What a Mess!

This is what the front of our studio looks like right now! Hopefully they get a lot done over the weekend!



Enjoy the great weather!

It's a caffeine world

I was at Rite Aid a minute ago and while I was checking out, saw the most ridiculous thing ever....Snickers has now added caffeine to their candy bar!
Like there is not enough sugar in that to make you go crazy, now there's caffeine!
Wow, we are a very sad sad group of people :)
So now, we can wake up, have our pot of coffee. Drive to work and get a Starbucks.
Get to work and have another pot of coffee. Have lunch and drink a HUGE Coke with it. Then, have a 3:00 Energy Drink for that pick me up and NOW have a candy bar filled with extra caffeine too! Then after a long day at work, we need our headache meds filled with caffeine to make our headache go away. Then we wonder why we can't sleep at night!

I'm guilty too...I'm not trying to preach here. I have been trying to ween myself off of Dr. Pepper for over a year now. And although I am getting better (maybe 3 a week) I still have a hard time passing one up. :) I just think we need to work harder at getting ourselves healthier and our kids! At least we can help teaching our kids some good eating habits...right!

So next time you reach in the fridge for something cold to drink...grab a water!
It'll do the body good! :)

Oh WAIT! This has caffeine too!

This little piggy...

Miss "C" brought in her 4 little pigs over today and they were so cute! And of course so was she :) They watched Miss "C" get her pictures taken and kept her company while she walked around gathering everything in her site :) I love 2 year olds because they live in their own little world. And you NEVER know what you're going to get!
:)

She's a cutie!

Our studio neighbor has the cutest little dog and I asked him over today to do a shoot! It was a quick little session, maybe 10 minutes, but we got the cutest images! Reese here is probably going to be our poster girl for our Dog Promotion!
Coming soon this summer! Be on the lookout!

Is it EVER going to stop!

Rain, rain go away....I think they have it wrong!
Last night I leave work around 8:30 and my car was covered with snow, the roads were terrible and of course the skies were grey as always! I'm hoping that was our last snow of the year...please!
Today though, the snow is melting away and the sun is shining! YEAH!
I wanted to share this snow session with you! This little one loves the snow and braved the cold way better then I! What a trooper!
Have a great weekend everyone!

Puppies Please!

I need some puppies to photograph! :) "Funny" you may say to yourself. I didn't know you photographed dogs, I thought just kids! Well, I do love photographing kids and babies, but as most of you know, my baby is a 100lb chocolate lab Jake and this Spring I am going to be photograph dogs and cats to help supply the CAHS with food for their animals.
There will be more info on that later! But for now, if you have a new puppy or kitten, I would love it if you would call me or email me. I need some images for advertising purposes :)
Thanks

Update: I have all the pups I need...Thanks everyone!

Easter Weekend

I hope that everyone has a great Easter weekend! I guess we will be searching for Easter eggs in the snow this year! Craziness! I don't know about you, but I am ready for warmer weather...enough of this snow stuff :)

Here's a little man that I photographed yesterday! He is such a cutie! He is a strong little 8 month old. He was showing off his WALKING skills to me during our session and I just couldn't believe it!

Home Show

Andrew and I will be at the Home Show tonight thru Sunday at the MSU Pavilion!
Come and see us! We have tons of new things to show you..new albums, images boxes, and the best part...these awesome new frames! I know you're going to love them!
We even have a special SHOW ONLY coupon that is worth your drive to the show. Just ask us for one...while supplies last of course! :)

Here is a little teaser of things to see!

Parker is here!

Parker was born February 26th at 8lbs and 5oz. I can't wait to meet him and am hoping to get down to Austin in the next few weeks! My brother and his wife are enjoying their time with Parker, not sleeping and sitting looking at him all day! Ahhh....the joys of a new born!
YEAH, I'm an Aunt!

Long weekend

I had a great weekend, even though it seemed to last forever! :) Saturday was the Matilda Jane Party and we had a blast! I want to thank Paula for being a fantastic host and bringing the cutest clothes over to our party! I hope everyone that attended had a great time!

