Friday, July 22, 2011

Taking a Break

As we're getting ready for this little guy to come and rock our world, I'll be taking a little break from photography. I just don't feel I'll be able to do my best work, running around after kiddos with a watermelon on my belly! Babyberry is due in early December, so I am hoping to be ready to do a few weekend sessions in time for the beautiful Florida spring weather! (In the meantime, you better believe I'll be practicing those newborn shots with little man!)

With that said, a few of you have asked me about fall sessions, and I am still planning on making one weekend trip to Tampa in September/October. Please contact me soon and we'll work together to find a great weekend!

Terra & Aaron

In March, I was honored to be able to photograph Terra & Aaron's wedding. The weather was beautiful, and their beach wedding couldn't have been more perfect!















Thanks for letting me share your day, Aaron & Terra!

Spring Sessions

Oh my! Being pregnant really can take a lot out of a girl! Wait, what?! Yes, we'll be expecting a sweet baby BOY in early December, and I couldn't be more excited! Today we're halfway there, and our little guy still has a lot of growing to do before he comes out.

The first trimester brought with it a lot of nausea, and I already had plenty of sessions planned. But luckily, many of them included adorable little BOYS! Here are a few of my favorites from those spring sessions:




















I'm over the nausea for the most part now, and looking forward to the future! I'm thankful for the great things I've learned about love and laughter from all of these families. Have a wonderful summer!

Friday, March 25, 2011

Tracy & Joel

Most of you know that I am primarily a portrait photographer. To be honest, I've really kinda stayed away from photographing weddings - while a lot of the same principles are used, weddings are SO different for a number of reasons.

But I just couldn't pass up a couple of opportunities to photograph some really beautiful weddings for friends of mine. The first was held about a month ago at the Straz Center for Performing Arts in Tampa. Tracy and Joel planned a really beautiful ceremony and a really fun reception. Both being musicians themselves, the entertainment (including that by Tracy and Joel themselves) was wonderful! Here are just a few of my favorite shots.











Tomorrow I am off to photograph a beach wedding in St. Petersburg - wish me luck!

More Cute Babies!

I love photos of babies! Who doesn't?! You saw some photos of these little cuties a few months ago, and now baby E and A were ready for their 6-month shoot. Look at those little cheeks, those little smiles, those little teeth!




Soon I'll be visiting them again for their 9-month photos... and then... *gasp!* their 1-year photos! I simply can't believe it!

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Thanks!

Back in December, I was contacted by a mother that found me on Google - she and her family were going to be in town, could I do some family photos for them? We started scheduling the shoot and talking about possibilities, getting to know each other a little through email. I came to learn that her husband is a Marine, and they have an adorable little boy (with the cutest little dimples!).

I came to learn that these would be their first family photos since Mom & Dad got married (who never had professional engagement photos taken!), and they would be especially meaningful, as Dad would be leaving in a month or so for his first tour in Afghanistan since they were married. I knew I had to provide them with some really great photos - and a fun experience during their vacation!

We did have a lot of fun that day, blowing bubbles, chasing dear son around, finding fun little places for photos, running from trains (just kidding on that one)... Dad has since headed off to Afghanistan, and Mom & I are keeping in touch. I can't even tell you how much it means to me to know that some photos I was able to provide them with are helping them just a little bit through this time apart.

Mom said I could share a little bit of an email she wrote me back in January, when they received their photo CD.

"I just wanna thank you so much again for your awesome eye for photography and for doing our family photos. You truly have made a wish of ours come true! I know it will definitely be easier for me having great photos of our beautiful family on our walls, especially going through this first deployment. U are the best!
Take Care, The Altamirano Family
"


Seriously, how am I so ridiculously blessed to get to meet all of these great people?


On a side note, I do still have availability for my April & May "marathon" days in Tampa and St. Pete, and of course I'm currently booking sessions here in Orlando, too!


(I am available for travel to Tampa/St. Pete at other times, so let me know if you're interested but not available on those weekends.)

Sunday, February 20, 2011

I'm Special... So Special...

Did you start singing that 80's song by the Pretenders? "I'm special... so special... I gotta have some of your attention..." Yeah, I admit, I did. I'm somewhat of an 80's music addict. In fact, I've got the video running on YouTube right now!

Every once in a while, when I'm out with a family for a shoot, I'll see a bajillion other photographers out and about. Most of them are other 30-something women, who presumably received a dSLR from their husband and decided (hopefully after lots of practice) that they wanted to turn photography into more than a hobby. Humph. Sounds familiar. Suddenly, I feel a little less "special"!

So it gets me thinking, "What makes me unique as a photographer?"

Let's be honest. 99.9% of the people who contact me are females, usually between the ages of 25-40. Mothers, girlfriends, fiancees and grandmothers who are looking for family photos to cherish forever. Guys aren't often too excited about the whole "photo" thing. Don't get me wrong - there are many guys who are totally photogenic and are totally into it! But for the most part, not so much. Women are just naturally (usually) more comfortable in front of the camera!

But after all is said and done, I get emails with notes like, "My husband usually hates photos, but he keeps saying what a great time he had!" There was the family who almost cancelled their session because the father wasn't quite in the mood to be in front of the camera... but by the end of the session, we were all talking up a storm and still keep in touch!

For some reason, I'm able to make people feel comfortable in front of the camera, and that couldn't be more of an honor to me! When I edit photos after shoots and realize that I captured that sweet moment between father and child or the daughter that hugged her brother without prompting, I feel such gratitude that I'm able to meet so many amazing people and witness the love they have for each other. (On a side note, I think I've yet to edit a photo of father & child without shedding a tear!)

Thank you so much to those of you that have allowed me the honor to photograph your families! Each of you have taught me some great things about love and what it means to be a family - no matter how big or small!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Looking for some photos?!

For all of you fabulous Tampa & St. Pete folk, I am now booking sessions for my marathon weekends this spring! Just contact me with your preferred date & time, and I will get you going on a session agreement and let you know where to send a small deposit.

Can't wait to see you for photos this spring!
(click on the image to enlarge it!)

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Drum Roll Please...

And the winner is...







The Travaglino family!!


AND
the Kim family!



Each with more than 500 votes, I have no choice but to award free photo sessions to both families! Congratulations! I'll get in touch with you very soon so we can start planning our fun time together in the months to come! Can't wait to do maternity photos AND more photos with sassy kiddos!

Thank you to everyone for your enthusiastic participation. I'm so happy that you had a fun time with this, and it has been an incredible way to end a first year doing what I love and beginning a new year, full of new families and new memories!

To all of my 2010 families - Don't forget about my current referral special, running only until January 31st! If you refer to me two new clients who schedule & pay for full sessions, you will earn a free session. Don't forget that one new Yelp or Google review also counts as one referral! (Maximum one free session. Only booking & scheduling of session must happen by January 31st.)

To all of my incredible new "fans" - If someone referred you to me, not only do they earn some pretty cool rewards, but you will earn $25 off of your session price! That's a session for only $125! (Within the Orlando area. Travel elsewhere is available at an additional price.) For more information, check out my website (under "Pricing") or Facebook page (under "Info").

I frequently make trips to the St. Pete/Tampa area, so keep an eye on my blog and Facebook page for more information. I'm currently planning a trip in the next few weeks. Give me a call or email me if you are interested in getting on my list of contacts for that trip - you'll get first choice at a session time when I schedule the day!

Thank you again. I look forward to meeting many of you in 2011, and then YOU will get to be a part of next year's contest!