Happiest of New Years!

OK, personal moment time…

As the day comes to a close, so does the year.  So, as does everyone, I look back and examine my year so I can recognize the triumphs, and learn from the mis-steps. I have had an amazing year because of the amazing people around me. 

MY FAMILY…

Just 13 and almost 12, my boys are a constant reminder to me of what life is all about.  The more I am around them, the more I learn.  As my husband and I watch them grow and change, we try hard to cherish every moment… while also remembering that it won’t be long before we start giving driving lessons.  WHAT?!?  Ugh. 

Having my parents right across the street continues to be a blessing for all of us  I am committed to spending more time with them next year!

MY FRIENDS…

TRACY, my bestest, a friend since we were 10!  Thanks for always ALWAYS believing in me!!

ANGEL, my daily go-to girl and long-distance marketing partner… we have an amazing year planned ahead.  It will be fun going through it together.

GENTRY, you always bring a sparkle to my days… thanks for making me giggle.

ROBIN, you are a model of endurance.  2012 = fresh start!

SANDRA, not only are you one of my favorite painting mentors, you are one of my favorite people.  Shooting with you at the FSU game, I was able to see the welcome you received and the love that is offered to you, all in response to what you give. 

MY FELLOW PROFESSIONALS…

The Tallahassee Professional Photographers Guild – looking forward to another great year of growth and education.

The Florida Professional Photoraphers – continuing to serve on the state Board of Directors is an honor and I am so excited about the year to come!

MY CLIENTS…

WOW!  I have been overwhelmed with all the recent notes from clients.  The support you are giving as I continue to grow as an artist and spend even more time on my paintings and fine art as been so important to me.  Thanks for being with me for these 13 years… there is a lot of fun ahead!

It is going to be an AMAZING year ahead… I can feel it.  I hope I get to enjoy part of it with you!

Cindy

Four Years Old!

This sweet little man… is FOUR!

It has been fun watching this little guy grow, and I LOVED telling him during this session that I have known his parents since he was still in the mind of God (a phrase my Father has used all my life).   

He wasn’t sure what to think of the comment, but I loved knowing that I have been able to hang out with him since he was newborn.  Watching his parents love him, play with him, enjoy him! 

He has grown so much, but his personality has not changed a bit… not at all.  And while he hasn’t changed, he has become more and more of himself. 

It will be fun to continue to watch him and his little brother learn and grow, and become even more of themselves.

(click on an image to see them larger)

Will you REALLY remember?

Have you looked back on photographs you took in the park early in your relationship, or that especially beautiful summer day when your child was only a few weeks old?  Or that very first Christmas with your new family? You know, those moments you thought you would never forget.  Never.

I came across those photographs recently. “Wow!! I completely forgot about that!” was all my husband and I could say. We thought we would always have those images in our heads ready to access any time we like. That silly 9-month-old grin, the first day of school, first self-produced hair-cut, the best castle a 2-year-old ever made out of blocks, the age milestones. The problem is that without the visual prompt, we were not enjoying those moments. Without seeing those images, they were lost for us.

It comes down to the age-old question… is a memory really a memory if you don’t remember it? I wonder. And, to complicate the question, is it really a memory if you never recall it with a visual cue? Hmmmm.

These days, more and more people want digital files of professional portrait sessions, while at the same time fewer and fewer people are having prints made from them. So, those who want to “save money” and buy digital files are statistically saving money but sacrificing memories. As you file away your memories this year, consider adding visual cues to your surroundings. And even better, surround yourself with high-qualty representations of those memories. But either way, don’t let your memories crash with a hard drive or get lost in the darkness of a drawer or closet. Re-invite those memories into your life as often as possible.

It’s beginning to feel a lot like… summer?

Every single year we say, “This is the HOTTEST summer EVER!” or “I have NEVER seen a COLDER winter!!!”   So, what will we say this year?  Halloween is always a guessing game.  Sometimes warm, sometimes bitter cold.  This year, it was warm.  But that was weeks ago and now we are approaching December.  Tomorrow, we will hit a high of 81 degrees.  Hmmmm.

So, how in the world do we get in the mood for Christmas when we haven’t even unpacked the long sleeved t-shirts? Being that we live in a technology age, I decided to get online for some answers.  This is a compilation of ideas I found.

1. Watch some Christmas Movies on Netflix or other service.  If you feel its TOO early,  make a list of your favorite Christmas Movies and research when they will begin to play on the networks.  Watch one Christmas movie a day starting at the end of November.

2. Start buying presents early… two gifts a week so that by the time Christmas is here you will have almost all of your presents ready.  BONUS: this spreads out the spending, reducing the strain on the budget and the stress on the family.

3. Create your Christmas Cards and write one a day.  Not only will it begin to help you feel like Christmas, it gives you the chance to say the things you always wanted to say to those close to you but never made the time.

4. Decorate early.  Not a popular choice, though.  Instead, you can buy things you need for Christmas like new decorations or lights for outside.  We all know that holiday decorations are already out and available.

5. Finally, if all else fails, play some Christmas music… fully-guaranteed to get you in the Spirit.

So turn down your A/C to about 62 degrees, snuggle up by the fire, make some hot chocolate, and hum a merry little holiday tune.  Here’s wishing you an early Merry Christmas, even with the crazy weather here in Tallahassee!

11.11.11 Celebration!

We are so excited to be holding our celebration of 11! Starting with Mini-Sessions for only 11 cents on Friday, November 11th, followed by a deal every day for 11 days. It is going to be a fun celebration. Keep an eye out in your inbox if you receive our emails, and on Facebook for more announcements.

Lady Marion

When I received a phone call the other day from Barry, I knew why he was calling.  He and Jessica had just welcomed the arrival of their sweet girl days before, and I was now receiving an invitation to record some of the early days of their first child’s life.  This is the FUN part of being a photographer!

When I arrived, I was struck by their style…  BEAUTIFUL, comfortable, and most certainly a home.  Then a rare find indeed, a very calm and confident set of new parents easily navigating one of the biggest changes in their lives.  This sweet child is only days old, has not yet left the home she arrived in, and is being nurtured and loved by two people who clearly have a true understanding of how to guide their child in her life ahead.  Marion has no idea what a wonderful life I can clearly see is ahead for her.

Hanging Out with Daddy

Snuggling with Mommy in her new Nursery

It's the Small Moments

Daddy's Little Hideaway

Precious Moments

Marion's Garden

Happy Valentine’s Day

We had such a wonderful Valentine Event here at the studio. Here is just a sampling of what we did.

It is so much fun to hear about what a hit these cards made in the schools… I love getting personalized Valentine cards from kiddos. I am also learning that as they get older, the card hand-outs get much fewer, and my kids won’t let me put their photos on them anymore. So, I was so glad to have done it back when they were in preschool.

Enjoy seeing a few of the cards we created this year.

Tag Survey and Give-Away!

Tag… You’re It!

OK, are you ready for some FUN!?!?
Let’s GO!

Tag, You’re It!

Tag, You're It!

Introducing our new TAGS! We will slowly be adding tags to our collection, but let’s start with the basics!

Download the Microsoft Tag software to your smart phone http://gettag.mobi, begin the app, and just start scanning.  Each tag gives you information, takes you to a link, sends you a text…

Try mine out first, to get the hang of it, then KEEP WATCHING Facebook and my Blog for more tags.  And, keep an eye out… they are starting to show up EVERYWHERE!

Oh, and when you begin… LET ME KNOW!  Join me… this is a fun ride!

YIPPEE!!!

Black and White Portrait Mini-Session!