Christmas Ideas

I know it is too late to help this year, but I am one of those people that stresses out about what to get everyone. Over the years, I have found some really unique sites with fun ideas for family and friends, so I thought I would share. If you have other ideas, please feel free to add them in the comments, I love to find new places.

This site takes things that are unique to you or your family (names, places, cars, birth dates, etc) and incorporates them into a custom print. I loved this company and it was a fun unique gift... http://www.yourmemorylane.com/

Great grandma loves chocolates...so the kids picked out some that were sooo cute at this site... http://www.burdickchocolate.com/

I love this site as well...all kinds of things http://www.redenvelope.com/

One year we had family trees made for the grandparents...this is a neat idea too...http://www.BirthstoneTree.com

Please let me know if you have found a unique idea...I am quickly running out each year:) Hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season. I look forward to seeing lots of you in 2008!

A few recents...

I cannot believe that Christmas has snuck up so fast. Time just seems to fly by. I have had a few recents sessions that were so sweet and I thought I would just share a few. When you have a session with a 5 year old, a 3 year old, and twins that are under a year, the planets need to align just right:) Well, they did...the session was actually a breeze and we even got the elusive group shot:)

We followed that up with a baby that just learned to crawl and he was a piece of cake too. Someone must be looking out for me and growing tummy and not making me work so hard:)

Whew!

