First 2009 Senior!

This was SUCH a fun way to start the new season of Seniors. My sis and I LOVED this Senior and her Mom. They were so sweet and open-minded and fun! It also helps that she is GORGEOUS! Between the four of us, it felt like we were doing a model fashion shoot for a magazine with the double cameras and all the primping were doing with her. I am sure all the people driving by were thinking the same thing. Especially when we kept going in and out of the road (see the middle-of-the-road image) and even had a cop drive by and make a comment! I think they turned out very magazine-ish which is the style I always hope to acheive. Yay for my first rockin' Senior of 2009!

It's Magic!

At one of my photoshoots, one of my clients (thanks Kathy!) told me about one of the BEST parenting books I have ever read (and believe me, I've read a lot!) It is called 1-2-3 Magic and it is AMAZING! Not only does it have a specific discipline plan that is easy to carry out for almost every situation, it also has ways to improve your relationship with your children that have already made a huge difference in our family. It encourages parents to stop lecturing or getting emotional (which is VERY hard for me to do) and just use more actions. It really nips arguing, whining, and fighting in the bud. Basically, when the kids act out, you don't go off on what they did wrong (because they know when they are acting out), you just say "That's one." Then you count to 5 in your head and if they are still doing it, you say "That's two." If they are still continuing to misbehave, you finish by saying "That's three. Timeout." Then, without saying a word or showing any emotion, you escort them to timeout (for however many minutes they are old) and when they are finished you don't talk about it again.

I'm telling you, I LOVE this book and it really works. In fact, the other day I gave my daughter a count to one while she had a friend over and I heard her tell her friend, "We better do what she asked or we'll have to go to the garage!" (The garage is where they go to timeout in our house-- mainly so I can't hear the whining or crying ;0)) I checked this book out at the library but I am going to buy it because I need to memorize it. Just thought I would share with all you moms out there.

Girl Superheroes

My daughter found the capes I used in this last session and she and her friends put them on and transformed into some tough, girly superheroes. I HAD to get a couple shots of it because they looked SO fabulous with their swimsuits and their bats/swords (not to mention those supercool rollerskates)! I am LOVIN' their facial expressions in the last one. Seriously, I wouldn't mess with them. The only thing my kids friends are in danger of is being blogged when they come to my house-LOL!

Superhero Session

Duh, deh, deh-duh. SUPERBOYZ! It's a bird, it's a plane... no, it's SUPERBABY! This is a job for SUPERBROTHER!
*Can you tell I am having WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY too much fun with this? Maybe cuz it's 1:30 in the mornin'

This session started out with us doing a "Clark Kent" version of these cute boys before they took off their shirts and busted out their capes to save the day! They were SO happy the ENTIRE time even when we stopped at the side of the highway and jumped through the barbed wire fence (okay, we lifted the boys over it) only to find a field potentially full of snakes with no good spots to sit or stand but some jagged rocks. NEVER FEAR though it was all in a days work!

Me being my dorky self, pretended right along with the Superheroes and received the title of "Wonder Woman" by the three year-old. He probably didn't come out of character until he went to bed ;0). I just about died laughing when we were all finished and I gave him a high five and told him he did awesome and he very gallantly responded with a "Good job, Wonder Woman."

Andrew Bird -

While my sis was here, we went to a concert in Reno. I haven't been to a concert in forever and I must admit that I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I felt like I was in high school again. Andrew Bird is amazing too. He plays the violin, guitar, sings and has the most amazing whistling skills. It's undescribable. Seriously you have to watch just one minute of his video. He rocked!

Home on the range

We did this session right on these cute kids' ranch and had a blast. The kiddos were all so fun and would do anything to pick out of my new treasure box that I bring to all my sessions. I was amazed at how good these kids were with animals. I kept teasing them how their horses and dogs wanted to be in the pictures too because they kept sneaking in the shots but it totally added to the country feel of it all.

Family portraits sessions are full!

Thank you all for the overwhelming response to our Family Session promotion. All our slots are now full! Check back for all the Sneak Peeks of these fun family portraits during this month. We've got some creative ideas a brewin!

