I hope it is received well. Love, V

(The above was Vanessa’s quote on her Facebook this morning)

We are so excited to be a small (a very small) part of a very big and exciting happening today. Meet one of the most amazing women I know, Vanessa Diffenbaugh. Vanessa has spent countless hours writing a very wonderful book, The Language of Flowers. I’m so excited because it is in stores on sale today! An exciting day for her and for all the people who have supported her getting her book out to all of the anticipating readers.

Here is a link to purchase her book in just about any form of reading or listening to.

Believe me, you will really enjoy this read!

The Language of Flowers is a heartfelt book about Victoria who spent her childhood in the Foster Care system and was unable to get close to anyone….

This is Vanessa’s video about her wonderful book and the Foster Care system, please check it out.

One day when I was photographing Vanessa’s children she asked me to take a quick photograph of her; she mentioned very nonchalantly that she would like to use it for a book that she was writing. As I asked her about her about her book I couldn’t help but be intrigued by the story line and what Vanessa was doing. I just could not get over my infatuation of her endeavors.

Months later I was contacted by “Random House Publishing Group” asking me what my bank account number was so that they could pay me. Very surprised, I asked, “what do you want to pay me for?” Their response was that my photograph was being used in The Language of Flowers book, which they were soon to be publishing. I was honored to have the photograph in Vanessa’s book and now I was being paid for it? I just didn’t know how to react to that. Vanessa then sent me the below advance copy of the book, what a wonderful gift.

A few weeks later, I received the below email:

Bonjour Madame Bisharat !

 Nous aimerions publier la photo ci-jointe dans notre catalogue de l’automne pour présenter le livre Le langage secret des fleurs de Vanessa Diffenbaugh. Pouvons-nous avoir votre accord ?

 Je vous remercie de me donner des nouvelles dès que possible.

 Sophie Morin    Québec Loisirs

What does it say you would like to know? Well, I too wanted to know and transcribed it in Google translate.

It reads:

Hello Ms. Bisharat!

We would like to publish the attached photo in our catalog in the fall to introduce the book The Secret Language of Flowers Vanessa Diffenbaugh. Can we have your permission?

Thank you for giving me the news as soon as possible.

Sophie Morin    Quebec Entertainment

Sophie and I wrote back and forth several times and I can’t tell you how fun it was to have a conversation with someone in Quebec in French about my photograph. I was also very pleased with the fact that they have respect for copyright laws and asked my permission.

Vanessa is soon to be touring the United States and perhaps even the world doing book signings. Here is link to her schedule but guess what? She will be in Sacramento, California next week! Yes, August 31, 2011, Vanessa is scheduled to be Tsakopoulos Library Galleria 828 I Street, 7:30 pm-9:00 pm. Of course I will be there, can’t wait!

WAIT….there is one last thing! If the above is not enough of an accomplishment, Vanessa, in conjunction with her book and her friend has started a non-profit organization.

Please read this….

My dear friends and family,It’s time!  Many of you know that in coordination with my book release (The Language of Flowers, out this Tuesday!) I am launching a non-profit, Camellia Network (www.camellianetwork.org) , with my close friend and brilliant strategist, Isis Keigwin.  It has truly been a labor of love, with all the ups and downs that come with trying to bring an idea into reality.

Now we need your help.  Right now our website is live, showcasing the profiles and registries of nearly twenty talented, hardworking, hopeful young people.  All these young people have recently emancipated from the foster care system, and all have been referred to us by teachers, social workers, or CASAs who have selected them based on motivation and desire to succeed.

Follow the link below to find young people on the verge of entering four-year universities (imagine doing this without the support of a family–what a feat!), young mothers with stable jobs about to move into their first apartment (the expense of furnishing!), and even a young man who is trying to lose enough weight to go into the navy (and he has already lost 30 pounds!).

I believe these young people shouldn’t have to do this all on their own.  On our website you can buy something from a youth’s registry (an iron, sheets or towels, books or even a computer) that they have picked out, or contribute a flat dollar amount towards the items on their registry.  It doesn’t matter what you contribute–$5 or a $100–it all adds up.  And every time you contribute, you have the opportunity to send a message to the young person, encouraging them toward their goal.  Every dollar you give goes 100% toward the youth you identify.

