Kate Reali

It's in the Bag!

2012-02-10T12:20:00.000-06:00

Look what arrived today! ~~A boy in a bag~~ My Kelly Moore camera bag!!!

I so excited to finally put all my gear into one spot. I spent an afternoon watching every one of their videos and finally decided on the Libby, I love that it has two handles along with a messenger strap it can fit all the camera equipment I need and my 17" Macbook Pro, how cool is that!

Check out the Kelly Moore Bags and videos HERE

So Sweet

2012-01-31T17:27:00.001-06:00

I came across this photo today, it must of been when we first move in our current home and I was testing out the little barn in the backyard to see if it would work as my studio.

Little E looks so sweet I'm glad it didn't get lost in to the digital photo oblivion like so many other snap shots of my kids have.

Banner Year!

2012-01-27T12:55:00.002-06:00

This is what I was doing when my Camera hit 10,000.
Then I had some fun adding the banner in Photoshop.

I labeled 2012 our banner year, it's definitely been full of milestones and banners so far and today is no exception, my camera hit 10,000 actuations! In only 13 months that's good and bad, the good is that Canon says that their 5D mkII is good for about 150k okay it will last me 14 more years (if I continue to shoot at the same rate) the bad news is ~~I will most likely break it before then~~ my archiving is backed up or well not backed up! 10,000 images has to be stored somewhere! If you're familiar with Actuations (or shutter count) it's the amount of photos your camera has taken. And this is an important number because your camera has a life expectancy and if it's 100K or 150K that's important! Archiving is important too! and apparently using exclamation marks in this post.

Hot Shoe Mommas: Photography Workshop

2012-01-18T14:01:00.004-06:00

Kate Reali Photography will be hosting a Hot Shoe Mommas Photography Workshop
on Saturday March 3, 2012.

Space is limited

What kind of workshop is it?
The workshop is intended to help move you past using the automatic point and shoot mode of photography so many of us Moms use and gain a level of understanding of basic photography terms, lighting, and techniques. You will have a two week access to online material 24/7 for the course, complete with instructions and examples to help you. The course will include a full day of hands on learning complete with models. So if you'd like to get familiar with aperture, shutter speed and ISO and move past shooting in "automatic mode" as we turn our cameras on manual, learn to use a flash and how to take advantage of natural light, this course is designed to help you get more comfortable with your camera.

Click on this blog's Photography Workshop Page Bar for more info!

Two Years of Fun!

2012-01-12T19:09:00.000-06:00

We are so lucky here on the Gulf Coast to have such great weather for January and even better was a chance to photograph one of my favorite little tyke who's about to celebrate a big day!

Happy 2nd Birthday!

You can check out how much this cutie has grow since last year HERE.

Holiday Wrap Up

2011-12-05T01:52:00.001-06:00

I took this photo after wrapping up my latest holiday photoshoot over the weekend and I just can't get enough of it! I adore all things bicycle and throw in Christmas I might have printed this for our card if it wasn't so smitten over my 4 kids and wanted to show everyone how awesome they are! Go here if you missed it.

Happy Holidays!

~ Kate

Our 2011 Christmas Card Revealed

2011-12-01T11:16:00.004-06:00

front of card

Every year I kind of make a big deal over our Christmas Card, I consider it like a mini present to all our friends and family, so the planning starts months in advance before the big photo shoot. This year we wanted to have fun with it so I had to get a little crafty along with the usual taking of photos and they turned out great if I do say so myself.

Special thanks to the kiddos on another fabulous job!

Inside of card

back of card

middle photo on the back

Hope you enjoyed! 

-Kate

You can check out some of out past years Christmas cards here.

More Photoshop Actions: Before & Afters

2011-11-04T19:44:00.002-05:00

There is a lot you can do to save a photo with the right cropping, Photoshop actions and adjustment of the color palette you can take an otherwise discarded photo and make it into a mantle piece.

If you Surfing the internet for Photoshop actions you'll be amazed at how many are out there to help photographers, I like to use my own combination of actions and manual adjustments to get the finished product to my liking.

Here are a few of my favorite action sites like these Totally Rad Actions, Florbella, HERE and HERE.

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T22:32:00.000-05:00

Hope everyone had fun snapping photos of their little ones in costume, I know I did!

For a dear friend.....

2011-10-28T07:31:00.005-05:00

This little girl was loved by the best Daddy she will ever have, he was a friend and colleague that will be missed deeply. My heart goes out to his wife, children and extended family.

These were some of his favorite photos of his littlest I took on a day not too long ago. He was so proud when I choose her as my Special Delivery Calendar 2010 cover girl.

The world is shining a little less bright now that your smile is gone.

You will always be in our hearts.

In Memoriam of our friend Paul.

Holiday cards and Headbands!

2011-10-27T18:31:00.001-05:00

I'm having so much fun making tons of these fabric rosette headbands and even more fun using them in my photographs.

