The Project

As I stated in an earlier post, I needed just a few pictures of Jack for a project. I didn't want to reveal these until after Christmas because I was putting together a "Thank You" card for our friends and family for helping to make our Christmas so wonderful! They have officially been mailed, so here's the card! In print the card also has scalloped edges, but you get the idea.....

Help Portrait 2011

Several months ago, I was contacted by the enormously talented Sheri Grippo of Bella Bambino Photography in Cape Girardeau to assist with the local Help-Portrait project.  In a nutshell, Help-Portrait is a worldwide movement started by photographers to give back to their local communities.  In the words of Help-Portrait "We don't want to take your picture.  We want to give it to you. Free."  Most people or families that are served are those that normally wouldn't have the means to have pictures professionally taken and NO ONE is turned away! What a great idea, right!?

It is difficult to accurately put into words the emotions and "moments" that were shared on that Saturday.  It was truly a heart-warming experience and I was SO grateful to be apart of the project and lend my talents to those in need! Snapping a few pictures, in the whole scheme of things, seems very minuscule or insignificant, but I can assure you, MUCH greater things happened that day!  

From the moment families arrived, they were welcomed by our many volunteers and given the opportunity to have their hair and make-up done by a local salon and beauty school who were kind enough to donate not only their time, but products and equipment as well.

They were then taken to a room where 1 of 8 photographers was waiting to take their picture and most of all, make them feel comfortable and special! That was my favorite part! I personally shot between 30-40 families that day.  When time permitted (because I was pretty busy for most of the day) I asked a little bit about the individual's life and situation.  One woman in particular, who was about 60ish years old, told me that she and her husband always wanted to have their portraits professionally taken and they never got the chance before he passed away.  She came, in part, because of that memory and taking an opportunity that she never had when her husband was alive.  If stories like that don't humble you and remind you what we should be doing more of, then I'm not sure what will!

After families left the photographers, they were then invited into a room where snacks and games/crafts were provided while they waited for their pictures to be edited and printed (by a whole other room staffed with photographers who edited and put the finishing touches on the images). 

I was so positively effected by the events in Cape Girardeau, I want so badly to bring this movement to Southern Illinois next year! I know the undertaking this would be, but I know in my heart that anyone involved in this project (whether on the giving or receiving end) would be forever grateful for the experience!   

Here is just a peek into the beautiful souls that were caputued. We invited those interested to share some words with us by writing on their portraits!

 

*The last picture of the teenage brother and sister was taken by me. They were soooo precious and truly grateful!

Happy Christmas Eve (2008 Style)

Christmastime is my most favorite part of the year! Thanks to my parents and grandparents, I have THE BEST memories! I love sharing that excitement with my friends and family and I will be spending the day baking, listening to a little Bing on the stereo, maybe indulging in a Godiva martini, and of course snuggling with Jack!

I woke up this morning with the urge to look at pictures from Jack's first Christmas and I, of course, wanted to share them with all of you. Jack's features are still the same, but my, he's changed so much in 3 years. You certainly see why I call him "biggie", although the name is a little ironic these days. He couldn't be further from that!

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with your families as well!

"The Proof"

As promised in the previous post, here is "The Proof" (also narrated for your entertainment)! I just needed a few good ones! Was that too much to ask?!

"Mommy, I'm cold! I wanna go back to the car right NOW!" (followed by "The Stink Face") Take 1....

"Look mommy there's some-fing behind you.......(as I look, he laughs hysterically)!"  Take 12.........

"Wait, I need a piece of grass, mommy"  Take 27........

"Look at my hands!" Take 42......

"I got marker all over them today!" Take 52.......

"Mommy my head itches!"  Take 63.......

"Can I take this hat off now? It's making my head hurt"  Take 76......

And finally ladies and gentleman, this is as good as it gets! Take 93.......

J. Crew Style Shoot : Sneak Peek

Last week I needed to take a few pictures of Jack for a little project, so we headed out to my current fave location just down the street. I have been itching to do a J. Crew style shoot with him, especially after I picked up a few items at Crewcuts this week in St. Louis. 

