weather was once again a contrast to California, it never got above 80 degrees and rained most of the time. A nice change of pace. My Father in-law is known as the "Blaster Pastor" and has a team of guys that shoot fireworks with him. I got to hang out close by with my camera and try to capture some of the intensity. Can't really record the sound or smell in pictures (but the video on the 5d mk2 is kind of nice)...

Time with family is always fun and spending time relaxing can be very helpful in bringing perspective to what's important in our lives.

How about a little fun in pictures?

Took the girls to the Zoo in Seattle and had a great time in the cool Summer sun of the Northwest...

Breakfast first...

Monkey climbing on a monkey...

Mommy and Kali in the background...Auntie Ne and Cousin Jordynn in the front...

Blur only my point and shoot can provide...

Taya can't wait for the carousel to start...

After dinner at the Crab Pot...I felt like a Sea Creature...

Taya got a tattoo and wanted to show it off to Daddy...

Kali coming in to give Daddy the big kiss...

Swiss Army Session!

2009-06-07T23:09:00.000-07:00

Hughson, California: Imagesmith in Hughson!

I went to high school with Derick a long time ago...We recently re-connected on Facebook and he asked if I'd come out for a family session. The session turned into a family, kid, infant, couple session...I loved it! It was a great time with great people. I look forward to working with them again...

Some early edits...

Preston Castle Shoot-Out!

2009-05-24T13:17:00.000-07:00

Ione, California: Imagesmith, models, MUA's and dresses oh my!

It was a great afternoon at the haunted castle in Ione. A bunch of talented photographers, stylists and models got together for a phenomenal shoot. I had such a great time, I'm already thinking about doing it again...

A special thanks to Jessie Cho and Jenifer Haupt from Image Provocateur for setting up the gathering!

The awesome dresses came from these awesome designers:

Dreamnette

www.dreamnette.net

AGAPE by Jeremiah

agape_luv77@yahoo.com

Gianna Couture

www.giannaCoutore.com

Haley is a beautiful model...Tall and very talented.

Jessy has the most beautiful eyes...

Elya is a stylist at Image Provocateur...beautiful with great energy.

Dara is also a stylist at Image Provocateur....She rocks the energy and is absolutely gorgeous.

I Love Making Friends!

2009-05-18T21:26:00.001-07:00

Lodi, California: Wedding books rock!

In December I had the honor of shooting Amie and Cole's beautiful wedding in Lodi at Wine and Roses, a beautiful venue. We had to plan in short notice because Cole serves our country in the Army. A quick engagement session in San Francisco and the wedding a few weeks later. Such a great time doing both and I am so happy I have met them.

I just sent Amie her handmade Italian Leather Wedding Book and I have to say, it is phenomenal. Here is the message she left on my Facebook wall:

"OMG Traig, I just got my wedding album in the mail! It is absolutely stunning, I can't thank you enough!! I can't stop looking at it, my mom is going to love the parent album. Thank you, thank you, thank you for being such an amazing photographer and working with us through all our last minute details. I'm speechless!!"

Here are some quick shots before I shipped it off...it is leather with a plexi-glass window...beautiful.

New Headshots!

2009-05-14T07:41:00.000-07:00

Manteca, California: Imagesmith headshots!

I usually don't post headshots here on the blog, but Shelby is an exception. We had a good time in North Manteca shooting these for an upcoming audition in SoCal. Shelby is chill and is willing to be an Imagesmith spokesmodel...I just made up the position 8)

Fun stuff...

Diego and Joeleane are Getting Married!

2009-05-13T21:52:00.000-07:00

Monterey, California: Imagesmith in Monterey!

Diego and Joeleane are such and awesome pair. They love each other so much that you can tell when you meet them they are meant for one another. They share such a passion for helping people, I consider it an honor to shoot their wedding. The engagement shoot was a rocking time on the Monterey coast. I had the help of Greg Allen who is a very talented photographer...Thanks. I can't wait for the wedding in Carmel Valley...

Here are some early edits....

Mother's Day

2009-05-10T18:01:00.000-07:00

Doty, Washington: Imagesmith in Washington for Mother's Day

Mother's Day was a great time with family up in the Great Northwest.

Kristina's sister Allison graduated from Northwest University on Saturday

and the family was together for the whole weekend. We had a great church service at

New Harvest followed by a great lunch.

Then we turned the girls loose in the yard...good times.

Kali's a natural...

Little girls and flowers...doesn't get any cuter.

My niece Jordynn cheesin' it up...

The whole family on the porch...

