emmalee thomas photography

Deckers

2011-12-28T09:00:00.000-08:00

Christmas parties are always a holiday favorite and Decker's Outdoor Corporation knows how to celebrate in style! This was an amazing, beautiful, spectacular holiday gathering and I was honored to be there and see it in all of it's glory throughout the night!

Rentals: The Tent Merchant. Catering: Village Modern Foods. Location: Earl Warren Showgrounds.

Bar Service: Straight Up. Lighting/Draping: Bella Vista Designs. Lighting & Sound: Carlos Olvia Sound.

Family

2011-12-19T09:00:00.000-08:00

I love this little family! The mom and kids got together and decided to make a book for their dad on their families ranch. The book turned out amazing and it was so much fun playing in the orchards. I felt so lucky to be a part of such a great family! Enjoy!

Christmas Trees

2011-12-14T09:20:00.000-08:00

I love the Christmas Season! We recently went back to my always favorite, Lane Farms and picked out our beautiful Christmas tree! One of my favorite traditions of the Holiday!

Blimp

2011-12-06T09:00:00.000-08:00

Montana de Oro

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

If you have never been to Montana de Oro State park, go! It's beautiful and has a little something for everyone! It made for some beautiful hiking through the woods and then opening up on bluffs and beaches!

Homemade

2011-11-23T09:00:00.000-08:00

I love bread! Love it! This homemade Foccacia was made by Savoir Faire Catering at a local wedding last month. They pre-made the dough then whipped it out and doctored it up on location for that fresh homemade taste. It was fabulous! Take it from me, fabulous!

Taste of San Francisco

2011-11-19T09:00:00.000-08:00

After one quick surprise trip to San Francisco, I can rest assured I will be returning soon and staying longer!

Morro Bay

2011-11-10T09:00:00.000-08:00

Salt Water Taffy

2011-11-07T09:00:00.000-08:00

Vineyard

2011-11-02T09:00:00.000-07:00

Pumpkins

2011-10-27T09:05:00.000-07:00

Going to the pumpkin patch is still one of my absolute favorite parts of Fall! And Lane Farms here in Santa Barbara provided a wonderful harvest with ponies, corn mazes, hay rides and more pumpkins than you can imagine! Happy Harvest!

Scarecrows

2011-10-24T09:00:00.000-07:00

How cute! The entire town of Cambria gets into the holiday spirit every year by supporting their local shop, school, church and even just for their house by decorating a scarecrow! It made for a great little stroll through this adorable little community! Happy Halloween!

Shoes

2011-10-18T09:00:00.000-07:00

Sheep

2011-10-11T09:00:00.000-07:00

DUO

2011-10-05T09:00:00.000-07:00

DUO served up some fabulous tastings last week and I was lucky enough to get to sample some! Yum!

Strawberries

2011-09-27T09:00:00.000-07:00

How cute is this!

Arf!

2011-09-21T09:00:00.000-07:00

Stella

2011-09-16T09:00:00.000-07:00

Life couldn't be any sweeter when you're 2 and this cute! Friends, face painting, cupcakes and presents, this was one of my favorite Saturday's this summer! Happy Birthday Stella!

Ian & Kim

2011-09-08T09:00:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was very special for our family as Ian and Kim got married! The whole weekend was absolutely beautiful and I couldn't have been more honored to be a part of it! Congratulations to the newest Mr & Mrs Schroeder!

Fiesta

2011-08-31T09:00:00.000-07:00

How perfect is this party at the Santa Barbara History Museum. I loved this whole event beautifully decorated and prepared by Karen from Savoir Faire. This was such a great way to end the summer! Happy Fiesta!

Clouds

2011-08-22T09:00:00.000-07:00

San Diego

2011-08-19T09:00:00.000-07:00

Books

2011-08-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

Such a sweet little center piece idea!

Today

2011-08-13T09:00:00.000-07:00

Today we are celebrating Tiera! She just graduated from high school and is getting ready to move to Cal State Berkeley on a Water Polo Scholarship! So excited for T and all the great adventures that are to come!

