Terina Matthews Photography

{Baby} Kestlee ~ newborn photographer

2012-02-09T21:17:00.000-08:00

I had to do some more of this precious baby girl...cuz she is just so stinkin' cute!

have a few more to do...will post those as I have them ready.
again...thanks to Kestlee's mama, Stephanie for being so great today...and of course the very talented Rebecca from Lovey Buggies for all the amazing pretty props!

{Baby} Kestlee ~ newborn photographer sneak peek

2012-02-09T15:19:00.000-08:00

I wanted to put up a couple from today's session...

Kestlee was such a good girl and slept most of the time...
Want to thank her mama Stephanie for being a trooper.
And special thanks to Rebecca from Lovey Buggies for supplying us with all the cute props for today's session...

so so so many more to post...enjoy the sneak peek...

Newborn/Baby {Mini Session} ~ Giveaway

2012-02-08T01:00:00.000-08:00

I'm very excited to announce this...
Lovey Buggies is a great company owned by the very talented "Rebecca". She is the designer/creator of all things crocheted and crafty! She contacted me about doing some product photography for her new website. I was so excited but only one problem ~ not having a newborn/baby in my house...I was without a subject to photograph showing off her beautiful creations.
So...
I decided I would do a giveaway for a free newborn/baby session.

**This was just added! The winner will also get a $50 credit to spend at Lovey Buggies!

Here is all the details:
1) You must like Lovey Buggies FB Fanpage
2) You must like {terina} matthews photography FB Fanpage
3) You must leave a comment on this blog post - winner will be chosen at random from blog post comments
4) If chosen as the winner, winner must be willing to travel to have pictures taken in the {terina} matthews photography studio (based in Murrieta, CA)
5) Baby needs to be newborn to approximately 3 months old
6) Winners CAN transfer their session to someone else (i.e. grandma of the baby can give the session for their grandchild to be photographed - details on transferring win should be discussed with photographer if this is to take place)
7) Deadline for entry is MIDNIGHT, February 17th, 2012
8) Winner will be chosen at random and announced on the blog February 18th, 2012
9) Winner will receive a studio session at no charge for the sitting fee and will also receive three (3) edited Full Res Images on disk (images chosen by winner from session). The winner will also receive a $50 credit toward product(s) of your choice from Lovey Buggies.
10) Winner must be willing to have images of the child photographed to be used for advertising and/or blog and web display purposes for {terina} matthews photography AND Lovey Buggies.
11) Only one (1) entry per person

The hopes are that once we have a winner ~ that we are able to photograph the baby by the middle of March BUT the winner can discuss photo session time frame with the photographer :)
Good Luck...
If you have any questions email me CLICK HERE

Making the World Cuter ~ One {Pinterest} Project at a Time

2012-02-05T00:45:00.000-08:00

Kurt asked if I would get a baby gift for a co-worker who just had their first baby {a girl}...
I asked if he minded if I made something that I saw on Pinterest? He was like "sure!"
In a matter of 20 minutes...I had two baby brain squeezers made for the little cutie patootie!
all the flowers were made using ribbon I had in my ribbon stash and I had the two elastic pieces leftover from making Courtney's hair thingie for Sadie Hawkin's...I say this was a very "green" baby gift!
enjoy <3

Sadie Hawkins ~ {Friends}

2012-01-31T11:46:00.000-08:00

I can't say enough how grateful I am that my boys hang out with some of the most amazing young people! As a parent, you always pray that your kids find friends who have the same values you have as a family...We are blessed to say that our boys do...and they really truly are great kids!
Here's the rest of the pre-dance pictures with all the friends..

Kylee, Lyndsey, Megan and my Korey...beautiful young women and my handsome son!

all the Matthews/Mathews boys...

and as they say "that's all she-wrote"...
enjoy <3

Making the World Cuter ~ One {Pinterest} Project at a Time

2012-01-30T23:31:00.000-08:00

Another Pinterest Project in the bag!
Today Jules and I made these cute heart banners...3 actually...1 for each of us and then another one for a friend. Of course we changed it up a little to give it a little of us!

please excuse the pic...taken with my handy dandy phone camera...
enjoy

I {heart} faces ~ Oh So Silly!

2012-01-30T21:32:00.000-08:00

This week's theme at I Heart Faces is Oh So Silly!
Here's is a picture of my sister, Jaymee. {I heart her face!} It never fails...anytime I have the camera out ~ you can bet she's going to make a silly face...
On this particular day, my family came out to do family pictures. Jaymee's son, Sean was on leave from the Army at the time, so it was a perfect time to get together.
I had borrowed a fish-eye lens from a fellow photog friend...just to kinda check it out...well my family was more than willing to play along...especially my sister!

I had several pictures to choose from of my family making funny, silly faces...but everyone in my house voted Jaymee's fish lips picture the funniest. It got the most belly laughs! That is why Jaymee's fish lips ~ with the fish eye lens is my entry for I Heart Faces this week...enjoy

Who's face do you {HEART}? Join me and share it at

Sadie Hawkins ~ {Logan & Courtney}

2012-01-29T23:20:00.000-08:00

Here's some more with Logan and Courtney...
they are so cute...both of them are so stinkin' shy it was sweet...

this car belongs to our friends "the mathews' family" ~ that's mathews with 1 t...it's great that all the mathews/matthews' are friends...more pictures of all the kids coming up next...

Sadie Hawkins ~ {Luke & Katie}

2012-01-29T20:41:00.000-08:00

and more from before the dance...
this is Luke and Katie...

Sadie Hawkins ~ {Tyler & Alyssa}

2012-01-29T19:09:00.000-08:00

This is Tyler and Alyssa...
enjoy some of their pics we did before the dance...

