to blog or not to blog...

a halloween contest...

This one should be titled "on the road again" as I'm off on assignment for Brava this week.  I have the coolest job ever, I get to hang out with an Amish family on the FAR West side of the state shooting pictures for Brava's 2008 Encore edition.  I'll try to obtain a release to post some images when I get the chance. 

I wanted to quickly post this though seeing today is Halloween...the prize... a complimentary studio or local location session, yes folks that is right, a FULL session worth $100!  The contest, email me a photograph of your child(ren) in their Halloween costume.  I have put together an independent group of judges to determine the winner.  The criteria for winning will be a creative and cute (or I guess it could be scary) costume.  There may be additional prizes for things like uniqueness, biggest, smallest, "hand-made" etc... :D.  Please email me your entries to artisticimpressions@new.rr.com.  Please size your images to 72dpi before sending.  The deadline is midnight tonight for receiving entries. 

one of my own...

I have people asking me all of the time which of the children on my site are mine.  I have only one or two portraits of my children on my site, not because I don't want to showcase them but I truly feel any parent can take a great portrait of their child given enough time.  I want to showcase the children I have only had an hour or two to connect with and capture their beautiful personalities.  Besides, any photographer will tell you, our own children are the hardest clients we will ever work with.  On that note, I had about a half hour a few Saturdays ago where my daughter Grace was dressed for a party and willing to have some portraits taken.  I quickly threw her in the car and off we went to grab a few.  It took 10 minutes of me telling her to stop posing and relax and only 1 bribe to get some of my favorite images of her.  Now to figure out what bribe I can use on Eli to capture his sweet face and personality :D. 

My 6 going on 16 year old...

 

 

more sneak peeks

I know the mom and grandmom of these 2 have been very patiently waiting to see some sneak peeks.  B&C were an absolute delight to photograph.  I had been warned ahead of time they may try to "pose" for me, and the warnings were right on the mark.  Little C is a model in the making, striking a pose when she saw the camera pointing her direction.  After a bit of play, some silliness, and a lot of pretending I wasn't going to take their pictures, B&C began to forget we were there for portraits and went back to being 3 & 5.  I have a little bit of work left to finish proofing the rest of the portraits but I hope these few sneak peeks will help ease any worries mom and grandma might have had about them posing :D.  I will send you the link soon G!

They were busy watching mom scale the side of a deep ravine here chasing after a run away ball...

it's been a long week... a public apology

maybe it should be titled "falling short on promises" :(  I have always tried to deliver on my promises, many times landing ahead of schedule, unfortunately this past month has not been one of those.  My excuses are just that, excuses.  I should have been more prepared for the fall rush than I was this year.  You would think after 5 full years of holiday seasons I would know better and I would like to think that I do, but this year has defeated me before it truly got underway.  I am working diligently to get myself out from under the piles of paperwork, orders and proofs that need to be taken care of.  I am working at updating the blog and website for a fresh look in the new year.  All of these things take time, more than just one person has while still being a good mother and wife.  In light of all this I am working on hiring someone to help me in the office for the next month or so.  If things work out well I hope to keep this person on in the new year.  If you love to organize (goodness knows that's my downfall!), sort, file, answer phones, take appointments, run to the post office, upload slideshows, deliver orders, and occasionally receive a pedicure for your hard work please email me a note as to why you are the assistant for me.  Send all inquiries to artisticimpressions@new.rr.com, please note in the subject column "assistant inquiry". 

I have promised sneak peeks to several clients in the last few weeks and just have not had the chance to get that done.  So I am adding a few here now and some more later this evening.  Again my sincerest apology for falling short this past month. 

Can you believe she is carrying TWINS!  I had an amazing time with S&T!  You can see in these images how much T adores his wife.  I am really looking forward to capturing their sweet boys for them.  Sending good labor vibes your way S!

This little one you may recognize.  He's my splash page baby, the sweet, sleeping newborn you see when you go to photographybystacy.com.  Here he is as a sweet one year old, where has the time gone?  Thank you P&S for sharing your amazing journey this past year with me, I am so thrilled to be the one to capture all of your special memories for you and share in H's growth. 

 

Holiday Deadlines...OH MY!

Ohh goodness, I have no idea where the time has gone.  I remember thinking as September was fast approaching that I would have so much time during the day while the kids are at school to get things done, HA!  September came and went and I think I'm further behind now than I was all summer.  For those of you that have so patiently waited for me to finish up your orders or proofs, I thank you for hanging in there with me while I get caught up.  I promise things will be changing soon!

With September out of the way and October now in full swing it is time to post the holiday deadlines. 
All portrait sessions NEEDING holiday cards or gifts MUST be completed by November 9th.  I have spoken to a few expectant mothers and have made exceptions on the deadline for them, if you are expecting a little one in November or December and want holiday gifts or cards please call me.    All holiday gifts/card orders MUST be placed by November 30th. My goal is to have all orders back to my clients by December 15th, allowing plenty of time for framing or shipping. I will be posting holiday card templates by the middle of October.  Holiday card pricing will be posted with the templates.  Due to the use of templates this year the cost per box will be slightly lower than last year!

Coming by tomorrow afternoon, some much anticipated sneak peeks! Stay tuned :D