Tristan is Graduating!

2009-04-26T22:58:00.000-07:00

Ripon, California: Imagesmith Photography taking over Ripon...

Tristan is a Senior at Ripon High...He dominated the football field last fall and has some style. He rocked the Letterman jacket for a while then we had some wardrobe changes (he's got some sick shades). We burned through Ripon hitting some sweet spots I hadn't shot yet.

Some early edits...or should I say late because it's 11pm...nevermind...

Told you he had sick shades...

Trying some new edits...

Leave some love in the comments...

Sarah is Graduating!

2009-04-13T22:33:00.000-07:00

Ripon, California: Imagesmith Senior Session in Ripon!

Sarah is a senior and a great girl who happens to be a volleyball machine. We got together for some senior pics in Ripon this afternoon. It was not difficult to get good shots because she has the cutest smile and a great attitude.

Some early edits...

Phoebe and Cory are Engaged!

2009-04-11T22:04:00.000-07:00

Capitola, California: Imagesmith Photography hits Capitola and Santa Cruz

Phoebe and Cory are a great couple that met at Bethany College in Scotts Valley. Phoebe is so cool and graduating soon. Cory is a soccer stud and so chill. We spent an entire afternoon shooting and eating Hawaiian BBQ. We started in Santa Cruz near the Boardwalk and worked our way over to the Lighthouse, where Kristina and I had our wedding. Then we went down to Capitola and the exact spot where Cory asked Phoebe to marry him. It was such a blast, I can't wait for the wedding in July.

Here are some of the early edits...

Alexa and Ryan are Married!

2009-04-11T15:57:00.000-07:00

Livermore, California: Imagesmith Photography at Wente Vineyards of Livermore...
I had the privilege of photographing Alexa and Ryan's awesome wedding at the beautiful Wente Vineyards in Livermore. I did their engagement pics at Huntington Beach back in January and have been looking forward to the wedding since. Alexa was absolutely stunning and Ryan looked cool in his tux. It was a great time for everyone and special thanks go out to Jeremy Frazier of 21st Century Sounds out of Alamo, California and the great staff at Wente Vineyards...
Here are some early edits...

Nominated for Best of Manteca!

2009-04-01T14:57:00.000-07:00

Manteca, California: Imagesmith nominated the Best in Manteca!

I have the honor of being nominated as the Best Photographer in Manteca. I'm totally stoked and excited to be nominated. I know Chris and Glenn who are also nominated and to be in the mentioned in the same sentence is a privilege. It would be great if you went over to the site link and scrolled down to 38. to fill the bubble next to Traig Smith.

And while you're at it...scroll down to 40 and vote for my wife Kristina for School Administrator.

Vote here for Traig and Kristina!

Thanks to everyone for voting and checking the blog!

+Traig

Girls at the park...

2009-03-30T20:56:00.001-07:00

Manteca, California: Daddy and his girls...

I bought Taya a Cinderella kite the other day and she has been asking to fly it in her own special way...Kristina and I brought Taya and Kali to the park around the corner from our house to have a fun afternoon. I don't know how many pictures I have of the girls at this park but we have had a lot of good times there. Here are some from my favorite models...

Zach and Crissy Senior Session!

2009-03-25T09:44:00.001-07:00

Ripon, California: Imagesmith Senior Portraits in Ripon...
Crissy and Zach are graduating from my alma mater Manteca High this summer. Crissy is a sweetheart that races BMX (serious skills). Zach was a lineman on some pretty good Buffalo football teams and an all-VOL wrestler. They also happen to be dating. We had a great time at the park and in the ghetto alleys of Ripon!

Here are some early edits...

Ladies first...so heeere's Crissy!

And Zach...

And boff of em'...

Tessa is graduating!

2009-03-21T20:43:00.001-07:00

Lodi, California: Imagesmith in Lodi...

Tessa is a rad senior from Manteca and we had a blast taking the long way to downtown Lodi. First we found an old pickup in the country then to the cool and scenic spot that is downtown Lodi. She has the prettiest smile and here are some early edits....

Shipherd Family Lifestyle Session

2009-03-12T10:57:00.000-07:00

Ripon, California: Imagesmith Spring Lifestyle Sessions...
The Shipherd family was gracious enough to allow Imagesmith Photography to use their orchard for some of the Spring portraits on this blog. We appreciate their hospitality and are honored by their friendship. A good looking family is always fun to shoot and along with a good looking tractor we made some fun images...

I took the old tractor for an impromptu session...

More Almond Blossoms!