Sadie Hawkins ~ {sneak peek}

2012-01-29T04:08:00.000-08:00

This is just a quick sneak peek of Logan and Courtney...pre-dance.
Will post OH SO MANY MORE...but need some sleep!
Had a great time taking pics with all the kids...
Courtney's mom, Deb and her little sisters as well...Everyone looked so cute, can't wait to share the rest!

Project {366} - week in review

2012-01-29T03:53:00.000-08:00

What a busy week! got so much done...
Almost feels longer than a week has gone by!

Day 28 ~ It was Sadie Hawkins dance...I think the kids had more fun taking pictures than going to the actual dance. And what a great bunch of kids...more pictures will follow.

Day 27 ~ got to take Kurt out to dinner for his birthday...

Day 26 ~ poor Trevor got braces on...he will be so happy in a couple years...the beautiful smile will be worth it!

Day 25 ~ Happy 41st Birthday to Kurt!

Days 23 & 24 ~ I got my craft on...Pinterest style. Using inspiration from Pinterest and Wedding Chicks.com I created some really cute things!

Day 22 ~ went to visit Grammy again and took Autumn with me. Love this picture...can't wait to do the same when mom is here and the baby is born...5 generations!
There you have it...one more wonderful week down. Thanks for letting me share just a little that's been going on in my crazy hectic amazing life...

Autumn {Baby Bump}

2012-01-26T23:22:00.000-08:00

Trying to get my niece's baby shower invites out in the next couple days, so I did a few pictures of her today...so I thought I'd share...
Will be doing more of her later...but thought these were cute for her invitations...

Then & Now ~ A Look Back

2012-01-26T14:21:00.000-08:00

Several photographers have been feeling a little nostalgic today on a couple forums I belong to. Looking back at where they started in their photography and where they are today. It's cute to see their photos from a few years ago and then something they recently took...improving and growing is what this business is about. If you don't you will go no where.
I felt like playing along but when I started to look for some "Then" pictures, I had to break out my portfolio. What's that you say? A portfolio? Yes, before blogs, websites, Facebook and Pinterest, photographers had to actually carry their printed work to meet with a potential client in a portfolio. I cracked open the pages of my portfolio, sitting on the shelf along side my family scrapbooks. My sweet little portfolio that served me so well all those years ago going through the pages brought back so many wonderful memories.
In order to show you pictures from my portfolio, I first had to scan the pictures. Because again, this was before the digital age when my pictures were done on film. I had to send my FILM to a lab and they sent me my prints along with NEGATIVES. When I wanted to have black and white pictures, I had to shoot with black and white film. If I wanted the blurred, frosty edge, I had to use a filter. LOL Now I'm feeling really OLD. So I scanned a few of my favorites and put them with current images to see where I came from and where I am now.
I'm not sure if many people know how I became a "professional photographer". (The definition of professional photographer is someone who is paid for their photographic services.) Like many professionals I know, I started as a "mom-tographer". Before I had my own kids, I took pictures of friends' kids...once I had my own, I became my kids' stalk-a-ratzie and did photos for friends and family.

{Here is a picture of Trevor when he was 18 months old during a summer rain and then his school picture that I took just this last fall 2011.}

I loved the outdoors and loved to photograph my subjects in outdoor settings. The beautiful, natural light was and is my favorite. I enjoyed taking my kiddos to new locations and take pictures. Friends would ask me to take pictures of their kiddos and families as well...I happily did it, because it was what I did!

{This is a friend's twin boys 1st birthday pictures (they are about 14 now) and a sweet baby I was so fortunate to photograph at Christmas 2011}

I think it was in 1997, right after my 4th baby was born, a friend asked me if I could shoot a wedding. At first I said no...weddings are a huge, once in a lifetime shot...if you mess it up ~ there's no do overs! She said that they were paying for their wedding themselves and were going to fore-go having a photographer altogether. That really tugged at my heart-strings. From my own experience just a few years earlier when my sweet husband and I got married, we did the same thing. No money. Paying for everything ourselves. Entrusting a friend with a nice camera to take some pictures for us (which only 4 pictures turned out). But this was a little different. I knew my camera and very well. I knew how to compose a shot. So I told my friend that I would do it on a few conditions: 1) They didn't have to pay me BUT they had to furnish all the film and develop the film themselves. 2) Please don't be sad or hate me if everything goes wrong. ~ and they agreed. To my surprise...pretty much everything came out great. The best part, the bride and groom were happy! So happy, that they started to recommend me to their friends who were actually willing to pay me! LOL
But again, going back to not a digital world, I didn't have a portfolio...so I set out to build one. Offered free sittings...free bridal shoots...etc I even had a few friends who could still fit in their wedding dresses who did bridals with me, just to help with building my portfolio!

{My friend Jen after having her 2nd baby posed for this bridal and then Sam my 1st bride of 2011}

Line upon line...that is how I have built this amazing wonderful business of mine. I build a personal relationship with those who I photograph. I don't stop learning. I don't stop growing. I try to learn and absorb new and amazing things in the photographic world. About 7 years ago (I think it's been that long) I got my first DSLR. And honestly, I hardly used it. I still photographed almost everything with my film SLR and used the digital one as a backup. Slowly but surely, I learned to love the digital side of photography and now with Photoshop, have learned even a more artistic side to this craft.

{Again, my sweet friend Jen and then Alexx, who I have known since she was 3 ~ another of my beautiful 2011 brides.}

So, there you have it...my little walk down memory lane. Thank you for indulging me. I hope you enjoyed it as well. It is so amazing to see where we start ~ to where we are now. I hope that in another 18 years I am still doing exactly what I love and sharing it with the world!

