This is how Finn reacted when I broke the news that I’m fully booked for July + August. He felt a little better when I explained that I had room for a few August mini sessions only and would still be able to take *his* pictures…I’m starting maternity leave the last week of August and will resume shooting in Spring of 2011. It’s been a whirlwind of a year here and we’re looking forward to what’s ahead for our growing family (and our business) next year. Meanwhile, there are plenty of upcoming session sneak peeks as well as some fun personal work in the pipeline. So stay tuned..there’s more to come.

xoxoxo
s

Good thing I can juggle or there would be mini-crises all around me! To keep chaos to a minimum, I thought you may appreciate an update on my summer schedule and availability, as well as my maternity leave dates. As of this morning, I have one July session available (weekday only) and four August openings. In addition, I have limited slots for mini-sessions (for up to two people, in-studio only) in both months. As of September, I will be taking maternity leave. There is a *slim* chance I will take a few mini sessions, but at this time am planning on a break (I’ll be 8-months along). I won’t be returning to work until sometime in 2011 (month TBD).

If you have been considering a session, or have emailed for additional information, please complete the official contact form on the blog or email a request to book a session directly soon! Your date isn’t reserved until your session fee is received and they will be scheduled on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Meeting adjourned.

Now, on to fun stuff.

Meanwhile, behind the scenes I’ve been nesting a bit–purging bulky furniture, streamlining our possessions, organizing and working to make our house feel even more like home in the midst of a nomadic lifestyle. Here are a few goodies I have on the way to decorate our hybrid nursery/guest room, as well as add a little whimsy to our living spaces. Most of this collection is from CB2.com (I adore that store) — along with a sprinkle of ebay/overstock.com!

-Abacus, wall hanging for the nursery

-Skyline Bedding for guest bed

-Mobile for nursery

-Recycled “Edition” art print for our living room

-Hopscotch rug for entryway

-Eames-style rocker for living room

-Montessori Imagination print for Liam’s room

Since every post deserves a picture, here is a shot of my husband and son the day before he deployed. There’s more to come soon from this impromptu family session and our life as of late. As always, thanks for reading.

xoxoxo

S.

One notable addition is the Studio Mini Session. Ideal for maternity, baby plans or  capturing milestones in between annual family shoots, a mini is an economical alternative to a full-length session. Mini sessions are held in-studio and last up to 30 minutes. Five images are fully retouched and included with your purchase.

Purchase Lifeography’s Mini Collection (a series of four mini sessions) and receive a complimentary 6×6 Art Book where all 20 session images are exquisitely displayed in a handmade flush mount archival album with thick sturdy pages and a custom image cover.

The nitty gritty:

Mini Session + Five Digital Files: $300
• A 20- to 30-minute studio session for up to two individuals (3 months or older).
• Gallery of five fully retouched + edited, high-resolution digital images (choice of color or black & white), printable to 11×14. Presented online and available for download from a private, password-protected online gallery.
• Option to purchase fine art prints and canvases a la carte.

Mini session images differ from our on-location offerings, but are an ideal way to showcase relationships, a child’s milestones, or a baby belly simply (and during cool weather!). So, what can you expect? Below is a sampling of studio images from the past few months.

XOXOXO
Stephanie

First, you must know that I’m a lover of words and stories at heart. These days, I prefer to use a camera to share them.

My hope:

Is that my sessions are filled with lucky shots that are no accident;
That I am not merely an observer, but a narrator;
and a craftsman that is masterful at fostering conditions that allow for real moments to unfold.

Anyone with an eye for composition and light can document life as it happens. I firmly believe it takes something more to dig beneath the surface–to evolve into a photographer who is not just a picture taker, but a picture maker.

There is a moment of extraordinary that can be extracted from every 10 minutes of ordinary. Capturing it is not about point of view, equipment or framing. Instead, it stems from connection: connection to who the photographer is as an artist, and most importantly, connection to the people being photographed.

What does love look like? Exhilaration? Exasperation? How did she gently twist your hair around her fingers when she was three? And, what did it feel like the day you first held his tiny hands in yours?

I aspire for my photographs help to tell the stories. Theirs. Mine. Yours too…

if you are a *beginner* photog check out LAUNCH – a workshop hosted by two wonderful photographers who happen to be my dear friends. this 2-day, hands-on event covers what other seminars assume you already know: technical + business basics and positions you for success from day one. think of it as a prequel to the most popular photo workshops and a springboard for launching your photography career. and what better place to spend a weekend in winter than florida? register on the blog before 5PM TONIGHT to win a free seat!

Launch Workshop » a natural light photography workshop for beginners.

giving is at the very heart of my business…of who i am as a person and as a photographer. God has so richly blessed me, it is an honor to pass on His gifts to deserving families and organizations. this year, i have begun the “give ten project” — a small effort, that i hope will ultimately make a difference in the lives of many. through lifeography, i am committed to giving a minimum of 10 percent of my time and profits to charitable work and causes. eventually, i hope others will join me. for now, i am so excited to share one of my first “give ten” photo sessions from virginia beach.

meet baby isabella. i’ve been waiting since december to meet her. she made a surprise entrance when her 7-months-pregnant mommy traveled home to wisconsin for a baby shower. born prematurely at a mere 30 weeks, bella entered this world at 2lbs 12oz. a tiny miracle, she spent her first seven weeks of life in the NICU and left as a healthy baby girl.

newborn bella (photos courtesy of her parents)

zak and christy–you are blessed! of course, you already know that. bella is simply darling. and even though she wasn’t sleepy (who could blame her at 16 weeks old!) i think you’ll see that she shined for her photo session anyhow. i’m so glad to be living nearby again…and am looking forward to watching her grow. enjoy your photos!

baby bella, mom + dad

a classic.