Just before Christmas I was able to meet up with the Anderson family at The Gardens of the World in Thousand Oaks.  Large groups like this can be difficult, but they made it easy for me.  We’ll start off with the Mother and Father of 6.  Five girls and 1 boy.

What a fantastic looking group.

Is it just me or does the build up to Christmas, which seems to happen earlier and earlier every year seem to last forever, but the actual day flies by in a flash? We had a great Christmas this year with family. It all started Christmas eve when we made our graham cracker houses at home, then went to my sister’s house for some yummy Peruvian food.  This year we had the kids dress up and act out the Nativity story.  It was so cute, and lots of fun.  Tim and I got to be Mary and Joseph, and our Noah was the baby Jesus.

Christmas morning started way too early.  We were being asked to get up at 4:30 am by our very excited children.  We were able to stall them for only one hour, so we were up and opening presents before 6:00 am on Christmas morning.  I’m tired just thinking about it.  I remember being so excited for  Christmas morning, and my parents taking FOREVER to come downstairs.  Now I know why it took them so long.  It was all worth it though as we saw our kids be so excited about their presents.  They gave presents to each other, and were so sweet to give each other hugs while saying Thank you!

I hate clutter more than words can say, so I always have a hard time with the mess of wrapping paper and toys strewn all over the place Christmas morning.  I cringe looking at this picture right now, but I tried very hard to just enjoy the morning, and not clean up all morning long.

At least we have New Years to look forward to.  Bring on 2010.

It’s Christmas eve, and that means it’s time to announce the 2009 Giving is Awesome recipient.  Thank you everyone who took the time to email me your letter.  I was truly inspired by the love and generosity in your letters.  My heart goes out to all those families fighting cancer, struggling financially, and those fleeing destructive home lives.

I didn’t anticipate how hard it would be to decide. I had to call in Tim to help me decide, and in the end we chose The Martinez family nominated by Elizabeth Smith.  I am very much looking forward to meeting this family, and sharing their portraits with you sometime in the future.

I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas.  I hope your holiday is filled to the brim with peace and happiness.  While I celebrate with my family I will be thinking of the children and parents missing a loved one who they can’t be with on Christmas.  May the time pass quickly until you see them again, and may you feel the love of those who you are with right now.

Merry Christmas Eve Eve everyone!  We are all excited at the Campbell house.  Sure the star on our Christmas tree is crooked, and almost falling off, but if you lay on the floor and look up it looks perfect.  I’ve been enjoying a few days off from being in front of the computer, and being with my kids.  Tomorrow we have a big day of baking planned.  Of course I will be posting my choice for the deserving family that will get a free session, and photos worth $1000.00.

We are thrilled to celebrate our first Christmas with our little Noah, and of course it wouldn’t be Christmas without our Anna Lee dolls passed down from my mother and grandmother.

My kids have literally played for hours and hours with this little people nativity set.

We have to have our stockings made by hand by my talented mother.  They are priceless, and the first thing everyone comments on when they come over.

I keep all those awesome homemade things made by my kids too.  This snowman was made by Ben, and it just makes me happy.  The ornament on the right is one of a huge set of the same ornaments made by my aunt Colleen, and given to me when I first got married.  They look so beautiful with the lights shining through them.

I hope you’re enjoying your Christmas Eve Eve just as much as we are.

Every year we head out to the tree farm to chop down our own Christmas tree. The kids love it more than words can say.  It usually goes about the same every time.  Tim wants the biggest, widest tree possible, and I want a smaller, thinner, easier to manage tree.  The kids side with their father of course, but in the end we compromise and have a perfectly imperfect tree.

I’ve been so touched by the letters I’ve received nominating people you know for the free photo session and photos worth $1000.00.  In just one week I will be announcing who I have chosen, and it will be very difficult to decide.  If you’ve been thinking of someone, and just haven’t taken the time to write please do it now.  I am amazed by the generosity and love of my blog readers thank you!

As a review here are the details:

You know someone. I guarantee it.

I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography — $1000 worth, to be exact.  They will receive a free custom photography session, all of the digital files, and an extra gift.  It’s in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season.

Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a $100.00 print credit. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be, people?

The rules:

* You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-vacation-home in Paris does not qualify as sincere financial need.)

* The nominee must reside in Los Angeles or Ventura County. Tell me who you know, what they’re experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.

* You must e-mail me the full story : julie@juliecampbellphotography.com by December 20th.

The winner will be announced on Christmas Eve — get nominating! I can’t wait to read all of your entries!  Please let your friends know anyway you can so they can nominate someone too.

Open your heart to someone this holiday season — and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

With love,

Julie

We don’t get many signs of the seasons changing, so when I saw these leaves on the ground next to a nearby park I was excited.  This is our teeny tiny little way of enjoying fall leaves.

It’s been a good 3 months, and look how big my boy is getting!

This is quite possibly the most perfect rock ever.  My girls are big rock collectors.  I find myself negotiating with them on how many they can bring home from wherever we are.  This rock was different.  I grabbed this rock and stuffed it in my bag myself.  It’s a keeper, and one you may see in future photos.

My Christmas cards are still not made or ordered, but I’ve gotten a lot of my other projects done.  I’m glad I have something to show for working until 1-2 am every night.  If you are waiting for your orders I will be shipping them out or calling you to pick them up within the next two days.

Our tree is up, I’ve started my shopping, and I’m excited about all the fun things we get to do around this time of year.  I’m also excited that the busiest time of year for photography is almost behind me.  Wow, it has been quite a fall for me with a new baby and so many sessions.

I will forever be grateful for the most wonderful clients who fill my in-box with sweet and wonderful words of encouragement and happiness.  You don’t know how much I appreciate it. I can’t begin to describe how much I love it that you let me into your lives to document the people you love the most.

I’m almost done ordering everything that needs to be done before Christmas for my clients, and I’m going to get started on my own projects now.  That includes my own Christmas card.  I started mailing them out to clients in September, and I still haven’t done my own.  I just hope and pray I can get those done before Christmas.  I wish you all the best at this busy busy time of year.  I hope you can take a few minutes to enjoy everything it has to offer. Please don’t forget to nominate someone you know that deserves a free session and photos worth $1000.00.  You will also receive a $100.00 credit.  See details here.