Oct 31, 2008

happy halloween

It's finally here! My kids have been so excited for this day to arrive. The costumes, the candy, being out past dark, the pumpkins ... it's just too much.

I wanted to share some information from a fun little site called Photojojo. It's got fun ideas of crazy things to do with your camera, your photographs, and different techniques to try. It's just fun. Yesterday they posted all about night portraits. It's worth reading before the kids head out tonight. Also, don't be afraid to turn off your flash tonight. Check out these fun photos:

A neighborhood game of flashlight tag. Cute, right!



But, look how fun it is with the flash off.







So be scary this Halloween and try your hand at some night portraits. I'd love to see what you do, so send me your pictures by Wednesday, November 5th and I'll post them to the blog.

Happy Halloween!!

Oct 27, 2008

three little monkeys

I have to admit. When I was told three boys and a dog, I wanted to say all the sessions were filled. But in actuality, this family was a breeze ... even the dog. Just a little something to tide Mom over until the full gallery is posted.





And one in color. Can I just say that all my families did a great job this year in selecting their clothes! You all did.

Oct 25, 2008

GROSGRAIN MINI STORE OPENING NOVEMBER 6!!!!! AND BIG PREVIEW GIVEAWAY!!!!

Hey, here's a fun little blog to check out.

Grossgrain by Kathleen Dougherty

A blog by an artsy craftsy, penny pinching, party planning, playdating, fashion finding, sci-fi loving, stay at home mommy who always keeps her sewing machine plugged in and loves all things cute!

I sewed a lot of my own clothes in college just because I was short on money and really longed for some things I could not afford (hence my stint with abercrombie and fitch but that's another story). Then for a couple years after college I sort of stopped sewing clothes and mostly stuck to curtains, slipcovers and Halloween costumes. Then around January, I was having coffee with a friend who asked if I sewed. I had been reading a couple sewing blogs and all of sudden I just had this surge of inspiration. I said, yes, I do....and after that I went home and actually started *really* sewing again. Only this time, for my girls, which is so much more rewarding for me. I started this blog to journal my work and the rest is history.


Kathleen is having a giveaway of a cute little skirt and to be entered into the giveaway, I needed to link to her blog. So, I played along and here's the link. Check it out.

It's GROSGRAIN MINI STORE OPENING NOVEMBER 6!!!!! AND BIG PREVIEW GIVEAWAY!!!!

Oct 24, 2008

one of my sisters

Okay, if you didn't already know this. I have four sisters. No brothers. Just four sisters. One of them came out for a session on Saturday. Actually, two of them were there as my youngest sister was my assistant in the field. But, back to this sister and her beautiful family. I'm still editing the sessions, but this one jumped out at me. I like it. I think it is a wonderful example of family. A mother and father who love each other and demonstrate that love to their child. So, one little peek. The rest will be coming soon.

Oct 22, 2008

family photo tip

So, how do you get a great, natural looking family portrait? Try this little tip:

Everyone look at Dad.



Now, look at Mom.



Okay, look at big sister.



Don't forget little brother.



Now everyone look at me. And voila, genuine smiley faces.



Wouldn't these be fun in a series spanning a hallway? I think so.

I'm in the thick of editing all of Saturday's great sessions. I'll be posting sneak peeks here and there for the next week.

Oct 17, 2008

only 3 sessions left

Alright. If you've been waiting to book your session time for Saturday, NOW is the time. Well, actually these are the times:

11:00, 11:30, or 2:30

Spend the time and money to invest in something that won't lose its value .... your family.



I'll be out of the office a good chunk of time on Friday, but leave a message or send an email and I'll get in touch!

