next year's rockwell-esque Christmas card?

So, I am LOVING myself a little too much because of this odd photo (taken during a Christmas portrait session last Sunday). I think its because of how she's positioning the little doll/santa/elf. Plus, they both have striped legs. I can see my bird logo and Merrrrrry Christmas in fancy type on it. Green sweaters and blue eyes are always a good combination. Her dad made faces at her from outside the window. Genius.We also shot in my studio, and this is one of my favorites from that session:

my (lighthearted) holiday card

I totally waited until the last minute to do our family holiday cards - so, thanks to www.tinyprints.com and rush shipping, I will have these in my hands next week! The inside says "hope you have a lucky new year" from Dan, Danielle, Marvin & Samson - and I told a brief version of our story. Super cute.

They are all-stars!

It's a good thing when clients have good ideas - like the Klinks, who wanted their Holiday cards to incorporate Converse Allstar shoes. Crazy, but awesome!
AND, I was shocked when I said "hey, what do you think about letting your son play in the puddles in the parking lot? He will get wet, but the photos could be awesome" SHE SAID "let's do it!" Love it. Here is the shot they featured on the card - signed by all family members. How cute. She used scrapbook paper, a cool digital collage and type in Photoshop and a curly paperclip. Makes me want to assemble a super cute crafty holiday card. Perhaps with two dogs.

1 week in NC - girls portraits

Last week in North Carolina, I photographed 8 girls (2 newborns), 7 boys and 11 sets of parents over a span of six days. I learned a few things: Very little separates a 9 year old boy from his XBox (especially if photos with sister is the alternative) , pizza and ice cream are universal 'good listening' motivators, princess costumes must match slippers (even if they do not fit), I miss NC barbeque in a bad way, and Dora the Explorer bandaids have the power to make up for a pretty big fall (off a swing). Oh, I learned one other thing: escalators look really cool juxtaposed with fancy Christmas dresses and patent leather shoes!

Not Sears Portrait center. I am nervous.

Today, I felt so NERVOUS. I had a baby portrait session for my cousin Stewart and his wife Tammy and their little boy. I have taken a few family photos including "nice shots" of my mom and dad (and their dogs) but those were informal pictures. I've never had a family member hire me to do portraits. And this fact made me worry all morning. Worry that my mom would be disappointed. Worried my Dad would think my shots were weird. Worried the rest of the family would peg me as A r t s y. I mean, I am not the Sears Portrait center, you know? The session went so well - and I was worried for nothing. Jay got "naked as a jaybird" for me. You just cannot go wrong with a bare baby butt and a santa hat.Stewart and I grew up together - we learned to drive a stick shift at age 7, we climbed trees, searched for treasures, played checkers and ate pimento cheese sandwiches on hot afternoons. And now we are grown and he has a beautiful baby boy! Thanks for letting me take his picture, Stewart! Maybe our family won't say the pictures are too artsy!