Limited Time Only: Familly Sessions

A lot of people ask me if I photograph families. I always tell them that I will only do their family session AFTER I have photographed individual sessions of their children. BUT.............

while my photographer sister is here to help me out for the month of July and early August only, I will be offering family sessions without having to get portraits of your children done first. This is a one-time offer only and is available for a limited time. We only have time slots available for 3-5 families.

This is an awesome chance to get your Holiday cards and gifts finished before the rush of school and the Holidays approach. Just think, you'll be the first one to send out your holiday cards and check that off your list.

SO if you are wanting some untraditional, non-posed, fun and funky portraits of your family, email me at francephotography@gmail.com.

The first 3 people to email me and book their *session will get their session fee waived ($200 value!!!). The very first person to email me will also receive a complimentary box of custom-designed Holiday cards.

*Minimum requirement still applies. Sessions must take place on a week night. Session fee covers up to 6 people. Additional family members will cost $50 each.

Beautiful blonde

I know Thayne Jasperson!

Last night we stumbled upon the TV show "So You Think You Can Dance" and I realized that my friend from high school, Thayne Jasperson, was on the show! I couldn't believe it! He and I were Lifeguards together at the local water park and he was the nicest guy. He smiled just as much as he did when we were in high school. I hope he made it to the top 10. I think I am addicted to that show. I just LOVE to watch the dancers!

{Purse envy}

Check out this gorgeous RED CROCODILE photo bag that a client recently purchased from me! I ADORE this thing!

Bring on the High School Seniors!

So it's official. My sister (who is also a photographer) is coming to stay with me for a month this summer so we are ready to take on some more High School Seniors in July. If you are wanting Senior portraits that are going to stand out from the rest then thi is the deal for you!

Book a Senior Session by Saturday, July 12th and receive $50 off your session fee and a $50 credit!

or

Book a Senior Session during the week of July 13-19 and receive $25 off your session fee and a $25 credit!

You will also receive:

• Double photo coverage by Kelli and Ashlee (my sis)
• (50) 411 cards (business cards with an image and all your contact info)
• (5) complimentary images for your MySpace/Facebook

So tell your friends and family about this SWEET deal!

The fine print: Minimum requirement still applies. Session must take place in July or beginning August.

Kids Say the Darndest Things

My lovely daughter recently asked me "Why is your tummy so big?" Leave it to her to say just whats on her mind (and NO I'm NOT pregnant)....Yah, bring on the situps.

**I ADORE this image of my daughter and I (even though I am looking a bit um... SCARY to say the least) but it's just our relationship. We butt heads (probably because she is my clone) but then we sure love each other.

Need a nanny?

My sister, who is 21, just got back from Switzerland (tough life ;0)). I haven't seen her since last October so she MIGHT come live with me for the Summer. The only catch is...she needs a job for the summer here in Carson City (or surrounding areas).

If you are looking for a part-time or full-time nanny for the summer, look no further! I know she's my sister so this probably sounds very bias but I am a blunt person and wouldn't say it if it weren't true---She is SOOOOO good with kids! She is very creative and comes up with the funnest, silliest things to keep them busy and happy. She actually takes them outside and plays with them rather than putting on a movie. Oh and during the school year, she works at an Elementary school with special needs children so she has lots of experience. My kids ADORE her! Yours will too!

Oh, and another benefit of her coming is that she is majoring in Photography so she will be helping me to take on more work especially with High School Seniors. She is VERY talented and I've told her that the second she graduates, we are going to be business partners. The best part is, if you hire her, you will get lots of portraits taken of your kids! If you are interested or have any questions, please e-mail me at francephotography@gmail.com

Trifold cards

I just had to show off these tri-fold birth announcements that a client recently ordered. I love the tri-folds because you can show off LOTS of images and they are square which is not a normal shape for most Announcements or Holiday cards. Speaking of Holiday cards, I just designed my first set of Christmas Cards for 2009. Christmas is going to sneak up on us. It always does.

Here It Goes-Again

Check out this supercool (and funny) music video made by my brother-in-law with his college buds IN AN ELEVATOR! He's the one in the plaid outfit with the huge shades. He's a creative goofball, just like me!