Bringing part of "you" to a shoot.

This session I posted the proofs for earlier in the week has just really stuck out in my mind. Each of the kids brought along a little something that they were "in to" to incorporate into the pictures. I always have tons of stuff to work with of my own, or just come up with my own ideas for a session, but its always so cool to work in a bit of who they are into the pictures. The oldest was into basketball and reading, the middle one's fav. was her guitar, and the little gal brought her blankie. These pictures just seem to have so much life, and personality and were just so fun I had to share. I also caught a few sun flare shots in this session which are always so much fun.

The Studio! 503 E. High St.

Well, lets just say its been a crazy couple of weeks. I have always had a dream of having my own studio in a cool old house uptown, instead of having it in my basement. However its always been my motto and my goal to produce beautiful works of art, but still keep my overhead low so that I can keep my prices as low as I can. Because of that, Ive just always assumed Id have my studio in my house. An incredible opportunity landed in my lap to rent a couple of rooms upstairs in this fabulous house uptown for a price that can still work within my budget. It will also upen up what I can do with my lighting having the extra space to work with. It used to be the home of the Sugarbakers and then later their doctors practice. Dr. Sugarbaker still owns the house but lives in Cape Girardeau. Jeena Hunget of Body Linens rents the other half of the upstairs so together we have the entire top floor. The house is so full of history and just incredible old original wood trim and plaster walls. The place is exactly what I have dreamt about in a studio. I think the atmosphere of it will lend itself so perfectly to my work, and puts me so close right up town to all the fun urban places for shoots, along with being so close to the governors gardens. I am really on cloud nine! We are moving the studio this Sat., so if you have a session scheduled, this sat. (13th) will still be at my house and after that all sessions will be at my new place!

I had a session uptown this week with the kids of my jewelry vendor, and since we were so close, we ran by and tried out some of the outside locations around my new studio! The little "rock stars" were so adorable rockin it up outside my new place! There are so many cool places to explore there I can hardly wait!!!

Commercial Shoot

Last week was a crazy week. Ive stepped back up on my number of sessions each week, because I now have Sarah helping me with my orders, and then on Friday I had an incredible commercial shoot for the fabulous Jeena Hunget of http://www.bodylinens.com/. Jeena designs and creates a unique high-end pajama line who's clientele even includes Oprah Winfrey herself! Ive been doing mannequin shots of her new fall line for her website, but this session was using a model to really show off the line for the website and magazines. We had a full night trying to work to take advantage of the "golden hour" of sunlight right before sunset. The beautiful Sarah Linhardt modeled the pajama's for us and really did an incredible job! Thanks again Sarah for being such a vital part of the shoot! As you will see in the pictures, it seems like she was a natural at modeling! By the end of the shoot, and countless grasshoppers, chiggers, spiders and even some poison ivy later, we were all wiped out! But, the pictures were so worth it!

Weekly Highlights

The first full week of school was crazy, as I'm sure it was for most! It just comes as such a change in routine from summer, but Alyssa is loving first grade and the twins love going to "their school". Monday they even cried when I told them it wasn't a school day for them! It is so nice that their transition to day care a couple of days a week has gone so smooth!

Sessions were in full swing as well, and Ill include some of the highlights. The week was filled mostly with good ole' clients that have been here several times. Those are always so fun to get to see the changes in the kiddos. First was a family session in which I did the oldest girls senior pictures back when I first started my business. She's been off in college since then, and mom wanted a family picture with the whole group before she left this year! Marybeth your kids were so fun and reminded me of the chaos and comedy that my family brings! Then my one new client this week, it was a coincidence that Eric actually works with little Mr. "J"s grandpa, in Sedalia none the less. He played his daddy's guitar and was so adorable! Its so fun when clients bring a piece of something that's important to them to include in the pictures. Then I had a couple of my baby planners, "e" had her first birthday cake although she loved to make the mess, she really didn't care to eat it. Mmmm... not eat cake?!? Then Mr. "C" was in for his 6mo session, and finally was smiley for me! He had some of the biggest grins when he woke up from his nap that were just priceless! And then on to my last one for the week. They come from the lake area, and we've just timed it at her stubborn times the last few shoots, but this time after allot of coaxing, I got some really great shots! Dad sells tractors and they brought one up for the session!

Rough Morning

I got one of those calls this morning that I always am so happy to respond to yet at the same time dread getting the call. I volunteer with www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org, which if you haven't heard of it, its a fabulous organization that provides infant bereavement photography to help families remember and to heal after the loss of a child. It is never an easy thing to do, but I am so glad to be a part of this organization and to be able to give this gift to a family who is suffering a terrible loss.

On the other side, when I get one of these calls, I put other work aside to get these photos to the families within a day, so if you are expecting something from me today, please understand that it may be delayed by a day.