{Easter pictures of my precious boys in 1999. Aren't they so cute?!?! And my most recent pictures taken of two brothers, Brady and Tanner, in 2012}

Again, I hope you enjoyed this. I know I did. We can do anything we put our minds and hearts into. Find what you love and be the best at it.
<3

Wedding Dresses {Amazing Prices}

2012-01-25T13:11:00.000-08:00

Have I said how much I love Pinterest today? Ok...yes it's an addiction!
I also love my BFF Jules...because she said that she had found a wedding dress site on Pinterest and was floored by the prices. She said "I couldn't buy the material for a dress to make it that inexpensive!"
So I was intrigued...this by no means is an advertising ploy...I don't know this company but did see so many of their dresses pinned on many many Pinterest boards. This is a picture of the one I found on Jules' pin board.

The company's name is Fashion Wedding Dress
I looked around their site and SHOCKED at the pricing! I didn't see a dress over $250 and most dresses were under $200!
They weren't yucky 10 years ago styles...these were beautiful chic styles at way discounted prices!
If you didn't get the link above to check it out...here it is again CLICK HERE
If I were getting married or had a daughter getting married...I would definitely check them out.
Let me know if you have done business with them and your experience. It would be nice to know.

Making the World Cuter ~ One {Pinterest} Project at a Time

2012-01-24T11:31:00.000-08:00

Crafting 101 yet again today! This time I made a cute hair thingie I saw in one version or another on Pinterest.
I have a whole board dedicated to these cuties! Click Here
I don't even have a girl! LOL

anyway...had to share...cuz sharing is caring!
Oh and to Tweet my own horn... Amy at wedding chicks.com tweeted about my project from yesterday! happy dance

Larson {Family} - Temecula Family Photographer

2012-01-24T02:24:00.001-08:00

We have been friends with the Larson family almost since we moved out to Murrieta. We were very fortunate to have Stefan as some of the boys' soccer coach. Haven't seen them in a little while, so I was happy when Stefan contacted me to take his family picture.
It was a little windy and cold, but we all braved the elements to get some great shots in. We are so blessed to have amazing friends like Stefan and the kids in our life. Even when life gets in the way...it's nice to get together like no time at all has passed.
Stefan wasn't sure about having his picture done by himself...so the kids were making faces behind me to make him crack up.

Brandon has grown into such a fine young man. He was always such a great kid...but now just polite and into so many amazing things at school...can't wait to do Senior Pictures for him next year. He is bound for some great things.

Brookie was so cute...she wanted to do a sassy, hand on her hip pose...so I let her...how cute is she???!!!

After we took "official" pictures...it was just nice to hang out...out of the cold day, catching up.

Can't believe how grown-up Brookie is getting...still all personality!

hope you enjoy their sneek peek <3

Had to share something I {made} today...

2012-01-23T16:58:00.000-08:00

This is so not photography...but Crafting 101 today!
Great project for a rainy Southern California day...

I found this great post on one of my favorite sites:
wedding chicks.com ~ to see their full post click here
I knew it would be an awesome boutineer for Logan for this weeks' Sadie Hawkins dance. If you missed the "proposal" click here
I loved this boutineer idea so much I even posted it to one of my pin boards on Pinterest
If you click on the picture above, you can see the little tutorial. I got everything at our new Hobby Lobby {YEAH}. Added a little extra to make it my style...but thanks to wedding chicks for sharing!
just wanted to share...cuz sharing is caring...
enjoy <3

I {Heart} Faces ~ by the book

2012-01-23T11:46:00.000-08:00

I knew exactly the photo for this weeks' challenge...
This sweet little cutie patootie is Harley...Could she be any cuter????? I don't think so.

Her and her mommy, Allie, met me to do Harley's Kindergarten photo shoot. And she came with her own props! What 5 year old does that???? haha
As we walked to the location where we were going to take her photos, we got to know each other a little better. She said she was a big sister, thus the choice in book she brought. She said she loves to read but right now this was her favorite book.
Then she told me that she had just had her birthday party and it was a Scooby Doo birthday and she dressed up as Velma...this is where the glasses came in...haha She doesn't normally wear them but she wanted them for her school pictures!
This girl has so much personality! I'm so glad that I can share this in this weeks' challenge...

Who's Face do you {HEART}? Join me over at I Heart Faces for their weekly photo challenges!

Project {366} - week in review

2012-01-22T00:58:00.000-08:00

Just an ordinary, busy week at the Matthews' home
But definitely never a dull moment.
Here's a re-cap of the third week of 2012
Enjoy
Saw this great tutorial on Pinterest this last week. click here to see the original And really wanted to try it to see what it would look like. Took about 5 minutes to finish. I'm making the corsage and boutonniere for winter Sadie Hawkins and these are the colors Logan and Courtney chose...thought this would look nice in the corsage...will post more pictures later in the week of the finished projects and of course pre-dance...
Kurt came home this week from working in Northern Calif...only to have to work pretty much the whole weekend...grateful he has a job so not complaining too much. This is pretty much how date night looked for me this week. haha
Michael finally let me cut his hair! It was getting so long! The faux-hawk was a bonus on his part...miss my boys being little when I got to decide things for them! life was so much easier!
I love being in the right place at the right time...with my camera in hand! This is our Varsity Soccer Coach...and the cutest little kiddo! Coach made a good trade with the little guy...he had one of the game balls, so coach traded a cool blue swishy one for it...really sweet!
This is Dottie. She is our 4 legged baby. She has no idea that she is a dog. She thinks she's the princess! She goes with me on a drive almost everyday...even if it's just to run to the post office. It's her favorite thing to do...to go for a ride with mom in the car.
Started off my week with making homemade cinnamon rolls...yum! Makes the house just feel cozy!

So there you have it.
Hope you are enjoying this as much as I am.
Take a look around and snap a few pics of the people and things around you that are important in your life...
have a wonderful week

Michael got a {Haircut}!

