jill and the little crown

Baby Love.. Maternity Photo Session

2014-04-29T12:30:00.001-07:00

We had a lovely session with

Crystal & Martin

They're expecting a little guy soon

and couldn't be more excited

Congrats to the happy couple!

*sending a big thank you to Crystal & Martin*

Alex & Olivia

2014-04-10T12:55:00.001-07:00

Had a lovely session with Alex & Olivia in Tempe

They're participating in

La Reina De Las Flores Scholarship Pageant

for Cinco de Mayo

They are naturals!!!

Just gorgeous.

Good luck girls!

Beautiful!

**As we juggle upcoming photography & personal projects, the little crown will be booking limited dates through Spring/Summer**

Next available weekend dates for family sessions:

May 17th - Hayden, Kearny, San Manuel area

May 25th - Tempe

June 15th - Father's Day Weekend, Beach Sessions, San Diego CA

Contact me on Facebook for questions or to book your spot

email: j_corona7@yahoo.com

Quinceanera, Blessed Sacrament

2014-03-26T14:53:00.000-07:00

Beautiful!

Merino/Magallanez Wedding

2014-03-03T13:00:00.000-08:00

what a beautiful couple

you can see how much in love they are

by the way they smile at each other

Such a perfect day - thank you Clarissa & Robert!

Jimmy & Cathy Wedding - The Windmill Winery

2014-02-13T09:29:00.000-08:00

Throwback to this lovely couple because they were featured on Schwinn RED today.

They are such a cute couple and I couldn't be happier for them

_________

1.05.13

Gorgeous day

Gorgeous bride & groom

Red heels & lipstick

a horse & carriage

bicycles & wine

throw in some really good music

and some vibrant love

makes for an awesome wedding

Thank you Mr. & Mrs. Seiler!

http://thewindmillwinery.com/

Casandra's Quinceanera

2014-02-12T10:15:00.001-08:00

It's a beautiful thing when people come together to celebrate

a young girl's quinceanera

especially when you can see how happy her heart is

in honoring the tradition of her church & family

I love that Casandra wore her the same white boots

that her mom wore to her own wedding

Such a sweet gesture

It was a heartwarming day - big thanks to Lorraine & Gibby Salazar and the Westrope Family!

Hayden, Arizona - JAVA Magazine

2014-02-11T12:40:00.000-08:00

Earlier this summer, some of my pictures

from a photo session in my hometown

were published in Java Magazine.

We shot all around town

Under the new bridge & at the bluff in Winkelman

with the Gila River running behind us

We shot on Main St, in front of the old theater in Hayden

with the sound of the shift change siren, work trucks passing by

We shot at the stairs and at the cross in San Pedro

with the smell of the desert taking us back to when

we hiked our prayers up the mountain as kids

While I was thrilled to see several pictures

featured in JAVA,

there were a few shots that didn't get published

that I can't help share with my little crown blog readers

This was a very special shoot

I will treasure these pics.

Special thanks to:

Robert Sentinery of JAVA

Janifer Modesty for hanging tough with us

Adrien Corona for not being too shy

Janette Amparano for being my right hand lady

Tina Nunez for the awesome clothes (DAG Fashions)

Eddie Gutierrez for his sweet ride

Gia Lagunas for a place to sleep (always)

Jonathon Rabago for taking care of us on the trail

Gold Canyon Wedding - Breanne & James

2014-02-10T09:26:00.000-08:00

Life is an adventure

Twists & turns may lead us to places unexpected

But distance can never separate two hearts

that are meant to be

Up up and away...

It's wonderful to see a family

celebrate that buzzing, beautiful time

of being together,

at last.

Thank you Breanne & James, for letting me be a witness to your love.

Stay tuned for family pics.. :)

Engagement Session - Tempe

2014-02-09T13:57:00.000-08:00

Wow! What a gorgeous couple.

Just a few of many awesome shots - congrats to Andrea & Tucker!