Love This Face

2011-08-08T09:00:00.001-07:00

Veggies

2011-08-03T09:00:00.000-07:00

I love the smell of fresh tomatoes! Justin built this little custom redwood garden box for our front patio and has filled it with tomatoes, peppers, squash, basil, strawberries (for me!) and more! I'm so proud of him, I just had to share! Yums!

Today...

2011-07-31T09:00:00.000-07:00

...is Justin's Birthday! Justin is an amazing man and I am so lucky to have him in my life. Along with his charm and wit he makes for a wonderful friend, brother and son. These photos were taken at a party we attended, that I photographed earlier this year. I did not take the second photo, but his dad has some pretty good camera skills of his own. Here's to another of many days to celebrate! Happy Birthday Justin!

Details

2011-07-26T09:00:00.000-07:00

I recently got the opportunity to assist the amazing Christine Olson in photographing a wedding here in Santa Barbara. It was so much fun and such an honor to work with her. The wedding was absolutely beautiful and the couple has to be two of the sweetest people, it was so great to work with them. Congratulations to Jason and Adriana!

Today...

2011-07-23T09:00:00.000-07:00

Today is my little brother, Spencer's 12th Birthday! I was this age when I found out I was getting a little brother (finally)! Spencer has to be one of the sweetest and loving little brothers anyone could ask for. Today I am wishing him endless amounts of cupcakes and fun! Next week we will celebrate all week long with the family for a little vacation in San Diego! Happy Birthday Spencer!

Dad

2011-07-20T09:00:00.000-07:00

Today is my Dad's Birthday. These photos were not taken by me, but of me and him. I have always been a bit of a daddy's girl and growing up in Indiana one of our favorite activities was going to the Indianapolis Zoo. The first photo was taken when I was probably about 6 at the zoo, and the second was taken this past February when I was visiting him. Naturally we went to the zoo. Although it was freezing, the penguin and Dolphin show was still a lot of fun for us! Happy Birthday to you dad! You are the best of the dads and I will always be your little girl!

Cutie

2011-07-18T09:00:00.000-07:00

Yum

2011-07-13T10:29:00.000-07:00

Deliciously provided by Savoir Faire Catering.

Alabama Hills

2011-06-22T09:00:00.000-07:00

These are the Alabama Hills. They are these amazing giant mountains of rocks piled on top of one another right here in California. You would never know they were there, off a tiny road. We had a lovely picnic lunch and walk through them.

Big Pine

2011-06-16T09:00:00.000-07:00

Just as beautiful and made for some great hiking.

Holly

2011-06-13T09:00:00.000-07:00

This was Holly's first adventure in the snow and she loved it!

Iris Meadow

2011-06-06T09:00:00.000-07:00

I recently went on a family camping trip up towards Mammoth Mountain and we stayed at the Iris Meadow Campgrounds. It was so beautiful and amazing up there, we had such a wonderful weekend. I was a so surprised how much snow there still was considering it was the end of May but it made for a really pretty view.

Bear Print

2011-06-02T09:00:00.000-07:00

Mighty Bright

2011-05-25T09:00:00.000-07:00

These lights are by a local company called Mighty Bright. I have been working with them for almost a year now and they are have such amazing and handy little lights. I thought I would share some of there latest additions. For more of their many products go here.

Clare Swan

2011-05-19T09:00:00.000-07:00

Spring Essentials have arrived at Clare Swan's beautiful boutique in Montecito. Just in time to keep you looking good during these windy spring days. To see more click here.

Yum!

2011-03-18T09:00:00.000-07:00

The Tent Merchant

2011-03-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

I have recently joined up with The Tent Merchant here in Santa Barbara. They are an amazing group of people and I am so excited to be working with them. They do all sorts of event rentals from tents to china to linens. To see more of what they do click Here.

You can also find more of these beautiful flowers at Kaleidoscope.

Christmas Trees

2010-12-15T09:00:00.000-08:00

I officially have my first real Christmas tree...picking it out was have the fun!

Leaves

2010-12-09T09:00:00.000-08:00

The leaves in Southern California are FINALLY starting to change colors and it is absolutely beautiful! The smell of rain and fall and winter and the crisp air are some of my favorites of the season.

Avery & Elle

2010-11-25T09:50:00.000-08:00

November has been a very busy month of studio work for me, but I was delighted to get the chance to photograph these two adorable girls this past week.

