Contest #1

For those of you that check this regularly, we will be having our first contest to kick-off our business going full-time. So here it is:

We love referrals! To reward those who refer their friends and family to us, we are going to be giving away one custom leather photo purse to whomever sends us the most clients from now until the end of the year. Clients must be booked to receive credit for the referral and they can even book sessions into next year and you will get the credit for it!

We will also be starting up our Referral Program again. For every client that books a session, you AND your referred friend will each receive a complimentary 8x10. But that's not all (do I sound like an informercial?) If you refer 3 clients, you will have earned a Gift Certificate for a complimentary session!

Fru-Fru

This beautiful baby girl was adopted at birth by a wonderful family. I had the privilege of taking her pictures which was so fun since I haven't photographed any baby GIRLS for a while! I just love the fru-fru (hence the bows and tutus) of baby girls. Doesn't that last picture just make you want to squish those chubby cheeks??

Drumroll please...

So here's the big news..........................................................................................(I like to keep you in suspense a little longer)..............................................................................................................................
France Photography is going full-time! My husband, Matt, quit his current job so he could become the manager of France Photography!!!

What it means for me:

• I get to work with my best friend
• I will have more help with EVERYTHING including our 3 kids (wahoo!)
• We will be much more organized since that is Matt's strength (and my weakness).

What it means for you:

• Better customer service
• Faster turn-around times on orders
• We will be taking on several more clients!!!

So if you have been wanting to book a session but saw that we were booked for the remainder of the year, give us a call (775.885.2921) or an email (francephotography@gmail.com) and we will schedule you in!

I've been tagged!

A photographer friend, Kara May, tagged me so I am supposed to share 8 things about myself:

1. I need at least 8 hours of sleep to function (and to avoid turning into "Monster Mommy.")

2. I like to read self-help books (hey, I need all the help I can get)

3. I LOVE chocolate chip cookies and "Harribo" gummy candy (World Market-Cost Plus has the BEST selection)

4. My husband and I go out on a date almost every week for my personal sanity.

5. A scorching hot, bubble bath is all I need for some R&R.

6. I rarely watch TV but when I do it's "The Office."

7. I am a shop-a-holic and love to hit a good garage sale.

8. I think you can tell a lot about a person by their shoes. I have a big collection for all of my moods.

Okay, now I am tagging...
Lacy
Keri
Kerrie
Brandi (if you haven't already been tagged)

Secrets!!!

France Photography is going to be doing some BIG changes for the better but I have to keep it a secret for now (and also just because it's fun to tease you!) It will involve contests for you local blog readers and much more, so keep checkin' back.

Oh and what's a post without pictures? Here's one of my middle child on our HUGE tire swing. When my husband said he was going to hang one from our big tree I envisioned a quaint little tire that would be perfect for pictures but I got this Monster Truck tire instead. LOL! Oh well... the kids like it.

{Lucious locks}

This is a previous client that is not a baby anymore. He's walking and talking and fully of energy. I couldn't believe how much he had changed in a year (that's how old my baby will be next summer and it makes me sad that he won't be a baby anymore). The only thing that is baby about him is his hair. His Mom hasn't cut it EVER (she was holding out for the photoshoot) and those curls are just PRECIOUS!!!

P.S. If you look real close at the reflections in the bubbles, you can see his family (and me) all around him. I thought that was pretty cool!

Anyone can comment now!

I am in the process of making my blog a little more "Francy-pants" so be patient while it is under construction.

Speaking of which, I think (cross-your fingers) that I made it so that anyone can post a comment (not just Bloggers) if they would like. I would love to hear from you and see who is viewing my blog!

2!

This guy just turned 2 (see his darling shirt) and, like most 2 year-olds, he had his own little agenda so I just followed him around while he played. He and his Mom were SO cute together! I don't think I've gotten so many sweet "Mommy n' Me" pics before in a session. He just adores her and it shows!