It is almost over...the crazy Christmas rush. I know a lot of you still have orders to pick up, but I think all of our sessions for Christmas have already taken place and we are in good shape! I want to get some news out there before I forget!
*****January Canvas Sale!*****
All sessions that take place in January are eligible for 20% off of all canvas orders. This went over HUGE last year, so I wanted to repeat it this year. If you have been wanting canvas, now is the time to book the appointment.
~~~Maternity Leave~~
I will be taking maternity leave all of February and March. I will still take limited maternity and newborn sessions during that time, so please feel free to try me for those types of sessions. I am booking January, and already have several bookings for April, so plan ahead to get the spot you want.

And just because...here are a few recent sessions.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

in October:) I love seeing all the kiddos. I saw this little one last when she was just a few days old. She is getting soooo big!

It is getting CRAZY...

It always does this time of year...for everyone. I had tons of sessions last week, and lots of cuties. Just adding some recent images. One of a GQ little one year old and another of a darling 3 year old...I am so lucky, the kiddos have been good to me:)

Clothes.

I loved this session. It was so much fun and mom brought the best clothes. I think bringing fun and trendy clothes makes the session more fun for the kiddos and for me:) We got such great variety and got the see their personalities shining through. Don't be afraid to bring a few things and a few fun and funky items, it can really make the shoot:)

So stinkin cute!

This little girl is such a cutie (and a trooper, I might add). She was so good during the whole session. Makes me just want to grab those cheeks:)

For those with upcoming sessions...we finally have Fall weather (for a day or two anyway), so bring layers, hats, and accessories, if you like. It makes the session a lot of fun, and textures photograph so beautifully.

More news....I will be at Westlake Presbyterian's Holiday Collectibles on November 2nd and 3rd...drop by and say hi. There are lots of wonderful vendors this year (as always)!

Sweet little 17 month old

I am a mom...and believe it or not, I get frazzled when I am shooting my own kiddos. I get frustrated even. So...I know how it must feel to be the mom at one of my sessions. I know sometimes it feels like we aren't getting anything. I cannot tell you how many times parents have come to the previews and said..."I cannot believe you got these shots!" So, with that said, try not to worry if the kids are being kids, or if their hair is out of place...99% of the time, we still get the shots we love.

This little guy is such a doll...look at those eyes. He gave me a run for my money (as 17 month olds tend to do:)) Mom, rolled with everything and I think she will be very happy with all we got!

Three boys...

My husband grew up with three boys in the house, but I can only imagine the excitement each day:) The boys did great, and I know mom is worried. Mom's are always worried...but they are so cute, how could the pictures not be adorable?

I have a spot!!!

I just had a spot open up for October, if you would like it, or have called and been told that I am booked....call me asap, and I can squeeze one more appointment in:)

Only Three

...but she seems like such a big girl. She did such a great job today, and sometimes 3 year olds have a hard time:) And Mom, don't worry, I got some of little brother too!!!

Siblings

Those sibling shots are so hard to come by, but this one just makes me smile...

Cute little newborn...

She was just adorable, and slept the ENTIRE session:) I can't wait for you to see the rest mom and dad, she is just beautiful:)

We are on the beach...

and it is so nice! Everytime I come back, I am reminded why I love it here so much. We are actually relaxing and having fun. I am still checking email and voicemail, but email is the best way to get in touch this week. I have 4 sessions still available in October and 2 or 3 in November, and then we will be booked completely for Christmas. If you are still wanting a session in time for Christmas, now is the time to book:)

Matilda Jane Trunk Show

I will be hosting a Matilda Jane Trunk show on October 6th. The clothes are so cute, and it will be a fun time! If you are interested in more information, please email me for details. One of mine in a Matilda Jane outfit:) By the way...these are great clothes for photo sessions...the sizes are 6 months-12 years...and a few grown up outfits too:)

And The Winner Is...

Image A. Thanks so much to all who voted and congratulations to my winning family:)

Tag! I'm it....

The photography community is HUGE, but also small in a lot of ways. There is a little game going around and I have been tagged by the wonderful photographer...Michelle Carr. The game is to post 8 random facts about myself and then tag 8 other photographers to share about themselves. Sooo, here we go...
1. I eat a McDonald's biscuit and a large diet coke every morning Monday-Friday. My day is really off without it.
2. I held hands with George Strait at a concert while he sang So Good In Love:)
3. When I was 5, I carried the Flag in the Pancake Day Parade (you may have to google that).
4. I am a HUGE Kansas State fan.
5. Tulips are my favorite flowers.
6. I have been a vegetarian for 20 years...(my criteria involves not eating anything with eyes or blood). I can still cook a mean steak...( I think...I have never tasted it)
7. I have been married 12 years.
8. My favorite color to wear is black, although my husband will tell me everytime that I am a "warm" and should be wearing brown.

I am now tagging.....
Dawn Sela
Susan Braswell
Images of Grace Photography
NicholeV Photography

More later...

Every Daddy Needs a Girl:)

Most of them do anyway:) I absolutely love this one...just had to share.

A Contest

I decided to add an image to the splash page of my website (the first page you see when you visit)...and to run a little contest to help me pick which one! The winner will receive one free standard session and an 8X10 mounted canvas. The contest will run through September 7th, so get out there and vote! (Only one vote per computer). I love so many images from the past few months, so I had a photographer friend help me narrow it down. Good luck to everyone!
A)

B)

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E)

F)

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H)

I)

J)

Which image would you like to see on my splash page?
	A
	B
	C
	D
	E
	F
	G
	H
	I
	J
Free polls from Pollhost.com

Christmas Sessions

If you haven't booked your session yet, now is the time. I am almost booked up for October and November, but I still have quite a few options available in September. Hope everyone has a GREAT first day of school.

Newborns...

They are a different breed. We are on their schedule and they are oblivious to ours. That is just how it works:) I think mom and dad were a little worried. I got this feeling when they asked if I had ever had a baby that I couldn't get ANY pictures of...I told them no, and I think they will agree that the statement remains true:) She is a doll. Congratulations!

A cold front...

...just kidding. These kiddos are in Austin and it was HOT. We have had nothing but overcast cloudy days and when we wanted to "pretend" it was fall for a few minutes, we were drenched in sweat. It was worth it because they are super cute. I had a great time with all of you:) How much cuteness can one family get?!?

My Charlie Rocket Babies...

They all did sooo good. It was just amazing. If you haven't seen the clothes, they are super cute and are even sold at Babes and Buckaroos. You can also find them very soon at Babycenter.com (you might even see these little guys wearing them on the site:))

Also, the Matilda Jane catalog is online...several of my clients are featured wearing the amazing clothes. I will be hosting a trunk show October 6...drop me an email if you are interested in coming!
Until next time:)

Little Ones

When you know you have a session with 3 kiddos that are 5 and under, you know it is going to be a little bit tough. That is totally ok, because they are kids...I expect it. I do have to say though...when I get suprised by 3 like these, who do everything I ask...I don't complain:) It was really quite amazing. Kids that little are supposed to run from me:) Anyway, mom it was pleasure! Perfect models and cuties to boot...

Do they make them more perfect?

I am kinda doubting it. A big thanks to mom and dad for toughing it out during a long, HOT, session. I should probably prepare my newborn parents for the temperature in the studio when we shoot newborns, but I don't...and they made it:) Isn't she gorgeous??? Congrats!

Commercial Work:)

It has been a crazy busy couple of weeks, but a lot of fun too. I am in the process of shooting 3 clothing lines. I am done with 2 of them. If you are pregnant...check out
http://www.rockstarmoms.com
Here are a few images from the line (thanks sooo much to my beautiful models!)



And....the girls line. It is called Matilda Jane and it is awesome. For those interested in the clothing, I will host a trunk show in October, and will post info here, so be on the look out. Again, thanks to my wonderful models.





And finally, we will be shooting for Charlie Rocket at the end of this week. They are one of my FAVORITE boys lines. They carry the line at Babes and Buckaroos if you are interested. I will post those images next week. Until next time....