Christel King Photography

Sexy is a state of mind. It is: Confidence. Strength. Sass. Wisdom.... Timeless. Age-less. Size-less. See more

Don’t forget to treat yourself to a gift as well. @lucysboudoir not only has a beautiful selection, but they will properly measure and fit you. I swear it is life changing! If you’re not sure what to buy for your boudoir session, I’ll meet you there to style you and help you choose what best works for your body type and vision for your upcoming shoot. #Boudoir #boudoirphotography #treatyourself #locallyownedandoperated #womensupportingwomen #womeninbusiness #womenownedsmallbusiness #bebeautiful

He is such a cool little dude. Too bad Uncle ‘Oven’ is about to begin the family series of PTSD. Start’em young, I guess

I met Amy thru work and MADE her become my friend. Yeah, I’m like that. I don’t know how to do those work professional boundaries. Years and different jobs later, she’s a super wife and mom so now I make her come into my studio to try out new things or text her at weird hours because we have the same sleep habits. So, in my roundabout way of storytelling...you’ve been forewarned. You’re about to become my friend.

Don’t let a roll or wrinkle overshadow your accomplishments and ability. Your beauty mark is your wisdom strength, your journey. Trust me, they only enhance your hotness. #thisis55 #boudoir #boudoirphotography #portraitphotography #portraitphotographer

Truth be told, in-home family sessions are one of my fav to shoot. These images not only spark stories and inside jokes, but also the feelings and closeness that only members of that family can immediately recognize and experience over and over again. As a mom with grown children, I wish I had taken up photography sooner or had found someone to do this when the kids were still little.

When you hear their story, it’s an amazing reminder how every day is a precious gift.

What a year from being furloughed from my job of 26 years to slow process of recovering from covid. With such hardship happening around all around us, it’s so easy to spot the glimpses of hope and humanity, and random acts of kindness. I am so grateful for each of you and your continued support and love. The referrals and kind words you have spoken about my work and business have been overwhelming. It’s made the transition to full-time photographer less daunting. Thank y...ou for holding my hand. Let’s continue to rise up together. Imagine all the possibilities and dreams we can accomplish in 2021 #riseup #grateful# #gratefulheart #photographer #supportsmallbusiness #smallbusinessowner #womeninbusiness #womenownedbusiness #portraitphotographer #familyphotographer #boudoirphotographer

This sweet couple tied the knot today in a beautiful, intimate ceremony, surrounded with the love and laughter of immediate family. I may or may not have teared up a few times.

I’ve known these two for a few years now. My heart breaks for the year they’ve had to endure. Yet, thru it all, they’ve become closer, stronger, and more in love. More resilient. An example of strength and hope. - As a photographer, I’m privy to experience a lot of real life stages and private moments in my clients lives. They become my peeps and it’s hard not to love each one of them for sharing their openness, vulnerability and candor with me. I’m so thankful they entrus...t me with these memories. ‘Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things’. #love #familyphotography #loveendures #familyphotographer

I’ve been trying to figure out how best to describe or convey my brand, style, and intent of my work. So here goes... My work is an artful translation of your life. Each shoot is designed to empower you. It is my goal that you see and celebrate your true strength and beauty rather than focus on the imperfections. #branding #personalbranding #branddevelopment #portraitphotography #portraitphotographer #portrait #travelingphotographer #empoweringwomen #womenemporweringwomen

Like all things in 2020, I had to do things a little differently for my son’s birthday. Thanks to everyone who quickly sent in HBD video wishes and helped me pull this off. Wish I could've included everyone in our village....There's so many great peeps who have helped shape his life.

Before welcoming a new addition to their family, this couple wanted me to capture a few moments to celebrate, honor and cherish their time with their first born. #familytime #familyphotography #familyphotographer #familyiseverything #documentyourdays

Been traveling and expanding my client base lately. Tempe, you have some glorious light and some beautiful peeps. #seniorportraits #seniorphotos #seniorpictures #seniorszn #senioryear #senior #classof2021 #cdshsclasof2021 #travelingphotographer #portraitphotography #portraitphotographer #parkour

Be your own reason to smile. Happy 55th to this dime #boudoir #boudoirphotographer #portraitphotographer #portrait #portraitphotography #womensportraiture #portraiture #womensupportingwomeninbusiness #womensupportingwomen #womensportraits #longbeachphotographer #lbcphotographer #socalphotographer #studiosession #studiophotography #bebeautiful

My toughest clients aren’t necessarily hard or difficult to photograph. They’re the ones that just don’t see their beauty. ...and once I can convince and show them what I see, then they become my fav clients #portraitphotographer #portrait #portraitphotography #longbeachphotographer #lbcphotographer #socalphotographer #studiosession #studiophotography

