Giving Back in 2009

I've been giving lots of thought recently to ways to use my photography in a more meaningful way. I've always said everyone deserves to have custom portraits of their children, not just those who can well afford it. It's one of the reasons I keep my prices low and offer discounts. Well, I've decided that in 2009 I'm going to put my words into action. I've done a lot of research on some charitable photography organizations out there and have joined a couple. I am excited about those, however, I've also decided I don't need to be part of an organization to start 'paying it forward'. So in 2009 I will be begin donating session to the people you choose! How fun is that?! I need your help though. I need you to spread the word and send me your nominations of who you feel would benefit from a portrait session. It could be a family struggling economically, or it could be a family with a special needs child that doesn't do well in typical studio settings. Or it could be a completely different scenario. I don't care. I just feel a strong need to do a little good, however small it may be. You can also nominate your own child. Simply send me your name, the name of your nominee and a brief description of why you are nominating them along with a snapshot of the nominee. (A snapshot is not required but hey I love pictures what can I say?)
The first recipient will be chosen on January 1, 2009 so hurry and get your nominations in to me soon! Send them to Photographybytrula@gmail.com no later than midnight December 31, 2008.

Guess What?!

I'm caught up! Well mostly, there are a few stray orders and things waiting but I can finally sit back and relax. It's a wonderful feeling! Thank you so much to everyone who made 2008 a wonderful busy year! I hope you all had a terrific Christmas full of blessings and memories!

Check back very soon for an exciting announcement!

Because I can't post without a photo, here's the front or our card this year. The plan was to post it sooner of course. And the back too because I thought it was a fun one this year!

Playing Catch Up

I'm slowly digging out of the fall rush here. In an effort to save a little time here's a great big multiple sneak peek post. Including a very patient high school senior! Just look at all these beautiful faces I've been blessed to have in front of my camera!
Thank you all for your patience. I promise galleries are coming soon to an email near you. Don't forget to click the images below for a bigger view!

When the Wind Blows...

Of course my long awaited session with my favorite girls was on the windiest day of the year! The girls were great and so cooperative, so of course something else must step up and make things difficult. Thank you Mr. Wind. We had fun anyway and still managed to get some great shots.

Sneak Peek Senior Session

I got to meet up with this adorable senior girl this weekend. She managed to stay beautiful through the bugs and the humidity. She was just the perfect model! These are just a few of my favorites. It was so hard to narrow them down to these!

Where did summer go?

Most of my summer sessions went right to proof gallery and never made it to the blog. And now here it is, that time of year again. The time when things start to get crazy busy for me. Fall sessions are limited this year and are already beginning to fill up. If you are planning fall portraits, especially family portraits, please remember to call or email me as soon as possible. I will be scheduling family portrait sessions only through the first weekend in November this year. I'm working on plans for a fall mini session event. A mini session is for 1-2 children per time slot at a reduced session fee. Watch for more details coming soon!

We Meet Again, Finally!

Way too much time has passed since I was able to meet with this wonderful family. Our schedules finally allowed us to get together in a sweet little old fashioned town last week. I simply adore these two beautiful girls. Each time we're together I am again stuck by their sweet beauty. I still can't get Miss P to sit for more then 30 seconds but that's progress! Everyone in this town was wonderful and welcoming. One of the antique store shop keepers even invited us in to take some shots on her beautiful antique blue velvet sofa. She was so welcoming (and brave!) to let us in too. She even called and got the old hotel across the street open for us too, where we found another gorgeous velvet sofa. The hospitality of this town amazed me. I could post a 100 pics to share here but I've limited it to these few. I am so blessed to watch these two grow!

The Sweetest Friend

We recently took our annual trip to Michigan and I was lucky enough to get to spend the day with a photographer friend. It's always a thrill to hang out with a fellow photog! I believe I have said it before but I'll say it again. Tressie is without a doubt, one of the sweetest most genuine and giving people I have ever met. I feel so blessed to have been able to meet her and spend some time together. This year we spent the day at the zoo after she took some wonderful family pictures for us. Here's a few I snapped of her and her beautiful girls. (Who are just as sweet by the way.) Thank you Tressie and girls for a wonderful day! We had such a great time!

Cute is as Cute does.

I had the pleasure of meeting this way too cute guy this weekend. He was so smart figuring everything out, there was no fooling him. He's just about to turn two so I'm working hard to get his pics done for his party. Here's a few early favorites.

Rain Rain Go Away

I had a shoot scheduled with one of my favorite little clients but the rain had other ideas. So we did a few to hold us over until we could reschedule.

Just for fun!

I went out shooting yesterday just for fun after finding a beautiful poppy flower field. It was on a median and not the most comfortable place to shoot though. However, then we found this grassy field and it turns out I loved that one more then the flowers. Here's a few of my favorites. As always just click on the image for a bigger view.

Happy Baby!

Ok I'm going to try and get back in the habit of this blogging thing. So to start me back on track I have a wonderful sneak peek of a recent session. And what a cute and sweet baby (check out her dimples) I have to share with you! She was such a good sport too. I really enjoyed meeting her and her mommy and spending some time with them! I'll have the rest up for you soon mom!

The Annual Procrastination Special!

One thing about taking a break is you tend to fall out of habit of doing things even after your break is over. Like blogging! I've written many posts in my head does that count? One thing I do need to post about though is spring cleaning. Of my hard drive that is. It's time to move the old files off to make room for new ones. I don't like to do that without offering a last chance Procrastination Special. (Actually I don't like to do it at all!) So if you've been waiting to order something from last year now is the time. 30% discount on any order placed from a 2007 session now through June 14, 2008. At that time all the old files will be cleared and no will longer be available. If for some reason you can not order by that time but want to, don't hesitate to notify me.
Thank you to everyone who helped fill up my hard drive so beautifully! 2007 was a great year!

LOVE this girl!

Here's a quick sneak peek of adorable baby K. This time with her sweet parents who clearly adore her (and each other). She is just the sweetest girl and I love seeing her personality coming out with each visit. This time she had four new teeth to show off. As you can see she has amazing beautiful blue eyes too!

Anticipation...

Because it's been a busy week and the gallery might not make it up until later this weekend... here's a few more for all the baby B fan's out there. Turns out a mommy and her baby girl can have the same 'awww' factor as daddy.

The Sweetest of Blessings

I had the pleasure of meeting this sweet baby girl and her family this past weekend. She was perfect the whole time we were there. Never fussing through all of my fussing with her! Here are a few of my early favorites from her session. Thank you all for the enjoyable Saturday morning and for sharing your little blessing with me!

There is just something about a baby girl and her daddy that just melts my heart every time.