2012-01-19T15:07:00.001-08:00

Normally a haircut is not cause for celebration...haha
Well we have been trying to convince Michael for weeks to cut his mop!
It was so much easier when they are little boys...because they don't get the option...
So today was the day...he let me cut it! YEAH!
He's so handsome (long or short hair)
And of course I had to take pictures...

this is his..."SIGH ~ ok mom I think you have enough pictures" look

Amy & Joe {Wedding} - Temecula Wedding Photographer

2012-01-18T21:48:00.000-08:00

Just a few highlights from Amy and Joe's special day...
enjoy <3

Sadie Hawkins {a Proposal} of sorts...

2012-01-18T01:43:00.001-08:00

At today's game, (#3 Boy) Logan's friend, Courtney calls me over.
She tells me that she has come up with a plan to ask Logan to Sadie Hawkins but is not sure how to do it.
On a little soccer ball she wrote in red "Sadie Hawkins ? ... Courtney
Thinking quick and figuring his team mates would love to embarrass...opps...I mean help Courtney...LOL
I recruited Juan and Victor, two of Logan's friends on the team to present the ball to him after the team cheer at the end of the game...by the way ~ their team won 3-1 so it was a good time to do this...
After the team broke from their cheer...Juan said "Wait we have something for Logan" and he gave him the ball.
He's reading it..
trying to figure out what he's reading...
And the light bulb goes on!!!
Coach says "Did Juan just ask you to Sadie Hawkins???" the team all laughs...

One of the players said "So what do you say?" Logan answered, "Uh Yes of course! You think I'd say no?" and then laughed.
Show me what it says Logan!!!!

thanks to Courtney for involving me so we could take some pictures to really embarrass him...oops...I mean preserve this memory! Hope you two have a great time at the dance!

Amy {Bridals} - Temecula Wedding Photographer

2012-01-17T23:33:00.000-08:00

This was from the wedding day...Amy was a beautiful bride
Just about an hour before she walked down the aisle...
more from the day to come...

i {heart} faces ~ family fun

2012-01-15T22:16:00.000-08:00

Well after missing the first challenge for I Heart Faces last week, I wanted to make sure I didn't miss it this week.
This week's challenge is Family Fun and I think this is the most precious family picture. My friend's the Brace Family celebrated their daughter, Emma's baptism last week. So very grateful to be there and snap a few special pictures for them. What a beautiful, spirit filled day!

What faces do you {Heart}? Why don't you join me in the weekly challenges!
enjoy <3

Project {366} - week in review

2012-01-14T21:52:00.001-08:00

Just a recap of Week 2 of 52...It has been a fun and busy week as always around here.
With resting my foot, I had lots of time to plan for the workshop. I had this great idea and I wanted to see in person what was in my brain. Not everything was exactly like in my mind's eye...but just by gathering some stuff around my house I was able to put this cute display together...
Friday the 13th was busy but nothing out of the ordinary until doing a photo shoot for Michael's band Broken Elements. I stepped on a board that had a nail sticking up. It went thru my shoe and into my foot. A trip to Urgent Care...a shot and antibiotic and all better. Well it's sore still but at least nothing horribly wrong.
Went to Orange County with my sister to go visit with Grammy. I miss hanging out more often with her. She's so funny. We had a great time and we laughed a lot! Needed that!
I really was bummed that I didn't bring my camera with me this night. I had all intentions of doing so and taking a picture of all the little scouts in my class. I am a Merit Badge counselor for Boy Scouts. I teach photography (haha of course), Art, Music and Genealogy. This night I did genealogy and it was so much fun. About 15 or so boys ages 11 - 14 and they all participated and even seemed interested! I had a great time!
Kurt got an iPhone 4 for Christmas and I have my iMac...so we have learned how to use the FaceTime (similar to Skype). It has made being apart much easier. He was being so funny...making faces...he made me feel so much better
Kurt was getting ready to head out for his business trip, so I wanted to take a pic real quick of the two of us...I feel so funny sometimes taking these kinds of pictures. We started cracking up. It reminded of me of those two older people that were setting up their computer and accidentally video taped themselves...ya we're old!
I started putting some ideas together for an upcoming "Mamaratzie" workshop. Got the camera out and snapped a few pics.

If you feel inspired...try joining me in a Project 366...or 52 or even a 12! Don't let time slip by without recording the important moments. Until next time...enjoy!

out with my {grammy}

2012-01-13T02:03:00.001-08:00

Today my sister Jaymee and I drove out to Orange County to spend the day with Grammy
It was so fun...went to Chili's - our waiter Dennis was the best...had us all cracking up!
Then went to Barnes and Noble to get some books Jaymee needs for her nursing courses
a couple other stops and then of course it was time for dessert
If there is one thing that you need to know about my grandmother is that when we would stay at her house...at the end of each day before you went to bed, you had a bowl of ice cream...LOL
As a mother I think about that...
Sugar before bed...haha
But it was just something we got at grammy's house and my grammy loves ice cream...
so it was fitting that at the end of our stay with her today, we had ice cream
We laughed and had a wonderful time today...
I cherish times like these...

2011 in {review}

2012-01-11T02:36:00.000-08:00

I love I Heart Faces and love seeing the submissions for their weekly photo challenges...I have even been known to post to those challenges.
This week their challenge was to post your absolute favorite I Heart Face - your favorite picture of a face in 2011.
I started looking through all the pictures I took in 2011 and it was truly difficult to choose just one because I take ALOT of pictures...until I remembered this one...
This is my grandmother. She just celebrated her 83rd birthday...I just love her and this is the most perfect picture that says so much without saying anything...
But again...
I was going through a whole year of pictures (I missed the deadline for submission to the challenge too...lol) and realized that I had so many that were my favorites for different reasons...pictures stir emotion...and I laughed and teared up some too as I have spent the past few hours looking though the past 12 months...
So here are some of my other favorites of 2011...
This is my family...Kurt, Michael, Korey, Logan, Trevor and even our Jasmin
We've had a job change, a son graduate, boys going here and there, had our "daughter" come stay for six months and then had to send her back to her real family...lots to be grateful for.

ok so I didn't take these pictures...but they were taken with my camera!
and it's a rare occasion that I am in a picture...so it's safe to say that these are special pictures to me because I love the people in them with me enough to actually be photographed with them... my hubby, two of my boys, my bff jules and vero hero

These are special pictures to me because each one means something not only to me but to others in my family...my mother's college graduation, my sister Jaymee and her sweet Isabella just days before Isabella returned home to Sweden, my father in law {xoxo}, and my niece Autumn's wedding.

