A Mini-Warrior Snowman

It's been snowing a LOT here lately and the kids have been begging me to build a snowman with them so we finally went out and built a "mini-warrior snowman." Betcha didn't know those exhisted! And call me Mother-of-the-Year because even the baby was all bundled up outside with us in the exersaucer (hey, I couldn't leave him inside all by himself!) He seemed pretty amused watching us though.

I absolutely ADORE the picture of my oldest 2 because those faces are 100% them. Oh, and I made my kids take pictures with me in them so they know that I was actually there. Not a bad picture for a 4 year- old! Maybe there's some potential there!

A little girlie

My friend is selling the most adorable little clips for little girls and she is offering FREE shipping until the end of February. Check them out at http://alittlegirlie.blogspot.com/!

New Year's Resolutions

I decided that my theme for 2008 (in all aspects of my life) is going to be to SIMPLIFY and SERVE. Here's some more specific goals I have for France Photography:

Blog 1-2 times a week! Check back/subscribe to see photos, specials and contests!

Get organized!

Give clients their orders within 2-3 weeks of ordering (thank you all for being so patient during the Holidays!)

Do a couple Mini-Sessions this year (SO excited-more info to come on these in future posts!)

Well, that should keep me busy along with my 3 kids!

Oh and here's a pic of my sister-in-law (isn't she gorgeous!) who WAS prego and now she's in Boston so I can't squish my new nephew or take his pictures. But that does give me an excuse to go to Boston!

CHECK OUT MY NEW WEBSITE!!!

I am SOOOOOOO giddy right now because my website is finally finished!!! I know I've been talking about it forever and now it's online for your viewing pleasure.

To kick off the debut of my website, I will be having a Session Sale where if you book any 2008 session (and pay a 50% deposit) within the next 5 days (deadline is Wednesday, January 16th at midnight) you will receive a $50 credit!

Please note that I will only be taking a very limited number of sessions this year so if you are planning on getting a Session done anytime in 2008 (especially during the Fall), NOW is the time to book it before those limited openings are gone! Once dates are filled, you will be put on a waiting list. I cannot guarantee a spot for you unless you have paid a deposit.

Okay enough talk, go visit http://www.francephotography.com/ because you just might see someone you know since there are over 100 images on there!

P.S. The first 5 clients who send me an email from my site will receive a complimentary Gift Print (8x10, 5x7, or 8 wallets)!

Happy New Year!!!

I know, I'm slow. Just been enjoying hanging in my jammies and not having to rush anyone to school. That all starts tomorrow though.

Here's a fun Storysquare of my kids. These are a new product I'm offering this year called the "Defined Storysquares". I love these and am giving a Mini to my parents and in-laws for Christmas (I told you I was slow :0). Maybe by the time I mail them it will be a Valentine's gift-LOL!)

Random question. What was your favorite book you read from 2007 AND what is the best Parenting book you've ever read? I am trying to compile my 2008 reading list. Mine was "The Glass Castle" and the best parenting book I've read is "The Parenting Breakthrough" ~ soooooo good that your kids will hate you for reading it.

P.S. Check back soon for the new website debut and other exciting news!

It's my Birthday!!!

I am 28 today and I have to admit, I am a Birthday Queen. I count down the days and remind everyone (like I'm doing now). I even put a note on my Mom's calendar on my half-birthday in June to start saving up for it ;0).

It's also my daughter's birthday. Yes, she was born on my birthday to dethrone me from hogging the day (and the week and the month) but I sure love her. She's turning into a Birthday Queen as well. She's been counting down too and she even says in her prayers that she's thankful that her birthday is coming up. Well, it's here and so I had to share some portraits of her that I LOVE because it is SO her. She is just silly and smart and spirited all in one and now she's 6--wow! That makes me feel old more than being 28.

I'd sure love for all you lurkers to post a comment for my birthday. I know you're out there!

another wall to share

Check out what was on this little guy's great aunt's wall...these storyboards from last year's session. Just had to share. I will be offering white framing similar to these now too! Love the white on a colored wall.

Remember him?

then
now

I thought it would be fun to show how this boy has grown since his last session. This boy was one at our first session and now he's a big 2 year-old. Time flies!

I have to tell you about the image of him squatting. He saw a construction truck down the road and got into this manly squat and sat and watched that truck for a good 5 minutes. He was mezmerized and I was in awe at how boyish that was to do at such a young age. Aren't his big brown eyes oh so handsome?! I think he looks like his Mama in the last image. No wonder he's cute!

Forgot to show this...

Here's what the twins (see below) have on their wall so far. These are 11x14's and 16x20's in frames. I love it when clients go big--very dramatic!

I am going to be sharing more of what my clients have done with their portraits to give you ideas for your walls and see how cool they look as a wall display.

Twins: take 2!