You do not need to believe in magic. You are MAGIC. Believe in yourself. #boudoir #boudoirphotographer #portraitphotographer #portrait #portraitphotography #womensportraiture #portraiture #womensupportingwomeninbusiness #womensupportingwomen #womensportraits #longbeachphotographer #lbcphotographer #socalphotographer #studiosession #studiophotography #bebeautiful

No more shrinking for the comfort of others. Who you are is perfect. #portraitphotographer #portrait #portraitphotography #womensportraiture #portraiture #womensupportingwomeninbusiness #womensupportingwomen #womensportraits #longbeachphotographer #lbcphotographer #socalphotographer #studiosession #studiophotography #bebeautiful

As a woman, you take on many personas and roles that you tend to forget your original one. Remember to let ‘her’ out once in awhile. Remind her that she’s beautiful. She’s fun. She’s wild. She’s sexy. But most of all, remind her that she is loved. #boudoir #boudoirphotographer #bebeautiful

This beauty graced my studio today and this pic pretty much sums up how our session went. My abs are seriously sore from laughing so much. #portraitphotographer #portrait #portraitphotography #longbeachphotographer #lbcphotographer #socalphotographer #studiosession #studiophotography

There are different flavors of sexiness. Let’s be clear...It’s not a state of undress, but more so an unapologetic attitude and level of self-confidence. Learning to define it and the art of exuding it starts with your decision to be confident and comfortable in your own skin. Ladies, no matter what stage you’re at, it’s time. Time to learn it, own it, or let it resurface (again).

I describe my reSurface portrait sessions as ‘love letters’ to yourself. Before the session, I ask these women to tell me the things they love and celebrate about themselves NOW. I find this important to do because of if they don’t know or recognize it, how will others? If you were to write a love letter to yourself, what would you say?

Staging the loft space in the studio for boudoir sessions. Stay tuned...

This man holds my heart. From the very start he has marched to the beat of his own drum and given me the run for my money every step of the way. Love the man you’ve become. #nationalsonsday

This woman has kept me on my toes and taught me more lessons than I could ever learn from a book. #nationaldaughtersday

Couldn’t think of a better person for the last summer session in the books. I wanted to make sure she had a beautiful, fun, and relaxing experience before the new school year kicked off this week with distance learning. Wendy is a HS teacher and like other Teachers across America, they’ve had to scramble and learn a whole new skill set and style of teaching due covid-19. Whatever your stance is on this issue, please don’t take it out on the teachers. They, like everyone e...lse are adjusting and trying to make it all work. #portraitphotography #lbcportraitphotographer #portraitphotographer

I’m so grateful for when clients take the time to share their experience. BRB...crying

On the day of the shoot, Kathy shared with me that her daughter Olivia was nervous and worried about not smiling nice. For all clients, it is completely normal to feel this way. And I’ll share a little secret. That’s my job to coach and guide you thru it. I promise you will not only look and feel amazing, but you have absolutely fun doing it. #quinceanerashoot #15anos #15yearsold #birthdayshoot #birthdayphotoshoot #doubledigits #10yearsold #lbcphotographer #destinationphotographer #socalportraitphotographer #portraitphotographer #portraitphotography #portraitphotographer #lifestylephotographer #beachphotoshoot #beachphotography #beachphotographer #supportsmallbusiness #lifeasweknowit #storyteller #naturalbeauty #goldenhour #discoveryourbeauty MUA: @virgo_mua

Met up with my long time friend Lisa and her hubby Jeff to capture these adorable images for their daughter’s 10th birthday. I was there for moral support but I couldn’t resist snapping a few images myself. Sometimes the hardest part of a shoot is just waiting until it’s ok to reveal the images. Lisa is a budding photographer with an great eye for composition. Excited to watch her talent as it develops and grows.

16 candles for this sweet girl. Thank you for letting me capture this moment for you

This sweet dad drove all the way from Arizona to treat his daughter and her friends a beach day and a surprise photoshoot for her 16th birthday. Car parades are cool and all, but birthday shoots are the rage right now. Happy Sweet 16, Amber #birthdayshoot #sweet16 #destinationphotographer #socalportraitphotographer #portraitphotographer

Class of 2020 has had some serious obstacles, but Marhiyana has managed to take things in stride and make it happen, regardless.

Ready to get back at it. Just waiting for my the rest of my body to cooperate.

Wind blown hair and sun kissed golden skin. Every woman needs to have at least one portrait session on the beach during the golden hour in her lifetime. It doesn’t matter what at age you are. That lighting is pure magic.

