Darlene Tom Photography Blog--Bay Area Photographer

book your session online!

after test driving several options, i've decided to stick with jiffle!  it's so easy!

simply click on an available time, enter your info (thanks for including as many details as possible), then i can confirm the time & details with you via phone or e-mail...

quick update...

we've finally got some of the most important things unpacked and settled, so now just trying to catch up on packaging orders and delivering them...the new summer schedule will open tomorrow, i know several of you are anxious to book your appts before heading off on vacation!  and lastly...the e-news is almost finished that has more details on our move, a couple of once-in-a-lifetime specials, and what's in store for the 2nd half of 2009!  for the next few days, e-mail is the quickest way to reach me as i'm still getting caught up with getting back to everyone...thanks for your patience!!

on the move!

i know i am way way WAY behind on returning phone calls & e-mails...my apologies!  it's been a crazy time around here as we move out of the studio...i'll be sending out a newsletter soon explaining what's been going on and what's the plan for the future.  if you have any questions or concerns, e-mail is the best way to reach me at this time...i'll be working hard over the next couple of days to return all calls & e-mails, and finish up orders and deliver them.  thank you for your patience!

the beginning of an amazing journey!

i am excited about this journey that i am beginning. it's something i've been wanting to do for so long...

i'm doing it to honor friends & acquaintances, and even strangers who have fought a battle with breast cancer....but most of all i'm doing it for my mom.

i am so thankful my mom is still here with me--to have lunch with, to lean on, to work with, to share the funny things the boys do...to celebrate life with!

she fought breast cancer TWICE and won! 

the first time was when i was a little girl...way back then the survival rate was a little scary to think about! but she seemed to handle it well--staying courageous and positive, always reassuring me she'd be ok...

the second time was just before my 4th baby was born...even though the statistics were much more encouraging, it was still tough to see her go through it again. her strength amazes me!

so that's the big reason why i'm walking...to honor and celebrate my mom! 

raising money makes a difference

*it funds important breast cancer research

i believe there will be a day in my lifetime when we can say, "yes! there's a cure for breast cancer."

*it funds treatment

over the years, while obviously still no piece of cake, treatment options have advanced tremendously...and the survival rate is now 98%! can't wait to say til we can say 100! it also makes it possible for low-income women to have mammograms...

*it funds education and screening

hopefully there's not a woman out there that doesn't know the importance of self-exams & regular mammograms...but the word needs to get out that this terrible disease has no age or gender restrictions. while definitely not as common, breast cancer can strike men & children too.

my mom found each of her lumps through her monthly self-exams...she was lucky to have found it so early. one of them was less than 2mm! so check yourself often!!

how you can help...

i'm amazed at the support i've already received and i've only just started this journey! i am so thankful!!

there are 3 ways that you can make a difference...

1) donate by clicking the "donate" button below.  it's quick and easy...and every little bit makes a difference. i need to raise a minimum of $2300 just to participate in this walk...but you know me, my goal is just a bit higher than that! i want to raise over $3000...so please help in any way you can! remember that your donation is tax deductible and some companies will even match your donation. thank you in advance for your generosity!! helping me find people that may want to donate makes a big difference too...

2) join me on a training walk...several of my friends have suggested that instead of meeting for lunch or coffee, they'll walk with me as i train...can't beat that--catching up with friends, saving $$ AND burning calories! :) if i complete all recommended training walks, i'll have walked over 600 miles in 6 months!

3) if you're up for a challenge, commit to the 3day walk too! i'd love to have you on my team--not just because my shy self is a little nervous about doing this alone, but because it'll be fun to walk together, fundraise together, and make a difference together!  and as a bonus--register online before 3/20 to receive a $25 discount by using the code SPRING at www.the3day.org.

thank you again for your support!!

gratefully yours,
darlene

Net proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure and National Philanthropic Trust, funding important breast cancer research, education, screening, and treatment.

it's been one year...

since my dad had his heart surgery.  he looks so good and has been working so hard to get healthy--i'm so proud of what he's accomplished...we are so grateful he survived his heart attack and that his doc is predicting he has at least another 20 years to go!   :)

we all went out to lunch to celebrate this little milestone...i had the most delicious crab sandwich at first street cafe in benicia!  yum-mee.  a special treat once in a while makes life more fun...

siblings...

...are not always easy to photograph, and sometimes can be the most challenging especially in the toddler years!  

these two made my job easy and so fun!  aren't they adorable?!

missing in action...

i'm back, i'm back!  last week was pretty crazy--i had a sinus/migraine/nausea thing going on, but thankfully it never turned into the flu...i made it to the studio for my appts, but then went right back home to rest in my comfy pjs.  also thankfully i felt much better over the weekend in time to enjoy the sunshine and plant some flowers! 

i regret that at times like these, i am harder to get a hold of, especially without an office manager to return calls for me!   i'm working on a couple of things that will hopefully make it easier in the future...one is having the studio phone directly forwarded to my cell, and the other is to unveil our new fancy shmancy thingamajigy that will allow you to enter your password and you can see exactly where your order is...whether it's in production, at the lab, or waiting to be packaged, and an estimated time til completed.  cool huh? 

in the meantime, e-mailing through the website contact form is the best way to inquire about your order...and as for picking up orders, i'll be posting "pick up times" on the blog so you'll know when i'll be here and when i won't be. 

i appreciate your patience as i make these changes...and i also welcome your input!  i want to make your experience here an extraordinary one...i'd love to hear any and all ideas you have!  thanks so much!!

brand new.

big brother

 

this little guy just might be even more adorable now than he was when he was a baby!

super sister

this little sweetie looks just like her big brother!

precious.

the first gig.

 

 

 

refreshed.

catch me if you can! and win a $50 gift certificate to the studio!

if you received the latest e-news, then you know i threw out a blog challenge...i pledged to blog every day in february, and for the first person who catches a missed day and e-mails me within 24 hours of the "miss", he or she will receive a $50 gift certificate to the studio!  

congratulations to marnie, kimberly & kristi for catching me so far!  blogging every day is tough...especially with no internet connection in tahoe, taking care of sick kids, and the busyness of everyday life!  but now that i'm back home and the kids are feeling much better, i'll be back on track tomorrow sharing a couple of recent faves...

snow!

it's a snow weekend!

a peek at the fun we had last night!

to see more of the fun, click here

happy!

mr. laid back

new year's baby

a perfect way to start the new year!!

beautiful blue eyes!