We had a fantastic 4th of July weekend despite a sick baby. Hopefully yours was wonderful and relaxing. I have a beautiful session to blog, but right now I’m busy getting orders out. Stay tuned.

Last summer while I was on maternity leave I did a lot of thinking about what products I wanted to offer my clients. I felt strongly that I only wanted to use top quality materials.  One of the changes I made was the type of album I offered my clients. My new albums are simply gorgeous and beautiful in every way.  The clients that have them already raved about how nice they are, and I am so happy I made the choice I did. I wanted to find something for my clients to share photos from their session with their loved ones who didn’t necessarily need a full album.  That’s where the idea of gift albums began. I’ve had clients give them to their parents for Christmas, get one just for themselves, or even order 3 for each of her children.

They are 5×5 inch albums with 10 pages of your favorite photos. Each and every one is handmade by one of the top album companies in the industry. You get to choose what color cloth or leather cover you want, and they are delivered in a nice box for safe keeping.

I am kind of embarrassed about my house. You see people think that because I’m a photographer my house is decorated beautifully with my photos. Oh how I wish that were true. Yes, I do have some up, but most of them are still on my computer waiting for the magical day when I will make beautiful albums out of them. Better yet for now I would love to have some stylish wall displays of my photos. Today I was looking around for some great ideas on on the internet.  I have a room we just switched into an office/play area, and I would love to decorate it with some fun colorful photos of the ones I love.

I love this idea of a grid of photos. It helps undecided people like me who have a lot of photos, and can’t pick just one.

(above photo from coolphotoideas.com)

And of course a beautiful canvas adds color and personality anywhere.  I LOVE this mantle display from Ali Edwards

This one is great for shelves where you can display books as well as photos mounted on accordian style mats.

(above photo from marthaswtewart.com)

I also like these oval frames for a different, more artsy look.

(above photo from marthastewart.com)

I would love to do something like this up my stairs. Martha Stewart give some great tips on hanging photos on her website.

Of course you can never go wrong with the Pottery Barn catalog for inspiration.

For the images below Pottery Barn even has downloadable templates to help you with these looks.

I recently came across a company that makes beautiful handmade frames with the shabby chic distressed look. I ordered a bunch and now have them hung up around my house. I really like them, and how they make my photos such a work of art.  This fall I am going to begin offering  this framing option to my clients.  I realize these aren’t for everyone, so I am also looking around for more traditional frame styles.

These Holiday cards were shipped out today to two of my favorite clients.  I’m so excited to get back to working with more amazing families and making more of these in the next few weeks.

Click HERE for more examples, and information on how to order yours.

It’s already the time of year to be thinking about ordering your Holiday cards.  My 2009 card selection is below for you to take a look at.  These are beautiful cards that are 5×7″ closed, and 10×7″ opened up.  Each card is uniquely customized for your photo choice.  The colors, wording, and paper choice is all up to you with a little help from me.

In the past I have had clients request a digital file from their session to use at their favorite card supplier instead of using one of my templates.  This year I have added an option for you to purchase a digital file at 40% off my regular price for just this purpose.  Of course you are not limited to printing it only for holiday cards.  You will receive a copyright release allowing you to print it for your own personal use.

To purchase a set of cards, or a digital file simply click HERE, and you will be led to my online shopping cart.  Once you purchase what you would like I will upload your gallery for you to choose the photo, or photos of your choice.

In order to ensure delivery of your cards before Christmas the deadline for ordering is November 30th.

I recently shipped off these baby announcements to a fabulous client, and thought I would share what they looked like.  My announcements are simple in style to let your baby be the focus.  After all that’s what people want to see anyways. They are printed on either linen or pearl paper for outstanding quality.  You choose the photos for the front, inside, and back.  Best of all, they are included in every maternity, and first year photo package.

A month or so ago I sent out a newsletter and asked if anyone was interested in me borrowing their children (with the parents present of course) to use as models.  It’s not that I don’t get enough experience photographing children, it’s just that my sister Michelle and I are working together on a new project.  We are so excited to get it up and running.  We are bouncing ideas off of each other, and right now experimenting on our own children.  We have 6 1/2 children just between the two of us so we have plenty to work with right now.  Her degree in graphic design is going to compliment my photography perfectly.  Thank you to all of you who responded and offered to let me use their beautiful children as models.  I’m sure I’ll be calling you soon.

I wanted to share one of my first sessions with you.  I love the bright colors, I just hope I didn’t go overboard with them.

I’ve been working on a Coffee Table album for a fabulous couple turned family of 3.   I had a maternity session with Michael and Janice, and a couple of months later went back to see their beautiful newborn daughter.  Here are a few pages from their album.