Parenthood is hard as hell but also one of the most magical times of your life. Long, sleepless nights rewarded with a sleepy smile or toothless grin. So many milestones occur in each short year that you finally understand why life happens faster than you realize. Make sure you capture and preserve these moments. Every child needs to see and know how much they’re loved. These stories last a lifetime. ... These are snippets of my sweet little nugget of a grandson’s first year of life. Thank you @kingaddison_ and @jacobabbe_54 for this amazing and precious little man.

It’s easy to see how much Shea’s parents adore her. But more importantly, that she sees it too. #grad #seniorpics #seniorpictures #classof2020

Today was a good day. Each day feels like another step towards normalcy. I had a long 6hr video chat with my girlfriends, some new kitchen supplies arrived, and my sense of taste and appetite are returning. So I’m finishing the day in the courtyard with the first glass of wine I’ve had in 3 weeks since being hit with covid. #quarantine #covid19 #recoverfromcovid19 #grateful #lbcphotographer #socalphotographer #lifeasiknowit

After seeing first hand how this virus affects each person differently, my son has been hesitant about coming out of isolation. #covid19 #coronavirus #socialdistancing #wearamask #weareinthistogether

A little over two weeks ago, my son and I tested positive for Covid and were hit with the whole gamut of symptoms. Despite being in pretty bad shape, we are so thankful we weren’t hospitalized. I finally feel like I’m on the mend. My O2 levels are steady. The dizziness and headaches are nearly gone. I am still really fatigued, needing to rest if I get up and do too much of my normal routine. I was able to sit up for couple of hours and work on some editing, which made me h...appy. Evan is feeling stronger everyday. In total King fashion, he was able to wash his car and take on a little drive and get some fresh air. Amazingly, after being in the house with Evan and me in the thick of all the symptoms and illness, Steve’s test results came back NEGATIVE and my parents remain safe in our guest house. While we’re feeling better and can come out of quarantine in the next few days, both Evan and I feel we’re not ready to venture out completely. After experiencing what we did the last couple of weeks, it amazes us that people politicize this rather than treat it as a health and humanity issue and do not comprehend the severity of this. I can’t express enough the importance of wearing masks, maintaining social distances, and sanitizing/washing your hands. Keep healthy and stay safe

I love watching a client’s shyness melt away as the shoot progresses. It tells me that she’s comfortable and trusts me. That is one of the best feelings and why I love love love what i do.

Don’t you just love when family portraits aren’t so portrait-y? . . . #familyportraits #familyportraitphotographer #brothers #lbcphotographer #socalphotographer #sealbeachphotographer #familyportrait #familyphotography #familyphotographer

Shy but determined. Complex but uncomplicated. Stylish, yet understated...The many layers of Shea. . .... . #classof2020 #seniorpics #gradpics #graduation #portraitphotography #portraitphotographer #supportsmallbusiness #senioryear #seniorportraits #riseup #riseabove #lifeasweknowit #seniorpictures #lbcphotographer #socalphotographer #storyteller #sfsu #collegebound #stjosephshighschool See more

Sometimes sexy is subtle. sophisticated. simple. straightforward. . . . Model: @katherinemanoogian ... MUA: @virgo_mua #portraitphotography #socalphotographer #portraitphotographer #longbeachphotographer #lbcphotographer See more

Eventually you’re going to want proof that you were smoking hot when you were in your 20’s. Seriously. Trust me. . . . Model: @katherinemanoogian ... MUA: @virgo_mua #portraitphotography #socalphotographer #portraitphotographer #longbeachphotographer #lbcphotographer See more

My goal is that your shoot goes beyond the two hour session in front of my camera. That you begin to see yourself in a new way. That you begin or continue your journey of self love. That you see your beauty instead of flaws. That you can indeed take a fine ass picture, you just needed me to hold your hand. . Model @katherinemanoogian MUA: @virgo_mua . #portraitphotographer #portrait #portraitphotography #longbeachphotographer #lbcphotographer

Looking back with all smiles and no regrets. . . . . .... . . . #classof2020 #seniorpics #gradpics #graduation #portraitphotography #portraitphotographer #supportsmallbusiness #senioryear #seniorportraits #riseup #riseabove #lifeasweknowit #seniorpictures #lbcphotographer #socalphotographer #storyteller #lahs #lahsclassof2020 #docmartens #drmartens See more

When you tell me you don’t look good in pictures, I feel compelled to prove you so wrong...in the most loving way possible. . . . .... #universityofcaliforniariverside #classof2020 #collegegraduation #collegegraduate #collegegrad #gradpics #graduation #collegeathlete #volleyballplayer #collegevolleyball #portraitphotography #portraitphotographer #supportsmallbusiness #senioryear #seniorportraits #riseup #riseabove #lifeasweknowit #seniorpictures #lbcphotographer #socalphotographer #storyteller

