The L Family Phoenix Photographer

     So it has been a little quite here since moving to Arizona.  With starting working at a studio and have non compete issues, to just getting busy with life, Milestone Memories has taken the back burner.  The family you are about to see are long time customers of mine.  I took pictures every month of Mrs. L second pregnancy.  They had scheduled a family session at the beginning of the new year and patiently waited due to me having to be on bed rest for 3 months (and the new baby after).  I was lucky enough to get to take their pictures today.  It was a nice albeit humid Phoenix summer day with some light cloud cover.  I think she walked away feeling like we got nothing.  Parents with two year olds often feel this way.  I felt she needed to be reassured. Well, let's face it my first session (other than my own kids) in over a year and I could not wait to get started editing. Without further ado he is a sneak peak for the L family.

The Smith Family Phoenix Family Photographer

It has been my old theme to find a quote to begin the post with.  As it is a New Year and has also been a while since I have posted anything, we are to start a new trend. I am still here and still in business.  I am please to share the beautiful Smith Family a long time friend and co-worker.  Only a fellow photographer knows how challenging it can be to take your own children's pictures.  We captured some great moments and even got the teenager to smile.  Can we say Success!!!

The K-M Family {Phoenix Family Photographer}

     I am proud to introduce that the K-M family has grown by 2 more cute little feet.  We photographed baby M, about 3 months old, and the family for this past weekend.  They spoiled me, and helped me, and we made this portrait experience together.She was a smiley, happy baby.  I rocked her to sleep to her mother's amazement two times, and we had a blast getting reacquainted, as we were friends in High School.  Please meet the new addition, and the family...

 

Here it goes (Phoenix Professional Photographer)

To my friends and family, fans and followers...I am home!  I am where my family and I belong, back near the ones that are dear to me.  The ones that have supported all my choices and helped me through life as an Army wife and growing up in general.  I would love to continue taking pictures for myself, but I need your help!  Spread the word, share my website, and help me get to a place where I can be a part time independent photographer.  To do this, I need about 3 sessions per week.  Please email me if you are interested in Holiday sessions, I am excited to my own work, learn new places in Phoenix to go on location and get great shots and help create your memories.  I can make customer design greeting cards and announcements.  I have experience capturing maternity, newborn, children, and families.  I love the opportunity to get big groups together.and spend time getting to know the personalities.  I can come to your home a familiar location, where the family is more comfortable.  I can offer more of my time with 2 to 3 hour sessions depending on the type and custom edited images.  Spread the word, Milestone Memories Photography is back in business here in the Phoenix Metro Area!

Genuine Beginnings {Puyallup Children's Photographer}

"Genuine beginnings begin within us, even when they are brought to our attention by external opportunities."

                                                           William Throsby Bridges

 So it has bee an little while since I have blogged and I apologize.  Not much and a lot have gone on all at the same time.  Elise turned one, and I have yet to take her pictures because she has been sick off and on.  I have not been very motivated and I am not sure why.  As far as packing and getting the house ready to sell, I think I am procrastinating because a huge part of me is wishing James gets a job here and we don't have to sell the house at all.  I have been looking at houses in some of the cities that James has been applying to, and honestly...everywhere else has a better housing market than here.  But it is easier to land a position here and not have to move my family and leave our friends.  On the other hand, moving to where my family is near and having them around to help with the kids would be nice.  You know, actually getting a kid free date. 

So as to the above quote, I am going to start with a new beginning within myself.  I am going to keep working on some projects for Milestone Memories...I started selling my crochet hats and props through the zenfolio link, and plan to start selling templates after things settle down.  I am excited to figure out what is in store for my business after things settle down with James and he gets a position somewhere.  I am very excited to implement some of my fabulous marketing ideas in the future and get more steady sessions. 

I have a few sessions coming up, including Elise's one year pictures, newborn baby twins, and a 9 months old whom I have been taking pics of since birth.  I have some great ideas for those sessions and have already made some great props and have gotten a few new backdrops.  I will be making a really cute jester hat for Baby A.J. to go with my new green batik background. 

I also restructured my polices, procedures, and Packages.  Please visit the your investment tab to get an idea of session fees and what they include.  I will have a post later this week with some of the New Fine Art Collections (Wall Art) and Newborn and Family collections. 

For the crochet portion of the business, I have decided that for every 3 hats sold, I will donate 1 to Hats Off For Cancer.  I will also be participating in the hat drive during 1 week in April.  The hat drive is not just handmade items but new hats from newborn to adult as well and begins April 10th.

That's all I've got right now, baby is waking up.  Posting the new packages soon.

Win, Lose, Draw....(Phoenix Children's Photographer)

"Win, lose or draw, you're all my cousins and I love you."