Remember the holiday season is just around the corner, Kate Reali Photography is offering mini-holiday card sessions at $50 schedule early to allow plenty of time to have the cards ordered, printed and shipped before the holidays!

I can take custom orders for the headbands to match any outfit. Just contact me the headbands are $8 each and come with one, two or three fabric rosettes. Hairbands for ponytails are $4 and $8 for a pair.

katerealiphotography@gmail.com

Just a Sneak Peak

2011-10-10T12:52:00.003-05:00

This sweet little girl is as adorable as a 6 month old can be and it's not just because we share a name she has smile can melt any heart and I must say bubble gum pink is definitely her color.

Shop Esty with Me!

2011-10-05T15:44:00.001-05:00

I'm having fun walking around town and my house photographing random things and sharing them all with you at My Esty: Shop 4 Swirled Peas stop by take a look and if you'd like get a print to hang on your wall, browse, share and most of all enjoy!

Don't forget to wander through the thousands of other awesome handmade goods available on Esty.com by some really talented artists and crafters.

County Fair Fun!

2011-09-28T10:35:00.001-05:00

I can't wait to wander around the fair today, it's always so colorful and my girls have exhibits in the 4-H building, I can't wait to show you their photos they entered.

This print is be available for purchase and will be in my Etsy shop soon.

Sisters=Friends for Life

2011-09-27T13:58:00.001-05:00

"little E and her bestest sister"

Happy 9th Birthday to one of my four favorite people in the whole world!

September's Sweetie Pie

2011-09-22T16:55:00.001-05:00

I was at my friend's shop today and she had my calendar hanging up and since I never have mine actually turned to the right month I almost missed 30 days of staring at this cutie!

Just Beachy!

2011-09-18T18:39:00.001-05:00

Doesn't this just scream postcard! I could stare at it all day if I don't think about the ugly faces my kiddos were making on the other side, they want nothing to do with the itchy scratchy sandy beach, but aren't their sand cover toes just adorable. I will be selling posters and prints of my favorite photographs at my Etsy store soon!

It's the Real Thing!

2011-09-13T11:40:00.002-05:00

Here's some more images from our stop+hop shoot where we're driving down the road and the van comes to a screeching halt followed by me saying "Okay, I need you to jump out and look pretty." usually they're hot and sweaty or covered in chocolate, nothing a few clicks in photoshop can't fix. I'm loving the new location but to bad it's an hours drive out in no man's land.

Cowgirls Rule!

2011-09-11T19:07:00.000-05:00

Here's a glimpse of our latest "hop out and shoot". I'm just loving this old gas station as a backdrop and it's well worth the hour drive. Definitely speaks my style.....old and rusty.

Windy Weather Weekend

2011-09-05T22:37:00.000-05:00

I was so disappointed when Tropical Storm Lee cancelled all my scheduled photo shoots this weekend but to salvage what was left of our holiday the kids and I spent some time at the beach enjoying the much cooler weather. I love long hair blowing in the wind and remembering to use my new logo,aren't they both so pretty.

Now Scheduling Holiday Photo Sessions

2011-08-30T20:02:00.002-05:00

Our card 2009

Our card 2008

Another version or our card 2008

Our card 2006

Inside of our card 2009

Our card 2010


Our card 2005

If you'd like to schedule a family holiday session with me(Kate) please send an email to: katerealiphotography@gmail.com

or call 990-3488 from 8am -7pm

To get the best session dates and times available call or email to schedule 2-3 weeks in advance.

Available dates are from September 1-December 10th and fill up quickly.

Using Free Photoshop Action Downloads

2011-08-27T11:48:00.003-05:00

Before

After

It's really easy to find hundreds of free Photoshop actions on the web these days. I took a combination of Lux from Totally Rad Actions and Cool Effects Action by Numizmat along with some cropping and a little dodging and burning to get the final look. Photoshop actions are preset so with one quick click your photo can be transformed. Photography is becoming more of an art in the digital age and there is so much to discover.

Before After

Here is another photo using the same actions with a little yellow color added to the final image.

You've got Mail.

2011-08-23T22:41:00.004-05:00

I don't think I really have any photos of these two alone together so when I saw the opportunity I grab it literally I snag my camera back from their sisters as they were taking photos for an up coming 4-H project. How can you resist mailboxes and kids it's such a bizarre yet it works. I just love my two littlest buddies and I hope they grow to appreciate having each other especially since they share a room.

Cool Photo Lens Mugs!

2011-08-21T14:22:00.000-05:00

This has to be the best photo mugs EVER! they come in Canon or Nikon there's even a thermos version check it out all the other fun stuff over at Photojojo.

to buy go to: PHOTOJOJO.com

Birthday Girl.... look at her grow.

2011-07-30T13:59:00.003-05:00

This has to be (no pun intended) the biggest balloon I have ever seen.

Cowgirl boots, tutu and pearls make for a happy and stylish little girl.

@One month

@Three Months

@6 months

@9 Months


@12 Months

She's ONE!