I love these little people! Each of them melt my heart! Auntie Tweena misses not seeing them...

4 amazing young women who I just love!

just two of my line up of 2011 beautiful brides...one I have known since she was only 3 and the other was my last of 2011.

and finally...just some of my favorite kiddos...some I've known since the day they were born and some I just met in 2011...but each of them have made an imprint on my heart this year...
There were so many more that I could have added...but this would have been the longest blog post in history!

Well...there you have it
My own version of the faces that I HEART for 2011
May you all make a plan to take more pictures of those you HEART in 2012!

MCP Actions and Rock the Shot

2012-01-10T16:40:00.000-08:00

When I take a photo...I can set my camera where it needs to be to get a great shot based on lighting and camera settings...the pictures are generally pretty good...
But it's what I can do to them in post processing that gives them that WOW factor.
In the pictures above, Brady is a handsome young man...but with a little magic and help from MCP actions I gave the picture that pop!
Rock the Shot is giving away a set of MCP actions for free...check out the contest if you are interested...
MCP Giveaway at Rock the Shot

Emma's {Baptism}

2012-01-08T13:45:00.001-08:00

Made me think of this beautiful poem about a little girl's 2nd white dress
"My Three White Dresses"
My mom bought me a white dress,
Not red or pink or blue.
She said it was a special dress
Like very other few,
There has been just one before,
A dress now put away,
That I wore some time ago
Upon my blessing day.
As a little baby clothed In my first white dress,
My dad held me in his arms,
There to name and bless.
So pure and clean was I just then,
With time to grow and learn
About the Father's plan for me.
My glory I must earn.
Now I've reached the age to judge
The wrong road from the right,
And I am here to be baptized
In this dress of white.
So once again I'm free from sin.
The path is clear to me.
I'll grasp the rod and hold on tight, I vow with certainty.
Just as mud would stain my dress,
Sin would stain my soul.
The key is to repent or bleach,
For whiteness is my goal.
And if I try my very best,
Then richly blessed I'll be,
Wearing inside God's holy house
White dress number three,
So today I make this pledge:
I'll strive to choose the right,
Through this sacred baptism ordinance
In my second dress of white. (Linda Gay Perry Nelson, 1993)

{Tanner}

2012-01-08T09:57:00.001-08:00

This is Tanner...part 1 Senior Pictures {slash} pictures with brother...
Tanner is an amazing young man...smart, athletic, funny {hysterical} ~ and just finished up his Eagle Project...
He will graduate this spring from Murrieta Valley High School...enjoy the sneak peek of part 1 of his pictures...will post the second part soon...

{Brady}

2012-01-08T09:14:00.001-08:00

Brady was home for the holidays visiting his family and was a good son and had pictures done for his mom :) He is a sweet young man...much like his mom...enjoy his sneak peek...

Project {366} - week in review

2012-01-07T23:27:00.001-08:00

It is Twenty-12 and one of the things {not resolution!} I would like to accomplish this year is to take one picture every day...kind of a peek into my life...What has helped me to accomplish this is my handy dandy DroidX phone camera ~ not all but some and it has been a great help...Pictures aren't the greatest when taken on my phone but at least they get done :) and thats the most important. Each week I am hoping to also post a week in review of all my pics for the week...So here's the first of 52 weeks for 2012...
Today was Emma's baptism...here she is with her sweet family embracing her with {LOVE}!
Trevor started the braces process...a new definition of pain...my poor baby!
My sweet hubby brought me this adorable Hello Kitty blankie back from his business trip...he spoils me! Had it out on our bed so that I was surprised when I walked in! Just love that man of mine!
My new iMac! no words to even say how happy I was when it arrived! I think my voice went two octaves higher! haha
I was reminded why I believe that pictures are worth more than the paper they are printed on...they are priceless memories~20 years of my family's history are in these books...
my green Hello Kitty that sits on my desk...she just makes me smile!
Started the new year with a relaxing cup of hot cocoa at the end of a very busy day!
Hope you all have a wonderful week...and don't forget to capture those priceless memories as often as you can <3

Nash {Brothers}

2012-01-07T23:07:00.000-08:00

This is Tanner and Brady Nash...
they were being good sons and allowing me to take a few pictures for their sweet mom Lynell...
Here is a few of them together...I will post their individual pics separately
What handsome young men...it was such a great day...I especially love the one with mom and her boys...
enjoy <3

Whitmore {Family}

2011-12-21T16:32:00.000-08:00

love family group hugs...

Durbin {Family}

2011-12-07T12:53:00.000-08:00

What a sweet family the Durbin's are!
I had such a great time with these cute kiddos!
enjoy their sneek peek! <3

OMGosh! How beautiful are these two {mom and daughter}!

Cody & Autumn {Wedding} - Murrieta Wedding Photographer

2011-12-04T21:51:00.000-08:00

This is my niece, Autumn who recently got married and her new husband, Cody
Before their wedding we did formal romatics...
IT WAS FREEZING!!!! But beautiful!
Special Thanks to Christine Oberhansley for the amazing floral design on the bridal boquet and boutineer...
Enjoy the sneek peek <3

Cody was being funny at the end of our time together so I had to add this one...