Special thanks to Cathy & Jimmy for making this session exceptionally easy (with Duke) and so very fun & comfortable with the bubbly :)

DIY Valentine's Day Arrows

2014-02-03T09:25:00.000-08:00

DIY Valentine's arrows - so easy! I first saw them done here and had to try them. I used wooden dowels, some pink & red ribbon left over from Christmas, some red & white felt and some hot glue. I will bring these with me to my next Sweet Valentine session :)

Wedding - Tucson, Arizona

2013-11-13T12:09:00.001-08:00

Just a few pics from Niedra & Rick's wedding

at the Hilton Conquistador in Tucson, Arizona

Two beautiful daughters

a handsome groom & gorgeous bride

with a love of super heroes & 80s music

makes for a FUN wedding

Family Photo Session - Tempe, Arizona

2013-10-17T13:52:00.000-07:00

It was such a pleasure taking photos

of my friend Tina's beautiful family

She has a new blessing, a sweet addition to her lovely bunch

and even though Mariah Ava was premature, she is doing wonderful.

She was absolutely perfect for our photo session

Just a few of many pics...

What a gorgeous family!!!

Much thanks, Tina & Gerald - for trusting me

to take pictures of this very special time in your life

Blessings to you & your growing family

Cowboy Photo Session - Jo Jo Rides Again

2013-09-10T11:40:00.001-07:00

It takes a lot to be a cowboy

First, you need a horse

You need a buckle

and some good boots, like these, yep.

You need a sturdy cowboy hat

to protect you from the Arizona sun

and a big truck

probably some patience, humor and a positive attitude too

Some chicks would be nice...

But I still got my horse.

*This was such a fun session near Winkelman, AZ.

Thank you Mary Helen & Vince

for helping me wrangle this session together*

End of Summer/Back To School Sessions!

2013-08-22T15:15:00.003-07:00

School has finally started.. whew!

One of the first fliers sent home was for

back to school pictures. Last year, for the first time -

I didn't order them. I don't know why

it took so long to break the habit but I'm done.

I won't be ordering school pictures ever again.

It's too expensive for what they offer and you're

limited to only one pose.. no thanks!

It shouldn't have taken me so long to quit since

this is what I do for a living. I have tons of

pics of my kids like this and this.

So why is better having your photos done

by a family photographer like the little crown

instead of a school photographer?

Well...

You aren't limited to one pose

You review ALL the pictures from your session

and pick the ones you like

You can do pictures of your child individually,

with their siblings

as well as your whole family together.

You can print an unlimited amount of photos

from your disk, for years to come.

Message me on Facebook

or email me at thelittlecrown@rocketmail

for more information.

*I will be in the Hayden/Winkleman area on

September 1st - only a couple spots available

message me to book!*

Family/Engagement Session - Tempe, Arizona

2013-08-15T15:09:00.001-07:00

We shot this session in record time

We were racing against rain clouds and we won

(though we did get drenched on the way out)

I was so happy to do these pics for Steve, Sarah

and their handsome little guy

Can't wait until their wedding this fall

Thank you Steve & Sarah!

Back To School Nails

2013-08-12T11:26:00.001-07:00

I attempted a fun panda bear nail design on Jaiden's nails (originally seen here)

I didn't quite hit the mark.

They're a little wonky but still decently cute, don't you think?

I need better dabbing tools instead of shish kabob skewers

At the very least she went back to school with interesting nails.

See more cute back to school nail ideas here.

Street Style

2013-08-09T15:26:00.003-07:00

Many times I have been out and about and spotted

someone wearing something cute, fun or interesting.

This week I saw too many styles

I had to stop and ask for a picture.

In the park - sipping on a beer

with a big ol' gold chain around her neck

red lips and denim shirt around her waist,

DJ let me take her picture

Lovin' the hair.. wish I was brave enough

While having a beer of my own, Kilt Lifters at Four Peaks

our waitress had cute matte pink nails with one white pinky

Nice ring too

I spent a few hours in the ER with my sis

She had a toothache and a severely swollen face.

