Biker Boyz

Before you read this post, you must click the music on the left <------ to enhance your experience. The song is perfect for my boys who LOVE to ride their bikes (or trikes or scooters or anything on wheels). My baby is obsessed with bikes and cars. It's pretty cute. I love the look on their faces in these images. My older boy always has this look of mischeif on him. In the full-body shot of him, he looks like he's gonna run me over! Oh, how I love having boys.

My "Mommy Memos"

As a Mom, I have always wished that I could read my Mother or Grandma's Journals to see how they dealt with everyday parenting issues. So...I decided to be proactive and write one for my daughter. I thought I would share some of my entries each week in case I can help someone else. Not that I am saying I know it all but it's nice to hear different ideas from different Moms so without further ado, I give you the first shared entry to my "Mommy Memos."

This one is titled, "Block out the Bad, Harness the Good."
Recently, I watched my neighbor interact with her youngest son in a way that was so simple yet effective. She has five kids, all of which are very good kids. She is very laid back and never seems to get upset with her kids.

Her son began throwing a fit and she just turned to us without any fluctuation in her tone of voice and said, “Oh, just ignore him while he throws a fit.” It was ingenious! Even though we were all still present, this little three-year-old boy stopped his fit because it is no fun to throw one without a good audience.

I have been trying this technique with my daughter who is the queen of whining, arguing and fussing and it has been working surprisingly well. I just walk away when she behaves that way or simply tell her that I am going to ignore her (even when I am in the same room) and she stops because it is no fun to argue when no one is arguing back. Kids want attention whether it’s positive or negative. I think that if I were to just try to focus more on her good points and block out the bad ones or ignore them, we will have a more peaceful home.

Mom my Ride

This is SO my mini-van! If you are a Mom with a mini-van, you must see this. It's hilarious and oh so true!

{The Princess and the Pea-ano}

This cute girl was SO sweet! She was a happy, soft-spoken little soul and just went with the flow during the entire session. We did lots of playing (including the piano) so I had to share some fun Storyboards I came up with. Her Mom, who is so bubbly and fun, told me that she loves to color so I captured some coloring images and loved how the crayons were labeled "So Big." I thought that was the perfect title for the Storyboard (although it's kind of ironic because she is so petite.) Oh, and they live right by "the beach" (aka Lake Tahoe) so of course, we had to get some shots there.

"The Secret Garden"

I love our house because it has a nice backyard for my kids to play in. After my kids watched "The Secret Garden," our overgrown dogrun on the side got the label "The Secret Garden." It makes me giggle because it not much of a garden but it's kind of an excluded little area where they love to take their toys and play pretend. So, I had to capture some images of my girl in "The Secret Garden." This is how she looked one day after school and it's just SO her She loves to wear dresses but sort of old-fashioned ones. I just love her expressions in these. She has the most amazing imagination and keeps telling me that she thinks her life is a story. I am glad that I get to capture her story.

P.S. I can never decide which ones of my kids to print (I am too bias) so if you could only pick one, which would it be?? I am going to be putting together a wall collage (should be ready in a week or 2 so I'll for sure post pics) and am having the hardest time picking my faves. There's too many!

Walls of the Week

I say walls with an "S" because this client had images on several different walls and I think it really added to the look of her home. I especially love how they look in our custom frames. The candy apple red ones are my favorite. My sister, who is an amazing decorator, told me that regardless of your color scheme in your home, every room should have a splash of red.

I'm Famous

Okay, not really, but some of my framed images are featured on my frame company's new website. Check out Wild Sorbet Frames and go to "The Scoop" page and look at the Frame Gallery and you'll see my images towards the end of the gallery.

Lovely Senior

Seniors are always a refreshing change from the little ones because I don't have to chase anyone. They actually sit/stand still! Not that I am complaining because you know I adore kids but it's a nice change. This Senior girl was very sweet. We had to do a shot with the chair because her Mom owns my FAVORITE vintage store with all sorts of Shabby Chic finds in it, called Due Sorella. Which version of the last one do you like better for my website? I can't decide.