                                                                           Chill Wills- Singer/Actor

As you may have read, I had the pleasure of going home to AZ for the holidays.  While we have been able to visit, it was the first time in four years that we had been able to take leave over that time and visit our family.  To get a little more for for my profile, I decided to do mini-sessions.  I was hoping for a better turn out, but since our visit was a surprise to a few people, I could not advertise as strongly as I would have liked.  One of the sessions was for my Aunt, of her grandchildren and a few with my son thrown in.  We took them to Papa Graves backyard garage and the kids had a blast tinkering with the old cars and pretending to drive them.  I mostly just let them be boys!  It was a great day with the kids, and we got some great shots.  Here is a preview!

It takes half your life... (DIY Project for Photographers)

"It takes half your life before you discover life is a do-it-yourself project."

                                                     Napoleon Hill- Author

  Life is full of surprises and projects.  I am a mother of two small children that quit her job to stay home and decided to venture into my own business.  I have loved photography for ever, but always laughed when people suggested I make it a business of my own.  When I made that leap three months ago, there was not a lot of extra money for anything and photography props can be expensive.  For those that don't have a room dedicated to a studio, or like to travel on location to clients houses, I made a DIY Backdrop Stand.  Here is the lowest priced backdrop stand from Cowboy Studio at $47.99 plus $8.99 S & H and taxes:  

http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-Photography-Backdrop-Support-Crossbar/dp/B003M5OXSK/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1295162477&sr=8-6

I have a solution for you that will take 20 minutes at home depot and with be easy to travel and costs less than $20.

Go to the PVC pipe section and ask them to cut 3/4 inch PVC pipe into two 4 foot sections, four 3 foot sections, and keep the left over 2 foot sections.  Should be about 2-3 lengths total that you are purchasing.  Get 2 corner joints, 2 t-joints, and 5 straight connection joints.  I also plan to buy black electrical tape to wrap around them for added grip, but the baby got fussy on that outing and I forgot.  Here are some shots of how it looks!  Hope it works for you.

 The 4 foot sections are on the side in this configuration.

You may be wondering what the extra lengths are for.  The 2 foot sections are the feet.  When I use my wood floors and a floor board, I take out the ones pointed toward me and clip it to the back ground.  You can also use a four foot and 2 foot across the top and two 3 foot sections on each side when you need more background (I also use seamless paper occasionally).  Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.  Hope this helps others save money!

New Year, what's next?

I know I have had many creative titles as of late, but to introduce these projects, I really wanted to keep it simple.  I am very lucky that at least for now, I can let my business grow at its own pace.  I really am not pushing it just because I am not really sure what is happening toward the end of March.  It is all up in the air at this point.  For those that do not know, my Husband is getting out of the Army and frantically searching for an engineering job in his degree program.  We have until May to find a job, as he has 2 months of terminal leave, it is just pretty scary not knowing.   So here are some things from me for the new year:

•  In honor of my Valentine's Baby, who has her First Birthday this year, I am running a new special or offer each week until 2/12/11
• Pricing will be changing within the next couple of weeks (check out this weeks special)
• I will only be booking sessions through March 15, 2011 and only on location (your home, a studio I rent, or outdoor location) beginning on February 28, 2011
• I am also starting to create photography props, hats and cocoons.  I am having a lot of fun keeping my hands busy.  I may start to sell some that I have made, if any of my photographer friends are interested.
• If he gets a job offer here in Washington, I will be making an announcement and will start to market myself harder.  I really thank my fans.
• To continue to grow as a photographer, and because it has been a long time for me with a fixed camera and fixed lighting, I have joined 2 groups with a 52 week project.  I started one week behind, so here is my week 1:

For MCP Actions Project 52, the challenge this week was to Illustrate a song.  My song is Splish, Splash by Bobby Darin:

The next image is from Paint the Moon Photography, the challenge for this week is different angles from which you shoot a subject, or object.

 I promise they will not all be of Elise in the future.  I just could not help it.  I took so many more pictures of Riley because James was not around to see it all, This was the first time I took bath tub pics of Ellie.

You can see what others are doing at:
PTM Flickr 
MCP Flickr 
  Thanks for tuning in....

It is all about taking that next step...(Phoenix Family and Children's Photographer)

I was blessed to be able to travel to Phoenix, AZ this holiday season, and even more blessed to be able to work with some great families.  The day after our session, this family got some news about a family member being ill.  Please join me in keeping them in our thoughts and prayers.  This is a reminder to take each day, one step at a time:

My great hope is to laugh as much...(Graham Family Portrait Photographer

My great hope is to laugh as much as I cry; to get my work done and try to love somebody and have the courage to accept the love in return.