I would have a swollen face right now too if I posted her pic

but instead I'll post this one

a girl named Christina was wearing these

cute black leggings

and moccasins with fringe - love!

she was in the ER with a cute guy, maybe her boyfriend

He needed stitches

Finally, I saw these shoes on a friend of mine

not in the street tho

She posted a pic on Facebook and I stole it

So hot. Perfect for summer.
Thanks 'Desiree

It was fun asking strangers if I could take their pic

though I did resist asking someone who was

using their long white socks as pockets

and one guy who had a shirt that said

I Love Beaver

Maybe next time

Make-Up: Before and After

2013-08-07T11:04:00.002-07:00

Source: No Way Girl

I don't know about you but I
definitely look better with make-up on.
I know that natural beauty is a thing to be proud of
and I admire when someone can glow
without a touch of make-up.
But most woman benefit from face primping.
A wave of the mascara wand, some sparkle to the lips and BAM!
We're a little bit prettier.

One of my favorite examples of this is

MaskCara's highlighting and contouring tip which was featured on

Allure's Beauty Blogger 2013 Challenge.

I mean, look at what a difference there is in this picture -

no changes in lighting and no Photoshop here! Wow!

Allure

Learn more about this technique here.

I love MaskCara's blog.. tons of great beauty tips!

And although I really like the softer make-up application she does here,

I also like the dark eyes and red lipstick look

like this one here by

make-up artist Vadim Andreev. What a transformation!

A darker brow and a red pucker can go a long way..

this look is so bombshell!

New.com.Au

See other transformations by Vadim Andreev here.

But really, you don't need a

pound of make-up to take your face from blah to beautiful.

A natural beauty like Jessica Biel already looks amazing

in her plain face but she elevates that glow of hers

to another level with light rosy cheeks,

a touch of mascara and a shimmer to her lips.

UserInter.net

Wow!

See more celebrity before and after make-up transformations here.

It's really incredible how much a little bit of make-up

can do for us. I'm all for accepting and loving who we are

at our core,

but I'm also for making ourselves feel our very best

and working with what we've got.

I'm off to play with some eyeliner!

You Might Be a Chola If...

2013-08-06T14:20:00.000-07:00

you or or your mom or your tia

or your prima or your nana dressed like this

Source: Pinterest

you crease your Dickies

Source: Trailer Park Party

You have a pitbull

Source: Pinterest

You wear bandanas and flannels

Source: Tumblr

You have homegirls

Source: Cholas.org
and one of you dyes your hair blond

Your favorite font is Old English

Source: Pinterest

You like to go cruising

Source: Pinterest

and you look good doing it...

Source: We Heart It

Or if you love black eyeliner
or you have a nickname that starts with 'lil'
or if you end conversations by saying

Laters....

How To Use Tape To Create Designs On Your Nails

2013-08-05T12:18:00.002-07:00

Using tape to create designs on your nails is fun and easy.

Use painter's tape - which is made specifically to

not stick to paint. It can be found at any hardware store.

I got the weakest one I could find.

Be sure and let your base coat dry for

at least an hour before you apply the tape!

There are many designs you can create! Get more ideas here :)

The Best Ways To Wear Leggings

2013-08-02T13:47:00.000-07:00

I love summer. I really do.

But my favorite time of the year is fall & winter. Know why?

The weather in the southwest is ah-mazing.

It's the season of my favorite holiday, Halloween

and style is not limited to tanks and shorts -

which sometimes is the only way to survive a hot Arizona day.

You can wear layers and my favorite - boots!

My favorite way to wear boots is with leggings.

They're lighter than jeans and figure flattering

(most of the time)

I hope this trend does not die anytime soon.

Here are 4 ways to wear leggings that are

sure to be popular this season:

1. Leather leggings. I don't know if we owe this trend to the Kardashians (a la Kanye West)

but leather seems to be in.

At times this Jim Morrison-ish style appears to be

a little heavy, but not in this look pictured top left.

A breathable faux leather would probably work best.

See this look on adult runaway

2. Leggings with shorts. I wore this look in 6th grade (with white tights mind you)

but it still doesn't get old.

Pair some cute shorts with thin leggings or tights with heels or boots

and you won't go wrong, especially when you add a fitted jacket.

I found this look and others like it on Chictopia

3. Leggings with tall boots - I love this look,

especially with brown boots

which adds contrast against black leggings.