2011-07-26T10:37:00.002-05:00

Despite the heavy rains the photo shoot was a success and Baby E has grow beautifully in to an amazing one year old.

Emily turns 5!

2011-07-14T17:54:00.002-05:00

Happy Birthday to my Sweet Baby Girl!

Brotherly Love…

2011-05-02T10:36:00.001-05:00

The Staring Contest 2011

A couple times a year I get the pleasure of capturing moments like this between two of the silliest most loving brothers I have ever photographed.

Lollipop, Lollipop, Oh!… Lollipop

2011-04-26T22:50:00.004-05:00

This is one adorable little girl and what a perfect model for the Sweet Seconds Children's Consignment Boutique AD for the upcoming May publication of Eastern Shore Parents Magazine and I know her Mom will forgive us for feeding her all that sugar after she sees the photos from today's shoot.

Baby Mondays: Spring smiles

2011-04-25T13:28:00.004-05:00

I just loved photographing those cheeks! Not only that but she has the sunny disposition and biggest smile and the photo shoot went off without a hitch what a great way to start of the spring season.

Peace, Love and …

2011-04-20T12:43:00.001-05:00

Love, Lucy 2011

At Work

2011-04-18T11:38:00.000-05:00

Guy Fieri, Myself and Panini Pete, Gulf Shores, Alabama 2011

I rarely if ever post photos of myself but once in a while the camera is pointed in the other direct. This was during the Supper on the Sand Celebration of the Gulf to mark the year anniversary of the BP oil spill and recovery efforts.

Cool Finds: Camera Pencil Sharpener

2011-04-15T22:53:00.001-05:00

Urban Outfitters $12

POTW: High Flying Flags

2011-04-11T09:46:00.002-05:00

Kate Mercer (Reali) ©Press-Register 2011

This photo just puts a big smile on my face the kids look so happy and excited waving their flags as they march as the Baldwin Pops play their music and doesn't they bay just look so beautiful, I love when I have an idea and everything I hope would happen falls into place in a matter of seconds having no prior preparation and that I ran fast enough to the spot and click the shutter just in time to capture something so awesome!

All About Photo Sessions

2011-04-02T16:18:00.001-05:00

Frequently asked questions:

How long is a session?

A normal session takes about an hour.

Mini-sessions are 30 minutes

Newborn sessions tend to run about 2-3 hours because of feedings and crying. :)

how much does it cost?

a photo session investment is:

$50 for a 30 minute mini-session

$100 one child (3months and older)

$125 for 3-6 children of one family

$150 for families

$175 for extended or large families or groups.

$250 Newborn session (up to 1 month old)

**add $35 for beach sessions and session in Bay Minette, the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area and West of I-65 in Mobile County,

What is included in the price? 
1-2 hour picture session, free upload to an online gallery to order professional print and share with family and friends and for $40 you can order a DVD of the best edited photos from your session usually 15-40 images and varies per shoot.

Where do we take the pictures?
 On location any where in Baldwin and Mobile county or at my rustic studio in Fairhope. 

I can offer ideas or you can tell me a place you have in mind. 

For beach locations there is an addition $35 fee.

How long does it take to get our pictures to us after the session? 

The photos are usually ready with 5 day online and a DVD takes up to 3 weeks to arrive at your home.

What if it rains....or we get sick...or you get sick? 
Please call as soon as you can for illnesses and I will for weather related cancellations then we will reschedule for the next possible day. 

When do you schedule sessions? 

Sessions are schedules on Wednesday evenings, Monday or Thursday mornings and Saturday and Sundays.

What should we wear? 
I recommend not wearing all white or all black...details get lost with those two colors. 

I love to see the personality of the kids or family come out in the photos so wearing whatever your style is really the best.You want your pictures to reflect as much YOU as possible. 

Do you take pictures indoors? 
No, most of my sessions take place outdoors in natural light...early morning or dusk is the ideal time. 
Newborns sessions can be done at your home or mine and I have a rustic studio on my property for indoor shoots.

Do you do weddings? 
Not often but if ask I will consider and the cost usually runs from $500-$2000.

How do I contact you?
I can be reach through email at katerealiphotography@gmail.com where I will then follow up by phone.

Spring is in the Air

2011-03-13T13:21:00.001-05:00

The weather we have been having is just perfect especially for an impromptu photo session.

Easter's on its way!

2011-03-10T14:10:00.000-06:00

This has to be my favorite time of year with the weather warming up and the smell of flowers in the air and it reminds me of how fast it my kiddos seem to grow. I can't believe it's been 6 years since I took these photos, this has to be the sweetest kiss Sophia has ever given her brother.

Easter portrait sessions starting at just $50 and coming in April we'll be having an exciting afternoon planned where you can bring the kids and have the photo taken with some super cute baby chicks.

The Butterfly Catchers

2011-01-29T20:22:00.001-06:00

Which way the wind blows

2011-01-24T23:34:00.001-06:00

Australia my heart goes out

2011-01-17T23:41:00.000-06:00

Here are some real moving images of the devastation in Australia . Please take a moment, even though in our busy day to day lives it might seem easier to turn the other way, we mustn't ignore the suffering of our fellow men, women and children and we must do what we feel in our hearts to lend a hand.

