So I love black Friday and cyber Monday as much as all of you, who doesn’t want a great deal?  I’ve had a fantastic year this year and to show my appreciation I’m doing something I have never done and that’s offer a gift certificate special. I’m offering 4 gift certificate options for 2012 sessions from now until 11:59pm on 11/28/11.  Each certificate is discounted $50!

Click here to purchase!

If you’ve been neglecting getting your family photo done or you know someone who is having a baby, this is a gift you or your loved one will absolutely love, long after your iPad2 has passed.  I recently read a post on why people put off getting their family photo done, 2 reasons….1.) the same old excuse….I don’t like how I look, I hate my hair, I need to lose weight….2.) $$$.   Let me address both of those…I love every photo I have of my parents as well as my husband’s family.  I’ve asked a few people recently…”Do you ever look at your family photos and say…I would love this photo if only my mom was a little thinner or her hair styled differently?”…Isn’t that ridiculous? of course not!!  ….Secondly, my clients who have said to me….”when we first getting our kids photographed it seemed expensive and we weren’t sure we wanted to do it, as our kids have grown we look back and are so happy we made this investment, they grew up so fast, we can’t imagine not having our photos.  They’re memories we can’t afford to live without”. A to the MEN!

It’s time people!! Commit to having fabulous photos in 2012! Gift certificate are available for purchase until 12/17/11 but only on sale until 11:59pm on 11/28/11.

Certificates will be mailed directly to you but can be mailed elsewhere if you indicate that in your order.  Sessions must take place before 10/1/12 and expire on 11/1/12 (because its just not pretty outside after that).

Can’t wait to see your beautiful smiles in 2012!

I can hardly believe it’s been 10yrs. and that my baby is now 10yrs. old. This morning at the Healing Fields she walked all the way to the top of the Face with her Dad while I just walked around through the flags.  When I saw them coming back down she got to a point where she saw me and my waive put her into a straight sprint towards me which happens often. But for a brief instant I thought  ”Stop! Don’t run, be more reverent for where we are!”  but I didn’t stop her, I picked up my camera and started snapping. Because she’s 10.  Because she lives in America she does not live in fear. She doesn’t understand terrorism or war and she only knows what it’s like to be free. She is kind and courteous and respectful and is interested in the flags and the names and the stories, she will remember the victims through the news, stories and our recollections.  I don’t believe any of the victims of 9/11 would want those terrorists to steal another moment of joy from anyone, especially a 10yr old child.

My oldest son, now in his senior year of high school about to embark on the world and has arrived at the  the reality that freedom is not free. His eyes have been opened to world events…His generation is going to have a lot on their plate.   He is quiet, he take it all in, he is reflective….He remembers.

- – - – - – -

I’m proud to be an American,

where at least I know I’m free.

And I wont forget the men who died,

who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,

next to you and defend her still today.

‘ Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,

God bless the USA.

“There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart….pursue those”.  - Michael Nolan

Mary K. Hoodhood is an absolute inspiration to me and my new hero.  Looking past her personal limitations she founded the Kids Food Basket and recently received a Presidential Citizens Medal, the highest honor a civilian can receive, for her endeavors in West Michigan and the fight agains childhood hunger.  The Kids Food Basket puts together sack suppers for children (delivered to their school) who go home at night to a home where dinner will not be on the table.  Currently the KFB is packing 2500 sack suppers EVERY WEEK and they have schools on a waiting list.

Want to get involved?  At the event last week, seeing the 500+ people that showed up to participate I realized that most of us have either time or money and some  have both.  With that being said I would like to  encourage you to find out how you can get involved.  Volunteer opportunities are not limited to but include: driving to deliver the sacks, packing the sacks, decorating sacks (what and AWESOME idea for a youth group, small group, classroom project, neighborhood project), volunteering in the office, or best of all organizing a food drive for them.  They are in need of 100% juice boxes, granola bars, peanut butter, fruit snacks, fruit cups, chips…..So here it is…. I’m going to BEG every single client that comes in front of my camera this fall to bring something to donate to my personal food drive for the KFB and I promise to make it worth your while.