Some women balk at the thought of wearing a shirt

that does not cover the crotch area (gasp!)

but you can always wear a cardigan to cover-up

and soften the look.

This style was found on Lilly's Style Blog

4. Leggings with boots and thick socks.

This look is perfect for when it starts getting a little cooler out.

Add height to your shorter boots by wearing longer socks,

or even layer multi-colored socks for some added color and fun.

This look was found on Pinterest

Although only black leggings are featured here,

there are many new styles and patterns coming out.

No matter what style you prefer,

It's hard to go wrong with leggings!

How To Quit an Addiction

2013-08-01T13:46:00.001-07:00

Photo Source: Pinterest

Many of us, at some point or another are addicted to something -

something that distracts us from the mundane,

helps us escape from the things that get us down,

or even just helps us focus or get off our lazy butts.

This is especially true for creative types.

Some people even think that we're

better at what we do when we have help from an outside substance.

But having a crutch to lean on can become tiresome,

unhealthy and expensive. If you are like me,

and you know when too much of something is

no longer a good thing, then you are a step ahead.

I've had a few addictions in my life

but I have been able to overcome them

with some basic tools and rules.

Truth be told, I have never stuck a needle in my arm

or smoked a crack pipe but

here are some of the addictions

that I have fought and won:

Starbucks. Starbucks is evil and might as well be crack.

Neuro Passion energy drinks - do not try. You have been warned.

Sugar-free Red Bull. You crash hard when those

stupid wings wear off.

Pepsi. The soft drink, not the booger sugar.

Nail Biting

So maybe the nail biting was more of a bad habit

rather than an addiction but it was definitely a side affect

of being so caffeinated that I would chew my nails

in a nervous fit until the jitters stopped.

Thankfully, I've stopped biting my nails. Obviously my drug of choice is caffeine and ok,

maybe it's not the most hardcore habit to kick,

but I have had experience with and seen many

suffer from (and overcome) worse things.

No matter what your addiction is; whether it be caffeine, junk food, drugs, or even a person -

here are six simple tips that will help get you to that

crutch-free promise land:

1. Decide you want to stop. Seems easy right? Not really. You have to really REALLY want to stop, not because someone else wants you to, but because YOU want to. Sometimes making that decision takes time but if you know you don't want to do what you're doing forever, that's a start. Remembering the long-term consequences of your addiction will motivate you.

2. Pick a significant date to stop your addiction and start a new clear path. Many people do this when starting a new exercise program and like the new year, starting on the 1st will give you an easy reference to track your progress - but the 1st of any month can work. Or maybe you will quit your habit in honor of someone else, pick a birthday of someone you love.

3. Remove yourself from the possibility of failing by staying away from

people or places that encourage you to slip.

I once quit coffee all together and was on a solid one year streak when I was on a mini vacation with friends.. "you have to try this amazing latte" they said. "You will die unhappy if you don't" they said. I'm still drinking coffee two years later.

Don't put yourself in danger and stay away from people and places that don't support your decision, especially in the beginning when you are at your weakest.

4. Replace your bad habit with a good new one. Go running. Join a gym. Try creative projects that you've been putting off. You will need to replace the old buzz with a new one and what better way to reward yourself than by doing something that makes you feel good, confident and accomplished.

5. Do a cleanse. Starting on a clean slate gives you a feeling of a fresh start, especially with your body. Do a 3, 5, or 7 day cleanse to clear your mind and launch yourself into a healthier way of thinking and feeling.

6. Finally, block out the addiction. This might sound simple, but it has been my most helpful rule. When the urge comes to do the bad habit "one more time", and that urge will come..(for me it's that smell wafting from a local Starbucks) say no. Be prepared for it and be ready to not give one second of time to that urge - change your mind. Block it out as soon as it enters your mind. Do something else, distract yourself.. if you can do this for the first few weeks, you will be well on your way to saying goodbye to your bad habit forever.

Hopefully, if you are struggling with an addiction these tips can help you say adios to what's holding back and hello to a new, more powerful you.

*This post is of opinion only and not meant as medical help*