*The blog: The House That A-M Built seems to take a while to load but it's worth it she's a blogger from Brisbane, Australia*

Sweet and Petite

2011-01-17T19:25:00.000-06:00

What a perfect smile to go with such a wonderful and sweet young girl, I'm so glad they stop by my studio during their visit and there's one very happy 1 year old who got to spend the weekend eating cake and playing with his cousin.

50% OFF in February…

2011-01-14T14:05:00.000-06:00

Spreading the LOVE…

Schedule an appointment for February and receive 50% the session fee!!!

to schedule a time email me at: katerealiphotography@gmail.com

Turning ONE with a smile!

2011-01-13T08:59:00.000-06:00

I can't believe it's been almost a year since I met this adorable and funny little boy who smiles every time he see my camera. You have two teeth and two lucky parents.

Happy Birthday Baby J little buddy!

Photography Workshop

2011-01-11T21:49:00.001-06:00

Photography workshop Saturday January 29th!!!!!

Register by January 20th and recieve 10% off a half day or 20% full day workshop.

Workshop will include in the first half or the day learning your camera settings (apeture,shutter speed ,ISO, ect.), exposure, lighting, depth of field, which lense to use and how much do I really need to know to take a good photo of my kids.

Second half of the day will touch on composition, advanced lighting, photoshop, you ask I answer session along with advice I've learned over my 15 years as a proffessional photgrapher and practice with a model.

half day 4 hours $50 starts at 8am

full day 8 hours $100 bring a lunch!

email me for registration form: katerealiphotography@gmail.com

A sledding we will go…

2011-01-07T18:56:00.000-06:00

We had so much fun in the sun snow over winter break that let's just say for kids who have never seen the white stuff before they sure did great playing out in the 15 degree temp until every finger and toe went numb (a far cry from the 65 degrees we enjoyed at home today).

A little snow in the face never hurt anyone except well my 10 year old, I think her retainer ended up frozen to her teeth.

AWH! My first snow angel!

Happy New Year…Now Scheduling Newborn Sessions

2010-12-29T17:11:00.000-06:00

I can't wait to book and photograph my first baby of 2011. I have so many great memories of all each and every tiny little one and their families I met and photograph this year, it was a year of first starting with publishing my first newborn photo calendar and ending with the opening of my Aqua Poppy Photo Studio. I'm excited to see what 2011 will bring!

Thawing…

2010-12-29T14:19:00.000-06:00

Now the fun begins sorting through the photos of our snow filled holiday vacation.

One RAD city!!

2010-12-23T11:41:00.000-06:00

NYC was so RAD I can't believe you can walked around for 6 hours and only got a few blocks. We just just loved visiting American Girl, eating real NY style pizza, cupcakes, the ferris wheel in Toys R Us, Rockefeller Plaza and catching up with my dear friend from my college days.

I wanted to be a painter: part 2

2010-12-16T17:52:00.000-06:00

Those of you who read me blog I post a while back about how I always wanted to be a painter so I finally dusted off my brushed yesterday. I just fell in loved with this little boy and the photo taken a few weeks ago in my studio during his two year old photo shoot and ever since I could stop thinking about picking up my paint brushes and making a painting out of it. So last night after um… 18 or so years I created this , it might not be a masterpiece but I thought it was worth sharing. I still need to go back for a few more finishing touches but since this is my first attempt I'm excited to have it turn out like it did and don't worry I won't be hanging up my camera any time soon.

Calendars for the holidays!!!!

2010-12-14T18:55:00.000-06:00

I've been a busy elf delivering calendars all around town, I was especially happy to drop off hundreds of calendars to several special care facilities as my gift to the residents who might not get much for Christmas. Anyone wanting to share in the holiday spirit all proceeds from the Special Delivery Calendar sales benefit Ronald McDonald House and other local charities. Order online at my store or email me your order my last day for local deliveries is the 19th. Thank you for all your support in making this project a way to give back to the community.

-Kate

Aqua Poppy Studio Photo Workshop Sunday!

2010-12-08T19:09:00.000-06:00

If you are interested in attending the photography workshop this Sunday there is still time to register and a few spots left.

The Worshop will starts at 1pm at Aqua Poppy Photo studio in Spanish Fort for anyone interested in learning photoshop and then proceed at 2:30pm with camera settings, lighting, composition, exposure, editing and what ever else we can fit in and we will also be photographing models using natural light in studio and outdoors, digital camera is required to participate. Contact me via email for registration form and information. Thanks

Photo of the week(end)

2010-12-06T16:04:00.000-06:00

What a fun shoot chock full of laughter and silliness these high energy boys kept warm with all their running around and we even got in a visit with Santa and a couple of his reindeer to top it off. I'll be posting more after I thaw out from this unseasonalby cold weather we are having lately.

