VLV Photography

Happy Monday and Merry Christmas week!  I cannot believe I just typed that.  The fact that it’s another Monday and the fact that Christmas is just SIX days away!  Holy Shmoly!  Since Christmas is just days away and I know there are a lot of women who are expecting, I thought I’d post a little tutorial.  I created this onesie for a friend and it was a big hit (at least I think it was!) and I plan to create these as gifts as well.  If you know how to sew (and have the patience to do it by hand) or if you have a sewing machine, you can create this too.  I hope you enjoy this little tutorial and I had realized that I had accidentally deleted the image of my supplies I used. :/  I know, tutorial fail.   But I will post links to the questionable stuff and the rest is pretty self explanatory. So here it goes…

What You’ll Need:

• IRON (set to cotton and make sure it’s not on the steam setting)
• SCISSORS
• FABRIC (just a square a bit larger than the tummy area of the onesie and to give you a little extra to work with)
• HEAT n Bond LITE (I purchased it like you would fabric at the fabric store but you can purchase it in a pkg as the link indicates)
• A LETTER STENCIL (I just used the font “Optimus Princeps” (found here: www.dafont.com)  in Open Office or you can also use Word, created the letter and printed it.  Since onesie sizes vary, you’ll have to experiment with what you’ll need.  Ideally, you would want a stronger stencil that’s easier to work with but I could not find the best size anywhere and for the sake of time, didn’t experiment with other ways)
• NEEDLE & THREAD/SEWING MACHINE & THREAD

What You’ll Do:

Step 1. Preheat iron to medium, no steam and place adhesive on back of the fabric to be bonded (paper liner face up).

Step 2.  Place and hold the iron on the paper for 2 seconds.  Repeat until entire surface is bonded.

Step 3. Stick pin your pencil in place and cut it out and peel off the paper liner.

Step 4.  Place the stencil, adhesive side down, on top of the onesie (the one pictured is 6-12 months).  Press and hold the iron for 6 seconds on each section until entire piece is bonded.

*Times listed are for cotton material.  Iron thick fabrics an additional 2 seconds from the back of the onesie.

*If stitching is not desired, try Heat n Bond UltraHold in the red package.  (I like a finished edge and for the sake of it lasting longer, I opted to sew mine using my sewing machine)

This was made with the baby’s first name in mind but you could do a number, or whatever your heart desires.  I also added my own little touches with the heart on the butt and the extra ”bling” on the front. Also, from start to finish, I think this took me about an hour, maybe a little less.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial, comment/share,  and if you create your own, I’d love to see it!  Please email photos to victoria@vlvphotography.com!  Likewise, if there is something you’re wondering how to do, photography related or not, I’m always up to learn something new and share some photography tips/tricks!

In other news, my entire family was sick starting on Wednesday…some from one end, and some from both.  And for the first time, literally EVER, I didn’t catch it!  I still can’t believe it!  I would like to think that it’s the fact that I’ve actually gotten more sleep in the last 2 weeks than I’ve gotten probably all year.  It’s been wonderful and I’m even dreaming! lol!  It’s amazing what some good sleep can do for your body.  I’m still not a morning person, but hey-I’m a happier morning person than I used to be!

I should be receiving a huge shipment today-hopefully.  I have got some pretty sweet goodies coming and to all of my clients who were so awesome and sent me your friends/family and who also trusted and invested in me, it’s the least I can do.  Because of you I had a fabulous 2011 and I can’t wait to share my goals for 2012.  Thank you for your continued support and patronage.  I very much appreciate it!  Have a great week everyone!

Until next time, Live, Laugh, and Love the one you’re with…especially when they’re wearing something so cute like your very own homemade onesie made with love.

Happy Monday!  I’ve been working on this post, or at least the courage to write this post, for the past 2 1/2 years.  Finally….the time has come.  You may recall, if you follow my Facebook page, a week ago I  mentioned some big news I had to share but needed to catch up on some biz things first.  So anyway my news is this:  starting in 2012 I will be specializing in weddings/engagements/bridals/couples and hopefully add boudoir to that list.  I basically want to specialize in all things LOVE & ROMANCE.   It has taken me a long time to realize (not to mention have the guts) to come to terms with what I needed to do in my business, so there it is.  I am SOOOOO excited for what 2012 has in store.  Does this mean I absolutely won’t shoot anything else?  No, that’s not the case.  However, do I prefer to shoot weddings, engagements, bridals, couples, and boudoir-yes.  And actually seniors aren’t too far behind on that list either.

