Model Search

As you may know, I recently participated in the first National Charity Model Search. The contest's goal was to discover America's cutest kid and to raise money for charity.

It was a huge success, 2,000 model's images were submitted to the contest, and most importantly, the competition raised $164,775 for the Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (NILMDTS) foundation.

The competition was so much fun. We were thrilled to enter our community's cutest kids into the contest. The feedback from clients has been overwhelmingly positive. People were enthusiastic about my philanthropic efforts to partner with NILMDTS. So many folks have experienced the loss of a child or know someone who has. Raising money for NILMDTS was an effort everyone supported.

The 50 finalists have been selected. Photography and modeling industry experts will select the grand prizewinner, which will be announced on May 1st. The finalist gallery is available for viewing - just click here.

This has been such a positive experience that we plan on participating in the National Charity Model Search next year. I hope that just as many of you step up to partner with me in this fun endeavor, and that we raise even more money for NILMDTS in 2010.

Falling Behind on my posts

It has been awhile since my last post since it's been a little crazy lately in the studio and in my home. The studio was buzzing with little models coming in for the model search contest. Although none of the cuties I photographed had enough votes to win (or as some of us discussed - had enough of a rich uncle to cast $1000 in votes to win). They all did a great job and looked fantastic in the model gallery on Sandy Puc's Model Search Web Site. I am proud to have been involved in a fundraiser for such a great cause.
I will be formally announcing this in my next newsletter, but here is a preview of the newest background. Its an overall light beige with touches of color. Although a scenic, its muted enough to be used as a simple backdrop for boys or girls. Although not shown in this image, there are light trees on the sides.
I am very excited to announce there will be a great Mother's Day promotion this year including a possible Mother's Day Contest. Stay tuned for the next e-newsletter which will arrive shortly. If you are not on the e-mail list, join today by going to the "contact us" page at the top and filling out the form. Happy Spring to all!

Nadya Suleman - cuckoo cuckoo

I know this may be VERY controversial, but I need to vent. I actually find that I HATE Nadya Suleman. Every time she is on TV or in the paper, I find that I have to watch or read it because she makes me so angry. I do believe that many of you feel the same way I do...claiming she is NOT getting public assistance yet SHE is. Claiming she is NOT trying to look like Angelina Jolie yet SHE DOES. UGH, sickening, I really could go on.

BUT, I really want to hear someone argue FOR her. Not that I will change my mind, but please, someone fill me in on at least one positive about this woman.

Handsome James

Saturday's shoot was of James; he is in the Watch Me Grow Club. It's a different approach to the WMG since we are using the brown background. James is such a little man with his full head of hair. I enjoyed meeting him and his mom Johanna.

Baby Lexi

Yesterday I photographed three month old Lexi. She was so sweet and so cute, we had a really great day. Her mom, also named Cara, and I laughed at how not only do we have the same name, but our "baby girl names" lists were so similar. Julia (my daughter's name) was her runner-up name and Lexi was mine. Interesting...

So I am giving Lexi's parents a sneak peak at her portraits but I also just wanted to share ANOTHER adorable baby with you.

Lainey-Loo

Today's session was of little Laine, Lainey-Loo, gosh, I could really go nuts with the nick-names if she was mine. But, thank goodness, her parents Wendy and Jeff are into nick names too so I get to play around during the shoot and make up names and they don't get offended! (Thanks W & J!). This family is so much fun and they have two older daughters who love gymnastics so during 2008 we had a great session of their "Grace-ful" oldest daughter and we all (including myself) were showing off our gymnastic moves in the studio. Lots of fun and I hope to do it over again this year with their next little gymnast.

But today was about Lainey-girl and she was oh so cute and everyone just has to see this hair! The last time I saw her she was only a few days old and since then her hair has thickened and so has her little BOD! After a while she got so tired from her big day at the studio that she just conked out. Sleep tight little baby...

The Keskinyan Twins!!

Look at these beautiful babies - they are delicious and I want to just bite them! (Is that wrong to say?) Since Roni K. came to the studio just her and the babies, I got to help feed and dress them, and I LOVED it! Roni now has four like me, two older boys and now Eden and Colby. Its amazing that they look so much alike, but Eden has little feminine features and Colby is turning into a little bruiser.