Sunday, I had to get the studio ready for the 16 or so photographers that came over for our first SNAP workshop! It was a huge success and I am looking forward to actually attending one next time! We had the most patient set of kids I've ever seen and I can't thank the parents of those fabulous kids enough! You all saved me at the last minute and I owe you one BIG TIME! Thank you!
Here are a few pics from the SNAP event...as you can see, the kids did great!




I am trying to leave tonight to get home, because again it's snowing and the roads are terrible. Amy if you are reading, your images are almost up!!!! I'm so close!
Goodnight all:)

Matilda Jane This weekend!

We still have room for the Matilda Jane Party! Go see their new website...click here. So stop over between the times 1:30 and 4:30 in Old Town, Lansing at Perspective 2.
Hopefully we'll see you there!

Waiting for Parker

My new nephew is on his way any day now and I am dying to hear the news that he has been born! His name is going to be Parker Scott and I know he's going to be the cutest little thing! His due date is today, and I had a dream last night that he was born...so I'm hoping for today! I'm sure mom and dad are ready too!

I'll keep you posted!

OLD TOWN

I was down at Old Town, Lansing again this weekend, hanging out with me friend Christina. I just have to say, that I love being here. It has such a great feel! There are some great shops and it looks like there are even more moving in as we speak.
Store #1 October Moon

This store has a vintage flair with unique gifts and scents. My favorite item in this store are the Petunia Pickle Bottom bags! Oh My Gosh! If you don't have one, you have toget one! I would get one, even though I don't have kids! These bags are specially designed for the hip mom that wants something stylish to put those bulky baby wipes and diapers in.
The designs are beautiful and colorful! There is even a changing pad in the bag that is attached and easily accesable. SO CUTE!

Store #2 Polka Dots Bead-a-full Boutique

This store is super fun! They have beautiful beads and specialty gifts. This is a great place to sit down with a friend and make some jewelry! It has a very relaxed setting and VERY nice staff that are willing to help you with your creations!

Store #3 Grace
I forgot my camera this day...sorry no pic:(
The name says it all! This store is all about Grace. They have gorgeous clothing, their jewelry is to die for and you can even do a private shopping day with your friends that includes champagne!

So, after you come to the Matilda Jane party on Saturday from 2:30 to 4:30 I strongly suggest you walk around Old Town and visit these stores! I'll see you Saturday...don't forget to RSVP!

It's time again!

We are having another Matilda Jane party and you're invited! Our very own Paula Wilcox is now a trunk keeper, and we have scouted out a location for this Premiere Party of the new Spring line for 08! I've seen a sneak peak of the clothes and they are to die for! Can't wait to see the rest of them!
We are relocating the party this year to OLD TOWN, Lansing! They just got a business make-over from IKEA and we felt this place had just the FEEL for the new clothing line! Join us at Perspective 2 from 2:30 to 4:30 on February 23rd!
I know, it's coming up fast! So give me a call and make your reservation quick!
You don't want to miss this one!
Invites will be in the mail this week! If you would like one, just send me a quick email and I'll put you on the list! Please RSVP, we are limiting our party to 30 people!

Can't wait to see you there!

Snow Day!

Yesterday was crazy weather! I hope everyone had safe travels and didn't have to be anywhere important. Today, the schools are closed, and everyone spent their morning shoveling, scraping and piling up the snow!
Be safe!

Home Sweet Home v2.

We have been all over since the New Year! I am happy to say that we are home and here to stay! :) It felt so nice to sleep in my own bed, see my husband and see my dog Jake! Home Sweet Home...I know now why they say that!

Andrew, Emily, Tim and I went to Cincinatti to celebrate with our friends Angela and Scott for their wedding! It was so gorgeous and intimate. Angela just built a brand new studio and it is amazing! I was extremely jealous...in a good way! Her studio is called Essenza, you can click here to see her website. The ceremony was very sweet, emotional and funny! All the ingredents you need for a great wedding. The food was catered in and it was to die for! Pasta stations, wedding soup shooters, wine and wedding cake! We were very full to say the least!




