Now Scheduling

Oh my word. A month has gone by since my last post. That’s just…sad.  It’s not that I’ve been goofing off (though I have fantasized about goofing off plenty). On the contrary, I’ve been putting lots of time into preparing for 2009.  In fact, if you go to the top of the blog and click on Pricing & Products and Session Information, you’ll find all sorts of new information and goodies.  Make sure to check it out.

Now that Spring is around the corner, I have been busy firing off emails to all those I had on my waiting list for Spring. If you thought you were on my waiting list but haven’t heard from me in the past couple weeks, please email me and let me know.  Most of my wait list has now been scheduled, and I am happily filling up my calendar with lots of great new client names as well as great client names from last year.  If you aren’t on my waiting list and you aren’t a former client, but you still want to get on my schedule, email me!  Sessions are going fast!

So be sure to check back to the blog now and again to see some new faces.  I am *hopefully* getting a new and vastly improved blog soon so I’ll be sure to let everyone know when to head over to my new blog digs.  That way I don’t have to type out mindless ramblings so that I can have enough room to post a horizontal photo that won’t bleed into the side column. And you just thought I was ridiculously wordy.

Glimpse

We had a little glimpse of spring yesterday, didn’t we?  Sixty degrees and blustery winds. I could do without the winds though. 

Molly and I went out for a little bit in the morning, me thinking that maybe I could get some first outdoor shots for the year, but a few minutes into it when I realized Molly could barely stand up with the wind whipping her around like a rag doll, we decided to call it.

So we promptly headed to Starbucks where I rewarded her with a creamy (and non-caffeinated) beverage for her two minutes of work.  She drives a hard bargain, this child.

Despite the remants of winter left (because you know it’s not going to stay 60 degrees in February for long), preparations for spring are well underway. I have been chained to my computer for a few weeks now, working on taxes (bleh!), revising the business structure (because a year in business has taught me a lot about what works  – and what doesn’t), and creating new products and ideas for the upcoming year.  The new year will bring some pricing changes starting in March, but will also offer some new items such as photo packages, albums, new collages, digital images and other exciting goodies.

And just as a reminder, I will not begin scheduling for spring until March.  I appreciate all the requests for sessions…really, you guys are blowing me away with your interest…and I have a rapidly growing list of people to contact for sessions once scheduling begins.  More than likely sessions will not begin until April, just because March is not exactly sunshine and tulips in Chicago, but feel free to contact me if you are interested in a session.  The list works on a first come, first serve basis, and I will book up quickly.

So, snuggle up and try to make the best of what is left of the hibernating season.  Sometimes a warm room and a warm belly make happy memories.

Love, Me.

I think one of my favorite annual photo ops for my daughters is creating an image for their Valentine cards.  I love to make their cards for them, and I think they love giving their classmates something personal.  Plus it’s an easy way to get them to let me take their photo.  They seem to be more agreeable if they think it’s less about Mom and more about them. Little do they know…

Sydney’s photo gets a little more challenging each year because she has outgrown the “whimsical” age, which is so relevant to the idea of children and Valentine’s Day.  We did something a little more serious, but I think we are going to “fun” it up by adding a little glittery sparkle to her card on the necklace.  Because glitter is what it’s all about when you’re 10 (and a half!). 

I wonder if I can convince them that they really need to have President’s Day pictures taken.

I Bribed Her with Ice Cream

I am not above bribery. 

I have the winter blahs and have been itching to work!  (Remind me of this in the fall when I am running on fumes).  Since it is -6 degrees outside right now, that pretty much rules out shooting outside. Heck, I refuse to even open the door at present – though I do make exceptions in letting my husband and children home from work and school, as long as they move at lightning speed.  Spring needs to get here fast.

Speaking of which, there will be a few tweaks to the business in the spring. I am in the process of researching and plotting those out, but I intend to restructure a bit, making a few changes to guidelines and pricing. Nothing drastic, so don’t panic. I am also hoping to offer some new exciting products that I am sure you will love.

So, stay tuned. And keep warm!

Happy Holidays from Me to You!

This little slideshow was quite the challenge – I was limited to 43 pictures –  and I definitely have more than 43 clients.  I wish I could have put several photos from each shoot this year, but as was, I could only put one photo per shoot. Amazingly, it worked out perfectly.  It must have been meant to be.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season, no matter what you celebrate, and that all of you stay safe and warm as you travel to visit loved ones. 

I consider each and every one of you a gift to me, and I couldn’t ask for more.

 

Wake Me When It’s Spring

Ugh. Snow. Ugh.

I realize I have been absent from blogging longer than I like, but having been out of town the week of Thanksgiving and then coming home to to a mountain of client orders (I’m not complaining about that part), I have fallen behind on blogging.  I won’t even mention that I’ve barely scratched the surface of my holiday shopping.  Ugh again.

All that said, since my session focus over the winter is primarily on newborns, I have started acquiring some super cute Baby Announcement cards to offer clients.  It seems like just yesterday I was sending these out myself.  Though it was a lot warmer and sunnier outside both times.

Soon there will be a link at the top of my page to view all of the baby announcement cards. I am still working on them, but wanted to sneak you a peek at some of them.

 

Stay tuned. Between episodes of hibernation, more posts will be coming.

November’s Finale

Here it is:  My last outdoor session of the year!  And it’s only fitting that it is with my first clients ever.  My very first practice session going on a couple years ago was with this lovely family, and their little guy was just crawling at the time. Now he pretty much runs constantly.    I’ve seen him a few times since that first session, and I was pretty excited to see him again, along with his new baby sister. I love watching my clients grow.  Well, minus that feeling of getting old.

Before I show off some pictures, I just want to briefly mention that I will be taking a Thanksgiving holiday break from Tuesday, November 25th to Tuesday, December 2nd. I will be available by email during that time, but will otherwise be stuffing my face with turkey.

And now, on with the pictures.

Do you think she’s happy about her first session?

Sigh

Just a little peek at my session from today. You forget how tiny they are…

And we can’t forget big brother.

The Boys

It’s been a brotherly sort of week. Two sessions in two days with two boys each day.  Hm. Maybe all good things come in twos instead of threes.

Once again, these boys were as nice as can be and didn’t complain once (at least in my presence) about how cold it was.  It took me a good five hours to feel my legs again after our session.  Maybe I should just start wearing a full body snowsuit to the shoots. That should get the smiles flowing!  And the funny looks and the snickers and the eyerolls…

Another Quick Sneak Peek

From this afternoon…another super cold day!  Woo!  Just gave me a good excuse to come home and chug hot chocolate. 

These brothers were awesome. Can’t wait to share more of their session!