Frames are comin' your way!!

So there's this dilemma when I sell someone a stellar image (or 2 or 5)... What POS kind of frame are they going to put that in!?! YES! I really think this! (Rude, maybe...) Or: Are my clients going to even frame it at all? This worries me! We've taken the time to have a great session, edit, proof, order, wrap and deliver.... Well... Then what? Well, if you DO decide to have it framed, more than likely you're going to head to ANOTHER town and yet another distributor when your photographer should be assisting you with these things! N'est pas?

So, at a seminar I recently attending, The Tots 2 Teens Tour by Sandy Puc', I met up with some reps from the framing company (that I have an account with and never took that next step) and was sold. Lock. Stock. Barrel. Now your images will have a splendid home and I don't have to panic over what's happening with them!

Ok, so I'm finally getting my ducks in a row and offering framing. I'll keep you posted and play Show & Tell when my frame and mat samples come in... ALONG with some stellar wall display examples... I so can't wait! I used this image of a darling baby as an example... trust me, these'll knock your socks off, and to make it even sweeter : I can also provide you with a sample of what your wall could look like. With the mats you choose. With the frames you love. With the design all set in place. How awesome.

If you've got a Princess....

Call me and we can have a TuTu party! Fluff and frill, fun and sass, some of these are just so stinking cute! I'm working on my collection to offer a variety, but I can always use models!!

This is the FASTEST photography on the block, trying to get Lilly to sit. NOT to mention that she hates having anything near her head, let alone the head bands, ponies, piggies and whatnot... (insert pouting here)... SO!
Her expression above is priceless... Oh Lord, she's like that every day! Definitely NOT shy!

My First Baby Portrait Plan 'Baby' is 2!

I can't hardly believe that this much time has gone by. How great it is to watch them grow! BUT, that only means that my Lilly is not far behind in the game since they're only 5 months apart! I'm not ready for that! Here's a sneak at her visit...AAAND.... What would it be like if we didn't have a little attitude along the way? :) Love it.

Newborn Baby Goodness...

So I needed to try out a few things why they were in my head, and since I didn't have a newborn scheduled right... uhm... NOW... I volunteered a freebie session. Always works! No duh, huh?

Our session was short and sweet... Well, if you don't count the poops and pees and hunger pangs... But what's a baby to do when momma and some crazy photographer lady have you all undressed and putting you in a basket like Moses and stuff... But I digress. The method behind the madness was that it is SO important for a newborn session to be when the baby is still a newborn. Sounds simple enough huh? This phase of 'baby' doesn't last long where they are still very sleepy and are great at being a contortionist because they like to be snuggled tight and curled up. This is VERY important.

Ok, enough with the speech. If you call me for a newborn session, let's have it be within the first 2 weeks of life for all who are concerned, ok? Ok!

Here's a sneak at a few from yesterday that I can't BEGIN to tell you how much I love them!I can't decide if I like the color or the brown tones more... SO! I posted both. Because I can.PS: You should always keep an eye out on here.... or add me as 'friend' on Facebook because every once in a while I need a model and you could get a freebie session out of the deal... Awesome!

Happy Earth Day!!!

Here's to wishing everyone a great day! To make our world even a little bit better, try to do something you maybe haven't done before.... Recycle just 1 water bottle or soda can to keep it out of a landfill. Shut the lights out when you leave the room. Turn your computer off in the evening when you're done using it. Use a reusable bag to haul groceries home in.

All these things and countless others help save energy (and for the frugal among us.. $MONEY$)

If you're real ambitious, plant a tree! Your favorite greenhouses and nursery's are getting stocked up for the season and the earlier you go, the better selection you get.AAANNND, I couldn't resist putting up a pic of my FAVE place to shop for recycled things... The FLEA MARKET! Love it!

Babies turn into Big Girls... Another 1 Year Old!

Remember this teensy little babe???Little Miss A came to visit for her 1 year old expressions, poses and unbelievably gorgeous blue eyes... Wow. She is quite the character and such a cutie! She and Lilly resemble each other (they are related after all) and between their blond hair, blue eyes and all the grunt-speak that they were doing, it was quite entertaining! Here's a sneak peek!

Canvas Cravings are a Good Thing!

Here is a photo that I'm entering in a contest because as I was processing these images I NEW that I absolutely had to have a canvas of one of these shots... SO! To find a contest where I could actually WIN a canvas is the most perfect situation!! Love it!

