Protect Your Memories

Yesterday I learned that my wedding photographer passed away.  He was the husband of a woman I used to work with - and so my husband and I hired him not so much because we loved his work, but because he came highly recommended and I knew he'd do the best job possible for us.  Turns out, we couldn't have asked for a better guy.  Skip came in full of smiles, which set us completely at ease.  He was friendly and warm and worked so well alongside his wife, who was his assistant.  Together they captured the posed moments as well as the candid ones and when it was all done - for a very reasonable price - we walked away with an album full of wonderful memories (and all the photo negatives too!)

Thirteen years later I still think he was the perfect choice.  (Skip, that is... though the husband worked out well too!)  And I am saddened to hear of his passing.  But it got me thinking.  Now that Skip is no longer with us... I'm so glad I have all of my photo negatives.  Do you have yours?  Are you counting on your photographer to save them forever for you?  

 What would you do if your photographer was gone?

When I complete a collection for a client - I often suggest they purchase the photo CD.  Not because it's an easy way for me to make a few dollars... but because there are just some memories you'll want to have access to forever.  

My advice?  Spend the extra few dollars.  It will mean the security of knowing that no matter what - your precious memories are protected - isn't that why we have the photos taken in the first place?

New Year, New Goals

I was reading one of the many photography blogs I follow the other day.  The author/photographer was giving out advice on how to develop a following on a blog - the basic do's and don'ts of sharing on the web.  I'm not sure why, but it's taken me many, many days to finally apply some of the knowledge she shared to my own business experience.  I have this blog available so people - potential and current clients - can get to know a little about me and what I might be like as a photographer.  Yet I forget to update this space with new and exciting things on enough of a regular basis to expect anyone to keep coming back.

Well, it's a new year... and now I have a new goal.  And today, I even have something to share.  Take a look at these!

They are the cutest little wallet sized Valentine's Day Card templates ever!

I created one for each of my kids.  Caitlin loves the blue and I think it suits her really well.  Jackson has always been a little on the bolder side... I think his card works well for him too!

What fun the kids will have handing these pint-sized photos to their friends and teachers at school for Valentine's Day.  I think we'll adorn them with a little sweet... just to make them even more irresistible!

If you're interested - I'd love to put together a set for you!  Just shoot me an email!

p.s. wallets are very inexpensive!  You can get a set of 8 for around $2... can this deal get any sweeter?

Lucky Me

I am really a very lucky person.  I was lucky enough to get into and graduate from the college of my dreams.  I was lucky enough to find a man to spend my life with.  I was lucky enough to have two beautiful, healthy children.  I was lucky that one was a girl and one was a boy - so I can enjoy what each has to offer to the world.  I am lucky enough to have a family that loves me and lucky enough to get to spend time with not only my parents, but my siblings, their spouses and now their children.  See?  Lucky me.  

I have three nieces and three nephews.  Nice and even, but if someone wants to add more I won't complain.  I absolutely love seeing them all... they range in age from very nearly 10 to just a day over 1 and I try to never miss a celebration in their lives.  I am going to be that aunt that pesters them when they're teenagers and pries for information about their boyfriends and girlfriends.  I hope they'll always see that I'm here for them and love them dearly.

Here are a few of the latest pics I stole of young V... who had a birthday just yesterday.  She's pretty in pink and had a great first Christmas.  Well, I guess she did, she didn't really tell me... but just look into her eyes... have you ever seen a happier girl?