2014, We Are Off to A Great Start

What a fabulous way to start off the new year, the sun has been shining, the weather warm, the beach one of the most wonderful places to hang out and what a great way to finish a family vacation, but a family photo session on the beach...

A wonderful way to start off the new year!  Happy New Year!

Rockin' it with a Rock Star!

What a multi-talented young lady!  Amazing singer, song-writer with a little bit of an attitude!  Here are a few images from one segment of our session this past weekend!

Pets and their Peeps

I had the wonderful opportunity to work with a number of our locals and their pets about a week ago.  I volunteer my time and services with portraits at certain events and special projects like this one at Senior Coastsiders.  It was so neat to meet these lovely pets and the wonderful people that adopted them.  These folks have very happy homes now because a wonderful dog or two selected to live with them!   Everyone had a story to tell!  Thank you to the wonderful Senior Coastsiders of our community for taking in these wonderful dogs and giving them the best life ever!

Portraits, portraits and more portraits!

A few peeks from a recent portrait session.  I have known this young lady since she was a toddler.  My how time flies! 

I Think I Am Catching Up....Not!

So, a while back, and I do mean a while back...(September) I had the opportunity to photograph a young man who will be graduating from High School this year!  A very talented guy too...he can play a pretty mean guitar!  Check out some of his senior portrait photos!

Oh my how time flies!!!!

Wow, so my last post was almost three weeks ago. What a slacker! But, I have lots of excuses, lots! The most important was that we were in Disneyland!  Cars land was sooooo cool. Love the decor!  I came home with a cold - woohoo.  Actually, I came down with the cold before we even went, but I was fighting it tooth and nail....cold won!

Gromit Visits the Dr.

Gromit had a vet visit the other day and all is great!  His weight is right on, his eyes and ears are looking good.  His coat is fantastic.  Then they had to draw blood for his heart worm test.  He did fantastic and we got the call and everything is great.  The funny thing is, just like last year, the vet asked if I brushed Gromit's teeth.  Well, no I don't.  But, he has the best 4 year old Boxer teeth she has ever seen.  That made me smile!  We started talking about what ever it is that I am doing different (as Boxers are known for yucky teeth) and I told her that he gets Elk and Deer antlers to chew on.  No, don't be silly, he is not running around with a rack hanging out of his mouth, just sections.  He loves them and I highly recommend them!

Happy Thanksgiving!

There is so much that I am thankful for, family, friends, my wonderful husband, and Gromit.  Gromit came into my life when I didn't even know I needed him.  He has been the pain in my butt and the smile on my face, sometimes at the same time!

Thank you to everyone I have met because of him and thank you to everyone that I will meet because of him!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Santa...In October?

Santa...In October, what about November?

Sure, why not!  You know the holidays are creeping up fast...are you ready?  Let us help you knock one of those items off your holiday to-do list!

How about a fun holiday in studio session with lots of holiday props for up to two pups?  What else you ask?  How about 2 for 1 on custom 5 x 7 either flat or folded holiday cards (with envelopes) .  That's right, choose 50 flat cards and receive 100 or choose 25 folded cards and receive 50.

Make this holiday season original and fun!

The Holiday session special runs one week only,  November 3 through November 10, 2012.

Call today to make your appointment!  650-245-8530

CALL TODAY!

650-245-8530

Studio is located in Half Moon Bay, CA.  No exceptions!

I've walked this area so many times...I have never seen the graffiti in the culvert.  It's been there for a while too.  I had to photograph Gromit sitting in front of it.

Stormy's Ruff Day

I had fun putting this together.  Thanks Animoto for making it so easy!

Stormy's Ruff Day

Barking Lot Party

Hey all you doggie lovers, what are you doing Saturday, September 29th from 12:00 to 3:00. Come on down to New Leaf Half Moon Bay's Barking Lot Party. A free event to benefit the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA. I will be there taking pics of your pet for $10.00 all proceeds go to the Peninsula Humane Society, you will get a fabulous 4 x 6 print. There will be lots of other pet professionals there to answer your questions. You can meet adorable adoptable pets and enter a pet contest for Cutest, Oldest, Best Dressed and Most Unique.  Lots of freebies for your pet and $2.00 hotdogs for you!

International Print Competition

Local Photographer’s Work Goes to International Exhibition

Diane Costello of Diane K. Costello Photography is honored by peers and jurors for high-quality photography.

Half Moon Bay, CA – August 25, 2012 --- Photographs created by Diane of Diane K. Costello Photography in Half Moon Bay, CA has recently been accepted into the General Collection of Professional Photographers of America’s 2012 International Photographic Competition.  Costello’s work will be on display at the Georgia World Congress Center, January 20-22, 2013 in Atlanta, GA.  This International Photographic Exhibition is held in conjunction with Imaging USA, an annual convention and expo for professional photographers and several photographic associations.

A panel of 43 eminent jurors from across the United States selected the top photographs from nearly 5,000 total submitted entries at Gwinnett Technical College in George.  Judged against a standard of excellence, just over 1,800 images were selected for the General Collection and just 476 (about 10 percent) were selected for the esteemed Loan Collection – the best of the best.  The Loan Collection images will all be published in the much-anticipated “Loan Collection” book, and over 200 selected General Collection images will be published in the “Showcase” book by Marathon Press.

Titled “Dinner is Served”,  “Bah-Hum-Bug” and  “Ya’ Wanna Play?”, Costello’s photographs will be in the International Photographic Exhibition alongside other top photographic works from the competition and traveling and special invitational displays.  These images constitute one of the world’s largest annual exhibits of professional photography gathered simultaneously under one roof.