On Sunday, we went across the river to Kentucky to see some our photography friends at their state convention. We love the people of Kentucky! It was great to see everyone again! We got home Sunday night, late and then Andrew and I left again Tuesday EARLY morning to fly to Vegas!


Vegas was really nice. The weather was cool but pleasant and the people of PMA were very welcoming. PMA is Photo Marketing Association and they hired us to come speak on Wednesday. So Tuesday, Andrew and I walked around, ate great food and went and saw a show. We also got ready for our program since we didn't have a lot of time before then to get our presentation into the computer. Everything went very well, and we were happy to meet so many great photographers!

We flew home Wednesday afternoon, got home at 2:30 in the morning, came to work for 8hours and then unpacked, repacked and were off to PPM(our state convention)! Just writing about it makes me tired!
Our convention was great, and I learned so much! We love going to convention because it prepares us for a new year. We learn new ways to improve our business, new photography styles and gives us a chance to see all of our friends!

Andrew did very well at print competition this year, as always. I didn't even have a chance to enter this year. Maybe next time. Andrew came away with, Michigan 4 for 4, Michigan Photographers Award of Excellence, and 3 Court of Honor Awards!
Way to go Andrew!

Our friend Jaime, who went with us to PPA, also won a $500 cash prize which was really exciting!!

Connie and Jaime at the Banquet


So now it's snowing like crazy and all of our appointments have canceled for the day.
I would too if I were you! It's nasty out there!
So be safe and stay off the roads if possible!

Home Sweet Home

We are back and I have so much to write about!
Look back later today for all our travel stories!

Birthday bash!

Today was 1 year birthday day! We had two little boys turning one in today and we had a great time! There is cake everywhere! :) There is nothing like watching a little boy tear into a cake! I was laughing so hard I almost missed the shot!
Next time, I'll remember my video camera so you can see the mess!






I also had the most prescious little baby girl over this morning. She has those great big eyes and the best little lips. Oh, I just loved her!

Welcome back!

Happy New Year! We have been very busy since the New Year has come around. We got back from our Holiday break, had 3 days of major computer problems and then left again to go to Florida for our National Convention! Convention was a great time, but I knew when we got back that I was going to have to deal with my computer.
Our amazing computer genius, TIM, helped us out yet again and he happened to save my computer without losing anything! YEAH! So, now we are just behind a little with orders because we couldn't do anything for over a week! So bare with us, I am trying to get caught up. :)

Florida PPA Highlights!
We had a great week with gorgeous weather! This was my first time to Florida and Tampa was a great place to start. Andrew, Emily and my friend Jamie and I traveled together. During the flight, Emily and Jamie and I chatted the whole time while Andrew slept. It made the 2 1/2 hour flight go by quick! We had a great view from our hotel and roamed around Tampa much of the first day.



The next few days were jam packed. We got up every morning for a 7am program and went to programs till 12:30. Then lunch, trade show and more programs. It was tiring, but we learned so much! We found so many new products that we are going to add to our line! We are very excited for you to see those!

My parents flew down to come to my celebration dinner and watch me get my Craftsmen degree. I was very happy that they were there. Some of our good friends from all over joined us for dinner as well!






Of course, Andrew had his fair share of awards too. He won the 2nd place Kodak Gallery Award and the ASP Bronze Medallion Award! Both very highly coveted awards!




We spent some time at our Lab Burrell's booth. They had a great place set up to relax and have a cup of coffee. That was much appreciated, since we were all dead tired. Before we left, we got our copy of an article that Andrew had written about our studio! It's always great to see you're work published!


The last night was the night that I got my degree. My friend Debbie Trombly got her Master's degree and I was honored to be her sponsor.


Andrew of course was my sponsor. I wouldn't have been able to get this degree without him. While we were on stage in front of a room full of people, Andrew pulled out the camera and took a picture of me! It was great!


Afterward we celebrated with all our friends and had a great night!








PPA is always such a great time. We get to see so many of our friends and meet new ones too! It's like a huge family reunion!
We look forward to next year!