Heart to Heart

Caroline: A Baby Shoot

This was a gift shoot for a very dear friend of mine and her new daughter, Caroline. I am so happy that Michelle will have the experience of raising a daughter and I wanted her to have something that she will always treasure.

Meet Caroline Ruth

  

Michelle, your friendship has meant so much to me over the years.  I am always mindful of the caring, compassionate person that you are in my life and in the life of many others.  I'm thankful for you and thankful for this journey you will take with Caroline.  God bless you and your precious family.

Love...Viv

Christmas cards and November dates

Here is another Etsy shop with LOTS of Christmas card choices!

Less Ordinary Designs

Here are available time slots for November:

Tuesday, 10th at 4:30

Thursday, 12th at 4:30

Friday, 13th at 4:30

Monday, 16th at 4:30

Tuesday, 17th at 4:30

THANKSGIVING WEEK:

Monday, 23rd at 8:30

Tuesday, 24th  at 8:30

Wednesday, 25th at 8:30 or 4:30

The Matthiesons: A Family Shoot

The Matthiesons invited me to their home for a family photo shoot including their two beautiful dogs.  I wasn't nervous about shooting 2 rambunctious dogs.  In fact, they kept the mood light and the smiles natural.  We worked hard to get this next shot.

 

But, most of the shots I got went a little something like this...

I happen to love shots like the above.  It's life.  It's real. 

Jessie and Matt are cool comfortable people so they were easy to shoot.  So while the dogs ran off some energy we took some of the two of them alone.

And then we called the pups back for a few more shots.

I know you animal lovers are going to love the next couple of shots.  I've never been a fan of big dogs, but I kinda want one :)

 

We then left their home and headed over to the golf course in their neighborhood that sits right on Lake Houston.  It was beautiful and I was able to capture Matt at a location that he's quite familiar with being the avid golfer he is.  The two of them are head over heels for each other and I was glad to be able to capture their chemistry together.

I've known Jessie for years and her crinkle-nose smile may be the cutest thing about her.

And using a lens I recently purchased (Canon 24-70mm) I have more freedom to widen my composition.  It's a look I really like.  This, I think, is my current favorite from our shoot.

Thanks, Jess and Matt! 

Christmas Cards 2009

I've had a lot of inquiries regarding Christmas cards and I've decided to do something different.  Last year a client emailed me the link to an etsy shop and I like the concept and thought I'd try it this year in order to give my clients more variety to choose from.  Here is the shop I was told about last year

Nounces

Here's a sample of one of her Christmas cards

You buy the digital negative for 15.00.  She customizes the colors, picture, fonts, wording etc.  Once she sends you your digital file you print it at the location of your choice like you would a regular picture.  The only thing I'm unsure of is the envelope issue, but she may be helpful in finding envelopes for your Christmas cards. 

She has a large variety of styles.  I'll also be looking for other shops that sell the digital files and when I find a good one, I'll share it with you.  Check out her shop and see if you can't find something you like.

Here are a few more pics of baby Paige from our fashion shoot with Shawn.  She was such a smiley baby!

 
 Heartspun Housekeeping:

I've got no weekend shoots left until December 12th.  I'm receiving inquiries still for weekend shoots and while I could squeeze them in, I'm not going to.  It would not be fair to the clients already in the books.  I cannot do more than 3 shoots in a day.  It is just too draining and I don't want to cheat my clients by showing up tired from having shot numerous shoots prior to theirs.  If you'd like to be on a wait list for the weekend shoots, I'd be more than happy to oblige.  Otherwise, I still have a few weekday shoots up for grabs.  I can shoot morning or afternoon.  If you're interested in a weekday shoot let me know and we'll work something out.

HAPPY TUESDAY!
  