Pumpkin Patch

2010-10-27T09:00:00.000-07:00

I love Pumpkin Patches! Happy Halloween!

Hay Pile

2010-10-17T12:00:00.001-07:00

I dare you guys to jump in the pile of hay...

Orchids

2010-10-13T09:00:00.000-07:00

Beautiful. Grown by Lance Schroeder.

Spencer

2010-10-05T12:00:00.000-07:00

This fall my brother, Spencer has joined his very first football team, the Temecula Titans, and is so excited! He is having so much fun, I'm so happy for him! Go Titans!

Family

2010-09-27T09:00:00.000-07:00

Clare Swan

2010-09-23T09:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome fall with some beautiful new sweaters and scarves from Clare Swan!

Fair

2010-09-18T09:00:00.000-07:00

I love the end of summer because that means the fair will be in town. There is always great live country music, food and rides. And this year, lots of fog on the beach front fair grounds. We still had ourselves a wonderful time!

Celebrate

2010-09-15T09:00:00.000-07:00

I got to participate in celebrating Jack's 40th Birthday! It was a beautiful evening filled with laughs, great food and beautiful people!

Jewels

2010-08-27T09:00:00.000-07:00

This week at iChick, I got the privilege to photograph a beautiful line of hand-made, one-of-a-kind jewelry from Allegra Fanjul Designs. Here are just some of my favorites! P.S. all of these lovely finds are available for purchase so if you are interested or have questions you can email Allegra or Lisa here.

Big Sur

2010-08-24T09:00:00.000-07:00

Stella

2010-08-19T09:00:00.000-07:00

Happy 1st birthday Stella!

Polo

2010-08-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

It's Polo Season! And iChick, (where I work) is a proud sponsor of Grant's Farm Manor Polo this year. So we wished away the clouds and cheered them on last week for a defeat against Picachio. Go Grant's Farm Manor Polo Team!

Clare Swan

2010-08-03T09:30:00.000-07:00

I love bags! So when I got the chance to photograph for Clare Swan in Montecito I was ecstatic! Bags galore! Here are some of my favorites. You can see more from the shoot and more from Clare Swan here.

Golf

2010-07-24T09:00:00.000-07:00

A lovely day on the greens at the La Quinta Country Club.

Rental

2010-07-22T09:00:00.000-07:00

A beautiful rental at the La Quinta Country Club. I got the honor of staying here for the week...and photographing it through my job at iChick. For renting inquiries click here.

Ferris Wheel

2010-07-17T12:37:00.000-07:00

Bag

2010-07-15T12:42:00.000-07:00

I love this bag!

Taco Bar

2010-07-08T11:34:00.000-07:00

I love a good taco! And Chef Yosi Nuralian can make a tempting one! To see more of Yosi's delicious plates, click Here.

Home

2010-06-25T09:00:00.000-07:00

So after two wonderful years in my little guest house in Montecito, I am moving! I have loved living here and it has been such a great experience but it is time for me and the family that lives in the main house to move on. Goodbye little home, Rory, (my cat) and I will miss you!

Chef Yosi

2010-06-23T09:00:00.000-07:00

Yosi Nuralian, Chef de Cuisine knows what he is doing in the kitchen! Yosi owns his own catering company and is well known around town for his delicious Mediterranean and Kosher Cuisine. He is such a delight to work with I can't wait for his next event. If you would like to contact Yosi you can email him at yosinuralian@gmail.com.

Today

2010-06-18T09:00:00.000-07:00

Today is the lovely Julie's 50th Birthday! Her Husband, Lance and she had a joint 50th birthday bash this past weekend to celebrate with friends and family. It was a wonderful night of good times and even better laughs. Here's to Lance and Julie, Happy Birthday!

Clydesdales

2010-06-16T09:03:00.000-07:00

This past weekend many local schools celebrated their graduations and my boss, Lisa and I got to enjoy some of the festivities including some time with these beautiful Clydesdale Horses. I think this was the first time I ever stood so close to one and I was almost a little intimidated! So pretty though. To see a little more of what we do at iChick click Here.

Solar Lanterns

2010-06-08T09:00:00.000-07:00

How fabulous are these! My boss recently bought these solar powered lanterns for her back yard. You can get your very own Here. Let the summer nights begin.

