mes filles, mein madchen, le mie regazze, mis chicas, mina flickor

Any way you wanna say it, these are my girls. I hope that each of you readers is lucky enough to have friends like this in your life. These are the ladies that are with me through thick and thin. They support me unequivocally (even when I might be *gulp* wrong) and let me down gently when they need to. They can tell it like it is one minute and be right back to joking the next. I love their kids like they are my own neices and nephews. They are there day or night and I know that if I needed to call, even at 4 am (sorry Lindsey) they would be right outta bed to help me.
Our friendship is fun and funny, there when you need it (and even when you think you don't). I have had more laughs, heart to hearts and good girl cries with these ladies than I can even begin to count. I would feel blessed if I even had one good friend like this, and I have four.
Recently, we decided that we needed a little photo shoot. Just for fun, and just for us. I keep joking that I am going to blow one of the images up huge and hang it up above my bed. :) We had such a blast. We went to the open air laundromat that my pal Kristie Serra told me about (she's another photographer who hails from Tampa but has recently moved to Seattle) and just ran around giggling like little kids. There was a guy sitting there on his phone the whole time and I can only imagine what he was telling his buddies "uuuuummmm. yeah. I am at the laundromat and there are a bunch of 20-something women here trying to do some kind of sex in the city photoshoot...."
Well, we had such a blast that I decided that every group of friends needed to do this as well. So, lucky you. I am proud to announce my "girlfriends" mini sessions! Maybe you have one good friend, maybe you have 10. Either way, get them all together for a fun time ALL ABOUT YOU! Or, maybe you haven't been blessed with friends like this who live close enough, but your daughter has. That's great! There's no age limit. 2 year olds, 12 year olds, and 30 year olds alike deserve to celebrate and remember the time with your girls.
Info~
March 7th, 2010
9 am-11:30 am and 1:30-3:30 pm at really fun locations in the south Tampa area.
Sessions will be 20 minutes long, and will fill on a first come, first serve basis.
$35 per person. Includes session, processing of images in my digital darkroom, online viewing for 1 week and 1 5x7 print. Additional prints and products can be purchased for 25% off my regular pricelist.
$35(plus tax is $37.45) required at booking to hold your spot, will be applied as the session fee for the person who books the session.So, grab your girls, some kickin' heels and a new outfit and call or email me today to hold your spot for this very special event.
813.352.4479
courtneyvickersphotography@yahoo.com

Pairing with some of the hippest mamas I know!

We’ve all been there. Your child comes home from preschool on tuesday with a note saying that she needs a picture of everyone in the family for sharing time on friday. PANIC! You don’t have any decent shots of your kids on the camera and the last professional pictures you had taken were of your preschooler at 18 months old. There’s no time for that now! What do you do? Come join me andthe mommyista, next Wednesday, February 24th for a crash course of picture taking 101. During the evening, I’ll share hints and advice that the pros know to help you take better pictures in between professional sittings. You can achieve better pictures just by changing the way you think about pressing that shutter button, no fancy schmancy camera needed! I’ll also include a guide to choosing the right professional photographer for your family. As an added bonus, I’ll take the fee for this event and apply it toward a session in the future if you’d like to book with me. I’ll also be holding a contest in the week following to win a free session by applying the techniques you learn in the course. So, head on over and register for this event. It's $15 if you register in advance and $17 at the door. For a night out of the house at a place where there's wine and some cool tips, that's a steal!!!

I leave you with a gift!

Of another brand new baby! This one is dear to my heart as he is the son of a good friend. It took me a while to make it over there between cold and flu season hitting our house and holiday craziness, so when I got to photograph him, he was already over a month old. He did awesome, despite his unwillingness to sleep ;) That's the age!
Welcome to the world, baby "H"!
I will be out of the office taking some much needed R&R until February 1. I will return all emails and voicemails in the first week of February. See you then!









And his big sister is a cutie too. This picture sums her up to a T! Mischief in a dress I tell ya!

New babies make me smile.

I mean really, do they make anyone NOT smile? Miss "M" has made her appearance! Last time you saw her, she was at the beach, almost finished baking in mama's tummy. Now, she's here and she's gorgeous. What a little sleeper she was for me! Honestly I got all that I needed so quickly, she was amazing. And she didn't even pee :)
Enjoy her. I did.
Also, before we go ahead, I am still booking last minute sessions for this weekend's mini's. Please call if you'd like one. It's not too late!

Valentine Mini Sessions.

I have decided to hold some valentine mini sessions this year! I have done these in years past, but due to some obligations I had this January I didn't think I would be able to hold them. However, plans have changed and I have time! These are a great way to get an adorable valentine gift for dad or grandma. Here's the info!

Cost: $150

When: Sunday, January 17th and Monday, January 18th

Where: Sunday will be in and around Hyde Park. Monday will be in Ybor city and also some studio sessions for infants under 8 months old. Please contact me regarding time.