Fun N Sheek by Shawn: A Fab Find

Remember Shawn?   When I photographed Shawn and her family we got to talking about her love of creating children's clothing.  I am such a fan of people pursuing their passions and doing what they love.  It's a big risk you take.  It can be very unnerving to put yourself out there for the world to love or hate.  Ultimately, the risk is worth it.  I had seen Shawn's creations on the internet, but last weekend got to see one of her dresses in person and I was completely impressed with the craftsmanship.  The material is beautifu and high-quality and the details are so impressive because they are so laborious.  Shawn is designing a website to display her clothing and we got together to photograph some of her pieces.  I'm only posting a few of the shots and really aren't the best of the bunch as far as displaying the actual dress.  I'm saving those for her.  Regardless, here's a snippet of her beautiful work.

My personal favorite outfit:

one of her Christmas dresses:

Her famous Groovy (Princess) dress :

 
 and one too sweet not to post:

 
Follow Shawn on her blog FUN N SHEEK where you'll find a link to her etsy shop. 

Cooking with Kristie. . . you can too!

Last night, Kristie invited a few friends to her house to run through a mock cooking class.  I can assure you she did not need a mock run-through.  I happily accepted the invitation prepared for a good meal.  It was much more than just a good meal.  It was a multi-sensory experience.  Let me tell you that these are the most snapshotty pictures that I've posted on the blog.  I threw my camera into auto and took a few pictures just to have something to share with you on the blog.

We were greeted with this beautiful cheese course and a glass of wine.

 

I tried the olive tepenade for the first time and could've eaten the entire thing alone.  Kristie is so good about making things that sound complicated and fancy into meals that anyone can cook.  I left feeling so excited about what I had learned and what I had experienced.  Take the salad.  I'm not a fruit and leafy greens salad kind of girl.  Nor do I opt for dressings that aren't Ranch.  But she made us beautiful arugula salads with apple slices, toasted pecans and her own balsamic vinaigrette.  It was salad heaven.

While we munched on fancy salad, Kristie taught us about balsamic vinegar and let us sample various vinegars sold at different price ranges. 

And then she demonstrated how to cook a proper risotto.

After the main course, Kristie prepared a hot white chocolate sauce and poured it over frozen berries for dessert.

 
 

We left with happy hearts and happy tummies.  Thank you, Kristie!

 
 Kristie will be opening up her classes in the near future.  Her first 3 will be risotto, pizza, and shrimp scampi.  She'll be taking 5 to 6 students per class so be sure to sign up as soon as she sends out the invitation.  You can email her to be included in her email list where she'll send you details on upcoming classes.  klgottselig@yahoo.com

Try it! You won't regret it.  It's money well-spent. 

The Georges: A Family Shoot

This shoot is for those of you that long for that family shoot where everyone stands in place, smiles, and cooperates.  It will happen. It just takes time.  In the meantime, enjoy the crazy, mad, wild shoots.  One day they will be willing participants like these kids and we'll finish in 30 minutes like we did.  No one broke a sweat, I didn't have to dole out too many tickle threats, and it was really....easy.

I love bright, crisp color shots, but now and then I get a moody shot that really strikes me.  The light has to be right to get those shadows that add drama to a photograph.  This is a favorite.  I like the smudgy jewel tones and the backlight on Stephanie's hair.

 

These pictures are for Christmas cards and I really like Stephanie's willingness to let everyone dress as individuals.  I know you've recognized the trend amongst modern photographers.  Gone are the days of matchy matchy solid tops and blue jeans.  I encourage you to do the same for your pictures.  See how prints and colors and a variety of styles really bring personalities to life.

 

And perhaps my favorite group shot of the session:

The Wisenbakers: A Family Shoot

If I could insert a smily face bobbing up and down, I would.  I'm so happy to be back to photography full time.  I'm so relieved to have fulfilled an (at times) overwhelming teaching commitment.  And I'll have you know that even though it was stressful some days it was more often a happy affair.  I was blessed by the time spent there.  So, my first Saturday morning post-teaching, I awoke with an extra skip in my step.  Rather than slipping into my slacks and dress shoes, I slipped into my comfy sweats and camera strap (and my new fingerless alpaca gloves) to go shoot new clients.  The glorious weather did not disappoint.  Neither did the Wisenbakers. 

