50+50=100!!!!

This is my 100th blog post! Yeah! It's like when you are in first grade and you celebrate 100th day and everyone brings in 100 somethings to show and share. So, I thought and thought. I guess I could have shared my 100 favorite pictures, but that would have taken a while to compile, load and let's be honest....who would have looked at all of those?
So, I needed something fun but a little less time consuming. A contest? Of course. Who doesn't love free stuff. I am going to post three questions. Each of the answers can be found on my website or blog. The FIRST person to answer each question correctly will win the prize for that question. Also, you can only win one thing, so it may be beneficial to only answer the question that correlates to the prize you would like. If you don't win it, you could try another one. All answers must be left in the form of comments (click on the comment link on the bottom of this entry). Make sure to leave your name. Anonymous entries will not be eligible for the prize.
Question 1: What state did I grow up in?
Prize 1: a $50 print credit toward your next session with me.
Question 2: What is the most preferable time to take newborn pictures?
Prize 2: 50 free christmas cards.
*must be used this year
*must already have a session booked or have had a session recently you'd like to use an image from. I cannot take the picture specifically for the free cards.
*flat style cards only. Does not apply to folded designs.
Question 3: What is the name of my fish? (Yep, it's tough, but the answer is somewhere on my blog.) Hint: You will have to look back into archived posts.
Prize 3: A free session ($100 value) with me sometime in early 2008.
*session fee only will be waived, prints are not included.

OK....go!

For the "D" family.

Because I like you so much...

Tune in tomorrow, oh ye faithful blog stalkers. I have big plans in the works...really...you'll want to.

Ah, the late night proofing has begun.

With Christmas season in full swing, I am trying to keep up to date and not lag behind. Hence, it is 11:30 and I am posting. I have not been the kind to stay up later than about 10 pm since college, so this is far from the norm for me. I know many of my photographer friends who routinely proof until 2 am just snorted at me. Anyway, you benefit with a little taste of a session from Friday. Honestly, I am having such a hard time narrowing this one down. These little cuties were just full of personality. SO, here's "R" and "A"...cutie pie sisters.

And I am saving my favorite for last, as usual. This one made my heart do a somersault. What a grin!

Don't say I didn't warn you.

Memo to all clients: Due to how busy I am right now (read: running from place to place not sure where I am busy) please keep in mind that rescheduling holiday sessions is very difficult. If you have a session booked between now and Nov 17, please mark it in red on your calendar, begin washing your little ones hands a lot more to avoid illness, do not pass go...do not collet $200. ;)
Session fees are non-refundable, and while during other seasons I usually can reschedule within a week, I cannot gurantee that during the Christmas rush. We may have to push your session back to after Thanksgiving, which will not allow time for delivery of prints before Christmas.
Just an FYI. You all are the best!

The good thing about planes...

Is that they give you a lot of time to proof sessions. Now if only my FTP host would load so I could get those sessions in galleries, I'd be in business. Those of you waiting on galleries, I am *hoping* they will be up today. For now, here's some tidbits from my session with 1 year old "A". And I HAVE to throw in one that I grabbed of his big brother "W", who had to be the most polite, helpful, and not to mention handsome 7 ("and a half") year old I have come across in a long time.

Leavin' on a jet plane.

I am leaving to go out of town tomorrow. I will be back on Sunday evening and returning calls/emails on Monday. So, this is my last blog post of the week...it better be a good one right?

Little "O and J" have been featured on my blog several times before and I love seeing them grow up. These are just a few of my favorites from the session.

Oh, and I only have a handful of sessions left that will qualify for Christmas deadlines. If you want one, call me ASAP.

L- I know you were not crazy about the hat, but thanks for humoring me for a moment. This has to be my absolute favorite picture right now.

I almost forgot...

To share a few from my session with my buddy "M" and his whole family. It's not really a "sneak peek" but it's a peek for you!

He found a snail!

I have lots to share...

But for now, a few more from "M"s session (see previous post) I wanted to share my favorite of her with both mom and dad, as well as a couple of her gorgeous mommy "A". I really think I have the most gorgeous clients in the Tampa Bay area, and this family is surely no exception.

Pink Cowgirl Boots

When mom pulled those out of the pile I almost shrieked with delight....

Beautiful little "M". Her mom is gorgeous too and will probably get her own post in a day or so. But for now...

What a week.

Why is it that vacation always seems so nice, but once you get home, you have to do double the work to catch up? I had a very busy week planned this week. Playdates, swim lessons, my brother will be in town. Not to mention that I have 2-3 sessions still to proof and get up in galleries. Well, the week started out with a bang. G woke up this morning and promptly puked all over me. So, instead of catching up, the unpacked bags are still in the living room and I have been doing laundry and mopping up vomit all morning. He just wants to be held, poor guy. Kowing that I wouldn't have time to finish the one session I NEED to get done (It will be up soon, L) I looked at some of the Disney pics while G has been napping. I even got in a few of them by relinquishing control of the camera to my husband for a few milliseconds! I know my friend Janice is checking in, so here's a few (or a lot) for her.

Animal Kingdom

Epcot

And After the second day I sort of let the picture taking slide and just had fun with G. But here's a couple more.

I think this was G's favorite moment! Driving a racecar!!!