Tagged again

My Photo friend, Kara May, "tagged" me (again) so now I have to post 8 things about myself along with the rules. I also added an image of me when I was 5 just for kicks. Don't you love my awesome homemade dress from the 80's? I still have the dress. Why? Nobody knows.

The Rules.
*Post the rules before you give the facts.
*Post eight random facts about yourself.
*At the end of your blog post, you need to tag 3 people and list their names
*Leave the people you tagged a comment on their blog, letting them know that they've been tagged.I'll try not to tell anything that I told you all the last time I was tagged. ;-)

1. I am learning to garden. I just planted my first tomato today.
2. I have been waking up at 5 AM everyday this week to go to the gym which is a little miracle since I haven't worked out in months!
3. I like to camp but have no camping gear to do so.
4. I LOVE garage sales but am trying to avoid them this year because we are trying to declutter
5. I graduated in Elementary Education and don't plan to ever use my degree. Photography is where my passion is.
6. My desk is a MESS! Cleaning is not my forte, but I try.
7. I love big breakfasts but rarely make them in the morning so lately we've been having "brinner" (breakfast for dinner).
8. I can stick my entire fist in my mouth.

Now I should tag 3 people but I am one of those people that doesn't ever forward junk mail or chain letters (call me a rebel or just call me lazy) so I am going to relieve my friends of the assignment.

A few more

Had to share a few more from this last session because it went so well that we tried a variety of clothes and different settings. Isn't he a cutie?

Three's a Charm

This session was the third one for this little guy who is just as cute as could be. (Here's the Baby Session http://francephotography.blogspot.com/2006/10/sneak-peak.html and him at eighteen months old http://francephotography.blogspot.com/2007/09/lucious-locks.html)

We took him out to splash in the puddles and he had such fun (who wouldn't?) I love doing outdoor sessions and so do the kiddos because they can be free to be themselves in nature.

Speaking of three's a charm, I know a session went well when we got through 3 changes of clothing without a fuss! I'll show the other outfits tomorrow.

Oh and today's give-away will be for the Mom of this cutie (whom I adore ;0). I will have a "Comment Contest" where if 5 people comment, she will receive a complimentary 5x7, if 10 people post a comment, she will receive a complimentary 8x10, and if 20+ people comment, she will receive a complimentary 11x14 ($125 value!) So all you lurkers and blog stalkers, come out and comment so this Mommy can get as many prints of her adorable son as possible. Contest will close at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, May 27th.

Even kids love them.

I am having computer issues so I wasn't able to post any pics or the corresponding give-away so you will have to wait next week. Thanks for being patient.

BUT, I did get a recent email from a client (whose twins are on my Baby's First Year Plan) that made my day and I just had to share:

"We get so many compliments on the pictures in our home and the girls have become very attached to their Session Album from session #1. They are so gentle turning the pages and pointing at each other in the pictures."

Even the kiddos love to see pictures of themselves on the wall and in the albums.

I have goobers on my shirt and it's only 9 AM

I just put this shirt on and looked down to find kid crusties on it. Lovely. I decided that I am just going to have to get used to the fact that with 3 kids, life is messy (not to mention the house and the mini-van!) Things always take longer than you think with kids. When I am cleaning one end of the house, they are on the other end of the house making a mess. That's my life right now and it's challenging and wonderful all at once.

Last night I took my girl on a dessert date (Chili's has the best molten lava chocolate cakes known to man!) and I was getting a bit sad inside because she is growing up so fast. She was telling me all about her boyfriend (aaaaaaaaaaa!!!) and friends at school. She's almost finished with Kindergarten and will be in first grade next Fall. It seems like the older I get the faster time flies.

Anyhoo, since it would be almost wrong to ramble without posting a pic, here is one of my newest products. It is a Desktop Calendar where you can switch out the image each month. I have one on my desk and gave one to my Mom & Mother-in-law for Christmas. They loved them!

Babycakes

Have you ever heard the saying that "the plumber's pipes are always rusty?" Well, that is the case with my own children's sessions. I think I work better with deadlines and when I don't have one then things don't get done as fast. Anyhoo, here are some images from my baby's first birthday that I adore!

My other kids did not get into eating their cakes so we prepped our little man beforehand with some trial cupcakes which he devoured so I knew these would be some good shots. As you can see he really went to town! These pictures make me giddy with joy (and a little hungry too ;0) Oh, how we love our little "Babe."