Flores {Family}

2011-12-01T16:40:00.000-08:00

Another cute family mini session...
enjoy the sneek peek <3

Sam {Class of 2012} Part 2

2011-11-30T15:27:00.000-08:00

Alex {Class of 2012}

2011-11-29T00:06:00.000-08:00

What a great young man Alex is.
Hates having his pictures taken...but it was fun to hang out with him to get some Senior pics done...makes his mama happy :) He's a good kid!
Congrats to him on his graduation...
enjoy the sneek peek <3

Slonicki {Family}

2011-11-28T23:42:00.000-08:00

Cody & Autumn {Engagement}

2011-11-28T09:09:00.000-08:00

Whitmore {Family}

2011-11-26T11:46:00.000-08:00

this little cutie patootie was lots of fun!
enjoy her sneek peek...

Sarah Jane & Ryan {Wedding} - Los Angeles Wedding Photographer

2011-11-25T20:27:00.000-08:00

Sneek Peek #2 for Sarah Jane & Ryan...
couple shots...
so much in love <3

Sarah Jane & Ryan {Wedding} - Los Angeles Wedding Photographer

2011-11-24T21:31:00.000-08:00

Had an amazing day with Sarah Jane & Ryan to celebrate their wedding...
Took lots and lots of pics of this cute couple...
Here's the first sneek peek starting with detail shots of Sarah Jane...
enjoy <3

Benkosky {Family}

2011-11-24T21:19:00.000-08:00

Another cute family session!
And isn't that baby sooooo cute?!?!
enjoy their sneek peek

Greer {Family}

2011-11-20T23:26:00.001-08:00

Another wonderful family shoot
This is my friend Pam and her hubby and kiddos! love this family!
enjoy the sneek peek <3

Richards {Family}

2011-11-20T19:16:00.001-08:00

Well today was a crazy busy day for family mini sessions...
just in time for Christmas
But what a great day!
To start off I was able to take pics of these 3 cutie patooties!
enjoy their sneek peek <3

Sam {Class of 2012}

2011-11-19T23:53:00.000-08:00

Sam will be graduating from Murrieta Valley High School in May
What a great young man...normally I see him out on the football field tackling people so it was nice to get to know him a little better.
Here's a sneek peek of some of my favs from the day...
enjoy <3

always have to get a picture or two with the momma! Here's Sam and his mom Lisa. We had a great time with the shoot...

Simone & Christopher {School Pictures}

2011-11-17T11:19:00.001-08:00

Chritopher is my nephew...and Simone is, well, my foreign exchange niece...LOL
I have to remember when I make arrangements to head out to Palm Springs for pictures that it isn't on a holiday! a 1 1/2 hour drive turned into a 3 hour ordeal! haha
But we made it and our late afternoon shoot turned into an evening shoot...love the moon in the pics!
enjoy the sneek peek!

{2011} Christmas Card Designs

2011-11-16T17:03:00.001-08:00

Three choices for this year's Christmas Cards...

Michael, Jenna & Jordyn {School Pictures}

2011-10-28T03:28:00.000-07:00

These kiddos are just so sweet and have the bluest eyes!
I know I say that about most of the kiddos that I take pictures of but these three are...and I just love how the color of their eyes pop!
They are the last of {School Pictures} for the fall...
I love school picture time...
but gearing up for Family Pictures...
Enjoy the sneek peek <3

Quentin {School Pictures}

2011-10-27T12:28:00.001-07:00

All I can say is WOW! Look at those eyes!
Q is a great young man...he was a good sport having his pictures done to make his mama happy...I think he might have actually been ok with it by the end :)
enjoy the sneek peek <3

Russell {Family}

2011-10-26T19:44:00.001-07:00

Another wonderful family mini session in studio...
enjoy their sneek peek <3

Nolan & Landon {School Pictures}

2011-10-26T14:48:00.000-07:00

these boys are getting soooo big!
and don't they have the deepest eye colors?!? Heart breakers someday!
enjoy their sneek peek <3

Harley {School Pictures}

2011-10-26T00:53:00.000-07:00

all these cute little girlies!!! makes me want one! :) Harley is so cute too...here's another 5 year old who knows what she wants...even brought her own props! gotta love the beautiful red hair too
<3 enjoy her sneek peek

Kaitlyn {Mini Session}

2011-10-25T11:36:00.000-07:00

Kaitlyn was so sweet...it was nice to get to know her a little better.
She is graduating in the spring but wanted a mini session to get a few pics to have for the yearbook...she really is this beautiful!
enjoy her sneek peek <3

Karen & Kristen {Mini Session}

2011-10-25T09:21:00.000-07:00

These beautiful girls aren't only sisters...they're twins!
And so sweet too!
I was so glad to get to know them a little in our time together...
It really was so awesome that they were so proud of each other's accomplishments.
It's nice to see siblings getting along!
Enjoy the sneek peek of these beautiful girls!

Miss Aubrey {Mini Session}

2011-10-23T22:06:00.000-07:00

Not many 5 year olds come with multiple clothing changes and an entourage...LOL but sweet little Aubrey does! Could she be any cuter!?!
It was so fun to hang out with her and her mom and big brother...
And I love her fashion sense! She's my kind of girl...loves her dresses!
enjoy this sweet little princess' sneek peek <3

Vallejo {Family}

2011-10-22T21:18:00.001-07:00

I love this time of year ~ Mini sessions fill my days
It's so awesome :)
What a sweet family...
and baby Lollie (I hope I spelled that right) was so cute!
She was having so much fun she didn't want to leave...
enjoy <3

VanAuker Girls {School Pictures}

2011-10-17T21:56:00.001-07:00

These girls are growing up before my eyes...and into amazingly wonderful, beautiful young women :)
Holly and Sarah are so awesome...and funny...and smart! <3

Manuela {School Pictures}

2011-10-17T16:38:00.001-07:00

Manuela is my BFF Julie's sweet Italian student who is attending high school here in Murrieta.
She is not only beautiful...but smart too!
<3