2009-03-12T10:50:00.000-07:00

Ripon, California: Imagesmith lifestyle portraits...

What a weekend! A whole bunch of sessions shot over the weekend mean a whole bunch of editing this week. I am going as fast as I can and here are some of the Prosser family that I have had the privilege of shooting since their wedding day. I love it when clients are friends as well. Reed is the cute little guy with the mohawk...

Hunter Lifestyle Session

2009-03-08T11:30:00.000-07:00

Ripon, California: Imagesmith portraits in Ripon...

Had the chance in the short window of our world famous almond blossoms to have a lifestyle session with the Hunters and their 3 little girls. You can imagine the amount of energy and cuteness in that little orchard. We had a great time and I got to run a lot. Here are the early edits...

Red Rock Canyon, Nevada

2009-02-17T21:50:00.001-08:00

Red Rock Canyon, Nevada: Imagesmith in Las Vegas...

I just had the opportunity to get together with a bunch of photographers from all over the country (plus Australia, Texas and England :) to shoot four awesome models at Red Rock Canyon. Special shout outs to Ryan and Sarah for setting up the whole thing. Here are some of the early edits from the fun day...

First Engagement Session of 2009

2009-02-01T13:06:00.000-08:00

Huntington Beach, California--Imagesmith Photography in Huntington Beach: For our first engagement session of 2009 we went to beautiful and scenic Huntington Beach. Alexa and Ryan will be getting married in April at the Wente Vineyards in Livermore. They are an awesome couple and I enjoyed my time getting some great images in some great SoCal weather. We tooled around the beach, down Main Street and had lunch at Duke's. I can't wait for their wedding...it's going to be a blast!

Special thanks to Jack Ratana and his family for their hospitality...

These were fun...

Love this one...

These two are my favorites...

This one rocks...

$1 Million Photo Shoot

2009-01-12T19:19:00.000-08:00

Manteca, CA: The Manteca Fire Department, who I am fortunately employed by, purchased a Sutphen SPH100 Aerial Platform Fire Apparatus...In other words, a new Fire Truck. The truck reaches 100' into the air and looks cool to boot. Our crew took it out behind the station and I was able to shoot this million dollar piece of equipment...(It's really, really, really cool).

Code 3 lights at night are always cool...

Truck has something like 3250 watts of lighting...full moon in the back.

Break in the fog... ...fully extended

Manteca skyline...looking east toward the Sierras.

100' up 100' down

It's gonna be an awesome tool for the Department

Happy New Year!

2008-12-31T23:50:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to everyone. May 2009 bring blessings, peace and opportunity to your lives.

I leave you with a word of wisdom...

"Stay off your motorcycle when there is snow on the ground"

Christmas Vacation

2008-12-21T15:57:00.000-08:00

Doty, Washington: We arrived in the cold state of Washington for Christmas. It is snowing and snowing, we'll see if it let's up...Went out after church so Taya could play in the snow. Everyone is having a great time...Taya is loving it.

Mommy doesn't like the camera pointed at her...

Kali stayed inside...

Christmas with the Enos'

2008-12-17T22:27:00.000-08:00

Manteca, California: It's always fun to be around family and I got to take my cousin's Christmas Pictures last week...I also had a special little 3 year helper with me...my beautiful daughter Taya. She helped so much, she was in most of the pics...

The keeper...

And my little helper...

Amie and Cole Wedding

2008-12-15T12:22:00.000-08:00

Lodi, California: Amie and Cole had such a beautiful wedding at Wine and Roses. We had a great time and the whole day had such an elegant feel. The planner, Sarah and the Banquet Captain, Heather are definitely top notch and put on a great event. Still working through images, but here are a few early ones...

Amie and Cole Engagement Session Teaser

2008-12-03T21:46:00.000-08:00

Amie and Cole are an awesome couple getting married next weekend...Cole is in the Army and on leave for his wedding and honeymoon. We had a great time running around San Francisco and taking awesome images in as many places as we could without getting kicked off property or getting any parking tickets...

I can't wait till the wedding...

Love this one...

Turkey Day Weekend

2008-12-01T20:45:00.001-08:00

Had a great Thanksgiving. It was actually the first Thanksgiving holiday I have had off-duty in four years. Just had a blast with family and eating myself into a coma. Oh, and took pictures of the girls...

The sisters love each other...

Taya preparing to pounce on her sister...

Cousin Jordynn commandeers the trike...

Olive Capital of the World

2008-11-27T13:16:00.000-08:00

Took a family trip to Corning, California where Taya and Kali's Great-Grandparents live...Beautiful acreage with olive trees and alfalfa. We had a great time visiting and running around outside.