About Professional Photographers of America

Professional photographers of America (PPA) is the largest international non-profit association created by professional photographers, for professional photographers.  Almost as long-lived as photography itself, PPA has roots back to 1869.  It has never stopped growing and looking for new ways to assist its now 24,000 members through protection, education and resources for their continued success in the industry.  See why photographers love PPA at www.ppa.com

Contact:  Diane K. Costello

650-245-8530

dkc@dkcphotography.com         

WOOF • WOOF • WEDNESDAY

It's that time of the week again.  We are already in September and fall is in the air.  Nights are cooler, days a getting a little bit shorter and even though it seems early, now is the time to start thinking about your holiday cards.  If you are thinking about doing something fun, something christmasy, something funny, traditional, quirky or something that is more holiday and not specific now is the time to put that plan to work.  Give us a call with your ideas, let make a plan and get those cards.

We have a lot of things coming up, but the biggie is taking place on September 29th where we will be at New Leaf for a Barking Lot Party to help raise money for the Peninsula Humane Society.  I am planning on setting up a photo booth.  For just $10.00, you will get a lovely 4 x 6 photography of your doggie in a white matte printed right there on the spot.  The Peninsula Humane Society will get 60% or in this case $6.00 for every picture sold.  The rest just covers my costs.  This event will be fun!  Keep an eye out for more information!

Puppies, Puppies and More Puppies

Oh My Gosh!  I had the best day on Monday!  A wonderful couple came over with their 7 Rat Terrier puppies.  These puppies were the greatest.  They were super cute and incredibly well behaved for 8 weeks old.  I just love puppies!  Their look, smell, the cute little sounds they make, their curiosity, everything!  Here are a couple of images from their session!  How can you not just fall in love with these little faces?

WOOF • WOOF • WEDNESDAY

WOOF • WOOF • WEDNESDAY

It is the last day in August.  School has started for everyone here on the coast.  Traffic is horrible in the mornings but that will iron itself out within the next week or so.  We are entering our true sunny summer here.  September and October are usually the best time for sunshine, sunsets, beautiful walks on the beach, or in our case chases and runs.  It is time to start thinking about your holiday cards.  Do you want to do photos, do you want to be serious or funny.  Beachy or cheesy.  Start thinking about what you want to do.

Have a great Labor Day weekend!  Drive safe!

Don't forget...DO NOT leave your pets in the car in the baking sun!  Take them with you or leave them at home!

WOOF • WOOF • WEDNESDAY

Woof • Woof • Wednesday

It had been a fun and buys past couple of days.  This past Saturday we were at the Peninsula Humane Societies 17th Annual Mutt Strutt.  We met so many pups and their peeps.  Really, all Gromit wanted to do was chase the Geese.  Poor guy!  Anyway, there were all sorts of vendors and we were one of them.  I brought and shared a couple dozen photographs printed and on canvas, along with some story books and accordion "brag" books.  We had a fabulous time.  There was a Fly Ball demonstration which was very cool to watch!  The weather was nice, a little windy, but sunny.  We even had a drawing and Gromit picked the winner....

We spoke with the winner the day she was announced.  We can't wait to meet her and her pup!

Remember, socializing is not only great for your doggie, it is great for you too!  Go out meet some new puppy peeps and enjoy your day!

WOOF • WOOF • WEDNESDAY

This evening my blog post is going to be much more personal.  I am still not sure if I should cry or jump up and down for joy.  Let me back up to Monday.  Monday I had to go in for a Colonoscopy.  This evening, at 6:30pm my Dr.  called...with both good news and, well, some not so great but really great news....I know - right, that makes no sense at all.  What he told me is that one of the polyps that had been removed during the procedure came back with pre-cancerous cells.  He told me that I was very lucky and that if I had waited even 6 more months that this could have easily turned into full blown invasive colon cancer.  Am I jumping up and down - yes....am I still shaking from the information - yes!  I do believe that things happen for a reason.  Don't put off those tests that you should have done, or in a lot of cases should have had done!!!  6 months is a long time and yet it is just a blink of an eye in the grand scheme of things.  I have to go back in December for a complete follow-up.  Am I still scared - YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT!  Am I relieved - YOU BETTER BELIEVE THAT TOO!  

WOOF • WOOF • WEDNESDAY

WOOF • WOOF • WEDNESDAY

I'm gonna toot my little horn here for just a minute - because I am really excited and surprised!

I was just notified by email that on August 10, 2012 at the Professional Photographers of California Conference and Expo's Awards Ceremony, I will be receiving an award.  WOW!  An award!  I could not believe the email and had to read it a couple of times to make sure that I was reading it correctly.

I gave them a call real quick to find out what it was for, and to let them know that I would not be able to attend.  I did find out that I will be receiving an award for my photograph "Dinner Is Server" which received a Judge's Choice Award in the Western District Print Competition held earlier this year.

Now to see what happens in PPA's International Print Competition.  The judging takes place August 12 - 15.  I have four images entered.

Print Competition is a really big thing for me.  It is scary as can be to put your images out there, to be judged, not against other photographers, but against a specific set of criteria.  One of which is the title.  You cannot enter an image as "Untitled".  That title has to help tell the whole story and in some cases can be the deciding factor as to whether or not you merit on that print.

This is only my second year entering into print competitions.  I had put if off and put it off and put it off even more.  I never thought I was good enough.  Now, I wish I would have entered images earlier.  It really is a learning experience, and as far as I am concerned, you can never learn enough!

Trixie Found Her Inner Puppy

Last weekend I met this wonderful young lady and her forever mom.  Trixie has been in her forever home for just two months when we did her photo session.  She is a race track rescue and is learning little by little how to be a dog.  She is the sweetest thing, with the biggest personality.  Here is one of my favorite images from our session.  Her concentration is intense!