There's still time to order one of my calendars for the holidays here .

Birthday Girl!

2010-11-30T20:59:00.000-06:00

Wrapping up holiday photo sessions

2010-11-19T19:06:00.000-06:00

our card 2010

I've been really on top of making our card this year we've already handed some out and the rest go in the mail after Thanksgiving, don't worry if you haven't scheduled yours yet there's still 2 weeks left for holiday photo shoots and there's definitely time for those who rather wish everyone a happy new year!

***Special Delivery Calendar available for the holidays place your order here ***

The Stone Family

2010-11-14T13:55:00.000-06:00

I had so much fun shooting back to back sessions with this family the kids were great even after 2 hours they were happy and smiley, I ended the sessions on a bit of a sore note though after falling off a wooden fence at the nature park but just a few bruises to show for all our hard work.

Photo of the week

2010-11-13T17:58:00.000-06:00

Just a sneak peak of our awesome shoot in Fairhope this afternoon, I'll be posting more pix of this wonderful family tomorrow.

Calendar, cookbooks and novels

2010-11-11T22:50:00.000-06:00

I wanted to just say thank you to Barnes & Noble for having me as a guest in the Authors' Corner at Christmas Jubilee this morning to promote and sign my Special Delivery Calendar and I got to meet two other great women forging their way through the literary world Gena Knox who has a wonderful new cookbook out called Southern My Way and Margaret P. Cunningham was signing two of her novels Lily in Bloom and One True Place, be sure to leave room on your holiday shopping list for these available at Barnes & Noble.

Visit me at Christmas Jubilee on Thursday!

2010-11-08T12:49:00.000-06:00

Authors' Corner: Here's a great chance to meet your favorite regional authors. Barnes & Noble will sponsor this all-time favorite booth. There will be several Alabama and Auburn football books, various children books, and several local fiction authors. Don't miss the opportunity to meet these authors at various times during the market.

Please stop be and say hi, I'll be there on Thursday November 11th from 9:00am - 1:00pm signing calendars, all proceeds from the Special Delivery 2010 calendar sales during the event will benefit Ronald McDonald House of Mobile.

Click here for directions

You can order the 2011 calendar to benefit Ronald McDonald House online here

~Kate

Aqua Poppy Studio Opening Soon

2010-11-06T17:05:00.000-05:00

Yes, that's the name of my new studio and what a better way to announce the name than with a sweet photo of Baby S surrounded by one of my favorite colors. I'm busy scheduling sessions for the studio and looking forward to the wonderful opportunity I've been given and chance to capture so many more beautiful and happy memories. Please visit my Aqua Poppy blog to read more details about this shoot and what the studio offers.

Winner(s)!

2010-11-03T23:08:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to Brandy C. you are the GRAND PRIZE WINNER!
Please email me with your contact information so I can send you the details. (the grand prize includes a free full one hour photography session with $75 gift certificate to use towards your print purchase. The grand prize photo package session can be in studio or on location and is not limiting the number of people in the photo session.)

9 OTHER WINNERS who will receive 50% off full hour session in studio and the session is limited to three people per session.*

Lesley P.
JoJo H.
Pfeifer
Jenni C.
Emily Mc.
Kerry K.
V. Klein
Dan Mag
Marty G.

All winners please email your contact information to katerealiphotography@gmail.com so I can send all the details, if you are unable to claim your prize included it in your email me so I can select another recipient. Thanks to all who gave me a lot of unique names and ideas on naming my studio. I'll post a few of those ideas when I announce the official name Friday.

Now scheduling Holiday Photo Sessions

2010-11-01T13:15:00.000-05:00

I've started planning our holiday photo shoot have you? I can't wait to see how it turns out last year's card was such a big hit I'm wondering how I can top it, not that it's an official contest but I will admit I secretively try to send out the greatest holiday photo on earth, well of my kids at least and the last 5 years really are going to b hard to beat. We had the tree farm photo, the kids in a box shot, the hats and antlers laying in their pj's picture, the Fa La La La card and of course the vintage red chevy with the Harley sticker and bullet hole in the back window photo, but I feel confident this years will live up to all the hype. But it's a secret until December 1st.

**Only 2 days left to comment and enter the Help Name My Studio Giveaway **

Name my new studio and win…

2010-10-29T03:04:00.000-05:00

I have contemplated opening a studio for a few years now and every time I thought I had found a location the pieces of the puzzle just never fall into place. This time seems to be different maybe because I've been running in every direction and finally bumped into myself to say it's now or well never. Though the doors aren't open yet I am ready to schedule sessions starting November 6th, I'll be getting the studio ready all next week and I can't for all those fun photo shoots to start.

But in the mean time I need your help in deciding on a name for my studio. I've come up with a few of my own names and logos but I'm not set on any particular one and I'm up for any suggestions. To get a better idea what I'm looking for I'll fill everyone in on a few thoughts to narrow down the ideas and after you click on the post links and read my thoughts below please post a comment and from the comments I will randomly pick 10 names to receive 10 photo package prizes.