Please help me spread the word!  We are still working out some of the kinks (our Facebook integration, for example, is not working exactly right) but we have real kids on our website with real needs–the youth leaving for college need their registries fulfilled within the next two weeks!–so we couldn’t wait any longer to send it out.  We know you will forgive our imperfections and know that we are working as hard as we can to make our site live up to our vision.

Please email me or Isis (isis@camellianetwork.org) with any questions or feedback–we’d love to hear from you!

And most importantly, here is the link to the registries:  http://www.camellianetwork.org/youth-profiles

With love and appreciation,

Vanessa

(VANESSA AND HER BEAUTIFUL FAMILY AT THEIR HOME IN CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS)

First off we are offering our annual 2 for 1 portrait enlargement special! This is an amazing offer! You can buy an 11×14 , 10×20, 12×24, 16×16 or 16×20 from a session we have previously done for you, from a print you have previously purchased and we will gift you the second photograph of the same image, same size for free. That’s right you will receive the duplicate print at no additional cost. This can also apply to a previously purchased storyboard as well. And to top it off mounting is included. Act quickly on this offer, because this is once a year offer!

Secondly, of course we have the easiest idea ever and that is a GIFT CERTIFICATE. Especially for the pregnant gals, who’s husbands really, really, really want to make them really happy right now….she really wants great photographs of her newborn baby…get her that GIFT CERTIFICATE and see her really light up!

And don’t forget we have a large selection of some very adorable Valentines Day Cards….still time for that too!

]]> http://www.bisharatphotos.com/blog/more-valentine-gift-ideas-sacramento-child-photographer/feed 0 http://www.bisharatphotos.com/blog/gracie-mae-spring-wear-sacramento-portrait-parties http://www.bisharatphotos.com/blog/gracie-mae-spring-wear-sacramento-portrait-parties#comments Fri, 28 Jan 2011 03:33:53 +0000 Brenda http://www.bisharatphotos.com/blog/?p=1757 A couple of days ago, we had the pleasure of photographing a very fun group of children, who obviously love the camera! Gracie Mae Kids, an adorable line of clothing just for kids already has their spring wear out and are ready for the beautiful weather that is coming soon. I love spring, with all of the beautiful colors, smells and fresh air. We have some great specials coming this spring and shopping at Gracie Mae Store to have your kids dressed for spring would be perfect for pictures. If you want to keep up on the happenings of Gracie Mae, you can friend her on FaceBook.

I would also love to mention that the children were styled by the most wonderful and talented stylists SisterBrother. This company is amazing and has a variety of talents and jobs they take on and do….

You can also find Gracie Mae clothing at my FAVORITE boutique for children…Koukla Kids. Grabbing a Starbucks and browsing around Koukla Kids is always great fun! By the way you will see us down at Koukla Kids from time to time doing our infamous portrait parties in the alley. We have a special knack for finding the perfect little nooks and crannies for photographing little ones there.

Thanks for another fun shoot with a great group of mini models, Gracie Mae and SisterBrother!

]]> http://www.bisharatphotos.com/blog/gracie-mae-spring-wear-sacramento-portrait-parties/feed 2 http://www.bisharatphotos.com/blog/annie-isabel http://www.bisharatphotos.com/blog/annie-isabel#comments Fri, 19 Feb 2010 22:35:28 +0000 Brenda http://www.bisharatphotos.com/blog/?p=716 I am very excited for my two very good friends who are presently starting a much needed company!

Annie and Isabel is a company recently started by Selena Srabian and Anna Ryan. Sisters and registered nurses, both saw a need to create a hospital gown that patients could look and feel good in. During their many years of experience the two have heard patients complain about the thin, torn and sometimes stained gowns that don’t really cover very much. Their beautiful gowns are made for anyone who may have to spend time in the hospital or may be recovering at home. The gowns are designed to wrap around the back and tie on the side and snap at the shoulders to provide full coverage and comfort. The custom hospital gowns are made from 100% high quality cotton with beautiful grosgrain trim and as you can see they come in lots of different attractive and fun styles. Additionally the gowns are made to fit all body types, from XS to XXL.

“Our ultimate goal is to help make someone’s recovery a little more pleasant, positive and comfortable”.

Look for their soon to be launched website and blog….. and here a few teasers of what they are doing!

www.annieandisabel.com

I also want to mention in this post the lovely gown Bethany is wearing was made by my good friends Anna and Selena.

I will be posting more about their wonderful up and coming business……

ANNIE & ISABEL  {soon!}