VLV Photography

Hallelujah, AMEN…February is coming to a close and tomorrow starts my birthday week!  Sigh…..32.  A little facto you may not know is I share my birthday with my brother who turns 46, as well as two classmates!  Come to think of it, I can’t remember which of us classmates {I think we were all born in the same hospital} was born first.  Crazy huh? 

I wish I could be one of those people that gets excited about their birthday, but I’m not.  But really, I don’t know many that do.  Maybe if I were going to be 21, then YEEEEAH!  Those days are looooong past.  Sure, I’m all the wiser {at least I think I am} but there really isn’t much I would do differently if I had those 11 years back.  I’ve lived with no regrets and I guess that’s something to be happy about as I approach getting oanother year older.  It has been one wild ride and I think I’ve packed more roller coasters, adventure, experiences, heartache, joy, smiles, laughter, and tears in my 32 years to write 3 books.  I’ve always thought about writing a book but I’m just too all-over-the-place with my thoughts that people would probably get to the second page and think I wrote it from the loony bin!  Plus, I’m terrible with run-on sentences and I really like exclamation points and smiley faces!!!

ANYWAY, what a fun month with all these newborns I had the joy of working with, as well as their moms and dads. Becoming a parent for the first time is such an emotional high and it’s just so difficult to describe to someone who hasn’t experienced it.  Even after just a week or so after I come in and photograph all their cuteness, it’s all still very new to the parents.  I understand that and sometimes can’t help but want to share tips/tricks/my story/etc..  There are so many things that can’t be “learned” by reading parenting magazines/books and your best resources are always those that have gone through it before you…that… and your instinct. 

I hope to be a resource for new mother’s who I have the privilege of working with and always welcome questions.  A couple tips that I was able to share with a couple moms this month was that if your baby is developing jaundice {which isn’t uncommon if you’re breastfeeding especially}, light is best absorbed in the buttocks.  So strip baby down and place him/her in the sunlight for just a little while-it’s still sunlight and their skin is very sensitive.  We had used a desk lamp for my son as well when he had jaundice and pretty badly too.  Another tip is if your baby spits up or seems to have a gastro-reflux issue going on, roll up a little receiving blanket or small towel and prop up one end of the bassinette so baby is lying at an angle, not very much, just enough to elevate the head a little-like they do with the bassinettes in the hospital.  That’s actually where I came up with that one and my daughter seemed to sleep better after nursing.  I’m surprised the nurses and staff don’t tell mother’s these simple tricks that can make such a big difference.  And once you’ve had one child, they assume you know it all and don’t even bother unless you ask a question.  Once I had my third though, I was pretty confident in saying “this isn’t my first BBQ!’” 

One of the newborn sessions I had this month was with baby Jedidiah.  You can view that post HERE.  I was so happy, words can’t express, when I walked into their home and their wedding images that I took were all over.  Seriously, it made my month!  That is such a compliment to me and I very much appreciate them as my clients and friends.  And now I get to see their family grow and that makes me even happier to be a part of that.  I do want to share though what they did with their images with simply 8×10′s, 5×7′s, and 4×6 prints framed.  With a little creativity you too can create a wall gallery of many small prints to create a large collection.  With their permission I asked to photograph it and share it on my blog.  I would LOVE to see how other clients are displaying their images as well!  One of these days I’m going to take some time to search online for some inspirational wall displays to share too, to hopefully inspire others to think how they can creatively display their images.  Isn’t this great though?  So simple and easy to do-love it!

Well, that’s all for this week’s installment folks!  Stay tuned for next week’s post when I’m officially another year wiser!  Until then…Live, Love, and Laugh with the one you’re with, even….even….man, I got nothin’.  I can’t think of anything to put at the end of that this week.  Well, just live, laugh, and love….Oh, got one….like this is going to be the best year ever!  Okay, it’s not that clever but in all honestly it’s very late and I’m all out of clever. 

