Recent Communions...

Photographing 7 & 8 year olds that are receiving their first holy communion is lots of fun. Within about 3 minutes I usually have them giggling and they don't stop until they leave. Here are a few from the last few weeks.

Back from Disney

My family and I just got back from Walt Disney World. We had a great time. It ended up POURING the last few days of the trip but with the wonderful help of my sister, stroller covers, ponchos and umbrellas, we ventured to the parks anyway. The kids and even I were very disappointed to go home, the vacation went by way too fast. I'm still working on gathering all the pictures from the trip, but here are two that are funny.
Notice in the picture of the four kids my foot is reaching up and pushing my daughter down into the stroller. My ONE and ONLY attempt at taking a great shot with my nice camera and the kids refused to cooperate. I'm laughing because most of the pictures that I took (and there weren't too many) were with my son's point-and-shoot. It is way too crazy with the two babies for me to whip out my camera for a great shot. Maybe in a few years when we go back I will get those great "professional" images, for now, its all about the memories...

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.