Maybe you’ve noticed it’s been a bit quiet around here. December was a tumultuous month for my family. A few things happened: 1. My husband had an unexpected spinal surgery, 2. We found out we were expecting (a surprise) baby #4 and 3. Our military orders changed for the third time (and still aren’t finalized yet). A whirlwind? Yep.

Fortunately we have an incredible community of support here. And, my mom and in-laws both traveled here for over a week to help our family while Mike was recovering. We still have a long way to go to get back to the status quo, but this was the first week of a “new normal” for us. Homeschool. Morning sickness. A husband who is at 40% for a bit. Still, I’ll take it. It is MUCH better than the roller-coaster that was December.

What does all of this mean for Lifeography?

I had planned on shooting Spring/Early Summer sessions in Virginia Beach no matter when our move happened. At this point, we’ll be learning more specifics regarding our move dates soon. I will most likely be shooting in late April/Early May. If we have moved already, I will be flying back for a week of sessions. Until then, I am taking leave and am not scheduling any bookings. If you think you would like to schedule a session during this time frame get on my interest list ASAP by submitting the contact form at the top of the blog. Those families will get priority scheduling since slots will be limited.

Fabulous “Four” is due in mid-August, so once my Spring sessions are complete, I won’t be shooting portrait clients for quite some time, nor restarting my portrait business in our new location until after he/she arrives.

In the interim, I’ll be sharing more projects from the end of the year I missed out on blogging and will continue to write a bit. If you’re interested, you can also check out my new family blog No Place Like Roam where I’ll be focusing more on the little people who got me started in the first place and sharing some of our day-to-day bits, especially homeschooling.

Thank you to all of the magnificent clients and friends who have cheered me on this past year. Your support is the backbone of my portrait business and I am so grateful for each of you.

xoxoxox
Stephanie

Do you remember the first time you photographed your baby with a *real* camera? Fumbling with the dials. Trying to meter correctly. Composing the shot. Focusing. Click..click..click. They were cooing. Or laughing. Whatever it was, it was beautiful. You remember now, right? And the moment you saw the image. You know the one. THAT one. The one that made you gasp a bit. A photograph that spoke volumes. Not just about your little one — but about you. It was lovely. It was art. Yes, you could DO this. And you did. All for the love of it. Was it yesterday? Or five years ago?

Whether you’re a professional who has lost sight of the reason you began, or an aspiring photographer wondering just where to start, I can’t recommend For The Love highly enough. It’s where our roots are, after all. This amazing eBook by the renowned Barb Uil of JinkyArt takes you back to the beginning and propels you forward. It’s a breath of fresh air. It will stir your memory. But mostly, it will inspire. Other contributors include the lovely and talented photographers Kristen Cook and Stephanie Piscitelli. And artists Nisa Fiin and Corinne Delis.

Can I tell you how flattered and grateful I was when Barb contacted me and asked if I would contribute? My reply was yes – a resounding yes. My segment highlights a “day in the life” of my family and how I photograph their ordinary moments from both creative and technical perspectives.

Documenting our own lives is important. Creating our family archives is where it begins; and it is one of the most precious gifts our talent enables us to pass to our children. Why do I what I do? Why do you? For the love of it. It is as simple as that.

Join the Facebook group here.

Today is my ninth wedding anniversary — sounds like a reason to celebrate doesn’t it? It seems fitting that today is the day I’ll reveal the winner of the Spring Mini Session Giveaway. Drum roll please…..

#12
of
57 eligible comments.

Marica Goldschmidt! Congrats! Please contact me to redeem your session.

Of course, every post needs a picture — and this is one of my favorites. My son Liam and his dear friend Addy. There are so many things I adore about this image, his arm draped around her shoulders with a finger under her sleeve, chipped fingernail polish, soccer shoes in a dress. It’s perfectly unposed, perfectly natural. Their friendship surmised in a moment.

She loves her bunny already. A lovey + a thumb-sucker — doesn’t get sweeter!

Are you capturing your little one’s fleeting moments?? Only TWO spring mini session slots remain. The mini session contest winner will be announced tomorrow, 5/18…get your final entries in today! Facebook fans have one additional opportunity to win. Head on over to join the fray.

Good things do come in small packages; May mini session registration begins today! Perfect for capturing your little one’s milestone, spring portrait or your own baby belly, Spring minis will take place in a beautiful outdoor setting in Virginia Beach (final location TBD). Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 21st. Ten 15-minute sessions are available, starting at 7:30AM. To make a reservation, email Lifeography via the contact link above or call 757.343.5087.

Minis are an ideal way to sample Lifeography’s services or for current clients to get updated images in between annual family sessions. The Spring sessions are a special offering and differ from traditional, year-round in-studio mini sessions. If you’re feeling lucky, continue reading to learn how you can enter to win a complimentary Mini Session.

MINI SESSION GIVEAWAY

Lifeography will be awarding one Mini Session (Value $300) to a lucky winner. There are multiple ways to win, entrants may post one comment for each opportunity.

1. Become a Facebook Fan by “liking” Lifeography and leave a comment below (if you are already a fan, please mention)

2. Post this tweet on Twitter: “Win a Spring Photo Session in Virginia Beach by @Lifeography at http://bit.ly/gXVE2S ” Then, post a comment below with a link to your tweet.

3. Mention this giveaway on your blog OR Facebook page with a link to this post: http://www.lifeographer.com/blog/2011/04/spring-mini-portrait-sessions-giveaway/. Then, post a comment below with a link to your post.

4. Subscribe to our quarterly newsletter here. Then, post a comment below to let us know you subscribed.

5. Additional opportunities to enter will be posted on our Facebook page throughout the next three weeks.

The Fine Print:
-Giveaway value is $300 – includes mini session for one child in Virginia Beach and $200 print credit. Additional individuals may be added for $25 each.
-Twitter accounts and blog feeds must be public. Entries that require subscriptions to view will be disqualified.
-Contest ends at 11:59 PM EST May 17, 2011.
-Qualifying comments will be assigned a number and then chosen by Random.org on May 18.