These twin girls are on my "Tour de France" plan so I get to take their pictures every few months. Here they are at the sitting-up stage. These two make the funniest faces and one of them is going to be a future gymnast. Check her out doing a baby-back-walkover!!! I've never seen a baby do that! Could these gals be any cuter in their Christmas dresses?

P.S. Feel free to comment so I don't feel like I am talking to myself in "internet land."

New Storyboards and a case of bad luck

Okay so I've got a case of bad luck. In the past 2 weeks, I've had my stereo stolen out of my van, all of my kids got pink eye and then I got it and then my son got the stomach flu today and has ralphed three times today already. My lab is also a bit delayed due to the holiday madness so needless to say, I am a bit behind. Again, I thank all you Moms who are waiting so patiently for your photos. I am sure you understand what it's like to have a case of bad luck (or just nonstop illness).

On a brighter note, I am offering new storyboards called "The Defined Storyboards". They have the most adorable word definitions to go with you children's portraits. I just love these and am getting one for myself too!

A little holiday cheer!

This makes me and the kids giggle:

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1126030053

You gotta try it with your own kids.

smile

This kid is the oldest of three. His siblings have already had their own sessions and it was his turn to shine and be oh so silly! It didn't take much to get this guy to laugh which makes my job easy. We had a grand ole time playing inside and outside his house. I love it when the kids forget that I'm taking their pictures and think that I just came over to play. Don't you just love him dangling in the tree--such a boy thing to do. All of these pictures just make me smile.

Girls Night Out

This session was like a girls night out because we (me, Mom, and the girls) all went together in the same car up to Lake Tahoe and chatted and giggled the whole way up and back. These girls were sooooooooooo cute to work with! We had such fun getting our feet wet (and a little frozen) but they warmed up their toes afterwards in those ADORABLE boots! These girls were quite the natural models, especially big sister. She had that model stance down perfectly.

P.S. For all you others waiting, I'm doing my darndest to get your proofs done but my Babe has pink eye so it's slowing me down some. Thanks for being patient!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here's a cute article I wanted to share about being THANKFUL for our children
http://www.ldslivingmagazine.com/articles/show/1262

France Photography will be closed until Monday. Hope you eat lots and shop lots! That's my plan!

Dethroned

When we had our 2nd child I used to always joke that my first child got "dethroned." Such is the case with this family. I'm not just referring to the Big Brother but also the Dog. Oh and I just HAD to post this picture of Big Brother making mischeif while we are taking pics of his little brother. It makes me laugh everytime I see it only because it's not my child who did it ;0)

Don't you just wanna squish this baby! He's too cute! Look at those wrinkles on the last picture. Good thing it's my friend's baby so I can hold him whenever I want to.

P.S. I had other favorites too but I am saving them for the new website as I like to keep you all in suspense.

Booking for 2008!

France Photography is booked for the remainder of the year. We are now booking for 2008 so if you are planning on getting a session next year, please contact francephotography@gmail.com because we are usually booked 1-2 months in advance.

Here's a pic since posts are no good without pictures. Is this not ADORABLE---all the males in this family have matching Vans including the new baby (see pics above). I am such a shoe person so maybe that's why I love this picture.

Want Family Pictures?

I've had several people ask me if I do family portraits. My new policy is that I will do family portraits but ONLY after I've taken individual portraits of all of your children first. That way, I can still maintain my specialty (which is what I LOVE!) of working with babies and children. I must warn you that if you are looking for traditional family portraits then I am not your girl. I like to capture families having fun, interacting, and doing their thing without being all formally posed.

That was the case with this family. I did a session of their children first (see their FABULOUS Wall Gallery that I designed and custom framed for them) and then we did this fun family session. I just adore this family! They are so fun to work with and always willing to try new things. Oh and Steve (the dad and owner of Hawkins Heating and Cooling) put in air conditioning and a new heater in our house so now we are nice and cozy! Another reason I love these guys!

Bulk 4x6 Prints

If the (bi-folded/tri-folded) Custom Christmas Cards are out of your budget but you still want to show off your images, consider getting bulk 4x6 prints of one image. They come in increments of 25 for $1.50 each (sold individually for $25).

DON'T FORGET: The Deadline for ordering Custom Christmas Cards or Bulk 4x6 Prints is November 10th!

Gas Station Session

Betchyou've (like my slang?) never seen portraits from a gas station? I found this old abandoned one so I thought it would be a really cool setting. This Senior guy and I made a good team because we are both silly and goofy so we had fun trying out some wild and crazy poses and backgrounds and I am thrilled with the results (holy run-on sentence). There's even more awesome pictures from this session but I have to save some surprises for my new website that is coming out SOON. ("Soon" meaning when I can find some time in the wee hours of the night/morning to work on it between editing photos.)