Deadlines

When I took my children's pictures last week, my main thought was on Christmas Cards. Now I was thinking of the Cook family Christmas Card, but I did realize that I need to get some deadlines out there so everyone knows what to expect for the holiday season.

Sessions done for Christmas reorders need to be taken by November 20, 2008

Christmas Reorders are due by November 30, 2008

The last sessions I can book for the year will be December 20, 2008

If you have any special requests or questions, please let me know soon, so we can get those dates on the calendar.
Well the pictures of my children are a slight sneak peek at our family Card this year. I didn't want to give away images from the card, so I am posting some of Adam's favorites. (Expect an unveiling of our Holiday after Thanksgiving) I debated about whether or not to put the first image on my blog. I know how sad they look, but I just couldn't take my eyes off the image. I keep thinking about words to describe it and I can't even do that. If anyone has any suggestions on how they would title the picture I would love to hear it. The other two pictures are to reassure everyone that it is possible to get heartwarming smiles from any child!

Rushing It

Normally when I take a photo session, my goal is to process the photo, and go through them and blog my favorites. Well, this wonderful couple is getting married the first of November, and she really wanted fall leaves. So we pushed having their engagement session until the last possible minute, and on September 20th, we had the session, and they had to make their final decision two days later so we could get everything done for the printer. So, in my rushing it (not the session, the processing) I didn't get to take the time to find my favorites. Well my opinion kind of changed as I went back and looked at the photos, and I decided I would share a little of everyone's favorites. So I love the first one, the mother of bride loves the second, and the bride loves the third. The one thing I love about every picture is that they tell a story about the two of them and how truly in love they are.

I am particulary fond of the bride, because she is my wonderful sister-in-law, who has always made me feel so much like a sister. Which leads me to thank my in laws for having me take the pictures. It is so fun to take pictures with people who trust me so much with such priceless memories. Thank you for everything. I know even with "Rushing It" The C family is going to have a remarkable wedding!

Say "CHEESE"

I have been thinking a lot about why we ever use the word CHEESE when it comes to getting our children to smile. I know I have had this conversation with other photographers, but I don't think anything could be funnier then a picture of a two year saying the word "Cheese." Even now I know you are saying it to yourself, or thinking of your child saying it, and your eyes are squinting and your mouth is abnormally wide, so why did this become the phrase to make our children smile? I am guilty of saying that I have even said it my own children, but now I wish I could put out a ban on first time parents teaching their kids "say cheese" to smile. Now that I have a rambled I will make my point. As a photographer, and as my many years of being a photographer's assistant I learned the best way to get a child to smile is to completely embarrass myself. That usually seems to work the best. With little H in our garden session I had a grape tomato on my head balancing, and as soon as I could not accomplish the task H thought that was hilarious! H has one of the most angelic faces, and I am completely jealous of her natural curly hair. Thank you so much H's mom for trusting me to take these pictures. Your little girl gets cuter every time I see her. and I love having the opportunity of taking her picture!

Garden Time

Wow! I was so excited to take these pictures. For a long time I went to the Garden Park Ward for pictures, and then they remodeled, and you have to make an appointment, and I understand how often you have to reschedule with kids. So now I have this nice garden to go to, and I so appreciate all the love and labor that went into it. It is the best place for small children, and smaller families. I love all the levels, which add great textures in pictures. The dress that little S wore is so adorable. The yellow and green look so great in the garden, and with her red hair! I am so glad we got to go to this garden, Thank you C for letting us use it, I know I will be calling you again! Also Thank you A family! You guys are the best and I love taking your pictures!

The Rebel and The Angel

I figure it is always fun to see what kind of "projects" I do outside of taking your family memories. Well when we go on vacation I pose my children. In fact Adam has challenged me not to pose the kids, and to just take candids, but I think the challenge is impossible. I absolutely love what I do, so I think my kids will forever be posed wherever we go. The nice thing is, it only makes me better with children, because I guarantee if I can get my own kids to listen to me, your children are easy and delightful to photograph! My challenge to everyone else is if they know who the angel really is and rebel is, some days I never know!

Wisconsin Dells

I always think that family pictures are wonderful, but completely entertaining. As I went back through the proofs it was like flipping through a comic strip. Each child had a different move to show for each picture. My son had his shirt up in one, and the next it was down and he was pouting because I am sure he had been reprimanded, and in the next one he is turned around completely asking his Dad for comfort. My challenge for this picture was making the colors look good. The color scheme we were given was Black, White, Red and Khaki pants. (if you wanted) It was fun to see how each family turned out using the colors, and I feel it was very appropriate, according to each family's personalities. Mostly I love this family, and I couldn't have married into a better one. Thanks to everyone for making it happen! Plus N family, thank you for organizing a great family reunion. I had no idea how much fun the Wisconsin Dells could be.

Boogie Woogie Piggie

I think the very best part of being a photographer and a mom is taking pictures of my kids. The only hard part is becoming completely biased thinking that there could be no cuter piggie on that stage. I did love how the sponge curlers paid off from the night before, because realistically, have you ever thought about pink piggies, and there have not been curly tails involved? It was great to take pictures of her completely in her girly element. The thing I was excited about was how fun designing the 3 composite pictures was. So in light of celebrating my excitement I thought these pictures of Em could bring in my own discount to share with all of you! The size is 3 5x7 next to each other, normally about $130, and if you order one from your session you get a discounted rate of 20% Don't you just love when I get excited?! The offer expires at the end of the 2008 holidays, so remember to take me up on it!

Bachelor 1, Bachelor 2, & Bacelor 3

Whenever I am at a family party or some social event, and I meet someone new and single, I automatically start playing matchmaker. I will turn to Adam and say, "Don't you think so and so would be great with so and so," and he just laughs, and says that they are old enough to set themselves up. Well, as true as that may be, I think I have just found a new way of matchmaking! Although one of these fine looking young men is unavailable for a couple of years, the other two are up for grabs and I am pretty sure after how fantastic they look in these photos they wont stay single for long! On a more serious note, it was a blast to take their pictures after we had done their big family picture. They are great guys, and I loved taking their individual pictures. It was fun to do something different.

Terrible Twos?

Okay, so I know I mentioned this in an earlier blog, but really there was nothing terrible about this two year old! He was so fun to take pictures of. I was also so appreciative of the uncles behind me who were trying everything to make him smile. (The water effect in the air was a great tool) The P family has a special place in my heart because they were my very first wedding as a professional photographer. Wow things have come a long way. I can't believe that was almost 5 years ago! What a beautiful family the three of them are! We are all excited for your little girl on the way! Congratulations!

De Ja Vu, but Better!

I was so excited to take this family's picture again. I was a little apprehensive, because at first they said they wanted the exact same picture. My thought to myself had been how I still wanted to challenge myself to give them a better picture than two years ago. After we were done, I have to say I was so excited about the outcome. I love how together the family looks, and all of the children were so wonderful. Although the two year old in the picture was the best. I have never had a two who could listen, and hold so still for the entire sitting. He is amazing! Thank you H Fam for the opportunity to be apart of your family. We also took breakdowns of the boys, and the P family so watch for those posts as well!