CONTEST! Image of the Year - 2007

Remember when I had said a few weeks back that I had exciting thing planned for 2008? Well, one of them is blog contests! I know it's not quite 2008 yet, but I couldn't wait any longer to hold my first contest!
So here's the scoop: Below I've selected my favorite images from 2007. It was so hard to narrow them down. I had a gazillion favorites and finally narrowed it down by category (baby, child, etc). Here's where you, your friends, & family come in: VOTE! Vote for your favorite image. Just vote once. (Repeat voters will be disqualified - no cheating - I can check IP addresses of voters :)

Now for the good stuff: the PRIZES!

1st place: a 16x20 print of their image
2nd place: an 11x14 print of their image
3rd place: an 8x10 print of their image

So tell all your friends & family to come vote! ANYONE can vote! If you're one of my random blog stalkers, you can also vote! :) The contest will end Jan 4th at midnight, so don't wait!

Best of luck! Now for the images that made me smile, laugh, and cry the most this year :)

{if need be, click on any image to view it larger}


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*Booking now for Spring 2008!*

.Merry Christmas.

It's not about presents. It's not about trees, lights, or even family. It's not about who's here to celebrate, or who you wish was here. It's not about the green bean casserole, either.
What it is about: the birth of Jesus Christ. The Savior of the world. God came became flesh, and came down to the world in the lowly form of a baby. To die once for all mankind. Now He lives for us so that we might have everlasting life. Freedom. Peace. Joy.

That's what it's really all about. Now you know.

I sincerely wish you all a Merry Christmas.

W & J

This past weekend hubby & I traveled out of state to shoot a wedding. No, I am not branching into the wedding industry :) This was an exception I made for a wonderful couple that I met several years ago through church. They were such an easy, fun couple to work with. It was 20 degrees and snowing most of the day, but they were more than willing to go outside with me - and we were able to get some amazing shots because of it! We would run out for 5 minutes at a time, then once our hands went numb, we would run inside for 2 minutes to warm up before heading back out again :) It was so worth it, and we had a great time!

W & J - here's a huge sneak peek for you. Thanks for entrusting the biggest day of your life to me! Hope you enjoyed Chicago!

{CLICK ON IMAGES TO VIEW LARGER}




the first time they saw each other was so sweet...both were shedding some tears :)










Love,
~S

Year in Review

and because I love newborns so much, I had to make one just for them :)



To my clients: Thank you - from the bottom of my heart - for entrusting your children and precious memories to me. You made my first year in business more fun than I could have possibly imagined! Your children each have a very special place in my heart. I can't wait to watch them grow through my lens :)

Much love,

Summer

storyboard

T: Here's a preview of the storyboard I designed for you. Let me know what you think! I'll give you a call Monday morning :)
{just click on the image to bring it up larger}

for Maggie...

...and the 7 other victims of yesterday's horrific shooting. My prayers and tears are many.

Christmas & Coffee

For those of you who received my email regarding Christmas & Coffee on December 8th...here are the time slots. I've opened up a few earlier times as well to accomodate everyone.

(openings are in pink)

9:00-9:30a

9:30-10:00a

10:00-10:30a

10:30-11:00a

11:00-11:30a

11:30-12:00a/p

12:30-1:00p

Email me with your preferred time slot as soon as possible. I will update this post as time slots change. Don't forget to also let me know your choice of drink so I can have it waiting for you :)

I can't wait to give you your Christmas orders!

Our Christmas tree is up...is yours? :)

~S

.love.

it's been a long time since i took out my camera just for fun, and snapped some pictures of C just being herself. so today i did just that, and i am SO glad i did. it reminded me of why i love being a photographer...but it reminded me even more of why i love being a MOM.

this is C.

she's just too much.

this is what happens when you let your 16 1/2 month old put her own barettes in her hair, and decide what to wear for the day.

hoping this phases passes before she starts school.

(and yes, her hands are on her hips. i told you she was too much.)

that's all for now. i'm taking a much needed break before i shoot a wedding out of state on the 15th. since i won't have any sneak peeks to post for awhile, i'm planning on keeping the blog rolling with some favorite shots from 2007, so keep checking back...you may see your little one on here :)

~S

R boys

A long overdue sneak peek from last weekend...had to get this in before the holidays.

can you believe this kid's eyes?

or how about his baby brother's dimples?

M & K - I'll have the rest to you soon! I'm dying to share more but I have to leave some surprises :)

I should have a few more images to share for Thanksgiving...until then...

~S

Sneak Peek for...everyone!

Ask any photographer, and they will tell you that they are too busy photographing other people to get any shots of their own. It's so true! The last time we had family pictures taken was when Charlotte was 6 weeks old. Sooooo....over a year later, we finally got it together and I had my good friend (and fellow photographer) Whitney Clark take some shots of us. Whit is a wedding photographer who also specializes in engagements and seniors. Check her out: http://www.imagesbywhitney.com/ We worked well together - she took the shots and I got to do my own processing (which I love doing!).

Anyway, on to our photos! Here's a good sampling of my favorites. I just ordered a ton for wall displays so once we get those up I'll post some shots of those too :)

Enjoy a sneak peek into my family! There's a ton, so get ready :)

this one's going front and center on our Christmas card :)

just got a 20x30 gallery wrap of this one and it's now above our fireplace!

this one is above our bed now :)

Are you sick of looking at our mugs yet? :) Have a great weekend everyone! I've gotta get to work on my homemade spaghetti & meatballs for dinner tonight...

~S

K

I traveled out of town this weekend to photograph this cute 7 month old. His mom contacted me awhile back, and it turns out she was one of Henry's surgery nurses. We had never met her but she remembered our Henry. It was so special to meet her in person. It sounds strange, but it's comforting to be around others who have met him. He was such a blessing that we didn't get to share with a lot of those we loved, so it's nice to know that others remember him.

This Mom & Dad told me that Baby K was a "mover & a shaker" and boy were they right! K was crawling, pulling up, standing...! He started crawling shortly after he turned 5 months, so this little guy was a pro. He couldn't have been sweeter or happier.

Here's a sneak peek for you two...I'm ahead of schedule, so I'll have your proofs to you very soon!

I just love this.

I'm really into the "film" black and white look right now. I am a black and white pack rat...I can never have enough black and white conversions. It all depends on my mood which one I use :)

I have a busy, busy week...a future client is being born as we speak :) (SO EXCITED!), and two final child sessions for the year... so I may be a little late on returning emails...but I will get to them as soon as I can. Thanks for understanding!

~S