What I love most about finally having a specialty is being able to put all my energy and focus into this specific niche.  There’s a saying in the photography community that goes something like “shooter of everything, master of nothing.”  I want to develop my skills even more when it comes to wedding photography, as well as try new ideas.  I also want to be able to give the best I possibly can to my wedding couples.

In 2011, I have really felt like a chicken with my head cut off!  Between being a mom and wife first and foremost, I was feeling like I was constantly having to switch gears between all the different types of sessions.  One day I was working on engagement images, the next week newborn, then seniors and then designing various products for these various types of sessions….just made my head spin some days.  In the midst of all that, blog posts fell behind, galleries weren’t early like they had been previously, and I would end up with piles of orders at once.  Believe me when I say I’m not complaining-but I did realize my limits this year and where I need to improve.  Finding balance is always difficult when you have a family and a business and saying “no” isn’t a phrase that comes easily to me.  But I truly look forward to having a focus in my business.  I think I will finally be able to actually start marketing!  Imagine that!!  Up until now, word of mouth, my website, and Facebook have been my only means of marketing.  And at times I fail miserably at the later two.  I strive not to fail miserably at the first one. 

So, as a result of all this, in 2012 some things will be changing.  Portrait sessions will only take place during the week for starters.  Because I’m changing my focus to couples, Saturdays will be reserved for weddings/bridal/couple/engagement sessions.  When I don’t have any of these types of sessions on a Saturday, I will be planning ahead to do a shoot just for me.  I have specific ideas for sessions and in 2012 look forward to doing some model calls for these sessions that will include a free session and dvd of images to the perfect candidate(s).  There will be no strings attached to these sessions, no obligation to order-just the pure enjoyment for me to bring some creative vision to life.  And I cannot tell you how excited I am for this!!!  These sessions may include children, couples, seniors….depends on what or WHO inspires me.  I sometimes see someone and get an idea instantly of what type of session I would want with that person and only because that person has a specific/different look.  Think of it as being spotted down the street by a model executive.  Although, I won’t pay you big bucks, you will receive some free images and hopefully have a good time!

I am just smiling as I type this.  Believe me when I say – I am giddy like a school girl! lol!

I have so many things on my to-do list before Spring comes and look forward to taking some time off.  Although, that time off will be spent working on business things.  BUT….a little relaxation is much needed, that’s for sure!

Because today I shared my niche news, I thought it would be proper to show off the latest product offering to my bridal couples.  I had such a fabulous time with Sami and Dion on their wedding and have really gotten to know their families over the past year.  These two are sick in love too.  I don’t read romance novels (quite the contrary, as I prefer murder mysteries-lol!), but these two could certainly write their own.  I’m just a sap, plain and simple.  “The Notebook” has to be one of my all-time favorite heartbreaking love story – ever.  Anyway, Sami wanted a wedding album and I had upgraded the album company I was working with because I wanted to provide one that was as sleek as it was beautiful.  Upon recommendation of several other photographer’s I went with Leather Craftsmen albums.  I could not be more happy with this album and the quality.  I would LOVE an album like this of my own.  Unfortunately, I have only film negatives from my wedding.

This album can be as upscale as you want it and I plan to get another sample that will show some of the upgrades.  My albums come standard with 20 pages/10 spreads, genuine, black leather, an open window for a single image, imprinting on the front, and presentation box with slipcover.  Some upgrade examples would be different fabrics, two-tone, striping, side imprinting, slip-box for storing upright on a shelf, and several more cover options.  Behold the beauty……isn’t she lovely?  (The book too-lol!)

Well, I think that’s about all my news for one day! On Wednesday I will be posting a little tutorial on how to make a homemade, newborn onesie. I know, it’s not couple-related; however, with Christmas coming up and with all the prego mama’s out there, I think a lot of people will like it! Also, I will share some images of some other gift ideas and some links to some cool products if you still have a few people left on your Christmas list. I, however, am done shopping! Woot! Anyway, have a great Monday and Tuesday and I’ll catch you back here on Wednesday!  If you’re still on the hunt for the wedding photographer for you, contact me.  I’d love to chat!

Until then….Live, Laugh, and Love the one you’re with because they encourage you to chase your dreams. :)