But if you haven't noticed (although I'm sure you have), there has been a lack of "Jack" pictures lately, and for good reason. The first being, I've just been so busy with other peoples kids and secondly (as I was quickly reminded last week), my nerves just can't handle it! I will save that explanation (and proof) for a future post. But I thought I would post just a couple of the good pictures I managed to get.

Client Christmas Cards

I am so pleased that I decided to offer Christmas cards this year to my clients! I soooo much enjoy doing our family Christmas cards and I now get to share that joy with others. I have done a lot this year, but here is just a sampling from some of the most recent (these are all 5x7 flat front/back cards). Seeing them online NEVER do the cards justice. Some have scalloped and scrolling edges and of course the texture or pearl stock can't be properly conveyed either. But maybe you were lucky enough to receive a KPP card in the mail this year, and if so, you know what I mean.....

Christmas Packages

I always take great pride when sending correspondence to others which includes cards, letters, and packages.  In my opinion, it's all in the presentation!

That includes our family Christmas cards, which you saw and read about in a previous post. I also LOVE my photography packaging. I love to not only WOW my customers with amazing images but leave them with a lasting impression with my beautiful packaging.

So you can imagine, my Christmas packaging is no different! I will say, I don't buy new wrapping paper every year, but rather work around what I got the day after Christmas the year before or have left over from previous Christmases.  No lie, I'm actually still using some paper I bought 5 years ago....I'm pretty sure the family is tired of seeing that paper!

But I always look for creative ways to add to my packaging.  Last year I added monogrammed ornaments, which was pretty neat.  But this year I came across an Etsy seller that intrigued me.  Jennifer Biagi of PaperJacks.  I'm absolutely obsessed in love with Etsy.  If you're not familiar, click on the link and prepare yourself to handover the weekly paycheck.  Well it's not that bad, but I do use Etsy a lot for decorating, birthday party planning, and even some of my most favorite card designers I have found through Etsy!  I much rather buy from small time businesses or individuals than hand my money over to large corporations like Hobby Lobby (although sometimes that can't be avoided).  But I guess being the small business owner myself now, I certainly see the importance!

So this year it's red and white paper with paper ribbons and labels, thanks to PaperJacks of Louisville, KY! I'm just loving the simplicity!

(Below are images from PaperJacks Etsy shop. I hope mine turn out this cute!)

Jack Can Add

I thought you all may want to see what Jack's been up to lately.  I think we're pretty fortunate that he LOVES learning games and we have moved from letters to now numbers and simple math.....

Christmas Cards

Christmas cards are finally sent and I have enjoyed all the sweet messages I have received from our friends and family upon their arrival. I always put a lot of time and resources into our cards every year and I'm so happy to know people are enjoying them!


Below is the image of our cards. I realize it does take a little bit of an imagination seeing them flat but it has 2 folds.  The very last picture might help. One at the top (and when printed the top actually is scrolling) and between the text and pics at bottom. The second picture is just the outside of the card....so just imagine it folded too!

The Outtakes

Jessica also included some funny pictures in which, especially the first one, pretty much sums up how Brons and I felt about the entire picture taking process. Jack was a complete hooligan and we both needed a drink by the time the shoot was over.


I believe that every photographer should have their own family pictures done at least once a year just to keep things in perspective. I mean if I had a dollar for every parent who profusely apologized to me for their child's behavior, let's just say, I'd be a very rich woman. Of course I always say, "They're kids, no problem! That's what they do!". And I mean it! Kids are never as bad during shoots as parents often think! But this time I was that parent apologizing for my wild little indian. But Jessica could not have been more patient and from the first set of AMAZING pictures, you never would have guessed Jack's life was threaten at least 10 times during that shoot!

Family Pictures

We had our yearly family pictures done by the FABULOUS Jessica Hollis of Jessica Hollis Photography this year! I could go on...and on about how much I love and admire this girl, but I'll let the pictures do the talking.


They were taken back in September, but I've been waiting to post them until after our Christmas cards were sent. Let's just say I purchased quite a few canvases and have my walls plastered with the prints! It was soooooo nice to be on the other side of the lens this time. After viewing all the pictures, I just sat and cried I loved them so much! Another HUGE thank you to Jessica for giving me such beautiful pictures that I will cherish forever and for the fabulous art that now hangs on our walls!

Here are a few of my faves.....