Click the links below to see my name and logo ideas:
silverbuttons.blogspot.com/

littlebarnstudio.blogspot.com/

royalsprout.blogspot.com/

royalkidsstudio.blogspot.com/

Studio Thirty-one (31) maybe? it will be located on HWY 31

Things need to consider when thinking about the name: First I love photographing in barns and will someday run my studio out of one, fingers crossed and the new studio has a little barn next to it. Second my last name means royal in italian. Thirdly I will be photographing mostly babies and children but not limited too and rather important I would the name to be open to me possibly renting out the studio space to other artists or clubs for meeting or workshops in the evenings few days a week or birthday party now and again, lastly the new studio location is in Spanish Fort,AL.

GRAND PRIZE WINNER: the grand prize includes a free full one hour photography session with $75 gift certificate to use towards your print purchase. The grand prize photo package session can be in studio or on location and is not limiting the number of people in the photo session.*

9 OTHER WINNERS: will receive 50% off full hour session in studio and the session is limited to three people per session.*

All you need to do click the links above in this post and comment on which of my studio names you like better or come up with your own idea for a name and share it. There will be 10 winners in all. If you live out of town I'd still love to hear your ideas so if you post a comment just write out of town on the message and if you are chosen I'll just randomly pick another winner. I am also excepting comment via email and Facebook, thanks.

*Winners must be local or able to come to the studio in Spanish Fort,AL to redeem their prize*

Comments are open until 8pm on Wednesday. If you leave a comment please remember to check back on Wednesday November 3rd after 10pm and email your contact information so I may send details on how to redeem the prize. Winners have 3 months from the winning announcement to claim their prize.

**(I will reselect at random a new winner if any of the original 10 winners do not claim their prize by 10:00pm on Thursday November 4, 2010.) Thanks

Fluffy white cotton fields

2010-10-28T20:50:00.000-05:00

Little E was so funny making faces, showing her pirate imitation and being surrounded by fluffy cotton flowers as she calls them. **If anyone is interested in a cotton field photo sessions please get in contact with me soon the fields in BC are starting to get harvested.**

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT FRIDAY!

2010-10-27T19:20:00.000-05:00

Be sure to check back bright an early Friday morning on October 29th for a really big announcement and I mean really BIG!

Wonder Wheel at the Wharf

2010-10-27T11:46:00.000-05:00

Round and Round and Round it goes…where it stops NOBODY knows ....

It's been over 20 years since I rode on one of these and the first time for the kiddos, there were a lot of screams and a lot of laughs and we had the ferris wheel all to ourselves.

Baby Mondays: TTATO (tiny toes and the other…things)

2010-10-25T23:09:00.000-05:00

This was an idea I had months ago when I was wishing for one of my dozen or so writers friends to have a baby and now that it's done there are several expecting Moms in the newsroom, I'm happy to learn. So many thanks for falling asleep on such an unlikely spot with all your tiny toes and the other things which made this photo great and I have hope that someday all babies will be loved even before they are born just like you. Thanks T and Baby G.

Sunflowers fields forever

2010-10-22T23:15:00.000-05:00

I love the pattern of this flower it creates it's own beauty the kind you can only find in nature

this has to be one of my favorite, I just love the trio of bees gathering nectar and the sun filtering through the field

and the sun setting behind the lonely sunflower in the field

It's amazing all the different shots of the same subject you can get in one location and under an hour.

Fall mini session special

2010-10-20T18:58:00.000-05:00

There's nothing better than fall in south Alabama the weather is awesome and I’m super excited to announce my fall mini sessions! It's the perfect time to get annual family portraits done or holiday photos. Each mini session is 30 minutes long and costs only $50. Each mini session is good for up to three people, but you can schedule a double session if you would like to do more. Maybe you just need photo for your holiday cards or gift for the Grandparents and mini sessions are a great way to keep up with your little one through their first year, Anything goes as long as you promise to have fun. I will select 15 images, which will be edited and put in an online gallery where you can view and order prints and share with friends and family.

*November 24th is the latest to schedule a session for holiday photo cards.

*December 5th is the latest date to schedule a session to have photos ready for Christmas.

and please note that any session scheduled in November that has to be rescheduled due to weather or illness will still receive the fall special rate.

Blue Eyes

2010-10-19T05:13:00.000-05:00

This boy has to be old of the sweetest six year olds I've ever had the pleasure of photographing with eyes bluer than the sky and a Mom and Dad that love him to pieces, I'm so glad to have spent the afternoon with this wonderful family.

Baby Mondays: Book of Love

2010-10-18T05:00:00.000-05:00

I'm just a bit partial to October babies and visiting with Baby G reminded me how much I love autumn it's when I brought 3 of mine home and each of those years we'd dress them in teeny costumes to visit our favorite pumpkin patch and take photos, I hope this little pumpkin brings as much joy this time of year as mine.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

2010-10-16T17:04:00.000-05:00

To my beautiful daughter , I hope your day is as wonderful and special as you.

