Special Twins...

Have you ever heard a story and just KNEW that fate was at work? That the plan that God made was active and in motion at that very second? That's how I felt when I first heard the story of the "special twins".

After trying for many years with no success in having their own children, my clients decided to look at the route of adoption. During the adoption process they found out that they were expecting themselves! I'm sure you can imagine how thrilled and thankful they must have been to be blessed with a little baby - one that they were able to conceive! Not long after they found out they were pregnant, they got a call saying that someone else was pregnant and planning to give the baby up for adoption and the ONLY couple she wanted to take the baby just happened to be my clients. Through many other obstacles and details of which I won't share, this couple will now be blessed with two babies...a boy and a girl due within days of each other.

And so, the title of "special twins" was (pardon the pun) adopted. And, I am fortunate enough to document the pregnancy of this couple and, of course, the newborn babies. This is an amazing story, and clearly a selfless couple that have opened their hearts to the thought that these babies won't be just "adopted siblings", but that they will be special twins. That they have both grown in the mother...one under her heart and the other in it.

Focus Group Wanted

As you know, October brings lots of new things for Essence. To help finalize details, I am looking for a few women with lots of ideas and opinions (yep! I love them!) to be part of a Focus Group.

Here are the requirements:
1. Women between the ages of 25-35
2. Has 1-2 children (or is currently expecting)
3. Has a love and desire for custom, lifestyle photography

If you or someone you know fits this profile, e-mail me right away (info@essenceportraits.com) to find out more details on what will be involved and what you will receive for your time. Finalization of this group will be Monday, September 4th, so hurry if you're interested!

HOLY CATS!!

Or, Holy Puppies! as Blake would say... :-)

I got the wonderful news today that "Comparison", the photo shown below, went on to get a Second Place medal in the final contest! I was thrilled beyond belief! That's my second gold medal, and both with babies...wonder if I've found my calling?!?!?

Comparison:

"Overflowing with Love" (last second place win):

Finally, a big fat THANK YOU to all my clients that keep giving me beautiful babies to photograph!! I am in the midst of proofing three gorgeous little ones...stay posted for the features of them!!

Little Miss Aliyana

And, they say newborns don't smile... I say PISH POSH!! Now, with a name like Aliyana Jade, you know she's pretty, right?!?! Well, just to prove it to you, I had better post some of this little lady. We had a rough first meeting...had to postpone and come back another day. But, I think she grew more fond of me as the hours (yes, hours...) ticked by! And, for those of you who have had me do your newborn sessions, you can attest to the fact that they are ALWAYS hours long!! I think my new parents think I'm only telling them that to make them feel better... But, it's the truth - I swear it!!

Anyhow, I got a bit sidetracked there... This session was so much fun to do. Of course, it helps to be in such artistically pleasing surroundings. This house was gorgeous! As soon as I walked in, I knew I had to get a shot like this:
And, I'm glad I did... I just found out today that I placed as finalist in the month of July for this picture! I just love how it shows how truly little she is in comparison to that huge clock...

Here's some more of this cutie:
Just chillin' with dad...
Look familiar? Yep...loved it so much I stuck it on the header of my blog...
I can't wait to continue watching this one grow... I have a feeling she might be a little spitfire...

Happy Birthday!

My baby turned two today!!! We had a great time...just hanging out and having fun. Just celebrated what it's like to be a kid again! Wanted to post quick and share with you all what a cutie patootie I have on my hands!

And, I will get back to proofing my sessions...just you wait to see what I have in store for you all!

Fall's booking fast....R E A L L Y fast...

I can hardly believe it. I just opened my planner to schedule a session and I am scheduling all the way into OCTOBER! And, the end of October at that! I have been blessed and am constantly amazed at how much my clients have loved what I've done for them that they continue to refer me to their friends and family time and time again. So, I thank you for that!

That said - with all you wonderfully nice and loyal clients, I am booked up the wazoo!! My next available date for a session is October 28th (if you are one of the four "belly" sessions I just did - not to worry, that doesn't apply to you and the new bundle you are welcoming!). So, if you are even beginning to think about getting pictures for Christmas or having custom cards done, call now to book.

And, if I haven't said it enough - THANK YOU - to all that have referred (and continue to refer) me to your friends and family...it's the highest form of compliment you can give me!!

The problems of living in a digital world...

