10 minutes in the life...

Of me. The following is a scenario that played itself out late last week in our house.

- Look up to notice two year old approaching me with a total of over $1000 of camera and lens precariously gripped in one grubby paw.

-Freak momentarily and then decide the best approach is a quiet one.

-gulp

-Say "oh, buddy. Um, can mommy have that back?"

-Hear sweet little voice say "mommy take grady's picture?"

-swell with love and pride. The child who hates the camera wants his picture made!

-gently pry expensive gear out of grubby paw.

-realize that I probably have like .2 seconds to actually take pictures before the novelty wears off.

-decide maybe I should go for one of the two of us, since I don't have many of those.

-scramble to find tripod.

-can't find tripod....ok, will have to get creative.

-look out back and realize the sun is coming from the front of the house.

-grab child and camera and tripod....no, wait, I can't find tripod.

-run upstairs and fling open the shades in the master bedroom, the only room in our house that gets light from the front.

-plop child on bed.

-fiddle with settings on camera to obtain decent exposure.

-look at dresser, decide it will do as a tripod.

-attempt to focus camera while squeezing self as close to dresser as possible.

-realize that child is jumping on the bed and focus is going to be hard to come by unless I literally climb onto the dresser and crouch atop it.

-consider climbing on dresser, but figure a broken dresser would not make husband happy.

-catch two year old who has flung himself, superman style, off the bed.

-press shutter.

-realize that I did not set camera to self timer.

-catch child again.

-set self timer. By this time, all thought of correct focus has gone out the window.

-wonder "where in the heck is the tripod?"

-press shutter.

-hop on bed with child and make the best of it.

-repeat previous two actions about 8 times

-decide this is really quite fun.

-obtain 6 out of focus, incorrectly composed, slightly overexposed, (did I mention out of focus?) images that are absolutely irreplaceable and dear to my heart because they are 6 of about 25 total (really) that I have with my son. Being the photographer means you're not in front of the camera much.

Oh, and I just got an email that the show featuring Kelly and Becca (see yesterday's post) has been delayed by NBC. I will update again when it will air.

What are YOU doing tomorrow night???

If your answer is "nothing" or even if it's "something" I have another little "something" for you to consider!
I know two fantastic ladies in the Tampa Bay area, Kelly and Becca. Together they travel the country with their program, let's talk about "IT." "IT" being sexual assault, especially in the campus setting. They are firmly passionate about the fact that reducing the number of sexual violence instances on campuses of all kinds is to empower students with the knowledge and the tools to make their communities safer places. (All that is pulled loosely from their website since they say it so very well).
Anyway, tomorrow night is their primetime TV debut. They will be featured on NBC's DATELINE at 10/9 central. I know I have people all over the country and even all over the world that read my blog, so if you have access to this program, I encourage you to tune in, or TiVO it.
The show tomorrow is an hour long program that will be broken into 6 segments. Each will feature different safety related issues, from travel safety tips, to sexual assault, to children home alone. Really, there's something for everyone. And make sure to look for Becca and Kelly in segments 4 and 5! If you want to know more about their program, or tune in tomorrow night and can't get enough, please visit their websites HERE and HERE. It's really an excellent program, and their vision and passion for what they do literally oozes out of their ears. Which is something I really love to see.
Cheers ladies!

It's almost the weekend....

And I am going to ask you to work. ;)
I am in the process of trying to make a few changes to my website. This will include updating some of the pictures in galleries with new ones (old favorites will stay up), and changing some of the text a bit. I am planning on trying to add a testimonial section. But, I don't have any testimonials! Well, I take that back. I have emails from clients saying "thanks, we LOVE the pictures" which is so nice and makes me feel warm and fuzzy, but I can't just type that 8 times and call it a testimonial page. So, here's where I need your help. If you are a past or present client of mine and you would like to, shoot me an email at courtneyvickersphotography@yahoo.com with some of the things you loved about your pictures, the way I run my business or just my overpowering beauty in general (insert sarcastic eye roll). Your comment may be featured on my website in the near future. AND, if it is, I would love to send you a free 5x7 print from your most recent session, or you can tack it on to one you have coming up.
You all make my work such a joy every single day. Thank you!

Pink tongues and sparkling eyes

J, I know you're waiting patiently, so here you go. I had a great time with your family, and even though little "S" was not quite into it, I am loving so many of your images. I had a really hard time narrowing it down.

Reader, if this does not make you smile, I don't know what would!

And this....well, this brought tears to my eyes.

Laugh.

If someone asked me what I really wanted to remember about my family years from now, I think I would want to remember that we were a family who laughed. A lot. At ourselves.

This family had a lot of laughs going around during our session. I know mom was worried that I didn't get anything (most do), but I walked away knowing I had laughter in my camera. And that's awesome.

And two more, just cause the girls have such pretty eyes that really popped against my brown backdrop.

Happy 25!

A couple friends of mine just recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary (Congrats L and M). They invited me out to photograph the event. I just have to say, no matter how many times I take jumping pictures, they always make me laugh...And they usually make everyone else laugh too...

Scrap the formalities!

I love toddlers because they don't care about me. They want to play, and they will play if I am there or not. It lets me run and jump and play and shoot kids being kids. Such fun. Recently, I met with 3 year old "A" and 19 month old "S" and we had a blast! I think it had to be 100* outside, but that didn't stop us!Tip: Want to get a kid to do this?

First, have them do this...works every time!

Deuce

This is my first set of newborn twins. Older twins I have done, newborns I have done. However, when "F and C's" mommy contacted me I jumped at the chance to get them "fresh". So, without further ado... a sneak peek!

For Stacey

My friend Stacey has an admitted addiction to my blog. So in the intrest of feeding it, here's a couple of cuties. I guess their mom will like this post too ;)

Somebody stop me...

Because there are a lot of pics coming up!

Little miss "E" and her parents and grandparents...

He didn't want to get his pants wet....

Visions of Sugarplums

It's that time. Time for all good Christmas shoppers to think about what to get the little ones for Christmas. Does Aunt Janie want a sweater or a fruitcake this year?

Wait. It's August 5th, and if you're anything like me, you won't even think about Jolly ol' St. Nick for at least another 3 months. Well. I have some good news and some other good news. The good news is that you don't have to think about where you are going to acquire the hot new toy until right after Thanksgiving (actually, that may be bad news). The other good news is that it's time to start booking Christmas card sessions. I offer my sugarplum session between NOW and November 24th in order to ensure delivery in time for Christmas. While August is not really the time folks want to think about heading to the beach with Santa hats, I encourage you to look at dates with me ASAP. November is the hottest month of the year for us photographers who do Christmas cards, and that's when everyone wants to get them done. I ask those of you with older children to consider September and October for your sessions. A seven year old won't look much different now than they will at Christmas, and you can gaurantee that you'll have a much less stressed out photographer on your hands if you book early. Not to say that those of you needing dates in November (babies and toddlers who change rapidly) will get less than quality service, but November is the only time of year I double book days so I am going to be tired, which means I will talk more than normal and you may go home with a headache. ;)

Here's all the 411 on the sugarplum session. You get:

~An hourlong session either on location or with my studio in your home.

~20 images to choose from in an online password protected gallery.

~50 custom designed Christmas greeting cards with envelopes.

~ A $185 value for $145.

Here are a couple of examples of Christmas card styles I offer.

Not much time

I am about to run out the door, so I don't have time to be wordy today (I heard that sigh of relief). My Sister in Law is waiting for new blog pictures, so here's a few from my maternity session with "M" and her hubby this weekend. Can't wait to go back and see their new little one in a few weeks.