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Shoot type: 30 minute basic session Location: Wildhorse Greenbelt (Blossom Location), Davis, CA Blossom Type: Cherry Plum
  It has been a difficult start to the year–and it has been an exceptional series of circumstances which have led me to write this blog post.
There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes for any business or self-employed creative that utilizes any significant amount of tech: both the specificity and capability of the technology itself and the management of that technology. You have your pro-grade laptop, your high-powered desktop workstation, specialized monitors capable of rendering graphics to industry-standard color profiles, high-speed and high-volume storage media, peripherals: card readers, customizable keypads, teleconferencing equipment… the list grows ever longer. I, like many other solopreneur photographers, manage all of these elements myself. I have done so the entirety of my 13+ year career. I’ve designed and built every editing workstation I’ve used, carefully selected industry-grade monitors and peripherals. I’ve maintained my own data archive, preserving client media a decade back–now totaling a whopping 24 terabytes of storage space, housing millions of images. I’ve hand-selected and managed my software–industry standard programs like Adobe Lightroom, and open source gems like Gimp, Darktable, and Libre Office. Never, in over a decade, have I encountered problems in the tech industry quite like the ones I’ve been faced with the past six months.  At the start of every year, I make an effort to update my website and make changes to pricing, packages, and other facets of my business based on needs and trends from the prior year. 2025 was hectic economically, with a lot of rising costs and a rapidly changing internet environment; I've done my best to mitigate pricing increases this year, and have made a few changes that I hope will make the client experience smoother and more straightforward.
Click the "Read More" button to see a full list of changes, including new shoot locations and booking calendar changes, going into 2026! I often get asked by clients if it's okay to bring props to their photo shoot. The answer is always "Yes, of course!", but there were a few accessories and props this year that really stood out as having spectacular results. I share a few of my personal favorites from 2025 below: Ring Sling
Combining my two favorite things: style and function, a Ring Sling is your answer to an easier family shoot with a young child. A simple cloth sling held together in place by two metal rings, it features a long trailing segment of fabric artfully draped over one side of the body. Say goodbye to awkwardly figuring out how to hold a squirming infant while still showing off your good side, and say hello to a stylish family photo with a cozy, comfy baby!
Available from most major retailers and offered by a variety of brands. Price: $35-$150 Bubbles
Hardly new or revolutionary, but nonetheless one of my favorite and most oft used accessories of the year. Bubbles are a great engagement tool for children under 10. Any kind of bubbles: small bubble sticks, big bubble wands, bubble guns... they're fun and keep kids focused: it's play time, at the photo shoot! And best of all, they're colorful and visually charming, so your photos have a little extra whimsy.
Available from most major retailers and offered by a variety of brands. Price: $1-20 Umbrella
Specifically: A clear plastic umbrella with a curved handle. November through February sees scattered (and briefly, heavy) rains in the Central Valley. A stylish umbrella makes for a great photo shoot prop to emphasize the moody, seasonal weather while also keeping you dry; and a clear plastic one offers the added benefit of more light on your subject, and a good view of all the raindrops clinging to the plastic.
Available from most major retailers and offered by a variety of brands. Price: $10-$30 Stuffed Animals
Everyone, meet Foxy. I've had the privilege of photographing this charming little girl and her favorite stuffy for two years, now (and in each session, Foxy was included). I remember my favorite childhood stuffed animal, and I sometimes find myself looking back and wishing I had more photos with him before he wore out beyond rescue. So much of what child photography is about is capturing kids at a distinctive and fleeting time in their lives - and part of that time very often includes having a favorite stuffy they haul around everywhere they go. So why not include them in the photos with you, while they're still around? Wedding Veil
Whether its for a one year anniversary shoot or your first maternity session, a wedding veil can add a lot of visual interest as well as symbolic meaning to your shoot.  Kirstin Bimson Photography will be on vacation starting Sunday, December 21st through Saturday, December 27th. During this time existing client correspondence will continue to be answered promptly and photos will continue to be finalized and sent out; however, new inquiries will be addressed after the holidays, beginning on December 28th. Online bookings will continue to be available throughout the Holiday season. Happy Holidays! |