Isn't this how it always goes?? Try to "digitialize" to make things easier, but come to find it only COMPLICATES them!!! It has come to my attention that several of my e-mails are not getting delivered. I have had multiple clients, vendors and peers tell me they have not received messages that were sent by me.... So, if you were to receive a message of any kind - notification on pictures or proofs ready, confirmation on sessions, answers to questions...anything at all - and haven't yet, please contact me right away! I have no way of knowing who did and did not receive my messages, and I can track this problem back as far as two-three weeks ago. So, please contact me if you are waiting for a reply from me!!!

In the meantime, I have my hubby (aka: the man knowledgeable in all things web related) searching for a new server for my site, and thus my e-mail. I have had numerous problems with this server since I went with them, and this e-mail fiasco was the last straw! So, bear with me a bit longer and I hope to have all the kinks worked out very, very soon...

Thanks everyone!!

The love of a big brother...

So....I bet if you were to see this whole line up of proofs, you would notice this beautiful little girl and her gorgeous eyes first. Well, I did, too... But, then when you start to really look at these portraits, you see something different.

What did I see? I saw the pure and unconditional love of a big brother. Do you believe that I didn't ask him to look at her like that???

Even in the family pictures, guess who he was concerned about? Lookin' cute in front of the camera?? Nope...little sis.
Alright...so maybe I asked him to do this one...She's not even a year yet and look at what he's already puttin' up with!!!
Well, Kuper....you're one cool kid in my book. Any big brother that looks out for little sis like you do is alright by me.

Alright...I better show you one more of this "beautiful girl and her gorgeous eyes".OK! OK! Last one, I promise... Misty - you sure make beautiful babies... (alright Brandon...I suppose you had a little something to do with that, too... :-)

Still Here!!

I wanted to post something to let you all know that yes, I am still alive, and yes, I am still working! I'm almost done with my sessions from vacation (only one left!), then I move onto proofing three beautiful pregnant bellies! And you know what that means...I'm sitting here anxiously awaiting the arrival of two babies (and another one who will hopefully wait for several more weeks before making his appearance...).

So, instead of posting a featured session (don't worry...more pics will come soon!), I wanted to give you a sneak "peek" (although you don't really get to see anything yet) at some new stuff for Essence. The month of October marks my second anniversary for "officially" taking the giant leap from doing this as my passion, to doing this professionally. With my anniversary, I usually make any changes necessary with structure, processes, etc, and this year will be no different. However, in addition to all that (not so fun...) stuff, this year I am offering some new wonderful products and unique artistic additions. I can't wait to reveal this to all of you, and thus why I couldn't keep my lips sealed any longer! I know that doesn't give you a whole lot to go on, but believe me...you're gonna love what's in store. So, keep watching, keep reading, and keep your eyes peeled for more info soon to come!

Wanna Trade?

As summer is winding down, I've realized that my time to get this stuff done is coming to a screeching halt!!! I've been contemplating trading my services for quite a while and have finally decided - IT'S NOW OR NEVER!

So, I am looking for a few hard-working, talented people to do the following:
1. Painting - inside (several rooms) and outside (the house and possibly garage)
2. Lay ceramic tile (several rooms for this)
3. Pull out carpet and replace with flooring (basement)

My top priority is the painting...I want it done ASAP! The others I know can actually be done in the upcoming months and into winter. But, the painting outside has to be done soon!

I'm sure you've got a few questions, so I put together a mini-FAQ section:

How does this all work?
~Well, if you or someone you know works in any of these industries, come my way! We will work out a trade for our services. Based on my rates and yours/theirs, we will come to a mutual exchange. My services included for this offer would be: Maternity, Newborn, Babies, Children, Family & Senior Portraits.

What if I don't do any of the things listed, but know someone that does?
~Call them up and send them my way! Because I really (R E A L L Y) want to get this done ASAP, I am offering a $100 print credit for anyone that refers me to someone that I do a trade with. Yep, you read that correctly...$100 in free prints. It can be used on a past or future session.

When do you want to start?
~Ummmm....now...ASAP...lickety split...this very second...anytime in the next five minutes...well, you get the drift.

How do we get in touch with you?
~If you're interested, or know someone that may be, send me an e-mail right away (did I mention I was anxious to get started?!?!?) to info@essenceportraits.com.

Sweet Kaya

Sweet is right. This little cutie oozes sweetness...and she's only three months old!! I managed to capture one of my all time favorite shots at this session. I loved it so much, I put it on the header of my blog! To me, it is such a perfectly sweet baby moment. Chewing on arms...feet up in the air, touching...and eyes fixated right on you. Powerful.

Now, she was cute, but we did have a breakdown or two. I absolutely love this shot... I call it "it's my party, and I'll cry if I want to..."

You'll get to see more of this cutie in the upcoming months...we've got three more sessions together! Mom and Dad - you better free up some wall space!!