I am entering this photo in the MCP Actions/Color Inc. Win a Gallery Wrap Canvas Photo Contest at http://mcpactions.com/blog. I certify that I took this photo and give both parties permission to use this photograph on their blogs/sites.

Attention Class of 2009!!

Don't forget to give me a holler for those Senior Open House Cards & Graduation Announcements... let's get those wallets ordered for last minute giveaways too!

It'll be here before you know it.

Adam & Nikki (the ENGAGEMENT)

SO! I gotta get my wedding 'head' back on because it's been tucked away in storage for a few months... Oh sure, I've been oogling the magazines and staying afloat on the blogs I love so much... But actually getting some live bodies is nice! Especially when they're over the age of, oh.... say.... 4. Yeah. Lots of kids and babes lately! (which is GREAT!) just not lots of big kids.

Nikki & Adam are getting married next month, and the way the weather has been around here... Anything goes! I could be wearing my bikini. Uhm. N-O-T... or I could be wearing my parka.... I'm hoping for some middle ground there, but you get my drift!

Anyway ~ here's a little sneak at our adventures....

1 Year Old!! Plus a few months...

There's never a wrong time to get some great portraits taken... enough said. Here's a sneak peek of this little beauty who had the cutest clothes! We managed to get Mom's favorite outfits in before the newness wore off the sitting 'nice'!!! Love it. Toddlers are the best because they're soooo expressive!

*TIP* Moms often ask how many outfit changes to bring for the kiddos...
My reply? As many as you want. Why?? Because I know that after 3 the kids will be sick of that and done. But it assures us that you don't have any regrets over outfits you should have brought but didn't or any last minute changes in mind. It's no big deal! I'm not going anywhere!!

Thoughts of the day...

So I'm sitting here at my computer putting in orders, booking a few sessions here and there... looking at my calendar and realizing that it's VERY empty. I have babies and toddlers and a few older kids... but no families!!! OK self ~ time for a new plan...

Last summer was my attempt to start a tradition that I would only hope that others feel they should follow. In this day and age, people are farther away from home and hectic lifestyles set in... so I called a family friend (who also is a photographer) to capture our crazy, happy lives and the rest is history... I hope that we can do this every year as our family grows (older!!) and appreciate having ALL of us in the same picture!

My memories of family photos were MANY moons ago as a child, and then later on when I was about 19 for a church book! How depressing! Even with all the family vacations and bonfires and fishing trips and outdoor activities, there aren't many photos of our whole family together. Those would mean a whole lot more to me because of my father passing away suddenly at an age where he should be enjoying his grand kids and living life to the fullest.

Not to be morbid or anything, but for the sake of a memory... looking back and reliving those wonderful moments.

I urge you all to find some time to set aside and be a family. In front of the camera! Together! Not only will you have beautiful images to make you laugh and maybe even cry! but you'll also have them to pass on to the next generation, too. Don't be so busy that one day your family is grown and moved away and the one thing you're relying on to remember the past is fading also... (your brain!) Have some portraits taken and keep the memories alive.

You can never have too many of these 'memories' lying around... They're all wonderful!

Mother's Day is right around the bend!

Take a looksy at some of these adorable ideas for that lucky person in your life. Some are only limited by your imagination, as you can add as many charms as you want... Please contact Amanda soon for confirmation that your item is available (hotness = backorder). So, what are you waiting for? Order deadline is April 17th in order to have them by Mother's Day, which is May 10!So, yer not a momma with babies?? Well, you're probably still a HOT MOMMA! Why not get this awesometacular necklace as a reminder of your super sexy engagement session, or a favorite wedding image? Heck, put your dog in there! There's no wrong way to do jewelry.
My ultimate fave, something you can start with 1 or 2 charms and add as you go, or as your family grows. I just ordered a NEW charm with our recent family picture and still have lotsa room for more...

APRIL FOOL'S!!!!

Ok, so those of us who enjoy Spring in the already predesignated months of the year... this isn't so great. Pretty! Yes, of course! But not when you have seedlings started and are ready to spend the summer months outside... not so much! Here is a lovely view out my front door. Thank goodness for wide angle lenses, huh? :) (Those two little 'dots' towards the bottom are my 16" round flower pots spaced 6' apart on the STEPS to the deck...) yeah, didn't think you'd pick that up!...and the back yard shot through the screen door (and NO, we don't have a deck out there yet...)