                                                                               Maya Angelou

     I have returned from vacation, but have found it difficult to get back into the swing of things.  I will talk more of our trip as I post pictures from those events and sessions done while down in Phoenix, but I wanted to post and share a session I had taken for a friend just before I left as a surprise Christmas present.  She has some really amazing children, with great personalities and well behaved and it was fun sneaking around.  She has seen the group pictures, as I finished those the same night as the session so she could view them on the Gallery on Christmas Day.  But, I finished and now have a preview of each of the kids also.  Yes, there are seven here, her oldest was missing and she has twins on the way!!!  I admire their family and hope to remain friends even if my family moves away from here.   Here are some of their beautiful children:

I couldn't wait for success...(Graham Newborn Photographer) Continued

So here is my first attempt at crocheting in almost 10 years.  I am pretty please with the outcome and will just have to pay more attention in the future to counting stitches, because the size 3-10 year hat I made for Riley, fits both me and James!  Riley loves it though, and even me, not having tried it in forever, finished the aviator hat in one afternoon.  I am really happy I found this option versus buying all my hats.  I love Gracie's Garden and Carissa, but I am really glad to be able to make my own products for my business.   Thanks Amanda from Secret Window Photography over in Spokane, and thanks to Speckled Frog Crochet. Here are some pictures of what I have completed, next up will be a Valentine Newsboy hat for Elise, and newborn twin elf hats for a session.  Thanks guys!

The Future Belongs to those....

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams"

                                                                           Eleanor Roosevelt

As children, we are often asked where you want to be in 10 years, or 5 years and it is seldom we take the opportunity to evaluate this assessment made in years past.  We choose a path and see where it leads, we take on challenges as they come.  Sometimes we are forced to reassess in order to accomplish what we would like, for example staying home with our children, starting our own business, or going back to school.  In the last three months, I have chosen all of the aforementioned examples and as yesterday was my Birthday, I truly asked myself where I want to be in five years.

I have always loved building relationships and engaging with children, but this love extends to that of animals, as well.  When I was 14 years old, I went to Sea World and there I saw a trainer playing peek-a-boo with a sea lion, and it was the most amazing thing ever, and there my dream was forged.  At first I wanted to be a trainer, but this is a challenging gig to get both physically and because there is a waiting list for the job.  So with this in mind, I looked into other ways I could be involved with all these magnificent creatures.  While I still have a few classes to finish up my BS in Bio-chemistry, I hope to be entering or already in Veterinary School within the next 5 years.  Don't worry, there is more and it is about Photography.

I have been doing portrait photography and much more in the photography business since I was 16 years old.  I am going to refrain from telling you how many years since you know I just had a Birthday.  Photography is a passion.  A way to capture beauty and life the way I see it.  The way to preserve moments, actions, light, and so much more.  And the opportunity to share this with others is invaluable.  In entering this business for myself, I have truly found an amazing network of professionals that love to help each other out.  I have been blessed to be able to start this business, and am excited to watch it grow throughout the years.

With that said, here is where I would like Milestone Memories to be in 5 years.  I would really like to be getting booked about 3 months in advance with 3 to 5 sessions per week.  I would love to be getting newborns on a consistent basis.  I have always had a talent for teaching, so I really would like to be doing things like posing guides, joining with others to conduct seminars.  I really hope to start attending them in the next couple of years.  I look forward to selling storyboard templates and cards that I have created.  I really want to learn how to make digital paper, like soon.  I also want to join in some of the groups that do Portraits for Heroes and be able to donate my time and talent.  I may even start branching out into the wedding industry and see how I like it before this to take it on full time in 2016!

Thanks to everyone for the amazing Birthday wishes, and thanks to Mom for my Birthday dinner, and thanks to Duke's Chowder House for the amazing food and beautiful ocean view!  I wish everyone Happy Holidays.  I have a surprise session on Monday and will not post any pics until after Christmas in order not to ruin that surprise.  Also, stay tuned for my first creation in over 10 years...a newborn elf hat...pics to come tomorrow!

I couldn't wait for success...(Graham Newborn Photographer)

"I couldn't wait for success, so I went ahead without it."

 By Jonathan Winters

I love looking for new quotes this is my new way of getting attention, hope it works.   I chose this quote because it is really fitting for my venture that I took on today. I am really proud to say that I am not going to wait for newborn sessions to come to me, nor am I going to stock pile hats and props made by others.  I am going to make them myself.  It is so cost effective and I am grateful there are those that sell their patterns so we amateurs can give it a try, move ahead while we have the time, and really add a personal touch to the images I create.  So, I now say...bring on the newborns, families, bellies, babies, and pets...I want to capture them all!

 A special thanks to the Speckled Frog Crochet http://www.offthehookphotoprops.com/ for offering their patterns, I can;t wait to start.  Elf hats for twin newborns are first on the list!

