Here comes the Holidays...

So now that the end of October is here, so is my busy holiday season. This is my true test of courage, strength and endurance as a mother of four and as a business owner. Everyday I look at my to-do list and wonder how I'm going to get it all done.

But I do, I make it through. My family and my house suffers a bit, but only for a little while. A little too much take-out food and a little too much time with the sitters for the kids, but it is all worth it when I'm done. Then I realize that its mid-December and I haven't even put a dent in my holiday shopping!

Have a happy and safe Halloween everyone! I hope to see you at the studio for the "Once Upon a Frozen Pond" holiday portrait special.

My Family Portrait

I am always asked during my portrait sessions how it is to photograph my own children. I must say, most of the time, it is a bit of a nightmare. Most photographers I know will say that. If they don't, they are lying. The challenge is that my kids know all the tricks up my sleeve. They're also too used to me. I loose that stranger factor. Not that I am a stranger to most of the children I photograph, but kids respond so differently to others than they do their own parents. Don't you remember your parents telling you that your teachers would always tell them that you are such an angel in school and your parents had to question if they were talking about the right child? It's the same thing.

After many months of SAYING I was going to do a family portrait, I finally did. With the help of my sister who has assisted me many times during my on-location sessions, we were able to pull it off. It may not be the best since I wasn't behind the camera to make adjustments, I think we did pretty well.

I also want to take a moment to remind everyone that there are about 2 or 3 sessions left for the Outdoor Portrait Special and Fundraiser on August 14th and 15th. If you are interested, give the studio a call ASAP! For more information or to see more samples, visit my "Special Offers" page on the site.

Another Watch Me Grow Graduate

Little Scarlett has just finished the Watch Me Grow Club. Although I have babies that complete the WMG club every month, I had to giggle about Scarlett's family. Soon after I hand the finished WMG frame to her parents, they'll be coming back in again with baby #2. Congratulations to them and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Scarlett!

Gabriella & Isabella

Here are a few quick pictures of Gabriella (who went through the Watch Me Grow club a few years ag0) and her little sis Isabella (who is in the Watch Me Grow Club now). They are so fun to work with and so cute. I've now known their parents since Gabriella was a baby and its great getting to see them and "hang out" with them a few times a year.

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.