DETROIT CHILDREN'S PHOTOGRAPHER, DETROIT BABY PHOTOGRAPHER, DETROIT CHILD PHOTOGRAPHER, PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP, PHOTOGRAPHY RESOURCES

Oh Lolly, Lolly, Lolly . . . Lolly POP!

March 27, 2010

Little "A" is full POP and fun color herself, she certainly didn't need the lolly, but what fun (yumm). She traveled all the way to from Detroit to Chicago as part of our Urban Kids session a few weeks ago. Love the sparkle in this little girl's eye. :)

Crystal Eyes

May 24, 2009

Another little one from last weekend's Urban Kids Chicago photo sessions. I photographed G last August (check in the September 2008 blog) and I just adore this little one. She has eyes of crystal blue! Thanks for coming all the way to Chicago to see me, G! More to come . . .

Chicago Urban Kids Session

May 22, 2009

We had spectacular weather last weekend in Chicago and I worked with a spectacular bunch of kids (some of whom actually met me there all the way from Detroit! Thanks you guys for making the trek). All of the Chicago galleries will be LIVE by this Monday's deadline (I ALWAYS make my deadlines, even if it kills me) and I'll be blogging more in the next couple of days. Lots more sessions coming up this weekend and I'm looking out for more perfect Michigan weather! :)

This week has been CRAZY CRAZY and I've barely had time to breathe. I'm now to the point where I'm seriously needing help. We're officially HIRING a part-time Peronal / Executive Assistant . We've received several good resumes already and have set up the first round of interviews . . . please e-mail us if you're interested and would like a look at the job description (or mention this to anyone in Southeast Michigan looking for part-time work -- with an unemployment rate of more than 12% right now, there just MAY be someone out there looking). The duties include general administrative and both personal and professional tasks. Compensation includes an hourly wage, mileage reimbursement (for "on the clock" travel), and bonus opportunities. E-mail us for details . . .

Baby "J" All Grown Up

May 13, 2009

You all know "Baby J" from the baby in the red bowl. I photographed him just a few days old as a newborn. I can't believe he's turning ONE already! I know mom and dad feel the same mixed feelings I do, our little ones are both celebrating birthdays a few days apart (my little guy turns 2 tomorrow). I know mom has been DYING to see these blog shots and I'm sorry to keep her waiting -- she is one of the sweetest people I know and I'm so grateful to have her and the whole gang as clients. Below is a perfect example of what to do when it's a rainy-day photo shoot, as it was in the Lansing, MI area last week. We nearly missed a HUGE downpour in the beginning of the session and had a nice puddly end.

Baby "J" is technically part of my First 48 newborn photography program, but due to an extended stay in the hosptial, we pushed out our shoot a few days. These shots were taken less than 24 hours ago on a beautiful day outside of Lansing, Michigan. As part of the First 48, images are guaranteed within about 24 hours and I'll be working with "Baby J's" family to create an e-mail blast and custom printed announcements. He's now home and healthy and couldn't be more gorgeous! These pictures below are a testament to what I always tell my clients, "We'll probably get the best shots in the last five minutes." Usually, the first minutes of working together can be tense and excitement can be high, so there's a bit of anxiety for everyone (including me). Toward the end, we've all let our hair down and we're just having fun. Baby "J" decided to really relax. By the way, "Baby J's" parents are the way-cool clients all photographers would love to have (I'm lucky to have them!). . . easy-going, fashion-forward, and up for anything. Thanks for your patience and adventerous spirit, K and R!

Share the Love!

May 9, 2009

I can't tell you how much I just ADORE these kids. They were SO MUCH FUN to photograph and I think it shows in these last group shots. These will be some of my favorites for a long time to come . . .

This wraps up the Post-A-Day for a week (whew . . . I almost forgot a few nights and had to jump out of bed and reboot the computer just to keep my promise). Stay tuned, you may have a chance to get in on some really COOL summer shots as part of a FUN project we're putting together.

Electric Eyes

May 8, 2009

I really LOVE the shots of this little one. She has haunting, electric eyes (I didn't really realize until I saw them in the computer myself) and was such a willing spirit. We had fun! Just gorgeous! :)

More sessions this weekend and next weekend we're heading to Chicago. There are still a couple of slots left! See you in the Windy City :)

Giving Back

May 7, 2009

I want to thank everyone this morning who I met at the recognition breakfast for the Farmington Youth Assistance. SO worth getting up at 5:30 and driving an hour for! The FYA recognized 60 well-deserving young people for their volunteer contributions. I was on hand to help recognize and reward the students, many of whom are at the same high school from which I graduated in '92 (I feel OLD). If there's anything I've learned in my career, it's that volunteering isn't something you do once you've gotten where you want to go, it's the very way to get there yourself. Whenever I give of my self, I always get far more in return. I'm looking forward to working with this organization more and to seeing many of the students for sessions soon!

I worked with this little cutie a few weeks ago. All sweet smiles (definitely NOT a monster, I assure you).

Peek-A-Bootique

May 6, 2009

More from our recent commercial shoot. This is "LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!"'s brother (see next post below). Love those big brown eyes and freckles! Stay tuned . . . you're going to LOVE the last few of these kiddos all in a group.

It Really IS All You Need

May 5, 2009

Check out this beauty! These images were part of a commercial shoot for a metro Detroit boutique. Check back for more information, more cute kids, and something just for YOU!

Ann Arbor Senior Session

May 4, 2009

It's that time of year again . . . SENIOR SEASON! This is the first year I've started offering senior portraits and I'm lovin' it! There's something really cool about capturing someone at such a crossroad in her life. "J" is a very smart, upbeat woman who has already spent time traveling to Italy, Turkey, and other cool places this year. She's bursting with excitement about the world!

You may recognize "J" from last year -- she helped out during the Urban Kids events. I'm excited to say she's back with me again this year and will be helping out in the office and perhaps on location once again. Then it's off to college in the fall :( We spent time on a very sunny morning in downtown Ann Arbor recently catching up and snapping shots.

Spring Tweening & A Post-A-Day Challenge

May 3, 2009

I promised a few more shots of "E" and "D" from the April 27 Spring Tweening, so here you go. These two were so great to work with, both with such personalities and beautiful eyes. I hope mom likes these next two shots (the rest will wait for our design consultation). I can't say I can take any credit for the set-up on "E" sitting on the park bench below. She looks amazing and it's all thanks to mom, who saw the shot and suggested it. Awesome eye, mom (no surprise given that she's an ophthalmologist)!

Tonight kicks off a Post-A-Day for a week, leading up to the announcement of a very COOL OFFER! Keep checking back . . .

A Milestone . . .

May 1, 2009

When I became a professsional photographer a few years ago, I quickly joined the Professional Photographers of America and have benefited greatly from its guidance, resources, and referrals. For anyone just starting out, I urge you to join today.

They offer one program in particular, the Studio Management Services workshop. The program is 10 hours for 3 consecutive days of business management and planning. I'll be working in small groups and one-on-one with an attorney, accountant, tax specialists (fun!), marketing specialists, and the super big hitters in photography to learn where my business stands now and to make a plan for where I want to go. The program hosts only 12 studios (out of the 14,000 member studios nationwide) per session. Participants must have minimum annual sales of $50,000. Three years ago, I remember thinking "Wow, that's a lot of money. I'll never reach that goal." I'm proud to say I've reached and far exceeded the goal. This is a huge milestone for me because it seemed so unatainable just a short time ago.

Never underestimate your own abilities and the power of a dream, determination, and a lot of hard work! Are you doing what you dream of doing? Are you giving it your all? Are you living life like you mean it? If not, today is the day.