Fruit

2010-05-30T09:48:00.000-07:00

Justin was in charge of the fruit for the breakfast we made my family this week. And it was so fabulous and delicious and pretty I just had to take a picture!

This Week

2010-05-28T12:07:00.000-07:00

This has been such an exciting week for my boyfriend, Justin, his family and me! Justin was sworn into the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Department as a Deputy Sheriff and graduated from a an extremely intense 20 week 'boot-camp' like training school. Not only did he graduate with honors but was also Valedictorian of his class. So proud! So exciting!

Firestone

2010-05-23T15:35:00.000-07:00

Santa Barbara county hosts a fabulous selection of wineries in it's back country. I recently visited Firestone winery as it is my favorite! Have a taste for yourself here!

Kellams

2010-05-13T12:38:00.000-07:00

I recently got the privilege of photographing my friends Nick and Lindsay and their beautiful daughter Charlie. They have to honestly be one of the most beautiful families I know. And if you had a little girl this adorable, why wouldn't you try for more. Baby number 2 is due in September!

Moms

2010-05-09T12:13:00.000-07:00

This is my beautiful mother and grandmother. We were all last together for Easter and will all be together again sometime soon this summer. Happy Mothers Day!

Peak

2010-05-02T18:42:00.000-07:00

A baby and her pony. Today I photographed the beautiful Kellams family and found out just how much Charlie loves ponies. More of this adorable face and her beautiful parents to come! I just had to share this one with you now so check back soon!

Film

2010-04-30T15:43:00.000-07:00

These are some old prints that I took and processed in a dark room for school. I love them...so much, in fact, they're hanging in my house even today!

House

2010-04-21T09:34:00.000-07:00

Montecito is full of some beautiful homes and big private walls around them. Occasionally I get the privilege of going beyond those walls and seeing some of them.

Sailing

2010-04-14T13:00:00.000-07:00

Sailboat racing is incredibly popular here in Santa Barbara and Wet Wednesdays have officially began for the Summer. Good luck!

Ponies

2010-04-10T09:55:00.000-07:00

Some local polo ponies here in Santa Barbara. Simply beautiful. I wish i had one.

Addison

2010-04-04T17:11:00.000-07:00

Today Addison is one! Happy Birthday little miss Addy!

Rehearsal

2010-04-01T12:06:00.000-07:00

The Coral Casino made for an absolutely beautiful setting for a rehearsal dinner this month. Everything was fabulous from the sunset, to the table settings to the dip. It was a delight to be in such beautiful surroundings!

Aaron

2010-03-30T13:41:00.000-07:00

Aaron is nine! And Aaron is the biggest Lakers fan in town! Happy Birthday Aaron, I know you had a fantastic day!

Love

2010-03-29T21:37:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't love a sleeping baby! Grandma Pam and Addison are two beautiful members of my family. Addison is about to be a year old. These photos were taken last summer when Addison was about three months old at Kelleys Island, OH.

Brunch

2010-03-27T21:11:00.000-07:00

Brunch just became the most important and stylish meal of the day. If only we could do it everyday!

Loft

2010-03-27T21:04:00.000-07:00

My boss, Kelly Haeseker, asked me to photograph the loft she designed before she moved last year and I was very excited to do so. Kelly is a fabulous Modern Interior Designer in Santa Barbara and this was one of her many beautiful works of art. Take a look.

Party

2010-03-27T00:51:00.000-07:00

I recently photographed a private party at one of the most beautiful homes I have ever seen. Here's a taste of the food and view. Enjoy.

Mom

2009-06-14T20:57:00.001-07:00

This is my beautiful mom and I before a James Otto and Lonestar Concert at the kickoff of the festival. We had ourselves a wonderful time, as usual for us!

Balloons

2009-06-14T20:50:00.001-07:00

My mom and I went to the Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival this past week and it was awesome. They do balloons lift at sunrise and it was so beautiful over all the vineyards. I recommend this day trip to anyone in Southern California!

Famished

2009-05-17T23:18:00.000-07:00

So on my first day in New Orleans I'm sure my friends' friends' thought I was crazy snapping away at the breakfast table, but in reality i was simply famished!