Happy Birthdays!

2010-10-15T17:03:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthdays to three of the four greatest kids on earth!

you are amazing

you are beautiful

you are perfect

you are a dream come true

and I love you♥♥♥

Baby Mondays: two teeth and too cute

2010-10-11T23:40:00.000-05:00

Wait, I just have to warn you I am too cute.

I think I love babies most at 9 months, they have their first teeth, they babble and crawl or like my first born even walked but most of all they giggle just to make you smile as you fall more in love with them every day especially after managing to get 5 hours of sleep in a row.

Baby Mondays: getting adjusted

2010-10-04T19:56:00.000-05:00

I don't know whether I think look like more dinosaur bones than spines but I love the symmetry and the other photo amazes me and it looks as though she's sleeping in the womb. I love how different angles and perspective can change a photo even though the subject remained pretty much in the same spot just a little wiggle and roll adjusting herself onto the tummy as I photographed this series.

8 Candles

2010-09-27T06:31:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday to my sweet, sensitive, caring Sophia who has the most infectious laugh.

I can't believe there will be ¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ on the cake to blow out today.

Since it's normally Baby Mondays I have to slip in a photo from her first day of life , it sure doesn't feel like eight years and I guess it's normal that being a Mom I will always see them as my babies.

Space Command

2010-09-22T19:51:00.000-05:00

Don't you just love this old school Zenith Space Command sitting alongside the newspaper boxes I could just see myself pulling up a beanbag to watch Silver Spoons better yet it was the perfect opportunity to make a really cool photo with my subject reflected in the TV. I wonder if the space phone feature still works on it… can you hear me , major Tom?

Untitled

2010-09-20T18:37:00.000-05:00

Baby Mondays: Tool Time

2010-09-13T14:12:00.000-05:00

I loved watching how these adorable 6 week old twins seem to communicated with each other. The little boy would comfort his sister reaching for her when she cried touching her face and trying to give a hug like a good brothers do. Mom and dad are two very lucky people to have twins so sweet and calm and sleep at the same time! Wouldn't we all love to be born with our best friend right there next to us.

Happy weekend!!!

2010-09-10T17:18:00.000-05:00

Sisters

Round and Round they GO!

2010-09-08T01:00:00.000-05:00

(Aidan @ 9 months)

Nothings better than coming across old photos of the kids you thought were lost especially since I happen to things I love my kids and this carousel. Every year we visit the Herschell Carousel Museum and the kids ride the kiddie carousel (no adults allowed) it's a 1940's aluminum carousel all the horses are pint size and it goes around slower than one can walk. 5 years ago I took this series of images as my kids rode around and around as some stranger kindly held up my son on his horse (he wasn't even a year). Oh yea another fun part is when the kids run around trying to find their horse's name on the back of the saddles. I can't wait to blown this up big and hang it on our wall and we'll need to go back soon and shoot another series with Little E in there. if you ever go be sure to ride the 1916 adult carousel It rotates at approximately 6.5 revolutions per minute and if you don't know much about carousels that means it practically whips you off the ride if you don't vomit first.

Baby Mondays: baby lettuce

2010-09-06T04:17:00.000-05:00

Twins! I had double the fun photographing these adorable babies, they were so good the only difficult part was of the shoot seemed to be stacking the dozen or so heads of lettuce around them as they slept. Now can you guess which one is the boy and which is the girl?

Want one? two?? or even three???

2010-09-02T22:06:00.000-05:00

Don't worry if your don't live in Fairhope or haven't had the pleasure of stopping in at Barnes and Noble in Spanish Fort, Sweet Seconds or Hissy Fits in Spanish Fort my calendar is available to purchase easily online with payments made securely through Paypal. To purchase the 2011 Special Delivery calendar online visit either my online store or on Etsy and for large orders just drop me a request via email. Orders ship quickly usually within 48 hours after payment is received and in plenty of time for the holidays.

Baby Mondays: X-small

2010-08-30T22:49:00.000-05:00

This photo created a bit of a challenge for me having to photograph through x-ray film , it proved to be a test of my lighting skills I learned way back in college, I'm glad to say my 9 year old knew right away it was an x-ray of a spine, then I had some fun photoshopping the image onto a lightbox, there are several other photos in this series I'll post at a later date. Who knew chiropractic medicine could be so visual.

A Rockin' shoot

2010-08-27T17:40:00.000-05:00

Be sure to check out Adam Holt & The Sunday Troubadours , they'll be performing at Bayfest in Mobile.

On Sale

2010-08-25T18:00:00.000-05:00

I'll be set up here selling the calendar Thursday August 26th from 9am -11:30am

They are $10 each the sales help out Ronald McDonald House in Mobile and Smile Train.

Learn more about the charities HERE .

CALENDARS!!!!

2010-08-25T15:22:00.000-05:00

I'm so excited they are finally here all 2500 of them and they turned out gorgeous! Stay tuned, I'll be back soon with a bigger post about the calendars and all the fun details.

