Year in Review: 2010

Well the year is winding down and it will be New Years soon enough. Looking back over the year I am so thankful for everyone I met along the way and in shock really of how far I have come. {And yes, still have a long way to go.} Every New Year makes me think about how I spent my time in that year, did I accomplish everything I set out to do? And I ask these questions of myself: How much have I grown this year? How much time have I spent on personal development? How much time have I spent giving back? How much joy have I brought to others? Have I made a difference to even one person? Have I made a child or adult feel good about themselves? How successful was I in doing what I wanted to, did I hold back or not finish things? How hard did I work at becoming a better person? Did I take enough time for myself? What would I do differently? What will I do this coming year...? Those are just the tip of the ice berg, believe me. I ask myself a lot of questions all the time about benchmarking myself really. So as the year winds down and you look at yourself, I hope you can say: It was a great year!

Here is a look back at some of the kids' portrait sessions I worked on this year and my designs I developed to go along with those photos. I chose kids to focus on looking back over the year, as they seem to make me smile the most, and bring the most joy and well frustration to me. Let's face it kids are hilarious, charming and sometimes difficult so manage; so any great photos that come as a result are something to cherish! Enjoy.

Wishing you the best New Year! Hope you had a great year - if not there are a few days to squeeze in anything you still need to do, want to do or just plain decide to do :) HAPPY NEW YEAR!

3 Days 'Til Christmas

Ah, the final countdown is here...the presents are wrapped and under the tree, the snow is gently falling outside, and inside the dogs are getting restless. The holidays really are the only time of year we take a moment to enjoy life, slow down and relax. So from my house to yours - Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

10 Days til Christmas

Well the last couple weeks since Thanksgiving have flown by and we are in the 12 days until Christmas countdown with just 10 days left! With old man Winter blowing in, it looks like we are going to have a White Christmas - I can't help it and have been humming 'Let It Snow' for the last couple of days! So much holiday cheer on the mind. From my house to yours:

So this is the crunch time for last minute shopping, and if you are like me, you still have a couple of gifts to buy! Don't worry, make it easy on yourself and give a unique gift this year that will help create memories for years to come with a HOLIDAY GIFT CERTIFICATE for a loved one toward a unique and memorable portrait session with me.

There is no better feeling than giving to loved ones, friends, even the mail lady or UPS man for letting people know they matter all year long. So giving this time of year is so rewarding. This is the last week for the TOYS FOR TOTS drive I am doing. Remember, you donate a toy you get a FREE PRINT; to up the stakes if you donate a toy for TOYS FOR TOTS you get your choice of FREE PRINT or an ADDITIONAL $50 for a HOLIDAY GIFT CERTIFICATE. That's right your $50 will become $150! So:

If you want to give a piece of art for home, there are several pieces in the HOME DESIGN SERIES that make great gifts as well. Some of my pieces are on display at the Franklin Grill for the month of December. The series shown is THE RED DOOR PROJECT. When shooting images for the HOME DESIGN SERIES I came across several red doors...my interest in finding more and more red doors lead to THE RED DOOR PROJECT:

 Let the count down continue! 10 days left...Happy Holidays!  

'TIS THE SEASON

I LOVE being in the middle of the holiday season...the festival of foods is behind us and we are moving into the Christmas day countdown. But looking back at the weekend, it was a pretty good one. Lots of food, naps, and a little culture at the Nutcracker. Hopefully, you were lucky enough to have lots of loved ones around you and I hope everyone ate as good as we did at our house (yes that was my first turkey):

So the holiday season is in full swing. There are 24 shopping days left until the big day so get your gift idea juices flowing. There are lots of options for making the most out of memories and home decorating! A gift certificate for those you love toward a portrait session or even a unique piece of art for their home. View the HOME DESIGN SERIES options online under: LIVE The best part about getting a gift certificate with my HOLIDAY GIFT CARD PROMOTION is you get twice what you spend to give. Pay 50 and they get 100 toward a session or anything from the Home Design Series for their home.

Remember if you want to see some of the HOME DESIGN SERIES in person, you can all month long at the Franklin Grill in downtown Franklin. If you are interested in attending the night that kicks off my collection on display you are welcome to Thursday December 9th. You are invited to attend and hear local artisan Jean Mallebay-Vacqueur speak about being an Entrepreneur at Heart. Register online & more info

The holidays are closing in on us yes, but if you are still looking to get family portraits done or if you just want to get some holiday portraits of the kids you can! Be sure to take advantage of the holiday savings in the next couple of weeks! For a limited time I will be offering photo packages that are a great savings for your in home holiday session. YOU SAVE ON THE SESSION AND GET YOUR CHOICE OF HOLIDAY PICTURE PACKAGE.