Clawson {Family}

2011-10-17T12:12:00.000-07:00

This is my sweet friend Sarah and her awesome kids!
We had fun taking some pictures and laughing...even with all the stupid wind! LOL
enjoy <3

Danielle's Boys {Mini Session}

2011-10-13T02:45:00.000-07:00

Danielle was the winner of the Fan Giveaway of a Mini Session...
So today we went out and took some great shots of her boys...all three of them
It was nice and warm today
Beautiful afternoon sun
Perfect So California Day for pictures
enjoy <3

Fall Choir Concert {My Boys}

2011-10-12T23:38:00.000-07:00

Another amazing choir concert at MVHS
Here's my younger two boys before their performance.
Trevor's somewhat obedient when asked to stand there...he did and gave me one of those "do I have to?" looks of disdain and frustration. HAHA
Then there's the joker...Logan
I said, please just one picture in your tux before you go inside...and he gave me the Abercrombie model pose...so I snapped a picture. He needs to be careful and also remember...he has a mother who posts everything on Facebook where his friends can all see BAHAHAHAHA
Anyway...thanks for letting me indulge and show off two of my beautiful young men

Back to School {Mini Session} ONE MORE DATE ADDED

2011-10-12T17:32:00.000-07:00

This will be my last day for the Back to School Photo {Mini Sessions} Special!
Please call to book your appointment - only 8 spots!

Family {Mini Sessions} October 29th

2011-10-12T12:53:00.001-07:00

Call today to book your Family {Mini Session}
Only 8 spots
50 Holiday cards included!

Halloween/Fall {Mini Sessions}

2011-10-12T01:13:00.000-07:00

What a fun day we had at A Child's Attic in Murrieta!
All the kiddos were so cute!
Here is just a sneek peek of a few of the cutie patooties we saw!
enjoy <3

more from these Mini Sessions

Katelyn & Sophie {School Pictures} 2011

2011-10-08T23:20:00.000-07:00

Could these girls be any cuter!?!
and both had the bluest eyes ever!
I was so glad to be able to spend a few minutes with them in their busy day :)
They giggled and laughed
Twirled and hugged!
enjoy <3

Jennifer {Class of 2012}

2011-10-07T23:01:00.000-07:00

What an amazing young woman...
Was a great day with Jen and her mama :)
enjoy some of our time together...

and one with her and her mama...

Bret's {School Pictures} 2011

2011-10-07T10:19:00.000-07:00

Bret is such a nice young man...and very talented too!
It was such a pleasure to hang out with him for a few minutes and talk to him while we took pictures...

Aaron's {School Pictures} 2011

2011-09-29T12:25:00.000-07:00

Here is Aaron...
He's one of my son, Logan's best friends...
He does not like to have his picture taken...
but he was pretty good for me this day :) which makes his mom happy!
I should know better ~ I should bring McDonald's with me when taking this boy's pictures! Then I'm sure to get him to smile! haha
Sometimes teenagers are worse than little kids!
But it really is hard not to take a good picture of a good looking young man...

MVHS {2011} Homecoming Court

2011-09-27T16:40:00.001-07:00

Traveling back in time to High School...haha
Went over to MV today to take pictures of the Super Hero Homecoming Court for 2011!
It was lots of fun!
Great bunch of kids...
enjoy <3

PEACE OUT....

Tyler's {School Pictures}

2011-09-27T12:45:00.001-07:00

This cutie patootie is Tyler!
He was so fun and active and definately all boy!
We had a nice little chat while we took pictures
It was great fun to get to know him and his mom :)

Sarah & Ryan {Engagement}

2011-09-22T16:41:00.000-07:00

Sarah & Ryan {Engagement} sneek peek

2011-09-20T21:17:00.000-07:00

This is just a little sneek peek of this cute couple...so so many more to show but just had to get one of them up!

Had a spectacular time getting to know these two ~
Ryan had me laughing the whole time...can't wait to show the pics that show off all his antics and amazing personality!
And Sarah...so beautiful!
They are so great together...
Can't wait for the wedding in November!
enjoy...

Help Me Reach {500 Fans} on Facebook!

2011-09-19T16:04:00.000-07:00

I am so close!
And I know my wonderful fans and clients can help me get there!
I am giving away one (1) FREE Mini-Session*...
- In Studio OR an Outdoor Location
Can be used for a Mini ~ Family, Baby Bump, Individual, Child, Baby or HS Senior Session
To Enter:
- Leave a comment on this blog post {letting me know what kind of Mini Session you'd be interested in winning}.
THEN:
- Head over to my Facebook Fanpage {Make sure you're a fan!}
- Leave me a comment ~ just say hi if you're already a fan! OR tell me if you're a new fan!
**BONUS**
If you post about this {500 Fan} giveaway on your personal Blog or Facebook Wall - share the link on my Facebook Fanpage and you'll get a BONUS entry to this giveaway!

Rules (there always has to be rules):
- You must make comments to both this Blog Post and to my Facebook Fanpage Wall in order to be entered.
- You must be a Fan and Like my Facebook Fanpage
- For BONUS entry you need to share the link where you posted to on my Facebook Fanpage Wall (no more than two enteries per person)
- The Mini-Session can be redeemed in the Southern California Area Only**. Winner must live in Southern California or be willing to travel to Southern California to redeem their Mini-Session. **mileage restrictions do apply - contact {terina} for more info on this 951.219.4026
- *A Mini-Session ~ {$75 Value} ~ includes the following: 30 mins InStudio OR OutDoor Location ~ Online Proofing Gallery ~ 5 edited images emailed to you (printable up to 4"x6" prints - great for Facebook, personal blog or Holiday Cards) and a 10% credit toward the purchase of any one of our Portrait Collections
- Giveaway Entries will be accepted beginning Monday, Sept 19th, 2011 and will end Monday, Sept 26th, 2011 AT MIDNIGHT!!!!
- One (1) Winner will be chosen at Random from all acceptable entries and BONUS entries received.
- Winner will be announced Tuesday, Sept 27th, 2011
- Winner will need to contact me with their contact info: Name, email address & phone number within 48 hours (by Sept 29th, 2011) in order to book their session :)

whew! now that that's out of the way...
Thanks for helping me reach my {500 Fan} goal!
I appreciate you all! <3

Toree's {Baby Bump}

2011-09-15T09:47:00.000-07:00

Can I say...just in the nick of time!
Took these pictures Monday ~
and Baby Brodie arrived yesterday {Wednesday} just two days later!
So glad we were able to get these done for Toree and Daniel though!
They are a cute little family!
So much love ~ that baby boy is one lucky little guy!