As far as the celebration anyone would have been impressed by the generosity of the donations, the venue, and who was there but I personally just felt privileged  to just be in the same room as Mary K. Hoodhood.  I appreciated the opportunity to photograph her and the people that support her, to see her warm gracious smile and witness her humble spirit.  Having my photo taken with her (Thank You Dave Johnson!!) was an honor.  Thank you to my sweet friend Jennifer Wilson of Grand Development Associates for asking me to participate!

If you are participating with the Kids Food Basket or are doing a food drive or anything else, please comment on my blog. Together we can spread the word and get as much support as possible for this wonderful organization!!

AND for those of you that have inquired about all the pictures we took keep an eye out for them on the Kids Food Basket facebook page.  The images are being passed on to them for posting and you can tag away!

Lastly, just as we were beginning the day I saw a little cart driving by with non other than Fred and Lena Meijer.  I turned around and caught the attention of the driver and BEGGED for a photo opportunity for my couple. Mr. & Mrs. Meijer were very gracious and obliged.  It was fun to see them swap “how we met” stories, see them laughing together and Mr. & Mrs. Meijer offer their best wishes to this couple.  We thanked them for their generous contribution of the Meijer Gardens to the community.  How cool to meet Fred & Lena Meijer on the day that you’ll be married at the Meijer Gardens ( AND I HAD A CAMERA IN HAND!! WOO!! HOO!!!!).  Lovin’ it!

Weddings are hectic, plain and simple.  I know that a lot of photographers offer “the day after” sessions and I’ve always had this sort of “well, it wasn’t REALLY the wedding day so why would anyone be interested in that ” attitude.  After spending 3 hours with Joe & Emily (driving & shooting) it sort of brought a whole new awareness of the fact that so many couples are missing out on cool photo opportunities of just the two of them. I wish I could demand that every couple allow me 2 hours of time on every wedding day, but I’m realistic and know that the wedding day has enough demands as it is.  So here is where I am…Did you miss out on photo opportunities on your wedding day? Did you get married in a different season or did the weather not cooperate?  Were you not satisfied with your wedding images or are you just in the market for some new updated photos of just the two of you??  Connect with me and let’s document that fact that you two have still got it and intend to keep it….love that lasts.

Which reminds me…Do you think Steve will do this with me?  Will my wedding gown fit?  Will anyone notice if I cut off the super puffy should sleeve things off of my wedding gown?

Have I mentioned lately that I LOVE Mondays?  Today is the first day of summer vacation and my children are being unusually cooperative.  I don’t think they’ve reset their summer vacation switches which works for me because it’s been a dig out day in my office.  I’m thankful for the clouds out my window because if the sun was calling my name I would have to put the shovel down and run for the sun.  The summer season is really winding up with tons of  sessions on my schedule, many families that I work with year after year and a few new faces coming my way.  My variety of spots seem to be a little wider than normal which is nice to mix it up a little but I do have my favorite, tried and true, spots.    I took this family downtown Rockford which is really becoming the hot-spot for a lot of photographers and it’s no wonder because the area is so lush and beautiful right now and there are endless spots to work and create beautiful photographs.  Take all of that and add in a cute family and a little girls in a cute colorful outfits and suddenly we’re creating something beautiful and fun that you’ll love forever.

How can you visit Rockford and not get ice cream? I frequent both Rocky’s and Custard by the Dam since I have fav’s at both but I am always amazed that children will always select Supeman or Rainbow sherbet, it must be some unspoken rule among children that ice cream is only worthy if it’s wonderfully colored.  Do you ever hear a young child order plain chocolate ?  Why don’t children willingly sample brown food? At what age do we truly discover the magnificence of chocolate?….and how come they never offer adults those little candy eyes for their ice cream? So many questions that I’m pondering today….which gives me an idea. The wheels just never stop spinning.   Happy Monday!