If you have already done your holiday session with me this year, I am offering you an option to get a FREE PRINT FROM YOUR SESSION. If you are still looking to do holiday portraits - don't worry you can DONATE A TOY AND GET A FREE PRINT TOO! All you have to do is donate a toy for TOYS FOR TOTS to me and you get a free 8x10 print or 2 5x7 prints. I got some help in taking the photos for the promotion from my little supervisors :) :

 It's not surprising in this house that the best toys look like real members of the family! It doesn't matter what the toy is, as long as it is new and you don't mind parting with it! So, it is the easiest thing you will ever do for a free print and it will make you feel good about giving to little ones who need toys! SO:

Thankful & Sharing

This time of year, I can not help but stop and think of what I am thankful for. My health, my loved one, my boys - the four legged kind,  and last but not least having had a good year; well a great year really. Here are some of those:

So the years seem to be going by faster and faster; I guess that happens when you get older - as they say. So when we can I think it is good to look around and see what you are thankful for. To all my clients this year, THANK YOU! And as a gift to you I am offering a great holiday gift idea: $50 in a gift card purchase gives $100 to the receiver. It's easy: you spend 50 and they get 100 toward a session and prints.

The holiday season is here! Happy shopping and happy black Friday! Make the most of your time and pass on memories to be shared.

Holidays & Gift Ideas

The holidays are among us! I just love that feeling, knowing that they are coming. It is a time of year that means cups of coco in front of the fireplace with a blanket on, just relaxing....ok clearly that is utopia! Really it means a lot of running around and logistical planning. Make it easy on yourself this year with great little gift ideas for the ones closest to you. Canvas wraps for wall art, a unique addition to a mantel, or even framed pictures for a gallery feeling. Always a good idea to get the ones you love something unique.

There are lots and lots of designs that are coming out in 2011 for the HOME DESIGN SERIES COLLECTION. So if you are not sure about what to get for the ones on your list, you could always get them a gift certificate. They can use the GIFT CERTIFICATES for portrait sessions or for anything from the HOME DESIGN SERIES COLLECTION pieces. 

If you are the kind of person who likes to touch and feel before you buy. Well you are in luck, my HOME DESIGN SERIES COLLECTION PIECES will be on display at the Franklin Grill for the month of December, so please feel free to stop in anytime and view any of the pieces. Also, if you have time and are available on December 9th from 6:30-9pm you are invited to an MIPA Event where Jean Mallebay-Vacqueur is the guest speaker on being an Entrepreneur at Heart.

After gifts, there is always the thought of what am I going to do about holiday photos?? Well, I have two different promotions for the holidays that can make it easy on you. There is a ONE DAY promo that includes a print package and an AT HOME promo for a session in your home. Check these out, there are limited dates and times available for each - so make sure you get yours planned so it is one less thing to worry about! 

Also, there are some fun after the holidays promotions that are coming...like the SHOW ME THE FLUFFY: A winter coat donation drive, for those in need, WINTER WONDERLAND KID FUN: Mini-session & Print Package Promo; so be sure to keep an eye out for the ongoing promotions that are coming up and ways you can give back through the CHARITY CONNECTION with Amy Gillespie Photography.

Designs & Holidays

There are lots of FUN & BEAUTIFUL things coming in 2011....starting with new designs! I have been working hard in last couple of weeks coming up with some amazing designs for your pictures. Little ways your photos can stand out in the frame! Here is a preview of some of them:

I took some inspiration from my Grandmothers. My Grandma Eileen used to make the best jams and jellies out of her garden. I remember helping her pick fresh fruits and vegetables. My Grandma Lillian (Actually Great-Grandma) used to make the best decorative doilies and she collected tea sets, like me. Here is the inspiration from these ladies, as I remember times as a child: 

There are also going to be plenty to choose from for both boys & girls. There are matching sets if you have one of each, or twins, of just kids who like to have what the other one has. Whatever the case may be, here is a preview of boy & girl sets: 

Lots more designs to come in the 2011 year, so keep an eye out for those! If you see a style you like, that matches your children's room - just remember the unique name of each style. Also, it is a good way to coordinate what your kids can wear for a session! 

2011 is not here quite yet.....So, back to now, with the holidays on the way! There is still time for a family session while the weather is holding, giving us blue sky days and sun! Thanksgiving is right around the corner and families will be getting together, so it's a good time for family portrait. You save 25% OFF a session fee if you book before November 30th. Holiday card styles are here, so don't forget to look for the one you want! 

Also, it can be a little difficult to get the little ones in to see Santa without a total meltdown! There are long lines and big crowds, so naturally by the time your kid is up to see Santa - meltdown! Or they are completely freaked out! So, make it easy on yourself this year with PICTURES WITH SANTA. Keep an eye out for the coming dates he will be here!