And since I was busy last week taking pictures and updating my product line (I can't wait to show you some of our new products in future posts!) I will be doing two give-aways this week. The first one will be 2 dozen cupcakes from the lovely Alyssa's Bakery.

The cake that my baby is eating in these pictures is one that she made and it was so good that after the baby has his turn, we cut off the top and the edges and ate the rest (alright, I know that sounds a little unsanitary but it was SO worth it!) She specializes in cupcakes and wedding cakes here in Carson City so these are not your average cupcake!

To receive the give-away, you must be the first Nevada resident to visit Alyssa's site and email her your contact information through her site. Yummy!

Do your family snapshots look like this?

While my Mom was here, I made her take a snapshot of my little family after Church and this is the only one that turned out. It makes me laugh. I thought I would post it to make you all feel better about your attempts to get a good shot of your family.

Props to Moms

I don't think you can ever fully appreciate your Mother until you become one yourself. I am in awe that my Mom raised 3 kids as a single Mother for several years. I can barely raise my 3 with my husband so I can't imagine doing it solo.

Speaking of my Mother, she is here visiting us right now and we are having so much fun planting my garden and enjoying the sunshine. It is so comforting to have her here. When she's here I feel like I can do anything. We are such good friends and it brings me joy to think that someday my daughter and I will be this way as well (I won't lie to you, my daughter and I butt heads most of the time probably because we are so much alike.)

So... to honor mothers and Mother's Day, my give-away for this week is FABULOUS and was donated by Bella Salon and Day Spa, here in Carson City. The first Mother to e-mail me her name, phone number, and address will a Gift Certificate for a complimentary haircut, mini make-over, and eyebrow arch from Bella Salon (valued at $130!!!) You must be a Nevada resident to be eligible.

Happy Mother's Day! You deserve it.

One more Gift Certificate to give away

I have one more Gift Certificate that was donated by Joy, owner of I Paint for Joy, (www.ipaintforjoy.com) to give away so tell your friends to subscribe to my blog too so they can get some freebies this month. I've got some sweet ones to give away this month. I can't wait!

May is "Give-Away Month"

Had to share a couple of silly pics of my kiddos which were NOT easy to get. They are my favorite subjects and my HARDEST subjects especially when I am trying to capture all three of them. It was tricky because the baby kept trying to crawl to me when I was taking these. I was doing all sorts of bribing and was ready for a nap when we were finished. Don't my boys look so sweet and innocent in the B&W photo?? My daughter doesn't look quite like herself but I had to keep it because of the boys' expressions.

Also, I like to mix things up to keep you checking back. This month I thought it would be fun to give away some goodies (and they won't all be from me either). The first give-away is a "Subscribe Bribe." The first 2 Nevada residents to subscribe to my blog (via the blog form) will receive Gift Certificates to http://www.ipaintforjoy.com/. I Paint for Joy is a really fun, local paint-your-own-pottery shop that my kids love to go to!

Even if you are not the first couple subscribers, you should still subscribe because I will be giving away different freebies every week and the description won't always be in the blog title.

Happy May! (Now let's pray that it will actually feel like May and warm up a bit).

A surprise gift

All of my clients who have booked a session for 2008 will be receiving this gift. What's inside it? You'll have to book a session to find out.

{Wall of the Week}

This is an image in my baby's room in a 30x30 silver frame with an oversized matte. Obvioulsy, I love to go big. It's much more dramatic.

I love the quote above it from Dr. Seuss in Horton Hears a Who that says "A person's a person no matter how small." That is a very good reminder to remember to respect the little people ;0).

Oh, and if you haven't taken your little ones to see the Horton Hears a Who movie, you should. Mine loved it! You can also get Horton Hears a Who pancakes for your kids from IHOP that are loaded with sugar but seriously yummy!

{Perfection}

Need I say more.

{Wall of the Week}

Just love how this image that I took is displayed over the baby's crib. SO cute!

Sorry no images from the Workshop yet. My son got sick and we had some unexpected company so it's been a wild week. I'll post as soon as I get a chance.