Sweet and Snap Happy

I am proud to share about this amazing talent that is selling this product.  You only need purchase one floor, their set of psd files and you have about 35 different styles of wood flooring in both directions (horizontal/vertical).  Definitely an investment I will be making in the future.  Go visit this review of Sugar Snappers floors and enter the contest:

http://www.propinsanity.com/sugar-snappers-get-floored/comment-page-1/#comment-21660

A good laugh is sunshine in the house. {Fredrickson Children's Photographer

"A good laugh is like sunshine in the house." by  William Makepeace Thackeray

It is so true, and there are no better giggles and laughs than the sound of your two children playing in the sunshine.  Most notably when you live in Washington and there was not supposed to be any sunshine.  My Riley had a blast getting out of the house and playing, and running outside.  He also loved putting leaves on his sister's head and trying to pick her up so they could walk together (I will get a picture of this one day, but she got cranky before I could).  She had fun just letting the breeze go through the little hair she has, watching brother play, and discovering the grass.  She did not like the boots however and gave me the cutest Boo Boo face ever (not bias or anything).  Hope you enjoy the quote and pictures!

 

A Girl and her Hat {Tacoma Baby Photographer}

So as a photographer, one of the new in things is to have a stash of hats, headbands, crocheted cocoons, and many other items.  while there are many shops out there, I started using Gracies Garden Designs for a hat for my daughter, Elise.  Here are some great pictures of Elise in her new hat.  I hope to purchase many more items from Carissa at Gracies Garden!

My friend 'A' and her college friends {Tacoma Family Photographer}

These girls were a blast to be around and really made me miss my college days.  They are sweet and learning and full of energy and life.  I had so much fun with them, their awkward family photos, and the creative ideas they wanted to capture.  The University of Puget Sound has a beautiful campus and I only hope to be able to hold another session there during the daylight hours.  Here is a preview of my friend and former co-worker 'A' and her college friends:

These two girls are great friends, and I just loved this creamy black and white on their glowing, giggling faces. Group portraits are some of my favorite sessions.

Miss 'A' is also a photographer, so variety was key for this Group Portrait session.  There are a lot more, I did some grunge, vintage, black and white, and more.

I love making pages like this, storyboards, collages, and scrapbook pages add a nice touch to any Portrait session.

To book your session contact me via: 
Contact Information

Before and After Shots

I just though I would show how much I have learned over the past month and a half in Photoshop.  My mom is always pointing out how difficult it is to know what I have done or to provide feedback without seeing the before and the after.  He are some from the snow shots.  I hope you enjoy them.  I would also be glad to edit pictures you have take somewhere else, so long as you have the Copyrights to those images.  I can edit scratches, blemishes, create different black and white, or touch of color, even selective color.  If you are interested, I will be charging $25 per hour, minimum of one hour.  Here are some great shots of Riley playing in the snow, you have already seen the after, but compare!

Snow Place Like Home! {Graham Children's Photographer}

While the snow has been gone for a few days, I promised my Husband that I would only work certain days of the week, and only the weekend if I have actual jobs. Thus I am illegally editing these snow pictures during the kids nap time. But, I have had them over a week and wanted to get more out. Here is my little man, Riley, playing in the snow! He can't wait for more, but alas, we won't have snow for Christmas because snow does not like Phoenix (his words).

Moving Along

I knew starting this business away from my friends and family would be a challenge.  I really just don't know how to get out there and get those babies when they are new so i can create lasting clients.  First session was a great success and they seem to be really impressed with my moment capturing and enhancing skills.  They are talking about doing a 3 or 4 generational family picture.  I am very much looking forward to that happening!  I love groups. I am really glad I worked so hard on editing those pics and it was really fun, I learned a ton of neat tricks in Photoshop that were free.  I also realized that I have enough of a knowledge for the program to design my own cards, storyboards, collages, and the much more!  Now all you fans out there just have to spread the word about my passion for photography and the customers I serve and I should get busy in no time. 

I have my prize winner to take pictures of while I am in Phoenix visiting next.  She happened to be a family friend and she is a family of 12 right now.  I am looking forward to this opportunity very much.  I will be doing a few other sessions while there.  It is really good to be going home for the Holidays! 


Contest Extended

Make sure you enter your fav family photo and why you need to win a free session.  I am so excited about this contest.  After you submit the photo, I will post each on my Facebook Fan page, tag you, leave caption with a brief description as to why they should vote for you.  The great thing, is then you get your friends and family to like my page, and then like your photo.  The top three likes gets a free session and various prizes.  All entrants receive a 20% discount on session fees!  This helps me grow my fan base and therefore my business, also helps me add to my portfolio.  You get great portraits at a discounted price or even FREE!  Share with your friends and family that this is going on!