The countdown to Christmas is on and the stores are packed with people trying to find the perfect gift for the loved ones in their lives. The toy aisles especially are clogged up as parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles all try to find the right gift for that special kiddo. The same with the electronics department- people staring at video games and wondering if it's a good gift. Lately, I've been embracing experience gifts. Instead of one more THING to clutter up my house, experience gifts like memberships and trips make longer lasting … [Read more...]
Holiday Organization
This month, I asked Empowering Home Organization's Lisa Yingling to be my guest for the Small Business Spotlight. Lisa is a wonderful home organizer in Bel Air, MD. She is laid back, non-judgmental and extremely skilled with organization. I asked her to talk to us about some holiday organization tips, so check out the video below! I think my favorite tip is the one about scheduling, but remembering not to over schedule. I'm a chronic over scheduler, and it's the biggest cause of stress in my life. I'm definitely going to be putting … [Read more...]
meant to be
Some times, things were meant to be. At first glance, everything was going wrong for this portrait session in Harford County's iconic sunflower field. The family was caught in traffic making a long drive even worse. The kids were tired of being in the car, and the littlest fell asleep. (We all know how rough it can be waking up from an unexpected car nap!) The skies were gathering clouds as I was communicating with Mom- don't stress- I'm here- you get here when you get here. The humidity was oppressive. It was going from dark to darker … [Read more...]
Last Minute Gift Ideas for Moms and Teachers
May sneaks up on me, and before I know it I feel like I'm downing. Parents, I know I'm not alone on this. May and October and stressful months. My calendar- despite how color coded and organized I try to make it- is imploding and ready to just give up. So is my brain. Add in Mother's Day and Teacher Appreciation week and I feel like I'm dropping the ball left and right. It's not that I don't love our teachers- I do! They put up with so much crap and somehow manage to dish out so much love. But I can't ever get my act together in time to … [Read more...]
in the middle
I can choose to celebrate her independence, or I can fight against it. Miss Independent will NOT accept help to speed things along, no matter the situation. Running late for the bus? Getting in the car for scouts? The best I can hope for is "Just put your shoes on while I'm driving!" but even that backfires when she only brings one shoe and I don't realize until we've arrived at our destination. We've spent many an errand-running afternoon in preschool with a one-shoed child. I wasted a lot of time trying to fight her on this. We'd … [Read more...]
Celebrating new life
Maternity portraits are full of anticipation, joy, and wonder. Women celebrating their transition to mother, their changing shape, the strength it takes to create life within your own body, all with a beautiful series of photographs. It's important to take the time to rejoice in where you are right now- before the major life changes. (and during, and after) It's a gift to have these photos to look back on. I know personally, I love looking back at pregnant photos of myself- marveling at how huge I once was and looking at the big kid in front of … [Read more...]
PLEASE Print Your Photos
It's a regular conversation I have with my clients: Please, please print your photos. In fact, in several of the recent pre-session consultations, I had quite a few clients ask why all the packages come with something- an album, a memory box full of photos, etc. What if they only want the digitals? Digitals are wonderful. And all my packages ALSO include the digitals. In today's technology-based society, I can see why people would value digitals more. You can't show off your gorgeous heirloom album to your friends as easily- we mainly … [Read more...]
Join the VIP List!
New to Facebook- the VIP List! It's a private group for past, present, and future clients. It's a place for judgement free support for Moms, a place to ask for reccomendations, and a place to have Moms to talk to when planning your portraits. Sometimes it's easier to ask questions to those who have been through the experience before. It's also a great place to find out all the best deals and specials- not just with portraits, but with each local business each month in the Small Business Spotlight. Silhouette Sessions, sunflower portraits, … [Read more...]
stories find the truth
Often times, when looking for the stories in my life, I don't know I've found one until much later. Sometimes I'm frustrated, and I take a photo of my frustration in an effort to be authentically share my whole story (not just the highlight reel), to gain support, or just ask for help. Am I crazy? Is it just me? Motherhood is such a rollercoaster. Case in point: Scenes from the dinner table. I've finished long ago (like half an hour ago). My oldest ate some, the younger two have taken not a bite. Two kids are busy comparing various … [Read more...]
be the hero
The January blues always get me pining for the carefree long (and warm!) days of summer, so I thought I'd look back to a sunset silhouette portrait session this week. The Sunset Silhouette Portrait Event runs all summer long, timed to take place at the peak of the beautiful colors in the sky. There are no worries about matching clothes, clean faces or even smiling kids (or husbands!) What it does show, however, is the absolute love in your family with body language. It's a unique and quirky take on the yearly family photo. This Mama … [Read more...]
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