I lied.

Okay, I know I said I wasn't going to do Seniors anymore but I told McKenzie 2 years ago that I would do hers and I thoroughly enjoyed myself SO... I decided that I will take on the occasional Senior.

This session was superfun because I went with my sister who is getting into photography so McKenzie got double coverage!! We tried out lots of funky ideas and found the perfect spot. McKenzie was like a model to work with so I felt like we were shooting for a magazine with 2 photographers and a bee-utiful Senior to work with. Too bad my sis can't be here for all my photoshoots, I think we make a great team (she took a couple of these shots).

P.S. If you are a Senior wanting a photoshoot, I am booked for the remainder of the year but please contact me at francephotography@gmail.com to get on the waiting list for the Spring.

Better than Botox

My sister has been getting into photography lately so while she was here she took a couple pics of me. I had fun editing them and taking away my wrinkles and blemishes in Photoshop. Who needs Botox when you've got Photoshop!

Could she be any cuter?

My family came to stay with us where we had a fun reunion. While they were here, I took pictures of my neice. I have been taking pictures of her since she was a newborn and I just LOVE taking her pictures! Now she is 2 and full of personality! She was singing and dancing all through the photoshoot. She is just too cute and I totally see my brother in her when I look at these pics.

Playtime!

Okay... I know I say this all the time (maybe because I LOVE what I do) but I love this session! Maybe it's because these are returning clients who know the ropes and just let me do my thing. Lauren and Tristan and I just played and played. In fact, I think I wore all of us out from so much playing! Aren't they photogenic?!

Twins!

This photoshoot was double the fun since there were 2 cute baby girls to capture. In my experience with working with twins, it is so interesting how different their little personalities are right from the start and that was the case here. I really enjoyed working with their parents and even had a hard time keeping my composure because their father was making me laugh just as much as he was making the twins giggle. These babies are doing my "Tour de France" plan so I have the privilege of documenting their growth their first year.

Christmas in July Sale!

Are there items from previous sessions that you've been meaning to order? Need ideas for Christmas? This is the SALE for you! For one week only France Photography is offering 30% off our current prices on any items including Prints, Wrapped Canvas', Storyboards, Desktop Duplicates (aka Mini-Storyboards), Petite Albums, Session Albums, Christmas cards, and Slideshow DVD's. Sale does not apply to photo purses, jewelry and framing.

So order or pre-order gifts for Grandma, such as our Petite Purse Album (I gave one of these to my Mom for Mother's Day and it made her cry!) or get one for your loved one's stocking. Surprise Dad with a Desktop Duplicate (with easel) for his office or purchase a print or canvas for yourself! You can also order or pre-order custom Christmas cards or wallets to send to friends and family AND if you order over $100, you will recieve a complimentary Gift Portrait (8x10, 5x7, or 8 wallets).

Best of all there are NO minimum orders! Don't wait until you are too broke and busy in December. Save money and order now! Please email me if you have any questions at francephotography@gmail.com. SALE ENDS JULY 19TH AT MIDNIGHT.

Jamie Rae Hats

I was asked by the owner of Jamie Rae hats to photograph some of her new products. So I have been having fun taking pictures of some local babies (including mine) with all her great stuff (including hats, headbands, clips, etc.) Above are some of the images that she is using on her website. Check it out!

Abe is 5 months!!

Man. Time is flying! I can't believe he's almost half a year old. Here's some pics of our little man. We are just smitten by him. He's SO sweet!

Belly and Baby!

This is one of my "Bellies and Babies" clients. I just love doing my "Bellies and Babies" Portrait Plans because I get to be a part of the fun and anticipation that comes with pregnancy and a newborn. Baby "E" was such an angel (pardon the picture pun) during the photoshoot and so was her dog!!! I was amazed that the dog sat so still for this pose but the baby LOVED sleeping on him because he was all warm and cozy. In fact, she cried when we took her off!