Special Delivery 2011 Calendar Charities

2010-08-20T19:36:00.000-05:00

Click on logos to learn more about these wonderful charities

The Special Delivery 2011 Calendar is available for purchase starting August 26th at local shops or online in my Etsy Shop . To request a large quantity(10 or more) please contact me via email and tag it special delivery calendar order . Thanks!

PRINTING!

2010-08-12T23:37:00.000-05:00

My excitement is overwhelming! I just go an email saying the presses are working fast and furious printing the Special Delivery 2011 Calendars. I will be announcing shortly the charities selected to receive thousands in donation from the calendar sales.

Sweet calendar babies

2010-08-10T12:02:00.000-05:00

Hugs to all the Moms, Dads and Babies who have helped make the 2011 Special Delivery Calendar awesome!

Calendar will be available mid-August

Baby Mondays: Cover Girl

2010-08-09T23:46:00.000-05:00

I am happy to announce that the calendar is near completion just a few more finishing touches before heading to the presses. So I thought I'd give everyone a sneak peak at the 2011 Special Delivery Calendar cover photo which has been a favorite of many blog readers and Click here and here to see more photos of this cover girl.

Six months of adorable

2010-08-06T16:55:00.000-05:00

Put a bar of soap next to the tub and you'd be looking at the next Ivory Soap baby. What a sweet boy Baby J is with his infectious giggle and a smile melts your heart.

You can see how much this little boy just adores his Mommy and Daddy!

Baby Mondays: Asleep on the job

2010-08-02T02:13:00.000-05:00

It's hard to imagine that this cute as a button baby will one day grow up to fit into his Daddy's hat but we all know how fast time seems to go by and how it feels like yesterday our baby's were all this small and now college is just around the corner.

destination unknown

2010-07-31T23:40:00.000-05:00

Mommy, I thought you said we were going on a trip this summer?

Baby Mondays: New-Born

2010-07-29T22:27:00.000-05:00

I know it's not Monday but I just couldn't wait to post this labor of love, between trying to find a size 20 sneaker and the looks I got while I rearranged the boxes at the local shoe store I am pleased to present Baby M, he just might be a born runner like his Mom and maybe one day they'll pull this photo out when he wins an Olympic gold medal in the 100 meters.

I'll be posting another photo of this adorable baby on Monday!

Meet Mr. GQ

2010-07-27T21:36:00.000-05:00

I've known this handsome young man since before he was born, those eyes and that smile, I can't believe how fast time flies.... I'm sure he'll be tall than me in no time.

A slice of my life

2010-07-25T11:17:00.000-05:00

I love summertime we pretty much eat watermelon everyday, I wish I could say this one was from our garden, ours might be better used on a softball field they're so small.

Exposure cheat sheet

2010-07-23T16:03:00.000-05:00

I set my camera on manual 75% of the time, I find the auto exposure to be inaccurate and artistically bland, I have more creative ability knowing and using exposure to my advantage when taking photos. My Grandfather passed along to me his 1950's Rolleiflex and on the back is a perfect guide or cheat sheet to getting a great exposure.

A.P. is always near by watching me when it comes to cameras and gadgets, can you spot him in the pic above.

ISO/ASA/BS - the American Standards Association (ASA), and British Standards (BS); the newest term, ISO, all standardized way of measuring the light sensitivity of a certain film but in the digital camera world it's most commonly the ISO setting.

*DIN is too confusing and not used anymore, thank goodness.

Inspiration

2010-07-22T18:40:00.000-05:00

Loretta Lux

I love her work but I haven't been able to find much written about the artist other than this: Loretta Lux was born and raised in Dresden, Germany and currently resides in Monaco. Lux started experimenting with photography in 1999, beginning with a series of self-portraits that led quickly into her current focus on children.

In a very short amount of time, Lux has been showered with attention from collectors and critics alike. Her work has been reviewed in such publications as Aperture, ArtForum, The New York Times, Village Voice, The New Yorker, frieze and PDN. Many editions from her first American solo exhibition at the Yossi Milo Gallery in New York sold out before the exhibition opened.

Her creative process draws heavily from her studies as a painter, as well her early exposure to paintings by Old Masters in the museums of her hometown. Her portrait subjects, usually children of friends and family, are combined digitally with a palette of painted backgrounds, vintage costume, and various props, to suit her exacting vision through the use of photo editing software. These perfectly posed children are coyly manipulated to please the eye at first glance, with their subdued pastel hues and perfect porcelain skin. On closer inspection, however, Lux’s portrait subjects, who have been likened to aliens, robots, and changelings, take on a slightly sinister and otherworldly air.

Her photographs are included in the permanent collections of major museums including the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston,Musée de l'Elysée in Switzerland, Photo Museum Munich, the Brooklyn Museum of Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, and Israel Museum, Jerusalem.

Day on the River

2010-07-20T16:50:00.000-05:00

2010-07-19T21:19:00.000-05:00

Untitled(2010)