What you get: 15 minute mini session, up to 5 proofs with online viewing, 1 8x10, 2 5x7's and a set of wallets. ($350 value for the price of the session alone)

Also, if you book by tomorrow, Monday January 11th, I will throw in an additional 8x10 for free! Call or email me ASAP for more information or to book your session. 813-352-4479 or courtneyvickersphotography@yahoo.com .

Giving is awesome winner!

I had 7 great families nominated for the giving is awesome 2009 giveaway! I know I promised I'd pop in last week to announce the winner, but you know how crazy Christmas week gets! I was so impressed with everyone's nominations this year. Stories of single parents working so hard to get by, sick babies, nurses who meant the world to people and neighborly love were just some of the letters I received. I assigned a number to each family and then had a random number generator pick the winner.....
drumroll please....

Carly R and family nominated by Kristy R!

Congrats Carly! I will be in touch to set up your session. Kristy you also get a credit so I will let you set that up as well!

Thanks to everyone who nominated families this year. Your love for those you nominated shone through and touched me in a great way.

Waiting on a baby :)

This family is waiting on a new addition, well, any ol' time now! I am so excited to go back down and meet their new little girl, and I wanted to get them a little sneak peek from their last session. I will have the rest of the gallery up by the end of the weekend, D family! I wonder if the baby will beat me to it! :)

On other notes, quickly, the studio will be closed next week. While I will be sporadically checking email and voicemail, I will not be holding any sessions and the majority of things will be picking back up in the wek after Christmas. I do have several sessions booked for January already and I will be opening the schedule through March after the first of the year. I will be back one more time next week to announce the winner of the giving is awesome contest (which you can read about in the post below this one). I have 5 fantastic nominees so far, and it's not too late. Just get your emails in to me by the end of the weekend to have someone you know entered into this great opportunity.





This was an "oh my soul" moment








As always, if you get 10 comments on this post, it's a free 8x10, 20 is a free 11x14 (but not both). If you are leaving a comment anonymously please leave at least your first name in the comment. :)

Giving is Awesome 2009

You know someone. You know someone who's experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who can't afford custom photography, but who would cherish it this holiday season. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family's spirit, love, and beauty.
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 -- $1500 worth, to be exact. Whether it's canvas or albums, prints for Grandma, or a slideshow to watch over and over, 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 $250 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 Tampa, FL. 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. Please make sure that they are available for a session in January or February of 2010. I will need to complete the session during one of those months ONLY.
* You must e-mail me the full story : courtneyvickersphotography@yahoo.com
The winner will be announced during the week of Christmas -- get nominating! I can't wait to read all of your entries!
Open your heart to someone this holiday season -- and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

Seventh Heaven

Yep. Little "O" is number 7 for this adoring family. I photographed his big brother "A" a mere 20 months ago, right before I had Finn. I personally start to hyperventilate at the thought of babies 20 months apart, but this mommy and daddy take the chaos is stride and even embrace it! The other kids were'nt up to joining in on the session this time, so little "O" and I got some quality time alone. What a sweet and mellow guy he was, and so patient with me.
Mama has been waiting for a sneak peek, so I had to take a moment away from the frantic end of the holiday season madness and show off this squishy guy.













As always, get 10 comments on this post and I'll give you a free 8x10, 20 comments gets a free 11x14. (but not both) If you are leaving a comment anonymously, please leave at least your first name within the comment.

Everyone likes a freebie!

It's giveaway time. No, it's not a free session or a canvas, BUT it's just as good. My girls at the mommyista are having an event this Thursday night (Dec. 3rd) and I am giving away two spots to go to it. One for you and one for a friend.
From The Mommyista :

Fete De Glam
Get your glam on…holiday style! Enjoy an evening of make up, makeovers and prizes as you relax with friends and allow a team of experts to pamper you! Come in your little black dress (or shop for a new one) and learn from a professional stylist how to use accessories to get ready for all your holiday parties. Always wanted a head-to-toe makeover? Two ladies will be chosen at random to be totally glammed-up! Of course, there will be prizes: (2) $100 shopping passes from Dillards and a $200 fragrance basket! You’ll look so good, after this event, you just may have to hit the town with the girls!

This event will be taking place at the Dillards in the shops at Wiregrass mall in Wesley Chapel. It will be such a fun moms night out! Now, I know you're very excited to win some tickets for you and a girlfriend, so here's the info.

1. Call your husband and let him know he's in charge of dinner and bedtime on Thursday night.
2. Call a pal and see if she wants to go with you.
3. Be the first to leave a comment on this post, with your name and your friend's name and I will sign you up to go!
4. Find me there and say hi! (Ok, you don't really have to do this but it would be good to see you)!

Please really check that you will be able to make it before commenting on the post. Thanks!

And because I am not going to leave you without a couple of pics. A couple more from the holiday mini sessions...