Sacramento PUG

2008-11-18T09:15:00.001-08:00

Had a great time with new friends Carlos, Keri, Carmen, Genevieve and my cousin Greg last night at the Sacramento PUG. I am excited about the group and I'm stoked about the plans Carlos has for the group. These guys are great and it's worth the drive for me to Negative Space Studios in Sacramento and hang out with some cool photogs.

I'm still working on the bridal shoot pics, so stay tuned...

Noah

2008-11-06T09:34:00.000-08:00

Noah is one! Last month I was asked by my friend Josh to take one year pics of their son. I had a blast chasing this little guy around their house. His room is decked out in all G.I. Joe stuff which took me back to my childhood and Cobra Commander, Duke and Lady Jane (don't act like you don't remember :)

I did a lot of black and white, trying some different post processing. Let me know what you think. Anyway, love these pics.

Scott Family Session

2008-11-04T21:59:00.000-08:00

Had a great time with the Scott's at their family portrait session in Modesto. It's always fun to work with friends and even better when cute kids are involved...

Collide Youth Ministries

2008-10-23T09:36:00.000-07:00

Pastor Rob Cox asked if I would come and shoot his Wednesday night youth service. Being a former youth pastor and knowing some of the teens in his group it was easy to say yes. Collide Youth Ministries definitely "ROCKS" and I enjoyed every minute of it.

Sarah...my old Kung Fu partner...

Sam the dancer...

The leader guy...

The guy on the keyboard...

Pastor Rob's brand new son...

Ripon Family Portraits!

2008-10-20T11:11:00.001-07:00

Had a great time in Ripon on Sunday for some family photos...

I'm still working on the editing but here are a few from Reed Prosser, a little cutie.

Keep watching the blog...more to come from Sunday.

Strike Team

2008-10-17T09:18:00.000-07:00

Strike Team!

I was assigned to a strike team for structure protection at the Sesnon Fire in L.A. on Monday afternoon. After a long drive we arrived early Tuesday morning in Thousand Oaks. We were given the Granada Hills and Porter Ranch section of the fire for structure protection...My camera battery was dying, so I only have a few pics...

Now it's back to editing the photo shoot from Sunday with some beautiful models and a lot of talented photogs...

Manteca engine in the foreground...pretty socal sunset in the back...

L.A. City Fire has choppers! How's that for great duty.

Manteca Fire at your service...what kind of dorky look is on my face?

War Tour

2008-09-27T21:06:00.000-07:00

for more info...

www.myspace.com/thewartour

My cousin Jeromy is known as DJ Etcha Sketch and tours with a hip hop group...He was in Stockton last night and I got to shoot the concert...

They have a great message to this generation about serving God and trusting Jesus...werd.

Ducati Monster

2008-09-17T20:38:00.001-07:00

Goofin' around the other night and just happened to have my lights and my motorcycle...:)

Actually the first pictures of my bike and I've had it for a year now...love it.

Los Angeles

2008-09-11T19:56:00.000-07:00

Just got back from Los Angeles for Pictage Partner Conference or PartnerCon as it is known...

Had a great time breathing in the smog and listening to the airplanes fly over the hotel...

Actually made a lot of new friends from up and down the coast and all over the country, so "shout out" to...

Ed, Mike, Jack, John, Mike, Dane, Corey, Mike (I met a lot of Mikes), Chris, Joe, Carrie, Stephanie, and everyone else that I forgot your names...

See you at WPPI.

Learned a whole lot about the business and met some cool vendors...bought a Shootsac (I was promised it wasn't a purse)...

And looks like I will be offering some stuff from some new vendors to my clients...so keep checking back for some announcements

Baker Beach

2008-09-02T22:28:00.000-07:00

Family photos at Baker Beach, San Francisco. My beautiful wife, beautiful daughters, Taya and Kali and myself took a little trip to the city before school started. Here is what we came up when everyone somewhat cooperated with the photo session...(difficult with a 3 year old)...

Santa Cruz

2008-09-02T20:00:00.000-07:00

Went to Santa Cruz for a Senior shoot and a couple of awesome Ripon Indians. Tiffany and Ryan were sports as we struggled through a sunny afternoon on the coast in search of the perfect pic.

Here is what we came up with...let me know what you think.

First Post

2008-09-02T19:19:00.001-07:00

Let's see if this works...

This is officially my first blog, and first step into this century.

I'm going to end this post now and see what my post looks like.