Swoon. Amirite, ladies? . . . . . #universityofidaho #vandals #classof2020 #collegegraduation #collegegrad #gradpics #graduation #collegeathlete #footballplayer #collegefootball #portraitphotography #portraitphotographer #supportsmallbusiness #senioryear #seniorportraits #riseup #riseabove #lifeasweknowit #seniorpictures #lbcphotographer #socalphotographer #storyteller

The conversations that happen on these shoots are just as funnnn as the shoot itself. This beautiful girl had me in stitches. . . . .... . #classof2020 #seniorpics #gradpics #graduation #portraitphotography #portraitphotographer #supportsmallbusiness #senioryear #seniorportraits #riseup #riseabove #lifeasweknowit #seniorpictures #lbcphotographer #socalphotographer #storyteller #lahs #lahsclassof2020 See more

Her happiness is so contagious. . . . #longbeachpoly #jackrabbit #classof2020 #seniorpics #gradpics #graduation #portraitphotography #portraitphotographer #supportsmallbusiness #senioryear #seniorportraits #riseup #riseabove #lifeasweknowit #seniorpictures #lbcphotographer #socalphotographer #storyteller #ucla #uclabound

Her smile is as big and bright as the sun . . .... #longbeachpoly #jackrabbit #classof2020 #seniorpics #gradpics #graduation #portraitphotography #portraitphotographer #supportsmallbusiness #senioryear #seniorportraits #riseup #riseabove #lifeasweknowit #seniorpictures #lbcphotographer #socalphotographer #storyteller #wsu #gocougs #gocougars

Look the world straight in the eye. . . . #longbeachpoly #jackrabbit #classof2020 #seniorpics #gradpics #graduation #portraitphotography #portraitphotographer #supportsmallbusiness #senioryear #seniorportraits #riseup #riseabove #lifeasweknowit #seniorpictures #lbcphotographer #socalphotographer #storyteller #ucsb

Trust the magic of new beginnings. . . #millikanhighschool #classof2020 #seniorpics #gradpics #graduation #portraitphotography #portraitphotographer #supportsmallbusiness #senioryear #seniorportraits #riseup #riseabove #lifeasweknowit #seniorpictures #lbcphotographer #socalphotographer #storyteller

No caption needed.

That last glimpse of childhood . . #longbeachpoly #jackrabbit #millikanhighschool #classof2020 #seniorpics #gradpics #graduation #portraitphotography #portraitphotographer #supportsmallbusiness #senioryear #seniorportraits #riseup #riseabove #lifeasweknowit #emotionalphotography #seniorpictures #lbcphotographer #socalphotographer #storyteller

That’s the strut of success. This bevy of incredibly smart beauties ‘graduated’ today and moved their tassel to the left. . . #longbeachpoly #jackrabbit #millikanhighschool #classof2020 #seniorpics #gradpics #graduation #portraitphotography #portraitphotographer #supportsmallbusiness #senioryear #seniorportraits #riseup #riseabove #lifeasweknowit #emotionalphotography #seniorpictures #lbcphotographer #socalphotographer #storyteller

He’s ready to make a difference. . . #universityofredlands #collegegraduate #classof2020 #portraitphotography #portraitphotographer #supportsmallbusiness #senioryear #seniorpics #seniorportraits #riseup #riseabove #lifeasweknowit #emotionalphotography #seniorpictures #gradpics #lbcphotographer #socalphotographer #storyteller

This California beauty is soaking up the sun, sand, and sea before she heads off to college in the fall. . . #classof2020 #longbeachpoly #wsuclassof2024 #seniorpictures #gradpics #lbcphotographer #socalphotographer #storyteller

A little behind the scenes action from my team shoot with the LosAl HS Girls Volleyball team. Years ago, I reached out to the booster club president at the time and asked her to consider me for the team shoot. I was scared and nervous as all hell. It was my first big break outside of BMX. Years later, I still photograph the team every year. I've watched these girls grow up and navigate their high school journeys and shoot their HS senior and college Graduation portraits. I will forever be grateful for that opportunity and that they took a chance on me.

One of my fav 2019 grad sessions. It’s not too late to book a session for your 2020 graduate. Now more than ever it’s important cherish these moments

#blackouttuesday

I don’t recall boys looking like this in HS. There must be something in the water that turns them into men overnight. . . For Carson, I wanted a timeless look of cars and endless summer beach days with the boys....And hint of recklessness. He nailed it.