Meet these new friends of mine:

Princess Raegan is as girly as they come despite the fact that mom and dad are avid outdoorsmen.  Isn't she the perfect model for Shawn's creations?  You'll be seeing more of Shawn's work and more of Princess next week sometime.  We're meeting for a fashion shoot and I'm thrilled to be a part of it.  Make no mistake about the fact that Princess is princess, but she's got a wild hair, too!  Case in point...

Mom and dad were naturals in front of the camera, too.  It makes it so easy when clients are at ease with me.

I loved this family.  I felt like an old friend meeting to take pictures.  There was no awkwardness and that made for an easy shoot.

And you can tell it without me telling you, but the camera loves Raegan.

So there you have it!  I'm back!

Hugs and Kisses .

The Spencers: A New Family Shoot

The Spencer's have recently welcomed baby Caleb into their lives and there's something about a newborn that hastens a fleeting thought in my brain.  Maybe, maybe I should have another.  I  ponder the thought for a few hours and I get over it.  They're just so dang cute and so innocent and so fresh and they always smell like baby powder mixed with formula.  I love that.  I love that and I love their floppy heads and their incredibly soft hair.

These next couple of shots, I tried a retro processing.  I try hard to keep my post processing clean and classic so you get pictures that look good in 5 years and not pictures that look garrish and over-contrasty, but occassionally I get a hankerin' for a more creative post processing.  I do like this retro look on the right picture.  Mackenzie, FYI, I'm also including the original files so you have my traditional post process and this vintage-y look.  p.s. this one also has a bit of texture.

 And here's the man of the hour...

Another vintage-y.  I should name this Honeysuckly Rose processing.  You guys like Willie Nelson?  The hues remind me of that movie.  You should check it out.  But, you can't get it at the Redbox.  My husband is betting money that none of you have ever seen it.  Say it ain't so!

  

And one more I really like.

Heartspun Housekeeping:

I know my inbox is full.  I know I owe you responses.  Hang with me a few more days.  I'm finishing up a long term teaching position on Friday and then I'm back to full time photography.  If you haven't received a response by this Sunday, please email me again.  I'm trying to set aside some time every night to tend to picture stuff, but can't get to all of it every night.    Hugs and kisses. 

Vivi

The Skeens: A Family Shoot

Let the wild rumpus start...or so I thought as Heather opened her minivan doors and out jumped two very boisterous boys that darted towards the woods in 2 seconds flat.

Fortunately, we were able to reign them in and so I snapped away.   But, to my surprise they were rather willing to cooperate.

And to my surprise, we even captured a few genuine smiles.

What's this?  All three sitting together?  (insert Hallellujah chorus here)

But, I had to leave room for boys to be boys.

 
 And that, dear friends, is how I win them over...for short periods of time anyways.

 

 

Heather and I share lots of mutual friends and though I'd never met her personally prior to our shoot, I felt that I already knew her through our friends and through her blog. 

And her hubby...

I am wrapping up my long term sub job next week and I will be so much better about posting.  Thanks for hanging in there with me and thank you Skeen Family for allowing me to capture your family .

My mom dropped by the house the other day and dropped off a pair of cutesy yellow slipper shoes that she knew I would like.  She knows me so well.   A more perfect shade of butter yellow no one else could have brought me.  I've resigned myself to the notion that I'm the apple still hanging from my mother's tree.  Undoubtedly, we are from the same tree.  The perfect yellow slipper shoes are proof of that.  I look at my Natalie and wonder how she'll react when people tell her she's just like her mother.  She is just like her mother.  The crooked pinkies we share are proof of that.  And I suppose time will reveal the makings of our relationship.  All I know now is that my heart floats into my throat when I see her and she stirs an energy inside of me that I didn't know existed. 

She makes me feel like God's favorite person.