Halloween Carnival at {A Child's Attic} Oct 8th

2011-09-14T22:27:00.000-07:00

Saturday, October 8th from 10am to 1pm
A Child's Attic will be having a FREE Halloween Carnival
24710 Washington Ave - Murrieta, CA 92562 - (951) 445-4334
{terina} matthews photography will be on hand to do pictures!
Pictures are $25 ~ you will receive 3 edited jpeg files emailed to you that you select from your online gallery (files are printable up to 4x6 prints)

Halloween Pictures with a Fall/Halloween Backdrop
Costumes aren't required but encouraged for this fun event
Please visit A Child's Attic website:
http://www.achildsattic.com/
for more info on this event and to see what other fun things are going on there!

Little {Miss Audrey}

2011-09-06T13:13:00.001-07:00

She's getting so big!
I can't believe our Audrey is already a year old!
I remember doing baby bumps for her mama and daddy not so long ago...
But now this little girl is busy...goin' a hundred miles a minute ~
Here are some of my favs {her mama's too} from our time together today...

and it's not hard to see why Audrey is so cute...look at her mama! Great gene pool! Love these girls! <3

Josh Boze {2011} School Pictures

2011-09-06T01:37:00.000-07:00

This kiddo was packed with personality plus!
Had a great conversation with him about a bunch of different things...
Then it started to rain again...glad we were able to finish just in time...
enjoy some of my favs of Josh

Joshua Slagill {2011} School Pictures

2011-09-05T23:33:00.000-07:00

I have no idea why his momma calls him the curly haired one :)
Josh is such a great young man...he just started his first year of high school.
Always a great smile!
Started to sprinkle at the very end of our shoot...but we got em done.
Here are a few of my favs...

Terina Matthews Photography

{Baby} Kestlee ~ newborn photographer

{Baby} Kestlee ~ newborn photographer **sneak peek**

Newborn/Baby {Mini Session} ~ Giveaway

Making the World Cuter ~ One {Pinterest} Project at a Time

Sadie Hawkins ~ {Friends}

Making the World Cuter ~ One {Pinterest} Project at a Time

I {heart} faces ~ Oh So Silly!

Sadie Hawkins ~ {Logan & Courtney}

Sadie Hawkins ~ {Luke & Katie}

Sadie Hawkins ~ {Tyler & Alyssa}

Sadie Hawkins ~ {sneak peek}

Project {366} - week in review

Autumn {Baby Bump}

Then & Now ~ A Look Back

Wedding Dresses {Amazing Prices}

Making the World Cuter ~ One {Pinterest} Project at a Time

Larson {Family} - Temecula Family Photographer

Had to share something I {made} today...

I {Heart} Faces ~ by the book

Project {366} - week in review

Michael got a {Haircut}!

Amy & Joe {Wedding} - Temecula Wedding Photographer

Sadie Hawkins {a Proposal} of sorts...

Amy {Bridals} - Temecula Wedding Photographer

i {heart} faces ~ family fun

Project {366} - week in review

out with my {grammy}

2011 in {review}

MCP Actions and Rock the Shot

Emma's {Baptism}

{Tanner}

{Brady}

Project {366} - week in review

Nash {Brothers}

Whitmore {Family}

Durbin {Family}

Cody & Autumn {Wedding} - Murrieta Wedding Photographer

Flores {Family}

Sam {Class of 2012} Part 2

Alex {Class of 2012}

Slonicki {Family}

Cody & Autumn {Engagement}

Whitmore {Family}

Sarah Jane & Ryan {Wedding} - Los Angeles Wedding Photographer

Sarah Jane & Ryan {Wedding} - Los Angeles Wedding Photographer

Benkosky {Family}

Greer {Family}

Richards {Family}

Sam {Class of 2012}

Simone & Christopher {School Pictures}

{2011} Christmas Card Designs

Michael, Jenna & Jordyn {School Pictures}

Quentin {School Pictures}

Russell {Family}

Nolan & Landon {School Pictures}

Harley {School Pictures}

Kaitlyn {Mini Session}

Karen & Kristen {Mini Session}

Miss Aubrey {Mini Session}

Vallejo {Family}

VanAuker Girls {School Pictures}

Manuela {School Pictures}

Clawson {Family}

Danielle's Boys {Mini Session}

Fall Choir Concert {My Boys}

Back to School {Mini Session} ONE MORE DATE ADDED

Family {Mini Sessions} October 29th

Halloween/Fall {Mini Sessions}

Katelyn & Sophie {School Pictures} 2011

Jennifer {Class of 2012}

Bret's {School Pictures} 2011

Aaron's {School Pictures} 2011

MVHS {2011} Homecoming Court

Tyler's {School Pictures}

Sarah & Ryan {Engagement}

Sarah & Ryan {Engagement} **sneek peek**

Help Me Reach {500 Fans} on Facebook!

Toree's {Baby Bump}

Halloween Carnival at {A Child's Attic} Oct 8th

{Baby} Kestlee ~ newborn photographer sneak peek

Sarah & Ryan {Engagement} sneek peek