I will have the pleasure of photographing Matt & Kristie’s wedding this coming May and I’m pretty stoked!  Kristie is just a classy lady and we were on the same page from the get-go.  We just clicked and I can see why these two are crazy about each other.  They are just genuinely kind people who seem to really respect one another.  Their wedding will also be the first wedding of the year to kick of wedding season 2011.  {Dates usually book a year in advance, so if you’re still on the hunt for a photographer for your 2012 wedding-book early.} 

I gotta throw this in- have I mentioned before that I would LOVE to photograph a destination wedding?  I could use a destination anywhere but here about now with all this cold and snow that won’t go away.  I heard on the news today that in a town I can’t currently remember in Texas, it was 96 degrees today.  How can there be such a drastic temperature shift?  Anyway…Kristie and Matt don’t want to read my random ramblings…… 

We met at Blarney Stone Pub to start out our session.  I have never been there but a few family members of mine have and one of them loves the sweet potato fries.  Those sound good to me.  I do hope to give the place a try one of these days.  We got the place for an hour and I very much appreciate their generosity in making that possible.  This is a favorite place for Matt & Kristie and I’m just glad this worked out for them.  I was surprised though, that at barely 10am opening time, there were people already pouring in as they also serve breakfast.  Who knew??  Yep, on my to-do list of restaurants to try!

 So….now onto the images.  I had only seen pictures on the web of the inside and KNEW I’d need some lighting.  So this was my first engagement session where I got to play around with off-camera-flash {OCF}.  I gotta say….LOVE it.  The color is so rich and the whole ambiance of the place just really works with these “moody” images.  Hope you two like them!

What can I say?  This past week flew and if only this month would go just as fast rather that the molasses-pace it has been going.  I’m.Sick.Of.Winter.Period. Also, my son has gone from strep to something he just can’t shake with a fever off and on.  At one point I was sick, all the while, taking care of my sick kids and any parent knows that that is just an absolutely, positively crappy situation.   Fortunately, it was only a one day event but left me tired for a few days afterward.  So February came in like a lion and looks like it will go out like one too, from illnesses to the weather.  May-you just can’t come soon enough!

This past weekend I had the opportunity to have a very different engagement session.  One-because it took place at Blarney’s Pub in Bismarck {I had never been there} and Two-we took some shots outside in the snow in, I think, 6 degree weather.  I had so many ideas for this session but the weather really let me down.  If only we would’ve had 40 degree weather like we had not long ago {minus the wind}.  But we did end up with some very sweet {and moody} shots that I’m excited to share…..tomorrow.

I have a new what to wear visual aid.  I hope these help with showing coordinating outfits for the whole family.  And it really doesn’t have to cost a fortune.  Choose one favorite outfit and pull colors from that for all the other family members.  Here’s this month’s example……

This week I was also going to show a few images of some kiddos from a preschool shoot I did last month.  I just haven’t gotten a chance to get a web layout together of some images.  I plan to do this after I get some galleries up and completed first.  I had such a fun time and want to give some kiddos some time in the spotlight on my blog.   

Doing the preschool sessions got me thinking about what it is I really love to photograph.  I think photographing children of all stages and ages is my favorite next to engagements and weddings.  If I had to choose one subject to photograph for the rest of my life, my answer would most definitely be my own kids.  But I think the fact that I have young children is what really draws me to that type of session.  Interacting with young children and acting silly and working with newborns, is nothing new to me.  I don’t think I could be a child/newborn photographer without having children.  I’m not saying there aren’t photographer’s out there that can’t but I think it sure makes the session that much easier for all involved. 

As far as engagements/weddings….I’m just a hopeless romantic at heart.  The simple things are what move me in my own relationship, not huge displays of affection or momentous out-pouring of love.  My favorite love story movie is “The Notebook,” but I am not a romantic novel reader at all-murder mysteries for me!  The idea of sharing a lifetime with one person is a very special kinda love.  Nearly 8 years into my own marriage, I can visualize how my husband and I will be toward one another and I practically laugh out loud as my husband is quite the prankster.  I couldn’t be married to him this long without a sense of humor.  For example, not long ago my husband thought it would be funny to dump a 5 gallon pail of snow on me while I was in the shower!  If you’re a man reading this-you’re laughing and thinking about how fun it would be to do this to your sweetie and then picturing how mad she would probably get and realize it was not the best idea.  If you’re a woman reading this, you’re thinking to yourself if your man ever did that to you he would surely be sleeping on the couch.  Well, as hard as it may be to believe-I laughed.  If there is one thing that God graced me with, it was surely having a sense of humor.   

The prank I shared was only one of many but he sure makes up for it in the type of husband and father he is.   He remembers the little details of things I’ve said long ago, always gets my toothbrush ready for me, and always thinks about me and our family first.  Those may seem small but I think those unspoken expressions of love speak way louder than any gift or fluffy words he could ever say.  Like I said, for me it’s the little things that all add up.  So when I approach an engagement session/wedding, I hope to show the story behind the people by incorporating things/places/ideas that mean something special to my clients.  I want to give images that mean something and tell their story. 