Beads

2009-05-17T23:16:00.000-07:00

More beads! Pretty impossible to go anywhere without seeing them. i liked it

Church

2009-05-17T23:13:00.000-07:00

I thought this building was beautiful! I know its a landmark, but from the blue skies, the huge courtyard and the symmetrical surrounding i just loved the whole package.

Nina and Hugh

2009-05-17T23:09:00.001-07:00

This is my lovely friend Nina and her boyfriend Hugh. On our venture through the French Quarter where they are moving too I couldn't help but be completely enamored which all the houses and charm. This house was one of my favorites! The color is happy, the windows, doors and shutters are charming and the steps are classic!

Tulane

2009-05-17T22:55:00.000-07:00

So my good friend Nina is about to graduate from Tulane University which brought about my whole adventure, but she took a day or two to show my this beautiful campus and all the greatness of what a university should be.

Throughout the campus there were these huge art pieces...i found myself plenty entertained by them.

I was exceptionally entertained by the thousands of beads in the trees. Clearly it's just part the town and the tradition.

Graveyard

2009-05-17T22:47:00.001-07:00

So of all the people i asked, everyone said the graveyards were something to checkout in New Orleans. They were pretty awesome and if you don't know the story, here goes...they are all above ground. Every one of them. As eerie as it sounds it was amazingly cool, calm and relaxing. (However coming across one that was cracked or split, i couldn't help but think of that movie 'Now and Then' that i watched a hundred times when i was little.) Wouldn't wonder around after dark, but on a warm sunday afternoon, it was a lovely stroll through the graveyard.

Hurricane

2009-05-17T21:53:00.001-07:00

These homes were originally steamboats, that were permanently docked and planted on ground for the conductors to live in! I found them very interested loved that they decked themselves in pearls to forever be glamorous! They were hit by hurricane Katrina and reside in the same neighborhood as the homes below, but because of the history and landmark status they were given all the means to rise back up and look the way they do.

This is the lower ninth ward of New Orleans, LA. They are just one of the communities that was seriously devastated by Hurricane Katrina back in August 2005. The streets are abandoned and there are hundreds of reminders that this neighborhood is not what it used to be. House after house is empty, thirsty for life but without the strength. It was incredibly surreal. This community is desperately trying to return and rebuild. Finding the few that have returned was like a needle in a haystack, but they all had warm smiles for me, the obvious stranger. Here i wondered through the open houses and found myself for every bit grateful for the floor that remians, every lightbulb that is lit and sock i have to wear.

So these are the all-green houses Brad Pitt started building to help the families return to the neighborhoods, however it's been four years since the devastation occurred and only one is complete, which another half finished on a vacant lot.

Majority of the houses are still abandoned. Completely gutted. The families came through to salvage what could be done, but most don't have the financial ability to rebuild. It simply isn't an option, and if not financially, not literally because their home were so badly ruined.

Some things have returned. They've overgrown and taken over the yards; between the cracks the small buds are blooming.

I was told the markings, like the one below are from when the authorities came through the neighborhoods. One number says if any survivors were found, another for anyone that was found that didn't survive, the date and then their initials. This is spray painted on all the homes in the area, even still. Very few people have returned to living there, as hard as they are trying, but even if they did salvage their home, this reminder is still spray painted on their bricks next to their door...or on their door.

Anat, Nina, Emma

2009-05-17T21:48:00.000-07:00

This is my oldfriend Nina, her roommate Anat and me at a recent show in New Orleans...what a great night!

Storm

2008-12-25T16:43:00.000-08:00

Christmas eve brought some amazing storm clouds through Murrieta this year, and some fresh powder up on Big Bear.

Blessings

2008-12-24T23:26:00.000-08:00

These are the lovely Valerdez kids. Mom wanted to catch up on some important photo opps. With babes this cute how could I resist!

Burned

2008-12-24T23:11:00.000-08:00

The Santa Barbara Tea fire was a huge devastation for our community. The fire burned out of control for about four days and burned more than 200 homes.

Intro

2008-12-09T19:04:00.000-08:00

Hi I'm Emmalee

I like to take pictures, mainly of architecture, but people, places and things always work too. I'm working to get myself out there, to be photographing what I actually want to photograph. So let's see what happens.