Oct 16, 2008

Oct 15, 2008

just five open slots

The Gallery R Sessions are THIS Saturday. It should be a cool, mid fifties fall day with no forecast of rain. Yay! The sessions will take place in Birmingham and these are the open times:

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18th
10:30 - booked, 11:00 11:30, 1:30 - booked, 2:30

-15-20 minute session
-maximum of 8 online proofs
-proofs shown in Rebecca's choice of black and white or color

-includes your choice of
(1) custom framed, signed 8 x 10 portrait
OR
(25) 5 x 7 Holiday Cards
OR
(1) Digital File Holiday Card

These are the last sessions for 2008!!! You know the economy is in the toilet so let's focus on what's important ... family. Spend some time together and you'll have beautiful portraits to cherish. Session fee is $165 + tax and due at time of booking. There is no additional purchase required but there is a full pricing sheet, including three Collections to order from starting at just $120.

Oh and did I mention that I'm offering some sweet incentives for purchasing Collections? Well, I am.

Call or Email today for full details!

what do we wear?

So, for the most part I photograph individuals. But this time of the year, the families get in on the fun, too. The biggest question I get is "What should we wear?" For your holiday cards, I suggest to do something fun. Think layers and textures. You can coordinate your look without everyone wearing the same exact thing (although that's not a bad thing - just more traditional.) Pick a color scheme - denim, blue, white or denim, orange, green or even put everyone in something black and let them accessorize with their own color choice. I've had clients top simple white shirt and jeans with fun scarves, vests, hats, or ponchos. Just think COORDINATE. And to be honest, I suggest starting with the momma. I figure out what I'm going to wear, which is always something that I feel good in. And that will vary as much as my waistline seems to! Let's start with this sample outfit from Ann Taylor LOFT.



Then maybe I hit Old Navy for the rest of the family to pull together some green, creme and denim.







Then, this is what I do. I lay the outfits out on the bed and see what I think. I walk away and return later and take another look. Does anything stand out? If not, then we're good to go. Remember, this is the one time during the year you'll see some color from me so keep that in mind. To get you started, here are some highlights from last year's sessions. Everyone looked great!















And you can see the 2006 sessions here! 2006 in Birmingham

Oct 8, 2008

Fall Gallery R Sessions

I didn't think I was going to be able to pull this off this year but I have ONE date for the fall Sessions. So, here's the scoop and you blog readers are the first to know!

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18th
10:00 - booked, 10:30, 11:00 11:30, 1:00 - booked, 1:30, 2:00-booked, 2:30, 3:00-booked, 3:30-booked
Location: TBD I've got my eye on a new location and I need to verify if I can hold the sessions there. Check back early next week for full details.

-15-20 minute session
-maximum of 8 online proofs
-proofs shown in Rebecca's choice of black and white or color

-includes your choice of
(1) custom framed, signed 8 x 10 portrait
OR
(25) 5 x 7 Holiday Cards
OR
(1) Digital File Holiday Card

Session fee is $165 + tax and due at time of booking.
There is no additional purchase required but there is a full pricing sheet, including three Collections to order from starting at $120. Call or Email today to book your preferred time.


yes I do exist!

So the blog has been unusually silent. There's this little thing called 'life' that keeps getting in the way. So, here's the deal. I'll start with the fact that I was 'tagged' by three bloggers (all local photographers) in the last two days.

Mandy, Amy and Anita

The rules:
1. Post the rules on your blog.
2. Write 7 random things about yourself.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post.
4. Pass on the tag.

1. My bottom teeth don't don't like up. I had a tooth on the bottom that grew in sideways, yes, sideaways. When I had braces in junior high, they pulled that tooth out and shifted everything towards the middle so now my bottom and top teeth don't line up.

2. My favorite color is silver.

3. When no one is home, I'll take the luxury of a long lunch and watch some silly girl show I've Tivod, like Grey's Anatomy or Beverly Hills 90210 or Privileged or America's Next Top Model or What Not to Wear.

4. My husband is truly my best friend and I always look forward to spending time together with him.

5. My office is a complete and utter mess ALL THE TIME.

6. I was in the Vatican City on Easter Sunday in 1996. I had flown to Italy for my sister's wedding and I also spent Good Friday watching the Pope perform the stations of the cross at the Colliseum in Rome.

7. If it wasn't for the last minute, I would never get anything done.

Okay, seven people to tag: Ruth, Bunchy, Jackie, Lisa, Karen, Cindy, Shannan