So anyway…that really went into a topic I didn’t anticipate blogging about.  Well, if nothing else, you learned a little bit more about me. I’m pretty much an open book and if you’ve had a session with me you already know I love to talk, sometimes at a fault.  On the flip side, if you have a question-just ask. 

Until next time, Live, Laugh, and Love the one you’re with…..whether it be to the one you’ve loved for 50 days or 50 years.  You never know where the road of life will take you so you might as well share it with someone who makes you laugh, regardless of how that may happen.

What a little dumpling…..and such a deep sleeper.  I got to try a new prop {the bowl}, and also incorporate mama’s ideas as well.  The natural light available was insane.  I love a house that just fills up with nature’s goodness and with it being winter, we can use all the sunshine we can get!  When I arrived little Wyatt was basking in the sunshine and I was about tempted to join him.  He looked so warm and content.  But really, he seemed that way pretty much the whole session and barely fussed.  Maybe me bragging him up will get some babysitters lined up but I don’t think it would take much, one look and you’re smitten.   Onto little Mr. McCutie himself….{Gray’s Anatomy fans will catch that one}….

This next one was mommy’s idea-I love how it turned out.

Enjoy that little man, you two.  He’s as precious as they come. 

What a little ray of sunshine this boy is!  And what a joy it is for me to be a part of this growing family.  I photographed this couples’ wedding in 2009 {you can view that blog post HERE} and was over-the-moon when I came into their home to see their wedding images all over.  They had even made a wonderful wall collage using 8×10′s and 4×6′s.  I had asked to take a picture because I want to show others what you too can create with smaller prints {in order to make a big statement}.  That post will come at a later time….for now…Jedidiah James takes the stage.  

I love candid shots like this one…

and this one….

 Congratulations again you two!

This little girl was sure a feisty little one and wasn’t giving me the time of day… a lot of the time.  I really think she takes the cake too, for being the most alert newborn I’ve ever seen!  She was awake for probably 80% of the session, no lie.  But adorable in all of her petite glory….can’t deny that.  She’s such a little peanut.  It has been a LONG time since I held a baby as small as she is.  The shoot wasn’t working out to use the only hat I had that fit her and there was only one headband that did fit her {and I made it-the purple-ish/pink one} and the other one sort of fit-I made it work anyway.  She’s just that small.  So here’s the little peanut making her debut!  Enjoy mama and enjoy her-this tiny little person won’t be tiny much longer!  Maybe one day that petti-skirt I have will fit her!

Love her subtle smile on this next one.

As you’re reading this, I’m out photographing another little newborn-a boy today-Wyatt.  Tomorrow comes another sneak peek from my  newborn session with newborn Jedidiah from Sunday’s session.  Just gotta warn you…some serious cheeker-cuteness is coming your way!  That’s my lingo for he’s got some cheeks I’m sure his grandmother’s will just wanna smooch and pinch!

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!!! My sweetheart is away so I get to spend it with the three, little loves in my life- oh, and with the Bachelor on ABC! Laugh, I know…drama-sick chicks desperate for love….it’s just fun watching the claws come out!   I might just have to have a candlelight dinner with my kiddos tonight though with some sparkling non-alcoholic drink!

Anyhoo…bet you’re all wondering who won the contest huh? There were over 1,400 votes cast! Can you believe it? I sure can’t! Thank you to everyone who participated. It makes me so happy that this was a success and makes me look forward to doing this for 2011! Although, the competition will be stiff as there will be several newborns included, and what’s not to love about a newborn, aside from getting pooped/peed on?  Now, I didn’t win the France Photography 6-week mentoring {boo} so the grand pize won’t include the mini-accordions but the prize package is pretty sweet as-is.  But thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to all those that voted for me.   

So….onto the announcement already!! VLV Photography’s Grand Prize Image of the Year Contest Winner is……Image #3-Brian & Carrie. You can view their full engagement session sneak peek HERE.  I’m super-excited for this wedding and  Trash-the-Dress session post-wedding {planning is already in the works};  can you say 1940′s theme?…eek!  They won by a land-slide and actually came from behind sometime last week.  They received over 60% of the votes at 543!  Thank your voting troops guys-it paid off!  You can thank one of them by choosing them to win a $50 gift certificate to be used in 2011!!  You two love-birds win a 16×20 float wrap of this winning image, $100 gift certificate {which pretty much makes your Trash-the Dress session FREE}, and most importantly-status of “2010 Image of the Year Winner” for the whole year!  

Now onto the runner-up! Drum roll……Congratulations to Image #14-Colin!  You win a $75 gift certificate to be used in 2011!!  This should bring a smile to your mom’s face!   You can view Colin’s full senior session sneak peek blog post HERE.

Congratulations to the winners!  I look forward to future sessions in 2011!  It’s been a pleasure working with all of you!  Thank you for participating in the contest and Happy Valentine’s Day!  

*All policies & procedures apply for 2011 contest winners and are non-transferable.  Thank you!*

In other news…it was a busy weekend with newborn sessions both Saturday and Sunday.  I have another one on Tuesday, an engagement session on Saturday, then nothing scheduled until early March with another newborn.  A lot of sneak peeks coming up!!  Come back here tomorrow for new baby girl Eily’s sneak peek!  Then another sneak peek on Wednesday with babe Jedidiah James {love this biblical name}.

Also,  I will be making some updates to my website in the next couple weeks, including a separate wedding site.  The information for weddings and portraits is so different and I think it’s a necessary upgrade.  The client areas for both weddings and portraits will be more streamlined and organized and you will be able to view all the information you would need to know right there, at your fingertips.  You will be able to fill out all your forms there and hopefully this makes the process easier and possibly save the email time back & forth.  I will be adding my products over time to both sites, so it is easier to see the products/layouts I offer.  This will all take a little time but I do hope to get this all done before the snow melts and the busy season starts.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine’s Day and are able to spend it with the one{s} you love.  Until next time…Live, Laugh, and Love with the one you’re with….the calendar says so!

We come to love not by finding a perfect person,

but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly.

-Anonymous 

I have a HUGE favor of anyone reading this-please click HERE and vote for me.  The prize {6 week online mentoring} would have such a huge impact on my business for the better.  Raising young children while running a business and still keeping the house clean, making time for my marriage, and finding time to sleep is very much a balancing act.  Quite honestly, I struggle with this a lot.  So please, vote for me-the prize is offered by a mom who is also a photographer who has been in the business 9 years while raising her young children {valued at over $1,100}.  It shows me that yes, it can be done.  And anyone who votes can help me accomplish that.  I thank you for your time in doing so.  Winning this {person with the most votes wins} would mean more to me than I could ever express.  Plus March 5th I turn the 32.  Yes, I just stated my age.  And yes, it hurts.  Give me the most awesome bday gift ever!  I would greatly appreciate it more than words could ever express.  This would not only benefit me but my husband and my children and everything outside of my business.  I feel this is one area that is a constant struggle for me.  Please help me make 2011 my best year, not just for my business but for my family.  Thank you! 

What a fun, laid-back session with a couple who have poured their heart and sould into building a life together.  This was my first in-home, engagmement session and I just have to say my jaw about dropped at the floors.  Loooooovvveee them!  Not to mention, all the natural, yummy light to work with! Oh, and who can resist the ‘lil joy of their lives-Cami?  She was always smiling and you just can’t help but smile when you’re around her.

I know this wedding will be one heck of a good time! Congrats and many thanks for allowing me to be apart of your special day!  I look forward to it! 

Be still my heart….this ‘lil man stole mine, that’s for sure.  I just love that little chin dimple.   This little boy sure made me work-I didn’t take my first shot until an hour into the session.  But when he was asleep, he was zonked and was putty in my hands, which is why photographing newborns prior to 10 days is so important.  In order to get those curly, sleepy shots-the sooner after birth the session should take place, the better the results {usually}. 

Dad was such a sport as it was pretty much a sauna in the house!  And mom, who looks fabulous for just having a baby, should just be proud of the joy she’s brought into their lives and into the lives of everyone who know them.  They’re such a lovely family. 

I was so anxious to share some shots from this session and I have to admit, this is my first real newborn session where the baby is very much still a newborn.  I’m over-the-moon in love with these images and so jealous I don’t have images like this of my own children.  I hope you love these as much as I do mom & dad!  I think he’s a keeper!

See…..I told ya he was a keeper   Thank you, mom & dad-this really was quite the rewarding session for me!